In this week’s roundup, the U.S. Navy awards the first of two MQ-25 Stingray contracts; Europe takes another step toward a combat UAV; UK Defense Ministry backs space-based manufacturing; and Draken International helps the Japanese test a surface-to-air missile.
While the sunsetting of the US Airways brand is the most public change from its merger with American, most of the work of integration happened behind the scenes and in fact is continuing.
The transfer of propellant, the budget and the effects of long stays in space are still challenges facing SpaceX’s dazzling proposal. They are achievable, though, Dan Dunbacher, a Purdue University professor and former NASA official tells Aviation Week’s Frank Morring.
An intercontinental transfer operation can be based largely on narrowbody aircraft, thanks to their rising range and the central location of Air Astana’s bases.
Facing an increasingly contested battlespace, Air Mobility Command is looking for follow-on tankers—even stealthy ones—and wants a survivable new tanker to escort fighters and bombers into conflicts.
While everything still hinges on the precooler technology of Reaction Engines’ Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE), the Air Force Research Laboratory sees huge potential for the propulsion concept
Air Combat Command’s EQ-4B and E-11A Battlefield Communications Node fleet have served as high-flying combat comms relays for eight years and counting.
As the U.S. Air Force presses forward with its J-Stars Recapitalization competition, a 10-aircraft Compass Call requirement has manufacturers vying for special-mission work.
The contract between France and India is welcomed by French officials as a diplomatic coup, but it also looms large as part of the arms race between India and some of its neighbors—namely Pakistan and China.
Aviation Week editors break down some of the highlights at this year’s Air Force Association symposium – from the Air Forces plans to pursue a weaponized KC-Z tanker.
Double-bubble D8, Blended Wing Body, Transonic Truss-Braced Wing, Hybrid Wing Body and a small-airliner-size BWB – the configurations NASA is considering for planned ultra-efficient subsonic transport demonstrators.
In this week’s Washington Outlook, American Airlines and others continue fight to overhaul the FAA; U.S. needs to move faster to counter Chinese and Russian space prowess; rethinking Syrian conflict; Boeing can sell aircraft to Iran.
Bell has unveiled the smaller V-247 Vigilant tiltrotor, aimed at an emerging U.S. Marine Corps requirement for a ship-based expeditionary, endurance unmanned aircraft system.
A World Trade Organization compliance panel has found state sponsors of the Airbus Group did not properly remove illegal subsidies for building large civil aircraft. Boeing representatives say the decision could mean more than $10 billion in allowable annual trade clawbacks for the U.S.
Rolls-Royce has appointed Simon Kirby chief operating officer. He has been chief executive of HS2 Ltd., which oversaw delivery of the UK’s new high-speed rail network, Europe’s largest infrastructure project.
