Museums News

Washington Post

Amelia Earhart search on Nikumaroro finds no evidence of her Lockheed Electra

An expedition to Nikumaroro in Kiribati found no definitive evidence linking a lagoon object to Amelia Earhart’s missing Lockheed Electra 10-E. The Taraia Object team, involving the Archaeological Legacy Institute, Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue University, determined that a promising feature was not aircraft wreckage, leaving the nearly 90-year-old mystery unresolved.

Flying Magazine

High activity

Purdue team reaches Nikumaroro to investigate a possible Amelia Earhart aircraft wreck

After a five-day boat journey, a Purdue University research team has arrived at Nikumaroro in the South Pacific to examine the “Taraia Object,” a mysterious feature in a lagoon that may be linked to Amelia Earhart’s missing Lockheed Electra. Earhart disappeared in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world.

Flying Magazine

A meticulously crafted 1911 Wright Model B is featured as an AircraftForSale top pick

The Wright Model B, a later and substantially improved design that became the Wright brothers’ most successful aircraft, is featured in a historical AircraftForSale listing. The example highlights a chapter in the brothers’ work beyond the 1903 Wright Flyer, widely known for making the first powered flight.

Air Data News

NASA’s removed SR-71 Blackbird fuels speculation over a return to flight as an experimental aircraft

An SR-71 Blackbird that has not flown in nearly 27 years was quietly removed from outdoor display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. Reports that former program members have been contacted have prompted speculation that NASA may be evaluating the iconic aircraft for a return as an experimental platform.

ch-aviation

SWISS plans to preserve its last Airbus A340-300 at Lucerne museum after 2028 retirement

SWISS and the Swiss Museum of Transport aim to make the airline’s final Airbus A340-300, HB-JMH, a permanent exhibit in Lucerne after its planned 2028 retirement. The museum must raise funds for the complex relocation of the approximately 125-ton aircraft from Zurich Airport.

Reuters

MTU Aero Engines CEO warns diverging French-German fighter requirements could jeopardize Safran engine partnership

MTU Aero Engines CEO Johannes Bussmann cautioned that differing French and German fighter aircraft requirements could put at risk the company’s engine partnership with Safran, following the collapse of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.

Wall Street Journal

JetZero wins $3B preliminary US deal to start production of blended-wing aircraft, signaling early federal backing for its uncon

JetZero has secured a $3 billion preliminary deal from Washington aimed at helping launch production of its blended-wing aircraft—one of the most radical designs since the Concorde. The agreement provides early industrial support for scaling development toward manufacturing.

Breaking Defense

US Air Force propulsion chief: next-gen adaptive turbofan integration could target F-47 by 2030

The Air Force’s propulsion directorate chief said an adaptive turbofan engine “could” be integrated into the forthcoming F-47 stealth fighter by 2030, describing it as an enabler for next-generation capability. He stressed no final decisions have been made, leaving timing and selection open.