Cessna Grand Caravan EX Earns Type Certification, Performance Tops Initial Projections

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the Grand Caravan EX has earned FAA Type Certification and has outperformed initial targets. Powered by the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, today's Grand Caravan EX boasts a 38 percent improvement in the rate of climb of the Grand Caravan, a figure which exceeds the original 20 percent improvement projection.

"When we started with this design, we knew we could push the performance envelope on the Grand Caravan EX and get it into service for our customers in 'high and hot' missions, but the performance we've realized through the certification process with the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine has truly exceeded our already aggressive performance targets," said Lannie O'Bannion, Cessna business leader for the Caravan. With the first deliveries of the airplane already underway, customers are experiencing the Grand Caravan EX benefits first-hand.

"Thanks to the ingenuity of our team and partners, today's announcement further demonstrates that the Cessna Grand Caravan EX can work or play in almost any theater, region or topography in the world," O'Bannion said. "This is the sport utility aircraft for practically any mission the customer might have in mind, business or recreation."

The EX is the latest example of Cessna's efforts to bring new products to customers. Six new or upgraded Cessna models, including the EX, will deliver during 2013 giving customers more choices for optimal range, performance and value.

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Cessna Citation M2 Off To Flying Start

 Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the Citation M2 has commenced its initial production run in the company's Independence, Kansas facility. The front and aft cabin assemblies for the light business jet are built at Cessna's Wichita, Kansas facility and are then transported to Independence for final assembly and delivery.

Unit 800 is slated for demonstrator purposes, and is expected to roll off the assembly line this April. Lily English, General Manager of Cessna's Independence Plant, says the production start is a rewarding moment that possesses its own challenges and benefits. "It's great to see production begin, and see a product take shape. The team members are ready, and they're thrilled to be a part of bringing the M2 to customers."

The much-anticipated business jet is on track for certification in the second quarter of 2013. "The M2 looks to be a fantastic product for the market in the light business jet category," said Brian Rohloff, business leader for the M2. "We asked our customers what they wanted, and we worked their requests into the M2 design. The outstanding customer response is proof that this aircraft delivers on their needs for mission scope, performance and finishes. Designing and manufacturing products based on customer use and needs is at the heart of Cessna's legacy and is what has shaped the company's aviation pride through the years."

The M2 features the Garmin G3000 avionics suite, offering design commonalities with the larger jets in the Citation family such as the Citation Sovereign and Citation X. "The M2 has space for six passengers and a private lavatory, features that many of our Mustang customers said they wanted in their next jet," said Rohloff. "The M2 is faster than many comparable airplanes, has a faster climb rate, and has strong value at the entry segment."

Other Cessna aircraft expected to hit the market in 2013 include the new Citation X, the world's fastest civil aircraft at Mach .935, the new Citation Sovereign, the Jet-A fueled Turbo Skylane JT-A, the TTx, and the Grand Caravan EX.

The nearly 500 full time Cessna employees at the 500,000 square foot Cessna Independence facility are trained to assemble, paint, and install interiors on the majority of Cessna single engine piston models including the 172 Skyhawk, the 182 Skylane and the 206 Stationair. Opened in July of 1996, the Independence facility also manufactures the Citation Mustang and celebrated its 10,000th aircraft delivery during 2012. Flight test and customer deliveries are also handled out of the Independence location.

(Link to photo of M2 production)

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Caja duero podría salir del accionariado (17%) de Aciturri

Caja España-Duero lleva camino de convertirse en la próxima incorporación a la lista de entidades de ahorro que tienen que desprenderse de sus participaciones industriales. Salvo que una fusión de última hora con Unicaja la salve de la nacionalización, la caja que preside Evaristo del Canto deberá salir del accionariado de las empresas en las que está presente, tal y como exige Bruselas para poder inyectarla fondos públicos

http://www.eleconomista.es/interstitial/volver/acierto/castilla_y_leon/noticias/4527357/01/13/Las-desinversiones-de-las-cajas-redibujaran-el-mapa-accionarial-de-empresas-emblematica.html

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Boeing 787 to undergo full regulatory review

Boeing 787 to undergo full regulatory review:
The US Dept. of Transportation and FAA are to conduct a full review of the Boeing 787 critical system, including the aircraft’s design, manufacture and assembly.

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Cessna Grand Caravan EX Earns Type Certification, Performance Tops Initial Projections

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the Grand Caravan EX has earned FAA Type Certification and has outperformed initial targets. Powered by the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, today's Grand Caravan EX boasts a 38 percent improvement in the rate of climb of the Grand Caravan, a figure which exceeds the original 20 percent improvement projection.

"When we started with this design, we knew we could push the performance envelope on the Grand Caravan EX and get it into service for our customers in 'high and hot' missions, but the performance we've realized through the certification process with the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine has truly exceeded our already aggressive performance targets," said Lannie O'Bannion, Cessna business leader for the Caravan. With the first deliveries of the airplane already underway, customers are experiencing the Grand Caravan EX benefits first-hand.

"Thanks to the ingenuity of our team and partners, today's announcement further demonstrates that the Cessna Grand Caravan EX can work or play in almost any theater, region or topography in the world," O'Bannion said. "This is the sport utility aircraft for practically any mission the customer might have in mind, business or recreation."

The EX is the latest example of Cessna's efforts to bring new products to customers. Six new or upgraded Cessna models, including the EX, will deliver during 2013 giving customers more choices for optimal range, performance and value.

Read more...

Cessna Citation M2 Off To Flying Start

 Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the Citation M2 has commenced its initial production run in the company's Independence, Kansas facility. The front and aft cabin assemblies for the light business jet are built at Cessna's Wichita, Kansas facility and are then transported to Independence for final assembly and delivery.

Unit 800 is slated for demonstrator purposes, and is expected to roll off the assembly line this April. Lily English, General Manager of Cessna's Independence Plant, says the production start is a rewarding moment that possesses its own challenges and benefits. "It's great to see production begin, and see a product take shape. The team members are ready, and they're thrilled to be a part of bringing the M2 to customers."

The much-anticipated business jet is on track for certification in the second quarter of 2013. "The M2 looks to be a fantastic product for the market in the light business jet category," said Brian Rohloff, business leader for the M2. "We asked our customers what they wanted, and we worked their requests into the M2 design. The outstanding customer response is proof that this aircraft delivers on their needs for mission scope, performance and finishes. Designing and manufacturing products based on customer use and needs is at the heart of Cessna's legacy and is what has shaped the company's aviation pride through the years."

The M2 features the Garmin G3000 avionics suite, offering design commonalities with the larger jets in the Citation family such as the Citation Sovereign and Citation X. "The M2 has space for six passengers and a private lavatory, features that many of our Mustang customers said they wanted in their next jet," said Rohloff. "The M2 is faster than many comparable airplanes, has a faster climb rate, and has strong value at the entry segment."

Other Cessna aircraft expected to hit the market in 2013 include the new Citation X, the world's fastest civil aircraft at Mach .935, the new Citation Sovereign, the Jet-A fueled Turbo Skylane JT-A, the TTx, and the Grand Caravan EX.

The nearly 500 full time Cessna employees at the 500,000 square foot Cessna Independence facility are trained to assemble, paint, and install interiors on the majority of Cessna single engine piston models including the 172 Skyhawk, the 182 Skylane and the 206 Stationair. Opened in July of 1996, the Independence facility also manufactures the Citation Mustang and celebrated its 10,000th aircraft delivery during 2012. Flight test and customer deliveries are also handled out of the Independence location.

(Link to photo of M2 production)

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Cessna: Adelante con el M2 y nuevo motor para el Caravan

Cessna: Adelante con el M2 y nuevo motor para el Caravan:
El primer ejemplar del nuevo avión ejecutivo Cessna Citation M2 ha empezado su montaje coincidiendo con la certificación del nuevo motor Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 para el Grand Caravan.

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Taiwan expecting US-made Apaches: report

Taiwan expecting US-made Apaches: report: The first of a fleet of Apache helicopters ordered by Taiwan from the United States are due to be delivered in October as the island modernises its military despite warming ties with China, local media reported Sunday. The $6.5 billion arms deal, including a fleet of 30 Apache Longbow helicopters,...



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El sector espacial español se la juega en 24 horas

El sector espacial español se la juega en 24 horas:

La decisión del Gobierno español poner en riesgo miles de empleos de alta cualificación

Y es que el martes, 15 de enero, concluye el plazo dado por la ESA para que España ratifique o abandone sus compromisos financieros con los programas opcionales aprobados en la cumbre ministerial celebrada en Nápoles (Italia) los días 20 y 21 de noviembre de 2012.

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Morenés: "El Ejército del Aire tiene que empezar a pensar en los UAV" - www.infodefensa.com

Morenés: "El Ejército del Aire tiene que empezar a pensar en los UAV" - www.infodefensa.com:

www.infodefensa.com

Morenés: "El Ejército del Aire tiene que empezar a pensar en los UAV" www.infodefensa.com (Infodefensa.com) Madrid – El ministro de Defensa, Pedro Morenés, reconoció las dificultades que tendrá el Ejército del Aire para mantener sus pilotos operativos y consideró que “tiene que empezar a pensar” en lo que estima es el futuro de la aviación ...

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Embraer's re-engined E-Jet to hurt Bombardier - National Post

Embraer's re-engined E-Jet to hurt Bombardier - National Post:

National Post

Embraer's re-engined E-Jet to hurt Bombardier National Post Embraer SA's announcement this week that it will launch a re-engined version of its popular E-Jet is expected to deal a blow to Bombardier Inc., according to Turan Quettawala, Scotia Capital analyst. The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer said Tuesday it ... Embraer Picks Pratt & Whitney Engine For New E-JetAviation Week Embraer to revamp E-Jet with geared turbofans, new wings, fly-by-wireFlightglobal Pratt & Whitney wins contract for Embraer's new E-JetsReuters Bloomberg -Business Courier of Cincinnati -Trefis los 87 artículos informativos »

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Aeronáuticos de la UPM proponen un sistema ferroviario más eficiente

Aeronáuticos de la UPM proponen un sistema ferroviario más eficiente: Inv, investigadores de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid proponen aunar la planificación de los horarios y el material rodante disponible, ya que un nuevo modelo de planificación integrada permite un mejor ajuste de estos flujos a la demanda de pasajeros donde se reajusten las frecuencias.

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Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet - National Post

Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet - National Post:

National Post

Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet National Post Bombardier Inc. says it is confident it will be able to defend its turf against the new re-engined regional jet from Embraer SA. The Brazilian rival announced this week it will officially launch the jet later this year. Philippe Poutissou, Bombardier ...

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Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet - National Post

Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet - National Post:

National Post

Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet National Post Bombardier Inc. says it is confident it will be able to defend its turf against the new re-engined regional jet from Embraer SA. The Brazilian rival announced this week it will officially launch the jet later this year. Philippe Poutissou, Bombardier ...

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Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet - National Post

Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet - National Post:

National Post

Bombardier confident its planes can compete with new Embraer E-Jet National Post Bombardier Inc. says it is confident it will be able to defend its turf against the new re-engined regional jet from Embraer SA. The Brazilian rival announced this week it will officially launch the jet later this year. Philippe Poutissou, Bombardier ...

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Pratt & Whitney Increases Market Penetration With Addition Of Embraer E-Jets

Pratt & Whitney Increases Market Penetration With Addition Of ... - Trefis:

Pratt & Whitney Increases Market Penetration With Addition Of ... Trefis Currently, CFM International leads in this market with an exclusive presence on Boeing 737MAX and Comac C919. On the other hand, Pratt & Whitney has an exclusive presence on Bombardier CSeries, Mitsubishi Regional Jet and now Embraer E-jets G2. y más »

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EE UU rechaza la demanda de 116 víctimas de Spanair contra Boeing - El País.com (España)

EE UU rechaza la demanda de 116 víctimas de Spanair contra Boeing - El País.com (España):

EE UU rechaza la demanda de 116 víctimas de Spanair contra Boeing El País.com (España) El juez Fees rechazó las demandas contra Boeing y emplazó a los abogados a que pleiteen en España, que es donde se produjo el accidente y a cuyos jueces corresponde entender del asunto. Frente a la decisión de Fees, los abogados recurrieron ante la ...

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Caja duero podría salir del accionariado (17%) de Aciturri

Caja España-Duero lleva camino de convertirse en la próxima incorporación a la lista de entidades de ahorro que tienen que desprenderse de sus participaciones industriales. Salvo que una fusión de última hora con Unicaja la salve de la nacionalización, la caja que preside Evaristo del Canto deberá salir del accionariado de las empresas en las que está presente, tal y como exige Bruselas para poder inyectarla fondos públicos

http://www.eleconomista.es/interstitial/volver/acierto/castilla_y_leon/noticias/4527357/01/13/Las-desinversiones-de-las-cajas-redibujaran-el-mapa-accionarial-de-empresas-emblematica.html

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Sandia Labs develops new UAV to identify origins of nuclear bomb

Sandia Labs develops new UAV to identify origins of nuclear bomb: Sandia National Laboratories has developed and demonstrated a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Harvester, designed to rapidly collect airborne radioactive particles for analysing the origins of nuclear bombs for the US Air Force.

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106ª Sesión del Foro Aeroespacial de Andalucía: 'UAS: Principales Misiones'

106ª Sesión del Foro Aeroespacial de Andalucía: 'UAS: Principales Misiones': El Foro Aeroespacial de Andalucía celebra su primera sesión del año el próximo Martes 22 de enero a las 18:30.D. Carlos Gómez Arruche, Teniente General del Ejército del Aire (retirado), Ex Director de la Guardia Civil y Asesor Militar de EADS-CASSIDIAN, presentará la ponencia titulada 'UAS: Principales Misiones'.Adviértase que en esta ocasión la sesión no se cele

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Creation of a single legal entity Sukhoi will give a new impetus to the development of its productive capacity, and the Russian aerospace industry as a whole

Moscow, January 14. JSC Sukhoi Company completed all the stages of merger of three subsidiaries – JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau, JSC Y.A.Gagarin KnAAPO and JSC V.P.Chkalov NAPO and received a notice of termination as from January 1, 2013 of the listed companies as separate legal entities. The structure of a single legal entity – Sukhoi Company - now includes as affiliates – V.P.Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant, Y.A.Gagarin Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, Sukhoi Design Bureau as well as representative offices in the Republic of India, Vietnam and China.

Consolidation of business and transition to design and functional organizational management structure of a single legal entity ensures a long-term strategic development of Sukhoi Company. Creation of a single legal entity will allow formation of a complete vertically integrated company, streamlining corporate structure to increase efficiency, creation of a single decision-making center of operational activities. Centralized management of investment decisions will maximize return on investments; the quality of corporate governance will improve. The costs will reduce due to diminishing of the transaction costs between the structural units of the Company; the size of the company will optimize. The domestic production cooperation will actively develop, the efficiency of interaction with subcontractors will increase, which will favorably affect the cost of production and the timing of orders for production and delivery of aircraft. The implementation of high technology, long-term R & D in the field of military and civil aviation will be more effective.

Creation of a single Sukhoi Company will give a new global impetus to the development of not only its production capacity, but also the Russian aerospace industry as a whole. It will allow domestic military and civil aircraft to take its rightful place in the global market. The United Aircraft Corporation will receive a single performer across the range of products and services that will greatly improve the planning and implementation of the State Defense Order and civil aircraft production.

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Lockheed Martin Highlights F-35 Program Achievements for 2012

The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II Program completed 30 aircraft deliveries and achieved significant advances in flight test highlighting a year of continued progress for 2012.

The 30 F-35 deliveries in 2012 included 11 Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOLs), 18 Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) variants, and one Carrier Variant (CV). Two of the STOVLs were the program’s first two international jets, which were delivered to the United Kingdom. All but the carrier variant, known as CF-5, were production aircraft delivered to various bases for operational purposes. CF-5 was built for flight testing and delivered to the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program. The 30 aircraft delivered in 2012 is more than double the 13 aircraft delivered in 2011.

The 2012 flight test plan called for 988 flights and 8,458 test points by Dec. 31. For the year, the SDD program flew 1,167 flights and tallied 9,319 test points. The F-35A Flight Science test aircraft flew 291 flights and accomplished 2,573 test points. The F-35B Flight Science test aircraft accomplished 396 flights and 2,443 test points. The F-35C flew 239 flights and tallied 2,247 test points. The Mission Systems test aircraft accomplished 241 flights and 2,056 test points. The F-35B also executed 102 vertical landings.

The cumulative 2012 milestones were achieved through a combination of planned test flights and test points, along with test flights and test points added throughout the year. The flight test program is now more than one third complete in aggregate with the Air Force’s F-35A variant leading the way with 43 percent complete.

“We are completing our third year of on-plan system development performance since the F-35 Program Executive Office completed its Technical Baseline Review in 2010,” said Orlando Carvalho, Lockheed Martin F-35 program executive vice president and general manager. “We fully expect this to continue in 2013 as we begin flight test of the Block 2B mission system software which will ultimately provide the initial war-fighting capability the Marines need for their initial operational capability. This successful system development progress, a maturing production line and further operational base stand up are all strong indicators of the F-35 program’s positive trajectory.”

Other 2012 major milestones:

· U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the end of probation for the F-35B STOVL, nearly one year ahead of schedule.

· The first two international F-35s were delivered to the United Kingdom.

· The first three operational F-35B STOVL fighters delivered in November marked the beginning of tactical operational training at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

· 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., completed its Operational Utility Evaluation (OUE) and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) officials announced that the wing is ready for pilot training in 2013. The wing flew more than 700 sorties in 2012.

· Norway procured its first F-35 commencing the largest public procurement project in its history. The event was marked by Minister of Defence Espen Barth Eide authorizing the order for the first F-35A for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

· Luke AFB was selected for F-35A U.S. and international pilot training. The base will receive 72 aircraft for three fighter squadrons.

· Major flight test accomplishments included the first aerial weapons release for the CTOL and STOVL; the F-35A reached maximum high-angle-of-attack milestone in four flights; the first night flight and night refueling missions were accomplished and both the CTOL and STOVL completed air-start testing.

· F-35 program surpassed 5,000 flight hours.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

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Boeing CEO McNerney Statement on Joint FAA, Boeing 787 Review

CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney issued the following statement today after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta announced that the FAA and Boeing will start a review of the 787's recent issues and critical systems:

"Boeing shares the same commitment to air travel safety that Transportation Secretary LaHood and FAA Administrator Huerta spoke of this morning in Washington, D.C. We also stand 100 percent behind the integrity of the 787 and the rigorous process that led to its successful certification and entry into service. We look forward to participating in the joint review with the FAA, and we believe it will underscore our confidence, and the confidence of our customers and the traveling public, in the reliability, safety and performance of the innovative, new 787 Dreamliner."

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Boeing CEO McNerney Statement on Joint FAA, Boeing 787 Review

CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney issued the following statement today after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta announced that the FAA and Boeing will start a review of the 787's recent issues and critical systems:

"Boeing shares the same commitment to air travel safety that Transportation Secretary LaHood and FAA Administrator Huerta spoke of this morning in Washington, D.C. We also stand 100 percent behind the integrity of the 787 and the rigorous process that led to its successful certification and entry into service. We look forward to participating in the joint review with the FAA, and we believe it will underscore our confidence, and the confidence of our customers and the traveling public, in the reliability, safety and performance of the innovative, new 787 Dreamliner."

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Boeing Grows Composite Manufacturing Capability in Utah

WEST JORDAN, Utah, Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced the purchase of a new building in Salt Lake County, Utah. Employees at the new site, located in West Jordan, will focus on fabrication of composite horizontal stabilizer components for the 787-9.

"The site we've chosen is an ideal location to add composite manufacturing capability focused on Boeing's key business strategies," said Ross R. Bogue, vice president and general manager of Boeing Fabrication. "This new facility will provide a real competitive advantage in our supply chain by expanding our internal composite capabilities."

The new site, located 20 miles from Boeing's fabrication and assembly site in Salt Lake City, was purchased from Masco (NYSE: MAS). Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The close proximity of the two facilities will help improve the efficiency from component fabrication to assembly of the 787-9 horizontal stabilizer.

The composite component fabrication facility is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs. "Hiring will begin immediately," said Craig Trewet, director of Boeing Salt Lake. "We'll begin by hiring project managers and engineers and will then be filling production positions over the next several quarters."

Boeing expects to refurbish the 850,000 square foot building to complement the company's current operations in Salt Lake County. Sitts & Hill will design the space inside the building's factory area. Design and construction are expected to take two years.

When finalized, the facility will provide the Boeing Salt Lake team with the flexibility to meet the demands of the highly competitive markets that Boeing serves. This further demonstrates Boeing's commitment to the state of Utah and to the company's current and future workforce.

"Boeing appreciates its continued relationship with the state of Utah and we are looking forward to creating a new partnership with the city of West Jordan," Trewet said.

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, 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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First Sensor Test Flight of EURO HAWK® Unmanned Aircraft successfully accomplished

Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS (EDF, EPA, MSX: EAD) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) , together achieved a major milestone today with the first full system test flight of the EURO HAWK® unmanned aircraft system (UAS) equipped with the signals intelligence (SIGINT) advanced sensors for detection of radar and communication emitters.


The EURO HAWK® took off at 10:36 a.m. (Central European Time) from Manching Air Base and climbed a ceiling of more than 15.000 meters within military controlled airspace, far above and in safe distance from civilian air traffic. After 6 hours aloft, the aircraft landed safely back at Manching Air Base at 4:38 p.m. (CET). “This successful flight demonstrates the EURO HAWK® program’s systems integration capabilities and cutting-edge technologies. The Cassidian-developed SIGINT sensor suite, conforming to the German Bundeswehr´s requirements, showed excellent performance within the perfect interplay of the overall system,” said Bernhard Gerwert, chief executive officer of Cassidian. “We therefore are proud to prove with these test flights the new EURO HAWK's mission capability of strategic SIGINT intelligence for the protection and security of the German armed forces.”

The EURO HAWK® system previously completed extensive ground testing at Manching Air Base, receiving final approval to flight test the functionalities of the integrated SIGINT payload from the German Airworthiness Authority.

“Today’s SIGINT sensor flight marks the start of the critical flight test phase of the EURO HAWK® payload for the German Bundeswehr,” said Tom Vice, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems. “EURO HAWK® represents many significant firsts for Northrop Grumman. Not only is it our first trans-Atlantic cooperation with Germany and Cassidian, but it is also the first international version of the RQ-4 Global Hawk produced by the company and the first high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) SIGINT UAS in Europe.”

Based on the RQ-4B Global Hawk HALE UAS, the EURO HAWK® system includes a ground station consisting of a mission control and launch and recovery elements provided by Northrop Grumman. It is equipped with a new SIGINT mission system developed by Cassidian, providing standoff capability to detect electronic and communications emitters. The SIGINT ground station, which receives and analyzes the data from EURO HAWK® as part of an integrated system solution, is also supplied by Cassidian.

“The EURO HAWK® success story continues to unfold and will enable Germany to independently conduct round-the-clock surveillance and reconnaissance,” said Neset Tükenmez, chief executive officer for the EuroHawk GmbH. “With this first sensor flight, the EURO HAWK® effectively demonstrated its system capability for safe operation within German air space.”

With a wingspan larger than most commercial airliners, endurance of more than 30 hours and a maximum altitude of approximately 60,000 feet, EURO HAWK® is an interoperable, modular and cost-effective replacement to the fleet of manned Breguet Atlantic aircraft which was in service since 1972 and retired in 2010.

Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing lead system integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and UAS), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cybersecurity, secure communications, test systems, missiles, and services and support solutions. Please visit www.cassidian.com for more information.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

EuroHawk GmbH, a 50-50 joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Cassidian, serves as the national prime contractor for the German Ministry of Defence through the system’s entire lifecycle. Please visit www.eurohawk.de for more information.

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Singapore Airlines firms up order for 5xA380s and 25xA350 XWBs

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has firmed up an order for 25 more widebody aircraft from Airbus, comprising five of the world’s most efficient, high capacity aircraft, the A380, and 20 A350-900s. The deal was completed in 2012 and follows an agreement in October 2012.

Singapore Airlines has placed three consecutive orders for the A380, making it the second largest customer of the A380, and now has 19 aircraft in service. In the mid-size category, the new A350 XWB order sees the airline double its backlog for the all-new aircraft to 40. The A350-900s will be used by the airline on both medium and long haul routes.

“This second repeat order from one of the largest A380 operators today is a great endorsement” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “We’re also delighted that Singapore Airlines are demonstrating equal confidence in the A350. With both these aircraft, Singapore Airlines will have the most modern, most comfortable and most efficient fleet the market can offer.”

Since 2006 the A380 is registering repeat orders by satisfied customers every year, bringing the total orderbook today to 262 from 20 customers. The A350 XWB gathered 582 orders from 34 customers.

Since first entering service with Singapore Airlines in 2007, the A380 has joined the fleets of nine world class carriers. Typically seating 525 passengers in three classes, the aircraft is capable of flying 8,500 nautical miles or 15,700 kilometres non-stop, carrying more people at lower cost and with less impact on the environment. The spacious, quiet cabin and smooth ride have made the A380 a firm favourite with passengers, resulting in higher load factors wherever it flies.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. The new Family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Entry into service is scheduled for 2014

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Video: Grumman & Cassidian Fly First Euro Hawk UAS Demo

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Quantum-enhanced radar can't be fooled by electronic detection countermeasures

Quantum-enhanced radar can't be fooled by electronic detection countermeasures:

The military use of radar has always had a yin-yang dynamic – as new forms of radar are developed, so too are new ways to jam them. A team of physicists at the University of Rochester has discovered how to defeat the latest active radar jamming methods by taking advantage of the quantum properties of photons. While this new anti-jamming technology cannot remove the false information, it provides an immediate alert that false information is being received.
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Las aerolíneas más seguras, según un reciente informe

Las aerolíneas más seguras, según un reciente informe: Finnair resultó ser la aerolínea más segura, según un listado elaborado por JACDEC que calificó a un total de 60 compañías aéreas

Se han dado a conocer recientemente cuáles son las aerolíneas más seguras del mundo: JACDEC, Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Center, ha difundido una lista con las 60 empresas transportistas más seguras, en la que la líder resultó ser la finlandesa F

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El sector espacial ruso se propone doblar su producción para 2020

El sector espacial ruso se propone doblar su producción para 2020:
Moscú.-  El sector espacial ruso doblará en el año 2020 su producción respecto a 2011, según Roscosmos, mientras que su porcentaje en la industria aeroespacial mundial aumentará del 10,7% actual al 16%, tal y como se desprende del programa estatal de desarrollo del sector hasta dentro de siete años.

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