# Airbus aviation and defense technology developments > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/airbus-aviation-and-defense-technology-developments > Updated: 2026-11-03T22:51:20.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Airbus has demonstrated advancements in integrated air defense and autonomous refueling technologies. During the NATO SPARTAN ARROW 26 exercise in Crete, the company successfully linked German and Swedish air defense systems using SAMOC software, enabling coordinated firing between Germany’s IRIS-T SLM and Sweden’s Patriot systems. This integration included the German LeFlaSys to establish a multi-layered defense against drones and cruise missiles. Additionally, Airbus achieved full certification for the A330 MRTT’s automatic aerial refueling system (A3R) through Spain’s National Institute for Aerospace Technology. Conducted in cooperation with Singapore, these tests support European efforts to develop autonomous refueling capabilities for drones, a project supported by the European Defence Agency and involving Germany and Spain. ## Timeline ### 2026-11-03: Aviation technology advances through autonomous refueling and long-range narrowbody aircraft New aviation advancements, including autonomous air-to-air refueling for military UAVs and ultra-long-range narrowbody aircraft for commercial travel, are expanding global reach and efficiency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aviation-technology-advances-through-autonomous-refueling-and-long-range-narrowbody-aircraft ### 2026-10-13: Airbus advances NATO air defense and autonomous refueling capabilities Airbus has demonstrated networked air defense between Germany and Sweden via SAMOC and achieved certification for autonomous aerial refueling systems for the A330 MRTT. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/airbus-advances-nato-air-defense-and-autonomous-refueling-capabilities --- Cite as: Airbus aviation and defense technology developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/airbus-aviation-and-defense-technology-developments