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From the Director's Chair: The Road to the 2025 Collier Trophy

Dear NAA Members and Aerospace Colleagues,

It is a privilege to address you during what I consider the most inspiring season on the aviation calendar. As we move into March, the energy within the National Aeronautic Association is palpable. We are just days away from the final selection of the 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy recipient, an award that has defined the pinnacle of American aerospace achievement for 115 years.

This year’s finalists represent more than just technical milestones; they embody the relentless spirit of discovery. From the frontiers of deep space exploration to the cutting edge of autonomous logistics and combat systems, the 2025 nominees have proven that the "greatest achievement" is not just a title, but a commitment to improving the safety, efficiency, and performance of everything that flies.

The Selection Process: March 12, 2026

On March 12, our Selection Committee, comprising industry leaders, pioneers, and the NAA Board, will convene in Washington, D.C. Each finalist team will present its case, defending the actual use and impact of its innovations.

Selection day is always a humbling reminder of the caliber of talent in our industry. Choosing a winner from such an elite field is a daunting task, but we undertake it with the gravity and respect Robert J. Collier intended when he established this trophy in 1911.

Looking Ahead to June

While the winner will be notified immediately following the committee's vote next week, the formal celebration will take place this June. We look forward to gathering the "who’s who" of aerospace to witness the engraving of another historic name on the trophy, alongside legends such as the Wright Brothers, the Apollo 11 crew, and last year’s recipient, the NASA/Johns Hopkins APL Parker Solar Probe Team.

Thank you for your continued support of the NAA and for your own contributions to this extraordinary industry. We are not just witnessing history; through the Collier Trophy, we are documenting the future.

Blue skies,

Sam

Samantha Magill, Ph.D.

Vice Chair,

National Aeronautic Association

Key Dates to Remember



March 12, 2026:

• Collier Trophy Selection Committee Meeting & Winner Announcement.

June 2026:

• The Collier Trophy Presentation Dinner (Washington, D.C.).

As we prepare to select the 2025 winner, we aren't just looking for the loudest engine or the furthest distance. We are looking for the next "Invisible Revolution," the breakthrough that, fifty years from now, we will realize we can’t live without.

While the NAA often celebrates the "Firsts" (first supersonic, first moon landing), the Collier Trophy has also frequently honored the "Invisible Revolutions"—the innovations that made aviation safe, accessible, and commercial for everyone.

The Invisible Revolutions: A Legacy of Safety

A different look at how the Collier Trophy tracked the transformation of flight from a daredevil's game to a global standard.

💨 1929: The Cowling that Changed Everything.

Long before we were breaking the sound barrier, we were fighting drag. In 1929, the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) won the Collier for the low-drag cowling. It wasn't a sleek jet or a moon rocket; it was a simple metal shroud for radial engines. Yet, it increased aircraft speeds by 20% without adding a single horsepower. It was the moment aviation efficiency was born.

🌬️ 1934: Conquering the "Great White Wall."

In the early days, ice was the silent killer of pilots. The B.F. Goodrich Company earned its place on the trophy in 1934 for developing the first practical de-icing equipment. By turning a deadly weather hazard into a manageable technical hurdle, they laid the literal groundwork for the reliable commercial airlines we board today.

💺 1949: The Birth of Controlled Skies.

As the skies grew crowded, the "greatest achievement" wasn't a faster plane; it was a smarter system. The Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) earned the Collier for a plan to create a common air traffic control system. This win acknowledged that the future of flight wasn't just about the pilot in the cockpit, but the invisible network of communication keeping every passenger safe.

🛡️ 2024: The Shield that Touched the Sun.

Last year’s winner, the NASA/Johns Hopkins APL Parker Solar Probe Team, achieved a "first" by entering the Sun's corona. But the true hero was the "invisible" breakthrough: a 4.5-inch thick carbon-composite shield that kept internal instruments at room temperature while the outside braved 2,500°F. It proved that sometimes, the greatest achievement isn't just where you go, it's the technology that allows you to survive being there.

Here are the spotlights for the six finalists for the

2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy.

These teams will present their achievements to the Selection Committee on March 12, 2026.

2025 Finalist Spotlight: The Elite Six

Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander is recognized for the first successful commercial Moon landing and the operation of 10 NASA payloads. This mission marks a pivotal step in the commercialization of cislunar space, proving that private enterprise can lead the way back to the lunar surface.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 the first privately developed civil aircraft to break the sound barrier. It completed multiple supersonic flights validating Boomless Cruise and reopening a regulatory pathway for a new generation of high-speed aircraft

Venus Aerospace has unlocked a new level of efficiency in rocket propulsion. Their RDRE technology offers significant gains in thrust and fuel economy, providing a critical building block for the next generation of hypersonic flight and more affordable space launches.

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography is nominated for conducting the first high-performance global survey of Earth’s surface water. By providing transformative insights into our oceans, coasts, and fresh-water systems they have given scientists and operational users a new lens on our planet.

Wing is being honored for implementing safe, widespread, and fully automated drone delivery within dense urban environments. Their work has moved "last-mile logistics" from a futuristic concept to a daily reality, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of local commerce.

Anduril is recognized for the rapid development and successful flight testing of a semi-autonomous fighter. This "Collaborative Combat Aircraft" represents a paradigm shift in airpower, proving that AI-driven autonomy can be fielded quickly to enhance national defense.

What We're Watching

Corporate Members:

🌍 Airbus: A Landmark Anniversary Order

Airbus started March with a massive win, announcing a firm order from Air Astana Group for 25 A320neo Family aircraft, the largest in the airline’s history.

🚀 Blue Origin & Boom: The Countdown is On

It is a historic month for our "New Space" and Supersonic members. Blue Origin is in final preparations at Cape Canaveral to launch the New Glenn-3 (NG-3) mission, and Boom Supersonic continues to expand the envelope of the XB-1.

🛫 The Boeing Company: 777X and Starliner Progress

Boeing is moving toward a critical "Production-Standard" milestone for the 777X program, with the first delivery-configured aircraft preparing for flight.

💎 Gulfstream & Bombardier: Crossing Borders

In the business aviation sector, Gulfstream Aerospace just cleared a major hurdle as Transport Canada officially certified the G700 and G800 last week. Bombardier to navigate new trade and tariff discussions while focusing on protecting the integrated North American aerospace supply chain.

🛠️ RTX & Northrop Grumman: Defense in Digital High-Definition

RTX (Raytheon/Pratt & Whitney) and Northrop Grumman are currently redefining "Digital Engineering." Northrop expects to finalize a deal with the Air Force by the end of this month to accelerate B-21 Raider production. Simultaneously, RTX is scaling up production of next-generation sensors that will be critical to "Collaborative Combat Aircraft."

Affiliate Members:

🏗️ AIA & AIAA: Setting the 2026 Agenda

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), recently submitted its 2026 legislative priorities to Congress. Simultaneously, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) identified the top ten technologies transforming the industry as we prepare for the next phase of lunar exploration.

🚁 Vertical Aviation International (VAI): Good Times for the Vertical Community Ahead!

The rotorcraft community is buzzing with excitement for Verticon. See you in Atlanta.

🏛️ NBAA & ATCA: The "Modern Skies" Push

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined speakers at the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) Innovation Summit to stress that the transition to a brand-new ATC system requires "one voice" from the aviation community to ensure safety keeps pace with the rapid introduction of new aircraft types.

📈 Airlines for America (A4A): Bracing for a Record Spring

Airlines for America is forecasting a massive spring travel season with an estimated 171 million passengers taking to the skies through April.

✈️ GAMA: A "Steadfast" State of the Industry

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently released its 2025 Year-End Shipment and Billing Report, revealing a historic milestone: total preliminary aircraft delivery value eclipsed $35.7 billion, the highest ever recorded.

• The Standouts: Business jet shipments surged by nearly 12%, with Embraer’s Phenom 300 series crowned the world’s best-selling light jet for the 14th consecutive year.
• The Leaders: Textron Aviation led the field in total turbine and turboprop deliveries, proving that the demand for utility and mission-specific flight remains at an all-time high.

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