Defense

By Steve Trimble
Boeing said it is disappointed by Canada's decision to disqualify the KC-46 for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project, but stands ready to re-enter if the competition is reopened to bidding.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Maksim Pyadushkin
Russia has made another step toward the development of a new Soyuz 5 medium lift launch vehicle, with NPO Energomash reporting on March 31 that it had completed test firings of the first RD-171MV liquid rocket engine.
Space

The concept expands upon the objectives of an ongoing experiment by DARPA. The immediate goal of the Gremlins program is demonstrate in-flight recovery of a Dynetics/Kratos X-61A by a Lockheed Martin C-130.
Missile Defense & Weapons

Saab has today confirmed the anticipated follow on-contract from the United Arab Emirates for the sale of two GlobalEye systems, Saab’s advanced airborne surveillance system.
Defense

By Guy Norris
Just over a week after NASA outlined renewed plans to foster the development of U.S. commercial low Earth orbit free flyers to succeed the International Space Station, Sierra Nevada Corp. has unveiled ambitious plans to develop an orbital ecosystem based on its inflatable habitat design and Dream Chaser lifting body space vehicle.
Space

By Irene Klotz
To chart his administration’s path in space, Biden calls upon a colleague.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Michael Bruno
Tapping into the crosscurrents of the commercial space boom and advanced technologies such as cloud computing, Amazon is opening an AWS Space Accelerator to assist and network with related startups, with applications due April 21.
Commercial Space

By Tony Osborne
The UK’s bid to propose the Eurofighter Typhoon for Finland’s HX future fighter tender includes local assembly of both the aircraft and the engine as well as participation in the development of an active electronically scanned array radar for the platform.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Michael Bruno
Finland-based Iceye, an Earth observation data analytics provider with its own constellation of synthetic aperture radar satellites, said March 31 it plans to launch more satellites this year than previously planned, with the next launch booked for midyear.
Commercial Space

By Michael Bruno
San Diego-based Cubic, a provider of military training and C4ISR systems, will go ahead with a takeover by Veritas Capital and Evergreen Coast Capital, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management, after the buyers raised their price in the face of an unsolicited foreign bid.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Michael Bruno
Lift Aircraft, maker of the Hexa electric vertical takeoff and landing multicopter, has joined Joby Aviation in gaining U.S. military flight release via the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program, according to the Air Force director of AFWerx.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Mark Carreau
The Space Telescope Science Institute has selected 286 proposals for the initial cycle of observations planned with the NASA-led James Webb Space Telescope, which is planned for launch from French Guiana on Oct. 31.
Space

A request for proposals will be released by the end of June to install a network gateway pod on a Boeing KC-46 as part of Capability Release 1 of the Advanced Battle Management System.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Tony Osborne
The UK Royal Air Force wants to bring its Mosquito loyal wingman and Alvina swarming drone system into service before the end of this decade to operate alongside its Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleets.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Australia’s government will invest $761 million (AUS$1 billion) to create an industrial capability to manufacture missile and guided weapons for delivery to the domestic military and export markets, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said March 30.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Lee Hudson
The U.S. Marine Corps envisions arming autonomous unmanned aircraft with Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles in a future war with China.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
German defense companies Diehl, Hensoldt and Rheinmetall Electronics have teamed up to offer a short-range air defense system for the country’s armed forces branded ARGE NNbS.
Missile Defense & Weapons

A new family of smart-loitering drones from the UAE’s Edge is giving a new dimension to the country’s armed forces.
Defense

By Lee Hudson
The Pentagon awarded multibillion-dollar contracts with the goal of strengthening the U.S. homeland defense system.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Irene Klotz
SpaceX is aiming for a mid-September launch of a privately chartered Crew Dragon spacecraft on a three-day, 336-mi.-high, free-flying mission called Inspiration4, bankrolled and commanded by Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman.
Commercial Space

By Steve Trimble
UAC is preparing to ramp up production to up to 12 Il-112Vs a year to meet the Russian Ministry of Defense’s plans to replace a fleet of aging—and Ukrainian—An-26 transports.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Lee Hudson
The U.S. Space Force plans to release a solicitation in the second quarter of 2021 to purchase services from internet providers in low Earth orbit that will serve as an alternative to geostationary satellite communications.
Commercial Space

By Irene Klotz
SpaceX’s fourth high-altitude flight of a Starship upper stage prototype ended in a midair explosion on March 30 as the vehicle was beginning its engine reignition sequence to pivot for vertical touchdown.
Space

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin received a $12.8 million contract award from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on March 25 for the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Guy Norris
Boeing and Hypersonix Launch Systems will conduct a joint study of an air-breathing space launch system powered by the Australian startup’s Spartan scramjet engines.
Space