martes, 12 de abril de 2022
Nature-inspired wing demonstrator completes wind-tunnel tests | Airbus
Airbus has completed wind-tunnel testing of its eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator in its quest to quickly test and accelerate new technologies that will decarbonise the aviation industry.
The eXtra Performance Wing project, launched last September, takes inspiration from nature to improve wing aerodynamics and performance that is intended to be compatible with any future aircraft configuration and propulsion system to reduce CO₂ emissions.
"The scaled demonstrator will integrate and fly breakthrough wing technologies using a remote-controlled Cessna Citation VII business jet platform in representative flight conditions," explained Oliver Family, Head of eXtra Performance Wing UK.
"The partly 3D-printed wind-tunnel model - expertly built by the aerodynamics team at Airbus' low-speed, wind-tunnel facility in Bristol - is a scaled-down version of the Cessna jet, incorporating the lightweight, long-span design of the eXtra Performance Wing that will provide the emissions benefits we are striving for."
Initially introduced at a smaller scale through another Airbus project, AlbatrossONE, which tested semi-aeroelastic hinged wings that - like the seabird - unlocked during flight when experiencing wind gusts or turbulence, the eXtra Performance Wing will also examine onboard technologies, like gust sensors, pop-up spoilers and multifunctional trailing edges, to enable the active control of the wing.
"Airbus' state-of-the-art low-speed wind-tunnel is a fantastic way to validate our concepts before flight tests," added Oliver Family. "Our computational aerodynamic analysis capability is world class, and the wind tunnel provides another valuable way to measure the performance and capabilities of the aircraft before flight testing. The technologies we have tested in the Filton wind tunnel - many inspired by biomimicry - will now be rapidly integrated for flight testing."
The Airbus low-speed wind tunnel at Filton, near Bristol, replicates conditions similar to aircraft take-off and landing wind speeds but is also used by external organisations testing F1 cars, ship radar systems, Urban Air Mobility vehicles as well as more conventional aircraft.
The eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator is hosted within Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned Airbus subsidiary, created to give future technologies a development fast-track by building demonstrators at speed and scale in order to evaluate, mature and validate potential new products and services that encompass radical technological breakthroughs.
lunes, 11 de abril de 2022
jueves, 7 de abril de 2022
US approves $95 million sale of missile defense support to Taiwan
Detect-and-Avoid Tech Wins NASA Commercial Invention of the Year
Arianespace inks Project Kuiper launch deal with Amazon
Pontifications: Returning MAX to pre-grounding rate one key to Boeing’s launch of new airplane
Strength Test Stage Successfully Completed for MC 21 Russian-Composite Wing Box
Aircraft safety regulations require that a wing box should withstand the so-called calculation load during static tests, which, in turn, exceeds the ultimate possible operational load by one and a half. At TsAGI test facility, the wing box was destroyed at a load which was more than the calculated one. The tests were performed in a specially simulated climate conditions. To consider thermal influence on composite strength characteristics, the wing box was partially heated.
'Successful tests confirmed the validity of strength calculation methods for composite units. It was experimentally proved that the main strength unit of the wing—the wing box—provides strength and safety during the worst combination of flight conditions. Wings for all currently designed aircraft will be produced with domestic materials,' said UAC's General Director Yuri Slyusar.
The wing box was manufactured by JSC AeroKompozit, a branch of Irkut Corporation (a part of Rostec's UAC).
'Developing civil aviation requires harmonious cooperation between science and industry. At TsAGI, we have created a state-of-the-art test base, which is used by professionals. This allows us to do a great amount of research under MC-21 innovation program, jointly with Irkut Corporation,' said Kirill Sypalo, Director General of TsAGI, Corresponding Member of the RAS.
Russian materials for composite load wing structures were developed by scientists from the MSU, Rosatom, and by aircraft industrialists. MC-21-300, whose wing was manufactured from Russian composites, had its maiden flight on December 25, 2021. Before that, a great number of ground tests had been performed; they revealed that the domestic composites meet the aircraft's structural requirements.
miércoles, 6 de abril de 2022
martes, 5 de abril de 2022
Beyond Gravity boosts its capacity for satellite dispenser systems in Linköping and creates 60 new jobs with new production facility
Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) is significantly ramping up its production of satellite dispensers in Linköping, Sweden, with the construction of a new facility. It will be used to produce dispensers for satellite constellations. With the new building, Beyond Gravity is doubling its production capacity for satellite dispenser systems and creating 60 new jobs in Linköping.
Beyond Gravity is the world's leading manufacturer for dispensers used for satellite constellations where multiple satellites of the same design are launched into orbit in quick succession. Beyond Gravity has successfully placed more than 1,100 satellites into orbit – from the European Galileo satellite navigation constellation, the OneWeb internet constellation, the TerraBella Earth Observation satellite constellation to the Canadian Radarsat Earth Observation constellation. All Beyond Gravity dispensers and separation systems are manufactured in Linköping, Sweden.
Commitment to Linköping production site
Today, Tuesday, March 15, representatives from the Swedish Space Agency, the city of Linköping and Beyond Gravity broke ground on a new production facility at the so-called Cavok district, located just one kilometer from Beyond Gravity's existing manufacturing plant. Construction of the new facility is scheduled for completion in 2023. With this new building, Beyond Gravity will double its production capacity in Linköping. Instead of one dispenser system every month, the company will produce one every two weeks in the future. The capacity expansion will cover the increased dispenser production volume required to support the growth of large satellite constellations. This will also lead to the creation of new jobs in Linköping, as the number of employees in dispenser systems production will increase by 60, from about 140 at present to about 200 in 2023.
"Space industry is booming"
Also present was Anna Rathsman, Director General of the Swedish Space Agency. She said: "The space industry is booming, also in Sweden, and Beyond Gravity's expansion in Linköping is the best proof of what great technology is being produced here. With our funding, we've laid important foundations, and now we're seeing the money flow back into the economy and the job market many times over. We are delighted to see the creation of 60 new jobs." Niklas Borg, Chair of Linköping City Executive Board, adds, "Beyond Gravity is the first company to build a new production facility in our planned aerospace cluster in this business park. This will create high-quality industrial jobs in Linköping in the growing and increasingly important space sector."
"We are shortening our production lead times by 50 percent and are thus ideally equipped for industrialized large-scale production"
Holger Wentscher Vice President Programs Launchers
Series production in smart factory
The new plant in Linköping provides an additional state-of-the-art production area of 4,600 square meters, in addition to the existing production area of 3,000 square meters. The new hall is designed for series production. "We are shortening our production lead times by 50 percent and are thus ideally equipped for industrialized large-scale production," says Holger Wentscher, responsible for the Launchers business at Beyond Gravity. "With smart manufacturing tools and sensors, we will digitize our production line to enable process transparency with real-time data, data analytics and integrated quality control to ensure a high level of performance." To address sustainability, the hall will feature solar panels. "The investment is a clear commitment of us to the Linköping production site. We have excellent employees, great know-how and a perfect infrastructure for New Space."
More than 1,100 satellites placed into orbit
Beyond Gravity's separation systems have been used to perform more than 1,100 in-orbit separations, with a 100% success rate. They are super-lightweight and feature state-of-the-art technology. Built in Linköping for 40 years, they ensure that the satellite and rocket remain securely connected during the tough journey into space, and then precisely deliver the valuable payloads into orbit. At its lower interface the dispenser structure is bolted to the launch vehicle upper stage. Each spacecraft is attached to the dispenser in separation nodes. The Beyond Gravity dispenser system provides a stiff connection in each node during launch, a safe release and an accurate separation provided by the four separation nuts and spring units.
RUAG Space is now called Beyond Gravity
RUAG Space, a division of RUAG International, started operating in the market with its new brand Beyond Gravity on March 14, 2022. The company will change its legal name on May 1, 2022. The new name and brand identity are intended to sharpen the focus externally, position the Space division succinctly in the profoundly changing markets and make the comprehensive range of services even better known to customers. Beyond Gravity, which employs around 1,600 people, is thus positioning itself even more consistently as a global player in the international space market. More information can be found on the new website www.beyondgravity.com.
domingo, 3 de abril de 2022
sábado, 2 de abril de 2022
viernes, 1 de abril de 2022
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Launches DHC-515 Firefighter | De Havilland
CALGARY, Alberta and BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 31, 2022 — De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is pleased to announce that it has launched the De Havilland DHC-515 Firefighter (formerly known as the CL-515) program.
"After an extensive business and technical review, we are pleased to announce that we have launched the De Havilland DHC-515 Firefighter program, which will involve negotiating contracts with our European customers and ramping up for production," said Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer of De Havilland Canada.
The DHC-515 Firefighter will build on the history of the iconic Canadair CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft which have been a critical part of European and North American aerial firefighting fleets for over 50 years.
Important upgrades are being made that will increase the functionality and effectiveness of this legendarily rugged firefighting aircraft.
European customers have signed letters of intent to purchase the first 22 aircraft pending the positive outcome of government-to-government negotiations through the Government of Canada's contracting agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). De Havilland Canada expects first deliveries of the DHC-515 by the middle of the decade, with deliveries of aircraft 23 and beyond to begin at the end of the decade, providing other customers the opportunity to renew existing fleets or proceed with new acquisition opportunities at that time.
De Havilland Canada acquired the Canadair CL program in 2016 and has been contemplating a return to production since 2019. The new DHC-515 Firefighter matches the other aircraft in the De Havilland fleet in terms of lifespan, ruggedness and Canadian aerospace engineering quality. The final assembly of the aircraft will take place in Calgary, Alberta where work on the CL-215 and CL- 415 aircraft currently takes place. It is anticipated that more than 500 people will need to be recruited over the coming years to successfully deliver this program.
"To bring the DHC-515 into production is important for not only our company, but countries around the world who rely on our aircraft to protect their people and forests," said Chafe. "We understand the important role the previous aircraft have played in protecting people and property and as our climate continues to change and summers increase in both temperature and length, the DHC-515 will be an important tool for countries around the globe to use in putting out fires."
Additional Quotes
"Today's announcement is an example of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) supporting Canadian innovators to scale up, reach new markets, and have a positive global impact. Not only is this great news for Canadian exports, but for all the countries that will benefit from its technology advancements and world-class solutions." – Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development.
"As the effects of climate change continue to impact countries around the world, CCC and the Government of Canada are proud to stand with De Havilland Canada in providing this world class solution to our EU partners and allies. We look forward to supporting DHC as other governments wishing to procure these next generation aerial firefighting aircraft come forward." – Bobby Kwon, President and CEO of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC).
"De Havilland Canada's investment in Alberta represents a new era of diversification and economic growth in Alberta. With the hundreds of jobs being created by the DHC-515 being manufactured here, the sky is the limit for job creation in our aerospace industry." – Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta.
jueves, 31 de marzo de 2022
[Podcast] Lanzar satélites desde un MiG-29: Entrevista con la CEO de Celestia Aerospace. Archivo sonoro de Sandglass Patrol 5
El podcast se puede enontrar en Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Ivoox, Spotify
pd: Si la intro y la despedida os son familiares, que no os sorprenda. En un ejercicio de nostalgia podcasteril he hablado con Javier Lago para pedirle permiso y utlizar la introducción que hizo para el que, si no recuerdo mal, fue el primer podcast español sobre aviación: Remove Before Flight RBF podcast.
miércoles, 30 de marzo de 2022
martes, 29 de marzo de 2022
lunes, 28 de marzo de 2022
domingo, 27 de marzo de 2022
Iberia apuesta por estimular la demanda y recupera el 85 por ciento de su capacidad en verano
- Iberia e Iberia Express fueron la aerolínea de red y la low cost más puntuales del mundo en enero y, en febrero, Iberia fue la segunda más puntual del mundo e Iberia Express la segunda de Europa
- Estados Unidos será su mercado estrella, con el estreno de las rutas a Dallas y Washington y la recuperación de San Francisco
- En América Latina, Iberia recupera los dos vuelos diarios con Argentina, Colombia y México
- En Europa la aerolínea operará el 100% de la capacidad que tenía antes de la pandemia
- Y en España, Iberia Express ha programado un 27 por ciento más de asientos que en 2019 con los archipiélagos balear y canario, donde ofrecerá hasta 2,7 millones de asientos
Si la evolución del contexto sociopolítico actual lo permite, Iberia recuperará este verano el 85 por ciento de la capacidad que ofrecía en 2019. Desde el inicio de la pandemia, la aerolínea ha apostado por estimular la demanda ofreciendo la mayor capacidad posible y, en la próxima temporada de verano y, a pesar del difícil contexto sociopolítico, ha recuperado ya casi la totalidad de su red de destinos y ha ido incorporando frecuencias en los mercados donde se han levantado las restricciones y sesún se va recuperando la demanda.
En concreto, Iberia operará este verano hasta 340 vuelos semanales de largo radio, 220 con América Latina y otros 120 entre Europa y el Atlántico Norte; la aerolínea alcanzará en Europa los niveles pre-pandemia y su filial Iberia Express incrementará su capacidad en las islas Baleares y Canarias cerca de un 30 por ciento sobre 2019.
Estados Unidos, la gran apuesta
Estados Unidos será el país donde Iberia despliegue la mayor capacidad: en la temporada de verano pasará de seis a nueve destinos con más de 120 vuelos semanales entre España y Estados Unidos. A partir de junio, la aerolínea lanzará la ruta a Washington que anunció antes de la pandemia, a la que suma Dallas y la recuperación de San Francisco. Además, incrementa vuelos a Boston, Los Ángeles, Miami y Nueva York. Más concretamente:
Iberia volará directo desde España a Washington. A partir del 1 de junio y hasta el 29 de octubre, la aerolínea ha programado cuatro vuelos semanales (lunes, miércoles, jueves y sábados) con la capital de Estados Unidos donde se concentran las principales instituciones gubernamentales de ese país: el Capitolio, la Casa Blanca y la Corte Suprema.
| Vuelo | Origen | Destino | Salida | Llegada* |
| IB6131 | Madrid | Washington | 12:10 | 15:15 |
| IB6132 | Washington | Madrid | 16:45 | 06:30 |
*Los horarios varían ligeramente en función del mes de operación
A partir del 1 de junio, Iberia operará también a Dallas, la gran metrópolis del norte de Texas. Los vuelos se han programado desde el 1 de junio y hasta el 29 de octubre, con cuatro frecuencias semanales (lunes, miércoles, viernes y sábados). Dallas es el gran hub de American Airlines, lo que asegura una gran conectividad dentro de Estados Unidos para los clientes de Iberia dentro de su acuerdo de negocio conjunto con American Airlines, British Airways y Finnair para la explotación de las rutas entre Europa y el Atlántico Norte.
| Vuelo | Origen | Destino | Salida | Llegada* |
| IB6146 | Madrid | Dallas | 15:55 | 19:50 |
| IB6147 | Dallas | Madrid | 21:25 | 14:20 |
*Los horarios varían ligeramente en función del mes de operación
Iberia recupera también la ruta a San Francisco desde el 1 de junio y hasta el 30 de septiembre con tres frecuencias semanales (lunes, miércoles y viernes). Solo las aerolíneas del grupo IAG ofrecen vuelos directos con San Francisco; Iberia desde Madrid y LEVEL desde Barcelona, a partir del 29 de marzo y con cuatro frecuencias semanales (martes, jueves, sábados y domingos)
| Vuelo | Origen | Destino | Salida | Llegada |
| IB6193 | Madrid | San Francisco | 12:20 | 16:15 |
| IB6174 | San Francisco | Madrid | 17:50 | 14:10 |
Además, Iberia contará con hasta 14 vuelos semanales Madrid-Nueva York, que se suman al vuelo diario de LEVEL desde Barcelona. Ofrecerá otros 14 vuelos con Miami; Chicago contará con hasta siete vuelos a la semana, y Boston llegará también al vuelo diario en julio y agosto, operación que se complementa con las cuatro frecuencias semanales Barcelona-Boston de LEVEL. Los Ángeles contará con hasta cinco frecuencias semanales de Iberia desde Madrid y otras cuatro más de LEVEL desde Barcelona.
La oferta se completa con hasta cinco vuelos semanales a San Juan de Puerto Rico, destino que forma parte también del acuerdo de negocio conjunto para las rutas entre Europa y el Atlántico Norte que Iberia mantiene junto con American Airlines, British Airways y Finnair.
Doble vuelo diario a Argentina, Colombia y México
En esta temporada de verano, Iberia recuperará también buena parte de las frecuencias que ofrecía en sus mercados principales de América Latina, y llegará ya a los 220 vuelos semanales en julio y agosto.
A partir de junio ofrecerá 19 vuelos semanales con México, lo que se acerca mucho ya a los tres vuelos diarios que operaba antes de la pandemia. En Colombia, Iberia supera la capacidad de la pandemia con dos vuelos vuelos diarios (cuatro más que en 2019), y en Argentina también alcanzará los dos vuelos diarios en julio y agosto.
Con Perú, Chile y Brasil Iberia consolida su vuelo a diario, con Ecuador también serán siete vuelos a la semana, cuatro a Quito y otros tres a Guayaquil, y con Uruguay ofrecerá entre cuatro y cinco vuelos semanales.
En el Caribe, Iberia alcanzará nueve vuelos semanales con República Dominicana en julio y agosto, y en Cuba incrementa su oferta hasta cuatro vuelos semanales.
En Centroamérica, Iberia mantiene su operación con vuelos directos a Costa Rica (hasta seis vuelos semanales), Guatemala -El Salvador (cuatro vuelos semanales) y Panamá (hasta cinco vuelos semanales).
En Europa se alcanzan los niveles pre-pandemia
Este verano, Iberia e Iberia Express recupera totalmente la capacidad que ofrecía en 2019 en el corto y medio radio e, incluso, la supera en algunos destinos, como los vuelos con las islas Canarias y Baleares.
Un verano más, Iberia apuesta por destinos en los que se pueden realizar actividades al aire libre. En Portugal ofrecerá vuelos a Lisboa, Oporto, Faro, Funchal y, por segundo año consecutivo, volará a las Islas Azores, a Ponta Delgada.
Italia también contará con un gran despliegue en cuanto a destinos y frecuencias. Volará a 11 destinos: Roma, Milán, Florencia, Venecia, Nápoles, Bolonia y Turín y, desde mediados de junio, se sumarán Catania, Olbia, Cagliari (operadas por Iberia) y Bari (operada por Iberia Express).
Croacia es uno de los destinos internacionales más atractivos para realizar actividades al aire libre. Este verano Iberia volverá a ofrecer vuelos a tres destinos que permiten recorrer el país: Dubrovnik, Zagreb y Split.
Y Grecia completa el cuarteto de ofertas veraniegas, con vuelos a Atenas y Corfú, operados por Iberia y a Mikonos, Creta y Santorini, operados por Iberia Express.
Ante la buena acogida de las ruta con Bergen (Noruega) y Keflavik (Islandia), y de cara a los clientes más aventureros, Iberia e Iberia Express ofrecerán repectivamente hasta dos vuelos semanales con origen en la capital española.
Cerca de un 30 por ciento más de asientos en Baleares y Canarias
Iberia Express ha programado un 27 por ciento más de asientos que en 2019 con los archipiélagos balear y canario, donde ofrecerá hasta 2,7 millones de asientos entre ambos archipiélagos.
En concreto, ofrecerá más de 1,7 millones de asientos con las Islas Canarias, destacando,
especialmente, el incremento de capacidad en las rutas a Lanzarote (+42% respecto a 2019), Gran Canaria (+25%) y Fuerteventura (+23%). Esto se traduce en que Iberia Express operará una media de 48 frecuencias semanales a Tenerife (34 a Tenerife Norte y 14 a Tenerife Sur), 48 a Gran Canaria, 18 a Lanzarote, 15 a Fuerteventura y 10 a La Palma. La operación con Canarias se completa con hasta dos frecuencias semanales en las rutas transversales Oviedo-Tenerife Norte y Tenerife Norte-Vigo.
Baleares es otra de las grandes apuestas de Iberia Express para este verano, y ha programado cerca de un millón de asientos. Mallorca contará con una media de 45 frecuencias semanales, - hasta 7 vuelos de ida y vuelta diarios-, Ibiza con 22 y Menorca con 13.
Las más puntuales del mundo en enero
Iberia e Iberia Express han empezado el año con excelentes cuotas de puntualidad, como recoge la plataforma Cirium, especialista en análisis de datos de aviación.
En enero, Iberia fue la aerolínea de red más puntual de mundo e Iberia Express la low cost más puntual del mundo y en febrero, Iberia la segunda del mundo e Iberia Express la segunda Europa. En el caso de Iberia, ambos meses superó el 94 por ciento de vuelos en hora; mientras que Iberia Express superó el 95 por ciento de vuelos en hora en enero y más del 90 por ciento en febrero.
Para más información sobre esta noticia
[Podcast] El nacimiento de la Regia Aeronáutica Archivo sonoro de Sandglass Patrol 3
Tanto en los libros de historia como en las películas, las fuerzas armadas italianas de la Segunda Guerra Mundial son totalmente denostadas, a menudo se les tilda de lastrar a las alemanas, de falta de valor, de no tener armas adecuadas y en los videojuegos y juegos de mesa siempre reciben los peores modificadores.
En una serie de charlas con Ignacio del Horno, co-fundador de Sandglass Patrol, intentaremos contar su historia real, sin prejuicios, sus puntos débiles y sus puntos fuertes, e incluso sus logros más desconocidos.
Hoy, la primera entrega: su nacimiento.
pd: Si la intro y la despedida os son familiares, que no os sorprenda. En un ejercicio de nostalgia podcasteril he hablado con Javier Lago para pedirle permiso y utlizar la introducción que hizo para el que, si no recuerdo mal, fue el primer podcast español sobre aviación: Remove Before Flight RBF podcast.
El podcast se puede enontrar en Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Ivoox, Spotify