Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Mar. 11

Pentagon Seeks Industry Help To Modernize Comms Network

To improve its technological advantage over adversaries, the U.S. Defense Department is soliciting ideas from industry on how to connect all the department’s disparate communication systems.

First VC-25B Enters Structural Modification Phase

Boeing has begun structural modifications on the first 747-8 acquired by the U.S. Air Force to become a VC-25B presidential transport, the service said March 11.

Longview Flies Upgraded Viking CL-415EAF Waterbomber

anada’s Longview Aviation Services (LAS) has flown the first Canadair CL-215 amphibious aircraft upgraded to CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter configuration. The aircraft is the first of six ordered by launch customer Bridger Aerospace of Bozeman, Montana.

NATO Exercise Called Off Over Virus Fears

Norway has canceled a multi-national NATO exercise over concerns about the coronavirus situation in the country.

U.S. Navy Launches Six-Month Study Of Carriers, Carrier Aviation

The U.S. Navy has appointed a task force to conduct a six-month study on aircraft carriers and carrier-based aviation in the 2030s.

Schedule For New ICBM Interceptor Accelerated

The Pentagon on March 10 approved a new plan to accelerate fielding of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), Defense Department officials told Congress March 11.

China’s EHang To Begin EVTOL Test Flights In Norway

China’s EHang is to begin non-passenger test flights of its EHang 216 autonomous air taxi with a customer in Norway after receiving an operational permit from that country’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAA).

Leonardo Halts International Travel Amid Italian COVID-19 Lockdown

Italian aerospace and defense company Leonardo says operations are continuing normally despite a national lockdown in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown initiated by Rome on March 9 limits the travel movements of Italy’s population of 60 million. Although people are obliged to stay at home, they still can travel to work.

Safran Helicopter Engines Partnering On French Biofuel Program

Safran Helicopter Engines has joined with a consortium of industry and academia to study the production of aviation biofuels in Southwest France.

Britain Investing To Create DARPA-Like Research Agency

Japanese Suborbital Startup Advances Test Vehicle Plans

Japanese suborbital spaceflight startup PD AeroSpace plans to fly the latest in a series of the subscale company’s first suborbital test vehicles.

VoltAero Flies Cassio Electric Regional On Safran Motors

French startup VoltAero has begun flight testing its electric regional-aircraft testbed equipped with motors supplied by Safran Electric & Power.