Farnborough International Airshow entered its fourth day with the focus shifting from headline-grabbing aircraft orders towards the technologies, partnerships and industrial capabilities shaping a
Today’s developments ranged from Airbus hybrid-electric research and renewed flight testing of the UK’s Excalibur technology demonstrator to fresh commercial aircraft commitments, growing demand for regional at Bat programme
Here are the major aerospace and defence stories from Farnborough on Thursday
Airbus advances hybrid-electric aircraft technology with LEIA programme
Airbus is pushing ahead with a project to test the hybrid-electric technologies that will power short and medium-range flights in the future. The company detailed the steps it was taking alongside its industry partners on the Large Scale Integration Demonstrator of Hybrid Electrical Architecture – or LEIA
Backed by €35 million of funding, the LEIA project began in December 2025 and will run until December 2027. It aims to accelerate the development of hybrid-electric aircraft technologies, bringing together 25 industry and research partners under the Clean A
Read more about Airbus’ LEIA project here
Excalibur flight test aircraft resumes flying after major upgrades
The UK’s Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft has returned to the skies following a new round of modifications, marking the latest step in a programme designed to reduce technical risk before key technologies are integrated into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter expected to enter service from 2035
The converted Boeing 757, developed by Leonardo in partnership with specialist aleted the next phase of flight testing after extensive structural modifications, including the installation of a fighter-style nose radome, large fuselage-mounted pods and other external fairings that will support advanced sensor and communications trials
Read more about the Boeing 757-based testbed known as Excalibur here
Fuji Dream Airlines signs for two additional Embraer E175 regional aircraft
Japanese carrier Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) had placed a firm order for two additional E175 regional jet aircraft. The new additions will join FDA’s current fleet of 15 Embraer E170/E175 regional jets operated from its main base at Shizuoka Airport (FSZ) to points across Japan.
FDA is a full-service regional airline that has operated E-Jets since commencing operations in 2009. Since its inception, the airline has consistently been recognised for its strong operational and on-time performance across Japan
Get the full story on FDA’s purchase of two Embraer E175s here
Flynas expands Airbus order with additional A330neos and A321neos
Saudi low-cost carrier flynas is expanding its narrow- and wide-body fleet with an order for five additional Airbus A330-900 aircraft and 20 additional A321neos.
The latest purchase deal with Airbus puts flynas’ confirmed orders with the OEM at 235 aircraft. Flynas used the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 to sign the original deal with Airbus for 75 A320neo family aircraft and 15 A330-900.
DeHavilland secures first Twin Otter Classic 300-G order for the Maldives
De Havilland Canada has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Island A for the purchase of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft. It is the first commitment for the latest Twin Otter variant in the Maldives – the world’s largest Twin Otter operating market
Maldiaplanes alongside ATR turboprops, Airbus narrowbody aircraft and an Airbus A330 serving international routes. The addition of the Classic 300-G will modernise part of its amphibious fleet as travel demand continues to grow.
Get the full story on DeHavilland’s first Twin Otter Classic 300-G sale to the Maldives
ATR sees strong turboprop demand over the next 20 years
Despite not announcing any orders at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is experiencing a period of strong market momentum
Explaining that the company has sold more than 50 aircraft annually over the past two years while producing around 35 a year, Chief Commercial Officer Alexis Vidal told Aerospace Global News, “Our book-to-bill ratio is above one, and we have a growing order backlog.”
Read more about ATR’s outlook for the regional turboprop market here
Boeing adds Leonardo, Eaton and Hensoldt as MQ-28 programme partners
Boeing delivered an update on the continued development of its autonomous MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone at the Farnborough International Airshow on 21 July, during which the firm formally announced that Italy’s Leonardo, the UK’s Eaton and Germany’s Hensoldt had joined the programme as official partners
Announced by Glen Ferguson, the MQ-28 Global Program Director at Boeing Australia – the addition of the three European defence firms comes as Boeing begins to ramp up its bid to sell the Australian-made Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to export customers around the globe
Get the full story on the MQ-28s new partners here
AALTO advances Zephyr towards commercial operations from the ‘Stratospace’
AALTO is intensifying flight testing of its solar-powered Zephyr aircraft as the Airbus subsidiary works towards certification and the global commercialisation of services delivered from the stratosphere
Speaking to Aerospace Global News at the Farnborough International Airshow, AALTO CEO Hughes Boulnois described the layer between conventional airspace and satellites as the “Stratospace”, an emerging operational domain with potential applications spanning communications, Earth observation and defence
Get the full story on AALTO’s expanding flight test programme here
Zenix Aerospace targets global growth after completing integration
Newly launched Zenix Aerospace is preparing for its next phase of expansion after bringing together a collection of specialist manufacturing businesses under a single global operating model
The group manufactures complex components and structures from materials including titanium, Inconel and aluminium. Its products are used across aircraft engines, fuselages, wings and engine pylons, with the company concentrating particularly on difficult-to-manufacture and mission-critical parts
According to McLarty, the group has now emerged from an initial six-month transition period and is examining how it can build upon the capabilities contained within its existing businesses
Get the full story on Zenix Aerospace and its growth
Just one day of FIA 2026 to go
With the trade days now complete, attention turns to Friday’s public day and the return of Pioneers of Tomorrow, when the airshow will welcome students, apprentices and future aerospace professionals. Stay with Aerospace Global News for the latest news, interviews and highlights from the final day of Farnborough International Airshow 2026
Lock in to AGN, the official media partner of FIA 2026, for all the latest news. Bookmark our page for rolling updates from the show.Lock in to AGN, the official media partner of FIA 2026, for all the latest news. Bookmark our page for rolling updates from the show.
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