Defense

NASA did not violate any procurement regulations in awarding a $2.9 billion, solo contract to SpaceX to demonstrate a human lunar lander, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) said on July 30.

The European Space Agency has awarded a €118.8 million ($143 million) contract to launcher manufacturer Avio for the development of the Vega E upgraded light rocket.

At least 12 significant cyber security incidents affecting the aerospace industry have been made public since the start of the year.

The U.S. Navy plans to buy 70 MQ-4Cs, including five prototypes, with an average recurring unit cost of $153 million.

The single-stage booster separated from the Boeing B-52 on the second test but failed to ignite over the Point Mugu Sea Range off the California coast.

NASA and Roscosmos are investigating the inadvertent thruster firings of the newly arrived Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module, which temporarily moved the International Space Station station out of orientation.

An exchange during a think-tank event in Washington on July 29 may offer an explanation for the absence of a promised U.S. Air Force hypersonic flight test in July.

An automated data feed translation tool has been transferred by DARPA’s Mosaic program to the U.S. Air Force.

The UK’s aviation regulator and its air accident investigation organization have had their purview extended into orbit after legislation for space launch was given final approval.

Textron’s business aircraft and helicopter segments saw revenues grow in the second quarter of 2021 based on increased sales of Cessna Citation jets and Caravan turboprops, Beechcraft King Air turboprops and Bell helicopters.

With the successful launch of an experimental cubesat for the U.S. Space Force, Rocket Lab returned its Electron small satellite launcher into commercial service on July 29, with about six more missions on its manifest for the year.

BAE Systems says it has begun work on producing components for Germany’s order of 38 new-build Eurofighters.

Tokyo is reportedly considering inviting the U.S. Marine Corps to fly its Lockheed Martin F-35Bs from its newly converted aircraft carrier.

An initial tranche of funding has been awarded to the Team Tempest industrial consortium.

Aircraft propulsion concepts, radio-frequency sensors, mesh networks and autonomous control systems are driving a reimagining of roles.

How to ease engine shortage?; NDIA creates think tank; missile defense laser development; and Lockheed takes $225 million charge.

The U.S. Air Force has retired the first Kratos XQ-58A to become a new exhibit at the National Museum of the Air Force after the pioneering unmanned aircraft system logged a total of four flight hours on three flights in 2019.

BRITTEN-NORMAN has acquired fleet of high-capacity BN2T-4S Islanders that had been operating in surveillance roles for US DOD, and plans to launch

UK utility aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has acquired a fleet of Defender aircraft previously operated by the British Army.

Rocket Lab intends to return its Electron small satellite launcher into commercial service as early as July 29 following an accident two months ago.

A week after acquiring an artificial intelligence company for combat aircraft, Shield AI on July 29 announced the acquisition of Martin UAV.

German satellite launch startup Isar Aerospace has secured $75 million from investors which include Porsche, the majority owner of the Volkswagen automobile company.

The restored Superfortress has paused its tour and will miss this year’s show after the warbird experienced trouble with one of its engines.

The Portuguese Navy has taken delivery of the first of five upgraded Lynx shipboard naval helicopters.

A tacair subcommittee member has proposed that the Air Force study the “feasibility and advisability” of integrating a Raytheon ALQ-249 mid-band radar jammer on its tactical fighter fleet.