Aerospace News and Headlines

Space Station Research Contributes to Artemis II
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Space Station Research Contributes to Artemis II

NASA leverages the International Space Station as a proving ground for technologies that will fly on Artemis II, the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo. Research on the ISS has shaped Orion’s life‑support, radiation sensors, carbon‑dioxide removal, and emergency systems. Experiments...

By New Space Economy
Scientists Make a Game-Changing Find in the Bennu Asteroid
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Scientists Make a Game-Changing Find in the Bennu Asteroid

NASA’s OSIRIS‑REx mission returned Bennu samples containing the amino acid glycine. Penn State researchers used isotopic mass spectrometry to show the glycine likely formed in icy, radiation‑exposed conditions rather than liquid water. The isotopic signatures differ from those in the...

By New Space Economy
North Aircraft Industries Is Manufacturing the Cavorite X7 VTOL Composite Wings
NewsFeb 18, 2026

North Aircraft Industries Is Manufacturing the Cavorite X7 VTOL Composite Wings

North Aircraft Industries (NAI) has secured a partnership with New Horizon Aircraft to manufacture and test the composite wings for the Cavorite X7 VTOL, a novel aircraft whose wings open to expose twelve electric lift fans for vertical take‑off. The wing’s...

By CompositesWorld
SkyGrid, Wisk Aero Propose New Class of Flight Rules to Enable Automated AAM Operations
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SkyGrid, Wisk Aero Propose New Class of Flight Rules to Enable Automated AAM Operations

SkyGrid and Wisk Aero released a white paper detailing Automated Flight Rules (AFR) and a new Class X low‑altitude airspace to enable scalable urban air mobility (UAM). The proposal builds on a 2025 concept of operations, shifting from high‑level guidance to...

By Urban Air Mobility News
Marlink Integrates Microsoft ExpressRoute for Managed Cloud Connectivity
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Marlink Integrates Microsoft ExpressRoute for Managed Cloud Connectivity

Marlink announced that it will deliver direct, secure global access to Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 through the Microsoft ExpressRoute program. The service uses Marlink’s multi‑orbit satellite network and global Points of Presence to provide private, dedicated circuits that bypass...

By SatNews
Mitsubishi Electric Follows Digital-First Strategy for Advanced Air Mobility
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Mitsubishi Electric Follows Digital-First Strategy for Advanced Air Mobility

Mitsubishi Electric United States is rolling out a digital‑first strategy that blends SaaS platforms, data‑driven tools, and AI to bridge physical and digital operations. Its flagship AnyMile logistics software orchestrates cargo‑drone missions, handling fleet, airspace, payload, and regulatory complexities. The...

By The Robot Report
The D Brief: Sentinel’s Progress; Buildup Near Iran; Canada’s Decoupling Plan; Russia Targets Ukrainian Energy; And a Bit More.
NewsFeb 18, 2026

The D Brief: Sentinel’s Progress; Buildup Near Iran; Canada’s Decoupling Plan; Russia Targets Ukrainian Energy; And a Bit More.

The Air Force announced that the Sentinel ICBM program will enter engineering and manufacturing development this year, targeting an initial deployment in early 2030 after a recent schedule acceleration. Meanwhile, the Pentagon opened a competition for voice‑controlled drone swarms, drawing...

By Defense One
Continuous Composites Awarded $1.25 Million to Advance Joining Methods with CF3D
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Continuous Composites Awarded $1.25 Million to Advance Joining Methods with CF3D

Continuous Composites secured a $1.25 million AFWERX Manufacturing Challenge contract to advance CF3D joining and stiffening techniques for aerospace structures. CF3D merges precise fiber steering, rapid UV curing, and computational design into a digitally driven, scalable production process. The 15‑month project...

By CompositesWorld
Why Insider Threats May Make Satellite Hacking Significantly Easier
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Why Insider Threats May Make Satellite Hacking Significantly Easier

The article argues that insider threats could dramatically lower the barriers to satellite hacking, as insiders can bypass air‑gap protections and exploit the growing use of off‑the‑shelf Linux hardware. It highlights how complex supply chains, contractor relationships, and recent geopolitical...

By Via Satellite
AIAA Identifies Top Technologies Transforming Aerospace
NewsFeb 18, 2026

AIAA Identifies Top Technologies Transforming Aerospace

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) released a new report identifying ten technologies that will reshape aerospace by 2045, based on a survey of over 700 experts and interviews with senior leaders. The list includes AI‑aided design, alternative...

By AIAA – Industry News (Aerospace)
U.S. Firms Test Venom Autonomous Strike Aircraft
NewsFeb 18, 2026

U.S. Firms Test Venom Autonomous Strike Aircraft

Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries unveiled Venom, an autonomous strike aircraft prototype that reached flight readiness in just 71 days. The rapid development leveraged Mach's modular open‑systems architecture and Divergent's Adaptive Production System, which uses additive manufacturing to produce monolithic...

By Defence Blog
Walter Pritzkow OCMC Becomes Key Lightweight Enabler for Jetoptera Drone
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Walter Pritzkow OCMC Becomes Key Lightweight Enabler for Jetoptera Drone

Jetoptera is partnering with Walter E.C. Pritzkow Spezialkeramik (WPS) to integrate lightweight oxide ceramic matrix composite (OCMC) thrusters into its DARPA LIFT Challenge aircraft. The OCMC thrusters deliver 90 pound‑force of thrust while keeping the propulsion system light enough to meet...

By CompositesWorld
Why GPS III, and What Comes After It, Still Falls Short in Modern War
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Why GPS III, and What Comes After It, Still Falls Short in Modern War

The United States is completing its GPS III constellation, the most extensive PNT upgrade in a decade, delivering higher accuracy, stronger signals and improved anti‑jam features. Analysts argue that while GPS III and the upcoming GPS IIIF add incremental resilience, they do not...

By SpaceNews
WingtraRAY Earns C6 Mark for Advanced EU Flights
NewsFeb 18, 2026

WingtraRAY Earns C6 Mark for Advanced EU Flights

Swiss drone maker Wingtra announced that its WingtraRAY mapping platform has secured both C3 and C6 certifications under the EASA framework, issued by TÜV Rheinland. The C6 mark, tied to specific‑category standardized risk scenarios, unlocks beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) operations when the...

By DroneDJ
UK Trial Shows Potential of Hydrogen Powered Ground Handling Equipment
NewsFeb 18, 2026

UK Trial Shows Potential of Hydrogen Powered Ground Handling Equipment

A successful trial at Exeter Airport demonstrated that hydrogen‑powered ground handling equipment—including a hydrogen internal‑combustion tug, a fuel‑cell baggage tractor and a hybrid hydrogen‑diesel GPU—can be safely integrated into live airport operations. The Zero Carbon Turn project, backed by the...

By Airport World
Leonardo DRS Joins SHIELD Missile Defense Program
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Leonardo DRS Joins SHIELD Missile Defense Program

Leonardo DRS announced it has secured multiple awards under the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD IDIQ contract, which carries a shared ceiling of $151 billion. The contracts position the company to compete for future task orders aimed at accelerating the development and...

By Defence Blog
Apache Helicopters Downed Drones With 30mm Proximity Ammo
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Apache Helicopters Downed Drones With 30mm Proximity Ammo

The U.S. Army’s AH‑64 Apache attack helicopter successfully employed 30 mm proximity‑fuzed ammunition to engage and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles during a December training exercise at Yuma Proving Ground. This marks the first documented air‑to‑air kill by an Apache using purpose‑built...

By RealClearDefense
SHD Composites Opens New Wide Format Lines
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SHD Composites Opens New Wide Format Lines

SHD Composites, now part of Cambium after its December 2025 acquisition, has commissioned new wide‑format unidirectional prepreg and advanced film coating lines. The equipment, built on SHD’s own machine designs, expands material width and accelerates high‑volume production for sectors such...

By JEC Composites
Vantor Partners with Google AI to Automate Intelligence Reports for Government Agencies
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Vantor Partners with Google AI to Automate Intelligence Reports for Government Agencies

Vantor, a commercial Earth‑observation satellite operator, announced a partnership with Google to run Google Earth AI models inside classified, air‑gapped government networks. The AI will automatically generate text‑based intelligence reports from Vantor’s own, third‑party, or sovereign imagery, cutting analysis time...

By SpaceNews
SpaceX Unveils Space Traffic Management System
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SpaceX Unveils Space Traffic Management System

SpaceX announced Stargaze, a space‑situational awareness platform that leverages star‑tracker cameras on its nearly 10,000 Starlink satellites to collect about 30 million observations per day. The system generates near‑real‑time conjunction data messages and will be offered free to all satellite operators...

By SpaceNews
UK Caps Launch Liability in Timely Boost for Nascent Domestic Market
NewsFeb 18, 2026

UK Caps Launch Liability in Timely Boost for Nascent Domestic Market

On February 18, the UK enacted a €60 million liability cap for launch operators under the Space Industry (Indemnities) Act 2025, replacing the previous unlimited exposure. The cap, which must be included in launch licences, is intended to make the nascent UK...

By SpaceNews
AFGSC at Barksdale Air Force Base Secures $86.1m in Federal Funding
NewsFeb 18, 2026

AFGSC at Barksdale Air Force Base Secures $86.1m in Federal Funding

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...

By Airforce Technology
Elon Musk Wants to Put a Satellite Catapult on the Moon. It's Not a New Idea
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Elon Musk Wants to Put a Satellite Catapult on the Moon. It's Not a New Idea

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...

By Space.com
Tata Advanced Systems Inaugurates Airbus H125 Helicopter Production Line to Boost India’s Vertical-Lift Capabilities
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Tata Advanced Systems Inaugurates Airbus H125 Helicopter Production Line to Boost India’s Vertical-Lift Capabilities

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...

By Airbus – Newsroom
Savoie Hélicoptères and the Airbus H125: Precision in Avalanche Control
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Savoie Hélicoptères and the Airbus H125: Precision in Avalanche Control

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...

By Airbus – Newsroom
ARCO Appoints Commercial Aviation Head
NewsFeb 18, 2026

ARCO Appoints Commercial Aviation Head

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...

By Airports International
Chinese AVIC Reveals U.S.-made V-BAT Copy Drone
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Chinese AVIC Reveals U.S.-made V-BAT Copy Drone

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...

By Defence Blog
L3Harris Begins Work on South Korean AEW&C Aircraft, Eyes Further International Opportunities
NewsFeb 18, 2026

L3Harris Begins Work on South Korean AEW&C Aircraft, Eyes Further International Opportunities

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...

By Shephard Media
UAV Navigation & Ekolot Aerospace and Defense Partner on ZEUS VTOL Platform
NewsFeb 18, 2026

UAV Navigation & Ekolot Aerospace and Defense Partner on ZEUS VTOL Platform

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,...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
Flyadeal’s Latest Fleet Expansion with the Airbus A320neo: More Affordable Flights From Jeddah, Riyadh, and Beyond – Everything You Need...
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Flyadeal’s Latest Fleet Expansion with the Airbus A320neo: More Affordable Flights From Jeddah, Riyadh, and Beyond – Everything You Need...

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...

By Travel And Tour World
Stockholm, Paris, and Venice Airports Suffer Severe Disruptions as Hundreds of Flights Are Canceled and Delayed
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Stockholm, Paris, and Venice Airports Suffer Severe Disruptions as Hundreds of Flights Are Canceled and Delayed

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,...

By Travel And Tour World
Allient Appoints New Director of Engineering to Support Motion Control Development
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Allient Appoints New Director of Engineering to Support Motion Control Development

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...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
SatVu Raises £30M to Accelerate Its Constellation
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SatVu Raises £30M to Accelerate Its Constellation

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...

By Payload
MQ-9 Drones Sharpen US Eye on China’s Pacific Moves
NewsFeb 18, 2026

MQ-9 Drones Sharpen US Eye on China’s Pacific Moves

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...

By Asia Times – Defense
Strong Jet Stream Pushes JetBlue Airbus A321neo To Reach Speed Of 755mph Over New Mexico
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Strong Jet Stream Pushes JetBlue Airbus A321neo To Reach Speed Of 755mph Over New Mexico

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...

By Simple Flying
Demonstrators Are No Longer Optional — They’re How Programs Stay on Track
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Demonstrators Are No Longer Optional — They’re How Programs Stay on Track

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...

By Payload
DOD Eyes Commercial Satellites that Can Spy on Other Satellites
NewsFeb 18, 2026

DOD Eyes Commercial Satellites that Can Spy on Other Satellites

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,...

By Defense News - Space
PNG's Air Niugini Cancels Its B787-8 Order
NewsFeb 18, 2026

PNG's Air Niugini Cancels Its B787-8 Order

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...

By ch-aviation News
Singapore Airshow: Part One – Aircraft Manufacturers Look to Leverage Asia Pacific Demand
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Singapore Airshow: Part One – Aircraft Manufacturers Look to Leverage Asia Pacific Demand

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...

By CAPA – Centre for Aviation
Simera Sense to Offer Larger Cameras and Enhanced Autonomy
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Simera Sense to Offer Larger Cameras and Enhanced Autonomy

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...

By SpaceNews
American Airlines' Longest Nonstop Routes With The Boeing 777 In 2026
NewsFeb 17, 2026

American Airlines' Longest Nonstop Routes With The Boeing 777 In 2026

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...

By Simple Flying
Space Force Surveys Industry For Refueling Tech
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Space Force Surveys Industry For Refueling Tech

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,...

By Air & Space Forces Magazine
BeOnd and the Kingdom of Bahrain to Establish Premium Airline
NewsFeb 17, 2026

BeOnd and the Kingdom of Bahrain to Establish Premium Airline

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,...

By PAX International
BlackSky International Customer Orders Gen-3 Satellite for Sovereign Access
NewsFeb 17, 2026

BlackSky International Customer Orders Gen-3 Satellite for Sovereign Access

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...

By Via Satellite
ST Engineering iDirect to Integrate G&S SatConnect Into Intuition Platform
NewsFeb 17, 2026

ST Engineering iDirect to Integrate G&S SatConnect Into Intuition Platform

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....

By Via Satellite
RMT Spotlights Collapsible ATLAS Drawer
NewsFeb 17, 2026

RMT Spotlights Collapsible ATLAS Drawer

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,...

By PAX International
MAG Aerospace Loses OCI Protest in $96M Army Contract
NewsFeb 17, 2026

MAG Aerospace Loses OCI Protest in $96M Army Contract

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...

By Washington Technology
DND Offering $2M for Prototypes to Counter Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Threats
NewsFeb 17, 2026

DND Offering $2M for Prototypes to Counter Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Threats

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...

By SpaceQ
Pentagon Designates LongShot Air-Launched Drone X-68A
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Pentagon Designates LongShot Air-Launched Drone X-68A

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...

By Defence Blog