LISA DAIGLE, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that it will team with the U.S. Army to enhance the capabilities and survivability of the MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

AVIATION MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE

Boeing announced they are suspending production of the 737 MAX pending re-certification which has moved to 2020. Here is their statement regarding the decision: “Safely returning the 737 MAX to service is our top priority. We know that the process of approving the 737 MAX’s return to service, and of determining appropriate training requirements, must be extraordinarily thorough and robust, to ensure that our regulators, customers, and the flying public have confidence in the 737 MAX updates..."

LISA DAIGLE, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

Bell Boeing announced that it has delivered the first modified MV-22 Osprey to the U.S. Marine Corps. Bell Boeing recently won a $146 million contract for upgrades and maintenance on the MV-22 aircraft.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lockheed Martin won a $153.4 million contract to procure test equipment and tooling for the F-35 Lightning II. The deal covers special tooling and special test equipment "required to meet current and future F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production as well as full-rate production rates," the Department of Defense said.

LISA DAIGLE, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

Swarm technology is rising in popularity in the military drone or unmanned aerial system (UAS) market due to its cost efficiency and high capability for firepower, according to a new market report from The Business Research Company, "Military Drones Global Market Report 2019."

AVIATION MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE

StandardAero and Thales announced a signed teaming agreement formalizing a mutual commitment for developing and certifying an advanced autopilot system for the light helicopter market. The system will initially be certified for installation on the popular Airbus Helicopters AS350 platform.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

UAV Turbines, Inc. (UAVT), manufacturer of microturbine technology, announced that it demonstrated its Monarch Hybrid Range Extender (HREX), a microturbine-powered generator technology that extends the range of electrically powered, medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Silvus Technologies announced that Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is integrating Silvus systems into its solution for the U.S. Army National Guard (ARNG) Mission Equipment Package (MEP) program. Silvus will support SNC with its StreamCaster radios as part of the HAMMER MANET kit.

LISA DAIGLE, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

The global counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) market -- estimated to stand at approximately $1.8 billion in 2020, is expected to grow to $5.47 billion by 2028, according to a new study from Market Forecast, "Global Counter-UAV (C-UAV) Systems -- Market and Technology Forecast to 2028."

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Raytheon Company debuted a virtual reality version of its portable V-22 trainer. Aircraft Functional V-22 Trainer-Virtual Reality is a fully immersive system intended to provide hyper-realistic training across all experience levels, including early-career aviation maintenance students and those engaged in continuing education.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Airbus’ new C295 tactical aircraft will come equipped with Collins Aerospace System’s Pro Line Fusion flight deck to advance the capabilities of C295 operators. According to the company, the selection marks the first fixed-wing search and rescue platform to include Pro Line Fusion among its standard equipment.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Immersive Wisdom, Inc., provider of geospatial collaboration and real-time intelligence platforms, and Entegra Systems, provider of advanced technology, integration, and analytic services, announced that it had won a major contract with the U.S. Air Force, awarded by AFWERX. AFWERX is a catalyst for agile Air Force engagement across industry, academia, and non-traditional contributors to create opportunities and foster an Air Force culture of innovation.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

5G testing at Hill Air Force Base in Ogsen, Utah will focus on using the technology in congested environments with high-power, mid-band radars, the base announced. The base was selected for its ability to provide streamlined access to site spectrum bands, mature fiber, and wireless infrastructure, as well as support for new infrastructure requirements and the ability to conduct controlled experimentation with high-power radars, according to a news release.

AVIATION MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE

By combining new designs with advanced metals and composites, and integrating cutting-edge technologies, today’s business jet manufacturers are taking great strides in increasing the reliability and reducing the maintenance requirements of their new-generation offerings.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems won a $13.1 million contract for the U.S. Air Force to purchase and test an additional high-energy laser weapon system (HELWS), adding a third to be deployed for testing, the Department of Defense announced.