Articles tagged with "aerospace"
US taps ‘struggling’ Boeing to turn dead F-16s into supersonic drones
Boeing has been awarded a $10.2 million contract modification, part of a $318.7 million effort, by the US Air Force to convert retired F-16 fighter jets into QF-16 full-scale aerial target drones. These supersonic drones will replace the aging QF-4 Phantoms, enhancing the realism of missile testing against modern fourth-generation aircraft. The work, conducted primarily at Boeing’s St. Louis avionics factory, involves installing telemetry, scoring systems, flight-termination safety gear, and uncrewed avionics. The Air Force plans to operate up to 210 QF-16s from Jacksonville, Florida, integrating them into the fleet by December 2026. This program continues a longstanding practice of converting manned fighters into uncrewed targets for live-fire exercises dating back to the 1960s. This contract win comes amid significant challenges for Boeing, which is facing scrutiny over recent safety incidents, including a fatal 2025 crash of
robotdronesaerospaceavionicsunmanned-systemsmilitary-technologyBoeingUK Air Force deploys first-ever combat drone with 5,750-mile range
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has officially inducted the Protector RG Mk1 drone, marking the UK's first Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) certified to operate across all classes of domestic airspace. This new platform replaces the older MQ-9A Reaper with the more advanced MQ-9B SkyGuardian, offering enhanced endurance, intelligence gathering, and precision strike capabilities. The Protector can operate for over 30 hours at altitudes up to 40,000 feet and has a range exceeding 5,750 miles, enabling it to patrol entire continents without landing. It carries advanced weaponry, including 500lb Paveway IV laser-guided bombs and Brimstone 3 missiles, and integrates sophisticated sensors such as the Lynx Multi-mode Radar and electro-optical/infrared suites. The drone’s certification for safe operation within civilian airspace, enabled by GA-ASI’s Detect and Avoid System, represents a significant advancement over legacy platforms, allowing it to operate in
robotdroneunmanned-aerial-vehiclemilitary-technologysurveillanceremote-pilotingaerospaceTwo-year-old defense tech Mach Industries confirms $100M raise led by Khosla, Bedrock
Mach Industries, a rapidly growing defense technology startup founded in 2023 by 19-year-old CEO Ethan Thornton, has secured $100 million in new funding at a $470 million valuation. The round was led by Keith Rabois of Khosla Ventures and Geoff Lewis of Bedrock Capital, with participation from existing investor Sequoia, bringing the company’s total funding to approximately $185 million. Although the valuation increase since its Series A in October 2023 is modest, Mach has expanded significantly from 20 to 140 employees and developed three advanced weapons systems: the Viper, a jet-powered VTOL UAV; Glide, a high-altitude glider strike platform; and Stratos, an in-air satellite with sensor and communication functions. Mach has also gained notable contracts and infrastructure investments, including selection by the Army Applications Laboratory to develop a vertical takeoff precision cruise missile and plans for a 115,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Huntington Beach, California. Thornton emphasizes the company’s
robotunmanned-aerial-vehicledefense-technologyvertical-takeoff-and-landingdrone-technologyaerospacemilitary-roboticsUS hypersonic aircraft to soar at Mach 5+ with new upgraded engines
The U.S. aerospace company Ursa Major has secured a $32.9 million contract to supply 16 upgraded Hadley H13 rocket engines for Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle over several years. These new engines are designed to be more reusable, supporting more flight starts and thus reducing the cost per test. The H13 engine is an evolution of the existing Hadley engine, featuring advanced metals and an oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle that provides higher thrust (5,000 lbf) and longer operational lifespans. This upgrade aims to enhance Talon-A’s performance and durability, facilitating more frequent and cost-effective hypersonic flight tests. Talon-A is a reusable hypersonic vehicle capable of flying at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and is air-launched from Stratolaunch’s large carrier aircraft. It serves as a Pentagon test platform for military hypersonic technologies and recently completed its second successful Mach 5+ flight test in May 2025. The
energyaerospacehypersonic-technologyrocket-enginespropulsion-systemsreusable-enginesmilitary-technologyWorld’s first art-painted rocket launched into outer space by China
In a groundbreaking collaboration, contemporary artist Jacky Tsai and Chinese aerospace company LandSpace launched the world’s first fully art-painted orbital rocket, the Zhuque-2 Enhanced (ZQ-2E Y2). Standing nearly 50 meters tall, the rocket was entirely covered with vibrant aerospace-grade paints depicting the ancient Chinese legend of Chang’e flying to the moon. The artwork, which flows continuously from nose to base, integrates traditional Eastern storytelling with bold, modern visual techniques, transforming the rocket into a unified visual narrative rather than mere surface decoration. This project required innovative materials and close cooperation between artists and engineers to ensure the paint could withstand extreme launch conditions without compromising the rocket’s performance. The successful launch and orbit insertion of the ZQ-2E Y2 validated this pioneering fusion of art and aerospace engineering, proving that complex visual art can be integrated into space vehicles without affecting functionality. Painted segments recovered after stage separation serve as tangible artifacts symbolizing the intersection of science and storytelling. This initiative redefines
energyaerospacematerialsrocket-technologyaerospace-engineeringaerospace-paintsspace-launchUS firms to develop high-tech tiny engines for next-gen combat drones
robotdronesunmanned-systemspropulsion-technologydefense-technologycombat-aircraftaerospaceSpace Forge raises $30M Series A to make chip materials in space
materialsenergysemiconductorsspace-technologycrystal-growthmanufacturingaerospaceLondon-New York in 45 mins: New hypersonic jet could fly 7x speed of sound
materialsenergyhypersonicaviationhydrogenaerospacetechnologyWindRunner: US eyes world’s largest plane for military cargo needs
energywind-energymilitary-logisticscargo-transportaerospacewind-turbinedual-use-technologyChina's new fibre-optic gyroscope can withstand temperatures changes
materialsnavigationgyroscopeoptical-fiberstechnologyaerospacedeep-sea-explorationVertical Aerospace has a plan to capitalize on Europe’s defense tech moment
robotIoTenergyeVTOLhybrid-electricdefense-technologyaerospaceThe Future of Manufacturing Might Be in Space
materialsmanufacturingspace-technologycrystal-growthsemiconductorin-space-manufacturingaerospaceAmazon’s first 27 internet satellites launch to space
Amazonsatellitesspace-launchinternet-connectivityProject-KuipertechnologyaerospaceRobot Talk Episode 117 – Robots in orbit, with Jeremy Hadall
robotsspaceroboticstechnologyaerospacepodcastJeremy-Hadall