Aerospace & Defense · Week of Oct 26, 2026
Defense awards and aviation deals: the week in aerospace releases
Elbit Systems and CACI booked defense contracts, CAE and AAR reshaped their aviation businesses, and Electra flew a short-takeoff demo in Manhattan.
Defense contracts were the largest dollar items of the week. Elbit Systems says it won contracts worth approximately $200 million from an Asia-Pacific country for airborne ISTAR and training solutions. CACI International says the U.S. Navy's NSWC Crane awarded it a five-year task order valued at up to $281 million for electromagnetic spectrum work. Assail also launched Assail Federal to sell its autonomous offensive cyber tools to government agencies.
On the commercial aviation side, companies adjusted their portfolios and balance sheets. CAE agreed to sell its Flightscape airline operations software business to SITA, and AAR expanded its revolving credit facility to $1.375 billion. Electra says it landed an Ultra Short aircraft at Manhattan's Downtown Skyport. NASA described a satellite approach to tracking fall foliage, and Elektros said it is exploring a lithium acquisition in upstate New York.
CAE Inc.
CAE to sell Flightscape to SITA
CAE Inc. says it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Flightscape, its airline operations software business, to SITA, which it describes as a global aviation technology company. The sale moves an airline operations software unit out of CAE and into SITA, which matters to readers tracking consolidation in aviation software.
Elbit Systems Ltd.
Elbit Systems Awarded Approximately $200 Million in Contracts for Airborne ISTAR and Training Solutions in Asia-Pacific
Elbit Systems says an Asia-Pacific country awarded it contracts with an aggregate value of approximately $200 million for the supply of airborne ISTAR and training solutions. The award adds to Elbit's defense business in the Asia-Pacific region.
AAR CORP.
AAR increases size and extends maturity of revolving credit facility
AAR CORP. says it amended its revolving credit facility, raising total commitments to $1.375 billion, an increase of $550 million, and extending the facility's maturity. The larger facility gives the aviation aftermarket parts, repair and software company more borrowing capacity.
CACI International Inc
CACI Secures U.S. Navy Task Order to Strengthen Electromagnetic Spectrum Dominance
CACI International says the U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane awarded it a five-year task order valued at up to $281 million. CACI says the work supports the Navy's efforts to strengthen electromagnetic spectrum capabilities.
NASA
Hunting Red Leaves with Satellites
NASA released a feature on using a modern satellite to track autumn leaf color, which it frames as a new take on leaf-peeping. The piece shows an Earth-observation satellite being used to monitor seasonal vegetation change.
Electra.aero
No Runway Required: Electra Takes Off and Lands Ultra Short Airplane at Manhattan Heliport
Electra.aero says it took off and landed its Ultra Short airplane at Downtown Skyport in Manhattan, which it calls the first landing there by a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical takeoff capability. The company says the demonstration shows Ultra Short aircraft can use existing aviation infrastructure, including heliports, for regional travel.
Elektros, Inc.
Santa Claus Comes Early to Wall Street: Elektros (OTC: ELEK) Explores an All-American Lithium Opportunity Near Canada as U.S. Battery and Defense Supply Chains Take Center Stage
Elektros, Inc. (OTC: ELEK) says it is exploring a potential acquisition in upstate New York that could provide a domestic pathway for lithium exploration, processing and manufacturing. The company says any deal is subject to extensive due diligence, and it links the project to U.S. battery and defense supply chains.
Assail, Inc.
Assail Launches Assail Federal to Deliver Autonomous Offensive Cyber to Government
Assail, Inc. says it has launched Assail Federal to bring its Reaper autonomous offensive AI to government agencies for national security missions. The company says the new federal business includes dedicated infrastructure and investment in compliance.
This roundup is written with AI assistance from the press releases listed above, using only what they state. The releases are the companies' own announcements, not ScoopByte reporting.