Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Nov. 04

Steve Trimble/AWST

Japan Looks At More Aegis Afloat Instead Of Ashore

Japan is focusing on maritime deployment instead of ground installation of additional Lockheed Martin Aegis systems. The government is looking specifically at building a ninth and 10th Aegis destroyer for the program, several media outlets report. Further, Lockheed Martin seems to assume that Japan’s choice will be a new destroyer class. The company is promoting destroyer installation of its SPY-7 radar for Japan. Credit: Navantia

BAE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Express Interest In F-X

BAE Systems, Boeing and Lockheed Martin have formally expressed interest in supporting Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in the development of Japan’s F-X fighter. Credit: By 防衛省 - https://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/yosan_gaiyo/2020/yosan_191220.pdf

White House OKs Sale Of Four MQ-9Bs To Taiwan

The Trump administration on Nov. 3 announced a potential sale to Taiwan of four weapons-ready General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9B unmanned aircraft systems with weapons. The $600 million export package is possible under the administration’s recent interpretation change of a Category 1 UAS within the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Credit: General Atomics

Ex-Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly Heads To U.S. Senate

Four-time shuttle astronaut Mark Kelly was elected to the U.S. Senate on Nov. 3, defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally to represent Arizona. Credit: NASA

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