'We Happy Band Of Robots'—The Pentagon's New Command

Aviation Week editors discuss the evolving European fighter landscape, introducing France's approach to its next-generation fighter it calls ACF, and the thinking around what will happen with Germany, Spain and the implication for the GCAP program, too.

CFM established an industry benchmark for reliability with its CFM56; roughly 24,000 are still in operation today, setting up big expectations for in-service durability. Today it continues producing spare engines, military engines and spare parts for the variant. But CFM's Leap program has been working through some issues since its entry into service. On this episode sponsored by CFM, Aviation Week editors hear about CFM's durability roadmap from President Gaël Méheust, and how the company intends to apply lessons learned to its future Rise technology program Open Fan engine. Listen to a past Check 6 Revisits episode exploring 40 years of CFM here

Editors discuss what the long-awaited certification of the Boeing 737-10 means for the industry and what's happening with the 777X. They also reflect on the Airbus A340-600 after its last major operator, Lufthansa, retired the quadjet. Sign up to receive Aviation Week newsletters here: https://aviationweek.com/signup

As developments in Ukraine highlight new issues for army aviation, editors share what they heard from leaders at AUSA 2026 and discuss how the service is looking to evolve. Thank you to our sponsor, GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace is uniquely positioned to support its defense customers, providing reliable, high performance military engines and systems for air and sea. Building on more than a century of innovation, GE Aerospace continues to mobilize a new era of growth, balancing the current needs of the industry with the advanced capabilities needed for the future. For more information, visit https://geaerospace.com/

How will the fatal Houthi attacks that closed Riyadh Airport affect commercial aviation in the region? Aviation Week's team survey the immediate impact on Saudi Arabia and how it could alter grander plans for the industry. Sign up to receive Aviation Week newsletters here: https://aviationweek.com/signup

Will Project Agincourt spur the new U.S. Autonomy Command to great things? Editors discuss the implications of the Pentagon's military autonomy efforts and the broader context of uncrewed systems in modern warfare. Sign up to receive Aviation Week newsletters here: https://aviationweek.com/signup

Editors assess the progress of JetZero's blended wing body aircraft and explore its efforts to find the right powerplant that would suit both civil and military customers. Sign up to receive Aviation Week newsletters here: https://aviationweek.com/signup  

Ahead of AUSA, editors discuss the MV-75 and the U.S. Army's modernization plans, including long-range fires, air defense, space capabilities and the budget challenges shaping its next steps.

Editors discuss the next-generation freighter market after first flight of the Airbus A350F and with Boeing's 777-8F in line to take off soon. Sign up to receive Aviation Week newsletters here: https://aviationweek.com/signup

Editors react to Boeing being announced as the winner of the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX contest ahead of Northrop Grumman and share their impressions of the next-generation tactical combat aircraft's design after a new rendering was released. Sign up to receive Aviation Week newsletters here: https://aviationweek.com/signup