Aviation Week & Space Technology

MAX 737 production is underway at Boeing, along with enhancements to assembly efficiency.

With commercial aircraft output continuing to rise and military aircraft production set to increase, Aviation Week looks at the pressures facing the global aerospace industry.

Established satellite manufacturers, including Airbus and Thales, are moving toward mass production to meet demand for small sats from Silicon Valley.

The Pentagon has many ideas about running the F-35’s upgrade program. It needs to pick one and stick with it.

See Aviation Week’s reports from Le Bourget, 1953-2013.

Analysts warn that overcapacity might soon become a serious issue for airlines again, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.

Chinese flight delays are worsening. Only 68.4% of scheduled flights were on time last year—the third straight year of declining performance—demonstrating that palliatives, such as opening temporary airways, are not coping with industry growth.

The Long-Range Strike Bomber program will not be the seismic event for defense manufacturers that many analysts are predicting.

Transpacific expansion and an extensive airport lounge renovation project are in play at Air New Zealand.

Heathrow managers use simulation to increase airport capacity.

Delay from wiring harness debacle ripples through the KC-46A tanker testing plan.

Federal spending cuts and declines in stock value signal a rocky road for the government IT and services providers.

New manager Christoph Mueller ushering in big changes to revive fortunes of Malaysia Airlines, viewing it as a startup opportunity.

Demand for Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon aircraft grows with orders from the U.S. Navy, India, Australia and, possibly, the Royal Navy.

Before the RFP was even issued, USAF incurred a possible Procurement Integrity Act violation in the EELV competition.

Investigation finds that software glitch caused three engines of the stricken A400M to idle on takeoff.

2016 aerospace legislation faces White House hurdle, the ongoing war over Gulf airline subsidies, U.S.-India draw closer on defense and AIA chooses Melcher as new CEO.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION Sierra Nevada Corp. has teamed with Turkish engineering firm STM to restart production of Dornier 328 turboprop and 328Jet regional airliners. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ankara government to build the aircraft in Turkey and develop the 60-70-passenger turboprop TR628 and turbofan-powered TRJ628.

A&D should use production windfall to invest in innovative processes.

Other countries’ efforts led to more financial stability, technological nimbleness and responsiveness to airspace users.

Eileen Drake has been named CEO and president of Aerojet Rocketdyne and a member of the board of directors. She succeeds Scott Seymour, who retired after five years in those positions. Drake joined the company in March as COO. She was president of Pratt & Whitney Aeropower’s auxiliary power unit and small turbojet propulsion business. Her experience includes seven years as a U.S. Army aviator and as airfield commander of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

A number of new and potential partners are helping CNES expand the range and scope of its mission in space.

Airbus is challenging Sikorsky for a greater share of the military helicopter market.

Lockheed Martin projects 260 international sales in the next five years—but has only 30 on contract so far.

Airbus pushes ahead with A320neo schedule despite temporary flight-test halt.