In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, May 19, 2022

Airbus To Begin H160M Prototype Assembly This Fall

Airbus Helicopters is to start assembly after this summer of a prototype for the military version of its H160 twin-engine medium rotorcraft being adopted by the French armed forces. The aircraft will be the first of two prototypes to be built in support of the development of the H160M Guepard (Cheetah), selected as the basis for France’s Joint Light Helicopter (HIL) program. Credit: Airbus Helicopters

Boeing Starliner Heads To ISS

An uncrewed Boeing CST-100 spacecraft began a 24-hr. autonomous flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 19 following a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. With Starliner perched on its nose, the 172-ft.-tall United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at 6:54 p.m. EDT on May 19, kicking off the planned week-long Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission. Credit: United Launch Alliance

H55 To Provide Batteries For P&WC Hybrid-Electric Demonstrator

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has selected Swiss-based H55 to supply battery systems for the engine maker’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program. H55, which was spun-off from the Solar Impulse electric aircraft project, is already engaged in several advanced electric aircraft projects. Credit: De Havilland Canada

Space Perspective Lands $17M More For Edge-Of-Space Balloon Tourism

Space tourism balloon startup Space Perspective said May 19 it raised an additional $17 million in venture debt financing, adding to $40 million in venture capital announced last fall and bringing total raised to date to more than $65 million. Investors include Silicon Valley Bank, Trinity Capital and billionaire Henry Kravis. The company said the funds will support growth. Credit: Space Perspective

NATO Speed Demands For Future Rotorcraft Put Airbus To The Test

Airbus Helicopters believes that NATO demands for a 220-kt. cruise speed for a future medium transport helicopter could drive maximum take-off weights of up to 17 metric tons. The company’s preliminary studies based on NATO’s initial Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability requirements suggest that to achieve the same capability as platforms such as the NHindustries NH90 or Black Hawk, a future fast rotorcraft would need to weigh 16-17 tons, some 50% more than the 11-ton NH90. Credit: Airbus/Anthony Pecchi

UK Launches Medium Helicopter Contest For Up To 44 Rotorcraft

The UK Defense Ministry has launched its long-awaited competition to acquire a new fleet of medium helicopters that will succeed several rotary-wing types currently in service. The £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contest aims to purchase up to 44 commercial/military off-the-shelf rotorcraft with initial service entry expected by January 2025. Credit: Uwe Deffner / Alamy Stock Photo

Pentagon To Airlift Additional Aid To Ukraine Under New Package

The Pentagon on May 19 announced it would airlift more counter-artillery radars, howitzers and other equipment as part of its 10th package of aid to Ukraine, shortly after the Senate approved a $40.1 billion package of assistance. The Senate will send the broad package, which includes $8.5 billion for weapons transfers, to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. Credit: U.S. Air Force

Pentagon To Task Commercial Carriers With Airlifting Baby Formula

The U.S. military plans to use contracted commercial aircraft to airlift infant formula into the country amid an ongoing shortage, as part of “Operation Fly Formula.” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said May 19 that U.S. Transportation Command is coordinating with other government agencies to find locations overseas with infant formula that meets U.S. standards and to fly it back to multiple locations across the country. Credit: U.S. Air Force

NASA Urged To Step Up Space Science Diversity

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has presented NASA with 15 recommendations for improving the long-term diversity among those who lead space science missions, including the establishment of a NASA Advisory Council committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA). Credit: NASA

Next Presidential Aircraft Delayed Again, Up To Three Years

The schedule delay for the next presidential aircraft has grown by up to three years as Boeing works through issues on the VC-25B, and the Air Force is programming funds for the existing aircraft to keep it flying to cover the gap. Andrew Hunter, assistant Air Force secretary for acquisition, told the House Armed Services Committee on May 19 that the VC-25B now faces a delay of 24-36 months to reach initial operational capability. Credit: U.S. Air Force

Patent Applications Provide Insights Into Lilium Regional eVTOL

The European Patent Office has published 37 applications by Lilium which provide new insight into the design of the German startup’s Lilium Jet electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The applications, which mostly are focused on the energy and propulsion systems, are part of a batch of 50 patents for which Lilium applied in 2021, with more to come this year. Credit: Lilium

From Airbus to begin H160M prototype assembly this fall to Boeing Starliner heads to ISS. Take a look at these and more in our daily roundup of aerospace & defense news.

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