Aerospace & Defense

Delray Beach, Fla. – September 18, 2026 -- The global more electric aircraft market is set to grow from USD 5.95 billion in 2026 to USD 8.66 billion by 2031, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets.

Rotary-wing platforms outpace fixed-wing growth despite smaller base

Rotary-wing aircraft are projected to post the highest CAGR of 13.3% through 2031, even as fixed-wing aircraft retain the largest overall market share on the back of strong order backlogs and production activity for narrow-body and wide-body programs. Aircraft systems will account for 70.1% of the market by system in 2026, while engines are expected to grow fastest among components at a 10.4% CAGR.

Toronto and Paris – September 18, 2026 -- MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA) (NYSE: MDA) has launched its complete MDA CHORUSTM Earth observation product portfolio, unveiled at the World Space Business Week conference ahead of the constellation's planned launch later in 2026.

MDA Space rolls out three-tier commercial architecture for satellite tasking and analytics

The portfolio comprises MDA CHORUSTM COMMAND, an entry-level platform for archive search, area-of-interest definition and acquisition scheduling with API connectors; MDA CHORUSTM COMMAND PRO, which integrates a regional ground station directly into customer operations for near-real-time local processing and downlink; and MDA CHORUSTM INTELLIGENCE, a geointelligence analytics suite covering maritime awareness, vessel detection, oil-on-water monitoring, ground deformation and energy infrastructure tracking.

Paris – September 18, 2026 -- Intellian Technologies Inc. and Network Innovations have signed a strategic partnership to jointly develop and distribute what they describe as the world's first tactical ground terminal capable of simultaneous Mil-X, Mil Ka-band, and commercial Ka and Ku-band connectivity for military and government customers.

Terminal supports electronic switching across an extended range of Ka-band frequencies

The flyaway platform is built for the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) constellation and is designed for multi-orbit operations spanning LEO, MEO, GEO, and HEO satellites. The deployable systems can be made operational in as little as 30 minutes, targeting expeditionary forces and mission-critical deployments requiring secure, high-capacity communications.

Paris – September 18, 2026 -- Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) has been selected by Intuitive Machines to provide ground station and satellite operations support for NASA's EAGLE VSWIR mission, targeted for launch in 2028.

KSAT will operate the IM 300 spacecraft carrying JPL's VSWIR instrument

The Explorer for Artemis Geology, Lunar, and Earth mission will host NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Visible to Shortwave Infrared instrument aboard Intuitive Machines' IM 300 spacecraft. The sensor will measure ground and water temperature, snow reflectivity, active geologic processes, vegetation traits, and algal biomass, while also testing technology relevant to future lunar and Mars exploration.

Tulsa, Okla. – September 18, 2026 -- Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, has named Tom Watson as president, effective Oct. 1, to lead a $1 billion-plus portfolio of tribally owned federal contracting companies employing more than 5,000 people.

Watson brings 30 years of federal contracting leadership to the role

Watson spent seven years at Serco, most recently as CEO of its $2 billion North American business, where he oversaw more than 10,000 employees serving defense and federal civilian customers. Before becoming CEO in 2022, he served as senior vice president of Serco's Defense Services business. He joined Serco in 2018 after 22 years at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), where he rose to senior vice president and general manager of SAIC's Navy and Marine Corps Business Unit, leading roughly 4,000 employees and more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

Nashua, N.H. – September 18, 2026 -- BAE Systems has launched Shadow EWTM, a family of compact electronic warfare systems built to equip small airborne platforms with situational awareness and self-defense capabilities in contested environments.

BAE Systems targets high-volume, low-cost production using commercial microchips

The company is producing Shadow EW systems at scale using commercial-grade microchips for high-performance computing, a design choice intended to cut costs and streamline supply chains. BAE Systems says the approach leverages its proven high-volume manufacturing base and skilled workforce to accelerate production and delivery timelines.

Grants Pass, Ore. – September 18, 2026 -- Becklin Holdings has acquired Chief Avionics, an FAA-certified avionics repair station based at Grants Pass Airport (3S8) in Southern Oregon, adding certified aircraft maintenance capabilities and a physical airport footprint to its aerospace and defense portfolio. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Acquisition adds FAA-certified repair station status to Becklin's growing platform

Chief Avionics' FAA certification authorizes the company to perform specialized maintenance and alterations on aircraft and aviation equipment under federal requirements. The company will retain its name and continue operating from its Grants Pass Airport location, providing avionics installation, upgrades, service, and over-the-counter product sales to general aviation aircraft owners and operators. Its core focus spans navigation, communications, and other advanced aircraft electronic systems.

San Diego – – September 18, 2026 -- Obsidian Sensors has secured a contract under the DUTCH project to deliver high-resolution thermal cameras at attritable price points for the Drone Dominance program, using a manufacturing process the company says will eventually cut costs by an order of magnitude versus incumbent suppliers.

Obsidian fabricates MEMS sensors on glass panels 20 times larger than standard silicon wafers

The company's proprietary Large Area MEMS Platform (LAMP) departs from the thermal imaging industry's traditional reliance on 8-inch silicon wafers. Instead, Obsidian builds its MEMS thermal sensor structures on large glass substrates inside a standard flat-panel display factory, borrowing the scale and cost structure of the display manufacturing sector rather than the semiconductor industry.

Manassas, Va. and Wichita, Kan. – September 18, 2026 -- Electra and The Atlas Group have signed an airframe manufacturing agreement for the EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, with Atlas set to build and assemble airframes for Electra's flight test and certification program starting this month.

Atlas begins airframe production this month with first deliveries targeted for 2027

Work commences at Atlas facilities immediately, feeding Electra's certification campaign for the nine-passenger hybrid-electric EL9, which is designed to take off and land in as little as 150 feet. The two companies will jointly mature production architecture and reduce manufacturing risk ahead of scaled output.

"Realizing this vision requires more than a breakthrough aircraft; it requires the ability to build and deliver it with the consistency and scale of an advanced production system," said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – September 18, 2026 -- Axon Enterprise, Inc. (Nasdaq: AXON) intends to offer $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 0% convertible senior notes due 2031, subject to market conditions, the public safety technology company announced.

Axon adds $150 million over-allotment option for underwriters

Underwriters will have the option to purchase up to an additional $150.0 million in notes to cover over-allotments, exercisable for settlement within an 11-day period beginning on the first issuance date. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are serving as joint lead book-running managers.