Opinion: Why COVID-19 Should Have Aircraft Suppliers Very Worried
Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images
COVID-19 is the biggest crisis of the jetliner era, and attention is justifiably focused on air traffic, airline viability and production rates—with jetliner unit output likely to plummet 40-50% over the next two years. However, lurking beneath the surface are enormous supply chain risks that extend well beyond supplier viability and attrition. What are these risks?
OC-135 aircraft reconnaissance missions can be planned within a day—making it difficult for Russia to hide events from observation. Credit: U.S. Air Force
Using aircraft under the Open Skies Treaty can make Russia’s military movements difficult to hide or fake.
Is U.S. A&D Sector At Risk Of Chinese Investors Flooding In?
Credit: Joepriesaviation.net
Does Western aerospace and defense need to be better protected against Chinese investment? Should Washington directly invest in the U.S. defense industrial base? Does anyone know how a nationally reliable, albeit not centrally planned A&D marketplace works? So far, on the year-plus journey to a “trusted capital marketplace,” the questions seem to outnumber the answers exponentially.
Technology Boosts Western Air-To-Air Missile Supremacy
Since its introduction on the Gripen, the MBDA Meteor is now operational on the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale. Integration for the F-35 is ongoing. Credit: Stefan Kalm/Saab
Technology is rapidly shaping new generations of Western air-to-air missiles, as the need to outrange adversary weapons grows.
Australian Radar Performance Expected To Leap After Jindalee Upgrade
A receiving array of one of the three Jindalee radars in the Australian Outback. Credit: BAE Systems
Billed as an upgrade, the work by BAE Systems on Australia’s three over-the-horizon radars actually amounts to rebuilding the sensor system, addressing parts obsolescence while providing a jump in performance.
U.S. Air Force 'Arsenal Plane' Revival Sparks Intense Debate
An MC-130J successfully air-dropped a Cleaver munition during a January test on a Utah test range. Credit: U.S. Air Force
An "Arsenal Plane" has rapidly emerged as a short-term priority for the U.S. Air Force, but an internal debate continues over the type of aircraft to use, potentially affecting the service’s existing command structure and the Northrop Grumman B-21 program.
United’s expanded international schedule includes a significant amount of Boeing 787 flying. Credit: United Airlines
United Airlines has no plans to retreat from its traditionally strong international presence even if the post-pandemic demand rebound is slow, and its latest schedule update underscores its determination to steadily rebuild a broad global network.
Emirates Sees Major Benefits In Tying Up With Big U.S. Airline
Emirates hopes a tie-up with a big U.S. airline could bolster its Dubai hub. Credit: Dubai Airports
The relationship between U.S. airlines and Gulf carriers has been hostile for years. Emirates’ launch of a fifth-freedom Airbus A380 service from Milan to New York in October 2013 led American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to launch a massive PR campaign about alleged unfair government subsidies for Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Emirates and request the U.S. government to intervene. The biggest of the three Gulf carriers is open to new bilateral partnerships.
Europe’s GPS Augmentation System Aims At Category II Approaches
An increasing number of aircraft types, such as the Airbus A350 (shown), include EGNOS receivers for satellite-based navigation. Credit: Airbus
The contracts that the European Space Agency recently awarded for upgrades to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS, a GPS augmentation system) are another sign of the EU’s consistent move toward satellite-based navigation for commercial aviation.
Flight Paths Forward: The Future Of Business And General Aviation
Charter operators are emphasizing health checks and cleaning programs to keep crews and staff safe while helping passengers feel comfortable. Credit: Silver Air
Business and general aviation have seen downturns more than once before. As private flying shows the first signs of recovery from the blow struck by COVID-19, many in the industry think this time around could be different.
From opposing views on U.S. decisions over the Open Skies treaty, air-to-air missile analysis, commerical aviation and supply chain's future and more. A roundup of Aviation Week & Space Technology content.
