Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Sep. 09

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

DODEllen Lord

USAFF-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 CommunicationsIridium 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

USMC F-35s Arrive In UK To Embark On HMS Queen Elizabeth

The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has set sail for exercises which will see U.S. Marine Corps F-35s embarked for the first time. Credit: Dave Jenkins

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