Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

A three-week-old grounding order on the U.S. Air Force’s B-1B bomber fleet could be lifted by the end of the month, the 28th Bomb Wing commander says.

The Russians have deployed SS-26 ballistic missiles in Syria, according to satellite images released by Israeli company Imagesat International (ISI).

Israel Aerospace Industries has developed a control station for unmanned aircraft systems that can be operated mainly by voice commands from the operator.

The U.S. Navy has confirmed plans to integrate a new close-range, submarine-hunting sensor on the Lockheed Martin MH-60R helicopter fleet.

The first flight of the BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE’S SAAB F-39 Gripen model with flight test instrumentation is to take place later this year, according to the service.

Germany’s Hensoldt continued its stand-alone growth strategy on April 12 with the announcement it will buy Nexeya’s test, integration and services business.

After roughly six years, Lockheed Martin will wrap up developing a modernized turret for the U.S. Army’s Boeing AH-64 Apache that reduces jitter and maintenance time.

Northrop Grumman Innovation System’s 11th and final NASA-contracted resupply mission to the ISS under a 2008 CRS-1 agreement lifted off April 17.

The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, a $72,225,064 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to exercise options for Design Agent and Engineering Support Services for the Rolling Airframe Missile MK-31 Guided Missile Weapon System Improvement Program, the Pentagon said.

AGI and USSTRATCOM have signed an agreement for space situational awareness services and data.

Bell anticipates its V-280 will fly autonomously by the end of the calendar year.

Swiss helicopter operator Rega is exploring the use of rotary-wing unmanned air systems to support search and rescue (SAR) missions.

Lockheed Martin has transitioned numerous F-35 suppliers to longer-term, performance-based logistics contracts and master repair agreements to increase supply availability and reduce sustainment costs, the company says.

NASA has extended two flight assignments for astronauts headed for the International Space Station this year.

Australia has operationally deployed a P-8A maritime patroller for the first time to a Malaysian base for patrols in the South China Sea and north Indian Ocean.

Two members of California’s congressional delegation have expressed skepticism to Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan concerning the Space Development Agency.

Indonesia has ordered three more Type 209 diesel-electric submarines worth $1.02 billion from South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.

BOEING has $14.3b U.S. Air Force contract for modification, modernization, engineering, sustainment and test of B-1/B-52 weapons systems.

Pergravis LLC, Tampa, Florida, has been awarded an estimated $73,220,000 firm-fixed-price contract for power converting and continuation interfacing equipment emergency maintenance/preventative maintenance.

This week the U.S. Army’s Quad-A aviation summit is underway in Nashville, Tennessee, with a keynote Tuesday from U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff James C. McConville.

The number of used business jets for sale in April increased 4% compared to a year ago, accounting for 7.6% of the active fleet.

The Sikorsky/Boeing team must modify the SB-1 Defiant to achieve the Marine Corps’ goal of 270 kt. for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) that will replace the Bell UH-1Y Venom fleet, industry officials say.

Israel Aerospace Industries has completed a series of tests with its Heron-1 UAS fitted with an advanced sonobuoy that will enable anti-submarine missions.

The U.S. Army will make a decision on CH-47F Block II Chinooks and whether the aircraft fits into its Future Vertical Lift strategy.

U.S. Air Force F-35As arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base in the U.A.E. on April 15 for the type to begin its first deployment to support combat operations in the Middle East.