Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Oct, 17
October 18, 2019![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/NASABoeing.jpg?itok=9EpT9tSK)
NASA, Boeing In Talks On $2B Contract For Third SLS Core
NASA and Boeing are negotiating a contract worth up to about $2 billion to begin production of a third Space Launch System (SLS) core stage.
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France, Germany Vow Support For Ariane 6 Launcher
Ariane 6 launcher, on schedule for a first launch next year but facing a dearth of firm orders, has received renewed support from France and Germany.
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NSC To Release Counter-Drone Strategy
The National Security Council (NSC) will soon release a strategy for preventing drone disruptions at major metropolitan airports, the FAA says.
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Lockheed Martin Expects South Korean PAC-3 MSE Order
Lockheed Martin expects South Korea to order another batch of PAC-3 MSE surface-to-air missiles within two years, adding to 64 that the country decided to buy in 2018.
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U.S. Army Says Aviation Modernization Costs Unknown
The U.S. Army has acknowledged that it will not know the costs of modernizing key aviation assets until the service begins negotiations with select companies.
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Skyborg Set To Test New Aircraft Design, Production Process
Testing how an artificial intelligence (AI) “brain” can control a fighter-sized aircraft remains the goal of the Skyborg program as the first prototype will also serve as a guinea pig for a new approach to aircraft design and production.
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S. Korea, Hanwha Flight Test KF-X Radar Tech Demo
South Korea’s defense technology organization and Hanwha have flight tested a technology-demonstration fighter radar in cooperation with Elta, while proceeding in parallel with full-scale development of the sensor for the KF-X fighter.
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U.S. Army Still Tackling Pilot Shortage
The U.S. Army says its biggest challenge in addressing the global pilot shortage is retaining pilots who are mid-career level warrant officers because over roughly a seven-year period the service was unable to hire pilots due to a lack of funding.