Aviation Engines, Propulsion & Auxiliary Power Units

ISTANBUL - Turkish Airlines and CFM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of more than 300 LEAP-1B engines, including spares, to power 100 firm and 50 option Boeing 737 MAX aircraft announced on September 23.

The long-term services agreement will cover airline’s entire LEAP-1B engine fleet, including previously ordered and delivered engines, spares, and engines associated with leased aircraft and potential options. Together, these represent more than 600 LEAP-1B engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet.

The MoU was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul by Prof. Murat Seker, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic, and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, one of CFM’s two parent companies. It also includes a material services agreement to support the establishment of an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Turkey.

As Turkey’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft with CFM56-7B engines (including Ajet Fleet), as well as 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1B (including AJet fleet).

Source: GE Aerospace
Associated URL: https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/turkish-airlines-and-cfm-sign-mou-more-600-leap-1b-engines

WARSAW, Poland - GE Aerospace, Shield AI and Poland’s Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. (WZL-2) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for the F110 engine that powers Shield AI’s X-BAT system.

X-BAT is an AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed combat aircraft. Designed to take off and land vertically, it can operate from small sites, ships, and roads rather than runways. Runways are among the first targets in a conflict, and Europe has few hardened airfields for the aircraft it is buying.

Under the MOU, the companies will explore establishing MRO capability in Poland for the F110 engine and its Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) to support X-BAT. The MOU builds on the letter of intent that Shield AI, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. (PGZ), and WZL-2 signed in September to partner on the design, production, and delivery of X-BAT and on sustaining it in Poland.

With GE Aerospace now joining Shield AI and WZL-2, the three partners will work toward the in-country MRO capability needed to keep X-BAT mission-ready on NATO's eastern flank.

Source: GE Aerospace
Associated URL: https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/ge-aerospace-shield-ai-and-polands-wzl-2-sign-mou-advance-f110-engine-mro-support

OTTOBRUNN/TAUFKIRCHEN -- Airbus and Kratos have completed the first test flight of a customized Valkyrie uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), marking progress toward delivering a combat-ready system by 2029. Conducted in northern Europe on September 29, the Valkyrie used a rocket-assisted rail launch, reached 30,000 feet and Mach 0.8, and successfully demonstrated in-flight route reconfiguration. Recovery systems, including a parachute and landing airbags, brought the aircraft down within its designated recovery area. A transport helicopter subsequently returned the aircraft as an underslung load.

Further testing is planned for mid-2027, integrating Airbus’ Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system. Additional flight trials could follow in 2027 or 2028, potentially leading to air-launched weapons testing. Airbus is pursuing the U740 Valkyrie to meet a potential German air force requirement for operational CCAs before 2030. Competitors include Anduril’s Fury, Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, and Helsing’s CA-1 Europa. Lessons from Valkyrie testing will also support Airbus’ own U760 Ravenstorm, targeted for service entry in 2032.

Source: Flight Global
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026/10/airbus-kratos-complete-first-european-test-flight-with-valkyrie-cca/
Author: Craig Hoyle