Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Sonaca North America, an aerostructures supplier better known to many industry players as LMI Aerospace, plans to close its Wichita site by year-end.

The investment will add 81,000 sq. ft. to Pratt’s Columbus Engine Center, where it builds its signature Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine for Embraer and Airbus.

Daher expects to bolster its global reach as an industrial services provider with its acquisition of France’s Assistance Aeronautique et Aerospatiale.

The interdependence of China’s aviation sector with global suppliers means that they are likely stuck with each other, for better or worse.

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

Union workers at the key Tier 1 aerostructures provider will return to work on July 5 after they agreed to an improved four-year labor agreement.

What was once a 50-50 single-aisle/twin-aisle market is now a 70-30 market, with no signs of changing.

The service is investing in new ISR, UAS and combat air capabilities as it prepares for a new era of data-driven defense.

New initiative announced at Paris Air Show coincides with apparent decreased American presence in Le Bourget.

Visitors observed an accurate picture of the industry, circa 2023.

Boeing had a quiet Paris Air Show in terms of new orders, but it continues to make progress on two key commercial programs bogged down in regulatory scrutiny.

Union leaders say the agreement offers substantial wage increases, maintains healthcare plan benefits the membership insisted on, and no mandatory overtime.

Airbus executive says the worst of the supply chain crisis could be over. But 2023 and 2024 will be challenging, and production increases are not guaranteed.

Rival European missile manufacturers are in a race to conceptualize a European hypersonic defense interceptor.

India’s two largest airlines prepare to expand with huge orders for Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Will there be enough airports and trained staff to operate them?

Aerostructure supplier agreements and new engine details bolster Boom’s supersonic airliner plans as construction of assembly site ramps up in North Carolina.

Spirit AeroSystems union workers may strike, saying the Tier 1 supplier's last offer "is unacceptable," with industry experts warning action could be painful.

The move to restart supplier shipments could suggest confidence in the 777-9’s certification progress, which has faced several hurdles in the past two years.

The head of Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance sees supply chain problems affecting the broader industry lasting until 2025.

Airbus' Alberto Gutierrez also told Aviation Week at the Paris Air Show that the OEM is considering a consolidated bidding process on behalf of suppliers.

Boom has agreements with aerostructure companies in Italy and Spain for production of the wing, fuselage and empennage of its supersonic Overture aircraft.

French startup Dessia Technologies uses artificial intelligence to help engineers evaluate design options and flag mistakes.

Propulsion developer ZeroAvia and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Regional Jet Aviation completed a study that identified an initial CRJ700 retrofit entry point.

Spirit AeroSystems Chief Procurement Officer Alan Young revealed to ShowNews in Paris that the company is leaving some capacity in its fabrication capabilities.

In today’s era of supply chain instability, few things are more precious than visibility and control.