Aircraft & Propulsion

The test marked the first time since the end of World War II that a fixed-wing aircraft has operated from a Japanese warship.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-35A is one step closer to becoming dual capable after two Lightning IIs dropped B61-12 test gravity bombs to finish the nuclear design certification process in September.

Boeing on Sept. 30 received a $172.8 million contract to install a new pressure and oxygen monitoring system in 78 new Block III F/A-18E/Fs as part of the U.S. Navy’s effort to mitigate potential physiological incidents.

The Swedish Air Force will begin to introduce the new-model Gripen E fighter to a frontline squadron beginning in 2025.

Another landmark in the rapid evolution of China’s aerospace industry was on display last week in Zhuhai.

The circular 12,200-mi. flight started on Sept. 24 at Edwards AFB, California, and landed back at the base on Oct. 2.

China is in the process of trialing two types of domestically built turbofans on its Xian Y-20 strategic airlifter.

The U.S. State Department has given the go-ahead to sell a single Boeing EA-18G Growler to Australia to replace an aircraft that was written off after an engine fire in 2018.

U.S. Air Force wants to add hypersonics to B-1s; North Korea’s hypersonic missile; Boeing wins German P-8, C-17 sustainment contracts.

Stealth aircraft have struggled to meet cost and schedule targets, but Northrop Grumman shows how B-21 can break the cycle.

Boeing and the Defense Department have agreed on a contract worth up to $23.8 billion for C-17 sustainment over the next decade, starting with $3.5 billion for Globemaster III work through September 2024.

The UK Royal Air Force has formally retired its Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft from service.

The UK Royal Navy has launched unmanned air systems from the flight deck of its new carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Germany is the third European nation to choose the P-8 following the UK and Norway after awarding a $756 million contract to Boeing for five of the maritime patrol aircraft.

Airbus Helicopters has been extolling the virtues of its H175 super-medium helicopter as a platform for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter with a series of demonstration flights.

RE2 Robotics has received U.S. Air Force funding to develop an autonomous system to automate certain flight line maintenance tasks during aircraft turnarounds.

China has again flexed its domestic fighter-development capabilities at the Zhuhai Airshow, this time flying the Chengdu J-20 with the locally built WS-10C turbofan as well as rolling out the Shenyang J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.

China unveiled its new Cai Hong-6 jet-powered high-altitude long-endurance (UAS, along with a number of other unmanned technologies at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow on Sept. 28.

U.S. Air Force leaders signal new interest in F-35 reengining, as Pratt & Whitney and GE Aviation start testing adaptive turbofans.

The so-called “production smoothing” agreement establishes the likely ceiling for annual F-35 deliveries at 156 aircraft after 2023.

The first Embraer KC-390 Millennium airlifter destined for the Portuguese Air Force has been powered on for the first time. Portuguese Air Force officials from the service’s Monitoring and Inspection Mission to the KC-390 program watched the aircraft being powered up on Sept. 21, the Portuguese Air Force said.

The U.S. Defense Department has received the first operational Sikorsky CH-53K and F/A-18F Block III fighter over the past four days.

Astraius wants to use a Boeing C-17 airlifter to conduct horizontal launch of its Hera II two-stage launch vehicle, which is an adaptation of the Hera target missile used by the U.S. Defense Department to test missile defense systems.

The sell-off of ITP has been at the top of a list of potential asset disposals as Rolls-Royce looks to rebuild its balance sheet following the pandemic, which has heavily impacted the company’s commercial engine business.

Wing of Tomorrow; carbon-neutral fuel; autonomous ag tie-up; Kama’s unmanned Kargo; and doors for the Heart.