Aerospace & Defense Roundup: August 31

U.S. startup Electra.aero has formed a strategic partnership with Melbourne-based infrastructure company Skyportz to develop urban and regional passenger and cargo transport in Australia using hybrid-electric ultra-short-takeoff-and-landing (eSTOL) aircraft. Credit: Electra.aero

The historic Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc” is back home in Wichita and preparing to launch its 2021 fall tour following engine troubles that arose on its flight to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July. Organizers are planning to offer rides and ground and flight deck tours in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Chino and Inyokern, California, from Sept. 17 though Oct. 4. Credit: Doc’s Friends

Partners Harbour Air, MagniX and H55 have completed the preliminary design review on their electric propulsion modification for the 1940s-vintage de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. Supplemental type certification is planned for the end of 2022 or early 2023. Credit: Harbour Air Seaplanes

F-35C

F-35A

French, German and Spanish defense ministers have agreed to proceed with the next two phases of the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) development. The Implementation Agreement 3—signed Aug. 30—covers FCAS development through Phases 1B and 2, paving the way for demonstrators of key technologies. These include engines, a combat cloud network, remote carriers, and a New Generation Fighter demonstrator, expected to fly in 2027. Credit: Eric Piermont / AFP / Getty Images

Unique weather conditions in urban landscapes are a key challenge for the safety and reliability of advanced air mobility (AAM) operations that will require the development of new sensing and forecasting capabilities. Credit: Metro Weather

Teledyne Technologies, which in May closed the $8.2 billion purchase of FLIR Systems, said Aug. 30 that Robert Mehrabian will resume his role as chairman, president and chief executive officer after current officeholder Al Pichelli retires on Oct. 15. Credit: Teledyne Controls

United Launch Alliance (ULA) and engine supplier Blue Origin have begun tanking tests of the new Vulcan rocket at its Cape Canaveral launchpad. The Vulcan Centaur Pathfinder Tanking Test (PTT) booster reached Space Launch Complex (SLC) 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station—the same pad used by ULA’s Atlas V rockets—on Aug. 25 for a series of fueling tests. These should validate launchpad infrastructure, evaluate countdown procedures and train the launch team in advance of the inaugural Vulcan mission in 2022. Credit: ULA

For one large commuter airline in the U.S., the lessons it is learning as the launch operator of a new conventionally powered aircraft could prove invaluable as it embraces electric aircraft. Credit: Cape Air

A newly upgraded Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) Lockheed Martin F-16B was involved in a runway excursion incident on Aug. 31 while preparing for the high-profile Han Kuang war games. The incident, the third F-16 accident in a month, comes as the Taiwanese defense ministry announced that it will set aside NT$40.1 billion ($1.44 billion) for the procurement of new fighters. Credit: Taiwan CTi News