Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

The House Science Committee is trying to remove barriers to commercial space companies with a new bill, the American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act of 2017.

View the Forecast Friday: Western Attack Helicopter MRO Demand 2017-2026 chart in PDF format.

The U.S. Air Force says flying operations at Luke AFB were canceled on June 9 “to synchronize operations and maintenance efforts toward safe flying.”

The U.S. Air Force says it will continue investing in the Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-1 engine as a potential replacement for the Russian-made RD-180.

“We expect France would be involved,” said Airbus’ head of military aircraft, Fernando Alonso, speaking to journalists here June 9. “It is clearly in our European interest to define one single system available to all."

Portugal looks set to become the first customer for Embraer’s KC-390 airlifter.

Even a 1% fuel savings on the C-17 would save the Pentagon millions of dollars annually.

India’s Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. has delivered the first crown and tailcone assembly for India's upcoming batch of CH-47F Chinooks.

SAFRAN completed €2.4b ($2.7b) sale of its identity and security activities to ADVENT INTERNATIONAL.

Democrats on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are pushing their own FAA reauthorization bill.

​View the Defense Market Intelligence Notes in PDF format.

The U.S. Navy has opted to fund Boeing’s upgraded F/A-18 Super Hornet “Block III” and plans to begin fielding the capability in fiscal 2019.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems plans to demonstrate an ultra-high-speed laser satellite communications terminal for the MQ-9 Reaper and is separately proposing a high-power “kill laser” demonstration.

Something refreshing and welcome seemed to emerge as NASA introduced its 22nd astronaut selection class this week.

The battle in Germany between Israel Aerospace Industries’ Heron TP and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ MQ-9B SkyGuardian appears to have been won by the Heron TP, but California-based General Atomics is not conceding defeat just yet.

The new version has adapted the soda can-shaped jammer into a shape that makes it compatible with the chaff and flare dispensing systems used on the F-16 and F-15.

China’s main builder of space launchers is developing what it calls a low-cost rocket that is likely to replace part of its venerable Long March 3 series.

The campaign involved test sites in Alaska, New York, Nevada, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia.

All 122 passengers and crew of a Myanmar air force Avic Y-8F 200 transporter are believed to have been killed after the aircraft crashed into the Andaman Sea on June 7.

Bell’s Model 505 JetRanger X has been awarded its long-awaited certification by the FAA.

The U.S. Air Force now believes Boeing won’t deliver the new tanker until “late spring of 2018,” or at least six months later than expected.

Chinese state space contractor CASC will lighten the first-stage motor of its Long March 11 launcher, increasing throw weight, and also seems to be planning a second and larger solid-propellant launcher.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed its first foreign deployment of a Boeing P-8A Poseidon, preparing to assign the aircraft to Southeast Asian missions.

Chinese studies into reusable space launchers encompass powered and parachute landings, says the country’s main contractor for carrier rockets.

Britain’s Royal Air Force has taken delivery of its third and final RC-135 Rivet Joint signals-intelligence gathering aircraft.