Today's Aerospace Pulse
SpaceX IPO Valuation Hits $2 Trillion, Making Musk First Trillionaire
SpaceX went public on June 12, 2026, launching the largest IPO in history with a $2 trillion market valuation and turning founder Elon Musk into the world’s first trillion‑dollar individual. The offering priced shares at $135, closing at $160.95, and reflects a portfolio that now spans hundreds of orbital launches, the dominant Starlink broadband constellation, and expanding AI and social‑media ventures.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Eaton merges mobility business with Dana in $10B deal
Pentagon Needs More Time to Finalize Defense Firms on Naughty List After Initial Review
The Pentagon has finished an initial review of defense contractors deemed non‑compliant with President Trump’s executive order, but will keep the assessment open while negotiating remediation. The order bars share buybacks and dividends unless firms invest in modernizing weapons production, giving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a Feb. 6 deadline to flag underperformers. Companies such as RTX, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and L3Harris have pledged to maintain dividends while increasing capital spending, and RTX has already signed a deal to ramp up missile production after being singled out as unresponsive. The final “naughty list” could trigger legal actions, including use of the Defense Production Act, if firms fail to meet the requirements.
Teledyne Advances U.S. National Defense with SDA’s Tranche 3 Tracking Layer Program
Teledyne Technologies announced multiple contract awards from the U.S. Space Development Agency to supply infrared focal‑plane modules for the SDA’s Tranche 3 Tracking Layer. The sensors will augment the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, providing low‑Earth‑orbit coverage against hypersonic glide vehicles and...
Kepler Communications’ Next-Generation Optical Data Relay Constellation Launched
Kepler Communications has launched the first operational tranche of its next‑generation optical data relay constellation, deploying ten 300‑kg satellites into a Sun‑Synchronous orbit via a SpaceX Falcon 9 "Twilight" rideshare. The Aether series carries SDA‑compatible laser terminals, multi‑GPU compute modules and...
PLA Navy’s J-15 Reportedly Seen Carrying YJ-15 Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time
China’s supersonic YJ‑15 anti‑ship cruise missile was reportedly photographed mounted on a J‑15T carrier‑borne fighter, marking its first confirmed air‑launched deployment. The missile, unveiled at the September 3, 2025 parade, is believed to exceed Mach 5 and reach 1,200‑1,800 km, extending the PLAN’s standoff...
Air Canada Suspends Service to Cuba Amid Fuel Shortage
Air Canada announced the suspension of all flights to Cuba after the island nation ran out of aviation fuel. The airline will operate empty southbound trips to bring roughly 3,000 stranded Canadians home, and may tanker extra fuel for return...
Can the Aerospace and Defense Rally Continue in 2026?
The episode examines whether the recent aerospace and defense rally can sustain its momentum into 2026, starting with a look at how NATO alliances fund European defense spending. It then shifts to Middle East geopolitical dynamics and their impact on...
British Airways Helicopters: A Pioneering Chapter in UK Rotary Aviation
British Airways Helicopters, originally formed as BEA Helicopters in 1964, operated scheduled passenger routes such as the iconic Penzance‑Isles of Scilly service and provided extensive offshore support for the burgeoning North Sea oil industry. Its fleet progressed from Sikorsky S‑61s...
IMOD, Elbit Systems Sign Deal for CH-53K Helicopter Upgrades
Israel's Ministry of Defense signed a contract exceeding NIS 400 million ($130 million) with Elbit Systems to outfit 12 new CH‑53K “Pereh” helicopters with indigenous command‑and‑control, avionics, electronic‑warfare and DIRCM anti‑missile suites. The upgrades aim to improve flight operations in adverse environments and...
Ukraine Seeks God Mode with New Control App for Drone War
Ukraine has deployed Mission Control, a digital command‑and‑control system that centralizes planning, execution, and reporting for every drone operation across the country. Integrated into the broader DELTA battlefield management ecosystem, the platform captures launch data, flight routes, and mission outcomes...
CMA CGM Group, Marlink, and Eutelsat Partnership
CMA CGM, Marlink, and Eutelsat have signed a multi‑year partnership to equip over 300 CMA CGM vessels with OneWeb LEO satellite connectivity. The rollout will be completed within nine months, using a hybrid LEO/GEO architecture via Marlink’s XChange NextGen edge...
The EU Is Under Pressure To Suspend Contentious Airline Deal With Qatar After Key Official Accepted Free Business Class Flights
European aviation unions and watchdogs are urging the EU to suspend its 2019 Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with Qatar after evidence surfaced that senior Commission transport official Henrik Hololei accepted complimentary business‑class flights from Qatar Airways during negotiations. The deal...
Air France Expands Service to U.S.
Air France announced a summer‑time expansion of its New York service, adding up to six daily flights between Paris and JFK and a second daily frequency to Newark from June through October. The carrier will tap its Delta joint‑venture partner for...
Interview with RFA CEO Indulis Kalnins
In this interview, Rocket Factory Augsburg CEO Prof. Dr. Indulis Kalnins reflects on his first nine months leading a young, international team and outlines the company’s focus on completing the Helix engine development, finalizing the RFA ONE first stage, and preparing the...
Raytheon Completes Ballistic Test of Army’s Next-Gen Short-Range Interceptor
Raytheon announced on 2 February that it successfully completed a ballistic test of the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Short‑Range Interceptor (NGSRI) at its Tucson facility. The trial showed the missile could track a small drone and launch from a man‑portable launcher,...
APFA Board Issues No Confidence Vote in American CEO
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) voted unanimously to express no confidence in American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, marking the first such measure against an American Airlines chief. The union, representing 28,000 flight attendants, cited weak fourth‑quarter earnings, operational...
Crew‑12 Launch Set for Feb 12 After Weather Delay
From NASA: NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier 5:38 a.m. EST, Thursday, Feb. 12, for launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Mission teams completed a weather review on Monday and elected to waive off a Wednesday, Feb. 11, launch opportunity due...
Proton Rocket Returns to Pad After Three Years
Proton rocket returned to launch pad this morning in preparation for its first flight in nearly three years on Thursday: https://t.co/DyHPm6OdhH https://t.co/KXqkCYSXcA
ESA Is Preparing to Announce Aeolus-2 Prime Contractor
The European Space Agency has cleared a €70 million award to launch Phase B2 of its Aeolus‑2 weather satellite programme and is set to announce the prime contractor. Aeolus‑2 will consist of two 2.5‑tonne satellites equipped with a Doppler wind lidar, delivering...
Japan Airlines Adds LEO Satellite Wi‑Fi to 787‑9 Fleet
Japan Airlines plans to bring LEO satellite-powered inflight connectivity to both existing and new Boeing 787-9s, as part of a broader plan to refresh the twinjets’ interiors. https://t.co/44fW9OnTt7
Meet 4477th Red Eagles Pilot Lt. Col. Zettel
Heads-up! An evening in conversation with a 4477th TES Red Eagles pilot, Lt. Col. Rob ‘Z-Man’ Zettel, - 18 April, RAF Museum Midlands, Cosford #avgeek https://t.co/1awlh7Yygx https://t.co/d5KaTTh4Xx
MAX 8-200’s Fuel Burn Surprise, Backed by New Data
Recent Skailark data confirms that Boeing’s 737 MAX 8‑200 variant burns fuel per seat at a rate comparable to the Airbus A321neo, validating earlier US DOT findings that were based on a single operator. The new dataset expands coverage beyond Allegiant, incorporating...
U.S. Army Taps RSGS for IFPC Inc 2 Air Defense Interceptor Program
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment has been awarded Phase 1 of the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) Second Interceptor program, positioning its Iron Dome‑derived technology as a core element of the Army’s layered air‑defense strategy. The program will integrate the...
Press Release: Air Cambodia Selects AirFi for Wireless Streaming IFE
Air Cambodia has partnered with AirFi to roll out a wireless streaming inflight entertainment (IFE) system across its Airbus A320 and ATR 72 fleet, launching on February 1. The browser‑based platform lets passengers use their own devices to stream movies,...
The Uncrewed Revolution: MQ-9B and Gambit Series Forge a Path to Regional Air Dominance
Uncrewed aerial systems are reshaping Middle Eastern warfare, highlighted by the 2024 Israel‑Iran conflict. General Atomics’ MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian offers long‑endurance ISR and maritime surveillance, while its Gambit Series delivers modular, semi‑autonomous strike and combat capabilities. Together they provide a scalable...
Nat Pieper Tackles the Tall Task of Fixing American’s Revenue Problems
American Airlines hired former oneworld CEO Nat Pieper as chief commercial officer to reverse a deep revenue slump. Pieper, with a background in finance, alliances and fleet strategy at Northwest, Delta and Alaska, faces the challenge of making the carrier...
Cardiff Airport in Court over £205m Welsh Government Subsidy
Cardiff Airport faces a tribunal over a £205.2 million subsidy granted by the Welsh Labour Government in April 2025. Bristol Airport has filed the case, alleging the aid breaches competition law and unfairly diverts airlines and passengers. The subsidy, equivalent to...
CAA Data Shows Most Complained About UK Airlines
UK Civil Aviation Authority data covering mid‑2024 to spring‑2025 shows over 43,000 airline complaints. Hungarian ULCC Wizz Air topped the list with more than 10,000 complaints, translating to roughly 900 complaints per million passengers and £1.5 million in compensation payouts. Air France...
How a Tiny Plasma Device Could Reduce Drag and Make Future Aircraft Faster and Cleaner
University of Notre Dame researchers demonstrated that a thin plasma‑actuator strip can slash skin‑friction drag on aircraft surfaces. Laboratory tests showed up to an 80% reduction in turbulent drag on flat plates and a 44% cut on a half‑meter airfoil,...
Berlin Ready to Choose GCAP over Franco-German Project SCAF?
Berlin is weighing a switch from the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (SCAF) to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a move that would signal a major shift in European defence collaboration. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly raised the...
Windracers Partners with HITRANS to Boost Remote Drone Deliveries
News from the UK's @Windracers as it announces MoU with Scotland's Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) to expand use of drone cargo deliveries to most remote regions of the UK #avgeek https://t.co/KpjvD28at5 https://t.co/7hDBSxpdfQ
Singapore Airshow Highlights: This Week’s Must‑See Moments
ICYMI: Missed out on all the news from the #SingaporeAirshow last week? Catch up with our round-up of the week's highlights #avgeek #aviation #aerospace https://t.co/jxkdVZJgSd https://t.co/OdNrk2NVVT
Outlook 2026: The State of the Major eVTOL Projects
The eVTOL sector suffered a sharp contraction in 2025 as Lilium, Volocopter, Hyundai’s Supernal, Airbus’s CityAirbus, Textron’s Nexus and Overair all ceased development or shut down. Only China’s EHang EH216‑S achieved full certification, receiving a Type Certificate in 2023, a...
Germany’s Grounded Recovery: Europe’s Aviation Paradox
Germany’s aviation market remains the only major European hub lagging behind post‑COVID recovery, operating more than 11 % below its 2019 traffic levels in 2025. The shortfall stems from a mix of high taxes, rising airport charges, labour shortages and aggressive...
Global Hubs Expand Again, but Demand Will Decide the Winners
Global airport seat capacity remains a key forward‑looking indicator for the aviation sector, with OAG’s 2025 review confirming that a handful of mega hubs still command the top‑ten slots. However, capacity alone masks divergent strategies, as domestic‑focused airports, hub‑and‑spoke intensity,...
New Video Shows Ukrainian F-16 Scoring Gun Kill on Russian Drone
Ukrainian Air Force F‑16s have been captured on video using their M61 20 mm Vulcan cannon to shoot down a Russian Shahed (Geran‑2) drone, marking the clearest gun‑kill footage to date. The engagement highlights a broader shift toward gun‑based interceptions, which are...
Singapore Airshow 2026 – Indo-Pacific Strategic Realignments
The Singapore Airshow 2026 confirmed that drone‑centric forces are now the operational baseline across the Indo‑Pacific, highlighted by the RSAF’s rollout of Orbiter 4 and Hermes 900 UAVs. Indonesia abandoned the US F‑15EX program, opting for a mixed fleet anchored by 42...
AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC IN EUROPE KEEPS GROWING
European airports handled a record 2.6 billion passengers in 2025, a 4.4% rise over 2024 and roughly 5.6% above pre‑pandemic levels. International traffic drove most of the growth, expanding 5.6%, while domestic flights were essentially flat. The continent’s five busiest hubs—Heathrow,...
Boeing and Airbus in Line for Large Order From Saudia
Saudia Airlines is in early‑stage talks with Boeing and Airbus for a potential order of up to 150 aircraft, with Boeing likely supplying wide‑body jets and Airbus the A321neo single‑aisle family. The mix would include both passenger and cargo variants...
Israel Scrambles Fighter Jets To Intercept Wizz Air Plane From London As Terror Alert Is Declared
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Wizz Air Airbus A321 en route from London to Tel Aviv after pilots reported a security situation. The alert was triggered when a passenger’s phone broadcast a private Wi‑Fi network labeled “Terrorist”...
United Airlines Dangles Immediate Pay Rises to Push Flight Attendants Toward Controversial Scheduling System
United Airlines is offering flight attendants an immediate pay increase if they agree to a Preferential Bidding System (PBS) in a new contract. The airline argues PBS will streamline scheduling, cut administrative costs, and free up funds for higher wages....
Leadership, Amanah, and Teamwork: Turning a Struggling Airline Around
In this Part 2 of bbaviation7’s exclusive interview with former Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) group MD, Datuk Captain Izham Ismail reflects on the moment he was asked to take over the helm of a struggling national carrier and the weight...
Singapore Hosts Asia Pacific's First B777X Full Simulator
Do you know Asia Pacific finally has a B777X full flight simulator and it’s located in Singapore? CAE has announced the installation of the Boeing 777X full flight simulator at the Singapore-CAE Flight Training centre, making it the first B777X simulator...
OHB Establishes European Moonport Company
German space contractor OHB announced the launch of Luna Europa – the European Moonport Company – to centralise its lunar‑related activities. The subsidiary, founded in May 2025 and disclosed on 4 February 2026, will coordinate work on ESA’s Argonaut lander, the ESPRIT...
UK Reinforces RAF Akrotiri With Deployment of Six F-35Bs
The United Kingdom moved six F‑35B Lightning jets from RAF Marham to RAF Akrotiri, escorted by two Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft, to reinforce the base’s defensive posture amid heightened Middle‑East tensions. Akrotiri already hosts ten Typhoon FGR4s, ISR platforms and U.S. U‑2 assets,...
AerCap Grows Its Portfolio, but Without New Direct Orders
AerCap expanded its order book by 103 aircraft in FY25, but all were secured through indirect transactions rather than direct purchases from Airbus or Boeing. The bulk of the new orders stem from the Spirit Airlines Chapter 11 restructuring and...
Elbit Is Working on an Electronic Warfare, ISR Variant of C-390 Millenium
Elbit Systems displayed a concept version of Embraer’s C‑390 Millennium configured for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) at the Singapore Airshow. The model incorporates an EO/IR ball turret, a chin‑mounted MS‑110 multispectral pod and wing‑tip electronic‑warfare pods....
Eye on Travel — February 7, 2026
In this episode of Eye on Travel, Peter Greenberg explores the economics of airline pricing, questioning whether fares should be weight‑based, and examines operational issues at Southwest. Jeremy Tarr of Fodors explains the factors behind fare differences, while Richard Fain...
Airlink Scales Up Service to Zambia
South African carrier Airlink will boost service between Johannesburg and Ndola, Zambia, adding a second daily flight on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting March 30, 2026. The new schedule includes overnight aircraft in Ndola, enabling early‑morning departures to Johannesburg on...
British Airways Rolling Out New Electronic Meal Ordering System In Club World But The Reason Is Baffling
British Airways is set to launch an iPhone‑based meal ordering app, iOrder, for its Club World business class cabin. The airline says the system will give real‑time data on passenger preferences, helping to align meal loading ratios with demand and...
Defense Watch: MQ-25 Taxiing, Harpoon Testing, Machina Raise, TNT Awards
The Defense Watch roundup spotlights several pivotal milestones: HII’s Newport News division completed builder’s sea trials of the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN‑79) with delivery now targeted for March 2027; Boeing’s MQ‑25A Stingray unmanned tanker performed its first low‑speed taxi; the Navy concluded...