Defense and Space

Rearmament in Europe is focused on strengthening combat and support aircraft capacity and ground-based air defenses.

Three sources of U.S. budget indeterminacy will spawn other uncertainties that defense contractors will have to assess.

DASSAULT AVIATION extended its use of Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform on a sovereign cloud to optimize the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its fleet of Rafale aircraft for the French Ministry of Armed Forces.

Chris Calio will become the next CEO of RTX, arguably the world’s largest aerospace and defense company by annual sales, on May 2, 2024.

Amazon’s two Project Kuiper prototype satellites have transmitted 100 gigabits per second of data using laser communications equipment.

The fiscal 2024 defense policy bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk for his approval after the House OK’d the National Defense Authorization Act.

The service is looking at 15% budget increases per year. But if Congress does not pass an appropriations bill, that expected growth will be on hold.

The Defense Department has agreed to re-analyze the force structure plans for the Special Operations Command’s Armed Overwatch program, but not slow orders.

The U.S. Space Force’s long-awaited strategy for buying commercial capabilities will likely be released early next year.

Stennis Space Center has installed four large thrust diffusers in preparation for Green Run testing of the Block IB Exploration Upper Stage Artemis upgrade.

The Nov. 16 demonstration moves the GE project closer to a full-scale ground test in late 2025 of a unique new turbine-based combined cycle engine.

Italy, Japan and the UK's Global Combat Air Program developing a sixth-generation crewed combat aircraft will be headquartered in London, the nations say.

Germany has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for up to 82 light-attack versions of the OEM’s H145 twin-engine light helicopter.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force has finalized a contract with Thales to acquire a Ground Master GM400α radar as the air arm continues its modernization effort.

A potential mandatory cut in addition to ongoing continuing resolutions have military officials blasting congressional inaction on Pentagon plans.

Axiom Space is looking at Jan. 9 for the launch of its third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

Dawn Aerospace has run a full-duration, bipropellant ground test of its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane’s rocket engine.

UK Space Command is looking to be on contract next year for a cluster of synthetic aperture radar satellites.

Startup propulsion company Ursa Major has begun assembly of the first Draper engine for a new-generation, air-launched hypersonic target vehicle.

Defense Department efforts to electrify its systems and secure its supply base for batteries have taken a step forward.

The Space Rapid Capabilities Office is tasked with meeting critical needs in space.

The U.S. Space Force is preparing for a dramatic increase in its acquisition of military satellite communications and position, navigation and timing systems.

A coalition of nations led by France is beginning to firm up plans for the creation of a NATO-compatible ground-based air defense system to protect Ukraine.

GE Aerospace and its Italian business Avio Aero have secured the first study contract associated with NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability.

Perseverance is preparing for the fourth and perhaps most ambitious phase of its exploration of Jezero Crater.