Aviation Week & Space Technology

Upcoming aviation and aerospace industry events and Aviation Week Network events

From small to large unmanned aircraft, developments in propulsion and aerodynamics are pushing flight times to new lengths, potentially reaching months.

After a strong 2017, air cargo operators are optimistic that growth trends will continue in 2018, albeit at what may be a slower pace.

In this week’s roundup, Embraer declares KC-390 airlifter is ready for initial operations, Lockheed wins contract to develop networked cruise missiles, Myanmar receives Russian training aircraft, and Poland seeks F-16 support.

From robotics and drones to augmented reality, these futuristic products are providing safer, more efficient MRO solutions.

Offshoring MRO becomes less attractive as maintenance needs for renewed fleets decline due to growing use of composites. Most growth coming in Asia.

Inmarsat, Iridium and Cobham developing systems for improved broadband flight deck connectivity and advanced data link capabilities.

2018 shaping up to be pivotal year for U.S. launch industry, with resumption of human spaceflights and new rockets for small satellites.

From the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy to suborbital human spaceflight, the year 2018 promises to be filled with developments.

Facing three major refueling deficiencies, Boeing will not begin deliveries to the Air Force until 2018. Airbus A330 MRTT winning non-U.S. competitions.

Industry experimenting with synthetic aperture radar, mix of services from geostationary and non-geo satellites.

With 2,100 new commercial aircraft entering the world market, MROs will be looking for technologies that increase their efficiency.

Remaining effective time is updated by the minute and communicated via ACARS to the flight deck.

While the Latin America and Caribbean market welcomes new airlines, the region continues to face many of the same structural issues in the new year.

These projects focus on greater bandwidth—but not necessarily broadband—compared to the existing Iridium, GlobalStar and Orbcomm constellations.

Multiple aircraft are pursuing the perceived market for affordable light-attack/surveillance platforms for use in counterinsurgency and low-threat operations.

By the end of 2018 three Chinese airlines will serve about 50 Australian and New Zealand routes.

Lockheed’s stealth fighter will continue to draw focus in 2018 and beyond as several nations look to modernize.

Airbus will be undergoing major leadership changes, as media leaks trigger the announcement of Enders departure.

As Dassault announces it is designing a new jet, engine-maker Safran’s presence in business aviation has weakened.

The three major Gulf carriers will continue to suffer from capacity curtailment, an unusual situation for them. However, signs of a return to fiscal health are emerging.

Circulation-control UAV; X-57 battery success; Airbus autonomous landing sensor; Falcons train drones; daring Bugatti’s sad end.

Findings of a NASA team studying hypoxia in the Navy’s F/A-18s suggest the complex man-machine interface is to blame.

Much is made in the industry of delivering “integrated powerplants” rather than simply engines.

To grow and succeed in the digital age, companies need leaders who can free themselves from the tyranny of data.