The Aerospace Industries Association is calling on Congress to boost funding for the Federal Aviation Administration to maintain US dominance in the aviation and aerospace sectors, highlighting the industry's role in pioneering technology and enhancing safety. "AIA and our members have continually advocated for robust investments in the FAA to develop the proper policy framework and build the workforce that will continually enhance safety and efficiency and unleash innovative technologies to ensure US leadership in this critical industry remains unchallenged," said Di Reimold, AIA vice president of civil aviation.

Reliable Robotics has developed a roadmap, in partnership with the US Air Force, detailing the integration of its universal autonomous flight system into KC-135 Stratotankers, covering all operational phases from taxiing to landing. This initiative, stemming from a Small Business Innovation Research contract, has confirmed this automation technology's scalability, including advancements in automating the refueling boom, with findings delivered to Air Mobility Command.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly boosted demand for L3Harris Technologies' secure communication equipment, with European militaries showing heightened interest and over 30,000 radios and accessories already deployed to the front lines. Samir Mehta, president of communications systems at L3Harris, reported nearly $1 billion in related business, noting unprecedented demand among NATO.

The US Army is set to restructure its weapons portfolio, potentially altering plans for acquiring technologies like launched effects, loitering munitions, and drones, according to Army acquisition head Doug Bush. As technological advancements blur the lines between different types of unmanned aerial systems and munitions, the service is developing a formal roadmap expected this summer to address these overlaps and streamline efforts.

US factory orders rose 1.6% in March, driven mainly by a 30.6% jump in commercial aircraft demand and higher motor vehicle sales, data from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau show. Despite these stand-out gains, broader manufacturing activity was constrained with order growth excluding transportation at just 0.5% and a PMI survey reflecting contraction in April. The Federal Reserve's ongoing interest rate hikes, aimed at taming inflation, continue to weigh on the manufacturing sector.

The aviation maintenance industry is embracing digital transformation, adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins and augmented reality to aid in keeping aircraft flying. "AI, in my opinion, represents a pretty significant opportunity for safety improvements," said Joe Sambiase, director of airworthiness and regulatory affairs at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

A trio of teams from Central Pennsylvania, representing Commonwealth Charter Academy, Spring Grove High School and Spring Grove Middle School, are among the 100 finalists in the American Rocketry Challenge, set to compete near Washington, D.C., on May 18. These teams will vie for the national title, $100,000 in prizes, a trip to the International Rocketry Challenge at the Farnborough Air Show in England, and the top 25 teams will earn invitations to NASA's Student Launch workshop.

The Verona Area High School Engineering Club Rocketry Team has been named an alternate for the American Rocketry Challenge national finals. If a top 100 team cannot attend, VAHS, as one of the next 20 highest-scoring teams, may be called up to compete in the finals on May 18 in The Plains, Va.

Greg Hayes has transitioned from CEO to executive chairman of RTX, handing over leadership to Chris Calio during the company's annual shareholder meeting. Calio, stepping up from his role as president and COO, will oversee plans to increase weapons production amid high demand due to the Ukraine conflict.

BAE Systems has been awarded a $365 million NASA contract to construct the GeoXO Atmospheric Composition instrument for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geostationary Extended Observations satellite constellation. This instrument will monitor air pollutants across Earth in real-time.

The US Space Force is currently monitoring approximately 1,000 priority satellite targets, including both adversary-owned and US satellites at risk, according to Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, deputy chief of space operations for intelligence. Since its inception in December 2019, the US Space Command's space domain awareness capabilities have expanded from a few dozen sensors to a sophisticated setup of hundreds of apertures worldwide.

Congress has designated $6 billion in US Army funding for purchasing and producing 155-millimeter artillery shells, double the service's initial request. The support comes in response to depleted stocks due to shipments to Ukraine and now Israel, as stated by Army officials. Doug Bush, the Army's chief weapons buyer, highlighted this as a significant boost, noting the US plans to increase monthly production of these rounds by summer 2025 significantly.