Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May. 18

SOCOM Shifts Airborne ISR Investments As Threats Increase

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has started to reinvent how it provides airborne reconnaissance as the threat pushes existing platforms out of the airspace, the organization’s acquisition executive said on May 18. Credit: U-28: SOCOM

Space Force Launches Fifth SBIRS Satellite

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket helped the U.S. Space Force expand its ability to watch for missile launches around the world with the May 18 delivery to geosynchronous orbit of the fifth Lockheed Martin Space-Based Infrared satellite (SBIRS).Credit: United Launch Alliance

EVTOL Startup Beta Raises $368M Through Series A Round

Beta Technologies has raised $368 million in private funding to advance its Alia electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft toward certification and production as it aims for first deliveries in 2024. Credit: Beta Technologies

York Space Unveils ‘Mega’ Factory, Eyes Classified Cyber Satellites

York Space Systems, a nine-year-old startup aiming to be a small-satellite provider of choice for other businesses and government agencies, on May 18 unveiled a 100,000-sq.ft.-plus manufacturing addition to its Denver manufacturing campus. Credit: York Space Systems

Boeing Continues As Top NASA Contractor; Lockheed A Close Second

NASA’s top contractor remains Boeing, followed closely by second-place Lockheed Martin, according to the agency’s fiscal 2020 Annual Procurement Report, released May 18. Rounding out the list of businesses that received the largest direct awards from NASA last year are Jacobs, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman. Credit: NASA

NASA Readies For EVTOL Test Flights With Joby Prototype

NASA has agreed to work with five U.S. state and local governments on how to integrate passenger and cargo advanced air mobility into their transportation plans. The agreements are part of NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Campaign. Credit: NASA

Startup Orbit Fab To Launch Fuel Depot Demonstration

After a test run on the International Space Station (ISS), San Francisco-based startup Orbit Fab plans to launch a free-flying fuel-depot demonstration mission in June to push development of satellite-refueling and in-orbit service technologies. Credit: Orbit Fab/Spaceflight

Mitsubishi Completes First Flight Of Upgraded SH-60 Helicopter

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has completed the first flight of a modernized version of its SH-60 antisubmarine- warfare helicopter. The SH-60L is a locally developed derivative of the Sikorsky S-70 Seahawk produced from the license-built SH-60K flown by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Credit: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

EASA: Progress, Concerns Grow On EVTOL Harmonization

Harmonization of the differing European and U.S. approaches to regulating electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft is advancing somewhat, but there are concerns over the lack of information on China’s approach to approving the new class of aircraft. Credit: Volocopter