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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, December 16, 2020

VOL. 274 NO. 51 December 16, 2020
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Programs

U-2S
article

Skunk Works Reveals Details Of Mid-November U-2S Demo

Dec 15, 2020
As the U.S. Air Force prepares for a mysterious and “historic” demonstration on Dec. 15 involving the Lockheed Martin U-2S, the company’s Skunk Works division has revealed details of a “complementary” technology experiment held in secret a month ago with the same aircraft. 
F-X
article

Japan Chooses Lockheed Martin To Support F-X, Media Reports

Dec 15, 2020
Japan has chosen Lockheed Martin as the technology support partner for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in developing the F-X fighter, Japanese media said.
article

Saab To Create Canadian Aerospace Centers If Gripen Wins Fighter Bid 

Dec 14, 2020
Saab will establish two aerospace centers in Quebec if the company’s Gripen is selected as Canada’s future fighter aircraft.
article

U.S. Air Force Delivers Last F-15SA To Saudi Arabia

Dec 15, 2020
The U.S. Air Force says it has delivered the last of 84 F-15SA Advanced Eagles to the Royal Saudi Air Force. 
MRTT
article

Airbus Advances Automated Refueling On MRTT

Dec 11, 2020
Airbus is continuing to target a 2021 certification for an automated aerial refueling capability on its A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport. 

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Funding & Policy

article

Official: U.S. Space Force May Set Up Acquisition Command Early

Dec 15, 2020
The U.S. Space Force may establish its acquisition and sustainment arm, Space Systems Command, earlier than planned, the chief of space operations says.

Technology

article

Test Bridges Data Link Gap Between Fifth-Generation Fighters

Dec 15, 2020
The U.S. military on Dec. 9 was able to demonstrate how a piece of its future military Internet of Things, the Advanced Battle Management System, might work. 
article

ArianeGroup Awarded ESA Contract For Reusable Demonstrator

Dec 15, 2020
The European Space Agency has awarded ArianeGroup a €33 million ($40 million) contract for the “initial development phase” of the Themis demonstrator for a reusable launcher’s first stage.
article

Europe’s Mahepa Program Flies Fuel-Cell Propulsion Test Aircraft

Dec 11, 2020
A European team has flown a hydrogen-powered test aircraft as part of a program to develop a modular approach to hybrid-electric propulsion.

Business

article

Iridium Launches GMDS Competitor To Inmarsat

Dec 15, 2020
Iridium has officially launched its own Global Maritime Distress and Safety System service, providing a single terminal for emergency data and voice communications that company leaders said would be competitively priced.

Operations

article

NASA, ESA Name SpaceX Crew-3 Space Station Astronauts

Dec 14, 2020
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have selected the initial trio of astronauts for the third of SpaceX’s commercial crew launches to the International Space Station, Crew-3, which is expected to launch in fall 2021.
article

Germany’s ADAC Reserves eVTOLs For Air Rescue

Dec 15, 2020
German air rescue service ADAC Luftrettung has reserved two VoloCity electric air taxis from Volocopter to prepare for operational emergency medical service tests of the piloted multicopters in 2023.