Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

A half-dozen NASA Mars rovers, landers and orbiters will cease or in some cases curtail their transmission and reception of data with Earth as the Solar System’s two most hospitable planets experience a two-week, once-every-two-year solar conjunction beginning Oct. 2.

The UK plans to build a center to lead research, testing and certification of new sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Raytheon has demonstrated a new manned-unmanned (MUM-T) teaming technology in a flight test sponsored by the Strategic Capabilities Office, the company said Sept. 29.

The UK Royal Air Force has formally retired its Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft from service.

The UK Royal Navy has launched unmanned air systems from the flight deck of its new carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Czech startup Zuri has completed the first tethered hover of its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing technology demonstrator.

Boeing is establishing an Integrated Product Team (IPT) to digitally pave the way for the design and production of its next commercial aircraft using capabilities and methods largely perfected on a recent set of military programs.

Germany is the third European nation to choose the P-8 following the UK and Norway after awarding a $756 million contract to Boeing for five of the maritime patrol aircraft.

North Korea says that it successfully launched a hypersonic missile, designated Hwasong-8, on the morning of Sept. 28.

Airbus Helicopters has been extolling the virtues of its H175 super-medium helicopter as a platform for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter with a series of demonstration flights.

RE2 Robotics has received U.S. Air Force funding to develop an autonomous system to automate certain flight line maintenance tasks during aircraft turnarounds.

IPP AIR CARGO, Vietnam plans 2Q22 startup with five 777Fs (TBA); it plans to add seven aircraft in second year and 10 in third.

ALASKA AIRLINES leased first new 737-9 (43337) on lease from Air Lease Corporation as part of deal for 13.

AZUL CONECTA, Brazil ordered five Cessna Grand Caravan EXs, and option five, for pax transport; first two have delivered.

NORTH STAR AIR, Canada purchased ATR 72-500F (978; ex-Virgin Australia) from Avation, Singapore.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS signed memorandum of cooperation with Kenya Airways with a longer-term view to co-starting a Pan-African Airline Group that in

CRESTVIEW AEROSPACE acquired KEMCO AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING, MO (machined components); KAL Capital advised.

LOAN STAR ANALYSIS, TX secured new round of investment from HCAP Partners; it provides predictive/prescriptive analytics and guided AI solutions.

KAMAN COMPOSITES-WICHITA delivered its 1,500th inlet unit for the CH-47.

CFM INTERNATIONAL signed LOI with Air China to build LEAP MRO capacity at SICHUAN SERVICES AERO-ENGINE MAINTENANCE.

CFM INTERNATIONAL has 12-year, $992m Air Travel contract to provide LEAP-1A MRO/spares on Rate per Flight Hour basis.

AVIATION INVENTORY RESOURCES, TX parted out four Saab 340s and one B1900D to support its AIRcare program.

Naji Majdalani to Director of Business Development-Middle East for Engine Strategy Group, based in Dubai, of GA Telesis.

LCI jointly acquired ex-Singapore A330-200 (1427) with MARATHON ASSET MANAGEMENT to re-enter fixed wing market.

Joanna Soh to Vice President of Marketing-Asia, based in Singapore, of Deucalion Aviation.