Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast

The U.S. Navy appears poised to pick either Boeing or Northrop Grumman to develop its next-generation combat aircraft, the F/A-XX. Listen in as Aviation Week's Robert Wall, Brian Everstine and Steve Trimble discuss what's at stake. 

In this discussion, Wall Street analyst Scott Mikus offers insights into how rising trade tensions impact aerospace giants Boeing, Airbus, and COMAC. Jens Flottau highlights the critical repercussions for production and supply chains as tariffs reshape demand, especially in relation to China. Michael Bruno dives into the complexities facing engine manufacturers and the financial strains of material costs. The trio emphasizes the importance of dialogues between industry and labor to navigate these challenges while addressing broader implications for job security and national interests.

Editors at the 40th Space Symposium discuss everything from threats to NASA's science missions to the Golden Dome air-defense concept.

AeroDynamic Advisory’s Kevin Michaels joins Aviation Week editors to discuss the worrisome implications for the industry.

Aviation Week's Joe Anselmo, Thierry Dubois, Jens Flottau and Graham Warwick discuss why an Airbus next-generation single-aisle program launch is not imminent despite technological progress.

Join Steve Trimble, Aviation Week's Senior Defense Editor, as he dives into Boeing's groundbreaking contract win for the F-47, the U.S. Air Force's next-gen fighter. He dissects what this means for Boeing's future, especially against competitors like Lockheed Martin. The discussion covers Boeing's advances in military aviation, the innovative stealth design features, and the crucial transition to new radar technologies. Trimble also reflects on the evolving landscape of military aviation and what lies ahead for future combat programs.

Dive into the inaugural Verticon conference, highlighting its significance in vertical aviation. Discover Robinson Helicopters' R-88, showcasing innovative designs and simpler aircraft for training. Explore the newest electric propulsion advancements with magniix's Helistorm engines. Delve into Bell's 525 program revitalizing legacy aircraft for modern challenges. Plus, learn about a groundbreaking weather monitoring device improving helicopter safety through real-time data. Discover the exciting developments shaping the future of aerospace!

Brian Everstine, Pentagon Editor at Aviation Week, and Steve Trimble, Senior Defense Editor, dive into U.S. Air Force modernization strategies. They discuss the intriguing dynamics of the NGAD initiative, highlighting budget challenges and shifting leadership priorities. The guests explore the future of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, emphasizing Increment One flights and the integration of autonomous systems. Additionally, they shed light on the F-35's current hurdles and the evolving landscape of defense budget priorities, painting a comprehensive picture of the Air Force's path forward.

Less than four years after boldly pledging to reach net zero emissions by 2050, IATA appears to be dropping the target. Is the airline industry abandoning sustainability or just acknowledging reality? Aviation Week's Joe Anselmo, Christine Boynton, Jens Flottau and Guy Norris discuss.

Boeing's Mike Lombardi joins editors for a deep dive into the B-47, the revolutionary bomber that shaped modern airliner design as we know it. Check 6 Revisits delves into Aviation Week's more than 100-year archive. Subscribers can explore our archive here and read key Aviation Week articles related to this episode here: “The Northrop ‘All Wing’ Airplane”, by Jack Northrop (December 1941) Nazi Jet-Bats Which Never Took Wing (October 1945) Supersonic Plane and Jet Bombers Revealed by Army Air Forces (July 1946) Boeing Stratojet Bomber Heralds Transonic Combat (September 1947) What Has Been Learned Flying the B-47 (April 1951) Exclusive Report: 707 Designed for Low-Coast Operation (August 1954)