Although named Ofek 16, the spacecraft launched early on July 6 represents the 12th acknowledged platform in the Ofek series, with the last being the Ofek 11 in 2016. The Ofek series has previously been described as a light, agile spy satellite with a mass up to 815 lb. (369 kg) and an unclassified resolution of about 19 in. (50 cm).
About 4 min. into its second-stage burn, the Electron rocket “experienced an issue that caused the complete loss of the vehicle and unfortunately the payloads,” Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said.
Niel Golightly resigned on July 2 as Boeing’s chief communications officer after an employee complained about his 1987 article in the Naval Institute’s Proceedings journal that argued against allowing women to serve in combat.
Australia plans to acquire an enlarged fleet of naval logistics helicopters, probably late this decade, to be followed by long-range rotorcraft for the army.
Russian light-aircraft developer PRO-Avia has begun studying a light multipurpose twin-engine transport aircraft and has selected German manufacturer RED Aircraft’s A03 diesel-cycle piston engine for the preliminary design phase.
Moldovan authorities have closed down an illegal helicopter factory that was clandestinely producing rotorcraft with a similar configuration to Kamov’s Ka-26 co-axial helicopter.
NATO has initiated the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control project only eight months after awarding Boeing a $1 billion contract to complete the final modernization program for the E-3 fleet.
Australia is planning to expand its electronic-attack force for the 2030s following the retirement of its Boeing EA-18G Growlers while also enlarging its fleets of surveillance aircraft, partly through the replacement of Boeing E-7A Wedgetails.
The decision vaults Sierra Nevada over established industry leaders BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman, who have prior experience integrating radio frequency countermeasure systems on AC-130s and MC-130s.
Future defense budgets can't afford to modernize nuclear and conventional weapons simultaneously, so the head of the U.S. Air Force has suggested an alternative financing approach to solve the problem.
