Defense and Space

The mobile launcher that will serve as the construction base and launch platform for NASA’s heavy-lift SLS rocket and Orion deep-space capsule was transported to Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B on Aug. 31 for fit checks.

The UK defense ministry is to test machine learning to support the processing and exploitation of surveillance data from its unmanned aerial systems (UAV).

Israeli defense companies are putting a high priority on the development of new UAS sensors.

Israel Aerospace Industries is performing initial tests to evaluate the effect of design changes made to enhance the speed of its unmanned aircraft systems.

Airbus Defense and Space has delivered the first commercially operated C295 twin-turboprop airlifter to Kenyan operator DAC Aviation.

An investigation found no evidence that an aircraft structure “or any system” malfunctioned prior to the fatal crash of an experimental Magnus eFusion hybrid-electric airplane.

While the Israeli Air Force mulls delaying the purchase of additional F-35s in favor of advanced F-15s, deliveries of 50 F-35s already under contract continue.

India is expected to formally sign a 210 billion rupee ($3 billion) agreement in October to buy 200 Ka-226T helicopters.

Piecing together the U.S. Air Force’s emerging initiatives to revamp the 1950s-era bomber for long-range strike missions.

The U.S. Navy is working on various challenges for the last of the Joint Strike Fighter versions, still hoping to have it ready for battle by early next year.

The $805 million contract is just the start of what might blossom into $7 billion in carrier-based, aerial refueling tanker work.

The U.S. Navy has selected Boeing for the long-awaited MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned refueling tanker contract to build four air vehicle prototypes.

Two cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station patched a 2-mm-dia. hole in the upper section of the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft.

Parts provider and aftermarket specialist Heico on Aug. 30 announced its Flight Support Group has acquired Optical Display Engineering (ODE).

The USAF has issued a long-awaited Request for Proposals to industry for contractor operated adversary aircraft to support training of front-line crews.

Future human exploration and science missions are the focus of 15 new techs selected by NASA for further development through its flight opportunities program.

Honeywell International is looking to generate new sales by offering up its aerospace and defense engineering and testing groups for outsourcing .

The Qatari government has revealed it will build a second airbase which will likely support the housing of the Gulf state’s rapidly growing fighter fleet.

A new NASA advisory committee will tackle regulatory and policy issues.

Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow detected a minute pressure leak aboard the station around 7 p.m. EDT Aug. 29, NASA said in a status report on Aug. 30.

India plans to buy maritime helicopters; quantifying the space force; aerospace wins AI challenge, and Brazil joins space situational awareness team.

Aside from the New Shepard on display in the lobby of Blue Origin’s new manufacturing plant at Kennedy Space Center, the company has been mostly mum about progress outfitting the factory for production of New Glenn reusable rockets.

India’s first manned space flight, dubbed Gaganyaan, to be launched 40 months from now, will send three humans into space, the country’s top scientist says.

The British defense ministry says there is no danger to the UK’s plan to achieve initial operating capability from land bases with the Lockheed Martin F-35.

The UK has OK'd nearly $129 million in funding to back studies for the design and development of an independent positioning and timing satellite system.