Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Jen DiMascio
Isotropic Systems has completed all tests demonstrating that its GM2000 series military standard satellite terminal can track and link to satellites in multiple orbits from a single, solid-state, software-defined communications platform.
Commercial Space

By Brian Everstine
The Biden administration’s pick to lead the National Nuclear Security Administration’s military programs told lawmakers he would review the plan to increase production of plutonium pits at two NNSA locations, as it becomes increasingly evident the administration will likely fall short of the goal.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
The White House’s pick to take over weapons buying for the Pentagon will, if confirmed, come into a department that is continuing to grapple with high sustainment costs on its biggest acquisition program.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Irene Klotz
A minor production issue will delay the arrival of the first flight engines for United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket to the middle of the year, paving the way for the booster’s debut launch no earlier than late 2022.
Commercial Space

By Michael Bruno
AE Industrial Partners, a private equity firm active in U.S. aerospace and defense, has led a $75 million Series B funding round in Firefly Aerospace, a space access startup recently caught up in Ukraine-related issues.
Commercial Space

By Irene Klotz
SpaceX has abruptly severed its long-standing relationship with customer Spaceflight Industries, which purchases rideshares and dedicated missions from launch service companies.
Commercial Space

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. defense industry needs multiple, simultaneously running production lines for key equipment such as munitions and drones to maintain a healthy stockpile for potential conflicts and avoid supply chain problems that could damage national security, the nominee to lead Pentagon acquisition told lawmakers.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
With the goal of being able to develop tourism sustainably, Air Greenland has partnered with lessor Avolon to explore the potential for zero-emission domestic air travel using Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 electric air taxi.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Irene Klotz
Building on its $550 million investment in startup OneWeb, Paris-based Eutelsat Communications on March 22 announced a partnership agreement to distribute broadband services from OneWeb’s satellite constellation in low Earth orbit to its maritime, aviation, business, government and other customers.
Commercial Space

By Mark Carreau
Whether it’s on the Moon with astronauts or in Earth orbit observing climate change, NASA intends to advance its science and technology and widely share the data from its efforts to benefit humanity as a whole, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy says.
Space

By Tony Osborne
Leonardo has sold its U.S.-based Global Enterprise Solutions (GES) government satellite communications business to Luxembourg-based SES.
Space

By Tony Osborne
Turkey’s government says it is working with both the Russian and Ukrainian governments on the safekeeping and ultimate return of two of its A400M airlifters stranded in Ukraine.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Tony Osborne
The UK defense ministry is looking to industry to provide it with a helicopter for VIP transportation.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Germany-based space startup Polaris has been awarded a contract by the country’s defense ministry to build and flight-test a scaled demonstrator of its proposed Aurora reusable space plane.
Space

By Chen Chuanren
Australia's defense department is also partnering with the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office on "cooperative satellite activities."
Space

By Jen DiMascio
Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics is trying to let the U.S. Space Force know that it could extend the lives of older geosynchronous satellites or potentially add new capabilities to them.
Space

By Garrett Reim
One of a growing number of unintended consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a boost in business for the space industry.
Commercial Space

By Irene Klotz
Eighteen days after OneWeb decided to suspend launches of its broadband satellites from Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the company has signed with SpaceX.
Space

By Brian Everstine
Russia’s claim that it fired a Khinzal hypersonic missile at a munitions store in Ukraine within the past few days has left the Pentagon perplexed.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
A Sierra Nevada/Volansi team has been selected to compete for Increment 2 of the U.S. Army’s program to replace a fleet of Textron RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aircraft systems.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Michael Bruno
RTC Aerospace, a subtier precision-manufacturing company for aerospace and defense, has changed owners, with private-equity firm Stellex Capital taking over from investor and former CEO Brad Hart as the business eyes acquisition growth.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Marine Corps has flown more than 75 hr. in a modified MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor to evaluate Bell Boeing’s nacelle upgrades, as two of the Air Force’s variants have completed changes.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Mark Carreau
Engineers at the Imperial College of London have created a virtual wind tunnel called PyFR, capable of simulating the atmospheric conditions on Mars for the testing of rotorcraft blade designs.
Space

By Irene Klotz
E-Space, a startup founded by space communications entrepreneur Greg Wyler, has signed a contract with Rocket Lab to launch three demonstration satellites aboard an Electron rocket in the second quarter of 2022.
Commercial Space

By Steve Trimble
The electronic warfare (EW) suites for the enduring U.S. Air Force fighter fleet are now set — and there are some surprises.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare