Aviation

Airbus delivers its first U.S.-assembled A220 from Mobile, Alabama

Airbus has delivered its first U.S.-assembled A220 aircraft from Mobile, Alabama, underlining the aircraft manufacturer’s role as a global aircraft producer and heralding the arrival of a new era in Airbus aircraft production in the United States. The aircraft was delivered to Delta Air Lines.

“The delivery of the first U.S.-built A220-300 is a historic moment that highlights Airbus’ growing industrial footprint in North America and makes us all extremely proud,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Chairman & CEO Airbus Americas, Inc. “We look forward to seeing passengers delighted by the experience of travelling on board this brand new A220-300 proudly built in Mobile, Alabama.”

Several milestones led up to this historic moment. From the groundbreaking of the Mobile A220 Final Assembly Line in January 2019, through the official start of A220 production in August 2019, and the inaugural flight of this aircraft in June, the A220 teams in Mirabel (Quebec) and Mobile worked closely together to make the A220 production in the U.S. a success.

“Handing over the first U.S-assembled aircraft to a U.S.-based customer is a real point of pride for the A220 programme,” said Philippe Balducchi, leading the A220 programme. “This delivery is the first of many to come and shows the strong collaborative spirit between the A220 Programme teams globally.”

To date, approximately 400 U.S. employees have been trained on A220 production – some in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, where the A220 program and primary final assembly line are located. A year ago, the first U.S. based A220 production team, comprised of experienced and new team members, began assembling A220s in Mobile.

Delta Air Lines is currently the largest A220 customer, with a total of 95 A220 aircraft on order, and will be the first A220 operator in the Americas to be operating both A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft types.

Benefitting from the latest technologies, the A220 is the quietest, cleanest and most eco- friendly aircraft in its category. Featuring a 50% reduced noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft, 25% lower fuel burn per seat and 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is a great aircraft for neighborhood airports. Being a clean-sheet design, the A220 offers unrivalled operational efficiency and 25% lower operating costs per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.

As of end September 2020, 123 A220s have been delivered to seven operators and are being flown on routes in Asia, America, Europe and Africa, proving the great versatility of Airbus’ latest family member.

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Aviation

Why Elon Musk Believes the F-35 Stealth Jet Is Obsolete – Here’s Why

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire known for his innovative thinking, has set his sights on the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 fighter jets, calling them “obsolete” and unfit for modern warfare.

In a series of posts on his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Musk has argued that fighter jets, particularly the F-35, are outdated in an era dominated by drones and AI-driven combat systems. His remarks, which have ignited intense debate, suggest that the U.S. military should shift focus toward low-cost, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) rather than continuing to invest in expensive, manned jets.

Musk’s blunt criticism, which led to a 3% drop in Lockheed Martin’s stock, isn’t just a swipe at one military program—it’s part of his broader vision for the future of warfare. According to Musk, drones are the way forward, offering cost-effective, flexible, and increasingly autonomous platforms that can outperform traditional fighter jets in modern combat scenarios.

Drones: The Future of Warfare

Musk has consistently championed the development of remote-piloted combat systems over traditional fighter jets, claiming that the days of manned aircraft are numbered. He highlights the rise of drone warfare as a pivotal shift in military strategy.

Drones, Musk believes, not only offer a more cost-effective approach to air combat, but they also allow for greater speed in innovation. His argument is simple—drones are cheaper, safer, and capable of performing coordinated missions with minimal human oversight.

In contrast to the F-35’s $80 million price tag, small drones used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 each. Musk suggests that, given the escalating costs and complexity of traditional fighter jets, drones provide a much better return on investment. By removing the human element, drones eliminate the risks faced by pilots and allow for large-scale, swarming operations that can overwhelm traditional defense systems.

The F-35 program, one of the most ambitious and costly military projects in history, has long been a target for criticism. Designed as a multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35 was intended to meet a wide range of military needs, from air-to-air combat to precision strikes.

However, the program has been plagued by cost overruns, delays, and technical challenges. Despite these setbacks, the F-35 remains a cornerstone of the U.S. and allied air forces, largely due to its advanced stealth technology, sensors, and interoperability with other defense systems.

Critics, however, argue that the F-35 is over-designed to meet too many requirements, making it an unnecessarily complex and expensive system.

Musk’s Vision for the Future

Musk’s call to replace piloted fighter jets with AI-driven drones isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about rethinking the way we approach air combat. With the growing role of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in conflicts around the world, from reconnaissance to precision strikes, it’s clear that the battlefield is evolving. Drones have already proven their value, offering flexible, highly adaptable solutions that are reshaping military operations.