In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, May 26, 2022

U.S. Approves Possible CH-47F Sale To Egypt

The U.S. government has approved a possible sale of 23 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters to the Egyptian Air Force, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said May 26. The agency’s announcement starts a 30-day window for Congress to review the potential deal, and means that the terms of any sale have been accepted by the State and Defense departments. Credit: U.S. Army

L-39NG Marketed To Philippines, Uruguay

Aero Vodochody and the Czech government are pursuing potential sales of the new-generation L-39 jet trainer in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific as the OEM seeks new markets for the aircraft. A proposal for a potential sale of six L-39NGs to Uruguay has been made by the Czech government through its newly established Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation Agency (AMOS) established to support the Czech defense industry, the Czech defense ministry announced May 24. Credit: Aero Vodochody

Natilus Tunnel Tests Blended Wing Body Uncrewed Regional Feeder

U.S. startup Natilus is conducting wind tunnel tests of the initial regional feeder member of its planned family of blended wing body uncrewed cargo aircraft. The Natilus 3.8T is a twin turboprop with a payload of 3.8 metric tons and a range of 900 nm at 220 kt. Credit: Natilus

U.S. Marine Corps To Set Up MQ-9 Squadron In Hawaii

The U.S. Marine Corps will establish an MQ-9 Reaper squadron in Hawaii as it increases its small fleet of the General Atomics remotely piloted aircraft. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger told a Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing May 26 that the service is tripling the volume of its “organic” intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) with the procurement of 10 MQ-9s that the U.S. Air Force was initially going to buy. Credit: DOD

NASA, Boeing Press Ahead For Crewed Starliner Test Flight

Though pleased with the outcome of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner’s uncrewed roundtrip test flight to the International Space Station (ISS), NASA and its commercial crew partner have much to assess—and perhaps a few items that must be altered—before a crewed version will be able to lift off. Launched late May 16, the spacecraft landed with precision under parachute on the grounds of the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 6:49 p.m. EDT on May 25. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Airbus Prioritizing UK’s NMH Helo, Planning Hydrogen Research Center

Airbus has made the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement a high priority as it looks to establish an enhanced domestic rotorcraft capability in the country. Speaking in London May 25, CEO Guillaume Faury said the company’s offer, focused on the militarized H175M twin-engine super-medium rotorcraft, would “regenerate helicopter manufacturing in the UK. Credit: Airbus Helicopters

Raytheon Proposes New Extreme-Range Amraam-AXE Concept

A Raytheon-led industry team is proposing a new version of the Amraam-Extended Range (ER) surface-to-air missile that could be adapted for air-launch from inside the weapons bays of a Lockheed Martin F-35A/C or F-22. The air-launched Amraam-AXE concept is being developed as a stop-gap solution for fighters that need a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with greater range than the baseline AIM-120 Amraam as Raytheon and other companies continue working on next-generation weapons. Credit: Raytheon

Indonesia, U.S. Air Force Leaders Discuss Potential F-15 Deal

A potential $13.9 billion deal for 36 F-15s was discussed during an official visit by Indonesian Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo to his U.S. counterpart last week, the U.S. Air Force said in a May 25 announcement. During a weeklong visit in the Washington area July 16-20, Prasetyo met with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo, Samuel King Jr.

LeoLabs To Provide LEO Object Tracking To Japanese Military

LeoLabs has signed a contract to track satellites and orbital debris in low Earth orbit for the Japan Air Self Defense Force. The value of the contract was undisclosed, but was “multimillion-dollar,” Menlo Park-based LeoLabs said May 24. The company also will provide collision-avoidance help. Credit: LeoLabs

Joby Receives FAA Part 135 Operating Certificate On Path To eVTOL Air Taxis

Joby Aviation has received its FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate, allowing it to begin aircraft operations ahead of the planned 2024 launch of commercial air taxi service with its S4 electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Expected in the second half of 2022, the clean-sheet certificate was received earlier than expected and allows Joby to begin internal company shuttle flights using the fixed-wing Cirrus SR22. Credit: Joby Aviation

EUCOM Nominee: Finland, Sweden Will Instantly Increase NATO Strength

Finland and Sweden joining NATO instantly would enhance the alliance’s military power with capable air forces and increasing acquisition budgets, the nominee to lead U.S. European Command and become the alliance’s Supreme Allied Commander-Europe told lawmakers. U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who currently commands U.S. Army-Europe, said the two countries are already close partners with the U.S. and regularly exercise with NATO allies. Credit: U.S. Army

From U.S. approves possible CH-47F sale to Egypt to L-39NG marketed to Philippines, Uruguay. Take a look at these and more in our daily roundup of aerospace & defense news.

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