Aerospace & Defense Roundup Jul. 7
July 08, 2020
New DLR Centers To Expand German Clean Aviation Research
New DLR institutes will study electric aircraft, low-emission propulsion and synthetic fuels. Credit: DLR
German aerospace center DLR plans to open four research institutes focused on synthetic fuels, low-emission propulsion and electric aviation.

Student Lunar Race Car Design Challenge Contest Names Winners
ILSTAR design Credit: Moon Mark
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.

KAI Unveils First KF-X Airframe In Assembly
KF-X first airframe Credit: KAI
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.

NASA
Moon

NASA’s InSight Mars Lander Pauses Robot Arm Heat Probe Push
InSight's robotic arm. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
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.

Japanese Defense Ministry Proposes NGF First Flight In 2028
NGF concept design. Credit: Japanese Ministry of Defense
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 Establishes Framework For Urban Drone Ecosystem
Dubai Sky Dome will create an airspace and infrastructure ecosystem supporting drone flights, including autonomous air taxis. Credit: Volocopter
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.

Austrian Saab 105s To Be Retired Without Replacement
Saab 105 Credit: Matt Morgan
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.

DOD
Pentagon

U.S. Navy
F-35C

Hanwha, Korean Airports Operator Partner On Urban Air Mobility
Hanwha is backing Overair’s Butterfly optimum-speed tiltrotor eVTOL air taxi. Credit: Overair
South Korean electronics giant Hanwha Systems plans to cooperate with the country’s airports operator in developing infrastructure and services for urban air taxis.
KAI unveils first KF-X airframe in assembly, Japanese defense ministry proposes NGF first flight in 2028, Dubai establishes a framework for urban drone ecosystem, NASA's InSight Mars lander pauses robot arm heat probe push and more. A roundup of aerospace, space and defense news powered by Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
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