Aerospace News and Headlines

Can Digital Platforms Transform Aviation Sales?
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Can Digital Platforms Transform Aviation Sales?

E‑commerce’s rapid expansion is reshaping global trade, yet business aviation has lagged behind. Analysts project the digital aviation market to climb from $37.92 billion in 2022 to $65.11 billion by 2029, driven by AI‑enabled marketplaces that offer predictive analytics and real‑time pricing....

By Business Airport International
Australia Prepares for Next Batch of ‘Ghost Bat’ Warplane Buddy Drones
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Australia Prepares for Next Batch of ‘Ghost Bat’ Warplane Buddy Drones

Australia is expanding its collaborative combat aircraft program by adding seven more Boeing MQ‑28A Ghost Bat drones, a AUS $754 million investment that brings the fleet toward ten operational units by 2028. The RAAF already operates eight Block 1 aircraft and is testing...

By Defense News – Unmanned
New US Senate Proposed Legislation “Will Speed FAA Certification of US eVTOLs”
NewsFeb 17, 2026

New US Senate Proposed Legislation “Will Speed FAA Certification of US eVTOLs”

A bipartisan group of nine U.S. senators will introduce the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act to streamline the FAA's type‑certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft, including eVTOLs. The bill mandates transparent timelines, updated delegation guidance for novel technologies,...

By Urban Air Mobility News
USAFE-AFAFRICA Welcomes Bundeswehr Joint Forces Command [Image 2 of 2]
NewsFeb 17, 2026

USAFE-AFAFRICA Welcomes Bundeswehr Joint Forces Command [Image 2 of 2]

On 3 February 2026, USAFE‑AFAFRICA hosted the Bundeswehr Joint Forces Command at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The delegation met with Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds and senior USAFE‑AFAFRICA officials to review U.S. counter‑small unmanned aircraft systems (C‑sUAS) and integrated air‑and‑missile‑defense (IAMD)...

By U.S. Marine Corps – News
Finavia Launches 2026–2028 Sustainability Programme to Strengthen Value Creation
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Finavia Launches 2026–2028 Sustainability Programme to Strengthen Value Creation

Finavia unveiled its 2026‑2028 sustainability programme, expanding its climate, nature, people and governance framework to cut emissions across the entire aviation value chain. Seventeen of its twenty airports have already achieved net‑zero operational emissions, and the new plan intensifies work...

By International Airport Review
Export Controls on Artificial Intelligence and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Export Controls on Artificial Intelligence and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

The report examines how the United States and China are racing to dominate artificial intelligence (AI) and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), highlighting a widening technology gap in the U.S. defense industrial base. It finds that current export‑control regimes—EAR, ITAR, and...

By RAND Blog/Analysis
RCV Engines Secures £4 Million European Deal & Bolsters UK Manufacturing
NewsFeb 17, 2026

RCV Engines Secures £4 Million European Deal & Bolsters UK Manufacturing

RCV Engines has secured a £4 million supply agreement with a European partner to deliver its mission‑critical propulsion systems. The contract was awarded after a competitive evaluation, highlighting the company’s 4‑stroke rotary valve engines that can run on heavy fuels such...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
Leonardo Funding Development of Earth Observation Constellation
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Leonardo Funding Development of Earth Observation Constellation

Leonardo is investing roughly €500 million to develop a 20‑satellite Earth observation constellation slated for launch in 2027‑28. The system will combine high‑resolution optical, synthetic‑aperture radar and communications payloads, built by Thales Alenia Space using its NIMBUS modular bus. The project...

By SpaceNews
Orbital Paradigm: Ill-Fated PSLV’s 4th Stage Ignited. KID Taught Us A Ton
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Orbital Paradigm: Ill-Fated PSLV’s 4th Stage Ignited. KID Taught Us A Ton

India’s PSLV‑C62 suffered a third‑stage anomaly, yet its fourth stage ignited while the vehicle was already descending. Spanish firm Orbital Paradigm’s KID demonstrator survived the uncontrolled re‑entry, separated, and transmitted telemetry back to Earth. The post‑flight report reveals that intense...

By Orbital Today
DSK 2026 Set to Showcase AI & Autonomous Defense Systems
NewsFeb 17, 2026

DSK 2026 Set to Showcase AI & Autonomous Defense Systems

The 2026 Drone Show Korea (DSK) opens Feb. 25 in Busan, covering 26,508 m² with 318 companies from 23 nations. The event’s AI‑centric theme showcases autonomous, manned‑unmanned combat systems, with dedicated Army, Navy and Air Force pavilions. Major players such as...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
The PRSC-EO2 Milestone: How Pakistan’s Latest Satellite Completes a High-Res ‘Sensor Triad’
NewsFeb 17, 2026

The PRSC-EO2 Milestone: How Pakistan’s Latest Satellite Completes a High-Res ‘Sensor Triad’

Pakistan's SUPARCO launched its second earth‑observation satellite, PRSC‑EO2, on 12 February aboard China’s Smart Dragon‑3 rocket. Three days later it activated Pak‑SBAS, a satellite‑based augmentation system that leverages China’s BeiDou GNSS for higher‑precision positioning. Together the high‑resolution imaging payload and the...

By Quwa – Defence News & Analysis
Year In Orbit Physically Shifts The Human Brain, Scientists Warn
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Year In Orbit Physically Shifts The Human Brain, Scientists Warn

New MRI analysis of 26 astronauts shows the brain moves upward and backward inside the skull after spaceflight, with shifts exceeding two millimetres in year‑long missions. Researchers mapped over 100 brain regions, revealing that displacement scales with mission length and...

By Orbital Today
Air Canada Cancels Seasonal Flights Between Montreal & Seattle 2 Months Before Resumption
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Air Canada Cancels Seasonal Flights Between Montreal & Seattle 2 Months Before Resumption

Air Canada has scrapped its planned seasonal nonstop service between Montreal‑Trudeau and Seattle‑Tacoma, originally slated to launch on May 1, 2026 and run through October 13, 2026. The route would have featured daily Airbus A220‑300 flights, offering roughly 3,700 seats...

By Simple Flying
The Rise of the “Central” Bloc? How Türkiye and Saudi Arabia May Build a New Third Channel for Global Defence...
NewsFeb 17, 2026

The Rise of the “Central” Bloc? How Türkiye and Saudi Arabia May Build a New Third Channel for Global Defence...

Turkey and Saudi Arabia concluded a series of defence‑industrial accords in February 2026, covering a fifth‑generation fighter, a utility helicopter, and unmanned naval platforms. The agreements were sealed during President Erdoğan’s Riyadh visit and include a joint KAAN fighter investment...

By Quwa – Defence News & Analysis
Hunting Cosmic Ghosts From the Edge of Space
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Hunting Cosmic Ghosts From the Edge of Space

University of Chicago’s PUEO experiment launched from Antarctica on Dec 20, 2024, spending 23 days at 120,000 feet searching for ultra‑high‑energy neutrinos. The payload carried 96 radio antennas and a sophisticated onboard processor to capture faint radio bursts generated when...

By New Space Economy
Delta Air Lines To Boost Airbus A350-900 Frequencies Between Los Angeles & Melbourne
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Delta Air Lines To Boost Airbus A350-900 Frequencies Between Los Angeles & Melbourne

Delta Air Lines is accelerating its non‑stop service between Los Angeles International Airport and Melbourne, moving from three weekly flights to a daily schedule by December 22, 2026. The airline introduced the route only three months ago, and rapid uptake has...

By Simple Flying
Russia Seeks Private Sector Aid for Airport Reconstruction After Booting Out Foreign Companies
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Russia Seeks Private Sector Aid for Airport Reconstruction After Booting Out Foreign Companies

Russia is courting domestic private investors to rebuild a third of its regional airports after expelling foreign operators such as Germany’s Fraport. The government has earmarked roughly $2.5 billion for the effort, betting on a 50% rise in passenger traffic over...

By CAPA – Centre for Aviation
Southwest Airlines to Launch Free Starlink Wi-Fi This Summer — Here’s the Rollout Timeline
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Southwest Airlines to Launch Free Starlink Wi-Fi This Summer — Here’s the Rollout Timeline

Southwest Airlines announced it will upgrade its in‑flight connectivity by installing Starlink satellite internet on its fleet, beginning this summer. The airline already provides free, unlimited Wi‑Fi to Rapid Rewards members via T‑Mobile on more than 800 aircraft. Southwest plans...

By AwardWallet Blog
Firefly Returns to Flight with ‘Stairway to Seven’
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Firefly Returns to Flight with ‘Stairway to Seven’

Firefly Aerospace is set to launch the seventh flight of its Alpha small‑lift rocket, dubbed “Stairway to Seven,” on Feb 20 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West. The mission marks the final flight of the Block 1 configuration and will test Block 2 avionics...

By Astronomy Magazine
A New Concept for Catching Up with 3I/ATLAS
NewsFeb 16, 2026

A New Concept for Catching Up with 3I/ATLAS

Researchers from i4is propose a Solar Oberth maneuver to intercept interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, requiring a 2035 launch and a 50‑year flight. Direct chemical‑rocket missions are infeasible because the object was detected after its optimal launch window and moves faster than...

By New Space Economy
JAXA Awards Rakuten Mobile $71.9 Million to Advance Satellite-Terrestrial 5G Integration
NewsFeb 16, 2026

JAXA Awards Rakuten Mobile $71.9 Million to Advance Satellite-Terrestrial 5G Integration

Japan’s aerospace agency JAXA has awarded Rakuten Mobile and the University of Tokyo up to 11 billion yen (about $71.9 million) to develop AI‑enhanced satellite‑terrestrial 5G integration. The five‑year project, running from 2026 to 2031, will create protocols for dynamic frequency sharing,...

By SatNews
Indian Cyber-Tech Is the Model for European Airports
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Indian Cyber-Tech Is the Model for European Airports

Indian firms WAISL and GRAMAX have created AeroWise, an AI‑driven airport predictive operation centre that blends digital‑twin technology with embedded cyber‑security. The solution includes miniature physical models of terminals, runways and ancillary systems that can be “war‑gamed” to visualize attack...

By Airport Improvement Magazine
U.S. Army Tests TRV-150 Heavy-Lift Drone at Fort Stewart
NewsFeb 16, 2026

U.S. Army Tests TRV-150 Heavy-Lift Drone at Fort Stewart

On Feb 12, 2026, the U.S. Army conducted a training test of the Malloy Aeronautics TRV‑150 heavy‑lift eVTOL cargo drone at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The drone can transport up to 68 kg of supplies over a 70 km radius, cruising at 108 km/h with...

By Defence Blog
Video: “Drive Me To The Moon” – The Inside Story From Lunar Outpost
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Video: “Drive Me To The Moon” – The Inside Story From Lunar Outpost

The documentary “Drive Me To The Moon” showcases Colorado‑based Lunar Outpost’s inaugural lunar mission, Lunar Voyage 1, and its Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover. The mission was compromised when Intuitive Machines’ Athena lander tipped onto its side on March 6 2025, preventing...

By Leonard David’s Inside Outer Space
New Tool Could Reduce Collision Risk for Earth-Observation Satellites
NewsFeb 16, 2026

New Tool Could Reduce Collision Risk for Earth-Observation Satellites

University of Manchester researchers have unveiled a modeling framework that integrates collision risk directly into Earth‑observation satellite mission design. The tool links image‑resolution requirements, satellite size and constellation density with debris probability, revealing that 0.5 m resolution satellites face the highest...

By Phys.org - Space News
Global GSA Group to Market Alaska Airlines Cargo on Rome–Seattle Route
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Global GSA Group to Market Alaska Airlines Cargo on Rome–Seattle Route

Global GSA Group has become Alaska Airlines' General Sales & Service Agent for cargo on a new Rome‑Seattle route launching in late April. Daily Boeing 787‑9 flights will connect Italy to Alaska's Seattle hub, opening access to over 100 U.S.,...

By Aviation Business News – Cargo
NAM Moves 3,100 Tonnes of Flowers in Record Valentine’s Rush
NewsFeb 16, 2026

NAM Moves 3,100 Tonnes of Flowers in Record Valentine’s Rush

Network Airline Management (NAM) executed its largest Valentine’s peak, moving 3,100 tonnes of fresh cut flowers from Nairobi to Liège over two weeks. The carrier operated 31 dedicated Boeing 747F flights, including 16 scheduled services and a record 15 extra...

By Aviation Business News – Cargo
Saxon Air Expands UK Helicopter Fleet to 12 Aircraft
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Saxon Air Expands UK Helicopter Fleet to 12 Aircraft

Saxon Air has grown its UK helicopter fleet to twelve aircraft, adding three more by April 2026. The expansion includes models such as the Leonardo AW109S, AW109 Trekker, AW109SP, AW119Kx and Airbus H125, with the latest being an AW109SP. Head...

By Business Airport International
LMT Group and Sateliot Partner with ESA to Advance Dual-Mode 5G Satellite IoT
NewsFeb 16, 2026

LMT Group and Sateliot Partner with ESA to Advance Dual-Mode 5G Satellite IoT

LMT Group and Sateliot have launched a 12‑month partnership with ESA to create a universal dual‑mode 5G IoT module that can switch between terrestrial cellular networks and Sateliot’s LEO satellite constellation. The module follows 3GPP Release 17 NB‑IoT NTN standards and...

By SatNews
Saab, JSC UDI to Collaborate on Aviation and Airborne Surveillance
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Saab, JSC UDI to Collaborate on Aviation and Airborne Surveillance

Swedish defense giant Saab and Ukraine’s Joint Stock Company Ukrainian Defense Industry (JSC UDI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Munich Security Conference 2026 to cooperate on aviation and airborne surveillance. The agreement, while not detailing specific projects, is positioned...

By Airforce Technology
Fairing From India’s Bahubali Rocket Launched in December Found in Maldives
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Fairing From India’s Bahubali Rocket Launched in December Found in Maldives

A fisherman off a remote Maldivian island recovered fragments that appear to be the fairing from India’s LVM3 (Bahubali) rocket, which launched AST SpaceMobile’s sixth Bluebird satellite in December. Similar debris was reported on a Sri Lankan island in late...

By Behind the Black
USAF Integrates Open-Architecture for Mission Autonomy on CCAs
NewsFeb 16, 2026

USAF Integrates Open-Architecture for Mission Autonomy on CCAs

The U.S. Air Force announced that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program has incorporated an open‑architecture framework to support mission‑autonomous capabilities. The new architecture allows software modules to be added, updated, or replaced without redesigning the airframe, accelerating the deployment...

By RealClearDefense
Bahrain Launches National Aviation Strategy for 2026–2027
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Bahrain Launches National Aviation Strategy for 2026–2027

Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications unveiled a National Aviation Strategy for 2026‑2027, aligning civil‑aviation development with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. The plan seeks to expand the kingdom’s air‑connectivity from 66 to 100 destinations by 2030 and to deepen the...

By Airport Industry-News
The Space Nuclear Power Bottleneck — and How to Fix It
NewsFeb 16, 2026

The Space Nuclear Power Bottleneck — and How to Fix It

Nuclear power is poised to transform U.S. deep‑space and lunar missions, with NASA targeting a nuclear propulsion test by 2028 and a surface fission reactor on the Moon by 2030. While reactor designs and fuel supplies are mature, the real...

By SpaceNews
A New Concept for Catching up with 3I/ATLAS
NewsFeb 16, 2026

A New Concept for Catching up with 3I/ATLAS

The article outlines a new mission concept to intercept 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object ever recorded. It highlights the scientific payoff of a close‑up study and the steep engineering hurdles such a rendezvous entails. Central to the discussion is the...

By Phys.org - Space News
Shield AI Joins USAF CCA Programme as Mission Autonomy Provider
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Shield AI Joins USAF CCA Programme as Mission Autonomy Provider

Shield AI has been chosen to supply mission‑autonomy software for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, entering the Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase after a competitive evaluation. Its Hivemind AI pilot has been integrated into...

By Airforce Technology
IATA Expresses Concern over Suspension of Freighter Flights at Mumbai
NewsFeb 16, 2026

IATA Expresses Concern over Suspension of Freighter Flights at Mumbai

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has voiced concern over a nine‑month suspension of dedicated freighter flights at Mumbai International Airport, slated from August 2026 to May 2027 for apron reconstruction. Mumbai handled 6.93 lakh metric tonnes of cargo between April...

By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
Sunshine Coast Airport Opens New Outbound Baggage Facility
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Sunshine Coast Airport Opens New Outbound Baggage Facility

Sunshine Coast Airport has inaugurated a new outbound baggage facility, a cornerstone of its AU$170 million terminal transformation. The upgrade introduces Rapiscan CT screening and higher‑efficiency processing to accommodate rising passenger numbers and tighten security compliance. Construction now moves to the...

By Airport Industry-News
Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 6 of 7]
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 6 of 7]

U.S. Air Force airmen from the 452nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight loaded a next‑generation nuclear reactor onto a C‑17 Globemaster III for Operation Windlord on 15 Feb 2026. The load was coordinated with the 15th Airlift Squadron and the 62nd Airlift Wing,...

By U.S. Marine Corps – News
Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 1 of 7]
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Operation Windlord Cargo Load [Image 1 of 7]

U.S. Air Force airmen from the 452nd Logistics Readiness Squadron loaded a next‑generation nuclear reactor onto a C‑17 Globemaster III for Operation Windlord on Feb. 15, 2026. The aircraft, coordinated with the 15th Airlift Squadron and the 62nd Airlift Wing, flew the reactor from...

By U.S. Marine Corps – News
NASA SPHEREx Mission Sheds More Light On Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
NewsFeb 16, 2026

NASA SPHEREx Mission Sheds More Light On Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA’s SPHEREx infrared survey observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS in December 2025, detecting organic molecules such as methanol, cyanide and methane. The mission also recorded a pronounced increase in the comet’s brightness two months after perihelion, attributed to sublimation of carbon‑rich...

By Orbital Today
When Second Best Is Good Enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System
NewsFeb 16, 2026

When Second Best Is Good Enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System

The U.S. Air Force launched the Initial Defense Satellite Communications System (IDSCS) as a low‑cost, quickly fielded alternative after the ambitious Advent program was cancelled. Program 369 employed small 45‑kg Philco satellites, initially designed for medium‑altitude orbits and later placed in...

By The Space Review
Seattle's Lessons for Rocket Reusability
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Seattle's Lessons for Rocket Reusability

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 demonstrated that first‑stage reuse can dramatically cut launch costs, reshaping the industry’s economics. Blue Origin has announced a hiring push for a “Reusable Upper Stage Development” manager, signaling its intent to explore second‑stage reuse. Analysts compare approaches: Rocket...

By The Space Review
Tame the Wolf, Release the Panda: The Case for US-China Space Cooperation
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Tame the Wolf, Release the Panda: The Case for US-China Space Cooperation

The Space Review argues that the United States should repeal the Wolf Amendment and open a cooperative space relationship with China. It contends that China’s space ambitions are driven primarily by prestige and a desire for status recognition rather than...

By The Space Review
Review: Webb's Cosmos
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Review: Webb's Cosmos

*Webb’s Cosmos* is a 2025 hardcover that gathers more than 300 James Webb Space Telescope images into a beautifully designed volume. Edited by Marcin Sawicki and Firefly Books, the book blends striking photography with concise, first‑person narrative about JWST’s launch, operations,...

By The Space Review
Low-Profile Chinese Launch Firm Conducts First Stage Static Fire
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Low-Profile Chinese Launch Firm Conducts First Stage Static Fire

Zenk Space performed a first‑stage static‑fire test of its Zhihang‑1 rocket on Feb. 11 from a mobile sea platform off Shandong, confirming engine ignition and thrust stability. The 50‑metre, three‑stage vehicle uses four CASC‑developed YF‑102 kerolox engines and can deliver 4,000 kg...

By SpaceNews
Southern California Sky Is Lit up by Valentine's Day SpaceX Launch
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Southern California Sky Is Lit up by Valentine's Day SpaceX Launch

On Valentine’s Day, SpaceX lifted off a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying 24 Starlink broadband satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The launch marked the fourth Falcon 9 mission from the California site this month, with three additional flights slated for...

By Phys.org - Space News
Eutelsat Renews Viewsat Capacity Deals at 7/8° West Video Neighbourhood
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Eutelsat Renews Viewsat Capacity Deals at 7/8° West Video Neighbourhood

Eutelsat has renewed several capacity agreements with Egypt‑based Viewsat, extending a long‑standing partnership focused on the 7/8° West video hotspot. The deals support Egyptian broadcasters and reinforce Eutelsat’s strategy in the MENA region. The 7/8° West position reaches roughly 66 million...

By Broadband TV News
Velocity FBO Network Acquires BTR Jet Center in Baton Rouge
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Velocity FBO Network Acquires BTR Jet Center in Baton Rouge

Velocity FBO Network, backed by private‑equity firm Tallvine Partners, announced the acquisition of BTR Jet Center at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. The deal adds a well‑established South‑central FBO with Jet A and 100LL fueling, lounges, crew cars and concierge services to...

By Business Airport International