Aviation Week & Space Technology

The service is re-examining training processes and exploring new programs to retain pilots.

The F-15C may still have an undefeated aerial combat record, but the 38-year-old aircraft could be slated for retirement if the U.S. Air Force decides not to fund a major structural life-extension program.

How the F-15 proposal differs from failed attempts to retire aircraft; another request for regulations; a burning disagreement, and F-35 JPO chief retiring.

By helping smaller companies embrace digitization and automation, Quebec’s Aero Montreal aerospace cluster hopes to boost international competitiveness.

A new look at seat design for both short-haul and long-haul low-cost-carrier operations holds out hope for faster boarding and more comfortable flights.

The promise of China’s expanding market has international carriers, including American, Delta and Lufthansa, forging codeshares with key Chinese airlines.

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

Space is the only domain where platforms cannot be routinely serviced, repaired and upgraded to keep them operating and up to date with technology advances. Two planned demos, one by NASA and one by DARPA, could change that.

Using mass-production, York Space Systems plans to lower the barrier of entry to space.

A Chinese airport construction plan is weighted to the south and west of the country. Three airport clusters are planned.

Japan’s next strategy review to look at ability to strike North Korea; UK and France team up on long-range missile program; Finland pursues F-18 replacement, and the U.S. Navy’s plan to buy more Boeing P-8s.

Industry picks up the tab to complete key technology demonstrations begun under Europe’s Clean Sky 1 research program after delays pushed them beyond the end of the public-private partnership begun in 2008.

The failure of the freighter crew to perform a go-around after a flawed instrument approach in Kyrgyzstan in January was not all that uncommon, based on the forensics of approach and landing accidents.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Signs point to a coming price and supply chain squeeze for the defense industry.

Aviation Week talks with the outgoing FAA Associate Administration for Aviation Safety, Peggy Gilligan, about the most pressing safety challenges and opportunities facing the FAA and the aviation industry.

As the nation’s space mission grows, does the service have enough clout to manage it all?

Seatback inflight entertainment is critical to the cabin experience, but content streaming to personal devices is on the rise.

The transformative V-22 is driving requirements for the Marine Corps’ next-generation rotorcraft fleet.

The probe’s mission will finish with a spectacular plunge into Saturn’s clouds, after a wistful look back at our “pale blue dot.”

Dynetics and General Atomics move to the next phase of a DARPA program to validate air launch and recovery of multiple small unmanned aircraft called Gremlins.

Capability and cost will be important factors in the tiny nation’s decision to replace 54 F-16s with 34 new fighters.

Aerojet Rocketdyne says there is enough manufacturing work in the ground-bases strategic deterrent missile project for two rocket motor suppliers.

The drumbeat for a new Boeing midsize jetliner is growing louder. But beyond the idea of a new aircraft, things get complicated. The 797’s twin-aisle configuration is the big issue.

The UK’s aviation industry had hoped for special priority in EC-UK negotiations around Brexit, but that’s not happening.

Supersonic startup scores funds; Light shines on solar fuels; No end yet for Endless Runway; Bending control for stratospheric UAV . . . and more UAS news