Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Robert Wall
The German Air Force is trying to ease concerns that the Lockheed Martin F-35s it is buying could be operationally impaired by U.S. control over the Joint Strike Fighter's technology.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Chen Chuanren
Hanwha Aerospace is expanding its engine R&D efforts following Seoul's commitment to pump $2.3 billion into development of a 16,000-lb. domestic fighter engine.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Chen Chuanren
Hanwha Aerospace is positioning its military MRO capabilities to support the U.S. Defense Department's Regional Sustainment Framework.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Saab is looking to wrap up negotiations and finalize contracts this year for Gripen E/F deals with Thailand and Colombia, CEO Micael Johansson says.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
The European Space Agency says the P160C motor, slated to boost performance of the Ariane 6 and Vega launchers, has completed its first test firing.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Irene Klotz
NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos are working on a backup plan to deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its operational life.
Space Exploration

By Brian Everstine
The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting a sharp rise in the Pentagon’s spending to maintain and modernize its nuclear arsenal.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Garrett Reim
Space Compass Corp. has won a contract from Japan’s ministry of defense to demonstrate laser communications from a geostationary satellite.
Satellites

By Steve Trimble
A new fleet of small, hydrogen-powered, long-range drones could soon become a feasible option to operate from remote, austere bases.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force is pressing ahead on near-term updates to its refueling fleet for connectivity and survivability as opposed to large-scale modernization.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Thierry Dubois
Startup company Ion-X is betting on the use of ionic micropropulsion for small satellites and planning to deliver its first commercial motor in 2026.
Satellites

By Chen Chuanren
China has sent three astronauts on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, blasting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 5:17 pm Beijing time on April 24.
Operations & Safety

By Steve Trimble
L3Harris CEO Chris Kubasik says he expects the Trump administration to release a basic version of the fiscal 2026 budget request within two weeks.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Matthew Fulco
China is widening the scope of its restrictions on the export of critical minerals to the U.S.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Guy Norris
Boeing is pausing development of the X-66 transonic truss-braced wing aircraft with NASA and reallocating resources to get the 737-7, 737-10 and 777X certified.
Emerging Technologies

By Thierry Dubois
Arianespace is planning to launch Biomass from Kourou, French Guiana, on April 29.
Satellites

By Mark Carreau
Texas lawmakers are urging President Trump to shift NASA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters to the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Robert Wall
European Union parliament members have backed a proposal for greater defense industrial investment.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Guy Norris
Sierra Space and NASA have successfully conducted hypervelocity impact tests on the shield material designed to protect its LIFE inflatable space habitat.
Space Exploration

By Tony Osborne
Poland’s PZL-Swidnik has completed the first flight of a locally-assembled Leonardo AW149 battlefield utility helicopter for the Polish Army.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Thales will look to 2026 defense budgets in Europe to get a better sense of the speed at which words transform into real money, CFO Pascal Bouchiat says.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
Belgium is set to acquire additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters as part of plans to grow the country’s defense spending to the equivalent of 2% of GDP.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Samuel Archer
The AW149’s Polish contract provides a much-needed foothold in the medium-lift military helicopter market, where it faces stiff competition against more established platforms.
AWIN Knowledge Center

By Graham Warwick
Near Earth Autonomy is to provide a miniaturized autonomy system to support the demonstration of autonomous resupply in contested environments.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Aviation Week Staff
News in brief.
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