Aviation Week & Space Technology

DEFENSE The U.S. Navy’s Northrop Grumman X-47B accomplished the first autonomous aerial refueling of an unmanned aircraft on April 22. Flying behind an Omega Boeing K-707 tanker off the U.S. East Coast, the probe-equipped unmanned combat air system demonstrator autonomously engaged the deployed drogue and took on 4,000 lb. of fuel. The test concluded the planned X-47B demo program.

Byron Callan ​ Director Capital Alpha Partners Tom Captain Vice Chairman, Global A&D Sector Leader Deloitte Antoine Gelain ​ Managing Director Paragon European Partners Steven Grundman ​ Principal, Grundman Advisory Lund Fellow at the Atlantic Council Harlan Irvine Principal Deloitte

An unexpected threat to European air traffic is being posed by uncooperative military aircraft flying in busy international airspace.

As NATO and Russia are stepping up air patrols in and around Eastern Europe – including an increasing amount of flights with transponders turned off – aviation safety officials are scrambling to keep the skies safe for commercial airlines.

Swarms of cooperating small UAVs offer the potential to counter hostile defenses at lower cost than conventional weapon systems.

Recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar has varied consequences for U.S. and European airlines and airframers

While new requirements like that might seem onerous, remember that the whole technology push represents an opportunity to industry.

As the wheels come off India’s plans to build Rafales, Brazil’s Gripen program moves carefully forward.

Why “big data” is about to go from buzz-phrase to business-driver in airline maintenance

Poland has taken the next step toward modernizing its armed forces, but its selections may have wider effects.

Four years after the first Sbirs GEO launch, USAF pushes to get more infrared data to users in the field.

Given budget pressures, space industry increasingly using additive manufacturing to make components more flexibly and at lower cost

Allegiant Air’s pilots formed a union in 2012, but they still have no contract.

Aviation Week's Managing Editor, Commercial Aviation, Jens Flottau takes us on a flight in Drukair’s latest Airbus A319 as it navigates close to mountains en route to Paro Airport, Bhutan.

Despite the challenges of high-altitude operations, limited traffic and new competition, Bhutan’s Drukair plans expansion.

Surrounding high mountains, strong winds and limited navigational aids give pilots flying into Bhutan’s Paro Airport little margin for error.

With operational debut around the corner, Marine and Navy officials temper expectations of F-35B’s early capabilities.

Shoot-on-the-move lasers for Humvees; VTOL long-endurance UAV grows legs; Super Hornet to fly on 100% biofuel; NASA flies X-56A for first time; airship crowdfunding soars past £1 million.

High-energy laser developer says its third-generation tactical weapon is five years ahead in technical maturity compared to fiber laser systems.

Why OEMs are fine with airlines that do not want dedicated spare-parts stocks.

House Armed Services Committee stands by the F-35; Republicans want EPA, other agencies to fund Earth-observation; and a gyrocopter lands on the Capitol grounds.

The maintenance, repair and overhaul sector is ripe for consolidation, and aerospace investors and larger companies considering strategic acquisitions are in hot pursuit of companies in the field, insiders say.

As if weak Chinese demand were not bad enough for business jet makers, lessors in the country will be looking for homes for 30 aircraft this year. Gulfstream and Bombardier will be most challenged.

Carbon fiber was a step forward in performance but a step backward in assembly cost. A new European research project aims to make composites assembly quicker and cheaper

Russia’s airlines, feeling the adverse effects of a falling ruble and weakening traffic, are seeking tax relief and other help from the government