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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, September 28, 2026

VOL. 188 NO. 38 September 28, 2026
Digital cover of Aviation Week for Sept. 28, 2026

Launch customers are scrambling to secure flight options for their payloads as demand soars, and rocket-makers say the space launch business is changing for the long term.

Credit: SpaceX

SPACE

construction cranes at Blue Origin lauchpad
article

New Calculus Emerges For Space Launch Economics

Sep 25, 2026
Will the promise of surging launch competition destroy pricing? Rocket-makers doubt it.
satellite production facility
article

Direct-To-Device Services Poised For Inflection Point

Sep 22, 2026
Peaceful forest walks uninterrupted by messages or calls may soon be consigned to history if direct-to-device service operators have their way.
satellite
article

Earth Observation Efforts Shift Focus

Sep 24, 2026
Earth observation constellations evolve as customers price outputs beyond the lowest resolution possible.
Redwire is involved in several VLEO projects Credit: Redwire
article

Debrief: VLEO Missions Surge As Interest In Earth’s Lowest Orbit Booms

Sep 22, 2026
The number of planned very low Earth orbit missions in the coming years has surged from a handful to at least 24 by the end of 2030.

FIRST TAKE

KF-21 fighter aircraft
article

First Take, Sept. 28, 2026

Sep 25, 2026
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Boeing 777X test aircraft flying
article

Boeing And GE Aerospace Differ On Cause Of 777-9 ETOPS Testing Holdup

Sep 24, 2026
Tensions come to the fore as Boeing and engine supplier GE Aerospace send mixed messages amid uncertainty over the start of the 777-9 ETOPS campaign.
GE9X
videos

Podcast: Why Tensions Have Flared Between Boeing And GE

Sep 25, 2026
Long-running tensions between Boeing and GE Aerospace over engines surfaced again, with 777X the cause du jour. Editors explain the dynamics at play along with other new developments at Boeing.
Heart Aerospace ES-36
article

Heart Aerospace Refines Electric Regional Design And Signs JSX Order

Sep 25, 2026
More seats, greater payload and series-hybrid propulsion define the production ES-36.
United aircraft on tarmac
article

Fuel Hikes Spur Capacity Reviews For North American Carriers

Sep 23, 2026
North America’s airlines are studying capacity adjustments after the cost of fuel spikes again.
AirBaltic A220 flying
article

Europe’s Smaller Airlines Face The Pressure

Sep 24, 2026
Geopolitical uncertainty and cost challenges take their toll on some of the region’s smaller carriers.
cockpit
article

EASA Carries On With Cautious Approach To Artificial Intelligence

Sep 23, 2026
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had expected to have certified a Level 1 AI system to assist human operators by 2025, but that has yet to materialize.

PROPULSION

Rolls-Royce prototype UF30 cross-section concept art
article

Next-Gen Narrowbody Engine Contenders Advance Test Plans

Sep 25, 2026
Clean Aviation research programs will support Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce ducted engine ground tests as CFM wraps up its latest RISE dust ingestion trials for Open Fan.

DEFENSE

Sentinel missile
article

USAF Sentinel Design Matures And Tests Continue Ahead Of Key Decision

Sep 23, 2026
New cost figures are not yet ready for the massive ICBM project as Air Force leaders outline design shifts.
afa sign
podcast

Podcast: Space Weapons Declassified, Gucci F-16s And More—What To Know About AFA

Sep 21, 2026
Editors discuss the news from last week’s AFA gathering, addressing the Air Force secretary’s bombshell weapons-in-space disclosure, new aircraft weapons concepts on show and so much more.

ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY   

hybrid-electric ERA
article

Aura Aero To Reconfigure X-Volt For ERA Series-Hybrid Testing

Sep 21, 2026
Aura Aero plans to turn the VoltAero X-Volt demonstrator into a series-hybrid testbed to help derisk development of its 19-seat ERA ahead of first flight.

TECHNOLOGY

HAPS system flying
article

The Week In Technology, Sept. 21-25, 2026

Sep 22, 2026
UK eyes sovereign HAPS network; airborne laser revival; contrail avoidance success.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

Boeing 787 forward fuselage in fabrication
article

Opinion: Why Carbon Fiber Is China’s Next Big Breakout

Sep 21, 2026
The speed and scale of China’s expansion signals its determination to be self-sustaining in CF production for commercial, defense and space applications.
Russian missiles aimed at Florida, concept art
article

Decapitation Strike Emerges As Early Golden Dome Focus

Sep 25, 2026
Showing several nuclear-tipped weapons falling squarely on President Donald Trump’s adopted home state of Florida seemed like someone was sending a message.

DEPARTMENTS

B-2 rollout cover
article

Letters From Our Readers, Sept. 28, 2026

Sep 25, 2026
Readers write about the "Aviation Leak" legacy, Northrop Grumman’s B-2 rollout, the cost of interceptors and our coverage of the UPS 2976 crash.
article

New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections, Sept. 28, 2026

Sep 25, 2026
Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.
article

Aviation Week Events, Sept. 28, 2026

Sep 25, 2026
A roundup of upcoming conferences and exhibitions.