Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May. 11

Tests Of GE XA100 Adaptive Combat Engine Exceed Performance Targets

GE Aviation has completed initial test runs of the first full-scale XA100 three-stream adaptive combat engine, marking the start of a new chapter in U.S. military turbine engine development and paving the way for a new generation of variable cycle powerplants for sixth generation fighters.

 

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Credit: GE Aviation

U.S. Space Force Delivers Rideshare Satellites For SBIRS-5 Integration

The U.S. Space Force has delivered two multi-manifest satellite vehicles that are carrying multiple payloads to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for integration aboard the rocket that is to launch the fifth Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS-5) satellite in mid-May. Credit: U.S. Space Force / Jason Davidson

KSC Director Cabana Named NASA’s Associate Administrator

Newly sworn in NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has appointed Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Director Robert Cabana to serve as the agency’s associate administrator, its highest ranking civil servant. Credit: NASA

U.S. Maintaining Pace Of Aggressive Rotorcraft Development Efforts

The U.S. Army continues to move at a fast clip as it strives to field two new advanced rotorcraft in fiscal 2030, with key technologies to be tested in demonstration exercises this year while the development of competing aircraft continues. Credit: Bell/Sikorsky

NASAJWST

New NASA Chief Eyes China Orbital Debris, Private Spaceflight

As he settles into his new job as NASA administrator, former Florida Sen. Bill Nelson took an early step into the agency’s international arena, with a stern warning to China—and any other country or entity—that flies rockets without the means to control them, such as what happened with China’s most recent Long March 5B booster. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA

USAF Demonstration Points To Doubling JASSMs On F-15Es

The U.S. Air Force may seek to more than double the load-out capacity of Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) on the Boeing F-15E. Credit: US Air Force

U.S. Navy Reserve Proposes F-16 Aggressor Acquisition

The U.S. Navy Reserve has proposed a plan to replace aging F/A-18Cs devoted to land-based training missions with used Lockheed Martin F-16s from the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. The plan emerged after the Navy Reserve decided to accelerate the retirement of aging F/A-18A-D fighters used for aggressor missions, said Vice Adm. John Mustin, chief of the Navy Reserve, who testified to the House appropriations committee on May 4. Credit: U.S. Navy

South Korea’s KAEMS Signs C-212, CN-235 MRO Agreement With Airbus

Korea Aviation Engineering & Maintenance Service (KAEMS) has signed an MoU with Airbus Defense and Space as it positions itself to support the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Airbus CN-235 transport aircraft maintenance and future upgrade requirements. Credit: Republic of Korea Air Force

Collins Selected For Falcon 10X, To Deliver Avionics For X-59

Collins Aerospace has been selected by Lockheed Martin to provide avionics for NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft and by Dassault Aviation as a supplier on the new Falcon 10X ultra-long-range business jet, the company said in a media presentation on May 11. Collins has also completed updates to its Venue Cabin Management System. Credit: Collins Aerospace