The FAA has issued research contracts worth more than $100 million to six aerospace partner companies and teams under the third phase of its long-running Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program.

In support of U.S. plans to boost sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production to at least 3 billion gal. a year by 2030, the U.S. Energy Department (DOE) has awarded $64.7 million in funding for 22 projects to produce cost-effective low-carbon biofuels.

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

The cargo market proves tempting to eVTOL developers targeting urban air mobility.

Pilot, entrepreneur hires SpaceX for Crew Dragon charter.

The research and technology effort in Europe toward the use of hydrogen in commercial air transport is in full swing, but the readiness level varies depending on the industry segment. 

European flight-training provider Bartolini Air has taken delivery of the first new CAP10C NG as launch customer of the re-introduced aerobatic airplane, which it uses for upset-recovery training.

Beta’s Alia eVTOL hews as close to a conventional fixed-wing aircraft as possible.