LISA DAIGLE, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

AdaCore, which makes mission-critical software development and verification tools, announced that Airbus Helicopters (Marignane, France) has selected the GNAT Pro tool suite and the Ada programming language to develop new software components for the VSR700 prototype project; the VSR700 is Airbus Helicopters’ tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) aimed at the demanding requirements of modern navies and armies around the world.

AVIATION MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the Aviation Maintenance Technical Workforce Development Grant Program to increase interest and recruit students for careers in aviation maintenance. The goal is to provide grants to academia and the aviation community to help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians, to inspire and recruit the next generation of aviation professionals.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division, supplier of rugged ultra-small form factor (USFF) processing and networking solutions, announced that it won a contract to provide an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer with a rugged avionics system and networking solutions for use on the company’s new aircraft.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Northrop Grumman Corporation has completed the critical design review (CDR) milestone for the Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Modernization, or EGI-M, program.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Vertex Aerospace LLC a $111,409,733 Contracted Maintenance, Modification, Aircrew, and Related Services (CMMARS) task order for the RESET of the U.S. Marine Corps' CH-53E Super Stallion fleet. The 5-year task order, with one base year and four option years, includes inspecting, rebuilding, and restoring the aircraft to a full mission capable status.

AVIATION MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE

Those who think the pandemic-induced drop in both activity and revenues for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry have ended the industry’s workforce shortage are dead wrong and, in fact, some experts predict it will be further exacerbated by emerging technologies.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology has awarded Alion Science and Technology a $20 million task order with a 60-month period of performance to provide Autonomy and Navigation Technology (ANT) Development.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lynx Software Technologies, company specializing in modern platform software technologies, announced that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has adopted the LYNX MOSA.ic software framework for the Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Orbit Communication Systems Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., who specializes in satellite communication, tracking systems, and airborne communication and audio management solutions, announced that Lockheed Martin Corporation selected its Orion Combat 3D Audio Management System (3D-AMS) for the next generation avionics suite of the F-16.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Built by Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band flew on an EA-18G Growler – its first flight test on the aircraft. The U.S. Navy's NGJ-MB is an advanced electronic attack system that is designed to deny, disrupt, and degrade enemy technology, including communication tools and air-defense systems.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

CAE USA has won a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to support the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and its Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT 2.5) initiative.

EMMA HELFRICH, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Northrop Grumman's construction of the first B-21 Raider stealth bomber, slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, is back on track, a U.S. Air Force official said. Randall Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, acknowledged that some B-21 subcontractors were affected by the pandemic.

PAT QUINN, CURTISS-WRIGHT

Flight test instrumentation (FTI) data-acquisition systems (DASs) use data-acquisition units (DAUs) distributed throughout an aircraft, often in tight spaces, which drives demand for smaller chassis. In parallel, the demand for higher DAU performance is on the rise, resulting in more heat-generating components packed tighter together. Since chassis act as a heat sink for the components inside, a smaller chassis provides less metal to drawing heat away from the components.

AVIATION MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE

United Airlines announced it is adding 25,000 flights back into their schedule in August. JetBlue and American Airlines announced a strategic partnership that they say “will create seamless connectivity for travelers in the Northeast” and more choice. They also hope the relationship will accelerate each airline’s recovery as the travel industry adapts to the new normal of life and travel during a pandemic.