Defense

The Finnish ministry of defense says all five of the contenders in its contest to find a next-generation fighter have responded to a revised request for quotation asked for by Helsinki.

Spain has formally signed up to purchase 24 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop training aircraft to modernize its air force’s training fleet.

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (Marshall ADG) has signed a multi-year contract with the United States Government, to support the Kuwait Air Force fleet of KC-130J tanker aircraft.

New engines, rotor blades and Sikorsky’s Matrix technology will provide new lease of life to Erickson’s Air Crane.

EASA drafts electric rules; unmanned cargo gliders; orbit debris removal; Uber engages on UAM; Honeywell eyes fluidic propulsion.

Calendar of upcoming events of interest to the aerospace & defense industry.

News in brief

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

Poland becomes the first NATO country bordering Russian territory to adopt the stealth fighter.

The flight also demonstrated a guided re-entry of the Electron first stage booster as the company works to make its small-satellite launcher reusable.

A new rendering of the Northrop Grumman B-21A released by the U.S. Air Force Jan. 31 offers a fresh perspective on the overall size and features of the highly secretive stealth bomber.

Northrop Grumman is readying its next cargo delivery to the International Space Station.

SPANISH AIR FORCE ordered 24 PC-21 single-engine turboprop trainers for delivery starting in 2021 to replace Casa C-101s.

The U.S. Navy brings aircraft to the nation’s newest carrier for the first time allowing the crew and test personnel to assess launch and landing on the flight deck.

TRANSPORT CANADA acquired unidentified Dash 8-100 for maritime surveillance; aircraft is to undergo mods through 2022.

The FAA will introduce a new Space Data Integrator system in August to track space launch and recovery operations in real time with traditional air traffic, Administrator Steve Dickson said.

The U.S. Air Force’s series of “Pitch Day” events has succeeded in attracting swarms of small businesses outside the defense industry, but the long-term value remains unclear, former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said.

The U.S. Air Force does not believe Boeing’s proposal for the KC-46 Remote Vision System will meet the program’s critical performance parameters, according to a service official.

Northrop Grumman is already banking on winning the U.S. military’s contract for providing the next generation of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.

When United Technologies and Raytheon merge early next quarter, they are likely to sell the latter’s Forcepoint cybersecurity company and they could get $3 billion for it.

Europe’s airworthiness regulator has proposed the first certification rules for electrified aircraft propulsion.

An old idea is gaining new attention as two companies report progress in developing cargo gliders.

Stanley Black & Decker will break into aerospace and defense and buy Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, a provider of highly engineered fasteners, latches and other parts for aerospace, for up to $1.5 billion in cash.

General Electric Aviation reported a “strong performance” in 2019 and remains a bright spot for its parent corporation, GE managers trumpeted Jan. 29, despite $1.4 billion worth of “headwinds” from the Boeing 737 MAX’s grounding and production halt.

The latest developments of an integrated flight deck concept for helicopters designed to improve safety in low visibility are being introduced by Universal Avionics.