March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

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SUPERSONICS

X FACTO R

By Guy Norris17 min

2026 20 TWENTIES

Tomorrow’s Innovators

By Mike McClary13 min

INTERVIEW

'We Need Them To Continue To Improve'

By Jens Flottau8 min

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3233
SUPERSONICS

X FACTO R

> INSIDE NASA’S X-59 LOW-BOOM DEMONSTRATOR > ENVELOPE EXPANSION FLIGHTS SET TO BEGIN > COMMUNITY NOISE CANDIDATES TO BE FINALIZED

By Guy Norris17 min

5657
2026 20 TWENTIES

Tomorrow’s Innovators

A student at Georgia Tech has cofounded a company developing turbulence suppression systems for regional jets—and has secured contracts for 57 aircraft. At the University of Michigan, another student designed avionics that enabled the school’s first successful rocket launch and recovery this decade.

By Mike McClary13 min

4243
INTERVIEW

'We Need Them To Continue To Improve'

Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital since 2004, is the longest-serving head of any major leasing company. The lessor’s planned takeover of Air Lease Corp., expected to close in the first half of this year, will move SMBC much closer in size to market leader AerCap and may force others to seek mergers and acquisitions to keep pace. Jens Flottau, executive editor for commercial aviation, spoke with Barrett at his Dublin office.

By Jens Flottau8 min

1617
WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Fallout From the War Is Hitting the Gulf Airlines Hard

> AVIATION GRINDS TO A HALT IN THE GULF REGION > LONG-HAUL TRAFFIC PATTERNS SHIFT AS LONGER-TERM EFFECTS REMAIN UNCLEAR

By Helen Massy-Beresford,Jens Flottau8 min

2627
SPACE

NASA Adds Lunar Lander LEO Docking Demo to Artemis Campaign

> ISAACMAN WANTS TO BOOST SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM FLIGHT RATE > THE AGENCY SEEKS NEW SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM UPPER STAGE

By Irene Klotz8 min

1415
WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ARSENAL OF AIRPOWER

> U.S. AND ISRAEL ATTEMPT REGIME CHANGE FROM 20,000 FT. > ISRAELI F-35 SCORES FIRST COMBAT AIRCRAFT KILL > U.S.-COPIED SHAHED DRONES STRIKE IRAN

By Steve Trimble,Brian Everstine,Robert Wall7 min

2223
DEFENSE

U.S. Army Aviation Doubles Down on Autonomy Vision

> AUTONOMY INSERTED INTO MV-75 MODERNIZATION PLAN > INDUSTRY SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR GROUP 4 UAS

By Steve Trimble7 min

5051
ROTORCRAFT

Rotorcraft Safety Collaboration Is Delivering Measurable Results

> DATA-DRIVEN INITIATIVES ARE NARROWING SAFETY GAPS > MARKET RECOVERY HAS EXPOSED SUPPLY CHAIN FRAGILITY

By Tony Osborne6 min

4647

Researchers and NGOs Renew Pressure on Aviation's Green Commitment

> DECARBONIZATION NUMBERS DO NOT ADD UP, THINK TANKS SAY > EFFICIENCY MEASURES COULD CUT CO2 EMISSIONS 50-75% IN THE SHORT TERM, RESEARCHERS CALCULATE

By Thierry Dubois,Helen Massy-Beresford5 min

2829
SPACE

Starliner Crew Flight Test Safety Was Compromised by Leadership Lapses

> REPORT CITES MISGUIDED OPERATIONAL DECISIONS AND UNPRODUCTIVE DEBATE BETWEEN NASA AND BOEING > THE ROOT CAUSE OF PROPULSION ISSUES IS STILL UNKNOWN

By Irene Klotz5 min

FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 82026