Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Lee Hudson, Irene Klotz
President Donald Trump issued a directive Dec. 18 to establish a U.S. Space Command (Spacecom) as a unified combatant command.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
First flight of a demonstrator for a jet-powered UAS designed to complement future manned fighters has been pushed back several months, the AFRL says.
Defense

By Lee Hudson, Steve Trimble
The USAF and Boeing have reached an agreement on a path forward and upgrades that will be implemented following first deliver of the KC-46 Pegasus Remote Vision System.
Defense

By Irene Klotz
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket poised to deliver the first satellite of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation GPS III network remained on the ground Dec. 18 after an automated abort.
Space

By Mark Carreau
Blue Origin assessed future flight options after it scrubbed an attempt of a 10th test launch early Dec. 18 of its reusable New Shepard suborbital rocket.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
Japan has programmed the acquisition of a further 105 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings, including F-35Bs for operation from converted helicopter carriers.
Defense

By Michael Bruno
The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire StandardAero, a leading MRO provider, from private equity owner Veritas Capital for an undisclosed amount.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
An Anglo-French study to produce a next-generation anti-ship weapon and cruise missile is considering whether the weapon could also take on a long-range air defense suppression role.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin has selected an internally sourced GPS receiver with an enhanced anti-jam capability on the F-35.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
The British defense ministry says it will spend more on research and innovation for new technologies to keep ahead of potential adversaries.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Airbus Helicopters has carried out the first flight of the initial serial production H160 twin-engine medium helicopter.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Herman Claesen has been chosen to lead Eurofighter GmbH and will take the helm from Volker Paltzo on Jan. 1.
Defense

By Graham Warwick, Guy Norris
The aircraft has reached 250 kt. true airspeed and continues to expand the flight envelope in areas such as bank angle, load factor and low-speed agility.
Defense

By Lee Hudson
Pentagon officials met with CFOs from small, medium and large companies to discuss progress and performance payments before the DOD proposes a new rule.
Defense

By Michael Bruno
Boeing and Embraer have hammered out terms of their proposed commercial business merger.
Defense

By Lee Hudson
The U.S. Navy has decided it is not feasible to recapitalize its MH-53 Sea Dragon fleet with a derivative of the CH-53K King Stallion.
Defense

By Irene Klotz
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has delivered 13 cubesats into orbit for NASA, fulfilling a $6.9 million-Venture Class Launch Service (VCLS) contract.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
The USAF is seeking a prototype high-energy laser that can be tested on the ground and in the air to determine the tech readiness and operational viability of an LWS.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Airbus could undertake manufacturing of dynamic components for helicopters under new agreements signed with the Hungarian government.
Defense

By Jen DiMascio
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will loft the first U.S. Air Force GPS III satellite “Vespucci” into space Dec. 18.
Defense

By Mark Carreau
Will NASA Astronaut Nick Hague’s upcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS) mark his first spaceflight, or his second?
Defense

India plans to launch two Indian Data Relay Satellite System spacecraft next year to expand the data relay and comm links with its Earth observation sats.
Defense

GENERAL ELECTRIC has $157.7m U.S. Navy contract for holistic engine support of T64 aircraft.

Swiss researchers have developed a morphing drone that can fold itself in flight to squeeze through narrow openings.

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