Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Jul. 09

Aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has taken a £3 billion ($3.8 billion) hit to its finances as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Despite the hit, described by CEO Warren East as a “historic shock,” the company says it sees a “gradual recovery” in widebody engine hours. However, the market is only expected to recover to 70% of 2019 levels in 2021.

A final document setting the requirements for the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) future counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-SUAS) architecture should be published in the fall, the Army says.

Mark Esper

F-35B

An improved version of the Russian-built engine for the Sino-Pakistan FC-1/JF-17 fighter has been passed to a Moscow high pressure chamber to start ground testing, United Engine Corp. (UEC) said on July 8.

With the interplanetary highway to Mars poised to open next week, spacecraft owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and NASA have been loaded onto their respective launch vehicles at Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center and Cape Canaveral.

UK flag.

A United Nations report into the use of armed drones has suggested that the U.S.-sanctioned killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Iraq in January violated international laws.