EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) Press release-- The 33rd Fighter Wing loaded and released the Air Education and Training Command’s first live bombs from an F-35A here, Jan. 17, 2017.
In total, six aircraft were loaded with armed GBU-12s, and two bombs were released over the Eglin Air Force Base range.
The GBU-12 is a 500-pound laser guided general-purpose bomb. The F-35 can carry a combined payload of 2,300 pounds of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions internally, with an extended capacity of munitions on each wing.
“I’m incredibly proud of our maintainers and pilots for successfully loading and releasing bombs on the range this week,” said Col. Lance Pilch, the 33rd FW commander. “This further proves our Airmen and Sailors are the lethality behind this weapons system.”
While this is the first live bomb to be loaded into an F-35A here, weapons personnel also regularly load the 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition and the AIM-120 AMRAAM as part of their training and readiness.
“It’s no accident that our load crews are good at what they do,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Dunn, the 33rd FW wing weapons manager, “Each weapons loader hones their loading skills under the scrutiny of evaluators, strict adherence to technical orders and up against stringent time standards on a monthly basis. I am very proud of every weapons loader in the 33rd FW. Each and every one played an integral role in making this weeks’ events successful. They worked hard for this achievement and they all earned it.”
The first F-35A weapons load crews here were certified just over two years ago. For several of the former students, who are as young as 21 years old, this was their first time loading live munitions on any aircraft platform.
“It feels great to have been here for two years and see the program develop and grow,” said Airman 1st Class Jacob Chandler, a 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems journeyman. “It’s awesome to be a part of this and it’s possible because of the training we receive.”
Much of the success in loading these live weapons is due to the in-depth training that load crews receive. However, their leadership accredits it to these Airmen’s drive and vision.
“This is almost second nature to them,” said Tech. Sgt. Zachary Watts, a 33rd Maintenance Group loading standardization crewmember. “They are fully prepared to execute their mission and it shows. It speaks to the type of Airmen we are getting in today’s Air Force. They want to work hard, they try hard and they do what they are supposed to. They have initiative and prove we are moving in a good direction.”
jueves, 26 de enero de 2017
Deciding Rules Of The Road For Urban UAS
Extend today's highway code to the skies or allow vehicles freedom to self-regulate? These are among options for urban unmanned-aircraft traffic control being explored by researchers.
read more
http://aviationweek.com/aircraft-design/deciding-rules-road-urban-uas
U.S. Air Force Tackles Fuel-Burn Reduction On Legacy Aircraft
Shark and seal skins, even speed skater's suits, are inspiring drag-reduction technologies eyed for coating U.S. Air Force transports and tankers to curb jet fuel consumption.
read more
http://aviationweek.com/advances-manufacturing/us-air-force-tackles-fuel-burn-reduction-legacy-aircraft
read more
http://aviationweek.com/advances-manufacturing/us-air-force-tackles-fuel-burn-reduction-legacy-aircraft
Bombardier and CityJet Sign Conditional Purchase Agreement for up to 10 CRJ900 Aircraft
press release
- Aircraft to be operated by CityJet in the Scandinavian Airlines network
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today announced that Dublin-based regional carrier, CityJet has signed a conditional purchase agreement for six CRJ900 aircraft and has also taken options on an additional four aircraft. This purchase agreement is expected to go firm on January 31, 2017. Upon delivery, the aircraft will operate wet lease services on behalf of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).
Based on the list price of the CRJ900 aircraft, the conditional order is valued at approximately
US $280 million and could increase to US $467 million, should CityJet exercise all its options.
“CityJet has become one of our largest European CRJ900 aircraft advocates in a short period of time and we are delighted that they continue to put their confidence in Bombardier and its products,” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President, Sales, Europe, Russia & Commonwealth of Independent States, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CRJ900 aircraft is ideally suited to growing markets across Europe and is creating excellent value for a wide variety of operators with its superior performance, economics and enhanced cabin amenities.”
“The reputable, modern CRJ900 aircraft offers great passenger comfort while maintaining cost effectiveness and operational flexibility; both important factors in our business model,” said Pat Byrne, Executive Chairman, CityJet. “We have been very satisfied with the performance of the CRJ900 regional jets which have proven themselves to be the ideal and most efficient aircraft for our contract flying with Scandinavian Airlines.”
CityJet currently owns a fleet of eight CRJ900 aircraft which are on wet lease service with SAS. The airline will also take delivery of four new CRJ900 aircraft in early 2017 as per Bombardier’s order announcement on April 25, 2016, bringing CityJet’s owned fleet of CRJ900 aircraft to 12. As part of its acquisition of Cimber A/S, a regional airline in Denmark and a former wholly owned subsidiary of SAS, CityJet will operate Cimber’s fleet of 11 CRJ900 aircraft also on wet lease service with SAS. These aircraft will be replaced by up to 10 additional CRJ900 aircraft that were announced today.
About CityJetCityJet is an Irish-based regional airline with its headquarters in Swords, Dublin. The airline was established in 1993 to operate services between Dublin and London City Airport and today operates ten routes from across Europe to London City, where it currently holds approximately 30% of the airport slots. CityJet also has a significant wet lease business, including services on behalf of Air France and SAS and operates a wide range of ad hoc charters on behalf of sports groups, the entertainment industry, tour operators and corporate customers.
In March 2016, CityJet was purchased by an investment group led by Executive Chairman Pat Byrne. The airline is now focused on delivering a strategy which sees it consolidate its scheduled business and grow its position as a leading provider of wet lease services to customer airlines. www.cityjet.com
About CRJ aircraftEvery 10 seconds a CRJ Series regional jet takes off somewhere in the world. The CRJ Series family of aircraft has transported almost 1.6 billion passengers to become the world’s most successful regional jet program -- linking people and communities like no other. The CRJ Series regional jets have revolutionized aviation with their proven efficiency, reliability and profitability.
The CRJ Series regional jets share commonality benefits that provide flexibility to operators and allow them to optimize their fleets to meet specific market demands. No other regional aircraft deliver this capability. Optimized for medium-haul regional routes, these aircraft can provide up to 10 per cent cash operating cost advantage over competing jets.
Each of the CRJ aircraft models offers its own distinct advantages. The CRJ200 regional jet offers outstanding ownership cost, ideal for opening new routes and markets. The CRJ700 regional jet is the lightest aircraft in its category, delivering impressive efficiency, performance and fuel burn savings, while the CRJ900 regional jet offers tremendous flexibility and is ideally suited for growing markets. The CRJ1000 regional jet, which has the highest passenger capacity in the family, delivers the lowest seat-mile cost in the regional jet market and burns up to 13 per cent less fuel than its competitors.
Since its launch, the CRJ Series family of regional jets has stimulated the regional jet market. In North America alone, it accounts for over 20 per cent of all jet departures. Globally, the family operates more than 200,000 flights per month.
The CRJ Series aircraft family includes over 100 owners and operators in 49 countries, and the worldwide fleet has logged more than 45 million flight hours. To date, Bombardier has booked firm orders for 1,902 CRJ Series aircraft.
[video] The Starliner spacesuit is revealed publicly for the first time
http://www.boeing.com/features/2017/01/space-suit-01-17.page
Future passengers on the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft now know what they'll be wearing as they travel to and from low-Earth orbit destinations, like the International Space Station. The new "Boeing Blue" spacesuits were designed to provide crew members with functionality, comfort and protection.
The Starliner spacesuit provides greater pressurized mobility and is about 40 percent lighter than previous suits. Its innovative layers will keep astronauts cooler as well. The touchscreen-friendly gloves allow astronauts to interact with the capsule’s tablets while the boots are breathable and slip resistant. Zippers in the torso area will make it easier for astronauts to comfortably transition from sitting to standing. In addition to protecting astronauts during launch and the return to Earth, the suit also helps connect astronauts to ground and space crews through the communications headset within the helmet. The suit’s hood-like soft helmet sports a wide polycarbonate visor to give Starliner passengers better peripheral vision throughout their ride to and from space.
“Spacesuits have come in different sizes and shapes and designs, and I think this fits the Boeing model, fits the Boeing vehicle,” said Chris Ferguson, Boeing director of Starliner Crew and Mission Systems and a former NASA astronaut.
For more pictures and videos go to the Starliner page and read Frontiers
U.S. F-35 Update: F-35A to Red Flag, Navy F-35Cs Experience Problems, Marine F-35B Leads
U.S. F-35 Update: F-35A to Red Flag, Navy F-35Cs Experience Problems, Marine F-35B Leads
https://theaviationist.com/2017/01/25/u-s-f-35-update-f-35a-to-red-flag-navy-f-35cs-experience-problems-marine-f-35b-leads/
Large Number of Air Force F-35As to Red Flag 17-1, Navy Works Through F-35C Launch Problem, Marines Continue to Lead in F-35B Integration. January of 2017 has been a busy month for the ongoing integration of new Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters into U.S. operational deployment with the U.S. Air Force and testing […]
https://theaviationist.com/2017/01/25/u-s-f-35-update-f-35a-to-red-flag-navy-f-35cs-experience-problems-marine-f-35b-leads/
Large Number of Air Force F-35As to Red Flag 17-1, Navy Works Through F-35C Launch Problem, Marines Continue to Lead in F-35B Integration. January of 2017 has been a busy month for the ongoing integration of new Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters into U.S. operational deployment with the U.S. Air Force and testing […]
Raytheon & Leonardo (former Finmeccanica) pulls out of T-X competition
Raytheon pulls out of T-X competition
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-pulls-out-of-t-x-competition-433534/
Raytheon and the Leonardo have withdrawn from the US Air Force T-X trainer competition, stating 25 January that the two companies have decided not to jointly pursue the programme.
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-pulls-out-of-t-x-competition-433534/
Raytheon and the Leonardo have withdrawn from the US Air Force T-X trainer competition, stating 25 January that the two companies have decided not to jointly pursue the programme.
Boeing CEO brushes off 777X pricing question
Boeing CEO brushes off 777X pricing question
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-ceo-brushes-off-777x-pricing-question-433530/
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-ceo-brushes-off-777x-pricing-question-433530/
KC-46A May Not Meet Delivery Schedule | Navy Greenlights Advanced Arresting Gear Development | Germany Pushes for Short Range Missile Defense System
KC-46A May Not Meet Delivery Schedule | Navy Greenlights Advanced Arresting Gear Development | Germany Pushes for Short Range Missile Defense System
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/kc-46a-may-not-meet-delivery-schedule-navy-greenlights-advanced-arresting-gear-development-germany-pushes-for-short-range-missile-defense-system-035730/
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/kc-46a-may-not-meet-delivery-schedule-navy-greenlights-advanced-arresting-gear-development-germany-pushes-for-short-range-missile-defense-system-035730/
US approves $500m sale of AMRAAM and Apache helicopter services to Kuwait
US approves $500m sale of AMRAAM and Apache helicopter services to Kuwait
http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsus-approves-500m-sale-of-amraam-and-apache-helicopter-services-to-kuwait-5724185
http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsus-approves-500m-sale-of-amraam-and-apache-helicopter-services-to-kuwait-5724185
Swarms of robotic plankton ride underwater waves of survival
We know that plankton are too small and weak to swim on their own, so how do these little drifters get to where they need to go? Seeking answers to this question along with other insights about our oceans, scientists have built underwater robots that mimic plankton behavior and can be used to monitor surrounding ocean conditions, with their early experiments confirming long-held theories on how plankton do what they need to do to survive.
.. Continue Reading Swarms of robotic plankton ride underwater waves of survival
http://newatlas.com/swarms-robotic-plankton/47568/
.. Continue Reading Swarms of robotic plankton ride underwater waves of survival
http://newatlas.com/swarms-robotic-plankton/47568/