All articles by Greg Waldron – Page 86
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Airline BusinessNowhere beckons for Asia-Pacific airlines
‘Flights to Nowhere’ are smart public relations for Asia-Pacific airlines, but that such flights are even under consideration underlines the immense challenges they face. Reports recently emerged that Singapore Airlines (SIA) is considering what local reports refer to as ’Flights to Nowhere,’ whereby passengers board in Singapore, fly around a ...
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NewsE-2D set to receive major cockpit upgrade
The US Navy’s Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft is to get an extensive cockpit refurbishment, including the addition of head-up displays (HUDs). The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) says it has awarded Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems $34 million for the requirements phase of the ...
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NewsHints of progress with China’s Hawkeye doppelganger
A series of images from Chinese social media suggest that the Xian KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft flew in late August, marking a milestone in Beijing’s blue water navy ambitions. US Navy (USN) officers serving aboard aircraft carriers are fond of saying that the first aircraft they ...
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NewsApache takes aim at Australian attack helicopter deal
Boeing has outlined key selling points for its AH-64E Apache offering in Australia’s Project Land 4503 requirement for 29 armed reconnaissance helicopters. During a virtual media tour, TJ Jamison, Boeing’s director of vertical lift for international sales, discussed the capabilities of the AH-64E. The company also provided a cockpit demonstration ...
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NewsBoeing Australia conducts engine start for Airpower Teaming System
Boeing Australia has conducted the first engine run for its developmental Airpower Teaming System (ATS) unmanned ‘loyal wingman’ aircraft. The work is part of ground testing pending preparations of the unmanned system’s first flight, says the company. Video: Australia’s First Loyal Wingman Completes Engine Test Boeing ...
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NewsGreece orders 18 Rafale fighters
Greece plans to obtain 18 Dassault Rafale fighters and upgrade 10 of its Mirage 2000s. “I am delighted with this announcement, which reinforces the exceptional relationship we have had with Greece for nearly half a century, and I thank the Greek authorities for their confidence in us once again,” says ...
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NewsKumho’s effort to sell Asiana stake collapses
A deal that would have seen HDC Hyundai Development (HDC) obtain control of Asiana Airlines has fallen through. Kumho Industrial, which owns a controlling stake in the carrier, informed the airline’s main creditor, Korea Development Bank (KDB), of the deal’s collapse, according to a report by the official Yonhap news ...
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NewsBoeing identifies issue with 787 vertical stabiliser shims
Boeing has identified another manufacturing issue related to the 787s vertical stabliser, the fourth manufacturing problem to come to light in recent weeks. The new issue relates specifically to shims in a section of the 787’s vertical stabiliser, says the airframer. Source: Boeing “In late 2019 we ...
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NewsIndia inducts Rafale amid frontier tensions
The Indian air force has inducted the Dassault Rafale fighter into its ranks at Air Force Station Ambala, as border tensions with China simmer. The aircraft will serve with the air force’s 17 Sqn, says the service’s Facebook page. Rafale Induction India ...
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In depthChina-backed Skyrizon and local partner up pressure for Motor Sich acquisition
China-backed firm Skyrizon is making a renewed push in its long-running effort to acquire Ukrainian aircraft engine manufacturer Motor Sich, with vocal support from a new local partner.
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NewsAirshow China backtracks on cancellation statement
The organiser of the biennial Airshow China event in Zhuhai has requested media outlets to retract coverage that the November show will be cancelled, stating that an official announcement for the event will be forthcoming. Hours after emailing reporters that the show, planned for 10-15 November, was to be cancelled, ...
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NewsBoeing Australia progresses with AI-enabled UAVs
Boeing Australia has conducted successful experiments in which unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) have been able to detect and act upon simulated targets. Using machine learning techniques, Boeing Australia says it has been able to teach a UAV how to detect a target, make a decision, ...
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NewsZhuhai cancellation caps disappointing year for air shows
The organiser of the biennial Airshow China event in Zhuhai has cancelled this year’s show, citing the coronavirus pandemic. “Unfortunately, Airshow China 2020 has been cancelled due to epidemic prevention and control,” says the show organiser. “See you in Zhuhai at Airshow China 2022.” Source: Greg Waldron/FlightGlobal Visitors ...
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NewsBoeing identifies issue with 787’s horizontal stabiliser production
Boeing has found an additional 787 manufacturing problem that affects the aircraft’s horizontal stabilisers, following the recent disclosure of two other issues. The issue relates to extra force used when clamping together certain components, which could lead to an aging issue, says the airframer. Source: Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal A ...
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NewsIndonesian funding issue re-emerges for KF-X
Financing has again raised its head as an issue with Jakarta’s involvement in the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-X/IF-X fighter programme. Indonesia has fallen behind on payments related to the twin-engined fighter again, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing sources. KF-X production Jakarta is ...
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NewsFAA launches probe into 787 production issues
The US Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into manufacturing issues that could affect some Boeing 787s, as ANA confirms that Boeing asked it to ground one 787-10. “The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating manufacturing flaws affecting certain Boeing 787 jetliners,” says the FAA. “The agency continues to ...
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AnalysisH-6 evolves from Cold War relic to Beijing’s hammer
Beijing’s years of patient investment in the Xian H-6 bomber, a local variant of the Cold War-era Tupolev Tu-16, have created an attack asset which is of significant concern to Washington DC. If aircraft mentions are anything to go by, the Pentagon’s recent China Military Power Report suggests the flexible, ...
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NewsSouth Korea embarks on final assembly of KF-X prototype
Final assembly of the first Korea Aerospace Industries KF-X fighter has commenced in Sacheon, South Korea.
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In depthBeijing continues progress with fighters and support aircraft: Pentagon
Beijing continues to make strides with its fighter fleet, as well as with key enabling capabilities such as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and air-to-air refuelling.
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Airline BusinessNew Jeju Air boss sees pandemic as defining moment
The chief executive of South Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air is focusing on the basics as the airline grapples with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. E-Bae Kim has been chief executive of Jeju Air since 1 June, following a 30-year career with Asiana Airlines. His predecessor in the role, ...