Aviation Week & Space Technology

In his first interview since announcing his retirement as Embraer CEO, Fred Curado discusses how Embraer has changed, current challenges and the looming trade dispute with Bombardier.

Despite clear progress toward completion, Stratolaunch Systems remains coy about when the vehicle will begin flight tests.

Preparing the Solar Impulse for its ventures requires help from dedicated experts from many sectors.

Insights from the AIAA Aviation 2016 conference in Washington: NASA back in the X-plane business; thin-haul commuter to connect small cities; turbo-electric airliner an X-Plane option; China’s Comac studies open rotors.

Readers discuss: HondaJet handling; Advantages of AOA; publication of potentially sensitive material; and the merits of Prandtl wing concept.

E190 pilots are sometimes getting confused as to whether their aircraft will automatically land, leading to some hard landing lessons

In recent years, big U.S. defense contractors tilted the balance way too far in favor short-term shareholder returns and value.

Will this spirit of compromise last? | Just before SpaceX launch, Bezos touts improvements to Blue Origin engine | Lawmaker’s bid to boost NASA aero funding.

Fred Curado’s legacy at Embraer is one of sustainable development rather than radical and daring moves. His successor Paulo Cesar Silva now has to oversee the entry into service of two key programs: The E2 jets and the KC-390 military transport.

Airbus Group has appointed Paul Eremenko chief technology officer for the corporate technology office. Eremenko currently heads the A3 Innovation Center based in San Jose, California. Maj. Gen. Stayce Harris (see photo) has been promoted to lieutenant general and appointed assistant vice chief of staff and director of the air staff for the U.S. Air Force. Harris commands the Air Force Reserve’s 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.

The premier British airshow may be more sedate than usual this year, with defense highlighted ahead of commercial endeavors.

Rotorcraft industry leaders put safety as their top priority as they grapple with potential disruption of their markets by unmanned aircraft.

Northrop Grumman’s newfound devotion to R&D spending is laudable, but hold off on the ticker tape parade just yet.

Helicopter makers show progress in increasing performance, cutting noise and improving safety. Speed is a challenge, but there are promising developments.

Boeing increases production of smart weapons for U.S. and allied forces to catch up with use in antiterrorism campaign.

After an Orbital ATK Cygnus carrying 4,087 lb. of trash departed the International Space Station, NASA started a fire in the spacecraft as part of an experiment by the Glenn Research Center. Fire in space is a serious concern. In 1997, six Russian, German and U.S. astronauts fled Mir to a Soyuz spacecraft docked to the space station after an oxygen-generating canister caught fire. They were poised to leave when the fire burned itself out.

Aerospace Calendar June 25-Dec. 3—AOPA Flight Instructor Refresher Course. Various Locations. See aopa.org/forms/event-calendar/FIRC_ONSITE July 8-10—Royal International Air Tattoo 2016. RAF Fairford. Gloucestershire, England. See airtattoo.com

From Boeing’s difficulties on the tanker program to its shift toward fighter sustainment and upgrades, Aviation Week editors analyze their recent conversation with Leanne Caret, CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security.

UTAS is working on engineering greater fuel efficiency as part of the Ecological Integrated Propulsion System (EcoIPS) program.

The MS-21 looks promising, but breaking into Western markets where large installed Boeing and Airbus fleets prevail could prove insurmountable.

U.K. missile maker MBDA has scored a small but significant victory in its long-running campaign to secure a U.S. customer for Brimstone.

Due to safety concerns about nearby urban areas—as well as increased public awareness following last year's Shoreham Airshow crash—the Red Arrows team will be limited to flypasts only.

Seeing prospects for growth, the French government is investing in its commercial space sector, including support for new internet constellations.

Malaysia welcomes its third A400M airlifter; India prepares to export BrahMos missiles; U.S. Navy to complete communications satellite constellation; U.S. Apaches begin strikes in Iraq.

Despite regulatory setbacks, development of Europe’s new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket remains on track at Airbus Safran Launchers.