Airbus

Strategically important wins for Airbus underscore the depth of Boeing’s troubles.

The decision leaves the Lockheed Martin F-35A Block 4 and Saab Gripen E in the competition for the Future Fighter Capability contract.

Aerospace and defense companies stepping up quantum computing investments, with two top-tier providers announcing separate investments.

Airbus has begun development work on an autonomous automatic air-to-air refueling capability for its Airbus A330 MRTT.

Three governments have already approved funding the multibillion-euro development.

Airbus has already started using its latest-generation Pleiades Neo Earth-observation satellites.

Slovenia has ordered a single Leonardo C-27J Spartan turboprop airlifter to bolster its air transport capability.

An Arianespace Vega rocket lifted off from French Guiana on Nov. 16, delivering France’s first signals-intelligence satellite system into orbit.

The UK Ministry of Defense has confirmed it is looking to procure as many as 44 rotorcraft for its New Medium Helicopter requirement.

The carrier is being forced to bring some its extra-large aircraft back into service because of a safety issue that has grounded 19 A350s.

AirAsia has unveiled the first aircraft in its planned narrowbody freighter fleet, and in the longer-term the carrier is interested in the prospect of a freighter version of the Airbus A321neo.

French president Emmanuel Macron says the first commercial aircraft relying on hydrogen should be in service by 2030, earlier than Airbus’ stated target of 2035.

Airbus has been gathering positive signs that its 2035 ambition for a hydrogen-fueled commercial aircraft is realistic.

EASA plans to mandate an Airbus-recommended fuselage modification which addresses A380 fuselage cracks operators are discovering when conducting a similar fix required by the European regulator.

Despite recoveries to varying degrees elsewhere, the situation in Asia-Pacific is concerning for Airbus and Boeing.

As the idea of hydrogen-powered commercial air travel has gained traction in Europe, EASA believes it may have to look at certification beyond the aircraft.

Lufthansa Technik, working with the City of Hamburg and other German partners, plans to modify an Airbus A320 to test maintenance and ground-handling procedures for liquid-hydrogen-powered aircraft. Operation of the demonstrator is planned to begin in 2022.

As the gradual lifting of travel restrictions sets the stage for a swift traffic recovery this summer, Airbus and Boeing plan on sticking to strategies that can now be described as proven.

Boeing is teaming with Germany’s Lufthansa Technik and defense electronics company ESG to provide support for a potential German purchase of the P-8 Poseidon maritime-patrol aircraft.

The tests at Airbus UK in Filton, England, evaluated the complete assembly of the Safran electric engine, Airbus nacelle and DUC Helices propeller.

Based on Airbus’ latest thinking that single-aisle demand will return sooner than expected, the OEM is resuming preparatory work for a new narrowbody final assembly line in Toulouse to be operational by the end of 2022.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury warned April 29 that there is a “lack of predictability” as to the expected recovery of the industry as trends have diverged in different regions, even though the company posted relatively good results for the first quarter.

Airbus is moving ahead with the relaunch of its aerostructures business by proposing to reintegrate some of it into the core Airbus structure while carving out a detailed parts company that it could put up for sale later.

The German Parliament has approved spending for the Eurodrone medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system program, paving the way for a quad-national contract to be signed in the next few weeks.

Airbus is making several changes to its executive board following the departure of Airbus CEO of defense and space Dirk Hoke and chief technology officer Grazia Vittadini.