Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Mar. 24

F-35B

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

AEHF

USS Gerald R. Ford

Nigeria Bolsters Air Force Tactical, Technical Capabilities

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

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

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

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

CH-53K

Japan Commissions Its First Destroyer With CEC

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

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.

U.S. Air Force Phase 2 Launch Contracts On Track For Q3 Award

The four-way competition for a pair of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contracts remains on track for award this year despite work restrictions stemming from concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the U.S. Air Force said on March 24.

Triumph Group To Lay Off Hundreds, Cut Pay

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

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.