* ADS, the UK’s aerospace, defense and security trade organization, publishes its annual aerospace sector survey covering both civil and defense aerospace. The survey outlines a strong performance for the UK’s aerospace sector despite tough economic conditions. Highlights include sales in excess of $38 billion, a 2.1% increase on 2009 figures.
* Boeing announces that its Defense, Space & Security unit has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with three Malaysian companies. The MOUs outline plans to explore business opportunities for manufacturing specialized components and equipment for use in the defense and aerospace sectors.
* Boeing is also urging governments to buy new 737-based military aircraft “sooner rather than later” as the commercial version faces a redesign or retirement in the next few years. The planemaker’s review of the 737 – which includes consideration of larger engines to compete with the Airbus SAS A320neo – may affect production of the P-8 variant used as a submarine hunter.
* Flight International reports that Saab has not given up on winning India’s medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contest, despite not making the Indian Air Force’s final shortlist.
* MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates signs a contract in excess of $8 million to provide an unnamed customer with a multi-satellite ground station solution capable of programming, receiving and processing imagery and data.
* The Department of Defense announces $37.8 million-worth of awards to academic institutions to support the purchase of research instrumentation. The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program supports the purchase of equipment that augments current university capabilities or develops new university capabilities to perform defense research. A full list of awards can be accessed here [PDF].
* Spain’s Minister of Defense says that the launch of Hisdesat’s Paz satellite in 2012 will make them the first European country to have a dual Earth observation system for both civilian and military use.
* Speculation mounts that China has developed the world’s second fifth-generation fighter after photographs emerge on web forums of an unknown aircraft standing at an aerodrome. Whilst the aircraft bears similarities with the J-20 prototype there are also rumors that it may be a stealth version of the JH-7 fighter.