U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone has conducted a landing on a remote dirt strip for the first time. Connected with the landing, the service also demonstrated the MQ-9’s ability to carry small, but critical cargoes. Continue reading
Israel Aerospace Industries to Supply Rotem Loitering Munition Systems to 3 NATO Countries
Following the recent announcement that NATO member Estonia has purchased long-range loitering munitions from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the company has signed separate contracts with three additional NATO countries worth several millions of dollars to supply Rotem loitering munitions. Continue reading
General Atomics Gets $8M US Air Force Off Board Sensing Station Modification Contract
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, California, has been awarded an $8,348,999 modification (P00016) to contract FA8650-22-C-2200 for the off board sensing station, bringing the total cumulative value of this contract to $58,110,985. Continue reading
Senate Panel Says It Will Allow A-10 Retirements
Time appears to be running out for the A-10—the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) announced June 23 that it will allow the Air Force to retire 42 A-10s as part of its 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, approved this week. Continue reading
DARPA Selects Teams to Develop Initial Concepts for VTOL X-Plane
DARPA has selected nine companies to produce initial operational system and demonstration system conceptual designs for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that can be deployed and retrieved without the large mechanical launchers and landing/recovery equipment used today. Continue reading
Collins Develops 1MW Generator for the Air Force Research Laboratory
RTX is developing a 1 megawatt electric generator for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as part of its Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission-Capability program. The low-spool generator could have multiple applications for future manned and unmanned military platforms. Continue reading
AeroVironment Gets $19M US Army Switchblade Modification Contract
AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded an $18,861,420 modification (P00030) to contract W31P4Q-20-C-0024 for Switchblade Weapon System procurement. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Delivers Fourth Triton to US Navy for Initial Operational Capability
Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the fourth multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton to the U.S. Navy ahead of initial operational capability (IOC) this year. Continue reading