Defense

NASA plans a sole-source contract with Las Vegas-based Bigelow Aerospace to extend and expand the use of the company’s Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM.

All three of NASA’s current International Space Station crewmembers are preparing for a series of spacewalks this month to service the station’s crucial robot arm.

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) announced a major restructuring and reduction in workforce Oct. 2.

An unidentified company bid for Orbital ATK before Northrop Grumman succeeded in securing the space, missiles and munitions provider last month for $9.2 billion.

New 2,500-3,000+ shp turboshaft builds on Safran’s RTM322 and Tech3000 experience.

The true first flight milestone will occur sometime in late October or early November, when the aircraft hovers about 20-30 ft. off the ground for about 1-2 hr. of powered hover testing.

After an aborted launch seconds before liftoff early last month, an Ariane 5 on Sept. 29 placed the Intelsat 37e and BSAT-4a satellites into geostationary orbit.

Bell Helicopter intends to eventually push its V-280 Valor next-generation tiltrotor prototype to 300 kt. airspeed, up from its basic design speed of 280 kt.

The new Lone Star Flight Museum is no stranger to adversity—or the drive to overcome it.

Boutique services provider Polaris Alpha bought Solidyn Solutions on Sept. 27 for an undisclosed amount, executives announced Oct. 2.

Scientists have begun to assess a recent intense radiation event at Mars.

A U.S. Navy training squadron has paused flight operations after a fatal crash of a T-45 Goshawk in East Tennessee that left two pilots dead.

Ride-hailing giant Uber is focusing its efforts to develop an urban air transport network on airspace access and ground infrastructure.

India has approved the sale of a 10% stake in its military airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) through an initial public offering (IPO).

Uncertainty about the U.S. defense spending forecast and concerns about share prices are part of the explanation.

Protecting oil and gas installations, as well as the many international events hosted by Qatar, are the main proposed roles for a purpose-designed aircraft now being developed in Germany. Alan Dron reports.

“Clearly a lower tax rate is beneficial for most of the stocks we cover,” said Canaccord Genuity A&D analyst Ken Herbert.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg has voiced support for President Donald Trump’s tax reform initiatives, calling them a "big enabler."

Bell Helicopter has completed assembly of the first two AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the Pakistan Army.

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has unveiled BFR, a new methane-fueled reusable space transportation system.

India requires at least 75 additional satellites by 2021 to meet the country’s growing demand for space-based research and applications, according to the country’s space agency.

Lt. Gen. John Thompson is taking the reins at a critical moment for U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.

Electronics miniaturization coupled with propulsion and airframe upgrades are making smaller unmanned aircraft increasing capable in a widening range of roles.

In this week's Washington Outlook: Rand report looks at ways to stop proliferation of the world’s fastest weapons; filling top civilian jobs at Pentagon taking longer; Boeing under pressure.

Orbital ATK’s sale to Northrop Grumman may—or may not—be the end of an era, but it definitely is for one person.