In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, Aug. 08 2023

Credit: Skyports Drone Services.

Skyports Drone Services has announced the successful completion of a four-week drone delivery trial in partnership with EMED Group, one of the UK’s largest medical transport companies. 

Credit: Firefly Aerospace.

Firefly Aerospace is parlaying technology developed for its Alpha launch vehicle and Blue Ghost lunar lander with expertise acquired through its purchase of Spaceflight into a new business line focused on in-space services, with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) signed up as its first customer. 

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other key agency leaders are acknowledging challenges in meeting the December 2025 schedule for the Artemis III lunar landing.

Credit: Amazon.

Amazon is using one of nine Atlas V missions purchased from United Launch Alliance (ULA) to deploy caches of Kuiper broadband satellites to launch just a pair of prototypes. 

Credit: Djohnner78.

Efforts to expedite the long-awaited formal transfer and conversion of seven Lockheed Martin HC-130H aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) have been boosted by the inclusion of a key provision in both the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2024.

Credit: Palantir.

Palantir Technologies’ sales rose 13% annually to $533 million in the second quarter with government clients accounting for 57% of total revenue, while net income jumped to $28 million compared to a $179 million loss a year ago. 

Credit: U.S. Army.

The U.S. Army’s new acquisition team focused on logistics has been charged to look at new uses for autonomy, alternative fuels and more uncrewed distribution platforms, including in the air, a top official says. 

Credit: Steve Trimble/AWST.

The U.S. Navy has announced plans to start developing an alternative navigation system for the hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) rocket-boosted glide vehicle. 

Credit: Benchmark Space Systems.

Benchmark Space Systems, a propulsion systems manufacturer, has raised a $33 million Series B round as it moves into new facilities where it plans to expand its production by four times its current capacity.