Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May. 12

Rocket Lab is poised to conduct the first of two additional tests of Electron launch vehicles specially modified for reusability which, if successful, could pave the way for the first mid-air recovery of a booster for re-use as early as next year.Credit: Rocket Lab

The U.S. Space Force released three requests for prototype proposals to industry, laying the groundwork for a competition for the next set of national security space launches. Credit: United Launch Alliance

Tim Conver, who took over the then-spunky UAV pioneer AeroVironment in the early 1990s from its founder-leader and drove the company through an expansion that included an initial public offering and becoming a key Pentagon provider, will retire as chairman at the company’s 2021 annual shareholder meeting. Credit: AeroVironment

Textron will not immediately enter the urban air mobility (UAM) market, despite its “enormous amount of technological capability,” as the battery technology has not advanced enough to support it, Textron’s top executive says. Credit: Textron

Startup Aergility is working with an unidentified strategic partner to develop a vertical-takeoff unmanned cargo aircraft using its “managed autorotation” technology to increase range and payload. Credit: Aergility

The U.S. Space Force recently declassified a new developmental program, the Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) space-based system, envisioned to replace a portion of the aging E-8C Joint Surveillance and Attack Radar System’s sensing capability. Declassifying the development of a GMTI satellite is an example of Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond’s push for transparency in U.S. space capabilities. Raymond mentioned the program May 12 during the annual McAleese Defense Programs conference. Credit: USAF

Lift Aircraft has completed its first six production Hexa single-person multicopters, including an aircraft delivered to the U.S. Air Force for flight testing. Credit: Lift Aircraft

The Australia Department of Defense has revealed plans to upgrade its Aegis-equipped, Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) and also is preparing to introduce its new Gulfstream MC-55A Peregrine long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (ISREW) aircraft. Credit: Gulfstream

As it seeks strategic investors to set up operations in Canada, Jaunt Air Mobility has added to the list of suppliers working on the startup’s Journey electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing air taxi. Credit: Jaunt Air Mobility

The UK Ministry of Defense is calling on industry to provide a novel solution for the future provision of airborne early warning (AEW) for the Royal Navy. The UK defense ministry’s Defense and Security Accelerator (DASA) is offering contracts of £250,000 ($351,900) to develop future concepts to replace the helicopter-borne Crowsnest AEW capability from 2029 onward. Credit: Leonardo

Moon

Russian Helicopters is planning to display a modernized version of its Kamov Ka-32 co-axial rotorcraft at the MAKS airshow this July. Designated Ka-32A11M, the upgraded aircraft will feature a glass cockpit, more powerful Klimov VK-2500PS-02 turboshafts and a new fire extinguishing system. Credit: Russian Helicopters

In a preview of the U.S. Air Force’s unreleased fiscal 2022 budget request, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown said on May 12 that he wants to avoid cuts to the research and development accounts, while generating savings by parking “legacy” fleets. Credit: Northrop Grumman

PRSM

Over the last four months, the U.S. Air Force’s aging C-5M Super Galaxy daily flight rate hovered around 20%, according to exclusive data provided to Aerospace DAILY. Credit: USAF

U.S. Space Force logo.

U.S. Capitol

An unnamed “major U.S. operator” has signed a purchase order with XTI Aircraft for 40 TriFan 600 hybrid-electric six-seat aircraft. The startup did not identify the operator or its market sector, but the order, plus an option for another 40 aircraft, is “committed and in hand,” XTI CEO Bob LaBelle said.Credit: XTI Aircraft