Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Sep. 24

Air Travel Reality Bites Boeing’s Future Aerial Mobility Plans

Credit: Aerion

In 2018, seeing the crop of potentially disruptive startups pursuing new forms of aerial mobility, Boeing formed NeXt. Now it is moving to shutter NeXt as swiftly as it can.

Rolls-Royce Completes Ground Testing For ACCEL Electric Aircraft

Credit: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce completed ground testing of the electric systems which will power its ACCEL all-electric aircraft.

Finland, Norway, Sweden Strengthen Defense Cooperation

Credit: Finland Air Force

Finland, Norway and Sweden have agreed to further strengthen their defense cooperation with the aim of being able to conduct coordinated military operations during a conflict.

Vertical Aerospace Working With ATI, Academia On Smart Charger

Credit: Vertical Aerospace

British urban air mobility start-up Vertical Aerospace has received investment from the UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) to support the development of a smart charging system for its electrical vertical take-off and landing air system.

ESA Launches Polar Ice, Snow Gauging Mission

Credit: Airbus

The European Space Agency (ESA) this week awarded a €300 million ($350 million) contract to Airbus for the development of the Copernicus polar ice and snow topography (Cristal) mission.

Ship-Based, Large UAS Remains In USMC's Long-Term Plans

Credit: Piasecki Aircraft

U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger said Sept. 24 that his aviation branch has not given up on the concept of a ship-based, large unmanned aircraft system despite a program restructuring earlier this year.

Boeing Announces Team For NGI Contract Bid

Credit: U.S. Missile Defense Agency

Boeing on Sept. 24 announced that its multi-billion dollar bid to develop the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) includes General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) and Aerojet Rocketdyne.

UAE Astronauts Training With NASA

Credit: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center.

Two months after the launch of its first-ever interplanetary science mission, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now counts two astronauts in training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

U.S. Air Force Completes $1.3 Billion Upgrade For B-1B

Credit: U.S. Air Force

All 62 Rockwell International B-1B bombers are now upgraded with a $1.3 billion avionics upgrade called the Integrated Battle Station, the U.S. Air Force announced Sept. 24.

European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA)Galileo

ISS Expedition Crew OK’d For Preflight Training At Baikonur

Credit: NASA

Russia’s interdepartmental commission has approved prime and backup crews of the 64th ISS expedition to start preflight training at Baikonur Cosmodrome, according to state-owned Roscosmos.

Saab Completes First Gripen E Flight In Brazil

Credit: Saab

Saab announced the first flight of a Gripen E test aircraft in Brazil on Sept. 24 and detailed elements of a months-long flight test program now underway for the Brazilian Air Force’s next fighter.

Aviation Week Forecasts: The L-39 And Global Jet Trainer Requirements

Credit: Aero Vodochody

On Sept. 18 Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody announced it had secured type certification for its L-39NG jet trainer, the latest development of the company’s successful L-39 design. With over 3,000 of the aircraft produced since 1971 the L-39 remains one of the most numerous jet trainers.