Airbus’s EcoPulse aircraft makes maiden all-hybrid flight

Airbus’ EcoPulse hybrid-electric distributed propulsion demonstrator aircraft has completed its maiden flight using its complete powertrain of ePropellers, high-density batteries, and a turbogenerator in support of aviation’s decarbonization.Continue R… Continue reading Airbus’s EcoPulse aircraft makes maiden all-hybrid flight

Modular kit turns Airbus A400M transports into firefighting aircraft

Airbus has flight tested the latest prototype of its A400M Roll-on/Roll-off modular kit that turns a standard Airbus A400M turboprop military transport aircraft into a firefighting bomber to drop water and retardants on conflagrations.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Modular kit turns Airbus A400M transports into firefighting aircraft

Airbus’ FlightLab flies itself while pilot rides shotgun with a tablet

Having shown off simplified copter controls, Airbus Helicopters’ FlightLab has completed a fully automated flight testing a new simplified tablet-based human machine interface (HMI) designed to reduce pilot workloads and increase safety.Continue Readin… Continue reading Airbus’ FlightLab flies itself while pilot rides shotgun with a tablet

US Navy completes record 191 flight tests of the Trident II D5 missile

The US Navy has highlighted the future of the US/UK seaborne nuclear deterrent by successfully launching a Trident II D5 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana for a record 191 times.Co… Continue reading US Navy completes record 191 flight tests of the Trident II D5 missile

Joby is now test-flying its eVTOL air taxis with pilots on board

In a huge moment for the company – and the electric VTOL industry at large – Joby Aviation has officially started manned flight testing of its S4 eVTOL air taxi. Announcing the milestone with a video, Joby leads team USA in the race to certification.Co… Continue reading Joby is now test-flying its eVTOL air taxis with pilots on board

U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane makes first flight with new avionics suite

A vintage Cold War spy plane is getting a new lease on life as Lockheed Martin’s notorious yet secretive Skunk Works completes the first test flight of a Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady with an upgraded avionics suite and cockpit displays.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane makes first flight with new avionics suite

U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane makes first flight with new avionics suite

A vintage Cold War spy plane is getting a new lease on life as Lockheed Martin’s notorious yet secretive Skunk Works completes the first test flight of a Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady with an upgraded avionics suite and cockpit displays.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane makes first flight with new avionics suite

AI pilots US Air Force Valkyrie combat drone for the first time

The US Air Force’s XQ-58A Valkyrie experimental combat drone has made its first flight under the control of artificial intelligence. On July 25, 2023, the robotic aircraft completed a three-hour sortie at the Eglin Test and Training Complex in Florida…. Continue reading AI pilots US Air Force Valkyrie combat drone for the first time

PHASA-35 pseudo-satellite achieves altitude milestone in test flight

In a sky-high, 24-hour test flight, BAE System successfully sent its High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) PHASA-35 solar-powered drone into the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of over 66,000 ft (20,000 m).Continue Readi… Continue reading PHASA-35 pseudo-satellite achieves altitude milestone in test flight

Airbus tanker plane takes autonomous control of multiple drones

In another milestone on the road to fully Autonomous Formation Flight and Autonomous Air-to-Air Refueling (A4R), Airbus Defence and Space has autonomously guided and controlled a drone using an A310 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) flying testbed.Con… Continue reading Airbus tanker plane takes autonomous control of multiple drones