Lockheed Martin Delivers First F-35 Weapons Load Training System to Eglin Air Force Base

ORLANDO, Fla., October 17, 2011, October 17th, 2011 --  

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered and installed the first weapons load training device at the F-35 integrated pilot-and-maintenance training center (ITC) at Eglin Air Force Base’s 33rd Fighter Wing.

Configured in all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II, the system allows maintenance students to hone their skills loading munitions, fuel tanks and missile systems onto the aircraft. The system is the first of up to five possible weapons load trainers to be delivered to the ITC.

Designed to be identical to the F-35 aircraft, the weapons load training simulators enable training to take place without removing aircraft from the flight schedule. As part of F-35 maintainer training, the systems will complement classroom academics and additional hands-on experience.

“We are focused on delivering an agile training capability to the newest crop of fifth-generation pilots and maintainers,” said Joanne Puglisi, director of F-35 training and support at Lockheed Martin’s Global Training and Logistics business. “By tailoring devices and sharing resources across the training domain, we will provide even greater affordability for the services and our F-35 partner countries.”  

This is the latest step in final preparation of the F-35 ITC. Earlier this year, the first two F-35 full mission simulators were installed, joining the aircraft systems maintenance trainer, the ejection seat maintenance trainer, the mission rehearsal trainer and pilot training aids. The full mission simulator system is the highest fidelity trainer in the F-35 pilot-training-device suite, accurately replicating all F-35 sensors and weapons deployment.

The F-35 ITC at Eglin AFB will be home to the latest courseware, electronic classrooms, simulators and flight events. A balance of skill and knowledge training is woven into the program with interactive courseware, desktop simulators and high-fidelity training devices.

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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Cessna Announces 'Game-Changing' Citation Latitude

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 10, 2011 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, introduced the new Citation Latitude mid-size business jet this morning at the start of the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention. This is Cessna’s second new product announcement in the past 14 days; the company launched the Citation M2 light business jet on Sept. 26.

With space for a crew of two plus up to eight passengers, the Citation Latitude features Garmin G5000 avionics and a clean-sheet, 84-inch fuselage for a 6-foot high, flat floor passenger cabin.

“The Citation Latitude is a game-changer for the mid-size segment, offering the payload, speed and range the market requires with an unmatched cabin experience at this price point,” said Brad Thress, senior vice president, Cessna Business Jets.

Positioned between the Citation XLS+ and Citation Sovereign in Cessna’s product line, the Citation Latitude offers a full fuel payload of 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms), a maximum cruise speed of 442 knots true airspeed (819 kilometers per hour) and a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers). The aircraft is priced at $14.9 million in 2011 USD.

Preliminary specifications project the aircraft will operate at airports with runways as short as 3,900 feet (1,189 meters), will have a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) and will climb direct to 43,000 feet (13,106 meters) in 23 minutes. First flight of the Citation Latitude prototype is expected to be mid-year 2014, with FAA certification (Part 25) and entry into service expected in 2015.

“Our team used extensive market research to configure the Citation Latitude and the results are seen from nose to tail and from wingtip to wingtip on the Latitude’s swept wing,” Thress said. “Nowhere is the Latitude’s uniqueness more visible than inside the cabin.”

From just behind the cockpit through the rear lavatory, a flat floor provides stand-up access throughout the 16-plus foot cabin. The main passenger cabin — Cessna’s widest in history — is 77 inches wide (1.95 meters) with a height of 72 inches (1.83 meters). The standard seating arrangement accommodates passengers in a single-club with a forward, dual side-facing couch. Six pedestal seats track forward and aft 7 inches (.18 m) and laterally 4 inches (.10 m) on the seat base with 180 degree swiveling capability and infinite recline positions. Cabin-length indirect LED lighting is provided overhead in the passenger service units with variable adjustment for direct reading lights and more.

“The requirements for business travel have evolved to more than comfort and convenience; the use of innovative technology is key to providing a more efficient and productive aircraft cabin, which is critical to meeting expectations of a fully functioning work environment,” said Cindy Halsey, Cessna vice president, Interior Design, Engineering and Development. “Through our new ClairityTM cabin technology system, we have an intuitive user interface to offer customers a ‘smart’ airplane for the ultimate connectivity experience.”

Developed by Cessna in partnership with Dallas-based Heads Up Technologies, Clairity is an intelligent cabin technology solution that ties into the aircraft avionics systems and can integrate cabin electrical systems and data and communication sharing through a fiber optic backbone controlled through either an intuitive touch-screen user interface at each seat or the customer’s personal electronic device.

The Citation Latitude’s cockpit is anchored by the new, fully integrated Garmin G5000 system that centers on three 14-inch LCD primary and multifunction displays and four touch-screen control panels. It includes an integrated Flight Director/Autopilot and Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). Among the standard features of the new system are a pilot-vehicle touch-screen interface, TCAS II with Change 7.1, Synthetic Vision Technology, electronic charts, Garmin’s SafeTaxi, a dual flight management system with WAAS LPV and RNP, solid-state weather radar with turbulence detection and vertical scan capability, integrated terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), ADS-B Out and Link 2000+ data link. Options include satellite weather and an ICAO Type 1A flight data recorder.

A cabin mock-up of the new Citation Latitude is on display through Wednesday at Cessna’s exhibit (Booth #C9044) in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

High-resolution images:
Citation Latitude in-flight horizontal rendering
Citation Latitude in-flight vertical rendering
Citation Latitude hangar rendering
Citation Latitude cockpit photo
Citation Latitude forward-aft interior photo
Citation Latitude aft-forward interior photo

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Cessna Citation CJ2+ Gains World Speed Record

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2011 — The National Aeronautic Association today presented a world speed record to Eric Norber for a flight from Reykjavik, Iceland, to London in July in a Cessna Citation CJ2+. The speed record — 2:48:14 — was over a recognized course for a jet aircraft between 3,000 and 6,000 kilograms (FAI code C, C-1, e, III).

The presentation took place at the Cessna exhibit at the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention taking place here this week.

Norber is president of ELJ Aviation, a jet management company based in Sanford, Fla., operating the Citation CJ2+ and a Citation Mustang.

The Citation CJ2+ is part of the CJ family of light business jets from Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company. The CJ2+ holds six passengers in the main cabin and has a 1,600-nautical mile range and a top speed of 418 knots.

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Boeing to Showcase Partnerships and Innovation Capabilities at Seoul Air Show

Korea debut of 787 Dreamliner, F-15 Silent Eagle technology and AH-6i

SEOUL, Korea, Oct. 13, 2011 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will highlight its leading-edge commercial and defense technologies and capabilities – including the Korea debut of the 787 Dreamliner, F-15 Silent Eagle and the AH-6i light attack  reconnaissance helicopter – at the 2011 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition.

The super-efficient Dreamliner will take center stage at this year's show for Korean 787 customers and suppliers, such as Korean Air and Korea Aerospace Industries.

“Boeing’s presence at the Seoul Air Show underscores our longstanding support for the Republic of Korea’s armed forces and our strong relationship with the country’s airlines,” said Pat Gaines, president of Boeing Korea. “I am proud that our partnership with Korea goes back more than 60 years and that we have been able to help advance the competitiveness of Korea’s aerospace industry.”

Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ exhibit will focus on a number of key products including the 787-9 Dreamliner, 747-8 Intercontinental passenger jet and 747-8 Freighter, as well as the new 737 MAX – Boeing’s newest member of its commercial airplane family.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security will showcase the next generation cockpit for the F-15 Silent Eagle multirole fighter – the first public showing of the aircraft’s cockpit systems. Additionally, there will be a 3D interactive display of the Silent Eagle’s multimission capabilities. The AH-64D Apache combat helicopter, CH-47 Chinook helicopter, 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control "Peace Eye" aircraft and other network-centric systems will round out Boeing’s defense products on display.

Boeing will hold a media briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 2:30 p.m. Seoul time with Mike Burke, director of Global Strike Rotorcraft Business Development, who  will provide updates on Boeing's AH-64 Apache focused on the status of the new AH-64D Apache Block III aircraft and the new AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter program that is gaining international interest. Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ vice president of Marketing Randy Tinseth will present the company’s 20-year commercial market forecast for Korea on Tuesday Oct. 18, from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westin Chosun Hotel.

The 787 Dreamliner will be available for scheduled media tours on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Seoul time.
The show’s flying demonstrations will feature the new F-15K Slam Eagle, the most advanced fighter jet in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force; the U.S. Army’s multirole AH-64D Apache; and the U.S. Air Force’s versatile C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. The AH-6i and Republic of Korea Air Force Chinook will be on static display.

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. The company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner Makes Korea Debut at 2011 Seoul Air Show

SEOUL, Oct. 17, 2011 – Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] 787 Dreamliner today made its Korea debut at the 2011 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition taking place at Seongnam Airport in Seoul.
The super-efficient Dreamliner is poised to become the main attraction at this year's show for Korean 787 customers and suppliers, such as Korean Air and Korea Aerospace Industries.

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