Aircraft & Propulsion

Can Magic Carpet render undergraduate carrier landings unnecessary for future Navy pilots

The schedule delay for the next presidential aircraft has grown by up to three years as Boeing works through issues on the VC-25B, and the Air Force is programming funds for the existing aircraft to keep it flying to cover the gap.

Airbus Helicopters believes that NATO demands for a 220-kt. cruise speed for a future medium transport helicopter could drive maximum take-off weights of up to 17 metric tons.

The UK Defense Ministry has launched its long-awaited competition to acquire a new fleet of medium helicopters consolidating several rotary-wing types currently in service.

Boeing rolls out the EMD T-7A version but also announces new charges and delays on the program.

The notional concept for the Liberty Lifter program shows a twin-fuselage design similar to the North American F-82 and the Stratolaunch Roc.

As Finland and Sweden seek the safety of NATO’s defense umbrella, accession could bring with it changes to posture and procurement.

Heavy-aircraft pilots will use simulators to bridge the gap between the initial turboprop trainer and operational aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force now expects the first flight of the Northrop Grumman B-21 bomber in 2023 as the service prepares for a public rollout later this

Described as a “quantum leap,” the academy’s new multidisciplinary laboratory takes warfare training to a new level.

Japan reportedly is considering switching the contractor providing integration support for the F-X fighter development from Lockheed Martin to BAE Systems.

The Royal Air Force is temporarily growing its fleet of Airbus A330 Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transports to deal with an increased demand for aerial refueling, in response to operations over Eastern Europe.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has confirmed that it will be acquiring 40 Bell 505 helicopters under the TH-X training helicopter program.

Unmanned Logistics System emerges as the top priority as attack and utility fleet replacement is deferred.

The country's adoption of the Gulfstream G550 for intelligence-gathering aligns with the trend of modifying special-mission business jets.

The war in Ukraine is revealing the vulnerability of attack helicopters to man-portable air-defense systems. Defense analyst Sash Tusa joins Aviation Week editors to discuss options that the U.S. Army will consider at its EDGE 22 exercise, how manufacturers could protect future rotorcraft and whether those ideas make sense.

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

After its KA-SAT satellite internet service in Europe was disrupted on Feb. 24 by an alleged cyberattack from Russia, Viasat shared details of the attack with industry competitors via the U.S. Space Force’s Commercial Integration Cell.

Turkish Aerospace’s Anka medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air system will be produced in Kazakhstan under a new arrangement between the OEM and industry in the Central Asian country.

Hypersonic aircraft and propulsion system developer Hermeus has received a boost from Raytheon Technologies, which has announced a strategic investment in the company through its recently established corporate venture capital group, RTX Ventures.

A Thales system will replace the helmet mounted display on all Lockheed Martin F-16s flown by Air National Guard and Reserve pilots, the company says.

General Electric’s T901 turboshaft, the powerplant for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), is performing well in early tests and is on track to be delivered in November to Bell and Sikorsky, the two FARA competitors.

Russia blamed for Viasat attack; MQ-9B adds short-takeoff capability; U.S., Japan to study loyal wingman; and Black Hawk sustainment.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will seek funding for a midlife upgrade of the FA-50 from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration this year.

An engine upgrade road map will be prepared as the U.S. Army decides the winner of the competition to develop the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, with a possible spinoff to a re-engining program for the H-47 Chinook fleet.