In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, Sep. 15 2022

September 16, 2022

AeroVironment Unveils Visual-Based Navigation For Puma Drones

AeroVironment has unveiled a visual-based navigation system for its Puma 2 AE and Puma 3 AE reconnaissance drones for situations when GPS signals are jammed or disrupted. Credit: AeroVironment.

Ampaire Selects EPS Batteries For Hybrid-Electric Eco Caravan

Electric Power System (EPS) has secured another battery pack supply contract in the emerging electric aircraft market with its selection to provide the energy storage system for Ampaire’s hybrid-electric Eco Caravan conversion of the Cessna Caravan single-turboprop utility aircraft. Credit: Ampaire

Aviation Week Forecasts: New Government Boosts UK Defense Spending Outlook

On Sept. 6th, as one of the last duties of a 70-year reign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appointed the new leader of the Conservative Party, Liz Truss, as Her 15th and final Prime Minister.

Commerce, DOD Shifting Space Traffic Management Role

Credit: U.S. Space Command

STRATCOM Pick Punts On Question Of Sub-Launched Nuclear Missile

The nominee to lead the U.S. military’s nuclear force repeatedly punted when pressed by lawmakers on whether he would support the new, low-yield, submarine-launched nuclear missile that has become controversial on Capitol Hill and opposed by the Biden administration. Credit: U.S. Air Force

KC-46 Flies First Combat Refueling Sortie In Middle East

The U.S. Air Force’s newest refueler, the Boeing KC-46, has flown its first combat refueling sortie as part of an exercise to employ the tanker downrange before it is officially operational. Credit: U.S. Air Force

Skunk Works Unveils Plan To Connect F-35, Speed Racer

Lockheed Martin will connect its Speed Racer flight vehicle with an F-35 in flight tests as a way to demonstrate autonomy and crewed-uncrewed teaming for future Pentagon programs such as the U.S. Air Force’s and Navy’s planned collaborative combat aircraft. Credit: Lockheed Martin

Europe’s AiRMOUR UAM For EMS Project Begins Test Flights

Live drone flights under a European project to validate the use of autonomous aircraft for emergency medical services (EMS) are planned to begin in Stavanger, Norway, on Sept. 21. Demonstrations will follow in Helsinki and Kassel, Germany. Credit: EHang Scandinavia

Engine Problem Impacting UK Hawk Flight Training Output

Credit: Tim Felce

Hawk T2 

FAA Awards Raytheon New WAAS Contract

The FAA has awarded Raytheon Intelligence & Space an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of $375 million over 10 years to upgrade the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) space-based precision navigation system. Credit: Raytheon

France Plans For Large Indo-Pacific Deployment In 2024

France is studying basing options in the Indo-Pacific for its air force assets in anticipation of exercises in 2024. Credit: Chen Chuanren

EU Secure Connectivity Project Still In Early Definition Phase

The European Commission’s (EC) proposal for a space-based secure connectivity system is still at an embryonic stage, despite the ambitious goal of having a constellation enter into service in late 2024. Credit: NicoElNino/Alamy Stock Photo

Sweden’s Heart Switches To 30-Seat Electric Regional, Adds Investors

Swedish startup Heart Aerospace has redesigned its planned electric regional airliner as a 30-seater, up from 19 seats, and secured minority investments from Air Canada and Saab. Credit: Heart Aerospace

Northrop Rolls Out Australia’s First Triton

Credit: Northrop Grumman

MQ-4C

Stoke Space Ramps Up Second-Stage Engine Tests

Stoke Space Technologies has begun powered tests of its complete second-stage engine system, marking a major step toward the Kent, Washington-based startup’s goal of developing a fully reusable, rapid turn-around rocket vehicle. Credit: Stoke Space Technologies

ASX Flies Tiltwing eVTOL Air Taxi Demo With Plug-And-Play Payloads

Detroit startup Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX) has completed the first hover flight of its proof-of-concept Sigma Six, a tiltwing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle with interchangeable plug-and-play payloads for defense, emergency response, cargo and passenger transport missions. Credit: Airspace Experience Technologies

From AeroVironment unveiling visual-based navigation for Puma drones to Ampaire selecting EPS batteries for hybrid-electric eco caravan. Take a look at these and more in our daily roundup of aerospace & defense news.

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