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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 24, 2018

VOL. 180 NO. 51 December 24, 2018

Aerospace & Defense 2019

Tweets And Exits Not The Only Challenges Facing Aerospace In 2019

Dec 17, 2018

The year ahead holds milestones in human space transport, airliner first flights and new launches and more, but it also promises significant uncertainty.

Watchpoints

Aerospace Watchpoints For 2019

Dec 18, 2018

Human spaceflight, electric propulsion, smallsat megaconstallations, unmanned tankers—some of things to look out for in 2019

Defense Competitions

Key Defense Competitions Of 2019

Dec 21, 2018

The Aviation Week Intelligence Network has compiled information about nearly 100 competitions for aircraft that are underway worldwide.

Defense Profiles

Five-Year U.S. Defense Spending Surge Hits Turbulence

Dec 20, 2018

Mixed feelings about defense spending growth by President Donald Trump and criticism by Democratic Party leaders spell uncertainty for defense spending.

Brexit Casts Shadow Over UK Defense Capability

Dec 18, 2018

Britain wants to grow defense capabilities, but questions remain on what can be afforded, post-Brexit.

Canada Seeks Spending Stability As Fighter Competition Heats Up

Dec 20, 2018

Three years in, Trudeau government’s long-term strategy calls for a significant increase in defense spending through 2027, but has not cured annual budget woes.

Defense Spending In France Set To Rise In 2019

Dec 17, 2018

France is slated to receive new transports, tankers and intelligence-gathering aircraft as part of increased defense spending.

Budget Hikes Bring About Germany’s Military Modernization

Dec 21, 2018

In Germany, new combat aircraft, helicopters and air defense systems will all benefit from budget hikes.

Scandinavian Nations Upgrade Air Fleets To Answer Russia’s Baltic Activity

Dec 21, 2018

Scandinavian nations step up cooperation and modernization in the face of a belligerent Russia.

Russia Turns Attention To Hypersonic Weapons

Dec 21, 2018

Despite financial squeeze, Moscow aims to counter U.S. air defense systems.

Israel State-Owned Firms Respond To Changing Environment

Dec 21, 2018

From ongoing tensions with Iran and terror organizations to a change in how the U.S. dispenses aid, companies are scrambling to adjust.

Turkey Spending More On Defense Despite Economic Problems

Dec 21, 2018

Turkey is increasing defense spending in 2019, but economic woes could weaken growth and capabilities

Defense Spending In The Middle East Continues Strong Growth

Dec 21, 2018

Saudi Arabia remains biggest spender for military equipment, though recent events may threaten sales.

As F-35s Arrive, Australian Shipbuilding Costs Loom

Dec 21, 2018

Naval programs are set to dominate Australia’s equipment budget next decade. A phase of aviation-oriented spending is winding down.

Chinese Bomber And Second Carrier Likely To Appear In 2019

Dec 21, 2018

References to the Avic Xian H-20 suggest its unveiling is close. The second aircraft carrier is at sea, nearing commissioning.

Japan Expands F-35 Acquisition To 147 Aircraft

Dec 19, 2018

Acquisition plan for fiscal 2019-23 includes nine E-2Ds, four KC-46As and converting helicopter carriers to operate F-35Bs.

South Korean Defense Budget Rises Despite Thaw With North

Dec 19, 2018

Spending for 2019 is scheduled to rise 8.2%. Within that, the equipment, research and development budget will advance 13.7%.

India Seeking Major Expansion Of Defense Exports

Dec 21, 2018

While India has the industrial base to pursue ambitious defense export goals, policy and budget issues remain a challenge.

Defense Systems

F-35 Faces New Market Pressure From Fighter Peers

Dec 18, 2018

The F-35 fighter aircraft’s bid for market dominance faces looming milestones and revived interest in alternatives.

KC-46 Faces Uncertain Future

Dec 19, 2018

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have not reached an agreement on KC-46 first delivery and how best to rectify deficiencies.

MDA And DARPA Move Hypersonics Into Spotlight In 2019

Dec 17, 2018

U.S. defense agencies are stepping up development of hypersonic weapons to keep pace with China and Russia.

Technology Spotlights

Spotlight On Future Combat Aircraft

Dec 21, 2018

Whether it is the Future Air Combat System (FCAS), Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) or simply Future Fighter, development of the next generation of combat aircraft is gaining momentum around the world, aiming for fielding in the 2030s and beyond.

Superpower Competition Heats Up U.S. Hypersonic Research

Dec 20, 2018

In competition with Russia and China, the U.S. is pushing its own hypersonic strike weapons research forward at a more rapid pace.

Spotlight On Urban Air Mobility

Dec 21, 2018

A wide range of technical, operational and other challenges must be overcome before urban air mobility can become reality.

Spacecraft Servicing Demonstrations Planned

Dec 18, 2018

Manufacturers and operators are working to build the business case for maintaining and upgrading satellites in orbits to extend their usefulness.

Aerospace Systems

Rotorcraft Industry Enjoys Strong Demand For Military Helicopters

Jan 04, 2018

While the commercial helicopter industry appears to be on a slow road to recovery, industry’s coffers are being filled with a glut of military orders.

Engine Prospects Dominated By Commercial Ramp-Up, Military Tech Push

Dec 17, 2018

2019 will be a year of rebuilding the strained long-standing relationships between engine-makers and airframers.

China And The U.S. Dominate Global Space Launch Market

Dec 18, 2018

Though China surpassed the U.S. launch rate in 2018, private U.S. “new space” companies are ramping up activity.

Satellite Industry Transition Picks Up Speed In 2018

Dec 19, 2018

Orders for large geostationary communication satellites fall, but small birds flock to LEO and beyond.

Chinese UAS Knockoffs Put Pressure On U.S. Export Sales

Dec 20, 2018

U.S moves to relax restrictions on sales of armed UAS while China keeps the pressure up in the export market.

Private Investment In Space Ventures Keeps Skyrocketing

Dec 21, 2018

But the final frontier remains the playground of only the most adventurous investors—and for good reasons.

Spaceports

Spaceports And 2018 Space Launches Around The World

Dec 21, 2018

Globally, more than 100 orbital launches took place in 2018, the highest rate in two decades. China, flying from Xichang, Jiuquan and Taiyuan, led the way, followed by U.S.

Business Aviation

Business Aircraft Manufacturers Put Their Houses In Order

Jan 03, 2019

New-model deliveries poised to bring a needed boost to a fitter, more focused business-aircraft industry

Commercial Aviation

Boeing And Airbus Hope To Leave Production Glitches Behind In 2019

Dec 17, 2018

For commercial aviation in 2019, though each major manufacturer has its own challenges, it’s all about executing on the production side.

Airline Industry Expects Higher 2019 Profits As Fuel Price Eases

Dec 19, 2018

Airlines are nearing the 10th year of profitability since the industry recovered in 2010 from the 2008 global financial crisis, an unprecedented length of time.

People To Watch In Commercial Aviation

Dec 19, 2018

These executives at airframers, airlines other organizations will play important roles in the world's airline industry in 2019.

Pilot Training Requirements Will Tighten In 2019

Dec 18, 2018

Responding to recent accidents and incidents, FAA and EASA are requiring improved pilot training for upset-recovery and other serious inflight situations.

Airbus A220 Production To Help Put Mobile On Map

Dec 20, 2018

Airbus will almost double its commercial aircraft production workforce in Mobile, Alabama, as it ramps up A220 final assembly there.

Air Transport Profiles

North American Carriers Eye Revenue Boosts And Cost Savings

Dec 21, 2018

Late 2018 fuel-price decline could be a boon for airlines in North America into 2019, if higher fares stick.

Europe Braces For More Airline Failures

Dec 21, 2018

Fuel costs are just one of the factors making life difficult for European airlines

Fleet Moves Feature In Asia-Pacific Airline Outlook

Dec 24, 2018

While some Asian carriers will continue turnaround efforts in 2019, others are focused on introducing new aircraft types and deciding on additional orders.

Alliance Shift And Higher Standards Are Pending For Chinese Airlines

Dec 20, 2018

While China Southern’s departure from SkyTeam is big news, the CAAC is driving for higher service standards.

Middle East Outlook: Big Three Gulf Carriers Suffer

Dec 21, 2018

A combination of factors has changed the picture for the big three Gulf carriers fundamentally.

Airlines In Latin America Expect Difficult 2019

Dec 21, 2018

Infrastructure shortfalls, economic turmoil will burden Latin American airlines in 2019.

Air Cargo Volumes To Grow Despite Geopolitical Obstacles

Dec 21, 2018

Operators are keeping a close eye on the effect trade tensions, Brexit and high fuel prices will have on a sector still enjoying strong growth.

MRO

Why The Global MRO Outlook For 2019 Is Different

Dec 21, 2018

Expect the number of new transport aircraft deliveries to steadily grow over the next decade, especially in 2019.

Expect Cautious Optimism Across Aviation MRO Sectors in 2019

Dec 18, 2018

The MRO demand across civil, military, helicopters and business aviation will amount to $170.8 billion in 2019.

2019 Outlook For Airframe Heavy Maintenance

Dec 18, 2018

The outlook for airframe heavy maintenance in 2019 and beyond will be challenged by tightening market and labor pool.

Engine MRO Will Drive Record Aftermarket Growth

Jan 01, 2019

Aviation Week’s 2019 MRO Fleet & Forecast predicts there will $300 billion In engine aftermarket expenditures in the next decade.

Manufacturers Pitch Themselves As Aftermarket Providers

Dec 17, 2018

Services agreements are increasingly becoming part of the asset-purchase process.

How Digital Twins And AI Are Impacting MRO

Dec 21, 2018

Digital change is happening fast in the civil aviation aftermarket—for those that adapt, payoffs are happening.

Opinion: Digital Scale In The Aftermarket Will Drive M&A

Dec 21, 2018

Physical scale is old news. Creating physical scale by combining facilities and operations through M&A has delivered benefits.

Top 10 MRO Market Predictions for 2019

Dec 21, 2018

Civil aviation MRO trends to monitor in 2019 as the market grows to $73 billion.

ADS-B Upgrades, Training Standards Among Regulatory Priorities Ahead

Dec 21, 2018

Workforce-development challenges lurk as MRO industry continues to grow.

High-Tech Helpers For MRO Workers

Dec 21, 2018

Several innovative technologies are helping to make the jobs of MRO workers safer and easier.

Maintenance

Second Take

Second Take (Dec. 24, 2018)

Dec 21, 2018

2018 in Review

Space

One Billion Miles Past Pluto, Ultima Thule Beckons

Dec 19, 2018

Three years after a stunning, wondrous peek at Pluto, NASA’s New Horizons is poised for next encounter.

The Next Generation of GPS Satellites

Dec 18, 2018

SpaceX scrubbed its first two GPS III satellite launch opportunities.

Defense

Northrop Grumman Formally Unveils Firebird UAS

Dec 14, 2018

Northrop hopes its “flexible” Firebird UAS will open a new market for surveillance aircraft beyond a defense contractor’s traditional customer base.

F-16 Market Share Continues To Grow In Europe

Dec 17, 2018

Slovakian leaders say Block 70/72 buy shows commitment to NATO partners.

Technology

The Week In Technology, December 17-21, 2018

Dec 17, 2018

Electric regional progress; Pseudo-satellite takes shape; Drone flies through walls; Single-person multicopter; Algae makes jet fuel in Japan.

The Launchpad

Fifty Years After Apollo, U.S. Laying Groundwork For Lunar Reboot

Dec 19, 2018

Earthrise image, Bible reading transcended objectives of first human flight into deep space.

Viewpoint

Opinion: New Life For An Aviation Icon

Dec 21, 2018

From physical facilities to reimagined exhibits, the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum prepares for an overhaul.

Feedback

Letters From Our Readers (Dec. 24, 2018)

Dec 21, 2018

Readers discuss—and offer suggestions of how to alleviate—pilot retention problems faced by civil and military sectors, and offer a cautionary note to SpaceX.

Aerospace Calendar

Aerospace Calendar And Aviation Week Events (Dec. 24, 2018)

Dec 21, 2018

Upcoming aviation and aerospace industry events and Aviation Week Network events.

Market Sector

Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 24, 2018

Aerospace & Defense 2019

Watchpoints

Defense Competitions

Defense Profiles

Defense Systems

Technology Spotlights

Aerospace Systems

Spaceports

Business Aviation

Commercial Aviation

Air Transport Profiles

MRO

Maintenance

Second Take

Space

Defense

Technology

The Launchpad

Viewpoint

Feedback

Aerospace Calendar

Repair & Overhaul