Aircraft & Propulsion

Rolls-Royce has discovered cracks in the intermediate pressure (IP) compressor blades of higher-time Trent XWB-84 engines during scheduled overhaul but said early detection will enable the speedy development of a fix.

Ask the Editors: Even if airframers do source less from China, it won’t mean they will turn to Western suppliers.

Ask the Editors: The global battle for airframe dominance is now a battle between Airbus and Boeing, but could Comac shake up the scene?

In the latter part of the last decade, Boeing was busy signing new master contract agreements with major commercial aerospace suppliers that solidified price reductions and other benefits to the OEM under its Partnering for Success (PFS) program.

Airbus registered four new orders in July 2020, leaving it with a total of 302 net orders for the year to date; 49 aircraft were delivered during the month.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), giving respondents until Oct. 28 to set out their views on policies aimed at making better use of cleaner fuels to help reduce airlines’ carbon dioxide emissions.

Both the 737 MAX and the 777X programs are key to helping Boeing emerge from a historic industry downturn.

Boeing does not expect to issue more debt to raise funds at this time, the company’s chief financial officer said Aug. 5, but management will “keep all our options open” through the "dynamic" COVID-19 and 737 MAX crises .

Spirit AeroSystems intends to keep pursuing its acquisition of Asco Industries and certain aerostructure assets from Bombardier, despite retrenchment in the com

Embraer will push back the planned entry-into-service date for its E175-E2 until 2023, as the Brazilian manufacturer contends with weak airliner demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Production of the first Rear Center Tank (RCT) for the new, long-range Airbus A321XLR is now underway, the European airframer said Aug. 4.

German aerospace center DLR and MTU Aero Engines plan to cooperate on development of a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cell power train for flight testing in a 19-passenger Dornier Do 228 regional aircraft, from 2026.

SkyWest Airlines is accelerating its transition away from 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200s as it looks to replace them with 76-seat Embraer E175s, which are now favored by major airlines.

Leaders who embrace digital transformation can help hard-hit companies rebound from the pandemic.

Despite Boeing’s recent decision to push back the commercial debut of the 777X from next year to 2022, the 777-9 test program continues to ramp up with the third development aircraft completing its first flight on Aug. 3.

The Chinese domestic airline market has recovered more quickly from the virus crisis than markets elsewhere, but Chinese MRO is still heavily

Small satellite launcher ABL Space Systems has disclosed around $90 million in new defense contracts plus investments from Lockheed Martin and venture capitalists, powering the startup through a three-launch demonstration of the RS1 launch vehicle and GS0 deployable launch system early next year, the company said Aug. 3.

Virgin Galactic has unveiled the outline configuration of its ongoing high-speed air-breathing passenger transport study and announced Rolls-Royce as its propulsion partner for the Mach 3 design concept.

Safran is projecting a 50% decline in commercial engine aftermarket revenues in 2020, but cautions that airline balance sheets, closely linked to air travel demand, will have significant influence on how quickly the lucrative segment recovers.

Ask the Editors: There’s a way to go before propulsion electrification, but the type certification of aircraft begins to lay the bricks.

Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC) has made a vital step in the development of the PD-35, its largest turbofan engine.

Airbus made major moves earlier this year, leaving Boeing to make large adjustments as the ramifications of COVID-19 become clearer.

The 737 MAX is the only Boeing commercial program slated to see its monthly production rate increase during the next few years.

Safran is taking the opportunity of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis to accelerate the reorganization of its cabin interiors activity, aiming at making it stronger than before the pandemic.

High-speed airliner developer Boom Supersonic and engine-maker Rolls-Royce have agreed to study propulsion system concepts for the Colorado-based company’s proposed Mach 2.2 Overture aircraft design.