Gallery: Aerospace & Defense Roundup: November 18, 2021

Report: USAF Should ‘Reimagine’ Rather Than Retire MQ-9

The U.S. Air Force should rethink plans to retire the MQ-9 Reaper in 2030-35 and consider a plethora of new missions for the unmanned aerial system, an Air Force Association think tank contends. Credit: USAF

SpaceX Aiming For Starship Orbital Flight Test In Jan.-Feb.

SpaceX plans about a dozen flights of its super heavy-lift, reusable Starship launch system in 2022, beginning with an orbital flight test in January or February. Credit: SpaceX

Rocket Lab Tests Helicopter Ops For Electron Recovery

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket deployed a pair of Earth-observation satellites into orbit for BlackSky on Nov. 17, a mission that also tested helicopter operations for future midair booster recoveries. Credit: Rocket Lab

Poland To Buy MBDA’s CAMM For Air Defense System

Poland has selected MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile as the basis for its Narew short-range air defense system requirement. Credit: MBDA

Swiss Parliament To Probe F-35 Selection

A Swiss parliamentary commission is to examine the decision to select the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as the country’s next-generation combat aircraft. Credit: USAF

NATO Flies 24-Hr. Mission With RQ-4D

NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance Force has completed its first 24-hr.-long mission using an RQ-4D Phoenix derivative of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk. Credit: USAF

New PESCO Projects Eye European Airlift Needs

European airlift capability is a key focus in the latest round of projects to be undertaken through the European Union Permanent Structured Cooperation initiative. Credit: Lockheed Martin

German Startup Begins Production Of New-Design Autogyro

German startup Fraundorfer Aeronautics has begun production of its Tensor 600X two-seat autogyro. Credit: Fraundorfer Aeronautics

UAE Plans To Buy South Korean Air Defense System

The UAE says it plans to purchase South Korea’s Cheongung Block 2 surface-to-air missile in a deal that could be the country’s largest defense export, news reports say. Credit: Defense Acquisition Program Administration

Aerosud Partners On Samad VTOL Cargo UAV

South African aerostructures manufacturer Aerosud aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK startup Samad Aerospace for the development and manufacture of the Starling Cargo unmanned aircraft. Credit: Samad Aerospace

Indonesia Finally Signs A400M Deal For Two Aircraft

After years of rumors, Airbus has confirmed the Indonesian Ministry of Defense has ordered two Airbus A400M transport aircraft and signed a letter of intent for four more. The contract, which includes a maintenance and training support package, takes effect in 2022. Credit: Airbus

NASA Awards Intuitive Machines Third Lunar Lander Mission

NASA has selected Intuitive Machines for the integration, delivery and operational oversight of four science payloads to the Moon’s Reiner Gamma in 2024 using the company’s Nova-C lander under a $77.5 million fixed-price contract. Credit: NASA

Taiwan Commissions First F-16 Mid-Life Upgrade Fighter Wing

Taiwan has commissioned the Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) into the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. becoming the world’s first command to operate the F-16 in the “V” standard. Credit: Taiwan President's office

Aviation Week Forecasts: Military Aircraft Market Opportunities Worth $135 Billion Over The Next Decade

This analysis is the second in a five-part series exploring Aviation Week Network’s new 2022 Military Fleet & Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul forecast. For more information on the forecast visit https://pgs.aviationweek.com/Fleet-Forecasts Credit: Panavia