Aerospace & Defense Roundup: September 8

Becker, Iris Unveil GA Collision Avoidance System

Germany’s Becker Avionics and drone detect-and-avoid (DAA) system developer Iris Automation have entered into an agreement to jointly develop a collision avoidance system for general aviation aircraft. The joint product development, announced on Sept. 8, will combine Becker’s AMU6500 digital audio management unit with the Iris Automation Casia X computer-vision DAA system and five optical cameras to provide pilots with audio alerts of nearby air traffic. Credit: Becker Avionics and Iris Automation

U.S. Army National Guard Receives First New Variant Lakota Helicopter

Airbus has delivered the first of 18 new variant UH-72 Lakota helicopters for use by the U.S. Army National Guard. The new UH-72B features the fenestron anti-torque system and the five-bladed main rotor of Airbus’ most recent version of the H145 twin-engine light helicopter, making the U.S. Army the first military user of the five-blade model.

Indian Government Approves Airbus C-295 Acquisition

India has approved a long-awaited $2.5 billion purchase of 56 C295 twin-turboprop airlifters from Airbus. New Delhi’s Cabinet Committee of Security finally approved the procurement of the Spanish-developed airlifter some six years after the aircraft was selected as a replacement for the Indian Air Force’s Hawker Siddeley HS 748 fleet, known locally as the “Avro.” Credit: Airbus

Sikorsky/Boeing Team Submits FLRAA Contract Bid

A Sikorsky/Boeing team has delivered a proposal that it hopes will claim the U.S. Army contract to develop and build the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), the companies announced on Sept. 7. The proposal based on the Defiant X concept offers a “low-risk, transformational capability that delivers on an Army critical modernization priority,” according to a joint statement released by the companies. Credit: Sikorsky/Boeing

Safran Claims Helicopter Engine Runs With 100% SAF

Safran has successfully run one of its helicopter engines on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a first step toward making the rotary-wing industry more environmentally sustainable. The company bench-tested a Makila 2 engine, which normally powers the Airbus H225 twin-engine heavy helicopter, on a biofuel produced from waste cooking oil. It was developed by French firm TotalEnergies. Credit: Airbus

Mark CarreauJWST

Kleos Raises $9M, Eyes December Launch Of Next Satellite Cluster

Kleos Space, which aims to provide big-data analytics via space-based radio frequency reconnaissance satellites, said it raised AUS$12.6 million ($9.3 million) by way of a stock sale on the Australian stock exchange, and that its third cluster of four satellites should be launched by SpaceX in December. Credit: Kleos Space

Restructuring Firm To Sell Off Aerion Supersonic Assets

Financially troubled Aerion Corp., the U.S.-based developer of the AS2 supersonic business jet, has retained restructuring consultancy Development Specialists to manage the sale of its assets, which include intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, aircraft structure and wing designs, software and more. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

U.S. Navy Creating Task Force To Speed UAV Development

The U.S. Navy’s top uniformed leader is not satisfied with how quickly his service is developing unmanned capabilities and has ordered the creation of a new task force over the next few months to find ways to accelerate. Credit: Boeing

AT&T, OneWeb Team For Ground LEO Connectivity Network

OneWeb’s emerging low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation will pair with AT&T’s terrestrial broadband fiber network to expand connectivity for AT&T business customers, particularly in harder-to-reach locations on Earth, the companies announced Sept. 8. Credit: OneWeb