Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Sept, 19

Sweeping Reviews Of USAF ISR Fleet Underway

U.S. Air Force intelligence officials are conducting sweeping reviews of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets from space to the subsurface domains, says Lt. Gen. Veralinn Jamieson, deputy chief of staff for ISR and Cyber Effects Operations.

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Northrop Gears Up For Sat Life Extender Launch

Northrop Grumman is preparing for the first launch of its Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV), a spacecraft designed to supply propulsion to in-orbit satellites that would otherwise run out of fuel. 

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Italy Exploring Horizontal Launch For Satellites

The Italian Air Force has signed agreements with industry and academia to explore the potential of launching small satellites from Italian combat aircraft.

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Air National Guard Receives F-35s

The U.S. Air National Guard received its first F-35 Joint Strike Fighters at a base in Burlington, Vermont.

Lockheed Martin F-35s are operating from 19 bases worldwide and more than 425 of the fifth-generation fighter jets have been delivered.

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Wing Names Partners For Drone Delivery Service

Alphabet company Wing has named courier and retail partners for its first drone delivery service in the U.S., scheduled to launch next month in Christiansburg, Virginia.

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House OKs Continuing Resolution To Fund Government

The House voted 301-123 on Sept. 19 to pass a stopgap continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through Nov. 21, and the Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week.

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NASA Eager To Share Low Earth Orbit

As it seeks to steer a transition in oversight of research and development on the International Space Station and other low Earth orbit activities to the U.S. private sector, NASA is committed to avoiding a repeat of the decision to retire the space shuttle fleet without a still-absent capability to launch its own astronauts. 

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Senators Unveil Bill To Ban U.S. Buys Of Chinese Drones

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation Sept. 18 that would bar the federal government from purchasing Chinese-made drones. 

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