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RF & Microwave Electronics

How the US Space Force is Leveraging Commercial Antennas for Defense Applications

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) achieved a major milestone during a demonstration event in August, showcasing the Joint Antenna Marketplace (JAM) and successfully transferring the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Transmit/Receive Enterprise (TREx) Service from a research and development project into an SSC operational prototype. Read on to learn more.

Briefs

Propulsion

Electric Propulsion for a Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft

To develop spacecraft that can “maneuver without regret,” the U.S. Space Force is providing $35 million to a national research team, including engineers at the University of Washington. It will be the first to bring fast chemical rockets together with efficient electric propulsion powered by a nuclear microreactor. Read on to learn more.

Application Briefs

Aerospace

Helsing’s New CA-1 Europa Autonomous Fighter Jet

Defense technology startup Helsing unveiled its new CA-1 autonomous fighter jet powered by their proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) software Centaur during a launch ceremony in Germany last week. Read on to learn more about it.

Application Briefs

Manufacturing & Prototyping

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Engine Testing

Raytheon’s Pratt & Whitney is developing a new family of engines, scalable from 500 to 1,800 pounds of thrust, that are capable of powering munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Read on to learn more.

Briefs

RF & Microwave Electronics

German Researchers Test Quantum Channels In-Flight

It is not easy to transmit individual photons precisely from an aircraft, capture them in a ground station and detect them successfully. Researchers have, however, now managed to do exactly that. They have even measured, multiple times, various quantum channels between an aircraft and a ground station, sent photons to an ion trap and tested technologies for quantum key distribution (QKD). Read on to learn more.

Briefs

Power

Controlling Heat Spikes in Electric Aircraft at Takeoff

Researchers at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Brazil’s Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) will combine forces on one of the main challenges of electric aircraft — controlling the heat spikes they generate at takeoff. Read on to learn more.

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Sensors/Data Acquisition

F-22 Pilot Controls Drone With Tablet

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, with industry partners and the U.S. Air Force, controlled an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) from the cockpit of a fifth generation fighter jet while in flight.

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Materials

Using Ultrabright X-Rays to Test Materials for Ultrafast Aircraft

This might seem like an obvious statement, but designing an aircraft that flies at five to seven times the speed of sound is difficult. Paradoxically, materials for...

Podcasts

Defense

A New Additive Manufacturing Accelerator for the U.S. Navy in Guam

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast we examine the technical and strategic foundations behind Guam’s new advanced manufacturing hub. Neal Orringer of ASTRO America and Alex Benham of GAMMA are the guests to discuss the facility’s additive manufacturing capabilities, supply-chain objectives, and workforce development plans. Listen now!

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Manufacturing & Prototyping

DESCAM Project to Establish Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain for Flight-Ready Parts

GKN Aerospace has joined the Digitally Enabled Competitive & Sustainable Additive Manufacturing (DECSAM) project.

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Research Lab

Stevens Researchers Test Morkovin's Hypothesis for Major Hypersonic Flight Breakthrough

If it were to become a reality, hypersonic flight, long the realm of science fiction, could revolutionize global travel, transforming day-long...

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Manned Systems

F-35 Proves Nuke Drop Performance in Stockpile Flight Testing

Sandia, in conjunction with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), conducted a series of recent stockpile flight tests at Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, with support...

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RF & Microwave Electronics

L3Harris Starts Low Rate Production Of New F-16 Viper Shield

L3Harris is ready to start low-rate initial production of the Viper Shield, a next-generation software-defined electronic warfare (EW) upgrade for the U.S. Air Force fleet of F-16...

Podcasts

Aerospace

The Hidden Heroes of Hydrogen Flight: Sealing and Materials

In this sponsored episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, Margaux Ningre-Coirier, Aerospace Sales and Market Development Manager at Omniseal Solutions, is the guest to analyze how advanced sealing solutions are becoming the hidden enablers of safe, efficient hydrogen-powered advanced air mobility (AAM). Listen now!

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Unmanned Systems

USNORTHCOM's Counter-UAS Fly-Away Kit Achieves Operational Certification

An 11-person team from U.S. Northern Command deployed to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota at the end of October to provide counter-small uncrewed aerial system...

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Manufacturing & Prototyping

A New Solid Rocket Motor Facility for Lockheed Martin and Raytheon

Avio, the Italian space propulsion manufacturer, recently announced separate deals with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to establish a new solid rocket motor (SRM) production...

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Electronics & Computers

Algorithms for Autonomous Marine Vehicles

Autonomous cars have hit the roads, and drones fly in the skies. But what about the water? Marine vehicles have a host of challenges that make maritime autonomy extremely difficult. That’s why...