Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Jan. 14
January 15, 2021![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/acturus_jump-20_0.jpg?itok=KKV3-VoP)
AeroVironment Acquires Group 2-3 UAS Provider Acturus
AeroVironment on Jan. 13 announced its second major acquisition in as many months, unveiling a deal to buy Arcturus UAV, a privately-held provider of Group 2 and 3 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and contractor-owned services to military customers. Credit: Acturus UAV
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/apache.jpg.crop_display.jpg?itok=cMHJVkVb)
Australia Picks Apache For Armed Reconnaissance Helo Requirement
Australia has selected Boeing’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to replace its Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). The Apache will be introduced from 2025, Australian defense minister Linda Reynolds announced Jan. 15, adding that the Apache represented the “most lethal, most survivable and lowest-risk” option. Credit: Boeing
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/abms_0_0.jpg?itok=yW6r4AvK)
Credit: U.S. Air Force
Preston Dunlap, ABMS chief architect, is preparing for another pivot.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/artemisonehandover_0.jpg?itok=RsIXwEC8)
Lockheed Transfers Orion Capsule To NASA
Lockheed Martin, prime contractor for NASA’s deep-space crewed Orion spacecraft, has completed assembly and testing of the capsule earmarked for a flight test in November and transferred possession to NASA. The Kennedy Space Center Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team will pick up preparations for Orion’s launch aboard the first Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The SLS core stage, built by Boeing, is scheduled to complete a 10-month Green Run integrated test on Jan. 16 with a full-duration static test fire of its four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines. That test will take place at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Credit: Lockheed Martin
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/blue_origin_ns-14_crew_capsule_descent_-_january_14_2021_0.jpg?itok=KQrUcyJ7)
Blue Origin Launches Upgraded New Shepard System
Blue Origin tested an upgraded New Shepard suborbital launch system on Jan. 14, sending the uncrewed, six-passenger capsule to an altitude of 347,568 ft. before it made a parachute return to the West Texas desert. It was the first flight for the new capsule and booster and the 14th suborbital spaceflight for Blue Origin since New Shepard’s debut flight in November 2015. Credit: Blue Origin
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/cathiewoodbetter_0.jpg?itok=U4dOn6Mu)
Rock Star Investor Launches Ark Space Exploration ETF
Publicly traded space-related stocks received a proverbial booster shot this week when a popular investment manager unveiled a new electronically traded fund (ETF) focusing on space. Credit: ark-funds.com
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/dragonbetter_0.jpg?itok=6hdaAut1)
SpaceX Confirms First U.S. East Coast ISS Dragon Cargo Return
SpaceX’s latest Dragon International Space Station (ISS) resupply mission concluded late Jan. 13 with the first splashdown off the U.S. East Coast, delivering a 4,400-lb. cargo rich in time-sensitive scientific research. Credit: NASA
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/f35c-lockheed.jpg?itok=lIEAWXtu)
Credit: USN
F-35C
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/fab_kc-390_0.jpeg?itok=Qxuk_rSF)
Brazil Deploys KC-390 For U.S. Exercise
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is debuting its KC-390 airlifter on a foreign military exercise for the first time, with a deployment to the United States.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/hls_blueorigin_0_0.jpg?itok=bB6z1VCN)
Blue Origin Team Previews Human Lunar Lander Proposal
Blue Origin credits a team of experienced industry partners with its success so far as a competitor to build NASA’s lunar Human Landing System (HLS) to shuttle future astronauts between lunar orbit and the Moon’s surface. Credit: Blue Origin
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/rafale_greece_0.jpeg?itok=ey7Ns6bQ)
Greek Rafale Procurement Secures Parliamentary Support
The Greek Parliament has approved the country’s purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter jets, but the buy only fulfils part of Athens’ desire to field 40 new-generation combat aircraft by 2025. Political approval for the Rafale buy paves the way for the €2.5 billion ($3.04 billion) contract signing for 18 aircraft from the French government, but Greece wants at least another 22 new-generation fighters, defense minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos has revealed. Credit: Dassault
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/skynet5_0.jpg?itok=j-u-AGzq)
UK Skynet 6A Satellite Passes PDR Milestone
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/f-35s_at_al_dhafra_air_base-usaf_0.png?itok=Tz3kb7OV)
F-35A Still Costs Too Much To Buy In Bulk: USAF Official
Lockheed Martin’s F-35A still costs too much to fly, making other tactical aircraft programs, including the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, attractive alternatives, said Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Credit: U.S. Air Force
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-01/tcm_marketplace_0.png?itok=E9Xln1pk)
Pentagon Launches 'Speed-Dating' Platform For Tech Startups, Investors
The Pentagon on Jan. 13 formally unveiled the Trusted Capital Digital Marketplace, a network for preapproved U.S. investor groups to match with technology startups deemed interesting enough to U.S. national security agencies to guard against Chinese or other foreign investment stakes.
Blue Origin launches upgraded New Shepard system, acting SecDef criticizes lingering Cold War acquisition mindset, Pentagon launches 'speed dating' platform for tech startups and investors, Greek Rafale procurement secures parliamentary support and more. A roundup of aerospace, space and defense news powered by Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN). AWIN members can log in to view the full-length articles.