Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Lee Hudson
The Pentagon’s deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy, Eric Chewning, has accepted the role of defense secretary chief of staff.
Defense

By Michael Bruno
A new master agreement between Boeing and leading aerostructures supplier Spirit AeroSystems is expected to be signed this month.

By Thierry Dubois
French space agency Cnes has taken a financial stake in Kineis, a project aimed at creating a low-cost constellation for the internet of things (IoT).
Defense

By Alan Dron
The UK government has proposed significant new restrictions on the flying of drones in the aftermath of the London Gatwick debacle in December.
Defense

Brazil’s new administration supports the proposed Boeing-Embraer tie-up, but is signaling that the terms may have to change before it gives its required OK.
Defense

By Bill Carey
Insurance company State Farm said it has received a long-term FAA waiver to fly drones beyond the operator’s visual line of sight (BVLOS) and over people.

By Marhalim Abas, Kim Minseok, Bradley Perrett
Indonesia has resumed paying for development of the KF-X, according to manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
Japan is planning to disband its tactical reconnaissance unit and retire the 13 RF-4E Phantoms that equip it.
Defense

By Marhalim Abas
A proposal for New Zealand to host a long-term training program for Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing F-15s squadrons has been scrapped due to excessive costs.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
The Royal Canadian Air Force has finalized a deal to acquire 25 used Boeing F/A-18s from Australia.
Defense

By Irene Klotz
Launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, originally targeted for its debut flight test on Jan. 17, should take place in early February.
Program Management

By Steve Trimble
A future sat constellation aimed at tracking zigzagging hypersonic glide vehicles will soon enter the prototyping stage, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency says.
Defense

By Mark Carreau
The European Space Agency plans to enhance its Hera planetary defense mission contribution.
Defense

By Irene Klotz
A failed gyroscope has shut down operations of Maxar Technologies’ Earth-imaging WorldView-4 satellite after two years in orbit.
Defense

The launch of India’s much-touted second lunar mission—Chandrayaan-2—has been postponed from this month to February.
Defense

Spain’s Council of Ministers has authorized a 1.4 billion euro contract for NH Industries’ NH-90 helicopters for its air force, army and navy.

NASA space shuttle-era astronauts Janet Kavandi and James Buchli will enter the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

View the Aviation Week Forecasts: Top Western Military Helicopter Primes By Deliveries/Retirements 2019-2028 chart in PDF format.

By Steve Trimble
As the U.S. Navy prepares to open a competition for a new training helicopter later this month, service officials have released a new production plan that adds flexibility to the final two years of deliveries.
Program Management

Raytheon has signed a £250 million ($313.5 million) contract with the UK defense ministry to support the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Beechcraft Shadow intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for the next 11 years.

By Lee Hudson
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan will be in his role for an “indefinite period at the discretion of the president” a Trump administration official says.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Boeing has been contracted to upgrade Spain’s 17 CH-47D Chinook transport helicopters to the F-model standard.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
The U.S. Army is planning to demo advanced teaming tech that would enable manned and unmanned aircraft to operate as part of a combined-arms team in contested environments.
Defense

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The state-owned Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) says it is close to delivering the 100th exportable Wing Loong Drone.