Defense and Space

The Shetland Islands’ SaxaVord spaceport has secured a range control license from the UK’s aviation regulator in another step toward the first orbital launches from the site.

UK technologies that could enable autonomous collaborative platforms (ACP) to work with crewed combat aircraft have been demonstrated.

China successfully sent the Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft into orbit April 25.

Airbus’ Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft (RACER) compound helicopter has made its first flight.

The Netherlands and Poland look set to expand SEAD/DEAD capability of their combat aircraft with the procurement of anti-radiation missiles.

Airbus is set to launch a new version of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) based on the airframe and new engines of the A330neo commercial aircraft.

Wright Electric has begun building a test cell to characterize the performance of its megawatt-scale electric propulsion systems for large commercial aircraft.

The Philippines has become the first importer of the Russo-Indian BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missile.

Aviation Week editors assess the recent performance of Israel’s air and missile defense umbrella and discuss new missile defense technology needed to address potential and evolving threats.

Boeing will in the coming weeks deliver the first procurement the heavy-lift CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters to the U.S. Army.

The rebranding includes a new logo, the Bombardier Mach, which artistically depicts the silhouette of an aircraft breaking the sound barrier.

A reusable hypersonic Next-Generation Responsive Strike prototype could be commissioned by the end of the decade.

Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s (AWIN) data and analytical teams are providing the intelligence and insight our members need to stay on top of the market.

DARPA is likely to make a down select for a high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) prototype program within weeks.

The U.S. Army within the past few weeks ran a GE Aerospace T901 engine on Sikorsky’s Raider X prototype to evaluate it.

The service has shifted its thinking on launched effects, planning to add them to vehicles and ships as well as helicopters.

Anduril and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will continue to design the first increment of the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. Air Force.

The Japanese military plans to significantly expand its air refueling fleet.

The prospect of scaling up the use of contracted refueling services could hinder Air Mobility Command’s ability to complete proficiency and combat training.

The Pentagon is surging a major $1 billion tranche of aid to Ukraine.

A lack of funding is putting pressure on USAF plans to field an advanced new tanker in the 2030s and limiting upgrades for a follow-on purchase of KC-46As.

China's National Space Administration has selected six payloads developed by seven international partners to be part of the Chang’e 7 mission to the Moon.

The Australian Defense Department has signed an A$500 million contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to build the Joint Air Battle Management System.

The opening of the 1989 Paris Air Show was marred by the crash of a Soviet Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter during a flight demonstration in front of thousands of spectators, but the pilot was able to steer the doomed aircraft away from the crowd and safely eject, averting a major tragedy.