Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast

Listen in as editors discuss Saab's collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) concept, Europe's evolving uncrewed combat aircraft strategy and the U.S. Navy's ambitious carrier-based CCA plans. Mission-critical defense systems demand unwavering reliability. Siemens delivers comprehensive solutions across engineering, manufacturing and lifecycle management. When precision matters most, trust Siemens. Your mission is our commitment. Learn more at siemens.com.

Aviation Week's Graham Warwick offers a scathing assessment of U.S. regulators as a King Air crash earlier this year underscores concerns about the Global Positioning System. He is joined by Robert Wall and Joe Anselmo to discuss its vulnerabilities and the barriers to overcoming those.

Editors talk Tailhook, covering the Navy's surprise unveiling of Malice, a new long-range air-to-air missile, future carrier deck operations, the use of uncrewed aircraft, hypersonic weapons and more. Thank you to our sponsor, GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace is uniquely positioned to support its defense customers, balancing the current needs of the industry with the advanced capabilities needed for the future. Learn more about the reliable, high-performance military engines and systems that continue to mobilize a new era of growth. Explore now

Did Boeing's inaction open the door to Airbus' sales bonanza? United's plan to use XLRs on new transatlantic routes revives the question. Joe Anselmo, Jens Flottau and Christine Boynton are joined by regular columnist Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, to discuss.

Aviation Week's Military Space Editor Vivienne Machi discusses the latest developments with the National Reconnaissance Office, the Victus Haze rendezvous and proximity operations missions, and what awaits the new slate of U.S. defense and intelligence space leadership.  

Listen in as our editors discuss good earnings, bad earnings, SpaceX, AI, the aftermarket, Boeing, an electric airplane and a Groundhog Day moment.

Robert Wall and Brian Everstine discuss the annual Space and Missile Defense Conference in Huntsville and focus on the major themes that emerged there.

Aviation Week's Joe Anselmo, Christine Boynton, Jens Flottau and Guy Norris discuss the long-awaited certification of the Boeing 737-7, the MAX type with the longest range, and also explore how airlines are coping after a tumultuous first half.

Editors discuss the Pentagon's modernization priorities, including the Air Force's collaborative combat aircraft program, Air Force One modification issues and the Navy's efforts to advance a more modular missile defense architecture. Thank you to our sponsor, GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace is uniquely positioned to support the Defense sector, providing reliable high performance, innovative military engines, systems and services. Learn more at geaerospace.com/military-defense

A new survey reveals a widening gap between airline sentiment and the rest of the industry regarding a potential downturn. Listen in as editors are joined by consultants from McKinsey who share results from their research carried out in partnership with Aviation Week.  Download McKinsey's white paper in partnership with Aviation Week as a PDF here

Listen in to hear about Brontanax, GCAP, interceptors, howling Hongdus and more as Aviation Week defense editors break down what they learned at the Farnborough Airshow.

Editors Christine Boynton, Jens Flottau and Guy Norris discuss the latest developments in NGSA technology, aircraft orders, Emirates' first 777Xs and more from the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Watch Guy and Christine's video on GE's hybrid-electric milestone here

Editors unpack the Global Air & Space Chiefs Conference in London, breaking down the Storm Fighter CCA program, space launch infrastructure issues and more, plus what to expect from Farnborough Airshow.

As the Farnborough Airshow approaches, editors discuss how engine-makers are making headway with nagging durability problems while positioning for the all-important next-gen single aisle competition—and explain how the two play into each other.  Thank you to our sponsor, Siemens. When aerospace leaders need trusted engineering and design solutions, they turn to Siemens comprehensive solutions. From design to delivery, our solutions support you throughout the entire product lifecycle.  Learn more at siemens.com

Listen in as Steve Parker, the CEO of Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division, explains the company's revised approach to bidding for contracts and shares program updates on the F-47, KC-46, MQ-28 and more ahead of the Farnborough Airshow. Thank you to our sponsor, Parker. With more than a century of aerospace expertise behind it, Parker is continuing to engineer the breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow. Find out more at Parker.com/Aerospace 

Listen in as Accenture's aerospace team identifies key trends to watch at this year's Farnborough Airshow in this sponsored podcast.  Find out more about Accenture here

Robert Wall and Tony Osborne dig into the UK's Defense Investment Plan, discussing how billions in new spending could reshape GCAP and airpower, electronic warfare and NATO strategy.

Ten years after the C Series entered service, editors are joined by Richard Aboulafia to assess the success of what is now the A220 and explain why a decision to stretch it or not is such a conundrum for Airbus. 

As Washington DC's Air & Space Museum turns 50, its director Chris Browne tells Aviation Week about its newest galleries and gives a sneak peek of what's on display ahead of their opening on July 1. Watch a video version of this episode on YouTube

Is your legacy test infrastructure the biggest bottleneck in your electrification program? In this sponsored podcast ACS breaks down why "purpose-built" test cells are failing to keep pace with the pace of innovation—and how moving to a modular, flexible design is the key to accelerating the path to certification. Learn more here