Defense and Space

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin are nearing a deal for the 11th lot of F-35s that includes more than 130 jets, multiple congressional aides say.

NASA has laid out a three-phase program to collect data on public acceptance of reduced sonic booms using the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works-developed low-boom demonstrator, which has been designated the X-59A QueSST.

Virgin Orbit’s air-launched LauncherOne small satellite launch vehicle is set for a captive-carry test flight as early as next week.

The USAF has laid the groundwork to award a J-Stars contract in case defense committees force the service to continue the program, a service official says.

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has become the largest manufacturer of combat fixed-wing aircraft in the world.

Maybe a little AI will help reduce the stressful demands that accompany human spaceflight. The Crew Interactive Mobile Companion will explore the potential.

Rocket Lab is postponing the first commercial mission of its dedicated small sat launcher Electron to probe a problem with the booster’s motor controller.

The U.S. Air Force has suspended its light attack experiment until a cause is determined in the fatal crash of a Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano.

The UK needs to hammer out a withdrawal accord from the EU to avoid massive disruption of the aerospace industry, ex-FAA chief Michael Huerta says.

India’s second lunar mission—Chandrayaan-2, scheduled for launch in October—will explore the possibility of mining helium-3.

Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency has separately agreed with Airbus and Boeing to apply new technology to military aircraft maintenance.

B-21 clears preliminary design review; Lockheed receives F-16V contract; Spain cleared for Aegis System sale; and India overhauls border guard helicopters.

The USMC has decided to remove the first F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical landing fighter from its inventory after determining a repair was not justified.

For the third time in a year, NASA is delaying the target launch date for the James Webb Space Telescope, this time to March 30, 2021.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has an agreement with the Russian space agency Roscosmos to fly its first astronaut to the International Space Station next year.

The U.S. should speed revisions to FAA regs governing commercial space to keep pace with the industry’s growth, newer launch vehicle providers told the House.

South Korea will acquire six Boeing P-8A Poseidons, local media report, following the defense ministry’s earlier selection of the type.

The U.S. Navy has accelerated the requirements process for the MQ-25 Stingray by focusing on two key performance parameters (KPPs), a senior official says.

New Zealand’s defense minister expects the government to approve an order for up to four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrollers next month.

Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody is to announce additional orders for its L-39NG jet trainer at this year’s Farnborough Airshow.

Japan’s Hayabusa2 asteroid sample return mission maneuvered into position above its destination, the asteroid Ryugu, late June 26 Eastern Daylight Time.

A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft produced under license by India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) crashed during a test flight June 27.

The U.S. government has awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.12 billion contract to make 16 F-16V fighters for the Royal Bahraini Air Force.

Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia is making the U.S. uncomfortable about selling F-35s to Ankara

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force agree to October initial delivery with remaining 17 aircraft arriving by April 2019.