In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, Jul. 10 2023

Credit: Sergey Ryabtsev.

Since the late 1940s, Russia’s persevering fleet of Antonov An-2 transports and utility aircraft has survived through the death of Stalin, the international backlash to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, the fall of communism and several generations of progress in global commercial air transport technology. 

Credit: Sidus Space.

The technology demonstration aims to show that the sensor type has lower size, weight and power (SWaP) needs compared to conventional star tracker cameras, Sidus Space said on July 6. Star trackers help satellites navigate and orient themselves by measuring the position of the stars.

Credit: Tony Osborne/Aviation Week.

The Slovakia defense ministry wants to buy AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the U.S. and has made a formal request to do so.

Credit: Tony Osborne/Aviation Week.

Australia is to deploy one of its Boeing E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft to Germany as part of an uptick in the country’s effort to provide support to Ukraine. 

Credit: Polish Ministry of National Defense.

The first Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 light attack aircraft have arrived in Poland—just one year after the contract was signed—ahead of the type’s appearance planned in a major military parade in August.

Credit: Xinhua.

China will be opening Long March 6 rocket launch slots to private enterprises in a bid to bolster the country’s commercial space launch economy.

Credit: Emmanuel Dunand/Getty.

Israel’s Elbit Systems has secured a $114 million contract to modify two ATR 72-600 long-range patrol aircraft for an unspecified Asia-Pacific customer. 

Credit: SpaceX.

SpaceX launched the same Falcon 9 rocket for a record 16th time on July 9 and then landed the first stage, paving the way for a possible 17th flight.