Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Bill Carey
Matternet says the U.S.-built M2 quadcopter is approved to begin durability and reliability testing.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force has set a goal to deliver new software capabilities immediately to F-16s on an on-demand basis even when the aircraft is still in flight, an Air Force news release says.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Chilean state-owned manufacturer Enaer wants to supply up to 40 Pillan IIs to the Chilean Air Force.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The original schedule called for completing the stealthy fighter's Block 4 modernization program in 2024, but the timeline must be extended to 2026, the U.S. Government Accountability Office says.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Plans to develop a British global navigation satellite system are facing cancellation over concerns the project would be too expensive.
Space

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.
Defense

By Bill Carey
The FAA has authorized a 12th commercial space launch site and continues to evaluate another site that was nearing a decision by the agency late last year.
Space

By Steve Trimble
Sierra Nevada said on May 11 that it will deliver a third Embraer A-29 to U.S. Special Operations Command to support the Combat Aviation Advisor mission.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Australian firm CEA Technologies will compete for a long-awaited, ground-based surveillance radar to replace the aging TPS-75, the U.S. Air Force announced on May 11.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Lee Hudson
Gen. Charles Brown, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, says he would continue many of the same modernization efforts as his predecessor, but recognizes the service must adjust its strategy and priorities because of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Mark Carreau
When Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken splash down in the Atlantic Ocean following their SpaceX Demo-2 flight to the International Space Station, it will mark the first time NASA astronauts have landed in the ocean in nearly 45 years.
Space

By Mark Carreau
Northrop Grumman’s 13th NASA-contracted Cygnus resupply mission departed the International Space Station (ISS) May 11 for an extended free flight.
Space

By Bradley Perrett
Japan will on May 18 stand up an air force unit charged with tracking space debris and meteorites, Defense Minister Kono Taro said.
Space

By Bradley Perrett
The re-entry capsule of a new manned Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth successfully on May 8, three days after it was launched in an unmanned test, government agencies said.
Space

By Steve Trimble
Congress should tighten restrictions on support by U.S. government and private entities for China’s space program as Beijing’s military capabilities continue expanding, a new report by a congressionally-chartered group recommends.
Space

By Bradley Perrett, Kim Minseok
South Korea has test flown a new type of short-range ballistic missile, Hyunmoo 4, making one successful and one unsuccessful shot in March, according to widespread media reports in the country.
Missile Defense & Weapons

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.
Defense

Selected U.S. military contracts from the past week.
Defense

By Michael Bruno
Along with other measures, such as 30-50% cuts to cash wages, the reduction in force should still mean the company at a minimum remains at cash breakeven.
Supply Chain

By Steve Trimble
Hungary has been approved by the U.S. government to become the second export customer for the Raytheon AMRAAM-ER surface-to-air missile, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on May 8.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Lee Hudson
Lockheed Martin has achieved its pledged goal of delivering $450 million in accelerated progress payments from the Pentagon to support the supply chain during the global novel coronavirus pandemic.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
Elbit Systems has introduced a long-range maritime rescue system for the Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft system ordered by an undisclosed customer in Southeast Asia, the company announced on May 7.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Michael Bruno
Boeing formally has decoupled restarting production of the 737 MAX from the recertification effort for the grounded narrowbody, and the OEM and leading supplier
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Lee Hudson
After four years, the U.S. Navy has overcome an arresting hook availability shortfall impacting readiness of both the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Boeing on May 7 rolled out of its St. Louis final assembly plant the first of two test aircraft to support the F/A-18E/F Block III program, the company said.
Aircraft & Propulsion