Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MHI Conducts First Flight of "X-2"Advanced Technology Demonstrator

Tokyo, April 22, 2016 - On April 22 / Today Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) successfully completed the maiden flight of the "X-2," an advanced technology demonstrator jet.

The aircraft took off from Nagoya Airport and went through a series of trials to confirm basic maneuvers including climbing, descent and circling operations. It then landed at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Gifu Air Base. After completing the maiden flight, the pilot, from MHI, described the flight experience as "extremely stable." "Control of the aircraft went exactly as in our simulated training sessions," he said, "and after piloting the aircraft I’m 100% positive the X-2 is magnificent and will meet the Ministry of Defense’s requirements." The X-2 is a prototype stealth aircraft - the first in Japan to feature technology impeding its detection by radar - engineered for extremely high maneuverability. The prototype integrates an airframe, engines, and other advanced systems and equipment all adaptable to future fighters.

As the coordinating company of the X-2 development project, MHI has been developing the aircraft’s airframe since 2009 with cooperation provided by 220 domestic companies and guidance from Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). In this way, world-class cutting-edge technologies developed in Japan are featured throughout the prototype unit.

Going forward MHI will continue to develop, manufacture and support the operation of defense aircraft incorporating the world’s leading technologies, thereby contributing to Japan’s national security.

Safran offer for Zodiac Aerospace "not on the agenda" - source

http://www.reuters.com/article/safran-zodiac-idUSL5N17P1ER

OneWeb Satellites, Airbus D&S and OneWeb joint venture, completes its industrial organization [feedly]

OneWeb Satellites completes its industrial organization
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/OneWeb_Satellites_completes_its_industrial_organization_999.html

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China exported military drones to 10 nations: report [feedly]

China exported military drones to 10 nations: report
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/China_exported_military_drones_to_10_nations_report_999.html

Beijing (AFP) April 21, 2016
China has exported military drones to more than 10 countries in deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and plans to sell unmanned craft capable of launching laser-guided bombs, state-run media said Thursday. Chinese drones "have bigger payloads, which means they can carry more weapons" than their competitors, Shi Wen, chief drone designer at the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics,

Airbus to cut output of slow-selling A380 superjumbo - Reuters UK [feedly]

Reuters UK

Airbus to cut output of slow-selling A380 superjumbo
Reuters UK
PARIS European planemaker Airbus (AIR.PA) plans to cut production of its A380 superjumbo from 2017 as it struggles to revive sales of the world's largest passenger jet, two industry sources said. It has told its suppliers to slow production to support ...

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Bell V-280 taking form in Amarillo [feedly]

Bell V-280 taking form in Amarillo
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bell-v-280-taking-form-in-amarillo-424481/

Bell Helicopter s third-generation tiltrotor, the V-280 Valor, is literally coming together in Amorello, Texas, as the company enters the final stages of mating the wing with the fuselage.

F-35B May Be In Spanish Navy's Future

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/naval-aviation/2016/04/20/f-35b-may-spanish-navys-future/83270268/

According to Admiral Chief of Naval Staff Jaime Muñoz-Delgado, "Our fleet of Harrier aircraft has a useful life until the period between 2025 and 2027. And there is only one short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) option on the market: Lockheed Martin's F-35B. This is the reality."

Sikorsky’s CH-53K Completes First Load Flight Test | USAF’s Selection Process to Replace Huey Invites Protests | Spanish Navy Considering F-35B to Fill in for Retiring Harriers [feedly]

Sikorsky's CH-53K Completes First Load Flight Test | USAF's Selection Process to Replace Huey Invites Protests | Spanish Navy Considering F-35B to Fill in for Retiring Harriers
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sikorskys-ch-53k-completes-first-load-flight-test-usafs-selection-process-to-replace-huey-invites-protests-spanish-navy-considering-f-35b-to-fill-in-for-retiring-harriers-033570/

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Japan's X-2 Stealth Jet Makes First Flight

http://on.wsj.com/1SnNvqK

Solar Impulse Resumes Around-the-World Flight

http://on.wsj.com/1NDC6AU

NASA taps Aerojet Rocketdyne for new space propulsion system [feedly]

NASA taps Aerojet Rocketdyne for new space propulsion system
http://www.gizmag.com/nasa-aerojet-rocketdyne-contract/42924/

In anticipation of future deep-space missions, NASA has awarded a US$67 million, 36-month contract to Redmond, Washington-based Aerojet Rocketdyne to design and develop an Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS). Based on previous ion thrusters like prototype NEXT and the Dawn mission to the asteroid Ceres, the new propulsion system could to supply a future manned Mars mission

.. Continue Reading NASA taps Aerojet Rocketdyne for new space propulsion system

Clean Sky signs Memorandum of Understanding with Castilla-La Mancha

21/04/2016 press release

Clean Sky signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha. Eric Dautriat, Executive Director of Clean Sky, signed alongside Patricia Franco Jiménez, the Regional Counsellor for Economy, Industry and Employment, at the ceremony in Toledo.



The MoU will last for four years, including a pilot phase from 2016-2017. The objective is to establish a cooperation on synergies with ESIF (European Structural and Investment Funds) managed by Castilla-La Mancha, which has indicated aeronautics among its Regional Smart Specialisations priorities. In terms of implementation, the aim is to identify complementary research and innovation activities linked to the Clean Sky 2 programme and fit for a Clean Sky synergy label, for possible ESIF financing.



The signing was followed by a workshop with the Regional Aero Cluster and the Spanish CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology), as well as representatives from Airbus (a Clean Sky Leader) and Aernnova (a Core Partner performing Clean Sky 2 activities in Castilla-La Mancha).



This is the 10th MoU signed by Clean Sky, and the third in Spain. Read more about Clean Sky’s synergies with structural funds here.