Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

The U.S. Air Force is seeking to reprogram $84.5 million in fiscal 2018 funding so that it can award the long-delayed UH-1N Replacement program in September.

Launched by the company last August, the single-engine aircraft is being developed using internal company funding with the aim of replacing the Turkish Air Force’s Northrop T-38 Talon trainers.

The biggest hypersonics-related reprogramming request—totaling $159.5 million—involves the Defense Department’s development of a prompt global strike capability.

The school which dates to World War II is undertaking a radical transformation as it gears up to train a new generation of test pilots.

“Patriot missiles that have a very high price tag were used against a UAS that costs a few dollars,” one source in Israel said.

Elbit Systems has adapted the Hermes 900 for operations in civil airspace.

Houston-based Axiom Space is a two-year-old startup competing to establish a multiuser, commercial space station.

Saab is gearing up to fly the second and third prototypes of its JAS-39E Gripen NG.

United Technologies (UTC) is developing multiple hybrid electric flight demonstrators to evaluate technology for future alternate propulsion concepts.

The Royal Air Force’s expanding fleet of secretive Beechcraft Shadow intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft are to be upgraded by 2022.

The White House wants James Morhard, currently deputy sergeant of arms for the U.S. Senate, to join former U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) in running NASA.

FLUOR MARINE PROPULSION LLC has $1.2b U.S. Navy contract for naval nuclear propulsion work at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory. Work could reach $13b with options.

The Mitsubishi F-2 is a multi-role fighter based on the Lockheed Martin F-16. The aircraft is powered by a single General Electric F110-129 turbofan engine, built locally under license by IHI. As of January 2018, the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) operated 88 F-2s as well as four test examples.

One year after France and Germany unveiled plans to develop a future European fighter, the UK has lifted the veil on its vision for a future combat aircraft.

Arconic has signed a new two-year joint development agreement with Lockheed Martin to develop customized, lightweight material and advanced manufacturing processes.

The company has begun spending R&D euros on the concept to support France and Germany’s requirement for a Maritime Airborne Warfare System.

The U.S. State Department is continuing to talk with Ankara about the Patriot missile defense system it has twice rejected.

Pentagon Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan signed the acquisition and sustainment office reorganization plan last week, officials say.

Foreign proposals for Japan’s next fighter are F-22 Raptor or F-15 Eagle upgrades or a new fighter that the country would develop with Britain and BAE Systems.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has added UAVs as candidates for a program to replace Lockheed Martin EP-3 and OP-3C intelligence-gathering aircraft.

The Malaysia Army has put into service the Denel Dynamics ZT3A2 Ingwe guided missile, the third type of anti-armor weapon in the inventory.

Lockheed Martin is talking with the F-35 joint program office on whether a 3rd phase of the affordability initiative focused on JSF procurement and sustainment is needed.

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems’ ninth NASA-contracted Cygnus cargo capsule is embarking on two weeks of solo engineering test objectives after departing the space station.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has finally confirmed the sale of 30 T129 ATAK helicopters to Pakistan.

The F-15 Eagle fighter is enjoying something of a renaissance, with new capabilities enabled by the insertion of new technology.