Aerotime reports, “Advanced air mobility developer Joby Aviation appears to have tested a large long-endurance hydrogen-powered drone, according to investigative news outlet Hunterbrook, which first reported on this development. Hunterbrook has also published some pictures that were taken from a distance, which seems to confirm this hypothesis.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Tag: Aviation
Electra to Develop Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Propulsion for US Army
Avionics International reports, “Electra has received a small research contract from the Army to mature hybrid-electric propulsion systems the company is developing for its ultra-short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft to advance the technology, and reduce risks, for Army aviation.”
Full Story (Avionics International)
Hegseth Orders Military to Increase Use of Small Drones in New Memo
Breaking Defense reports, “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is directing every US Army squad to be armed with small, one-way attack drones by the end of fiscal 2026, while also enabling troops to modify small drones as necessary in the field.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Boeing Delivers 60 Aircraft in June
Reuters reports, “U.S. aeronautics company Boeing (BA.N), said on Tuesday that it delivered 60 airplanes in June, a 27% increase compared to a year earlier … Boeing booked 116 new orders in June, including 54 737 MAXs and 62 787s.”
Full Story (Reuters)
Military Drones Aid Central Texas Search and Rescue Operations
Flying Magazine reports, “The Texas Military Department has deployed unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) to assist in search and rescue efforts following severe flooding in Kerr County and surrounding regions. The floods have caused significant damage and prompted widespread evacuations as emergency teams continue operations across affected areas. In a statement delivered during a press briefing on Sunday, Major General Thomas Suelzer, who serves as the adjutant general of Texas, detailed the deployment of an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
AIAA Designates Hammondsport, New York, as Historic Site
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Glenn Curtiss’ pioneering early flights were honored by AIAA in a ceremony designating Hammondsport, New York, as a Historic Aerospace Site on 28 June. The ceremony included AIAA members, local community members, and representatives from the Hammondsport area.
Full Story (Aerospace America)
FAA to Receive $12.5B for Air Traffic Control Overhaul
FlightGlobal reports, “The US Congress has passed a sweeping spending and tax bill that will provide $12.5 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration to fund air traffic control (ATC) modernisation…”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)
U.S. Air Force Set to Add Drone Launchers to KC-135 Tankers
The War Zone reports, “The U.S. Air Force has developed a means to launch small drones from its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and is now looking at adding that capability to the fleet. The service says the tankers could send out uncrewed aerial systems to help defend themselves from incoming threats and just provide useful additional situational awareness, as well as to potentially perform other missions in the future.”
Full Story (The War Zone)
Joby Delivers First Electric Air Taxi to UAE
Flying Magazine reports, “Before arriving in the U.S., electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis are expected to debut in the Middle East. This week, they moved one step closer. Joby Aviation, developer of the piloted, four-passenger S4, on Monday announced it delivered its first air taxi to the United Arab Emirates. Joby has a six-year agreement with the Emirate of Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) that it says gives it exclusive rights to operate an air taxi service in the area. The company anticipates the UAE’s first passenger-carrying S4 flights in 2026, slightly later than the initial 2025 target it set when that deal was announced.
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Bombardier Seals $1.7B Aircraft Order from Anonymous Client
Aerotime reports, “Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier has announced that it has secured a “significant firm order” for 50 aircraft, valued at $1.7 Billion. According to Bombardier, the firm order consists of 50 of its Challenger and Global aircraft, combined with a first-of-a-kind service agreement, with deliveries set to begin in 2027. The deal also has an option for the purchase of a further 70 aircraft, which, if exercised, would take the value of the order over $4 Billion.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
