New Atlas

Aircraft Audio available

First look at ultra-fast Sikorsky/Boeing SB>1 Defiant dual-rotor helicopter

Loz Blain December 26, 2018

Sikorsky and Boeing have been working on this high-speed, long-range, ultra-maneuverable military helicopter design for some time, and now they’ve released the first photos of what is expected to become a highly effective US Army utility helicopter sometime in the 2030s.

The Sikorsky/Boeing SB>1 Defiant is our first look at the Future Vertical Lift project that will ...

Military

Canada picks Britain's Type 26 design for future frigate program

David Szondy February 9, 2019

A consortium led by BAE Systems has been tapped to provide the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) next generation of frigates based on Britain's Type 26 warship as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy with BAE providing the variant modifications.

Artist's concept of the Type 26 in Canadian livery

Military

US Navy's latest Littoral Combat Ship completes acceptance trials

David Szondy December 10, 2018

The US Navy's eighth Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) has completed its acceptance trials on Lake Michigan in the run up to commissioning next year. The future USS Billings was designed and built by Lockheed Martin and integrates new technology for littoral and deep water missions

The USS Billings is a Freedom-variant LCS

Aircraft Audio available

Lockheed begins manufacture of X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft

David Szondy November 16, 2018

Commercial supersonic flight has left the drawing board with Lockheed Martin announcing fabrication of the first part of the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) test aircraft has begun at the company's famous Skunk Works, setting the project on course for its maiden flight scheduled for 2021.

Artist's concept of Lockheed Martin’s Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) X-plane

Space

Lockheed Martin unveils reusable manned lunar lander concept

David Szondy October 3, 2018

Lockheed Martin has taken the wraps off its vision for a future manned lunar lander that's designed to show how a reusable lander, in conjunction with NASA's planned deep-space orbital outpost, can support an indefinite human presence on the Moon.

The manned lunar lander would be used for both exploration and to rehearse skills needed for ...

Space

Structure construction completed as Orion begins final assembly

David Szondy August 28, 2018

Lockheed Martin says its technicians at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans have finished work on the inner capsule or pressure vessel of the Orion Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2) spacecraft, which is now at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Orion will be used by NASA for manned deep space missions

Military

US Air Force sets sights on second hypersonic weapon

David Szondy August 15, 2018

The US Air Force seems to be taking the threat of hypersonic missiles seriously, having just awarded Lockheed Martin a second contract worth up to US$480 million to develop a second prototype missile capable of flying at over five times the speed of sound.

This is the second hypersonic contract to be awarded to Lockheed

Military Audio available

US Army moves ahead with development of 100-kW mobile battlefield laser

David Szondy August 8, 2018

The US Army is moving forward with a new 100-kW laser weapon, awarding US$10 million to Lockheed Martin and Dynetics to continue development of the High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator, the latest in the effort to produce incrementally more powerful and accurate directed energy weapons.

Artist's concept of the High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator

Space

Scotland chosen for new UK spaceport

David Szondy July 16, 2018

UK Space Agency has announced that Melness on the north coast of Scotland has been chosen for the country's first vertical launch spaceport with an initial grant of £2.5 million (US$3.3 million) to develop the site, which will be used to launch small satellites into orbit.

The new launch site will handle vertical lift-off rockets

3D Printing

Lockheed Martin's titanium domes are the largest 3D-printed spacecraft parts yet

Michael Irving July 15, 2018

Lockheed Martin is no stranger to 3D printing components, but now the company has created its largest piece to date – titanium domes to cap off satellite fuel tanks. Using additive manufacturing can help satellites be assembled faster and with less wasted materials.

Lockheed Martin has 3D printed its largest items ever: titanium domes designed to cap off fuel ...