Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May 21

Aviation Groups Petition FCC To Reverse Ligado Ruling

L-band spectrum map with Ligado band allocations. Credit: Ligado NetworksCommercial aviation groups and manufacturers planned to file seven petitions challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recent decision to grant Ligado Networks access to radio frequency spectrum near bands used for critical aviation applications.

UK Coastguard King Airs To Receive Osprey AESA Radar

King Air B200 Credit: Gordon EliasLeonardo’s Osprey active electronically scanned array flat panel radar is to equip a pair of Beechcraft King Air maritime surveillance aircraft operated for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The Osprey will take the place of the Leonardo Seaspray 7300E radar currently installed on the aircraft.

Osiris-Rex Asteroid Sample Collection Date Slips

Artist's concept of NASA’s Osiris-Rex spacecraft descending toward Bennu to collect a sample of the asteroid’s surface. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaNASA’s Osiris-Rex asteroid sample return mission team is relaxing previous plans to descend to the surface of its target, called Bennu, to gather surface pebbles and soil for return to Earth, in part due to work constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

AFRL Taps Leidos To Adapt Sea Hunter Autonomy For Skyborg

Sea Hunter Credit: U.S. NavyLeidos will design and demonstrate the autonomy platform that will be integrated into and control the U.S. Air Force’s future family of Skyborg unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has announced.

U.S. Navy Picks Leonardo Helo Despite Lower Airbus Bid

TH-119 Credit: LeonardoThe U.S. Navy has selected Leonardo’s TH-119 training helicopter despite being underbid by Airbus by $85 million, documents released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reveal.

Skyrora Conducts SkyLark-L Full Static Test Firing

Skylark-L Credit: SkyroraBritish satellite launcher firm Skyrora has undertaken a full static fire test of its Skylark-L rocket, the first test of this scale since the UK’s Black Arrow program 50 years ago

UK Space Firms Form Consortium To Secure Government Contracts

Credit: UK Space AgencyFour UK space companies have teamed up to form a consortium to secure roles in British government programs as the country looks to grow its presence in space. The Athena consortium, announced on May 19, has been formed by consultancy CGI UK, satellite operator Inmarsat, Lockheed Martin UK and services company Serco, allowing them to combine their space competencies and capabilities.