Centreline Plots Potential Next Steps For Wake-Filling Concept

By Guy Norris Aug 05, 2021
The European Union-funded project has devised a roadmap for a future propulsive fuselage airliner concept (PFC) after revealing better-than-expected potential fuel burn savings of 4.7% compared to an equivalent-technology conventional aircraft.
Emerging Technologies
USAF-Sponsored Hypersonic BOLT Experiment Flops
In another blow for U.S. hypersonic flight testing, John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory confirmed that a long-delayed flow physics flight experiment supported by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory failed to meet “all science objectives” after an anomaly with the launch vehicle.
guy.ferneyhoug… Thu, 08/05/2021 - 10:16
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Air Methods, Wingcopter Partner On Drone Delivery
Air medical helicopter operator Air Methods has announced a collaboration with German drone manufacturer Wingcopter to develop a drone delivery network for medical supplies.
guy.ferneyhoug… Thu, 08/05/2021 - 10:02
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Boeing Starliner Launch Date Under Assessment
Launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on a long-awaited reflight demonstration to the International Space Station remained on hold while engineers assessed options to address an issue with valves in the spacecraft’s propulsion system.
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/04/2021 - 21:11
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SpaceX Falcon Super Heavy Moves To Texas Launchpad
The first orbital-class SpaceX Falcon Super Heavy rocket, outfitted with 29 methane-burning Raptor engines, was moved to its launch mount in Boca Chica, Texas, on Aug. 3.
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/04/2021 - 20:48
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Boeing Order Book Driving Timing Of E-3 AWACS Replacement

By Steve Trimble Aug 04, 2021
The timing of a potential production line shutdown at Boeing is partly driving an urgent near-term decision on when to start replacing the U.S. Air Force’s E-3 AWACS fleet, with the 737NG-based E-7 Wedgetail emerging as a likely, if challenging, candidate. 
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

NASA, Partners Study Spaceflight Muscle Tissue Changes

By Mark Carreau Aug 04, 2021
NASA and its partners are using the International Space Station to better understand how samples of muscle tissue donated on Earth are changed at the cellular levels by spaceflight.
Space
Hensoldt Eurofighter Self-Defense Suite Study Will Accelerate LTE
German defense electronics firm Hensoldt has been awarded study contracts to investigate the modernization of the Eurofighter’s Praetorian self-defense suite.
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/04/2021 - 19:05
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Schedule Impact Unclear After ARRW Test Failure

By Steve Trimble Aug 04, 2021
U.S. Air Force officials will not know how the latest test failure of a hypersonic missile prototype will impact the schedule until an ongoing root cause investigation is completed, Brig. Gen. Heath Collins said on Aug. 4.
Missile Defense & Weapons
L3Harris Caps Major Divestiture Run With $185M Sale To Arlington Capital
The new chief executive of L3Harris Technologies does not expect major mergers or acquisitions in his company’s immediate future, and the so-called sixth prime has largely completed the major divestiture project started two years ago when its two halves came together.
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/04/2021 - 18:44
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UK Royal Air Force Begins Hunt For VIP Business Jets
The UK Royal Air Force has begun a search for new VIP aircraft to replace its BAe 146s. 
andy.savoie@av… Wed, 08/04/2021 - 18:17
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Softbank Eyes HAPS, Satellites For 6G Networks

By Graham Warwick Aug 04, 2021
High-altitude unmanned aircraft and satellites are an integral part of SoftBank’s vision for future 6G mobile networks that expand beyond wireless communications to underpin the digitalization of all industries.
Urban & Unmanned Aviation

India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Begins Sea Trials

By Tony Osborne Aug 04, 2021
India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, the future INS Vikrant, has begun sea trials in preparation for the ship’s planned introduction into service in 2022.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Denmark To Base Patrol Aircraft In Greenland Year-round

By Tony Osborne Aug 04, 2021
Denmark is to permanently station a patrol aircraft in Greenland in a move that reflects the growing military importance of the Arctic region.
Budget, Policy & Operations

What Does Sudden Lockheed CFO Departure Mean For Prime?

By Michael Bruno Aug 04, 2021
Lockheed Martin surprised stakeholders late Aug. 3 when it announced the sudden departure of its chief financial officer, the second in almost as many years, as well as lower earnings per share guidance for the year, albeit due to a one-time financial transaction.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Is There A Future At Sea For Regional Aviation?

By Graham Warwick Aug 04, 2021
Startup Regent plans to have a piloted 12-passenger seaglider on the market by 2025 as a replacement for seaplanes and water taxis, followed by a 50-passenger vehicle that the company sees replacing not only ferries, but regional turboprops and jets.
Aircraft & Propulsion
F/A-18E/F Budget Add-On Sparks U.S. Navy Backlash
In comments that may reverberate in the global fighter market, the U.S. Navy’s top aviation requirements officer on Aug. 3 described the Boeing F/A-18E/F as obsolete by the mid-2050s and criticized efforts by some lawmakers to buy more in fiscal 2022.
andy.savoie@av… Tue, 08/03/2021 - 21:56
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ISS Conference Foresees Another Decade Of Research Activity

By Mark Carreau Aug 03, 2021
Those with research and technology connections to the NASA-led International Space Station believe the door has been opened for at least another decade of significant development activity.
Space
AWIN Military Aircraft Parts & Contract Data: RFQs For July 25 - July 31
Requests for Quotation (RFQs) for major military aircraft program parts for the week of July 25 - July 31.
theresa.c.petr… Tue, 08/03/2021 - 19:25
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USAF Pushes Back Final MH-139 Certification

By Steve Trimble Aug 03, 2021
The U.S. Air Force has pushed back final airworthiness certification for the Boeing/Leonardo MH-139 Gray Wolf through the end of fiscal 2022, raising questions about the timing and scope of any production restart.
Aircraft & Propulsion
AARGM-ER Clears Live Fire Test Milestone
An extended-range version of a U.S. Navy anti-radiation missile completed a successful first air-launched, live-fire test on July 19 over the Point Mugu Missile Range off the California coast, the Navy said on Aug. 3.
andy.savoie@av… Tue, 08/03/2021 - 18:33
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Swiss Low Helicopter Flight Network To Expand

By Tony Osborne Aug 03, 2021
Switzerland is to double the size of its national flight route network for helicopters, increasing the number of regions in the Alpine which can be reached by rescue helicopters.
Aircraft & Propulsion
Vietnam T-6 Program May Double In Size
Vietnam’s People’s Air Force (VPAF) could receive six Textron/Beechcraft T-6 Texan II turboprop trainers after the U.S. Air Force published a Request For Information (RFI) for three aircraft in late July.
andy.savoie@av… Tue, 08/03/2021 - 17:37
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Germany Readies Meteor For Eurofighter Operations

By Tony Osborne Aug 03, 2021
The German Air Force is undertaking operational testing of MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile as it prepares to field the weapon on the Eurofighter before year’s end.
Missile Defense & Weapons
Starliner Technical Issue Delays OFT-2 Launch
The string of delays for the reflight of an uncrewed Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station continued on Aug. 3, with the next opportunity for launch available on Aug. 4.
andy.savoie@av… Tue, 08/03/2021 - 16:03
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