Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 18, 2026 is available to both Aviation Week & Space Technology and AWIN subscribers.

Subscribe now to read this content, plus receive critical analysis into emerging trends, technological advancements, operational best practices and continuous updates to policy, requirements and budgets.

Already a subscriber to AW&ST or AWIN? Log in with your existing email and password.

Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 18, 2026

VOL. 188 NO. 20 May 18, 2026

hydrogen rotorcraft — Test pilot Ric Webb flew Unither Bioelectronics’ hydrogen-electric-powered R44 demonstrator through the traffic pattern at Roland-Désourdy Airport in Bromont, Quebec, accompanied by an unmodified Robinson R44 (background). Note the gaseous hydrogen tank under the modified R44’s tail and the fuel-cell cooling nacelle on the side of the fuselage.

Credit: Frederic Fasano/Unither Bioelectronics

PROPULSION

Unither Advances Hydrogen-Electric R44 For Organ Delivery

May 12, 2026

The latest flights advance United Therapeutics’ hydrogen-electric helicopter program beyond hover testing into more complex flight operations.

Podcast: How Joby And Unither Are Pushing AAM Toward Real Operations

May 08, 2026

Editors examine Joby Aviation’s piloted New York City demos and Unither Bioelectronics’ hydrogen-electric R44 flights in Quebec as AAM moves closer to real-world deployment.

GE XA102 and Pratt & Whitney XA103 concepts

U.S. Air Force Pushes To Widen Roles For Adaptive Engines

May 15, 2026

Broadening the scope of potential NGAP applications beyond the F-47 may boost the chances of a final breakthrough for variable-cycle engines after four decades.

Northrop Grumman Flies DARPA’s Hybrid-Electric Shepard Vehicle

May 15, 2026

Scaled Composites built the flying-wing UAS under a DARPA project to demonstrate hybrid propulsion.

FIRST TAKE

First Take, May 18, 2026

May 15, 2026

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

SAFETY

NTSB investigators around damaged Air Canada jet

Port Authority To Bolster Vehicle Surface Safety After LGA Collision

May 15, 2026

The pilot program that is testing operations vehicle transponders will be expanded.

Aerial view of EWR Runway 29 next to New Jersey Turnpike

NTSB Probes United Landing Accident at Newark

May 15, 2026

In the May 3 occurrence, an arriving Boeing 767 skimmed a light pole and the top of a large truck and damaging the aircraft's fuselage.

NTSB Documents Shed Light On China Eastern Crash

May 14, 2026

Analysis shows fuel switches were cut off, but no explanation has been given as to why.

MILITARY SPACE

Japan And South Korea Accelerate Geospatial Intelligence Push

May 13, 2026

Asian startups are building new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite fleets to meet growing military and commercial demand.

SPACE

Virgin Delta-Class Spaceplane Begins Production Acceptance Tests

May 11, 2026

Integrated vehicle systems tests on the Delta 1 will follow production acceptance work, clearing the way for delivery to Spaceport America this summer.

Podcast: Space Planes, Space Control And Space Domain Awareness

May 12, 2026

Aviation Week editors discuss how space control is front and center for the U.S. Space Force, allied services and adversaries.

DEFENSE

Bombers Win Big In New Budget Proposal, Fleet Plans

May 13, 2026

More B-21s, longer service lives for B-2s and B-1s, and a possible new bomber type are now in the mix for the U.S. Air Force’s long-range strike fleet.

Pentagon Shifts Surveillance With Southern Hemisphere Ramp-Up

May 12, 2026

The Pentagon is reducing its reliance on clandestine contractor aircraft as military operations ramp up and new tech is deployed.

ROTORCRAFT

Leonardo Takes Next Steps In Tiltrotor Development

May 15, 2026

Next-generation proprotor blade and advanced tiltrotor concept show promise.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Tony Fernandes holding Airbus A220 model

Large AirAsia Order Moves The A220 Into Low-Cost Territory

May 12, 2026

AirAsia wanted a smaller aircraft to complement its A321neo fleet. The high-density A220-300 could be attractive for low-cost operators elsewhere, too.

European Emissions Trading Comes Into Focus

May 13, 2026

Europe’s airlines, policymakers and environmental campaigners are weighing the future of carbon pricing policy.

Europe Allows Jet A Use Amid Iran War Fuel Crisis

May 14, 2026

European airlines are welcoming moves to help the sector, but they say more could be done.

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

Anticipated Growth Heats Up China’s Aftermarket

May 11, 2026

A recent surge in aftermarket investments signals confidence in China’s long-term maintenance, repair and overhaul potential.

TECHNOLOGY

The Week In Technology, May 11-15, 2026

May 11, 2026

Hybrid-electric Shepard; deployable electric high-lift; laminar-flow UAS; and Leonardo’s advanced tiltrotor.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

Chinese engineers check spacecraft fairing

China’s Electronics Industry Could Upend America’s Lead In Space

May 14, 2026

China’s megaconstellations threaten to shift the balance of power in space.

DEPARTMENTS

artist's concept of military tiltrotors in flight

Letters From Our Readers, May 18, 2026

May 15, 2026

Readers write about out-of-sequence U.S. military aircraft designations and NASA’s Artemis II mission. Plus: Behind the scenes at Unither.

New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections, May 18, 2026

May 15, 2026

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Aviation Week Events, May 18, 2026

May 15, 2026

A roundup of upcoming conferences and exhibitions.

Market Sector

Share

Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 18, 2026

Share

PROPULSION

FIRST TAKE

SAFETY

MILITARY SPACE

SPACE

DEFENSE

ROTORCRAFT

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

TECHNOLOGY

COLUMNS AND OPINION

DEPARTMENTS