AIAA Identifies Top Technologies Transforming Aerospace

Survey of 700+ Aerospace Experts Names Ten Technologies Shaping the Future

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:23am

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The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has released a report identifying the top 10 technologies that will fundamentally reshape aerospace operations, manufacturing, and services over the next two decades. The report, 'Technologies Transforming Aerospace,' is based on a survey of more than 700 aerospace experts and in-depth interviews with senior technology leaders in industry, academia, and government.

Why it matters

The technologies highlighted in this report will have a significant impact on the aerospace industry, increasing efficiency, enabling mobility, and transforming exploration. The report provides a roadmap for the future of the industry, helping aerospace professionals and organizations prepare for the changes ahead.

The details

The top 10 technologies identified in the report are: AI-Aided Advanced Design and Engineering, Alternative Aviation Fuels, Electric Aircraft, Fully Reusable Launch, High-Temperature Materials, Hypersonic Propulsion, In-Space Manufacturing, Pilotless Aircraft, Quantum Computing and Sensing, and Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion. The report also identified several other technologies that narrowly missed the top 10 but remain significant areas of development.

  • The report was released on February 18, 2026.
  • A webinar providing detailed insights is planned for Noon ET, Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Clay Mowry

AIAA CEO.

Carissa Christensen

CEO of BryceTech, the analytics and engineering firm that partnered with AIAA to conduct the survey and rank the technologies.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

The world's largest aerospace technical society, with over 33,000 members from 91 countries and more than 100 corporate members.

BryceTech

An analytics and engineering firm that partnered with AIAA to conduct the survey and rank the technologies.

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What they’re saying

“Aerospace has reached a technological inflection point. The technologies highlighted in this report will permeate the aerospace supply chain over the next 20 years, increasing efficiency, enabling mobility, and transforming exploration. The signal is clear: the next aerospace era is here, and AIAA's engineering community is equipped to shape the future using advanced computing, materials, and propulsion technologies.”

— Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO

“What makes this forecast powerful is the scale of the signal. Based on the depth of the data, we're seeing convergence across the aerospace community on the technologies that will define the next era. This roadmap is built on the collective expertise of the people who will make future innovations real.”

— Carissa Christensen, CEO of BryceTech

What’s next

The report is available for immediate download at aiaa.org/resources/technologies-transforming-aerospace-report, and a webinar providing detailed insights is planned for Noon ET, Monday, March 2, 2026. Registration for the webinar is free.

The takeaway

The AIAA report provides a comprehensive roadmap for the future of the aerospace industry, highlighting the key technologies that will shape the industry over the next two decades. This information will be invaluable for aerospace professionals and organizations as they prepare for the changes and innovations that are on the horizon.