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KAI, Lockheed rollout T-X prototype

Aerion appoints Axon as Russian sales agent for supersonic AS2

Aerion is stepping up its international sales effort, with the appointment of Axon Aviation as exclusive representative for the AS2 supersonic business jet in Russia. This is the third sales agent selection for the Reno, Nevada-based developer in less than a year. Sparkle Roll and Equus Globa...

Boeing, Jet2.com Finalize Order for Three Additional Next Generation 737-800s

Boeing and UK Leisure Airline Jet2.com finalized an order today for three Next Generation 737-800s, valued at $288 million at current list prices. Jet2.com previously ordered 27 Next Generation 737-800s in September 2015 and operates an all-Boeing fle...

Global Hawk readies for new payload tests

Northrop Grumman has scheduled flight tests of three new payloads for the RQ-4B Global Hawk fleet next year. The tests are made possible by the development of a universal payload adaptor jointly funded by Northrop and the US Air Force. In its original form, the RQ-4B lacked the payload attach points to fit two sensors carried by the Lockheed Martin U-2S, the reconnaissance aircraft the Globa...

Russian Aerospace Firm to Offer Systems for Helicopter Project With China

Russia's Technodinamika holding company, involved in the manufacture of aviation units and power supply systems, is ready to join a Russian-Chinese heavy helicopter project, the company's head Maxim Kuzyuk said. Earlier on Wednesday, Russia's Rostec deputy CEO Dmitry Shugaev said the company expected to sign a contract and an intergovernmental agreement on the heavy h...

Flying into sunset

When Boeing introduced the 747 jumbo jet more than 40 years ago, almost every aspect of the aircraft was unique. It was the largest plane of the day, it covered the longest distance and it marked the start of a new era in aviation. Its upper deck lounge and spiral staircases wowed passengers. Airlines across the world made a beeline to Boeing’s door to get the plane into their fleets. In...

Airbus mulls A380 revamp ‘in cold blood’ as Emirates pushes case

Airbus Group said it’s still pondering whether to upgrade the A380 superjumbo to help end a sales drought, with production rates for the double-decker set to dip below 30 planes this year as output is slowed to help manage a dwindling backlog. Chief executive Tom Enders said that commercial-aircraft head Fabrice Bregier is “working on the business case” for an A380 revamp with...

EASA Certifies Turbomeca Engine in Bell 505

Turbomeca has received EASA type certification for its Arrius 2R engine with fadec that powers the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Officially launched at the 2013 Paris Air Show alongside the Bell 505, the Arrius 2R has followed a brisk development schedule. Since the first ground run in April 2014, the engine has logged more than 2,500 ground test hours. The flight test campaign started in November 201...

Mitsubishi to review MRJ test and delivery schedule

Mitsubishi Aircraft is reviewing the development schedule for the MRJ regional jet, following the commencement of flight-testing. The airframer says the “entire schedule” from testing to initial delivery is being examined, in co-operation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Mitsubishi has not specifically stated whether this review is an indicator of possible further delays to...

Turkey to work with BAE Systems on TF-X fighter project

Turkey’s Undersecretariat of Defence Industries (SSM) has chosen BAE Systems to assist with the design of the nation’s next-generation fighter. Ankara launched its TFX project in 2011, with a trio of concepts designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in conjunction with Gripen manufacturer Saab. These comprise single- and twin-engined models, which served as the basis for studi...

India to spend $400M on own stealth combat drone development

India is getting set to launch an ambitious project to develop its own stealth combat drones or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), which will be capable of firing missiles and precision-guided munitions at enemy targets and then returning to home bases to re-arm for further missions. Sources said the government was close to approving a Rs 2,650 crore Project Ghatak to develop the futurist...

Japanese navy takes its last H135 training helicopters

The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has taken delivery of its final Airbus Helicopters H135 training helicopters. The 14th and 15th examples of the type were recently handed over, says Airbus Helicopters in a statement. Deliveries of the H135, designated TH135 in JMSDF service, commenced in 2011. Airbus adds that there are over 80 H135s operating in Japan. Roles includ...

Production of first Japan-built F-35A commences

Mitsubishi Heavy Industry has started work on the first Lockheed Martin F-35A to be assembled in Japan. The work took place at a Mitsubishi factory in Nagoya, and saw the mating of the aircraft’s wings, fuselage, and tail, says Lockheed in a statement. The aircraft is designated AX-5, and will be the fifth F-35A produced for the Japanese air force. Japan’s first four aircraft, de...

Third AW609 Tiltrotor To Fly by Mid-2016

The third flight-test AW609 is expected to fly by the middle of next year as work continues on AgustaWestland's civil tiltrotor program following the fatal crash of Ship 02 on October 30. “With regards to the AW609 tiltrotor anticipated certification date, Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland is fully committed to mitigating any delay that our recent tragic accident, and the subsequent investigat...

Arab Wings joins CRJ family

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has welcomed Arab Wings, Amman, Jordan, and Iraq Gate into the family of operators of the CRJ Series. Iraq Gate entered service in March with its first CRJ200 aircraft, adding two more since, initially operating the aircraft purchased by Arab Wings on domestic routes from Baghdad. "The excellent economics of the CRJ200 regional jet are ideal to m...

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Gogo and Insitu collaborate on Group 3 UAS connectivity

Gogo Special Missions and Insitu have achieved a significant milestone in unmanned aviation with the successful testing and integration of a customized high-speed satellite communications solution for...

Electra demonstrates revolutionary airport operations with Ultra-Short Takeoff aircraft using helicopter-style procedures

Electra announced the successful completion of first-of-its-kind flight operations from a heliport located on the commercial airport ramp at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. The demonstration high...