Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

France’s defense materiel agency has begun flight tests of a new optronics sensors system destined for the next upgrade package for the Dassault Rafale.

U.S. Air Force F-35As began operations at Lask Air Base, Poland, on April 1 to bolster the air presence on NATO’s eastern front.

The Pacific deployment is intended to build interoperability between the three partner nations in the next-generation European Future Combat Air System.

H55 is developing battery packs for Pratt & Whitney Canada’s hybrid-electric flight demonstrator.

Rolls-Royce has begun bench tests of its first 320-kW electric motor demonstrator for potential regional aircraft applications.

A key element of a novel electric propulsion demonstrator has been completed and is set to begin bench testing under a UK government-supported research program.

An impromptu question between a Hong Kong-based reporter and a Chinese general offer a brief update into the development status of China's H-20 stealth bomber.

The financing comes as SpaceX’s Starlink LEO constellation eats Telesat’s lunch.

Surf Air Mobility said it now expects to receive FAA certification for its electrified powertrains in 2027.

The Mitre Corp. has developed a tool that can estimate the level of risk to AAM vehicles posed by hazardous operating conditions created by microscale weather.

The project is developing a digital twin of Aurora’s Skiron-X expeditionary uncrewed aircraft.

Drone delivery provider DroneUp has unveiled its Ecosystem, an integrated ground, air and software infrastructure.

The five-year Safety and Mission Assurance Engineering Contract III takes effect June 1.

With Crewed Flight Test certification, Starliner will be in line for six missions to launch astronauts and return them from the ISS.

The ANZAC class frigate HMAS Stuart and a Boeing E-7 Wedgetail supported the successful test of the Dual II Software Upgrade version of the SM-6 interceptor.

The U.S. Navy has begun modifications to its P-8 sub-hunting fleet with delivery of the first aircraft to Boeing for the Increment 3 Block 2 update.

Hybrid-electric aircraft developer VoltAero is preparing to test a more powerful piston engine from Kawasaki.

The company says its process could be cost competitive with fossil fuels and even carbon-negative.

Launch of the NROL-70 mission aboard the final United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket remained on hold March 29 to address a problem with ground support equipment.

News in brief.

PATRIA, LOCKHEED sign F-35 landing gear door agreement... SPACE HABITATION company appoints Mowry as advisor... BELL receives first AH-1Z for SIEPU upgrade...

Of the 215 used fighters expected to transfer ownership in the coming decade, 132 of them (about 61%) will be F-16s, according to Aviation Week’s Fleet Discovery Military database.

Hypersonic aircraft developer Hermeus has unveiled its first flying test vehicle—Quarterhorse Mk. 1—at its Atlanta facility.

The first Marine AH-1Z arrived has at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas to begin the first installations, which will increase onboard power generation.

Archer Aviation has unveiled the completion of a series of initial battery drop tests, demonstrating the safety and resiliency of its proprietary battery packs.