Aviation Week & Space Technology

France’s decision to arm its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAVs, otherwise used for surveillance, signals the conclusion of a debate on the use of a lethal weapon from an unmanned platform.

The Chinese understand that what will make or break their industry is what happens in the middle of the value chain, at the component and subsystem levels.

Several airlines expect lower unit revenues in the wake of hurricanes and competitive pricing.

DARPA pursues elegant simplicity; Honeywell launches drone inspection; Airobotics expands into defense; backers boost Lilium eVTOL; tethered drones for disaster response.

With more plot twists and feuding factions than the “Game Of Thrones” television drama, the EC-X Compass Call replacement, managed by the Air Force’s Big Safari program office, has been plagued with intrigue, accusations and bid protests.

The United Technologies-Rockwell Collins acquisition is just a symptom of larger forces reshaping the aerospace supply chain, but they do seem to be coming to a head.

Radars are moving to lower frequencies to counter stealth. Can stealth survive?

Europe’s Clean Sky research program drops plan to flight-test Safran’s open-rotor engine as market interest shifts to other concepts.

In this week's Washington Outlook: Lawmakers pounce on inspector’s findings regarding FAA’s next-gen ATC modernization program; Congress makes a deal to keep the government open; and a view of why it is so hard to buy military space gear.

Airbus launches a project at its Silicon Valley outpost to help fundamentally redefine air traffic management to enable new types and uses of aircraft.

Multi-industry companies armed with knowledge of infrastructure, robotics and AI are betting that their broad expertise can win them a share of the burgeoning robotic inspection market.

Wondering where to safely park your $50 million business jet? An FBO that adheres to International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling IS-BAH rules is a safe bet.

The timing was right—with the needed winds—for altitude record-breaking tests in the southern Andes. Cover credit: Airbus Perlan Mission II

U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, a former Navy pilot, is not without technical know-how, though he chose a career in politics.

Failure to spot an anomaly on the tires of a 787 before takeoff led to a high-energy impact with flying rubber and damage to the flap drive system.

In this week’s roundup: a look at Japan’s plans for defense spending; test cleared for the next GPS III satellite; Australia considers upgrading Seahawk helicopters; and Poland buys a training system for SW-4 helicopters.

Chinese move toward development of superheavy-lift Long March 9 launcher.

University claims a speed record as it develops a jet-powered unmanned aircraft as a testbed for adaptive flight controls, beyond-line-of-sight communications and other technologies.

Four months after its collapse, the Italian carrier looks no nearer to knowing how its revival will play out.

The launch of a high-speed combat helicopter development effort is one of several upgrade programs for the Russian military.

As tensions on the Korean peninsula grow hotter and hotter, imposing costs on the U.S. military, Aviation Week editors discuss whether it is time to learn how to live with a nuclear North Korea.

With visions of Moon missions and settlements on Mars, SpaceX prepares for the long-promised debut flight of its superheavy lifter.

The U.S. carrier will expand range with the 737-8 aircraft, fitted with 175 passenger seats in a single-class configuration.

Boeing could lose its position as prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system if the U.S. agency adopts a new acquisition strategy.

Boeing and Airbus working to meet Qantas challenge to develop an aircraft to fly Sydney-London nonstop