Aircraft & Propulsion

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Start-up hypersonic aircraft developer Hermeus has demonstrated mode transition of the company’s in-house designed Chimera turbine-based combined-cycle engine.

As Archer Aviation unveils its four-passenger production air taxi, the Midnight, Aviation Week editors discuss the shifting competitive dynamics in the nascent advanced air mobility market where three rival OEMs with differing approaches push toward FAA certification and operation.

Startup says it is on track to be among the first eVTOL companies to launch service.

Boeing’s decision to defer development of a new narrowbody has profound and negative consequences for the industry.

Two catalysts could push commercial engine-makers and airframers to speed up their development cycles.

The move comes as Reaction continues its push in the U.S. and elsewhere to develop its pre-cooler technology for high-Mach aircraft and missiles, as well as space access vehicles.

Will Boeing’s decision to focus on steadying production and deliveries, over new products, endanger its long-term market position?

Delays in suppliers providing engines, avionics and interiors continue to hamper Embraer, forcing the Brazilian aerospace and defense leader to miss delivering dozens of aircraft so far in 2022.

The U.S. Air Force has released many details about the mostly classified program, but much about the new stealth bomber remains secret

Island-connecting airship; Hydrogen cargo drone; Liquid hydrogen flight; and Medical drone network.

Aviation Week editors are skeptical of CEO Dave Calhoun’s new commercial airliner timeline.

Airbus opts for an open architecture production system to allow for incremental changes, but integration is delayed at new subsidiaries.

How the TFE731 helped launch the business jet era—quietly.

HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, Latitude, Maia Space, Orbex, PLD Space, RFA and Skyrora are forming a new ecosystem in space launchers.

This is the first FAA TSO-certified avionics component to be developed and manufactured by a company in China.

China’s Pterodactyl; Spirit’s secret production shop to open; U.S. GBSD under pressure; and Pacific military exercises pick up.

Design is beginning on large-scale airframe modification programs that will convert two A380s into flying technology testbeds.

Electric R44 milestone; Hamburg sustainability drive; Autonomous flight progress; eVTOLs for medical delivery; European detect-and-avoid.

Deliveries of the Aero2 tiltwing uncrewed medical delivery aircraft to Spright are planned to begin in 2025.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Emirates Airline has begun its major two-year fleet retrofit program, with work starting on the first of 120 aircraft earmarked for a full cabin interior upgrade.

Europe’s aerospace supply chain may have to deal with a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis other regions if energy prices stay elevated.

Building on lessons from the PW1100G, Pratt & Whitney’s expanded Advantage test and pre-production readiness program is targeting a smoother entry into service.

Upcoming flight trials by Universal Hydrogen mark a key milestone on the road to zero-carbon-emission air travel.