Defense

INTEGRATED POLYMER SOLUTIONS acquired MAST TECHNOLOGIES, CA, which produces RF/microwave/EMI absorbing materials for military aircraft.

Nuclear weapons figured prominently among the revelations contained in the Pentagon’s latest annual report on China’s military capabilities, which was released Sept. 1.

When Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) launched its regional jet program in 2008 it faced a relatively crowded market. This included two large

The duo won firm-fixed price contracts for the Tranche 0 Transport Layer, which consists of 20 satellites that will feed into the U.S.’s missile warning system.

Raytheon will focus on developing the seeker for a naval gun-fired, guided missile interceptor.

Norway has inducted its fleet of Leonardo AW101 search and rescue (SAR) helicopters into service.

Military training and C4ISR services provider Cubic has merged two defense business units into one and under the leadership of one veteran unit chief, while the other will leave the company.

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

Smallsat launch provider Rocket Lab has received a five-year Launch Operator License from the FAA for Electron rocket flights from its Launch Complex

The Airbus Perlan Mission II stratospheric glider project plans to dramatically expand its role in atmospheric and climate research by incorporating new sensors and working collaboratively with other high-altitude investigation agencies, companies, assets and projects.

Lockheed Martin will receive another $912 million over the next five years to give the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense program a capability makeover.

The Pentagon has named Silicon Valley insider Victoria Coleman as U.S. DARPA director.

Arianespace is to operate its first rideshare mission for nano and microsatellites thanks to a Vega launch from Kourou, French Guiana, at 9:51 p.m. EDT on Sept. 1.

Turkey’s Roketsan has opened a new facility to support the development of a national satellite launcher.

Rocket Lab’s Electron small satellite launcher returned to flight on Aug. 30, sending a 220-lb. (100-kg) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite into orbit for Capella Space, a San Francisco-based information services company.

Leonardo is emphasizing established training performance and fighter-like capability in offering the M-346 trainer to Australia.

Selected U.S. military contracts from the past week.

News in brief

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

Reports suggest 10 aircraft will be purchased, with another eight used aircraft to be transferred from French Air Force stocks for free.

Commercial space tracking startup LeoLabs is using its ground radars to monitor debris generated by a Russian Earth-resources satellite in the early hours of Aug. 27.

Prepping for the U.S. Navy’s newest carrier class to have a higher sortie rate compared to legacy ships, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) personnel conducted a four-day test demonstrating that the vessel can handle conventional air-launched weapons and stowage systems.

Getting NASA’s Space Launch System rocket to the launchpad for a November 2021 debut flight will cost taxpayers $9.1 billion, breaching a 30% budget overrun that mandates congressional notification.

Another wrinkle has emerged in a potential showdown between the T-50 and M-346FA for a temporary five-year role with the U.S. Air Force, but the competing teams remain involved as Air Combat Command changes the acquisition process again.

The UH-72B, which also includes more powerful engines and improved controls, will enter the fleet in 2021 after Airbus delivered 463 UH-72As with a conventional tail rotor.