Sikorsky expects to begin flight-testing three experimental aircraft programs this year as the Lockheed Martin company advances its autonomous and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies.

Company executives told reporters in pre-Verticon briefings that the Nomad 100 VTOL drone, the U-Hawk autonomous Black Hawk derivative, and the hybrid-electric experimental (HEX) tilt-wing VTOL technology demonstrator are all progressing toward first flights in 2026.

Bell Textron launched more luxury interior options for the Bell 429 this week at Verticon, marking the latest upgrade in the Designer Series offerings for the light twin helicopter. The VVIP interior is available in five color schemes: arctic gray/charcoal, charcoal/jet black, crimson/jet black, sand/jet black, and snow/jet black.

Features include premium Italian leather seats with custom stitching, leather-wrapped composite panels that provide additional sound dampening, a redesigned Alcantara headliner with an integrated LED lightbar, updated environmental cabin controls, and ambient LED lighting. The upgraded cabin console—available in five veneer options—adds storage, cupholders, a removable ice bin, dual USB-C plugs, and indirect floor lighting.

Regulators and industry representatives discussed the evolving distinctions between drones, remotely piloted aircraft, and autonomous systems during a panel discussion at the Verticon show in Atlanta this week. The session revealed some confusion and a mix of philosophies in the approach to emerging aerospace technologies.

The FAA received approximately 4,000 comments on its proposed Part 108 beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) rule, with many commenters opposing requirements that would affect low-altitude crewed aircraft operations, according to Brandon Roberts, FAA executive director for rulemaking, speaking during the panel discussion.

Germany-based training device developer Reiser is addressing industry concerns about aircraft availability and training costs by offering digital twin technology that allows maintenance and flight training without grounding helicopters or using expensive certified parts.

The company scans aircraft and engines to create three-dimensional models down to individual components, then produces training devices using non-original parts that replicate the aircraft without the long lead times, high costs, and obsolescence issues associated with certified components, Jonas Goercke, head of business line flight training at Reiser, told AIN at Verticon.

Find all of AIN’s Verticon coverage at www.ainonline.com/airshow-convention-news/verticon-2026. The digital editions of AIN’s award-winning VAI Convention News are also available online—a quick way to scan the week’s news from Verticon 2026.