Honeywell Aerospace expects by the end of the first quarter to complete the initial testing of a fully configured, small turbine, helicopter engine being developed as a technology demonstrator under the U.S. Army's Small Heavy Fuel Engine (SHFE) program.

Positioning itself to be a major player in the next generation of turbine engines, Pratt & Whitney Canada will invest $1.5 billion CAD ($1.3 billion) over the next five years to fund an ambitious research and development (R&D) program. Announced in December, the program includes $350 million CAD ($301 million) in Canadian government funding, repayable on a royalty basis, and $75 million CAD ($64 million) in funding to 20 Canadian universities for collaborative projects.

While electric braking systems are considered state-of-the-art technology, manufacturers also are making improvements to the carbon heat stacks that ultimately make airplanes stop. For Honeywell, those improvements are focusing on longer life spans, according to Henry Steele, director of marketing and product management for Honeywell's wheels and brakes product line.