Emerging Technologies

Lydian Labs secures $43 million to advance e-SAF production with modular reactors, aiming to cut costs and compete with biofuels within the decade.

As the U.S. Air Force refines requirements for Increment 2 of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, top officials do not expect radical design changes.

Stock-based compensation at new defense-tech and space companies could lure young engineers away from the likes of Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

H2FLY expects hydrogen-electric regional aircraft to rely primarily on fuel cells within three to four years.

IBM will acquire HRL Laboratories to expand its quantum computing capabilities and long-term advanced technology research.

Boeing's Kelly Ortberg agrees that commercial airframers and their suppliers could change the business model if they build a next-generation air transport, but it will not happen during the current generation of single aisles.

Pratt & Whitney believes its second-generation GTF design combined with advanced systems from RTX could give it a head start in the race for a place on the next Airbus and Boeing single-aisle projects.

ATR explores hybrid-electric and all-thermal engines for its EVO program, aiming for 20% efficiency gains while waiting for technology to mature.

UK zero-emission flights; Sikorsky VTOL Nomad; autonomous freighters; and hybrid-power cargo eVTOL.

The specialist in space nuclear micropower is demontrating how cubesats could one day be powered with radioisotopes.

London Gatwick Airport launches robot parking service in August, using autonomous vehicles to park cars and streamline passenger experience.

JetZero adds two more airline partners and explores billions in U.S. manufacturing support as engine selection moves into new phase.

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

Flight tests are to validate performance characteristics of the open fan engine and long, thin wing.

Boeing is noticing changes in typical maintenance technician training and career progression—and it has ideas for overcoming hurdles.

Heart Aerospace receives FAA approval to begin flight tests of its X1 electric demonstrator, paving the way for hybrid-electric regional airliner development.

Merlin Labs partners with IAI to develop autonomous systems for cargo aircraft, aiming to certify reduced-crew operations and address pilot shortages.

Beta’s MV250 military eVTOL launch accelerates civilian certification efforts, leveraging military testing and autonomy tech for strategic growth.

Editors discuss the latest developments in NGSA, aircraft orders and more at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow.

Collins and Safran are testing electric powertrains for hybridized turbine engines.

The holy grail in missile defense today is a cheaper way to down threats.

GE Aerospace’s flying testbeds are “getting beyond the platitudes,” pushing the technology and development edge toward the Open Fan.

UK CAA advances hydrogen aviation through demonstration projects and targets initial commercial operations by 2035.

Frequentis USA delivers 15,000 protocol converters to FAA, accelerating air traffic control modernization under the VoICE program and Bnatcs initiative.

Singapore trials AI-powered air traffic tools to reduce ATCO workload, improve situational awareness and enhance efficiency with safe, interoperable systems.