Defense and Space

EUCOM released the video from the MQ-9A’s belly-mounted MTS-B sensor on March 16 after Russia denied that the intercept by two Su-27s led to a collision.

Japan’s hypersonic missile program has managed to attain “net-positive thrust” for its scramjet engine, which will power its future hypersonic missile.

The U.S. Commerce Dept. has finished a pilot program to demonstrate the ability of the U.S. to track objects in GEO using commercial data and analytic services.

Bahrain’s air force has joined a growing list of armed forces adopting Bell’s 505 single-engine turbine helicopter for rotary wing training.

SWISSto12 has opened a U.S. subsidiary, St12 RF Solutions, to sell 3D printed radio frequency components to U.S. defense and commercial aerospace manufacturers.

Troubled space launch company Virgin Orbit has temporarily suspended operations and furloughed almost all its staff as it continues efforts to seek new funding.

NASA and Axiom Space on March 15 unveiled a new dark-colored astronaut spacesuit.

The U.S. Space Force plans to set up an organized reserve of commercial space capabilities to augment military satellites when needed.

The U.S. is not yet sure if a pair of Russian fighters intended to down an MQ-9 Reaper UAV over the Black Sea on March 14.

Rep. Rob Wittman, (R-Va.), says he wants to ensure that lawmakers understand the advantages of the engines.

MBDA is to explore other avenues in pursuit of its development of a missile interceptor capable of dealing with hypersonic targets, CEO Eric Beranger says.

A U.S. Space Command official says kinetic methods remain on the table in a wartime scenario.

Leonardo has responded to a request for information from the Japanese ministry of defense about a replacement for its Kawasaki T-4 trainers.

NASA has selected Houston-based Axiom Space to conduct a third four-person private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

The CEO of European missile manufacturer MBDA says the company’s ramp-up in production of weapons has been hindered by supply chain issues.

Delivery of the first GE Aerospace T901 engines to Bell and Sikorsky for integration into their FARA prototypes has been delayed until early 2024.

SpaceX’s 27th NASA-contracted Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the International Space Station is on course for docking early March 16.

Stockpiling long-lead components of missiles may be another way for the U.S. to rapidly increase weapons production, the Army’s chief of staff says.

Industry is on the cusp of the Great Ramp-Up, a super-cycle stretching across aerospace and defense. How can suppliers boost throughput and profits?

EXAIL (formerly ECA Group) was selected by AFI KLM E&M to supply full-flight simulator for E-3F AWACS aircraft operated by French Air Force.

Albany International, the provider of 3D-woven composite fan blades to Safran for LEAP aircraft engines, announced March 13 that it is searching for a new CEO.

TransDigm Group will buy Calspan, a respected provider of highly engineered testing and technology development services and systems.

Impulse Space is moving into a larger 60,000 ft.2 facility in Redondo Beach, California.

The Space Development Agency (SDA) plans to launch its first batch of satellites, Tranche 0, before the end of March.

Amazon on March 14 unveiled a trio of customer terminals to support the network’s global broadband communications.