Must read – Page 6
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NewsUSAF releases first official images of B-21 in flight
The US Air Force has released images of the developmental Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider strategic bomber in flight, as it maintains that the programme is on track.
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NewsUSAF seeks $329m for single 737 VIP transport amid cuts to fighter procurement
The USAF wants to bolster its executive-transport fleet by acquiring a single new 737-based C-40D for $329 million, while at the same time acquiring fewer fighter jets, according to the service’s fiscal year 2025 budget request.
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In depth‘It will improvise’: Shield AI’s dogfighting algorithm developed novel fighter tactics
The founder of Shield AI, the company behind the artificial intelligence that recently powered an autonomous F-16 fighter in US Air Force dogfighting drills, says its algorithm has shown ability to improvise, and has even developed novel air combat tactics no human pilot would likely employ.
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NewsA-10s escort US ballistic missile submarine during strait transit
Ground-attack A-10 fighters from the US Air Force overflew the USS Nebraska ballistic-missile submarine during a transit through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, as the air force continues seeking new missions for the ageing jets.
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NewsSpirit AeroSystems chief believes Airbus partnership will remain intact
Spirit AeroSystems chief executive Patrick Shanahan believes the company will remain a partner to Airbus even as Boeing negotiates a potential acquisition of the aerostructures firm.
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AnalysisStrong backlog but lack of new design work paints mixed picture at Sikorsky
The company that pioneered rotary-wing aviation boasts a years-long backlog for its existing aircraft, particularly variants of the H-60, but has not yet secured a customer for a clean-sheet aircraft using Sikorsky’s proprietary X2 compound coaxial technology.
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AnalysisUS Army still sees need for long-range airborne troop carrier in future conflict
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.
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AnalysisRevelations provide more questions than answers about Chinese bombers
The Xian H-6 and H-20 bombers have made headlines of late, but China’s efforts to build its long-range strike capabilities remain shrouded in mystery.
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NewsIndiGo steps up to long-haul with agreement for up to 100 A350s
Indian budget carrier IndiGo is stepping up to the long-haul sector with an agreement to order up to 100 Airbus A350-900s, deliveries of which will commence in 2027.
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AnalysisOutgoing Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun favours ‘internal succession plan’
Asked to explain what qualities he would like to see in the next chief executive of Boeing, outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun hints at personally favouring an internal candidate to guide the company into its next era.
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Airline BusinessAir Transat reaching for new horizon with flights to Africa
Eastern Canada’s Air Transat has big ambitions to expand transatlantic flying with its growing fleet of long-range jets, and Africa is now within reach.
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NewsGTF groundings peak but exact figures remain elusive
RTX estimates that the number of jets grounded by subsidiary Pratt & Whitney’s (P&W) recall of its geared turbofans (GTFs) has peaked, though executives on 23 April provided few details about the degree of disruption caused.
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NewsInvoluntary captain’s seat shift preceded LATAM 787 in-flight upset
Chilean investigators have determined that an involuntary forward shift of the captain’s seat preceded the in-flight upset involving a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 last month. The aircraft had been cruising at 41,000ft en route to Auckland from Sydney on 11 March. It experienced a “sudden unintentional” loss of altitude, says ...
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Airline BusinessAlaska and United bemoan strong quarters spoiled by Max 9 grounding
On back-to-back days, executives from two major US airlines described how a major safety scare and the related weeks-long grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9 jets undermined both companies’ otherwise strong first-quarter performances.
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AnalysisBusiness aviation fights its case as green lobby gets vocal
The business aviation sector is experiencing a dip in demand in Europe after a post-pandemic high – but a bigger existential threat may come from those who despise the whole idea of private flying.
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In depthFrustrations build in Washington over continued halt on F-35 deliveries
The Pentagon is preparing to curtail the latest upgrade package for the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter, as lawmakers expressed frustration with an eight-month freeze in new aircraft deliveries related to certifying new control software.
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AnalysisFear of industrial decay drives Japan’s airliner gamble
Concerns that Japan’s aerospace industry is at a critical juncture have prompted Tokyo to start laying the groundwork for a new airliner programme – but its plans face daunting risks.
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NewsBoeing insists wealth of data shows long-term integrity of 787 fuselages
Boeing engineers insist they are confident in the long-term structural integrity of the 787’s composite fuselage, saying extensive testing and examination has shown that the fuselages retain durability far longer than most airlines will ever fly the jets.
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Analysis‘True sense of fear’: US military expands pilot training at virtual test range created for F-35
The US military has significantly expanded its use of the US Navy’s Joint Simulation Environment, using technology initially developed to evaluate F-35 systems and sensors to create robust and realistic training environments for pilots flying F-35s, F-22s, F/A-18s, EA-18Gs and E-2Ds.
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In depthGovernment auditors criticise US Coast Guard plan to consolidate rotary fleet
The US Coast Guard, which performs both law enforcement and military missions, is in the midst of consolidating its multi-platform rotary-wing aviation fleet to a single helicopter type, with an eye toward greater efficiency.