Tag: Aviation

Joby Conducts Successful Demonstration of its Superpilot Autonomous Flight Technology

Military Aerospace reports Joby Aviation Inc. “announced a first-of-its-kind demonstration of its autonomous flight technology. As part of the Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), a Department-Level Exercise led by Pacific Air Forces, Joby conducted a successful demonstration and validation of its Superpilot autonomous flight technology over the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii, logging more than 7,000 miles of autonomous operations across more than 40 flight hours.”
Full Story (Military Aerospace)

US Army Apache Helicopters Show Counter-UAS Capabilities

Aerotime reports the US Army demonstrated the AH-64E Apache’s ability to detect, track, and defeat drone threats, underscoring its value as a mobile counter-UAS platform. “The tests, conducted with the South Carolina Army National Guard, involved the Army’s Program Manager Apache, Program Manager Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions, and the team responsible for the helicopter’s 30mm proximity-fused ammunition.”
Full Story (Aerotime)

Electric Air Taxis Expected to Reach Operational Scale by 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles

Flying Magazine reports, “The FAA’s Innovate28 blueprint forecasts 2028 as the year electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis reach operational scale in major U.S. cities, such as Los Angeles. The City of Angels is slated to host the 2028 Olympic Games that summer,” but more work is needed before they fly at the games.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

Aviation Week Shares Rendering of New Boeing F/A-XX That Has Similarities to F-47

Aviation Week reports, “A new rendering of Boeing’s proposed F/A-XX design provided to Aviation Week indicates the company may be incorporating parts of its design for the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 into the Navy program. The new rendering, first shown in a presentation at the Tailhook Symposium last week, shows the aircraft highly obfuscated by clouds as it flies over a Navy carrier.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Performs First Flight Test

Aviation Week reports, “Flight testing for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) began Aug. 27, with the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. YFQ-42A taking off for the first time. The company, in an announcement after the close of business, confirmed the aircraft conducted flight testing in coordination with the U.S. Air Force.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

Video

YFQ-42A unmanned fighter conducting flight testing
Media Magik Entertainment; YouTube

From Classroom to Flight Line: 30 Years of Design/Build/Fly

FROM THE INSTITUTE
In April 2026, AIAA DBF will celebrate its 30th anniversary fly-off in Wichita, Kansas, hosted by Textron Aviation. The objective for this year is to design, build, and test a banner-towing bush plane, conduct charter flights to pay for the airplane, and start a banner-towing business. The mission balances performance with practicality, pushing students to innovate while staying grounded in real-world design constraints. Learn more about the draft rules and submission deadlines.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Awarded Contract for Production of F135 Engines

Reuters reports, “Pratt & Whitney unit has been awarded a $2.8 billion modified contract for the production of F135 engines, the company said on Tuesday. The contract will fund production of the engines that power Lockheed Martin’s F-35 jets for the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program and international customers.”
Full Story (Reuters)

RTX Ventures Aims to Transform the Industry, One Investment at a Time

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Innovators! If you know of a startup enterprise in the aerospace or defense industries looking for investments, you may want to get to know RTX Ventures. A subsidiary of aerospace giant RTX Corporation, RTX Ventures is a three-year-old venture capital firm with a unique approach, noted Executive Director Roman Mueller. He described how the firm seeks companies to provide investment funding.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

Korean Air Announces Largest-ever Boeing Jet Order

Reuters reports, “Korean Air announced a $50 billion order on Monday for 103 Boeing airplanes and GE Aerospace engines and servicing coinciding with the visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Washington. The order, the largest in the Korean air carrier’s history, includes a mix of 787s, 777s and 737 Boeing airplanes worth about $36.5 billion.”
Full Story (Reuters)

Archer Performs Longest Piloted Flight of its Midnight Aircraft

Electrive reports, “Archer Aviation, the California-based electric aircraft company, has just announced the longest piloted flight of its Midnight aircraft. The Midnight flew 55 miles (88km) in 31 minutes at >126mph (202.8km/h). On this test flight, the fully electric Midnight used a conventional takeoff and landing method; however, the aircraft itself is also capable of vertical takeoff and landing, thanks to articulated rotors which can serve either purpose depending on need.”
Full Story (Electrive)