New Atlas

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V-280 Valor masters slow hover to meet Army handling requirements

David Szondy May 21, 2019

The Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft has completed a milestone hover and low-speed agility key performance parameter (KPP) test. Part of the US Army-led JMR TD program, the test flights were reportedly completed ahead of schedule and show that the Valor meets Army performance requirements.

The V-280 Valor has passed its latest series of low-speed agility tests

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Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter makes maiden flight

David Szondy May 19, 2019

The US Air Force's next rescue helicopter took to the skies for the first time on Friday. Based on the venerable UH-60M Black Hawk, the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter will replace the HH-60G, which entered service in 1982.

The maiden flight was of the first of nine test aircraft

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NASA backs development of cryogenic hydrogen system to power all-electric aircraft

David Szondy May 17, 2019

NASA is funding a project to develop an aircraft that runs on a cryogenic hydrogen fuel cell system. Under a US$6 million contract, the CHEETA program will investigate the technology needed to produce a practical all-electric design to replace conventional fossil fuel propulsion systems.

Artist's rendering of an advanced commercial transport aircraft concept utilizing CHEETA systems

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Lilium's full-sized electric jet flies for the first time

Nick Lavars May 15, 2019

Lilium first emerged in 2016 as an aviation startup with some very lofty ambitions, revealing plans to develop a five-seat electric aircraft. It has now taken a significant step toward achieving this aim, completing a flight of a full-scale prototype.

The Lilium Jet five-seat aircraft on its maiden flight

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DARPA wants to automate aerial dogfighting with AI wingman

David Szondy May 13, 2019

DARPA has launched an initiative to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) that can engage in dogfighting aerial combat. Despite its Terminator-like description, the goal is to produce an AI wingman that human pilots can trust to watch their backs while they handle command decisions.

ACE aims to increase warfighter trust in autonomous combat technology by using human-machine collaborative dogfighting as ...

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World's first "flap-free" aircraft maneuvered by blown air takes flight

David Szondy May 2, 2019

BAE Systems has made aviation history by maneuvering the first aircraft in flight using supersonically blown air instead of ailerons or other control surfaces. Taking to the skies over Wales, the wing-shaped Magma UAV makes use of two new technologies that could revolutionize aircraft design.

The Magma UAV uses puffs of air instead of moving control surfaces

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Phoenix ultra-endurance air vehicle is first to fly like a fish

David Szondy April 25, 2019

The University of the Highlands and Islands Perth College has developed and flown what is claimed to be the first aircraft powered by variable-buoyancy propulsion. In March, the unmanned Phoenix prototype made an indoor maiden flight, when it repeatedly flew for a distance of 120 m (395 ft).

Aircraft

Alta Devices' new HALE solar product could help flying phone towers take off

Darren Quick April 24, 2019

Looking to give high altitude long endurance (HALE) UAVs the ability to stay in the air for much, much longer – even years at a time – California-based Alta Devices has just released its Anylight Solar for HALE product.

Aircraft

Artificial Intelligence could steer hypersonic vehicles

David Szondy April 22, 2019

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has announced that it has set up an academic research coalition to help create artificially intelligent aerospace systems to control hypersonic missiles and other complicated vehicles in challenging environments.

A diverse set of technologies to be developed at Sandia National Laboratories could strengthen future hypersonic ...

Aircraft

Amphibious electric aircraft prototype achieves flight out of ground effect

David Szondy April 21, 2019

Equator Aircraft's P2 Xcursion prototype electric amphibious aircraft has taken fully to the air for the first time in the skies over Eggemoen Technology Park in Norway.

The P2 Xcursion is designed to be an affordable electric small aircraft