Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Sep. 09
September 10, 2020
Airshow China Organizer Retracts Cancellation Notice
The organizer of Airshow China issued then retracted a cancellation announcement for the biennial exhibition set to be held at Zhuhai in November. Credit: Zhuhai Airshow Co. Ltd.

French Government Ups Pressure On Airbus To Move To Hydrogen Fuel
The French government has reiterated its desire to see a hydrogen-fueled Airbus flying in service by 2035, firmly reacting to those claiming the move is too risky. Minister of Finance Bruno Le Maire put pressure on the industry while presenting a massive investment plan for the use of hydrogen in the country on Sept. 8. Credit: Joe Pries

DOD
Ellen Lord

USAF
F-16

Airbus Performs Autopiloted Fello’fly Test Flights
Airbus has completed three test flights using two of its own Airbus A350s with the autopilot engaged in its Fello’fly wake vortex-riding project. Credit: Airbus

Credit: Iridium Communications
Iridium satellite.

NASA Preps For More Commercial Lunar Missions
NASA is turning to its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) providers to bid on the delivery of 10 science investigations and technology demonstrations to a nonpolar region of the Moon in 2022. The move is part of the Artemis initiative to return human explorers to the lunar surface in 2024 and establish a sustained presence. Credit: Masten Space Systems

Dave Jenkins
HMS Queen Elizabeth

Walmart Begins Drone Delivery Pilot Program
Walmart announced the start of a pilot program to deliver grocery items by drone in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Sept. 9. The U.S. retail giant will test store deliveries to customers using an automated, multi-rotor drone supplied by Flytrex, of Tel Aviv. In April, Flytrex announced that it was participating in a drone delivery effort involving Walmart in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Credit: Flytrex

NASA Names Koerner New Orion Program Manager
Catherine Koerner has assumed management responsibility for development and operations of NASA’s Orion program headquartered at Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA
Zhuhai Airshow back on, French government ups pressure on Airbus to move hydrogen fuel, four nations deliver bids for Croatian fighter contest, Airbus performs autopiloted Fello'fly test flights and more. A roundup of aerospace, space and defense news.