The U.S. Army and Aurora Flight Sciences have concluded the first system flight tests of a medium-range “launched effects” prototype to verify the functionality of the system components, DVIDS reported Monday.

The Launched Effects-Medium Range prototype system uses a modular open systems approach, or MOSA, and consists of the Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated Unmanned System 700, or Altius 700, built by Anduril’s Area-I company.

“MOSA is an integral component of the LE-MR and was part of the initial design discussions and the contract. This approach allows for continuous upgrades and integration of various payloads ensuring we remain ahead of the threat,” said Col. Danielle Medaglia, project manager for uncrewed aircraft systems.

A Northrop Grumman-developed radio frequency detect, identify, locate and report payload was among the payloads tested using a scalable control interface prototype.

The Army expects to make a rapid fielding decision in 2025 to finalize the deployment of launched effect capabilities to the warfighter.

NASA and the Department of Defense have completed the second recovery test for the crewed Artemis II mission aboard an amphibious transport dock in preparation for the mission’s launch to the moon.

During Underway Recovery Test 11, the NASA-led team timed the crew extraction from the capsule to the medical bay of USS San Diego (LPD 22) and carried out day-and-night recovery procedures to support Artemis II personnel and process certification, U.S. Space Command said Monday.

The NASA-DOD team also practiced the recovery procedures and releasing and recovering the crew module test article.

Prior to the test, dive teams from the U.S. Navy trained at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where astronauts also train for spacewalks.

Lessons learned from the latest recovery test will inform future underway tests to ensure the team’s readiness to recover the Artemis II crew safely.

“Amphibious transport dock ships, such as ours, give NASA the ability to recover the capsule and collect critical data to help make sure everything is ready to recover the astronauts and capsule during future Artemis missions,” said Capt. David Walton, commanding officer of USS San Diego.

The test marks the first time that NASA and DOD demonstrated a full recovery simulation with the Artemis II flight crew.

The Small Business Administration has launched a new Lender Match tool designed to connect small businesses seeking funding opportunities to a network of SBA-approved banks and private lenders.

SBA said Monday the updated online tool will more effectively link small businesses to lending products with competitive rates and fees to help them start and grow their businesses.

“Enhancing the SBA’s Lender Match tool is just one part of our unprecedented reforms to increase and streamline equitable access to affordable capital so small business owners can continue to innovate, create jobs, and be part of this Administration’s historic Investments in America,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman.

Through Lender Match, SBA receives 50,000 monthly funding requests from small businesses across the nation.

The platform has nearly 1,000 SBA-approved lenders, 257 of which are community-based, that can connect to potential customers.

Lender Match analyzes a small business’ credit history, business plan, financial projections and industry experience to generate a match.