Sponsored by
https://ieeinc.com/
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
16 Dec 25. Emerging disruptive technologies NATO competition. We are looking for young people’s thoughts and ideas on the opportunities and risks of emerging and disruptive technologies. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is leading a NATO research project called ‘Youth Perspective on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies’ (reference SAS-AVT-SET-HFM-205). The goal is to gather ideas from young people across NATO countries about how emerging and disruptive technologies might affect the future.
What the competition is asking for
To gather these future ideas, we want you to write an original think piece, which answers the question: ‘What do you think are the opportunities and risks of emerging and disruptive technologies?’
Eligibility
The competition is open to citizens of NATO member countries, as well as Australia, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Ukraine. You must also be aged between 18 and 34.
Background information on emerging and disruptive technologies
Emerging and disruptive technologies are just starting to develop and could have a big impact in the future. They might change markets and industries so much that current practices, tools, or even companies become outdated. Key characteristics of emerging and disruptive technologies include:
- rapid development
- societal impact
- transformation of existing paradigms
Historical example of emerging and disruptive technologies: The Ford Model T
The first affordable car made motoring publicly accessible. This new innovation transformed the transportation market, but became disruptive, making horse-drawn vehicles old-fashioned, and drove significant societal change on a large scale.
How to present your think piece
You can choose to write about opportunities or risks, or both. There is no right or wrong format for your think piece, but we suggest any of the following:
- essays
- news articles
- advocacy briefs
- bullet point lists
- brainstorms
Suggested themes to think about
You could include any of the following themes:
- legal, ethical, technical, moral or policy implications of these technologies
- societal reactions to advancements in technology or changes in policy
- potential benefits for society
- potential harm for society
- implications on industry
- potential misuse of these technologies
- impact on individual privacy
- strategic advantage and competition arising from these technologies
- prosperity and economic strength arising from these technologies
Word count
There is a 1000 word limit (10% allowance, not including references or abstract). We also recommend including a short abstract to explain your think piece.
Marking criteria
You are not allowed to use AI. If it is detected, your entry will be dismissed.
Think pieces will be marked based on the following factors:
- how original your ideas are
- whether you include real-world examples or case studies (including your own experiences)
- how credible and relevant your ideas are
- how convincing your arguments are
- the level of academic quality and accuracy
How to enter
Email your think pieces to: by Friday 6 February 2026. We will annouce the winners in May 2026.
If your submission makes the top 10, you will need to submit a picture of your ID.
Next steps
Writers of the 3 best think pieces will be invited to present their entry at a future NATO event. The overall winner will be determined by a panel at this event. Writers of the top 10 think pieces will receive certificates of commendation that can be included as part of a curriculum vitae. The top 10 think pieces may be published in the NATO Journal for Science and Technology: https://review.sto.nato.int/ (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
15 Dec 25. UK Space Agency goes global with 23 new projects. A new batch of 23 projects will strengthen international space partnerships, develop national capabilities and boost economic growth, the UK Space Agency announced today. This is the second round of projects from the successful International Bilateral Fund (IBF), representing a £6.5m boost for UK companies and universities collaborating internationally on space innovation with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania, and the USA. From autonomous 3D printing and lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection, biotech manufacturing, medical research and deep space radar, these collaborations span life sciences, communications, in-orbit servicing, Earth observation and advanced materials. They showcase the breadth of expertise across the UK’s vibrant space sector, which employs more than 55,000 people and generates £18.6bn in annual revenue.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “This £6.5m boost shows Britain leading the way in space innovation. From improving mobile coverage to monitoring Earth’s forests, these 23 projects will create jobs, strengthen partnerships with our allies, and keep the UK at the cutting edge of space technology. It’s an exciting time for our space sector and great news for British businesses reaching for the stars. The space funding boost, announced during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, demonstrates the UK’s commitment to international partnerships and a wide range of areas where the space sector can contribute to economic growth. As set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is increasing bilateral research & development funding with international allies. The IBF is a critical mechanism for this, providing targeted support for UK-led international collaborations and building capabilities and partnerships across the global space sector.”
Today’s announcement follows the agreement between NASA and the UK Space Agency to develop AI models to support future exploration missions, under the Transatlantic Tech Prosperity Deal, as well as the successful launch of the NASA IMAP mission on 23 September, for which UK scientists contributed a key instrument.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “These new projects span the full spectrum of UK space expertise, from telecommunications, propulsion and environmental monitoring to cutting-edge technologies that could change how we develop treatments for deadly diseases using microgravity. By combining home-grown talent with global expertise, we want to strengthen our capabilities, support growth, and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UK Space Agency, ahead of its integration into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) from 1 April 2026. The merger will create a single civil space unit, streamlining strategy, policy, and delivery, building on recent achievements and ensuring the government supports the UK space sector effectively.2
UKspace Executive Director, Colin Baldwin, said: “The UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund is going from strength to strength, providing a stimulus for the UK’s space sector to forge new partnerships with organisations around the globe, covering such a broad range of space interests. We are pleased to see so many of UKspace’s members and partners involved in the selected projects, enabling them to bring their world-class expertise to these exciting collaborations.”
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said: Advancements in space technology make our world smaller, our society more innovative and our lives more prosperous. We are delighted to see the IBF enabling international partnerships to that end. ADS has worked extensively to champion the UK’s thriving space sector in key strategic markets such as Japan and Lithuania. We look forward to working in close collaboration with government to build on this important work further.”
Call 2 Projects to date
Preparing to launch an Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator, University of Leicester x NASA Glenn Research Centre x Perpetual Atomics x Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory – £499,000
Advancement of Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator (Am-RSG) technology towards a near-term flight opportunity, and accelerating commercial, civil and defence applications of the Am-RSG to provide further opportunities and increase the customer base for the technology. This project will establish a strategic UK sovereign capability and help build international partnerships for export and trade.
UK-India-5G-from-orbit, AccelerComm Ltd x Radisys India Ltd (India) – £498,000
The next generation of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) is dependent on 5G base stations operating on board satellites. Making this happen in the extreme environment of an orbiting satellite requires technology developed by AccelerComm and Radisys. This project will integrate the latest versions of AccelerComm’s technology into Radisys’s lab in India, providing a valuable resource for joint research and demonstrations to customers and partners around the world.
AquaWatch AUK: Satellite Mission Development for Water Monitoring Innovation, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) x Pixalytics Ltd x Assimila Ltd x University of Stirling x RAL Space x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Deloitte (Australia) – £479,000
Building on the successes of earlier AquaWatch-AUK projects, this initiative strengthens the UK-Australia Space Bridge, enabling satellite development to address global water quality challenges through innovative Earth Observation technologies. By integrating satellite and in-situ measurements, it creates a scalable monitoring system that improves data access, supports better decision-making, and benefits industries like tourism and agriculture.
Long Baseline Multistatic Radar for Deep Space Domain Awareness, University of Birmingham x Goonhilly Earth Station x University of Manchester x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Lincoln Laboratory (USA) – £452,000
This project proposes Long Baseline Multistatic Radar (LBMR), linking powerful transmitters (e.g., Millstone Hill, Kwajalein) with sensitive receivers in the UK and Australia. The system will enable real-time detection and tracking of smaller, distant GEO objects. The project will deliver a live demonstration, a significant step towards validating LBMR as a scalable, low-cost solution for operational Space Domain Awareness.
SLOSH-CAT: Slosh Control Algorithm Testing, Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd x Space Machines x University of Sydney (Australia) – £447,000
SLOSH-Cat explores how liquid fuel moves inside spacecraft and how that movement affects their ability to stay stable and point accurately in space. Using advanced sensors and motion tracking, the team studies how shifting fuel can cause small disturbances. These insights help improve the software that controls spacecraft, making them safer and more precise as Space Machines prepares for its MAITRI mission launch next year.
ARGUS: Autonomous Rendezvous for GEO Utility & Surveillance, Lunasa Ltd x Space Machines Company PTY Ltd (Australia) – £392,000
This project will develop a key technology for an upcoming ISAM mission, integrating Lúnasa’s autonomous StarLogic RPO kit into Space Machines’ commercial GEO inspection satellite, GEO-Viper. The system will be upgraded for the GEO environment, advancing from TRL-5 to TRL-7 to deliver a flight-ready rendezvous, proximity, and operations solution.
RANGER: Relative Autonomous Navigation for GNSS-Enabled Rendezvous, Lunasa Ltd x Infinite Orbits (France) – £367,000
This project aims to advance Lúnasa’s high-precision R-GNSS relative navigation technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through integration with Infinite Orbits’ servicing satellite, in preparation for a forthcoming commercial in-orbit servicing mission. The project will encompass hardware-software integration, simulation and performance analysis, as well as testing and qualification for space readiness.
PROJECT BRIDGE, Frontier Space Technologies Ltd x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) x Undisclosed US Pharma (USA) – £366,000
This project will design a Cargo Handling System for next-generation space infrastructure, enabling safe, repeatable life sciences research in orbit. By combining UK engineering with real-world pharma input, BRIDGE supports the future of space-based drug development and biomanufacturing, positioning the UK as a leader in microgravity-enabled health innovation and shaping how biological science is done in space after the ISS.
Project MITHRIL: Avionics Integration and Control Demo on the Impulse Mira Platform, Lodestar Space Ltd. x University College London x Impulse Space (USA) – £363,000
This project integrates Lodestar’s MITHRIL onto the Impulse Mira spacecraft and develops formation flying techniques to enable responsive Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for UK and US dual-use needs. It culminates in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop validation campaign, de-risking the future orbital launch while strengthening joint US and UK on-orbit response capacity. This project is being catalysed through private investment.
UK detector technology for NASA high-resolution imaging of the Moon and Mars, Open University x BAE Space Mission Systems x University of Arizona (USA) – £362,000
This project will design a TDI rolling scene simulator and conduct radiation testing of the CIS125 detector at Moon/Mars mission representative doses to advance the UK-developed CIS125 ‘CCD in CMOS’ detector for future high-resolution imaging missions to the Moon, Mars, and Earth. This international collaboration builds on strong US-UK partnerships and aims to lay the foundation for HiRISE2, a next-generation imaging instrument delivering a world-leading resolution for planetary science, commercial, and defence applications.
In-Orbit Distributed Additive Manufacturing with Manufacturability Intelligence (IN-DAMMI), Autonomous Manufacturing Ltd x Photocentric, APWorks GMBH (Germany) – £330,000
A UK-Germany collaboration that will connect space-ready 3D printers to Earth-based control software, allowing engineers to remotely manufacture parts in orbit. It will also use AI to identify which spacecraft components are suitable for in-space production. By reducing reliance on Earth-based supply chains, this innovation will lower launch costs, increase mission flexibility, and strengthen the UK’s position in space manufacturing.
Cosmic Maker II: International Demonstration of Autonomous Multi-Material 3D Printing in Microgravity, Photocentric Ltd x Voyager Space Nanoracks (USA/Italy) x Novespace (Germany) – £299,000
Cosmic Maker II will demonstrate autonomous 3D printing in space-like conditions using advanced ceramic and polymer materials. Building on the success of the ESA- and BSGN-supported Cosmic Maker I, this next phase will validate the system during real microgravity through a parabolic flight campaign. The 3D printing platform designed to enable in-orbit manufacturing of tools, components, and research parts for the International Space Station and future platforms like Starlab.
Edit 15 December 2025: Voyager Technologies Europe is not participating in the delivery of this project.
BioPTSS: Biofeedback Integrated Personalised Tourniquet System For Spaceflight, Northumbria University x Western Clinical Engineering Group x Delfi Medical Innovations Inc. x Canadian Space Agency x European Space Agency x NASA (Canada, Germany, USA) – £287,000
This project aims to improve astronaut health on missions beyond low Earth orbit by developing and optimising blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) with the associated Personalised Tourniquet System for Spaceflight (PTSS). Building on the recent SpaceX launch evaluating BFRE in orbit, it will integrate biofeedback technology into space-qualified PTSS hardware for real-time monitoring and optimisation of the exercise stimulus.
ISAM Biotech Pilot Project: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Solutions in a New Commercial Space Incubator, Kayser Space Limited x Kings College London x COMAT (France) – £252,000
This project will develop a commercial platform to support biotech research and in-orbit manufacturing in microgravity, demonstrating vascularised tissue growth in a relevant environment. It will also mature the business case for future Low Earth Orbit customers, creating a scalable asset for drug development, organoids, and tissue engineering beyond the ISS.
Beam-Steering Conformal Antenna Array Integrated with Flexible LoRa Electronics for Lightweight Satellite Communication, University of Leeds x University of New South Wales (UNSW) (Australia) – £150,000
This project will create a lightweight, curved satellite communication system by integrating a printed beam-steering antenna with a flexible long-range wireless circuit on a carbon fibre structure. The prototype will demonstrate low power use, reduced weight, and improved reliability for next-generation nano/pico-satellites and mobile platforms, paving the way for more agile and cost-effective space missions.
ETV Phase 1 – Preliminary Design Review of the Economical Transfer Vehicle, Meridian Space Command x Alpha Impulsion (France) – £150,000
This project will advance the development of the Economical Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the world’s first “self-eating” spacecraft. he ETV is a next-generation logistics and payload-hosting spacecraft powered by an autophage engine that actively consumes its own structural tank during flight. Designed for high delta-V missions, it will transport payloads across Earth orbits and beyond, supporting future in-orbit servicing, infrastructure, and deep space logistics.
QUIVER – Derisking High-Rate Intersatellite Links for Realtime Collaborative Constellations, Open Cosmos Ltd x Panasonic Operational Excellence Co. (Japan) – £147,000
This project will explore higher-frequency, high-bandwidth radio links to enable satellites to work together for faster, more comprehensive monitoring and data collection. It will combine the advantages of radio and optical links while avoiding some of their limitations. A key focus will be designing a suitable antenna and developing tools to analyse and optimise constellation operations.
Project Oracle of Nyx: Onboard Threat Characterisation for Dual-Use Applications for Nyx, Lodestar Space Ltd. x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) – £135,000
Project Oracle of Nyx will pioneer new approaches to Space Domain Awareness (SDA) through the development of a dual-use sensor suite to detect and characterise orbital threats. Lodestar’s sensor suite will be designed to interface with TEC’s Nyx spacecraft, laying the groundwork for future missions to the ISS.
Flora Fidelity: Advancing Hyperspectral Forestry Monitoring Through UK-Canada Space Collaboration, Gentian (UK) x Bullfinch Earth (Canada) – £127,000
A UK–Canadian collaboration applying Earth Observation, wearable sensors and AI technologies to solve long-standing challenges in forest monitoring: the lack of efficient forest surveys combining below-crown and above-crown forest data and the difficulty in obtaining accurate, low-cost, precisely-located ecological data for training satellite-based models.
IGNITE – Innovative GaN-based Wireless Transmission for Space Energy, Bumblebee x MDA Space (Canada) – £127,000
This project will create a proof-of-concept high-frequency Inductive Wireless Power Transfer (IWPT) system that replaces failure-prone mechanical connectors on lunar rovers, robotic arms and payload interfaces. The system has the potential to significantly extend the service life of this equipment which will increase scientific knowledge and reduce mission costs.
Physical Emulator Interface for Scalable Microgravity-R&D Modules for Quantum and Advanced Materials, Elethron x Atmos Space Cargo GmbH (Germany) – £127,000
Elethron is developing an integrated solution comprising powerful computational engines and autonomous, space-based advanced materials fabrication laboratories designed to integrate with the emerging free-flyer supply chain.
Astro-SANITAS (Stable Anti-Necrotic for In-space Tissue Augmentation and Survival): Halting Aging and Safeguarding Life in Space, LinkGevity x Delta Biosciences (Lithuania) – £120,000
A groundbreaking pharmaceutical that blocks tissue degeneration and halts aging -poised to redefine human resilience under extreme stress. Astro-SANITAS is advancing a world-first technology to protect astronaut cells from death, enable in-orbit tissue manufacturing, and unlock transformative health applications on Earth.
RootSpace: A UK–Canada Innovation Incubator for Space Biosystems and Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Take Root Bio Limited x University of Guelph (Canada) – £99,000
A UK–Canada collaboration exploring how space farming technologies could support future human missions and sustainable food systems on Earth. The project will deliver a prototype digital twin of a Martian biosphere, expand a Lunar Crop Catalogue of resilient plants, and design an incubator to accelerate startups, linking space science with climate-resilient agriculture. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
15 Dec 25. Rapid £140m boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation.
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will invest over £140m in drone and counter-drone technology in its first year of operation
- UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) invests over £140m in its first year into new drone systems
- Rapid innovation investment supports British SMEs, Micro-SMEs and universities
- Advanced drone and counter-drone systems for UK Armed Forces and to counter Russian drone threat
Britain’s Armed Forces will be better equipped and small British defence businesses will grow rapidly as the Government boosts investment into innovative drone systems this year. UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) – launched earlier this year – will inject over £142m rapid investment into drones and anti-drone weapons this year, its first year in operation. This includes around £30m investment this year into counter-drone technology to protect the UK homeland and allies, in the face of increasing Russian-linked drone incursions across Europe. UKDI was launched by Defence Secretary John Healey MP in July this year to be the focal point for innovation within the Ministry of Defence, backed by a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 m. It takes a new approach, using different ways of contracting, to enable UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly. While many of the companies involved remain anonymous, the drones investment this year includes 20 British SMEs, 11 British ‘Micro-SMEs’, and 2 British Academic institutions.
The rapid investment delivers on the Strategic Defence Review which set out how the UK must take the lessons from the war in Ukraine – such as rapidly advancing drones and unmanned systems – to put the UK’s Armed Forces at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.
John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, said: “After years of hollowing out and underfunding, I am determined to put Britain’s Armed Forces, and British businesses, at the leading edge of defence innovation. The Strategic Defence Review was clear that we must learn the lessons of the war in Ukraine, which is why we’re surging investment into drone and counter drone systems. Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukrainian civilians and their grey-zone drone incursions across Europe show why this drone drive is so urgent. In a new era of threat, this rapid investment will make the UK secure at home and strong abroad, while making defence an engine for growth, ensuring the UK is the best place in the world to start and grow a defence business.”
Specific examples of this year’s investment includes:
- Investment of over £25m delivering a new Royal Navy uncrewed AI submarine ‘Excalibur’, which will play a key role defending against Putin’s fleet as part of the transformative Atlantic Bastion programme to establish a new hybrid Navy. Excalibur was recently unveiled in Portsmouth alongside other capabilities forming part of the Atlantic Bastion programme.
- £20m to support development of additional laser weapons to complement the UK’s ‘DragonFire’ system. This follows the signing of a £300m contract to install the first DragonFire anti-drone systems onto Type 45 destroyers from 2027, five years earlier than previously planned, creating and sustaining almost 600 jobs across the country.
- £7.5m for a new uncrewed helicopter, part of the Royal Navy’s move towards future ‘hybrid air wing’ aircraft carriers, with flight trials already underway. The project will deliver one of the world’s first full-sized autonomous helicopters.
- £12m to support development of an air-launched collaborative Uncrewed Air Vehicle (UAV), increasing the UK’s effectiveness against air-to-air threats.
- £5m seedcorn investment into prototypes for Land Autonomous Collaborative Platforms – such as autonomous drones to support British Army Apache helicopters.
The rapid investment into emerging British uncrewed systems businesses comes alongside further commitments to industry through the Defence Industrial Strategy that the UK aims to be the best place in the world to launch and grow a defence business.
For example, Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer, Ukrspecsystems, recently announced £200 m investment to create a new drone factory and training site in East Anglia, creating up to 500 jobs and apprenticeships. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
12 Dec 25. Swiss to reduce F-35 fighter jet order from US as costs rise.
- Summary
- Switzerland to limit purchases of F-35 jets to original budget
- Door left open to reaching original target of 36 jets later on
- Further increase in Swiss fighter jet numbers possible
Switzerland said on Friday it would reduce the number of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it is buying from the United States so it can stick to the original budget plan after the cost of the order rose. Bern chose the F-35A as its next-generation fighter plane in 2021 for what it considered a fixed price of 6bn Swiss francs ($7.54bn) for 36 jets. The United States later said that sum was a misunderstanding. Following a cabinet meeting, the government said it had instructed the defence ministry to procure the highest possible number of F-35As within the 6 bn franc budget for new jets that was narrowly approved by the public in a 2020 referendum.
“Due to foreseeable cost overruns, maintaining the originally planned number of 36 F-35As is not financially feasible,” the government said in a statement.
Still, the government said that pending examination of whether further steps are needed to boost Switzerland’s defence capabilities, the cabinet could make a decision that would potentially enable it to reach the original target of 36. The Swiss government this summer restated its commitment to buying the jets even after the United States put 39% tariffs on Swiss goods exports. Following a deal last month, the Swiss said on Wednesday those tariffs had now been reduced to 15%. The government also said that given changes in the security situation, the defence ministry will take steps to modernize Switzerland’s air defences under planning that envisaged the country requiring 55 to 70 modern fighter jets. That potential increase in the number of aircraft on top of the F-35A purchase would be reviewed independently of the aircraft type, the government said. (Source: Reuters)
USA
17 Dec 25. US Air Force to buy two more 747-8s for presidential fleet support. The U.S. Air Force said on Tuesday it was acquiring two Boeing 747-8 jumbo jets for $400 m to establish a training and sustainment program for its future presidential airlift fleet. The purchase is part of the service’s efforts to accelerate the presidential airlift program as it prepares to transition to the newer and larger 747-8 model from the aging 747-200, the Air Force said in a statement. The first aircraft is expected to arrive in early 2026, with the second delivery scheduled before year-end. The Air Force said the acquisition was necessary because the 747-8i was no longer in active production by Boeing and it differed significantly from the 747-200 aircraft currently used in the presidential fleet. The two planes will be used for crew training and as a source of spare parts, officials said. Several published reports suggested the Air Force was buying the planes from Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) one of the few passenger airlines to have bought the 747-8 model, which was more popular with cargo carriers before Boeing ended production in early 2023. A spokesperson for the German airline declined to comment. The purchase is separate from two 747-8i aircraft that Boeing is currently modifying under the VC-25B program, which will serve as the next generation of Air Force One. The first of those heavily modified aircraft is expected to be delivered in mid-2028, the Air Force said. An Air Force official, speaking on background, said the two training aircraft were also distinct from a 747-8i aircraft gifted to the United States by Qatar. The Air Force One program has faced delays and cost overruns since Boeing agreed to a $3.9bn fixed-price contract in 2018 to deliver two modified 747-8s to replace the current fleet. The Air Force said on Friday the delivery of the first of the two new Air Force One jets from Boeing had been delayed by another year to mid-2028. (Source: Reuters)
12 Dec 25. US president’s new Air Force One jet from Boeing delayed again
- Summary
- Trump wants new jets before term ends in January 2029
- Air Force tasked with upgrading Qatar’s gifted 747 for presidential use
- Air Force One program four years behind schedule with 2028 delivery
The U.S. Air Force said on Friday the delivery of the first of two new Air Force One jets from Boeing (BA.N)has been delayed by another year to mid-2028, the latest in a series of delays. The latest delay risks further upsetting President Donald Trump who said he wants to fly in the new planes before the end of his term in January 2029. The cost for Boeing’s current effort to build the two new jets is over $5 bn. The current Air Force One airplanes entered service in 1990. The Air Force One program, which involves converting two 747-8 aircraft into specialized jets equipped with advanced communications and defense systems to serve as the next generation of U.S. presidential air transport, would be four years behind schedule with a 2028 delivery. Boeing said in a statement it is making progress on the program. “Our focus is on delivering two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country.” Boeing in 2018 received a $3.9bn contract to build the two planes for use as Air Force One, though costs have since risen. Boeing has posted $2.4 bn in charges against earnings from the project. In May, the United States accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar. The White House asked the Air Force to rapidly upgrade the gift for use as Air Force One. The government tapped defense contractor L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N) to overhaul the 747 from Qatar. Trump expressed his displeasure with Boeing over the delays earlier this year but ruled out European rival Airbus (AIR.PA) as an alternative. Around the same time, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to Trump, was “helping us a lot” in navigating delivery of the presidential jet. In June, Boeing hired a former Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) executive, Steve Sullivan, to lead the Air Force One program, according to two people briefed on the matter. Sullivan, who previously worked on key Northrop programs including the B-21 bomber, replaced Gregg Coffey, who moved to another role at the U.S. planemaker. (Source: Reuters)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
From rapid prototyping of custom designs to full-scale production runs, IEE, produces displays with advanced features like low-latency video processing, high-bright and NVIS backlighting, and lightweight rugged enclosures. Their SWaP-C products employ the latest lightweight composite materials; low power, high performance integrated ARM processors; standard Ethernet and USB communication, in a low cost, highly producible design.
In-house California facilities include optical bonding, clean rooms for display assembly, a dark room for optical measurements and environmental chambers for pre-compliance and customer acceptance testing. On-site manufacturing includes PCB assembly and flow soldering. IEE has manufactured handheld, in-vehicle, airborne and naval LCD displays for all military branches as well as leading aerospace firms both domestically and internationally.
IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.
IEE’s Advantage:
- Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
- Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
- Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
- Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
- Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————