NASA selects “green” propellant technology demonstration mission

NASA selects “green” propellant technology demonstration mission:

After putting out a call for technology demonstration proposals for non-toxic “green” propellant alternatives to highly-toxic hydrazine earlier this year, NASA has selected a mission proposed by a team led by Boulder, Colorado-based Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation. The mission, which is intended to bridge the gap between technology development and use of green propellant, is expected to be developed and flown in around three years, with NASA providing US$45 million and additional funds provided by the mission co-investigators. .. Continue Reading NASA selects “green” propellant technology demonstration mission

Poland to Replace Su-22 Bombers with UCAV

Poland is planning to replace its obsolete Soviet-built Sukhoi Su-22 strike aircraft with an unmanned strike aircraft (UCAV) system, Deputy Defense Minister Waldemar Skrzypczak told TVN24 television on Tuesday.

“We are looking at possibly swapping some of our Su-22 fleet for long-range pilotless systems with high strike capability,” Skrzypczak said on the Poland and World program. Skrzypczak has responsibility for defense procurement.

Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/poland-to-replace-su-22-bombers-with-ucav-44230/#ixzz23gqSUlu4

Chinese carrier seen with J-15 Flanker copy onboard

Whatever the case, the Chinese are clearly making progress with developing their naval aviation capabilities. It's also a safe bet that the J-15, having been reverse-engineered decades after its progenitor, is probably fitted with better avionics than the Su-33s that are in service with the Russian fleet.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2012/08/chinese-carrier-seen-with-j-15.html

Saab Takes Next Step In Fighter Development

Sweden's slow but determined entry onto the world fighter stage is taking another step forward. At the same time, Saab is talking more in public about networked air combat capabilities that rest on decades of experience, much of which was long kept secret.

Saab and the Swedish and South African air forces are moving to establish a new Fighter Weapons School at the SAAF's Overberg base, in the southern Cape area, to develop advanced combat skills within the growing world community of Gripen pilots. The first class is due to open in October 2013.

In announcing the FWS, the company discussed its concept of networked tactics for the new JAS 39E/F fighter. Ultimately, Overberg's expansive ranges could provide an ideal environment for this technology.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_08_13_2012_p38-484470.xml

Soviet Tech Wonders and Their Destiny

Soviet Tech Wonders and Their Destiny: The USSR gave a lot of technical masterpieces, many of them are still second to none. Unfortunately modern society does not need them much… An-255 “Mriya”, super-heavy carrier, the world biggest plane, its loadlifting capacity record is still unbeaten. It … Read more...

Air Force Confirms X-51 Fin Failure

Air Force Confirms X-51 Fin Failure:

Here's the Air Force's statement:
"The X-51A Waverider successfully launched from an Air Force B-52 bomber over Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range Aug. 14 at approximately 11:36 a.m. PST.



The X-51 safely separated from the B-52 and the rocket booster fired as planned. However after 16 seconds, a fault was identified with one of the cruiser control fins. Once the X-51 separated from the rocket booster, approximately 15 seconds later, the cruiser was not able to maintain control due to the faulty control fin and was lost.



"It is unfortunate that a problem with this subsystem caused a termination before we could light the Scramjet engine," said Charlie Brink, X-51A Program Manager for Air Force Research Laboratory. "All our data showed we had created the right conditions for engine ignition and we were very hopeful to meet our test objectives."



Program officials will now begin the process of working through a rigorous evaluation to determine the exact cause of all factors at play.



One of the four X-51A vehicles remains. AFRL officials have not decided when or if that vehicle will fly at this time."

Embraer orders KC-390 auxiliary fuselage fuel tank from Cobham

Embraer orders KC-390 auxiliary fuselage fuel tank from Cobham: Embraer Defense and Security has awarded a contract to Cobham for the development and delivery of auxiliary fuselage fuel tank (AFFT) for the Brazilian Air Force's (FAB) KC-390 tactical military transport and tanker aircraft programme.

Hypersonic vehicle fails flight test: US Air Force Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/hypersonic-vehicle-fails-flight-test-us-air-force-44237/#ixzz23gkUi959

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The faulty control fin meant that the vehicle’s flight ended before a specially-designed “Scramjet” engine could be ignited, it said.

“It is unfortunate that a problem with this subsystem caused a termination before we could light the Scramjet engine,” said Charlie Brink, program manager for the project.

Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/hypersonic-vehicle-fails-flight-test-us-air-force-44237/#ixzz23gkbEWqP

X-51 Wave Rider Unmanned Scramjet Aircraft

X-51 Wave Rider Unmanned Scramjet Aircraft: The X-51 is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft designed and developed by the consortium of Defence Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Boeing Integrated Defence Systems, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and Nasa.

Hypersonic Waverider jet flight test conducted above Pacific Ocean

Hypersonic Waverider jet flight test conducted above Pacific Ocean: The US military has conducted another test of its hypersonic jet Waverider, taking place above the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to reach Mach 6.

Scramjets - Boeing's X-51A rides the supersonic wave

Scramjets - Boeing's X-51A rides the supersonic wave: Successful tests of Boeing's X-51A Waverider aircraft have given new blood to the scramjet concept. Aerospace-technology.com examines the technology behind the lightweight, supersonic engines and uncovers what kind of a future they could hold for pas…

Embraer Executive Jets Launches Legacy 450 Fabrication

Embraer Executive Jets Launches Legacy 450 Fabrication: First Parts Milled For The New Bizjet Embraer Executive Jets passed a major milestone in the mid-light Legacy 450 program last week when the first part was milled for the business jet, ushering in the beginning of fabrication. "Even as we have been making progress on the Legacy 500, we have been anticipating this event for the Legacy 450,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets.

New Satellite 'Morphology' Would Harvest Usable Parts From 'Retired' Spacecraft

DARPA Selects Aurora For Phoenix Program: New Satellite 'Morphology' Would Harvest Usable Parts From 'Retired' Spacecraft Aurora Flight Sciences was recently selected by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for the Phoenix program to explore development of a new satellite morphology through creation of "satlets" capable of harvesting key components from retired spacecraft in earth orbit.