Aerospace

Aerojet Rocketdyne rotating detonation-engine study takes a big step toward boosting gas turbine efficiency through pressure-gain combustion.

Extra sets electrifying record; transforming UAV launched; DARPA wants swarm tactics; NASA steers sonic booms; hydrogen filling stations for UAVs.

After Donald Trump’s surprise election as president, the top aerospace trade group has a lot to do.

The aviation trade is facing a dilemma as passenger demand for flights goes through the roof while customers increasingly demand more for less from airlines.

Clean Sky is wrapping up wind-tunnel and full-scale ground tests of a noise-shielding U-tail configuration for future business jets.

Whether hand-launched or high-altitude, unmanned aircraft are turning to solar power to extend endurance for missions such as agricultural surveys and pipeline monitoring, as well as communications and surveillance, which need longer ranges and flight times.

WorldViz is doubling down on the value of collaboration, introducing a new virtual reality platform codenamed "Skofield".

With its new Global Services unit, Boeing aims to triple its aftermarket revenue to $50 billion within the next decade.

Counter-rotating open-rotor interest falters as replacement aircraft for single-aisle aircraft has been postponed.

GE is also completing key endurance tests of lightweight, heat-resistant ceramic matrix composites that are pivotal to the GE9X meeting performance goals.

Mods to increase C-17 efficiency; German center funds "virtual aircraft" research; Deutsche Telekom enters drone defense; Gulfstream patents in supersonic work.

Tailsitting vertical takeoff/landing unmanned aircraft takes shape at Northrop Grumman under DARPA’s Tern warship-based medium-altitude, long-endurance program.

Like much of the business world, Boeing is waiting to see how Trump’s trade policies will affect its exports.

Engine OEM improves delivery schedule and improves blade quality.

Facebook Aquila to fly again; TsAGI eyes hydrogen-fueled widebody; Northrop’s Tern takes shape; Denver hosts counter-UAS demo.

Engine OEM improves delivery schedule and improves blade quality.

General Atomics dedicates a company-owned Avenger, the jet-powered version of the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft, to be available on-call to drop ration packs for humanitarian relief internationally.

When the need for accurate positioning is highest, close to the ground, GPS can be at its most unreliable, creating the need for alternative sensors to ensure safe takeoffs and landings by drones.

Airships to transport rare earths; Mil’s PSV beats helo speed record; Facebook demos comms for Aquila drone; SpectroDrone detects explosives on the fly; Flirtey delivers Domino’s pizza.

Four unmanned and optionally piloted aircraft from Lockheed Martin and subsidiary Sikorsky flew together for the first time in public in a staged firefighting and search-and-rescue demo at Griffiss, New York

NASA is looking for a few good anomalies to help researchers develop an unmanned aircraft traffic management system that will work any time and all the time.

Aurora Flight Sciences and Sikorsky complete autonomy demonstrations under Phase 2 of DARPA’s ALIAS cockpit-automation program. Both are now bidding for Phase 3, to mature selected technologies for transition to potential customers—military and commercial.

After massively simplifying rules, the FAA is seeing strong growth in remote pilot applications and UAV registrations for commercial uses.

In this week’s Washington Outlook: Heritage Foundation on military options for new administration; Trump may back bilateral space ties with China; and the flood of new UAV pilots.

What do you get when combining Lockheed’s Indago quadcopter, fixed-wing Desert Hawk and optionally piloted K-Max with Sikorsky’s SARA autonomous helicopter?