Aircraft & Propulsion

Both aircraft will be delivered to Japan by June 30, 2023, joining two previously ordered KC-46As.

If fielded, the capability could transform the C-17 and C-130 fleets into two of the U.S. Air Force’s most powerful standoff bombers, with the C-17 alone offering one-third more firepower at long range than the 24 JASSM-ER missile capacity inside a Boeing B-1B weapons bays.

What’s next for U.S. Air Force tankers; Ecuador receives H145s; continued F-35 delays; and unmanned teaming for Wildcat.

Italy is to purchase an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform based on the Gulfstream G550, defense planning documents have revealed.

Raytheon Technologies expects to end 2020 with $10 billion in cash on hand, in part thanks to a new deal to sell its Forcepoint cybersecurity business, but also due to 20% fewer commercial aerospace employees, executives said Oct. 27.

The head of the U.S. Air Force’s mobility aircraft fleet has outlined a series of future aircraft programs that will come online after the KC-46A Pegasus.

Ecuador’s Air Force has begun receiving new H145 twin-engine light helicopters from Airbus.

The JSE creates a synthetic world that allows operational testers to gauge the F-35’s performance in theater-level scenarios. JSE testing is delayed from December to some time in 2021.

British unmanned technologies firm Blue Bear Systems has demonstrated the swarming of 20 unmanned air systems of different types in a beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight.

Leonardo has demonstrated a manned-unmanned teaming using its AW159 Wildcat utility helicopter.

Leonardo has delivered the last Eurofighter Typhoon to the Italian Air Force.

Taiwan cleared for missile sales; Bell starts attack helo parts production; Telesat, Lockheed team on SDA; more money for military intel.

BAE Systems has received a contract with a $400 million ceiling to join a pool of 14 companies that are competing to develop a digital design for the Skyborg unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Boeing has begun taxi tests with its Airpower Teaming System (ATS) in Australia, around five months after the loyal wingman drone was rolled out.

A detailed look at defense investments under a Trump or Biden administration.

NASA has finished the second, final phase of an assessment of how pilots breathe while flying a high-performance fighter.

Aviation Week editors honored more than two dozen 2020 Laureate Awards winners from around the globe in a virtual event.

Parts production for the 360 Invictus helicopter has started even as Bell continues to fine-tune the final design of the air vehicle and overall system over the next two months.

Future trainer could tutor pilots for European Future Combat Air System.

Swedish defense firm Saab has taken a 1.1 billion Swedish Krona ($130 million) charge over impacts on production of the Gripen combat aircraft due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Leonardo tests advanced integrated radar and electronic warfare system planned for UK Tempest Future Combat Aircraft System.

Airbus in Spain is proposing the development of a single-engine transonic performance jet trainer that could support pilots going on to fly the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Ask the Editors: A failed joint venture around the C-390 has left doubt about future collaboration between Boeing and Embraer.

The CEO of Italian aerospace and defense firm Leonardo has been sentenced to six years in prison for crimes committed in a previous role.

Sweden hopes to keep part of its C/D-model Saab Gripen fighter fleet in service beyond 2030 as it looks to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities against what it sees as a growing regional threat from Russia.