March 25, 2026 - No. 12 In This Issue : FAA To Broaden Mutual Recognition Of MRO Approvals : American Airlines and Google say AI helped airplanes reduce trap heat : Exceeding Mach 5 : US firm to launch 20 hypersonic test flights with latest funding boost : FAA Approves Next Phase for New Boeing 777X, 2027 Entry in Sight : Airbus is said to turn up heat on Pratt & Whitney over engine delays : GE Aerospace to invest over €110 million in European manufacturing expansion and workforce development in 2026 : Bell prepares to begin construction on big Alliance factory for Army aircraft : Poland signs Apache support deal with Lockheed Martin : 2nd-ever test flight of NASA's 'quiet' X-59 supersonic jet cut short by glitch : Rolls-Royce Secures UltraFan 30 Demonstrator Backing FAA To Broaden Mutual Recognition Of MRO Approvals Sean Broderick March 19, 2026 Credit: Lufthansa Technik The FAA, responding to a years-long industry push, has kicked off a rulemaking that will expand mutual recognition of non-U.S. maintenance organization certificates through bilateral agreements. “We’re doing it. We’ve entered it into rulemaking,” FAA Flight Standards Service General Aviation Group Manager Chris Parfitt said during the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) Annual Symposium on March 19. “It is going to be a permissive role. It will allow us to enter into a bilateral, mutual agreement. It does not force us to do so, and the details of any of those would be worked out within the bilaterals themselves.” The change addresses a quirk of U.S. law that limits what international treaties have legal weight. Bilateral aviation safety agreements (BASA) are considered “executive” pacts that cannot supersede U.S. law, including FAA regulations. Because of this, the FAA must issue its own approvals for foreign repair stations, even if the shop is in a country, such as France, covered in a BASA designed to encourage mutual recognition of similar regulatory standards. The only exception is Canada, because the FAA’s Part 43 regulation permits mutual recognition of Transport Canada-issued certificates to domestic aviation maintenance organizations (AMOs). Most other countries face fewer restrictions, making mutual recognition within a BASA a common practice outside the U.S. The proposed rule would expand the process to other countries and groups of states, including the European Union, that have a BASA with the U.S. “We’ve been watching these bilaterals being inked by which, at least in the component space, you don’t need to have a certificate from the other authority, but the FAA by virtue of how part 43 is written, requires that you have an FAA approval,” ARSA EVP Christian Klein said. “What we’re doing is trying to tweak part 43 a little bit so that somebody with a foreign approval, it’s recognized under a bilateral by the FAA.” Aftermarket providers have long sought more streamlined regulatory approvals to permit work on aircraft from around the world. Duplicative audits against similar sets of rules from different countries is costly and time-consuming while offering no safety benefits. An ARSA-led coalition of 14 organizations petitioned the FAA in 2020 seeking a formal rulemaking. The group requested amended regulations “to enable reciprocal acceptance of AMO certificates issued by designated U.S. bilateral partners, and the approvals for return to service issued by those organizations,” the petition said. “Industry’s costs to obtain and retain foreign AMO certificates would be eliminated completely if the domestic authority’s certificate and oversight is the only expenditure required to perform work for a foreign customer,” the group continued. “Adoption of the proposal would also allow agency resources to be directed at continued operational safety elements rather than expenditures to perform certification and oversight operations that are duplicative to the bilateral partner’s efforts.” Parfitt did not put a timeline on the rule, but left little doubt that it is happening. “It has gone through a rulemaking council, it’s been accepted, and it just received its [regulation identifier number]” that codifies it as a formal regulator action, he said. American Airlines and Google say AI helped airplanes reduce trap heat By Associated Press Published March 19, 2026, 5:03 p.m. ET American Airlines and Google said Thursday that they significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails. When airplanes fly through cold and humid areas, ice crystals can form around the soot particles emitted from the engine, creating clouds that trap heat and warm the planet. Google is using artificial intelligence to predict where these condensation trails, or contrails, are likely to form if planes pass through. American Airlines added the forecasts to its flight planning system on a trial basis to show where pilots could safely shift altitude or use optional routes to avoid those areas. American Airlines and Google said the tool could be one of the most cost-effective, scalable climate solutions available in aviation now. American Airlines and Google said they significantly reduced the climate impact of some flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails that trap heat. Google is using AI to predict where condensation trails, or contrails, are likely to form if planes pass through, with American Airlines using the forecasts to map routes to avoid those areas to prevent warming the planet. Supatman – stock.adobe.com The aviation industry is under growing pressure to take action on climate change. And while those thin, white lines that form behind airplanes may look wispy, they’re responsible for a surprising amount of Earth’s warming — 1% to 2%, according to Contrails.org, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to reducing aviation’s climate impact through contrail management, as part of the Breakthrough Energy group founded by Bill Gates. The group was among the collaborators in the trial. Switching to cleaner fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel, can significantly reduce emissions and contrails, though that’s far more expensive than slightly altering a flight route. Many contrails are short-lived, but some may persist for hours or even days if it’s extremely humid. Research on the subject suggested that minor adjustments to flight altitudes or routes to avoid these regions could eliminate a significant portion of this warming using a minimal amount of additional fuel — a theory tested through this trial. Using sustainable aviation fuel can significantly reduce emissions and contrails, but is more expensive than slightly altering a flight route. AP Testing on flights from the U.S. to Europe The trial involved 2,400 flights from the U.S. to Europe. In research shared in a blog post Thursday, Google said half were given a route option to avoid creating contrails and the other half were the control group. For the 112 flights that flew that option, they formed 62% fewer contrails compared to the control group, the paper said. The researchers estimated that reduced the climatological warming from those flights by about 69%. Dinesh Sanekommu, who leads Google’s work on contrails, said they need to do a larger trial and want to work with all the other flight planning software providers to build contrail forecasts and avoidance features. The trial started in January 2025 and ended in May. Flightkeys, the flight planning service used by American Airlines, joined the airline, Google and Contrails.org in the collaborative work. “We know that aviation is one of the hardest, most difficult sectors to decarbonize,” Dinesh Sanekommu, who leads Google’s work on contrails, said in an interview. “We think there’s a way that AI can help make that a reality. And the hope is, whether it’s these AI-based forecasts, whether it is doing these operational scientific demonstrations together, they all add a little bit of evidence and generate a bit of data that helps make the right decisions in the long run.” This built on earlier work by Google, American Airlines and Breakthrough Energy. They partnered in 2023 to reduce the warming effects of contrails and did a smaller test where the flights were identified manually versus integrated into the flight planning system. As for what’s next, Sanekommu said they need to do a larger trial and they want to work with all the other flight planning software providers to build contrail forecasts and avoidance features into their products Showing the way for other airlines One of the biggest deterrents for airlines in adjusting a route is the potential cost of extra fuel, but the trial found no statistically significant difference in fuel usage observed between the two groups. It’s also a challenge to coordinate among pilots and air traffic controllers over different airspace regions internationally, said Thomas Walker, who researches aviation climate impacts at the Boston-based Clean Air Task Force. CATF has been talking with other major airlines about avoiding contrails, Walker said, and “there’s been a little bit of pushback.” The trial found no statistically significant difference in fuel usage when changing the route. Jill Blickstein, vice president of sustainability at American Airlines, said the trial showed it wasn’t difficult for dispatchers and pilots to file and fly alternative plans to What do you think? Post a comment. The North Atlantic region is a hot spot for contrails, making attempts to avoid creating them there particularly effective, added Walker, CATF’s senior transportation technology manager. Walker said there have been trials in Europe to adjust routes, and this is the largest one he has heard of in the United States, which is “a pretty big step in the right direction.” He said he hoped American Airlines’ positive results will encourage other airlines to participate. American Airlines said it’s not yet making contrail avoidance a routine part of its regular flight planning process. The airline said it hopes to continue working with its partners on additional studies, potentially involving different flight routes and times of day, that could help answer important scientific questions. Exceeding Mach 5 : US firm to launch 20 hypersonic test flights with latest funding boost The first of these 20 new missions is expected to take place within months of contract signing. By Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Mar 21, 2026 07:37 AM EST This expanded multi-year launch partnership builds upon Rocket Lab’s demonstrated success delivering high-cadence hypersonic capabilities. Rocket Lab California based Rocket Lab Corporation has received a $190 million contract for a block buy of 20 hypersonic test flights with its HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) launch vehicle. This is for the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program (a MACH-TB follow-on program). The program is a U.S. Department of War effort executed in partnership with Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane). It`s main objective is to provide an affordable bridge between hypersonic ground tests and system level flight tests, in order to reduce overall hypersonic development risks and time, and provide rapid transition of innovative hypersonic technologies to the warfighter. Rocket Lab will perform 20 hypersonic test flights The signing of the latest contract is Rocket Lab’s single largest launch agreement yet. Under MACH-TB 2.0 Task Area 1, led by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Rocket Lab will perform 20 hypersonic test flights with its HASTE launch vehicle over a four-year period. HASTE is a three stage suborbital testbed launch vehicle derived from Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. It features a modified third stage with a larger payload capacity (max 700 kg) that can place payloads in different trajectories for simulating flight conditions for hypersonic and sub-orbital vehicles. These aerothermodynamic loads are difficult to simulate in ground based test facilities. The launch vehicle can integrate payloads of different sizes (by making use of tailored fairings) and for different flight profiles, ranging from air breathing, boost glide to ballistic re-entry. Single largest launch contract in Rocket Lab’s history The new award is the single largest launch contract in Rocket Lab’s history, bringing the total number of launches in backlog to more than 70 and pushing Rocket Lab’s total backlog across launch and space systems to more than $2 billion, according to a press release. Since 2023 Rocket Lab has conducted seven successful (Mach 5+) HASTE launches with 100% mission success rate under the MACH-TB program. FAA Approves Next Phase for New Boeing 777X, 2027 Entry in Sight FAA clearance pushes Boeing 777-9 closer to service as airlines adjust long-term fleet plans. By Bhavya Velani March 20, 2026 Photo: Clément Alloing SEATTLE- The Boeing 777X program has moved closer to 777-9 certification after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter the next testing phase. Lufthansa (LH) at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is expected to be the launch customer when deliveries begin. The aircraft’s prolonged delay has impacted major operators, including Emirates (EK) at Dubai International Airport (DXB), forcing airlines to retain older fleets and invest in upgrades while awaiting delivery, TAC reported Photo: Clément Alloing FAA Certification Progress Moves Into Critical Phase Boeing has received clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to proceed with Phase 4A of the Type Inspection Authorization process for the 777-9. This marks the fourth stage in a five-phase certification framework required before commercial entry. The approval follows earlier progress in Phase Three, with Boeing now conducting multiple certification phases in parallel using separate test aircraft. Although more than two dozen 777-9 aircraft have been built, only four are actively used for certification testing. Phase Four is divided into two parts, 4A and 4B, and involves a testing workload comparable to Phase Three. This stage began in November and focuses on validating system performance, operational reliability, and compliance under varied conditions. Despite this progress, certification remains a multi-step process. Additional tests will be required after all five phases are completed, particularly on production-standard aircraft. Boeing continues to target 2027 for entry into service, Simple Flying flagged. Photo: Boeing Lufthansa Positioned as Launch Customer Lufthansa (LH) is expected to become the first airline to receive the Boeing 777-9, with deliveries projected in early 2027. The airline has ordered 20 aircraft and plans to use them as part of a broader fleet modernization strategy. Delays in the 777-9 program forced Lufthansa to reactivate older aircraft, including Airbus A340s, Boeing 747-400s, and Airbus A380s, to meet rising travel demand. These aircraft were initially scheduled for retirement. The 777-9 is intended to replace aging Boeing 747 fleets, offering similar passenger capacity with improved fuel efficiency due to its twin-engine design. Lufthansa plans to retire its 747-400 fleet by the end of the decade, followed by gradual phase-outs of other widebody aircraft into the early 2030s. Photo: Clément Alloing Emirates Adjusts Strategy Amid Delays Emirates (EK), the largest customer for the 777X family, has also faced operational challenges due to delivery delays. The airline has placed orders for 270 aircraft, including both the 777-8 and 777-9 variants. To manage capacity and maintain product standards, Emirates launched a large-scale retrofit program across its Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleets. The upgrades include new cabin interiors and expanded premium economy offerings. This approach allows Emirates to remain competitive while extending the life of its existing fleet. The airline is expected to be among the early recipients of the 777-9 once deliveries begin. Photo: Boeing 777X Production Twitter Long Delays Continue to Shape Airline Fleets The six-year delay in the Boeing 777-9 program has had significant financial and operational consequences for airlines. Carriers have been required to retain less efficient aircraft longer than planned or invest heavily in refurbishments. The aircraft remains central to long-term fleet planning for multiple global airlines. Its combination of high capacity and improved efficiency positions it as a key replacement for older widebody jets, particularly four-engine aircraft. While certification progress signals forward momentum, the program still faces several milestones before entering commercial service. Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates. Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News Airbus is said to turn up heat on Pratt & Whitney over engine delays Mar 19, 2026, 9:46 AM ET RTX Corporation (RTX) Stock, EADSF Stock, EADSY StockBA By: Rob Williams, SA News Editor Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY) is escalating its dispute with RTX (RTX) unit Pratt & Whitney, exploring potential damages over late engine deliveries that have slowed aircraft production, Reuters reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the situation. The conflict has been building for months as Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY) and the engine maker argue over how to allocate limited supply. At issue is whether engines should go to new aircraft assembly lines or to airlines waiting for repairs on grounded jets. Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engines power a large share of Airbus’s A320neo jets and compete with engines from CFM International. Ongoing inspections tied to manufacturing flaws have left hundreds of aircraft out of service, tightening supply further. Airbus recently trimmed production targets, citing engine shortages, and has signaled it may enforce contractual rights. The latest step could lead to a formal claim for damages, likely handled through private arbitration. The dispute underscores broader strain across the aerospace supply chain since the pandemic. Engine makers are juggling new deliveries with lucrative maintenance work, while airlines push to keep fleets flying. Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY) argues Pratt & Whitney has fallen short on promised deliveries while prioritizing repair operations. The engine maker says it is working to balance competing demands. Tensions between manufacturers, suppliers and airlines are not new, but this clash could become one of the industry’s most significant in recent years, as both Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY) and Boeing (BA) weigh long-term engine partnerships for future aircraft programs. GE Aerospace to invest over €110 million in European manufacturing expansion and workforce development in 2026 By Martin Chomsky (Defence Industry Europe) Photo: GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace announced plans to invest more than €110 million across its European manufacturing sites this year to expand production capacity and accelerate advanced manufacturing. The investment also supports the hiring of more than 1,000 workers across Europe as the company seeks to strengthen deliveries to its customers. The announcement was made in Brussels on March 18 and reflects the company’s continued commitment to the European aerospace sector. According to GE Aerospace, the investment will focus on advanced production technologies and testing capabilities across several key manufacturing locations. “This significant investment reflects our long-term commitment to the European aerospace industry, a crucial market for many of our key customers,” said Riccardo Procacci, President and CEO, Propulsion & Additive Technologies at GE Aerospace. “By expanding advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities across Europe, we are better positioned to meet growing customer demand while supporting the communities and economies where we operate.” A large share of the funding will be directed toward engine test cells, advanced machining systems and additive manufacturing expansion. The upgrades will also include improvements to buildings and infrastructure to support commercial narrowbody and widebody engine programs, as well as military fighter jet and helicopter engines. Italy will receive the largest portion of the investment, with €77 million allocated to expand manufacturing and testing capabilities across multiple sites. Additional investments include €15 million in Poland for grinding and machining equipment and €8 million in the Czech Republic for precision machining, inspection technologies and assembly tooling. The United Kingdom will receive €10 million to upgrade manufacturing and testing equipment and expand electronics and component production capabilities. Romania will receive €3 million to support metal-cutting machines, tooling and facility improvements. In addition to manufacturing expansion, GE Aerospace plans to invest approximately €40 million in 2026 in its European maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and component repair facilities. This investment forms part of a broader global program valued at $1 billion for MRO facilities first announced in 2024. The company is also investing in workforce development to address skills shortages in high-technology industries. These initiatives include training grants to vocational schools in the United Kingdom and Italy expected to reach more than 800 students this year, as well as an expansion of the Next Engineers program in Warsaw, Poland, which aims to reach more than 4,000 students. “Our commitment extends beyond facilities and equipment; it is equally focused on our people. In an evolving industry, investing in skills, training, and talent pipelines across Europe is not just a tactical necessity but a strategic imperative,” said Christian Meisner, Chief Human Resources Officer at GE Aerospace. “We are dedicated to ensuring that the European aerospace sector has the skilled workforce required to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value to our customers for decades to come.” GE Aerospace has maintained a strong presence in Europe for nearly a century and today operates in 18 countries across the region. The company employs around 13,000 engineers, innovators and skilled manufacturing workers across assembly, engineering, additive manufacturing and maintenance operations. Bell prepares to begin construction on big Alliance factory for Army aircraft The new facility will be used to manufacture rotor blades and other parts for a next generation attack helicopter. Credit: Bell Textron Author: Dallas Business Journal, Seth Bodine Published: 7:01 PM CDT March 17, 2026 Updated: 7:01 PM CDT March 17, 2026 FORT WORTH, Texas — Read this story and more North Texas business news from our content partners at the Dallas Business Journal. Bell Textron Inc. plans to begin construction of its planned $632 million aircraft parts factory in north Fort Worth in April. The Fort Worth-based aerospace and defense giant will build a 448,000-square-foot building at 15100 N. Beach St., in AllianceTexas, where it will manufacture rotor blades and transmissions for the MV-75, a next-generation attack aircraft set to replace the Black Hawk helicopter. Bell has a contract to deliver the helicopters to the U.S. Army that could be worth $70 billion for the company. More than 1,000 employees work on the engineering and manufacturing development portion of the aircraft, Bell executives said previously. The company employs more than 8,000 people total, with about 4,000 based in Fort Worth. Those numbers could increase due to the Army contract. Poland signs Apache support deal with Lockheed Martin NewsAviation By Dylan Malyasov Mar 23, 2026 (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa pic) Key Points • Lockheed Martin signed agreements with Poland’s WZL-1 facility to support AH-64E Apache systems, including radar and optoelectronic components, under contracts worth about $81 million • The deal supports Poland’s $10.8 billion Apache acquisition and establishes domestic capability to maintain critical helicopter systems outside the United States Lockheed Martin has signed executive agreements with Poland’s Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1) in Lodz, part of the PGZ Group, to support key components of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The agreements, valued at approximately 300 million zloty ($81 million), cover maintenance, repair, and testing of critical systems. According to the agreement, the Lodz facility will be responsible for servicing and testing fire control radars and for maintenance, repair, and testing of optoelectronic systems used on the AH-64E Apache. The contract also includes delivery of test equipment, technical documentation, licensing, technical assistance, and personnel training. These components are among the most critical subsystems of the Apache platform. The fire control radar enables target detection and tracking, while the optoelectronic targeting system provides precision engagement capability through sensors and guidance systems. The contracts are part of a broader Apache acquisition program. In 2024, Poland signed a deal to procure 96 AH-64E helicopters valued at approximately 40 billion zloty ($10.8 billion), one of the largest defense purchases in the country’s history and exceeding the cost of individual fighter jet programs such as F-16 or F-35 acquisitions. The first Apache helicopter produced for Poland is expected to arrive in the summer of 2028. The broader program also includes offset agreements worth about 1.2 billion zloty ($324 million), aimed at transferring technology and supporting domestic industry. Lockheed Martin’s role includes supplying key systems such as the airframe components, engines, and advanced targeting and radar systems associated with the Apache platform. The Lodz facility will become one of the few locations in Europe capable of servicing these advanced systems. Currently, only the United Kingdom has comparable capabilities, and in that case they are operated directly by Boeing. The Polish site is expected to be the first outside the United States able to perform such work independently. In practical terms, establishing this capability in Poland means that critical maintenance tasks for Apache helicopters can be conducted closer to operational units. This reduces turnaround times for repairs and upgrades while improving availability of aircraft during sustained operations. 2nd-ever test flight of NASA's 'quiet' X-59 supersonic jet cut short by glitch By Mike Wall Note: See photos in the original article. "Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team." NASA’s "quiet" supersonic X-59 aircraft flew its second flight on March 20, 2026, near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. (Image credit: NASA/Jim Ross) NASA's new supersonic X-59 jet took to the skies for the second time ever on Friday (March 20), but it didn't stay up for long. The potentially revolutionary X-59 landed just nine minutes after takeoff on Friday, its sophomore effort cut short by a warning light in the cockpit. "Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team. We collected more data, and the pilot landed safely," Cathy Bahm, project manager for NASA's Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, said in a statement on Friday. "We're looking forward to getting back to flight as soon as possible." Article continues below • You may like • X-59 gets ready for 2nd test flight | Space photo of the day for March 18, 2026 • • NASA gets new F-15 fighter jet to chase its X-59 'quiet' supersonic aircraft • • NASA research jet makes fiery 'wheels-up landing' after experiencing mechanical issue (video) Civilian supersonic flights — those that go faster than the speed of sound — have been prohibited over the United States since 1973 due to the disruptive effects of sonic booms. (The speed of sound at sea level is about 761 mph, or 1,225 kph). NASA hopes to help change that with the X-59, the centerpiece of its Quesst ("Quiet Supersonic Technology") mission. The long-nosed plane is designed to generate mere thumps rather than booms when it goes supersonic. Using Quesst information, "new data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic flight over land can be established, which would open the doors to new commercial cargo and passenger markets to provide faster-than-sound air travel," NASA officials wrote in a description of the program. The 100-foot-long (30.5 meters) X-59 flew for the first time on Oct. 29, 2025, taking off from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. (The X-59 is a joint effort of NASA and Lockheed Martin.) That 67-minute debut went well, according to NASA: Pilot Nils Larson took it to a maximum altitude of 12,000 feet (3,660 m) and a top speed of 230 mph (370 kph), "precisely as planned." ADVERTISEMENT By signing up, you agree to our Terms of services and acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Notice. You also agree to receive marketing emails from us that may include promotions from our trusted partners and sponsors, which you can unsubscribe from at any time. NASA wanted to "expand the envelope" on the X-59's second flight, which was also expected to last about an hour. Pilot Jim "Clue" Less was supposed to hit those previous altitude and speed marks, then get the jet to 260 mph (418 kph) at 20,000 feet (6,100 m). But that didn't happen. The X-59 took off from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California on Friday at 1:54 p.m. EDT (1754 GMT; 10:54 a.m. local time) and landed safely just nine minutes later. "The takeoff roll and liftoff was uneventful, and we were climbing out, getting ready to set up the first test point, when we got the warning, which required an immediate return to base," Less said during a press briefing on Friday afternoon. • What to read next • Rocket Lab launches hypersonic scramjet vehicle for the US military • 'We almost did have a really terrible day.' NASA now says Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut flight was a 'Type A mishap' • NASA had 3 years to fix fuel leaks on its Artemis moon rocket. Why are they still happening? "Although I had not intended to have to land quite as urgently for my first landing, the plane performed beautifully," he added. It's too soon to say what caused the warning, Quesst team members said during the briefing. A caution — a level lower than a warning — also cropped up about an hour before liftoff involving a separate vehicle system, they added, but that didn't derail the flight attempt. Both issues are under review, and there's no reason to be too concerned about either one, according to Less. "This was just the beginning of a long flight-test campaign," he said. "We got data we didn't have before, and there's a lot of flights to come to gather a lot more data." Rolls-Royce Secures UltraFan 30 Demonstrator Backing Guy Norris March 18, 2026 Credit: Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce’s ambitions to re-enter the single-aisle engine market have advanced further with confirmation of €64 million ($74 million) in European Union funding for the development and testing of the company’s 30,000 lb.-thrust UltraFan 30 demonstrator. Awarded under the Clean Aviation Joint... Curt Lewis