Fresh groceries by drone to isolated eateries

 Making deliveries to and from remote locations can be challenging and costly. In the Alps, for example, some mountain shelters and other establishments cannot be accessed with vehicles; they depend on the use of helicopters, which are expensive and inefficient.

 

https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/421502-fresh-groceries-by-drone-to-isolated-eateries

Lilium celebrates hiring 500th employee

 

Press release

Media Release

• Audrey Tauran joins business as 500th employee
• CFO, Christopher Delbrück, to leave for family reasons
• Remo Gerber appointed to new role of Chief Operating Officer

 

Lilium, the Munich-based aviation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing aircraft for regional air mobility, today celebrated hiring its 500th employee. At the same time it announced two changes to its senior leadership team: current Chief Financial Officer, Christopher Delbrück, will leave the Lilium team later this year for family reasons, while current Chief Commercial Officer, Dr Remo Gerber, will take on a wider remit as Chief Operating Officer.

Commenting on the departure of Christopher Delbrück, Lilium co-founder and CEO, Daniel Wiegand, said: “In a short space of time, Christopher has brought a great deal of professionalism to Lilium. Not only have we made important progress with fundraising during his tenure, but he has also played a critical role in setting up a corporate structure that will allow the company to scale beyond its current size.

“While we’re sad to be losing his leadership, we very much respect, and fully understand, the decision he has made and wish both him and his family all the best at this time,” he added.

Commenting on the news, Christopher Delbrück, CFO said: “I am grateful for a fantastic time at Lilium. While it has been a difficult decision to make, I need to set the right priorities for my family and I wish the team all the best in bringing Lilium’s remarkable vision to life.” A search for a replacement candidate is already underway.

Meanwhile, the company confirmed that Dr Remo Gerber, who joined the business in 2017 as Chief Commercial Officer, will take up the role of Chief Operating Officer, with immediate effect.

Commenting on the appointment, Daniel Wiegand said: “Our intention has always been to not only develop and manufacture the Lilium Jet, but to also operate a Lilium regional air mobility service. With the creation of the Chief Operating Officer role, we’re taking the next step towards that vision. In his new role, Remo will focus not just on building the commercial partnerships we need to deliver the Lilium service but on all aspects of our proposed commercial operations.”

The business was today also celebrating reaching the milestone of hiring its 500th employee, with the recruitment of former Airbus employee Audrey Tauran.

Tauran joins Lilium as VP Procurement, bringing with her more than 15 years of experience in various engineering and procurement roles at Airbus, most recently as VP Procurement, Structure and Material in their Defense and Space division.

Commenting on the milestone, Daniel Wiegand said: “It’s humbling for us to see Lilium’s continued growth. In a little over five years we’ve gone from four co-founders to a team of over 500 talented and enthusiastic ‘Lilians’, bringing experience from a huge range of leading engineering organizations from SpaceX and Rolls-Royce, to Formula 1 teams and NASA.”

 

 

About Lilium:

Lilium is an aviation company developing an emissions-free regional air mobility service. It has designed and prototyped the Lilium Jet, a brand-new type of aircraft that will enable it to deliver regional journeys that are considerably faster than rail or road, yet competitive in price. The demonstrator aircraft first flew in 2019 and is a five-seater, fully-electric aircraft that can take-off and land vertically (eVTOL). Lilium expects to service a sizable global market demand by connecting communities at a fraction of the cost of conventional high-speed infrastructure, with zero operating emissions.

Co-founded in 2015 by four visionary engineers, Daniel Wiegand (CEO), Sebastian Born, Matthias Meiner and Patrick Nathen, Lilium has attracted more than $375m in funding from world-class investors such as Atomico, Tencent, Baillie Gifford, LGT, Freigeist and Obvious Ventures. Lilium is headquartered in Munich and currently employs more than 500 people.

Find out more at www.lilium.com, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium.

IATA on COVID: Afrika, Middle East and Europe

Impact of COVID-19 on African Aviation and Economies is Worsening
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-08-13-03/


COVID-19 Impact Deepens in the Middle East
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-08-13-02/


European COVID-19 Impacts Continue to Worsen as Border Restrictions Remain
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-08-13-01/

Embraer delivers first Phenom 300E with new Bossa Nova interior to PALS co-founder

https://youtu.be/hQmoxHR7fuk

press release



Embraer today delivered the first Phenom 300E with the new Bossa Nova interior to Joe Howley, co-founder of Patient Airlift Services (PALS). Just two months after the first delivery of the new, enhanced Phenom 300E, this particular aircraft delivery is set apart by its compelling purpose and exclusive interior design package. PALS was established in 2010 by a group of pilots in the Northeast United States. In conjunction with the organization’s ten-year anniversary, Mr. Howley took delivery of a new Phenom 300E at a ceremony held at Embraer’s Global Customer Center in Melbourne, Florida. The aircraft will be used to advance the organization’s mission to arrange free transportation for individuals requiring medical diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially. “We are humbled knowing the Phenom 300E will aid the vital role served by PALS, and we know its passengers will be well-served by the best cabin environment and lowest cabin altitude in the light jet class,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “PALS is an organization of volunteer pilots who choose to dedicate their time and resources to serving families struggling through the hardest times in their lives,” said Joe Howley, PALS co-founder. “To further serve the PALS mission, I am excited to take delivery of this single-pilot certified aircraft in order to provide the speed, passenger comfort, and flexibility our valued passengers deserve.” Announced simultaneously with the new, enhanced Phenom 300E, the optional Bossa Nova edition interior for the light jet was named for the Brazilian style of jazz music. Portuguese for “new trend,” Bossa Nova encompasses a package of Embraer’s latest interior developments, with features such as carbon fiber accents and Embraer’s exclusive Ipanema sew style. It’s also the first of the Phenom 300 series to feature piano black surfaces. Embraer’s Design DNA abounds in the Phenom 300E, which is set apart from others in the light jet category by its extensive opportunities for customization. The Bossa Nova interior was first introduced with the debut of the Phenom 300E’s larger siblings, the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, and won best design in the 2019 International Yacht & Aviation Awards in Venice. “Mr. Howley and I immediately bonded over compelling stories, and we got immersed discussing the inspirations for the Bossa Nova interior, but I can’t imagine a better story than that of PALS,” said Jay Beever, Vice President of Embraer Design Operations. “Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, PALS is playing an invaluable role in people’s lives, and we are honored Mr. Howley has selected the Phenom 300E to help serve this most honorable mission.” The Bossa Nova interior is just one feature that sets the new, enhanced Phenom 300E apart from the other aircraft in the light jet category. The most successful business jet of the past decade was further enhanced with technology, comfort, and performance features. An avionics upgrade includes the first runway overrun awareness and alerting system (ROAAS) to be developed and certified in business aviation, as well as predictive windshear, Emergency Descent Mode, PERF, TOLD, and FAA Datacom, among others. Additionally, the aircraft now features 4G connectivity via Gogo AVANCE L5. The interior of the new, enhanced Phenom 300E was made even quieter and features more cockpit legroom for pilot comfort. All of this is now available in the fastest single-pilot jet in the world, capable of reaching Mach 0.80, and delivering high speed cruise of 464 knots with a five-occupant range of 2,010 nautical miles (3,724 km) with NBAA IFR reserves. Originally launched in 2005, the Phenom 300 is the most delivered light jet for the past eight years and the most delivered business jet series of the 2010s. The aircraft is in operation in more than 30 countries and has accumulated more than one million flight hours. 

 

US Department of the Air Force-Boeing X-37B Team Wins Collier Trophy for Aerospace Excellence

 

 

Press Release 

The U.S. Department of the Air Force and Boeing [NYSE: BA] X-37B autonomous spaceplane is receiving the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest American achievements in aeronautics and astronautics of 2019. The X-37B set a new 780-day on-orbit endurance record and completed an overflight of the United States, using Federal Aviation Administration airspace, before making a pinpoint landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.


The National Aeronautic Association is awarding the 2019 Collier to the X-37B for advancing the performance, efficiency and safety of air and space vehicles.

Designed and built by Boeing, operated in partnership with the U.S. Space Force, and managed by the U.S. Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B is a reliable, reusable, uncrewed space test platform designed to carry experiments to orbit and return them to Earth for evaluation.

"Underscoring the importance of space to the nation, the Collier Trophy celebrates the record-setting mission of the X-37B," said Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett. "Most Americans use space daily for navigation, information, and communication. Sophisticated and uncrewed, the X-37B advances reusable spaceplane technologies and operates experiments in space that are returned for further examination on Earth."

In addition, Boeing facilitates the integration of experiments into the X-37B system and helps identify future reusable-platform experiment opportunities for each mission. X-37B is the 33rd Boeing effort to receive a Collier.

"We are truly honored that the women and men of the X-37B team are being recognized with the Collier Trophy," said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Leanne Caret. "Not only have they earned a place among our industry's legends through their commitment to innovation and performance, but their accomplishments will influence the next generation of space and aerospace development for the benefit of all humanity."

In 2019, the spaceplane broke its own on-orbit endurance record of 718 days. The program has logged more than 2,865 days and travelled more than 1 billion miles on-orbit in total. Originally designed for missions of 270 days, the X-37B has set endurance records during each of its five previous flights. Its first mission launched in 2010.

This is the ninth Collier Trophy shared by the U.S Department of the Air Force and its forerunners, and Boeing and its legacy companies. Prior shared wins include iconic air and space achievements like the B-52, X-15, Global Positioning System and the C-17 Globemaster III.

First awarded in 1911, the trophy's past recipients include Orville Wright; the Apollo 11 lunar landing team; the International Space Station, built by Boeing for NASA; the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, built by Boeing for the U.S. Navy; and the Boeing 787, 777 and 747 commercial airplanes.

For more information on Boeing Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace.

Sentinel-1C radar antenna has spread its wings for the first time

 

 

Press release 

Fixed to a special device, simulating zero gravity conditions, the 12.3 metre wide and 860 kg SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) radar antenna of the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite has successfully spread its wings at the Airbus Integrated Technology Centre in Friedrichshafen (Germany) for the first time.

Sentinel-1C is the third of the Sentinel-1 radar satellite series and will ensure data continuity for the many services offered by the EU’s Copernicus programme. The Sentinel-1C satellite equipped with the SAR Instrument (C-band radar) will provide radar images of the entire Earth’s surface as part of the Copernicus programme funded by the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA). Thales Alenia Space is prime contractor for Sentinel-1C and its twin Sentinel-1 D. Airbus Defence and Space is responsible for both radars.

These radar images will be used across many areas of Earth observation including monitoring Arctic sea-ice, routine sea-ice mapping, surveillance of the marine environment, monitoring land-surface for motion risks, forest mapping, water and soil management, and to support humanitarian aid and disaster monitoring.

The antenna consists of a centre panel which will be fixed to the satellite platform and two deployable antenna wings with two panels each. The unfolding test was to check the correct deployment of these two wings and to measure the planarity of the antenna as an indicator for the future SAR image quality.

Next step in the acceptance test sequence of the SAR instrument (complete antenna with the antenna electronic subsystem built by Airbus Portsmouth, UK) is a functional and performance test campaign, planned to run until end of October 2020. Finally the antenna’s radio frequency characteristics will be checked before the instrument is shipped to Thales Alenia Space for platform integration. Copernicus Sentinel-1C is set for launch in 2022.

Airbus Corporate Jets wins first A321LR order for two aircraft

 

press release

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) has won the first A321LR order for two aircraft from Lufthansa Technik, highlighting the market appeal and versatility of the A320neo Family. The aircraft will be multi-role capable and can be equipped for various types of missions, such as troop transport, different MedEvac role setups (medical evacuation) and will be operated by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). Lufthansa Technik has now placed a total order of five Airbus aircraft on behalf of the German Government: three ACJ350-900s and two A321LRs. The A321LRs will be able to fly up to 163 passengers, up to 6 intensive care patients and up to 12 medium care patients, depending on the installed configuration, with a maximum range of 4,200nm/7,800km or 9.5 flight hours.


“We are thrilled Lufthansa Technik has become the launch customer for the ACJ long-range version of the world’s best-selling A321neo,” said Benoit Defforge, ACJ President. “The ACJ320 Family features the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft in the sky, providing the greatest passenger comfort and intercontinental range. Lufthansa Technik and the German Government have a long-standing relationship with Airbus and we are proud of this new milestone order with us.”

The A321LR is a member of the A320neo Family with over 7,400 orders by more than 110 customers. It delivers 30 per cent fuel savings and nearly 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. With a range of up to 4,000nm (7,400km), with 206 passengers, the A321LR is the unrivalled long-range route opener, featuring true transatlantic capability and premium wide-body comfort in a single-aisle aircraft cabin.

Featuring the most spacious cabins of any business jet, while being similar in size to competing large-cabin aircraft, the ACJ320neo Family also delivers similar operating costs. The ACJ320neo Family can do this because its lower maintenance and training overheads – part of its airliner heritage – deliver a similar total cost when combined with fuel and navigation and landing charges.

Some 12,000 Airbus aircraft are in service worldwide, supported by a globe-spanning network of spares and training centres, giving corporate jet customers unmatched support in the field. Airbus corporate jet customers also benefit from services tailored to their particular needs, such as the “one call handles all” corporate jet customer care centre (C4you), and customised maintenance programmes.

Combined with the inherent reliability that comes from aircraft designed to fly many times a day, the ACJ320neo Family is both dependable and available when customers need it.

Airbus corporate jets are part of the world’s most modern aircraft family, which delivers, as standard, features which either cost more, or are unavailable, in competitors. These features include the protection and simplicity of fly-by-wire controls, the benefits of Category 3B autoland, and time and cost-saving centralised maintenance on all systems.

Around 200 Airbus corporate jets are in service on every continent, including Antarctica, highlighting their versatility in challenging environments.

MBDA and Lockheed Martin Submit Proposal for Germany’s Next Generation Integrated Air and Missile Defense System

 

 

Press release

MBDA Deutschland and Lockheed Martin, the TLVS bidders consortium (TLVS JV), have submitted an updated proposal to the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). The proposal includes development, test, certification and delivery of Germany’s future Integrated Air and Missile Defense system.

"More than 80 subcontractors will support the TLVS program. At peak performance, more than 6,000 highly qualified employees will benefit from the implementation of TLVS, with the majority in Germany. A broad spectrum of industrial capabilities is to be involved covering system of systems engineering, cybersecurity, digitization, as well as cutting edge radar, optical and electrical engineering including small and medium suppliers. With these capabilities the TLVS program will ensure defense against advanced and future air and missile threats,” said Thomas Gottschild, managing director MBDA Deutschland. “In the last months we made progress in further detailing the Integrated Master Schedule, relevant specifications as well as performance simulations to de-risk the future contract.”

Current threats demand a mobile IAMD system that is full 360-degree capable and based on an open network-centric architecture. Only the TLVS system has these capabilities and the ability to rapidly adapt to the ever-changing threat environments.

“Supporting Germany’s essential security interests, the TLVS Joint Venture between MBDA Deutschland and Lockheed Martin builds on our proud legacy of partnership with Germany to create jobs, share technical expertise and deliver capabilities to benefit industry on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Scott Arnold, vice president, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “TLVS is a demonstrated, modern system that can transform Germany’s defense capabilities and enable Germany as the NATO Framework Nation for Air & Missile Defense.”

Designed to replace Germany’s aging, sectored Patriot systems designed in the late 1960s, the 2020 TLVS proposal provides protection from a broader threat spectrum with two mission-specific effectors, significantly enhanced sensor capabilities for long range engagements and a new communications and Battle Management system to support enhanced interoperability, data fusion and cyber resilience. TLVS will transform Germany’s defense capabilities and set an important precedent in how neighboring nations address persistent global threats for years to come.

USAF & Lockheed Martin Complete Another Successful Hypersonics Test (launching it from a B-52)

 

press release 

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully flight tested the second AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) on the service’s B-52 Stratofortress out of Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Aug. 8, 2020.

This captive carry flight was conducted with tactical hardware and fully instrumented to collect thermal, mechanical and digital data from the flight vehicle. This is the first time a tactical ARRW missile has been assembled. Additional ground and flight testing will follow over the next two years.

“The team overcame significant challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve this significant milestone for the program,” said Dave Berganini, ARRW program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This captive carry mission is the pre-cursor for our first booster test flight planned for early 2020s.”

Hypersonic weapons provide rapid response, time critical capability that will overcome distance in contested environments using high speed, altitude and maneuverability. An operational hypersonic air-launched weapon enables the U.S. to hold fixed, high value, time-sensitive targets at risk in contested environments from stand-off distances.

Lockheed Martin has played a significant role in the research, development and demonstration of hypersonic technologies for more than 30 years. The corporation has made significant investments in key technology and capability development. We have developed deep expertise in the engineering of hypersonic systems and associated challenges through our work with maneuvering reentry vehicles, air-breathing engine design, avionics, and aero/thermal flight sciences.

Le trafic aérien en Europe chuterait de 60% en 2020, selon l'Iata

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/le-trafic-aerien-en-europe-chuterait-de-60-en-2020-selon-l-iata.N994129

Experts use wind tunnel to assess COVID-19 transmission risk during exercise

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/198935/experts-wind-tunnel-assess-covid19-transmission/

 

https://youtu.be/nPt6BtwcbEU

BAE Systems Tapped For USS Preble Repair | Lockheed Martin To Build 90 F-16s | Airbus Wins Order For 2 A321LR Airliners

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/bae-systems-tapped-for-uss-preble-repair-lockheed-martin-to-build-90-f-16s-airbus-wins-order-for-2-a321lr-airliners-044547/

Production of Air Force's first B-21 stealth bomber on schedule

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Production_of_Air_Forces_first_B-21_stealth_bomber_on_schedule_999.html

Pontifications: A330neo future bleak from COVID impact

https://leehamnews.com/2020/08/17/pontifications-a330neo-future-bleak-from-covid-impact/