Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Graham Warwick
A prototype of a laser system that enables UAVs to downlink data at high speed without complex equipment on the vehicle has been flight tested in the U.K.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
The Airbus Perlan Mission II team has begun pressurized flight tests of the Perlan 2 stratospheric glider ahead of an attempt to set a world altitude record this summer in flights from southern Argentina.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
An attempt to make the first “zero-carbon” flight across the Atlantic in a hybrid solar- and biofuel-powered aircraft has been tentatively scheduled for June.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
Intelsat General and L-3 Communications have demonstrated that a two-three times increase in data throughput for unmanned aircraft will be possible using Intelsat’s new-generation Epic communications satellites.
Defense

View the Forecast Friday: Top 5 Tanker In-Service Fleets — 2016 - 2025 chart in PDF format.

LOCKHEED MARTIN has three-year, $52m U.S. Navy performance-based logistics contract to manage naval aviation tires with partner ...

Taiwan’s next advanced trainer will be indigenously developed.

Kepler Mission Manager Charles Sobek said March 11 the observatory will repoint itself into its forward velocity vector “instead of looking toward where it’s been” beginning in April.
Defense

By Maksim Pyadushkin
The Russian government has approved the privatization of two key defense companies that are sanctioned by the West: Russian Helicopters and avionics specialist Concern Radioelectronic Technologies (KRET).
Defense

By Jen DiMascio
Since Feb. 11, the U.S. Air Force has been trying to regain command and control of one of its weather satellites, Defense Meteorological Program (DMSP) Flight 19.
Defense

By Jay Menon
India will launch 25 foreign satellites this year and next year using its indigenous launch vehicle as it strives to increase its presence in the global space launch market.
Space

The Defense Department (DOD) follows U.S. laws for UAVs, but must pass up potential training opportunities as a result, according to a recent report by the Pentagon Inspector General (IG) office.
Defense

The U.S. Navy’s fiscal 2017 budget plan to cut a carrier air wing could affect the service’s future carrier force structure, according to a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.
Defense

The U.S. Navy is still on course to establish a new Information Warfare Development Center (IWDC) in early 2017, says Rear Adm. Matthew J. Kohler Naval Information Forces commander.
Defense

LOCKHEED MARTIN and U.S. Navy delivered fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite to Cape Canaveral.

The UAE armed forces signed a $346 million contract to buy eight P.1HH HammerHead UAVs.

The Northrop Grumman-led team chosen last year to provide the U.S. Air Force’s first Long-range Strike Bombers ...

The engine is scheduled to help launch the first crew in an Orion capsule as early as 2021.
Defense

By Jen DiMascio
The cost of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine is likely to come down because the U.S. Air Force chose Pratt & Whitney to make the engine for the B-21 bomber, says the chief of the F-35 program.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
U.K. and U.S. personnel will soon begin planning for the trans-Atlantic deployment of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to the U.K. in preparation for the type’s debut at two U.K. air shows this summer.
Defense

By Jay Menon
India has successfully launched its sixth navigation satellite, accomplishing a major step toward developing the country’s own network to help provide location within the country and bordering regions.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Investigators probing the fatal crash of a former military fighter jet at the Shoreham Airshow last year said show organizers were unaware of the aircraft’s planned display routine.
Defense

Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 5X business jet will not enter service until the first half of 2020 due to difficulties in developing the Silvercrest engine at Safran’s Snecma motors division.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
Taiwan’s next advanced trainer will be indigenously developed, Defense Minister Kao Kuang-chi has told members of parliament.
Defense

By Jay Menon
The Laser Cross Section Measurement & Imaging System, or LACSMI, will help ensure Indian warships, tanks and other platforms are harder for laser and infrared guided bombs and missiles to hit.
Defense