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FlightGlobal • Jon Hemmerdinger

FAA proposes mandatory inspections of cargo-track fittings on Boeing 767-300Fs after unapproved materials found

The FAA has proposed mandatory inspections of cargo-track fittings on Boeing 767-300 freighters after discovering some fittings were manufactured with unapproved materials, a condition the agency says could compromise structural integrity and controllability. The proposal would require operators to inspect and, if necessary, remediate affected fittings to ensure material conformity.

2026-02-17T14:55:17.194180-08:00

Reuters

US FTC finalizes consent order clearing Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems

2026-02-17T14:15:50.515488-08:00

Bloomberg

Pentagon: RTX improves but still falls short on critical Navy missile deliveries

2026-02-17T13:06:08.858074-08:00

AINonline

SkyNRG breaks ground on the Netherlands' first dedicated SAF plant — 100,000 t/yr due 2028

2026-02-17T09:10:56.787554-08:00

News Timeline

Payload

Demonstrators Are No Longer Optional: Aerospace and Defense Must Shift to Early Prototyping For decades aerospace and defense followed a requirements-then-design-then-validate model that assumed time existed to manage surprises. That window has closed: programs now require early demonstrators and prototyping to uncover risks and integration issues sooner, forcing a structural shift in development and risk management.

2026-02-17T21:14:45.509319-08:00

Demonstrators Are No Longer Optional: Aerospace and Defense Must Shift to Early Prototyping

FlightGlobal

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FAA proposes mandatory inspections of cargo-track fittings on Boeing 767-300Fs after unapproved materials found The FAA has proposed mandatory inspections of cargo-track fittings on Boeing 767-300 freighters after discovering some fittings were manufactured with unapproved materials, a condition the agency says could compromise structural integrity and controllability. The proposal would require operators to inspect and, if necessary, remediate affected fittings to ensure material conformity.

2026-02-17T14:55:17.194180-08:00

FAA proposes mandatory inspections of cargo-track fittings on Boeing 767-300Fs after unapproved materials found

Reuters

❗️

US FTC finalizes consent order clearing Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday finalized a consent order related to Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, effectively approving the transaction. The action completes the FTC's review and clears a major regulatory hurdle for Boeing's takeover of its longtime aerostructures supplier.

2026-02-17T14:15:50.515488-08:00

US FTC finalizes consent order clearing Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems

Bloomberg

Pentagon: RTX improves but still falls short on critical Navy missile deliveries A Pentagon assessment says RTX has improved its ability to deliver a critical missile for the U.S. Navy, but the company's performance remains below expectations — a finding that follows President Trump publicly singling out the contractor amid broader political pressure on defense firms.

2026-02-17T13:06:08.858074-08:00

Pentagon: RTX improves but still falls short on critical Navy missile deliveries

AINonline

SkyNRG breaks ground on the Netherlands' first dedicated SAF plant — 100,000 t/yr due 2028 SkyNRG has begun construction of the Netherlands’ first factory dedicated to sustainable aviation fuel after securing financing, with commercial operations targeted in 2028. The Delfzijl plant is planned to produce 100,000 tonnes of SAF annually, with investment support from KLM.

2026-02-17T09:10:56.787554-08:00

SkyNRG breaks ground on the Netherlands' first dedicated SAF plant — 100,000 t/yr due 2028

Payload

Revenge of the Bad Businesses: investors pivot to space hardware as software rout bites A shift in investor sentiment during this year's software rout is reversing conventional wisdom: asset-light, high-margin software is losing its premium while capital-intensive 'bad' businesses are regaining appeal. The trend is reshaping the space investing thesis, increasing focus on hardware, launchers and industrial assets.

2026-02-17T08:56:51.175203-08:00

Revenge of the Bad Businesses: investors pivot to space hardware as software rout bites

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries designed, built and flew the Venom autonomous strike aircraft in 71 days, conducting a first flight that underscores a dramatic acceleration in rapid defense prototyping. The demonstrator highlights industry moves toward compressed development cycles for autonomous armed systems.

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

SpaceNews.com

Space-Comm Expo London 2026: Global leaders convene to accelerate Europe's space industry Global policymakers, defence and industry leaders gathered at Space‑Comm Expo in London to accelerate Europe’s space industrialisation and secure supply chains. Exhibitors, including Rhopoint Components showcasing radiation‑hardened electronics, highlighted commercial and defence‑grade satellite and component technologies needed to field upcoming programmes and in‑orbit demonstrators.

2026-02-17T08:27:20.948090-08:00

Space-Comm Expo London 2026: Global leaders convene to accelerate Europe's space industry

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FAA proposes mandatory inspections of cargo-track fittings on Boeing 767-300Fs after unapproved materials found

US FTC finalizes consent order clearing Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems

Pentagon: RTX improves but still falls short on critical Navy missile deliveries

SkyNRG breaks ground on the Netherlands' first dedicated SAF plant — 100,000 t/yr due 2028

News Timeline