jueves, 13 de agosto de 2026
Archer Aviation Purchases Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid from Boeing
- https://aviationnews.eu/news/2026/08/archer-aviation-purchases-wisk-insitu-and-skygrid-from-boeing/
- https://archer.com/news/archer-announces-second-quarter-2026-results-announces-deal-with-boeing
- https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2026-08-10-Archer-to-Shape-Physical-AI-Future-of-Aerospace-and-Defense-with-Acquisition-of-Boeings-Wisk-Aero,-Insitu-and-SkyGrid-Subsidiaries-Boeing-to-Invest-in-Archer-and-Collaborate
- Wisk(opens in a new tab) is the only company that has designed, built and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft, amassing 1,700+ flight tests. Over the past 16 years, Wisk's world-class team has developed unmatched autonomy capabilities powered by a next-gen flight-control computer, sensor suite, and radar system designed for certification in both civil and potential defense markets.
- SkyGrid(opens in a new tab) has
built a leading ground-based, aircraft-agnostic air traffic management
solution that establishes the digital foundation for the future of
automated airspace. SkyGrid enables safe integration, scalable
automation and coordinated traffic management that is necessary for
commercialization across the aviation ecosystem.
- Insitu(opens in a new tab) is a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) used in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Its product portfolio spans high-performance, cost-effective, resilient, VTOL-capable UAS and AI-enabled software solutions. Insitu's technologies have helped the armed forces of 35 nations make quicker, more informed decisions to bring warfighters home safely. With offices in the US, Australia, the UK, and the UAE, Insitu has manufactured and fielded more than 3,500 UAS and provides operations and support networks in every hemisphere of the globe.
Lockheed Martin and Tech Partners Unveil AI-Powered 5G Drone Detection System
As drones become more affordable, capable and widely available, the need for persistent, intelligent airspace awareness to protect the public grows. By leveraging existing technology, the NetSense solution can help protect people and critical infrastructure across a wide range of environments.
The successful live demonstration took place in a critical, high-traffic, urban area important for American protection, showcasing NetSense's components, capabilities, and UAS detection and alert systems in real-time. Leveraging an existing Verizon 5G network spectrum, ODC's AI-native Radio Access Network (RAN) software, NVIDIA's AI Aerial platform, and Keysight's advanced radio frequency (RF) simulation platform, NetSense detected and alerted the team to the presence of drones and maintained track custody through the flight.
Heart Aerospace Completes First Flight of World’s Largest Electric Aircraft
PLATTSBURGH, NY, and LOS ANGELES, CA, August 13, 2026 – Heart Aerospace today announced the successful first flight of the company’s X1 demonstrator aircraft. Spanning 106 feet, measuring 76 feet nose to tail, and weighing more than 25,000 pounds at takeoff, X1 is the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown.
miércoles, 12 de agosto de 2026
martes, 11 de agosto de 2026
Irish pilots return to RNLI station with €10,000 thank-you after sea rescue | RNLI
Last Friday (7 August), two Irish pilots rescued by RNLI crews off the Ceredigion coast returned to New Quay RNLI station to thank their rescuers, presenting a commemorative clock and a €10,000 donation raised by the Irish aviation community to support RNLI lifesaving work.
lunes, 10 de agosto de 2026
American warship downs drones with laser weapon
The US Navy has confirmed that a frontline destroyer has successfully used a ship-mounted laser weapon to defeat multiple uncrewed aerial threats during a recent at-sea demonstration.
Damaged USAF C-17 Flies Again After First-of-its-Kind Repair
A C-17 of the 445th Airlift Wing extensively damaged in March 2025 was repaired by using new technologies of the Rapid Sustainment Office, after no vendors were able to provide the needed parts.
Helicopter crashes while fighting +100K-acre Utah wildfire. Both pilots confirmed dead
- https://wildfiretoday.com/helicopter-crashes-while-fighting-100k-acre-utah-wildfire/
- https://wildfiretoday.com/search-for-crashed-helicopter-crew-continues-as-widemouth-2-fire-crosses-110000-acres-burned/
- https://wildfiretoday.com/two-pilots-confirmed-dead-after-helicopter-crash-at-utahs-widemouth-2-fire/
KC-135 Damaged in Iran War Collision Arrives in US for Repairs
The KC-135 Stratotanker that lost part of its vertical stabilizer in a deadly midair collision over Iraq in March is among a group of damaged tankers that have returned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to be fully repaired.
sábado, 8 de agosto de 2026
viernes, 7 de agosto de 2026
US expeditioner retrieved from Antarctica in challenging midwinter rescue
With temperatures dipping as low as −43°C and conditions deteriorating, the crew transferred the patient onto the plane and flew to Christchurch. They are now receiving medical treatment.
https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/aad-retrieves-us-expeditioner-from-antarctica-in-challenging-midwinter-rescue/
https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/aad-retrieves-us-expeditioner-from-antarctica-in-challenging-midwinter-rescue/
FAA orders inspections of Boeing 737 MAXs after reports of cracks in fuselage-attached structure
On August 6, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published Airworthiness Directive AD 2026-15-11 affecting certain Boeing Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. The directive addresses reports of cracks in the bear strap at the forward upper corner of the forward galley door cutout, which may compromise structural integrity by preventing principal structural elements from sustaining limit loads.
The AD requires operators to perform an external general visual inspection of the fuselage skin for existing repairs, followed by applicable on-condition actions including repetitive detailed inspections, high-frequency and low-frequency eddy current inspections for cracking, and obtaining Boeing instructions for any necessary repairs or alternative inspections. Compliance must occur within timelines specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1408 RB, dated December 20, 2024.
Effective September 10, 2026, this rule impacts approximately 471 U.S.-registered airplanes. Initial inspection costs are estimated at $85 per aircraft ($40,035 total), with additional eddy current inspections costing up to $340 per cycle per plane ($160,140 total on U.S. operators). Two commenters responded to the November 2025 proposal—the Foundation for Aviation Safety questioned compliance timing, while United Airlines sought clarification on blend-out repairs. Both were addressed without changes to the final rule. Boeing is simultaneously introducing manufacturing process changes to address root causes in new production.
FAA orders inspections of Boeing 737 Max jets after cracks found in some older planes
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-inspections-boeing-737-max-jets-cracks-found-some-older-planes/
- https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/faa-orders-inspections-of-boeing-737-maxs-after-reports-of-fuselage-cracks/
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/06/2026-15936/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
FAA Marks Major Milestone with Hybrid-Electric Flight Test in Utah
The Federal Aviation Administration announced that Ampaire Inc. and the Utah Department of Transportation conducted a hybrid-electric demonstration flight along Utah’s I-15 corridor to test future cargo service.
Fire and Climate – a special and timely collection
The 2026 wildfire season shows us that with increased wildland fire risk, more intense fire behaviour, longer seasons, and fire evolving across many landscapes, a changing climate poses significant challenges to today’s fire regimes and management strategies.
The International Journal of Wildland Fire has published a Special Collection to showcase papers from and inspired by the Fire and Climate conferences hosted by the International Association of Wildland Fire in 2022 in Pasadena, United States and Melbourne, Australia.
Continue reading: https://wildfiretoday.com/fire-and-climate-a-special-and-timely-collection/
jueves, 6 de agosto de 2026
CAA concerned over rise in decisions to continue unstable approaches
On 4 August 2026, the UK Civil Aviation Authority issued Safety Notice SN-2026/008 warning airlines about a growing trend of flight crews continuing unstable approaches instead of executing a go-around. Analysis of Mandatory Occurrence Reports and operator safety data revealed an increasing number of approaches that fail to meet established stabilised approach criteria yet are not discontinued. The CAA highlights that this practice significantly raises the risk of hard landings, tail-strikes, and runway excursions. Citing Flight Safety Foundation research, the notice notes that unstable approaches were a factor in 66% of approach and landing accidents. The regulator warns that many uneventful landings from unstable approaches can breed dangerous complacency. It emphasises that busy airspace alone does not justify continuing an unstable approach, as procedures accommodate safe go-arounds. Operators are urged to strengthen SOPs, investigate individual events, promote a culture where go-arounds are normal rather than a failure, and use Flight Data Monitoring to detect occurrences. The notice remains in force until 31 August 2029.
Continue reading: https://www.caa.co.uk/publication/download/29501
FAA Targets Boeing 737 Passenger Seats Over Safety Concerns
The FAA has released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for an airworthiness directive (AD) aimed at tens of thousands of seats on Boeing 737s because they may have been installed incorrectly and could come loose in severe turbulence.
https://www.flyingmag.com/faa-targets-boeing-737-passenger-seats-over-safety-concerns/
Bell secures $300 million contract to modernise US Marine Corps H-1 helicopter fleet
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced an estimated $300 million, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price incentive, and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the Department of Navy. This base plus three option years contract provides the Structural and Power Improvements for NextGen Effects (SPINE) upgrades on up to 49 U.S. Marine Corp AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom aircraft.
…
The SPINE program, formerly known as SIEPU, provides greater electrical power capacity for modern warfighting capabilities and improved ability to integrate next-gen technology for enhanced lethality and survivability. SPINE-equipped H-1s will address improvements toward:
· Advanced and scalable architecture supporting rapid integration of current and future technologies
· In addition to aircrew safety enhancements, UH-1Y mission kit improvements to the fast rope, hoist, and litter kit provide the ability to rapidly conduct personnel recovery while operating in austere environments
· A vital Series A capability that provides integration of net-enabled weapon systems and data links. (Series A: Improved defensive systems, digital interoperability, increased aircraft electrical power)
Equipped with more robust defensive systems, an advanced data bus, Link 16, and long-range net-enabled weapons, Series A Bell AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys will more effectively operate at altitudes and in environments exclusive to rotary wing platforms. Flying below radar resolution cells, the Viper and Venom will be undetectable to enemy radar while receiving target locations from Joint Force fixed wing assets that remain outside of the enemy’s missile range.
https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/268525-bell-awarded-contract-for-spine-upgrades-to-h-1-fleet/
[Podcast verano] Cañón grande, ande o no ande
Como casi todos los podcast cierran en verano y os dejan huérfanos, hemos decidido grabar un episodio de verano. Ya sabéis que no nos gusta que duren más de 1h, y que rara vez se nos va a más de una hora y cuarto. Pues esta vez os traemos especial de 2h, para … https://blog.sandglasspatrol.com/podcast-verano-canon-grande-ande-o-no-ande/
Coulson Aviation Canada Returns S-61 Type 1 NVG Helitanker to BC Wildfire Service for 2026 Wildfire Season
“Night aerial firefighting requires more than adding night vision technology to an aircraft,” said Britton Coulson, President and COO of Coulson Aviation. “It requires the right aircraft, experienced crews, proven procedures, and years of operational discipline. The S-61 Type 1 NVG Helitanker delivers that complete capability, allowing crews to safely continue suppression efforts after dark.”
Continue reading
Coulson Aviation’s Tanker 138 Becomes First Large Airtanker Under Contract to U.S. Wildland Fire Service
Coulson Aviation today announced that Tanker 138, a Lockheed C-130H registered as N382CG, began a 60-day Exclusive Use contract last week with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. The contract makes Tanker 138 the first Large Airtanker placed under contract by the newly established federal service. […] The U.S. Wildland Fire Service was launched in January 2026 under the U.S. Department of the Interior, bringing Interior’s wildland fire programs together under a single service to strengthen coordination, decision-making and operational capability.
continue reading https://coulsonaviation.com/news/coulson-aviations-tanker-138-becomes-first-large-airtanker-under-contract-to-u-s-wildland-fire-service/
Coulson Aviation Introduces CFR HALO, a Long-Term Fire Retardant Engineered for Modern Aerial Firefighting
CFR HALO uses mission-optimized viscosity and flow characteristics designed to improve drop cohesion, reduce airborne drift, and support more accurate placement within the intended target area. The formulation can be optimized for different aircraft, terrain, weather conditions, and mission requirements while maintaining the long-term fire-retarding performance agencies depend on.
miércoles, 5 de agosto de 2026
martes, 4 de agosto de 2026
X-62A Toting Infrared Search And Track Pod Used Its AI 'Brain' To Autonomously Intercept An 'Enemy' T-38
Being able to autonomously use onboard sensor data to engage aerial threats is exactly what the USAF wants from its future CCA drones.
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