Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 4, 2016 is available to both Aviation Week & Space Technology and AWIN subscribers.

Subscribe now to read this content, plus receive critical analysis into emerging trends, technological advancements, operational best practices and continuous updates to policy, requirements and budgets.

Already a subscriber to AW&ST or AWIN? Log in with your existing email and password.

Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 4, 2016

VOL. 178 NO. 1 January 04, 2016

Letter From The Editor

Introducing Aviation Week’s Digital Archive

Dec 25, 2015

Peruse every issue of Aviation Week, from 1916 to 2016, in our new digital archive, and help us celebrate Aviation Week’s 100th birthday.

First Take

Second Take (Jan. 4, 2016)

Dec 25, 2015

Aerospace & Defense 2016

Pressures Pulling Aerospace Industry In Different Directions

Jan 04, 2016

From the commercial-aircraft ramp-up and small-UAV explosion to U.S. defense budget pressures and Europe’s response to Russian aggression, 2016 will be a dynamic year for the aerospace and defense industry.

Watchpoints for 2016

Twelve Areas To Keep In Focus In 2016

Dec 25, 2015

A320neo and C Series enter service; F-35A goes operational, JAS 39E flies; emissions measures and tracking mandates for aviation; contract protests and consolidation pressures; unmanned aircraft and suborbital spaceplanes—things will come in pairs in 2016.

Defense & Security

Focus On Islamic State Group Conceals Global Challenges

Dec 24, 2015

From terrorist attacks to China’s aggressive “terraforming” of new bases in international waters, threats to a rules-based international order have seldom been so diverse.

Defense Profiles

Pentagon Budget Chief Predicts Modernization Cuts In 2017

Dec 24, 2015

The gap between the Defense Department’s plans and actual funding is about $15 billion.

New Canadian Government Juggles Defense Priorities

Dec 24, 2015

The upcoming fighter competition means defining an operational requirement—something that has received no serious attention since Canada originally joined the JSF program in the early 2000s.

Brazil Defense Planning Focuses On Strategic Efforts

Dec 24, 2015

Budget cuts amid political and economic instability in Brazil is forcing rethinking of major defense projects.

European Defense Expenditures Fall Further

Dec 24, 2015

Despite some new programs and higher spending in some categories, overall defense spending in Europe has declined for seven consecutive years.

Britain Boosts Fighter, Maritime Patrol Roles

Dec 24, 2015

Britain strengthens defenses in response to different threats, including Russian aggression and European terrorist attacks.

France May See Defense Spending Increase After Terrorist Attacks

Dec 24, 2015

“To respond to threats, there must be a balance between the resources that are given to the armies and the missions entrusted to them,” Gen. Pierre de Villiers, chief of staff of the French armed forces, told lawmakers.

Syrian Operations Highlight Russia’s Military Modernization

Dec 24, 2015

Russia’s upgrade of military capabilities continues, though economic problems are weighing on the defense budget and forcing hard choices to be made.

Procurement, New Missions Drive German Defense Budget Increases

Dec 24, 2015

With deployments in Afghanistan, Mali and northern Iraq, Germany is increasing its defense budget beyond original plans, with new weapons systems accounting for much of the rise.

European Nations Look At Fighter, Missile Decisions

Dec 25, 2015

A refugee crisis, the threat of terrorism and a militant Russia with anti-NATO rhetoric continue to dominate the strategic picture for European nations.

Israel Rebalances To Meet New Threats

Dec 24, 2015

To counter distant threats, Israel has reinforced its “long arm”—first established to deter missile attacks—enabling the military to operate thousands of miles from Israel’s borders.

Gulf Region Buyers Strong In ISR And Fighters

Dec 24, 2015

Middle East nations arm themselves for continuing conflict, from fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria to operations in Yemen.

China’s Defense Structure To Shed Personnel, Set Up Theater Commands

Dec 24, 2015

Reported reforms could include slashing army troop levels by 300,000 but a great increase in the PLA’s ability to project power abroad.

Japan Puts Maritime Systems First In 2016

Dec 24, 2015

Big orders for antisubmarine warfare aircraft and helicopters, sea-based V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, a new-technology submarine and surveillance aircraft are priorities in Japan’s 2016 defense budget.

KF-X Controversy Dominates South Korean Budget

Dec 24, 2015

South Korea's 2016 defense budget request is 4% higher than the 2015 budget, a slight slowdown from the 4.9% increase of 2015. The share of investment for new equipment in the total defense budget will hit 30%.

National And Defense Priorities Collide In India

Dec 24, 2015

The government’s ability to boost the non-salary segment of the defense budget will be hampered by other commitments such as pension benefits.

Asia-Pacific Powers Evaluate Fighters, Submarines

Dec 24, 2015

Maritime patrol aircraft are also being sought.

Defense Systems

F-35 Continues To Dominate Fighter Forecast Globally

Dec 25, 2015

Development programs for new fighters focus on stealth, while legacy fighters struggle to keep production lines open.

Airbus, Boeing Hope For 2016 Recovery From A400M, KC-46 2015 Setbacks

Jan 08, 2016

Top market players A400M and KC-46 suffered problems in 2015 but are set to move forward with milestones in 2016.

Missile Makers Fielding New Or Upgraded Weapons

Dec 25, 2015

Pursuit of international sales pits U.S. missile manufacturers against their European rivals, but it is not always a two-way fight—or a definite victory.

Missile Defense Outlook Strong For 2016 And Beyond

Dec 25, 2015

Lockheed Martin, Raytheon stand to benefit as worldwide demand for missile defense systems continues to grow.

Aerospace Systems

Defense & Space Technologies To Watch In 2016

Dec 25, 2015

Countering UAS, beating brownout, robotic copilots, communication by laser, and building-block satellites are among advances that could make the news in 2016 and beyond.

Military UAVs Mark Time As Civil Market Advances

Dec 24, 2015

Military customers focus on upgrades in the absence of clarity and funding for new programs, while the civil market races ahead in technology and numbers, but remains relatively small in value.

Rotorcraft Industry Invests in New Models Despite Oil Slump

Dec 24, 2015

Commercial lows and military highs help define a challenging time for the rotorcraft industry.

Boom Time for Civil Engine Makers

Jan 05, 2016

Military engine market remains a challenge, while civil engine business continues record-breaking run.

Space Systems

Global Satcom Market Is Healthy, While Military Users Seek Alternatives

Dec 23, 2015

Smaller, more capable satellites enter satcom market as U.S. military demand for new spacecraft stalls.

Emerging Small-Satellite Launch Vehicles

Dec 24, 2015

Today, small satellites must hitch a ride into orbit, but an array of small-payload vehicles are under development that promise low-cost, quick-response launches of spacecraft as slight as cubesat-size.

Overall Outlook Bullish For Launch Industry

Dec 23, 2015

In the next 10 years, as major spacefaring nations renew their fleets, the space-launch sector will be molded by the growing popularity of small satellites, increasing commercialization of space transportation, reusable launch vehicles and manned space programs.

Civil Aviation

2016 Will Be Critical Year For Testing New Airliners

Dec 22, 2015

Major airframers face important decisions in 2016, while testing of new models ramps up.

Civil Aviation Technologies To Watch

Dec 25, 2015

Evolving new technologies expected to usher in big changes for commercial aviation systems and aircraft.

Narrowbodies On The Horizon

Dec 25, 2015

2016 will see several new narrowbody types enter the field, but the dominant players remain Airbus and Boeing.

Air Transport Profiles

North American Airlines Seek Another Profitable Year In 2016

Dec 24, 2015

While challenges from low-cost carriers remain, legacy airlines in North America expect to continue their return to profitability in 2016.

European Airline Profitability Could Be Short-lived

Dec 22, 2015

Will airline managements in Europe use the current “profit honeymoon” as a fortunate opportunity to prepare for a “return to normal,” more difficult conditions?

Outlook Brightens For Asia-Pacific Airlines

Dec 24, 2015

While challenges remain for some legacy carriers, prospects for the Asia-Pacific airline industry appear positive for 2016.

A Tale Of Two Middle East Airlines: Emirates And EgyptAir

Dec 22, 2015

EgyptAir and Emirates are two very different airlines, with very different prospects for 2016.

Airlines In Latin America Facing Recessions, Currency Issues

Dec 24, 2015

Latin American airlines continue to struggle with weakened currencies and recessions in their home countries.

Aeroflot Benefits From Route Shuffle After Transaero Demise

Dec 24, 2015

The merger of Aeroflot’s subsidiaries is part of an effort to avoid competition between the groups carriers in a shrinking market, and strengthens the group’s position in all its segments.

Global Air Cargo Business Is Still Recovering From Recession

Dec 24, 2015

Air cargo continues to battle weak yields and overcapacity as multi-modal transport gains traction.

Air Traffic Management

FAA Operating Nexus: Status Quo or Privatized?

Dec 25, 2015

Will it or won’t it? Odds are favorable that Congress won’t change the basic structure of the FAA with next year’s reauthorization, but privatization will eventually arrive.

Business Aviation

Business Aviation Outlook: Even Slow Growth Will Be Hard To Sustain

Dec 25, 2015

With predictions of a slight reversal in 2016 and a return to slow growth in 2018, the business aircraft industry puts its bets on sustained demand for larger, faster, farther-flying jets.

Commercial Aviation

Profits May Not Advance Qantas 787 Orders

Dec 22, 2015

Returning to profitability after a successful turnaround, Qantas treads carefully in ordering new aircraft.

Bombardier Building C Series Maturity

Dec 24, 2015

Airline-representative flight testing continues as Bombardier builds the CS100’s maturity ahead of service entry with launch customer Swiss International Air Lines.

Technology

Darpa Refocuses Alasa On Taming ‘Breakthrough’ Propellant

Dec 21, 2015

Rapid advances in commercial smallsat launch technology, plus an explosion-prone energetic propellant, cause research agency to drop plans to flight-test air-launched smallsat booster.

The Week in Technology, Dec. 21-25, 2015

Dec 21, 2015

Saab ships laminar wing Section as Airbus A340-300 moves toward 2017 flight tests; NASA fires 3-D-sprinted rocket motor; Clean Sky tests of advanced business-jet design; Sea-Tac RFP for biofuel study; U.K. pushes out R&D commitment to 2026.

MRO

Fleet Modernization Big Factor In 2016 MRO Trends

Dec 24, 2015

With airlines set to modernize their fleets in the coming years in a big way, MROs will need to ramp up their services on a number of fronts.

Fleet Modernization Big Factor In 2016 MRO Trends

Dec 24, 2015

With airlines set to modernize their fleets in the coming years in a big way, MROs will need to ramp up their services on a number of fronts.

Global 2016 Commercial Aviation MRO Market Forecast By Region

Dec 24, 2015

See the projected MRO spending in 2016 in each region and other details from the forecast.

Technology, Strategy Shifts Reshape Growing MRO Market

Dec 23, 2015

Retirements are down, MRO efficiency is up—what’s it all mean for the aftermarket?

Narrowbody Engines Drive Biggest MRO Growth In 2016

Jan 07, 2016

Expect to see more engine MRO expenditures in 2016—led by CFM56-7 and V2500-A5 shop visits.

Narrowbody Engines Drive Biggest MRO Growth In 2016

Jan 07, 2016

Expect to see more engine MRO expenditures in 2016—led by CFM56-7 and V2500-A5 shop visits.

Could Delta Lawsuit Have Chilling Effect On Aftermarket Cockpits?

Dec 23, 2015

In 2016, a nasty lawsuit between avionics provider IS&S and Delta Air Lines will play out, potentially leaving aftermarket suppliers and airlines more wary of the “big catch.”

Big Data: Finding The MRO Nuggets

Jan 08, 2016

Avalanche of operating data coming from new-generation aircraft poses a new problem for MROs—how to mine it for the most useful information.

Flight-Hour Support For Leasing?

Dec 24, 2015

The tension between flight-hour maintenance support and operating leases could ease if the MRO agreements could transfer between operators.

Flight-Hour Support For Leasing?

Dec 24, 2015

The tension between flight-hour maintenance support and operating leases could ease if the MRO agreements could transfer between operators.

Expect New Maintenance Manual Distribution Guidance From FAA In 2016

Dec 24, 2015

New standards should change how mechanics are taught and how manuals are distributed.

Finding Options To Meet ADS-B Out Requirements

Dec 24, 2015

Aviation Week’s list of avionics companies and MRO services that help companies prepare for the FAA’s 2020 ADS-B Out mandate.

Space

How SpaceX Pulled Off Falcon 9's Soft Landing

Dec 25, 2015

SpaceX is celebrating the first successful touchdown on land of an orbital-class booster, the first step toward a potential paradigm shift in easing human access to space.

Defense

T-X Upgrades Will Improve South Korea’s T-50

Dec 25, 2015

At least some of the improvements for the T-50 that KAI is developing for the T-X program, notably the inflight-refueling module, should become lasting assets for KAI, and not just for the trainer version of the type.

Northrop Tests Tailsitter VTOL For Darpa’s Tern UAV

Dec 21, 2015

Northrop Grumman wind-tunnel tests and tail-sitter VTOL concept for Darpa’s Tern program and hopes for a contract to build a demonstrator for seaborne flight trails

Up Front

Opinion: Are Rolls And Pratt Destined To Merge?

Dec 22, 2015

Rolls and other aeroengine OEMs need two types of critical mass: scale in gas turbines to fund ongoing R&D and corporate critical mass to ride business ebbs and flows

In Orbit

Look Ahead To Another Ambitious Year In Space

Dec 23, 2015

Space agencies around the world will spend 2016 doing the spade work for deep-space missions later on.

Editorial

Editorial: SpaceX, Artificial Intelligence And The Innovation Imperative

Dec 23, 2015

Government and A&D contractors need to reach out to entrepreneurs, take more risks, be more creative.

Feedback

Letters From Our Readers (Jan. 04, 2016)

Dec 24, 2015

Pros and cons of registering “drones,” reactions to Person of the Year choice

Aerospace Calendar

Aerospace Calendar (Jan. 4-17, 2016)

Dec 24, 2015

Jan. 4-8—AAIA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference. Manchester Grand Hyatt. San Diego. See aiaa-scitech.org/SDM Feb. 2-4—The Unmanned Systems Conference and Exposition. World Forum. The Hague, Netherlands. See tusexpo.com

Market Sector

Share

Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 4, 2016

Share

Letter From The Editor

First Take

Aerospace & Defense 2016

Watchpoints for 2016

Defense & Security

Defense Profiles

Defense Systems

Aerospace Systems

Space Systems

Civil Aviation

Air Transport Profiles

Air Traffic Management

Business Aviation

Commercial Aviation

Technology

MRO

Space

Defense

Up Front

In Orbit

Editorial

Feedback

Aerospace Calendar