Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Apr. 01

Aero VodochodyL-39NG

General Atomics Flies First Production Standard SkyGuardian

Credit: General AtomicsGeneral Atomics has flown the first production representative MQ-9B SkyGuardian medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air system.

Thousands Seek To Become NASA Astronauts

More than 12,000 well-educated aspirants representing every U.S. state and territory as well as the nation’s capital have applied for what may be a modest number of openings in NASA’s astronaut corps.

Pandemic Effects Testing Privatized ANSPs

NATS, the UK's ANSP, has taken steps to remove costs from the business. Credit: NATSAir navigation service providers (ANSPs), particularly those that are privately owned, are taking tough steps to ensure they can survive the slump in air traffic caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Acro Aircraft Seating Names Former Collins Exec As New CEO

UK-headquartered Acro Aircraft Seating has appointed former Collins Aerospace and B/E Aerospace executive Neil Cairns as its new CEO.

Japanese Ministry of DefenseNGF

Virus Crisis Shutters Airbus’ Urban Helicopter Service

Voom operated in Sao Paulo, Mexico City and the San Francisco Bay Area. Credit: AirbusAirbus is to continue investing in urban air mobility despite shutting down Voom, its on-demand helicopter booking service, citing the impact of the novel coronavirus crisis.