The company with the largest aircraft now has a hypersonic rocket plane
(arstechnica.com)
Stratolaunch has finally found a use for the world's largest airplane.
Stratolaunch has finally found a use for the world's largest airplane.
Firefly's rocket suffers one of the strangest launch failures we've ever seen
(arstechnica.com)
Firefly Aerospace launched its two-stage Alpha rocket from California early Tuesday, but something went wrong about two-and-a-half minutes into the flight, rendering the rocket unable to deploy an experimental satellite into orbit for Lockheed Martin.
Firefly Aerospace launched its two-stage Alpha rocket from California early Tuesday, but something went wrong about two-and-a-half minutes into the flight, rendering the rocket unable to deploy an experimental satellite into orbit for Lockheed Martin.
Boeing sold its digital business to Thoma Bravo for 10B
(nytimes.com)
Boeing announced on Tuesday that it would sell a handful of navigation, flight planning and other businesses for more than $10.5 billion as the company works to refocus on manufacturing planes and other aircraft.
Boeing announced on Tuesday that it would sell a handful of navigation, flight planning and other businesses for more than $10.5 billion as the company works to refocus on manufacturing planes and other aircraft.
SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin win $13.7B in US Military launch contracts through 2029
(spacenews.com)
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a combined $13.7 billion in launch service contracts to SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Blue Origin, marking the first time three companies will share responsibility for launching high-priority military and intelligence payloads.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a combined $13.7 billion in launch service contracts to SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Blue Origin, marking the first time three companies will share responsibility for launching high-priority military and intelligence payloads.
Isar aerospace first test-flight (live)
(isaraerospace.com)
Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace has become the first European commercial space company to launch an orbital rocket from Continental Europe.
Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace has become the first European commercial space company to launch an orbital rocket from Continental Europe.
Lockheed Offers a New Low-Cost Cruise Missile as Part of 'High-Low Mix'
(airandspaceforces.com)
AURORA, Colo.—Lockheed Martin is testing a new low-cost, modular cruise missile meant to be built at scale, while it also builds even longer-range versions of its stealthy, high-end weapons—part of a strategy to provide the Air Force with a mix of exquisite and affordable munitions.
AURORA, Colo.—Lockheed Martin is testing a new low-cost, modular cruise missile meant to be built at scale, while it also builds even longer-range versions of its stealthy, high-end weapons—part of a strategy to provide the Air Force with a mix of exquisite and affordable munitions.
China Tests First Oblique Detonation Engine
(china-arms.com)
As the demand for speed increases, researchers have developed the world’s first engine using standard aviation kerosene, capable of flying at 16 Mach, equivalent to 20,000 kilometers per hour.
As the demand for speed increases, researchers have developed the world’s first engine using standard aviation kerosene, capable of flying at 16 Mach, equivalent to 20,000 kilometers per hour.
Lockheed out of Navy's F/A-XX future fighter competition
(breakingdefense.com)
A source with knowledge of the program told Breaking Defense that Lockheed submitted a bid for the next-gen fighter effort, but the proposal did not satisfy the Navy’s criteria, leaving Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining competitors.
A source with knowledge of the program told Breaking Defense that Lockheed submitted a bid for the next-gen fighter effort, but the proposal did not satisfy the Navy’s criteria, leaving Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining competitors.
America's First Unmanned Fighters Are Here: YFQ-42 and YFQ-44
(airandspaceforces.com)
AURORA, Colo.—The Air Force’s first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft are fighters, the first uncrewed aircraft to carry such a designation, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin announced in a keynote address at the AFA Warfare Symposium on March 3.
AURORA, Colo.—The Air Force’s first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft are fighters, the first uncrewed aircraft to carry such a designation, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin announced in a keynote address at the AFA Warfare Symposium on March 3.
NASA shows shock waves as Boom's supersonic demonstrator breaks sound barrier
(boomsupersonic.com)
Boom Supersonic, the company building the world’s fastest airliner, Overture, partnered with NASA to capture specialized photography during supersonic flight tests of its demonstrator aircraft, XB-1.
Boom Supersonic, the company building the world’s fastest airliner, Overture, partnered with NASA to capture specialized photography during supersonic flight tests of its demonstrator aircraft, XB-1.
Germany to build hypersonic space plane
(thenextweb.com)
Germany’s armed forces have commissioned Bremen-based startup Polaris to develop a two-stage, fully reusable hypersonic space plane — and given the team just three years to build it.
Germany’s armed forces have commissioned Bremen-based startup Polaris to develop a two-stage, fully reusable hypersonic space plane — and given the team just three years to build it.
Supersonic flight is possible without an audible sonic boom
(boomsupersonic.com)
As demonstrated on XB-1, supersonic flight is possible without an audible sonic boom.
As demonstrated on XB-1, supersonic flight is possible without an audible sonic boom.
Boom's XB-1 becomes first civil aircraft to go supersonic
(techcrunch.com)
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator plane just went supersonic in the skies over California’s Mojave desert, making it the first civil aircraft to break the sound barrier.
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator plane just went supersonic in the skies over California’s Mojave desert, making it the first civil aircraft to break the sound barrier.
Boeing to log $1.7B in defense program losses in fourth quarter
(breakingdefense.com)
Boeing expects to log a $1.7 billion loss across several defense programs when it announces its fourth quarter 2024 results next Tuesday, the company said, meaning the company will have incurred almost $5 billion in losses on defense programs for the full year.
Boeing expects to log a $1.7 billion loss across several defense programs when it announces its fourth quarter 2024 results next Tuesday, the company said, meaning the company will have incurred almost $5 billion in losses on defense programs for the full year.
Beached whales: Airbus grounds its Beluga cargo flights
(france24.com)
Paris (AFP) – European aerospace giant Airbus confirmed Friday that it was shutting down its speciality freight business using colossal Beluga jets, resulting in the loss of 75 jobs.
Paris (AFP) – European aerospace giant Airbus confirmed Friday that it was shutting down its speciality freight business using colossal Beluga jets, resulting in the loss of 75 jobs.
Boeing warns of more financial charges due to strikes, costlier parts, Starliner
(theregister.com)
Boeing is warning of another hit to its bottom line, at least partly at the hands of the company's Calamity Capsule, the CST-100 Starliner.
Boeing is warning of another hit to its bottom line, at least partly at the hands of the company's Calamity Capsule, the CST-100 Starliner.
Celestial Navigation for Drones
(mdpi.com)
Celestial navigation is rarely seen in modern Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The size and weight of a stabilized imaging system, and the lack of precision, tend to be at odds with the operational requirements of the aircraft. Nonetheless, celestial navigation is one of the few non-emissive modalities that enables global navigation over the ocean at night in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environments.
Celestial navigation is rarely seen in modern Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The size and weight of a stabilized imaging system, and the lack of precision, tend to be at odds with the operational requirements of the aircraft. Nonetheless, celestial navigation is one of the few non-emissive modalities that enables global navigation over the ocean at night in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environments.
Blue Origin New Glenn Mission NG-1 (video)
(blueorigin.com)
New Glenn will launch for the first time from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The NG-1 mission will carry our Blue Ring Pathfinder and mark the vehicle's first National Security Space Launch certification flight.
New Glenn will launch for the first time from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The NG-1 mission will carry our Blue Ring Pathfinder and mark the vehicle's first National Security Space Launch certification flight.
Air Force Tests Subscale Model of Blended-Wing Body Jet
(airandspaceforces.com)
The Air Force is collecting data from flight tests of a subscale version of its Blended-Wing Body demonstrator, and using that data to revise the full-scale aircraft’s control software and final configuration—the first flight of which remains on track for 2027.
The Air Force is collecting data from flight tests of a subscale version of its Blended-Wing Body demonstrator, and using that data to revise the full-scale aircraft’s control software and final configuration—the first flight of which remains on track for 2027.
NASA's X-59 plane is aiming for a sonic thump, not a boom
(theregister.com)
Sitting in the hangar of Lockheed Martin's famous Palmdale, California Skunk Works facility is one of the oddest aircraft ever to take shape: the X-59 that's looking to revive supersonic travel over land.
Sitting in the hangar of Lockheed Martin's famous Palmdale, California Skunk Works facility is one of the oddest aircraft ever to take shape: the X-59 that's looking to revive supersonic travel over land.
Civil aircraft flies supersonic for first time since Concorde
(dawnaerospace.com)
Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand – 19 November 2024 – Multinational aerospace company Dawn Aerospace has made history with the successful supersonic flight of its Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft, making it one of the fastest privately-developed aircraft on the planet.
Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand – 19 November 2024 – Multinational aerospace company Dawn Aerospace has made history with the successful supersonic flight of its Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft, making it one of the fastest privately-developed aircraft on the planet.
China's Proposed Cargo Shuttle, the Haolong, Has Entered Development
(universetoday.com)
The 2024 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition was held in Zhuhai last week – from November 12th to 17th, 2024. Since 1996, and with support from the Chinese aerospace industry, this biennial festival features actual products, trade talks, technological exchanges, and an air show. This year’s big highlight was China’s newly announced reusable space cargo shuttle, the Haolong (Chinese for “dragon”).
The 2024 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition was held in Zhuhai last week – from November 12th to 17th, 2024. Since 1996, and with support from the Chinese aerospace industry, this biennial festival features actual products, trade talks, technological exchanges, and an air show. This year’s big highlight was China’s newly announced reusable space cargo shuttle, the Haolong (Chinese for “dragon”).
SpaceX Starship's Sonic Boom Creates Risk of Structural Damage, Test Finds
(nytimes.com)
SpaceX’s new Starship rocket far exceeds projected maximum noise levels, generating a sonic boom so powerful it risks property damage in the densely populated residential community near its South Texas launch site, new data suggests.
SpaceX’s new Starship rocket far exceeds projected maximum noise levels, generating a sonic boom so powerful it risks property damage in the densely populated residential community near its South Texas launch site, new data suggests.
New Heavyweight Chinese Jet Drone Looks to Be a Swarm Mothership
(twz.com)
A new very large jet-powered Chinese drone said to have a 10-ton maximum takeoff weight, or a mockup thereof, has emerged ahead of the formal opening of this year’s Zhuhai Airshow.
A new very large jet-powered Chinese drone said to have a 10-ton maximum takeoff weight, or a mockup thereof, has emerged ahead of the formal opening of this year’s Zhuhai Airshow.
Boeing issues layoff notices as aerospace giant cuts 17,000 jobs
(foxbusiness.com)
Boeing said it is issuing layoff notices to employees who are included in the aerospace giant's broader workforce reduction plan.
Boeing said it is issuing layoff notices to employees who are included in the aerospace giant's broader workforce reduction plan.