Flying Magazine reports, “The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is one step closer to flying the C-130J Super Hercules—one of its workhorse tactical airlift and transport aircraft—with zero human input. Boston-based Merlin Labs on Thursday announced the completion of preliminary design review (PDR) for its C-130J Super Hercules autonomy program with USSOCOM, under which it is working toward demonstration flights with a modified Hercules.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Tag: Moves
SpaceX Rolls Out Starship’s Super Heavy Booster in Preparation for Monday’s Scheduled Launch
SPACE reports SpaceX moved its Super Heavy booster to the pad recently to gear up for Flight 11 of its Starship megarocket. The rollout is “part of the leadup to Starship’s 11th test flight, which is scheduled for Monday (Oct. 13) at 7:15 p.m. EDT (2315 GMT).
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U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Tiltrotor Shifts to Next Development Phase
Defense News reports, “The U.S. Army’s future long-range aircraft is moving out of technology development and into the critical engineering and manufacturing development phase, the service announced Friday. The Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program, or FLRAA, is estimated to be worth approximately $70 billion across its lifespan, including foreign military sales, and is set to replace roughly 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters.”
Full Story (Defense News)