Know What's Happening in Aerospace
Know What's Happening in Aerospace
NASA faces steep FY2027 budget cuts, overall funding slashed to $11B
The White House’s FY2027 budget request proposes a 23% reduction to NASA’s total budget, bringing it down to roughly $11 billion. The Science Mission Directorate would see a 47% cut, dropping from $7.25 billion to about $3.9 billion.
Turkey’s Kaan fifth‑generation fighter has advanced to its second and third prototypes, designated P1 and P2, with static testing slated for 2026. The airframes show notable design tweaks, including a rearward‑shifted engine intake, wider nose, and a Tulgar helmet‑mounted display. Turkey is simultaneously developing the indigenous TF‑35000 turbofan to replace the U.S.‑made powerplant. Officials stress that the program aims to deliver full stealth, sensor fusion and internal weapons capability as a cost‑effective alternative to the F‑35.
The U.S. government has allocated $86.1 million in new funding to the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base. The money will support innovation, technology, and modernization for the bomber fleet and nuclear command systems. Since 2020, total...
In January 1982, Lockheed test pilot Tom Morgenfeld experienced a nose‑wheel loss moments after taking off the third YF‑117A prototype from Area 51. Rather than eject, he continued the flight, burned off fuel, and used the aircraft’s drag chute to execute...
Elon Musk told xAI staff he wants a Moon‑based factory to produce AI‑focused satellites and launch them with a massive electromagnetic catapult. He believes that within two to three years space‑based compute will be the cheapest way to run AI...
Tata Advanced Systems has opened India’s first private‑sector final assembly line for the Airbus H125 helicopter at Vemagal, Karnataka, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The facility will produce both civil H125 and its military...
Savoie Hélicoptères relies on the Airbus H125 to conduct precision avalanche‑control missions across the French Alps. The crew follows a rigorous pre‑flight briefing, uses 2 kg explosive‑emulsion charges and a slow‑burn fuse, then flies the helicopter away before detonation. Pilots highlight...
A UK‑based aviation firm, STS Aviation, has been awarded a contract by Boeing to perform the initial conversion of the first two US Air Force E‑7 Wedgetail aircraft, marking the first UK‑built military aircraft for the United States in more...
ARCO National Construction announced the appointment of Scott Rightnowar as head of its commercial aviation division. Rightnowar will oversee national airport, airline, hangar, and MRO development programs, leveraging more than a decade of executive aviation and industrial real‑estate experience. His...
China’s AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group unveiled the Yunying‑25V, a tail‑sitter VTOL UAV that closely resembles the U.S. Shield AI V‑BAT. Demonstrated at the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the drone can launch from a 3‑by‑3‑meter footprint and transition to forward...
A new Adam Smith Insights poll of 2,052 British adults shows 52% feel less safe than in 2021, with over 60% reporting heightened anxiety about global security. The war in Ukraine and Middle‑East tensions appear to drive this shift, especially among...
Free #aviation lecture, RAeS Washington DC Branch, 18 Feb, 2026 Sir Stuart Matthews Lecture - given by John Laughter, EVP, Chief of Operations and President, @Delta Technical Operations #avgeek https://t.co/FJ8pi7Q6kU https://t.co/l4RPF1BDai
Free #aviation lecture(s), RAeS Solent Branch, NE Rowe Lecture Competition (<22 Category), 18 Feb #avgeek https://t.co/JJra4NarBl
L3Harris has begun modifying Bombardier Global 6500 jets for South Korea’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program, deploying its AERIS X system. The contract, valued at roughly US $2.26 billion, was awarded in October 2025 and involves partners Bombardier, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta...
Today (18 Feb) at RAeS HQ! RAeS #Aerodynamics Workshop 2026: CFD Validation Challenges - Perspectives from Modellers and Measurers #avgeek https://t.co/OxpGPT4vKi https://t.co/jfXuQTxXsr
BAE Systems posted record full‑year 2025 sales of £30.7 billion, a 10% rise on a constant‑currency basis, and lifted its order backlog to a historic £83.6 billion. Underlying EBIT grew 12% to £3.32 billion, while free cash flow dipped to £2.16 billion as the...
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía and Ekolot Aerospace & Defense have forged a strategic partnership to embed high‑precision flight‑control and navigation systems into the ZEUS VTOL platform. The ZEUS family, with a maximum take‑off weight of 100‑250 kg and payload capacity of 30‑150 kg,...
Flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s fast‑growing low‑cost carrier, received its first Airbus A320neo of 2026, bringing its total fleet to 45 aircraft. The new plane, named Al‑Saqr, features 186 all‑economy seats and lower fuel consumption, enhancing both capacity and sustainability. Flyadeal operates...
European hubs in Stockholm, Paris, and Venice experienced severe operational chaos on January 18, 2026, as airlines cancelled six flights and delayed more than 180 across the continent. Scandinavian Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and Air France were the primary carriers affected,...
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that its Palantir Technologies contract for defence data analytics was awarded through a direct award under the Procurement Act 2023. The decision relied on Paragraph 6, citing a lack of viable alternatives, and Paragraph 7, highlighting...
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £4.996 million contract (≈£5 million including VAT) to Callen‑Lenz Associates for the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector (OWE). The direct award under the Defence and Security regime aims to strengthen deep‑fires capability for forces deployed...
Allient has named Ben Vespone as Director of Engineering for its Rochester unit, overseeing new product development and value‑add design projects. Vespone brings a master’s degree from the University of Rochester and a track record launching complex electronic and electromechanical...
UK‑based thermal‑imaging firm SatVu announced a £30 million equity raise, bringing its total financing to £60 million. The funding, sourced from the NATO Innovation Fund, British Business Bank and existing backers, will accelerate the deployment of its HotSat constellation after the on‑orbit...
The United States is deploying and upgrading MQ‑9 Reaper drones across the Indo‑Pacific, stationing them at bases in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and other locations. The expansion creates a persistent ISR web that allies such as Japan, Taiwan and...
JetBlue flight 524 from Los Angeles to New York arrived 39 minutes early after a powerful jet stream boosted its ground speed to 755 mph, far above the typical 520 mph cruise. The tailwind provided a speed boost without adding aerodynamic stress, allowing the Airbus A321neo...
Aerospace and defense programs are abandoning the old end‑stage validation model in favor of early demonstrators—physical or digital mockups that test designs throughout development. The Department of Defense now mandates rapid prototyping and competitive demonstration to curb cost overruns, schedule...
The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has issued a solicitation for low‑cost commercial satellites capable of high‑resolution space‑to‑space imaging to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). The program, dubbed Ghost Recon, requires launch within two years, government ownership after three,...
Air Niugini has cancelled its order for two Boeing 787‑8 jets, leaving a gap as its aging B767‑300ERs are set to leave service in 2026. The 787s were intended to replace those wide‑bodies and support new routes to Asia, Australia...
Curiosity Blog Sols 4804-4811: Kicking Off the Final Phase of Boxwork Exploration https://t.co/fBSFId5aw8 Curiosity Navigation Curiosity Home Mission Overview Where is Curiosity? Mission Updates Science Overview Instruments Highlights Explorat… https://t.co/8GXXSFuPzc
CAPA’s premium analysis report highlights its extensive aviation intelligence services, offering members a 1,033‑word deep‑dive analysis alongside more than 1,000 weekly news briefs. Membership provides full access to a suite of tools, including a mobile app with customizable alerts and...
Simera Sense, a Belgian Earth‑observation camera maker, is moving beyond its cubesat‑focused xScape100 and xScape200 lines to develop higher‑resolution optical payloads for larger satellites. The new standardized payloads aim to deliver sub‑one‑metre ground‑sample distance imagery, with first deliveries slated for...
American Airlines will operate 67 Boeing 777s in 2026, making it the fourth‑largest global operator and the second‑largest holder of the older 777‑200ER variant. The carrier’s longest nonstop 777 flights include LAX‑Sydney (6,507 nm) and DFW‑Seoul (5,945 nm), while seasonal and summer...
The U.S. Space Force issued a February 13 request for information seeking satellite‑refueling systems that can be operational by 2030. It targets vehicles using the approved Orbit Fab Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) or Northrop Grumman’s Passive Refueling Module,...
beOnd has signed a Letter of Intent with Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs to explore a Bahrain‑based Air Operator Certificate, aiming to launch a premium airline. The carrier plans to base up to ten premium‑configured aircraft in the kingdom by 2030,...
The race to the Moon is on! - @SpaceKate reports on the countdown to Artemis II launch #NASA #Artemis https://t.co/HgVrFswjLR https://t.co/P7yO0wazU1
An influx of F-22s, F-16s E-3s, a U-2 to the Middle East are adding the capabilities the U.S. would need for a sustained attack on Iran. Also, the USS Pinckney was also recently deployed to the region. https://t.co/yoVBE2PVrB
BlackSky announced that an unnamed international sovereign client has purchased a dedicated Gen‑3 Earth‑observation satellite along with the company’s imagery and AI‑enabled analytics services. The Gen‑3 platform delivers 35‑centimetre resolution and will operate in tandem with BlackSky’s existing constellation, providing...
Drones now account for the majority of casualties in the Ukraine War. With Russia improving its strike range by mounting Starlink terminals to drones, Elon Musk has finally stepped in. Full analysis available on Patreon ➡️ https://t.co/LYlet7MIHM #dronewarfare #starlink #ukrainewar #geopolitics
ST Engineering iDirect announced a strategic partnership with G&S SatCom to embed the SatConnect service‑management platform into its Intuition ground‑system suite. The integration will add both OSS and BSS capabilities, linking network operations with service definition, delivery, and lifecycle management....
Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran The latest flurry of U.S. assets heading to the Middle East includes many of the missing capabilities needed for a sustained air campaign. Latest: https://t.co/26hU8ux1aD
Super cool to have @boomsupersonic as one of the first companies in the @RobinhoodApp Ventures fund—democratizing investor access to private companies.
Sean Duffy entered the Transportation Secretary role just hours before a tragic mid‑air collision killed 67 people, thrusting him into the public eye as the FAA’s crisis manager. Five months later, President Trump’s pick, Bryan Bedford, assumed the FAA Administrator...
There's an informal contest at Boom to see who can put a Boom sticker in the most interesting place, and over the weekend Matt (manufacturing engineer) put one at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (We're not jerks though, Matt took the...
RMT Global Partners unveiled the Collapsible ATLAS Drawer, a lightweight galley drawer that folds flat when not in use. The snap‑open, quick‑collapse mechanism lets caterers expand the drawer instantly for loading and collapse it to reduce storage footprint across kitchens,...
🧵 The U.S. will deploy its "cutting-edge missile and unmanned systems" to the Philippines, a step in strengthening force posture inside the 1st island chain. Beijing isn't happy — that's the point. A welcome sign given the NDS's softer tone on...
ANA’s Flight NH-223 from Tokyo to Frankfurt was forced to turn back after six hours when a Boeing 787-9 reported low oil pressure in one engine while cruising over the Arctic. The aircraft returned to Tokyo, resulting in a 14-hour...
The Government Accountability Office dismissed MAG Aerospace's protest alleging organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) in the Army's $96.5 million NetMod contract, which was awarded to ManTech International. The Army had previously waived OCI rules, rendering the allegations moot, and the GAO...
Re-up! On the record with @VerticalAero at the 2026 Singapore Airshow to find out more about their Valo #eVTOL #avgeek https://t.co/xntDfKHnaO
Japan’s Ministry of Defense unveiled the EC‑2 Stand‑Off Jammer, a new electronic‑warfare aircraft derived from the Kawasaki C‑2 transport. The prototype, spotted at Gifu Air Base, replaces the single‑airframe EC‑1 that has served since 1986. Four EC‑2s are planned, with...
The Department of National Defence (DND) has launched a $2 million procurement challenge to develop prototypes that protect low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite communications from hostile radio‑frequency interference. The initiative, run through Innovative Solutions Canada, targets adaptive beamforming technologies capable of withstanding single‑tone...
The Pentagon’s research arm DARPA has officially designated its LongShot air‑launched unmanned combat aircraft as X‑68A after completing key technical milestones. Built by General Atomics, the X‑68A will be launched from a host platform such as an F‑15 and carry...
