AeroVironment’s Blackwing lets a submarine control unmanned underwater vehicles; Lockheed Martin’s Vector Hawk launches from a UUV; and General Atomics’ Predator flies pod that extends data-link networks—UAS show potential to bridge combat domains.
The U.S. Navy’s MIDS-JTRS terminal and tactical targeting networking technology waveform could equally support the Air Force’s future airborne networking architecture, defense companies believe.
The goal is to network the combat air forces so that F-35s and F-22s can rapidly share information with fourth-generation jets. But the stovepiped communications architecture of days past complicates this picture.
There is still disagreement over whether short-term aircraft demand has already peaked or is about to—or whether there is time left until the going gets much tougher.
In this week’s roundup, the U.S. Navy awards the first of two MQ-25 Stingray contracts; Europe takes another step toward a combat UAV; UK Defense Ministry backs space-based manufacturing; and Draken International helps the Japanese test a surface-to-air missile.
Business jet demand was once linked to a wide array of economic indicators, especially equities markets and corporate profits. Since 2008, these links have broken down.
While the sunsetting of the US Airways brand is the most public change from its merger with American, most of the work of integration happened behind the scenes and in fact is continuing.
The transfer of propellant, the budget and the effects of long stays in space are still challenges facing SpaceX’s dazzling proposal. They are achievable, though, Dan Dunbacher, a Purdue University professor and former NASA official tells Aviation Week’s Frank Morring.
An intercontinental transfer operation can be based largely on narrowbody aircraft, thanks to their rising range and the central location of Air Astana’s bases.
Facing an increasingly contested battlespace, Air Mobility Command is looking for follow-on tankers—even stealthy ones—and wants a survivable new tanker to escort fighters and bombers into conflicts.
While everything still hinges on the precooler technology of Reaction Engines’ Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE), the Air Force Research Laboratory sees huge potential for the propulsion concept
Air Combat Command’s EQ-4B and E-11A Battlefield Communications Node fleet have served as high-flying combat comms relays for eight years and counting.
As the U.S. Air Force presses forward with its J-Stars Recapitalization competition, a 10-aircraft Compass Call requirement has manufacturers vying for special-mission work.
The contract between France and India is welcomed by French officials as a diplomatic coup, but it also looms large as part of the arms race between India and some of its neighbors—namely Pakistan and China.
Aviation Week editors break down some of the highlights at this year’s Air Force Association symposium – from the Air Forces plans to pursue a weaponized KC-Z tanker.
In this week’s Washington Outlook, American Airlines and others continue fight to overhaul the FAA; U.S. needs to move faster to counter Chinese and Russian space prowess; rethinking Syrian conflict; Boeing can sell aircraft to Iran.
Double-bubble D8, Blended Wing Body, Transonic Truss-Braced Wing, Hybrid Wing Body and a small-airliner-size BWB – the configurations NASA is considering for planned ultra-efficient subsonic transport demonstrators.
