✈️ Boeing secures deal with US Air Force despite fraud charges, China plans information superhighway between Earth and Moon, world's tallest autonomous robot facilitates warehouse ops

In a move that signals a rebound for Boeing’s defense vertical amidst recent turmoil, the US Air Force has secured a provisional deal with the aerospace giant for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.

This marks Boeing’s first major victory since its guilty plea in the 737 MAX case earlier this month.

The provisional deal ensures quick production of prototypes as the Air Force replaces its E-3 Sentry aircraft. It follows reports of price disputes over the 737-based Wedgetail planes, Reuters reported. For more on this development, check out today’s Must-Read.

🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:

> Android Software Engineer
> ETS Engineer IV (ServiceNow Engineer)

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MUST READ

✈️ Despite fraud charges, Boeing secures deal with USAF to supply E-7 aircraft

Earlier this year, Air Force officials admitted that they were having a “hard time” reaching an agreement with Boeing on the E-7 program. Officials said there was an unexpected amount of “nonrecurring engineering”—that is, one-off costs to develop a new platform—in the company’s proposal.

And this isn’t the first time the Air Force has struggled to negotiate a contract with Boeing, Defense One writes.

The E-7 deal includes two test aircraft as part of the “rapid prototyping program.” Ordered last year, these aircraft are intended to establish a cost-effective foundation for future production, according to Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s acquisition chief.

🌕 China plans 30-satellite information superhighway to connect Earth, moon

China is setting its sights on cislunar space dominance. It has unveiled plans for a comprehensive satellite network to revolutionize communication, navigation, and monitoring capabilities between Earth and the moon.

The network would offer real-time communication, navigation, and monitoring services to global users. This proposal comes from researchers at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering.

The aim is to allow 20 or more travelers to simultaneously communicate with Earth through images, audio, or video. The network would also offer accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) for Earth-moon flights and lunar surface operations.

🤖 World’s tallest autonomous robot scans 100,000+ pallets daily at warehouse

The world’s tallest autonomous robot works in a warehouse to scan pellets. However, this 45-foot-tall machine hasn’t yet got its name.

Equipped with multiple sensors for accurate identification of temperature, humidity, noise, and light, the machine can easily scan over a million square feet. Claimed to be safe around humans, the robot is capable of carrying over 12 high-definition cameras.

It is predicted that over 4 million robots will be operating in 50,000 warehouses by 2025. This impressive surge in automation is allowing warehouses to respond to the rising demands of e-commerce, while coping with labor and space shortages.

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