All In Depth – Page 5
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In depthLockheed will not protest Boeing win in USAF sixth-generation fighter effort
Although the military airframer was unsuccessful in its bid to produce the US Air Force’s forthcoming sixth-generation fighter, Lockheed Martin plans to incorporate design features from the prototype into the F-35 chassis for an aircraft that can deliver “80% of sixth-generation capability” at a reduced price.
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In depthElectric dreams: why Saxon Air wants to lead by example when it comes to sustainability and promoting careers
In the rare early March sunshine at Norwich airport, a Pipistrel Velis Electro sits under a canopy being recharged by a power unit that is itself being replenished by solar energy via panels on the roof. The station is part of what Saxon Air chief executive Alex Durand describes as the company’s small but symbolically significant contribution to the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
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In depthGeneral Atomics planning modular family of uncrewed fighters
With plans to show off its offering for the US Air Force at the upcoming Paris air show, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems says it is taking a modular approach to the autonomous fighter concept that will allow customers to easily pick and choose different capabilities for their fleets.
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In depthStart-up Natilus ‘talking to everyone’ in search for US manufacturing site
Start-up aircraft manufacturer Natilus has started looking for places to build large-scale facilities that will produce its proposed blended wing-body aircraft.
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In depthNew wave: the latest aerial assets in the war on wildfires
Changing weather patterns mean burning forests present an ever-bigger threat to communities around the world. What new platforms are coming on stream to help firefighters hit back from above?
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In depthRise Air banks on incoming ATR turboprops for far-north expansion
Canadian passenger and cargo carrier Rise Air is counting on incoming ATR 72 turboprops to spearhead a new era of growth that may see it expand beyond its home province of Saskatchewan.
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In depth‘There is no kill switch’: Pentagon denies F-35 rumours as calls grow to ditch US defence products
With allied governments and industrial competitors now openly discussing possible cancellation of orders for the American stealth fighter, the Pentagon’s F-35 office is officially denying unsubstantiated rumours it can remotely disable the jets of overseas operators.
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In depthRAAF combat fleet evolves for a more challenging world
Australia’s combat fleet is at a defining moment for the 21st century, with an ever-darkening geopolitical environment and the emergence of new capabilities.
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In depthAirbus Helicopters to ‘raise the bar’ with launch of new H140 light-twin
Occupying the space between its strong-selling H135 and H145 light-twins, the H140 features a five-blade main rotor, a new powerplant – the Safran Helicopter Engines Arrius 2E – a T-tail, a larger cabin, an improved Fenestron shrouded tail rotor.
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In depthUS LC-130s pioneer take-off and landing on frozen lakes
Recent training operations in the Canadian Arctic saw the New York Air National Guard’s unique fleet of Lockheed Martin LC-130 “Skibirds” land on a frozen lake surface, the first time the ski landing gear-equipped transports have operated from freshwater ice, rather than the polar sea ice or snow they typically use.
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In depthSikorsky reveals S-92A+ Phase IV gearbox as it recommits to civil segment
Sikorsky has revealed the first images of the Phase IV gearbox designed for the new S-92A+ helicopter, while insisting the update reflects the company’s long-term commitment both to the heavy-twin and the broader civil market.
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In depthSmith continues rapid revolution as Robinson reveals R88
Robinson Helicopter has launched its first new aircraft for almost 15 years, unveiling plans for the R88, a range-topping $3.3 million turbine-powered single.
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In depthUS Air Force wrapping up analysis of next-generation tanker requirement
The general in charge of the service’s fleet of cargo and refueller aircraft says the service has been evaluating its needs for a new tanker aircraft, including runway requirements, fuel transfer capacity and observability signature.
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In depthUncrewed fighter makers shift away from disposable concept to reusable aircraft
Rather than the ultra-cheap, single-use weapon systems at one time envisioned for the US Air Force’s new generation of uncrewed fighters, developers of the new aircraft now say the jets will be intended for reuse, but with far shorter lifespans than traditional military platforms.
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In depthFrench nuclear carrier bolsters interoperability during Asia-Pacific cruise
France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is wrapping up a major deployment to the Asia-Pacific, which saw its air wing work closely with regional partners.
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In depthChina’s new sixth-generation aircraft likely for air superiority role: USAF
The general in charge of the US Air Force’s fighter fleet says the Pentagon believes the sixth-generation aircraft seen over China late last year are intended to provide air superiority, as Beijing continues to expand its military readiness.
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In depthCanada outlines role of P-8 and MQ-9B fleets in Arctic defence
The senior Canadian officer at the bi-national North American Aerospace Defence Command says Ottawa’s planned fleet of General Atomics MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft will be used to provide broad surveillance of Canada’s three oceanic coastlines, while the country’s forthcoming Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jets will conduct in-depth investigations of potential threats.
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In depthUS Air Force dubs new OA-1K armed crop duster ‘Skyraider II’ ahead of first delivery
The US Air Force and Special Operations Command are preparing to field the new low-cost close air support platform developed under the Armed Overwatch programme, which uses an Air Tractor turboprop modified for combat service by L3Harris.
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In depthTrump to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico in March
US President Donald Trump on 27 February affirmed his intention to raise import duties on the two key trade partners starting on 4 March, after previously delaying the punitive measures.