Aircraft & Propulsion

Leonardo Helicopters has revealed a concept for a next-generation tiltrotor architecture that potentially simplifies development and could broaden the appeal of the configuration.

U.S. forces struck an Iranian aircraft carrier for drones in the first hours of the war on Feb. 28, U.S. Central Command said on March 2.

The Air National Guard is facing uncertainty in how it will meet some of its homeland defense requirements as the Air Force retires aging aircraft.

Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, and Sikorsky have prequalified to participate in the next steps of a NATO initiative to develop a battlefield and naval rotorcraft.

The UK has said it plans to award Leonardo a contract for 23 AW149 helicopters in a boost to the Yeovil, England, production site.

A Hypersonix Launch Systems vehicle completed its first flight late on Feb. 27, propelled to Mach 5-plus speeds by a Rocket Lab HASTE rocket.

GKN Aerospace expands UAV development beyond Sweden, targeting NATO demand with new US/UK projects as defense spending rises.

Defense contracts are restoring momentum to the helicopter market, but commercial sales appear to have hit a plateau.

A BAE Systems 146 airliner used for atmospheric research by UK scientists is to be grounded permanently following a review of the program.

A Chinese space company is releasing imagery revealing key details of the U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.

The CEO of Rolls-Royce says its involvement in the Global Combat Air Program could generate business that surpasses what the Eurofighter Typhoon has delivered for the engine-maker.

U.S. Army units accustomed to operating with a small number of drones are grappling with the logistical demand of fielding thousands.

Airbus Helicopters is actively exploring a European derivative of the H145-based autonomous Lakota connector aircraft it is developing for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Both of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes are flying with mission autonomy as the service is preparing both for more intensive tests and production decisions.

The U.S. Air Force is focused on near-term tanker recapitalization—extending purchases of the Boeing KC-46 and planning minor situational awareness upgrades.

Leonardo nears UK decision on AW149 helicopter deal, with CEO Cingolani signaling imminent resolution to long-pending NMH procurement that could safeguard Yeovil operations.

Airbus is exploring the potential of a reconfigurable compound rotorcraft that would allow military users to both install and remove a proprotor system.

U.S. startup MightyFly has raised $10 million to accelerate development and early deployments of its autonomous hybrid eVTOL logistics aircraft.

The UK Royal Navy has begun exploring ideas for a future crewed platform that would replace its Leonardo Merlin and Wildcat helicopters on its warships.

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that four engine-makers have been awarded initial conceptual design awards for the second increment of CCA.

BAE Systems repackaged the EA-37B Compass Call’s advanced electronic attack systems into a pod that could be carried by a large uncrewed aircraft system.

The USAF needs to press forward on modernizing its airlift fleet after being too slow on progress to replace its C-17 and C-5 fleet, a top official argues.

The Algerian Air Force has made recapitalizing its fighter fleet a top priority, especially given the retirement of the MiG‑25 in 2021 and the planned withdrawal of the aging Su‑24 fleet, with plans to expand the inventory to around 120 aircraft by 2035.

PBS Aerospace will supply turbojet engines for Zone 5 Technologies.

The U.S. Air Force will continue the two Boeing E-7A Wedgetail rapid prototypes.