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The article discusses the current challenges that Embraer, one of the worldEs four dominant commercial aircraft producers now faces. Some of the different efforts that are being undertaken by the company to try and revive itself are highlighted.

European turboprop aircraft manufacturers are currently not going ahead with any new aircraft plans. Turboprop manufacturers had hoped to move ahead into the market with development of twins or jets; however, have deferred plans looking at the bankruptcy that turboprop manufacturer Grob had to face due to investment in its jet-poweredSPn project.

The delivery of the first A380 aircraft to Singapore Airlines is scheduled for October 2007. Airbus officials appear to have overcome problems that plagued the development and manufacture process, which caused unexpected delays.

The Cessna Aircraft Co.'s US$2.6 million, twin-engine Mustang, specifically designed for the single-pilot, owner-flown segment of the business jet market, is presented.

Aermacchi is nearing the completion of work on the M-346 advanced jet trainer and the industry is waiting anxiously to see if Aermacchi has predicted correctly on the M-346 concept.

The excellent flying qualities, precise ground handling and the availability of large amount of flight system and operational information are significant characteristics of the A380. The first delivery to a customer is problematic as Airbus test pilots did not want to commit while the program is undergoing review by new top management team.

The Adam Aircraft A700 'AdamJet' is starting an intense period of flight testing aimed at securing FAA certification in 2007. The very light jet Adam's No.2 A700, a preproduction twin-turbofan, would start stall-speed, runway performance and other initial tests in August 2006, with the first fully 'conformed' aircraft, No.3, scheduled to join the program in October 2006.

NASA would announce on August 31, 2006, whether Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman/Boeing would build the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) replacing the shuttle as the primary route to space for US astronauts. Hardware for the test flight of the ARES I vehicle that would carry the CEV to orbit is ready and engineers are preparing instrumentation for the ground test of the Ares I first stage in November, with NASA working on a tight timetable to minimize the gap in US space access after the space shuttle makes its final flight in 2010.

American Eurocopter's UH-145's impressive performance has shown excellent potential for the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) competition. The LUH is planned mostly for non-combat uses and the Army is anticipating an order of 322 helicopters by 2015 with deliveries starting in Fiscal 2007.

The Orbiter Express demonstrator set for launch in October 2006 would test full autonomy for on-orbit service trying to show that the technology is ready to refuel, repair and otherwise service spacecraft. The Orbital Express program is run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, with Boeing Advanced Systems as the prime integrator and builder of the Astro servicing or chase, satellite and Ball Aerospace building the client target satellite NextSat.

The idea of working closely with customers and partners has enabled the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to develop products efficiently and at a much lower price. The objectives, achievement and the performance of the company and its products are discussed.

Raytheon Aircraft is developing the newest version of its T-6 turboprop trainer with a hope that it would be accepted by military services as a partial replacement to satisfy training requirements of their more advanced aircraft. Raytheon is counting on the large number of T-6As in service as well as its embedded ground training and logistics system to help sell the concept of using a less expensive platform for flight training normally accomplished by advanced trainers.

Lockheed Martin, which is considered as a leader of unmanned systems for all domains like air, land, sea and space, has shown its commitment towards the development of unmanned systems. Lockheed Martin has vast experience in the field of unmanned systems and is able to apply the new technologies in one domain of unmanned systems to another unmanned system.

The advent of highly integrated aircraft and weapon systems has forced the flight test professionals to devise new evaluation techniques in the midst of complex development programs. The flight test community faces the daunting task of evaluating aircraft dependent on millions of lines of software code, controlling high-energy lasers in-flight, and safely flying autonomous, unmanned aircraft.

Northrop Grumman Corp. at work developing new radar tracking systems for U.S. Air Force attack aircraft. Industry analysts say the new radar system will allow attack aircraft to better track, target, and hit moving ground targets with higher precision.

Israel's aerospace and defense industries are dependent on export sales, with about 50% of all products sold to users outside the country, so their product development takes international trends and needs into consideration. Products in development are discussed.

Development of the Eurofighter and other fighter planes in Europe are discussed. The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force postponed the in-service date of June 2002 for its Eurofighter. Orders for the Eurofighter, features of the craft and industrial partners are discussed along with relations between the countries buying the Eurofighter.

Airbus Industrie's new A340-600 airplane is discussed. Competition with other commerical aircraft, seating, range, airlines interested in the plane, a new wing design and other aspects are included.

The U.S. Air Force is reviewing its plans for developing a signals intelligence payload for the Global Hawk remotely piloted vehicle. The Global Hawk's stellar performance in the Afghanistan conflict has not been able convince lawmakers to fully fund the Joint Signit Avionics Family program, which includes contracts for TRW Inc. and BAE Systems.

France's Airbus Industries, which is building the A380 mega-transport passenger jet, expects to receive 100 orders by the end of 2001. Airbus' A380, which already has sold A380s to Emirates, will compete against Seattle, Wash.-based Boeing Co.'s Sonic Cruiser.

France's Airbus Industries' new A380 offers substantially lower operating costs through improved aerodynamics and aircraft systems. The A380 also offers new materials and an advanced cockpit that features eight displays and a cursor control devices.

This article reviews the history of techniques used to reduce engine inlet and exhaust radar reflections. Illustrations are included.

This article discusses techniques used by contractors to eliminate radar reflections for air inlets and engines in the Joint Strike Fighter program. Boeing with Pratt and Whitney has developed technology in this area as well as Lockheed Martin and McDonnell Douglas.

Airbus Industrie's 555-seat double-deck A380 long-range transport is scheduled for a maiden flight in 2004, and an entry into service in 2006. But the United States has voiced concern that the European governments' funding of the program could lead to transatlantic trade disputes.

The article discusses the state of Asian airlines, which are again the center of concentration, since aircraft makers are trying to design larger and longer range aircraft. The introduction of these aircraft were delayed by corporate reorganization and technical difficulties, as well as a two-year recession.

Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co. are vying for a U.S. Air Force contract for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. Lockheed Martin is building an Atlas V launcher while Boeing is building a Delta IV launcher.

Boeing Co. has redesigned parts of its candidate for the USAF Joint Strike Fighter. Changes have been made in the tail, wing and air inlet of the aircraft. Boeing has also switched from themoplastic material to thermoset which is more easily manipulated.

Upgrades to Lockheed Martin's C-130J transport, including new Allison engines, Dowty propellers, a computer-intensive pilot displays, and a longer fuselage make for a better airplane for about $2 million more. Flight test observations and feature descriptions are provided.

Armed forces save money through upgrading military aircraft instead of purchasing new planes. New features for several types of aircraft and helicopters are discussed including upgrade projects at six manufacturers.

Sikorsky's rotary engine powered, circular-shaped Cypher unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) measures 6.5 ft in diameter. The UAV has built-in cameras and sensors that render it suitable for both civil and military close-range search missions.

The C-17 demonstrates capabilities that fulfill the requirements for short-range tactical and long-range strategic roles required by the Air Force. Flight tests are still being conducted to determine any technical problems to be corrected.

Dassault Aviation's (DA) $16 million Falcon 2000, which is currently undergoing flight testing, appears to be well-positioned in the 3,000-mile-range business jet market. The Falcon 2000, which DA officials expect to bring to market in Feb 1995, is less costly than comparable aircraft.

McDonnell Douglas Corp will begin producing the MD-90 transport on schedule though sales have fallen far short of anticipated orders when the program was launched in 1989. Firm orders total only 77, including 26 for Delta Air Lines and 20 for China's Trunkliner program.

The first of three planned Orion demonstrators have been rolled out by Aurora Flight Sciences after being selected by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for the first phase of the Medium-Altitude Global ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and Communications (Magic) program. The company is quite optimistic that it will be successful in putting its unmanned aircraft into production if the technology demonstration proves successful.

The article discusses the changing role of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) wherein it is moving into the role of providing foreign customers with systems tailored to their specific military needs. Some of the other innovations that IAI is producing are highlighted.

Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing the Arrow 3 exoatmospheric interceptor, with initial operational capability expected in 2013. The Arrow 3 is part of Israel's effort to expand its sensor and interceptor capabilities against a possible ballistic missile attack by Iran.

The article discusses the key things that China has kept in mind when selecting onboard systems for the Comac C919. The only way that the C919 can thrive in commercial markets is if Avic, the Chinese manufacturer's main supplier rids itself of the mind-set of a military manufacturer.

Northrop Grumman has hinted that work on the physical dimensions of the new strike aircraft could be based on classified projects. Some of the major issues concerning the new bomber are also highlighted.

The Airbus Military A400M program has finally become airborne with the first flight test taking place on December 11, 2009. Following the successful flight test, the governments of partner nations France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Turkey and the U.K. have decided to give EADS until the end of January 2010 to secure a revised deal on the program.

Northrop Grumman will be formally rolling out the Euro Hawk, a Block 20 Global Hawk-based system that is being developed in collaboration with EADS. The intelligence and surveillance system is being purchased by Germany to replace its Atlantic manned signal aircraft and by NATO.

The article discusses the importance of stress tests with the induction of more and more unmanned aerial aircraft in the US Air Force (USAF). Testing and safety issues continue to dominate delays to the Global Hawk high-altitude UAS being developed by Northrop Grumman for USAF.

The Chinese aircraft sector is all set for a major reform and refurbishment with Avic Aircraft, the newly set up Chinese aircraft company. Avic Aircraft is planning to build a large military transport and also has plans to develop a big turboprop airliner.

EADS and Airbus are to review the present development strategy of the A400M aircraft, which has suffered following financial difficulties and delays. The present situation is expected to severely affect Europe's plans to develop the A400M as a military airlifter in a civil aircraft timescale.

Airbus Industrie began the testing program for its large-capacity A340 transport on Oct 25, 1991. The first test flight achieved a top speed of Mach 0.82 and a top altitude of 40k feet, with few systems problems.

The McDonnell Douglas C-17 transport aircraft will have avionics and aerodynamics technology that will make flying easy. The author experienced the performance of the C-17 through a flight hardware simulator.

Airbus plans to ship the sections for the first A320 Airbus to be fully assembled in China at the Tianjin plant. The final assembly of the A320 Airbus would be started on August 18, 2008 and the customer delivery is expected to start in 2009.

The growing rise in aviation turbine engine production and the expected growth mainly due to the replacement and upgradation of existing fleets are discussed.

The article discusses the problems that EADS is facing due to a delayed payback in all of its big three aircraft programs, mainly due to an overrun in the A400M program.

The ARJ21 regional jet is shaping up the beginnings of a new giant of commercial aviation in China.