Lufthansa Technik has selected Thales to provide a cutting-edge audio/radio management system for its Pegasus programme, which it will develop specifically for the project. The Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS) system (to be integrated on to the Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft) will include an advanced audio/radio system, produced by Thales Aerospace Communications, featuring full compliance with German military requirements. Alongside offering the highest level of security and significant weight savings, it will be capable of managing the communications of the light dec ..read more

Electric regional aviation pioneer Lilium has completed the first series of tests of its electric jet propulsion unit, representing an “important step towards verifying safety of flight of the Lilium Jet”. Testing of the propulsion unit (comprised of two engines within a propulsion mounting system) was carried out at Lilium’s dedicated propulsion unit test bed, located at the company’s headquarters near Munich. During the testing, the engines were taken up to maximum thrust, with Lilium describing the system’s overall performance as demonstrating “the expected level of performance and reliabil ..read more

Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines are to collaborate on a new joint venture, EURA; to produce a next-generation European military helicopter engine. The EURA (European Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance) initiative will form the core of a larger programme, intended to align collaboration with industrial and technological partners from several other European nations. The exclusive joint venture will focus on the development of a new heavy helicopter engine to power the next generation of European military rotorcraft scheduled to enter service by 2040. “EURA is a guarantee of sover ..read more

Leonardo’s AW609 tiltrotor programme has successfully conducted its first ship trial, a major industry capability milestone performed in conjunction with the Italian Navy. Demonstration trials using an AW609 AC4 aircraft in its final product configuration were performed in early April, alongside earlier missions developed and executed in a fully synthetic environment; leveraging the benefits of a digital twin setup. Alongside the Italian Navy, the trials were also supported by the Italian Army and Guardia di Finanza. During airborne flight tests, the AW609 relocated to Maristaer Grottaglie Nav ..read more

A Lockheed Martin advanced weather GOES-U satellite was launched successfully from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on 25 June. The satellite was flown into space by a Space X Falcon Heavy rocket and has since deployed its large solar array to generate electrical power as well as establishing communications with mission operators. The satellite was built for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is the last satellite in NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) – R series of four satellites. After it reaches geostationary orbit, approximately two week ..read more

Aer Lingus and the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) have resumed direct talks as the two parties seek to avert further strike plans. “IALPA has indicated that the association is willing to return to negotiations to try and find resolution to the current dispute,” wrote the trade union on social media, which claims it has repeatedly sought to engage with Aer Lingus. This comes as the airline confirmed it has cancelled 50 additional flights over the course of 1 and 2 July “in order to protect as many services as possible from the impact of IALPA’s continuing industrial action”. These a ..read more

PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin Company, has been awarded a contract to procure an additional S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopter for Romania; where it will be utilised for emergency and firefighting services. Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Department of Emergency Situations, is to make the purchase using European Union RescEU funds, part of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. The new Polish-built helicopter will take Romania’s fleet of S-70M helicopters to eight, following the 2023 delivery of seven aircraft (part of a framework agreement for up to twelve unit ..read more

Innovative aviation and aerospace company 2Excel Aviation is to expand into Ireland, with a newly-formed subsidiary to deliver search and rescue (SAR) and other coast guard services. The new setup will see 2Excel Ireland provide fixed-wing Coast Guard services for Bristow Ireland, following the award to Bristow of a ten year-contract to deliver SAR and other aviation services to the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). To deliver the contract, the company is targeting a brand-new Irish Air Operator Certificate (AOC), allowing 2Excel to operate two specially modified King Airs from Shannon Airport. Alongs ..read more

Defence aircraft will account for 40% of all those present at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, as global politics become increasingly turbulent. Farnborough International CEO Gareth Rogers said the figure was for all aircraft taking part in both static and flying displays at the show which has sold out for the first time in a decade. However, he added the increase in defence aircraft at this year’s event has been driven by global events, including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the growing potential for trouble between superpowers US and China. Rogers said: “Defence is goi ..read more

Aircraft systems integrator the Marshall Group has delivered the last of five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), marking the culmination of a multimillion pound upgrade and enhancement programme. The most substantial work package undertaken included decommissioning the aircraft from their previous service within the UK’s RAF fleet. The integration of state-of-the-art avionics and installation of capability enhancements was also undertaken. “Fielding these five C130J Super Hercules aircraft with a range of sophisticated upgrades will ensure the BAF’s mission-readi ..read more