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AnalysisAvianca still working through software ‘downgrades’ on two dozen A320-family jets
Colombian carrier Avianca must perform software “downgrades” on roughly two dozen remaining Airbus A320-family aircraft as it works to fully resolve a vulnerability issue by 3 December.
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AnalysisHow the Ukraine war has (and has not) changed the helicopter’s role in combat
Significant Russian helicopter losses in the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war have led many to proclaim the end of rotary-wing aviation in combat, but a former US Army general and Bell executive argues it was just bad tactics and poor planning.
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AnalysisEmbraer debuts new KC-390 demonstrator at Dubai air show
Embraer is giving a worldwide show debut to its new KC-390 demonstrator, with the specially-liveried airlifter proudly displaying the flags of 10 customer nations just behind its forward crew door.
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AnalysisStood down: which types departed national fleets during our World Air Forces review?
We detail some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2024.
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AnalysisHow regime change in Syria affected our annual World Air Forces fleet review
Our annual review of the global military aircraft fleet details the in-service equipment and acquisition plans of 161 nations – with one of the Middle East’s biggest air forces wiped out amid regime change.
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AnalysisHow Dubai Airports chief is getting ready for the big move to DWC
A project to create the world’s largest airport in the Dubai desert has been two decades in the making – and soon Emirates and its fellow airlines must relocate from the city to Al Maktoum International.
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AnalysisUrban air mobility gets ready to rise in the UAE
Archer and Joby are leading efforts to establish passenger urban air mobility networks in the UAE, with both US developers targeting a start for operational services next year.
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AnalysisAviation's environmental action slow to take off, despite 'unprecedented unity'
If the recent ICAO Assembly resulted in little by way of concrete new sustainability developments, it did provide reminders of political thinking, ongoing challenges and potential battlegrounds ahead.
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AnalysisSecond J-36 prototype emerges with configuration changes
Fresh imagery from Chinese social media indicates a second prototype of China’s three-engined J-36 fighter has begun test flights, featuring significant configuration modifications including revised engine intakes, landing gear arrangement and exhaust system.
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AnalysisUS Air Force strategy ‘likely to fail’ in Taiwan conflict, new report warns
Academic study concludes US Air Force approach to airpower in East Asia during major war against China would likely fail, with Chinese missiles capable of targeting regional facilities used by American forces.
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AnalysisAeronautical Engineers launches Boeing 737-900ER freighter conversion programme
Miami-based conversion specialist Aeronautical Engineers has launched development of a Boeing 737-900ER passenger-to-freighter programme, targeting certification in 2029 to create what it describes as the largest and most capable narrowbody freighter in its portfolio.
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AnalysisNTSB says wet runway and long landing contributed to Chicago G150 overrun
A Gulfstream G150 overran Chicago Executive airport’s runway on 3 September after landing too far along the wet surface, leaving insufficient distance to stop before hitting the arrestor system.
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AnalysisFully autonomous Black Hawk ready for production: Lockheed Martin CEO
Sikorsky’s fully autonomous UH-60 Black Hawk variant is ready for production, according to Lockheed Martin chief executive Jim Taiclet, with prototype flights planned within a year.
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AnalysisBoeing reveals Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft family of autonomous tiltrotors
Boeing’s vertical lift unit has revealed a new autonomous tiltrotor concept designed for military operations, featuring modular variants for both combat and logistics support as the military rotorcraft industry shifts toward uncrewed aircraft.
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AnalysisUS Navy exploring seawater-to-jet fuel conversion technology
The US Navy is funding research into a process for converting seawater into jet fuel, awarding a $9.4 million contract to Sea Dragon Energy to develop shipboard fuel production systems that could in theory sustain carrier strike group operations indefinitely.
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AnalysisEngine makers accelerate plans for new class of small turbofans targeting autonomous fighters
Pratt & Whitney, GE Aerospace and Honeywell are advancing small turbofan designs as the Pentagon emphasises rapidly fielding low-cost, autonomous fighter jets known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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AnalysisChinese naval airpower enters new era with Fujian electromagnetic launch system tests
China’s navy has commenced flight tests from its new CNS Fujian aircraft carrier, with J-15T and J-35 fighters – plus KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft – shown launching via electromagnetic catapults and conducting arrested landings in online footage, marking a significant capability enhancement.
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AnalysisChina’s military parade delivers more pageantry than airpower innovation
China’s military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Second World War’s end featured two new support aircraft but lacked major reveals such as the anticipated H-20 stealth bomber.
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AnalysisUS military commits $1.7bn for BAE’s APKWS II rockets to counter drone threats
The US Department of Defense has awarded BAE Systems a $1.7 billion contract for up to 55,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rockets, significantly expanding its arsenal against the proliferating threat of low-cost battlefield drones.
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AnalysisUS Navy air boss outlines vision for carrier-based sixth-generation fighter
Although its future remains a subject of budgetary debate in Washington, the US Navy’s top aviator says the service still plans to field a purpose-built carrier-based sixth-generation jet to replace its fourth-generation strike fighters.