Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Brian Everstine
As the service looks to cut KC-10s and KC-135s, it is expressing more confidence in the KC-46 despite continued deficiencies in its development.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A Lockheed Martin-designed, all-electric laser shot down multiple aerial targets during February tests at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, the
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
The status of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea flagship is unclear after Ukrainian forces claimed to have severely damaged the warship with shore-based anti-ship missiles.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne
Speaking alongside Sweden’s Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, in Stockholm on April 13, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told journalists that “everything had changed after Russia’s invasion [of Ukraine].”
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Chen Chuanren
Indonesian defense prime PT Pindad and Safran are discussing potential local assembly of the AASM air-to-ground modular weapon that will equip the Southeast Asian country’s future Dassault Rafale fleet.
Supply Chain

By Garrett Reim
The Air Force Research Laboratory has successfully completed testing of a prototype 1-newton thruster using its Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-toxic propellant in a vacuum chamber.
Space

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force faces a fight on Capitol Hill as it looks to get rid of dozens more of its aircraft while readily acknowledging that comes with instant risk.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. military is sending 11 more Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine as part of a dramatic increase in military equipment for the country as it prepares for another phase of its fight against Russia.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Mark Carreau
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Space Agency’s governing council announced April 13 that it is ending cooperation with Russian space agency Roscosmos on three future Moon missions—Luna 25, 26 and 27.
Space

By Mark Carreau
NASA’s SpaceX Crew 4 Dragon mission to the International Space Station holds promise for the agency’s goals of extending the life and utility of the ISS as well as transitioning its human spaceflight focus to the Moon and Mars.
Space

By Steve Trimble, Brian Everstine
Flight controls and mission systems for the next U.S. Air Force fighter will be designed to use separate software instructions, according to the service's chief of staff.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A 1-5 megawatt-class mobile nuclear reactor funded by the Strategic Capabilities Office will be tested at the Idaho National Laboratory, the Pentagon announced April 13.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Tony Osborne
The first NATO Boeing E-3 Sentry has been flown to Italy to be inducted into the Final Lifetime Extension Program (FLEP).
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Graham Warwick
Bcomp, a Swiss startup producing composites using natural fibers, has received an investment from Airbus Ventures as part of a CHF34 million ($35 million) Series B financing round led by BMW i Ventures.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
A hybrid-electric power system designed for applications ranging from drones to uncrewed cargo aircraft and passenger air taxis has been unveiled by startup LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
With testing of a subscale uncrewed demonstrator underway in waters off Tampa, Florida, Regent has solidified its maritime certification path with confirmations from U.S. and European aviation regulators that its planned wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) regional transports are not considered aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
Austrian startup CycloTech and Japanese package carrier Yamato have completed a study into the feasibility of developing an uncrewed cargo aircraft using thrust-vectoring cyclorotor propulsion to operate in confined urban areas, even in high winds.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Brian Everstine
Chinese and Russian capabilities in space grew 70% between 2019 and 2021, as both countries are seeking to establish superiority on orbit and beyond, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency warns in a new report.
Space

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force has confirmed the fiscal 2023 budget request includes funding for multiple Northrop Grumman B-21 bombers in the first annual lot of low-rate initial production.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
German energy company EnBW and aerospace research agency DLR have launched a three-year project to explore the use of cargo and passenger drones to support the maintenance of offshore wind farms.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
Germany’s Lilium has taken another step in the type certification process for its electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi, submitting its means of compliance to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
Benefiting perhaps from steadily improving relations between China and Indonesia, EHang has secured its largest commitment to date from an Asian customer with preorders for 100 EH216 autonomous air taxis from Prestige Aviation, an Indonesian aircraft sales and management company.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
Spirit AeroSystems will supply pylons and nacelles for the initial phase of a program to re-engine the Boeing B-52H fleet, the Wichita-based aerostructures company said on April 12.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Army may seek to revive a program canceled two years ago and produce a stealthy aerial target to be used for testing and training.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Parker Hannifin has committed to divest its aircraft wheels and brakes business to secure European Commission approvals for its acquisition of UK-based aerospace supplier Meggitt.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain