Radar Contact Lost Used by ATC to inform a pilot that the surveillance data used to determine the aircraft's position is no longer being received, or is no longer reliable and radar service is no longer being provided. The loss may be attributed to several factors including the aircraft merging with weather or ground clutter, the aircraft operating below radar line of sight coverage, the aircraft entering an area of poor radar return, failure of the aircraft's equipment, or failure of the surveillance equipment. 

We're Everywhere... Thanks To You!

Even with the vast resources and incredibly far-reaching scope of the Aero-News Network, every now and then a story that should be reported on slips through our fingers. There's a lot of news out there, and sometimes we just don't get to all of it... so we came up with the idea of News Spies.

"This contract represents a huge 'win' for the entire CH-53K team. The contract allows Sikorsky to bundle purchase orders from suppliers to achieve better pricing and pass the savings on to the government, giving us the ability to provide dependable delivery to the fleet and a consistent and predictable timeline for the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K." Source: Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager of the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261), discussing how the US Marine Corps has signed a nearly $11 billion contract with Sikorsky for the delivery of up to 99 CH-53K King Stallions over the next five years, marking the highest quantity order for the helicopter to date. The service has already received 20 CH-53Ks and is awaiting 63 more on top of the new deal.

Alia CX300 and Two Velis Electros to Compete in NAA-Sponsored Race

On October 12, the National Aeronautics Association will be bringing electric aircraft to Springfield, Ohio, to compete for a title that hasn’t officially been given in more than a century: the Pulitzer Trophy. As of now, the lineup includes one Beta Alia CX300 and two Pipistrel Velis Electros.

Dronemaker Loses Lawsuit Against US Department of Defense

Almost a year after DJI filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense over its designation as a ‘Chinese Military Company’, the courts have reached a decision… and the drone maker won’t be happy with it. Judges, unsurprisingly, determined that there was not enough evidence separating DJI from the Chinese Communist Party to overrule the DoD’s claims.

Airline Group Will Shed Jobs Over the Next Five Years as Demand Surges

With the power of artificial intelligence by its side, the Lufthansa Group will be cutting around 4,000 jobs over the next five years. The majority of these will be Germany-based administrative roles as the airline works to digitalize and consolidate work through the spike in air travel demand.

Historic $5.9B Deal Makes Flexjet First Fleet Customer

Otto Aerospace announced that Flexjet will be its first fleet customer and its launch customer for the Phantom 3500 business jet, a windowless, ultra-efficient clean sheet aircraft that takes advantage of laminar-flow aerodynamics and all-carbon fiber composite that together cut fuel burn by 60 percent or more.

Also: Final IAF MiG-21s, United Adds Starlink, CAF Update On P-47N, Boeing’s Cert Restored

Gulfstream has announced the all-new, super-midsize Gulfstream G300 -- which will replace the Gulfstream G280 and feature Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows as well as an all-new Harmony Flight Deck. Gulfstream announced the G300 at its exclusive Discover the Difference customer event in Savannah. OK.... with a little over a month to go, it’s time to get serious! Thanks to the folks at Sun n Fun, we have a highly professional online ticketing apparatus at our disposal for next month’s Affordable Flying Expo. And we have other good news... use the code “AFE2025” and you can get $5 OFF the adult ticket price of $15 or even more for a three day pass. SpaceX has filed a preliminary Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) indicating that Starship’s 11th test flight could launch no earlier than October 13. As always, dates and times in pre

Advanced Production Line Up, Targeting 2028 First Flight

Boeing announced that its Phantom Works has commenced the building of the F-47 sixth generation fighter as its advanced composites and coatings plant is up and running.

Also: Drone Pilot Sentenced, Satellite Tsunami Tracking, Army Cuts Aviators 4 Drones, Peraton Pitches

The FAA has proposed the Part 108 UAS Rule for BVLOS or beyond visual line of sight drone operations under 400’ AGL that requires drones to be equipped with ADS-B In and to yield the right-of-way to crewed aircraft transmitting on ADS-B Out. However, many aircraft fly below 400’ AGL such as ag aircraft, seaplanes, vintage planes, ultralights, powered parachutes, gliders, and balloons. Most of those types of aircraft are unable to accommodate a permanent ADS-B Out installation. Sierra Space announced it has made a strategic adjustment for its Dream Chaser spaceplane, saying its first flight will be a free-flyer, demo mission to validate technology and deliver crucial data to NASA. The approach gives the company flexibility to address national security challenges while also advancing the vehicle’s capabilities for NASA and commercia