Emerging Technologies

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

Fuel cells may be more suited to smaller commercial aircraft, while larger ones would retain turbine engines.

BIRD Aerosystems has completed the delivery of its AMPS system, including the AeroShield POD and MACS sensor, to a VIP customer in Africa.

Development, assembly and test of XB-1 proving to be more than sum of its parts for Boom as a step toward follow-on supersonic transport.

Airbus’ hybrid-electric technology and hydrogen power could pave the way for a greener replacement to its bestselling Ecureuil platform.

Airbus lands autonomously; Cuberg’s better eVTOL battery; fuel from CO2; Swiss electric propulsion; and fuel-cell eVTOL.

Error and fear are part of human beings’ superior performance, says French safety expert.

Startup Beta Technologies transfers its eVTOL prototype to new location to begin flight testing.

Ask the Editors: Composite use is growing as a percentage of weight for manufacturers. Repair and recycling knowledge also are improving.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the Security Risk Intelligence Portal (SRIP)—an incident reporting tool to help airlines mitigate and manage security risks.

Despite the high level of cabin health protection, suppliers are ready to sell dedicated antimicrobial coatings and systems.

Global technology giant Honeywell has taken a step into the future with the formation of a new business unit dedicated to the growing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and urban air mobility (UAM) industries.

Critical challenges remain to be overcome before air-breathing hypersonics can be applied to wider roles.

Flight testing will increasingly augment ground tests as U.S. hypersonic development transitions to operational vehicles.

Electric STOL for logistics; electric aircraft certification; Wisk back in flight; more funds for Lilium; Norway eyes e-fuels.

France and Germany clear billions in support for aerospace, with France aiming at a carbon-neutral narrowbody.

The pace of hypersonic strike systems research is picking up internationally, galvanized by developments in Russia and China.

Readers write about First Take graph proportions, "STOLPort" history, COVID-19 and airlines, and NASA’s C-17 role.

Russia buys interim fighter-bombers; GA-ASI to vie for MQ-9 replacement; KC-46 RVS testing coming; COVID-19 contractor relief bill?

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

SITA has said technology is helping airports and airlines safely resume operations and help implement new hygiene measures to restore passenger confidence after a lengthy shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design software providers are working closely with customers to fully industrialize additive manufacturing.

Ask the Editors: The supersonic renaissance slowed before the pandemic, but new aircraft should come to market after aviation recovers.

IATA’s CEO Alexandre de Juniac said during this week’s media briefing that airlines continue to burn through cash.

As additive manufacturing helps the aerospace supply chain, 3D-printing innovations could benefit traceability and next-gen aircraft.