 |
COMMERCIAL NEWS - BAA Training launches a new Boeing 737 MAX type rating programme, Avolon is the first customer for lAI’s new Airbus A330-300 P2F configuration programme, and FAI rent-a-jet configures one of its seven Bombardier Global Express aircraft as an air ambulance.
MILITARY NEWS - UK unaffected as Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agree F-35 production rebaseline, US approves the sale of a single attrition-replacement EA-18G to Australia, and India signs on the line for 56 C295 tactical transport aircraft.
UAV FOCUS - Stratolaunch begins systems installation on its Talon-A hypersonic unmanned vehicle, BAE Systems and Malloy Aeronautics look into developing an all-electric ‘heavy lift’ uncrewed air system, and Kaman Corporation unveils its Kargo autonomous unmanned system.
ROTARY FOCUS - Bell Boeing commences modifications of the engine nacelles on the US Air Force CV-22 Osprey fleet, Leonardo Helicopters begins using the Agusta brand name for executive transport types, and Airbus Helicopters’ EC130 Flightlab tests a new engine back-up system.
BUSINESS FOCUS - Gulfstream G700 logs city-pair records, supersonic business jet developer Aerion Corporation’s assets are to be sold by the end of December, and Haute Aviation receives Embraer’s 1,500th business aircraft.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BAE Systems wins a UK synthetic flight training deal, Leonardo signs a strategic partnership arrangement with the RAF, and Airbus’s Wing of Tomorrow research and technology programme achieves a key milestone.
SPACE FOCUS - The UK’s Strategic Command retains operational control of the Skynet 5 space-based surveillance system for the platform's lifetime, the ESA becomes the launch customer for Surrey Satellite Technology Limited’s Lunar Pathfinder, and Aerojet Rocketdyne wins the contract to develop the Orion Main Engine on behalf of NASA’s Artemis programme.
CRASH BARRIERS - While helicopter accidents grab the headlines, much progress is being made to ensure that rotorcraft are a safe way to travel. Mark Broadbent takes a look at how automatic flight control systems are being improved and reports on how companies approach risk.
VERTICAL LIMITS - As unmanned technologies advance, BlueBird Aero Systems considers the advent of fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing key. Joe Charlaff investigates.
MAKE DO AND MEND - Financial constraints and growing environmental awareness among airlines have led to an increased focus on aircraft refurbishment. Tom Batchelor reports.
WATCH THIS SPACE - As Australia begins the path towards a new Space Division capability, Nigel Pittaway explores what strides the country has taken in enhancing space domain awareness.
SEA & SAND - Dramatic surroundings helped Skydive Dubai become one of the world’s largest skydiving operations, but it took more than crystal-clear waters and futuristic architecture to make this a success story, finds Andreas Rohde.
ARABIAN FLIGHTS COVER STORY - In recent years, Gulf Co-operation Council member states have proven to be a strong market for fighter acquisitions. Alan Warnes details the current state of play.
A GULF BRIDGED - Three influential women from the Middle East aviation sector tell Tara Craig about the challenges and opportunities the industry has given them, as well as reflecting on the changes they would like to see and the progress already made.
PRECISION ATTACK - Loitering munitions point to a new future of unmanned influence in the battlespace and have already been utilised to devastating effect in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Tim Fish analyses the technology and its impact.
TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY TODAY - From inspection robots to self-repairing aircraft - and not forgetting the moss wall - Cranfield University’s new Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) is all about future technology, says Tom Batchelor.
CUTTING THE COST - With the high cost-per-flight hour of jet-based counterinsurgency platforms, the use of smaller, turbo-prop alternatives is a potential solution. However, is there still a market for such platforms? Samuel Beal reports.
SWABS, SEWAGE AND BREXIT - David Lacy, head of commercial activity at East Midlands Airport-based specialist charter airline RVL Aviation, tells Paul E Eden about a turbulent 18 months for the company - and some unexpected silver linings.
SABER THRUST - As the US Air Force looks to go bespoke for its future EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, Robert Coppinger digs deep into the SABER system that will sit at the heart of the capability.
Elsewhere, we look at one of the success stories of the COVID-19 pandemic, Scotland’s Loganair (page 32), speak to the inventor of a new drone inspired by the birds of the Cornish coast (see Where E-gulls Dare on page 44) and dive into the world of sustainable aviation fuel (page 56).
Climate change is making its impact felt in the defence aerospace sector, too, as national governments, keen to show their green credentials, continue efforts to increase the proportion of biofuel used by their air forces (page 50). Progress has been patchy, but the demands placed on militaries will only increase as social pressure mounts on world leaders to prove their eco efforts are more than just lip service.
Takeovers of UK defence companies remain a talking point following the proposed acquisition of Ultra Electronics by US-owned Cobham, itself once a sovereign UK entity. This comes on the heels of earlier (and ongoing) attempts by US firms to acquire aerospace systems manufacturer Meggitt. In the fast jet market, competition in the Indo-Pacific region continues to hot up as international and regional aerospace companies pitch platforms left, right and centre to meet national requirements (page 24). In addition to the usual aircraft produced by the West, local companies - and those from China and Russia -are looking to secure a greater share of the market.
Finally, if you need to quench an unmanned thirst, head over to page 64 for another example of a country developing an indigenous drone design, development and manufacturing capability in an analysis of Turkey’s efforts in this area. Spoiler alert: following Turkey’s first successful sale of an unmanned system into a NATO country (Poland), it is hard not to conclude that Ankara should be considered a serious player.
Tara Craig
Associate Editor, AIR International
