Aviation Week & Space Technology

Protecting helicopters from RPGs; one-piece inlet cuts fan noise; passive radar recognizes intruders; jetpack closer after public offering; unmanned aircraft developments.

Spray-on anti-ice coating could extend unmanned-aircraft missions and allow GA aircraft to complete flights more safely.

March 10-11—Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium. NTSB Training Center, Dulles, Virginia. See www.acsf.aero/symposium March 10-12—American Astronautical Society’s 53rd Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium: “On the Cusp: What’s Next?” Greenbelt (Maryland) Marriott Hotel. See www.astronautical.org

The plan for a unified European airspace, 10 years on, seems mired in single-state concerns that have led to heel-dragging, yet some high-level officials believe it is still achievable.

Aviation Week editors discuss the ongoing search for MH370 and the outlook for changes to flight tracking.

With production drying up, Eurofighter partners are spending money on Typhoon upgrades in hopes to catch an impending wave of Middle East fighter orders.

Italy’s indigenous HammerHead UAV funded by the United Arab Emirates gets airborne with Reaper and Predator in its sights.

Middle Eastern countries have recognized the usefulness of low-cost light attack aircraft, and others are beginning to follow their example.

Rand analysis suggests joint military aircraft programs are unlikely to achieve life-cycle cost savings if they attempt to maximize airframe commonality.

The F-35’s version 3F software is still lagging for the aircraft’s development, though version 2B, needed for the Marines, has nearly finished testing.

As deal to sell Aer Lingus to IAG makes progress, the Irish government is seeking more concessions about employment and connectivity.

Many U.S. airlines say they want to begin scheduled service to Cuba soon, but will the market be as strong as airlines hope?

Pilots (active and retired) weighed in on pilot shortage coverage. Essentially, 'pay a decent wage' was underscored by all: Lowering the pay of senior pilots was decried; offering schedules and wages that could help crew to fly and have a semblance of family life was underscored; a veteran pilot reminds us that good core training can be accomplished in a year, and affordably; a retired U.S. Navy pilot responds to ongoing discussion of stall training.

GE makes strides in anti-engine core icing strategies, as knowledge of phenomenon begins to grow.

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The Navy looks for lower-cost firepower, Russia plans 2024 ISS Exit, Ex-Im bank advocates flock to Capitol and AIA’s Blakey heads to Rolls-Royce.

AgustaWestland’s long-delayed AW609 tiltrotor is finally making progress toward first flight.

New and established helicopter makers are planning to roll out several new models in 2015, including the long-awaited Airbus Helicopters X4.

In the wake of recent North Sea crashes, helicopter operators, manufacturers and regulators work together to advance safety programs.

The story of the Navy’s stealth unmanned air vehicle has taken some new turns. Is a secret project behind the changes?

As current heavy models become aged, helicopter manufacturers turn to larger types for new product lines.

Rockwell Collins and SITA are helping the airline industry piece together which data pipes will most economically meet global tracking push.

The Harris-Exelis merger brings back to light some fundamental truths about the U.S. defense sector that otherwise tend to be forgotten.

India tends to drag out defense equipment orders, but its increasingly close relationship with Japan augurs well for ShinMaywa’s chances of completing a deal for US-2 amphibians.

While New Delhi negotiates for a small share of Sukhoi T-50 development, its defense ministry engineers prepare a fighter that would be 80% Indian