Aerospace & Defense Roundup: April. 14

The exemplary support the French government has provided to the country’s aerospace industry has proved effective damage control. However, for its beneficial effect to last, the sector will have to carefully plan for the next few years. At least three factors are predictable in suppliers’ business plans. The trouble is, some of them are set to combine and create a difficult and complex situation. Credit: Pascal Pavani / AFP / Getty Images

Airbus has completed low-speed flight-envelope testing of its VSR700 naval rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system as it is being prepared for sea trials in mid-2022. The platform, which was developed from the Guimbal Cabri G2 piston-engine light helicopter through a collaboration between Airbus and French defense contrator Naval Group, has been flown to speeds of 60 kt. during flight trials at the Canjuers weapons range in southern France. Credit: Airbus concept

Israel Aerospace Industries and Thales have teamed to offer IAI’s Gabriel V anti-ship missile to meet a UK need for an interim anti-ship weapon. The missile, which also has a land-attack capability, is being offered as Sea Serpent for the Royal Navy’s Interim Surface to Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW) requirement. Wikimedia commons

Turkey’s indigenous, within-visual-range air-to-air Bozdogan/Merlin missile has scored its first aerial kill in flight trials. The weapon, which is similar in configuration to the Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder, was launched from a Turkish Air Force F-16 and engaged a Simsek target drone, national research and development agency Tubitak announced April 14. Credit: Tubitak

Poland is buying five surplus Lockheed C-130H Hercules airlifters from the boneyard and will develop its Lask AB as the main operating location for its future fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. In a series of announcements on April 12 and 14, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak confirmed that the Polish Air Force will receive a further five C-130s to boost the country’s airlift capability. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Lockheed Martin says it is offering a new line of its LM 400 satellites in response to military plans to develop constellations that have a variety of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and target-acquisition capabilities. Credit: Lockheed Martin

Blue Origin simulated pre- and post-launch passenger operations as its 15th suborbital launch of the New Shepard spacecraft lifted off from the Van Horn launch complex in West Texas on April 14, soaring to the edge of space before touching down about 2 mi. north of the liftoff site. New Shepard reached a peak altitude of 348,753 ft., or 106.3 km. Credit: Blue Origin

Orbital Sidekick, a San Francisco-based startup aiming to offer satellite-based hyperspectral imaging and data analytics for the energy sector and others, has wrapped up a $16 million series A investment round, as expected. The round, announced April 13, was led by investment company Temasek of Singapore and included Energy Innovation Capital, existing investors Allied Minds and 11.2 Capital, and Syndicate 708. The startup said it would use the funds to expand its product offerings, pursue new strategic partnerships, and introduce its advanced monitoring technology to new industries. Credit: Orbital Sidekick

Ahead of releasing a draft solicitation this summer for Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 satellites, the Pentagon wants to ensure satellite manufacturers can vouch for the interoperability of the different products, according to the agency’s director. Credit: Space Development Agency

Astranis, a San Francisco startup aiming to provide lower-cost regional broadband connectivity service from geostationary orbit, announced a Series C round of financing worth $250 million on April 13. Credit: Astranis concept