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The Air Current

@theaircurrent.com
5.1K followers 47 following 288 posts

The Air Current is a subscription-based aviation news service that combines the highest standards of journalism with the level of technical detail and rigor expected by a sophisticated industry audience. Standby for news…

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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 29/09/2026
NASA invests in Boeing, woos new entrants to replace SpaceX’s Dragon theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
NASA invests in Boeing, woos new entrants to replace SpaceX’s Dragon
Isaacman to commercial space entrants: “Here’s your demand signal”
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 27/09/2026
Boeing faces potential 737 Max 10 certification delay as FAA reviews software issue theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing faces potential 737 Max 10 delay as FAA reviews software issue
Certification timing hinges on federal safety review of flight management software
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 24/09/2026
New A321neo quality defect adds pressure to Airbus delivery schedule theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (@jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
New A321neo quality defect adds pressure to Airbus delivery schedule
Roughly 500 aircraft in-service and at various stages of manufacture are affected
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 24/09/2026
Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives theaircurrent.com/defense/mq-9... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives
The Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to fill a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East.
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 17/09/2026
As White House pushes for a stronger yen, U.S. carriers ride travel wave to Japan theaircurrent.com/airlines/whi... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
As White House pushes for a stronger yen, U.S. carriers ride travel wave to Japan
Monetary policy threatens to upend strong American travel demand fueled by an extremely favorable exchange rate
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 17/09/2026
Boeing tightens its belt as crucial SPEEA contract vote looms theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing tightens its belt as crucial SPEEA contract vote looms
Hiring, travel restrictions are in place as unionized engineers mull interplay of trust and pay
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Reposted by The Air Current
Julie Johnsson @juliejohnsson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Great read from @elanhead.com !
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 10/09/2026
Regent’s challenging path to a seaglider first flight theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Regent’s challenging path to a seaglider first flight
How the startup overcame obstacles and setbacks on the way to the first flight of its wing-in-ground-effect craft
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 09/09/2026
SCOOP: Boeing’s former Wichita chief to play a critical role in developing its next new airplane theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing’s former Wichita chief to play a critical role in developing its next new airplane
Sean Black to lead the commercial unit’s Future Production System
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 09/09/2026
GE's Larry Culp explains what’s behind his mega acquisition of a key castings supplier theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Larry Culp explains what’s behind GE's mega acquisition of a key castings supplier
In an interview with TAC, GE CEO Larry Culp’s unpacks his largest deal so far to take aim at a critical supply-chain chokepoint
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Reposted by The Air Current
Jon Ostrower @jonostrower.com · 07/09/2026
The accident aircraft in Miami was Amazon Prime Air’s first 767-300BCF (N1997A) when it launched operations in 2016 as a virtual operator. It was initially assigned to Atlas Air back then. theaircurrent.com/photos?photo...
theaircurrent.com
Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300BCF N1997A | The Air Current Photography Collection
Explore over 24,000 professional aviation images for licensing.
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 03/09/2026
How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare theaircurrent.com/defense/pent... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare
New requirements for distributed fuel depots move the U.S. closer to a wartime footing
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 01/09/2026
U.S. Navy begins search for its first tranche of ‘loyal wingman’ uncrewed fighters theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
U.S. Navy begins search for its first tranche of ‘loyal wingman’ uncrewed fighters
Requirements released on Aug. 31 seek two fully-functional prototypes from industry within three years
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 25/08/2026
With range shortfall, United‘s initial A321XLR deployment will be ‘very conservative’ theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
With range shortfall, United’s initial A321XLR deployment will be ‘very conservative’
United Airlines limited itself to destinations in far Western Europe for its first deployment of the A321XLR, taking a more cautious view of the jet’s range than Airbus’s marketers.
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 22/08/2026
Boeing plays hardball after SPEEA members spurn contract offer theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing plays hardball after SPEEA members spurn contract offer
Company withdraws 2026 pay increases it had promised for early approval of deal
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 21/08/2026
Unionized Boeing engineers and tech workers overwhelmingly reject first company offer, authorize strike theaircurrent.com/intel/unioni... (via TAC/Intel)
theaircurrent.com
Unionized Boeing engineers and tech workers overwhelmingly reject first company offer, authorize strike - The Air Current
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 21/08/2026
Boeing’s Starliner odyssey takes an unexpected turn theaircurrent.com/space/boeing... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing’s Starliner odyssey takes an unexpected turn
Star-crossed CST-100 capsule is poised to play key role for NASA into 2030s as uncertainty shrouds SpaceX’s plans
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 19/08/2026
Whisper Aero tests its ultra-quiet electric propulsors in crewed flight theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Whisper Aero tests its ultra-quiet electric propulsors in crewed flight
Whisper used a modified Swift 3 glider to test its electric ducted fans, marking its first flight tests with a human pilot on board.
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 17/08/2026
Flight testing Navi’s AI-powered pilot training tool theaircurrent.com/technology/f... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Flight testing Navi’s AI-powered pilot training tool
Inside the cockpit with the purpose-built AI platform adopted by Embry-Riddle
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 14/08/2026
U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker theaircurrent.com/defense/us-n... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker
Cruise missiles spotted on Boeing MQ-25 Stingray confirm long-held suspicions about an expanded mission set
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 13/08/2026
Bird strike suspected in Ryanair engine blade-out accident theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Bird strike suspected in Ryanair engine blade-out accident
Damaged engine reportedly suffered four bird strikes in the preceding 12 months
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 10/08/2026
Archer to acquire rival Wisk as Boeing broadens its asset sales theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Archer to acquire rival Wisk as Boeing broadens its asset sales
Plane maker will be able to tap Wisk’s core technology for future aircraft under licensing agreement
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 07/08/2026
New policy moves FAA further from EASA on eVTOL certification theaircurrent.com/regulation/f... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
New policy moves FAA further from EASA on eVTOL certification
With powered-lift safety continuum, FAA mirrors its existing approaches for airplanes and helicopters
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 04/08/2026
The U.S. Navy’s new search for ultra-long-range strike brings its Pacific strategy into focus theaircurrent.com/defense/us-n... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
The U.S. Navy’s new search for ultra-long-range strike brings its Pacific strategy into focus
Notice to industry seeks uncrewed strike aircraft with 1,000-nautical mile range for future carrier air wing
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 04/08/2026
Boeing poised to finally unlock 737’s potential as FAA certifies Max 7 theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing poised to finally unlock 737’s potential as FAA certifies Max 7
Fifteen-year development saga comes to a close for smallest Max jet
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 03/08/2026
The Boeing 737 Max 7 is now certified by the FAA. Editorial resources for news orgs from the new photo collection from @theaircurrent.com. theaircurrent.com/photos?q=737...
theaircurrent.com
The Air Current Photography Collection
Explore over 24,000 professional aviation images for licensing.
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 31/07/2026
Boeing makes early contract offer to SPEEA, aiming to avoid October strike theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing makes early contract offer to SPEEA, aiming to avoid October strike
The white-collar union will vote on the proposal after councils’ review.
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 27/07/2026
Boeing, GE among industry coalition pushing for speed-up of U.S. aircraft certification theaircurrent.com/regulation/b... (via @willguisbond.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing, GE among industry coalition pushing for speed-up of U.S. aircraft certification
Industry looks to work with FAA to improve approval process without compromising safety
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 24/07/2026
Airbus CEO begrudgingly thinks the dollar is still the best way to sell airplanes theaircurrent.com/analysis/air... (via @jonostrower.com & @bgarrettglaser.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Airbus CEO begrudgingly thinks the dollar is still the best way to sell airplanes
Amid broader efforts to strengthen the euro, commercial aviation — like oil — remains firmly tethered to the dollar
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 20/07/2026
The engineering behind Anduril and Archer’s Thunder drone theaircurrent.com/defense/the-... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
The engineering behind Anduril and Archer’s Thunder drone
The two companies explain the technology behind their loyal wingman drone for rotorcraft
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 19/07/2026
With ‘massive’ rework challenge looming, Boeing quietly scrapped a 777X theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
With ‘massive’ rework challenge looming, Boeing quietly scrapped a 777X
Arduous change incorporation process claimed an early-build 777-9, underscoring the challenges ahead for 400-passenger jet
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 14/07/2026
Boeing history echoes through $10 billion 737 Max production overhaul theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing history echoes through $10 billion 737 Max production overhaul
Upheavals and false-starts underpin carbon-copy 737 assembly line in former home of carbon fiber 787
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 10/07/2026
Apparent engine fan blade failure preceded rupture of Ryanair 737 window theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com @juliejohnsson.bsky.social @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Apparent engine fan blade failure preceded rupture of Ryanair 737 window
Blade failure follows similar accidents in 2016, 2018
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Reposted by The Air Current
Elan Head @elanhead.com · 10/07/2026
The FAA has confirmed that Electra's ultra-short take-off and landing airplane will be certified as... an airplane. Although not surprising, it's a big deal for Electra, which is positioning its EL9 to compete with eVTOLs. Full story in @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev...
theaircurrent.com
Electra secures the FAA certification basis that eVTOL developers wanted
FAA closes Electra’s G-1 issue paper, confirming Part 23 certification basis for its “Ultra Short” aircraft
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 10/07/2026
Electra secures the FAA certification basis that eVTOL developers wanted theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Electra secures the FAA certification basis that eVTOL developers wanted
FAA closes Electra’s G-1 issue paper, confirming Part 23 certification basis for its “Ultra Short” aircraft
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 09/07/2026
Domestic ATC firms cite China concerns in latest effort to stifle competitors theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Domestic ATC firms cite China concerns in latest effort to stifle competitors
Leidos, RTX claim competitors’ Chinese ties may create national security threats for key air traffic control software systems
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 02/07/2026
Opinions split at FAA over prospect of early commercial eVTOL ops theaircurrent.com/regulation/f... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Opinions split at FAA over prospect of early commercial eVTOL ops
Mixed messages from FAA officials signal lack of agreement on revenue operations under eVTOL Integration Pilot Program
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 02/07/2026
Boeing, engineers union to try novel bargaining strategy in test of labor peace theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing, engineers union to try novel bargaining strategy in test of labor peace
Boeing, SPEEA to try a novel bargaining approach for the first time in a quarter century as they begin formal contract talks on July 1
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 30/06/2026
Boeing operations disrupted coast-to-coast by IT outage theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Boeing operations disrupted coast-to-coast by IT outage
Jet assembly slowed to a trickle, defense and space factories sent workers home
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 30/06/2026
Breaking now on TAC/Intel: Boeing commercial jet deliveries and production disrupted by widespread IT outage theaircurrent.com/intel/boeing... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social)
theaircurrent.com
Boeing commercial jet deliveries and production disrupted by widespread IT outage - The Air Current
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 26/06/2026
The surprising first U.S. deployment of a collaborative combat aircraft theaircurrent.com/defense/firs... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social ) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
The surprising first U.S. deployment of a collaborative combat aircraft
Boeing’s MQ-28 flying from remote Pacific airfield to inform U.S. uncrewed fighter jet programs despite no Pentagon customers
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 23/06/2026
Helicopter collision risk higher after D.C. airspace changes, Coast Guard leaders say theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Helicopter collision risk higher after D.C. airspace changes, Coast Guard leaders say
Pilots suggest FAA failed to weigh risk of a helicopter-on-helicopter collision when changing D.C. airspace after 2025 midair
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 18/06/2026
Alaska 737s leading candidate to replace Hawaiian 717s on interisland operations theaircurrent.com/airlines/ala... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Alaska 737s leading candidate to replace Hawaiian 717s on interisland operations
Rebranded 737-800s on tap for archipelago hopping, says new Alaska president
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 16/06/2026
The age of drone warfare brings new battlefield roles for helicopters theaircurrent.com/defense/dron... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
The age of drone warfare brings new battlefield roles for helicopters
Downed Apache in Iran conflict highlights the need for doctrine and training around drone operations
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 15/06/2026
Next union showdown looms in Boeing’s new era of never-ending labor talks theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Next union showdown looms in Boeing’s new era of never-ending labor talks
Wave of red shirts signals engineers’ solidarity with pay, AI and remote work at stake in upcoming negotiations
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 14/06/2026
FAA close to picking ASI over Palantir, Thales for its AI-powered air traffic management system theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 12/06/2026
Untangled from Boeing, Jeppesen ForeFlight bets big on AI theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Untangled from Boeing, Jeppesen ForeFlight bets big on AI
CEO Brad Surak lays out an ambitious, high-stakes plan to build “AI that’s earned its seat at the table”
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Reposted by The Air Current
Jon Ostrower @jonostrower.com · 10/06/2026
Episode 100 of @theairshowpodcast.com is a companion to this special report from @theaircurrent.com. In short, U.S. airlines are going backward…fast. I break down the thesis, the significant supporting evidence and Brett and Brian tell me why I’m wrong. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Jon Says U.S. Airlines Are Going In Reverse
Podcast Episode · The Air Show · June 5 · 33m
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 11/06/2026
German eVTOL developer aims to win political support its failed predecessors did not theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Germany gives eVTOLs another look as ERC unveils heavy-lift cargo drone
Lilium and Volocopter failed to win political support at home, but ERC stands to benefit from Europe’s new focus on sovereignty
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The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 09/06/2026
Helios Horizon pushes the boundaries of battery tech in crewed electric flight theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
theaircurrent.com
Helios Horizon pushes the boundaries of battery tech in crewed electric flight
Program performs first flight with so-called “solid-state batteries” that will power its stratospheric record attempt
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