Aerospace & Defense Roundup: July 29

Joby Aero has begun the process with the FAA to obtain its Part 135 air carrier certificate as part of its broader plan to operate its own electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft on commercial aerial ridesharing services in U.S. cities from 2024.

A booster rocket failed to ignite during a flight test on July 28 of the Lockheed Martin AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), spoiling the U.S. Air Force’s second attempt to since April to complete a successful test of the prototype hypersonic weapon. Credit: U.S. Air Force

An automated data feed translation tool has been transferred by DARPA’s Mosaic program to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. military uses a multitude of different data links, each with a unique digital language. A long-term solution may be to create a common standard and force all military users to adopt it, regardless of their requirements. Alternatively, DARPA has developed an automated translator to allow otherwise incompatible data links to communicate with each other. Credit: USAF

Textron’s business aircraft and helicopter segments saw revenues grow in the second quarter of 2021 based on increased sales of Cessna Citation jets and Caravan turboprops, Beechcraft King Air turboprops and Bell helicopters. Credit: Textron Aviation

F-35B

The UK’s aviation regulator and its air accident investigation organization have had their purview extended into orbit after legislation for space launch was given final approval. Credit: European Space Agency

Eurofighter

Russia’s Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module began a series of unexpected thruster firings a little over three hours after completing an already suspenseful automated docking with the International Space Station (ISS) early July 29, prompting a temporary but significant loss of attitude for the orbiting science lab. Credit: NASA TV

With the successful launch of an experimental cubesat for the U.S. Space Force, Rocket Lab returned its Electron small satellite launcher into commercial service on July 29, with about six more missions on its manifest for the year. Credit: Rocket Lab

The UK-led Tempest Future Combat Air System (FCAS) initiative has moved into a new phase with the awarding of a £250 million ($349 million) contract to the Team Tempest industrial consortium. Credit: Royal Air Force