Boeing told to rename Max to allay concerns once flight resumes

jueves, 23 de enero de 2020

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Boeing told to rename Max to allay concerns once flight resumes

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Boeing seeks to borrow $10 billion or more amid 737 MAX crisis

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Commercial Aviation Fatalities Fell In 2019. But There Were More Aircraft Involved In Fatal Accidents

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Bell Boeing CMV-22B Osprey (C-2A Greyhound replacement) Successfully Completes First Flight

press release

he first CMV-22B Osprey, built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, completed first flight operations at Bell's Amarillo Assembly Center. The CMV-22B is the latest variant of the tiltrotor fleet, joining the MV-22 and CV-22 used by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force.

The U.S. Navy will use the CMV-22B to replace the C-2A Greyhound for transporting personnel, mail, supplies and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea. Bell Boeing designed the Navy variant specifically for carrier fleet operations by providing increased fuel capacity for the extended range requirement. The mission flexibility of the Osprey will increase operational capabilities and readiness, in addition to ferrying major components of the F-35 engine.

"With the ability to travel up to 1,150 nautical miles, the CMV-22B will be a lifeline for our servicemen and women out at sea," said Kristin Houston, vice president, Boeing Tiltrotor Programs and director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program. "The quality and safety built into this aircraft will revolutionize the way the U.S. Navy fulfills its critical carrier onboard delivery mission."

Bell Boeing will deliver the first CMV-22B to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 in early 2020 for developmental test.

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

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Moon, Mars and beyond: Space exploration highlights coming up in 2020

Moon, Mars and beyond: Space exploration highlights coming up in 2020
https://newatlas.com/space/space-exploration-launches-2020/

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Three firefighters dead after Large Air Tanker crashes while fighting bushfires in southern NSW - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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ARJ21 wins First Prize for 2019 State Scientific and Technological Progress Award

press release

The Awarding Ceremony of State Science and Technology Awards was solemnly held in Beijing on January 10th, 2020. The China-made regional jet ARJ21 won the First Prize for 2019 State Scientific and Technological Progress Award. This is the highest award that ARJ21 aircraft program has received so far.

The State Scientific and Technological Progress Award is one of the five State Science and Technology Awards established by the State Council, and is conferred on citizens or organizations that have made outstanding contribution in technical research, technological development, technical innovation, applying and disseminating advanced scientific and technological achievements, promoting the industrialization of high and new technology, or completing major scientific and technological projects, plans and programs. It is divided into the Special Prize, the First Prize and the Second Prize.

ARJ21 aircraft is the first self-developed turbofan regional jet with independent intellectual property right. The program was approved by the state in April 2002. ARJ21 aircraft completed its maiden flight on November 28th, 2008, and obtained Type Certificate (TC) from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on December 30th, 2014. The first ARJ21 aircraft was delivered to Chengdu Airlines on November 29th, 2015, and successfully completed the maiden trip on June 28th, 2016, which breaks the situation of there being no China-made jets on Chinese airlines. With the development of ARJ21 aircraft, China has gone through the entire process of design, manufacturing, testing, flight test, batch production, delivery and operation of a jet, mastered the core technologies for the research and development of transport category civil jets, filled in the gap of the whole-course practice of transport category jets independently developed by China, achieved great improvement in the integrated innovation capability of transport category jets in China's aviation industry, and further solidified the foundation for the development of China's civil aircraft industry.

After more than ten years of arduous exploration and independent innovation, ARJ program team has established a systematic and complete civil aircraft airworthiness design and verification technology system for the first time in China; solved the technical problem of inter-system interconnection security evaluation; overcame the technical difficulties in special risk verification, such as both engine failure, tire burst, bird strike and engine rotor burst; made breakthroughs in analysis and test verification technologies in extremely complicated meteorological conditions such as icing, contaminated runway, crosswind, high temperature and extreme cold; acquired the knowledge of a number of key verification flight test technologies such as high horizontal tail aircraft stall, minimum lift-off speed, landing gear shimmy, flight control fault simulation and functional reliability; and filled in multiple gaps in China's aviation industry. The ARJ21 aircraft program has obtained 140 invention patents, proposed 59 international and national standards, 6,778 enterprise/industry standards, and won 117 provincial and ministerial scientific and technological awards.

ARJ21 aircraft program was launched on the basis that there is no civil aircraft model task in China for many years and there is serious brain drain, designers and managers have insufficient research and understanding of aircraft certification regulations and aircraft operation regulations, and there is almost no preliminary research, therefore the technology span is far greater than just one generation of aircraft. During the airworthiness certification phase, ARJ21 aircraft completed a total of 300 ground test items and 528 verification flight test items, accumulated 2,942 sorties of flight test and 5,258 flight hours, closed 398 airworthiness provisions, and completed 3,418 compliance reports.

As a "pioneer" for domestic commercial aircraft, ARJ21 aircraft has led to the formation of an airworthiness review system that complies with international standards and the airworthiness review capability of transport category civil jets. Enterprises, colleges and universities in many provinces and cities across the country has participated in the research and development of the program, which drives the development of the whole industry chain of "industry, university and research", and promotes the formation of an aviation industry cluster covering aircraft material suppliers, aircraft part suppliers, aircraft final assembly plants, maintenance and service providers, and aviation service providers.

The ARJ21 aircraft of Chengdu Airlines began to operate in the international round-trip route between Harbin and Vladivostok on October 26th, 2019, which was the first time for a China-made aircraft to fly abroad, and the commercial operation of ARJ21 aircraft has gotten a new leap. Up to now, a total of 22 ARJ21 aircraft have been delivered to customers, and the aircraft have successively operated in more than 37 routes in more than 38 cities, and carried more than 690,000 passengers.

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Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer drone completes first flight

  • The new Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS), the largest Leonardo has ever built, has successfully undergone its first test flight
  • The Falco Xplorer offers persistent, multi-sensor strategic surveillance for military and civil customers, either as an integrated product or as a managed service
  • Leonardo is a global leader in unmanned technology, with expertise across aircraft, sensors, mission systems and ground control stations
  • Leonardo and the Italian Air Force's long-standing cooperative relationship is embodied by the technical and engineering support delivered by ITAF Test Flight Centre


Leonardo has announced the maiden flight of its new Falco Xplorer drone aircraft. Falco Xplorer S/N0001 took off from Trapani Air Force base on January 15, cruised over the Gulf of Trapani in a dedicated fly zone, for around 60 minutes and then returned to base, landing safely. The maiden flight is a significant milestone which has been achieved through technical and engineering support, at the test flight planning stages and with other related activities, by the Italian Air Force Test Flight Centre. The Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS), which combines endurance of over 24h with a max payload of 350kg, will now embark on a series of flight campaigns which will assess the aircraft's full range of capabilities including its integrated sensor system. These campaigns will also certify the Falco Xplorer against NATO's airworthiness STANAG 4671, dramatically expanding the territory over which it can operate.

The Falco Xplorer was first unveiled at last year's Paris Air Show. It has been designed to offer persistent, multi-sensor strategic surveillance to military and civil customers and can be procured as either an integrated system or as a fully-managed information-superiority service, flown and operated by Leonardo. With a maximum take-off weight of 1.3 tons and an operating ceiling above 24,000ft, the aircraft is an affordable and potent option for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).

Previous Falco variants have been chosen by the United Nations and Frontex, the European border and coastguard agency. The Falco Xplorer design draws on feedback from these and other Falco customers. It features a powerful sensor suite, which includes the Company's Gabbiano T-80 multi-mode surveillance radar, its SAGE electronic intelligence system, an automatic identification system for maritime missions and an Electro-Optical (EO) turret. An optional hyperspectral sensor will allow the Falco Xplorer to monitor pollution and agricultural development. The native satellite link capability allows for beyond-line-of-sight operations, while its open system architecture means that third-party sensors can be easily integrated. Not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions and meeting the criteria for Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) class II, Falco Xplorer is readily exportable around the world.

The Falco Xplorer is designed by Leonardo, from the aircraft to its sensor suite, mission system and ground control station, making the company a 'one-stop-shop' for unmanned capabilities. Advantages of this approach include the ability to offer competitive pricing and the ability to draw on knowledge and experience from across the business to tailor a Falco Xplorer package to the precise needs of customers, whether in terms of technology or commercial arrangements.

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Lockheed Martin Launches First Smart Satellite Enabling Space Mesh Networking


https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2020-01-16-Lockheed-Martin-Launches-First-Smart-Satellite-Enabling-Space-Mesh-Networking

Experimental nanosat payload developed in nine months tests new software-defined mission, on-board multi-core processing and orbital cloud communications

A new era of space-based computing is now being tested in-orbit that will enable artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud networking and advanced satellite communications in a robust new software-defined architecture. Recently, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) launched the Pony Express 1 mission as a hosted payload on Tyvak-0129, a next-generation Tyvak 6U spacecraft.

"Early on-orbit data show Pony Express 1 is performing its important pathfinding mission very well. Lockheed Martin's HiveStar™ technology on board will give our customers unparalleled speed, resiliency and flexibility for their changing mission needs by unlocking even greater processing power in space," said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space. "This is the first of several rapid, self-funded experiments demonstrating our ability to systematically accelerate our customers' speed to mission while reducing risk from new technologies."

Pony Express 1, an example of rapid prototyping, was developed, built and integrated in nine months, and was funded completely by Lockheed Martin Research and Development funding. This orbital proving ground is validating payload hardware and software, and is packed with new technology that fits into a satellite the size of a shoebox. Some of the key technologies being flight-tested include:

HiveStar™ software validates advanced adaptive mesh communications between satellites, shared processing capabilities and can take advantage of sensors aboard other smart satellites to customize missions in new ways previously difficult to achieve in space.
A software-defined radio that allows for high-bandwidth hosting of multiple RF applications, store-and-forward RF collection, data compression, digital signal processing and waveform transmission.
3D-printed wideband antenna housing developed by Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center.

Pony Express 1 is a dual-use payload that enables mesh networks in space through HiveStar™ and a second function that tests space to ground remote sensing. Future research missions this year, like Pony Express 2, will further advance cloud networking concepts among satellites, as well as validating Lockheed Martin's SmartSat™ software-defined satellite architecture which enables streamlined hosting of flexible mission apps. This mission consists of two 12U cubesats with faster, more capable ultra-scale processors that unlock in-orbit data analytics and artificial intelligence. Equipped with miniaturized cross-link and precision timing, Pony Express 2 is a trailblazer for autonomous teaming in space and true cloud networking.

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 Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc., a Terran Orbital corporation
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Irvine, California, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. is an industry leader, delivering optimized, end-to-end nano- and microsatellite solutions. Trusted by civil, defense and commercial organizations, the Company leverages expertise, low-cost operating infrastructure, and the limitless opportunities of satellite miniaturization to achieve timely and economical mission success. Through its global ground station network, Tyvak provides worldwide coverage for on-orbit operations around the clock. For more information, please visit https://www.tyvak.com/

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U.S. Army and Air Force Team up for Multi-Domain Operations

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2020-01-21-U-S-Army-and-Air-Force-Team-up-for-Multi-Domain-Operations

Two U.S. Air Force F-35s were integrated with the U.S. Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), providing an airborne sensor capability to successfully detect, track and intercept near simultaneous air-breathing threats in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The December 2019 test marked the first time F-35s were used as sensors during an IBCS live fire test against multiple airborne targets.

Linking F-35s to IBCS via the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) provided enhanced situational awareness and weapons-quality track data to engage airborne targets. The proof of concept demonstration used experimental equipment developed by Lockheed Martin, including the Harvest Lightning Ground Station and IBCS adaptation kit (A-Kit).

"The F-35's advanced sensors and connectivity enable it to gather, analyze and seamlessly share critical information with the joint fighting force to lead the multi-domain battlespace," said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "This test validated the F-35's capability to serve as an airborne sensor and extend the range of critical Integrated Air and Missile Defense interceptors."

"This test represents a major milestone for multi-domain operations by leveraging airborne assets to detect and track threats that can then be countered with ground-based effectors. This demonstrates a tremendous capability to defeat threats that are terrain masked or beyond ground-based sensor detection capabilities due to terrain and curvature of the earth," said Jay Pitman, vice president, Lower Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

This test is the latest in a series of successful activities to demonstrate the F-35's role as the keystone of the joint force. Lockheed Martin is evolving technologies that connect, share and learn to create a holistic network that provides unprecedented situational awareness across the battlespace and enables Multi-Domain Operations.

For additional information, visit our https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/multi-domain-operations.html.

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Airbus displays its customer-centric solutions at Heli-Expo 2020

Airbus' press release


Airbus Helicopters will be showcasing its civil range of helicopters at Heli-Expo 2020, which runs from 28-30 January at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Centre-stage on booth 3432 will be an H125, an ACH130 Aston Martin Edition, and an H175. The H125 will be displayed with the company's latest improvements destined to better serve aerial work operations. Following the success of Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) since its launch in 2017 as the dedicated Private & Business Aviation helicopter platform, particularly with the ACH145 and ACH160, Airbus has renewed its offer for the ACH130 by partnering with Aston Martin, the epitome of automotive art. The H175 on the booth will be displayed in an offshore transportation configuration. In addition, an H160 immersive experience will highlight the helicopter's breakthrough innovations in three of its major missions – offshore transportation, private and business aviation, and emergency medical services, as well as its digital support concept.

"Customer centricity is the focus of our display at Heli-Expo this year, as it is for our operations on a daily basis," said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. "The continuous product improvements and service enhancements being implemented on our wide range of aircraft are intended to provide value to our customers and to facilitate the varying missions of our helicopters all over the world."

Committed to accompanying customers long after an aircraft is first delivered, Airbus will present its latest selection of support and service enhancements at the HCare corner, where visitors can learn more about the new online customer portal, digital services, analytics, training, and HCare global contracts. These offers, among others, enable customers to increase availability and mission success, optimise their costs, lower the maintenance burden, enhance safety and sustain the value of their assets.

In addition, the Airbus Helicopters static display, adjacent to the booth, will feature an AS332 from Heli Austria in a firefighting configuration, an H125 from Brainerd Helicopters in an aerial work configuration and an H125 from LAPD in a law enforcement configuration, an H145 from San Diego Gas & Electric, and last but not least, the Vahana demonstrator, having just completed its flight test campaign.  On the flight line at Heli-Expo, customers can experience a demo in an H125 equipped with the new Garmin TXi TM avionics, an H135, and an ACH130 with a bespoke interior.

Stay tuned for updates by following us on Twitter: @AirbusHeli, @AirbusHeli_usa, @AirbusPress, Instagram @airbus_helicopters and Facebook @AirbusHelicopters, @AirbusHelicoptersInc. Showgoers can also download the Airbus Press news app available for Android and Apple devices to keep up with all of the news during the show.

Don't miss the Airbus booth 3432 in Hall B.

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Airbus to add A321 production capabilities in Toulouse

Airbus' press release

Following its strategy to keep its overall production system at the leading edge of technology and to increase industrial capacity and flexibility, Airbus has decided to create new A321 production capabilities at its site in Toulouse.

By mid-2022 the current A380 Lagardère facility in Toulouse will accommodate a digitally-enabled A321 line as a step to modernise the A320 production system in Toulouse. The new facilities will provide more flexibility for A321 production, while keeping the overall single-aisle industrial capacity in Toulouse flat.

"We are enjoying an unprecedented high demand for our winning A320neo Family and especially its A321 Long Range (LR) and Xtra Long Range (XLR) derivatives," said Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. "In order to optimise the industrial flow, we have decided to increase our global A321 production capacity and flexibility as well as to establish a next generation Final Assembly Line in Toulouse."

Currently, the only European Final Assembly Line to assemble A321s is at Airbus' Hamburg site. In addition, the A321 is also being assembled and delivered from Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Toulouse was selected for several reasons such as: overall competitiveness, time to market, investment cost, available floor space and resources. The decision has been communicated to Airbus' social partners.

The A320neo Family is the world's best-selling single aisle with over 7,100 aircraft sold to over 110 customers. Within this family, the A321XLR is the latest evolutionary step which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm and a 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft. For passengers, the A321XLR's new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on a long-haul wide-body, with the low costs of a single-aisle aircraft.

#A321 #A321XLR   #WeMakeItFly

 

For further information about A320neo family, please click here and more about A321LR and A321XLR.


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Airbus to showcase world-class technology at DefExpo

Airbus' press release

Airbus will showcase its best-in-class military products and cutting-edge defence technologies at the DefExpo airshow between February 5 and 8, 2020, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Airbus' exhibits at the show will demonstrate its capabilities and commitment to kick-start a defence industrial base in the country.          

Airbus will exhibit at Stand S46, Hall 07. Visitors to the stand will find scale models of the highly versatile C295 aircraft which is proven around the world as a tough, reliable and high-performance workhorse with outstanding lifecycle costs and excellent performance on short or unpaved runways. Airbus has bid to manufacture the C295 in India together with Tata Advanced Systems. The visitors will also learn about the combat-proven A330 MRTT, the only new generation aerial refueller in full service today.

In addition, exhibits of the AS565 MBe Panther, the H145M and the H225M helicopters will be on display. Airbus has offered to build the Panther or the H145M in India under the government's Strategic Partnership (SP) model for the Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) programme. The H225M has been offered as part of the Naval Multi Role Helicopter (NMRH) programme. Designed to cater to all the needs of India's armed forces, these helicopters would be produced in India in partnership with Mahindra Defence.

"Airbus is uniquely placed to participate in the ambitious growth journey of the Indian defence industry and take it to new heights. DefExpo is a key platform to showcase our commitment to the country's ever-growing aerospace and defence needs," said Anand Stanley, President & Managing Director, Airbus India & South Asia.

The several defence projects that Airbus India is participating in will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, skilling of people, technology absorption and will catalyse the local supplier base. Airbus currently works with more than 45 suppliers in India, and the annual procurement from them is worth more than $650 million. Airbus' network of dedicated Indian suppliers provides engineering and IT services, aerostructures and materials for several of Airbus' leading aircraft. Over 7,000 people, including 1,500 engineers, are currently employed across Airbus projects in the country.

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Boeing Statement on 737 MAX Return to Service

Boeing's press release

As we have emphasized, the FAA and other global regulators will determine when the 737 MAX returns to service. However, in order to help our customers and suppliers plan their operations, we periodically provide them with our best estimate of when regulators will begin to authorize the ungrounding of the 737 MAX.

We are informing our customers and suppliers that we are currently estimating that the ungrounding of the 737 MAX will begin during mid-2020. This updated estimate is informed by our experience to date with the certification process. It is subject to our ongoing attempts to address known schedule risks and further developments that may arise in connection with the certification process. It also accounts for the rigorous scrutiny that regulatory authorities are rightly applying at every step of their review of the 737 MAX's flight control system and the Joint Operations Evaluation Board process which determines pilot training requirements.

Returning the MAX safely to service is our number one priority, and we are confident that will happen. We acknowledge and regret the continued difficulties that the grounding of the 737 MAX has presented to our customers, our regulators, our suppliers, and the flying public. We will provide additional information about our efforts to safely return the 737 MAX to service in connection with our quarterly financial disclosures next week.


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Wolrd Championship Air Race: Re-Inventing the Air Races

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European Plan for Aviation Safety 2020-2024 published

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