Today's Aerospace Pulse
Blue Origin’s New Glenn suffers catastrophic engine failure during static fire
A BE‑4 methane/LOX engine on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket failed four seconds after ignition, causing a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the first‑stage booster and damaged Launch Complex 36A. No personnel were injured. An FAA‑led investigation, supported by the U.S. Space Force, is under way.
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By the numbers: Disciplined Growth Acquisition Corp raises $150M in IPO
Airbus to Lead Spain's New Combat Training System
Airbus Defence and Space has been appointed to lead Spain’s Integrated Training System‑Combat (ITS‑C), partnering with Turkish Aerospace to supply 30 HÜRJET jet trainers that will replace the ageing F‑5 fleet. The programme splits into two simultaneous phases: initial delivery of the aircraft in 2028‑29, followed by a national conversion programme that adds Spanish‑specific systems and completes delivery by 2035. Airbus will also refurbish the Fighter and Attack School at Talavera la Real and build a new Ground‑Based Training System for advanced pilot simulation. A comprehensive services package will support fleet availability and training centre operations.
Spain Orders 18 C295 Transport Aircraft
Spain’s Ministry of Defence has placed an order for 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft, slated to replace the ageing CN235 and C212 fleets used for pilot and paratrooper training. The acquisition is split into two batches, with the first arriving...
Airbus Reports Share Buybacks for Week Starting 15 December 2025
Airbus announced the completion of the second tranche of its share‑buyback programme for the week beginning 15 December 2025, repurchasing 325,217 shares. The transactions were executed on the Paris (XPAR) and Euronext Amsterdam (XETA) markets at an average price of €192.19 per...
Airbus Awarded Eutelsat Contract for Further 340 Low Earth Orbit OneWeb Satellites
Airbus Defence and Space has secured a contract from Eutelsat to manufacture an additional 340 low‑Earth‑orbit OneWeb satellites, bringing the total order to 440 units after a 100‑satellite batch in 2024. Production will run on a new line at Airbus’s...
Driving Innovation at Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters is rolling out a multi‑phase innovation roadmap that emphasizes automation, crewed‑uncrewed teaming, and energy‑efficient performance. In the short term it is introducing new flight‑control laws and avionics to lessen pilot workload, while medium‑term projects target disruptive features for...
Expanding 5G Connectivity with the Airbus UpNext SpaceRAN Demonstrator
Airbus’s UpNext SpaceRAN demonstrator will showcase a software‑defined satellite that processes 5G signals on‑board, cutting latency and boosting throughput. The program includes a ground‑based LEO constellation simulation and an in‑orbit payload slated for launch in 2027 with testing in 2028....
Airbus Helicopters Proactively Releases an EASB in Response to H160 Ditching in Brazil
Airbus Helicopters issued an Emergency Alert Service Bulletin after a H160 helicopter ditched in Brazil on 2 January 2026 due to severe vibrations. The controlled water landing saved all eight occupants, but post‑recovery inspection revealed damage to the tail‑rotor drive line and...
Airbus Launches Demonstrator to Test Global 5G Connectivity in Orbit
Airbus UpNext has launched the SpaceRAN demonstrator, a software-defined satellite payload that will test 5G non-terrestrial network capabilities in low-Earth orbit. The system processes data onboard, aiming to reduce latency, increase throughput and enable direct user-to-user connectivity for commercial, defence...
Airbus Reports 793 Commercial Aircraft Deliveries in 2025
Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, a 4 % increase over 2024, and recorded 1,000 gross orders from 57 customers. The order backlog rose to a record 8,754 aircraft, with wide‑body backlog reaching 1,124 units. Deliveries spanned the A220, A320,...
Ghana Places First Order for Multi-Mission Airbus Helicopters
Ghana's Ministry of Defence has placed its first Airbus Helicopters order, acquiring two H175M multi‑mission aircraft, one ACH175 and one ACH160. The H175Ms will handle transport, search‑and‑rescue, emergency medical services and disaster‑relief tasks, while the ACH models focus on transport...
Matthieu Louvot Appointed Airbus Helicopters CEO
Airbus Helicopters announced that Matthieu Louvot will become chief executive on April 1, 2026, succeeding Bruno Even after an eight‑year tenure. Louvot currently serves as Airbus’s Executive Vice‑President Strategy and will join the Group’s Executive Committee, reporting to CEO Guillaume Faury. The...
France Orders Airbus VSR700 Uncrewed Aerial System
The French DGA awarded Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group a contract for six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems, slated for delivery to the French Navy by 2028. Built on the Cabri G2 airframe, the VSR700 enters serial production after its debut at...
Air Policing in Romania: “With the Eurofighter We Can Respond at a Moment's Notice”
Since August 2025 Germany has deployed five Eurofighter jets and roughly 170 personnel to Romania’s Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base to back NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing South. The detachment runs Quick Reaction Alert missions, scrambling aircraft within minutes to intercept unauthorized planes...
How Airbus Is Pioneering Aircraft Manufacturing with Titanium 3D Printing
Airbus has introduced wire‑Directed Energy Deposition (w‑DED), a large‑scale titanium 3D‑printing process that can produce structural components up to seven metres long. The technique uses a multi‑axis robot to melt titanium wire with a laser, plasma or electron beam, creating...
Delta Air Lines Grows Airbus Fleet with Order for 31 Additional Widebody Aircraft
Delta Air Lines announced a firm order for 31 new wide‑body Airbus jets, comprising 16 A330‑900neo and 15 A350‑900 aircraft. The purchase will raise Delta’s A330neo fleet to 55 and its A350 fleet to 79, strengthening its long‑haul capacity. Executives...
From the Plus Ultra to the Airbus A400M: A Century of Transatlantic Pioneers
Airbus is partnering with the Spanish Air and Space Force to mark the 100‑year anniversary of the Plus Ultra’s historic South Atlantic crossing. On 24 January 2026, two A400M transport aircraft, escorted by six H120 Colibrí helicopters, will fly from Palos de la...
The First Airbus Pléiades Neo Next Satellite Will Be Launched Early 2028
Airbus Defence and Space will launch the first Pléiades Neo Next satellite in early 2028 from Kourou on a Vega C rocket. The new platform adds 20‑cm native resolution and higher revisit rates to the existing Pléiades Neo constellation. Enhanced ground‑segment tools, including Direct...
Airbus Reports Strong Helicopter Orders in 2025
Airbus Helicopters recorded 544 gross orders (net 536) and delivered 392 units in 2025, boosting its civil market share to 51% and military share to 28%. The order book was driven by major sovereign deals, notably Spain’s 100‑helicopter contract and...
From A220 to H160, Airbus to Display Multiple Jets, Helicopters and Immersive Rotary Simulator at Wings India 2026
Airbus will showcase a broad lineup of fixed‑wing and rotary aircraft at Wings India 2026, including the A321neo, A220, H160, and H125, alongside scale models of the H145 and A321XLR. The company will also debut an immersive H125 VR simulator...
An Iconic Airbus BelugaST Readies for New Mission in the UK
Airbus has retired its iconic BelugaST and relocated the aircraft to Broughton, North Wales, to serve as a STEM education facility. The super‑jumbo completed its last logistics mission from Bordeaux, ending a 30‑year career transporting UK‑built wings across Europe. Airbus...
Airbus and Hisdesat Sign a Commercialisation Agreement for PAZ-2 Satellite Imagery
Airbus Defence and Space and Hisdesat have signed a commercialisation agreement to market imagery from the upcoming PAZ‑2 radar satellites, extending their partnership that already includes TerraSAR‑X/TanDEM‑X. PAZ‑2 will consist of twin satellites delivering up to 10 cm resolution, 6.7 million km²...
Heritage Aviation Signs Contract for Airbus H130 Helicopter
Heritage Aviation Pvt Ltd has signed a contract for a single Airbus H130 helicopter, with delivery slated for September 2026. The aircraft will augment the company’s existing H125 and H130 fleet and be deployed for heli‑pilgrimage, passenger transport, and regional...
Decarbonising Air Travel in Asia-Pacific with SAF
The Asia‑Pacific aviation market, home to 60% of the world’s population, is set to double passenger traffic by 2043, intensifying its carbon footprint. Governments across the region are introducing SAF mandates and levies, aiming to produce 40% of global sustainable...
A Baptism of Fire in Albania for Hungary's H225M Helicopters and Crew
In July 2025 Albania faced devastating wildfires, prompting the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to mobilize a multinational aerial response. The Hungarian Air Force dispatched two newly delivered H225M helicopters within 24 hours, conducting 20 sorties that dropped about 500,000 litres...
The French Navy to Become First Operator of Airbus' Aliaca Vertical Uncrewed Aerial System
The French Directorate General of Armament has placed an order for 34 Airbus Aliaca VTOL unmanned aerial systems, making the French Navy the first operator of the vertical‑take‑off and landing version. Deliveries begin in May 2026 after a qualification campaign,...
Airbus Inaugurates New Regional Logistics Hub in Singapore
Airbus Helicopters inaugurated a 2,000 m² regional logistics hub in Singapore, creating a central hub for parts distribution across 21 Asia‑Pacific countries. The facility features four loading bays, an automated high‑density storage system with vertical lift modules, and a temperature‑controlled elastomers...
Indian Aircraft Fleet to Reach 2,250 by 2035, MRO Market to Hit US$9.5 Billion
India’s commercial aircraft fleet is set to triple to 2,250 planes by 2035, propelling the nation into the world’s third‑largest civil aviation market. Passenger traffic is expected to rise 8.9% annually, the fastest growth among major economies. The expansion will...
Airbus, Singapore Achieve World-First on A330 MRTT Auto-Refuelling Full Certification
Airbus and Singapore have secured full certification for the Automatic Air‑to‑Air Refuelling (A3R) system on the A330 MRTT, granted by Spain's INTA after extensive flight testing. The RSAF becomes the world’s first air force to operate A3R, enabling automated refuelling...
Singapore to Establish World’s First Airport Testbed for Next Generation Propulsion Technologies
Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority, CFM International, and Airbus signed an MOU to create the world’s first airport testbed for CFM’s next‑generation RISE propulsion technologies, focusing on Open Fan engine architecture. The testbed will be located at Changi or Seletar Airport,...
Airbus and Thai Airways Extend FHS Component Support Agreement to A321neo Fleet
Airbus and Thai Airways have expanded their Flight Hour Services agreement to include 32 A321neo aircraft, adding on‑site stock, pool access and repair capabilities at Bangkok. The extension builds on a partnership that began in 2012 with A320ceo support, providing...
Philippine Airlines Extends FHS Support Agreements Across Its Airbus Fleet
Philippine Airlines has renewed its Flight Hour Services agreement with Airbus, extending coverage to its entire Airbus fleet. The contract spans nine A350‑1000, eleven A330 family and forty‑three A320 family aircraft, providing component exchange, repairs, reliability and engineering support. Airbus...
The Brain Behind the Mission: Airbus and the Future of Collaborative Combat
Airbus Defence and Space showcased its AI‑driven mission autonomy suite, Mindshare, in October 2024 when two Primoco UAVs performed a fully synchronized, real‑time surveillance mission with only human oversight. The software orchestrated the drones’ threat detection, data exchange and dynamic re‑tasking,...
Airbus Forecasts Asia-Pacific Aviation Services Market to Reach US$138.7 Billion by 2044
Airbus projects the Asia‑Pacific aviation services market to reach $138.7 billion by 2044, driven by a 5.2% CAGR and the region’s need for 19,560 new passenger aircraft—46% of global demand. Passenger traffic is expected to grow 4.4% annually, outpacing the world...
HEO, SatVu, Sierra Nevada Nab First of NRO’s New Commercial Imagery Contracts
The National Reconnaissance Office awarded its first three contracts under the new Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to Australian start‑up HEO, British start‑up SatVu, and U.S. firm Sierra Nevada Corporation. HEO will deliver close‑up imagery of other satellites, SatVu will provide...
Australia Space Innovation Institute Applies Space Technologies to Address Terrestrial Challenges
The Australasian Space Innovation Institute (ASII) launched in January, inheriting intellectual property from the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre as its $270 million, six‑year Australian government funding cycle ends in June. ASII will act as a not‑for‑profit backbone for Australia’s sovereign space...
On The Brink: How This New York Airport Was Weeks Away From Losing All Commercial Flights
Delta Air Lines nearly withdrew from Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM), which would have left the Southern Tier without any scheduled commercial service. After intensive talks with state, local and federal officials, Delta reversed course and will maintain its two daily...
Video Interview: Unum's Alan McInnes Provides Updates on AIME 2026 From Dubai
AIME 2026 in Dubai grew 25‑30% over the previous year, reinforcing its status as the MENA region’s premier aircraft interior and MRO showcase. Alan McInnes of Unum highlighted airlines’ heightened appetite for retrofit programs while noting a stark shortage of available business‑class...
Palladyne AI Receives U.S. Air Force Contract to Advance Swarming Capabilities for Integrated Cross-Domain Operations
Palladyne AI secured a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contract, dubbed HANGTIME, to fuse its patented SwarmOS platform across satellite, aerial, maritime and ground systems. The effort targets the longstanding challenge of making autonomous assets operate as a coordinated team...
Arizona Airport Eyes Commercial Expansion
Buckeye officials approved a lease of five acres at the municipal airport to build 12 private hangars, which Vermillion Development will construct and sell. The move is framed as a catalyst for economic growth and a first step toward a...
US Deploys F‑35A Stealth Fighters Amid Stalled Iran Talks
F-35A Stealth Fighters Moving Closer To Middle East As U.S. Military Buildup Continues Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to stave off war have so far proven inconclusive. Latest update: https://t.co/XTJiEkMBnh
ULA Seeks to Rebuild Launch Cadence After CEO’s Exit
United Launch Alliance announced the departure of longtime CEO Tory Bruno after a 12‑year tenure, appointing former Boeing executive John Elbon as interim chief. Elbon stressed that ULA’s strength lies in its 3,000‑person engineering and production workforce rather than any...
Why The A321XLR Will Work Better For American Than Any Other Airline
At its internal “Journey ’26” conference, American Airlines let staff vote on ten prospective destinations, many of which align with its new Airbus A321XLR fleet. The carrier has ordered 50 A321XLRs, with 15 deliveries this year, and plans to use...
Tens Of Thousands Of Passengers Set To Be Stranded As Lufthansa Pilots Announce Strike in Pension Dispute
Lufthansa’s pilots union Vereinigung Cockpit announced a one‑day strike on Thursday, February 12, over a pension dispute, potentially stranding tens of thousands of travelers. The walkout will affect all mainline Lufthansa and cargo flights departing Germany, while subsidiaries such as...
Boeing Crushes Airbus In Orders & Deliveries: A Dominant Start To 2026
Boeing opened 2026 with a decisive lead over Airbus, delivering 46 commercial jets in January versus Airbus's 19. The majority of Boeing's deliveries were 737 MAX aircraft, while the company also secured 103 net orders, far outpacing Airbus's sub‑50 net bookings....
European Allies Take over NATO Joint Force Commands
NATO approved a major leadership reshuffle, assigning all three Joint Force Commands to European allies while the United States keeps control of the Alliance’s theatre component commands. The United Kingdom will lead Joint Force Command Norfolk, Italy will take Joint...
How Trump Wants to Change American Weapon Sales Abroad
President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at overhauling the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process, seeking to streamline approvals and give greater preference to U.S. defense contractors. The order proposes tighter licensing for advanced weaponry and a shift away...
US General: China Remains Regional Bomber, Not Strategic
China “Just Not There Yet” On H-20 Stealth Bomber: Global Strike Command’s Top General The new head of Air Force Global Strike Command says "China is a regional bomber force at best." Exclusive: https://t.co/DP7iHlPjrI
Digital Twins Deemed Crucial for Future Combat Aircraft
A landmark RAeS simulation conference in late 2025 considered not just flightsims - but #digitaltwins - essential to realise future combat aircraft projects. Report https://t.co/ZbRn47azyY https://t.co/EajdUmQ4EH
Michigan Facility Designated as DOW National Test Site for Drones
The U.S. Department of Defense has named Michigan’s National All‑Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) a national test site for uncrewed aerial systems. The range offers roughly 200,000 acres of maneuver space and over 17,000 square miles of dedicated airspace, enabling realistic...
KSAT Launches Hyperion Demonstration for In-Orbit Data Relay
At the SmallSat Symposium, KSAT unveiled Hyperion, a demonstration mission to transition its HYPER in‑orbit relay concept into operation. The 300 kg LEO satellites will act as “orbiting ground stations,” using S‑band TT&C and Ka‑band high‑throughput links to provide near‑real‑time data...