Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Leeham News and Analysis
- GE testing of giant GE9X engine aims for maturity at entry into service June 30, 2025
- Bjorn’s Corner: Air Transport’s route to 2050. Part 28. June 27, 2025
- Parent agency, FAA often at odds as politics outweighs safety June 26, 2025
- Electric Flight and the Ugly Duckling June 25, 2025
- Engine makers tout “Plan A” but have “Plan B” backups in R&D June 23, 2025
And now about Airbus
Boeing has dominated the news in recent weeks because of the tanker and the IAM contract negotiations. At long last, here’s some news about Airbus. The company is actively talking about stretching the A380-800 to a -900, 1,000… Read More
Predictable and disappointing
Northrop Grumman’s opposition to granting Boeing’s request for a six month response time instead of 45-60 days for the re-bid on the KC-X competition is predictable and disappointing. Boeing also threatened to no-bid the contract if it doesn’t… Read More
6 more months makes sense
(Updated 0730 AM PDT with references to EADS North America COO John Young and the “KC-35.”) Giving Boeing six more months to come up with a revised bid is a prudent and reasonable thing to do. Here’s why…. Read More
Italy to penalize Boeing on tanker
Bloomberg just moved this story, reporting the Italy will fine Boeing for its late KC-767 tanker, following penalties assessed by Japan. Update, 1145 AM PDT: We’ve been on the phone with reporters this morning discussing the tanker competition… Read More
No bid for Boeing?
Aviation Week reports that Boeing may elect not to re-bid on the KC-X program. The story is here. Update: 0840AM PDT: Boeing told us the Aviation Week piece is “news to us.” Boeing (and Northrop) meet with the… Read More
Airbus takes comfortable lead in YTD orders
Airbus took a comfortable lead in the orders race year-to-date through July 31 following the Farnborough Air Show, in which is announced a combination of new orders and inked a 100 airplane deal with Dubai Aerospace Enterprises that… Read More
The Day After the Draft RFP
There has been some time to digest the Pentagon’s announcement for the re-compete for the aerial tanker program. Predictably, Boeing’s supporters are unhappy. Anything short of a tailor-made RFP guaranteeing a Boeing award won’t make them happy, as… Read More
Pentagon reissues tanker RFP
The Pentagon today re-issued the Request for Proposal for the aerial tanker competition today. As the press conference begins, here is a running synopsis: USAF plan and process as we go forward to have a week or so… Read More
Thursday’s Farnborough impressions
Airbus had its press briefing, rescheduled from Monday, much to the puzzlement and speculation of observers and rivals (or, perhaps, that should be in the singular). The speculation was rife: Airbus’ super-salesman John Leahy had a big order… Read More