Leeham News
• Bjorn Fehrm
A comparison of the A350 and 777X frames a contest for the next decade of long-haul flying, while analysis considers whether Airbus could stretch the A350-1000 to compete more directly with Boeing’s 777-9. The 777-9 is nearing certification and first deliveries.
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)
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The 19th Air Force is nearing completion of a five-year shift from time- and event-based undergraduate pilot training to a competency-based curriculum. Separately, the service unveiled the T-19A, built by Game Aerospace Composites with corporate and civilian donations, as the foundation for a new aerobatic team and a platform to train future pilots.
The Navy is considering new facilities to increase its capacity to make major modifications to F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. The effort comes as production priorities shift, putting the ability to upgrade existing aircraft alongside changing demands on the industrial base.
A comparison of the A350 and 777X frames a contest for the next decade of long-haul flying, while analysis considers whether Airbus could stretch the A350-1000 to compete more directly with Boeing’s 777-9. The 777-9 is nearing certification and first deliveries.
The company has engaged the commercial real estate advisory firm to identify a U.S. location for manufacturing its Switchblade roadable aircraft. The site search follows Samson Sky’s announcement of an $80 million investment from Matin Group, a funding commitment that precedes its move toward production.
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October deliveries fell from 57 in September and 53 a year earlier, with 737 MAX handovers dropping from 43 the previous month to 32. Boeing’s commercial backlog grew from 6,341 aircraft at September’s end to 6,457 at October’s end; the company has also announced 2,500 job cuts in its commercial airplane division.
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The aircraft marks Lufthansa Group’s 50-year partnership with Airbus and is the group’s first A350-1000, delivered to its Munich home base. The milestone underscores the scale of Airbus aircraft across the group’s fleet, though the supplied reports provide no details on the aircraft’s deployment or broader fleet plans.
Rolls-Royce said its large civil-engine backlog rose to about 2,500 units from 2,266 at the end of June, alongside higher commercial-engine flying hours and strong demand across civil aerospace and defense. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance and announced a £1.5 billion share buyback; a new Malaysia service center will support Asian engine customers.
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Emirates expects three to five 777X aircraft toward the end of 2027, while Singapore Airlines says it is not facing pressure to reject early-build 777-9s and has 31 on order. Separately, an FAA emissions exemption could allow Boeing to deliver 35 additional 777Fs from 2028 to 2031.
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