Hawker Beechcraft announced on July 9 that it “has executed an exclusivity agreement” with Superior Aviation Beijing, a Beijing-based aerospace manufacturer. Under the terms of the deal, which still requires US regulatory reviews and approvals, the Chinese company would acquire Hawker Beechcraft for $1.79 billion, making Hawker Beechcraft, headquartered in Wichita, Kan., its flagship investment. “Superior is committed to maintaining Hawker Beechcraft’s strong presence in the United States and retaining its current employee base and experienced management team, while positioning the company for future growth at home and abroad,” said Bill Boisture, Hawker Beechcraft chairman. Of note, this transaction would not include Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company, which would remain a separate entity. HBDC is currently offering its AT-6 light attack platform in the Air Force’s Light Air Support competition. If negotiations with Superior are not concluded in a timely manner, Hawker Beechcraft said it would then proceed with seeking approval of a reorganization plan it filed in US bankruptcy court on June 30 to emerge as a standalone entity with a more focused portfolio of aircraft.
DARPA Changing Directors Again in Third Recent Shuffle
Jan. 21, 2021
The Biden administration is reportedly tapping Stefanie Tompkins to run the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, spurring the third leadership change at the secretive Pentagon organization since January 2020. Defense One first reported Tompkins’s "pre-decisional" appointment to the post on Jan. 19. The White House did not respond to a…