Aircraft & Propulsion

The air force is already training with the UK on secondhand E-3D Sentries to upgrade its AEW&C capabilities.

Greece is purchasing six more Dassault Rafales from France, boosting its planned fleet to 24 aircraft.

Airbus has selected GE Aviation’s Catalyst turboprop engine as the powerplant for the Eurodrone medium-altitude long-endurance uncrewed air system.

The maintenance center for the Pratt & Whitney F135 is rebounding from a dismal performance in 2019 and 2020, which led to an engine shortage and the grounding of more than 50 U.S. F-35s.

Boeing has added Airbus Helicopters to its German teaming arrangements as it pushes its CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter for Germany’s military heavy lift helicopter need.

U.S. Air Force is approaching sustainability as a mission requirement, with reduced fuel use translating to more mission capability.

Airbus Helicopters has begun testing the autonomous takeoff and landing capabilities of its VSR700 rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system.

General Electric has delivered the first engine to test the T901 turboshaft, marking a key milestone nine months behind schedule for a critical propulsion system in the U.S. Army’s aviation modernization plans.

The UK Royal Navy is developing seven uncrewed air systems to operate from its 65,000-ton carriers that will complement embarked F-35s.

UK Royal Air Force wants to be net zero by 2040; its counterparts are watching closely.

Turkey’s government says it is working with both the Russian and Ukrainian governments on the safekeeping and ultimate return of two of its A400M airlifters stranded in Ukraine.

The UK defense ministry is looking to industry to provide it with a helicopter for VIP transportation.

The U.S. Marine Corps has flown more than 75 hr. in a modified MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor to evaluate Bell Boeing’s nacelle upgrades, as two of the Air Force’s variants have completed changes.

The Australian government and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have designated the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, or Loyal Wingman, as the MQ-28A Ghost Bat.

The reignited Airbus-Dassault dispute delays French-German-Spanish future combat air system project.

China’s Ministry of Transport’s Rescue and Salvage Bureau has acquired six Leonardo AW189 helicopters to enhance its maritime search-and-rescue operations.

Uncrewed “wingmen” for the Air Force’s next bomber and fighter will be large, sophisticated and costly.

Egypt approved to receive F-15EX; North Korean missile test failure; Satcom prototype clears review; and Boeing’s Australian suppliers.

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

A British startup company has emerged as a potential contender in the UK’s New Medium Helicopter contest.

Satellite imagery appears to confirm that a Ukrainian attack on an airfield previously captured by Russian forces resulted in the destruction of several Russian helicopters.

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale to Spain of Sikorsky MH-60R anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters.

Berlin’s reengagement with the F-35 comes as it prepares to make bolder defense commitments prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Price per tail increase likely as negotiations are delayed; Lockheed points to pandemic impacts and inflation.

The U.S. government has approved plans to export Boeing F-15EX fighters to Egypt, the head of U.S. Central Command told lawmakers March 15. “In the