Aerospace

  • Britain’s eVTOL milestone begins in the blade factory

    Britain’s eVTOL milestone begins in the blade factory

    Vertical Aerospace has publicly flown its full-scale tilt-rotor demonstrator aircraft. The Farnborough flight showcased composite rotor blades developed with NCC and a UK supply chain being prepared for certification, repeatability, and eventual rate production.

  • Fifty hot-section parts become a handful in TJ150 test

    Fifty hot-section parts become a handful in TJ150 test

    Pratt & Whitney has tested a largely additively manufactured engine. The TJ150 demonstration consolidated more than 50 hot-section components, shifting attention towards repeatable print quality, inspection, post-processing, and production economics.

  • Thunder turns the air-taxi factory towards autonomous attack

    Thunder turns the air-taxi factory towards autonomous attack

    Thunder brings hybrid-electric propulsion into autonomous military rotorcraft development programmes. Anduril and Archer must now turn commercial eVTOL methods into an aircraft that can carry military payloads, survive demanding missions, and remain supportable.

  • The next fighter cockpit may be worn, not installed

    The next fighter cockpit may be worn, not installed

    BAE Systems has unveiled a modular sixth-generation fighter helmet demonstrator. Project Intuity combines wide-area display technology, head tracking, spatial audio, and future autonomy interfaces within a wearable system that must also satisfy protection and certification requirements.

  • GCAP’s flying power station approaches the test stand

    GCAP’s flying power station approaches the test stand

    GCAP’s engine demonstrator is approaching a decisive ground-testing programme milestone. Rolls-Royce, Avio Aero, and IHI are converting more than 100 subscale tests into a shared propulsion, electrical-power, cooling, and manufacturing architecture.

  • Brimstone and Paveway turn Protector into an armed system

    Brimstone and Paveway turn Protector into an armed system

    Protector has cleared another major hurdle towards operational strike capability. Qualification of Paveway IV and Brimstone 3 now shifts attention towards production configuration, weapons availability, ground infrastructure, training, and fleet support.

  • Japan puts its flying jammer through the integration test

    Japan puts its flying jammer through the integration test

    Japan has begun formal testing of its XEC-2 electronic-warfare aircraft. The campaign will test mission systems, electromagnetic compatibility, crew workload, and the support model required for a four-aircraft fleet.

  • VC-25B’s 2028 date rests on invisible integration work

    VC-25B’s 2028 date rests on invisible integration work

    Boeing still targets 2028 delivery for both VC-25B presidential aircraft. Wiring, structures, secure systems, power, cooling, and certification continue to drive cost and schedule pressure.

  • Canada’s GCAP observer move opens the workshare question

    Canada’s GCAP observer move opens the workshare question

    Canada’s expected GCAP observer status opens a serious workshare debate. Ottawa gains early programme access, while funding, technology rights, production roles, and procurement remain unresolved.

  • Honeywell puts factory capacity ahead of dealmaking

    Honeywell puts factory capacity ahead of dealmaking

    Honeywell is prioritising factory investment as defence component demand rises. A $500 million programme targets navigation, missile actuation, electronic warfare, supplier resilience, and production yield.