Reliability suffers as China’s civil aviation system struggles to keep up with burgeoning traffic, p. 32; Malaysia Airlines’ new CEO overhauls the carrier from staff to fleet to network, aiming for profits, p. 34; Rolls-Royce transitioning to pulsed system at Trent assembly plant to meet growing production volume, p. 36; USAF investigates a possible Procurement Integrity Act violation related to the EELV program, p. 38; Russia and China will develop a helicopter almost as large as the Sikorsky King Stallion, p. 42; Boeing plans to ramp up P-8 Poseidon production to satisfy growing international demand, U.S. Navy plans, p. 44; Airbus admits quality control problems led to A400M crash – were testing protocols also missed?, p. 48; Avic appears to be working on a vertical-landing fighter, but propulsion inexperience may slow development, p. 52; Rising production rates are pressuring suppliers and reshaping how the industry builds aircraft and engines, p. 58; Dassault looks to boost build rates for the suddenly popular Rafale and new Falcon 5X and 8X business jets, p. 59; Innovations in technologies such as composites and telescope mirrors come from small French suppliers, p. 61; Airbus halts test flights of Pratt powered A320 neo but sees little impact on development schedule, p. 66; New assembly line for Boeing 737 MAX is poised for production as 737-8 design passes the 90% point, p. 68; As Cseries development progresses, new Bombardier commercial aircraft president focuses on service entry, p. 72; Industry officials with insight into Comac C919 program say a 2018 first delivery will be challenging, p. 73; Pentagon, Lockheed Martin accept “block buy” for the F-35, but questions about upgrade plans loom, p. 76; Cost containment for the F-85 depends on finding many international orders, which will not be easy to secure,, p. 80; Buoyed by victory in Poland, Airbus challenges Sikorsky for a greater share of the military helicopter market, p. 81.
