The Army’s calling: Can you help keep the Black Hawk flying into 2050?

Hey, aerospace innovators, maintenance pros, and defense contractors—got your attention? The U.S. Army’s Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO) is on the hunt for partners, and they’re handing you a rare opportunity help keep the legendary UH-60M Black Hawk soaring well into 2050 and beyond.

Yeah, you read that right—2050. The Black Hawk isn’t just hanging around; it’s still the go-to utility helicopter for the Army, and with over 15 million flight hours under its rotors, it’s earned every bit of that legacy. But here’s the real deal: keeping these birds mission-ready for decades isn’t just about patching them up. It’s about smart, scalable, commercial-grade modifications that boost readiness and set the stage for future upgrades.

The Army just dropped a Request for Information (RFI), and they’re not playing small. They’re looking at modifying 12 to 24 UH-60M Black Hawks per year, with possible expansion to HH-60M models and international partners. Translation? This could be a steady, long-term gig for the right team.

UH-60M Full-Body Reboot

So, what would you be doing? Think of it like a full-body reboot. The Army wants these helicopters disassembled, inspected down to the rivet, and any damage or corrosion repaired or replaced. That includes tackling fatigue issues and applying new corrosion prevention measures. Basically, you’re not just fixing old parts, you’re future-proofing an icon.

Then comes the reassembly: repainting (inside and out, per the Army’s ASER Technical Bulletin), running full power-on checks, maintenance operational tests (MOCs), acceptance test procedures (ATPs), ground runs, and maintenance test flights. Oh, and they’ll want your team to have dedicated quality control and a maintenance test pilot on deck—no room for shortcuts.

It’s not just about returning these aircraft to service. It’s about doing it the smart way—through a sustainable, affordable industrial base strategy. As Army Col. Ryan Nesrsta, UHPO project manager, put it: this “modification” effort (formerly called “recapitalization”) is key to both readiness and long-term modernization.

Black Hawk Retirement

And hey, if you’re thinking, “Wait, isn’t the Army moving to Future Vertical Lift?”—sure, eventually. But the Black Hawk isn’t retiring quietly. It’s going to stay central to missions at home and abroad, from troop transport to medevac, for decades. So, while the future unfolds, the Army needs today’s industry to step up and keep the fleet flying strong.

Bottom line? The Army wants to know: What can you do? They’re not asking for bids yet, they’re asking for ideas, capabilities, and confidence. Can your company handle high-quality, repeatable modifications on a scale? Do you have the facilities, expertise, and team to support a long-term sustainment play?

If your answer is “Heck yes,” then it’s time to speak up. This isn’t just another contract opportunity—it’s a chance to help shape the next chapter of one of the most iconic helicopters in military history.

So go ahead—reach out, share your vision, and maybe, just maybe, your shop will be the one keeping the Black Hawk’s blades spinning for years to come.

New Arctic radar system will track low-flying aircraft, ships, and maybe Santa Claus

When you look at a map of the northern approaches to North America, you’re probably picturing a vast, frozen wilderness—snow-capped mountains, endless stretches of sea ice, and the occasional lone ship threading its way through the Gulf of Alaska. It’s a beautiful, remote place, but it’s also a frontier that the United States and its allies have been trying to watch for decades.

From World War II to the 21st Century: A Quick Radar History

Back in the 1950s, the looming threat of Soviet long-range bombers forced the U.S. to ask a simple question: How can we spot a high-flying bomber before it reaches the continent? The answer was the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line, a string of ground-based microwave radars that stretched across Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Those radars gave early notice of any aircraft cruising at high altitude, buying precious minutes for defensive action.

Fast forward a few decades, and the DEW line has been replaced by the North Warning System (NWS). The NWS still relies on microwave radars, but the technology is modernized, more reliable, and better integrated with today’s command‑and‑control networks. However, there’s a snag: just like its predecessor, the NWS is fundamentally a line-of-sight system. The curvature of the Earth limits its “view” to the horizon, which means low-altitude aircraft or small, fast-moving drones can slip beneath the radar blanket.

The Low‑Altitude Problem: Why It Matters Now

You might wonder why anyone cares about a plane flying a few thousand feet above ice. The answer is threefold:

1. Arctic Shipping is Booming – As climate change thins sea ice, commercial vessels are taking new routes through the Northwest Passage.
2. Military Operations Are Expanding – The U.S., Canada, and NATO are increasing their presence in the region, and adversaries could use low-flying aircraft or unmanned systems to gather intelligence.
3. Search‑and‑Rescue Needs – In emergencies, being able to locate a distressed boat or aircraft quickly can mean the difference between life and death.

All these scenarios demand a radar that can see below the horizon.

Space‑Based Radar and Over‑The‑Horizon (OTH) Radar: Good Ideas, Bad Weather

Engineers have proposed two big ideas to fill the gap:

• Space-based radars that stare down from orbit, and
• Long-range, sky‑wave Over‑The‑Horizon (OTH) radars that bounce signals off the ionosphere.

In theory, both sound perfect. In practice, the Arctic throws a wrench into the works. The region’s extreme cold, constantly shifting ionospheric conditions, and the ever-present solar wind create a hostile environment for radio waves. Signals can be refracted, absorbed, or completely scrambled, making reliable detection a nightmare. That’s where DARPA’s Frosty program steps in.

Enter Frosty: DARPA’s New‑Age Radar Initiative

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) released a contract solicitation on Friday detailing a new radar program titled Frosty.

The name might make you think of a snowman, but the goal is anything but fluffy. DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office is leading a 33-month effort to reinvent radar sensing for the Arctic. Here’s what you need to know, broken down in plain English:

• Stand‑off illumination – Instead of trying to “see” directly, Frosty will illuminate the target area from a distance and analyze the faint reflections that bounce back. Think of it as shining a flashlight into a foggy room and reading the subtle glints off objects.
• Cutting-edge signal processing – Advanced algorithms will sift through noisy, distorted data to pull out useful information about low-flying aircraft or slow-moving ships.
• Low power, high coverage – Because deploying massive power plants in the Arctic is impractical, Frosty’s design emphasizes energy-efficient RF (radio‑frequency) techniques that can scan huge swaths of territory without draining batteries.

In short, Frosty aims to give the U.S. and its allies a new set of eyes that can reliably spot what current radars miss, even when the ionosphere is acting up.

New nonstop flights between Seattle and London aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Alaska Airlines is now offering tickets to its fifth intercontinental destination from Seattle, with year-round flights to London set to commence on May 21. The daily service between Seattle and Heathrow will be operated by Alaska's widebody long-haul 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Tickets to London are now available for purchase on alaskaair.com, with round-trip fares starting at $699. This new route is perfectly timed for summer travel in Europe, with flight times allowing guests to spend a full day in either city before boarding their flights. Alaska will operate out of London Heathrow's Terminal 3, facilitating seamless connections to additional destinations across Europe and beyond.

The expansion into the London market presents significant opportunities for Alaska Airlines, facilitated by its alliances with American Airlines and British Airways. This partnership is expected to deepen, offering even greater value and connectivity to consumers. With the addition of London to its route network, Alaska now offers flights to five intercontinental destinations from Seattle, including Rome, Reykjavik, Tokyo Narita, and Seoul Incheon.

• London Heathrow, United Kingdom: Daily, year-round flights beginning May 21
• Rome, Italy: Daily, summer seasonal flights beginning April 28
• Reykjavik, Iceland: Daily, summer seasonal flights beginning May 28
• Tokyo Narita, Japan: Daily, year-round flights that are now flying
• Seoul Incheon, South Korea: 5x weekly, year-round flights that are now flying

Alaska Airlines is committed to providing its guests with an exceptional travel experience with its 787-9 aircraft set to feature ultra-fast Wi-Fi by fall 2026, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile and powered by Starlink. The airline currently has five Boeing 787-9 aircraft in its fleet.

By 2030, the airline plans to serve at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle, with additional routes to be announced in the coming years.

Chartright Air Group welcomes the world’s first Bombardier Global 8000 jet

The world’s first Bombardier Global 8000 business jet has officially entered service with Canadian operator Chartright Air Group, marking a milestone in global aviation. Designed and manufactured in Canada, this cutting-edge aircraft underscores the nation’s position as a leader in advanced aerospace innovation. Chartright, which pioneered the introduction of the Bombardier Global 7500 to Canada’s fleet in 2021, now becomes the first operator globally to welcome the next-generation Global 8000.

Global 8000 Game-Changer

The Global 8000 boasts a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.95, making it the fastest operational civilian aircraft since the retired Concorde. Paired with an impressive 8,000-nautical-mile range, the aircraft can connect key global cities nonstop, including routes like Toronto to Singapore, Vancouver to Dubai, and Montreal to Hong Kong. These features cater to an increasing demand for efficiency among business travelers and high-net-worth individuals seeking seamless international connectivity. The delivery underscores Bombardier’s legacy in aircraft manufacturing and Canada’s economic stake in the sector.

Bombardier Ecosystem

Bombardier supports a global fleet of over 5,100 business aircraft, serving clients across 68 countries. In Canada, the business aviation industry sustains approximately 14,800 direct aerospace manufacturing jobs, reflecting its critical role in the nation’s economy. The Global 8000’s launch reinforces this ecosystem, leveraging Canadian engineering expertise to set new benchmarks in speed and range.

For Chartright Air Group, the new jet represents not just a technological upgrade but a strategic advantage in a competitive global market. With its blend of Canadian ingenuity and operational excellence, the Global 8000 is poised to redefine long-haul business travel for years to come.

Flight cancellations set to begin Monday for Montreal-based airline

Air Transat has received a 72-hour strike notice from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the company's 700 pilots. 

The notice, issued on Sunday, has prompted Air Transat to initiate a gradual suspension of operations over the next three days to prevent the consequences of a sudden, unplanned interruption.

According to Julie Lamontagne, Chief Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility and Communications Officer at Air Transat, the strike notice is premature, given the progress made at the bargaining table and the company's generous offers. Air Transat has proposed several compromises and improvements that address the pilots' demands, including a 59% salary increase over five years and major improvements to pilots' working conditions.

Despite these efforts, ALPA has shown no openness, and the discussions have not led to an agreement. Lamontagne expressed regret that the union chose the path of a strike at this time of year, which she described as a "reckless decision" that does not reflect the state of negotiations.

As a result of the strike notice, Air Transat will begin planning for the cancellation of its flights and the repatriation of passengers, crews, and aircraft to prevent them from being stranded abroad if the strike occurs. Flight cancellations will begin progressively on Monday, with a complete suspension by Tuesday. A notice on Air Transat's website states the strike could formally begin on Wednesday, and operations will be disrupted until an agreement is reached.

The goal is to bring everyone back to their point of origin, the company said in a press statement.

Founded in Montreal in 1987, Air Transat has major hubs in Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport.

Retired Marine F-18 Hornet embarks on cross-country road trip to Wisconsin

A distinguished U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet, a veteran of countless training flights, is set to undertake an unusual cross-country journey, not through the skies it once dominated, but by road. This retired 26,500-pound jet will soon travel over 2,000 miles from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California, to its new home at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin.

The transport will see the aircraft disassembled by the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 at MCAS Miramar. Its wings and horizontal tails will be removed, preparing the fuselage and components for loading onto a low-boy trailer.

Identified by its Bureau Number (BUNO) 164903, this particular F/A-18C Hornet previously served with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), famously known as the "Sharpshooters." VMFAT-101 has played a crucial role in preparing generations of Marine Corps fighter pilots, making this Hornet an integral part of that legacy.

Intriguingly, the complex logistics of this cross-country move are being managed by the Department of the Army National Guard. Contract documents released Friday specify that the chosen contractor will be responsible for providing all necessary personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and quality control to transport the aircraft. Upon arrival in Wisconsin, Volk Field will provide a crane and qualified personnel to offload the valuable cargo.

With a declared value of $500,000, according to contract documents, this F-18's journey underscores the intricate process of preserving military aviation history. While the F/A-18 Hornet series is gradually being phased out for newer platforms, these retired airframes often continue to serve as vital educational tools or as symbols of national defense at military installations across the country.

US Navy schedules industry meeting to modernize MH-60 helicopter fleet

The U.S. Navy has announced plans to host a virtual Industry Day in late January, inviting defense contractors and technology firms to submit innovative solutions to modernize its critical MH-60R and MH-60S multi-mission helicopter fleet. This strategic move underscores the Navy's commitment to enhancing the longevity and operational capabilities of platforms that form the backbone of naval aviation globally.

The MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters, manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, are formidable assets deployed across the U.S. Navy and by international partners, including the Royal Australian Navy and seven other foreign militaries. These versatile aircraft execute a wide spectrum of missions, from Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare to Special Operations, Personnel Recovery, Airborne Mine Countermeasures, Vertical Replenishment, and Command and Control. Their unparalleled flexibility has cemented the MH-60 platform's status as a cornerstone of naval aviation for decades.

Organized by the Naval Air Systems Command’s Program Management Activity (PMA)-299, the upcoming Industry Day will focus on improving the fleet's avionics, mission systems, and weapons system architectures. The Navy's special notice emphasizes the critical importance of these helicopters, highlighting a pressing need to extend their service life and bolster their operational effectiveness in an evolving global security landscape.

The virtual event, conducted through the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium, seeks comprehensive feedback from potential contractors. This collaborative approach aims to gather diverse technical approaches, identify potential challenges, and solicit groundbreaking solutions from industry leaders. By engaging directly with innovators, the Navy intends to harness cutting-edge technologies to ensure the MH-60 fleet remains at the forefront of maritime defense capabilities for years to come.