Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May 18

Saab Receives AEW Aircraft Order

Saab 2000 Credit: Wikimedia CommonsSaab has signed a 1.553 billion SEK ($160 million) contract for its Erieye airborne early warning (AEW) radar-equipped Saab 2000 for an undisclosed customer.

USMCCharles de Gaulle

AirbusEurofighter

SpaceXCrew Dragon

Mission-Critical Work Resuming At NASA Michoud

MAF Credit: NASANASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) began a reopening May 18 for some mission-critical activities due to a decrease in COVID-19 illness reported in the New Orleans area.

U.S. Air Force Kicks Off Skyborg UAS Integration Phase

A conceptual design for a low-cost attritable aircraft. Credit: Air Force Research LaboratoryThe U.S. Air Force has kicked off the integration phase of the Skyborg unmanned air system (UAS) program, with several contract awards worth up to $400 million each now available.

China Plans To Complete Beidou 3 System In June

Beidou 3 ground tracks. Credit: China Satellite Navigation OfficeChina is likely to finish its Beidou 3 satellite navigation system six months before the original program target of the end of 2020, with the 30th and final spacecraft due to go into orbit next month.