Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May. 26

May 27, 2021

Exosonic Tunnel-Tests Low-Boom Supersonic Transport

Credit: Exosonic



U.S. startup Exosonic has completed low-speed wind-tunnel tests of its concept for a low-boom supersonic airliner. The tests were conducted in the University of Washington’s Kirsten Wind Tunnel in Seattle.



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EASA On Path To Autonomous Passenger Transport

Credit: Daedalean



Europe’s aviation regulator believes commercial use of electric air taxis could begin by 2024-25, but that it will take at least five more years to enable autonomous passenger transport, the holy grail for ubiquitous and affordable urban air mobility (UAM).



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Philippines Due To Receive Turkish Attack Helicopters In September

Credit: Turkish Aerospace Industries



The Philippines is set to take delivery of its first pair of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 ATAK gunships in September, after the U.S. approved export of the rotorcraft’s engines. 



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SpaceX Bolsters Starlink Network With 60 More Satellites

Credit: SpaceX



A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket delivered the 29th batch of Starlink satellites into orbit on May 26 as the company expanded beta trials of its high-speed internet service to Belgium and the Netherlands. 



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Putin: S-500 Development Now Being Completed

Credit: Wikicommons



Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 25 that development of the Almaz-Antey S-500 Prometheus air defense system is being completed. 



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Singapore Takes Delivery Of Its First CH-47F Heavy-Lift Helicopters

Credit: Republic of Singapore Air Force



The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has confirmed it has begun taking delivery of its new Boeing CH-47F Chinooks heavy-lift helicopters. 



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MBDA’s Sea Ceptor Defense System To Arm UK Type 31 Frigates

Credit: MBDA



MBDA’s Sea Ceptor naval air defense system has been selected for use on the UK’s new Type 31 frigates. 



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Merlin To Modify King Airs With Autonomy For Special Missions

Credit: Merlin Labs



Startup Merlin Labs has emerged from stealth mode with a contract from special mission operator Dynamic Aviation to modify 55 Beechcraft King Airs to autonomous operation.



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U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Opens New Space R&D Facility

Credit: Kirtland AFB, New Mexico



The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has opened a new $12.8 million facility focused on integrating space research and development programs at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.



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Bye EFlyer 800 ‘On Track’ Despite Battery Supplier Bankruptcy

Credit: Bye Aerospace



Bye Aerospace said its eFlyer 800 electric aircraft program remains on track despite expected battery supplier Oxis Energy entering insolvency administration in the UK. 



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NASA, Industry Face Challenges In Free Flyer Development

Credit: NASA



Questions surround NASA’s strategy for transitioning human activities in low Earth orbit from the aging International Space Station (ISS) to multiple commercial free flyers, with potential industry partners curious about the agency’s funding commitment. 



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U.S. Air Force research laboratory opens new space R&D facility, EASA on path to autonomous passenger transport, Exosonic tunnel-tests low-boom supersonic transport and more. A roundup of aerospace, space, and defense news powered by Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. 

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