Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Steve Trimble
A top U.S commander did not provide details, but the category of long-loitering, uncrewed aircraft includes fixed-wing aircraft, solar gliders and balloons.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Graham Warwick
Airbus-backed advanced battery developer Amprius Technologies plans to build its first gigafactory in Brighton, Colorado.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Tony Osborne
Sikorsky has pushed back certification and market entry of its S-92A+ upgrade two years to 2025 and shelved plans for a future S-92B.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Lufthansa Aviation Training has declared its intent to be the European launch customer for Diamond Aircraft’s eDA40 electric training aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Nigeria’s Army has ordered a dozen MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack/scout helicopters from U.S. manufacturer MD Helicopters.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force has approved production of the Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter, with an award of $285 million for the first batch of aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
Lonestar Data Holdings, a startup developing a data center for Moon-based operations, has raised $5 million in a seed round.
Commercial Space

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force wants to formally kill its KC-Y “Bridge Tanker” program as it accelerates its future Next Generation Air Refueling System.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force will buy three new General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
Ukraine has about 60 aircraft remaining, but those have been made “worthless” in the face of highly effective Russian air defenses.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Chen Chuanren
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency sent a destruct command to the new H3 rocket March 7 after a successful initial liftoff.
Space

By Tony Osborne
The UK and German air forces have linked arms to undertake a joint air policing mission from Estonia.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Austrian startup CycloTech is to begin outdoor flight testing of its CycloRotor electric propulsion testbed.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
The F-35 Joint Program Office suspended F-35 deliveries and halted production flight operations after the Dec. 15 crash of a Lockheed-owned F-35B.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The contractual milestone ends a four-year negotiating process with the F-35 Joint Program Office as the U.S. Air Force evaluates a replacement engine.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Chen Chuanren
Airborne testing for the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighter with an active electronically scanned array radar is underway.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The new owners of MD Helicopters are envisioning raising production to 50 helicopters a year by 2025.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Although fighters and long-range missiles have topped Ukraine’s urgent cries for more weapons from the West, attack helicopters also are on the list.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Craig Caffrey
China’s defense budget is set to increase by 7.1% for fiscal 2023, rising from CNY1,450.4 billion to CNY1,553.7 billion ($224.9 billion).
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
Australia’s fledging advanced air mobility industry was promoted at the biennial Avalon Airshow at Geelong in Victoria.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Chen Chuanren
Wu Ximing, designer of the CAIC Z-10 attack helicopter, has commented on development of a new rotorcraft as China increases its defense budget.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Merging with blank-check company Kernel Group Holdings will generate funds for development of the Jaunt Journey eVTOL air taxi.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Tony Osborne
Leonardo Helicopters is expanding its use of simulation, enabling the company’s engineers to iterate faster and reduce the cost of development.
Emerging Technologies

By Tony Osborne
Leonardo Helicopters is exploring the use of big data collected from operators of its helicopters to better understand its fleets.
Connected Aerospace

By Tony Osborne
Boeing has emerged as a surprise teammate in Airbus’ efforts to offer a military version of its H175 super-medium helicopter to the UK.
Aircraft & Propulsion