Defense One reports, “Air Force test pilots used artificial intelligence aboard an experimental fighter jet to successfully evade a simulated incoming missile, showcasing how the service’s aviators may rely on AI in a future fight. Lockheed’s secretive Skunk Works research arm acknowledged the experiment Monday.”
Full Story (Defense One)
Tag: used
Autoland System Completes First Emergency Landing of a Civil Aircraft
CBS News reports, “For the first time, an automatic landing system called Autoland was used to land a plane in Colorado after pilots reported losing cabin pressure mid-flight. The safety system activated itself and took control of the aircraft to land it.”
Full Story (CBS News – video)
Pilots Demand Air India Ground Boeing 787s After Emergency System Used
The New York Times reports, “India’s largest association of pilots has asked regulators to ground all Boeing 787s in use in India and inspect them for electrical issues after one of the planes unexpectedly deployed an emergency power system over the weekend. The device, known as the ram air turbine, drops from the fuselage when a plane loses power or hydraulic pressure, and helps power critical systems like flight controls and navigation instruments.”
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)
Used Helo Sales Dip as Prices Continue to Rise
Aviation International News reports that Consultancy Aero Asset “is reporting that retail sales of used turbine single-engine helicopters in the first half of this year were down 60 percent and supply was 70 percent higher versus the first six months of 2022.” During the first half, 58 helicopters valued at $132 million “were sold out of 108 units for sale, the latter representing an 8.5-month supply at the current absorption rate.” However, upward pricing pressure “is continuing, driven by the arrival of low-time helicopters onto the market combined with increasing OEM lead time for new deliveries.” Prices rose 11% year-over-year while OEM lead time increased by 23%.
Full Story (Aviation International News)
SpaceX Launches 53 Starlink Satellites Wednesday Morning
Space.com reports a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA’s Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center carrying 53 Starlink internet satellites into orbit and then returned “to Earth for a stunning landing at sea early Wednesday (May 18).” Liftoff was at 6:59 a.m. EDT marking “SpaceX’s third Starlink mission in five days following missions on May 13 and May 14.”
Full Story (Space.com)
Video
Starlink Mission: On Wednesday, 18 May, at 6:59 a.m. ET, SpaceX launches 53 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.