Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Test flights of Australian-built scramjet-powered drone targets technology for space launch system and hypersonic defense applications.

A nearly $500 million wave of funding shows investors are intrigued by the commercial opportunities of hypersonic flight.

A look at how the commercial aftermarket of Eastern Europe is faring so far this year.

With hot-fire tests of Talon-A’s Hadley rocket engine due in June, scene is set for vehicle’s powered hypersonic flight debut this year.

Despite extensive promotion of sustainable aviation fuels, FBOs and airports report that, often, captains remain reluctant to put SAF into their aircraft. 

Hybrid Dash 8 batteries; Nuclear-powered spacecraft; Inside Lilium’s eVTOL; Infrared-welded thermoplastics; Forming antennas in space.

Slovenian aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel, now under Textron ownership, plans to grow its workforce and accelerate development of new products, including the Nuuva hybrid-electric uncrewed cargo aircraft.