Aircraft & Propulsion

The historic Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc” is back home in Wichita and preparing to launch its 2021 fall tour following engine troubles that arose on its flight to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July.

A newly upgraded Republic of China Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16B was involved in a runway excursion incident on Aug. 31 while preparing for the high-profile Han Kuang war games.

A joint statement, issued by the three countries, said the signing of the latest agreement “confirms the commitment of Germany, Spain and France to the development of a new generation combat aviation [system] capable of facing future threats and challenges.”

Turkey’s Baykar Makina has handed over the first Akinci medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed air systems to the Turkish Armed Forces.

Nigeria has signed up to purchase Fighter Attack versions of the Leonardo M-346 jet trainer, an official with the country’s air force confirmed in a TV interview.

The Taliban’s seizure of Afghanistan on Aug. 15 triggered the largest military air evacuation in history, but it may still be not enough.

Finalists in a U.S. Air Force challenge to identify potential high-speed vertical-takeoff-and-landing concepts for special operation missions are expected to be announced by the end of September.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force is preparing to equip a third search-and-rescue base with the Leonardo AW101 SAR Queen helicopter.

Japanese military aircraft intercepted the Tengoen Technology TB-001 Scorpion medium-altitude, long-endurance platform on Aug. 24 as it flew over the East China Sea, and almost halfway to Japan’s Ryukyu Islands.

The Qatar Emiri Air Force named the Boeing F-15QA “Ababil” during a closed roll-out ceremony on Aug. 25 in St. Louis, the manufacturer announced.

Russia’s fleet of Kamov Ka-52 co-axial attack helicopters are being upgraded with new avionics and sensors by Russian Helicopters. The Ka-52M development was announced by the OEM on Aug. 24 during the Army 2021 Military Technical forum, held near Moscow Aug. 22-28.

Startup HyPoint has entered into a $6.5 million collaborative agreement with Piasecki Aircraft to develop a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.

PteroDynamics has received a U.S. Navy contract to deliver prototype vertical-takeoff-and-landing unmanned aircraft for a program to develop a capability to autonomously deliver cargo to and from ships at sea.

General Atomics is gearing up to begin flights with its SkyGuardian unmanned air system (UAS) in the UK in the coming days after the UK Civil Aviation Authority gave the green light for flight operations.

Pakistan and Turkey look set to cooperate on the development of the Anka unmanned air system after agreements were inked by industry.

The baseline Product 305 missile will equip the Russian military’s Mil Mi-28NM and Kamov Ka-52M helicopters.

A Coalition aircraft shot down an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with an air-to-air missile near a U.S. military base in eastern Syria on Aug. 21, U.S. Central Command told Aviation Week.

Increased flight activity during the last quarter boosted TransDigm’s aftermarket sales both sequentially and year-over-year (YOY), yet another positive sign that the sector is in recovery mode.

A newly opened factory on the Skunk Works complex heralds a new era and a return to series manufacturing by Lockheed Martin's 78-year-old advanced development programs business unit.

Is there a flying aircraft, and who is the prime contractor? What about timing and numbers procured?

Lockheed Martin’s approach attempts to achieve automotive-style industrial speed for low-volume, high-performance aerospace applications.

DARPA is interested in WIG vehicle designs that can take off, land and operate in waves up to 4 ft. high, carry a payload of more than 100 tons and cost little to manufacture.

A Japanese KC-46A has completed an inflight refueling test, paving the way for Boeing to deliver the first tanker later this year, the company said on Aug. 16.

The contract could pave the way for follow-on integration of the system into more advanced combat and aggressor training aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-16.

For industry’s finances, 2020 really was that bad, and 2021 may not be that good, after all.