Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Airbus Launches Three-Year Wing of Tomorrow Flight Test Campaign on Modified A321neo
Airbus has launched a three-year flight test campaign on a modified A321neo fitted with full-scale wing extensions that replicate its folded-wing concept in an extended position. The program evaluates longer, lighter, and more slender wing geometries aimed at improving aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel burn on future narrowbody aircraft. In parallel, Airbus UpNext’s eXtra Performance Wing (XPW) shape-changing demonstrator is nearing assembly completion at Cazaux, France, with a remotely piloted maiden flight targeted for the end of 2026. The two efforts represent Airbus’s most ambitious concurrent push toward next-generation wing architectures.
Sources: Leeham News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
GKN Aerospace Applies Directed Energy Deposition Repair to Pratt & Whitney GTF Engine Vanes
GKN Aerospace has announced a contract with Pratt & Whitney to apply Directed Energy Deposition (DED) additive repair technology to Exit Guide Vane (EGV) stators in the PW1500G and PW1900G geared turbofan engines. The process precisely deposits material to restore worn features without replacing the entire component, cutting waste and turnaround time. Work will be carried out at GKN’s Trollhättan, Sweden facility, with additional support from sites in Malaysia and San Diego. The agreement spans five to ten years and extends to more than 20 component types, marking a significant expansion of advanced repair techniques across the GTF engine family.
Sources: GKN Aerospace Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Sikorsky and Safran Helicopter Engines Expand Rotorcraft Propulsion Collaboration at Farnborough
Sikorsky and Safran Helicopter Engines signed an exploratory agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 22 to expand cooperation on power and propulsion systems for next-generation commercial and military rotorcraft and unmanned aerial systems. The agreement deepens a collaboration spanning more than 40 years, rooted in their joint work on the S-76 helicopter. It was signed by Sikorsky Vice President Rich Benton and Safran Helicopter Engines President Cédric Goubet. While specific programs were not disclosed, the partnership signals both companies’ intent to jointly address propulsion challenges for the next wave of rotorcraft platforms entering development.
Sources: Sikorsky / Lockheed Martin Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pratt & Whitney GTF Engine Family Surpasses 800 Orders and Commitments Year-to-Date in 2026
Pratt & Whitney announced at Farnborough on July 22 that its GTF engine family has surpassed 800 orders and commitments in 2026 year-to-date, with an all-time total exceeding 14,000 from more than 90 customers worldwide. New 2026 customers announced at the show include Abra Group, AirAsia, Azorra, Binter, British Airways, Finnair, Jackson Square Aviation, Luxair, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, and VietJet. The GTF order backlog now stands at more than 8,000 engines. The milestone underscores continued and broadening global airline demand for the fuel-efficient geared turbofan across multiple narrowbody and regional jet platforms.
Sources: RTX / Pratt & Whitney Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mubadala and Embraer Sign Strategic Aerospace Partnership Covering Aerostructures R&D and MRO
Mubadala Investment Company and Embraer signed a Strategic Framework Agreement at Farnborough covering supply chain, MRO, human capital development, and research and development. The deal includes next-generation aerostructures R&D focused on advanced composites, additive manufacturing, and high-temperature alloys, with a co-located innovation hub planned to support joint work. Sanad, the Abu Dhabi-based engine and component MRO arm of Mubadala, is also set to expand its service footprint across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa under the agreement. The partnership positions the UAE as a strategic node in Embraer’s global supply and support network.
FDH Aero and Gardner Aerospace Sign Five-Year Expanded Airbus Supply Agreement
FDH Aero and Gardner Aerospace announced a new five-year Long-Term Agreement on July 23 expanding their existing commercial relationship to cover all Airbus single-aisle and twin-aisle programs. Under the agreement, FDH will support Gardner facilities across the United Kingdom, France, Poland, India, and China with direct line feed, kitting services, and C-class commodity management. Gardner Aerospace manufactures aerostructure components for Airbus commercial aircraft programs. The expanded LTA deepens supply-chain integration between the two companies and positions FDH as a broader logistics and materials partner across Gardner’s entire global manufacturing footprint.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.