Defense

CAPE CANAVERAL -- NASA on March 17 ordered all employees to work at home, with only mission-critical personnel being allowed on locations throughout

A U.S. Army civilian has tested positive for the COVID-19 disease at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, the home of several aviation- and space-related acquisition, research and testing organizations, base officials said on March 17.

Launch provider Rocket Lab is being considered by NASA for certification to loft higher value payloads on future research and demonstration missions following initial space agency approval to launch low-cost, small satellites.

As the Pentagon and defense companies begin to encourage workers to telecommute when possible, the department has begun conducting daily calls with defense trade associations to discuss the impact of COVID-19, according to a Pentagon spokesman.

A coating that could cloak objects from infrared sensors by controlling their thermal radiation has been demonstrated by researchers at U.S. universities, with funding support from the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

The French Air Force has issued a tender to lease up to 20 Airbus H225 twin-engine heavy helicopters to meet an urgent need to replace its aging Aerospatiale SA330 Puma helicopters.

The Pentagon could help the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic through logistics and planning support, a DOD spokesman said.

The first example of the Orion spacecraft, slated for an unmanned mission as part of NASA’s Artemis lunar program, recently passed key tests.

Rocket launching company Rocket Lab has reached a deal to acquire satellite hardware maker Sinclair Interplanetary, the companies announced late March 16.

The first flight of the second version of the Long March 7 medium-heavy space launcher has failed, state media reported.

France has ordered its air force to have an intensive care module ready for flight as part of the ramp-up in the response against the COVID-19 pandemic, the French ministry of armed forces has announced.

Lockheed wants BAE to design and manufacture a new generation of infrared seekers for THAAD.

Boeing said late March 16 that Heidi Capozzi, senior vice president of human resources, is leaving in early April “to pursue another opportunity.”

Advanced ICBMs drive faster schedule, but can MDA deliver?

Selected U.S. military contracts for March 9 U.S. AIR FORCE Valiant Global Defense Services Inc., doing business as Valiant Integrated Services, San

News in brief

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

The U.S. Army has granted Bell and Sikorsky project agreements for Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competitive demonstration and risk reduction (CD&RR).

The U.S. Navy is postponing an industry day focused on Future Vertical Lift-Maritime Strike capabilities, while the Army intends to downselect for the

The U.S. Air Force now owns four light attack aircraft after finalizing a $70.2 million deal on March 16 for two Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverines. Along

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s planetary science decadal survey for 2023 to 2032 has some significant new themes—astrobiology and planetary defense—according to a virtual presentation sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).

The Pentagon is attempting to keep bubbles around Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist, who will remain physically separated for the remainder of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

TEXTRON AVIATION DEFENSE has $70.2m USAF contract to supply two Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, pilot training, engineering services and up to

Lockheed Martin has tapped an aerospace veteran to lead the Pentagon’s largest provider starting June 15, with Lockheed board member Jim Taiclet Jr. named to also become CEO and president.

Arianespace has indefinitely suspended its launch preparation activities at Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, due to the implementation of measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.