Aviation Week & Space Technology

Australia’s planned force of armed drones are probably intended for expeditionary operations; Canberra does not seem to think propeller-driven UAVs would have a large role for the defense of the country.

Lockheed Martin laser power record; biofuels and contrails; DARPA Gremlins make progress; UTM for Japan; Mesmer seduces drones.

Trump’s budget stands little chance of becoming law unchanged, but still sets the stage for a significant military buildup.

Analysts question whether the U.S. should continue to honor the prohibition of ground-launched mid-range missiles in light of Russia’s violation.

Building on the momentum of robust turboprop sales, Pilatus is looking to establishing its name in business jets.

Leonardo looks to invest in the AW139, but development of the future light-twin helicopter is hazy.

The Air Force is enticing engine manufacturers with its plan to upgrade or replace more than 608 Pratt & Whitney TF33s that have powered the nuclear-armed B-52H since 1961.

A restructured CHC is ready for low-oil-price environment, says CEO Karl Fessenden.

Airlines themselves can control most causes of delays. They should apply ‘self-help.’

Boeing’s task is to develop an A300/310 done right, a technologically up-to-date yet affordable 757/767 hybrid. Easily done? Absolutely not. Impossible? Absolutely not.

Aviation Week's helicopter evaluation pilot finds Bell’s Model 505 Jet Ranger X does a good job of hitting the company’s goals for full-authority digital engine control, a glass cockpit, roomy cabin, cockpit visibility and price.

Republicans want more dollars for the military. Democrats are unlikely to lift budget caps for defense.

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

Renegotiation of scope clause restrictions is worrisome to makers of new RJs and associated sectors such as appraisers; few are predicting much change.

Russia won’t buy T-50 fighters until 2018, India tests BrahMos that can fly 450 km, Canada firms up plans to buy F/A-18 Super Hornets and Malaysia finally receives its fourth A400M.

Ruag faces some challenges due to Swiss neutrality laws, but hopes to use experience on the Airbus A320 and composites to be in line for narrowbody contracts.

After a prolonged fiduciary scandal and transition in leadership, Austrian composites specialist FACC hopes it is now back to business as usual.

After MSH postponed certification several times, shareholder Lynwood wants MSH to end its laboratory culture and become a full-fledged rotorcraft manufacturer.

Rapid evolution of technology and a drop in data prices cause satellite operators to spend time pondering next moves

The Air Force has tried to buy a light-attack aircraft before, and the plan fell victim to budget constraints. Will this time be different?

Unusual factors may unfold related to assessment of Trump’s 2018 Defense budget that could lead to peak Pentagon spending.

The Vahana autonomous air taxi, the vertical-takeoff CityAirbus and the Pop.Up modular ground/air concept vehicle are all visible evidence of Airbus’s intensifying studies of urban air transportation.

Musk’s company worked with the U.S. government to develop the Autonomous Flight Safety System that will prompt the launch vehicle to destruct if it flies off course.

Latin American airlines, LCCs as well as mainline are looking to offer lower fares in the market.

New vertical-takeoff-and-landing drone has twin rotor systems to provide full-authority control in rotary-wing mode, and a swept wing to provide speed and range in fixed-wing mode.