Raytheon Technologies has won a $37.4M contract to build and test a space-based payload technology for the second phase of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program aimed at demonstrating a multisensor network in low-Earth orbit.
Read More »Peraton Eyes Unmanned Surface Vessel Support Task Orders Under $982M Navy IDIQ; John Coleman Quoted
Peraton will compete for task orders in six functional areas to provide support services for the U.S. Navy’s unmanned surface vehicle family of systems under a potential 10-year, $982.1M contract awarded in early February.
Read More »Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Deploys Eight NASA Tech Payloads
Eight NASA-supported research and technology payloads launched aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft Wednesday as part of the space agency's Flight Opportunities program.
Read More »ULA Completes NROL-71 Payload Launch
United Launch Alliance launched a National Reconnaissance Office payload aboard the Delta IV Heavy rocket in support of the agency's national defense mission.
Read More »Tory Bruno: ULA Eyes National Security Payload Launch on Vulcan Rocket in 2022
Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, told Ars Technica in an interview published Wednesday that the company expects to launch a national security payload aboard the ULA-built Vulcan rocket in 2022. He said ULA plans to perform certification flights in 2021 under the launch services agreement with the U.S. …
Read More »PAE ISR to Install UTC Payload Tech on ‘Resolute Eagle’ UAS; Beth Beach Quoted
PAE ISR has chosen United Technologies Corp.‘s aerospace systems business to build an optical and laser designation technology for the Resolute Eagle unmanned aerial system. UTC Aerospace Systems will equip the aircraft with an TASE400 LD payload intended to help operators recognize objects, transmit data and process videos on board, PAE ISR said Monday. The laser …
Read More »Raytheon-Built Navigation Payload Integrated Into FAA’s GEO 5 Wide Area Augmentation System
Raytheon has integrated a navigation payload into the Federal Aviation Administration‘s Wide Area Augmentation System that works to support global positioning system functions. Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting 5‘s payload is designed to address GPS satellite signal ionospheric disturbances, timing issues and minor orbit adjustments, the company said Thursday. The technology is part of …
Read More »DARPA Introduces Payload Launch Competition; Todd Master Comments
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has unveiled a prize competition that aims to shorten the timeline of payload launch operations. The DARPA Launch Challenge will require multiple teams to deploy two different payloads from two different launch sites that will be announced only days before the scheduled space flight missions, DARPA said …
Read More »Frost & Sullivan: Space Industry Could See New Operators, 13K Satellite Launches by 2030
A new Frost & Sullivan analysis predicts the space industry to see the launch of at least 13,000 satellites and entry of over 60 new companies into the upstream market by 2030. The market research firm said Tuesday it expects the space market to experience growth by 2030 driven by small form factor …
Read More »NASA Releases Sources Sought Notice for Mars Payload Services
NASA seeks information on potential industry sources of payload-related services to support current or future non-NASA missions to Mars. The space agency issued a sources sought notice on Feb. 27 in an effort to determine the appropriate level of competition or small business subcontracting goals for a future Mars payload services contract. NASA …
Read More »General Dynamics Accepts Orders for Bluefin SandShark Underwater Drone
General Dynamics’ mission systems business has said customers in the defense, science and commercial sectors can place an order for an autonomous underwater vehicle through the company’s website. Bluefin SandShark is part of General Dynamics’ Bluefin Robotics suite of underwater drones and is designed to dive down to up to …
Read More »Capt. Jon Rucker: Navy to Release Large Underwater Drone RFP Soon
A U.S. Navy official has said the service branch plans to issue this month a request for proposals for a program that seeks to develop a network of large underwater unmanned systems designed to function as communication tools, Defense News reported Tuesday. Valerie Insinna writes Capt. Jon Rucker said at a …
Read More »ULA Launches NRO’s National Defense Payload Aboard Atlas V Rocket
United Launch Alliance has launched a national security payload into space Thursday as part of the National Reconnaissance Office‘s NROL-61 mission. The Boeing and Lockheed Martin joint venture said Thursday it launched the NROL-61 payload aboard the company-built Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Atlas V …
Read More »Steve Jurczyk: NASA Aims to Send Payloads to Mars Through SpaceX’s Red Dragon
NASA plans to collaborate with SpaceX to use the company’s Red Dragon unmanned spacecraft concept to send payloads designed for technology demonstrations to Mars, Space News reported Thursday. Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASA’s space technology mission directorate, said at the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference that potential payloads could include resource utilization-based platforms …
Read More »Henry Finneral: Textron Works on 2 New Variants of Shadow Tactical UAS
Henry Finneral, vice president of tactical unmanned aircraft systems at Textron, has said the company plans to equip two upcoming variants of its Shadow TUAS with modern payload, communications and power systems in an interview with Defense News posted Friday. Jen Judson writes Textron also looks to test new weapons such as a company-built laser guided bomb …
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