---- Loose bracket caused F-35B fire // Flight Global HEADLINES
A fire aboard a US Marine Corps F-35B was traced back to a loose bracket designed to hold together electrical wires in the aircraft s weapons bay, F-35 programme executive officer Lt Gen Chris Bogdan says. ----
ESA Mars orbiter prepares for atmosphere plunge // Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine

While many people are taking it easy for the holiday season, ESA is gearing up for a very busy New Year. On January 19, the space agency will begin an unprecedented and complicated year-long maneuver to radically alter the orbit of the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter around Mars using the Red Planet's atmosphere as a giant brake.
.. Continue Reading ESA Mars orbiter prepares for atmosphere plunge
Category: Space
Tags: MarsExomarsOrbitESA Related Articles: ExoMars sharpens its scientific tools ExoMars uses new navigation technique to tack for the Red Planet Contact lost with Schiaparelli lander as ExoMars 2016 arrives at the Red Planet Images suggest Schiaparelli Mars lander exploded on impact New Mars orbiter provides tantalizing close-up of the Red Planet ExoMars set for Mars rendezvous after communications failure ----
Heavy-lift drone could carry a person // Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine

When it comes to industrial copter-type drones, it's easy to think that there are just two varieties: little ones that carry Amazon-type small packages, and full-sized unmanned helicopters. Griff Aviation, however, recently announced an aircraft that sits somewhere between the two. The Norwegian company's Griff 300 weighs 75 kg (165 lb) on its own, and can reportedly lift a payload of up to 225 kg (496 lb).
.. Continue Reading Heavy-lift drone could carry a person
Category: Drones
Tags: UAVDelivery drones Related Articles: Grasping drone brings new meaning to "armed aircraft" Government gives green light to French drone delivery service UPS seeks out Roomba-maker to help put delivery drones in the sky Rwanda's blood-delivering drones to service 20 hospitals this summer 7-Eleven deploys donut delivery drone Peer-to-peer Pegasus drone allows pilots to take deliveries into their own hands ----
Embraer CEO: Political uncertainty not good for investors, passengers ATWOnline Global political and economic uncertainties are creating a difficult environment for those in the air transport business and their customers, the head of Embraer believes. Embraer CEO Paulo Cesar Silva told ATW editors last week that while President ...
Swarm UAV Capabilities will Enhance Ground Units Effectiveness i-HLS - Israel Homeland Security Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have long proven beneficial in such difficult areas, but their value to ground troops could be vastly amplified if troops could control scores or even hundreds of these robotic units ...
China's Xianglong HALE UAV to enter service shortly, says report IHS Jane's 360 China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) will soon take delivery of production variants of the Guizhou Aviation Aircraft Corporation Xianglong (Soaring Dragon) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the state-owned China Daily newspaper reported on 6 December.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 20, 2016 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and partner Saab [Stockholm: SAABB] today completed the first flight of their all-new T-X aircraft, which is designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force’s training requirements.
During the 55-minute flight, lead T-X Test Pilot Steven Schmidt and Chief Pilot for Air Force Programs Dan Draeger, who was in the seat behind Schmidt, validated key aspects of the single-engine jet and demonstrated the performance of the low-risk design.
“I’ve been a part of this team since the beginning, and it was really exciting to be the first to train and fly,” Schmidt said. “The aircraft met all expectations. It’s well designed and offers superior handling characteristics. The cockpit is intuitive, spacious and adjustable, so everything is within easy reach.”
“It was a smooth flight and a successful test mission,” Draeger added. “I had a great all-around view throughout the flight from the instructor’s seat, which is critical during training.”
Both pilots trained for the flight using the complete Boeing T-X system, which includes ground-based training and simulation.
With one engine, twin tails, stadium seating and an advanced cockpit with embedded training, the Boeing T-X is more affordable and flexible than older, existing aircraft.
Boeing and Saab revealed their first two T-X aircraft in September. The second is currently in ground testing and expected to fly in early 2017.
T-X will replace the Air Force’s aging T-38 aircraft. Initial operating capability is planned for 2024.
Get the latest Boeing T-X updates at www.boeing.com/t-x or by searching #NewBoeingTX on Twitter. Media can also access photos and video of the first flight at http://bds.navigon.net; user name: TX_2016; password: TX4USAF; folder: T-X. Continue to check back for updated content.
Swedish defense and security company Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defense to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs. Saab is a $4 billion business with approximately 14,000 employees in about 35 countries. Follow us on Twitter: @Saab.
Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter took a lot of heat last week when president-elect Donald Trump slammed the program as "out of control." But the U.S. Air Force general in charge of the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) got the chance to tell his side of the story today during a media briefing.
The UAE Air Force takes part in the air war on Daesh with the most advanced F-16 in the world. And here's some interesting footage. Filmed from aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, the video below shows United Arab Emirates F-16 Block 60+ Desert Falcons refueling during a mission in […
The first ExoMars mission arrived at the Red Planet in October and now the second mission has been confirmed to complete its construction for a 2020 launch.
ESA and Thales Alenia Space signed a contract today that secures the completion of the European elements of the next mission.
The main objective of the ExoMars programme is to address one of the most outstanding scientific questions of our time: is there, or has there ever been, life on Mars?
The Trace Gas Orbiter will soon be exploring this question from orbit: it will take a detailed inventory of trace gases, such as methane, that might be linked to biological or geological processes. The first test of the orbiter’s science instruments was recently completed.
It will also act as a communications relay for various craft – in particular for 2020’s rover and surface platform.
ESA’s rover will be the first capable of drilling 2 m into Mars, where ancient biomarkers may still be preserved from the harsh radiation environment on the surface.
The Russian platform will carry instruments focused on the local atmosphere and surroundings.
ExoMars is a joint endeavour between ESA and Roscosmos, with important contribution from NASA.
The contract signed in Rome, Italy, secures the completion of the European elements and the rigorous tests to prove they are ready for launch.
These include the rover itself, which will be accommodated within the Russian descent module, along with the carrier module for cruise and delivery to Mars.
ESA is also contributing important elements of the descent module, such as the parachute, radar, inertial measurement unit, UHF radio elements, and the onboard computer and software.
The science instruments for the rover and surface platform are funded by national agencies of ESA member states, Roscosmos and NASA following calls to the scientific community.
The structural models of the carrier and rover are expected to be delivered in January and February 2017, respectively, along with structural and thermal models of the various descent module elements.
“ExoMars is a cornerstone of ESA’s exploration programme,” says David Parker, ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration. “Using its miniaturised life-search laboratory and advanced robotic technology, the mission will explore the Red Planet in search of new evidence to answer questions that have long fascinated humanity.
“Following the renewed support demonstrated by ESA member states in the recent Ministerial Council, this new contract allows us to complete the flight models of the European elements and keeps us on track for a July 2020 launch.”
“The steadfastness and tenacity of both the European and Italian space agencies has reassured all program partners, and enabled us to continue our production work so we can go ahead with this new and very complex mission,” says Donato Amoroso, Deputy CEO of Thales Alenia Space.
The landing site for the mission is still under consideration, with Oxia Planum a strong candidate. The target region shows evidence for a past wet environment that may have had suitable conditions for preserving ancient biosignatures. ESA and Roscosmos are expected to confirm the landing site around six months before launch.
After two years of development and testing, a commercial drone delivery operation has officially received the government go-ahead in the south of France. The General Directorate for Civil Aviation recently granted authorization to DPDgroup, the international express subsidiary of French postal service Le Groupe La Poste, to operate a weekly delivery service stretching between two depots in the Provence region.
The General Directorate for Civil Aviation (DGAC) has authorised DPDgroup, the international express subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste, to operate a regular commercial line in the Var department of France.
Following two years of tests, crowned with success, DPDgroup, GeoPost's international parcel delivery network and international express subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste, received authorisation from the General Directorate for Civil Aviation to deliver parcels using drones on a regular 15km route.
For the first time worldwide, a regular commercial route makes it possible to deliver parcels by drone.
Once a week, the DPDgroup drone travels between Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Beaume and Pourrières, in south of France (Provence region). The route makes it possible to delivery items to a cut-off incubator of companies including a dozen start-ups specialized in technology. Their parcels now delivered by Chronopost and DPD France will be sent by drone from the Pick-up point in Saint-Maximin.
This represent a new way of addressing the issue of last-mile deliveries, especially when it comes to areas that are difficult to access.
For both the departure and arrival of the drone, a delivery terminal is used to secure the parcel loading phases, from take-off to landing and placement of the parcel.
The terminal features
a structure protecting access to the drone during landing and take-off phases,
an automated carriage system for transporting the parcel,
an electronics system devoted to the safety of handling operations around the drone
A long-standing project
It was back in June 2014 that DPDgroup, in partnership with Atechsys, an SME based in south of France, begin conducting tests to develop the drone. After numerous tests and over 600 hours of flight time, the DPDgroup drone demonstrated, in September 2015, its ability to fly in complete autonomy as it transported a parcel weighing 1.5kg over 14km.
These tests validate the approach chosen by DPDgroup aiming to use drones to access cut-off areas (mountains, islands, rural areas, etc.) or areas that are difficult to access.
The first commercial line represents a new step in the program being led by DPDgroup. After the testing phase, the experimentation phase on the regular route can now begin.
Technical features:
Range: up to 20km
Payload: up to 3kg
Max speed: 30km/h
Navigation system capable of transmitting up to 50km
6 electric rotors, carbon fibre chassis
Latest-generation embedded electronics
On-board GPS and camera with live data stream
Redundant electronics
Automatic parachute (detection of anomalies during flight and automatic deployment in case of fall)
About DPDgroup
DPDgroup is the second largest international parcel delivery network in Europe. DPDgroup combines innovative technologies and local expertise to provide simple, flexible services for both senders and recipients. Through its Predict service, DPDgroup has established new service standards by placing customers’ at the centre of the delivery process. With 60,000 experts and a network of over 26,000 pick-up points, DPDgroup delivers 3.6 million parcels in 230 countries every day, through its four brands: DPD, Chronopost, SEUR and Interlink Express.
DPDgroup is the parcel delivery network of GeoPost, which reported revenues of €5.7 billion this year. GeoPost is a holding company owned by Le Groupe La Poste.
About Atechsys and the centre for studying and testing autonomous vehicles (CEEMA)
Atechsys was founded on the idea that each application will require a specific drone. At a time when off-the-shelf drones are being produced, Atechsys develops the technological building blocks which, when assembled, create a drone that is perfectly suited to the customer's specifications. This is what is called the third generation drone. Such a unique positioning on the market, combined with the fact it has full control over the value chain, puts Atechsys in a position to let its products fly. With nine employees and €650,000 in revenues in 2013, Atechsys features among the leading companies in the professional civil drone market.
CEEMA is the leading civil drone testing centre in Europe. Founded in 2008, this 65-hectare aeronautical platform has become a standard-setter in its field. The centre boasts a reserved flight area for testing drones weighing up to 150kg. In 2010, CEEMA set up its first business incubator devoted to civil and drone applications. Accredited by the French government in 2013, this ecosystem that is both stimulating and reassuring for entrepreneurs is now home to 15 companies and has created thirty or so long-term jobs.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the Gulfstream G600 has completed its first flight, officially kicking off the aircraft’s flight-test program. Two additional G600 test aircraft have been inducted into the flight-test center in anticipation of their flights early next year.
“Launching the G600’s flight-test program is a milestone for us and our customers, who have guided the vision for this aircraft from the beginning,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We look forward to delivering this aircraft to them in 2018. Today’s flight, which went flawlessly, represents a significant step forward in the journey to certification and delivery.”
The G600 departed Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport at 1:50 p.m. Dec. 17 and spent 2 hours and 53 minutes in the air. The aircraft was piloted by Gulfstream experimental test pilots Scott Martin and Todd Abler, with Flight Test engineer Nathaniel Rutland providing on-board support.
“This flight went exactly as anticipated, thanks in large part to the investments we have made in our ground-based laboratories,” Burns said. “This flight is the perfect way to wrap up 2016 and set the tone for a successful 2017.”
The G600 has been designed with input from customers to ensure an unparalleled passenger experience. It has the longest cabin in its class, satellite communications and high-speed internet and can accommodate up to four living areas to create distinct yet flexible spaces for work, entertainment, dining and rest. Fourteen panoramic windows ̶ the largest in the industry ̶ a low cabin altitude and 100 percent fresh air contribute to the superior cabin environment, helping passengers feel refreshed and rested upon arrival.
The G600 can travel 6,200 nautical miles/11,482 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and 4,800 nm/8,890 km at Mach 0.90, and its maximum operating speed is Mach 0.925, the same maximum speed as the flagship Gulfstream G650ER.
