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Rocket Lab to launch new hypersonic rocket from Va.
California-based Rocket Lab USA Inc. will launch its new Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) rocket in Accomack County in the first half of 2023. The company introduced the suborbital testbed launch vehicle, derived from its Electron rocket, on Monday. Rocket Lab is preparing the HASTE vehicle for launch for a confidential customer at its […]
McLean startup raises $75M for air taxi network
Fritz Lang’s 1927 film “Metropolis” predicted cities with flying cars, while Hanna-Barbera followed that vision 35 years later with “The Jetsons” and its commuter “skyways.” Now, however, air taxis are close to becoming reality. The industry could generate up to $16 billion in new business investments in Virginia and carry as many as 66 million […]
Boeing to build 184 helicopters under $1.9B contract
Arlington-based Boeing Co. will build 184 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the U.S. Army and international customers under a $1.9 billion contract modification announced by the Pentagon Friday. The award brings the contract’s total funded value up to $2.1 billion and has the potential to surpass more than $3.8 billion with “future obligations,” Boeing said […]
Northrop Grumman appoints global biz development officer
Stephen O’Bryan will become corporate vice president and global business development officer for Falls Church-based Fortune 500 aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. on Feb. 6. Northrop Grumman announced that the board of directors elected O’Bryan on Monday. O’Bryan will lead business development organization and contribute to international growth. He succeeds D[...]
Manassas company to develop short takeoff, landing aircraft for Air Force
Manassas-based aerospace company Electra.aero Inc. has received a Strategic Funding Increase award from the U.S. Air Force‘s AFWERX arm that secures up to $85 million for development of a prototype electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The award, announced Thursday, secures funding between private investments, government funding and matching Small Business Innovation Research [...]
Rocket Lab launches first mission from U.S. soil
After more than a month’s delay, Rocket Lab USA’s first launch from U.S. soil at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Accomack County blasted off Tuesday evening. The mission, “Virginia is for Launch Lovers,” lifted off around 6 p.m. EST from the company’s Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space‘s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within the NASA facility, […[...]
U.Va. leads Pentagon hypersonic project
Like a “Top Gun” fighter pilot, Christopher Goyne feels the need for speed. Goyne directs the University of Virginia’s Aerospace Research Laboratory and leads a new team developing hypersonic engines that will enable more maneuverable missiles, jets and — eventually — spacecraft via a $4.5 million Department of Defense award announced in October. Under the […]
Rocket Lab announces December Va. launch window
Rocket Lab USA Inc. will launch the first U.S. mission for its Electron rocket from a launch pad on NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Accomack County during a 13-day window that opens Dec. 7. The company announced the Wallops launch Thursday. The mission, called “Virginia is for Launch Lovers,” will deploy satellites for Herndon-based HawkEye […]
New NASA tunnel could boost Va. space industry
As NASA pushes the reaches of space exploration, a new wind tunnel at the agency’s Hampton-based Langley Research Center will serve an important role in journeys beyond Mars and could also boost Virginia’s space industry. In August, NASA broke ground on its new 25,000-square-foot Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF), which will house the 130-foot-tall vertical […]
Northrop Grumman names new defense systems president
Falls Church-based Northrop Grumman Corp.’s board of directors has appointed Roshan Roeder as corporate vice president and president of the Fortune 500 company’s defense systems sector. Roeder currently serves as vice president and general manager of the airborne multifunction sensors division within the federal contractor’s missions systems sector. Roeder’s new role is eff[...]
Leidos buys Aussie special missions biz
Reston-based Fortune 500 federal contractor Leidos Holdings Inc. has entered into an agreement with British technology aerospace manufacturer Cobham Ltd. to purchase the special missions business from its Australia-based Cobham Aviation Services subsidiary, according to a news release. Financial details of the deal, which will add airborne surveillance and search and rescue missions to Leidos̵[...]
PAE aviation division receives $136.5M Air Force contract
Arlington-based PAE Aviation and Technical Services LLC has received a $136.5 million contract to provide aerial target operations and maintenance for the Air Force, the Pentagon announced Thursday. Under the contract, PAE will conduct lethality testing of major weapons systems and munitions programs at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and Holloman Air Force Base […]
