Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Oct, 30

October 31, 2019

Expanded Role Foreseen For Future Lunar Explorers

Credit: NASA

A multi-disciplined space science community is making new plans and dusting off previous strategies for an accelerated human return to the Moon’s surface by 2024 in preparation for future missions to Mars.

 

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Approaching Pilots Saw Drone 30% Of Time, Study Says

Credit: A drone and an aircraft in the same airspace: Oklahoma State University

Pilots approaching a runway were able to see a drone encroaching in their airspace 30% of the time, according to a study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Oklahoma State University (OSU).

 

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Senator Proposes Stopgap Version Of Defense Policy Bill

Credit: U.S. Capitol

The Senate Armed Services Committee has filed a slimmed-down version of its annual defense policy legislation.

 

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Lightweight DJI Drone Below Registration Threshold

Credit: Mavic Mini: DJI

Leading small drone manufacturer DJI has unveiled a highly capable quadcopter weighing 249 grams (0.5 lb.), which exempts it by 1 gram from registration requirements in the U.S. and other countries.

 

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Four To Demo Hypersonic Space Sensor Prototypes

Credit: Chinese Hypersonic Missile: Wikipedia Commons

The Missile Defense Agency has selected four companies to demo a prototype for a new space-based sensor optimized to detect and track maneuvering, hypersonic targets gliding or cruising within the atmosphere. 

 

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Volocopter Enters Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Market

Credit: VoloDrone: Volocopter

Urban air mobility startup Volocopter has launched an unmanned cargo aircraft version of its Volocopter electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi.

 

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Taiwan OKs Funding For F-16 Buy

Credit: F-16 Block 70: Lockheed Martin

Taiwan’s Parliament has approved funding to buy 66 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighters, the country’s president says. 

 

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GKN Lures Spirit Aero Defense Leader For Same Job

Credit: GKN

GKN Aerospace announced Oct. 30 that it appointed Krisstie Kondrotis as president of its defense division effective Nov. 1, marking a key executive transfer between rivals.

 

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