Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Irene Klotz, Mark Carreau
Ken Bowersox, head of NASA’s space operations division, announced Feb. 25 that he was retiring from the agency.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Robert Wall
The CEO of Rolls-Royce says its involvement in the Global Combat Air Program could generate business that surpasses what the Eurofighter Typhoon has delivered for the engine-maker.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Hensoldt sees a potential $1 billion opportunity in Germany’s ambition to field an airborne electronic attack capability, with a possible competition soon.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Michael Bruno
Potential suborbital space launch provider Starfighters Space announced that founder Rick Svetkoff has resigned as chairman, CEO, president and director.
Commercial Space

By Tony Osborne
Airbus Helicopters is actively exploring a European derivative of the H145-based autonomous Lakota connector aircraft it is developing for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
USSF halts Vulcan launches amid anomaly review, weighs options for GPS III satellite deployment.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Michael Bruno
Lunar landing upstart Intuitive Machines announced a surprise $175 million stock sale Feb. 25, in part to support potential growth in the orbital data center market.
Commercial Space

By Michael Bruno
Pratt & Whitney adds seventh forging press in $200M expansion to meet F-35 and Airbus engine demand.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Matthew Fulco
Aalyria secured $100 million in Series B funding to expand its Spacetime platform and Tightbeam terminals, advancing intelligent space communications networks.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. military explores space-based warehouses for future logistics needs as cislunar and Mars missions grow, with AFRL studying orbital cargo depots.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Irene Klotz
NASA rolls Artemis II moon rocket back to hangar after upper stage helium system malfunction during prelaunch testing.
Operations & Safety

By Steve Trimble
An electronic warfare payload for a new class of high-altitude balloons is moving forward after a six-month pause for the U.S. Army to review the requirements.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Irene Klotz
Fincke reveals medical event cut Crew-11 mission short; praises crew and NASA for swift response during ISS emergency.
Operations & Safety

By Brian Everstine
Both of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes are flying with mission autonomy as the service is preparing both for more intensive tests and production decisions.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Germany approves €810M arms deal for loitering munitions, ESSM upgrades and NH90 enhancements to bolster NATO defenses.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force is focused on near-term tanker recapitalization—extending purchases of the Boeing KC-46 and planning minor situational awareness upgrades.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall, Tony Osborne
Leonardo nears UK decision on AW149 helicopter deal, with CEO Cingolani signaling imminent resolution to long-pending NMH procurement that could safeguard Yeovil operations.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani says the company is in the final stages of agreeing an aerostructures partnership that will lead to the creation of a player with worldwide aerospace ambitions.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Tony Osborne
Airbus is exploring the potential of a reconfigurable compound rotorcraft that would allow military users to both install and remove a proprotor system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Ben Goldstein
U.S. startup MightyFly has raised $10 million to accelerate development and early deployments of its autonomous hybrid eVTOL logistics aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Robert Wall
Canada’s Top Aces has secured a deal through the Pentagon to provide F-16 instructor pilot training to Argentina.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne
The UK Royal Navy has begun exploring ideas for a future crewed platform that would replace its Leonardo Merlin and Wildcat helicopters on its warships.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Israel’s ImageSat International says it plans to launch the first of its new Knight Earth-imaging satellites next year.
Satellites

By Robert Wall
ESA and ArianeGroup are looking to advance work on a hydrogen peroxide and ethanol rocket engine that would be more sustainable than those using current propellants.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Turkish defense electronics specialist Aselsan grew export sales 89% last year to $958 million and booked over $2 billion in new contracts from buyers abroad.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare