Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

The U.S. Air Force chief of staff endorses the idea of buying 300 low-cost, light-attack fighters for counterterrorism missions as a “great idea.”

The U.S. Navy’s competition for an over-the-horizon anti-ship missile to arm its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate warships will soon get underway.

Studies are ongoing to understand what type of spacecraft and rocket will be required.

The Russian military wants its new Ilyushin Il-96-400TZ to be not just an air tanker, but a covetable transport aircraft.

India has successfully tested a guided version of the Pinaka rocket, paving the way for its early induction into the Indian army.

Taking advantage of New Start Treaty reductions, the service is overhauling CBM silos for the first time since they were built more than 40 years ago.

BAE SYSTEMS will upgrade F-22 Raptor’s head-up display to all-digital version under subcontract from LOCKHEED MARTIN.

The U.S. Defense Department demonstrated a mission with a swarm of aircraft-launched micro-drones in late 2016.

General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.-Bremerton, Bremerton, Washington, is being awarded a $19,188,359 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-14-C-4321).

President Barack Obama had projected a slight increase in Pentagon spending in the coming years. But Obama’s 0.4% nudge is nothing compared to the $430 billion spike that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) says is required.

Engineering company and aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is hoping it can restore customer faith after agreeing to pay fines worth £670 million ($808 million) to settle fraud and corruption cases by the Brazilian, UK and U.S. authorities.

Italy has formally joined the development program for the missile set to become the backbone of European-developed ballistic missile defense.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg says he had a productive discussion with the president-elect about “options” on fighters and lowering the cost of the next Air Force One.

Airbus delivered two H225M Caracal helicopters to Thailand in December, adding to four aircraft that entered service in 2015.

The ongoing investigation into problems with atomic clocks aboard Galileo spacecraft could delay the next launch for the constellation, currently planned for the end of this year.

AirTanker wants to ensure it is ready for the increased tempo of operations as the UK Royal Air Force grows its fast jet fleet.

European Space Agency ground stations will work with NASA’s Deep Space Network to record radio signals transmitted by the Cassini probe across 1.6 billion km from its Saturn orbit.

Aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has agreed to pay £670 million ($808 million) in fines to settle a series of bribery and corruption cases with UK, U.S. and Brazilian authorities.

BAE Systems has revealed work on the development of lasers which could temporarily adjust the Earth’s atmosphere to improve the visual acuity of enemy targets or even prevent attacks by high-energy laser weapons.

One of 14 astronaut candidates selected by NASA in 1963, Cernan launched three times, including two missions that took him to the Moon.

Lockheed Martin, Thales and Leonardo will fit an airborne early warning radar system to the British Royal Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters.

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EUROFIGHTER has 5-year arrangement with NETMA (NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Organization) to support global Eurofighter Typhoon fleet; two contracts cover sustainment of engineering capabilities, program management, logistics, repairs, spares.

James Mattis, the retired Marine general chosen to become the next defense secretary, expressed absolute support for the NATO alliance and skepticism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin during his Jan. 12 Senate confirmation hearing. In an exchange with Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.), Mattis named Russia, global terrorism and China’s actions in the South China Sea top threats to the U.S. McCain pointed out that the last three presidents have taken office optimistic about improving relations with Russia, only to be disappointed.

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the U.S., Aerospace Daily & Defense Report will not be publishing on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The next issue will be dated Wednesday, Jan. 18.