MRO & Manufacturing
Jet Aviation Launches Automated Drone Aircraft Inspections in US
Jet Aviation expands automated drone and AI aircraft inspections to the US, enhancing speed and safety for non-regulated maintenance checks.
This article is based on an official press release from Jet Aviation.
On May 18, 2026, Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, announced the expansion of its automated drones and artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft inspection services to the United States. According to the company’s press release, the technology is designed to map the exterior of aircraft and generate comprehensive digital reports, marking a significant step forward in aviation maintenance and record-keeping.
The service, developed in partnership with French aviation technology provider Donecle, is currently being rolled out to Jet Aviation’s U.S.-based managed fleet and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) customers. At this stage of the U.S. launch, the technology is designated specifically for non-regulated inspections. Company statements indicate that these digital reports will primarily support operational events such as Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPIs), warranty claims, and damage assessments for insurance cases.
By integrating autonomous drone flight with advanced AI analysis, Jet Aviation aims to drastically improve the speed, safety, and accuracy of exterior aircraft evaluations. The system is compatible with a wide range of business jets, narrow-body aircraft, and an increasing number of wide-body airframes.
Technology and Efficiency Gains
Traditional manual visual inspections of an aircraft’s exterior are notoriously labor-intensive. According to data provided in the release, a standard manual inspection can take technicians between 10 and 12 hours to complete. In contrast, the Donecle drone and AI system can accomplish the same comprehensive scan in under an hour, making the automated process up to ten times faster.
The inspection process relies on a combination of autonomous drone navigation and high-resolution imaging. Once the drone captures the visual data, advanced AI algorithms automatically detect, classify, and annotate surface anomalies. These defects can range from lightning strikes and structural dents to standard paint wear.
Safety and Traceability
Beyond operational efficiency, the automated system introduces substantial safety benefits. By deploying drones to scan the upper surfaces of an aircraft, maintenance teams are no longer required to work at heights, thereby mitigating physical workplace risks. Furthermore, the technology generates a paperless, cloud-stored historical record of the aircraft’s exterior condition. This digitized map provides operators with an accurate visual baseline for immediate assessment or future reference, significantly improving long-term traceability.
Background and Regulatory Milestones
While the U.S. launch is a new development, Jet Aviation has been utilizing this technology in Europe for several years. The company initially introduced the automated drone and AI system at its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub and global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, in 2023.
The European operation achieved a major regulatory milestone in May 2024 when the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) approved the process for General Visual Inspections (GVIs) by images. This approval allowed the Basel facility to utilize the technology for regulated maintenance checks. The system’s hardware and software are powered by Donecle, a Toulouse-based startup founded in 2015. According to industry reports, Donecle recently raised €10 million in an April 2026 funding round led by IRDI Capital Investissement and SWEN Capital Partners to accelerate its expansion into the U.S. and European markets. Donecle remains the only solution on the market certified by Airbus, Boeing, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The U.S. Rollout Strategy
For the U.S. market, Jet Aviation is focusing heavily on enhancing the owner and operator experience through transparency and digitized records. David Best, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations and General Manager of the Americas at Jet Aviation, highlighted the customer-centric approach of the new service.
“We are incredibly excited to work with our colleagues in Europe to bring this new and unique service to our customers in the US. Our team is committed to listening to, and working closely with, our customers to grow our regional offering in ways that make a real difference to the owner and operator experience. The drone and AI technology offers our managed and FBO customers additional peace of mind, providing an accurate, comprehensive, digitized report of the exterior of the aircraft for their records now and in the future.”, David Best, SVP Regional Operations & GM Americas, Jet Aviation
AirPro News analysis
We view Jet Aviation’s U.S. expansion of drone inspections as a clear indicator of the aviation industry’s broader shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. By creating highly accurate “digital twins” of aircraft exteriors, operators can integrate this visual data into broader MRO software systems. This allows maintenance providers to track wear-and-tear over time and predict necessary interventions before a critical failure occurs. This digitization is particularly disruptive for the aircraft sales market, where transparent, apples-to-apples comparisons during Pre-Purchase Inspections are vital.
Furthermore, Jet Aviation’s choice of technology partner is strategically significant given the current U.S. regulatory climate. The U.S. government and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have recently intensified scrutiny and placed restrictions on foreign-made drones, particularly those manufactured by Chinese companies like DJI. Because Donecle is a French company holding FAA approvals, Jet Aviation is well-positioned to offer secure, compliant drone services to U.S. operators without running afoul of geopolitical technology restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of inspections are currently supported by this technology in the U.S.?
Currently, the U.S. rollout is designated for non-regulated inspections. This includes Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPIs), assessing damage for insurance claims, and verifying exterior conditions for warranty cases.
How much time does the automated drone inspection save?
According to the company, traditional manual visual inspections can take 10 to 12 hours. The automated drone and AI system can complete the same task in under an hour, making it up to 10 times faster.
Who provides the drone and AI technology?
The technology is powered by Donecle, a French aviation technology startup founded in 2015. Their solution is certified by the FAA, EASA, Airbus, and Boeing.
Sources
Photo Credit: Jet Aviation
MRO & Manufacturing
Safran Opens $140M LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Mexico
Safran Aircraft Engines inaugurated a $140M LEAP engine maintenance facility in Querétaro, targeting 350 shop visits annually by 2030.
Safran Aircraft Engines officially opened a $140 million maintenance facility in Querétaro, Mexico, on July 1, 2026, expanding its capacity to service the rapidly growing global fleet of CFM LEAP engines. The new shop adds significant infrastructure to the manufacturers footprint in the Americas, targeting the high-volume narrowbody market.
The facility is part of a broader €1 billion global investment strategy by the company to scale its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network. The CFM LEAP engine powers next-generation narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX, both of which are seeing increased shop visit demand as early-delivery airframes mature.
Scaling LEAP engine maintenance in the Americas
The comprehensive MRO hub in Querétaro spans a total footprint of 50,000 square meters. Safran projects that by 2030, the two maintenance facilities located at the site will be capable of handling 350 LEAP engine shop visits annually. The site also features a new test cell designed to perform 350 engine tests per year by the end of the decade.
In a press release issued to mark the opening, Stéphane Cueille, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, stated that the inauguration strengthens the Querétaro hub’s role at the center of the company’s maintenance ecosystem in the Americas.
Workforce growth and training initiatives
The new engine shop will employ 450 people when operating at full capacity. This expansion adds to the existing workforce across the four Safran Aircraft Engine Services Americas facilities in Querétaro, which currently stands at 1,450 employees. Safran projects the total headcount for its Querétaro operations will reach 2,000 by 2030.
To support this rapid workforce expansion, the company established an onsite training center in partnership with local educational institutions. The center is designed to train 300 inspectors and technicians annually, creating a direct pipeline of qualified personnel for the MRO hub.
“With continued investment in Mexico and around the world we will address the growing global demand for LEAP engine maintenance while continuing to deliver world class support to our customers in the region,” Cueille said.
Global MRO network expansion
The Querétaro engine shop inauguration aligns with Safran Aircraft Engines’ €1 billion global investment plan. To support the expanding CFM LEAP engine fleet, the company recently opened similar maintenance facilities in India, Morocco, and Belgium.
The broader Safran Group is also increasing its footprint in Mexico across other divisions. On June 10, 2026, Safran Landing Systems announced an expansion of its global MRO capabilities, which included its separate Querétaro site, to support landing gear maintenance for Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330 aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
The aggressive expansion of Safran’s MRO network underscores the industry-wide pressure to keep next-generation narrowbody fleets operational. As the CFM LEAP engine matures and the installed base on Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grows, shop visit demand is accelerating. We view the $140 million investment in Querétaro as a strategic move to localize heavy maintenance near major North and South American operators, reducing turnaround times and logistical bottlenecks. The concurrent focus on local workforce training highlights a critical challenge in the MRO sector: securing the qualified technicians required to meet projected maintenance volumes over the next decade.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
MRO & Manufacturing
Daher Aircraft Opens MRO Center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport
Daher Aircraft inaugurated a 6,000 sq-meter MRO facility at Jonzac-Neulles Airport on July 3, 2026, replacing its former Merpins site.
Daher Aircraft officially opened a 6,000-square-meter maintenance, overhaul, and logistics center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport (LFCJ) on July 3, 2026, consolidating its regional support operations and gaining direct runway access for on-aircraft services.
The purpose-built facility in France’s Charente-Maritime Department replaces the manufacturer’s previous site in Merpins, located 25 kilometers to the north. According to a press release issued by the company, the relocation ensures continuity for existing service contracts while providing the physical capacity to expand its support network for a diverse fleet of civil and military aircraft.
Expanded capabilities and runway access
The transition to Jonzac-Neulles Airport provides Daher Aircraft with direct access to a 1,370-meter runway. This infrastructure addition allows the company to perform on-aircraft maintenance and technical support that was not feasible at the landlocked Merpins location.
The center offers a broad portfolio of services, operating both under direct contract and as a supplier. Supported aircraft range from Airbus helicopters operated by the French Gendarmerie to training airplanes manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft and Grob Aircraft.
The facility houses specialized workshops for composite airframe repair, painting, welding, landing gear hydraulics, battery overhaul, and Level 2 non-destructive testing.
Legacy fleet support and regional investment
A primary function of the new hub is maintaining the global fleet of approximately 3,000 legacy general aviation and training aircraft produced by SOCATA, Daher Aircraft’s predecessor. The center will provide spare parts supply, repair services, and replacement part manufacturing for the SOCATA TB and Rallye aircraft families under the company’s Part 21J Design Organization Approval.
Local government authorities, specifically the Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge, spearheaded the construction of the facility. The project was initiated under former president Claude Belot and inaugurated with current president and Jonzac mayor Christophe Cabri in attendance.
“This inauguration marks another important step in Daher Aircraft’s commitment to further strengthening our global support network and the comprehensive services it provides,”
said Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft. He credited the local government’s support as instrumental in completing the project.
The operation currently employs 32 personnel who transferred from the former Merpins site. Daher Aircraft projects the workforce will increase to approximately 40 employees by the end of 2026.
AirPro News analysis
The relocation to Jonzac-Neulles Airport represents a logical infrastructure upgrade for Daher Aircraft. By securing direct runway access, the company eliminates the logistical friction of transporting aircraft components over land for overhaul and opens the door to fly-in maintenance services. We view this as a strategic consolidation that protects Daher’s lucrative legacy support business while positioning the facility to capture third-party maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contracts for other general aviation manufacturers.
Sources: Daher Aircraft
Photo Credit: Daher Aircraft
MRO & Manufacturing
Honeywell Wins $249M Army Contract for CH-47 Chinook Engine MRO
Honeywell Aerospace secures a $249M U.S. Army contract to overhaul T55-GA-714A engines for the CH-47 Chinook fleet through May 2029.
Honeywell Aerospace has secured a $249 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide repair and overhaul services for the T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines powering the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet.
The three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, announced in a June 2026 press release, ensures a continuous supply of serviceable powerplants for the military through May 2029. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal officially awarded the Contracts on May 21, 2026.
Commercial processes drive military maintenance efficiency
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work will take place at Honeywell’s aerospace headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company is applying commercial aviation maintenance methodologies to its military engine overhaul program to increase throughput and reduce turnaround times.
Brian Laughton, Senior Director and Site Leader of the Phoenix repair facility, stated that the T55 line utilizes the same processes applied to the company’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified lines for business jet turbofan engines.
Capitalizing on these proven commercial processes has enabled us to double our capacity in the facility and reduce cycle time to ensure we are meeting delivery commitments to our customers.
Legacy and evolution of the T55 engine program
The T55 engine originally entered service in 1961. Over the past six decades, Honeywell has manufactured more than 6,000 T55 engines, accumulating approximately 12 million flight hours across the CH-47 and MH-47 variants.
The powerplant has undergone significant upgrades since its introduction. The current T55-GA-714A variant produces approximately 5,000 shaft horsepower, representing a threefold increase in output compared to the original 1960s design. The engine currently supports the U.S. Army and more than 15 international military operators.
Dave Marinick, President of Engines & Power Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, noted the company’s long-term commitment to the platform, stating that Honeywell looks forward to continuing its support for the engine program for decades to come.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that cross-pollinating commercial FAA-certified maintenance practices into military depot-level work is becoming a critical strategy for aerospace Manufacturers. By doubling facility capacity without necessarily expanding the physical footprint, Honeywell is addressing the persistent supply chain and turnaround time bottlenecks that have challenged military readiness in recent years. The $249 million valuation for a three-year period highlights the intense operational tempo and heavy utilization of the global Chinook fleet.
Sources: Honeywell Aerospace
Photo Credit: Boeing
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