Officially known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, the new aircraft will replace the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch jet capable of commanding the USA’s nuclear arsenal.
Although battlefield observations from the Ukraine War led the army to cancel its next-generation armed scout helicopter, the service’s senior aviation leaders say they still see a need for Bell’s V-280 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft in future conflicts.
Last June during a business event in Connecticut, Sikorsky president Paul Lemmo said the company’s VH-92A Patriot helicopter would take over presidential transport missions flown by VH-3D and VH-60N helicopters “completely” by this spring. That still has not happened.
UK engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has three strands that guide its current development activities: the evolution of the gas turbine; research of “radical alternatives” such as electrification; and improving integration between the engine, airframe and its systems. On top of this, the company continues to support the development of alternative fuels.
Lawmakers pressured Federal Aviation Administration chief Steve Dickson on 11 December to ensure his agency thoroughly reviews allegations of safety and quality problems at Boeing’s 737 production plan in Renton, Washington.
The future of Boeing’s proposed New Mid-market Airplane (NMA) seems more uncertain than ever thanks to United Airlines’ recent order for Airbus’s competing A321XLR. But it might still be a go.