Aircraft & Propulsion

Airframers are struggling to develop an aircraft that is unopposed in its benefits.

Boeing managed to sell its 737 MAX to three major Airbus operators, helped by pricing, availability and some strategic considerations.

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

China is rapidly advancing its uncrewed cargo aircraft capabilities—ostensibly for commercial use but with potential military applications.

Under the Extra Performance Wing (X-Wing) project, Airbus is studying what could become a major aerodynamic improvement on a next-generation narrowbody.

Hermeus expects to begin installation “within weeks” of a Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engine into its Quarterhorse Mk. 2 supersonic flight demonstrator.

Rumors that Boeing could be blowing the dust off an old product development plan and reviving its New Midsize Airplane appear wide of the mark with many impediments to that course of action.

GE Aerospace has appointed veteran engineer Craig Higgins as chief mechanic and architect for the Open Fan engine project.

GE-Beta team on turbogenerator; megawatt milestone for DLR’s Balis; fuel cell put through paces; and flying car meets other traffic.

The data analytic tool was developed by GE Aerospace in the wake of a 2024 GEnx-1B engine in-flight failure.

A project established by Sikorsky and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) could lead to an autonomous helicopter.

Ascent Aviation Services has chosen Block Aero Technologies to digitalize its used serviceable material business and open doors to selling parts in China.

Manufacturers and passenger-to-freighter conversion specialists are confident about air cargo’s long-term prospects.

The two-passenger EHang EH216-S is the world’s first pilotless human-carrying eVTOL to achieve the full suite of regulatory certifications.

Hydrogen-powered BWB; carbon fiber from algae; understanding lightning hazards; and storing CO2 in concrete.

Blue Spirit Aero is pressing on with ground testing of a dedicated prototype of its Dragonfly hydrogen-powered light aircraft, gearing up for flight trials.

Ascendance is testing structure, aerodynamics and propulsion as it develops its hybrid-electric, vertical-takeoff-and-landing regional aircraft.

Is free trade over in commercial aviation, or it is all just smoke and mirrors? Analyst Richard Aboulafia joins Aviation Week editors to discuss.

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

Thirty-seven years after the A320 first entered service with Air France, the family is about to become the most successful commercial program.

Advanced rotorcraft have been flown by Changhe and Harbin, helicopter manufacturers within AVIC.

Russia has selected the thrust rating for its new heavy turbofan engine which will be installed on both future commercial and military platforms.

JetZero and SHZ Advanced Technologies are working to adapt the French company’s liquid hydrogen storage and distribution technologies to the BWB configuration.

DARPA confirmed plans on Aug. 26 to launch development of a High-Mach Gas Turbine (HMGT) engine.

Cargo eVTOL transitions; Joby flies airport-to-airport; direct aviation by eSTOL; and drones drive advanced battery demand.