Aviation Week & Space Technology

The economics of Arianespace’s business model do not support designing reusable launch vehicles, according to Chairman/CEO Stephane Israel.

By specifying the months this year in which the first flights of Long March 5 and 7 are due, CASC shows greater confidence in the development schedules for the rockets, both of which are running years late.

The Webb telescope has some high hurdles to surmount before it “delivers first light.”

How is currency exchange volatility impacting aerospace suppliers?

Aviation Week editors discuss Iran’s A380 orders, the first flight of the 737 MAX, the A320neo’s quiet service entry and whether Airbus and Boeing are disconnected from economic reality.

Low-boom supersonics heads NASA’s flight-demonstrator options, but advanced subsonic transports are also in the mix

The seeds for a successful aircraft leasing paradigm were sown early in Ireland’s aviation past and continue to bear fruit.

From aircraft leasing to MRO to air navigation, Ireland’s government seeks to encourage innovation and growth in providing aviation-related services.

What do the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and U.S. Special Operations Command have in common?

ANA’s order for three A380s is the most notable of its growth moves, which also include dramatically expanding its low-cost carrier subsidiary Vanilla Air and partnering with Vietnam Airlines.

Aer Lingus sees great potential in growing its transatlantic network. Being part of International Airlines Group gives it better access to traffic feed and funding for additional aircraft.

Europe’s largest airline by passenger count, Ryanair, is seeing accelerated growth as a result of its “Always Getting Better” campaign, which highlights customer service.

Formation Flexrotors; submersible UAVs; miniature missiles for more punch; Lufthansa’s drones for hire; build an assembly robot for Airbus.

Research and test center in Filton, England, will mature technologies for more fuel-efficient next-generation Airbus wings.

Demand for mass-produced smallsats leads Clyde Space to expand its U.K. operations and establish a subsidiary in the U.S., where the defense market beckons.

F-35s fly with speed and g restrictions – and most weapon tests needed special treatment to hit the target, according to a Pentagon test report.

Our space experts discuss why tracking and diverting killer asteroids is finally being taken seriously.

Despite a negative shift in stock market sentiment this month, most analysts remain cautiously optimistic about A&D’s prospects for profitmaking.

Promise of gelled fuel discussed; merits of AoA on commercial aircraft weighed; A380 commentary debated

Feb. 9-10—Microelectronics Reliability and Qualification Working Meeting. The Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, California. See cvent.com/d/5fq8yp Feb. 9-11—PNAA’s 15th Annual Aerospace Manufacturing Conference. Lynnwood Convention Center. Lynnwood, Washington. See pnaa.net/events/annual-conference/2016-conference

Boeing is still on the hunt for a launch application for its unconventional Blended Wing Body concept, bolstered by positive results from more than two decades of testing at some of the U.S.’s premier research facilities.

Airbus’s first helicopter rideshare trial with Uber is quickly grounded, but the partners vow to continue.

The Arizona senator accuses United Launch Alliance of “manipulative extortion” on RD-180 engines; cargo carriers fight FAA fuel tank AD; NASA ponders how to use funding windfall; U.S. nuclear weapons seem here to stay.

DEFENSE The first fuel transfer from a Boeing KC-46A tanker to a receiver aircraft was completed on Jan. 24, a key step toward approval of low-rate initial production. EMD-2, the first fully configured test aircraft, boom-refueled an F-16C and in coming weeks will transfer fuel to a C-17, A-10, F/A-18 and AV-8B (page 32).

Iran promises to order hundreds of commercial aircraft, and Western industry officials evaluate market prospects, but major obstacles remain.