Aviation

VSR700 autonomous take-off and landing capabilities tested at sea

Airbus Helicopters has began sea trials for the VSR700, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) being built for the French Navy as part of the SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, which is being run by the DGA (Direction générale de l’Armement – the French Armament General Directorate). The trials were carried out with an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) based on a modified Guimbal Cabri G2 that was fitted with the VSR700’s autonomous take-off and landing (ATOL) technology. This flight test campaign prepares the VSR700 for its impending sea display onboard a French Navy frigate.

The test was carried out in the presence of DGA specialists off the coast of Brest, France, onboard a civilian vessel with a helicopter landing deck. The experiments were meant to examine the approach procedures before landing on the vessel, in addition to showing the ATOL technology built for the VSR700. The VSR700 flight envelope was evaluated at sea, in close proximity to a vessel, in accordance with development goals, and found to be entirely compatible with naval operations. The ATOL system‘s semi-autonomous and completely autonomous modes were successfully tested in various sea conditions.

Before those features are integrated into the fully autonomous VSR700, the OPV may carry one test pilot to enable safer and more rapid first testing. Initially, the OPV performed manned take-offs and landings before progressing to completely autonomous movements.

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The VSR700 is a 500-1,000 kg maximum take-off weight UAS designed to work with other shipborne naval weapons. It has the finest payload capabilities, endurance, and operational cost balance. It can carry numerous full-size naval sensors for lengthy periods of time and can operate alongside a helicopter from current ships with a small logistical footprint.

Airbus concludes ATTOL with fully autonomous flight tests

The VSR700’s initial prototype flew for the first time in 2020 and enlarged its flying envelope in 2021. The DGA ordered a second prototype of the VSR700 in April 2021, focusing on trials addressing SDAM criteria and allowing for broader, faster progress toward that aim.

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#VSR700 @AirbusHeli @MarineNationale @DGA

Aviation

Boeing to Slash 17,000 Jobs Worldwide Amid Ongoing Factory Strike

Boeing to Slash 17,000 Jobs Amid Ongoing Factory Strike

Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers, is facing a severe crisis. The company announced on Friday that it will lay off 17,000 employees—roughly 10% of its workforce.

This decision comes amid a prolonged strike, production delays, and ongoing safety concerns with its aircraft. Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s CEO since August, delivered the news, stating, “Our business is in a difficult position, and it is hard to overstate the challenges we face together.

Beyond navigating our current environment, restoring our company requires tough decisions, and we will have to make structural changes to ensure we can stay competitive and deliver for our customers over the long term.”

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Boeing has been struggling financially, with the last reported profit in 2018. The company’s largest union, with 33,000 members, has been on strike for nearly a month after rejecting a labor deal. The ongoing walkout is reportedly costing Boeing around a billion dollars each month as negotiations remain at a standstill.

Compounding these issues, Boeing’s much-anticipated boeing 777x wide-body plane is now six years behind schedule, with deliveries postponed until 2026. This follows the discovery of structural damage during flight tests. Boeing also announced it will stop manufacturing its commercial 767 freighters after fulfilling its remaining orders by 2027.

Financially, the company expects to report a significant third-quarter loss—nearly $10 per share—and a total cash outflow of $1.3 billion. boeing new aircraft commercial airplane unit faces a $3 billion pretax charge, while its defense business will absorb an additional $2 billion hit.

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The strike has severely impacted production at key boeing facilities, particularly in Seattle, where half of the company’s nearly 150,000 employees work. Since 2019, Boeing has lost approximately $25 billion.

Ortberg was brought in over the summer to help the company regain public trust following safety concerns, especially surrounding the 737 Max line, which was involved in two deadly crashes. Earlier this year, a separate incident involving a panel popping off a 737 Max mid-flight reignited concerns. A Federal Aviation Administration investigation following the event found that Boeing had failed 33 out of 89 product audits.