Boeing Defiant X – USA’s new Black Hawk

The UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter is being replaced. Boeing is due to introduce the Defiant X, its revolutionary new helicopter for the US Army.

The new aircraft is an advanced utility helicopter and air assault weapon system that can fly low and fast, land quickly, deliver soldiers to the objective area (known as the “X”) and get out — all while evading the enemy in complex terrain.

When comparing it to the old Black Hawk, the Defiant X can fly twice as fast and twice as far and considered to be  most maneuverable and most survivable military helicopter in history.

It has a coaxial rotor system and a pusher propellor allowing the Defiant X to operate at high speed yet maintain its low-speed handling, perfect for surviving high-threat air defence environments. This is also aided by the retractable landing gear, reducing overall drag on the helicopter. the Defiant X has also been future proofed by incorporating fly by wire flight controls, potentially allowing it to be flown autonomously.

DEFIANT X has been purposefully designed for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Air Assault competition, a top modernization priority, and will revolutionize the way the Army meets threats in 2035 and beyond.

learn more

Advertisement

Bugatti Chiron Sport “LES LÉGENDES DU CIEL”

Legends of the sky is a special tribute to a group of racers that were fearless on land as they were in the air. “Bugatti has had close associations with aviation since the company was established more than 110 years ago. Many successful Bugatti racing drivers, such as Albert Divo, Robert Benoist and Bartolomeo ‘Meo’ Costantini, flew for the French Air Force, the French aviator legend Roland Garros privately drove a Bugatti Type 18 to be as fast on the road as in the air,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti.

The Chiron Sport ‘Les Legendes du Ciel’ is limited to 20 models, referencing many features of the historic aircrafts. In addition to the unusual colour of the paintwork, the vehicle includes a special full leather interior with hand-drawn sketches and diamond cut aluminum.

The paintwork on the car is also pretty exceptional in the fact that it is a modern interpretation of the paint often seen on aircraft in 1920s – matt-grey “Gris Serpent” with a gloss white centre stripe. On either side, tricolour in Blue, White and Red decorates the front of the exposed carbon fibre side sills.

Inside, the light brown leather is reminiscent of natural leather in these aircrafts of days gone by. The natural material is contrasted only by aluminum trims, an aluminum inlay with the logo “Les Légendes du Ciel” that can also be found on the headrests as well as the special edition numbering “1 of 20”. 

This special edition is fitted with standard W16 engine with 1,500hp with a limited top speed of 420kmh. The cost of each unit will set back the owner a cool 2.88 million euros.

Match your 911 to your jet with this limited edition collaboration

Private jet travel is the pinnacle of wealth – no need to wait for anybody to board, no waiting for luggage or even rushing to the gate to be front of the line to board first. Instead you swan up to the waiting jet, get in and off you go.

Well Porsche and Embraer have teamed up to present the ultimate pairing aptly named ‘Duet’. Purchase one of ten limited edition Embraer Phenom 300E, the fastest and longest-ranged single-pilot jet, can have their Porsche 911 Turbo S in a similar spec.

The sports car and jet have the same two-tone paintwork in Platinum Silver Metallic and matt Jet Grey Metallic with trim strips in Brilliant Chrome and Speed Blue. The Duet logo which takes its cues from aerodynamics is used on the exterior and in the interior of both products: it is embossed on the head rests, and also features on the limited-edition badge. Another nod to the owner’s pairing is that they may have their jet’s individual registration on the underside of the rear wing and on the sides of the vehicle key.

Some other nods to the jet include ‘No Step’ sills, two tone steering indicating the jet’s yoke as well as the stopwatch of the Sport Chrono package.

Virgin Galactic to bring back supersonic travel

Virgin Galactic has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rolls-Royce to collaborate in designing and developing engine propulsion technology for high speed commercial aircraft. Think of a new Concorde… but faster.

The concept is a delta-wing aircraft capable of carrying up to 19 people at speeds of Mach 3, three times the speed of sound (2,300mph) at over 60,000ft. That will allow passengers to travel from London to New York in one and half hours or London to Sydney in just over four and a half hours.

The concept powered by Rolls-Royce engines will help lead the way towards the use of state-of-the-art sustainable aviation fuel. In the next phases of design, the companies will determine the ideal materials for supersonic long haul flights as well as address key challenges in thermal management, maintenance, noise, emissions, and economics that routine high speed commercial flights would entail. We might not be travelling in Mach 3 by next year, but it is on the horizon and the aircraft will operate as any other passenger aircraft slotting into the existing airport infrastructure. Those who weren’t lucky to see a Concorde in flight, this may be your chance to experience supersonic flight.

Bombardier Global 5500 – The new way to fly private

Luxury travel has just been upgraded. Bombardier has introduced the Global 5500 private jet which can fly the furthest, with passengers lounging in the largest cabin enjoying the smoothest ride of any jet in its class.

Able to fly 200 nautical miles longer than planned with a range of 5,900 nautical miles (10,927km) at Mach 0.90, powered by purpose built Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, it can fly nonstop from Paris to Sao Paolo or Los Angeles to Moscow. The Global 5500 isn’t just about range, it also has the widest cabin in its class capable of hosting 13 guests across three living spaces – the Club Suite, the Conference Suite and the Private Suite.

Each aircraft is fitted with Nuage seats, a revolutionary seat that intends to bring home seating to an aircraft cabin. With the possibility of reclining into a deep recline, a floating base which moves as you do as well as an adjustable and tilting headrest, you will arrive at your destination fresh.

With more focus than ever on airborne pathogens, the Global 5500 is equipped with Bombardier’s Pũr Air system, able to replace cabin air with 100% fresh air in around one and a half minutes whilst the advanced HEPA filter is said to capture 99.9% of all allergens, bacteria and viruses.

There is no word on pricing, you’ll have to contact a member of the sales team if you are serious on purchasing such a machine, but in the meantime you can always dream and configure ‘your’ jet to your heart’s content.

Configure here