Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Mar. 26

UK RAF Suspends Flying Displays As Pandemic Impacts Worsen

Credit: UK RAFBritain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) has suspended all flying displays as the COVID-19 pandemic hits major public events and airshows across the UK and Europe.

Saab Starts Production Of Two-Seat Gripen F

SaabGripen

USNUSS Theodore Roosevelt

Research To Improve Icing Detection Moves Toward Testing

Credit: DLRA European Union-funded research project to improve aircraft ice protection is preparing upgraded wind tunnels for testing of a hybrid system capable of detecting icing caused by supercooled large droplets (SLD).

Consolidation In Aerospace Parts Business Speeds Up

Credit: FACCAustrian aerospace parts and services provider FACC expects further consolidation in the supplier business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

JAXA Plans Passive Orbital Debris Removal Demo

Credit: ALEThe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans a second space debris removal demonstration in partnership with a Japanese startup.

USAFSuper Hornet

ACC Reverses Sole-Source Acquisition Plan For T-50 Jets

Credit: Lockheed MartinAir Combat Command (ACC) has dropped a plan to award a sole-source contract to Hillwood Aviation to supply four to eight Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50s for a five-year demonstration program, and instead will open the acquisition to competitive bidding, a U.S. Air Force spokeswoman said March 26.

Avio CEO Sees Rosy Future For Vega Launcher

Credit: ArianespaceThe Vega light launcher and its evolutions will continue to enjoy brisk sales, despite the current health crisis around the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact in the short term, Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo says.