EADS has sought to be a broad and balanced aerospace group ever since its inception in 2000. That the group is now renamed Airbus—consolidating its weaker businesses—indicates it remains what it was: a commercial aircraft manufacturer with a defense/space and helicopter division.

When you operate the world's safest, most advanced and most lucrative aviation system—as the U.S. does—others are naturally going to want a piece of that pie. It is up to the U.S. government, therefore, not to slice it up at the expense of the American aviation industry and its workforce.

Unmanned systems are becoming more capable, to meet strictures of civilian operations

Expect shortage of 777 spares to last at least a couple more years

The coming generation of 90-seat turboprops will be more powerful than the aircraft now garnering the most orders, the ATR 72. But some of the intending manufacturers are pushing more than others for high power, and therefore high speed and fast climb—at the cost of fuel efficiency.

Kelly Ortberg became CEO of Rockwell Collins on Aug. 1

Rescuing Hikers

Sikorsky research program aims at autonomy for any vertical-lift vehicle, manned or unmanned.