Defense

The U.S. government has determined that North Korea tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile twice in recent weeks, with these initial launches designed to evaluate the system before an upcoming full-range test.

The first Moon-class rocket in 50 years is set to roll out to Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B on March 17 for a dress rehearsal and fueling test ahead of launch.

The U.S. Air Force will ask Congress for permission to retire fewer aircraft in fiscal 2023 than it did in its 2022 request, after lawmakers allowed the service to cut some platforms and appear ready to further bolster the Pentagon’s budget.

Using distributed electric propulsion to blow air over the wing and flaps promises to enable ultra-short-takeoff-and-landing capability but poses challenges for flight control because of the strong coupling between aerodynamics and propulsion, between generating lift and producing thrust.

As it plans its Artemis lunar-exploration program, NASA is engaging the planetary-science community in ways not possible during the Apollo 11-17 missions that landed a dozen men trained primarily as test pilots on the lunar surface to gather samples for researchers on Earth.

Menlo Microsystems is targeting end-users in aerospace and defense, among other key markets, for a device that marries a mechanical relay and a semiconductor switch.

The short-range Osa surface-to-air missile system could wear down Russian forces and avoid the creation of a no-fly zone.

U.S. hypersonic aircraft startup Hermeus has closed a $100 million Series B fundraising round, providing the funding to fly its first three Quarterhorse flight-test vehicles and advance design of its planned Darkhorse production aircraft.

A NASA program to demonstrate on-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing has passed its mission-critical design review putting it on track for launch in 2025 at the earliest.

The revamped company will trade as Enstrom Aerospace Industries and will resume production of the turbine 480B and the piston F-28F and 280FX.

Uncrewed aircraft systems are clearly on the shopping list of Saudi Arabia’s armed forces.

Russia has not been able to establish air superiority in Ukraine despite a greater number of aircraft and a broad array of air-defense systems, and a senior U.S. Air Force leader said this struggle shows Russian forces are not operating in accordance with their own doctrine.

The U.S. Congress is moving forward with a government-wide spending bill that would provide $728.5 billion for the Defense Department in fiscal 2022, placing a priority on protection of the Indo-Pacific region, space capabilities and assistance for Ukraine.

The U.S. Army expects its costs for Future Vertical Lift programs to rise substantially over the next several years as the service down-selects its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft and Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and moves into testing.

An omnibus spending bill approved by U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees on March 9 allocates $24 billion to NASA for fiscal 2022, a $770 million increase over its 2021 budget, but $760 million short of the Biden administration’s request for the year that began Oct. 1, 2021.

A U.S. Space Force (USSF) mission slated to launch aboard United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) next Atlas V has been delayed at the customer’s request, the company said on March 9.

SpaceX on March 9 completed its 10th orbital launch in as many weeks, an unprecedented cadence the company intends to maintain throughout the year.

Bell and Sikorsky both have passed the 85% assembly mark of their respective prototypes for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competition, but are facing increasing schedule pressure due to the expected delayed delivery of T901 engines from General Electric.

Developed initially for a handful of test flights at its Gale Crater landing site on Mars, NASA’s small solar-powered Ingenuity drone helicopter has logged 20 flights as it graduated to become a reconnaissance asset for the Perseverance rover.

The U.S. Air Force has selected a small company to develop an unmanned, fighter-like aircraft that can be used for training combat pilots.

The F-35 Joint Program Office is expecting a cost-per-tail increase on the aircraft as negotiations with prime contractor Lockheed Martin continue beyond initial expected deadlines.

Leonardo hopes to broaden the customer appeal of its C-27J Spartan airlifter by offering the aircraft as a multi-role platform.

The French Navy is completing the test phases for two small unmanned air systems (UAS) and mulling the integration of more complex ones onto its future aircraft carrier.

Taqnia ETS and Taqnia have signed an MoU with Star.Vision Hangzhou to collaborate on the development of innovative space technologies, satellites, artificial intelligence technologies and geospatial products.

As the World Defense Show closed its doors until the next event March 3-6 2024, TATV goes behind the scenes to look at the Show Centre – the hub of the whole event - and talk to show CEO Andy Pearcey to sum up the event.