U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

By Guy Norris
Startup propulsion company Ursa Major has begun assembly of the first Draper engine for a new-generation, air-launched hypersonic target vehicle.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Guy Norris
Hypersonic test company Stratolaunch completed the first taxi test of the Roc carrier aircraft and rocket-configured Talon TA-1 vehicle.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The award by the innovation arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory supports testing of the Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System and a hydrogen fuel cell.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Garrett Reim
The spacecraft is the Pentagon’s first experimental navigation satellite in nearly 50 years.
Space

By Graham Warwick
Over 50 years, GPS has evolved and inspired the development of similar systems by other nations.
Space

By Garrett Reim
Lockheed Martin sees NEP systems as a crucial stepping stone for efficient spacecraft maneuvers in cislunar and deep space.
Space

By Jen DiMascio
The AFRL is leading its first cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the U.S. Space Force and companies outside the U.S.
Space

By Steve Trimble
After focusing exclusively on eVTOL aircraft, the U.S. Air Force's Agility Prime program is expanding to fixed-wing types with the planned lease of a Pipistrel electric sport aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
Laboratory invites startups to test munitions algorithms in simulations.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
A $19 million contract launches the Flyer One program, with the goal of dramatically accelerating the airworthiness approval process for new aircraft designs.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The series of tests by the 40th Flight Test Squadron is being used to inform how the U.S. Air Force tests and applies the synthetic decision-making technology.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Graham Warwick
Collins Aerospace has begun manufacturing a 1-megawatt electric generator for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Guy Norris
Previous work on hypersonic accelerator and high-speed patent provide possible clues as to GE’s ambitions for rotating detonation technology.
Emerging Technologies

By Guy Norris, Steve Trimble
Long-term pressure gain remains the goal, but compact combustion is accelerating near-term adoption of the technology for high-speed propulsion systems.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The demonstration showed that an artificial intelligence “pilot” may be able to substitute in the future for a human controller in communications-denied areas.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force’s research and acquisition bureaucracy will play only a supporting role as the service’s energy office leads flight demonstration.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
South Korean researchers have developed a humanoid robot capable of understanding flight manuals and flying an aircraft without cockpit modifications.
Emerging Technologies

By Garrett Reim
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has opened its Extreme Computing Facility in Rome, New York.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Garrett Reim
Benchmark Space Systems, a propulsion systems manufacturer, has raised a $33 million Series B round.
Commercial Space

By Steve Trimble, Guy Norris
A new U.S. effort to prove technology for reusable hypersonic flight is inching forward as government scientists seek information on industry-funded projects.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The flight on Jan. 25 at the Eglin Test and Training Complex off the Florida coast builds on four years of experiments by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Mark Carreau
Gallton will also be in charge of establishing the firm’s Washington regional office.
Commercial Space

By Matthew Fulco
L3Harris reported revenue of $4.69 billion in the second quarter, up 13.5% annually, while its earnings per share (EPS) of $2.97 beat analysts’ estimates.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne
The country is developing a three-pronged strategy to accelerate the development of hypersonic missiles.
Missile Defense & Weapons