Defense and Space

In this week’s Washington Outlook: Defense Secretary Mattis says a Space Corps would create a narrower approach to space operations, Senator wants to set up X-Prize to solve hypoxia problem, and AIA’s Melcher will leave his job in December.

A team of Australian-U.S. researchers has conducted the first successful glide flight of an advanced weapon-like waverider configuration at speeds of more than Mach 7.

Orbital ATK has failed in a lawsuit to block a program by rival Space Systems/Loral (SSL) and Darpa that will demonstrate robotic satellite servicing in geostationary orbit (GEO) and leave a commercial capability in place.

With the cost of supporting the decades-old engines powering many of its aircraft, the U.S. Air Force is focusing efforts on innovations in sustainment.

Growth in global aerospace and defense (A&D) revenue slowed in 2016, according to Deloitte’s A&D financial performance study.

Thailand buys South Korean T-50 trainers, Pakistan tests short-range missile, Kratos wins a satcom study contract and BAE to upgrade electronic warfare systems for U.S. Special Operations aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force's investigation determined the fire was caused by an unusually strong tailwind as the pilot began to rev up the engine.

The U.S. Air Force is developing tools to defend against small, commercial unmanned aerial systems but lacks the legal authority to use them.

Newly recapitalized space launch vehicle developer Firefly has emerged from last year’s financial collapse to reveal first details about plans to develop a larger, more capable version of the company’s original Alpha rocket.

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot appears as a swirling mass of cedar red in the first images released by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI).

Lockheed Martin has sent a preliminary response to Japan’s request for information on options for a fighter to replace the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-2 in the 2030s.

Made In Space, the Silicon Valley-based 3-D printing startup, has added a third feed stock to its additive manufacturing activities aboard the International Space Station.

India plans to launch a backup Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System spacecraft in August to replace the ailing IRNSS-1A satellite, which has seen all three of its rubidium atomic clocks fail.

Companies are transforming Air Tractor and Thrush agricultural aircraft into low-cost but bomb-heavy strike aircraft.

President Trump has chartered a new National Space Council, and its chairman, the vice president, says America will go to the Moon, Mars and will lead in space.

Textron’s Ellen Lord will likely be confirmed as undersecretary for acquisition, but the role is in flux.

Kratos Defense is calling on engine manufacturers to develop inexpensive, limited-life powerplants for a new generation of low-cost unmanned combat aircraft and cruise missiles.

NASA’s Juno mission spacecraft carried out the closest approach ever to Jupiter’s turbulent Great Red Spot late July 10.

The total cost to procure Lockheed Martin’s F-35 has risen by nearly seven percentage points compared to last year, largely because the U.S. government opted to buy aircraft at a slower rate, according to the Pentagon’s most recent estimate.

The company will not comment on specific prospects or national requirements, but the scheduled stops of the aircraft indicate where Airbus expects it has chances of making sales: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea.

Service officials who led the recent Air Superiority 2030 study on future fighters say the next air superiority jet the Air Force buys will need to balance stealth against other attributes.

The U.S. government conducted a successful intercept July 11 with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missile defense system.

The Thai cabinet has approved the purchase of an additional eight Korean Aerospace (KAI) T-50 jet trainers that will supplement four ordered two years ago.

Vienna looks to remove controversial Eurofighters from service by 2020.

CEO says acquisition of B/E Aerospace will make Rockwell Collins a leader in smart airplanes and says company already is benefiting from a rebound in defense.