Program Management

Raytheon has been selected by Lockheed Martin to produce electro-optical distributed aperture systems (EO-DAS) for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Michigan-based Orbion is aiming to fly Hall effect thruster on smallsat in 2019.

Robinson Helicopter is stepping up studies of a diesel-powered variant of its R44 light helicopter as part of plans to hike performance and reduce fuel burn.

The 407 GXi introduces Garmin’s G1000H NXi integrated avionics suite and an up-rated version of the Rolls-Royce M250 turbine engine.

Pratt & Whitney Canada has unveiled six new service packages as part of the company’s growing focus on tailored after-market support.

Rocket Lab’s Electron small-satellite launcher blasted off from New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula on Jan. 20 for a second test flight.

The technology transition program, an Air Force budget line that funds advanced component development and prototyping, has grown exponentially since being established in fiscal 2014 and that trend is set to continue.

Bombardier has made a last-ditch attempt to reopen the U.S. investigation into pricing of the C Series, but may have been misled by reporting on the increased range Embraer is now quoting for the E190-E2.

The Google-backed $30-million contest to fly and operate a privately funded spacecraft on the Moon before March 31 is ending without any contestants ever blasting off.

There are multiple factors contributing to the current sluggishness, including aircraft program issues, capacity considerations and airline strategy factors.

A deal could let Boeing improve vertical integration and tap Embraer’s engineering talent and manufacturing capacity.

Companies such as Blue Origin, Orbital ATK, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance are jostling to be a part of the future U.S. military spacelift market. Photo: Orbital ATK

Researchers have made significant progress with morphing wings, bringing the long-sought dream of copying birds on how to achieve aerodynamics closer to reality.

The U.S. Air Force is looking at leveraging virtual reality and artificial intelligence to transform pilot training.

Boeing is still working to fix three deficiencies related to the refueling process of the KC-46 that must be resolved before the tanker can enter service.

A maturity gate review confirmed that the industrial process of the Ariane 6 is mature enough to start construction of the first launcher.

How do MRO markets compare across aviation sectors for 2018?

A high-temperature airflow test site designed to evaluate a key technology in the Reaction Engines’ hypersonic air-breathing combined cycle Sabre rocket engine is under assembly at Front Range Airport near Watkins, Colorado.

Eastern European governments open their coffers for new defense equipment in response to forceful moves from Russia.

New fighter, transports and UAVs are prominently featured in Germany’s defense modernization plans.

President Xi’s ambitious goal may become more tangible in 2018, as Chinese UAVs patrol the Pacific and J-20 fighter production picks up.

To maintain their edge, aerospace and defense companies will have to learn about emerging companies, allocate research dollars to them and team with them.

Smart investors should be ready to place bets on who will win, and potentially lose, as companies race to electrify the airplane.

Orbital ATK’s eighth NASA-contracted resupply mission to the ISS initiated the ambitious departure phase of a multifaceted, month-long orbital journey.

After a 40-year career at one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, a Boeing veteran explains how people and innovation drive success.