Insights
Modular Avionics for a New Era of Aviation: AEE at ILA Berlin 2026
As one of Europe's leading aerospace exhibitions, ILA Berlin 2026 brought together innovators, operators, manufacturers, and technology leaders to discuss the future of aviation, defence, autonomy, and advanced air mobility. Across the exhibition halls and flight displays, one message was clear: future aerospace systems will depend on intelligent, modular, and certifiable electronics capable of adapting to increasingly complex missions.
For AEE Aircraft Electronic Engineering, ILA 2026 provided an opportunity to showcase how modern avionics architectures can accelerate innovation while meeting the industry's highest requirements for safety, reliability, and certification. Two highlights in the static display: the Do-228 NXT, developed by
General Atomics, and the H145 by Airbus Helicopters, demonstrated this in a tangible way, by featuring AEE-developed and produced devices. Whether supporting unmanned aerial systems, eVTOL platforms, special mission aircraft, or next-
generation helicopters, aerospace programs increasingly require electronics that are compact, flexible, and capable of handling multiple functions within a single architecture.
At the event, AEE highlighted its vision for modular avionics through two flagship products the BARC1000 and the MIAU1000.
The BARC1000 (Bavarian Avionic Redundant Computer) platform addressed the challenge of integration: singular platform capable of managing mission applications, vehicle systems, communications, and data processing within a reliable and certifiable framework.
Complementing BARC1000 was the MIAU1000 (Mini-Interface for Actuator Units), a compact and ruggedized avionics platform developed for applications where size, weight, and power consumption are critical. Despite its small footprint, MIAU1000 can operate as a gateway computer, actuator interface unit, data concentrator, or even a flight control computer. Developed according to aviation-grade processes and designed for harsh operating environments, it delivers the flexibility required by
modern UAV, eVTOL, and light-aircraft programs.
AEE’s modular avionics strategy is further strengthened through its close collaboration with Volz Servos, a leading manufacturer of electromechanical actuators and AEE’s parent company since
2021. By combining Volz’s expertise in high-reliability, robust actuation systems with AEE’s capabilities as an EASA approved organization, the two companies are able to deliver highly integrated flight-control solutions. This partnership enables customers to benefit from a seamless combination of flight-control electronics, actuator interfaces, and robust system architectures for next-generation drones and UAVs.
The conversations at ILA Berlin 2026 reinforced that the future of aerospace will be shaped by intelligent avionics, modular architectures, and certifiable autonomous systems.
As the industry continues to evolve, AEE remains committed to engineering solutions that simplify complexity, accelerate innovation, and enable the future of flight.
