Quantcast

Excalibur aircraft progresses on schedule for future combat air system tests

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Excalibur aircraft progresses on schedule for future combat air system tests
Policy
Webp 4icawwvtg7mupp051grumj0ndq6y
JSX Aircraft | Official Website

The Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), part of the UK’s Future Combat Air System project and the tri-national Global Combat Air Program, is progressing as scheduled. 2Excel Aviation is modifying a Boeing 757 to accommodate the sensor package being developed for both FCAS and GCAP.

Leonardo, serving as the UK's industrial sensor lead in these programs, has collaborated closely with 2Excel to define the FTA’s configuration. Both companies anticipate that the FTA could be showcased at the next Farnborough Air Show with its full fairing configuration and some elements of the FCAS/GCAP’s Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications System (ISANKE & ICS) installed.

Initially, 2Excel created a digital twin of the Boeing 757 and conducted an intensive flight test program to validate the digital model's accuracy. The trials took place at Boscombe Down and involved maneuvers such as stalls and three-point landings. Approximately 50 landings were performed, completing the campaign in about half the expected time.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

With baseline measurements gathered and recording systems verified, Excalibur is now undergoing modifications with side and center antenna fairings being installed, although currently empty. Another flight test campaign will follow, succeeded by further modifications and installation of test sensors.

Excalibur initially received funding through the UK-only FCAS program and is advancing various UK technology demonstrations. The test results will influence the development of the tri-national GCAP ISANKE & ICS, which will undergo further testing on board the FTA.

Operating under full UK civil registration, Excalibur's modifications are certified under Supplemental Type Certificates, enabling it to perform its test duties globally.

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

United Airlines has announced the issuance of travel waivers for passengers whose flights were affected by closures at London Heathrow Airport.

Apr 2, 2025

ITA Airways announced that flight AZ806 managed to land safely after a brief hold due to nearby missile activity.

Apr 2, 2025

EVA Air has announced the reinstatement of its Premium Economy Class on the Seattle route, with three weekly flights scheduled from March 8 through July 27.

Apr 2, 2025

Emirates Airlines has announced the launch of a new door-to-door delivery service called 'Very Important Parcels' (VIPs), promising the same level of care as provided to its passengers.

Apr 2, 2025

Cargolux has announced the transportation of two lions, Tsar and Jamil, from captivity in Ukraine to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Apr 2, 2025

Hainan Airlines announced that its Beijing–Oslo flight HU769 landed successfully in Norway.

Apr 2, 2025