Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

The U.S. military and its industry partners are unprepared for the likely onslaught of MRO demand that will come with future aircraft fleets.

Dutch defense startup Destinus says it has begun flight trials of key features of its Ruta Blk. 2 deep-strike weapon.

Saab has been delivering its Giraffe 1X air surveillance radars built before orders were even placed to Middle East customers to address urgent needs there, CEO Micael Johansson says.

Saab could be building as many as 20 Gripen fighters annually in about a year's time, says CEO Micael Johansson, as the aircraft-maker scales up output.

The Israeli Defense Ministry says it has awarded Elbit Systems deals worth more than NIS600 million ($200 million) to boost output of air-launched weapons.

A French government defense spending boost coupled with strong export demand has Safran expecting up to a fivefold increase in missile-related production.

Peru has selected the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter over two European rivals, triggering the resignations of two cabinet officials in protest.

U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan will leave his position 13 months after his confirmation by the Senate.

News in brief.

Bell Textron signed purchase agreements for three Bell 429s for VIP operators in the UK and Estonia.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized AST SpaceMobile to launch and operate its planned 248-satellite constellation.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded its first prototype contracts in support of the Kronos program.

More than 40 companies have expressed interest in elements of the Aerospace Corp.-developed DiskSat flat satellite platform.

Boeing provided a distinctively upbeat outlook for its finances, with its CFO setting expectations of “significant growth beyond” $10 billion in annual free cash flow next decade.

Boeing says certification of the 737-7 and -10 is in its final phases and remains on track for later this year but first deliveries will not begin until 2027.

Australia’s updated National Defense Strategy (NDS) is one of its most consequential public-facing defense documents in recent years.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman defended sweeping changes to the Artemis program before U.S. lawmakers April 22.

The U.S. Air Force is increasing spending on the Boeing VC-25B “Air Force One” aircraft to meet its delivery schedule.

The U.S. Navy is restarting Boeing P-8 Poseidon procurement after a two-year gap, seeking to order 12 more of the sub-hunting aircraft.

The European Space Agency and its military counterpart the European Defense Agency have agreed to study how to boost Earth observation for security purposes.

The U.S. Navy is growing its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye fleet largely due to the increased operational use of the platform for overland missions.

Germany’s quest to field deep-strike capabilities may involve multiple suppliers and different services, rather than narrowing those options at the outset, the Bundeswehr’s top officer says.

The Canadian government is pressing forward with its push to build up a national space launch capacity by proposing legislation aimed at fostering a sovereign capability in this field.

Dassault Aviation’s Vortex spaceplane demonstrator will use Arkadia Space-made thrusters for in-orbit maneuvering, the supplier said.

A young space domain awareness company founded by a former French Space Command leader is ready to provide commercial data to customers as it brings its first radar online and expands into the U.S.