ILA Berlin 2026

By Robert Wall
As Europe pursues its goal of becoming more autonomous in space, ESA is exploring whether its Ariane 6 rocket could to take astronauts to orbit.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A glitch that caused a YFQ-42 Dark Merlin aircraft to crash in April came from a newly designed, high-performance autopilot developed for the CCA prototype, GA-ASI President David Alexander tells Aviation Week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Rohde & Schwarz is looking to begin flight trials for its new multi-domain secure communications network architecture as early as next year, with the goal of having key elements customer-ready by the end of the decade.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Robert Wall
European officials have signed off on high-level performance requirements for a future autonomous Earth observation program to address security requirements.
Operations & Safety

By Steve Trimble
A U.S. Air Force classification change to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program could give a boost to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s (GA-ASI’s) marketing campaign in Europe.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has proposed the MQ-9B SeaGuardian to backfill for a U.S. Air Force Reaper shortage.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says France and Germany are set to agree on new defense cooperation efforts next month despite their split on a future combat aircraft.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall
Germany’s plan to spend about €35 billion ($40.4 billion) on military space has in effect spurred an industrial arms race.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Thierry Dubois
Improvements cabin equipment suppliers have been studying for passenger safety and comfort may ultimately reduce the required number of flight attendants.
Emerging Technologies

By Tony Osborne
Momentum is building with Diehl Defense for a potential integration of its IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
MTU Aero Engines is urging the French and German governments to take “necessary steps” to preserve the expertise and industrial capabilities created to support the development of an advanced powerplant for a European sixth-generation combat aircraft.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Robert Wall
The European Space Agency has awarded Thales Alenia Space a contract to develop and build the Copernicus Sentinel-1 Next Generation Earth-observation satellite.
Satellites

By Robert Wall
Space startup The Exploration Company has launched an ambitious push to develop a reusable heavy-lift launcher, looking to largely draw on private financing.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Thierry Dubois
Certification by analysis, an approach that replaces some tests with virtual assessments, may contribute to maturing technologies faster.
Emerging Technologies

By Robert Wall
Helsing unveiled an electronic attack version of the in-development CA-1 Europa collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), promising to have the jammer ready in 2031.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

Sponsored by Diehl Defence
Aviation Week talks to Harald Buschek, Chief Program Officer, Diehl Defence, about the enhanced capabilities of the new IRIS-T SLS Mk.4 ground-based air defense system.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
Kongsberg completed the acquisition of a 90% stake of Zone 5 Technologies, a maker of low-cost cruise and interceptor missiles already in large-scale production.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Robert Wall
Rafael would produce its Iron Dome air and missile defense system in Germany if Berlin opts to buy the system, company CEO Yoav Tourgeman says.
Missile Defense & Weapons

Sponsored by Leonardo
Aviation Week TV speaks with Leonardo at ILA-Berlin 2026, where the AW249 attack helicopter is seen flying in public for the first time outside of Italy.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Thierry Dubois
German industry must have a fair share in Airbus' Next-Generation Single-Aisle, Katherina Reiche, federal minister for economic affairs and energy, said June 9.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Alan Dron
Deutsche Aircraft is planning to offer its own design of landing gear for both the forthcoming Dornier 328eco and legacy D328 turboprops.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Thierry Dubois
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury says that engineers and executives should focus on delivering the aircraft in the OEM's backlog, as opposed to coming up with ideas for new airliners.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Robert Wall
Rohde & Schwarz is getting into the increasingly contested market for laser-based counter-drone system.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Ben Goldstein
German advanced air mobility startup ERC System has unveiled a new heavy-lift cargo drone aimed at military resupply and critical logistics missions.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Diehl Defense has revealed a mobile launcher for its ground-launched IRIS-T missile that will be capable of firing the weapon on the move.
Missile Defense & Weapons