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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, March 23, 2026

VOL. 188 NO. 12 March 23, 2026
Cover of the digital Aviation Week for March 23, 2026

High-energy lasers are having an overdue moment. The Pentagon plans to procure them soon for the Army and the Navy and demonstrate a 1-megawatt-class laser capable of downing ballistic and hypersonic missiles. In 2020, the USS Portland shot down an uncrewed air vehicle during a test of the U.S. Navy’s 150-kW Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator Mk. 2 Mod. 0. 

Credit: U.S. Navy

DEFENSE

U.S. Army Stryker vehicle
article

Pentagon’s Megawatt Laser Demo To Highlight Recent Tech Breakthroughs

Mar 16, 2026
As high-energy lasers become weapons for countering small drones, the technology is on its way to demonstrating the potential to shoot down strategic threats.
LY-1 laser weapons mounted on vehicles
article

China Showcases Weaponized High-Energy Laser

Mar 16, 2026
The CASIC LY-1 laser weapon, revealed at Beijing’s Victory Day parade, features a larger aperture than the U.S. Navy’s Helios.
ground-based interceptor
article

Pentagon Set To Unveil ‘Generational’ $1.5 Trillion Spending Plan

Mar 20, 2026
The record-high defense top line is intended to grow aircraft fleets, increase munition buys and bolster missile defenses.
concept art of interconnected laser beams in space above europe
article

Missile Defense Riches Drive Dome Dreams

Mar 18, 2026
European defense companies see a pot of gold under missile defense dome developments.

FIRST TAKE

Dassault Falcon 10X
article

First Take, March 23, 2026

Mar 20, 2026
Gulf airlines continue to face heavy disruption, while U.S. carriers deal with a fuel cost surge and must compete against largely hedged European airlines.

WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

missile launching
article

Iran War Amplifies Missile Production Gaps

Mar 20, 2026
The phones are ringing at defense companies from governments urgently seeking more weapons. Often, they are being put on hold.
Emirates jet flying low with smoke plume in background
article

Iran War Means Different Fortunes For Airlines—But For How Long?

Mar 20, 2026
Gulf airlines continue to face heavy disruption, while carriers globally have to deal with a steep rise in fuel costs.

SPACE

SLS and Orion at Kennedy Space Center
article

NASA Eyes Early April For Crewed Artemis II Lunar Flight Test

Mar 19, 2026
After a roll back to its hangar for a repair and servicing, the Space Launch System rocket was being prepared for another launch try.

MILITARY SPACE

rocket launching
article

After Setbacks, Firefly’s Alpha Roars Back To Orbit

Mar 18, 2026
Firefly’s rocket is flying again as the company aims to ease launch constraints while validating systems for a more capable configuration.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

cargo
article

Geopolitical Effects On E-Commerce Spark Air Cargo Shift

Mar 16, 2026
E-commerce demand is here to stay in the long term, but Trump’s tariffs led to trade lane changes and disruptions in the Middle East have caused reroutings.
IndiGo Airbus jet
article

New CEOs Will Guide India’s Next Era Of Airline Development

Mar 19, 2026
IndiGo will name a CEO soon, and Air India faces a leadership transition next year.

MANUFACTURING

Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft flying in sky
article

Boeing Resets Commercial Airplanes’ Profit Timeline

Mar 20, 2026
Positive aircraft certification updates are partially offset by a new 737 production quality issue and the grim financial reality of Spirit AeroSystems.

ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY

Beta Alia flying over field
article

FAA eIPP Program Targets Shift From AAM Demos To Operations

Mar 19, 2026
Leading up to the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, the agency learned lessons from Chinese drone manufacturers that now dominate the global consumer market.

ROTORCRAFT

Helicopteres Guimbal G2 (left) and G5
article

New Challengers Target Light Helicopter Segment

Mar 17, 2026
Two new entrants—the Guimbal G5 and MD Helicopters MD564—aim to challenge established players in the competitive light helicopter market.
Sikorsky S-92 aircraft flying with offshore oil rig in background
article

Heavy Helicopters Seek An Offshore Comeback

Mar 19, 2026
Growing range requirements and rising energy prices could revive demand for Airbus H225 and Sikorsky S-92 aircraft, complicating the Bell 525’s market entry.
Robinson R66 on grass
article

Robinson Expands Beyond Light Helicopters

Mar 18, 2026
Robinson Helicopter is growing its business with new uncrewed aircraft, military training bids and development of a larger utility helicopter.

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR & OVERHAUL

A Rolls-Royce Trent XWB low-pressure compressor case at HAESL.
article

HAESL Launching Tools To Further Decrease Engine Turnaround Times

Mar 10, 2026
HAESL, the HAECO-Rolls-Royce joint venture that maintains Trent engines, is rolling out technologies that should further reduce engine shop time.

TECHNOLOGY

DARPA X-76
article

The Week In Technology, March 16-20, 2026

Mar 16, 2026
Stop-fold tiltrotor becomes X-76; Sikorsky tests hybrid powertrain; light-driven SAF production; and from nuclear power to liquid fuel.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

drones in flight
article

Opinion: Do F-47s And B-21s Have A Place In Drone-Filled Skies?

Mar 17, 2026
The F-47 and B-21 are the crown jewels of next-generation air dominance and strike capability, but they will also be part of a larger family of systems.
Five men standing around the bell at the New York Stock Exchange
article

Opinion: Will The Capital Market Window Stay Open For Defense?

Mar 13, 2026
Investor sentiment for defense remains strong, but here are some factors to consider about the wave of initial public and secondary offerings.
Gerald Brown poses in front of an A-10 during his U.S. Air Force career, which ended in 1997.
article

Debrief: How A Disgraced Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Started Working For China

Mar 09, 2026
Gerald Brown was arrested for violating the Arms Export Control Act for allegedly working as a contract instructor for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
article

Near Earth Takes Mixed-Criticality Approach To Certifying Autonomy

Mar 17, 2026
Pittsburgh-based Near Earth is flight-testing its modular autonomy system in a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk.

DEPARTMENTS

Irene Klotz (left) and Jared Isaacman
article

Letters From Our Readers, March 23, 2026

Mar 20, 2026
Readers write about human space exploration, the Boeing 777-9 Thrust Link Fix Team, AW&ST missile defense coverage, CO2 and airports, and the Check 6 video podcast.
article

New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections, March 23, 2026

Mar 20, 2026
Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.
article

Aviation Week Events, March 23, 2026

Mar 20, 2026
A roundup of upcoming conferences and exhibitions.