Aerospace

U.S. startup Rotor Technologies has completed a flight test campaign with a pair of Robinson R22 light helicopters converted to autonomous flight control.

The deal with RV Connex was made at the Defense & Security 2023 exhibition here in Bangkok, where EDGE is participating for the first time.

The SLC-40 upgrade has been spurred by SpaceX’s plans to launch the Starship Super Heavy from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B, but NASA had concerns.

Archer Aviation and InterGlobe have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch eVTOL aircraft service in India in 2026.

Some 30 Sikorsky S-92s serving the oil and gas industry are grounded worldwide while they await replacement of main gearboxes.

After four years of assembly and decades of study and planning, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane is ready for prelaunch environmental testing.

As E-2Cs retire, the service begins phased upgrades to the E-2D fleet, ending with the biggest modernization since it began fielding Advanced Hawkeyes in 2007.

AIRBUS confirms production ramp-up on A220 program is continuing towards rate of 14 aircraft/month in 2026 and rate on A320 Family program is progressing well towards previously announced 75 aircraft per month in 2026. It has decided to increase production rate of A350 to 10 per month in 2026 and continues to target rate of four A330s per month in 2024.

AZORES AIRLINES took delivery of new LEAP-powered A320neo (11664) on lease from Air Lease Corporation.

AIR NIUGINI leased ex-Ethiopian 737-800 (40966) from DAE Capital.

BREEZE plans to begin Myrtle Beach, SC-Providence, RI on Feb 15 and -Tampa, FL/-Charleston, WV on May 10 (A220).

AIRBUS had €806m net income on €14.9b revenues in 3Q23 vs €667m on €13.3b in 3Q22; Commercial Aircraft earned €783m (vs €763m) on 22% higher revenues and says it still plans to deliver ~720 aircraft in 2023 (232 in 4Q23).

Embraer spinoff Eve Air Mobility said it is on track to complete its first full-scale prototype by year’s end.

Frank Calvelli, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, spoke at Aviation Week’s A&D Programs conference on Nov. 7.

In October, LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions (EPS) was granted a U.S. patent on a hybrid power system for electric aircraft,

AMSL conducted the first flight of a full-scale battery-electric prototype of the Vertiia in February.

SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS announced proposed private offering of $200m in exchangeable senior notes due in 2028.

Michael Canario to Chief Executive Officer of Qarbon Aerospace (Arlington Capital Partners portfolio company), Dallas.

GE AEROSPACE secured FACE 3.0 technical standard for its flight management software (first to do so), which facilitates rapid technology insertion and enables reuse and portability to new platforms.

THINKOM has contract from undisclosed customer to supply 500 shipsets of its ThinAir Ka1717 regional jet antennas.

FACC earned €5m in Jan-Sept 2023 vs €4.2m a year ago; revenues rose 22.5% to €513.9m. It says it is starting to see significant rate ramp-ups for long-haul aircraft (A350/787), so it is planning to increase workforce in the coming months.

UNIFOR announced workers at IMP AEROSPACE, Canada will begin strike action on Friday, November 10.

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS AEROSPACE COATINGS launched next-gen chrome-free epoxy primer with simple 2:1:1 mix ratio that is ready to spray.

MAGELLAN AEROSPACE had C$3.7m net income on C$213m revenues in 3Q23 vs C$0.6m on C$191m in 3Q22.

Suborbital space tourism provider Virgin Galactic is laying off workers to fund production of the Delta variant of its spaceships, the company said late Nov. 7.