Aerospace

Watch as Aviation Week editors record the annual Flubs & Forecasts edition of Check 6 as they reflect on what they got right and wrong in 2025 and make their predictions for 2026.

Defense boom drives 10-year value of military aircraft deliveries to $1.19 trillion.

The decade-long demand outlook for military aircraft has jumped 30% over the past year, reaching $250 billion.

The U.S. is 250 years old in 2026. Its leading aerospace and defense companies face growing competition, domestically and internationally, from younger players.

DOT has released two documents that establish the federal government’s first framework for integrating AAM aircraft into the national transportation system.

The U.S. Senate passed the ROTOR Act that would mandate ADS-B In and require ADS-B Out usage for all but the most national security-critical flying in congested airspace.

Elroy Air has begun point-to-point cargo delivery test flights with its Chaparral hybrid-electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing uncrewed aircraft.

Joby Aviation has partnered with Metropolis Technologies to develop an initial network of 25 vertiports across the U.S.

Joby Aviation plans to double its U.S. manufacturing capacity to support production of up to four aircraft per month by 2027.

China’s emerging low-altitude economy is driving the development of large uncrewed logistics aircraft.

Israeli eVTOL developer AIR has delivered its first production-standard aircraft.

Operators of Airbus A320neo-family aircraft with suspected nonconforming fuselage panels have six months to conduct inspections and plan any needed repairs.

BAE Systems has raised $52.2 million from the sale of most of its stake in Air Astana.

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.

Wisk Aero has completed the first flight of its full-scale Gen 6 autonomous eVTOL air taxi.

Combined deliveries of aircraft from ATR, Comac and Embraer reached their highest monthly total of the year so far in November.

China issued draft guidance on type certification of powered-lift aircraft for public comment in a move intended to streamline airworthiness approval of eVTOLs.

CycloTech has received a grant to support development and testing of the BlackBird cycloidal-rotor eVTOL flight demonstrator.

Wichita’s National Institute for Aviation Research marked its 40th anniversary with a sneak peek of its new innovation advanced manufacturing hub.

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

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

Chinese startup AutoFlight remains on track to achieve type certification in 2026 for its Prosperity passenger-carrying eVTOL.

South Korea has conducted an urban demonstration flight to validate multisatellite, multifrequency anti-jamming technology.

Suppliers to Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft programs expect to be running at significantly higher monthly production levels starting in 2026.

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