M&A/Funding/Investment

A French Air Force Dassault Rafale downed a drone that entered Latvian airspace, marking the second shootdown of a UAS in the Baltic states in recent weeks.

Airbus Defense and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn hopes France and Germany will finally resolve the path forward for the New Generation Fighter program by ILA.

The sale of a stake in TAP will be followed by a new Lisbon airport, expansion of the existing gateway and investment in Portugal’s air traffic control system.

Mach Industries expands defense tech portfolio with Exquadrum acquisition to boost propulsion capabilities.

Selected U.S. military contracts from the past week.

The FAA is publishing proposed rules for restricting unmanned aircraft operations in airspace over key facilities.

Explore how advanced electro-mechanical actuation technologies are shaping next-gen aerospace. Learn to balance cutting-edge innovation with mission-critical reliability.

In a battlespace unrecognizable from when the war began in 2022, Ukraine’s adaptations appear to be outpacing the Russian invaders.

Transcendent Aerospace is reviving its very light jet as a cost-effective, optionally piloted drone interceptor, targeting interest from the Middle East and India.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration has rolled out the first production model of its MUAV uncrewed aerial system ahead of its entry into service planned for 2027.

The FAA has kept the nation’s complex air traffic management system safe for decades despite antiquated equipment and a shortage of controllers.

CMC GNSS receivers deliver accuracy, integrity, continuity, and resilience—trusted for crewed and autonomous aircraft in complex environments.

Prior to the Iran war, the leading fear among investors had been how disruptive AI could be to many business sectors. But not in aerospace and defense.

Alt Air has partnered with eVTOL manufacturer Eve Air Mobility and vertiports developer Skyports Infrastructure.

Where Aviation, Defence and Space strategy becomes reality. ILA Berlin 2026 brings 600+ exhibitors, 350 speakers and 100 aircraft to BER Airport.

Listen in as editors reflect on program updates and other highlights from the AFA Warfare Symposium.

Singapore will acquire three G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft with Oron-like radar systems to complement its P-8A Poseidon fleet.

The Pentagon used a counter-drone system to down what it called a “seemingly threatening” uncrewed air system, drawing concerns from lawmakers about potential risks to civil airspace.

The U.S. air traffic management (ATM) system used to be heralded as the gold standard of commercial airspace operations.

SHIELD AI expands Singapore partnership... LOCKHEED gets F-35 ALIS/ODIN award... AEROVIRONMENT studying swarming software for the U.S. Navy...

Leonardo DRS partners with Saudi Arabia & MENA allies to modernize defense with advanced tech, local production, & combat-proven systems for future battlespace.

Warsaw is acquiring 18 batteries of the San counter-drone system, developed by a consortium that includes Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).

Emirati defense group Edge and Qatar’s Barzan Holdings are to create a joint venture and begin cross border defense industrial cooperation.

The United States’ sweeping 2025 trade tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are having a profound effect on the South African aerospace manufacturing sector.

25 Years Ago in Aviation Week The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s Feb. 19, 2001, issue featured an artist’s concept of Northrop Grumman's Pegasus X-47A unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) flying over the U.S. Navy's test facility at China Lake, California.

The Spanish defense and aerospace electronics company says the acquisition will allow it to position itself in the growing uncrewed traffic management market and bolster its UK presence.

The 2026 Aviation Week Laureate Awards honor impressive achievements and contributions by innovators and leaders in five industry sectors.

The California hypersonic missile startup is increasing its overall capital war chest to $464.5 million since emerging from stealth mode nearly two years ago.

Sweden has awarded GKN Aerospace a contract to build a clean-sheet turbojet-powered uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) demonstrator within 18 months to validate rapid development techniques.

Chinese air taxi startup AutoFlight has developed a vessel-based mobile vertiport.

Netherlands-based Ambitious Air Mobility Group has signed binding investment terms with Czech electric air taxi startup Zuri.

Aviation Week Network announced the recipients of the 68th Annual Laureate Awards (#AWLAUR), honoring extraordinary achievements in the global aerospace arena.

Seven years before the small company would be acquired by Boeing, Aurora Flight Sciences unveiled its Orion long-endurance unmanned aircraft demonstrator at its Columbus, Miss., plant on Nov. 22, 2010.

Korean Air's Aerospace Division is displaying the third prototype of its Low Observable Wingman UAV System (LOWUS) with first flight of the system penciled in for December.

Italy has budgeted nearly €600 million ($697 million) through 2030 to launch the acquisition of a new maritime patrol aircraft.

This is providing fresh capital to help onboard new employees and advance flight testing of the Laila uncrewed hybrid eVTOL.

As Ukrainian military units rack up combat points, they can cash them in to “buy” new drones.

The Pentagon has awarded RTX a $5 billion contract for Coyote drone interceptor systems.

Taiwan’s collaboration with American defense contractors took an important step forward at this year's Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition.

U.S. investors led a $15 million Series A round in a Ukrainian software developer for swarming drones.

Digital and additive manufacturing newcomer Divergent Technologies has closed a $290 million venture capital round, the company announced Sept. 15.

A series of teaser images suggest Shield AI's VTOL aircraft is a tailsitter with swept wings and an internal weapons bay large enough to carry two cruise missiles.

Planned investments for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) include several key procurements across the domains of air mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), training, air combat capability, and unmanned systems.

About 98 aircraft are expected to enter Belgian military service in the coming decade, with 43 from requirements that are currently open and quite new.

Among the standouts of China's eVTOL landscape is Shanghai-based Vertaxi.

Lilium would-be investor Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG) and the electric aircraft company’s administrator have hit a snag in their negotiations.

The buy is intended to position Motorola to capture “a multibillion-dollar, rapidly growing addressable market for drone and unmanned systems,” Motorola says.

NATO military commanders and politicians see more potential in the use of drones, but this shouldn't come at the expense of “legacy” systems, a think tank says.

New remarks by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy point to the U.S. government turning its focus back to the Moon and the mission to colonize it.

Editors share what they heard at AIAA's showcase events in Las Vegas and their concerns about what the NASA cuts could mean for U.S. competitiveness in commercial aviation and space.

The U.S. Space Force plans to use its X-37B to conduct operational demonstrations of laser link communications and quantum-based navigation in space.

Editors discuss highlights from the 2025 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, including MOSAIC, the Goodyear airship and more.

Firestorm Labs' investors include the venture arms of Lockheed Martin and Booz Allen Hamilton as well as JP Morgan.

A proposed deal for 36 additional Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters for the South Korean army appears unlikely to proceed.

Piaggio Aerospace completed the sale of its Villanova d’Albenga and Genoa, Italy sites to Baykar, a Turkish aerospace firm.

One of two prototypes of Turkish Aerospace Industries’ Anka 3 uncrewed combat air vehicle has been lost after crashing upon landing.

Lawmakers want to give the U.S. Space Force $1 billion to support the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle program under the proposed budget reconciliation bill.

The two biggest military spenders in the Middle East – Saudi and UAE – take the first steps towards purchase of Turkish fifth-generation fighter. Alan Warnes reports.

Defense tech startup Mach Industries has completed a $100 million Series B funding round led by venture capital (VC) firms Khosla Ventures and Bedrock.

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy are in the midst of a series of upgrades to the MQ-4 Triton uncrewed aircraft fleet.

Boeing’s win of the U.S. Air Force F-47 fighter program may have answered one of the longest-running questions hanging over the aerospace giant.

Heron MK II Brings Integrated COMINT and ELINT to the Front Line

Factorial Energy has shipped its first solid-state lithium-metal battery cells for drone use to Avidrone Aerospace, a developer of long-range UAS.

Selected U.S. military contracts from the past week.

From helicopters to space, Europe is investing to advance next-generation systems.

In the wake of the drone revolution, major drone companies, including 100 per cent African ones, are not only reinforcing but rethinking the use of drones to better support local populations.

XTI Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with hybrid-electric powertrain developer VerdeGo.

German startup Atmos Space Cargo has struck a joint venture agreement with uncrewed ground vehicle maker ARX Robotics.

The 24th edition of the Dubai Airport Show concluded yesterday after calling to effectively adopt and invest in new technologies and to ‘grab’ the opportunities offered by airport expansion projects in the region.

As Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) begins to take flight, the industry must prioritize safety and reliability at every step.

German uncrewed aircraft manufacturer Quantum Systems has secured €160 million ($181 million) in new funding.

The New Zealand government has confirmed it will set aside NZ$2 billion ($1.2 billion) to acquire at least five naval helicopters.

The European Union says it will invest in the local development of next-generation stealth materials and future dogfighting missile technology.

Lawmakers are pressing the Secret Service to explain its role in a series of anti-collision alerts reported by aircraft near Reagan National Airport March 1.

Unmanned Aerospace is preparing to begin pilot production of a hydrogen-electric uncrewed cargo gyroplane.

Hanwha Aerospace will invest KRW750 billion into development and production facilities for GA-ASI MQ-1 Gray Eagle uncrewed system and engines.

MAYMAN AEROSPACE, CA completed test flight of its RAZOR P100 unmanned VTOL with SKYFIELD advanced AI-driven autonomous flight control system to enable aircraft to adapt to changing mission parameters and environmental factors.

Multi-feedstock SAF production tested; Australian e-aircraft programs advance; ZeroAvia to study large hydrogen UAS; Vertiport design mitigates eVTOL downwash.

What does Boeing’s contract win for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation combat aircraft, the F-47, mean for the struggling aerospace company?

As part of a push to become more competitive, the UK is reviewing its approach to regulation, and airspace design has been named as one of the focus areas.

Nimble, venture capital-backed startups are emerging as winners in a worsening global threat environment.

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

For Hanwha, the investment in Shield AI signals its growing interest in the unmanned aerial systems segment.

The Boeing-made autonomous and maneuverable spaceplane was launched for its seventh mission on Dec. 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

With the Series D funding, Oklahoma-based Epirus has raised a total of $550 million.

Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) has shared fresh details on its collaborative combat aircraft projects after unveiling a new prototype.

The Agency of Defense Development and Korean Air Aerospace Division have unveiled South Korea’s first CCA prototype, the Low Observable Wingman UAV System.

Havelsan has been building a platform ecosystem that includes unmanned aerial, ground, and naval vehicles, since 2019.

Highlights from the IDEX 2025 show. View all four digital editions below.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is continuing to modernise, with its Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar currently studying several options. Because, as he said at the 2024 NAF Training, Operations and Safety Seminar on December 4 in Abuja: “We have to rise…

The 2025 edition of the collocated IDEX and NAVDEX event draws to a close, reporting record numbers and a tale of great success for host Abu Dhabi, with more than 150,000 visitors in attendance.

Edge is exhibiting the Sinyar LAR3P unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) -a product of the company’s joint venture with Flaris.

It will be exactly a year on February 21 that the fifth-gen Kaan fighter prototype made its first flight.

Manned-Unmanned (M-UM) operations is an aspiration for increasing numbers of air forces.

World Defense Show is appearing at IDEX updating on the new features and rapid sales for the next edition due to take place in Riyadh from February 8-12 next year.

A secretive DARPA office has a new project: a large hypersonic bomber prototype. The Aerospace Projects Office keeps a low profile, even by DARPA standards.

Vertiport developer, Skyports, is collaborating with LODD, a UAE-based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology and autonomous aerial logistics, to unveil designs for a vertiport network in Abu Dhabi.

The Rwanda Civil Aviation Training and Innovation Centre (RCATIC) is stepping up efforts to enhance regulatory training and bridge the global aviation skills gap.

The seventh edition of the Marrakech Air Show, held at at Marrakech Royal Moroccan Air Force Base from October 30th to November 2nd, surpassed its promises. The event, which showcased civil, military, defence and space industries, was punctuated by strategic agreements and…

Spain’s Satnus joint venture, established to develop autonomous remote carrier technologies for the European FCAS, has completed its first flight test campaign.

Artificial intelligence shows great promise, but safety and ethical considerations are a major challenge in aerospace.

KRW40 billion ($27.8 million) was invested in the facility and the designing of the center in 2022.

Oklahoma and Taiwan have deepened their budding aerospace and defense partnership with two new agreements.

Venture capitalists are increasingly turning their eyes to the fledgling aerospace technologies segment.

U.S. startup Odys Aviation has completed a series of initial transition flights using a subscale prototype of its Laila hybrid eVTOL drone.

Three of the modular systems would produce 1.2 megawatts, enough to power a regional aircraft, the Toulouse-based company says.

The Pentagon has historically kept the spaceplane’s capabilities and mission objectives under wraps.

EDGE has made a grand debut during the Marrakech Air Show 2024. Anuradha Deenapanray Chappard reports.

L3Harris’ Viper Shield—the only modern F-16 electronic warfare system currently in production—harnesses the power of software to give pilots and commanders the edge in an increasingly contested battlespace.

A number of initiatives were disclosed, but the talk of the show was SpaceX’s Starship booster catch, which happened just ahead of the IAC opening.

The UAE is vying to be the market leader in e-VTOL operations as two leading industry manufacturers make their presence known.

The CP-12 mission is led by Draper Laboratory, and the APEX 1.0 lunar lander is being developed by Ispace Technologies U.S.

The Orbital Test Vehicle will conduct a series of passes that use the drag of the Earth’s atmosphere to allow it to change orbit while limiting its fuel use.

Conferences and events for professionals in the aerospace and defense community.

Northrop Grumman is maximizing investment in the Model 437 for digital design and mission testbed roles.

Three unmanned aerial systems parked in the show’s static display perhaps fooled people to think at least two of them were from Turkey’s Baykar.

Dr Mehmet Demiroğlu, the new General Manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries, is at EIAS with a mission.

In recent years Turkey’s Aselsan has become one of the fastest growing companies in the world.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 lb. (1,133 kg), the company describes the aircraft as the “largest civilian drone available for purchase today.”

“We are planning to continue to invest in this domain,” Chief Executive Bezhalel Machlis said on an Aug, 14 second-quarter earnings call.

Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, the program executive officer for Missiles and Space, laid out four planned competitions for next year.

Thales and Garuda Aerospace have signed an MoU to promote the development of the drone ecosystem in India.

Honeywell and Odys Aviation, a developer VTOL aircraft, have signed an MOU to design new Ground Control Stations to support the rollout of Odys Aviation’s hybrid VTOL aircraft in the Middle East and Pacific.

The 2024 National Strategy for the Arctic Region was released July 22.

Saudi Arabia’s SAMI (Saudi Arabia Military Industries), a Saudi Public Investment, created in January 2018 is expanding at quite a ferocious pace. That’s been a priority for CEO Walid Abukhaled, who has worked hard to ensure SAMI meets the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, with…

Landing gear specialist Héroux-Devtek of Quebec, Canada, has agreed to be acquired and taken private by a U.S. private equity firm for about $1.35 billion.

Ahead of AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, EAA CEO Jack Pelton discusses what's on the docket for the world's largest general aviation gathering.

Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. and U.S. uncrewed systems company AEVEX have signed a memorandum geared toward the manufacturing of UAS.

News in brief.

A successful demonstration of the first unmanned air taxi trial in Mecca is said to pave the way for future implementation of smart mobility solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

UAE defence conglomerate, Edge Group, has signed a milestone cooperation agreement with Adani Defence & Aerospace, one of India’s leading defence manufacturers

A UK company ARC Aero Systems has signed strategic partnership agreement (SPA) with a Saudi-based Life Shield.

Amazilia Aerospace is a developer of digital flight control, flight guidance and vehicle management systems for civil manned and unmanned aircraft.

Chevron Pipe Line and American Aerospace Technologies won a waiver from the FAA to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights of a drone to inspect pipelines.

AIRBUS finalized acquisition of US-based AEROVEL and its UAS, FLEXROTOR, to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions.

A series of DARPA programs since 2016 have demonstrated the reliability of the “formal methods” coding approach on quadcopters and other UAS.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has linked up with Aerotor to propose a large, VTOL uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to perform a range of military roles.

A new series of demonstration flights aimed at showing how drones can be integrated into operations at major UK airports is being prepared for later in 2024.

With major F-15 retirements and a reduction in F-15EX buys, the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of Eagles faces a rocky future.

Raytheon will showcase a wide range of technological capabilities at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024).

Failing again to field the OH-58 Kiowa’s replacement, the U.S. Army will rely on uncrewed aircraft and space-based assets for the armed reconnaissance mission.

Aselsan’s Bombardier Global 6000 Hava SOJ airborne stand-off jammer programme is progressing well, a company spokesperson said at WDS

Combat air is increasingly provided by a mix of traditional manned fast jets and uncrewed platforms, and Middle Eastern air forces are starting to acquire more versatile and capable UAVs and UCAVs.

Saudi Arabia’s economic power and geopolitical influence makes it a “core country” for Airbus Defence and Space, in the view of its chief executive, Michael Schoellhorn.

Six months after the announcement, in July last year, that Saudi Arabia was set to acquire the Baykar Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), one of the prototypes is on display at WDS.

Day two coverage from World Defense Show in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from our sister publication Show Business, the event’s Official Show Daily Partner.

A model of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae fighter, is being displayed at WDS.

RTX, an aerospace and defence company, will showcase its latest defence-related technological advancements and capabilities at the World Defense Show (WDS).

As part of our coverage from World Defense Show, we’re bringing you the news from our sister publication Show Business, the event’s Official Show Daily Partner.

Cutting edge assets from electric aircraft to 60-tonne tanks will be on display at World Defense Show 2024.

The aerospace and defense sector could experience modest mergers and acquisitions activity this year.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia has launched the "Enabling Advanced Air Transport in the Kingdom" initiative.

The UMEX and SimTEX Conference has concluded at ADNEC after presentations, panel discussions and keynote speeches from experts from the unmanned systems sector.

Kaman, a storied pioneer of helicopters and UAVs and scion of New England aerospace, will be acquired by private-equity firm Arcline Investment Management.

Mercury Systems (MRCY), a tech provider to the aerospace and defense industry, said it would consolidate its Mission Systems and Microelectronics divisions.

Germany’s navy is to perform a series of flight trials this year with the General Atomics MQ-9 SeaGuardian uncrewed aircraft system.

Airbus Helicopters is acquiring U.S.-based uncrewed aircraft systems developer Aerovel to bolster its portfolio of tactical UAS products.

Advanced manufacturing startup Atomic-6 announced on Jan. 11 that it had raised $9.2 million jointly awarded by the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

UMEX and SimTEX Conference will outline futuristic tech innovation and business opportunities in the unmanned systems sector.

Saudia Group has signed an agreement with the World Defense Show (WDS) to become the Official Airline Partner for its second edition.

Shield AI said on Dec. 29 that it raised an additional $300 million, adding to a previously announced $200 million through debt issuance, as part of the autopilot startup’s Series F round.

Industry titans will continue to sell off businesses, and private equity will continue to play a central role.

A roundup of upcoming conferences, exhibitions and summits.

A team of government and industry partners led by Wisk Aero has announced the successful completion of a series of unmanned flight trials in New Zealand.

AI leaders cooperate; Cargo eVTOL flies; UK extends R&D funding; and China’s firefighting eVTOL.

The UAE military will purchase 100 Reach-S tactical UAS from the country's main defense contractor Edge Group.

Improving U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) safety and efficiency requires short- and long-term commitments in four broad areas.

UAE defense conglomerate Edge Group has taken a 50% stake in Polish light jet developer Flaris.

A roundup of upcoming conferences, exhibitions and summits.

Recent market intelligence items for aerospace & defense professionals.

Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group has purchased a majority stake in Switzerland-based vertical-takeoff-and-landing UAS developer Anavia.

Aviation safety investigators are facing a changing environment and must embrace new approaches to communicating results.

Shield AI, the startup behind the Hivemind pilot program that features AI software, said on Oct. 31 it raised $200 million in Series F funding.

A year and a half after private equity investors bought it, uAvionix has in turn bought Iris Automation, a provider of optical detect and avoid technology.

Kratos' newly acquired 5GAT platform could also be developed to perform a "wide range of other applications," along with new configurations of the XQ-58.