Capella Space Unveils Acadia, Next-Generation SAR Satellite

By Garrett Reim Aug 12, 2022
Capella Space’s third generation of synthetic aperture radar satellites, named Acadia, will feature inter-satellite laser communications systems, faster downlinks and higher resolution images.
Commercial Space

CAeS Funding Round Reaches $17.5M As Tawazun, Motus Invest

By Angus Batey Aug 12, 2022
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions has announced two new investors as it continues to work toward flying a hydrogen fuel cell-powered nine-seat demonstrator. 
Aircraft & Propulsion

Inspector General Opens Evaluation Of Hypersonic Missile Programs

By Steve Trimble Aug 12, 2022
The U.S. Defense Department’s Inspector General has launched an evaluation of the ability of the U.S. Army and Navy’s shared hypersonic programs to meet schedule goals for development and fielding.
Missile Defense & Weapons

F-35 Re-Engining Needed For Propulsion Industry Health: USAF

By Brian Everstine Aug 12, 2022
The U.S. Air Force’s engine buyers have a bold warning: the industrial base that develops advanced propulsion for combat aircraft is at risk and could even collapse without a decision to re-engine the F-35.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Landsat 9 Operations Transition To USGS

By Mark Carreau Aug 12, 2022
The transition occurred Aug. 11 during a ceremony at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Space
Thailand Approves Initial Budget To Kickstart Controversial F-35 Buy 
Thailand’s cabinet has approved THB369 million ($10.4 million) for the Royal Thai Air Force to make infrastructure preparations in anticipation of a potential F-35A acquisition.
jeff.morris@av… Fri, 08/12/2022 - 14:10
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Sept. 2, Sept. 5 Backup Dates For SLS Launch
NASA has resolved an issue with the U.S. Space Force’s Eastern Range that will expand launch opportunities for the first Space Launch System rocket, currently targeted to lift off at 8:33 a.m. EDT on Aug. 29 on the Artemis I flight test.
andy.savoie@av… Thu, 08/11/2022 - 23:21
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Blue Canyon To Build 18 Weather Sats For Biggest Constellation Yet

By Garrett Reim Aug 11, 2022
Blue Canyon Technologies has won a contract to build 18 small passive microwave sounder satellites for weather data company The Tomorrow Companies.
Commercial Space

Vertical Lift Consortium Names UAM Challenge Finalists

By Graham Warwick Aug 11, 2022
The U.S. Vertical Lift Consortium has named 19 finalists in its Urban Air Mobility Challenge, paving the way for a pitch competition in Washington on Sept. 28 and a chance to win $50,000 in funding.
Advanced Air Mobility
DARPA Starts Space-BACN LEO Satellite Comms ‘Translator’ Program
DARPA has selected 11 teams for phase one of the Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node program.
andy.savoie@av… Thu, 08/11/2022 - 21:09
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U.S. Air Force: HH-60W Cuts Would Cause Nunn-McCurdy Breach

By Brian Everstine Aug 11, 2022
The U.S. Air Force’s plan to dramatically cut its buy of Sikorsky HH-60W combat rescue helicopters would be a Nunn-McCurdy Breach as the cost per unit of the choppers would spike, raising more questions about the future of the program.
Budget, Policy & Operations
'Digital Century Series' Approach May Live On In USAF's Autonomous Plans
The U.S. Air Force’s short-lived “Digital Century Series” plan appears to be dead for future manned fighters, but the service says the plan’s focus on rapidly iterating designs could be relevant for its future drones.
andy.savoie@av… Thu, 08/11/2022 - 19:59
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USAF Warns Of Costs, Operational Impacts If Forced To Keep All F-22s

By Brian Everstine Aug 11, 2022
If Congress blocks the U.S. Air Force’s plan to retire 33 of its oldest F-22s, the service would then see impacts on its plan to field new drones to complement the Next Generation Air Dominance as it faces the bill to upgrade the Raptors.
Budget, Policy & Operations
FCC Nixes SpaceX Funding For Rural Starlink Service
The Federal Communications Commission  is revoking plans to award SpaceX up to $886 million over 10 years to subsidize broadband internet service to rural households in the U.S. via the Starlink satellite network.
andy.savoie@av… Thu, 08/11/2022 - 18:55
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Hyundai Expands On Advanced Air Mobility Plan

By Guy Norris Aug 11, 2022
South Korean automaker Hyundai has revealed new details of its broad-based advanced air mobility development strategy after unveiling a full-scale cabin mockup of its electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi concept and signing a propulsion collaboration deal with Rolls-Royce.
Advanced Air Mobility

DARPA Aims Gambit Missile Project At Fourth-Gen Fighters

By Steve Trimble Aug 11, 2022
DARPA plans a proposer’s day event on Aug. 16 for a 42-month effort to design and demonstrate the new long-range missile concept. 
Missile Defense & Weapons

USAF To Divest AT-6s, A-29s Acquired Following Light Attack Demo

By Brian Everstine Aug 10, 2022
The U.S. Air Force now plans to sell off the six aircraft it bought about two years ago following the end of a light attack experiment, the service’s predecessor to the new U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) Armed Overwatch program.
Light Attack and Advanced Training
USAF Working Reprogramming Request To Speed Up E-7A Contract
The U.S. Air Force is looking to reprogram funding to give it flexibility to award a prototype contract for Boeing E-7A Wedgetails in the event that a continuing resolution blocks starting the program on time.
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/10/2022 - 21:24
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Canadian Air Force Grounds Snowbirds Team After Incident
The Royal Canadian Air Force has grounded its CT-114 Tutor fleet as an investigation continues into an Aug. 2 mishap that damaged one of the Snowbird display team’s aircraft.
steve.trimble@… Wed, 08/10/2022 - 20:32
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Ohio Publishes AAM Framework Document

By Bill Carey Aug 10, 2022
Transportation research center DriveOhio has released an Advanced Air Mobility Framework document aimed at positioning Ohio for the expected growth of the AAM industry in the state.
Advanced Air Mobility

United Airlines Places Cash Deposit On First 100 Archer eVTOLs

By Graham Warwick Aug 10, 2022
United Airlines has made a $10 million predelivery payment on 100 of the 200 electric air taxis it agreed to purchase from Archer Aviation in February 2021.
Advanced Air Mobility
USAF Planning Major ARRW Test As Service Considers Future
The U.S. Air Force is planning one more major test of the hypersonic AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon this year after multiple recent successes.
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/10/2022 - 18:20
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U.S. Army Plans First Hypersonic Deliveries Before Completing Design

By Steve Trimble Aug 10, 2022
The scheduled deliveries of the first live Dark Eagle missiles are set to occur nearly a year before the final qualification test, underscoring the urgency of the effort to loosely match China's DF-17.
Missile Defense & Weapons

NASA’s Artemis I Orion Prepared To Take The Heat

By Mark Carreau Aug 10, 2022
At the close of NASA’s upcoming Artemis I test flight, an uncrewed Orion capsule will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere faster and hotter than any previous human spacecraft, validating the heat shield’s ability to protect astronauts returning from the Moon and eventually Mars.
Space

Joby Signs Expanded Agility Prime eVTOL Contract With U.S. Military

By Graham Warwick Aug 10, 2022
Joby Aviation has signed a potential $45 million expansion of its contract with the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program.
Advanced Air Mobility