Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Steve Trimble
A Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie launched an Area-I Altius-600 small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to demonstrate the first release of a munition or air vehicle from the former’s internal weapons bay, the Air Force Research Laboratory said on April 5.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Lee Hudson
Although the requirement is not approved, the U.S. Air Force could convert the KC-46 into a communications node within three years, according to Air Mobility Command.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Molly McMillin
Powers & Zahr, a Wichita area-based technology insertion and engineering service provider, has formed a “strategic relationship” with Rolls-Royce North America to provide engineering and logistics services on targeted Department of Defense joint business pursuits and programs.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Graham Warwick
Honeywell is to supply more systems for Pipistrel’s Nuuva V300 unmanned cargo aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Lee Hudson
President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate former Silicon Valley executive and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Director Michael Brown as under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Mark Carreau
In a first for a U.S. spacecraft at the International Space Station, SpaceX’s Crew-1 Dragon and its four-member crew swapped docking ports early April 5 to prepare for an upcoming crew exchange and provide a parking spot for a resupply version of the Dragon.
Space

By Irene Klotz
NASA’s 4-lb. Ingenuity helicopter has reached its test airfield on Mars in preparation for the first attempt at powered flight beyond Earth.
Space

By Mark Carreau
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program plans to observe another milestone early April 5, as the $8.5 billion initiative to provide the U.S. with a means of transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station marks its 10th anniversary.
Space

By Graham Warwick
As it works to accelerate the establishment of a U.S. advanced air mobility industry by identifying early military procurement opportunities for such vehicles, potential applications being investigated by the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program include personnel recovery and other special operations.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Irene Klotz
As China prepares to launch the first module of a new space station in low Earth orbit, Russia says it is open to potential cooperation on the project.
Space

By Lee Hudson
The U.S. Space Force is in need of additional intelligence analysts as U.S. adversaries’ space capabilities continue to grow and is working toward establishing a National Space Intelligence Center by January 2022.
Space

By Mark Carreau
NASA’s Convergent Aeronautics Solutions has launched a crowdsourcing competition to solicit assessments from experts on the factors most likely to shape the future of air travel and how to best arrive at a favorable outcome.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The company that supplies MH-6M and MH-47G helicopters to SOCOM’s army aviation component declined to directly answer a query by Aerospace DAILY about interest in Armed Overwatch, but left open the possibility of submitting a bid for the 76-aircraft order.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A top U.S. Air Force commander on April 1 said the Army’s plan to deploy ground-launched, hypersonic missiles in the Pacific theater is “stupid,” throwing gasoline on a largely behind-the-scenes turf fight raging inside the Pentagon over budgetary resources for long-range strike programs.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Michael Bruno
Vaya Space, a Cocoa, Florida, space startup formerly known as Rocket Crafters, on March 31 announced its entrance into the small satellite launching marketplace for launches of up to 1 ton to low Earth orbit starting in 2023.
Commercial Space

By Maxim Pyadushkin
China has boosted its high-resolution Earth observation capabilities with the launch of another Gaofen 12 satellite.
Space

By Michael Bruno
Fresh off its declaration that it was becoming a space-based weather service provider, ClimaCell has revealed its financing for getting there.
Commercial Space

By Michael Bruno
AST Spacemobile, the new publicly traded version of nanosatellite startup AST & Science of Midland, Texas, should emerge from its reverse-merger with a special purpose acquisition company on April 6 sporting around $462 million.
Commercial Space

The Embraer KC-390 is now qualified to refuel another KC-390 in-flight for the Brazilian air force, the manufacturer said April 1. Boom-equipped air
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The UK Royal Air Force has disbanded the squadron flying its Raytheon Sentinel wide-area surveillance aircraft, ending the type’s service career.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
European missile manufacturer MBDA says it will scale back spending on Germany’s Tactical Air Defense System (TLVS) after a government review of ground-based air defenses prioritized a requirement for short-range air defense and upgrades to the country’s existing Patriot systems.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Bill Carey
NASA estimates the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the agency’s major programs through fiscal 2020 and beyond at nearly $3 billion.
Space

By Michael Bruno
Area-I’s offerings include its Altius UAV, whose current customers include the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Special Operations Command and NASA.
Supply Chain

By Steve Trimble
Boeing said it is disappointed by Canada's decision to disqualify the KC-46 for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project, but stands ready to re-enter if the competition is reopened to bidding.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Maxim Pyadushkin
Russia has made another step toward the development of a new Soyuz 5 medium lift launch vehicle, with NPO Energomash reporting on March 31 that it had completed test firings of the first RD-171MV liquid rocket engine.
Space