In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, Oct. 04 2022

The Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter is performing well in initial flight tests and matching handling qualities predicted by modeling simulations, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) evaluation team says. Credit: Republic of Korea Air Force

With U.S. defense and security strategy now focused firmly on the perceived threat from China and Russia, the U.S. Air Force is switching its focus from supporting counter-insurgency operations to dealing with near-peer threats. To this end, spending on development and procurement has been ramped up to accelerate the modernization process. In the short term, the F-35 and KC-46 programs remain high priorities, but investment in the B-21 bomber and the Next Generation Air Dominance program are ramping up as well. The next decade will require the U.S. Air Force to balance the enhancement of existing capabilities with bringing the next generation of platforms and systems into the fleet. Credit: Airman 1st Class Isabelle Churchill, U.S. Air Force

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded a $176 million agreement to Ball Aerospace to create 10 space vehicles and ground systems to test new payloads to potentially be incorporated into future National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) tranches. Credit: SDA

Regent and TotalEnergies plan to explore the use of an electric seaglider to support the operations of offshore energy platforms such as oil rigs and wind turbines. Credit: Regent

GKN Aerospace, the British aerostructures giant undergoing a business overhaul under private ownership, has acquired Sweden’s Permanova Lasersystem, an existing supplier that specializes in laser welding and laser metal deposition systems. Credit: GKN

AE Industrial Partners (AEI), the leading private equity (PE) investor in aerospace and defense by deal volume, has acquired a majority stake in small satellite builder York Space Systems, the companies announced Oct. 4. Credit: York Space Systems

The South Korean Defense Ministry has introduced the Hyunmoo-5 (V), a short-range ballistic missile designed for retaliation against North Korean strategic installations in the event of a conflict. Credit: South Korean Ministry of National Defense

Preparations for NASA’s SpaceX-contracted Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) are back on track. Credit: SpaceX