Defense

SpaceX ended a two-week grounding of the world’s busiest rocket fleet with a trio of Falcon 9 launches over the weekend, dispatching Starlink satellites into orbit.

Can Airbus land an upgraded tanker in the U.S.?

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS was selected by NATO to lead a concept study undeer Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project to work on design/development of a medium multi-role helicopter. COLLINS and MBDA are partners.

This follows the FAA’s decision to permit Falcon 9 launches to resume after a July 11 second-stage launch failure.

The decision follows the recovery of a piece of Dragon debris in Australia in 2022.

Airbus is exploring initiatives to reduce the operation cost of its Airbus A400M airlifter.

Aerojet contributed $581 million in revenue (a 7% sequential increase) for L3Harris in the second quarter.

The new CEO of German defense electronics provider Hensoldt is trying to wean the company from its heavy reliance on domestic sales.

Germany says it now expects its umbrella contract for Boeing CH-47F Chinooks to be signed several months later than planned.

France says it is has started work with Ukraine to help the beleaguered country build up its defense industrial base.

NSPA issued a tender for three contracts with industry to deliver up to six rotorcraft concepts that could meet the current NGRC specifications.

KAI is studying how to modify the design of the KF-21EX, the future Block 3 version of its KF-21 fighter, to ensure the program remains cost-effective.

The FAA on July 25 said there were no public safety issues associated with the failure of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket two weeks ago, clearing the company to resume flights.

Listen in as Aviation Week defense editors discuss their highlights from Farnborough Airshow, sharing their thoughts on GCAP, CCAs, FLRAA, tankers and more.

Europe is embracing integrated air and missile defenses, but can it afford it?

In addition to work on the Global Combat Air Program, a Boeing 757 flight-test aircraft, called Excalibur, is being adapted to trial new technology elements.

Despite the upcoming UK defense review, Global Combat Air Program industrial partners have been encouraged by ministerial interest in the project at Farnborough.

The DSMP satellite fleet has been in service since the early 1960s.

Another round of thruster tests are set for this weekend, and an agency return readiness review is set for late next week.

“This rock could potentially be very important,” says Ken Farley, Perseverance project scientist.

A UK team has begun flight tests of an airborne 5G connectivity system.

Sales rose 8% annually to $19.7 billion and earnings per share increased 9% to $1.41, coming in ahead of Wall Street’s expectations.

Northrop Grumman expects to see a profit on the B-21 Raider program starting with its sixth production lot.

Industry is expecting the U.S. Navy to select its Next Generation Fighter next year despite ongoing budget uncertainty, a competitor says.

Multiple pilot errors, preceded by an unhealthy organizational culture within one of the few U.S. Air Force B-1B squadrons, caused a crash landing and complete loss of a bomber in January, according to a new report.