Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Nov. 05
November 06, 2020
Germany Approves Order For 38 Eurofighters
Germany’s parliament has green lighted the purchase of 38 new-build Eurofighter Typhoons for the country’s air force. The €5.6 billion ($6.6 billion) Quadriga purchase will build a new batch of aircraft to enable the replacement of early-model Tranche 1 aircraft in service with the German air force. Credit: Gerard van der Schaaf

U.S. Army Launches Two-Year Air-Launched Effects Trades Study
Sikorsky, Bell FARA concepts
Bell/Sikorsky

NASA
ISS

Kaman Looks To Launch M&A Strategy Under New CEO
Kaman
K-MAX

Lithuania Inducts Air Defense System Into Service
Lithuania has inducted its first ground-based Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (Nasams) into service, becoming the first of the Baltic States to field such a capability. Credit: Jorgh

PESCO Opens Doors To Third Countries
Non-European Union countries such as the U.S. and UK are being allowed to participate in the EU’s PESCO defense cooperation initiative. The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework urges member states to cooperate more closely on the development and purchase of defense capabilities. Credit: PESCO

A&D Testing Roll-Up Raptor Scientific Buys Sensor Concepts
Raptor Scientific, a new portfolio company by investment firm L Squared Capital Partners that is seeking to roll up aerospace and defense testing and measurement assets, has bought radar cross-section specialist Sensor Concepts, representatives said Nov. 5. Credit: Sensor Concepts

Talios Targeting Pod Enters Front-Line Service On French Rafales
The French Air Force has declared the new Talios targeting pod operational on its Dassault Rafales equipped with the F3R upgrade. The Thales-developed Talios—short for Targeting Long-Range Identification System—is a follow-on to the Damocles targeting pod, which it is replacing as the primary laser designator for the platform. Credit: Thales

Rocket Lab To Attempt First-Stage Recovery On Next Mission
Rocket Lab is moving closer to potential reuse of its Electron small satellite launch vehicle, with plans to attempt a parachute recovery of the first stage as part of its next mission, the company said on Nov. 5. The 16th Electron mission—a rideshare for five customers—is targeted to lift off between Nov. 15-29 from New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. Credit: Rocket Lab

Triumph Group

Tu-160M Strategic Bomber Flies With New Engines
The modernized Tupolev Tu-160M strategic bomber made its first flight with new NK-32 series 2 engines on Nov. 3, Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) reported. The aircraft took off from the airfield of Kazan Aviation Plant and flew for 2 hr., 20 min. at the altitude of up to 6,000 m. Credit: UAC
U.S. Army launches two-year air-launched effects trade study, Russia to launch two new modules to ISS, Tu-160M strategic bomber flies with new engines, M&A strategies and more. A roundup of aerospace, space and defense news powered by Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN).
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