Defense

Germany has awarded Airbus a €2.1 billion ($2.3 billion) contract to build the new SatcomBW 3 constellation due to be deployed before the end of the decade.

Thermal management specialist Intergalactic has unveiled a curved microtube configuration for next-gen propulsion systems and other aerospace applications.

Lithuania is stocking up on small UAS as part of an aggressive effort to build out its military’s autonomous capacity through the end of the decade.

Firefly Aerospace has deployed eight cubesats for NASA with a flight of its Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, amid operational expansion efforts.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts to Blue Origin and Stoke Space under the Orbital Services Program (OSP)-4 effort.

The Biden administration is accelerating delivery of the much-needed interceptors by moving Ukraine to the front of the line.

Orbit Fab has successfully demonstrated the automated docking of its in-space refueling technology.

The Pentagon did not release a timeline for completing the transition at either base.

NASA has selected rookie astronaut Andre Douglas as a backup for the three agency astronauts assigned to the planned 2025 Artemis II mission.

Germany’s Tesat-Spacecom said it has secured a European Space Agency (ESA) project to deliver a cubesat to test 6G telecommunications technology.

Germany’s push to bolster air and missile defense capacity is continuing, as the Bundestag’s budget committee approved funding for four more Patriot systems.

USAF is expected to begin flight operations with a high-altitude UAS from RAF Fairford, England, in the coming weeks, sources tell Aviation Week.

Airbus Helicopters has opened a new logistics hub in Spain that will support rotorcraft production at its sites across Europe.

BAE Systems has acquired uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) development house Callen-Lenz, absorbing the company into its FalconWorks technology incubator.

Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded a major reconnaissance system upgrade contract for an air force customer in the Middle East region.

Stratolaunch says a series of envelope expansion flights have allowed its Roc carrier aircraft to launch the Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle from 35,000 ft.

Korea Aerospace Industries is working toward an agreement for the co-production of aircraft components in Peru as it eyes an FA-50 export deal to the country.

The company capitalizes on M&A deals like none other in aerospace and defense.

The first donated Lockheed Martin fighters could arrive as early as this summer.

The Corps’ notorious Force Design 2030 plan, first released in 2021, reshaped the service through major steps such as a famous decision to get rid of tanks.

NASA cites a gap in currently envisioned lunar cargo lander capabilities.

Several European nations are looking to link arms on the possible development and procurement of long-range, deep-strike weapons.

Austria has signed a contract to buy 12 Sikorsky Black Hawk utility helicopters.

Piasecki Aircraft has inducted the first four CH-46 helicopters to be upgraded under a joint program with commercial operator Columbia Helicopters.

The power package of the US Army-Hughes XV-9A hot cycle research helicopter mated with the fuselage was featured on Aviation Week's cover of June 22, 1964 at a Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division facility in Culver City, California.