Luo Ge, a high-ranking Chinese space official gave attendees at a Colorado Springs, Colo., space exposition a look inside Chinese priorities in space. Luo projected as many as 60 space launches over the next five years and increased efforts to build up its space sector and pursue independent earth observation and navigation systems. He also detailed a long-range strategy of building large commercial satellites, developing new rockets, and expanding cooperation with other nations. He sought to downplay the country’s use of space technology for military purposes. According to the Wall Street Journal, Luo told reporters that China has “a clear banner against the militarization of space.”
Bell Textron has won DARPA's contest for a no-runway, high-speed drone that will prove out technologies useful for special operations forces and possibly the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment concept. Bell's design converts a tiltrotor to a jet-powered aircraft able to fly at up to 450 knots.