Eight members of the Last Generation—an organization aiming to persuade the German government to sign on to an international ban on the use of oil, gas, and coal by 2030—used bolt cutters to breach fences at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB), Cologne Bonn Airport (EDDK), Nuremberg Airport (EDDN), and Stuttgart Airport (EDDS).

Once they reached the tarmac at about 5 a.m. local time, protestors stuck themselves to the ground, raising signs that read “Oil Kills” and “Sign the Treaty.” Flights at Cologne Bonn and Nuremberg were briefly suspended due to police efforts to remove the protestors. The activists did not reach the airports’ main runways.

All eight protestors were detained by police but later released, Last Generation said in a post on X.

“Friends, if you are worried about your flights: We are not the ones who will prevent most of them,” the group added.

Last Generation, which has a presence in several countries, is known for its disruptive, headline-grabbing protests, such as throwing mashed potatoes and pea soup at famous paintings in museums.

In recent months, though, the group has turned its attention to airports.

According to the United Nations, the transport sector is responsible for about a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with aviation accounting for roughly 12 percent of those emissions. Various sources place aviation’s share of global carbon dioxide emissions between 2 and 4 percent.

In July, Last Generation shut down hundreds of flights at Frankfurt Airport (EDDF), the country’s busiest airfield, and Cologne Bonn using similar tactics. In May, activists targeted Munich Airport (EDDM), canceling 60 flights. The group has also spray painted private jets, sometimes causing tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage.

German airport association ADV on Thursday condemned the recent demonstrations, calling on the German government to implement stricter penalties for the protestors.

“[Thursday’s] disruptive actions at several airports are a concerted act of criminal blackmail,” the association said. “This is not a peaceful protest and there are no supposedly higher goals at stake. These are malicious intrusions into air traffic and into the personal rights of every traveler who cannot take their flight as scheduled.”

Nancy Faeser, Germany’s federal minister of the interior and home affairs, similarly criticized the activists, calling their actions “dangerous and stupid.”

“We have proposed severe prison sentences,” Faeser said in a post on X. “And we are requiring airports to make their facilities much more secure.”

The proposal Faeser refers to is a bill that was passed by the country’s cabinet last month but requires further approval to take effect. The measure would implement prison sentences of two to five years for people who break through airport perimeters, a violation that currently carries only a fine.

“They repeat themselves, so again: Their political failure is dangerous and is driving us ever deeper into catastrophe!” Last Generation responded to Faeser.

In another post, it said: “Things cannot go on like this. While storms and disasters are increasing worldwide and the climate catastrophe is also clearly noticeable here in Germany, it is unacceptable that our government continues to invest in fossil industries and energies.”

The aviation industry writ large has committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with regulators and private companies backing plans put forth by organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

However, not all stakeholders agree on how to get there, and some experts believe the industry is running out of time to change its trajectory. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are being developed by several companies, are expected to play a large role in the push for decarbonization, but airlines have concerns around its costs and production. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen face similar barriers to scale.

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Munich-based manufacturer Vaeridion on Saturday opened its electric battery development lab at the Bosch Collaboration Campus in Holzkirchen, Germany. The site, located in the Munich suburbs, grants Vaeridion access to hardware and services from Bosch General Aviation Technology—the GA arm of the multinational engineering firm—and ITK Engineering, which Bosch acquired in 2016.

Vaeridion will use the campus to develop powertrains, battery models, and cybersecurity compliance for its digital systems, as well as test and integrate its proprietary high-voltage batteries for its flagship Microliner. The facility will run the gamut of battery manufacturing steps, from individual cells to fully integrated modules.

In addition to Vaeridion co-founders Ivor van Dartel and Sebastian Seemann, the opening of the center was attended by Bavarian State Government Minister Florian Herrmann and Holzkirchen Mayor Christoph Shmid.

“Bavaria is proud of its vibrant startup scene, which benefits from the excellent ecosystem of science, research and technology-passionate policies,” said Herrmann. “Sustainable e-mobility is a future topic with a global market—the development of a battery-powered microliner is therefore a brilliant idea.”

According to a 2018 study, more than 80 percent of Germany’s population lives within 20 kilometers of a regional airfield. Vaeridion’s flagship Microliner is designed to connect those sites and provide a new option for underserved regions, saving customers multiple hours per trip, the company claims. It can also take off and land at large commercial airports.

The aircraft’s glider-inspired wing features a high aspect ratio, minimizing drag in cruise and producing a high glide ratio. The batteries, which can be charged in about 45 minutes, are integrated there rather than in the fuselage to optimize the aircraft’s weight and travel distance, Vaeridion says. The manufacturer claims its design flies with the lowest energy consumption for an aircraft seating up to nine passengers plus crew for distances up to 500 km (310 miles).

Working with Aircraft Design Certification GmbH, which owns design organization approval (DOA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Vaeridion hopes to certify the model as a GA aircraft before 2030.

By that year, the manufacturer intends to introduce the Microliner on commercial routes in Denmark in partnership with Copenhagen AirTaxi and Copenhagen Helicopter, both based out of Roskilde Airport (EKRK) in Copenhagen. The companies believe the design will be part of a digital platform that allows customers to plan, book, and pay for flights in one place.

“The new green aircraft type requires significantly shorter takeoff and landing distances than traditional aircraft, which allows the use of smaller airfields that are no longer utilized for commercial routes,” said Martin Winther Andersen, CEO of Copenhagen Helicopter. “These routes were abandoned as aircraft types gradually became larger. The Microliner can change that, allowing us to create a dense network of domestic routes again.”

In addition, Belgium and Netherlands-based operator ASL Group plans to utilize the aircraft for short-haul business routes. Aero-Dienst, the operation and maintenance provider for European automobile association ADAC’s fleet of ambulance helicopters, intends to deploy it for aircraft maintenance and air ambulance services.

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According to the company, the new design is the result of listening to customer suggestions, which led to “more than 300 improvements of the current P2006T MkII.”

• READ MORE: Continental Unveils CD-170R Rotorcraft-specific Heavy Fuel Engine 

Among the changes, according to the company, is an additional front door for the copilot and external access to the baggage compartment. Windows have been redesigned and are larger for improved visibility.

“The powerplant is now provided by twin fuel-injected Rotax 9121Sc3 engines, offering high-altitude efficiency and reduced fuel consumption of 14 liters per hour, [3.7 gallons per hour] per engine,” Tecnam said.

The aircraft integrates wing position and anticollision LED lights into the winglets. Inside, a central console houses the FMS GCU477 keyboard for management of all Garmin avionics, including the GFC700 three-axis autopilot and the G1000 NXi.

• READ MORE: Caribbean Charter Set to Be Tecnam P2012 STOL Launch Customer

Tecnam is also offering a super-premium version in the form of the P2006 NG Sport. This lux variant borrows heavily from Italian sports cars, featuring a handcrafted black leather interior that includes Alcantara headliners, plush moquette seats, and leather side walls.

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The powerplant manufacturer, which is a subsidiary of Continental Aerospace Technologies, has submitted its certification package to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and  expects certification by the end of the year.

• READ MORE: AERO Friedrichshafen Encourages Pilots to Arrive in Their Own Aircraft

According to Continental, the CD-170R variant is “an evolution” of its CD-170 for advanced fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft and will feature similar characteristics. The CD-170R, however, does not have a gearbox, shaving its weight by 37 pounds.

“The 170 hp turbocharged engine combines the state-of-the-art, full authority digital engine control (FADEC), resulting in lower fuel consumption and dual redundancy,” Continental said in a statement. “While fuel consumption is application based, this 4-cylinder model is expected to conservatively burn approximately 7.9 gallons of jet-A-1 per hour when in cruise. Similar to its predecessors, the CD-170R will debut with a time between replacement (TBR) of 1,200 hours and will increase with time in service.”

According to David Dörner, vice president of global research and development for Continental Aerospace Technologies, the engine was engineered with pilot needs at the forefront.

“This is a major innovation milestone in Continental’s history that will allow us to serve even more pilots and operators in the [GA] industry,” said Dörner. “Controlled via FADEC with rotorcraft-specific software mapping, pilots can now direct their focus toward the critical phases of flight and mission, alleviating the need to manage both the throttle and the collective simultaneously.”

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The 30th anniversary AERO event runs from April 17-20 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with the career days on April 19 and April 20.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Launches Flight Testing of Pearl 10X Engine

According to show organizers, some 25 companies are participating in the recruiting effort, including Liebherr Aerospace, Rheinland Air Service (RAS), Diehl Aerospace, Rheinmetall, EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), Air Alliance, Hillsboro Aero Academy, Textron Aviation, Junkers Aircraft, Lufthansa CityLine, Zeppelin, Trelleborg Ceiling Solutions and Platoon Aviation.

“The current forecast of Boeing sees a global need for a total of around 2.29 million new employees for the aviation industry by 2042, including 649,000 pilots, 690,000 new technicians and 938,000 cabin crew,” said Tobias Bretzel, AERO show director. “In addition, there will be a need for additional personnel in general aviation, business aviation and the military. The prospects for young people for a successful career in aviation and aerospace are better than ever. The AERO Career Days offer interested parties a unique opportunity to obtain comprehensive information at first hand.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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The Boeing 737-based Poseidon is used for submarine hunting, as well as anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

• READ MORE: Boeing Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Maritime Aircraft to New Zealand

The U.S. Navy award includes 14 P-8s for the Royal Canadian Air Force and three for the German Navy.

“We are proud to add Canada to the list of international P-8 partners as well as to Germany’s fleet of maritime patrol aircraft,” Philip June, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s P-8A program, said in a statement. “The Poseidon is a proven aircraft, with more than 600,000 flight hours, that will serve Canada and Germany well in today’s challenging security environment and for decades to come.”

• READ MORE: German Military Signs Deal for 82 H145M Helicopters

Boeing said that Canada, which announced in November it intended to purchase up to 16 P-8As to replace its current fleet of Lockheed CP-140 Auroras, will receive its first aircraft in 2026.

Germany’s order will increase its existing P-8A fleet to eight. Its navy will receive its first aircraft, which are set to replace its fleet of P-3 Orions, in 2025.

• READ MORE: Canada Awards $2.28B Contract for CH-146 Griffon Sustainment

According to Boeing, there are 200 P-8s in service or on contract in nine countries.

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The German Bundeswehr’s purchase contact is for 62 firm orders with an option to buy 20 more and includes seven years of support and services, Airbus Helicopters said. From that order, 57 H145Ms will be headed to the German Army, and five will be received by Luftwaff special forces. 

The aircraft is set to replace the military’s Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter, according to military officials.

“When purchasing the helicopter, the Bundeswehr deliberately chose a type of helicopter that was available on the market and was already used by the special forces and for rescue missions,” the German military said in a statement.

Deliveries will occur over a four-year period beginning in 2024. The aircraft will be based at the International Helicopter Training Center in Bückeburg, Germany, Army locations in Niederstetten, Fritzlar, and Faßberg, as well as the Air Force’s Laupheim Air Base, the Bundeswehr said.

• READ MORE: Airbus NH90 Sea Tiger Naval Helicopter Makes First Flight

“The H145M is a robust multirole helicopter, and the German Air Force has gained a significant amount of operational experience with its H145M LUH Special Operations Forces (SOF) fleet,” Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said in a statement.

The Bundeswehr operates 16 H145M LUH SOF variants and 8 H145 LUH SAR variants. 

• READ MORE: Airbus-Naval Group UAS Tested at Sea with French Navy

The military variant of the light, twin-engine H145 helicopter is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines and is equipped with the Airbus Helicopter-developed HForce weapon management system, hoisting and external cargo capabilities, and the ability to potentially operate with manned-unmanned teaming integration.

• READ MORE: Airbus Helicopters Unveils PioneerLab Sustainability Platform at Aviation Conference

“Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system into a special operations version including fast rappelling equipment,” Airbus Helicopter said in a statement.

The U.S. Army has a fleet of more than 500 helicopters from the H145 platform, which operates as UH-72 Lakota. The military variant is also operated by Hungary, Serbia, Thailand, and Luxembourg, according to the manufacturer. Additionally, Cyprus has placed an order for six of the helicopters, it added.

Check out the versatility of the #H145M! From tactical transport, special operations to light attack, witness its impressive agility and capabilities. #MakingMissionsPossible pic.twitter.com/ncCjSBJiQM

— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) December 14, 2023

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The move emphasizes the fast-growing military significance of the space domain and strengthens bilateral military partnerships, according to military leadership at a command ceremony at the air base Friday.

Integrating Space Forces at the component level is “something that will provide a cadre of space experts who can work with the Joint Force, our allies, and partners to integrate space activities into our shared operations, activities, and investments,” said General Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations for USSF. “The joint force’s missions increasingly rely on space, and the Space Force is committed to ensuring that the force has the space resources it needs to succeed.”

The new command, known as USSPACEFOR-EURAF, is the latest service component under U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which are the most recent combatant commands to establish a space component, according to USSF.

• READ MORE: Launch Date Set for Space Force’s X-37B Reusable Spaceplane

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command also have space components.

Around 30 service members will staff  USSPACEFOR-EURAF, which will be commanded by USSF Colonel Max Lantz. According to the service, the command will play a role in supporting EUCOM’s needs, such as satellite navigation, communications, and integration with NATO Allies and partners.

• READ MORE: Airbus NH90 Sea Tiger Naval Helicopter Makes First Flight

“For Germany, the U.S. [is] the most important partner in developing and expanding space capabilities,” said Boris Pistorius, the German defense minister. “The activation of the U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa component at Ramstein Air Base emphasizes both the fast-growing military significance of the space domain and the importance of Germany as a reliable ally and base for the U.S. Armed Forces.”

CSpO Meets

Last week while in Germany, Saltzman also attended the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative Principals Board, an annual event that seeks to improve coordination and operational cooperation in the space domain. Also participating were defense and military space leaders from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and U.S.

“Cooperation with our allies and partners is essential to promoting responsible space operations and protecting our interests in the domain,” said Dr. John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, who participated in the event. “Expanding this cooperation in the space domain is one of my top priorities, and I was extremely proud to have Italy, Japan and Norway participate at the principals’ board for the first time. Through CSpO, we will collectively work to reinforce the safety, security, stability and long-term sustainability of space.” 

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The maiden flight occurred at Airbus Helicopters’ production facility in Donauwörth, Germany. The aircraft will now enter a qualification phase that includes flight testing with newly installed systems before deliveries begin by the end of 2025.

The aircraft is the newest variant of the Airbus NH90 naval helicopter, which is already in use in six countries for search and rescue and military operations. The Sea Tiger variant designed for the German military is equipped with anti-submarine warfare technology including a dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and weapons, such as torpedoes and missiles for engaging targets above and below the surface. 

• READ MORE: Norway to Buy 6 MH-60R Helicopters

In 2020, Germany’s military, known as Bundeswehr, ordered 31 NH90 Sea Tigers for the German Navy to replace its aging fleet of Mk88A Sea Lynx. The military already operates 18 NH90 Sea Lion naval transport helicopter variants, Airbus said.

“Operating both the NH90 Sea Lion and the Sea Tiger will allow the Navy to further streamline its operations and maintenance,” said Stefan Thomé, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany. “The NH90 Sea Lion, which is already in service with the Navy, has recently proven its capabilities during a first major rescue operation in the North Sea.”

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“For the next [few] weeks, they will conduct regular air policing in Iceland on behalf of NATO,” the Government of Iceland said. “The mission is carried out in cooperation with NATO Control and Command Centre in Uedem in Germany and the Command and Reporting Centre at Keflavik Air Base.”

The deployment will conduct routine flight training and exercises, and last about three to four weeks, according to NATO. Airmen will also conduct aerial training with Icelandic Coast Guard personnel.

The fighters are assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing based at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and represent the first Air Force fighter deployment to Iceland in two years.

“The last time the 52nd came to Iceland was in the summer of 2019, and we are happy to be back to support our allies and partners in the High North with this critical air surveillance mission,” said U.S. Air Force Major Clifford Peterson, 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron detachment commander leading the F-16s at Keflavik during the NATO mission.

Iceland first began hosting NATO air policing in 2008.

• READ MORE: NATO Ramps Up Maritime Air Patrols in Baltic Sea

Despite being a smaller nation, Iceland contributes meaningfully to the NATO alliance by hosting strategic NATO and allied assets and increasing the alliance’s situational awareness in the North Atlantic, Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO Military Committee, said while attending the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland earlier this week.

“The increased competition and militarization in the Arctic region, especially by Russia and China, is concerning,” Bauer told the assembly. “The melting ice in the Arctic is creating new sea routes that would facilitate the movement of large vessels and shorten navigation times. We cannot be naive and ignore the potentially nefarious intentions of some actors in the region. We must remain vigilant and prepare for the unexpected.”

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