Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

A U.S. Air Force experiment with a low-cost, jet-powered, light fighter tailored for allied countries is still on the agenda more than a year after the cancellation of an acquisition program for a turboprop-powered Light Attack Aircraft, Lt. Gen. David Nahom said on April 16.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting May 27 for a crewed test flight of the Dragon 2 spacecraft to the International Space Station, the first human orbital space launch from the U.S. since the end of the shuttle program in 2011.

Rocket Factory Augsburg, a would-be launch service provider and part of Germany’s OHB group, sees a market for a small reusable rocket that would offer low launch costs and enable improved satellite designs.

Attorney General William Barr has issued guidance describing a process by which Department of Justice agencies can seek approval to use counter-drone systems to protect designated assets and facilities from rogue unmanned aircraft.

The Japanese defense ministry has reported a 20% improvement in detection range with a fused sensor system for use against stealth aircraft and ballistic and cruise missiles.

A defunct communications satellite serviced during the debut flight of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) has resumed operations, Intelsat and Northrop said on April 17.

Three U.S. and Russian International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers descended safely to Earth early April 17 to end lengthy, productive missions.

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting May 27 for a crewed test flight of the Dragon 2 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), the first human

Calendar of upcoming events of interest to the aviation industry.

The U.S. Air Force may award an $85 billion contract to Northrop Grumman early to develop the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent missile to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

A senior U.S. Air Force general warned on April 16 that the Defense Department cannot afford some of the long range strike programs funded by other services.

Over vehement objections, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Paj circulated a draft order on April 16 that would allow Ligado to use L-band spectrum allocation originally approved for satellite communications for a terrestrial network to support 5G and internet of things services.

The Pentagon’s Space Acquisition Council will hold an emergency meeting to support the space industrial base in the wake of the novel coronavirus.

Heico leaders said late April 15 they have laid off “some” employees across their aerospace and defense supplier portfolio and have cut work hours and pay at subsidiaries, but they are trying to avoid mass-layoffs as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls back the worldwide aerospace business.

Russia has adjusted the dates for resumption of its Moon exploration efforts, an official says.

Russia’s space activity is likely to be limited due to coronavirus restrictions, officials say.

A review of Britain’s defense capabilities has been paused in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

South Korean military equipment acquisition spending will suffer from a shift in allocations from the defense budget to COVID-19 relief efforts.

AVIATION WEEK NETWORK forecasts that from 2020 to 2029, Western-built aircraft performing military C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers

A 20 mm cannon, 360-deg. visibility in brownout conditions and a sensor-fused cockpit are among the items on the U.S. Army’s wish list for the Future

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

A 20 mm cannon, 360-deg. visibility in brownout conditions and a sensor-fused cockpit are among the items on the U.S. Army’s wish list for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.

U.S. Space Command is tracking a Russian direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test, it said April 15.