Aerospace & Defense Roundup: July 15

Changing Space Sector Must Prioritize Cybersecurity, Experts Say

The age of space tourism may have only just begun, with Virgin Galactic’s passenger flight last weekend. But the cyber threats to spacecraft will only multiply as the sector attracts more money, attention and publicity.

Russian 'Checkmate' Fighter Model Emerges During MAKS Setup

A covered, full-scale model of a new Russian stealth fighter branded by Rostec in English as “Checkmate” was photographed being moved into a display position on July 15 at Zhukovsky Airbase, the site of next week’s MAKS airshow outside Moscow. The slightly blurry images revealed a lightweight fighter with a mid-wing and V-tails. Credit: UAC

Charging Infrastructure Comes Into Focus As Electric Aviation Advances

Multinational energy company EDP has partnered with Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions to evaluate development of a viable charging infrastructure for electric air taxis. Credit: Embraer

Teenager Joins Bezos Flight Crew

An 18-year-old student on a gap year before college will join Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos and aviation pioneer Wally Funk on Blue Origin’s first human spaceflight, slated to launch on July 20, the company said on July 15. Credit: Blue Origin

Japan Looks To Strengthen Defense Capabilities In ‘New Domains’

On top of preparing itself against conventional threats from China and North Korea, Japan has unveiled plans to further develop its capabilities in new domains such as space, cyber and electronic warfare (EW), with the aim of being on a par with major militaries. Credit: JAXA

Airbus Backs Canadian Synthetic Kerosene Production Plant

Airbus has joined Canada’s SAF+ Consortium, which plans to build in Montreal the first power-to-liquids plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide. Credit: SAF+ Consortium

Ottawa, Quebec To Fund Electric Aviation Projects At Pratt, Bell, CAE

The Canadian federal and Quebec provincial governments together will invest C$685 million ($544 million) in projects at Bell, CAE and Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop technologies supporting the electrification and decarbonization of aviation. Credit: Pratt & Whitney