https://youtu.be/BXJCcmK7Zd8?
martes, 30 de junio de 2026
Robotic bird helps uncover the mysteries of flight turbulence
RMIT and Bristol researchers built a robotic kestrel to study how birds handle flight turbulence. Findings show kestrels use wing/tail adjustments and flexible feathers to stay stable in gusty air. The robot enabled precise force measurements, revealing techniques that could help design sUAVs capable of flying in turbulent conditions. Researchers plan to adapt these insights for larger aircraft.
Press release https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2026/jun/kestrel-bot
Switzerland’s H55 Is Electric Aviation’s Latest Downsizer
Per a news release shared with FLYING on Monday, H55 laid off 54 employees following a “comprehensive review” of the business and its activities. According to Aviation Week, which was first to report the cuts, H55 employed 109 people before the move, meaning the company slashed close to half of its workforce. It had originally estimated 80 layoffs
https://www.flyingmag.com/swiss-h55-electric-aviation-layoffs/
EU challenges Dutch rail rules over fears of unfair advantage for NS
The European Commission has warned the Netherlands that its rules for allocating capacity on the country’s main railway network may breach EU competition law by favouring state-owned rail operator NS over rival companies
lunes, 29 de junio de 2026
Robot birds used in critical turbulence research
New research from RMIT University and the University of Bristol has explored how understanding bird adaptation to rough, turbulent air conditions may improve the application of sUAVs in human operations
Indonesia Abandons KF-21 Co-Production in Strategic Shockwave as Jakarta Turns to Direct Fighter Purchase from South Korea - Defence Security Asia
Indonesia’s withdrawal from KF-21 co-production and transition toward direct fighter procurement reshapes Indo-Pacific airpower competition, validates South Korea’s aerospace ambitions, and exposes mounting fiscal pressures driving Southeast Asia’s military modernisation strategies.
El CEVA 2026 consolida su dimensión internacional con una edición de máximo nivel competitivo
- Cástor Fantoba firma un histórico doblete al proclamarse campeón de España de Ilimitado y Freestyle, mientras Iván González (Intermedio), Carlos Crespo (Deportivo) y Miguel Pérez Alonso (Elemental) completan el cuadro de campeones del CEVA 2026
- La participación de pilotos de nueve países y un total de 81 vuelos elevan la exigencia deportiva del Campeonato de España y del Open Internacional
- El Freestyle ha puesto el broche final a dos días de máxima precisión, espectáculo y competición en el aeródromo de Torrenueva (Ciudad Real)
Madrid/Torrenueva, 28 de junio de 2026 – El Campeonato de España de Vuelo Acrobático (CEVA) 2026 ha coronado a los campeones de esta modalidad deportiva. Después de dos jornadas de competición al máximo nivel, el aeródromo de La Caminera Club de Campo ha sido el escenario de una edición que ha elevado un peldaño más el nivel deportivo del campeonato, con la participación de 30 pilotos de 9 nacionalidades y un total de 81 vuelos oficiales. La gran actuación del campeonato llevó la firma de Cástor Fantoba, que conquistó los títulos de las dos máximas categorías: Ilimitado y Freestyle.
Organizado por el Club Acrobático Central (CAC) y la Real Federación Aeronáutica Española (RFAE), el CEVA volvió a reunir a la élite del vuelo acrobático nacional junto a algunos de los mejores pilotos internacionales en un Open que confirmó el creciente prestigio de la competición. La igualdad en las distintas categorías y el alto nivel técnico mantuvieron la incertidumbre por los títulos hasta los últimos vuelos del campeonato.
Las diferentes categorías de Clásico ofrecieron un altísimo nivel de precisión, mientras que las finales de Freestyle pusieron el broche al campeonato con vuelos de gran dificultad técnica y creatividad, convirtiéndose un año más en el momento más esperado por el público.
Clásico
Categoría | Campeonato de España | OPEN DE ESPAÑA |
Ilimitado | 1. Cástor Fantoba 11679 puntos (76.33%) 2. Manuel Fernández Gómez 10281 puntos (67.20%) 3. Camilo Benito 9664 puntos (63.16%) | 1. Ekaterina Volkova (US) 2. Cástor Fantoba 3. Manuel Fernández Gómez |
Avanzado |
| 1. Marko Rado (SK) 2. Hernán Eduardo Roff (AR) 3. Juan Pérez |
Intermedio | 1. Iván González 3104 puntos (71.20%) 2. Carolina Martín López 2556 puntos (58.63%) | 1. Iván González 2. Carolina Martín López 3. Amr Ahmed Lotfy (EG) |
Deportivo | 1. Carlos Crespo 2176 puntos (75.06%) 2. Daniel Antón Huertas 2149 puntos (74.12%) 3. Juan Comas Garrigós 2128 puntos (73.39%) | 1. Carlos Crespo 2. Daniel Antón Huertas 3. Juan Comas Garrigós |
Elemental | 1. Miguel Pérez Alonso 1342 puntos (75.39%) 2. Mario Caride 1290 puntos (72.50%) | 1. Miguel Pérez Alonso 2. Vanessa Vieira (PT) 3. Mario Caride |
Freestyle
| Campeonato de España | Open de España |
Ilimitado | 1. Castor Fantoba 3446 puntos (86.16%) 2. Juan Velarde 3126 puntos (78.16%) 3. Manuel Fernández Gómez 2373 puntos (59.33%) | 1. Castor Fantoba 2. Juan Velarde 3. Jorge Loureiro (PT) |
Tras conquistar los títulos de Ilimitado y Freestyle, las dos categorías reina del campeonato, Cástor Fantoba destacó el alto nivel de la competición y la igualdad vivida durante todo el CEVA:
Cástor Fantoba, campeón de España de Ilimitado y Freestyle 2026: “El vuelo acrobático es un aprendizaje continuo; nunca dejas de perfeccionar una maniobra, una secuencia o una forma de volar. Estoy muy orgulloso de haber conseguido este doblete en un campeonato tan igualado y exigente. Sabíamos que el nivel iba a ser muy alto y, con rivales de tanto nivel, cada punto cuenta. Que el CEVA reúna a pilotos internacionales de esta categoría es muy positivo para todos, porque nos obliga a seguir entrenando, mejorando y aprendiendo en cada competición”.
El CEVA 2026 también ha dejado una destacada participación femenina. La estadounidense Ekaterina Volkova se proclamó campeona del Open de España en la categoría Ilimitado, confirmando el alto nivel internacional de la competición. Por su parte, la piloto española Carolina Martín, becada por MyD, firmó una meritoria actuación en la categoría Intermedio, consolidando su progresión entre las principales promesas nacionales del vuelo acrobático.
El CEVA, última gran cita antes del Campeonato del Mundo
El CEVA 2026 ha servido también como preparación para el Equipo Nacional de Vuelo Acrobático (ENVA), que afrontará este verano el Campeonato del Mundo en Mason City (Iowa, Estados Unidos). La presencia del equipo nacional convirtió la cita en un ensayo de máximo nivel antes de la gran competición internacional.
El campeonato contó con un jurado de prestigio internacional, liderados por Steve Green e integrado por Guy Auger, Nikolai Nikityuk, Eladi Lozano y Gonzalo Rodríguez, todos ellos jueces con una vasta experiencia en las principales competiciones internacionales de la disciplina. Su labor fue clave para garantizar el rigor técnico y el desarrollo ejemplar de la competición, que se llevó a cabo con los más altos estándares de calidad y precisión.
Éxito de seguimiento de la competición a través de los canales oficiales
Además del público presente en La Caminera Club de Campo, miles de aficionados siguieron el campeonato a través de la retransmisión oficial, con imágenes desde cabina, tomas aéreas, clasificaciones en tiempo real y entrevistas con los protagonistas. Un formato que permite acercar al espectador toda la complejidad técnica y la espectacularidad de una disciplina donde cada giro, cada eje y cada segundo son decisivos.
Compromiso con un campeonato sostenible
Por séptimo año consecutivo, Air BP colaboró con la compensación de las emisiones de CO₂ derivadas del combustible utilizado durante la competición, reforzando el compromiso del CEVA con una aviación más sostenible.
La organización cuenta, asimismo, con el apoyo institucional y empresarial de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Ayuntamiento de Torrenueva, el Real Aero Club de España, Air BP, Unlimited Aerobatics y Grupo Albión, además de la colaboración de La Caminera Club de Campo, Grupo Bacardi y Fortitude.
domingo, 28 de junio de 2026
The RAF's Top Gun 'traitors' paid hundreds of thousands to train Chinese pilots how to shoot enemy planes out of the sky
least 18 British pilots were recruited to train China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Of these, six were involved in teaching air combat skills, six were teaching submarine hunting techniques and six were instructing future Chinese test pilots.
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15923591/RAF-traitors-Chinese-pilots-investigation.html
Report: Next-Gen Air Force Trainers Have ‘Serious’ Flight Concerns
The three-part, 7,000-word investigation from digital news site Breaking Defense includes interviews with officials from the Air Force and Boeing—as well as unnamed government sources and people familiar with the T-7 program—who paint conflicting pictures of the aircraft.
Summary in:
https://www.flyingmag.com/air-force-t7-trainer-flight-concerns/
Breaking defense
Among the findings of the report, which was written by Michael Marrow:
- The Air Force has assessed sustainment of the aircraft as “high risk.”
- Internal Air Force documents say Boeing’s failure to provide certain data on the aircraft amounts to “non-compliance” on the part of the company.
- The plane currently cannot fly in the rain, and the program has struggled with a ground-based simulator.
- …
presents it in three parts:
- Part one of the project covers the basics of how we got here, while laying out some of the major concerns shared by sources about the state of the program.
- Part two focuses on the back and forth between the Air Force and prime contractor Boeing over the data rights to the project, and how that could potentially sabotage sustainment plans going forward.
- Part three looks at a previously unreported agreement that could see the service and Boeing make a “horse trade” over data rights for an unrelated program, with the Air Force picking up the tab for buying the T-7’s engines.
sábado, 27 de junio de 2026
viernes, 26 de junio de 2026
IATA Outlines Four Priorities to Strengthen the Aviation Supply Chain
- Enhance supply chain visibility
- Open up the aftermarket
- Unlock the value of data, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Build human capacit
Electric Aircraft Begin Crisscrossing Hawaii’s Islands
The trials are being led by electric aircraft manufacturer Beta Technologies and Part 135 operator Surf Air Mobility, with additional support from Hawaiian Airlines. This marks the first time Beta is working with Hawaiian. Surf earlier this year placed an order for 25 of Beta’s Alia CX300 aircraft, with options for 75 more, and is the launch customer for CX300 scheduled passenger and on-demand cargo service, starting in Hawaii once the aircraft is certified.
https://www.flyingmag.com/electric-aircraft-demonstrations-hawaii/
Airbus, Safran and Tikehau Capital sign an agreement for the sale of Tikehau Capital's stake in Aubert & Duval
Airbus and Safran sign an agreement to acquire Tikehau Capital’s stake in Aubert & Duval, strengthening their strategic industrial partnership.
COMAC tests first C919-600 prototype at Shanghai Pudong
COMAC (Shanghai Pudong) has taken another step in the development of the C919-600, a shortened variant of the C919-100STD. The first prototype, B-002U (msn 00032), conducted taxi tests at Shanghai Pudong in June 2026, ahead of a planned first flight in 2027. Six fuselage frames were removed from the standard variant to reduce weight, and the aircraft is expected to accommodate between 138 and 160 passengers.
Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Hypersonic Glide Body for Scaled Long-Range Defense
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has announced a new hypersonic glide body that represents the future of defense through deterrence. Designed to provide warfighters with an affordable, rapidly producible and operationally relevant long-range strike option, the next generation glide body (NXGB) combines advanced performance, survivability and scalability to meet evolving national security needs.
NXGB boasts advanced hypersonic performance with a manufacturing-first approach that reduces costs while delivering greater range and velocity than current designs.
Built to support the nation’s growing need for scaled production to enable long-range strike options, NXGB can be launched from multiple platforms across multiple warfighting domains, providing warfighters with increased operational flexibility across contested environments while reducing risk to U.S. forces.
Skyryse Partners With Robinson Helicopter Company to Deliver SkyOS-Powered, R66-Based UAS
The collaboration combines SkyOS' autonomy system with Robinson's proven production capabilities to deliverable a scalable, cost effective Group 4 UAS capable of supporting a wide range of defense missions, including collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), air-launched effects (ALE), manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Strategic Mission Systems LLC Secures $984 Million US Air Force E-4B Modernization Contract
- Joint Venture Firm Strategic Mission Systems secured a potential $984 million contract to continue providing modernization support for the U.S. Air Force E-4B aircraft
- Strategic Mission Systems previously won the contract to provide communication services for the E-4B fleet in 2017
- The IDIQ contract is scheduled for completion by June 2037.
jueves, 25 de junio de 2026
miércoles, 24 de junio de 2026
Airbus to inspect 16 A380s after cracks found on plane wings
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/airbus-a380-inspect-cracks-found-plane-wings-6205511
- 2026-0119-E : Wings – Wing Mid Spars – Inspection: https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2026-0119-E
Applicability:
A380-841, A380-842 and A380-861 aeroplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 30, 42, 55, 56,105, 142, 184, 187, 190, 202, 203, 208, 209, 227, 228 and 234.
Reason:
EASA issued several ADs requiring inspection of wing spars, last one being EASA AD 2025-0280.Following the review of the results of those inspections, it has been determined that the cracks
found on certain aeroplanes could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.
European Carriers Expand In-House MRO To Counter Capacity Risks
European airlines are expanding in-house maintenance capabilities while retaining third-party MRO providers for peak demand flexibility. At Aviation Week's MRO BEER conference, executives from Ryanair, LOT Polish, TAP Air Portugal, and GetJet Airlines cited constrained capacity, rising material costs, and unpredictable turnaround times as key drivers.
NASA-Funded Studies Yield Advanced Aircraft Concepts For The 2050s
- Aurora/Boeing SFM (Single-Fuel Methane) – Two-lobe noncircular fuselage with twin-aisle cabin and cryogenic methane tanks in the lower lobe, designed to minimize weight and wetted area
- Aurora TTBW (Transonic Truss-Braced Wing) – Evolved from earlier N+3 studies, incorporates laminar flow, cryogenic fuel, open-rotor propulsion, full-span variable-camber Krueger flaps, and trailing-edge slots for drag reduction
- Aurora CSW (Cruise Slotted Wing) – Twin-aisle concept using trailing edge slot to unsweep the wing ~9° for increased laminar flow; Jet M tanks span the aft lower fuselage behind main landing gear
- Aurora M Wing – Wing-integrated propulsor design with forward-swept inboard section and aft-swept outboard wing; large-diameter engine nestled beneath wing apex; reduces cruise fuel burn 2% vs conventional aircraft
- Electra.aero Lifting Fuselage Design – 178-seat, Mach 0.8, 3,500-nm range airliner with double-bubble fuselage, boundary layer ingestion (BLI), and distributed turboelectric propulsion powering three electric tail ducted fans; hybridization at 20% takeoff, 45% cruise
- JetZero Z4 Blended Wing Body (BWB) – 250-passenger, 5,000-nm range midmarket airliner modified to accommodate liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks in wing-body blend and rear fuselage; lift-to-drag ratio drops from 22 to 21
- Georgia Tech Athena – Hybrid tube-and-wing/BWB design with noncircular cross-section, 150-178 seats twin-aisle layout, fore and aft LNG tanks, high-set natural laminar flow wing with 145-ft span requiring foldable wings for narrowbody gates
- Pratt & Whitney HySITE Engine Concept – Hydrogen-fueled turbine with steam injection cycle; condenses water vapor from exhaust using cryogenic LH2 fuel to recover waste heat for intercooling and steam injection; 99.5% NOx reduction and 20% block energy reduction claimed
martes, 23 de junio de 2026
FAA Unveils AI-Powered Air Traffic Revolution
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced a landmark contract awarding Air Space Intelligence (ASI) two transformative technologies for the National Airspace System: Flow Management Data and Services (FMDS) and Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART).
These AI-enhanced platforms will serve as the technological backbone of the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center, consolidating fragmented data sources into one unified system. FMDS analyzes flight plans and real-time positioning to predict traffic flows and capacity limitations, while SMART strategically coordinates schedules and trajectories before aircraft depart to prevent congestion proactively.
Key benefits include reduced flight delays, improved traffic flow, increased airspace capacity, and enhanced controller efficiency through centralized visualization of weather patterns and flight paths. The systems use predictive modeling to orchestrate localized flight reroutes around severe weather, minimizing disruption.
Baykar's Kizilelma acts as CCA under Leonardo's M-346 command
LEONARDO AND BAYKAR SET MAJOR MILESTONE FOR ADVANCED CREWED/UNCREWED CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT WITH SUCCESSFUL FIRST KSWARM LIVE TRIALS
- Leonardo M-346 airplanes and Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter aircraft have successfully performed a series of joint autonomous formation flights as part of the K-SWARM programme.
- The live trials assessed and validated collaborative and coordinated operations through advanced, next-generation algorithms.
- The transition from simulation to live operation, leveraging a digital engineering approach, marked a pivotal step in demonstrating the programme’s advanced solutions and technologies.
- The capabilities demonstrated in the trials represent an essential enabler for future combat air systems, and are a core pillar in the evolution of current generation fighters.
Leonardo and Baykar set a major milestone in the development of Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (CUC-T) and swarm tactics capabilities, after successfully completing the first phase of live testing activities for the K-SWARM programme. The programme is aimed at designing and developing interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
Esta semana la élite del vuelo acrobático aterriza en España 30 pilotos desafían los límites en el Campeonato de España 2026
- El CEVA 2026 despega en Ciudad Real con la élite nacional e internacional del vuelo acrobático
- El Campeonato de España de Vuelo Acrobático reunirá del 25 al 27 de junio a pilotos de 9 nacionalidades en una edición con Open Internacional, finales de Freestyle y retransmisión desde cabina
- 80 vuelos de competición y una decena de aviones acrobáticos para decidir los títulos en una de las disciplinas más técnicas y espectaculares del deporte aéreo
- Madrid, 22 de junio de 2026 – El vuelo acrobático español vuelve a medirse al máximo nivel. El Campeonato de España de Vuelo Acrobático (CEVA) 2026 y su Open Internacional reunirán del 25 al 27 de junio a 30 pilotos de 9 nacionalidades en el aeródromo de La Caminera Club de Campo, en Torrenueva (Ciudad Real).
En la edición de este año habrá 80 vuelos de competición y una decena de aviones acrobáticos (dos Sukhoi, cuatro Extra, un RV8, una Cap, un Edge y una Super Decathlon), además de aeronaves de apoyo y transporte. En tierra, el dispositivo deportivo movilizará a miembros y organizadores de la competición deportiva.
Organizado por el Club Acrobático Central (CAC) y la Real Federación Aeronáutica Española (RFAE), el campeonato reunirá a pilotos de España, que disputarán el CEVA, mientras que en el Open Internacional habrá representantes de Portugal, Alemania, Eslovaquia, Egipto, Suiza, India, Estados Unidos y Argentina. La competición incluirá las modalidades de Clásico (en las categorías Ilimitado, Avanzado, Intermedio, Deportivo y Elemental) y culminará el sábado con las finales de Freestyle (Ilimitado), la modalidad más visual y exigente de la acrobacia aérea.
El programa comenzará con la llegada de los pilotos el domingo 21 de junio y continuará con tres jornadas de entrenamientos libres, entre el lunes 22 y el miércoles 24. El jueves 25 se realizarán los vuelos de seguridad, antes del inicio oficial de la competición el viernes 26 desde primera hora, que podrá seguirse en directo a través de la retransmisión online del campeonato.
El sábado 27 será la jornada central para el público, con acceso al recinto habilitado en La Caminera Club de Campo y seguimiento online en directo. La programación concentrará las finales, el Freestyle, una exhibición del campeón de España de radiocontrol y la entrega de premios, en una jornada pensada para vivir la tensión competitiva tanto desde la pista como desde la cabina, gracias a las cámaras on-board y a las imágenes aéreas de la retransmisión.
Además de la competición oficial, el evento acogerá los entrenamientos del Equipo Nacional de Vuelo Acrobático (ENVA) de cara al Mundial 2026 de esta modalidad deportiva, que tendrá lugar en agosto en Mason City, Iowa (EE. UU.).
“Este es un deporte en el que no basta con volar rápido o hacer figuras espectaculares: hay que ejecutar cada maniobra con precisión, control y cabeza fría. El CEVA no es una exhibición: es competición pura. Cada piloto se juega el resultado en vuelos de pocos minutos, con figuras encadenadas, enorme presión y en el que hay que volar a la perfección para imponerte a los demás competidores”, destaca Cástor Fantoba, presidente del Club Acrobático Central.
“Queremos que esta edición permita ver el vuelo acrobático como lo que es: un deporte de máxima exigencia técnica y física. El público verá vuelos al límite, pero detrás de cada vuelo hay muchas horas de entrenamiento, seguridad y trabajo de equipo. El Freestyle será el momento más visual, pero todo el campeonato tiene un enorme valor deportivo”, señala Irene Pasini, directora de competición.
El campeonato contará además con un jurado de reconocido prestigio internacional liderado por Steve Green e integrado por Guy Auger, Nikolai Nikityuk, Brian McCartney, Luca Andragetti, Eladi Lozano y Gonzalo Rodríguez, entre otros, figuras de referencia en las principales competiciones internacionales de vuelo acrobático.
La acrobacia aérea, en directo y desde dentro
El CEVA 2026 permitirá seguir la competición desde una doble perspectiva: a pie de pista y desde el interior de la cabina. Los asistentes podrán ver las pruebas desde las zonas habilitadas en La Caminera Club de Campo, mientras que la retransmisión en directo a través de www.ceva.aero y del canal Gear Up en YouTube ofrecerá imágenes on-board, tomas aéreas, clasificaciones en tiempo real y entrevistas con los pilotos.
Esta cobertura se ha convertido en una de las señas de identidad del campeonato: cada año deja algunas de las imágenes más impactantes del vuelo acrobático y permite apreciar con especial claridad la tensión, concentración y precisión que exige cada maniobra. No se trata solo de mostrar el espectáculo desde fuera, sino de acercar al público y a los medios a la exigencia real de una disciplina en la que cada giro, cada eje y cada segundo cuentan.
“Seguimos apostando por ser sede de esta competición, que sitúa a Ciudad Real en el calendario de una disciplina muy singular, que combina competición, espectáculo y precisión. Es una oportunidad para acercar al público un deporte poco habitual, pero con una capacidad enorme para emocionar cuando se vive en directo”, afirma Juan José Martínez, director de La Caminera Club de Campo.
Vuelo acrobático con sello sostenible
El CEVA 2026 cuenta con el apoyo de Air BP, el Real Aeroclub de España, Unlimited Aerobatics, Castilla-La Mancha y Grupo Albión, además de la colaboración de La Caminera Club de Campo y Grupo Bacardi.
Air BP vuelve a aportar uno de los elementos diferenciales del campeonato: por séptimo año consecutivo apoyará la compensación de las emisiones de CO₂ asociadas al combustible de aviación utilizado durante la competición, reforzando el compromiso del evento con una aviación más sostenible.
lunes, 22 de junio de 2026
sábado, 20 de junio de 2026
viernes, 19 de junio de 2026
jueves, 18 de junio de 2026
USAF Orders Both General Atomics’ FQ-42 And Anduril’s FQ-44 Into Production
- https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4520575/air-force-advances-future-of-air-superiority-with-cca-contracts/
- https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-air-force-awards-production-contracts-general-atomics-anduril-drone-wingmen-2026-06-17/
- https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-orders-both-general-atomics-fq-42-and-andurils-fq-44-into-production
Pentagon’s Ability To Supply Ukraine With More Patriot Interceptors Questioned By Congress
The Senate action comes amid deep concerns about how the U.S. can provide enough Patriot interceptors for itself and allies.
Alleged Plot On White House UFC Fight Puts Drone Threat In The Spotlight
Whether those arrested could have feasibly pulled off such a complex attack is unknown, the threat is very real and growing.
Continue reading
miércoles, 17 de junio de 2026
Composite Structures Suppliers Pitch Techniques For Future Narrowbody
Aernnova, Daher, Hexcel, Latecoere, Montana Aerospace and Saab are offering new technologies and production processes against a complex market backdrop.
AURA M reveals the new design of ENBATA, its sovereign, certified multi-mission MALE drone
At Eurosatory, AURA M, the defense division of AURA AERO, unveils the new design of ENBATA, its sovereign multi-mission MALE drone. ENBATA marks a new milestone with an architecture optimized for robustness, maintenance, modularity, and the integration of next-generation sensors.
Designed to meet the needs of armed forces in demanding theaters of operation, ENBATA combines endurance, payload capacity, an open digital architecture, and controlled costs. The drone is intended for a wide range of missions: long-range strategic intelligence, armed reconnaissance, electronic warfare, maritime surveillance, communications relay, and counter-drone operations.
The design presented by AURA M supports this operational ambition. The aircraft features a deliberately simple metal fuselage, designed to facilitate production, maintenance, and field repairs. The wings, tail surfaces, and nose utilize composite materials, optimizing weight, aerodynamic performance, and the integration of mission equipment. The nose of ENBATA has been progressively refined. Offering easy access for system maintenance, it is also designed to adapt as effectively as possible to the evolution of onboard sensors. It already incorporates modern solutions for both radar and communications, featuring flat, space-saving antennas.
ENBATA was designed for rapid deployment and implementation. Transportable in a 40-foot container, it is designed to be deployed by an A400M to the theater of operations along with its dedicated ground station. Its landing gear and low-pressure tires were specifically designed to adapt to rudimentary or unprepared runways.
This deployment capability complements ENBATA’s advertised performance: up to 55 hours of endurance, 25,000 feet of operational altitude, 160 ktas cruise speed, 17-meter wingspan, and up to 1,050 kg of payload, including fuel and mission load.
Powered by a diesel engine paired with a variable-pitch propeller, ENBATA features an open architecture with fly-by-wire controls, designed to facilitate the rapid integration of new software capabilities and mission systems. ENBATA’s EASA certification will be a major differentiator: it should allow the drone to operate in non-segregated airspace, paving the way for dual-use missions and more flexible deployments, whereas traditional MALE systems are generally confined to dedicated or strictly military environments. This design philosophy will enhance the aircraft’s operational safety and availability.
ENBATA aims to advance drone control by issuing high-level commands: operators define objectives, areas of interest, and mission priorities, while the system assists with the execution, monitoring, and adaptation of the flight plan. This approach reduces the cognitive load on crews, optimizes the use of human resources, and facilitates the execution of long, complex, or multi-sensor missions. ENBATA is thus part of a new generation of aerial systems where the operator remains at the heart of decision-making but relies on an intelligent platform to gain in efficiency, operational endurance, and responsiveness.
ENBATA integrates the Sphere Awareness System, an environmental analysis solution designed to improve drone safety and efficiency. A drone’s field of view is often limited by its primary payload. ENBATA expands this perception through a network of smart cameras distributed across the aircraft. The system monitors the environment around the drone, detects the entry of an aircraft or object into a defined perimeter, alerts operators, automatically activates a live video feed, tracks the target in real time, and captures images useful for analysis. This 360° awareness bubble allows operators to remain focused on the primary mission while benefiting from constant monitoring of the drone’s immediate surroundings. The Sphere Awareness System exemplifies AURA M’s approach, which is to provide more onboard intelligence without unnecessarily complicating the platform.
With ENBATA, AURA M aims to offer a sovereign, ITAR-free European solution designed for large-scale production and simplified deployment. Design-to-cost, simplicity of form, the judicious use of metal and composite materials, and the integration of existing systems all contribute to the goal of controlled costs. “ENBATA was designed as a tool for operational superiority: durable, robust, modular, and capable of rapidly evolving with the needs of the armed forces. Its new design, unveiled at the Eurosatory exhibition, reflects our commitment to constantly adapting to the realities on the ground and seizing the opportunities that arise,” states General (Ret.) Stéphane Mille, President of AURA M. ENBATA exemplifies AURA M’s mission: to support the armed forces from requirements definition through tothe operational product, leveraging the prototyping, certification, and production capabilities of a European aerospace manufacturer.
Designed to meet the needs of armed forces in demanding theaters of operation, ENBATA combines endurance, payload capacity, an open digital architecture, and controlled costs. The drone is intended for a wide range of missions: long-range strategic intelligence, armed reconnaissance, electronic warfare, maritime surveillance, communications relay, and counter-drone operations.
The design presented by AURA M supports this operational ambition. The aircraft features a deliberately simple metal fuselage, designed to facilitate production, maintenance, and field repairs. The wings, tail surfaces, and nose utilize composite materials, optimizing weight, aerodynamic performance, and the integration of mission equipment. The nose of ENBATA has been progressively refined. Offering easy access for system maintenance, it is also designed to adapt as effectively as possible to the evolution of onboard sensors. It already incorporates modern solutions for both radar and communications, featuring flat, space-saving antennas.
ENBATA was designed for rapid deployment and implementation. Transportable in a 40-foot container, it is designed to be deployed by an A400M to the theater of operations along with its dedicated ground station. Its landing gear and low-pressure tires were specifically designed to adapt to rudimentary or unprepared runways.
This deployment capability complements ENBATA’s advertised performance: up to 55 hours of endurance, 25,000 feet of operational altitude, 160 ktas cruise speed, 17-meter wingspan, and up to 1,050 kg of payload, including fuel and mission load.
Powered by a diesel engine paired with a variable-pitch propeller, ENBATA features an open architecture with fly-by-wire controls, designed to facilitate the rapid integration of new software capabilities and mission systems. ENBATA’s EASA certification will be a major differentiator: it should allow the drone to operate in non-segregated airspace, paving the way for dual-use missions and more flexible deployments, whereas traditional MALE systems are generally confined to dedicated or strictly military environments. This design philosophy will enhance the aircraft’s operational safety and availability.
ENBATA aims to advance drone control by issuing high-level commands: operators define objectives, areas of interest, and mission priorities, while the system assists with the execution, monitoring, and adaptation of the flight plan. This approach reduces the cognitive load on crews, optimizes the use of human resources, and facilitates the execution of long, complex, or multi-sensor missions. ENBATA is thus part of a new generation of aerial systems where the operator remains at the heart of decision-making but relies on an intelligent platform to gain in efficiency, operational endurance, and responsiveness.
ENBATA integrates the Sphere Awareness System, an environmental analysis solution designed to improve drone safety and efficiency. A drone’s field of view is often limited by its primary payload. ENBATA expands this perception through a network of smart cameras distributed across the aircraft. The system monitors the environment around the drone, detects the entry of an aircraft or object into a defined perimeter, alerts operators, automatically activates a live video feed, tracks the target in real time, and captures images useful for analysis. This 360° awareness bubble allows operators to remain focused on the primary mission while benefiting from constant monitoring of the drone’s immediate surroundings. The Sphere Awareness System exemplifies AURA M’s approach, which is to provide more onboard intelligence without unnecessarily complicating the platform.
With ENBATA, AURA M aims to offer a sovereign, ITAR-free European solution designed for large-scale production and simplified deployment. Design-to-cost, simplicity of form, the judicious use of metal and composite materials, and the integration of existing systems all contribute to the goal of controlled costs. “ENBATA was designed as a tool for operational superiority: durable, robust, modular, and capable of rapidly evolving with the needs of the armed forces. Its new design, unveiled at the Eurosatory exhibition, reflects our commitment to constantly adapting to the realities on the ground and seizing the opportunities that arise,” states General (Ret.) Stéphane Mille, President of AURA M. ENBATA exemplifies AURA M’s mission: to support the armed forces from requirements definition through tothe operational product, leveraging the prototyping, certification, and production capabilities of a European aerospace manufacturer.
Russian Frigate Opens Fire With Warning Shots in the English Channel
The incident, which reportedly occurred at around 11:40 BST, happened as a civilian yacht sailed near the warship Admiral Grigorovich, operating in international waters approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight. Continue reading https://theaviationist.com/2026/06/16/russian-frigate-opens-fire-with-warning-shots-in-the-english-channel/
PDR Denotes Sound Design For Vaeridion’s Microliner, CEO Says
The Munich-based startup is one of the promoters of full electric propulsion, as opposed to the hybrid-electric architectures that a number of would-be airframers are pursuing for similar aircraft sizes. Continue reading: https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/advanced-air-mobility/pdr-denotes-sound-design-vaeridions-microliner-ceo-says
martes, 16 de junio de 2026
MA700 Re-Engine Ends Canadian Blockade
If the AEP400 is indeed in production and the MA700 enters the market as planned in 2027, China could have secured a domestic powerplant solution for its regional airliner and military transport aircraft—potentially ending a decades-long reliance on imported turboprop engines.
https://www.chinaevtolnews.com/p/ma700-re-engine-ends-canadian-blockade
MTU Identifies Two Favored Concepts For Clean Engine Program
MTU Aero Engines says it has identified a Flying Fuel Cell (FFC) and Water Enhanced Turbofan (WET) as “favored” concepts for revolutionary reductions in emissions from aircraft propulsion systems.
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COMAC: China’s Looming Threat to the Global Aviation Industry
- Boeing and Airbus have long dominated the global commercial aircraft industry in production and innovation. But the rise of COMAC—China’s government-created, mercantilist-fueled national champion—threatens the foundations of market-based commercial aviation.
- The aerospace sector represents a critical dual-use industry providing needed capabilities to support national power, both in defense and commercial applications.
- The industry generates over $300 billion in impact, produces an over $80 billion trade surplus, and posts the strongest location quotient (1.52) of any U.S. advanced industry.
- The PRC’s COMAC seeks to eliminate commercial aircraft imports and take large shares of the international market.
- COMAC is an illegitimate company that has risen on the back of a vast litany of mercantilist practices including aggressive subsidization, IP theft, forced tech transfer, below-market financing, and an increasingly closed national market.
- COMAC has received at least $72 billion in subsidies from Chinese federal and provincial governments, an amount that does not include a range of other supports such as tax benefits and free or low-cost land and utilities.
- America needs to develop a comprehensive strategy to support the competitiveness of the U.S. aerospace industry, including addressing technology/innovation, R&D investment, workforce shortages, and regulatory and trade policy considerations.
- The United States, the EU, and other allies should make a pact that their airlines will not purchase COMAC aircraft. Further, the United States and key allies, such as the UK, should reimpose export controls on jet engine sales to COMAC.
Full text and report download: https://itif.org/publications/2026/06/15/comac-chinas-looming-threat-to-global-aviation-industry/