Aerospace and Defense

The aerospace and defense industry is at an inflection point. We help clients turn regulatory complexity, supply chain disruption, and geopolitical pressure into strategic advantage - at speed and scale.

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Aerospace and Defense

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We help clients navigate the frontlines of global change - where national security, innovation, regulation, and commercial ambition converge. As the aerospace and defense sector faces rising geopolitical tensions, shifting defense budgets, expanding export controls, changing global supply chains, and transformative technologies like AI and reusable launch systems, we provide clarity and adaptability in this rapidly evolving landscape.

We can help you meet complex challenges head-on. Our team works alongside defense contractors, satellite manufacturers, aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), airlines, private equity firms, and emerging tech players to design legal strategies that align with their mission and market goals. From navigating export regulations and foreign investment reviews to advising on cross-border M&A, government contracting, and digitalization strategies, we tailor solutions that anticipate obstacles and unlock growth.

Backed by a globally integrated, cross-disciplinary team, we deliver sharp insight and coordinated execution across jurisdictions. Whether resolving high-stakes disputes, handling investigations, or structuring resilient commercial partnerships, we ensure clients move forward with confidence - ready for what’s next in the skies, in orbit, and beyond.

Our capabilities at a glance

150

Aerospace and Defense lawyers around the world

Hear from our clients and industry leaders

Hogan Lovells has an exceptional combination of depth and breadth and really knows the industry, from the big traditional players to the new space world.

Chambers 2025, Space

The Hogan team has a deep bench of legal talent with broad professional experience. With a global presence, they are extremely responsive and driven to practical, user- friendly advice necessary to confront today's world-wide business challenges.

Legal 500 2025, Government Contracts

Hogan Lovells is adept at handling issues in the space industry that are very technical and complex, spanning many legal specialties as well as countries.

Chambers 2025, Space

Hogan Lovells’ […] aviation team provides ‘creative solutions and optionality’ to industry-leading airlines, emerging aviation corporations, and commercial entities in both domestic and international clients.

Legal 500 2025, Aviation and air travel: litigation and regulation

Hogan Lovells has highly specialized attorneys: the team is composed of attorneys who have specialized in export controls, economic sanctions and international trade law for many years.

Chambers 2025, International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: The Elite

The team is incredibly knowledgeable and really good partners to have on our side.

Chambers 2025, Government Contracts

The partners and staff have the most comprehensive knowledge of the aviation regulatory system I have experienced. There is the perfect balance of professional backgrounds, education and experience.

Chambers 2025, Aviation

Hogan Lovells has highly specialized attorneys: the team is composed of attorneys who have specialized in export controls, economic sanctions, and international trade law for many years.

Chambers, 2025, International Trade and Export Controls

Key contacts

Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C.
+1 202 637 5499
Silicon Valley
+1 202 637 5499
Washington, D.C.
Email me

Michael F. Mason

Partner

Michael F. Mason

Partner

Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C.

Phoebe A. Wilkinson

Partner

Phoebe A. Wilkinson

Partner

New York

Dr. Patrick Ayad, M.Jur. (Oxford)

Partner

Dr. Patrick Ayad, M.Jur. (Oxford)

Partner

Munich, Berlin

Meet the Aerospace and Defense team

Representative experience

Lockheed Martin on its US$450m acquisition of Terran Orbital, a global leader of satellite-based solutions primarily supporting the aerospace and defense industries.

Rolls Royce Submarines on a landmark £9bn contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to power the next generations of nuclear submarines for the UK Royal Navy.

Airbus on its acquisition of Aerovel and Aerovel’s unmanned aerial system, Flexrotor, designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land.

Europe’s leading defense technology company Helsing on its acquisition of Bavarian aircraft manufacturer Grob Aircraft SE from H3 Aerospace GmbH & Co KG.

Redwire on acquiring Hera Systems, a spacecraft developer creating high-performance craft to support evolving national security mission needs in the next-gen space economy.

National Space Company, Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial space provider, on acquiring UP42 GmbH, a next-gen earth observation platform, from Airbus Defence and Space GmbH.

Performing an internal investigation in 35+ countries across five continents. Managing subsequent interactions and negotiations with governmental investigating authorities.

Assisting aerospace and defense companies with classifying commodities, technology, and software under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Seeking formal classification rulings from U.S. Departments of Commerce and State.

Representing a leading launch vehicle provider in bid protest litigation involving a multibillion-dollar contract for national security space satellites.

Advising defense contractors and critical infrastructure owners on utilizing cyber threat information sharing programs.

Defending bid protest litigation involving a US$1.5bn, 10-year contract for management and operation of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Awards and recognitions

Band 1 for Transportation: Aviation: Regulatory

Chambers USA

2016-2025

Band 1 for Space

Chambers USA

2025

Highly Recognized Government Contracts Practice

The Legal 500 US

2015-2025

Band 1 for International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: The Elite

Chambers USA

2025

Highly Recognized Government Contracts: The Elite

Chambers USA (Nationwide)

2021-2025

Tier 1 in Transport: Aviation and Air Travel - Litigation and Regulation

The Legal 500 US

2019-2025

Band 1 for Public Procurement

Chambers UK

2018-2025

Highly Ranked for Asset Finance: Aviation Finance

Chambers UK

2017-2025

Government Contracts Practice Group of the Year

Law360

2024

Government Contracts Practice Group of the Year

Law360

2023

Other ways we can help you

Our global capabilities in Aerospace and Defense

A comprehensive overview of our global capabilities in the aerospace and defense sector.

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Your questions answered

What are the biggest legal challenges facing the aerospace and defense industry today?

The aerospace and defense sector operates at the intersection of innovation, geopolitics, and strict regulatory oversight. Companies must navigate complex export controls, foreign investment rules, and cybersecurity requirements, while also managing workforce issues and supply chain resilience. With defense spending rising and space ventures accelerating, legal teams face mounting pressure to ensure compliance and agility across global operations.

How can we manage export controls, sanctions, and foreign investment screening across jurisdictions?

We help clients design globally integrated compliance programs that meet the requirements of key regimes, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), European Union (EU) dual-use rules, and foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanisms such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in the U.S. and the EU’s FDI Regulation 2019/452.

In addition, we advise on national frameworks like Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) export licensing and FDI screening under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act, the UK’s Export Control Order and National Security and Investment Act, and France’s export control managed by Centre Inter-armées de Concept de Doctrines et d'Expérimentations (CICDE) along with its foreign investment screening rules. Our team also supports license management, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies for cross-border M&A, supply contracts, and technology transfers, particularly in sensitive or high-security areas.

What are the key legal risks in space commercialization and satellite operations?

As commercial space activities grow - from launch services to satellite constellations - companies must address licensing, orbital slot access, liability for in-orbit damage, and national security concerns. We advise on spectrum access, commercial contracts, risk allocation, and evolving frameworks such as the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Act, the UK Space Industry Act, and international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty.

How can defense contractors navigate government/ procurement and offset obligations?

From opportunity identification and proposal compliance to bid protest challenges, we support clients across the full range of the procurement lifecycle. Our team advises on local offset and domestic preference requirements, anti-corruption safeguards, IP rights in government contracts, and structuring partnerships in line with U.S., EU, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and local requirements—ensuring compliance while maximizing competitiveness and strategic positioning.

What sustainability issues are impacting aerospace and defense companies?

We assist clients in navigating decarbonization initiatives (such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen adoption), responsible sourcing of critical minerals, human rights due diligence, and sustainability disclosures under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s climate rules, and defense-specific supplier frameworks.

What are the challenges around cybersecurity and protecting sensitive defense data?

Aerospace and defense companies are frequent targets of cyber threats, making robust information security and incident response critical. We advise on compliance with frameworks like Network and information Security Directive 2 (NIS2), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)/Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and national defense cyber regimes. Our team also helps manage data breaches, third-party risk, and contractual protections for classified and export-controlled information.

What does the EU’s “Rearm Europe” initiative mean for the defense industry, and how should companies prepare?

The EU’s Rearm Europe package marks a major shift in European defense policy, with increased funding for joint procurement, defense industrial capacity, and cross-border collaboration. It offers opportunities for defense manufacturers, suppliers, and tech providers, but also raises legal and regulatory questions.

We support clients in navigating EU defense funding rules, intellectual property (IP) and security classifications, consortium structures, and procurement procedures. Companies should also assess how Rearm Europe intersects with export control compliance, offsets, and FDI screening, particularly as national and EU-level priorities begin to align more closely.

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