Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Caitlin Hayden named AIA Vice President of Communications

Aerospace

Caitlin Hayden named AIA Vice President of Communications

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has appointed Caitlin Hayden, former National Security Council Spokesperson and Executive Vice President at Edelman, as its Vice President of Communications.

In this role she will lead the organisation’s outreach and communications functions and work closely with AIA member companies to tell the aerospace and defense industry’s story in the United States and around the world. She will report to AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning.

“I’m thrilled that Caitlin will be joining our team to support an industry that has inspired Americans to dream bigger and reach farther for over a century. Our member companies are inspiring the next generation of American innovators and strengthening our economic and national security. Caitlin’s talent and experience make her the ideal person to ensure this story is told effectively and to take AIA’s advocacy to the next level,” said Fanning.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Prior to joining AIA, Hayden (right) was Executive Vice President and Director of the Media Group in Edelman’s DC Office, working with a broad range of clients to develop comprehensive communications strategies to meet their business objectives, including protecting and promoting their brands and navigating regulatory, policy and crisis issues.

She also served as one of Edelman’s senior media and speech trainers, working with CEOs and spokespeople globally to refine and strengthen their message.

“As a national security wonk and professional communicator, I can’t think of a more exciting prospect than telling the story of an industry that is keeping America safe, creating American jobs, leading the world in innovation, and inspiring people to dream,” said Hayden.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Before joining Edelman, Hayden served as a Special Assistant to President Obama, the National Security Council Senior Director for Strategic Communications and Press, and the National Security Council (NSC) Spokesperson. In that position, she led White House messaging around foreign policy, development and global health, defense, intelligence, cybersecurity and counterterrorism. Prior to the White House, Caitlin was a career civil servant at the Department of State. She joined the State Department on September 10, 2001 and spent her career there focused on public outreach, press, speechwriting and South and Central Asia policy.

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Smith Detection

Aerospace Security

Smith Detection's SDX 10080 SCT receives UK DfT approval

10 June 2026

Smiths Detection announced today that its SDX 10080 SCT has received UK Department for Transport (DfT) approval for deployment across UK airports and cargo operators for hold baggage and air cargo screening.

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

Aerospace Security

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

10 June 2026

Aston University has secured almost £4 million in new funding to improve the UK’s aerospace engineering and cybersecurity skills.

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

10 June 2026

Marshall Aerospace has successfully completed a flight dynamics and control model to support Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7, a revolutionary dual-use hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft currently in prototype development.

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

Aerospace

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

9 June 2026

NATS has committed £500k to carbon removals through carbon removals intelligence provider CUR8, contributing to an initiative led by the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition, to stimulate the carbon removals market as part of a £2 million Advance Market Signal.

Advertisement
ODU RT
HutanBio partners with Wakud on scalable SAF feedstocks

Aerospace

HutanBio partners with Wakud on scalable SAF feedstocks

9 June 2026

Cambridge biotechnology company HutanBio, which is developing algae-derived oils for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), has signed its first commercial offtake Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman's Wakud International, as the aviation industry searches for new feedstock sources capable of supporting future SAF demand.

Tekever and Sapient Perception to explore airborne ISR sensing integration

Aerospace Security Space

Tekever and Sapient Perception to explore airborne ISR sensing integration

9 June 2026

Tekever and Sapient Perception have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the integration and evaluation of Sapient Perception’s 10K camera system on Tekever uncrewed aerial systems.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner