Phantom Ray arrives in Dryden ahead of flight tests

December 13 was frigid in St. Louis with the temperature about 16 degrees, but it was a good day to fly, especially for one of NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) and Boeing’s Phantom Ray. The two aircraft made aviation history on the same flight, thanks to some way-out-of-the-box thinking and a special adapter, both courtesy of Boeing engineers.

“I have to admit that when the idea of using the SCA to transport the Phantom Ray was first proposed, there was some level of apprehension on my part,” said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager. “However, once the idea started to take shape and we began meeting with NASA, my apprehension quickly turned to excitement. Pulling it off in such a short amount of time is a real credit to the Phantom Ray team and NASA, and is a real feat of engineering.”

http://www.boeing.com/Features/2010/12/bds_phantom_ray_12_10_10.html

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Northrop Grumman's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Nearly Set For First Flight

The first unmanned aircraft designed as a carrier-based strike jet is almost ready to take to the air for the first time, U.S. Navy officials have confirmed.

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) drone has been performing taxi tests for several weeks at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as engineers run the aircraft through a long series of pre-flight tests and checks.

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Russia to start Mi-38 production in 2013 after PW127 engine supply resolved

"The company plans to equip the helicopters with both Russian and Canadian engines. We see it as an additional advantage for our buyers. Partners in Russia and the CIS states traditionally opt for Russian-made engines, while partners worldwide may prefer Canadian," the firm says.

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Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Achieves Overall 2010 Flight Test Target

"We exceeded our 394-flight goal and expect to meet our overall test-point goal this year by reaching ahead and working 2011 test points," said J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 Test and Verification. "While we are still behind on our overall STOVL variant testing, we are working through a plan to get us back on track."

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Superjet 100 Delivery Delayed Again

After several rounds of delay, Sukhoi was pressing hard to meet the 2010 in-service goal, but now is having to satisfy itself with obtaining a partial Russian certification, which is still planned by year-end. Approval of some technical issues also is being deferred, with Basic Area Navigation performance and Category III landing capabilities not due to be finalized until next year, Sukhoi officials acknowledge.

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RAF's FSTA (A330 tanker) makes first dry contacts

The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK´s Royal Air Force has successfully completed its first contacts with a receiver aircraft.
In a 2 hour 40 min sortie from Getafe near Madrid on 13th December, the FSTA conducted a series of dry contacts with a F-18 fighter of the Spanish Air Force as planned.

The contacts were made using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU), consisting of a hose and drogue similar to those fitted under the wings, and which is also developed and supplied by Cobham of the UK.

In the course of that flight and a subsequent sortie, contacts were successfully performed thoughout the refuelling flight-envelope at altitudes from 8,000ft to 35,000ft and speeds from 180kt to 325kt.

This is the first time that the FRU has been used to make contact and means that all of the A330 MRTT´s refuelling systems have now completed contacts – they are the FRU, underwing hose-and-drogue, and the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), plus the Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) used to receive fuel from another tanker.

Head of Airbus Military Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said: "It is very satisfying to see the FRU in operation and demonstrating the final element in the A330 MRTT´s refuelling system. We look forward to executing wet contacts in the coming days to reinforce the status of the A330 MRTT as the world´s most advanced and proven transport/tanker."

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