First CF6-powered C-5M Delivered to United States Air Force

--EVENDALE, OH -- The first production Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft, powered by four CF6-80C2 engines, was delivered to the United States Air Force Friday in ceremonies attended by officials from Air Mobility Command, Air Force Material Command and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

"The CF6 plays a vital part in making the C-5M a Super Galaxy," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 Program vice president. "These engines power the C-5M to new standards in strategic airlift and, most importantly, provide critical support to the warfighter, in less time and more reliably."

The upgraded C-5M incorporates more than 70 changes and upgrades, including newer, quieter CF6 engines that deliver a 22 percent increase in thrust, 58 percent faster climb rate and enable more cargo to be carried across longer distances. For perspective, the C-5M with 50,000 pounds of fuel needs only 1,500 feet of runway to get airborne while the legacy C-5 required between 3,000-4,000 feet. The C-5M with 600,000 lb. payload can climb to 34,000 feet in 18 minutes while the legacy C-5s required 33 minutes to reach 25,000 feet. The CF6-powered C-5M Super Galaxy claimed 42 world aeronautical records in 2009, including significant time-to-climb and payload marks.

In addition to performance and reliability improvements, the CF6 adds a whole new level of efficiency to the C-5M. The engines provide emission margins well below the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection standards. Over the life of the 52 C-5M aircraft program, CF6 engines save more than one million tons of carbon dioxide and over 90 million gallons of fuel compared to the current TF39-powered C-5 fleet.

CF6 engines also produce dramatically reduced noise levels over local communities where C-5s operate. At takeoff, the C-5M is more than three times quieter than the C-5A/B. The C-5M is the first and only military aircraft to achieve Stage 4 noise compliance, enabling continued access to airfields in noise sensitive communities throughout the world.

"We are pleased to play a prominent role in helping the C-5M write a new chapter in rapid global response," said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation Military Systems Operation. "The CF6 will help unlock the capability of the C-5 aircraft and allow cost effective operation for another 40 years."

GE's CF6 engines have been among the most utilized and reliable in the industry. Powering more than 20 models of wide-body aircraft, the engine family has established an unsurpassed record of reliability and compiled more than 350 million flight-hours in service with more than 250 customers worldwide.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.



GE

Read more...

Boeing 787 Dreamliner ZA006 Has Successful Take Off & Flight But Lands Early

 Boeing 787 Dreamliner ZA006 Has Successful Take Off & Flight But Lands Early

Boeing tells Aubrey Cohen with the Seattle PI that the flight was cut short due to a “maintenance issue,” but they are still counting it as a success. “The air crew experienced a maintenance issue during flight and as a precautionary note decided to land at Boeing Field,” Boeing 787 spokeswoman Yvonne Leach said

full text: http://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/10/boeing-787-dreamliner-za006-has-successful-take-off-lands-early/


Boeing Press Release

EVERETT, Wash., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The final Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner to join the flight test fleet made its first flight today from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The airplane, ZA006, is the second 787 equipped with General Electric GEnx engines to fly.

Captains Christine Walsh and Bill Roberson were at the controls during the 1 hour and 4 minute flight. The airplane landed at Boeing Field at 12:45 p.m. (Pacific time).

"It's great to have our last flight test airplane join the fleet," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "We have been focused on completing the testing required for certification of the 787 with Rolls-Royce engines, because that is the first model we deliver. A great deal of the testing that we've done also applies to the 787s with GE engines and won't need to be repeated," said Fancher.

There is, however, a smaller portion of testing that is unique to the engine/airframe combination. In general, this portion includes noise testing, extreme weather operations, function and reliability, and extended operations. In addition, testing to verify the airplane handles the same regardless of engine type and that the systems work on both models is required.

Some additional flight tests will be performed on one of the production airplanes, the ninth 787 to be built, but it is not considered a full-time member of the flight test fleet.

787 Testing Progress Report

In addition to achieving first flight of ZA006, the Boeing test team has completed a number of flight test milestones in recent weeks.

Boeing wrapped up a series of natural and artificial icing tests, meeting all requirements with no changes required. Pilots reported that the airplane continues to handle well even in the presence of ice.

Flight loads survey testing, which demonstrates the pressure distribution on the airplane structure throughout the phases of flight in a variety of configurations, also has been completed. The team conducted this testing on ZA004 primarily at the airport at Victorville, Calif. Analysis of this testing continues.

A dramatic series of tests that stress the airplane's brakes, called maximum brake energy testing, was completed in late September at Edwards Air Force Base, also in California. ZA001 conducted this testing as well as a series of extreme takeoff and landing conditions including minimum takeoff speed testing. Earlier in the month, ZA001 completed wet runway testing at Roswell, NM.

ZA003 flew to Glasgow, Mont., to complete community noise testing. All results were within expectations.

As a result of these tests and others, all takeoff performance and handling characteristics testing is complete for the initial version of the 787. Additional testing will be required for 787s equipped with GE engines.

The 787 flight test program has logged more than 1,900 hours over 620 flights and completed more than 65 percent of the flight test conditions for 787s with Rolls-Royce engines.

Equally important to the testing required in the air is the ground testing required to certify a new airplane. Boeing has completed well over 4,000 hours of ground testing on the same airplanes that are in the flight test program.

In addition, fatigue testing has started at a test rig in Everett. Fifteen flights have been simulated. Federal regulations require Boeing to conduct twice as many flight cycles as any airplane in revenue service. Boeing plans to have completed 10,000 flight cycles prior to first delivery.

"We continue to be extremely satisfied with the performance of the 787 in its testing operations," said Fancher. "This airplane handles wonderfully and will be a valuable tool for our customers."

Read more...

India, Russia to discuss new giant fighter jet deal

India and Russia will hold talks this week on a multi-billion-dollar deal to supply up to 250 advanced stealth fighter jets to the technology-starved Indian Air Force, officials said on Tuesday.

Experts say the deal could be worth 25 billion dollars, making it the biggest in India's military history.

Full Text


India will spend over $25 Billion on FGFA aircrafts

India will spend over $25 billion to induct 250 advanced stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) into its military brandwagon .This will be India's biggest defence project which will be co-developed with Russia, reports Rajat Pandit of Times of India.
Full Text





Spanish
India invertirá más de US$25.000 millones de dólares en aviones de quinta generación
http://sp.rian.ru/neighbor_relations/20101005/147695065.html

Read more...

Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Earns Navy Recommendation for full Fleet Introduction

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (October 4, 2010) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the U.S. Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra successfully completed Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL).



On Sept. 24, the Navy's Aviation program office (NAVAIR) for H-1 Upgrades received official notification from the Navy's Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force that its AH-1Z helicopters were found to be "operationally effective and suitable" and were recommended for fleet introduction.



"We are pleased and proud that the AH-1Z has completed its operational evaluation," said John Garrison, president of Bell Helicopter. "The AH-1Z is a remarkable aircraft that is only made stronger by the Marine aviators that fly them. We are excited that our warfighters will receive the full benefit of this awesome machine."



The Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.



A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2019.



The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. The program's goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors.



The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent commonality of parts between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y utility helicopters. This commonality reduces lifecycle and training costs and decreases the expeditionary logistics footprint for both aircraft.

Bell Helicopters

Read more...

How Wind Turbines Affect Your (Very) Local Weather

COOL BREEZE: A new analysis reveals that at the wind farm at San Gorgonio pass, pictured here, the turbines warm surface temperatures at night and cool them by day.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-wind-turbines-affect-temperature

via @AbelPardoLopez

Read more...