Boeing SC construction underway for second 787 final assembly line

By Scott Hamilton May 31, 2023, © Leeham News: Charleston (SC)—Boeing is gearing up to add a second production line for the 787 here at what was once the second line to the Everett (WA) plant. When the… Read More

Pontifications: “The need for radical fuel improvements will only increase over time.”

May 30, 2023, © Leeham News: “The need for radical fuel improvements will only increase over time.” That’s the definitive conclusion of Arjan Hegeman, GE Aerospace’s general manager of advanced technology. GE is working on Performance Improvement Packages… Read More

Tanker competition decision expected later this year

Subscription Required Now open to all readers. By Scott Hamilton May 29, 2023, © Leeham News: Procurement of a new round of US Air Force aerial refueling tankers resulted in a shift in strategy driven by new threat… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: New aircraft technologies. Part 14. Airframe for lower friction drag

May 26, 2023, ©. Leeham News: This is a summary of the article Part 14P. Airframe for lower friction drag. The article discusses in detail a Blended Wing Body (BWB) type airframe and how it reduces the wetted… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: New aircraft technologies. Part 14P. Airframe for lower friction drag

Subscription required By Bjorn Fehrm May 26, 2023, ©. Leeham News: This is a complementary article to Part 14. Airframe for lower friction drag. It discusses in detail the Blended Wing Body (BWB) type of airframe that shall… Read More

The Small Airliner Problem, Part 6

Subscription required By Bjorn Fehrm May 25, 2023, © Leeham News: In our series about the viability of the business plans for small airliners (nine to 50 seats), we have covered the cost factors that make up the… Read More

Pontifications: Looking ahead to a major Defense procurement: Boeing vs Lockheed-Airbus

May 23, 2023, © Leeham News: Decisions by the US Air Force in Washington (DC) on whether to require competition for its next round of aerial refueling tanker aircraft are still months away. But so far, the USAF… Read More

Making the case for competing the next USAF tanker procurement

Subscription Required By Scott Hamilton May 22, 2023, © Leeham News: The US Air Force is moving slowly toward another aerial refueling tanker procurement. With hundreds of ancient Boeing KC-135 tankers still to replace, the procurement will be… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: New aircraft technologies. Part 13. Friction drag

May 19, 2023, ©. Leeham News: Last week, we looked at the different drag types (Figure 1) that reduce an airframe’s efficiency. We now look at the major drag types in more detail and what can be done… Read More

The Small Airliner Problem, Part 5

Subscription required By Bjorn Fehrm May 18, 2023, © Leeham News: In our series about the viability of the business plans for small airliners (nine to 50 seats), we have covered how energy/fuel consumption, maintenance, and airway/airport fees… Read More