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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, Dec. 22, 2025

VOL. 187 NO. 49 December 22, 2025
fighters in flights

Returning from the third successful launch of its Talon hypersonic test vehicle, Stratolaunch’s Roc carrier aircraft was escorted to its base at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California by Boeing F-15s of the U.S. Air Force 422nd Test and Evaluation Sqdn. and F/A-18s and Lockheed Martin F-35Cs of the U.S. Navy VX-9 Air Test and Evaluation Sqdn.

Credit: Domenic Saenz Moen//Stratolaunch

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026

MQ-28 Ghost Bat firing missile
article

Industry Competition And Aerospace Tech To Accelerate In 2026

Dec 19, 2025
The U.S. is 250 years old in 2026. Its leading aerospace and defense companies face growing competition, domestically and internationally, from younger players.
Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) on Moon's surface

What To Watch For In Aerospace And Defense In 2026

Dec 19, 2025
Lunar missions, electric air taxis, advanced tiltrotors, autonomous combat aircraft and safety-critical artificial intelligence are things to look out for.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | DEFENSE

fighter aircraft and aircraft carriers on the ocean
article

In 2026, Global Security Starts In The Homeland

Dec 19, 2025
A new U.S. strategy recalibrates global security posture from foreign intervention to homeland protection.
Embraer KC-390MPA
article

Defense Program Milestones On The Horizon In 2026

Dec 19, 2025
Air forces around the globe are likely to bolster their inventories in the coming 12 months by adding aircraft and drone types. Here are some of the expected events.
Panavia Tornado
article

Military Aircraft Competitions To Watch, 2026-35

Dec 19, 2025
The decade-long demand outlook for military aircraft has jumped 30% over the past year, reaching $250 billion.
selected U.S. military aircraft sales data for 2026-35
article

Defense Modernization Spending Pace Picks Up

Dec 19, 2025
Defense boom drives 10-year value of military aircraft deliveries to $1.19 trillion.
Selçuk and Haluk Bayraktar

Key People To Watch In The Defense Sector In 2026

Dec 19, 2025
Potential defense headliners in the U.S. and abroad in 2026 feature military leaders and defense industry executives.
outline of Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50
data-charts-graphs

Defense Data Center, 2026-30

Dec 19, 2025
Forecasts, snapshots and military aircraft to watch.
Wisp infrared detection and tracking system

Top Predictions For 2026: Defense Developments

Dec 19, 2025
Many, though not all, defense technologies are entering 2026 with customer momentum.
Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter

2025 in Review: Defense

Dec 19, 2025
A review of the major events in 2025 for the defense industry.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | SPACE

Soyuz MS-27 docked to the Prichal module adjoining Russia’s Nauka, with view of coast of Chile
article

NASA Faces Pivotal Year Amid China’s Steady Advancements In Space

Dec 18, 2025
With an eye on China, the Trump administration and Congress find common ground in space while Europe aims for greater autonomy.
Jeff Bezos

Key People To Watch In The Space Sector In 2026

Dec 18, 2025
Potential space headliners in the U.S. and abroad in 2026 feature leaders at space agencies and executives with longstanding and upstart companies.
Nuri and SSLV drawings
data-charts-graphs

Space Data Center, 2026-30

Dec 19, 2025
Forecasts, snapshots and launch vehicles to watch.
NASDAQ

Space Developments to Watch in 2026

Dec 18, 2025
From personnel to payloads, here is what will drive the coming year in space activity.
Blue Origin launch

2025 In Review: Space

Dec 18, 2025
A review of the major space events in 2025.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Airline capacity demand and net profit by region graphic
article

The Airline Industry’s Shift East Accelerates

Dec 19, 2025
Air transport will continue to grow in 2026, but regional differences show the clear effect of economic policies.
Roberto Alvo, LATAM Airlines Group CEO

Key Commercial Aviation Executives To Watch In 2026

Dec 12, 2025
Figures to follow in the new year include leaders at Airbus, Boeing and Maeve Aerospace as well as airline CEOS around the world.
outline of Maeve Aerospace MJ500
data-charts-graphs

Commercial Aviation Data Center, 2026-30

Dec 19, 2025
Forecasts, snapshots and commercial aircraft programs to watch.
Boeing aircraft taking off

Commercial Aviation Predictions For 2026

Dec 19, 2025
Commercial aviation developments to watch in the coming year.
Boeing 777-9

2025 In Review: Commercial Aviation

Dec 19, 2025
The air transport industry saw a year of recovery and headwinds.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | PROPULSION

Airbus A320neo

2025 in Review: Propulsion

Dec 19, 2025
A review of the major events in 2025 in aerospace propulsion.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | BUSINESS AVIATION

Static display at EBACE, Geneva, Switzerland
article

Business Aviation Outlook for 2026

Dec 15, 2025
A few key factors from 2025 are strong indicators for business aviation’s performance in 2026.
Lisa Atherton, Textron President and CEO

Business Aviation People To Watch In 2026

Dec 16, 2025
These are some potential headliners to watch in the business aviation industry in the coming year.
Gulfstream G300
article

Business Aircraft Industry Completes One Renewal Cycle, Begins Another

Dec 15, 2025
As new ultra-large jets and single turboprops enter the market, a midsize makeover is next.
outline of Beyond Aero BYA-1
data-charts-graphs

Business Aviation Data Center, 2026-30

Dec 16, 2025
Forecasts, snapshots and commercial aircraft programs to watch.
aircraft seen taking off from a distance through chain-link fence

Predictions For Business Aviation In 2026

Dec 17, 2025
Do you agree with Aviation Week editors' predictions for business aviation and advanced air mobility in 2026?
Pilatus PC-12 Pro

2025 in Review: Business and General Aviation

Dec 19, 2025
Several new and upgraded business aircraft received certification in 2025, marking the industry’s latest renewal cycle.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | ROTORCRAFT

Robinson Helicopter R88

2025 in Review: Rotorcraft

Dec 19, 2025
A review of the major events in 2025 for the rotorcraft industry.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY

Air White Whale W5000
article

Ranking China’s Emerging Large Uncrewed Cargo Developers

Dec 18, 2025
China’s emerging low-altitude economy is driving the development of large uncrewed logistics aircraft.
Nuuva V300

2025 in Review: Advanced Air Mobility

Dec 19, 2025
A review of the major events in 2025 for the advanced air mobility industry.

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 2026 | MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines being inspected
article

Opportunities, Challenges Suggest Familiar Year Ahead For MRO Sector

Dec 17, 2025
Deliveries and production of new aircraft are picking up, but aftermarket providers will still see strong demand on legacy platforms and material shortages.
David Chaimovitz

Movers and Shakers in MRO To Watch in 2026

Dec 17, 2025
Expect this group of the aviation aftermarket to make a big impact in 2026.
map of 2026 global engine MRO demand
data-charts-graphs

Projected Global Engine MRO Demand For 2026

Dec 15, 2025
Demand for engine MRO in the Asia-Pacific region is forecast to jump ahead of demand in North America next year.
investment compass

Predictions For The Aviation Aftermarket In 2026

Dec 17, 2025
What to watch for the aviation aftermarket in 2026.

MILITARY SPACE

Troy Meink
article

How The U.S. Space Force Aims To Avoid A Second Sputnik Moment

Dec 16, 2025
Service leaders say the U.S. is at a critical moment to keep ahead of adversaries in space tech development.

HYPERSONICS

Stratolaunch 747 in flight
article

Stratolaunch Targets 747, Roc Hypersonic Test Rate Ramp

Dec 15, 2025
The captive-carry Talon campaigns should clear Stratolaunch’s Boeing 747 and Roc for a double hypersonic test attempt in early 2026.

PRATT & WHITNEY AT 100

RTX's Pratt & Whitney missile rotating detonation propulsion systems
article

Pratt Powers Up Next-Generation Engine Plans

Dec 16, 2025
Gas turbines still dominate Pratt & Whitney’s future road map, but emerging new cycles and alternative fuels will also play a major role.
cover image
article

Check 6 Revisits: RTX's Pratt & Whitney Marks 100 Years

Dec 16, 2025
In this special anniversary episode of Check 6 Revisits, Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy and Aviation Week editors Guy Norris and Christine Boynton delve into the engine-maker’s achievements over its first century.

TECHNOLOGY

North Atlantic flight map with UK, Ireland and Spain visible
article

The Week In Technology, Dec. 15-19, 2025

Dec 16, 2025
Energy-saving formation flying; airports as hydrogen hubs; electric trainer advances; urban eVTOL test flights.

FROM THE EDITOR

Jared Isaacman
article

From The Editor: Can Isaacman Reinvigorate NASA?

Dec 17, 2025
As NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman will face huge challenges, starting with making sure the U.S. astronauts return to the Moon ahead of Chinese taikonauts.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

Washington, District of Columbia, USA: President DONALD TRUMP speaks with officials and staff in the Oval Office before his announcement of the Golden Dome missile defense system, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Credit Image: © Joyce N. Boghosian/White House/ZUMA Press
article

Debrief: Chinese Scientists Show New Focus On Space-Based Interceptors

Dec 08, 2025
While Beijing is criticizing the U.S. pursuit of space-based interceptors as reckless, China’s academic institutions are quietly researching similar concepts.

DEPARTMENTS

Supernal S-A2
article

Letters From Our Readers, Dec. 22, 2025

Dec 19, 2025
Readers write about icing conditions for vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles, emergency evacuation procedures, and U.S. military acquisition history.
article

New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections, Dec. 22, 2025

Dec 19, 2025
Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.
article

Aviation Week Events, Dec. 22, 2025

Dec 19, 2025
A roundup of upcoming conferences and exhibitions.