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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aug. 11, 2025

VOL. 187 NO. 32 August 11, 2025
Cover of Aug. 11, 2025, Aviation Week

As the U.S. pushes to launch satellites to space on more rapid timelines to counter increasing on-orbit threats, companies such as Firefly Aerospace Alpha, Rocket Lab and True Anomaly are answering the call by mass-producing satellites and rockets for faster integration and deployment. 

Credit: Sam Taylor/Rocket Lab

MILITARY SPACE

Concept art of Jackal autonomous satellites in orbit
article

The Pentagon Is Pushing The Limits Of Responsive Space Missions

Aug 05, 2025
Moving a satellite from the ground to orbit in hours offers a new edge in space deterrence.

FIRST TAKE

TAI Kaan jet flying
article

First Take, Aug. 11, 2025

Aug 08, 2025
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

AERONAUTICS

Satellite photo with inset close-up of Chinese wind tunnel facility
article

Satellite Images Reveal New Chinese Widebody Transonic Test Site

Aug 05, 2025
As expanding wind tunnel test capability emerges in China, NASA prepares to mothball similar test sites under pressure from shrinking budgets.
University of Illinois’ Cheeta concept
article

NASA Reshapes Aeronautics Research To Cope With Drastic Budget Cut

Aug 05, 2025
Less flight research, fewer wind tunnels and a smaller workforce are ahead for NASA aeronautics.

SAFETY

NTSB investigators study wreckage
article

NTSB Spotlights Weaknesses In FAA And Army Helo Ops

Aug 08, 2025
Insufficient, inconsistent and nonexistent procedures contributed to January’s midair collision near Washington National Airport more than any single mistake.

TRADE

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines aircraft on runway at Newark International Airport
article

Relief Over EU-U.S. Tariff Deal Is Mixed With Economic Caution

Aug 06, 2025
The U.S.-EU zero-tariff aircraft deal is good news, but airlines are assessing whether broader macroeconomic fallout may harm travel demand.

BUSINESS

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg
article

Ortberg Solidifies His Role As Boeing’s Turnaround-In-Chief

Aug 05, 2025
A year on the job, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg appears to be squelching the fires that made the company a burning platform.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

AmSafe Installed Physical Secondary Barrier with curtain pulled back (left) and drawn
article

FAA Extension For Flight Deck Barrier Rule Juggles Mixed Input

Aug 07, 2025
After an airline trade association raised concerns about the deadline for secondary flight deck barriers, the FAA granted a one-year exemption—despite union opposition.

DEFENSE

U.S. Army soldier loading Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System
article

European Companies Crank Up Defense Production Plans

Aug 06, 2025
From radars to fighters, military equipment output in Europe is on a growth trajectory.
Front view of U.S. Air Force F-16
article

How The U.S. Air Force Unlocked A Drone-Killing Rocket Capability

Aug 07, 2025
Laser-guided rockets help the U.S. Air Force down drones cheaply, though pilots say it is not as easy as it looks.
Officials in suits giving thumbs up around model Kaan fighter
article

Indonesia’s Kaan Commitment Complicates Its Fighter Plans

Aug 07, 2025
When it comes to buying fighters, Jakarta is once again shuffling the deck.

TECHNOLOGY

Joby S4 eVTOL
article

The Week In Technology, Aug. 4-8, 2025

Aug 05, 2025
Joby-L3Harris hybrid eVTOL; low-boom X-59 taxis; Skydweller three-day flight; collaborative autonomy framework.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

China’s critical mineral export restrictions have disrupted the supply chain of Leonardo DRS, the company’s management said in a second quarter earnings call Image credit: Phil Degginger/Alamy Stock Photo
article

Debrief: China’s Critical Mineral Export Curbs Hit Home For Defense Sector

Jul 31, 2025
Beijing’s two-year export control campaign has laser-focused on the most important raw materials for the Pentagon.
Concept of four Lockheed Martin F-35s
article

YF-23 Designer Weighs In On How Lockheed Martin Could Evolve The F-35

Aug 07, 2025
After losing NGAD to Boeing, Lockheed plans to develop the F-35 to fill the gap.
radio-controlled helicopters
article

Opinion: How Model Aviation Can Be A Bridge To The Future

Aug 06, 2025
Combining complex model aviation with an event that offers an engaging entry point to the industry is the kind of inspired recruiting aviation needs to support.

DEPARTMENTS

Concept art of JetZero blended wing body with United Airlines livery
article

Letters From Our Readers, Aug. 11, 2025

Aug 08, 2025
Readers write about how to deice blended wing bodies, the defunding of NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program and the Golden Dome missile defense initiative’s viability.
article

New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections, Aug. 11, 2025

Aug 08, 2025
Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.
article

Aviation Week Events, Aug. 11, 2025

Aug 08, 2025
A roundup of upcoming conferences and exhibitions.