All In Depth – Page 4
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In depthSikorsky to modify ‘MX’ Black Hawk for autonomous flight
Under a $6 million grant from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Sikorsky will modify a government-owned UH-60M helicopter with autonomy technologies that could allow for single-pilot or fully pilotless flight.
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In depthUS government subpoenas Saab regarding Brazilian Gripen acquisition
A decade after Saab signed a contract with Brasilia to provide the Brazilian air force with Gripen E/F fighters, the US government is investigating the deal for unspecified reasons.
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In depthTurboprop MRO firm APS eyes Asia opportunity with upcoming Malaysia facility
MRO provider Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) will be opening a new facility in Malaysia – its first in Asia-Pacific – as it eyes “important growth opportunities” in the region.
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In depthCan the US Air Force actually make its disposable fighter jets at an affordable price?
The service is betting much of its future on developing and fielding large numbers of so-called “attritable” combat jets that cost a fraction of traditional fighter aircraft. But can that goal actually be achieved?
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In depthCould the US Air Force restore electronic attack fighter capability?
The US Air Force has not operated a dedicated offensive electronic-attack fighter since 1998 when the service retired its EF-111 Ravens, but service leaders now appear to be embracing electronic warfare as a central aspect of modern air combat operations.
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In depthDozens of jets returning from desert exile as pilot attrition eases across US regional industry
Dozens of regional jets that have been sitting in the Arizona desert are returning to commercial service as regional carriers take advantage of a temporary reprieve in pilot attrition.
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In depthHoneywell targets 2027 for delivering F-35 power and thermal upgrade
The Pentagon has not decided how to address the long-term need for more power and cooling capacity aboard the advanced Lockheed Martin fighter jet, but the manufacturer of the current Power and Thermal Management System aims to have an upgrade ready around the time Pratt & Whitney starts rolling out an engine upgrade.
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In depthUS Air Force to shake up fleet modernisation programmes in coming months
The service’s top civilian official says the US Air Force soon plans to announce major changes to its most-significant new aircraft development programmes, including to its sixth-generation air superiority platform, a low-observable tanker and low-cost autonomous fighters.
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In depthNo let-up in sight as Heart attacks ES-30 development
Having unveiled its first flight-test prototype, Heart Aerospace is now working to get the HX-1 airborne next year while also overcoming the multiple engineering and production challenges on the path to developing its ES-30, a hybrid-electric airliner targeted for service-entry by the end of this decade.
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In depthAnduril unveils low-cost Barracuda cruise missile designed for ‘hyper-scale’ production
The US defence start-up plans to develop a line of long-range precision munitions called Barracuda that are being designed for simplicity and rapid production at a mass scale.
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In depthRaytheon eyes F-22 modernisation amid US pause on sixth-generation fighter development
With senior US Air Force officials pausing to re-evaluate development of a sixth-generation fighter, defence contractors are eyeing potential modernisation opportunities for the service’s current air superiority platform – the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
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In depthMaterial whirl: why Safran is betting big on lighter components
Around three-quarters of Safran’s annual R&T budget is focussed on decarbonisation initiatives, and while much of that is directed to its engines business there are multiple other areas of focus, explains chief technology officer Eric Dalbies.
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In depthUS Special Operations cuts Armed Overwatch acquisition nearly 20%
US Special Operations Command is lowering its procurement target for the L3Harris OA-1K armed reconnaissance turboprop to 62 aircraft from the original target of 75, after scrutiny from government auditors.
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In depthBraced for change: Clean Aviation plans radical reshaping of regional aircraft wings
An eventual successor to current regional turboprops could feature a strut-braced, high-aspect-ratio composite wing with morphing leading and trailing edges, depending on the outcome of an ongoing research and technology project.
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In depthSlot reform welcomed, but ‘not panacea’ for current challenges: ACI regional head
While current efforts in Australia to reform slot allocation are “important”, the head of Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East warns that resolving the slot issue will not be a “panacea” for current challenges surrounding air traffic recovery.
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In depthRobinson and United Therapeutics gearing up to fly hydrogen-powered helicopters
Light rotorcraft maker Robinson Helicopter Company and biotechnology firm United Therapeutics have recently ground-tested an R44 modified with hydrogen fuel cells, and the companies say test flights are imminent.
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In depthUS Air Force continues withdrawal of older F-15s from Japan
With production of Boeing’s latest F-15EX variant ramping up, the US Air Force is continuing to reassign ageing F-15C/D Eagle fighters from forward bases in Japan, which is set to receive the newer and more-capable Eagle II.
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In depthStrike risk looms next month as Boeing and union remain apart on key issues
Boeing and its largest labour union remain locked in intense contract negotiations, with the union pushing for 40% wage gains to recoup previous concessions and threatening to strike on 13 September.
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In depthUS Army begins ‘most significant’ transformation of airborne surveillance in service history
Under a $991 million contract, systems integrator Sierra Nevada will convert Bombardier Global 6500 business jets into airborne surveillance and reconnaissance platforms to replace a current fleet of turboprops.