[video & photo] How the albatross is inspiring next generation of aircraft wings
press release
https://youtu.be/9Ujp46SHAXI
Airbus engineers have developed a scale-model aeroplane with the first in-flight, flapping wing-tips that could revolutionise aircraft wing-design.
The aerospace giant has drawn on nature to develop its ‘semi-aeroelastic hinge’ concept to reduce drag and overall wing weight, while combating the effects of turbulence and wind gusts.
Known as AlbatrossOne, the remote-controlled aircraft has already taken its first flights to prove the concept and the team will now conduct further testing before the demonstrator, based on the manufacturer’s A321 plane, is scaled-up further.
“While hinged wing-tips are not new – military jets employ them to allow greater storage capacity on aircraft carriers – the Airbus demonstrator is the first aircraft to trial in-flight, freely-flapping wing-tips to relieve the effects of wind gusts and turbulence,” explained Airbus engineer Tom Wilson, based in Filton, north Bristol, UK.
“We drew inspiration from nature – the albatross marine bird locks its wings at the shoulder for long-distance soaring but unlocks them when wind-gusts occur or manoeuvering is required.
“The AlbatrossOne model will explore the benefits of unlockable, freely-flapping wing-tips – accounting for a up to a third of the length of the wing – to react autonomously during in-flight turbulence and lessen the load on the wing at its base, so reducing the need for heavily reinforced wing boxes.”
Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus’ Executive Vice-President of Engineering, said the project showed “how nature can inspire us”. He said: “When there is a wind gust or turbulence, the wing of a conventional aircraft transmits huge loads to the fuselage, so the base of the wing must be heavily strengthened, adding weight to the aircraft.
“Allowing the wing-tips to react and flex to gusts reduces the loads and allows us to make lighter and longer wings – the longer the wing, the less drag it creates up to an optimum, so there are potentially more fuel efficiencies to exploit.”
The first test flights of the AlbatrossOne demonstrator, developed by Airbus engineers in Filton, were concluded in February after a 20-month development programme. Speaking in Toulouse, Dumont said AlbatrossOne was the “first Filton aircraft since Concorde”.
It has been constructed from carbonfibre and glassfibre-reinforced polymers, as well as components from additive-layer manufacturing.
Initial testing of AlbatrossOne has examined the demonstrator’s stability with the wing-tips locked and completely unlocked, says fellow Filton engineer James Kirk.
“The next step is to conduct further tests to combine the two modes, allowing the wing-tips to unlock during flight and to examine the transition,” he added.
The team presented their research at the International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics conference in the United States this week.
Read more...
Airbus tests its Network for the Sky on a A310 MRTT aircraft
press release
Airbus has successfully completed a flight demonstration of a connected airborne battlespace scenario, centred on a MRTT aircraft. The test was carried out as part of the development of Airbus’ Network for the Sky (NFTS) programme. This follows on from last August’s demonstration in Canada of secure mobile communications using a stratospheric balloon to simulate a HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo Satellite), such as Airbus’ Zephyr UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).
NFTS combines various technologies - satellite and ground communications, air-to-ground, ground-to-air and air-to-air tactical links, 5G mobile communications and laser connections - in a resilient, unified, secure, highly interoperable, mesh network. Aircraft, UAVs and helicopters currently use networks with limited bandwidth and interoperability, and often little resilience. NFTS will allow them to form an integral part of high-speed military networks.
“This unique demonstration is a significant milestone in realising our vision of secure connectivity, which will enable the future air combat cloud and enhance real time execution of military missions,” said Evert Dudok, Head of Communications, Intelligence & Security at Airbus Defence and Space.
The demonstration scenario simulates the establishment of multi-Mbit/s, wideband communication links between ground forces operatives, a fighter jet, a MRTT, and a combined air operations centre (CAOC) on the ground. Both the operatives and jet fighter had to send video in real time to provide enhanced real-time situational awareness and receive instructions from the CAOC in return.
The operative located in Getafe (Spain) was equipped with a standard handheld radio for NATO forces (ROVER). The fighter was deployed to obtain imagery of the area of interest and act as a communications node between the operative and the MRTT flying at 30,000 feet within a 150 km radius in secure airspace. Communications were thus relayed between the fighter jet and the MRTT, via a wideband LOS (line-of-sight) data link. The MRTT then routed the video along with its own communications via a wideband satellite link to an space teleport near Washington, D.C. The communications flow was then returned to Europe via a terrestrial link to the CAOC.
This complex scenario demonstrates the real-time operation of secure end-to-end communications across different networks and technologies: ground-air tactical link, air-air wideband link between two aircrafts, air-satellite relay and terrestrial networks. This type of configuration, known as a ‘hybrid network’, represents the future of military communications and meets the needs of armed forces to be able to use a wide range of networks while allowing these to be managed dynamically and transparently. The solutions developed by Airbus thus allow secure IP (Internet Protocol) communications to be established, links to be reconfigured in real time and the available bandwidth to be allocated to data links based on operational priorities.
For this demonstration an MRTT aircraft has been equipped with Janus, Airbus’ new tri-band (Ku-Ka-MilKa) satellite antenna, as well as the latest version of the Proteus satellite modem, which is highly resilient against interference and jamming, and Airbus’ aircraft links integration management system (ALIMS).
This exercise paves the way for the development of the core capability for SMART MRTT connectivity, which will allow the MRTT to act as a high-end communication node. Network for the Sky (NFTS) sets the foundation for the connected airborne battlespace, with the objective to offer a full operational capability by 2020. The NFTS programme is part of Airbus’ Future Air Power project and is fully aligned with the development of the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
www.nfts.airbus.com Read more...
DAHER announces its acquisition of Quest Aircraft Company, becoming a Franco-American aircraft manufacturer - Daher
jueves, 13 de junio de 2019
https://www.daher.com/en/daher-announces-its-acquisition-of-quest-aircraft-company/
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Paris, June 13, 2019 – Daher – producer of the TBM family, the fastest turboprop aircraft in its category – is taking a major step in developing the company's airplane manufacturing business with the planned acquisition of Quest Aircraft Company, based in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA, which builds the Kodiak 100.
With this acquisition, Daher strengthens two of its strategic pillars by:
Reinforcing its aircraft manufacturing business and consolidating the company's leading position in the turboprop segment by widening the product family,
Achieving a major milestone in the growth of its North American industrial and services operations.
The Kodiak 100 is a 10-seat, unpressurized, entry-level aircraft in the single-engine turboprop category.
Originally created for humanitarian missions in developing countries, the Kodiak 100 is an agile and robust aircraft, capable of operating on uneven and ultra-short runways, while offering optimal safety.
Certified in 67 countries, the Kodiak 100 is used worldwide by air-taxi, recreational and leisure operators, along with businesses, pilot-owners and humanitarian organizations.
The Kodiak 100 will be exhibited by Daher
at the Paris Air Show (June 17-23) |Static display area: Location B4
DAHER strengthens its aircraft manufacturing business with an industrial location in North America
Through this major acquisition, Daher is enhancing its presence in the general and business aviation segment by offering a wider multi-product range. Already well known for its TBM 910 and TBM 940 very fast turboprop aircraft, Daher's airplane portfolio has now expanded to include the Kodiak 100.
With more than 270 Kodiak aircraft in operation, this all-terrain multi-mission aircraft is used worldwide by air-taxi, recreational and leisure operators, along with businesses, pilot-owners and humanitarian organizations.
"The Quest Aircraft Company's acquisition represents an additional step in our development in the United States and an overall strengthening of our aircraft manufacturing business," said Daher CEO Didier Kayat. "In addition to making Daher the world's seventh largest aircraft manufacturer in business aviation, it provides us with our first industrial site in the United States, thereby reinforcing Daher's position as a Tier-1 aerospace equipment and systems manufacturer, as well as a logistics and services provider. This key acquisition for Daher is perfectly aligned with the strategy of intensifying our company's links with the North American market's leading aerospace players."
In addition to its development and purchasing synergies, the Quest Aircraft Company's acquisition offers excellent commercial, technological and geographical complementarities. With more than 150 years of know-how, Daher now intends to invest in this production platform to offer an enhanced services and sales network.
Daher Chairman Patrick Daher stated: "Quest was built on a foundation of values that are common to our two companies, with a focus on excellence and with the commitment to a high-quality, extremely robust product. As a powerful and maneuverable aircraft – used particularly for humanitarian missions to provide aid to isolated communities – the Kodiak 100 perfectly complements our TBM product range and is fully in line with Daher's long-term vision as a company committed to the future of aviation."
The family-owned Daher Group ultimately plans to develop synergies with the two aircraft product lines, introducing technologies and functionalities for the Kodiak aircraft that have contributed to the successes achieved by the TBM.
"The Kodiak 100 is an aviator's aircraft, just like the members of our TBM family, and we are happy to bring together two communities of passionate pilots and operators with the acquisition of Quest," explained Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of the Daher Aircraft Business Unit. "We also are particularly pleased to welcome the 240 employees based in Sandpoint, Idaho to the Daher Group."
Robert Wells the Quest Aircraft Company's CEO said: "The know-how of Quest and Daher opens the potential for rapid growth, with the combined operation becoming a key international player. Our teams share the values for craftsmanship and quality, as underscored by Quest's motto: 'Built by hand in Sandpoint, Idaho.'"
The acquisition's closing is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, subject to approval by the appropriate authorities in both countries.
About Daher – www.daher.com
Daher is an aircraft manufacturer and an industry and service equipment supplier. Daher asserts its leadership in three main businesses – aircraft manufacturing, aerospace equipment and systems, logistics and supply chain services – and achieved a turnover of 1.2 billion euros in 2018. With the stability provided by its family ownership, Daher has been committed to innovation since its creation in 1863.
Today, present in 12 countries, Daher is a leader in Industry 4.0, designing and developing value-added solutions for its industrial partners.
New Air Force One Jets To Have 1,200 Nautical Miles Less Range Than Originally Required - The Drive
[photo & video] EmbraerX Unveils New Flying Vehicle Concept for Future Urban Air Mobility
https://youtu.be/39DFuvU_PwY
press release 11.06.19
EmbraerX unveils today a new electric flying vehicle concept during Uber Elevate Summit 2019 in Washington, D.C. The event convenes a global community of manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and government officials, all working to make the urban aerial ridesharing vision a reality. The aircraft concept, with electric vertical take-off and landing capability, known as eVTOL, is part of the EmbraerX multi-project approach. Embraer’s disruptive business subsidiary is working on a collaborative effort to enable and accelerate the urban mobility ecosystem. “As a market accelerator committed to developing solutions to transform life’s experiences, we have been combining human-centered design thinking with our 50-year history of building and engineering expertise in a unique manner. These are the factors behind the technical progress and leading-edge innovations we are bringing to this new eVTOL concept,” said Antonio Campello, President & CEO, EmbraerX. EmbraerX’s human-centric approach has been instrumental in the eVTOL project, focused on user experience and passenger peace of mind, with the goal of making the aircraft easily accessible to every person. This new aircraft concept results from a broad range of tests and simulations, aiming at operational optimization for the urban environment, considering high reliability, low operating costs, a lower noise footprint, fully electric powered and progressively autonomous. "Embraer's team focused on the customer experience with their latest vehicle concept, using built-in redundant systems to achieve optimal safety, while also achieving low noise output with an eight rotor system, which enables span-wise lift. Our team looks forward to continued collaboration with the Embraer team to achieve a quiet, green, and safe, aerial ridesharing vehicle," said Mark Moore, Engineering Director of Aviation, Uber. EmbraerX is also engaged in a variety of tailored solutions for the ecosystem, including a new business platform, named Beacon, designed to foster collaboration and synchronize aviation services companies and professionals in a streamlined and more agile way, to keep aircraft flying. Additionally, in partnership with dozens of air traffic controllers, academics, pilots and industry experts, EmbraerX has proposed a very practical, simple and robust urban air space design to allow more aircraft to fly in urban environments. Read more...
Airbus partners with United Airlines to manage aircraft data and enhance predictive maintenance capabilities
press release
United Airlines has become the latest U.S. airline to connect to Airbus’ open-data platform, Skywise, following an agreement recently signed between the airline and Airbus. United will leverage Skywise to enhance all aspects of its maintenance and engineering operations on its Airbus fleet.
With flexible and visual tools, Skywise enables airlines to store, access, manage and analyse data more efficiently while also benchmarking against other airline users’ trends. Skywise provides all technology elements in one place, including data warehousing, visualisation, alerting, and even machine learning packages, allowing United and other airlines to nimbly develop and deploy their own analytical products.
In addition, Skywise seamlessly connects with the data integration platform, Palantir Foundry. United began using this platform in 2018, and the combination of Palantir Foundry and Airbus’ Skywise will provide United with the data and tools to enhance its operational reliability.
“We are proud to partner with Airbus and Palantir on this new data platform, which will allow us to maximise the performance of our Airbus fleet by analysing the best data we have available and using those insights to continuously improve our operation,” said Praveen Sharma, United’s Vice President of Digital Products and Analytics.
Marc Fontaine, Airbus’ Digital Transformation Officer said, “Skywise will bring significant value by unlocking data, which will power operational efficiency in aircraft maintenance and flight operations for United Airlines’ fleet.” He added, “By extending Skywise to other company business functions, with Palantir, the potential for United will be even bigger.”
Launched in 2017, Skywise is fast becoming the platform of reference used by all major aviation players to improve operational performance, ensuring complete data continuity with benefits across the entire value chain. Today, over 70 airlines around the world are connected to Skywise.
Skywise provides all users with one single access point to their aggregated and anonymised aviation data, enriched from multiple sources across the industry into one secure, cloud-based platform. The more data that airlines or OEMs share into the Skywise Core platform, the more accurate the predictions and models for customers connected.
#Airbus @united @PalantirTech #Skywise
For more information:
https://www.airbus.com/aircraft/support-services/skywise.html
https://www.airbus.com/aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a350xwb-family/a350-900.html
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