Airshow China 2016, which took place this past November in Zhuhai, served as an exhibition for China’s most advanced defense technology, including the strides it is making in counterstealth technology.

Predix drone swarms; Islamic State group UAVs; laser attack-logging app; Alphabet X ends Titan stratospheric internet project.

Over 3.7 billion passengers will fly this year, and the numbers continue to grow. Boeing forecasts that, within the next 20 years, over 38,000 new airplanes are needed to accommodate passengers and cargo. Passengers expect more for less from airlines. Consequently, costs per ticket are expected to decline and on-time statistics to increase. These expectations are passed onto the airplane and engine manufacturers to constantly innovate, reduce operational costs, and increase the uptimes of airlines.

Business and IT is changing as the world goes digital and aerospace and defense enterprises face competing imperatives. Customers expect the latest product innovations to improve performance and end-customer experiences, and want outcome-oriented service models to reduce cost and risk. At the same time, A&D organizations must streamline core processes aftermarket and build a modernized, agile production environment.

Safran is hoping changes will help its factories design production lines of the future.

Airbus buys an electron-beam additive manufacturing machine to 3-D-print titanium airframe structural components for production aircraft.

Airbus and Boeing guidance, until recently, indicated that they expect a 17-year supercycle, but the end came after 12 as the world economy slows.

AIAA’s SciTech conference is happening this week in Grapevine, Texas. Listen in as our editors discuss the new developments, highlights and big questions facing the aerospace community.