In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, May 11, 2022

Virgin Orbit Grows Launcher Fleet With Extra 747-400s

Satellite air launch company Virgin Orbit has secured an agreement with conversion specialist L3 Harris Technologies to acquire two Boeing 747-400 airframes to support growth plans for additional launch capacity. Credit: Virgin Orbit / Greg Robinson

U.S. Army Plots Engine Upgrade Roadmap For FLRAA Winner

An engine upgrade roadmap will be prepared as the U.S. Army decides the winner of the competition to develop the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), with a possible spin-off to a re-engining program for the H-47 Chinook fleet. Credit: Steve Harding/U.S. Army

Airbus Selects Magicall’s Electric Motors For CityAirbus EVTOL

The CityAirbus NextGen will use a custom version of the Magidrive, a lightweight brushless motor. Credit: Airbus

Eve Says Merger Funds Will Take eVTOL To Certification

Embraer’s urban air mobility spinoff Eve Holding listed publicly on the New York Stock Exchange on May 10 after completing its merger with blank-check company Zanite Acquisition. Credit: Eve Holding

FAA Approves Wingcopter Airworthiness Requirements

The FAA has approved airworthiness criteria for the Wingcopter 198 delivery drone, a key step toward certification of the aircraft, Germany’s Wingcopter said May 11. Credit: Wingcopter

Ammonia-Fueled, Carbon-Free Propulsion Pursued By Aviation H2

Hydrogen is gaining momentum as the zero-emission fuel of the future for aviation but requires massive investment in new infrastructure as well as completely new propulsion systems or aircraft designs to be used to its full potential. Credit: Aviation H2

Orbex Reveals Prototype Prime Launcher

UK space startup Orbex has unveiled a fully completed prototype of the company’s Prime satellite launcher. Credit: Orbex

UK Agrees To Defense Pacts With Finland, Sweden

The UK has agreed to mutual defense pacts with Finland and Sweden that would see the UK help defend the Nordic nations if attacked. Credit: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

U.S. Army Confirms Ramjet For Extreme-Range PRSM Variant

A range-boosting combined cycle propulsion system and a seeker for moving targets have been tested for an anti-ship version of the Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile, U.S. Army officials say. Credit: U.S. Army

U.S. Navy Appears To Second Guess Plan To Cut Expeditionary Growlers

The U.S. Navy already appears to be wavering on its plan to divest five squadrons of Boeing EA-18G electronic attack jets over the next three years, with the squadrons remaining in demand and a lack of capacity in carrier-based units to pick up the slack.  Credit: U.S. Air Force

Don’t Accelerate Hypersonic Missile Because Of Sub Struggles, USN Says

Despite increased interest in hypersonic systems on Capitol Hill—with some lawmakers looking to increase funding for individual efforts—the U.S. Navy is not looking to accelerate its Conventional Prompt Strike weapon because of continued delays in upgrades for its new attack submarines. Credit: Raytheon

U.S. Army Tests Downing Drones With High-Powered Microwaves

The U.S. Army recently wrapped up more than two weeks of testing high-powered microwave systems to down small drones, with one of three entrants fully meeting the test’s goals and another showing promise. Credit: Epirus

Colorado Lawmakers To Continue SPACECOM Fight Despite IG Report

Several lawmakers are continuing to raise concerns about the decision to base U.S. Space Command’s headquarters in Alabama even after the Defense Department Inspector General on May 10 issued its findings that the Air Force’s choice was reasonable. Credit: Defense Department

NASA SpaceX Crew-3 Astronauts Praise Space Station’s Role

Less than a week after their safe return to Earth, NASA’s four SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts offered a positive assessment of a growing workload aboard the International Space Station and the level of mutual trust and camaraderie among the astronauts and cosmonauts who serve despite Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Credit: NASA

South Korea To Consider FA-50 Upgrades

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will seek funding for a midlife upgrade of the FA-50 from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration this year. Credit: Kim Minseok

Virgin Orbit grows its launcher fleet with extra 747-400s, and the U.S. Army prepares an engine upgrade roadmap as it decides the winner of the competition to develop the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. Take a look at these and more in our daily roundup of aerospace & defense news.

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