Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

By Graham Warwick
DARPA is looking ahead to systems that can bring extremely accurate but fragile quantum sensing to the harsh environments onboard military platforms.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Steve Trimble
GE Aerospace named two new propulsion systems that will be offered to power DARPA’s proposed Next Generation Responsive Strike (NextRS) demonstrator aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
DARPA confirmed plans on Aug. 26 to launch development of a High-Mach Gas Turbine (HMGT) engine.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. may be losing ground in a global race to develop highly maneuverable spacecraft.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Robert Wall, Joe Anselmo
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A House panel has endorsed a DARPA plan to fly a reusable hypersonic aircraft demonstrator for reconnaissance and strike missions.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
Bell will get a chance to build an X-plane demonstrator for high-speed vertical-takeoff-and-landing technology based on a stop/fold rotor system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
DARPA has ended its Liberty Lifter effort to build a full-scale seaplane demonstrator earlier than originally expected,
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Quantum sensing threatens the decades-long U.S. reliance on stealth technology.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Graham Warwick
AeroVironment’s Wildcat has transitioned to wing-borne forward flight under a DARPA program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
The end of the stealth era is coming and it is coming at the hands of quantum sensing, the deputy director of a Pentagon agency says.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Steve Trimble
RTX says they have achieved positive thrust with a rotating detonation combustor in a turbine engine in a relevant thrust class for a weapon.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
A DARPA program that set out to demonstrate a new class of UAS has morphed into a drive to transform the way the services acquire capability.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble, Brian Everstine, Robert Wall
The management strategy for the prized F-47 contract is, “Don’t screw it up,” Boeing Defense and Space Interim CEO Steve Parker tells Aviation Week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
GE Aerospace laid out plans during a recent media event for testing and fielding its fully integrated, hypersonic propulsion systems for missiles and aircraft.
Emerging Technologies

By Garrett Reim
Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics subsidiary has integrated twin robotic arms on its Mission Robotic Vehicle.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
NASA’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would cancel technology development related to nuclear thermal and nuclear electric propulsion.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Garrett Reim
DARPA has announced a power-beaming distance record of 8.6 km (5.3 mi) for the laser-based system that could support many military applications.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Garrett Reim
Portal Space Systems promises the rapid maneuverability of nuclear propulsion, but using thermal energy collected from the Sun.
Space Exploration

By Garrett Reim
DARPA is claiming a power-beaming distance record after transmitting energy using a laser over 8.6 km (5.3 mi).
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Brian Everstine
Sikorsky plans to fly a Group 3 design of its Rotor Blown Wing next month as the company targets international interest in the concept.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
DARPA has kicked off its Exponentiating Mathematics (expMath) program aimed at developing AI systems that can act as co-authors to mathematicians.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Aurora Flight Sciences has completed low-speed wind tunnel tests of the blended wing body X-plane that the Boeing company is developing for a DARPA program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
DARPA is soliciting a lunar orbiter capable of flying in the Moon’s unstable low orbit.
Space Exploration

By Steve Trimble
DARPA launched a program on April 17 to develop a new solid rocket motor with a burn surface area that can be altered after manufacturing.
Missile Defense & Weapons