Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May. 13

Just over a week after conducting the first successful high-altitude flight and landing of a full-scale Starship prototype, SpaceX has revealed details of how it intends to perform the first orbital test flight of the complete two-stage vehicle and Super Heavy booster. Credit: SpaceX

NATO allies Germany and Poland have signed agreements that will allow each nation’s combat aircraft to conduct air policing missions in the airspace of both countries. Martin F-16s.

Sales of business and general aviation avionics declined 13.9% during the first quarter of 2021 to $568.8 million compared to the same period a year ago, according to the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA). Credit: AEA

The UK has become the first export customer for Boeing’s Block II Chinook heavy-lift helicopter after confirming the purchase of 14 aircraft. The £1.4 billion ($1.96 billion) deal sees the new helicopters configured in an extended-range configuration believed to be similar to the MH-47G model used by the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, with the larger fuel tanks associated with the UK’s Mk.5 model Chinooks. Credit: Royal Air Force

eVTOL

F-35B

A U.S. Air Force general has confirmed that problems with GDC Technics—a cabin interiors designer for VIP aircraft and a subcontractor on the VC-25B—will delay the delivery of the new Air Force One. Credit: National Geographic/Renegade Pictures

Urban-Air Port has signed up partners for its UK government-supported demonstration of a ground and air infrastructure for air taxis, logistics drones and electric vehicles. Credit: Urban-Air Port

The next two piloted flights to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Russian Soyuz MS spacecraft later this year will be carrying civilians—a film crew first, and later, tourists. Credit: Space Adventures

The former Triumph Group aerostructures business recently acquired by private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners has been rebranded Qarbon Aerospace, and in turn could be looking to grow through purchases of other assets in the embattled sector. Credit: Triumph Group

Arqit, a four-year-old British startup aiming to provide quantum encryption for communications, announced May 12 it will become a publicly traded company after a two-step merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Credit: Virgin Orbit / Greg Robinson

MagniX has delivered the first propulsion unit to sister company Eviation to power the Alice 11-seat all-electric aircraft, moving the prototype toward a first flight scheduled for later this year. Credit: Eviation