S aab is giving itself up to five years after initial operational capability to roll out the full electronic self-protection suite for the JAS 39E Gripen fighter, with the goal of countering threats in the 2020s and beyond in an increasingly cluttered RF environment, while avoiding use of U.S. technology.
Not only is Congress moving toward sanctioning China, diplomatic consequences are also underway. The U.S. embassy in Beijing denied visas to three groups of Chinese space officials who were planning to attend the 30th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. Elliot Pullham, who heads the Space Foundation that sponsors the annual event, announced while moderating a panel of top space-business leaders that the delegations would not be attending.
Aerion, the supersonic business jet concept long promoted by billionaire Robert Bass, has undergone a major redesign. The original cabin was deemed too small, its range too short and engines too loud. The new Aerion AS2 features a Gulfstream G450-size cabin with a galley, forward and aft lavatories, 5,000-nm range and three new production engines—yet to be identified—producing 15,000 lb. thrust each. “You could say it’s our follow-on aircraft,” observes Bass.
