Industry News

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has proposed the concept of radioisotope-powered dual-quadcopter technology for a NASA mission that aims to explore potential habitable sites on Saturn’s largest moon. APL said Wednesday it envisions the Dragonfly technology utilizing Titan’s dense atmosphere to migrate from one geologic setting to another as the quadcopter evaluates the moon for livable environments. The […] More

Microsoft, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems have performed simple and complex flight tests on a sailplane equipped with artificial intelligence technology. NIAS said Wednesday the team evaluated the Microsoft-built sailplane at the Hawthorne Advanced Drone Multiplex Test Range in Nevada. “Microsoft researchers have created a system that […] More

SunPower has broken ground on a 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic system designed to help increase energy resilience and security at the U.S. Army‘s Redstone Arsenal facility in Alabama. The company said Wednesday it will install the Oasis power plant system at the military base and expects the project to create approximately 200 jobs. “We’re continually looking for ways to […] More

Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have jointly led an industry team that tested the capacity of a tactical terminal to connect with an Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite managed by the U.S. Air Force. The over-the-air test aimed to demonstrate if the Low Cost Terminal could operate with the Defense Department‘s protected communications network, Northrop said Wednesday. LCT is designed […] More

A U.S. Air Force satellite is scheduled Friday to launch into orbit aboard the Orbital ATK-built Minotaur IV rocket that will lift off from a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Spaceflight Insider reported Wednesday. The Operationally Responsive Space 5 satellite will work to provide situational awareness capabilities as the U.S. military […] More

Moog has been awarded a potential $48 million contract by the Defense Logistics Agency to supply aircraft components for multiple weapon system platforms of the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy. The Defense Department said Wednesday the sole-source contract has a five-year base period that will run through Aug. 22, 2022, and an option that could extend work for an […] More

General Dynamics‘ NASSCO subsidiary and the U.S. Navy have launched USNS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, an expeditionary sea base vessel built to support special operations force and airborne mine countermeasure missions. ESB 4 will undergo a series of at-sea tests before the company delivers the ship to the service branch in early 2018, the Navy said […] More

Varley USA has delivered an initial batch of toolkits designed to help the U.S. Army and Coast Guard remove and install components on H-60 utility helicopters. H-60 bridge toolkits include forward and aft bridges, bellcranks, eccentric bushings, longitudinal support assembles and tie rods for the helicopter gearbox, two engine input and accessory drive modules, Varley USA said Wednesday. The […] More

General Atomics‘ aeronautical systems business hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to mark the opening of a new unmanned aircraft system hangar at the Grand Sky business park in North Dakota. The company said Tuesday its Flight Test and Training Center hangar is built to house GA-ASI operational hardware such as MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Predator B remotely […] More

Science Applications International Corp. has received a potential $11.3 million contract modification to rebuild three command variant prototypes of an assault amphibious vehicle for the U.S. Marine Corps. The Defense Department said Tuesday the company will equip the prototypes with the AAV Survivability Upgrade design under the firm-fixed-price modification. SAIC has modernized 10 AAVs as part of a […] More

Saab has received a three-year, $25.9 million contract extension from the U.K. ministry of defense to provide managed tactical engagement simulation services for the British army. The British army uses Saab’s Deployable TES platform to help Light Role Battle Groups perform overseas training exercises as part of their collective training efforts, the company said Monday. […] More

Huntington Ingalls Industries has completed overhaul and modernization work on the U.S. Navy‘s USS Ramage guided missile destroyer, four days ahead of schedule. HII said Tuesday the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer re-entered the Navy fleet on Monday following an upgrade effort that began in November 2016 and included ship alterations, procurement of materials and repairs. The Navy awarded HII a […] More