Pilatus Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Borsight Inc. a contract worth up to $2.18 billion to replace the avionics for its entire T-6 Texan II trainer fleet.

Pro Star Aviation has opened an authorized Pilatus sales and service center at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (KGRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Pilatus says it has struck an agreement with Lockheed Martin to pursue an F-35-focused upgrade to the training system built around its PC-21.

In its annual report, published Feb. 19, Pilatus says the situation with suppliers post-COVID “remains challenging.”

The service will replace its existing fleet of 13 PC-7s with eight PC-7MKXs and four flight simulators.

The nature of the military pilot-training market is changing, driven by the exceptionally high cost of the process.

Babcock will provide 22 aircraft and 12 Exail-made simulators under the 17-year, €795 million ($814.6 million) Mentor 2 contract.

Manufacturers delivered 181 business jets and 94 business turboprops and piston aircraft during the third quarter of 2024.

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

The defense ministry announced on Oct. 14 plans to acquire eight PC-7MKXs, two flight simulators and training systems to replace 13 older model PC-7s.

Aviation Week predicts deliveries of over 9,000 new business jets and nearly 2,800 turboprops over the 10-year-period, from 2025 through 2034.

Pilatus Aircraft officials have signed an agreement to develop 17 acres at the Sarasota Bradenton Airport in Florida and build a sales and service facility.

Energy-storing structure; load-optimized cabin walls; Europe’s flying ship project; and solar fuels take a step forward.

U.S. Special Operations Command is working to identify new requirements for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as it prioritizes the OA-1K aircraft.

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus says it is expecting numerous contracts for military training aircraft in 2024.

In a move to increase production capacity, Pilatus announced its plans to assume 230 employees and machinery from RUAG Aerostructures Schweiz AG in Switzerland.

The Irish government will reexamine a need for an air combat and air intercept capability in five years despite growing concerns about the need for one.

Markus Bucher talks to Aviation Week about the Swiss company’s plan to increase the payload of the PC-24 business jet and shares thoughts on SAF use.

Aerospace manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft says the raw materials shortage it experienced in 2022 has improved, however.

Pilatus delivered 133 aircraft in 2022, according to the OEM’s annual report for 2022 published March 2.

The Pilatus PC-24—described by its manufacturer as a sui-generis “super versatile jet”—took a step closer to entering active service in the UK this week, as distributor Oriens Aviation brought two examples for a familiarization and demonstration tour.

The Irish Air Corps has taken delivery of its three Pilatus PC-12NG intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

An attempt by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to acquire a new light attack aircraft has met with sharp scrutiny in the program’s first