Emerging Technologies

Listen in as Aviation Week editors discuss a week of high drama, including the shootdown of China's balloon and the future of high-altitude surveillance.

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

Balloon industry says it can survey the Earth better than satellites and for less cost.

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both plan to be early adopters of electric aircraft but have contrasting visions for initial operations.

A bizarre, five-day saga revealed a new Chinese spy program, possible advances in light-than-air technology and new high-altitude skills for the F-22.

IATA and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia have agreed to formalise a cooperation with the aim of strengthening the economic and social benefits of aviation in Somalia.

Emirates Defense Technology is teaming up with Steadicopter to supply Rotary Unmanned Aerial Systems in the UAE and other specific market segments.

A static firing of Super Heavy’s 33 Merlin engines is the last major milestone before debut launch.

Alder’s board announced on Jan. 11 that Sherbacow had left the company on Dec. 27 and named Tim Obitts as acting CEO but did not give a reason.

Clean Sky 2 Thermoplastic Fuselage Demonstrator (MFFD) lower half has been delivered, and at 8m by 4m is one of the largest known thermoplastic assemblies in the world.

Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have signed an MoU for exploring satellite technology enablers.

The Skydweller aircraft demonstrated remotely piloted three-dimensional guidance from the ground.

The cloud-computing company sees space as the next frontier for its technology.

Historic electronic systems facility in Rochester needs funding for modernization.

Pyka, MightyFly and Moya Aero are among startups developing heavy-payload uncrewed aircraft for cargo use.

Lufthansa Group has signed an agreement with European energy company Varo covering the production and supply of sustainable aviation fuel.

Four more Indian airports are to benefit from Paperless check-in and boarding service, Digi Yatra.

Northwestern Polytechnical University in China has flown a subscale model of a 300-330-seat BWB airliner.

U.S. troops in the Middle East turn to new tech and adapted missile defenses to help protect bases.

The challenge centers on developing new approaches for effectively tracking objects in low-light conditions, whether in enclosed or open environments.

Daher bets on thermoplastics for higher production rates and reduced environmental footprint.

SITA’s Air Transport IT Insights report reveals accelerated digitalisation will help airlines and airports meet rising passenger demand by offering more self-service options.

China has flown a verification scale model of the BWB-330 blended wing body concept, a future civil airliner design that would carry 300-330 passengers.

With a 1-kilovolt, 2.5-megawatt electrical system, the Lilium Jet needs new wiring interconnection systems, which will be developed by GKN Aerospace.

Fast rotorcraft take shape, electric trainer advances and SAF from methanol.