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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, April 29, 2022

VOL. 280 NO. 21 April 29, 2022
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Operations

article

F-35 Program Facing Struggle To Fund Depots

Apr 28, 2022
The F-35 program is struggling to find enough funding to fully stand up and resource the jet’s depots because the Pentagon’s habit of underfunding the maintenance facilities while expecting cost reductions in contract negotiations is not playing out as expected, the program executive says.
MRTT
article

Australian MRTT Conducts Tanking Compatibility Tests With Japan’s F-2s

Apr 28, 2022
The Japan Air Self Defense Force has confirmed that it is currently conducting air-to-air refueling compatibility tests with the Royal Australian Air Force. 
article

USAF Ends F-15C/D Operations In Europe

Apr 28, 2022
The U.S. Air Force has ended more than 40 years of operating the F-15C/D Eagle in Europe with the departure of the type from RAF Lakenheath, England.
article

U.S., European Crew-4 Astronauts Reach Space Station

Apr 28, 2022
NASA’s SpaceX-launched Crew-4 Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station late April 27, delivering four U.S. and European astronauts to the orbiting laboratory.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Wright generator
article

Wright To Demo 2-Megawatt Generator For Battlefield Power

Apr 21, 2022
As it ground-tests a 2-megawatt electric motor with the intent of converting a 100-seat regional jet to zero-emission propulsion, Wright Electric has received a U.S. Air Force contract to modify the technology into a lightweight, high-power generator as a battlefield recharger for electrified vehicles.

Business

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Northrop Working Through Absenteeism, Inflation, Supply Issues

Apr 28, 2022
Northrop Grumman is progressing on workforce absenteeism issues that plagued its F-35 program over the winter, and otherwise does not see particular problems elsewhere in its portfolio due to ongoing inflation, labor, pandemic or war-related issues, the large prime’s chief executive said April 28.
article

Raytheon Buys Into Hybrid Rocket Engine Startup Firehawk Aerospace

Apr 28, 2022
Fresh off comments about problems with rocket motor supply and the need to make small, strategic acquisitions for advanced aerospace technology, Raytheon Technologies has invested in custom-made rocket engine-maker Firehawk Aerospace.
Textron Longitude
article

Textron Aviation Deliveries, Sales Rise In Q1

Apr 28, 2022
Despite the Russia-Ukraine war and volatility in the stock market, business aircraft activity at Textron Aviation has remained strong during the first quarter of 2022, company officials say. 

Programs

article

VH-92 Reaches IOC; U.S. Navy Warns Full Capability Could Be Delayed

Apr 27, 2022
The U.S. Marine Corps and the White House are starting the integration of the new Sikorsky VH-92A presidential helicopter after declaring it reached initial operational capability (IOC), though the Navy says full operational capability could be delayed without fixes to a troubled electronics system.
article

Boeing Unveils First T-7A For USAF

Apr 28, 2022
Boeing on April 28 unveiled the first T-7A Red Hawk trainer for the U.S. Air Force, though the aircraft will remain at the company’s St. Louis facility for more ground and flight tests before being handed over to the service.
SM-6
article

South Korea To Acquire SM-6 Missiles, Upgrade Black Hawks

Apr 28, 2022
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee has greenlit the KRW760 billion ($600 million) purchase of Raytheon SM-6 missiles for the navy’s new KDX III Batch II destroyers.
article

NASA/DLR Confirm Termination Of SOFIA 747SP Observatory

Apr 28, 2022
Science missions using the Boeing 747SP-based Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy airborne observatory will end in September 2022 after the U.S. National Academies assessed the science output no longer justifies its operating costs.
Caravan
article

Reliable Robotics To Demo Autonomy For AFRL

Apr 27, 2022
With modification of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk and 208 Caravan to autonomous operation already under its belt, Reliable Robotics has received an Air Force Research Laboratory contract to demonstrate autonomous capabilities on U.S. Air Force aircraft.

Funding & Policy

article

White House’s $33B Ukraine Request Includes Increased Air Defenses

Apr 28, 2022
President Joe Biden on April 28 requested $33 billion from Congress for aid to Ukraine, a dramatic increase from ongoing spending to support Kyiv in its fight against Russia, and specifically highlights a need for anti-aircraft and advanced air defense systems.

Aviation Week Forecasts