Today's Aerospace Pulse
Icelandair to retire B757‑200 fleet by late 2026
Icelandair announced it will retire its Boeing 757‑200 aircraft in late 2026 as part of fleet modernization. In the same coverage cluster, Flexjet’s Irish subsidiary received regulatory approval to operate in the United States.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Eaton merges mobility business with Dana in $10B deal
Natilus Raises $28 Million to Commercialize Family of BWB Composite Aircraft, Evolves Horizon Evo
Natilus secured a $28 million Series A round led by Draper Associates, bringing strategic aerospace and logistics investors on board. The funding will finance the first full‑scale prototype of its regional cargo aircraft Kona, slated to fly within 24 months, and further development of the dual‑deck Horizon Evo passenger jet. Natilus’ blended wing body (BWB) platform promises 30% lower fuel burn and up to 50% reductions in emissions and operating costs. Its order book now exceeds 57 aircraft, valued at $24 billion, positioning it against the Boeing‑Airbus duopoly.
FAA and EASA Qualify Boeing 777‑9 Simulators for Training
Boeing just announced FAA and EASA have given initial qualification to the 777-9 full flight simulators at Gatwick. Built with CAE, ready for proper pilot training once courseware is signed off. Capt. Gary Mandy called it ‘an important step as...
When It Comes to Drones, the Pentagon Should Mind the Experience Gap
The article argues that the Pentagon’s biggest hurdle with drones is technology adoption, not a lack of options, and stresses the need for experienced defense partners to field reliable unmanned systems. It highlights that trust, scalability, and maintainability hinge on...
The Joy of Flying: Pilots Reveal Their Top Satisfaction
What’s The Most Satisfying Thing About Being a Pilot? Captains Speaking Episode 27 #aviation #airplane #pilot #pilotsofinstagram #mentourpilot
NASA Eyes March 6 Launch for Artemis 2 After Rehearsal
NASA says they are targeting March 6 as the earliest launch opportunity for Artemis 2 after yesterday's wet dress rehearsal. Still work ahead, as well as a flight readiness review next week.
Qatar Airways Cargo Launches Paperless Ramp Solution
Qatar Airways Cargo has unveiled its Ramp Digitalisation Programme, introducing the Ramp Offload and Load Supervision (ROLS) platform to replace paper‑based loading instructions. The digital tool provides real‑time loading confirmations, QR‑code scanning, and 100% ULD verification, streamlining offload and load...
How Commercial Drones Make the Pentagon’s ‘Blue UAS Select’ List
The Department of Defense has launched the first phase of its Drone Dominance Program, dubbed “the Gauntlet,” to evaluate commercial uncrewed aerial systems from 25 vendors at Fort Benning. Ahead of testing, the Pentagon’s Blue UAS List, maintained by the...
Celebrating 40 Years of Mir with Virtual Reconstruction
40 YEARS AGO TODAY: The USSR launches the 1st element of the Mir orbital complex. To mark the occasion, I am working on the complete virtual reconstruction of the spacecraft, which will be used to illustrate 15 years of Mir's operation:...
Russian MOD Shows U.S. F-35, F-16 Intercepting Tu-95MS And Su-35S Off Alaska
On February 19, 2026 the U.S. Air Force deployed two F‑35As, two F‑16Cs, an E‑3 AWACS and tanker support to intercept a Russian formation of two Tu‑95MS bombers, two Su‑35S fighters and a Beriev A‑50 AEW aircraft transiting the Alaskan...
Airbus Allude to ‘Uncertainties’ in Future Orders of A400M
Airbus highlighted uncertainties around future A400M orders in its FY2025 results, noting a mid‑term slump as the program moves from launch contracts to a second export wave. To date, the company has delivered 137 of the 178 aircraft ordered, with...
Iridium's Certus Trials Aim to Disrupt Aviation Safety
Iridium sees an opportunity to ‘disrupt the status quo’ in aviation now that its next-generation Certus satcom service is undergoing flight trials to support aircraft safety services and its joint venture partner Aireon is pursuing space-based VHF. https://t.co/0ZuGYpAleV
The Optical Engineering Required to Photograph an Earth Twin
Researchers at NASA Goddard have identified a 1.52 µm infrared sweet spot for the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory, allowing a 20 % bandwidth up to 1.68 µm without requiring a complex cryogenic cooling system. Their BARBIE IV analysis shows that high methane levels obscure...
Artemis II Crew Completes T‑38 Training Flight
Artemis II Crew Trains on T-38 https://t.co/v2u5ToYOw5 NASA/Brendan Finnegan NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen take off on a T-38 training flight from Ellington Field on Feb. 11, 2026, as a waning crescent… https://t.co/Czq00UOLNV
United, American to Inject $200 Million Into Brazil’s Azul
United Airlines and American Airlines have each pledged $100 million to recapitalize Brazil’s Azul as it emerges from Chapter 11, while existing creditors will contribute an additional $100 million. United’s cash will flow through a public equity offering and American will use warrant...
SPARC AI Integrates ML Optimization Into Overwatch to Mitigate Drone Telemetry Drift
SPARC AI Inc. announced an upgrade to its Overwatch platform that embeds machine‑learning models to continuously calibrate and correct drone telemetry drift in real time, eliminating the need for hardware changes. The software‑only solution lets low‑cost inertial measurement units achieve...
FedEx ‘Highly Confident’ Grounded MD-11s Will Return to Service
FedEx announced it remains "highly confident" that its fleet of 28 MD‑11 freighters will be cleared to fly by the end of May, despite an FAA grounding triggered by fatigue cracks discovered after UPS Flight 2976. The airline has already...
The Space Race Is Being Rewritten by AI – and Europe Risks Falling Behind
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping satellite operations, enabling real‑time capacity management and on‑orbit data processing. Smaller, agile constellations now require decision speeds that outpace human operators, prompting a shift toward AI‑driven bandwidth allocation and autonomous payload control. By processing imagery...
Feb. 20, 1962: John Glenn’s First Trip to Space
On February 20, 1962, NASA launched Mercury‑Atlas 6, sending John Glenn aboard the Friendship 7 capsule into orbit. Glenn completed three Earth orbits in 4 hours 55 minutes, becoming the first American to orbit the planet. The mission faced a sensor fault and required manual piloting for the...
Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Training Schools, New NPRM Comments, El Paso Airport Closure
A new UAS training centre at West Wales Airport aims to certify over 120 drone operators in 2026, offering hands‑on and simulator instruction for both line‑of‑sight and BVLOS flights. The FAA briefly reopened comments on its Part 108 BVLOS NPRM, drawing...
How Part 108 Could Shape Global BVLOS Regulation
The FAA is finalizing Part 108, a performance‑based rule that will govern beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Unlike Part 107’s waiver‑heavy approach, Part 108 offers a scalable certification model focused on safety outcomes such as detect‑and‑avoid, airworthiness, and uncrewed traffic management. Because the United...
Preserving the American Edge: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
Episode 147 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast argues that America’s defense industrial base has been the engine of military advantage from Roosevelt’s World War II mobilization to Cold‑War stealth breakthroughs. The hosts warn that China’s rapid expansion of defense manufacturing is...
UK and European Allies to Develop Low-Cost Air Defence Weapons to Protect NATO Skies
Britain and its European Group of Five partners – France, Germany, Italy and Poland – have launched the Low‑Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) initiative to create affordable, AI‑driven air‑defence weapons. The first system, a lightweight surface‑to‑air missile targeting drones...
Airbus Granted Transport Canada Type Certification for the H175
Airbus Helicopters received Transport Canada type certification for its H175, clearing the path for Canadian market entry. The super‑medium rotorcraft is positioned for diverse roles such as energy, search‑and‑rescue, EMS, and defence. With the Helionix avionics suite, the H175 offers...
Beyond the Cockpit: How Virtual Reality Is Redefining Pilot Training for the H125
Airbus Helicopters and Loft Dynamics have launched a high‑fidelity virtual‑reality (VR) flight simulator for the H125, featuring a 3‑D headset, full‑scale cockpit replica, and motion‑vibration feedback. The portable system can be installed at operator sites, expanding access beyond the Marignane...
Airbus Reports Full-Year (FY) 2025 Results
Airbus announced FY2025 results, delivering 793 commercial jets and generating €73.4 billion in revenue, a 6% year‑on‑year increase. Adjusted EBIT rose 33% to €7.1 billion, while net income grew 23% to €5.2 billion and EPS to €6.61. The order backlog hit a record...
Tekever Integrates Ukraine Combat Lessons Into EVO Drone
How Anglo-Portuguese UAV firm @Tekever is incorporating battle lessons from Ukraine for its latest EVO #drone #avgeek https://t.co/9hbPLZEY4l https://t.co/c2NdkqOs7K
Orbital Data, Niche Markets Give Space Solar a New Shimmer
Space‑based solar power (SBSP) is shifting from grand‑scale grid concepts to niche markets such as orbital data centers, remote military sites, and lunar installations. Startups like Aetherflux and Overview Energy are leveraging laser‑based power‑beaming and large‑satellite designs, backed by DoD...
Avalanche Technology Introduces Next-Gen VNX+ Storage Module for Space and Military Applications
Avalanche Technology unveiled its VNX+ storage module, combining Space Grade MRAM with Lattice’s CertusPro‑NX FPGA to deliver true radiation immunity without sacrificing density, speed, or endurance. The solution is engineered for military and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) applications and satisfies...
Boeing Adds Production Line to Boost Space Force’s Missile Warning Push
Boeing has inaugurated a 9,000‑square‑foot electro‑optical infrared (EO/IR) production line at its El Segundo satellite facility to support the Space Force’s Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT) program. The line will help Millennium Space Systems deliver 12 medium‑Earth‑orbit satellites by 2027,...
Could One of Europe's Most Important Wetlands Really Vanish? Satellites Show It May Happen in Our Lifetime
Doñana National Park, Spain’s flagship wetland, is losing surface water at an accelerating pace, according to ESA Sentinel‑2 satellite analysis. Researchers using machine‑learning classification found a marked decline in wet area, volume and depth since 2005, projecting potential desiccation within...
Boeing to Boost Production of Missile-Tracking Sensors for Military Satellites
Boeing has opened a 9,000‑square‑foot production facility at its El Segundo campus to manufacture electro‑optical infrared (EO/IR) sensors for U.S. military satellites. The plant will support Millennium Space Systems’ near‑$1 billion contract portfolio, including 12 missile‑warning satellites and a $414 million award...
U.S. Air Force Deploys Skiron X Drone in Counter-UAS Training
The U.S. Air Force employed Aurora Flight Sciences’ Skiron X hybrid drone as a simulated adversary during counter‑UAS training at Germany’s Grafenwoehr Training Area on Feb. 19, 2026. The exercise evaluated expanding the Joint Multi‑Domain Counter‑UAS Operator Course into a joint, multi‑service program...
Focus on Economy over Capability Highlights the Cost Imperative for CCA Success
The Shephard Defence Insight report highlights that cost, not just capability, will dominate the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) market. The U.S. Air Force’s Increment 1 CCA program aims for airframes priced around $25 million, forcing manufacturers to prioritize affordability. The XQ‑58 Valkyrie,...
Ezeiza Opts for Synaptic Ramp Solution
Argentina’s Ezeiza International Airport will roll out Synaptic Aviation’s AI‑powered ramp visibility platform across all passenger gates after a successful 90‑day proof‑of‑concept. The deployment installs more than 60 on‑premises cameras that continuously monitor aircraft push‑back, baggage loading and ground‑crew movements....
U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars
NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would exceed the range of the current AGM‑88G and add the ability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the...
Reach for the Stars to Boost Britain's Space Industry
Orbex, a UK‑based rocket developer once valued at $220 million, entered administration after the government withdrew a planned funding round despite earlier £26 million support. The collapse underscores the repeated failure of state‑led investment in Britain’s nascent space sector. Meanwhile, the global...
Episode 145: Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing - Agata Suwala
In this episode, Claire interviews Agata Suwala, Technology Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, about how robotics and automation are being used to make manufacturing—especially in aerospace—more sustainable and scalable. Agata explains the latest advances in robotic dexterity, the role...
NASA Moves Forward with Artemis II Tanking Test that Could Set up Moonshot Mission
NASA will begin a 700,000‑gallon cryogenic propellant load on the Space Launch System at Kennedy Space Center as part of a second wet‑dress rehearsal for Artemis II. The test follows a February 2 leak of liquid hydrogen that forced a pause in...
Canada Certifies Airbus H175, Opening Door to Public Service Missions
Airbus has secured Transport Canada certification for its H175 super‑medium helicopter, clearing the path for commercial and public‑service use in Canada. The company says a broad spectrum of potential customers are showing interest, though no operator has been confirmed and...
Avelo Airlines Cuts 29% Of Flights: Why Is The Budget Carrier Shrinking So Fast?
Avelo Airlines announced a 29% cut to its Q2 2026 schedule, removing over 3,000 flights compared with a year earlier. The reduction stems from closing two East Coast bases, ending West Coast operations, and accelerating the retirement of its Boeing...
SpaceX Launch to Feature Rare Booster Landing in Bahamas
SpaceX will launch the Falcon 9 Starlink 10‑36 mission from Cape Canaveral on Thursday night, targeting a 95% favorable weather window. The first‑stage booster, on its 26th flight, will attempt a downrange landing on the droneship Just Read the Instructions stationed off...
France and India Secure Long-Term Defence Roadmap Built on Shared Production
During President Emmanuel Macron’s February visit, France and India signed 21 defence agreements cementing a decade‑long roadmap worth $40‑50 billion. The pact expands Rafale fighter production, launches a Safran‑led M88 engine assembly line in India, and creates a Bharat Electronics‑Safran joint...
16 Air Assault Demos AI-Enabled Air Manoeuvre Strike
The British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team showcased AI‑enabled reconnaissance‑strike capabilities during a visit by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker. The demonstration linked new hardware, software and procedures to accelerate target acquisition and air‑delivered...
A-4 Pilot Recalls when His Skyhawk Cabin Pressurization Failed at 40000 + Feet During a Test Flight
A Navy A‑4 Skyhawk maintenance test pilot climbed above 40,000 feet to verify the aircraft’s pressure‑breathing cabin system. During the test the pressurization failed, causing a sudden influx of pure liquid oxygen, cockpit flooding and even a watch explosion. The pilot...
Navy Declares IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
The U.S. Navy has declared initial operational capability for the GBU‑53/B Small Diameter Bomb II on its F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, completing a transition that began with limited use in 2025. The StormBreaker’s tri‑mode seeker—infrared, millimeter‑wave radar and semi‑active laser—enables all‑weather,...
U.S. Startup Confirms Six-Hour Test of AERO Sky Hybrid Drone
Petrel Technologies announced that its AERO Sky hybrid VTOL drone completed a six‑hour flight test, demonstrating hundreds of miles of real‑time reconnaissance capability. The platform combines vertical take‑off with fixed‑wing efficiency, delivering a low‑cost Group 3 UAV with modular payloads for...
Smile Sets Sail for Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana
The ESA‑China SMILE spacecraft has completed its Atlantic crossing and arrived at Kourou’s Europe’s Spaceport, ready for integration with a Vega‑C launcher. A launch window from 8 April to 7 May 2026 has been set, targeting a comprehensive study of Earth’s response...
United States and Germany Lead the Way as Boeing 777X Introduces Groundbreaking Wingtip Safety System
Boeing’s 777X will enter service with a first‑of‑its‑kind active takeoff inhibition system that verifies the folding wingtip configuration before departure. The aircraft’s 235‑foot wingspan can be reduced to 212 feet on the ground, allowing it to fit existing Code E gates at...
Altomaxx RPAS Specialist – UAS/RPAS Pilot (Calgary AB)
Altomaxx Technologies, a Canadian drone‑service leader, is hiring experienced UAS/RPAS pilots for its Calgary field‑operations team. The role supports oil‑and‑gas inspections, ground‑penetrating radar, bathymetry, and confined‑space surveys across domestic and international projects. Candidates must hold a Transport Canada RPAS Pilot...
Bjorn’s Corner: Faster Aircraft Development. Part 28. Development Times.
The Leeham study tracks a seven‑year development cycle for a new 200‑seat airliner, mapping each certification milestone from concept to entry‑into‑service. Modern tools such as 3D CAD, PLM and Digital Twin have trimmed design and documentation effort, but the overall...