Emerging Technologies

Fully funded and hardware-rich, Blue Origin readies for orbital operations.

Taking technologies from demonstrator programs like UltraFan, Rolls-Royce aims to significantly improve the durability of its latest Trent widebody engines.

JetZero says it is poised to begin flight tests of a subscale version of its full-scale blended wing body multirole demonstrator in the next few weeks.

A dozen teams have been selected to develop energy storage systems to enable electrification of regional aircraft with up to 100 seats and ranges up to 700 nm.

The new supplies will be used for Airbus’s internal fuel needs such as aircraft test flights, delivery flights, and sorties of its Beluga transports.

A New Glenn test vehicle was rolled out from Blue Origin’s Integrated Test Facility on Feb. 21 for a launchpad tanking test.

“We can go dramatically faster,” says new Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp.

ST Engineering’s AirX signed a deal with Turkey’s Eurasia Mobility Solutions for 10 AirFish 8 Wing-in-Ground aircraft—the platform’s first customer.

As the Airbus CEO is adamant that hydrogen propulsion is feasible, the Climate Impulse project might do some groundwork for the technology.

Multicopter lift-offset eVTOL; Emergency lubrication; Oceanic uncrewed aircraft; USAF tests uncrewed cargo.

After speed, autonomy and intelligence, Sikorsky Innovations shifts its focus to new technology challenges.

Dovetail Electric Aviation has begun tests of an integrated hydrogen fuel-cell powerplant targeted at flight tests on a modified Beechcraft King Air.

The manufacturer is aiming for a first flight of the high-speed rotorcraft demonstrator in late March or early April.

Private Chinese aviation company United Aircraft has unveiled an autonomous tiltrotor concept designed to one day fly passengers.

PhilJets, a regional operator in the Philippines, has signed a deal with Lilium to set up a high-speed regional air mobility service in Southeast Asia.

With more than 100 tests complete on the RISE program, so far there have been no showstoppers in the quest to develop an engine with 20% better fuel efficiency.

Darwin will develop digital assistants to enable extended minimum-crew operations in cruise.

Europe’s Clean Sky 2 research program ends in March, having matured an array of potential technologies for Airbus’ next airliner.

Engineering education has evolved to include many real-world, hands-on opportunities that are essential for keeping students inspired about career options.

Airbus is progressing with studies and tests on two different hydrogen propulsion systems—a modified turbofan and an electric motor associated to a fuel cell.

Climate Impulse may be seen as a parallel research and technology effort centered on liquid hydrogen storage.

Two-thirds of Europe’s Clean Aviation research projects are focused on more sustainable advanced propulsion technologies for service entry in the mid-2030s.

The AFWerx innovation unit is focused on cargo applications for advanced air mobility aircraft.

Amid discouraging outlook for turboprops, ATR is back in the black and working on new versions.

The Boeing-owned company sees a path to pilotless flight without regulatory changes.