Flight Warning System

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has partnered with Airbus to equip two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones with European AI-driven mission systems for 2026 flight tests in Germany. The collaboration marks a significant entry into the European defense market for the American company. Kratos reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 results, with organic revenue growth of approximately 20% year-over-year and a 1.3-to-1 book-to-bill ratio, indicating new orders exceeded revenue. The company ended 2025 with a record backlog of $1.573 billion and has identified a $13.7 billion pipeline of potential future contracts. The partnership demonstrates that autonomous collaborative warfare is becoming reality whilst providing Kratos with international validation and access to Europe's defense sector. Airbus positions itself as a lead systems integrator for Europe's future combat cloud through the collaboration.

Axens signs mou with Airbus on SAF development. Axens has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to strengthen their cooperation in the development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The two companies aim to accelerate the scale up of SAF solutions needed to support the industry's transition toward net zero emissions by 2050. Through this collaboration, the partners will engage in structured discussions on technical aspects of SAF pathways to enhance their shared understanding of current and future technologies, reinforcing ongoing exchanges between their technical teams. In parallel, Axens and Airbus will jointly explore how to support wider SAF deployment by aligning advocacy efforts, engaging with key stakeholders, and identifying potential opportunities where coordinated action could accelerate project development worldwide. The parties will also look into areas where they could collaborate on regional market analysis and consider joint initiatives that could help de risk and speed up SAF production scale up. With this agreement, Axens and Airbus reaffirm their shared ambition to move SAF from vision to implementation. By combining complementary expertise, engaging with the broader ecosystem, and exploring innovative forms of collaboration, both companies intend to contribute meaningfully to the rapid emergence of a robust and sustainable SAF market. A podcast series for professionals in the downstream industry featuring short, insightful interviews. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to start listening today. Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):

Airbus to install Norsk Titanium Merke IV DED systems as process development partnership commences. The companies hope to transition from part-specific qualification to broader process-based methodologies for specific titanium products. Published: March 05, 2026, 9:43 am Norsk Titanium and Airbus have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly develop and document the DED Process for Norsk Titanium's Rapid Plasma Deposition (RPD) technology. Through the partnership, Airbus will install a Norsk Titanium Merke IV RPD machine at its production facility in Varel, Germany. The companies will then focus on joint technical evaluation of RPD manufacturing processes, controls, and validation data to support the transition from part-specific qualification to broader process-based methodologies for specific titanium products. Assessing the industrial application potential of RPD, reviewing technical data and documentation, is part of a broader strategy at Airbus to advance 'diverse Direct Energy Deposition' solutions within its manufacturing workflows. Though early in the industrialisation process, Airbus and Norsk are confident RPD technology can offers 'significant savings on cost and time.' Norsk's Merke IV system is a 4th-generation machine that, depending on part size and geometry, is capable of producing between 10-20 metric tons of titanium parts annually. It boasts a build envelope of 900 x 600 x 300 mm and a deposition rate of 5-10kg/hour. It is powered by Norsk's proprietary RPD technology, which has been leveraged by the likes of Boeing and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. This cooperation agreement on process development with Airbus follows the long-term Master Supply Agreement, which sees Norsk supply RPD raw material to Varel to support A350 production, announced in 2024. "This agreement marks a pivotal milestone in the enduring technical partnership between Norsk Titanium and Airbus, acting as a catalyst for the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies at Airbus," said Fabrizio Ponte, CEO of Norsk Titanium. "With a standardised process, it will be easier to transition parts to RPD and to bring many more parts into scope over time. This will support Airbus' pioneering work to implement DED in more applications." Group Content Manager, began writing for TCT Magazine in 2016 and has since become one of additive manufacturing's go-to journalists. From breaking news to in-depth analysis, Sam's insight and expertise are highly sought after.