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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

BAE completes preliminary design review for Space Force's Epoch missile‑detection constellation

BAE Systems has completed the preliminary design review for the Space Force's Epoch missile‑detection constellation, the Space Systems Command said. The milestone advances a BAE‑designed missile‑tracking satellite into detailed design, moving the programme closer to integration and subsequent development phases.

2026-03-09T14:38:49.028198-07:00

FlightGlobal

Bell nears FAA certification for 525 fly‑by‑wire super‑medium; plans production ramp

2026-03-09T12:38:28.313098-07:00

FlightGlobal

US Army narrows Flight School Next to four bidders; three propose Robinson R66

2026-03-09T15:38:52.884422-07:00

Reuters

Beta accelerates Alia MV250 military cargo drone; first flight moved up six months to this year

2026-03-09T15:03:23.098305-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

US Army narrows Flight School Next to four bidders; three propose Robinson R66 The U.S. Army's Flight School Next trainer competition has been cut to four bidders as the service seeks to modernize helicopter pilot instruction. Three of the remaining contenders are proposing variants of the Robinson R66, concentrating the contest around the light‑turbine R66 platform.

2026-03-09T15:38:52.884422-07:00

US Army narrows Flight School Next to four bidders; three propose Robinson R66

Reuters

Beta accelerates Alia MV250 military cargo drone; first flight moved up six months to this year Beta Technologies has accelerated development of its Alia MV250 military cargo drone by six months, moving the program's first flight to this year, CEO Kyle Clark told Reuters. The schedule push follows recent FAA grant support and advances Beta's defense logistics ambitions.

2026-03-09T15:03:23.098305-07:00

Beta accelerates Alia MV250 military cargo drone; first flight moved up six months to this year

SpaceNews.com

BAE completes preliminary design review for Space Force's Epoch missile‑detection constellation BAE Systems has completed the preliminary design review for the Space Force's Epoch missile‑detection constellation, the Space Systems Command said. The milestone advances a BAE‑designed missile‑tracking satellite into detailed design, moving the programme closer to integration and subsequent development phases.

2026-03-09T14:38:49.028198-07:00

BAE completes preliminary design review for Space Force's Epoch missile‑detection constellation

Via Satellite

AFRL awards Hughes contract for resilient hybrid satellite networking with intelligent automation AFRL has awarded Hughes Network Systems (an EchoStar company) a contract to develop and experiment with resilient, hybrid satellite networks featuring intelligent automation. The work focuses on space data networking and resilient communications architectures for military use and aims to demonstrate integration across terrestrial and satellite systems.

2026-03-09T12:59:08.996675-07:00

AFRL awards Hughes contract for resilient hybrid satellite networking with intelligent automation

FlightGlobal

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Bell nears FAA certification for 525 fly‑by‑wire super‑medium; plans production ramp Bell is in final stages of FAA certification testing for its long‑running 525 super‑medium twin — the company's flagship fly‑by‑wire helicopter program now entering its 15th year. Bell expects to ramp production to serve growing commercial and military demand, but won’t commit to a firm entry‑into‑service date.

2026-03-09T12:38:28.313098-07:00

Bell nears FAA certification for 525 fly‑by‑wire super‑medium; plans production ramp

Vertical Mag

Honeywell unveils HGuide i700 IMU for GNSS‑denied unmanned platforms Honeywell introduced the HGuide i700, a high‑accuracy inertial measurement unit (IMU) built to provide precise navigation for unmanned aerial and ground platforms operating in GNSS‑denied environments. The unit is aimed at preserving autonomy and mission continuity where GPS is unavailable or jammed.

2026-03-09T12:08:15.811222-07:00

Honeywell unveils HGuide i700 IMU for GNSS‑denied unmanned platforms

Vertical Mag

DARPA designates Bell's SPRINT demonstrator X‑76; CDR complete and build starts for 450‑kt runway‑independent VTOL Bell completed a Critical Design Review for DARPA's SPRINT program and earned the X‑76 X‑plane designation, allowing construction of a fold‑away‑rotor demonstrator that will pursue runway‑independent, crewed and uncrewed high‑speed VTOL performance up to 450 kt. First flight is targeted for early 2028.

2026-03-09T12:08:14.909704-07:00

DARPA designates Bell's SPRINT demonstrator X‑76; CDR complete and build starts for 450‑kt runway‑independent VTOL

AeroTime

Saab offers Gripen production work to Portugal's OGMA as Lisbon mulls F‑16 replacement Saab is courting Portugal by offering local production of Gripen components and partnerships with state-linked aerospace firm OGMA as Lisbon evaluates options to replace its ageing F‑16 fleet. The move aims to bolster Portuguese industry and strengthen Saab's competitiveness in the procurement contest.

2026-03-09T08:59:22.485886-07:00

Saab offers Gripen production work to Portugal's OGMA as Lisbon mulls F‑16 replacement

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

BAE completes preliminary design review for Space Force's Epoch missile‑detection constellation

Bell nears FAA certification for 525 fly‑by‑wire super‑medium; plans production ramp

US Army narrows Flight School Next to four bidders; three propose Robinson R66

Beta accelerates Alia MV250 military cargo drone; first flight moved up six months to this year

News Timeline