Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Airbus Launches Wing of Tomorrow Flight Test Program on A321neo
Airbus launched a three-year program on Wednesday to flight-test full-scale wing extensions on an A321neo test aircraft, advancing its Wing of Tomorrow programme for next-generation single-aisle jets. The extensions, each measuring several meters, replicate a folding wing held in the fully extended position during flight, capturing aerodynamic performance data across a range of conditions. Comprehensive testing equipment will monitor wing behavior and handling characteristics in real flight. Flight testing is scheduled to begin from the second half of 2027. Airbus has already built three 17-meter ground-based wing demonstrators at its Wing Technology Development Centre in the United Kingdom, evaluating more than 100 manufacturing and assembly technologies.
Sources: Leeham News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pratt & Whitney Canada Begins Ground Testing Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System
Pratt & Whitney Canada began ground testing of the flight-standard propulsion system for RTX’s Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator program in Longueuil, Quebec on Tuesday, combining a P&WC thermal engine with a one-megawatt electric motor and motor controller from Collins Aerospace and a battery system from Swiss developer H55 S.A. The integrated system will be installed on a De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100 experimental aircraft following completion of ground tests, with first flight targeted for 2027. The program targets up to 30 percent improved fuel efficiency for a typical 250-nautical-mile regional turboprop mission, a significant step toward commercially viable hybrid-electric regional aviation.
IndiGo Signs Record MoU with CFM International for More Than 1,000 LEAP-1A Engines
India’s IndiGo airline signed a memorandum of understanding with CFM International at the Farnborough International Airshow for an order of more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to power 510 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, the largest single engine deal in CFM’s history and a record for the LEAP program. The MoU also includes CFM support for establishing IndiGo’s upcoming engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility, and a long-term material services agreement covering spare parts supply to ensure high dispatch reliability and predictable costs. The agreement was announced on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow.
Farnborough Day Two Generates $22.1 Billion in Aerospace Deals
Day two of the Farnborough International Airshow generated $22.1 billion in aerospace deals on Tuesday, with 82 firm aircraft orders, 12 options, and 431 firm engine orders recorded. Lessors and carriers continued to commit to next-generation narrowbodies and widebodies, with AerCap placing a firm order for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and BOC Aviation confirming 300 CFM LEAP engines for incoming Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies. Uganda Airlines made its first direct aircraft purchase from Boeing, committing to four 737 MAX 8s and four 787-9s. Philippine Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding for nine additional A350-1000s, which would double its commitment to the type to 18 aircraft.
Sources: Aerospace Global News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CFM RISE Open-Fan Engine Program Completes Preliminary Design Reviews
CFM International reported at the Farnborough International Airshow that its RISE open-fan engine program has completed preliminary design reviews of the compact core system, open fan, and outlet guide vanes, enabling production of parts for upcoming ground tests. The RISE program has accumulated approximately 500 test campaigns since its launch, covering open fan architecture, compact core systems, and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies. The open-fan engine demonstrator ground tests are scheduled for later this decade, with a product-representative demonstrator planned to fly aboard an Airbus A380 testbed around 2029. RISE targets more than 20 percent better fuel burn compared to current engines in commercial service.
GE Aerospace and NASA Complete World’s First Hybrid-Electric Flight Above 30,000 Feet
GE Aerospace, in collaboration with NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing, has completed the world’s first hybrid-electric flight above 30,000 feet—the same altitude levels as commercial passenger aircraft—demonstrating the viability of megawatt-class electric propulsion systems for aviation. The test campaign was conducted under NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project, using GE Aerospace’s fully integrated megawatt-class and multi-kilovolt hybrid-electric propulsion system. The team’s single longest flight in hybrid-electric operation exceeded two hours. The milestone, highlighted at the Farnborough International Airshow, advances the case for high-power electric propulsion architectures operating at commercial service altitudes.
Sources: GE Aerospace Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boeing 777X Teams Report Key Certification Milestones Within Reach
Boeing says teams working on 777-9 certification are within reach of key milestones including final flight events, development assurance review closeouts, and certification deliverable closeouts, according to a July 2026 company update. The test fleet has logged more than 4,800 flight hours and approximately 1,700 flights, with 50 percent of planned certification testing now complete following FAA approval of Type Inspection Authorization Phase 4B in June. Boeing targets year-end 2026 for 777-9 type certification with first deliveries aimed for early 2027, though FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has indicated certification could potentially occur in early 2027. Obtaining extended twin-engine operations approval remains among the final outstanding milestones.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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