The UK Ministry of Defence is joining up with Leonardo Company, in a jointly funded programme, to develop concepts for future unmanned rotary wing aircrafts. After successful 2016 demonstrations and Phase 1 activities, they are looking to launch Phase 2 of the (RWUAS) Demonstrator Programme. With so many advancements in technologies that are now at our fingertips, the UK is looking to find exciting and innovative ways to reduce the costs and increase the capabilities in rotary wing and unmanned aircrafts. These technologies are just one of the many steps that are helping keep our military personal safe while in the battlefield. Not only does the UK have their own programme efforts, but with their rising defence budget and £178 billion Equipment Plan, they also planning on staying at the cutting edge by working with allies and industry academics alike. The specialist engineering staff at Leonard are working hard on research and development to build operational capabilities for the unmanned aircrafts. These technologies are helping to lower the risks associated with unmanned rotary aircrafts in challenging environments. Read more >>

Crews from the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy News have started training on Kamov Ka-27M multipurpose helicopters. They have been modernized from the original Ka-27PL anti-submarine versions that entered service in 1981. They feature a glass cockpit, a new radar, high-capacity, open-architecture avionics and secure data exchange systems. Recent plans call for almost 50 of the 80 remaining Ka-27PLs to upgrade their modernization. About six Ka-27Ms have already been delivered to the navy’s center for combat usage, flight personnel retraining and type conversion in Yeisk on the Black Sea coast. Read more >>

Both Duncan Aviation and Gogo Business Aviation have begun on their latest project of enhancing a 4G system for aircrafts that can be used efficiently midflight. Many airlines and companies have successfully managed to sustain in-air network but not quite like their latest innovation. The new innovations will consist of Gogos entertainment system known as the Gogo vision.  The “Gogo Vision serves up 200 Hollywood blockbuster movies & hit TV shows on your aircraft with catalog updates every month. Plus, breaking news. Moving maps. Destination weather. Flight progress. In-cabin file sharing. And more.”  Working hand in hand with Duncan Aviation to be able to complete their project fast and very efficiently. Read more >>

There was an article posted on Aerospace Technology which talks about how Spirit Aeronautics and Global Aerospace Design have worked together in order to solve a problem for many of the Boeing 737 operators. The two are working together in order to provide a Supplemental Type Certificate (also known as an STC) for Boeing company operators of both business and commercial sectors. Read more >>

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. GE Aviation has delivered its new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified flight management system (FMS) software Update 13 (U13). It will be standard fit for all Boeing 737 MAX production airplanes. The U13 flight management software builds on U12 performance that displayed runway situational awareness enhancements and joined approach and navigation expansion. U13 provides several flight management improvements to the MAX aircraft, including assimilation of the CFM LEAP-1B performance model, improved situational awareness through integration with the MAX large area navigational displays, and fuel efficiency through features like adaptable take-off thrust options. Read more >>