Aerospace

Efficiency, emissions, noise, speed, affordability, accessibility—all challenges ahead for aviation and aerospace.

Chinese automotive and aviation company Wanfeng has bought the majority of shares in Austria’s Diamond Aircraft, the fourth largest general aviation manufacturer in the world.

Leonardo has announced the AW109 Trekker helicopter was issued with type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) yesterday.

The AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter global fleet has reached an outstanding milestone of two million flight hours, across all operational scenarios on five continents, while performing a wide range of missions with commercial, government and military operators.

Turkey’s allies are concerned about Ankara’s rapprochement with Russia.

Notwithstanding the Bombardier/Boeing rift, Canada is positioned for robust growth—mainly in the defense sector—in 2018.

The U.S. is ramping up missile defense spending, while Russia and China have their own plans.

The gas turbine continues to evolve and advance, even as interest accelerates in alternate propulsion concepts.

Regulators around the world still trying to remove any possibility for aviation accidents or losses of life.

Market for avionics retrofits showing strong growth in response to ADS-B mandates and older aircraft remaining in service longer.

2018 could be a big year for new entrants to the rotorcraft business.

From the North Korean missile threat to Russian murky cyber campaigns and Chinese technical prowess, the Pentagon aims to adapt while retaining its advantages.

Upcoming aviation and aerospace industry events and Aviation Week Network events

Business aviation is hoping for a turnaround in deliveries in 2018 as four new models enter service.

The threat of a nuclear North Korea joins ongoing conflict with Islamic extremists and increased competition among the world’s major military powers.

Readers praise and/or puzzle over Photo Contest contenders and express skepticism about lack of magnetic anomaly detection equipement on Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Tritons.

Market demand for new aircraft can support continued growth through 2019 and even afterward.

Aerion is also looking for a U.S. assembly site, and Lockheed’s Georgia, plant meets the needs, including a supersonic test corridor off the Atlantic coast.

Boeing and Embraer have confirmed they are undergoing talks towards a possible merger. The confirmation follows a report that the two companies were in discussion by the Wall Street Journal.

After a strong 2017, air cargo operators are optimistic that growth trends will continue in 2018, albeit at what may be a slower pace.

Offshoring MRO becomes less attractive as maintenance needs for renewed fleets decline due to growing use of composites. Most growth coming in Asia.

A&D organizations have been adopting several new technologies over the last few years, however, successful integration and implementation vary greatly depending on company size and the preserved need for this new technology.

Inmarsat, Iridium and Cobham developing systems for improved broadband flight deck connectivity and advanced data link capabilities.

2018 shaping up to be pivotal year for U.S. launch industry, with resumption of human spaceflights and new rockets for small satellites.

Facing three major refueling deficiencies, Boeing will not begin deliveries to the Air Force until 2018. Airbus A330 MRTT winning non-U.S. competitions.