Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Complete Second, Third Flights of X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System. Flight Envelope Expansion Begins

jueves, 17 de marzo de 2011

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., March 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Less than a month after completing the first flight of the U.S. Navy's X-47B UCAS-Demonstration aircraft, flight test engineers from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the Navy have successfully completed the aircraft's second and third flights.

The flights, both conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, mark the beginning of a process called envelope expansion during which the test team will begin proving that the tailless aircraft can perform safely over a broad range of altitudes, air speeds and operating weights.

During the X-47B's 39-minute second flight on March 1, the aircraft flew to an altitude of 7,500 feet at speeds up to 200 knots. During its 41-minute third flight on March 4, the aircraft reached an altitude of 7,500 feet and a top speed of 180 knots. By comparison, the X-47B flew only to 5,000 feet at a top speed of 180 knots during its first flight Feb 4.

"Conducting two flights of a brand new type of aircraft within one week, and both within a month of first flight speaks not only to the robust design of the X-47B aircraft, but also to the dedication and engineering skills of the joint UCAS-D flight test team," said Janis Pamiljans, vice president for the Navy UCAS program for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "These flights continue to add momentum to the team's march toward demonstrating in 2013 that we can safely operate this tailless, low-observable-relevant air system on a Navy aircraft carrier."

According to Phil Saunders, chief engineer for Northrop Grumman's Navy UCAS program, envelope expansion is designed to fully characterize the aircraft's flying qualities and prove that they match the system's performance requirements and the test team's predictions.

"Over the next few flights, we'll continue to expand the envelope in terms of air speed, altitude and operating weight range," he said. "By gradually ramping up the complexity of requirements, we will systematically prove that this air system can safely take off, fly and land in all anticipated flight environments."

Northrop Grumman and the Navy expect to complete the planned 49-flight envelope expansion program at Edwards Air Force Base before moving the first X-47B to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., later this year, he added.

One of the most important measures of performance, Saunders explains, is aircraft stability. The X-47B, which relies on high-speed computers to manage its flight control surfaces, must be able to adjust quickly and automatically to unpredictable environmental conditions such as air turbulence or cross winds. The recent test flights included a series of maneuvers designed to measure the aircraft's ability to maintain a smooth, level flying state in the presence of such conditions.

The flight tests also confirmed that the X-47B's flush mounted air data system – a nod to its low-observable-relevant design – is accurately sensing and communicating the aircraft's air speed, a critical factor in takeoff and landing.

In addition, the flight tests gave the team the opportunity to validate the aircraft's engine performance; its command and control system, and its ability to fly at a constant angle of attack and a constant rate of descent while on final approach to landing, simulating what it will have to do to make successful landing on an aircraft carrier.

The Navy awarded the UCAS-D prime contract to Northrop Grumman in August 2007. The six-year contract calls for the development of two X-47B fighter-sized aircraft. The program will demonstrate the first-ever carrier launches and recoveries by a tailless, unmanned aircraft. Autonomous aerial refueling will also be performed after carrier integration and at-sea trials.

Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D industry team includes GKN Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Eaton, GE, Hamilton Sundstrand, Dell, Honeywell, Goodrich, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins.

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Lufthansa Supervisory Board approves purchase of 30 A320neo Family aircraft, and 777 as frigther

A320.

Fuel-efficient new aircraft will fit seamlessly into Lufthansa's fleet and strategy

16 March 2011 Press Release

Lufthansa's Supervisory Board has approved the acquisition of 30 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft worth approximately US$2.8 billion. The order comprises 25 A320neo and five A321neo aircraft. With this latest selection the Lufthansa Group, Airbus's biggest airline customer, will have acquired a combined total of 443 Airbus aircraft. The engine decision will be announced by the airline at a later date.

The A320neo incorporates new more efficient engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. This will represent some 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft, per year. In addition, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise, thus being a good neighbour at any airport where Lufthansa is operating the aircraft.

"We salute Lufthansa's decision for sustainable growth with our eco-efficient A320neo aircraft, which will fit seamlessly into its Airbus A320 fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "Since its launch in December last year, the 'neo' has taken the market by storm and has already attracted more than 330 commitments – with more to come. This represents the fastest rate of sales for any commercial aircraft ever."

Today the Lufthansa Group is Airbus' biggest operator worldwide with around 339 Airbus aircraft currently in service. These include: 236 A320 Family; 33 A330s; 65 A340s; and five A380s delivered. In addition to this latest decision for 30 aircraft, the Lufthansa Group has an order backlog which includes 60 A320 Family aircraft, eight A330s, and 10 A380s.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Almost 7,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and over 4,500 delivered to more than 320 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo will have over 95 percent airframe commonality with the existing models making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload. Engines offered on the A320neo are CFM International's LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G.




777

SEATTLE, March 16, 2011 – Boeing (NYSE: BA) is delighted that Lufthansa has selected the 777 freighter to support its global air freight operations.

The 777 freighter is a highly fuel-efficient airplane with low-noise emissions, meeting QC2 noise standards. The long-range and high-capacity 777 freighter features the lowest trip cost of any large freighter and will provide superior economics to Lufthansa.



PR Airbus & Boeing


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