miércoles, 9 de diciembre de 2020
AERION SUPERSONIC & AVION PACIFIC FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO ACCELERATE GROWTH IN ASIA PACIFIC - Aerion Supersonic
- Aerion expands sales network in China for its AS2 supersonic business jet
- Aerion & Avion Pacific sign strategic Asia Pacific marketing and sales agreement
- Aerion secure multi-aircraft order in China extending company's global order backlog for the AS2 to $6.5 billion+
martes, 8 de diciembre de 2020
lunes, 7 de diciembre de 2020
Paris Airshow cancelled in blow to aerospace recovery
domingo, 6 de diciembre de 2020
sábado, 5 de diciembre de 2020
Aevum Rolls Out Ravn X The World’s First Autonomous Launch Vehicle and the Largest Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aevum, Inc., a provider of comprehensive space logistics and autonomous launch services for lightweight payloads, is rolling out its Ravn X Autonomous Launch Vehicle today, the world’s largest Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), by mass, designed to deliver satellites to space as fast as every 180 minutes. Aevum’s customer and mission partner, The United States Space Force, will also take part in the Ravn X unveiling.
“Aevum is completely reimagining access to space. The current definition of rocket science doesn’t work for us. With Aevum, everyone will be able to say, ‘It is rocket science and I can do it.’ Aevum is pushing logistics to the next generation with software and automation technologies,” said Jay Skylus, founder and CEO of Aevum. “U.S. leadership has identified the critical need for extremely fast access to low Earth orbit. We’re faster than anybody. To me, space is merely a vantage point from which the next generation can commit global progress. Through our autonomous technologies, Aevum will shorten the lead time of launches from years to months, and when our customers demand it, minutes. This is necessary to improve lives on Earth. This is necessary to save lives.”
“I’m excited to see the bold innovation and responsiveness in development today by our small launch industry partners to support emerging warfighter needs,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Rose, Chief of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Small Launch and Targets Division at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “The U.S. Space Force is proactively partnering with industry to support U.S. space superiority objectives. Having a robust U.S. industry providing responsive launch capability is key to ensuring the U.S. Space Force can respond to future threats.”
Aevum has developed what is being credited as an entirely new paradigm for space access: Autonomous Launch. Autonomous Launch, unlike ground launch or air launch, involves a global, fully-autonomous, self-flying, self-managing, self-operating intelligent system of systems, called the autonomous launch architecture, working in concert to deliver payloads from any terrestrial origin to any space destination in low Earth orbit. The autonomous launch architecture optimizes every launch, taking into account variables including weather conditions, air traffic, orbital destination, payload weight, ground crew schedules, and other complex logistics processes to provide an end-to-end seamless service, autonomously. Critical to the Autonomous Launch architecture is the autonomous launch vehicle (AuLV), which flies itself without a pilot and only requires a one-mile runway and an 8,000 sf hangar for operation. AuLV’s use jet fuel and work exactly like an airplane.
With its fleet of autonomous Ravn X vehicles, Aevum will offer on-demand scheduling of precision orbital deliveries, as fast as every 180 minutes, 24/7, with no risk to human life. Ravn X is the only small launch vehicle that has been built from the ground up as reusable - 70% reusable out of the gate, it will be up to 95% reusable in the near future. After making its delivery to low Earth orbit, the UAS simply returns to Earth, autonomously landing safely on a runway and parking itself in the hangar.
The autonomous launch paradigm dramatically lowers the barrier for space access, in time, cost, and customer experience, and accelerates improvements in billion-dollar industries such as logistics, intelligence, defense, e-commerce, advanced analytics, climate change and weather monitoring, agriculture, IoT and more.
Already profitable and generating revenue, Aevum is on track for first launch with the U.S. Space Force and its ASLON-45 mission.
Relevant Ravn X Facts Include:
- Ravn X is 80 ft. long, has a 60 ft. wingspan, is 18 ft. tall and has a gross takeoff weight of 55,000 lbs.
- Ravn X is the only small launch vehicle that has been designed and built from the ground up as reusable. 70% reusable out of the gate, it will be up to 95% reusable in the near future
- Virtually weather agnostic, Aevum offers 96% availability to space per year and minimal delays
- Aevum doesn’t need to build or maintain a launch site. Ravn X can launch from any 1-mile runway; the entire vehicle also uses the same jet fuel as an airplane, Jet A
- All of Aevum’s products and technologies are 100% designed and built in the U.S.A.
See the roll out
Aevum Contracts:
Aevum has been awarded prestigious government contracts totaling over $1 billion including the upcoming ASLON-45 mission with the United States Space Force. ASLON-45 is the first formal small launch mission contracted by the U.S. Space Force under its SRP-O program. Other active contracts include an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract for rapid launch and space logistics, a broad scope, under a special topic developed for rapid transition of the SBIR program which includes sole-source eligibility for Aevum, a nod to Aevum's unique value proposition to the government market relative to other small launch companies.
In addition, USAF Space and Missile Systems Center's Launch Enterprise Small Launch and Targets Division awarded Aevum its Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, giving Aevum the ability to compete for 20 missions over a 9-year period.
The sum-total value of these 20 missions is $986 million. With the OSP-4 IDIQ, Aevum stands alongside some of the most well recognized and established players in the industry to support the USAF with flexible and responsive launch services.
About Aevum, Inc.
Aevum is provider of comprehensive space logistics and autonomous launch services for lightweight payloads serving both government and commercial customers worldwide. Aevum automates the entire mission management and delivery process of payloads into low Earth orbit. Learn more at www.aevumspace.com.
viernes, 4 de diciembre de 2020
Miniaturization of robots that fly on beetles' wings | Science
Summary
For centuries, humans have been fascinated by flight. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) meshed his skills as an artist, biologist, and engineer to sketch designs for flying machines modeled after bird and bat anatomy. Today, multidisciplinary scientists work systematically from investigating biological prototypes to conducting flight performance tests on new bionic robots. On page 1214 of this issue, Phan and Park (1) describe how they used biology, robotics, and a little bit of art to design a new miniaturized micro air vehicle (MAV) that is bioinspired by the rhinoceros beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma). Their MAV mimics the beetle's hindwings, which have origami-like folds that allow the insect to recover from flight collision.
jueves, 3 de diciembre de 2020
miércoles, 2 de diciembre de 2020
Airbus VSR700 Makes ATOLs from Moving Deck
VSR700 achieves autonomous takeoff and landing from moving platform
martes, 1 de diciembre de 2020
Clean Sky VirtualFair
Embraer delivers the first modernized E-99 jet to the Brazilian Air Force
Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, November 27, 2020 – In a ceremony held today at the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto (São Paulo, Brazil), Embraer delivered the first modernized EMB 145 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control), designated E-99, to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Four additional E-99 aircraft will be modernized as part of the contract.
“For Embraer, it is a privilege to continue meeting FAB’s needs to keep this robust and modern aircraft updated. It plays a strategic role in Brazil's defense system and has already proven its operational effectiveness,” said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “As part of Embraer's growth strategy for the coming years, we have invested in diversifying our business portfolio of defense and security with innovative solutions to better meet the defense global market needs, which goes far beyond our jets.”
The mission systems and related subsystems, including electronic warfare, command and control, electronic countermeasures, and aerial surveillance radar were updated as part of the modernization process, expanding FAB's capacity to carry out Flight Control and Alarm missions and Electronic Reconnaissance, among others.
The E-99M project is conducted by COPAC with support from Embraer and various international suppliers, such as SAAB, Aeroelectronica International (AELI), and Rohde & Schwarz. In addition to modernization, the project entails technology transfer agreements that will enable technological advancements for the Brazilian defense industry.
Atech, an Embraer Defense and Security company, participates in the development of the command and control system. Six mission planning and analysis stations were also acquired, which will be used for the training and improvement of crews.
Built on the successful ERJ 145 regional jet platform, with more than 1,200 units delivered and 30 million flight hours, the FAB E-99 aircraft can detect, track, and identify targets in their patrol area and transmit this information to allied forces. The aircraft can also perform airspace management, fighter positioning and interception control, signals intelligence, and surveillance missions.
About Embraer
A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
Embraer delivers first of Praetor 600 fleet to Flexjet, the Praetor fleet launch customer
Melbourne, Florida, November 30, 2020 — Embraer has delivered the first jet in a fleet of Praetor 600s to Flexjet. The aircraft will be used for the company’s burgeoning operations in Europe. Flexjet is the Praetor fleet launch customer, having received the first-ever Praetor 500 less than a year ago, in December 2019. The deal, valued at up to $1.4 billion, was announced at NBAA-BACE 2019 and comprises a fleet of Praetor 600s, Praetor 500s, and Phenom 300s.
“We are honored to further execute on our commitment to Flexjet, our esteemed partner of over 17 years, with the delivery of this first Praetor 600 to our long-standing fleet customer,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “It’s a privilege to collaborate on the introduction of not only the most disruptive and technologically advanced super-midsize jet in the world but also on delivering the ultimate experience in business aviation to Flexjet Owners in Europe.”
“We have spent the past three years laying the foundation to become a force in European private aviation, and we are proud to exceed the expectations of this valued market,” said Michael Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet. “The Praetor 600, with its unparalleled technology, comfort, and performance, marked by class-leading, intercontinental range, rounds out the fleet that will help us to meet every possible need and desire of Flexjet Owners in Europe.”
Embraer and Flexjet enjoy a long-standing, successful partnership. In 2003, Flight Options — which merged with Flexjet in 2015 — became the first fractional ownership program to introduce the Legacy Executive Jet. In 2010, they introduced the Phenom 300, and in 2012 the company took delivery of Embraer’s milestone 100th Phenom 300. Then in 2015, Flexjet became the first fractional provider to offer the Legacy 500, later taking delivery of Embraer’s milestone 1000th business jet — a Legacy 500 — in 2016. The Legacy 450 then joined the Flexjet fleet in 2016.
With Embraer’s commitment to continually improving each of the four aircraft in its industry-leading business jet portfolio, recent updates to the Praetors include enhancements for cabin safety — a standard HEPA air filter, the MicroShield 360™ cleaning solution, and electric lavatory pocket door — plus the certification of a synthetic vision guidance system (SVGS).
About the Praetor Jets
The Praetor 500 and the Praetor 600, both of which received FAA, EASA, and ANAC certifications less than one year after they were first announced at NBAA-BACE 2018, are the most technologically advanced aircraft in their categories. The Praetor 500 surpassed certification goals, achieving an intercontinental range of 3,340 nautical miles (6,186 km) with four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves. The Praetor 500 is the farthest- and fastest-flying midsize jet, capable of true North America corner-to-corner, nonstop flights, such as Miami to Seattle or Los Angeles to New York. Its sibling, the Praetor 600, is the farthest-flying super-midsize jet in the world, capable of nonstop flights from Paris to New York or São Paulo to Miami. With four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves, the Praetor 600 has intercontinental range of 4,018 nautical miles (7,441 km).
The Embraer DNA Design interior eloquently explores every dimension of the cabins of the Praetor jets, including a six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, with stone flooring, and a vacuum service lavatory. The class-exclusive turbulence reduction capability and 5,800-foot cabin altitude, complemented by a whisper-silent cabin, have set the highest standards in customer experience in both the midsize and super-midsize categories. The largest baggage compartment in the class is complemented by a generous wardrobe and a full vanity in the rear private lavatory.
Advanced technology throughout the cabin is also a trait of the Embraer DNA Design, beginning with the industry-exclusive Upper Tech Panel that displays flight information and offers cabin management features also available on personal devices through Honeywell Ovation Select. High-capacity, ultra-high-speed connectivity for all aboard is available through Viasat’s Ka-band, with speeds of up to 16Mbps and video streaming capability, another industry-exclusive in midsize jets.
About Embraer Executive Jets
Embraer is creating tomorrow’s world of bespoke private air travel today, utilizing industry-leading innovation, design, and technology — all the while incorporating sustainable practices. As a global company with more than 50 years in aerospace, Embraer delivers the ultimate experience in business aviation through aircraft that feature disruptive performance, comfort, and technology. Its portfolio consists of the Phenom 100EV, which offers the business aviation experience in its purest form; the Phenom 300E, which is the best-selling light jet for the past eight years straight; and the Praetor 500 and the Praetor 600, which with best-in-class flight range, are the most disruptive and technologically advanced midsize and super-midsize business jets, capable of continent-crossing and ocean-spanning missions, respectively. Every day, Embraer business aircraft operate around the globe, supported by a strong, responsive customer support network that’s top-ranked in service across the industry. For more information, visit executive.embraer.com.
EmbraerX and Airservices Australia release Concept of Operations for Urban Air Mobility
Melbourne, Australia – December 1, 2020 – EmbraerX, Embraer’s disruptive business subsidiary, and Airservices, Australia’s civil air navigation service provider, have developed a new concept of operations (CONOPS) for the air taxi market, also known as urban air mobility (UAM). Going forward, Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions, the new EmbraerX spin-off, will be responsible for this partnership with Airservices and for the development of Urban Air Traffic Management solutions.
Australia is one of the countries benefitting from this innovation revolution and is attracting industry interest and investment, largely due to strong government support and a world-leading aviation safety record. This CONOPS was created to help safely introduce and accelerate the growth of the UAM market in Australia.
“The creation of the UAM ecosystem requires innovative solutions, which is also a fundamental pillar of Embraer´s growth strategy for the coming years, and EmbraerX was built to address these needs,” said Daniel Moczydlower, President & CEO of EmbraerX. “Through this partnership, we are jointly embarking on the first steps toward Australia becoming one of the world’s first Urban Air Mobility markets.”
This CONOPS explores new and practical concepts to safely facilitate the introduction of the air taxi industry. Using the City of Melbourne, Australia as a model, the CONOPS examines how existing air traffic management solutions can initially enable UAM operations while simultaneously preparing for scale of operations through new traffic management technologies.
“This exciting initiative combines Airservices’ experience as the national airspace manager with the technical innovation of Embraer,” said Peter Curran, Chief Customer Experience and Strategy Officer at Airservices. “We have the responsibility of keeping our skies safe, and we are excited to leverage our significant expertise and operational capabilities in airspace management and partner with a global aviation expert to develop innovative solutions that ensure safe and equitable access to the urban airspace for a broad spectrum of aircraft, including conventional helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and eVTOL aircraft.”
The CONOPS leverages Airservices’ sophisticated simulation technology to demonstrate how air taxis could be integrated with existing airspace users in the highly complex Melbourne airspace. This level of simulation provides a scientific basis to the CONOPS.
David Rottblatt, Project Leader for EmbraerX’s Urban Air Traffic Management and appointed to be the future Vice President of Business Development for Eve said, “This CONOPS proposes a safe method for allowing the UAM industry in Australia to scale. Following this first critical step, we will start gathering feedback from industry stakeholders and the community to further inform how we can co-create this exciting future.”
To review the CONOPS in its entirety, visit https://embraerx.embraer.com/global/en/uatm.
Additionally, you have the option to review the CONOPS and provide your feedback here: https://engage.airservicesaustralia.com/urban-air-traffic-management-concept-of-operations
About Airservices Australia
Airservices Australia (Airservices) is a government-owned organisation providing safe, secure, efficient and environmentally-responsible services to the aviation industry. Airservices safely manages 11 per cent of the world’s airspace where there are more than four million aircraft movements carrying over 156 million passengers annually.
New airspace users such as drones (unmanned aircraft systems) and aerial taxis (urban air mobility operators) must be safely integrated into Australia’s overall air traffic management system. Airservices is developing innovative technological solutions and capability to provide new and valued airspace management services to its customers and emerging airspace users to keep Australian skies safe.
For more information, visit: https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/about-us/innovation-and-technology/future-airspace-management/
About Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions (Eve)
Eve is a new, independent company dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Benefitting from a startup mindset, backed by Embraer’s more than 50-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) project, a comprehensive global services and support network, and a unique air traffic management solution. Eve is the first company to graduate from EmbraerX. For more information, visit www.eveairmobility.com.
About EmbraerX
EmbraerX is a market accelerator committed to developing solutions that transform life’s experiences. This Embraer S.A. disruptive innovation subsidiary is based on Florida’s Space Coast in Melbourne, integrated with the Company’s engineering team in Brazil, and dedicated to collaborating with global innovation communities. The EmbraerX team of innovators, creators, thought-leaders, and designers combines human-centered design thinking with business-building and engineering expertise to tackle some of the biggest mobility problems facing humanity today. For more information, visit EmbraerX.com
About Embraer
Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in
commercial and executive aviation, defense & security. The company
designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems,
providing customer support and services.
Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000
aircraft. About every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer
takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million
passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats.
The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts
distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas,
Africa, Asia and Europe.
Leonardo to strengthen security and rescue operations in Brazil with the supply of six AW119Kx helicopters to the Polícia Rodoviária Federal
press release
- Leonardo’s helicopter rescue and law enforcement fleet grows stronger in the country adding further AW119s to the AW109s and AW139s already used by other agencies.
- The AW119Kx helicopters are expected to progressively arrive in Brazil in the first half of 2021 to carry out a range of roles including transport, rescue, emergency medical service, firefighting, surveillance and law enforcement.
- Nearly 190 Leonardo helicopters fly in Brazil today performing a range of roles including corporate/private transport, law enforcement, public services, offshore transport, and naval applications, supported by a growing level of localized maintenance services.
- Over 350 AW119 helicopters have been ordered by over 130 customers in 40 countries, many of them for law enforcement, rescue, public service and military tasks
Leonardo announced today that the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) of Brazil will introduce into service six AW119Kx single engine helicopters. The first aircraft is expected to be introduced in Brazil beginning next year, with the delivery of the remainder helicopters to the operator planned to be completed by mid-2021. The AW119Kxs will be operated by the Air Operations Division (DOA) from its bases in the five Regions of Brazil to perform a range of missions including transport, rescue, emergency medical service, firefighting, surveillance and law enforcement.
The selection of the AW119Kx by the PRF was made following a rigorous assessment of technical capabilities to best meet the law enforcement agency’s needs. The handover of these helicopters will further expand the fleet of Leonardo helicopters used by law enforcement, rescue and public service operators across Brazil which already includes the AW119 single engine type in addition to the AW109 light twin and AW139 intermediate twin models. The helicopters will feature an advanced customized configuration including, among others, a Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit, an infrared capable electro-optics system, rescue hoist, cargo hook, bambi bucket to counter fires, rappelling kit on both sides for special forces operations, advanced communication systems.
To date there are over 190 Leonardo helicopters of various types operating in Brazil performing many roles including: corporate/private transport, law enforcement, public services, offshore transport, and naval applications. As the success of Leonardo’s product grows further, the Company is committed to further strengthening its existing level of localized services with the establishment of a new regional support centre, run by Leonardo do Brasil, in Itapevi, 30 km from São Paulo whose groundbreaking was celebrated in February. The new support centre will expand the services already provided by the existing facility headquartered in São Paulo.
Leonardo is committed to serving and protecting communities around the world, contributing to their sustainable growth by leading in next generation technologies. Partnering with Governments, private organizations and industries for the best security and safety capabilities is a cornerstone of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 Strategic Plan. Note to editors on the AW119Kx helicopter
The AW119Kx is the best in class single engine helicopter today available in the market, featuring a state-of-the-art avionics system for enhanced situational awareness, mission effectiveness and safety. The AW119Kx has a large cabin which is able to accommodate up to six passengers and redundancy of all critical systems that are typically available on twin engine aircraft, ensuring outstanding reliability and safety. The AW119Kx is perfectly suited to perform many roles including EMS, law enforcement, utility, fire-fighting, passenger transport, training and government/military duties. Over 350 AW119 helicopters have been ordered by over 130 customers in 40 countries. A number of law enforcement, public service agencies or armed forces around the world have chosen or are already using the AW119 in Brazil, USA, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Portugal, Finland, Latvia to name a few. A variant of the AW119 was selected by the United States Navy in January to train the country’s next-generation of naval aviators.
Boeing Starts Production of T-7A Weapons Systems Trainers, Operational Flight Trainer
- Simulators are part of the U.S. Air Force’s T-7A Red Hawk advanced training system
- Ground-based training provides “real-as-it-gets” simulation with dynamic motion seats and 8K native projectors, the highest resolution ever fielded in a simulator
press release
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1, 2020 — The U.S. Air Force is one step closer to receiving its next-generation trainer as Boeing [NYSE: BA] started producing the T-7A Red Hawk’s “real-as-it-gets” ground-based training system (GBTS).
Boeing teams are currently assembling the first two weapons systems trainers and an operational flight trainer at the company’s St. Louis site. These simulators, which are the foundation for pilot training and key to the Air Force’s readiness, can digitally connect to actual T-7A aircraft and enable live virtual constructive and embedded training scenarios.
“The Red Hawk’s training system is arguably the most advanced in the world. It’s a game changer,” said Chuck Dabundo, vice president of Boeing T-7 Programs. “This system is 100% integrated with the pilot’s real-world experience, offering ‘real-as-it-gets’ simulation. We’re working closely with the U.S. Air Force and look forward to testing and fielding the devices.”
The training simulators are equipped with high-fidelity crew stations that include dynamic motion seats and the Boeing Constant Resolution Visual System’s 8K native projectors, offering 16 times the clarity of traditional high-definition video (1080p).
“This is the most accurate, immersive experience that any pilot can have outside the aircraft,” said Sherri Koehnemann, T-7A Training & Sustainment director at Boeing Global Services. “We’ve integrated the training across the board, including ‘one push’ software updates. What a pilot sees in the classroom, on his or her desktop training devices, and in the operational and weapon systems trainers will be what they see in the jet. Future pilots can expect more holistic, immersive training.”
The T-7A’s GBTS was built on an open systems architecture of hardware and digital software that will allow it to grow with the Air Force’s evolving needs.
Boeing expects to deliver the first T-7A Red Hawk simulators to the Air Force in 2023.
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.
Successful testing of MetOp-SG-B Scatterometer antennas
press release
Milestone paves the way for manufacturing the flight hardware for next generation weather satellites
Madrid, 01 December 2020 - The Scatterometer (SCA) antenna subsystem of the weather satellite MetOp-SG-B, built by prime contractor Airbus Defence and Space, has successfully passed the Test Review Board (TRB). This validates the technical quality of the antenna design and production. Both customers, the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT, are happy with the results and appreciate the efforts made to reach the milestone despite the Covid crisis, giving the green light to Airbus to manufacture the flight models.
For this campaign, the test item was not flight hardware, but a prototype version specially built for initial testing, known as a structural and thermal model (STM). The tests carried out included: two deployments (before the environmental campaign and after the verification); mechanical and acoustic vibration; thermal cycling; and thermal balance. The tests have mainly focused on checking the thermo-mechanical design as well as the correct functionality of the system during the deployment of the two lateral antennas. The STM will now be partially disassembled and several parts used for the flight models.
The MetOp-SG-B Scatterometer (SCA) will provide double the resolution of the first generation MetOp satellites. The SCA measures wind speed and direction over the ocean surface, to help monitor scale phenomena such as ocean winds and continental ice sheets, and check land surface soil moisture – a key driver of water and heat fluxes between the ground and the atmosphere.
The SCA antenna comprises two parts: the electrical subsystem, developed and delivered by Airbus in Friedrichshafen (Germany) and the antenna subsystem by Airbus in Madrid (Spain) which is also responsible for the manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing activities. The qualification of the electrical functionality of the SCA antenna will be carried out during the test campaign of the first flight model that is currently in the integration phase.
A Scatterometer antenna flight model will be built and integrated onboard each of the three MetOp SG-B satellites. The first will be launched in October 2024. Flight models FM2 and FM3 will be placed in orbit in 2031 and 2038 respectively.
Five-bladed Airbus H145 receives FAA type certification
press release
Grand Prairie, Texas, November 30, 2020 – The new five-bladed H145 helicopter has received its certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This type certification covers the full range of capabilities, including single-pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) and single engine operations (Cat.A/VTOL), along with night vision goggle capability. This newest version of the H145 family received EASA certification this past summer and was delivered to launch customer Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation in September. The first five-bladed H145 delivery in the U.S. is set to take place in early 2021.
“The FAA certification is an important milestone for the H145 program, as our customers in North America are eagerly awaiting its arrival and our entire team looks forward to delivering and supporting this new variant,” said Romain Trapp, president of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region. “We’d like to sincerely thank the FAA and everyone else who has contributed to achieving this certification through the various challenges that 2020 has presented to us all in the aviation industry.”
Airbus Helicopters, Inc. has begun updates to the current H145 final assembly line (FAL) in Columbus, Mississippi, with new wiring testing capabilities for the five-blade variant. Technicians are also undergoing training in preparation for receipt of the first kits of the new version later this year.
This latest upgrade of the H145 family adds a new, innovative five-bladed rotor system to the multi-mission H145, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 330 lbs (150 kg). The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design will also simplify maintenance operations, further improving the benchmark serviceability and reliability of the H145, while improving ride comfort for both passengers and crew.
Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Airbus’s own Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. This helicopter’s particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.
The new version of Airbus’s best-selling H145 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled at Heli-Expo 2019 in Atlanta with launch customers announced for almost every market segment. During its high-altitude test campaign in South America, the H145 set its skids down on the Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Southern hemisphere, further proving its capabilities even in harsh conditions.
About Airbus Helicopters, Inc.
Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back more than 50 years. A team of more than 725 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, and provides world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance from Grand Prairie, Texas, for the North American regional in-service fleet of nearly 3,100 helicopters.
Stanford engineers invent a sonar device that works outside the water
Abstract:
High-resolution imaging and mapping of the ocean and its floor has been limited to less than 5% of the global waters due to technological barriers. Whereas sonar is the primary contributor to existing underwater imagery, the water-based system is limited in spatial coverage due to its low imaging throughput. On the other hand, aerial synthetic aperture radar systems have provided high-resolution imaging of the entire earth's landscapes but are incapable of deep penetration into water. In this work, we present a proof-of-concept system which bridges the gap between electromagnetic imaging in air and sonar imaging in water through the laser-induced photoacoustic effect and high-sensitivity airborne ultrasonic detection. Here, we use air-coupled capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) which is a critical differentiator from previous works and has enabled the acquisition of an underwater image from a fully airborne acoustic imaging system - a task that has yet to be accomplished in the literature. With the entire imaging system located on an airborne platform, there is much promise for the scalability of our system to one which could perform high-throughput imaging of underwater in large-scale deployment. Non-contact acoustic-based imaging modalities are also of much interest to the medical imaging and non-destructive testing communities. Incorporating air-coupled transducers, for example CMUTs, or other resonant sensors in these applications could be aided by the analysis presented throughout this work.
Continue reading: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9228880
In New Atlas: https://newatlas.com/marine/photoacoustic-airborne-sonar-system-stanford/