Robert Wall
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Executive Editor, Defense & Space, Aviation Week - ex The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, IISS
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Articles by Robert Wall
German Minister Sees New MILSATCOM Operational In ’27
Robert Wall July 14, 2026 Credit: Airbus Germany will begin operating a new military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system next year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said, while efforts continue to put on contract a complementary low-Earth-orbit constellation. Pistorius, during a visit to OHB, affirmed the timeline for the so-called... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Podcast: How Steve Parker Is Remaking Boeing's Defense Business
Brian Everstine Robert Wall July 14, 2026 Listen in as Steve Parker, the CEO of Boeing's Defense, Space and Security business, explains the company's revised approach to bidding for contracts and shares program updates on the F-47, KC-46 and more ahead of the Farnborough Airshow. Thank you to our sponsor, Parker. With more than a century of aerospace expertise behind us, Parker is continuing to engineer the breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow.
France Grants Ukraine Aster License Production In Missile Defense Push
Robert Wall July 14, 2026 France hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center left) and the first gathering of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition. Credit: Elysee French President Emmanuel Macron says his government has approved Ukraine to produce MBDA Aster 30 air defense missiles under license, as well as AASM standoff munitions and Scalp cruise missiles. The licensing agreement would help deliver the munitions more quickly to Ukraine, Macron said, noting...
UK Backs Low-Cost Interceptor Designs
Robert Wall July 14, 2026 Credit: Greenjets The British government is putting low-level funding into low-cost interceptors from Frankenberg Technologies, Greenjets and Cambridge Aerospace as part of a five-country effort to foster ways to down drones more affordably. The project, referred to in the UK as Low-Cost Air Defense Effectors, is... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
ESA Sees Global Public Space Budget Recovering From 2025 Dip
Robert Wall July 13, 2026 Starlink satellites dominated last year’s satellite deployment. Credit: SpaceX Global government spending on space suffered an unusual 3% dip in 2025, but is poised to recover in 2026 and continue to grow afterward, the European Space Agency (ESA) says in an annual assessment. ESA’s Space Economy Report 2026 says the prior year’s aggregate public spending on space dipped to... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
France Completes Rafale Laser-Guided Rocket Firing Trials
Robert Wall July 13, 2026 Credit: DGA France says it has completed flight trials of laser-guided rockets from a Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter as part of its effort to expand capabilities against drone threats. The trial period was completed on July 7 and should enable the French Air and Space Force to declare a basic operational... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Kongsberg Plans Zone 5 Push Into Europe Offering Subscription Model
Robert Wall July 13, 2026 Credit: Zone 5 With the acquisition of low-cost weapons developer Zone 5 now closed, Kongsberg is setting expansion plans for the U.S. business, looking for European partners to set up production capacity and eying a new subscription business model. “We are looking for countries and partners to create European... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Open Cosmos Readies Immediate Start Of Operational Service
Robert Wall July 10, 2026 Credit: SpaceX Remote sensing startup Open Cosmos is looking to begin operational service using its newly launched spacecraft as soon as on-orbit verification is complete, with the first taskings already planned. The European company began deploying its OpenConstellation 1.0 system on July 7 as part of SpaceX’s... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Trump Administration Rekindles Commercial Aircraft Trade Uncertainty
Robert Wall July 10, 2026 Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images The Trump administration has sparked new uncertainty for the commercial aerospace industry after releasing an executive order that threatens to disrupt trade deals for commercial aircraft, jet engines and components. Under the order, the U.S. Commerce Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative have... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
NATO Summit Becomes Europe’s Put-Up Moment
Robert Wall Tony Osborne July 10, 2026 NATO plans to buy up to 10 Saab GlobalEyes to replace the aging Boeing E-3A fleet. Credit: Saab The U.S. has couched its retrenchment from NATO as a way to focus its military might on Asia. Somewhat ironically, Europe chose a capital city in Asia to make the case that it is ready to step up. The Europeans, along with Canada, used the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8 to make that... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
U.S. Navy Advances Raytheon F/A-18E/F Electronic Warfare Upgrade
Robert Wall July 09, 2026 Credit: U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy is moving forward with the upgrade of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet’s electronic warfare system, with plans to buy upgrade kits from RTX’s Raytheon unit. The Naval Air Systems Command has disclosed plans for a sole-source contract to Raytheon for “the initial production capability”... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
UK Seeks Counter-Drone Electronic Warfare Options For Ukraine
Robert Wall July 09, 2026 Credit: Oleksandr Hrishchenko/Alamy The UK Defense Ministry is canvassing industry about potential counter-drone electronic warfare (EW) systems it could provide to Ukraine. Under what it calls Operation Scorpius, which has been running since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UK task force trying to aid... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Tomahawk Missile Sale To Germany Approved, Merz Says
Robert Wall July 09, 2026 Credit: U.S. Navy German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the Trump administration has agreed to sell RTX Tomahawk cruise missiles after weeks of uncertainty over the potential deal. Germany, a year ago, said it wanted to acquire the cruise missile as a gap-filler before it can develop its own deep-strike systems with... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Germany Green-Lights Responsive Launch Demo, CCA And Laser Efforts
Robert Wall July 09, 2026 Credit: Bundeswehr German legislators have signed off on a highly anticipated collaborative combat aircraft procurement, rapid space launch demonstration and plans to introduce a high-energy laser counter-drone capability. The activities are among more than a dozen defense modernization programs, each topping €25... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Ispace Books Starship Slot For New Lunar Transportation Service
Robert Wall July 08, 2026 An ispace illustration of what its Mobile Cargo System might look like on the lunar surface. Credit: ispace Japan’s ispace says it has secured capacity on a SpaceX Starship launch to expand its lunar transportation ambitions. The company said it has secured 500 kg (1,100 lb.) payload capacity on a Starship mission as early as 2030 as part of its new Mobile Cargo System. Starship would transport the cargo... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
UK Seeks Spacecraft Self-Protection Technologies
Robert Wall July 08, 2026 UK concerns are growing about threats to vital satellites such as Skynet 5. Credit: Airbus The UK is seeking ideas that could foster spacecraft protection amid growing concern about the vulnerability of such technologies. The UK Defense Innovation organization said the objective is to mature technologies “which could aid satellite self-protection or recovery from damage inflicted by space... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
UK Spearheads European Deep Strike Push
Robert Wall Tony Osborne July 08, 2026 The UK is working with France to develop a new, low-observable cruise missile. Credit: MBDA The British government says it will lead a $50 billion European effort to develop deep strike weapons with a range of at least 300 km (186 mi.) to more than 2,000 km. The announcement comes as NATO leaders meet in Ankara and follows other spending commitments announced there on fielding long-range... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Airbus, MTU Detail Hydrogen Fuel Cell JV Plan
Robert Wall July 07, 2026 An MTU concept for an aircraft-mounted hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine. Credit: MTU Aero Engines Airbus and MTU Aero Engines plan to formalize their efforts to work together on hydrogen fuel cells by establishing a joint venture set to be up and running next year. The non-binding agreement announced July 7 follows more than a year after the two companies laid out their three-step road map for... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
NATO Seeks To Strengthen Strike, Space, Missile Defense Capabilities
Robert Wall Tony Osborne July 07, 2026 Credit: NATO NATO members are using the Ankara summit to launch initiatives to bolster their strike, space and missile defense capabilities, in part reflecting lessons from the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Turkey and the UK, for instance, are partnering around a Ground-Based... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
NATO Allies Commit To Saab GlobalEye, Airbus A400M, Triton UAS
Robert Wall Tony Osborne July 07, 2026 A NATO Saab GlobalEye. Credit: Saab NATO allies have committed to strengthening key support capabilities with plans to field Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning systems and Northrop Grumman MQ-4 Triton uncrewed air systems, while working collectively on Airbus A400M transports. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
NATO Allies Commit To Saab GlobalEye, Airbus A400M, Triton UAS
NATO allies have committed to strengthening key support capabilities with plans to field Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning systems and Northrop Grumman MQ-4 Triton uncrewed air systems, while working collectively on Airbus A400M transports. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance members would jointly buy up to 10 GlobalEye systems.
Podcast: How Does GCAP Boost Change UK Defense?
Robert Wall Tony Osborne July 07, 2026 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. Subscribe Now Don't miss a single episode of the award-winning Check 6. Follow us in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Anduril’s Barracuda-500M Missile To Be Made In Poland By PGZ
Robert Wall July 06, 2026 Credit: Anduril Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and Anduril have signed an agreement for the Polish defense firm to produce the U.S. startup's Barracuda-500M cruise missile as European countries look to enhance their deep strike capability. PGZ on July 6 said the two companies are targeting output in Poland of several... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Diehl Eyes Brazilian Ground-Based Air Defense Market
Robert Wall July 06, 2026 Credit: Diehl Diehl says it is looking to expand its partnership with Brazil’s AEL Sistemas as the German company eyes the Brazilian ground-based air defense market. The two companies already collaborate as part of Brazil’s purchase of Diehl IRIS-T air-to-air missiles for its Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters and... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Debrief: Time To Buckle Up For The NATO Summit
Robert Wall Tony Osborne July 06, 2026 Credit: NATO When the NATO summit kicks off July 7 in Ankara, there are a couple of things predictably on the agenda: spending commitments and transatlantic tension. But equipment issues also are poised to be front and center. The leaders of NATO members convene at a tense time, with the U.S. abruptly pulling... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Japan Bolsters Military Space Organization
Robert Wall July 03, 2026 Credit: Japanese Defense Ministry Japan’s Defense Ministry has established a position for space matters in its armaments planning organization as part of an effort to strengthen its capabilities in this area. The move follows Japan's plan, echoing those by other defense establishments, to make space a more formal mission of its air... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Finland Plans Saab Short-Range Air Defense Deal
Robert Wall July 03, 2026 Credit: Finnish Defense Forces Finland says it plans to buy Saab RBS 70 NG air defense systems. Helsinki said July 3 that it expects to spend about €108 million ($129 million) on the equipment which it would field before the end of the decade. Finland is an operator of the older Saab RBS 70 as part of the ITO05M system. The... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
UK Defense Spending Plan Bolsters Royal Air Force Combat Fleet
Tony Osborne Robert Wall July 03, 2026 The Royal Air Force is embracing low-cost weapons to defend against one-way attack drones, equipping its Eurofighters with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System. Credit: Joshua Whiting /Royal Air Force If there is a winner from the UK government’s long-delayed Defense Investment Plan, it is the Royal Air Force, which walks away from the funding saga with the money to modernize and expand its combat capabilities.
Spectrum Battle Heats Up With Rocket Lab’s Iridium Deal
Robert Wall July 03, 2026 Rocket Lab, which has added spacecraft-making to its rocket business, is now looking to add satellite services. Credit: Rocket Lab The space industry is getting ripe for its equivalent of the military adage: “Amateurs talk strategy; professionals talk logistics.” In the space case, it might read: “Amateurs talk spacecraft; professionals talk spectrum.” Control over the radio-frequency spectrum to connect satellites to users on...
Planet Commits To Isar Aerospace Launch
Robert Wall July 02, 2026 Artist's rendering of Pelican satellite. Credit: Planet Labs Planet Labs is placing a bet on startup Isar Aerospace, signing up to launch at least one of its satellites on the Spectrum rocket that has yet to make orbit. The launch could come as early as this year, Isar Aerospace said in a July 2 announcement. It would involve one of Planet’s Pelican Earth... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
True Anomaly Eyes Next Trials After Jackal’s Victus Haze Outing
Robert Wall July 02, 2026 Credit: True Anomaly True Anomaly said its Jackal-0004 completed its first Victus Haze mission, involving maneuvering and imaging another spacecraft, and it is ready for additional missions. The company said that Jackal navigated numerous times around a Rocket Lab spacecraft, called Puma, and was able to image it from... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Quantum Systems Valuation Doubled In Airbus-Backed Funding Round
Robert Wall July 02, 2026 Credit: Quantum Systems German defense startup Quantum Systems says it has raised $1.2 billion through a funding round backed by Airbus that boosts its valuation to $8 billion, or twice the level it had at the time of its Series C. As part of the funding round, Quantum Systems on July 2 said it was deepening its work with... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Amazon Leo Ready For Initial Service After Final Atlas V Deployment
Robert Wall July 02, 2026 Credit: United Launch Alliance Amazon says it is ready to commence initial service with its low-Earth-orbit broadband offering following the deployment of 29 satellites on an Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V lifted off at 12:30 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral SFS in what was the rocket's final mission for Amazon... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Dassault Aviation CEO Open To Cooperation After NFG Demise
Robert Wall July 01, 2026 Eric Trappier Credit: French Senate Dassault Aviation’s CEO says the company is open to cooperation on whatever comes after the demise of the New Generation Fighter (NGF) between France, Germany and Spain, even though industrial turmoil was one of the reasons the partnership fell apart. “We are completely open to cooperation,” Eric... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Dassault Aviation CEO Open To Cooperation After NGF Demise
Robert Wall July 01, 2026 Eric Trappier Credit: French Senate Dassault Aviation’s CEO says the company is open to cooperation on whatever comes after the demise of the New Generation Fighter (NGF) between France, Germany and Spain, even though industrial turmoil was one of the reasons the partnership fell apart. “We are completely open to cooperation,” Eric... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Germany Names Second Arrow 3 Missile Defense Site
Robert Wall July 01, 2026 Credit: IAI Germany plans to build a second Arrow 3 site to bolster the country’s missile defense coverage. The location near Kaufbeuren, about 50 mi. west of Munich, would augment the Arrow 3 site that Germany inaugurated in December south of Berlin. The site in the south would enhance the German air force’s... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Israel’s Defense Ministry Exec Invokes New Security-Economic Front
Robert Wall July 01, 2026 Credit: Israeli Defense Ministry The war with Iran has opened the door to new strategic relationships that could give Israel more leeway as it looks to reset its defense industrial ties with the U.S., the Israel Defense Ministry’s Director General argues. The war has sharpened, for every actor in the region, the price of Iran's... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Israel Tests Iron Beam Integrated Into Iron Dome
Robert Wall June 30, 2026 Credit: Israeli Defense Ministry Israel says it has put upgrades of its Iron Dome short-range air defense systems through its paces, including the integration of the laser-based Iron Beam system. Iron Beam underwent a major operational test last year, though it remained a standalone system. The latest trials involved both the laser... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
GCAP, Drones Prioritized In UK Defense Spending Plans
Tony Osborne Robert Wall June 30, 2026 The government has prioritized spending on the Global Combat Air Program, with £8.6 billion allocated over the next four years. Credit: Edgewing LONDON—The tri-national Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) has emerged as the biggest winner from the UK government's Defense Investment Plan (DIP), although the funding comes at the cost of retiring helicopter and intelligence-gathering fleets as the military shifts some of those missions to uncrewed...
Firefly, SSC Space Work On Swedish Pad For Revised Launch Schedule
Robert Wall June 30, 2026 Credit: SSC Space/Firefly SSC Space says it is targeting 2028 for the first launch of Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket from the Esrange Space Center, a delay from earlier plans. The companies had logged several milestones in recent weeks, including around launch licensing, that should allow the first orbital liftoff from the... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Rocket Lab To Buy Iridium In Billion-Dollar Battle With SpaceX, Amazon
Robert Wall June 29, 2026 Credit: Iridium Rocket Lab says it has agreed to buy Iridium in an $8 billion deal propelling the launch services company into the satellite communications services business. Rocket Lab says it would pay for the transaction through a combination of cash and stock. The companies expect the deal to close in about a... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Romania Signs Rafael Spyder Short-Range Air Defense Deal
Robert Wall June 29, 2026 Credit: Rafael The Romanian government picked the Rafael Spyder system to meet a requirement for short-range air defense as part of a deal that the company said could reach an estimated value of €2 billion ($2.3 billion). The contract, signed last week, is for three very-short-range air defense systems and one... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Interview: Why Airbus CEO Is Bullish On Launching A320 Replacement In 2030
Jens Flottau Robert Wall June 25, 2026 Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, who in June opened a new A321 assembly line, is already focused on what comes next. Credit: Laurent Dard/MAXPPP/Alamy Live News Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury talks to Aviation Week Executive Editors Jens Flottau and Robert Wall about the next single-aisle aircraft and plans for defense, space and helicopters. AW&ST: You have started preparing the launch of a next-generation narrowbody. What is the status of the project? Faury...
Mitsubishi Electric Picks MDA Space For Japan’s Milsatcom Program
Robert Wall June 25, 2026 Credit: Mitsubishi Electric MDA Space says it will pro provide key components to Mitsubishi Electric as part of the Japanese manufacturer’s work on a national military satellite communication system for Tokyo. The Canadian space company will design and manufacture the digital payload for the geosynchronous satellite program... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
France Bolsters Airbus A400M Upgrade Push
Robert Wall June 25, 2026 The French Air and Space Force is working with Airbus on expanding the A400M’s capabilities, including drone deployment. Credit: Airbus For years, using the terms “rapid development” and “Airbus A400M” together would have been an oxymoron, but the French military and the airframer are looking to change that. The goal is to start introducing new capabilities in a few years—or even earlier. That would stand in sharp contrast to the...
Elbit Systems Reveals Path To Airborne Laser Revival
Steve Trimble Robert Wall June 25, 2026 Israel wants to shoot down incoming drones and rockets with lasers well before they approach their targets. Credit: Elbit Systems Airborne laser weapons are getting another chance. Operational practicalities doomed chemical-based laser technology more than 15 years ago that was developed for the Boeing 747 and Lockheed AC-130. About a decade later, the power limitations of slab-based planar waveguide devices ruined attempts to...
Canada Awards MDA Space SAR Satellite Deal
Robert Wall June 24, 2026 Credit: MDA Space MDA Space says it has secured a C$688 million ($483 million) contract from the Canadian Space Agency for a synthetic aperture radar satellite. The satellite is supposed to replenish the Radarsat Constellation Mission, also built by MDA and launched in 2019, the company said June 24. The Canadian... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
Fast 5: Hensoldt Sees New Opportunities In Airborne Systems, Military Space
Hensoldt CEO Oliver Dörre. Credit: Hensoldt Hensoldt CEO Oliver Dörre discussed the German defense electronic company’s ambitions—from producing more air defense radars, to expanding airborne special mission activities and building up a military space business. Germany is spending heavily on military space. What is Hensoldt’s play there? We...
Fast 5: Hensoldt Sees New Opportunities In Airborne Systems, Military Space
Robert Wall June 24, 2026 Hensoldt CEO Oliver Dörre. Credit: Hensoldt Hensoldt CEO Oliver Dörre discussed the German defense electronic company’s ambitions—from producing more air defense radars, to expanding airborne special mission activities and to building up a military space business. Germany is spending heavily on military space. What is Hensoldt’s play there... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
UK Now Promises Defense Investment Plan By July 7
Robert Wall June 24, 2026 UK Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis. Credit: UK Defense Ministry LONDON—The British government says it will finalize its delayed Defense Investment Plan (DIP) before the NATO summit gathering in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7. “I am now working to finalize and publish it before I travel to Ankara with the prime minister,” UK Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis said at the... Robert Wall Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space.
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