On June 8, 2026, GE Aerospace (GE) and Wolfspeed Inc. (WOLF) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop standard high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) power modules, aiming to reduce system complexity for next-generation aerospace, defense, and industrial platforms.

Announced in a press release issued from Wolfspeed’s Durham, North Carolina headquarters, the agreement centers on the supply of Wolfspeed’s 10-kilovolt (kV) SiC Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) die. The collaboration seeks to accelerate the commercial readiness of high-voltage SiC solutions. These components enable systems to operate with fewer series-connected devices, resulting in more compact, efficient, and reliable power delivery.

Strategic alignment and domestic sourcing

The partnership aligns with United States Government priorities to secure domestic supply chains for critical technologies. High-voltage SiC components are increasingly required for strategic markets, including artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and advanced defense systems.

Wolfspeed manufactures 200-millimeter silicon carbide wafers in high volume. The company recently expanded its focus on high-demand sectors by launching a dedicated Data Center Solutions Team in Silicon Valley on June 1, 2026, to address power requirements for AI infrastructure.

“By securing domestic sourcing of high-power silicon carbide modules, the two companies are jointly committed to enabling systems that improve efficiency and lower time-to-power. High-voltage silicon carbide is finally production ready exactly as the market confronts a power-delivery crunch legacy silicon cannot solve,” said Robert Feurle, CEO of Wolfspeed.

Aerospace and defense applications

For GE Aerospace, the MOU builds on recent milestones in electrical power and hybrid propulsion. On June 1, 2026, the company announced the qualification of high-voltage power solutions for U.S. military ground vehicles. The following day, GE Aerospace completed ground tests of a megawatt-class hybrid electric engine system.

The integration of 10 kV SiC MOSFET die into standardized power modules is expected to support solid-state transformers and broader industrial electrification efforts. GE Aerospace recently demonstrated its fourth generation of silicon carbide power MOSFET devices at its Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, focusing on improvements in switching speed, efficiency, and durability.

“Separately, our two companies have contributed to several industry-first technologies. Together, we’re ready to shape a robust value chain of high-power silicon carbide based on a mutual appreciation for achieving smaller, lighter, more efficient high-voltage end systems,” said Kris Shepherd, President of Electrical Power for GE Aerospace.

AirPro News analysis

We view this Memorandum of Understanding as a critical step in addressing the aerospace industry’s growing demand for high-density electrical power. As aircraft manufacturers and defense contractors pursue hybrid-electric propulsion and more-electric aircraft architectures, legacy silicon components are reaching their physical limits in managing thermal loads and power distribution. By standardizing high-voltage silicon carbide modules, GE Aerospace and Wolfspeed are positioning themselves to resolve a significant bottleneck in the supply-chain. The emphasis on domestic sourcing also insulates these critical components from international trade volatility, a key consideration for U.S. defense procurement.

Sources: Wolfspeed

On May 28, 2026, German electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer Volocopter and the non-profit air rescue organization ADAC Luftrettung announced a significant milestone in aviation and emergency medical services. According to a company press release, experienced operational rescue pilots successfully flew the VoloCity eVTOL in a real-world environment under supervision.

This event marks the first time globally that non-test pilots have operated an eVTOL utilizing virtual reality-assisted ground control systems, specifically the SimX Ground Station. The successful Test-Flights validate the transferability of traditional piloting skills to next-generation electric aircraft, a crucial step for the mass deployment of rescue multicopters.

ADAC Luftrettung intends to integrate these aircraft to supplement, rather than replace, traditional rescue helicopters. By dispatching a pilot and an emergency physician directly to incident locations, the organization aims to provide rapid, emission-free, and quieter medical assistance to those in need.

Validating eVTOL Technology for Air Rescue

The SimX Ground Station and Flight Testing

The recent test flights focused heavily on the interaction between the pilot, the aircraft, and the supporting ground infrastructure. According to Volocopter, the flights were supported by the SimX Ground Station, a VR-supported ground control technology designed to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency.

Engineering teams gathered critical data on skill transferability, evaluating how easily pilots with extensive traditional helicopter and fixed-wing experience could adapt to the VoloCity’s controls. The 18-rotor, fully electric aircraft is designed for zero in-flight emissions and significantly reduced noise pollution compared to conventional Helicopters.

“The flight characteristics are impressive. The aircraft is very stable and responds precisely to control inputs,” stated Matthias Sing, Head of Engineering and Helicopter Pilot at ADAC Luftrettung, in the official release.

A Long-Standing Partnerships

The collaboration between Volocopter and ADAC Luftrettung dates back to a 2018 joint feasibility study sponsored by the ADAC Foundation and the Institute for Emergency Medicine and Medical Management at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. The study utilized computer simulations to demonstrate that eVTOLs could provide a significant tactical advantage in life-saving situations.

This partnership materialized further at the June 2023 Paris Air Show, where ADAC Luftrettung officially purchased two VoloCity aircraft for research operations. The organization has stated its intention to secure up to 150 additional units for future emergency medical services and rescue missions.

Corporate Stability and Future Outlook

Recent Acquisitions and Product Launches

Volocopter’s push toward European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification is backed by recent corporate restructuring. In March 2025, the Bruchsal-based company secured its financial future when it was acquired by Diamond Aircraft Industries, ensuring its headquarters remained in Germany.

Beyond the VoloCity, the manufacturer continues to expand its portfolio. In April 2026, Volocopter unveiled the VoloXPro, an electric ultralight two-seater multicopter targeted at flight schools and private pilots, with EASA ultralight-class certification expected by the end of the year.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that the successful integration of operational rescue pilots into the VoloCity testing phase is a critical indicator of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) maturity. By proving that existing helicopter pilots can transition to eVTOL systems without requiring entirely new, specialized test-pilot training, Volocopter and ADAC Luftrettung are addressing one of the industry’s most significant scaling bottlenecks: pilot availability.

Furthermore, the upcoming 2026 European sandbox program, which will simulate real-world operations for both the VoloCity and VoloXPro, suggests that the regulatory and operational frameworks are rapidly aligning for commercial launch. Gathering technical data to establish a foundation for advancing training concepts and safety standards will be vital for final EASA certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VoloCity?

The VoloCity is an 18-rotor, fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by Volocopter. It is designed to produce zero in-flight emissions and significantly lower noise pollution than traditional helicopters.

How will ADAC Luftrettung use eVTOLs?

ADAC Luftrettung plans to use eVTOLs to supplement traditional rescue helicopters by rapidly transporting a pilot and an emergency physician directly to medical incident locations.

Sources

• Volocopter Official Newsroom

NASA’s experimental X-59 aircraft successfully completed its first supersonic flight over the Mojave Desert on June 5, 2026, marking a critical milestone in the agency’s Quesst mission to gather acoustic data that could eventually prompt regulators to lift the ban on commercial supersonic travel over land.

In a press release issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the agency confirmed that the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft exceeded the speed of sound, reaching approximately Mach 1.1 (713 mph) at an altitude of 43,400 feet. The 81-minute flight, piloted by NASA test pilot Jim “Clue” Less, originated from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 11:08 a.m. PDT (18:08 UTC).

Expanding the flight envelope

The supersonic milestone follows a period of intensive subsonic testing. Over the 90 days preceding the June 5 flight, the X-59 team completed 16 flights to expand the aircraft’s flight envelope through lower-altitude and slower-speed tests. The aircraft previously reached 43,000 feet and roughly Mach 0.95 during testing in April 2026.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted the program’s momentum since the aircraft’s initial flight on October 28, 2025.

“X-59 is getting ready for its quiet supersonic debut. Since the aircraft’s first-flight on Oct. 28, 2025, the team has made tremendous progress, flying 16 times in the last 90 days and getting into a steady test rhythm. In the coming days, we expect to take the next step and push to Mach 1.4,” Isaacman stated.

During the supersonic run, the aircraft’s eXternal Vision System digital display indicated a speed of Mach 1.077 when the true speed was Mach 1.0. NASA attributed this discrepancy to system calibration, which engineers will fine-tune as the flight envelope continues to expand.

Acoustic testing and regulatory implications

The Quesst mission’s ultimate goal is to demonstrate that the X-59 can fly at supersonic speeds while producing a “quiet thump” rather than a disruptive sonic boom. However, acoustic testing was not the primary focus of the June 5 flight. A McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle operated by NASA flew alongside the X-59 as a chase plane. The loud sonic booms generated by the F-15 intentionally obscured any sound produced by the experimental aircraft, as formal acoustic measurements are reserved for a later phase of the program.

The next phase of testing will push the X-59 to Mach 1.4 (approximately 925 mph) at an altitude of roughly 55,000 feet. These parameters represent the mission conditions required for eventual community noise demonstrations over the United States. The data collected during those future flights will be provided to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international regulators to inform potential rule changes regarding overland supersonic flight.

Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, noted the broader significance of the achievement, describing the flight as a testament to American leadership in aerospace innovation.

AirPro News analysis

The successful supersonic transition of the X-59 represents a technical validation of the aerodynamic design developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, but the regulatory hurdles ahead remain substantial. While reaching Mach 1.1 proves the airframe’s basic supersonic capability, the true test of the Quesst mission will be the acoustic data collection at Mach 1.4. If the acoustic signature performs as modeled during community overflights, we expect aviation regulators will face increased industry pressure to establish new noise certification standards for commercial supersonic aircraft, potentially opening a lucrative new market for aerospace manufacturers.

Sources: NASA Press Release, NASA Quesst Blog