Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force Salute 50 Years Of The Hercules In Abilene

ABILENE, Texas, April 28th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and the U.S. Air Force celebrated 50 years of C-130 operations at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, today.

The base’s 317th Airlift Group is currently transitioning to the C-130J Super Hercules ─ the most technologically advanced version of the C-130. The 317th accepted the first of its 28 C-130Js last April, which was delivered by Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the C-130 at Dyess, we are constantly reminded of the astounding accomplishments achieved by our brave Airmen flying the mighty Hercules to save lives and sustain the conflicts around the globe,” said Col. Dan Dagher, 317th Airlift Group commander. “As each generation builds on the successes of our predecessors, we look forward to even greater accomplishments over the next 50 years.”

Dyess officials first accepted their C-130 A and D models in 1961, and currently fly the H and J models. These C-130s were used to execute a variety of missions, ranging from military operations to humanitarian airlift to unique tasks including support of NASA’s historic Mercury space program. By 2013, Dyess Air Force Base will have the distinction of being home to the largest C-130J fleet when it receives its 28th Super Hercules aircraft.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

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The A350 XWB’s first main landing gear set is delivered to Airbus

Airbus has received the initial main landing gear set for its A350 XWB, which is to be installed on the next-generation jetliner’s system test rig – along with the first nose landing gear received last month – in Filton, UK. This upcoming industrial milestone will clear the way for testing to demonstrate the system’s reliability and maturity, and also provide data for certification – particularly in the areas of extension-retraction, braking and steering.

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Sikorsky Aircraft Completes Active Rotor Wind Tunnel Testing

Stratford, Connecticut - Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, has completed wind tunnel testing of its active rotor system equipped with high authority flaps. The effort is jointly funded by Sikorsky and the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD). Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

“The AATD/Sikorsky Active Rotor Team has accomplished a lofty goal: to demonstrate the functionality of a trailing edge flap and closed loop control system,” said Chris VanBuiten, Director of Sikorsky Innovations. “The system performed extremely well over a variety of forward flight conditions up to 140 knots.”

“We have validated the concept of properly controlled, high authority flaps to favorably impact external rotor noise, and vibration,” added Jim Kagdis, program manager for Sikorsky Advanced Programs. “Our test results show reductions in vibration, rotor hub and controls loading, and a reduced acoustic emission.”

Mark Miller, Sikorsky vice president, research & engineering, added: “The completion of this wind tunnel testing provides valuable data to guide future programs such as AATD’s Reconfigurable Rotor and DARPA’s Mission Adaptable Rotor (MAR) programs. Sikorsky remains committed to the maturation of game-changing technologies such as active control features on helicopter blades to maximize aircraft performance and effectiveness.”

Development partners on the project are United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) for the blades, and Hamilton Sundstrand Claverham for the high authority flap actuators. Wind Tunnel Testing was accomplished at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) located at Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.


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