Aerospace & Defense Roundup Jul. 7

German aerospace center DLR plans to open four research institutes focused on synthetic fuels, low-emission propulsion and electric aviation.

The sponsors of a global student contest to virtually design small lunar race cars have chosen four winners. Two of the winners met or exceeded the technical specification to participate in a planned actual 2021 race on the rugged lunar terrain, said the sponsors, Moon Mark and Intuitive Machines.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has published the first photograph of the first KF-X airframe, taken in March during a ceremony to mark the beginning of joining of the forward, center and aft fuselage modules.

Moon

The Mars InSight lander’s mission team has decided to give its 6-ft.-long robot arm a rest from applying pressure into the red planet’s surface.

The Japanese defense ministry proposes to fly the first prototype of the Next Generation Fighter (NGF) in 2028 and begin deliveries to the air force seven years later. Since a plan presented to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on July 7 includes starting to build the first prototype in 2024, the ministry must intend to launch full-scale development no later than 2022, and possibly next year.

Dubai has issued legislation regulating the use of drones and supporting an initiative to build an ecosystem for cargo, passenger and other operations by unmanned aircraft in the emirate.

Austria is to phase out its aging Saab 105 jet trainers without a replacement as ministers attempt to figure out the country’s future airspace surveillance plans.

Pentagon

F-35C

South Korean electronics giant Hanwha Systems plans to cooperate with the country’s airports operator in developing infrastructure and services for urban air taxis.