Breaking Defense reports, “The Space Force has seen positive results from experiments with space-based sensors to track airborne targets, and now is hoping to use incoming funds to speed capability to orbit, according to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Tag: aircraft
Boeing’s Deliveries Hit Seven-year High as Production Recovery Accelerates
CNBC reports, “Boeing is set to report this week that it delivered the most airplanes since 2018 last year after it stabilized its production, the clearest sign of a turnaround yet after years of safety crisesand snowballing quality defects. Now, the aerospace giant is planning to ramp up production.”
Full Story (CNBC)
GE Aerospace Raises 2025 Profit Forecast on Robust Aftermarket Demand
Reuters reports GE Aerospace raised its 2025 profit forecast on Tuesday, projecting a strong finish to the year on robust demand for aftermarket maintenance services due to a shortage of new jets. The jet-engine maker also lifted its growth forecast for LEAP engine deliveries to more than 20% in 2025. Shares of the company were up nearly 3% in premarket trading.
Full Story (Reuters)
US Air Force Planning Independent Squadrons of Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Defense News reports, “The U.S. Air Force plans to create independent squadrons for its future fleet of collaborative combat aircraft instead of adding the drone wingmen to already-existing squadrons of manned fighters. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the nominee to be the service’s next chief of staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing Thursday the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard also may stand up their own CCA squadrons, along with the active duty.”
Full Story (Defense News)
Exploring AAM Multimodal Integration at 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum
FROM THE INSTITUTE
At the cutting edge of aerospace innovation, novel advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft and technologies are poised to redefine how passengers and cargo move through complex, multi-use transportation networks. What early use cases could reap the benefits of this opportunity to enhance door-to-door mobility? The AIAA AAM Multimodal Working Group, in partnership with ITS America formally began this conversation with a webinar in June 2025, and expanded their programming with an in-person workshop at 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum, “Early Use Cases for AAM Integration in Multimodal Transportation.”
Full Story (Aerospace America)
Beta’s All-electric Alia Aircraft Performs Intercity Test Flight in Norway for First Time
Aerospace Testing International reports, “Beta’s Alia electric aircraft flew a route between Stavanger and Bergen in Norway for the first time last week – the start of several months of flight tests looking to build knowledge about operating battery-electric aircraft before they are commercialised.” The three-phase flight campaign is expected to run until January 2026.
Full Story (Aerospace Testing International)
First US Navy E-130J Phoenix II Command Aircraft Rolls Out
FlightGlobal reports the first airframe for the US Navy’s new E-130J Phoenix II strategic airborne command post “has rolled off the production line,” marking a milestone in “the $3.5 billion TACAMO modernisation … programme.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)
Aviation Week Podcast: How Drones Are Shaping Aircraft Inspections
Aviation Week reports “editors James Pozzi and Lindsay Bjerregaard are joined by Dejan Borota, CEO and co-founder of drone-based inspection specialist Mainblades, to discuss technology’s development in MRO, the role of artificial intelligence in inspections and the direction future adoption is heading.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Stratolaunch Reusable Hypersonic Vehicle Exceeds Mach 5 in Two Test Flights
Space News reports, “The U.S. is re-entering the era of reusable hypersonic flight testing for the first time in more than half a century, using an autonomous drone developed by Stratolaunch. The hypersonic vehicle named Talon A2 exceeded Mach 5—the threshold for hypersonic speed—in two Pentagon-backed test flights conducted in December 2024 and March 2025, the Defense Department confirmed May 5.”
Full Story (Space News)
Amazon Prime Air Plans First Drone Delivery Service in a Major U.S. City
Flying Magazine reports, “Less than one month after resuming drone delivery following a voluntary two-month operational hiatus, Amazon’s Prime Air is eyeing its first service in a major U.S. city. Amazon spokesperson Andy DiOrio told the Kansas City Star that Prime Air is considering moving into the Missouri metroplex. Kansas City would represent the company’s third and largest operation. Its population of half a million people dwarfs the number of customers it could reach with its other services in College Station, Texas, and Tolleson, Arizona.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)