Industry News

A study by PwC’s consulting arm shows that U.S. aerospace and defense companies’ spending on research and development efforts has climbed by nearly $12 billion so far this year, Defense News reported Wednesday. The Global Innovation 1000 study conducted by Strategy& has found that top U.S.-based A&D firms recorded $11.79 billion in R&D spending, a figure that is […] More

Lockheed Martin has obtained approval from the U.S. military to demonstrate its new CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter at an April 2018 air show in Berlin, Germany, Reuters reported Thursday. Anonymous sources told Reuters that the event will mark the international debut of the Sikorsky-built helicopter, which will compete with Boeing‘s CH-47 Chinook twin-rotor platform for a potential $4.7 billion […] More

A subsidiary of Leonardo DRS has secured a contract from the U.S. Navy to supply four Integrated Voice Communications Systems for the military branch’s Aegis cruisers and destroyers. DRS Technologies Canada received the award through a larger IVCS contract with the Navy and will perform delivery in September 2018, Leonardo DRS said Wednesday. The IVCS, also called the Shipboard […] More

CA Technologies has announced a competition that aims to encourage U.S. developers to present novel open source software-based platforms designed to enhance the “citizen experience” across federal agencies. The company said Wednesday up to five finalists will be selected for the CA Smart Government Challenge and will receive $5,000 in cash prizes. The finalists will have a […] More

Huntington Ingalls Industries‘ shipbuilding division has delivered the DDG 114 Ralph Johnson to the U.S. Navy. The company said Wednesday shipbuilders and Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast representatives were present during the delivery of the Ralph Johnson. The DD 250 document was signed by Cmdr. Jason Patterson, prospective commanding officer for the DDG 114; Cmdr. Scott Williams, program manager […] More

Northrop Grumman has secured a contract to provide sustainment, engineering and logistics services for the Australian air force’s fleet of C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters. The C-27J through-life support contract has a five-year base period and a “rolling wave” clause to extend the contract period for up to 22 years based on contractor performance, Northrop said Wednesday. John Parker, vice […] More

United Arab Emirates’ military has announced plans to award a Thales–Dassault Aviation team a contract to modernize its Mirage 2000-9 multirole combat aircraft. Thales said Wednesday it aims to support Mirage 2000-9 upgrade efforts through the supply of new mission computer, fire control radar, electronic warfare suite, optronics, communications navigation, identification, cockpit display, helmet mounted display and electrical systems. UAE […] More

Stratolaunch Systems has signed an agreement with NASA to conduct engine tests at the agency’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, Space News reported Wednesday. NASA and Stratolaunch inked Sept. 13 the Space Act Agreement that contains a provision for reimbursable tests and related services to the company in support of ground system, vehicle and propulsion […] More

An industry team led by Boeing‘s Tapestry Solutions subsidiary has received a potential four-year, $26 million contract to update a software platform the U.S. Air Force  uses to plan airdrop missions. Tapestry said Wednesday it will collaborate with Jacobs Engineering and Mission Oriented Rapid Solution Engineering to produce versions 6.x through 8.x. of the Air Force’s Consolidated Airdrop Tool. The team […] More

Lockheed Martin has partnered with Saudi Arabia-based King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to conduct research and development projects that will support the country’s Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, Saudi Gazette reported Wednesday. The master research agreement calls for the company and university to explore technology that will have potential applications across multiple industries. Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson […] More

Boeing‘s Insitu subsidiary has secured a contract from Shell‘s QGC natural gas business to perform automated infrastructure inspection using remotely piloted aircraft systems. Insitu said Wednesday it will carry out beyond-visual-line of-sight RPA operations over the Surat Basin in Queensland, Australia as part of the contract. Insitu RPAs will inspect wells and other infrastructure components such […] More