Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Jan. 05

A draft solicitation for a new hypersonic missile interceptor will be released on Jan. 28 and the final version of the Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) will come out in early April, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) confirmed on Jan. 5. Credit: DARPA

E-7 Wedgetail

U.S.-based emergency air transport provider Hatzolah Air has placed four preorders for an air ambulance version of the CityHawk vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) vehicle under development by Israel’s Urban Aeronautics. Credit: Urban Aeronautics

EU logo.

F-35

The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded SpaceX $150.4 million to launch up to 28 satellites for the Pentagon’s tracking and transport layers. Credit: SpaceX

The UK has declared its carrier strike capability operational, paving the way for the first operational cruise of new carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the spring. The UK defense ministry says the initial operating capability milestone includes both the air and naval elements of the Carrier Strike Group capability, including operation of the Lockheed Martin F-35B from the carrier. A land-based operational capability was declared at the beginning of 2019. Credit: Crown copyright

reece is turning to Israel’s Elbit to provide the country with a new fast jet pilot training system. The government-to-government deal—potentially worth $1.68 billion over 20 years—will see Elbit supply 10 Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainers for the flight school as well as provide upgrades and maintenance for the Hellenic Air Force’s (HAF) fleet of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II turboprop trainers, the Israeli ministry of defense announced Jan. 5. Credit: Israel's Ministry of Defense

MQ-9

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.9 billion undefinitized contract modification to build three geosynchronous Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites. Credit: Raytheon

An investment fund formed last summer to support small and medium enterprises (SME) in the French aerospace sector has received an additional €100 million ($120 million) from the Credit Agricole banking group, thus bringing it closer to its goal of raising a total of €1 billion. Credit: Aries Alliance / Twitter

South Korea is to establish an urban air mobility (UAM) test site in the southern coastal town of Goheung under a national plan to commercialize air taxi services by 2025. Credit: EHang