Clément Charpentreau

Vilnius

Editor-in-chief at AeroTime @AviationNews "It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper."

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Articles

China suspends Boeing deliveries in US trade war: Bloomberg

1 week ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

In a significant escalation of the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, Beijing has instructed its airlines to suspend all deliveries of Boeing aircraft, according to sources cited by Bloomberg News. The directive also includes halting purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from US companies.
France risks falling behind in spaceplane race

1 week ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

As China rehearses space combat tactics and the United States ramps up investment in military space capabilities, France may be sleepwalking into strategic irrelevance in orbit. Speaking before the French National Assembly’s Defense Committee on April 9, 2025, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier delivered a blunt assessment on a topic rarely discussed in European defense circles: a spaceplane.
Airbus A330 MRTT

1 week ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

Airbus A330 MRTT becomes first tanker certified for automatic aerial refuelingThe Airbus A330 MRTT has become the first tanker to be certified for automatic aerial refueling in daylight,…
Ex-French Navy pilot investigated over work in China

2 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

A former French Navy fighter pilot is under formal investigation for suspected intelligence cooperation with China, following trips to the country in 2018 and 2019 that have raised alarms within France’s defense authorities.
Colombia selects Saab Gripen fighters, but potential US veto looms

3 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on social media that Colombia intends to acquire Saab Gripen fighter jets from Sweden to replace the country’s aging fleet of Israeli-made Kfir aircraft. However, uncertainty remains over the viability of the sale due to the risk of a potential veto by the United States.
RAF Typhoon T1 retirement sparks UK defense industry debate

3 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau |Emma Yates-Badley

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has officially retired the bulk of its Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 fleet as of April 1, 2025. The move, long signaled but repeatedly revised over the years, has reignited debate over the UK’s defense priorities, industrial policy, and long-term airpower strategy.
Sweden joins NATO Air Policing with first Gripen deployment

3 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

Sweden has officially launched its first forward deployment under NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission, marking a significant milestone for the alliance’s newest member. On March 26, 2025, six Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets landed at the 22nd Air Base in Malbork, Poland. This is the first instance of Sweden deploying combat aircraft to another NATO ally since its official accession to the alliance on March 7, 2024.
Italy considers Japan's Kawasaki P-1 submarine hunter

3 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

Italy is evaluating the procurement of Japan’s Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) for the needs of the Aeronautica Militare. This initiative aims to address the nation’s gap in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, which has persisted since the retirement of the Breguet BR 1150 Atlantic fleet in 2017. Following the decommissioning of the Atlantic aircraft, Italy introduced four Leonardo P-72A aircraft, based on the ATR 72 regional aircraft, as an interim solution.
Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket crashes during maiden launch

3 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

Isar Aerospace conducted the inaugural test flight of its Spectrum rocket from Norway’s Andøya Spaceport. The 28-meter, two-stage launch vehicle lifted off at 12:30 p.m. local time but experienced an anomaly approximately 30 seconds into the flight, resulting in a crash into the sea on March 30, 2025. Despite the setback, Isar Aerospace’s CEO and co-founder, Daniel Metzler, characterized the mission as a success, stating, “Our first test flight met all our expectations, achieving a great success.
Delta Airbus A319 in close call with USAF T-38 near Washington DCA

3 weeks ago | aerotime.aero | Clément Charpentreau

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 narrowly avoided a collision with at least one US Air Force T-38 jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). On March 28, 2025, Delta Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), was departing Runway 19 around 3:15 p.m. local time when the crew received an onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alert indicating nearby aircraft proximity.