Aviation Week reports, “The U.S. Air Force hopes to speed up its next-generation tanker program with potential new-start authority in its fiscal 2026 budget, or even an earlier start under newly provided authorities from Congress, the service’s leader says.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Tag: Aviation
Boeing CEO Anticipates Max 7 and 10 Certification in First Half of 2025
FlightGlobal reports, “Boeing chief executive David Calhoun thinks the company could have its 737 Max 7 and Max 10 certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration in the first half of 2025, while cautioning that the regulator will determine ultimate timing. Calhoun laid out the timeframe on 31 July, saying Boeing has made progress in redesigning the types’ engine anti-ice system, which has been holding up the certifications.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)
NASA Demonstrates Streaming 4K Video from Aircraft to Space Station
Aviation Week reports, “As part of an effort to develop communications systems to transmit video feeds of astronauts on the Moon during Artemis missions, NASA recently demonstrated streaming 4K video footage from an aircraft to the International Space Station (ISS) and back, using a laser communications system.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Tesseract Ventures Launches Agricultural Drone for Crop & Data Management
Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Tesseract Ventures has launched the dual use application of its cutting-edge military technology and specialized robotics platform in the agricultural sector, specifically tailored for American farmers. The Tesseract Ag Drone is a cutting-edge tool made in the USA to help farmers manage their crops and data more accurately.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Air New Zealand Becomes First Major Carrier to Pull Back from Climate Goal
BBC News reports, “Air New Zealand has abandoned a 2030 goal to cut its carbon emissions, blaming difficulties securing more efficient planes and sustainable jet fuel. The move makes it the first major carrier to back away from such a climate target. The airline added it is working on a new short-term target and it remains committed to an industry-wide goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”
Full Story (BBC News)
Embraer’s Eve Unveils First Air Taxi Prototype
Flying Magazine reports, “Eve Air Mobility, the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi subsidiary of Embraer, this week joined a select group of eVTOL manufacturers. At the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., Eve unveiled its first full-scale eVTOL air taxi prototype, assembled at Embraer’s test facility in Brazil’s São Paulo state.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Joby Completes Landmark 523-Mile Hydrogen-Electric Flight
Aviation International reports, “Joby Aviation, a next generation aviation company, today announced it has successfully flown a first-of-its-kind hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator 523 miles, with water as the only by-product. The aircraft, which takes off and lands vertically, builds on Joby’s successful battery-electric air taxi development program, and demonstrates the potential for hydrogen to unlock emissions-free, regional journeys that don’t require a runway.”
Full Story (Aviation International)
Safran Joins Boeing X-66A Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project
Aviation Week reports, “Boeing has selected Safran to provide the electrical power generation system for the airframer’s X-66A aircraft which is in development as part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. The Safran Electrical & Power system, consisting of a variable frequency generator and its associated control unit, will be adapted to integrate with the Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan that has also been selected for the aircraft.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
General Dynamics Business Jet Revenue Increases 50%
Reuters reports that General Dynamics reported an 18% rise in second-quarter revenue on Wednesday, helped by higher demand for its ammunitions and nuclear-powered submarines and “a 50% increase in business jet deliveries in the quarter.”
Full Story (Reuters)
Vertical Aerospace Begins Ground Testing New Air Taxi Prototype
Flying Magazine reports, “U.K.-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Vertical Aerospace is back to testing aircraft. The manufacturer has begun ground testing a new, more advanced full-scale prototype of its flagship VX4 air taxi after an initial prototype was damaged during an uncrewed flight test last year.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)