DEFENSE: Global hotspots and country-by-country analyses of national priorities, budgets and programs. See pages 38-47. MILITARY AVIATION: Rivals upgrade their combat aircraft as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter begins to gain international traction. Special missions become a key part of transport market. See pages 58-67. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT: Europe finally may be getting its act together on UAS, but China and civil developments are moving faster. See page 68.

Now launched, the Avic MA700 is leaner than previously planned

Europe's airlines see a brighter 2014, despite many challenges

Analysts tracking the commercial aircraft turbine engine MRO market see a growth period for the industry from 2014 through 2023, although at a percentage rate in the low-to-mid-single digits. According to data generated by Aviation Week analysts, the global value of the engine MRO market for 2014 is estimated at $20.3 billion, based on the in-service engine fleet of 63,000 for that year—including 3,952 new deliveries. Some aviation industry analysts project slightly higher numbers for the same period.

In an industry used to constant growth—with a few hiccups here and there—Russia will deliver the conclusion of an astonishing story in 2014: 24 years after its previous traffic peak in 1990, the Russian air transport industry is finally reaching similar traffic levels.

Latin America has been viewed by most as one of the most promising airline markets. Impressive growth and huge steps in quality and safety have made the continent the turnaround story in the industry. And 2014 appears set to become a year of further improvement.

The potential for satellite-based surveillance to transform air traffic management has been recognized for years. Now the countries leading the way with this technology are preparing to show how its promise can be realized in some of the most important airspace on the planet. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems are being installed and used all over the world. It seems it is no longer a question of if, but when, it will replace radar as the main source of surveillance for ATM purposes.

Faulty fuel-system alerts eyed in two recent crashes of Eurocopter helicopters