Aerospace

PRATT & WHITNEY earned $412m on $6.5b sales in 1Q24 vs $415m on $5.2b in 1Q23. It delivered 771 engines (232 large commercial; 496 P&WC; 43 military) in 1Q24 vs 708 (167 large commercial; 499 P&WC; 42 military) in 1Q23.

SAFRAN launched GENeUSCONNECT line of high-power electrical harnesses for all-electric and/or hybrid aircraft.

MICRO-ANT, FL says its HGA Iridium Certus 700 airborne antenna for aviation industry (uses 66 Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites) passed key test.

Buoyed by double-digit first-quarter revenues and a busy commercial and defense orderbook, GE Aerospace reported an operating profit of $1.5 billion.

Robinson Helicopter has made the first corporate acquisition in its 50-year history by purchasing an uncrewed air system (UAS) developer.

After a successful 2023 in recruitment, the aerospace sector in France is planning to add 25,000-30,000 employees in 2024.

Beta Technologies has conducted the first piloted full transition flight of its Alia 250 electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) prototype.

A reckoning in Renton, Washington, and Wichita is triggering jitters over a potential earthquake across the supply chain.

HARBOUR AIR signed LOI with magniX to purchase 50 magni650 electric engines for retrofit on its fleet of 45 aircraft, beginning with the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in 2026; the magni650s will also be used for third-party conversions.

EMBRAER delivered seven commercial jets (three E1s/four E2s) in 1Q24 vs seven (five/two) in 1Q23, and now has 381 on backlog. It also delivered 18 business jets (11 Phenoms/seven Praetors) in 1Q24 vs eight (six/two) in 1Q23.

Robin Hayes to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Americas, Herndon, VA (effective June 3); Jeff Knittel is retiring.

AURA AERO, France received EASA approval to begin flight testing its all-electric, 2-seat INTEGRAL E.

ARCLINE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT completed acquisition of KAMAN for $1.8b cash (SPNWS; January 26).

The RX series is being developed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA) based in Shenyang, China.

As it looks ahead to a first flight of its electric propulsion unit this year, UK startup Evolito has appointed an experienced aerospace executive as chief technology officer.

Japanese helicopter charter service AirX has signed a letter of intent with Eve Air Mobility for up to 10 firm and 40 option eVTOL air taxis.

Canada’s Harbour Air Seaplanes has confirmed plans to electrify its De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers and to offer the propulsion conversion to other operators.

The FAA gave Varda Space permission to launch in June 2023 without a reentry license, and the regulator does not want to repeat the situation.

Aura Aero has received the permit to fly its Integral E two-seat electric trainer, the French startup says.

Japan’s ShinMaywa Industries is considering collaborating with a maritime search-and-rescue support service using an uncrewed amphibian, the XU-M, now in flight testing.

An audit of the in-service Airbus H160 twin-engine medium helicopter fleet confirms a lower empty weight and lower-than-anticipated fuel consumption.

The approx. $120 million NASA Earth science campaign aims to bring airborne scientific insight to environmental concerns and is set to unfold over 2026 to 2029.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is set to be the prime contractor for Japan’s hydrogen project, with an engine demonstrator currently in the assembly phase.

Axiom and Collins are working on new spacesuits for the agency’s lunar and LEO programs.

Electric trainer tested; design tools for hydrogen aircraft; uncrewed amphibian; turbine hybrid; and cargo eVTOL.