Behold The Most Detailed Photo Taken Of An Airborne F-117 Nighthawk In Over A Decade (Updated) - The Drive
Boeing-Embraer partnership receives shareholder approval
miércoles, 27 de febrero de 2019
Boeing's press release
SAO PAULO and CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The proposed strategic partnership between Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Embraer [B3: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ] was approved today by Embraer's shareholders during an Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting held at the company's headquarters in Brazil.
At the special meeting, 96.8 percent of all valid votes cast were in favor of the transaction, with participation of approximately 67 percent of all outstanding shares. Shareholders approved the proposal that will establish a joint venture made up of the commercial aircraft and services operations of Embraer. Boeing will hold an 80 percent ownership stake in the new company, and Embraer will hold the remaining 20 percent.
The transaction values 100 percent of Embraer's commercial aircraft operations at $5.26 billion, and contemplates a value of $4.2 billion for Boeing's 80 percent ownership stake in the joint venture.
Embraer shareholders also agreed to a joint venture to promote and develop new markets for the multi-mission medium airlift KC-390. Under the terms of this proposed partnership, Embraer will own a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, with Boeing owning the remaining 49 percent.
"This groundbreaking partnership will position both companies to deliver a stronger value proposition for our customers and other stakeholders and create more opportunities for our employees," said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, President and CEO of Embraer. "Our agreement will create mutual benefits and boost the competitiveness of both Embraer and Boeing."
"Approval by Embraer's shareholders is an important step forward as we make progress on bringing together our two great aerospace companies. This strategic global partnership will build on Boeing's and Embraer's long history of collaboration, benefit our customers and accelerate our future growth," said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Embraer's defense and executive jet business and services operations associated with those products would remain as a standalone publically-traded company. A series of support agreements focused on supply chain, engineering and facilities would ensure mutual benefits and enhanced competitiveness between Boeing, the joint venture and Embraer.
"Our shareholders have recognized the benefits of partnering with Boeing in commercial aviation and the promotion of the multi-mission airlift KC-390, as well as understanding the opportunities that exist in the executive aviation and defense business," said Nelson Salgado, Embraer Executive Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations.
"People across Boeing and Embraer share a passion for innovation, a commitment to excellence, and a deep sense of pride in their products and their teams – these joint ventures will strengthen those attributes as we build an exciting future together," said Greg Smith, Boeing Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Enterprise Performance & Strategy.
Boeing and Embraer announced in December 2018 that they had approved the terms for the joint ventures and the Brazilian government gave its approval in January 2019. Shortly thereafter, Embraer's board of directors ratified its support for the deal and definitive transaction documents were signed. The closing of the transaction is now subject to obtaining regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, which Boeing and Embraer hope to achieve by the end of 2019.
Embraer will continue to operate the commercial aviation business and the KC-390 program independently until the closing of the transaction.
Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty
Certain statements in this release may be "forward-looking" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the proposed terms of the transaction, the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to executing or closing the transaction and the timing thereof, and the benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they are made and neither party undertakes an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the effect of global economic conditions, the ability of the parties to consummate such a transaction and realize anticipated synergies, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in the filings of The Boeing Company and/or Embraer with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Vietjet Orders 100 737 MAX Airplanes; Bamboo Airways 10 787 Dreamliners
[photos & video] Boeing introduces new unmanned "loyal wingman" for air forces
press release
photos & media provided by boeing in its press release through this link http://dropbox.navigon.net/
- Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide multi-mission support for air control missions
- Designed for in-country customization and growth of sovereign capabilities
- Boeing’s first unmanned aircraft developed in Australia
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has introduced its newest unmanned platform, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System.
Designed for global defense customers by Boeing Australia, it is the company’s largest investment in a new unmanned aircraft program outside the United States.
The aircraft will complement and extend airborne missions through smart teaming with existing military aircraft.
A model of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System was unveiled at the Australian International Airshow by the Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP. As a research and development activity, the Australian Government and Boeing will produce a concept demonstrator called the Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development Program that will provide key learnings toward the production of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System.
“The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide a disruptive advantage for allied forces’ manned/unmanned missions,” said Kristin Robertson, vice president and general manager of Boeing Autonomous Systems. “With its ability to reconfigure quickly and perform different types of missions in tandem with other aircraft, our newest addition to Boeing’s portfolio will truly be a force multiplier as it protects and projects air power.”
The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will:
-- Provide fighter-like performance, measuring 38 feet long (11.7 metres) and able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles
-- Integrate sensor packages onboard to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and electronic warfare
-- Use artificial intelligence to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft.
“This aircraft is a historic endeavor for Boeing. Not only is it developed outside the United States, it is also designed so that our global customers can integrate local content to meet their country-specific requirements,” said Marc Allen, president, Boeing International. “The Boeing Airpower Teaming System provides a transformational capability in terms of defense, and our customers – led by Australia – effectively become partners on the program with the ability to grow their own sovereign capabilities to support it, including a high-tech workforce.”
First flight is planned for 2020. Read more...
RR test composite made Low Pressure System (fan blades, a fan case and annulus fillers)
martes, 26 de febrero de 2019
press release
Engineers at Rolls-Royce in Derby, UK, have successfully tested a key component of the UltraFan engine design. UltraFan will redefine the world of jet engines, delivering significant weight, noise and fuel burn reductions, and will be 25% more efficient than a first-generation Trent engine.
For the first time, all composite elements of the Advanced Low Pressure system (ALPS), including fan blades, a fan case and annulus fillers, were tested together on a donor engine.
The engine parts are manufactured using state-of-the-art, fully automated construction methods at Rolls-Royce’s Composites Technology Facility, a Composites Centre of Excellence.
Each fan blade is made robotically, building up around 500 layers of carbon fibre materials. Heat and pressure are then applied, and each blade is finished with a leading titanium edge, which offers extreme protection against foreign objects and bird strikes. When laid out, the layers of composite material that make up the fan blades and the fan case on this engine would stretch from London to Leeds.
The Advanced Low Pressure System demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s IntelligentEngine vision. Each blade has a digital twin – an identical virtual copy. During testing, vast amounts of data will be collected that will be fed into the digital twins, and allow engineers to predict how each blade will perform in service.
Ash Owen, Rolls-Royce, Chief Engineer, Civil Aerospace Demonstrator Programmes said: “These incredible technologies are taking our world-leading fan efficiency to the next level. More than a decade of research and development has brought us to this point and I’m confident that after extreme weather testing in Canada and performance testing in Germany, we can prove ALPS technology even further here in Derby, moving us one step closer to our UltraFan demonstrator.”
The Advanced Low Pressure System programme is a partnership between Rolls-Royce, Clean Sky, Innovate UK, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Aerospace Technology Institute, ITP Aero and GKN. Read more...
Drone Delivery Canada unveils Condor 400pounds payload unmanned helicopter
TsAGI and Rosteck test full scale 3 blade rotor for new light multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors
press release
Specialists of the Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI, a member of the National Research Center “Zhukovsky Institute”) together with the Design bureau “VR-Technologies” of the Russian Helicopters (State Corporation Rostec) conducted the second stage testing of the VRT500 rotor, (the VRT 500 is the light multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors).
The full-scale hingeless rotor model was tested in the largest Europe wind tunnel — the TsAGI’s subsonic wind tunnel. The Institute’s scientists studied the behavior of the model at speeds up to 136 km/h during the tests. The collective pitch angle was varied within the functional range, at the same time there were applied longitudinal design and lateral control systems. Specialists continuously recorded the measured data, including forces and the moments affecting the model in general, and loads for the three sections of one of the blades.
The experiment confirmed the previously calculated aerodynamics and aeroelasticity of the rotor and its blades. The results will help to clarify flight characteristics of the helicopter. “The VRT500 project’s tests were successful and turned out to be very interesting for us,” noted Oleg Kirillov, the Chief of the Department of aerodynamics and dynamics of helicopters. “First of all, we tested a full-scale model, and it was already a unique situation. Secondly, we had to deal with a hingeless rotor model. The design of this kind has been poorly studied in Russia yet; it was only used for the ‘Ansant’ helicopter. These works appeared to be exceptionally relevant to the development of the research competencies and design of hingeless rotors in TsAGI.”
The VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with twin three-blade coaxial rotors. Its takeoff weight is 1600 kg. The machine has the largest-in-its-class passenger/cargo cabin for up to 5 people and is equipped with a modern, interactive avionics complex. Its flight characteristics enable the helicopter to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, flying at a distance of up to 860 km, taking on-board up to a 730 kg payload. The helicopter is intended for passenger, multi-purpose, commercial, educational, VIP and medical operations. Read more...
Turkey Launches Heavy Attack Helicopter
Autonomous Flight Ready To Build Flying Prototype Y6S
The HondaJet is the Most Delivered Aircraft in its Class for Second Consecutive Year
press release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - February 20th, 2019 - Honda Aircraft Company announced today that the HondaJet was the most delivered aircraft in its class in 2018, based on numbers provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Last year, 37 HondaJets were delivered around the globe, marking the second consecutive year the HondaJet has been the most delivered very light jet.
"We are proud that our customers continue to choose the HondaJet for its unrivaled performance, efficiency and cabin comfort. This, along with our strong global dealer network, has made the HondaJet the most delivered aircraft in its class", said Honda Aircraft Company President & CEO Michimasa Fujino. "The HondaJet finishing as the most delivered aircraft for the second consecutive year is a testament to our team's dedication to developing cutting-edge technologies that improve the lives of our customers around the world."
Honda Aircraft Company has fully transitioned its aircraft production line from the original HondaJet to the HondaJet Elite and will continue to offer the performance package developed by the Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) for the original HondaJet. The company expects to maintain production of four to five aircraft per month.
Throughout 2018, Honda Aircraft Company marked several major milestones, including the introduction of the HondaJet Elite, the creation of the APMG performance package and the customer delivery of the 100th HondaJet. The company also received the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) 2018 Foundation Award for Excellence for setting a new standard in business aviation with the HondaJet.
In 2018, the HondaJet Elite received type certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and delivered the first aircraft to a customer in Japan. The company also increased its global footprint to several additional regions around the world with new dealers and type certifications, including Argentina, India and Panama.
About HondaJet Elite The HondaJet Elite is the fastest, furthest and highest-flying plane in its class. The HondaJet Elite incorporates Honda Aircraft's many technological innovations, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) nose and wing and composite fuselage. These advancements contribute to the aircraft's superior performance, unparalleled efficiency and maximized fuselage space, making the aircraft's cabin the largest in its class. The HondaJet Elite cabin features a full service galley, a private lavatory with optional belted seat and an exclusive Bongiovi sound system. The aircraft sets the gold standard in safety and human-machine interface technology with an ergonomically designed cockpit and enhanced customized Garmin® G3000 avionics suite. Honda Aircraft continues to be committed to the improvement of lives through personal mobility while living in a sustainable society. The HondaJet Elite remains significantly more fuel efficient and emits less greenhouse gases than all other similarly sized twin-engine business jets. Certified for single pilot operation, the HondaJet Elite continues to live up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.
About Honda Aircraft Company Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft's world headquarters is located in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.
Roscosmos and Space Adventures signed a contract for the implementation of the short duration space flights to the ISS
press release
State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” and “Space Adventures, Inc.” signed a contract for the implementation of the short duration space flights of two spaceflight participants on board the same “Soyuz” spacecraft to the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. The flight is scheduled to launch in late 2021.
State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” and “Space Adventures, Inc.” have been cooperating in space tourism since 2001, when the first space tourist - Dennis Tito - flew on orbit. In total, seven people have visited space station in the frame of space tourism program with Charles Simonyi visiting the ISS twice.
Hill Airmen, F-35 a lethal combo at Red Flag
Virgin-Galactic makes record space flight with three on board
In its fifth supersonic rocket powered test flight, Virgin Galactic reached space for the second time today in the skies above Mojave CA. Spaceship VSS Unity reached its highest speed and altitude to date and, for the first time, carried a third crew member on board along with research payloads from the NASA Flight Opportunities program.
continue reading:
https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-makes-space-for-second-time-in-ten-weeks-with-three-on-board/
ESA: Signs of ancient flowing rivers on Mars
We see Mars as a cold, dry world, but plenty of evidence suggests that this was not always the case. Research in past years instead increasingly indicates that the planet once had a thicker, denser atmosphere that was able to lock in far greater amounts of warmth, and therefore facilitate and support the flow of liquid water on the surface below. Continue reading:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_ancient_flowing_water_on_Mars2
- Title Perspective view of ancient river valley network on Mars
- Released 21/02/2019 11:00 am
- Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
- Description This image from ESA’s Mars Express shows a valley network on Mars. This oblique perspective view was generated using a digital terrain model and Mars Express data gathered on 19 November 2018 during Mars Express orbit 18831. The ground resolution is approximately 14 m/pixel and the images are centered at 66°E/17°S. This image was created using data from the nadir and colour channels of the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). The nadir channel is aligned perpendicular to the surface of Mars, as if looking straight down at the surface.
Hybrid fiber combines strength of metal core and elasticity of rubber shell
Abstract
Tough, biological materials (e.g., collagen or titin) protect tissues from irreversible damage caused by external loads. Mimicking these protective properties is important in packaging and in emerging applications such as durable electronic skins and soft robotics. This paper reports the formation of tough, metamaterial-like core-shell fibers that maintain stress at the fracture strength of a metal throughout the strain of an elastomer. The shell experiences localized strain enhancements that cause the higher modulus core to fracture repeatedly, increasing the energy dissipated during extension. Normally, fractures are catastrophic. However, in this architecture, the fractures are localized to the core. In addition to dissipating energy, the metallic core provides electrical conductivity and enables repair of the fractured core for repeated use. The fibers are 2.5 times tougher than titin and hold more than 15,000 times their own weight for a period 100 times longer than a hollow elastomeric fiber.
Full text: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/2/eaat4600
Figure 1B compares the force versus strain responses of a solid gallium rod, an empty SEBS fiber, and a Ga-SEBS metamaterial fiber (see fig. S2 for stress-strain data). In Fig. 1B, each sudden decrease in force corresponds to a break in the metallic core of the Ga-SEBS fiber, after which a polymer bridge forms from the encasing polymer. After each break, the force needed to maintain a constant rate of extension increases steadily as the bridge is strained, until eventually the metallic core fractures again and the cycle repeats itself. During these cycles, the strain localizes primarily in the polymer bridges between the breaks, which keeps the overall stress high regardless of the macroscopic strain. This behavior generates a sawtooth-shaped curve centered about the force needed to break the metallic core (see note S1 for additional details) and provides an effective and continuous energy dissipation method. The fiber sustains approximately the same force as the force needed to break the metallic core, but for almost six times the amount of strain.
Airbus inaugurates its Innovation Centre in China
press release
Partnering with local innovation forces to shape the future of flight
Airbus has inaugurated its Innovation Centre in China at an official opening ceremony in Shenzhen, China, one of the world’s leading innovation hotspots.
Airbus China Innovation Centre (ACIC) has been operating since early 2018 and currently focuses on designing, testing, and certifying new technologies relating to five areas: Hardware Lab, Cabin Experience, Connectivity, Manufacturing Innovation and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). ACIC is committed to identifying the next big innovation to transform the aerospace sector, leveraging local talent, technologies and partners to further enhance Airbus’ capabilities to shape the future of flight.
Airbus also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau for close collaboration, acceleration, application and industrialization of UAM. With extended regional partners, Airbus aims to further develop the local UAM ecosystem and promote solutions that fit local transportation needs.
As Airbus’ first disruptive innovation centre in Asia, and second worldwide after A3 in Silicon Valley, ACIC’s mission is to fully leverage local advantages including talent, enterprises and the ecosystem, to combine it with Airbus’ aerospace expertise to identify, explore and accelerate breakthroughs in technologies, business models and new growth opportunities.
Airbus certifies A400M Cargo Hold Tanks refueling unit
press release
Airbus has successfully completed the certification flight tests for the A400M Cargo Hold Tanks (CHT) refueling unit, taking a new step towards the full certification of the aircraft for air-to-air refueling operations as a tanker.
The campaign, performed together with the Spanish Air Force Test Centre (CLAEX), featured a total of nine flights where 90 tonnes of fuel were dispensed to Spanish Air Force F-18 receivers and to another A400M prototype as a representative heavy aircraft receiver.
The test campaign included the development and certification of the Cargo Hold Tanks with the latest Fuel Quantity Management System software, to be certified during 2019, enhancement of the night refueling vision system and preliminary testing of helicopter air-to-air refueling capabilities. Read more...
Airbus Friedrichshafen triples the size of its integration facilities
Press release
Airbus’ Friedrichshafen site has opened Europe’s most
state-of-the-art satellite integration and space technology centre,
known as the Integrated Technology Centre (ITC). The ITC, which triples
the area of clean room space to 4,200 m2, is dedicated to
building satellites, probes, space instruments and experimental
technologies. The centre took only two years to build at a total cost of
approximately €45 million.
“Airbus’s significant investment in this building also represents an
investment in the future – both for the Airbus site at Lake Constance
and for Baden-Wuerttemberg as an aerospace location. When it comes to
space technology, we are now a step ahead of the rest of Germany – in
terms of science and research, development and technology, and
enthusiasm for the aerospace industry,” said Baden-Wuerttemberg’s
Minister-President, Winfried Kretschmann. “With this technology centre,
Airbus has shown it has the courage to take the leap into a new age of
even better satellites, and this includes those intended for scientific
purposes. Satellites can, for instance, document changes in sea levels
and detect even small sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Satellites of
this nature are helping to expand the basic scientific knowledge needed
to combat climate change.”
“Space flight has undergone huge positive development over the past
few years. In addition to scientific missions to explore our solar
system and investigate fundamental physical laws, we as a space company
are meeting a swiftly increasing demand for high-performance,
ultra-reliable Earth observation, meteorological and navigation
satellites,” said Nicolas Chamussy, Head of Airbus Space Systems.
“Thanks to the new satellite hub, production at Airbus’s Friedrichshafen
site is optimally positioned in terms of both quality and quantity
compared with our competitors.”
With dimensions of 70 x 60 metres and a ceiling height of up to
18.50 metres, the building was designed to expand the current satellite
integration hall. The new ‘dual’ complex enables projects to be executed
more efficiently and economically and, thanks to cutting-edge
technology and its new size, also offers new possibilities for
developing future space projects, such as large space telescopes.
The centrepiece of the ITC is its large clean room. The final
integration of the satellites takes place under clean room conditions of
various ‘cleanliness classes’ (from ISO 8 to ISO 5) in facilities
totalling approximately 2,100 m2, of which 400 m2 are dedicated to ISO 5. Extensive air conditioning and filter systems circulate an air volume of 900,000 m3
up to 60 times an hour, which not only ensures the required levels of
cleanliness but also a consistently elevated air pressure, in addition
to controlling humidity and temperature.
Four seismic blocks, each weighing 150 tonnes, ‘decouple’ special
integration tables from the building and ensure a completely
vibration-free environment for the installation of optical instruments. A
computer-controlled fan and filter matrix on the south side of the
clean room generates air-flow profiles that can be adjusted to the
occupancy of the room. This concept allows different clean room classes
to be created in a single hall with no disruptive partitions or
curtains.
In the adjacent check-out rooms, technicians can conduct a broad
array of electrical function tests without having to enter the clean
room area. All computer systems are housed in their own air-conditioned,
noise-insulated racks.
The two wings of the ITC provide a further 1,100 m2 of
integration and laboratory space for component manufacturing and
technical areas. The first floor of the building’s west wing houses a
conference zone and a multifunctional showroom and information space,
whose large panoramic windows provide a unique view of the flight
hardware production process.
Four Sentinel satellites for the European environment and security
programme ‘Copernicus’, the joint European-Japanese EarthCARE Earth
observation satellites and two 12.30-metre-long planar radar antennas
are the first projects to move into the new centre. The integration work
for JUICE, a mission to the icy moons of Jupiter (set to launch in
2022), is also expected to start within the next six months.
Bell to develop game-changing technologies for the future of Quebec’s aerospace sector.
press release
- Government of Quebec Supports Bell Project
- Bell to develop innovative and game-changing technologies for the future of Quebec’s aerospace sector.
On Friday, February 22, the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière Region, Pierre Fitzgibbon, announced that phase 3 of the SA2GE project will encompass four promising projects. Totalling $50M (including $25M in subsidies), phase 3 of the SA2GE project will continue until March 31, 2021.
The four promising projects of this third phase include:
The Propulsion for safe, silent, eco-friendly and efficient urban operations (POUSSÉE) project, led by Bell, which aims to develop technologies that will improve the propulsion power and energy efficiency of vertical-lift vehicles, and at the same time reduce their weight and external noise;
The Smart, eco-friendly wing (AILE) project, led by Bombardier, which aims to develop technologies that will integrate new multipurpose wing concepts to business and commercial aircraft so as to optimize aircraft aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption;
The Integrated Modular Avionics for low-impact air navigation (ÉcoNav-3) project, led by CMC Electronics, which aims to develop new navigation technologies that will reduce the ecological footprint of air transport by optimizing flight plans in particular;
The Highly reliable compact photonic modules for airborne communication and navigation systems project, led by SME TeraXion, which aims to develop optical photonic technologies for aircraft systems with a view to replacing larger, heavier systems with greener, high-performance optical circuits.
SA2GE’s goal is to develop innovative and game-changing technologies for the future of Quebec’s aerospace sector with a view to mobilizing Quebec’s SMEs, universities and research centres and reducing the sector’s environmental footprint.
Read more...
Cessna Citations lead the industry in 2018 deliveries; Citation Latitude recognized as most delivered midsize business jet
press release
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that its Citation aircraft were the most-delivered business jets of 2018 according to the annual shipment and billings report published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Textron Aviation delivered 188 business jets – including 57 Cessna Citation Latitude aircraft – winning the midsize segment for the third consecutive year and outselling its closest competitor four to one.
“Leading business jet deliveries in 2018 is a continued testament to the trust our valued customers place in the Citation family,” said Rob Scholl, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “We’re honored to see that customers and operators have responded by making the Latitude their midsize platform of choice for three years running.”
Recognized for its mission flexibility and low operating costs, the Citation Latitude has grown in popularity with operators worldwide. In 2018, the midsize jet earned certification in Australia and China and today, the aircraft is certified in 43 countries. The worldwide fleet has amassed more than 150,000 flight hours since entering service in 2015.
The jet’s class-leading takeoff field length of 3,580 feet provides greater access to airfields usually reserved for smaller aircraft, allowing operators to land closer to their final destinations. Inside, the Latitude’s flat floor cabin delivers a new level of comfort to the midsize segment, and features like Bluetooth connectivity and a custom wireless cabin management system give passengers cabin control from their personal devices. Read more...
Bombardier’s New European Mobile Response Team Aircraft Enters into Service
press release
- Dedicated Challenger 300 aircraft boosts mobile response capability in Europe and supplements shipping from Frankfurt parts distribution hub
- Additional mobile response aircraft continues worldwide Customer Experience growth to further enhance product support and services
- Challenger 300 mobile response aircraft will provide thorough coverage and skilled OEM support throughout Europe and the Middle East
- Newly entered-into-service Global 7500 business jet operators to benefit from increased mobile response capability
Bombardier today announced the latest addition to its expanding service and support network – a dedicated Mobile Response Team (MRT) aircraft, based in Frankfurt, Germany. The Challenger 300 aircraft marked its entry-into-service by successfully completing its first mission, providing a European customer with efficient unscheduled maintenance support.
The strategically located Challenger 300 aircraft will deftly supplement the shipping of parts from Bombardier’s main European parts distribution hub at Frankfurt International Airport. Its 3,065-NM (5,646-km) range and impressive Mach 0.83 top speed capability will enhance the MRT’s reach and response times to a fleet size of more than 700 aircraft in Europe and the Middle East.
“With this investment, we are adding expertise and increasing accessibility to OEM support for our European operators and paving the way for the industry’s largest and longest-range business jet – our flagship Global 7500 aircraft – which is now in service,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice-President and General Manager, Customer Experience, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The addition of a dedicated Challenger 300 aircraft will augment the worldwide efforts of our MRT, already ranked as one of the most comprehensive onsite, mobile and aircraft-on-ground resolution services in the industry.”
Bombardier Customer Support in Europe: There are a total of seven Bombardier line maintenance stations in Europe located in Luton, UK, Linz, Austria, Paris, Nice and Cannes in France, and Milan and Olbia in Italy. They complement the tip-to-tail heavy maintenance services provided by Bombardier’s newest wholly-owned service centre at London Biggin Hill Airport in the UK and jointly owned Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services in Berlin. Bombardier operators also have access to 12 Authorized Service Facilities in the region.
Bombardier Worldwide Mobile Response Services: In recent months, Bombardier has expanded its customer response capability significantly. Five new Mobile Response Team trucks have been deployed, bringing the current worldwide total to 30. The Challenger 300 aircraft in Frankfurt joins a dedicated Learjet 45 aircraft in Chicago, along with two maintenance control centres (MCCs) in Linz, Austria and Wichita, Kansas. The new MCCs work in conjunction with Bombardier’s Customer Response Centre, which operates 24/7 to streamline customer requests and optimize maintenance support.
Bombardier to Invest $22 Million into Two Major Aerospace Research Projects in Québec
press release
Bombardier announced Feb 22nd that it will invest a total of approximately $22 million CAD over a three-year period into two major aerospace research projects: Aéro21 and the third phase of the SA²GE project. Both projects will bring together large aerospace companies, SMEs, as well as local universities and research centres.
“Through this strong alliance between industry, government and researcher partners, we are proud to not only push the limits of technology and build greener, more efficient aircraft, but to also increase the competitiveness of the Québec aerospace industry,” said François Caza, Chief Technology Officer, Bombardier Inc.
Aéro21 aims to facilitate the implementation of 21st century technologies in the Québec aerospace sector and is expected to generate $65 million CAD of investments over three years. 24 companies will be providing 75% of the funds for Aéro21, including $18.75 million CAD from Bombardier, and the Government of Québec will be investing the remaining 25%. Bombardier’s participation will focus on expanding the use of computerized models to test various aircraft systems and components from the design phase through certification, in an effort to bring new aerospace products to market at a faster pace and reduce development costs.
SA²GE (Smart Affordable Green Efficient) was first launched in 2010 and is dedicated to developing smarter, more efficient and effective technologies, while reducing the environmental footprint of the aerospace industry. Four subprojects were selected for the third phase of SA²GE, including one called AILE (Aile intelligente et légère pour l’environnement), which was proposed by Bombardier along with four other industry partners. The focus of this subproject is to develop multifunctional wings for business and commercial aircraft that will optimize aerodynamics and weight to reduce cost and fuel consumption. Bombardier plans to invest $3.6 million CAD in AILE, which will be matched by the Government of Québec.
With these investments, Bombardier reaffirms its leadership in the development of innovative aerospace technologies. The company was recognized as Canada’s top R&D investor by Research Infosource for investing approximately $12 billion CAD over the past six years.
Next month's SpaceX launch could help end America's reliance on Russian rockets
jueves, 21 de febrero de 2019
It's been nearly eight years since American astronauts last launched into space from American soil. When NASA shuttered the Space Shuttle Program in 2011, it did so under the hopes that the private industry would be willing and able to take a huge step forward and partner with the agency to ferry...
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Flying taxis are making progress, one minute at a time
What to know about Boeing's latest test flight, and the 'third era of aviation.' A strange-looking Boeing aircraft took off last week. It hovered above the Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia, and then landed again—the duration of the whole flight was less than 60 seconds, according to a Boeing...
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Hayabusa-2: Japan mission set to 'bite an asteroid'
A Japanese spacecraft is set to "bite an asteroid" as it descends to collect a sample of rock from the surface. The Hayabusa-2 probe will try to grab the sample from a pre-chosen site on the asteroid Ryugu at 23:00 GMT on 21 February. The spacecraft reached asteroid Ryugu in June 2018 after a thr...
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Lockheed Martin Offers India Enhanced F-16 Block 70 Multirole Combat Aircraft Dubbed “F-21” – The Aviationist
The First Reports Of How The F-35 Strutted Its Stuff In Dogfights Against Aggressors At Red Flag Are Starting To Emerge
The First Reports Of How The F-35 Strutted Its Stuff In Dogfights Against Aggressors At Red Flag Are Starting To Emerge https://theaviationist.com/2019/02/16/the-first-reports-of-how-the-f-35-strutted-its-stuff-in-dogfights-against-aggressors-at-red-flag-are-starting-to-emerge/
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Aussie Hornets arrive in Canada | UAE developing light attack aircraft | India requests 21 Russian Fulcrums
Aussie Hornets arrive in Canada | UAE developing light attack aircraft | India requests 21 Russian Fulcrums https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/aussie-hornets-arrive-in-canada-uae-developing-light-attack-aircraft-india-requests-21-russian-fulcrums-041698/
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Ryanair opens third base in France: Toulouse Airport (from Winter 2019)
Ryanair opens third base in France: Toulouse Airport (from Winter 2019) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/ryanair/opens-third-base-in-france-toulouse-airport-winter-2019/
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NASA To Test UAS Traffic Management over Urban Areas
NASA To Test UAS Traffic Management over Urban Areas https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2019-02-19/nasa-test-uas-traffic-management-over-urban-areas
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Air France-KLM To Launch Medium-Haul Tender This Year
Air France-KLM To Launch Medium-Haul Tender This Year https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2019-02-20/air-france-klm-launch-medium-haul-tender-year
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U.K. Defense Secretary Announces First Deployment For New P-8 Sub-Hunter Aircraft
U.K. Defense Secretary Announces First Deployment For New Sub-Hunter Aircraft http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=7c300c57-4ded-4c43-a803-994ea10006fc
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US Air Force equips its B-52 Stratofortress bomber with an upgraded launcher system
US Air Force equips its B-52 Stratofortress bomber with an upgraded launcher system https://newatlas.com/us-air-force-b-52-weapons-upgrade/58541/
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NASA's drone traffic control system moves into the final phase of testing
NASA's drone traffic control system moves into the final phase of testing https://newatlas.com/nasa-drone-traffic-control-testing/58569/
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Gulfstream G600 to make Australian Debut
Textron Aviation announces enhanced flight deck features coming to Cessna and Beechcraft piston lineup
press release
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced enhanced flight deck capabilities for new production Cessna and Beechcraft piston platforms. The features include new standard and optional equipment as part of Garmin’s G1000 NXi next-generation integrated flight deck, which provides pilots with enhanced control and connectivity in the cockpit.
“Today, new and experienced pilots alike continue to rely on our renowned Cessna and Beechcraft pistons to experience the joy of flight firsthand,” said Christopher Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. “We’re thrilled to once again elevate the capabilities of these aircraft and connect the next generation of aviators with the latest technology and equipment needed to fly with added confidence, ease and control.”
New equipment includes the latest Garmin GMA 1360 audio panel with enhanced audio capabilities and Bluetooth audio link to pair portable electronic devices to the flight deck.
Other equipment includes the GFC 700 Autopilot with Enhanced Automatic Flight Control System (E-AFCS), now standard on 2019 production Cessna Skylane, Cessna Turbo Stationair HD, Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58 pistons, and optional on the Cessna Skyhawk. With E-AFCS, pilots benefit from a lineup of automated features designed to help maintain an optimal flight envelope, while enhancing situational awareness. The added features include Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) with auto-level functionality, Underspeed Protection (USP) and Coupled Go-Around.
Factory-new Baron G58 aircraft are also equipped with Garmin’s new GWX 75 Doppler weather radar, which provides pilots with onboard weather information, and allows operators to customize the weather picture on each individual display in the cockpit. When used with optional turbulence detection and ground suppression technology, the radar enables Baron pilots to more easily navigate around challenging weather.
Other optional features for all Cessna and Beechcraft pistons include Garmin GSR 56 Iridium satellite receiver, which provides near worldwide access to downlink weather services and allows pilots to make voice calls and send text messages. A subscription service is available through Garmin and can be customized based on need.
###
About Textron Aviation Inc.
Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The Textron Aviation brands represent unrivaled innovation, performance and leadership in the industry, and offer an unmatched value proposition rooted in the total ownership experience. Leveraging unparalleled speed-to-market, Textron Aviation provides the most versatile and comprehensive business and general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft and a complete global customer service organization. Textron Aviation has delivered more than 250,000 aircraft in over 143 countries. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry’s most capable global service network. For more information, visit www.txtav.com Read more...
Sikorsky's AAG and BLADE Announce Agreement for On-Demand Urban Mobility Option in New York City Using Sikorsky S-76® Helicopter
press release
Sikorsky's subsidiary Associated Aircraft Group (AAG) and Fly Blade, Inc ("BLADE"), a digitally-powered aviation company, announced an agreement today to provide a new on-demand urban mobility option in the New York City metro area. AAG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT).
Through the agreement, AAG will provide and operate a dedicated S-76C+™ helicopter for BLADE, to be flown and maintained by Sikorsky pilots and maintenance technicians. BLADE also will gain access to AAG's full fleet of Sikorsky helicopters, the largest in the Northeast, as needed.
Additionally, the agreement establishes a working group to explore how AAG can best leverage BLADE's consumer, cockpit and operator technology platform.
"As a leader in vertical flight, Sikorsky is always looking to explore new market opportunities," said Sikorsky Vice President, Commercial Systems & Services, Audrey Brady. "Vertical lift becomes increasingly important as cities grow, and this relationship allows us to gain critical insights to emerging needs in that space."
"Manhattan already is the largest short-distance aviation market in the world. The influx of record new construction coupled with unprecedented ground traffic will only serve to heighten the value proposition of helicopter travel," said Rob Wiesenthal, BLADE's CEO. "By combining Sikorsky's decades of vertical flight expertise and AAG's thousands of flight hours with BLADE's technology, dedicated lounge infrastructure and customer experience, we have created a fully integrated urban air mobility platform in the market where it is needed and valued the most."
BLADE is now utilizing a Sikorsky S-76 aircraft for several northeastern routes, flying from Manhattan directly to area airports, Boston, Washington, D.C., and other business and leisure destinations in the Northeast. Flights are available today on-demand through BLADE's proprietary mobile app.
Sikorsky has delivered more than 875 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1977, contributing daily to a growing total of more than 7.25 million flight hours. The S-76 aircraft is well known for its Head of State and VIP transportation work, and is the longest running VIP helicopter in the market. Today, it continues dependable service for these mission segments and others, including offshore oil, Search and Rescue and Helicopter Air Ambulance transportation.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
About AAG:
Associated Aircraft Group has been the premier executive helicopter company in the northeastern United States for more than 25 years. Providing clients a range of services, including private charter, fractional ownership, aircraft management and maintenance. AAG has over 58,000 safe flying hours and operates S-76 helicopters exclusively.
About BLADE:
BLADE is a digitally-powered aviation company and the largest arranger of helicopter flights for civilian travel in the United States. By leveraging its technology backbone, strategic lounge network of 10 dedicated properties, and its partnerships with over 30 aviation operators, the company has expanded its offerings from one route in one state to 22 core routes in seven U.S. states. BLADE has proven to grow the size of the short distance aviation market in the areas in which it operates. Over 75 percent of BLADE's first-time helicopter passengers have never flown in a helicopter before flying BLADE.
For more information, visit www.flyblade.com
U.S. Government Approves Release of Boeing EA-18G Growler to Finland
press release
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy have received U.S. Department of Defense approval to offer the EA-18G Growler to Finland. Previously only Australia had been authorized to purchase the airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft.
Boeing and the Navy have offered the Growler and F/A-18 Super Hornet in a response to query issued by the Finnish Ministry of Defense as part of their HX fighter program procurement.
“All strike fighter aircraft rely on Growler escort to increase survivability during high-threat missions,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing vice president, F/A-18 and EA-18G programs. “The combination of the Super Hornet Block III and Growler would provide Finland with superior technological capability particularly suited to Finland’s HX mission requirements.”
An F/A-18 variant, the Growler is the world’s most advanced AEA platform and the only one in production today. It’s capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems including radar and communication systems.
In addition to the U.S. Navy, the Growler is flown by the Royal Australian Air Force.
For more information on Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace. Read more...
Airbus warns of no-deal Brexit, says has spent tens of millions preparing | Article [AMP] | Reuters
lunes, 18 de febrero de 2019
Vahana, le taxi volant d'Airbus, réalise un vol complet
viernes, 15 de febrero de 2019
https://www.ladepeche.fr/2019/02/12/comment-airbus-prepare-la-revolution-aerienne-avec-son-taxi-volant,8010449.php
Un an après son premier vol d'essai qui avait duré moins d'une minute, le taxi volant Vahana d'Airbus a été filmé lors d'un vol plus complet qui montre notamment la transition entre le décollage vertical et le vol horizontal grâce à ses rotors basculants. https://www.futura-sciences.com/tech/actualites/technologie-vahana-taxi-volant-airbus-realise-vol-complet-69239/
Video
https://www.aeronewstv.com/fr/industrie/recherche-innovation-aeronautiques/4409-les-vols-d-essai-du-taxi-volant-dairbus-s-accelerent.html
NASA Selects New Mission to Explore Origins of Universe
An F-14 Tomcat Has Returned To The Deck Of An Operational Carrier For Top Gun 2 Production
Embraer Signs Pool Program Contract to Support Air Astana new E-Jets E2 fleet
press release
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, February 13th, 2019 – Embraer and Air Astana, a flag carrier of Kazakhstan, have reached a multiyear agreement on a Flight Hour Pool Program to support the component needs for the airline’s new E2 fleet, Embraer’s second generation of the E-Jets family of commercial aircraft. The E2’s entry into service marks the beginning of Air Astana's fleet renewal. Currently the airline operates a fleet of nine E190s aircraft, the first of which was delivered in 2011, when the airline joined Embraer Pool Program. Now, with the extension of the pool program for the new E190-E2s, Air Astana have extended their trust in our strong partnership. Air Astana took delivery of its first E190-E2 jet in December 2018 and flies the new aircraft on domestic and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) routes. The airline will receive four additional E190-E2s in 2019, with the last of the five aircraft, all of which are leased by AerCap, being delivered in the final quarter of 2019. The Pool Agreement for the airline’s E190-E2 fleet will cover unlimited access and full repair coverage for more than 325 components with almost a third of them exclusively placed at airline’s main base to ensure high fleet availability. “We are proud that Air Astana has chosen to place its trust in us to support its new E2 fleet, further reinforcing Embraer's commitment to customers in the region with TechCare portfolio of solutions. It is a strong endorsement for the program and Embraer services, proving customers loyalty to the state of the art support of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) with a competitive value,” said Johann Bordais, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support. “The support of the OEM is a natural fit for Air Astana as we transition into our new fleet of Embraer’s second generation of E-Jets. This was fundamental in our decision to join the program, which will allow us to upkeep our daily operations as it offers cost effective and practical solutions, guaranteeing efficiency and competitive results,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana. Embraer’s Flight Hour Pool Program, which currently supports more than 40 airlines worldwide, is designed to allow airlines to minimize their upfront investment on expensive repairable inventories and resources and to take advantage of Embraer’s technical expertise and its vast component repair service provider network. The results are significant savings on repair and inventory carrying costs, reduction in required warehousing space, and the elimination of resources required for repair management, while ultimately providing guaranteed performance levels. The E190-E2 is the first of three new aircraft types that will make up the Embraer E2 family of aircraft developed to succeed the first-generation of E-Jets. Embraer Services & Support has implemented the E2 Pool Program to support operators from the very first day of delivery. Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia and launch customer for the E190-E2, received its first E2 aircraft on April 2018. Currently, 100% of the delivered E2 E-Jets are supported by the program. This Pool Program is part of a suite of services that Embraer offers to support the worldwide growing fleet of Embraer aircraft through TechCare, the new Embraer platform that assembles the entire portfolio of products and solutions to deliver the best experience of services and support.
Bombardier Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results
- EBIT before special items(1) up 42% year-over-year to more than $1.0B on revenues of $16.2B for the year; EBIT increased 235% year-over-year to $1.0B
- 2018 EBIT margin before special items(1) up 180 bps year-over-year to 6.3%; EBIT margin of 6.2%
- Full year free cash flow(1) of $182M, comprising proceeds from certain transactions, including $1.0B of cash generation in the fourth quarter; full year cash flows from operating activities of $597M
- Strong backlog growth at Business Aircraft and Transportation, with full year book-to-bill ratios(2) of 1.1 at both segments, and a consolidated backlog of $53.1B
- 2019 guidance affirmed, clear path to achieve 2020 objectives
continue reading https://www.bombardier.com/en/media/newsList/details.binc-20190214-bombardier-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-20.bombardiercom.html Read more...
The SSJ100 corporate airline project has been launched in Sochi
press release
February, 14 2019 - at the Russian Investment Forum 2019 VEB-leasing, the JSC “United Aircraft Corporation” (UAC), “Business Aviation Center” of the Vnukovo airport and the National Reserve Corporation (NRC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding aimed at the SSJ100 corporate airline project realization.
56-seated aircraft with the business layout are supposed to perform irregular flights arranged upon request for corporations, sport teams, concert tours and other purposes.
“Civil production line formation and its promotion to the market is one of main corporation priorities. The niche of the corporate charter transportation is attractive from the point of view of its growth potential, and on the other hand it hasn’t been taken by Russian aircraft yet. The creation of the charter platform with the SSJ100 in its core is another exertion of the state policy of manufacturers support. We think that the business version of the SSJ100 might be the unique product for the market that would be able to provide the best balance of the necessary comfort level and the economy efficiency” – noted Yury Slyusar, the UAC President.
“The support of the aviation industry is one of VEB-leasing’s priorities. The MoU singed will have a positive impact upon the SSJ100 program and will allow to constitute a competitive product and take another niche. We are glad that together with state institutions commercial players show interest too, and that allows feel confident about the prospects of the project” – says Artem Dovlatov, VEB-leasing Director General.
“A year and a half of success for Azimuth airline showed high demand for regional transportation in Russia. Vnukovo-3 is the largest business aviation center in Russia and Eastern Europe with its own developed infrastructure. Our business aviation center will easily provide comfortable ground and flight handling operation and will suit best for the airlines working in this kind of transportation segment” – noted the co-owner of the international airport Vnukovo and the Azimuth airline, Vitaly Vantsev.
According to the terms of the MoU signed the Parties will determine the financial parameters of the project and will prepare the deal structure, and also will consider the volume of aircraft procurements and the detailed roadmap of the project.
EASA flight test experts completed the first session of certification flights on MC-21-300 aircraft
press release
Flight test experts of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) completed the first flight session of the MC-21-300 certification program.
During the certification tests, the behavior of MC-21-300 aircraft
was evaluated in various modes, including high angles of attack and
stalling. Flights duration from 2.5 to 4 hours were performed at
altitudes from 3 to 10 km.
Aircraft was piloted by EASA test pilot. Test pilot of the Yakovlev
Design Bureau (a branch of Irkut Corporation) monitored the performance
of flight modes. Flight crew also included Russian and EASA flight test
engineers to analyze current flight parameters. In September 2018, EASA
test crew completed a special course in theoretical and practical
training, as a result of which they obtained permission to fly on
MC-21-300 aircraft.
***
Irkut Corporation (a UAC member) is conducting tests of the MC-21-300
aircraft in order to obtain Russian and European type certificates.
Representatives of Russian aviation authorities and industry, as well as
EASA experts, are taking part in the process.
Read more...
Airbus reports strong Full-Year 2018 results, delivers on guidance
- Strong 2018 performance, guidance delivered
- Revenues € 64 billion; EBIT Adjusted € 5.8 billion; Free Cash Flow Before M&A and Customer Financing € 2.9 billion
- EBIT (reported) € 5.0 billion; EPS (reported) € 3.94
- A380 deliveries to cease in 2021
- A400M programme re-baselining negotiated
- 2018 dividend proposal € 1.65 per share, up 10% from 2017
- 2019 guidance confirms growth trajectory
continue reading
https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/02/airbus-reports-strong-fullyear-2018-results-delivers-on-guidance.html
EASA flight test experts completed the first session of certification flights on MC-21-300 aircraft
Flight test experts of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) completed the first flight session of the MC-21-300 certification program.
During the certification tests, the behavior of MC-21-300 aircraft was evaluated in various modes, including high angles of attack and stalling. Flights duration from 2.5 to 4 hours were performed at altitudes from 3 to 10 km.
Aircraft was piloted by EASA test pilot. Test pilot of the Yakovlev Design Bureau (a branch of Irkut Corporation) monitored the performance of flight modes. Flight crew also included Russian and EASA flight test engineers to analyze current flight parameters. In September 2018, EASA test crew completed a special course in theoretical and practical training, as a result of which they obtained permission to fly on MC-21-300 aircraft.
During the certification tests, the behavior of MC-21-300 aircraft was evaluated in various modes, including high angles of attack and stalling. Flights duration from 2.5 to 4 hours were performed at altitudes from 3 to 10 km.
Aircraft was piloted by EASA test pilot. Test pilot of the Yakovlev Design Bureau (a branch of Irkut Corporation) monitored the performance of flight modes. Flight crew also included Russian and EASA flight test engineers to analyze current flight parameters. In September 2018, EASA test crew completed a special course in theoretical and practical training, as a result of which they obtained permission to fly on MC-21-300 aircraft.
Airbus and Emirates reach agreement on A380 fleet, sign new widebody orders
Following a review of its operations and in light of developments in aircraft and engines, Emirates agrees with Airbus to
➡ reduce its A380 order book by 39 aircraft
➡ order 40 #A330neo & 30 #A350
As a result, A380 deliveries will cease in 2021
NASA’s Opportunity Rover Dies on Mars - The New York Times
miércoles, 13 de febrero de 2019
Thomas Cook considers selling its airlines [feedly]
Thomas Cook considers selling its airlines
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/thomas-cook-airlines-group/thomas-cook-considers-selling-its-airlines/
-- via my feedly newsfeed
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https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/thomas-cook-airlines-group/thomas-cook-considers-selling-its-airlines/
-- via my feedly newsfeed
National strike on 13 February in Belgium: Brussels South Charleroi Airport closed [feedly]
National strike on 13 February in Belgium: Brussels South Charleroi Airport closed
https://www.aviation24.be/miscellaneous/strike-action/13-february-2019-national-strike-belgium/brussels-south-charleroi-airport-closed/
-- via my feedly newsfeed
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https://www.aviation24.be/miscellaneous/strike-action/13-february-2019-national-strike-belgium/brussels-south-charleroi-airport-closed/
-- via my feedly newsfeed
Two KLM Royal Dutch Airlines aircraft clip wings at Amsterdam Schiphol [feedly]
Two KLM Royal Dutch Airlines aircraft clip wings at Amsterdam Schiphol
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air-france-klm-group/klm-royal-dutch-airlines/two-aircraft-clip-wings-amsterdam-schiphol/
-- via my feedly newsfeed
Nanotechnology enables engineers to weld previously un-weldable 7075 aluminum alloy
press release
Super-strong but lightweight, AA 7075 now could be more widely used in automobiles and other manufacturing thanks to UCLA research
An aluminum alloy developed in the 1940s has long held promise for use in automobile manufacturing, except for one key obstacle. Although it’s nearly as strong as steel and just one-third the weight, it is almost impossible to weld together using the technique commonly used to assemble body panels or engine parts.
That’s because when the alloy is heated during welding, its molecular structure creates an uneven flow of its constituent elements — aluminum, zinc, magnesium and copper — which results in cracks along the weld.
Now, engineers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering have developed a way to weld the alloy, known as AA 7075. The solution: infusing titanium carbide nanoparticles — particles so small that they’re measured in units equal to one billionth of a meter — into AA 7075 welding wires, which are used as the filler material between the pieces being joined. A paper describing the advance was published in Nature Communications.
Using the new approach, the researchers produced welded joints with a tensile strength up to 392 megapascals. (By comparison, an aluminum alloy known as AA 6061 that is widely used in aircraft and automobile parts, has a tensile strength of 186 megapascals in welded joints.) And according to the study, post-welding heat treatments, could further increase the strength of AA 7075 joints, up to 551 megapascals, which is comparable to steel.
Because it’s strong but light, AA 7075 can help increase a vehicle’s fuel and battery efficiency, so it’s already often used to form airplane fuselages and wings, where the material is generally joined by bolts or rivets rather than welded. The alloy also has been used for products that don’t require joining, such as smartphone frames and rock-climbing carabiners.
But the alloy’s resistance to welding, specifically, to the type of welding used in automobile manufacturing, has prevented it from being widely adopted.
“The new technique is just a simple twist, but it could allow widespread use of this high-strength aluminum alloy in mass-produced products like cars or bicycles, where parts are often assembled together,” said Xiaochun Li, UCLA’s Raytheon Professor of Manufacturing and the study’s principal investigator. “Companies could use the same processes and equipment they already have to incorporate this super-strong aluminum alloy into their manufacturing processes, and their products could be lighter and more energy efficient, while still retaining their strength.”
The researchers already are working with a bicycle manufacturer on prototype bike frames that would use the alloy; and the new study suggests that nanoparticle-infused filler wires could also make it easier to join other hard-to-weld metals and metal alloys.
The study’s lead author is UCLA graduate student Maximilian Sokoluk. The other authors are Chezheng Cao, who earned a doctoral degree from UCLA in December, and Shuaihang Pan, a current UCLA graduate student. Li holds faculty appointments in mechanical and aerospace engineering, and in materials science and engineering.
In Nature:
Nanoparticle-enabled phase control for arc welding of unweldable aluminum alloy 7075
Abstract
Lightweight materials are of paramount importance to reduce energy consumption and emissions in today’s society. For materials to qualify for widespread use in lightweight structural assembly, they must be weldable or joinable, which has been a long-standing issue for high strength aluminum alloys, such as 7075 (AA7075) due to their hot crack susceptibility during fusion welding. Here, we show that AA7075 can be safely arc welded without hot cracks by introducing nanoparticle-enabled phase control during welding. Joints welded with an AA7075 filler rod containing TiC nanoparticles not only exhibit fine globular grains and a modified secondary phase, both which intrinsically eliminate the materials hot crack susceptibility, but moreover show exceptional tensile strength in both as-welded and post-weld heat-treated conditions. This rather simple twist to the filler material of a fusion weld could be generally applied to a wide range of hot crack susceptible materials.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07989-y
Read more...
Nosedives would make for better landings on weighty Mars missions
The heaviest vehicle to successfully land on Mars is the Curiosity Rover at 1 metric ton, about 2,200 pounds. Sending more ambitious robotic missions to the surface of Mars, and eventually humans, will require landed payload masses in the 5- to 20-ton range. To do that, we need to figure out how to land more mass. That was the goal of a recent study.
Normally, when a vehicle enters the Mars atmosphere at hypersonic speeds of about Mach 30, it slows down quickly, deploys a parachute to slow down more then uses rocket engines or air bags to finish the landing.
“Unfortunately, parachute systems do not scale well with increasing vehicle mass. The new idea is to eliminate the parachute and use larger rocket engines for descent,” said Zach Putnam, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
According to Putnam, when the lander has slowed to about Mach 3, the retropropulsion engines are ignited, fired in the opposite direction to slow the vehicle down for a safe landing. The trouble is, that burns a lot of propellant. Propellant adds to vehicle mass, which can quickly drive up vehicle cost and exceed the current launch capability here on Earth. And every kilogram of propellant is a kilogram that can’t be payload: humans, science instruments, cargo, etc.
“When a vehicle is flying hypersonically, before the rocket engines are fired, some lift is generated and we can use that lift for steering,” Putnam said. “If we move the center of gravity so that it’s not uniformly packaged, but heavier on one side, it will fly at a different angle.”
Putnam explained that the flow around the vehicle is different on the top and the bottom which creates an imbalance, a pressure differential. Because the lift is in one direction, it can be used to steer the vehicle as it decelerates through the atmosphere.
“We have a certain amount of control authority during entry, descent, and landing—that is, the ability to steer.” Putnam said. “Hypersonically, the vehicle can use lift to steer. Once the descent engines are ignited, the engines have a certain amount of propellant. You can fire engines in such a way that you land very accurately, you can forget about accuracy and use it all to land the largest spacecraft possible, or you can find a balance in between.
“The question is, if we know we’re going to light the descent engines at, say, Mach 3, how should we steer the vehicle aerodynamically in the hypersonic regime so that we use the minimum amount of propellant and maximize the mass of the payload that we can land?
“To maximize the amount of mass we can landing on the surface, the altitude at which you ignite your descent engines is important, but also the angle your velocity vector makes with the horizon—how steep you’re coming in,” Putnam said.
The study clarified how to make the best use of the lift vector, using optimal control techniques to identify control strategies that can be used hypersonically across different interplanetary delivery conditions, vehicle properties, and landed altitudes to maximize landed mass.
“Turns out, it is propellant-optimal to enter the atmosphere with the lift vector pointed down so the vehicle is diving. Then at just the right moment based on time or velocity, switch to lift up, so the vehicle pulls out and flies along at low altitude,” Putnam said. “This enables the vehicle to spend more time flying low where the atmospheric density is higher. This increases the drag, reducing the amount of energy that must be removed by the descent engines.”
The study, “Entry Trajectory Options for High Ballistic Coefficient Vehicles at Mars,” was authored by Christopher G. Lorenz and Zachary R. Putnam. It appears in the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets.
The research was funded by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Entry Trajectory Options for High Ballistic Coefficient Vehicles at Mars
Abstract
Future large-scale Mars surface exploration missions require landed masses beyond the capability of current entry, descent, and landing technology. Hypersonic trajectory options for large ballistic coefficient vehicles are explored to assess the potential for improved landed mass capability in the absence of landed accuracy requirements. Hypersonic trajectories appropriate for use with supersonic parachute and supersonic retropropulsion descent systems are studied. Optimal control techniques are used to determine hypersonic bank-angle control profiles that achieve favorable conditions at terminal descent initiation. Terminal descent initiation altitude-maximizing bank strategies for parachute descent systems are explored across vehicle and mission design parameters of interest. A tradeoff between altitude and flight-path angle at terminal descent initiation is identified. Hypersonic trajectories that minimize required propellant for propulsive descent are identified and studied parametrically. A hypersonic ballistic coefficient and lift-to-drag ratio are shown to have the largest effects on required propellant mass fraction; changes to the vehicle state at entry interface have a smaller effect. The space of reachable supersonic retropropulsion ignition states is presented over a range of vehicle and trajectory parameters. Overall, results indicate execution of an appropriate hypersonic bank profile can significantly increase the parachute deploy altitude for parachute descent systems or reduce the amount of propellant required when compared to full lift-up entry for supersonic retropropulsion descent systems operating at Mars.https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/1.A34262 Read more...
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