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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, September 21, 2026

VOL. 188 NO. 37 September 21, 2026
Digital cover of the Sept. 21, 2026, edition of Aviation Week

Air navigation service providers are undertaking transformational upgrades in air traffic management technology, introducing AI-enabled automation software and replacing obsolescent ground-based radars, modernizing aging infrastructure and consolidating air traffic control facilities.

Credit: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

workers on tower as surface movement radar arrives by crane
article

Global Air Traffic Services Providers Launch Upgrades

Sep 14, 2026
With global air passenger demand projected to double by 2050, air navigation service providers are upgrading their systems to better manage congested airspace.
three air traffic controllers in tower
article

Airspace Redesigns And Technology Ease European Air Traffic Congestion

Sep 15, 2026
In trajectory-based operations, aircraft systems share their planned trajectory so controllers plan further ahead and better integrate aircraft into traffic.
Singapore Changi Airport
article

Singapore’s Future Air Traffic Management System To Leverage AI

Sep 16, 2026
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore lays out an ATM upgrade plan including multiple advanced controller tools and a framework for regional cooperation.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

weather balloons
article

Collision And Plans For Thousands Of Balloons Stir Safety Debate

Sep 18, 2026
Startup WindBorne Systems aims to have 10,000 balloons aloft simultaneously by 2028.
GOL Linhas Aereas Airbus A330
article

Abra Starts To Benefit From Scaling Up In Latin America

Sep 17, 2026
Network moves and supplier deals offer clues to Abra’s future strategy.

MILITARY SPACE

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink (left) and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglass Schiess
article

U.S. Puts Its Orbital Weapons On The Record

Sep 18, 2026
The acknowledgement of coorbital weapons marks a turning point in the way the U.S. military talks about war in space.
satellite
article

Europe Advances Military Space Projects With Urgency

Sep 18, 2026
Europe shifts from concept to implementation mode across military satcom, intelligence and other missions.

DEFENSE

Gamera drone
article

MQ-9 Replacement Opens Door To Futuristic Air War Concept

Sep 18, 2026
U.S. Air Force demand for a new fleet of Massed Modular Aircraft points to a novel way of fighting, with swarming, attritable aircraft flinging long-range missiles from afar.
SkyCourier UX concept
article

Textron And Merlin Unveil Autonomous SkyCourier For Contested Logistics

Sep 17, 2026
Textron and Merlin are adapting the Cessna SkyCourier into an autonomous aircraft intended to move thousands of pounds of supplies across contested environments.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

concept art of Earth surrounded with trash
article

Why Is There Little Urgency About Solving Space Debris Problems?

Sep 15, 2026
The debris problem is likely to worsen as new reusable launch vehicles from China and the U.S. loft hundreds of thousands of spacecraft into orbit.
U.S. Capitol
article

Opinion: Congress And The Pentagon Are Setting Back Defense Contracting

Sep 18, 2026
Congress’ prohibition on share buybacks and the Pentagon’s memo on cost disclosure are likely to discourage potential new defense contractors.