Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Feb. 27

Virgin Galactic Prioritizes Flying Branson This Year Over Starting Ops

Virgin Galactic remains committed to becoming the first commercial human spaceflight provider this year, but it could entail just lofting co-founder and celebrity entrepreneur Richard Branson rather than starting regular operations as previously forecast.

Northrop Fires Up Omega Rocket’s Solid Fuel Second Stage

Northrop Grumman conducted a 139-sec. static test fire of its Omega rocket’s solid-fuel second stage on Feb. 27, the last of two full-scale engine firings prior to the rocket’s debut launch next year.

Microturbine Pioneer Expands Into Ground Power

Microturbine pioneer UAV Turbines (UAVT) has launched a lightweight, compact turbogenerator for on-demand ground power and auxiliary power applications.

FAA Offers Incentives For Drone Remote ID Equipage

Drone operators who voluntarily equip their aircraft to transmit identification and location data to the ground—the function called Remote ID—will be favorably considered when they apply for waivers, government contracts and access to airspace, the FAA says.

Korea Launches Project To Develop EVTOL Demo

South Korean technology giant Hanwha Systems is working with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to develop an electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) technology demonstrator under the Optionally Piloted Personal Air Vehicle (OPPAV) program.