Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Guy Norris
Hypersonix Launch Systems has signed a collaborative agreement with the University of Sydney to research and manufacture key components of its proposed spaceplane, including its Spartan scramjet propulsion system.
Commercial Space

By Graham Warwick
French startup Aura Aero has selected Electric Power Systems (EPS) to provide the battery system for its prototype Integral E electric-powered aerobatic training aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Maxim Pyadushkin
Russia’s launch manifest for 2022 includes 30 launches, a 20% increase over 2021, Dmitry Rogozin, CEO of the Russian State Space Corp. Roscosmos, said on Jan. 12.
Space

By Brian Everstine
It has become a familiar chorus from Pentagon leaders: A long-term continuing resolution would hurt the U.S. Defense Department.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Mark Carreau
NASA has reached an “inflection point” as it prepares to reach out sustainably to the Moon, Mars and other deep space destinations with human explorers, a steep and risky slope, NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel says.
Space

By Steve Trimble
A long-range infrared search and track sensor, manned-unmanned teaming capability and a Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted display are on a list of new upgrades by third-party vendors sought by the U.S. Air Force for the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Boeing has begun taking the first steps toward establishing an industrial team in Germany to provide support for a planned fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers that would replace the country’s Panavia Tornado fleet.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Hungary will update its Saab Gripen fighters to the MS20 Block 2 standard, which could enable them to launch MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile. The Hungarian Air Force, which leases its 14 C/D model Gripens, has contracted the upgrade with Sweden’s FMV defense material agency. This will put the Hungarian fleet into a configuration similar to Sweden’s aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force has started installation of the “enhanced” Remote Vision System (RVS) on its Boeing KC-46 fleet.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
French defense materiel agency the DGA has begun testing engine technologies to support the development of a powerplant for the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Jens Flottau
Embraer has agreed to sell its Evora site in Portugal to Spanish aerostructures specialist Aernnova for $172 million in the hope that the facility can attract business from other aircraft manufacturers while reducing Embraer’s exposure in aircraft components.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Chen Chuanren, Kim Minseok
Pyongyang claims to have tested what it describes as a “hypersonic glide vehicle” in a launch witnessed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Maxim Pyadushkin
Roscosmos plans to start deployment of a new multi-satellite constellation this year to offer services similar to SpaceX’s Starlink and OneWeb.
Space

By Mark Carreau
NASA’s astronaut corps, currently historically lean, is so structured around International Space Station (ISS) operations that it may not be prepared to deal with attrition and reassignments as it faces numerous challenges, the agency’s inspector general says.
Space

By Steve Trimble, Sean Broderick
The FAA ordered the ground-stop at around 2:30 p.m. in Los Angeles “as a matter of precaution,” the agency said Jan. 11, adding that it “regularly takes precautionary measures.”
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Mark Carreau
NASA will strive for a closer relationship between its climate science activities and its other research and technology pursuits—whether they be human space exploration or aeronautics—with this week’s appointment of a new combination chief scientist and senior climate advisor, Administrator Bill Nelson told a Jan. 11 news briefing.
Space

By Steve Trimble
A senior Pakistani government official says the country’s air force has become the first export customer for the Chengdu J-10, a single-engine Chinese fighter.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Thierry Dubois
Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, will be the base for several micro-launchers, which will help the European industry progress in reusability, according to Philippe Baptiste, chairman and CEO of French space agency CNES.
Commercial Space

By Tony Osborne
The UK Royal Air Force has rounded out its Boeing P-8 Poseidon fleet with the delivery of the ninth and final aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Germany’s new government is reportedly reconsidering how the country can replace its Panavia Tornado fleet, potentially putting Lockheed Martin’s F-35 back in contention.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Sweden’s Savback Helicopters is expanding the range of rotorcraft it sells, adding Dufour Aerospace’s electric tiltwing aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Irene Klotz
Start-up space services provider Astroscale has hired another startup, Orbit Fab, to refuel its planned fleet of orbital space tugs.
Commercial Space

By Chen Chuanren, Kim Minseok
Two fighter jets have crashed in East Asia within hours of each other in separate accidents, at least one of which has resulted in a fatality.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Guy Norris
Boom has been awarded a three-year U.S. Air Force contract to expand studies of its Mach 1.7 Overture aircraft beyond that of an executive transport to include surveillance, reconnaissance, special forces deployment and other military transport roles.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
A U.S. startup that plans to use airships to transport green hydrogen and air cargo has been selected for a business accelerator program run by Dassault Systemes.
Aircraft & Propulsion