Aircraft & Propulsion

Russian Helicopters has been contracted by Moscow to develop a next-generation naval helicopter.

Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks has completed rig tests on a new small, low-cost gas turbine core which has been developed using scalable design, manufacturing and materials techniques to meet the emerging U.S. defense requirements for limited-life or attritable engines.

Manufacturer Ascent AeroSystems announced on Aug. 24 that it has completed delivery of its Spirit cylindrical drones to military contractor Dynetics, the launch customer.

The concept suggests a new layer in the expansion of the Advanced Battle Management System program far beyond its initial purpose to replace the E-8C fleet.

A $2.5 million loan sourced from a military pension fund will finance development of a second prototype aircraft of the FADEA IA-100 and open the door to future production.

Completion of a 14-year fatigue test program has bolstered a case for the Royal Australian Air Force retaining instead of replacing its BAE Hawk trainers.

Japan has issued what appears to be a request for proposals from British and U.S. companies seeking to act as partners for the planned F-X fighter program.

Russian Helicopters has developed fully composite rotor blades which the company says will increase the performance of its Mil Mi-28 and Mi-35 attack helicopters.

The UK Royal Air Force and the Belgian Air Component have agreed to study areas of potential cooperation on unmanned air systems.

Defense ministry places major order for Su-30SM2 upgrades.

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 multirole fighter aircraft, years in the making, is nearing the start of production.

Near Earth Autonomy and Kaman Aerospace are developing an advanced autonomy system for Kaman’s 6,000-lb.-payload K-Max external-lift helicopter.

The practice of mining estuaries, harbors and other rmaritime chokepoints by aircraft began in World War II, but the low-altitude and slow-speed nature of the delivery mission has made it increasingly risky in modern warfare.

Once the Abraham Accord is formalized, the U.S. should approve UAE’s long-standing request to receive access to the F-35, according to Emirati Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash.

Rolls-Royce and Reaction Engines have entered a new strategic partnership to develop high-speed aircraft propulsion systems and study potential

The sUAS will be available from the General Services Administration, or the military can purchase them using other transaction authority.

The sale of Lockheed Martin F-35s to Poland paves the way for future Joint Strike Fighter deals to close within six months of the initial agreement.

Revealing the F-15EX’s first squadron; New F-16 sales; Russia orders Sukhoi upgrades; and NROL-44 scheduled for launch.

The first F/A-18E/F Block III is “in the beginning phases” of a demonstration to prove the Super Hornet can operate on an aircraft carrier with a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system

An additively manufactured bearing housing developed by Honeywell for the ATF3-6 turbofan has become what is claimed to be the first 3D-printed flight-critical engine part to be certified for service on an operational powerplant.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett notified the Oregon Air National Guard Aug. 14 that its Portland base will be the first to replace its aging F-15C/D Eagles with the updated F-15EXs.

Development of the high-altitude long-endurance system has been rocky from the start.

Ask the Editors: Short-term defense spending appears stable, but cuts over the next five years may delay Air Force programs such as NGAD.

Companies will have to ramp up internal R&D spending to keep pace.

The F-35A’s onboard sensor fusion prevents the Air Force right now from widely implementing a live, virtual and constructed training format, a top US Air Force commander says.