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– NSK has launched a new gas turbine generator bearing specifically for use in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including large drones. Among the major advances of the bearing are higher speed revolution performance and a new mechanism that reduces the necessary lubricant supply by around 80%, providing a significant contribution to longer eVTOL flight range. Continue reading
– PteroDynamics Inc. has announced the successful demonstration of the operational capabilities of the company’s autonomous Transwing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) during Trident Warrior 2024, the Fleet experimentation arm of the 29th biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. Continue reading
– Anduril Industries Inc., Washington, D.C., was awarded a $9,000,000 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract to develop and demonstrate launched effects technology using the Agile-Launched, Tactically Integrated Unmanned System. Continue reading
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development organization a $4 million contract for Phase 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program. Continue reading
Boeing just released this pilot’s seat video of an F-15 flight. Experience the jets’ power and agility — straight from the cockpit of the F-15 demo routine. Continue reading
– Boeing is designing a larger, land-based version of its uncrewed MQ-25 tanker, targeting U.S. Air Force (USAF) future refueling plans including topping up Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in contested airspace. Continue reading
– General Atomics, which is one of two finalists for the first increment of the USAF’s high-stakes Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program gave The War Zone a close look at their design, as well as the closely related XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) drone. The company brought the CCA model and the actual XQ-67A OBSS to the show floor at the Air & Space Force Association’s annual Air, Space, Cyber convention just outside of Washington, D.C. Continue reading
– Lockheed Martin, having “gold-plated” its initial bid for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, will focus on lower cost, more attritable aircraft in its proposal for the second increment, the head of the company’s legendary Skunk Works division told reporters Sept. 17. Continue reading