Defense

Bruce McCandless II, a retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy aviator best known for conducting the first untethered spacewalk, died Dec. 21, 2017, at the Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center, of California.

Chinese automotive and aviation company Wanfeng has bought the majority of shares in Austria’s Diamond Aircraft, the fourth largest general aviation manufacturer in the world.

A day after Japan opted to study the purchase of F-35B fighters, South Korea is also studying the possibility.

Belgium’s government has given the green light to joining the Dutch-led Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF), a move that will increase the fleet of pooled tanker jets to eight.

The Japanese defense ministry may modify its helicopter carriers to operate the short-takeoff and vertical landing version of the F-35.

In observance of the year-end holidays in the U.S., Aerospace Daily & Defense Report will not publish again until its Jan. 2, 2018, issue.

Things are looking up for Boeing, with the aerospace firm scoring two major international deals just days before the end of a tumultuous year.

Boeing also could provide greater marketing clout for sale of Embraer’s military products, namely the KC-390 and Super Tucano.

Embattled TransDigm Group will sell its recently acquired Schroth Safety Products seat belt provider to the business unit’s own management and a private equity investor.

New Shepard's Dec. 12 test flight afforded the three minutes of microgravity needed for a dozen commercial, medical and educational experiments.

The FAA has granted Boeing an amended type certificate for the aerial refueling derivative of its 767 freighter aircraft, the 767-2C.

The Korea Aerospace Industries LCH-LAH civil and military helo is on track for prototype assembly in 2018 after the conclusion of the critical design review.

The owners of Piaggio Aerospace are investing $302 million in order to stabilize the business and complete the development of the P.1HH Hammerhead UAS.

Turkey’s allies are concerned about Ankara’s rapprochement with Russia.

Notwithstanding the Bombardier/Boeing rift, Canada is positioned for robust growth—mainly in the defense sector—in 2018.

The U.S. is ramping up missile defense spending, while Russia and China have their own plans.

The gas turbine continues to evolve and advance, even as interest accelerates in alternate propulsion concepts.

High-energy laser tech has matured, with development shifting to tackling challenges of integrating electric lasers onto combat platforms and deploying them.

From the North Korean missile threat to Russian murky cyber campaigns and Chinese technical prowess, the Pentagon aims to adapt while retaining its advantages.

The threat of a nuclear North Korea joins ongoing conflict with Islamic extremists and increased competition among the world’s major military powers.

The No. 1 and No. 3 makers of large commercial aircraft, Boeing and Embraer, are in talks to formally align, although the Brazilian government appears to be the main hurdle, the companies and financial analysts said Dec. 21. The basis of any combination remains “under discussion,” the companies said in a joint statement, and it would have to be approved by the Brazilian government and regulators, the two companies’ boards and Embraer’s shareholders.

Boeing’s attempt to double the range of its air-launched AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile has hit a snag after two attempted flight tests flopped.

Although the new stealth fighter is not yet ready to move to full-rate production, the Pentagon’s number two civilian is pressuring Lockheed Martin to drive efficiencies into the supply chain now.

The U.S. Air Force says the Boeing B-52H bomber’s Pratt & Whitney TF33-103 engine is “not sustainable past 2030” and must be replaced.

Leonardo has launched an AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missile from its M-346 as part of ongoing trials to prove the type’s light attack credentials.