Aviation Week editors are joined by Maj. Gen. (ret) Lee Levy to try and answer the trillion dollar-plus question of what the outcome of the midterm elections really means for the U.S. defense budget.

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Check 6 revisits how a misconception of the MiG-25 transformed U.S. air power, until a Soviet pilot's defection revealed the truth.

Aviation Week & Space Technology subscribers can explore our archive here and read key Aviation Week articles related to this episode here:

Listen in as PwC's aerospace team zeroes in on the supply chain and where it is most fragile in this special sponsored episode. 

Read PwC's State of the Ramp report here

Analyst Scott Mikus joins Aviation Week editors to discuss third-quarter earnings and why an oversupply of narrowbodies may be looming. 

Read Scott's column here

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Thank you to our sponsor, DXC Technology, helping airports and travel operators connect the systems that keep passengers moving. When one delay impacts multiple systems, DXC connects airport platforms so the whole operation can respond as one, for smoother journeys.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Aviation Week Military Space Editor Vivienne Machi reflects on what we learned at AFA on space and the Iran war, as well as launch concerns for the Space Force and how that resonates with what Executive Editor for Defense and Space Robert Wall heard at World Space Business Week.

Emergency podcast: A special Lockheed SR-71A has gone missing after being displayed in front of a NASA facility for more than 26 years. Meanwhile, the NASA administrator is dropping hints that a new X-plane is in the works that happens to look a lot like a Blackbird. What's going on here? Editors Robert Wall, Graham Warwick and Steve Trimble explain what's going on—as far as they know today.

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Long-running tensions between Boeing and GE Aerospace over engines surfaced again, with 777X the cause du jour. Editors explain the dynamics at play and also discuss the 737 MAX ramp-up and what might happen if SPEEA technicians and professionals strike in the Seattle area come October. 

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Editors discuss the news from last week's AFA gathering, addressing the Air Force secretary's bombshell weapons-in-space disclosure, new aircraft weapons concepts on show and so much more.

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 geaerospace.com

Aviation Week's resident 747 experts Guy Norris and Jens Flottau discuss why Boeing's "jumbo jet" still matters and has outlasted predictions made decades ago.

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Editors gather on the eve of the AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference to discuss what the key themes will be at this year's event.

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GE Aerospace's $12 billion acquisition of CPP has huge implications for the castings and aircraft engine sectors—Aerodynamic Advisory's Kevin Michaels joins Aviation Week editors to explain why.

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Listen in as editors discuss Saab's collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) concept, Europe's evolving uncrewed combat aircraft strategy and the U.S. Navy's ambitious carrier-based CCA plans.

Mission-critical defense systems demand unwavering reliability. Siemens delivers comprehensive solutions across engineering, manufacturing and lifecycle management. When precision matters most, trust Siemens. Your mission is our commitment. Learn more at siemens.com.

Aviation Week's Graham Warwick offers a scathing assessment of U.S. regulators as a King Air crash earlier this year underscores concerns about the Global Positioning System. He is joined by Robert Wall and Joe Anselmo to discuss its vulnerabilities and the barriers to overcoming those.

Editors talk Tailhook, covering the Navy's surprise unveiling of Malice, a new long-range air-to-air missile, future carrier deck operations, the use of uncrewed aircraft, hypersonic weapons and more.

Thank you to our sponsor, GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace is uniquely positioned to support its defense customers, balancing the current needs of the industry with the advanced capabilities needed for the future. Learn more about the reliable, high-performance military engines and systems that continue to mobilize a new era of growth. 
Explore now

Did Boeing's inaction open the door to Airbus' sales bonanza? United's plan to use XLRs on new transatlantic routes revives the question. Joe Anselmo, Jens Flottau and Christine Boynton are joined by regular columnist Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, to discuss.

Aviation Week's Military Space Editor Vivienne Machi discusses the latest developments with the National Reconnaissance Office, the Victus Haze rendezvous and proximity operations missions, and what awaits the new slate of U.S. defense and intelligence space leadership.  

Listen in as our editors discuss good earnings, bad earnings, SpaceX, AI, the aftermarket, Boeing, an electric airplane and a Groundhog Day moment.

Robert Wall and Brian Everstine discuss the annual Space and Missile Defense Conference in Huntsville and focus on the major themes that emerged there.

Aviation Week's Joe Anselmo, Christine Boynton, Jens Flottau and Guy Norris discuss the long-awaited certification of the Boeing 737-7, the MAX type with the longest range, and also explore how airlines are coping after a tumultuous first half.

Editors discuss the Pentagon's modernization priorities, including the Air Force's collaborative combat aircraft program, Air Force One modification issues and the Navy's efforts to advance a more modular missile defense architecture.

Thank you to our sponsor, GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace is uniquely positioned to support the Defense sector, providing reliable high performance, innovative military engines, systems and services.

Learn more at geaerospace.com/military-defense

A new survey reveals a widening gap between airline sentiment and the rest of the industry regarding a potential downturn. Listen in as editors are joined by consultants from McKinsey who share results from their research carried out in partnership with Aviation Week. 

Download McKinsey's white paper in partnership with Aviation Week as a PDF here

Listen in to hear about Brontanax, GCAP, interceptors, howling Hongdus and more as Aviation Week defense editors break down what they learned at the Farnborough Airshow.

Editors Christine Boynton, Jens Flottau and Guy Norris discuss the latest developments in NGSA technology, aircraft orders, Emirates' first 777Xs and more from the 2026 Farnborough Airshow.

Watch Guy and Christine's video on GE's hybrid-electric milestone here

Editors unpack the Global Air & Space Chiefs Conference in London, breaking down the Storm Fighter CCA program, space launch infrastructure issues and more, plus what to expect from Farnborough Airshow.

As the Farnborough Airshow approaches, editors discuss how engine-makers are making headway with nagging durability problems while positioning for the all-important next-gen single aisle competition—and explain how the two play into each other. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Siemens. When aerospace leaders need trusted engineering and design solutions, they turn to Siemens comprehensive solutions. From design to delivery, our solutions support you throughout the entire product lifecycle. 

Learn more at siemens.com

Listen in as Steve Parker, the CEO of Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division, explains the company's revised approach to bidding for contracts and shares program updates on the F-47, KC-46, MQ-28 and more ahead of the Farnborough Airshow.

Thank you to our sponsor, Parker. With more than a century of aerospace expertise behind it, Parker is continuing to engineer the breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow. Find out more at Parker.com/Aerospace 

Listen in as Accenture's aerospace team identifies key trends to watch at this year's Farnborough Airshow in this sponsored podcast. 

Find out more about Accenture here

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.

Ten years after the C Series entered service, editors are joined by Richard Aboulafia to assess the success of what is now the A220 and explain why a decision to stretch it or not is such a conundrum for Airbus. 

As Washington DC's Air & Space Museum turns 50, its director Chris Browne tells Aviation Week about its newest galleries and gives a sneak peek of what's on display ahead of their opening on July 1.

Watch a video version of this episode on YouTube

Is your legacy test infrastructure the biggest bottleneck in your electrification program? In this sponsored podcast ACS breaks down why "purpose-built" test cells are failing to keep pace with the pace of innovation—and how moving to a modular, flexible design is the key to accelerating the path to certification.

Learn more here

Editors discuss what Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said in exclusive interviews that feature in the next issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.

Aviation Week's Robert Wall, Steve Trimble and Brian Everstine explore the U.S. Air Force's award of Collaborative Combat Aircraft production contracts to Anduril and General Atomics.

Thank you to our sponsor, GE Aerospace. GE Aerospace is uniquely positioned to support the Defense sector, providing reliable high performance, innovative military engines, systems and services.

Learn more at geaerospace.com/military-defense

Aviation Week's Sean Broderick and Guy Norris join Joe Anselmo to discuss new details released by the NTSB into the fatal crash of a UPS MD-11 last November including flaws in a Boeing safety analysis.

Read Sean's story here, available for free through 2026: UPS Accident Probe Finds Trail Of Missed Clues

Aviation Week editors at the ILA Berlin Air Show ask what's next for the German Air Force fighter fleet after the collapse of the multinational FCAS program.

Airline leaders from around the world converged on Rio last weekend for the IATA AGM at a time when the fallout from the Iran war is hitting the industry hard.

Aviation Week editors discuss how Europe is reshaping its military and commercial aviation sectors amid growing security concerns. 

As Blue Origin races to close the gap on SpaceX, a huge explosion on the launchpad has dealt the company a significant setback. Editors discuss how Blue will respond and implications for the broader launch market.

Editors discuss SpaceX's pitch for what will be the biggest IPO ever and what it could mean for the company.

Bank of America analyst Ron Epstein joins Aviation Week editors to discuss the 777X program's long-term outlook after news that it will likely not be certified until 2027, and how Airbus will respond.

Thank you to our sponsor, Siemens. When aerospace leaders need trusted engineering and design solutions, they turn to Siemens comprehensive solutions. From design to delivery, our solutions support you throughout the entire product lifecycle. 

Learn more at siemens.com