Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Bradley Perrett
The maritime version of China’s Y-9 transport is technologically comparable with the Lockheed Martin P-3C, says a Chinese government official who also describes the type’s anti-ship role.

India’s expanding nuclear force is not matched by a consistent, effective doctrine and posture, risking instability, according to analysts working with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

There is growing interest in military and analytical circles for increased civilian air patrols in the Western Pacific to help curb Chinese maritime expansion in the region.

RAYTHEON has five-year, $240m NASA contract to continue support of Earth Observing Systems Data and Information System. RIFT VALLEY EQUITY PARTNERS

The Senate Armed Services Committee plans two full committee hearings this week: one on strategy to counter Islamic State militants with Defense

Selected U.S. military contracts for June 29, 2015 U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), LLC, Arlington, Virginia, is

Boeing expects the U.S. Air Force to issue a draft request for proposals (RFP) for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), a replacement for the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile, in the fall, company officials said in a media briefing July 7.

The International Space Station (ISS) partnership is doubling down on research in the wake of three cargo-vehicle failures in eight months, forging ahead as the orbiting lab begins to attract “non-traditional” users.

By Tony Osborne
Airbus Helicopters is exploring the potential of a Single Engine Operative (SEO) capability for its family of helicopters to boost range and endurance.

By Noam Eshel
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is enhancing the capabilities of its Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV, enabling the drone to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions from standoff range.

The threatened removal of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier presence from the Persian Gulf indicates the need to re-establish the nation’s fleet at 11 nuclear carriers (CVNs), according to a “grassroots” pro-carrier campaign.

Three U.S., European and Japanese astronauts are prepping for a two-week space mission simulation aboard the Aquarius undersea lab on the ocean floor off Florida’s Atlantic Coast that will feature evaluations of tools and procedures for use by future deep space explorers.

By Tony Osborne
Japan will send two of its new generation Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to the Royal International Air Tattoo, which will mark the first appearance of an indigenous Japanese military aircraft at a foreign airshow since 1997.
Defense

As the U.S. continues its efforts to rebalance resources to better serve American interests in the Asia-Pacific region, there is a greater emphasis being placed on relationships with smaller countries.

By Noam Eshel
Elbit Systems is developing new applications for smart helmets that will be able to sense when pilots develop life-threatening conditions in flight.

By Noam Eshel
Elbit Systems is developing new applications for smart helmets that will be able to sense when pilots develop life-threatening conditions in flight.

New Horizons controllers plan to resume collecting data at Pluto on July 7, after identifying the culprit in a July 4 automatic shutdown as a subtle timing flaw as a command sequence was being uploaded to prepare for closest approach on July 14.

By Mark Carreau
The strategy would extract water and oxygen from the Red Planet’s soil and atmosphere, starting years before the first pioneers migrate and land near pre-established habitat and cargo modules.

By Tony Osborne
Aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is warning of another turbulent year ahead with the announcement of a profit warning just days into the tenure of new CEO Warren East.

By Jay Menon
Airbus Helicopters is set to team up with Mahindra Group to make helicopters in India to meet the country’s military requirements.

As the U.S. Marine Corps and other military services continue to solidify and expand their footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, the need for greater lift and mobility is becoming more apparent.

By Tony Osborne
Russian Helicopters is mulling restarting production of the Mi-14 maritime helicopter.

By Jay Menon
India is poised to launch five U.K.-built satellites later this week, marking the country’s heaviest commercial launch payload mission to date.

By Mark Carreau
The automated freighter, also designated M-28M, locked into the Russian segment's Pirs docking module at 3:11 a.m. EDT, where it was greeted by the station's crew.

Timing flaw put temporary shutdown on New Horizon's data collection mission at Pluto. Science operations will resume July 7.
Space