Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Mar. 24

March 25, 2020
USAF
F-35B

Scaled-Down, Spaced-Apart Launch Team Preps For AEHF-6

Lockheed Martin
AEHF
U.S. Navy
USS Gerald R. Ford

Nigeria Bolsters Air Force Tactical, Technical Capabilities

Credit: Shimin Gu
Nigeria’s air force is expecting to take delivery of its first of three JF-17 Thunder fighters from Pakistan next November as the African country bolsters its air arm against insurgent threats.

NASA Joins SpaceX Falcon 9 Investigation

Credit: SpaceX
Representatives from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program are joining the SpaceX investigation into why a Falcon 9 engine shut down early during launch last week, NASA said on March 23.

Lilium Raises $240 MillionTo Advance EVTOL Development

Credit: Lilium
Electric air taxi developer Lilium has raised an additional $240 million from existing investors, taking the total raised so far by the German startup to more than $340 million.

Aircraft Storage Demand Still Fluid In Europe

Credit: Tarmac Aerosave
After having been thought for a few days to be on a strong upward curve, demand for aircraft storage during the COVID-19 crisis is still unstable, according to specialist Tarmac Aerosave. “Stabilization is underway, but the situation is fluid,” company CEO Patrick Lecer said
Lockheed Martin
CH-53K

Japan Commissions Its First Destroyer With CEC

Credit: Japan Marine United
Japan has commissioned the first of two Maya-class air-defense destroyers, introducing Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) to the fleet. Commissioning of the ship, Maya, also bolsters Japan’s ballistic missile defenses.

Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Developer Sees Military Interest

Credit: Sabrewing Aircraft
Startup Sabrewing Aircraft has postponed the public rollout of its Rhaegal unmanned cargo aircraft because of COVID-19 restrictions, but continues to work toward flying the hybrid-electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) prototype this year.
.S. Air Force said on March 24.

Triumph Group To Lay Off Hundreds, Cut Pay

Credit: Triumph Group
Following a warning last week of coming cutbacks—and on the heels of previously announced cost-saving goals months ago before the COVID-19 pandemic—major Tier 2 provider Triumph Group on March 24 said it will eliminate 500 staff and contractor jobs by May 1.

Travel Bans Delay SpaceX Launch For Argentina

Credit: SpaceX
The launch of Argentina’s Earth-observation Saocom 1B satellite, scheduled for late March aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, has been postponed due to travel restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19.

Company responses to COVID-19, USMC to drastically reduce F-35 inventory, Nigeria bolsters air force tactical and technical capabilities, NASA joins SpaceX Falcon 9 investigation, advancing eVTOL development, aircraft storage demand, Japan's first destroyer and more. A roundup of aerospace, space and defense news powered by Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. 

 

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