Análisis del mercado de aviones de transporte militar

http://plandevuelo.es/wordpress/archives/501

Si Airbus Military es la empresa tractora más importante del sector en
España, y el catálogo de productos de dicha empresa tiene como eje
central a los aviones de transporte militar, parece lógico que se
dedique algo de tiempo a analizar este mercado, su presente y su
futuro.

Cada jugador en este escenario ha hecho su apuesta, y a estas alturas
todos han mostrado en mayor o menor medida sus cartas. Sólo falta
esperar a ver cómo se desarrolla el mercado en los próximos años, y lo
que es más importante, comprobar lo que son capaces de hacer las
empresas tractoras para influir en el devenir de dicho mercado.

Guadalajara, cuna de la Aeronáutica española - 2010

Del 13 al 22 de noviembre de 2010 el Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos y el Colegio de Ingenieros Aeronáuticos organizan un ciclo de conferencias, una exposición, y un concurso de aeromodelismo.

Se conmemora el centenario del primer vuelo de Mauvais entre Ciudad Lineal y Los Manantiales, y se rinde homenaje a Leonardo Torres Quevedo, Juan de la Cierva Codorniú, Federico Cantero Villamil y Jorge Loring Martínez, todos ellos Ingenieros de Caminos.


Guadalajara Octubre2010 Cuna Aviacion Española

via TorresQuevedo.org

FAA Proposes New Rules For Helicopters

The FAA is set to propose a broad set of rules intended to improve the safety of helicopter operations that would require additional equipment, training and communications, bring changes to flight rules, and much more. The FAA's proposals cover air ambulance, commercial helicopter, Part 91 and Part 135 helicopter operations. They attempt to specifically reduce accidents that involve controlled flight into terrain, obstacle collisions, night accidents, and those due to inadvertent flight into IMC

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Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations, Part 91 Helicopter Operations,
and Part 135 Aircraft Operations; Safety Initiatives and Miscellaneous Amendments Full text [pdf]

SUMMARY: This proposed rule addresses air ambulance and commercial helicopter operations, part 91 helicopter operations, and load manifest requirements for all part 135 aircraft. From 2002 to 2008, there has been an increase in fatal helicopter air ambulance accidents. To address these safety concerns, the FAA is proposing to implement operational procedures and require additional equipment on board helicopter air ambulances. Many of these proposed requirements currently are found in agency guidance publications and would address National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety recommendations. Some of these safety concerns are not unique to the helicopter air ambulance industry and affect all commercial helicopter operations. Accordingly, the FAA also is proposing to amend regulations pertaining to all commercial helicopter operations conducted under part 135 to include equipment requirements, pilot training, and alternate airport weather minima. The changes are intended to provide certificate holders and pilots with additional tools and procedures that will aid in preventing accidents.

Israel compra a EEUU una veintena de aviones de combate F-35

Israel ha firmado un contrato por valor de 2.750 millones de dólares (algo menos de 2.000 millones de euros) para la compra a Estados Unidos de una veintena de aviones de combate F-35 fabricados por la compañía estadounidenses Lockheed Martin.

Israel se convierte así en el primer país que adquiere este modelo sin pertenecer al grupo de nueve estados que lo desarrollaron. El Ejército hebreo ha anunciado que recibirá los aviones entre 2015 y 2017, pero el director general del Ministerio de Defensa, Ehud Shani, cree que la entrega comenzará en 2016.

Lee el texto completo
http://www.europapress.es/internacional/noticia-israel-compra-eeuu-veintena-aviones-combate-35-20101008093400.html

'Panther' Tilt-Rotor UAV Debuts In Israel

IAI says he Panther combines the flight capabilities of an airplane with helicopter-like hovering, a tilt-rotor propeller, and a fixed wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) system, which enable a runway-free takeoff and landing on an unprepared area. The unique concept has been patented by IAI.

An innovative automatic flight control system controls the transitions between the hovering takeoff phase to forward flight and then back to hover before landing. The Panther takes off and lands autonomously, which eliminates the need for an external pilot.

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Snecma prepares to test new Aircelle nacelle demonstrator

Safran subsidiary Aircelle has delivered a nacelle demonstrator designed to evaluate potential noise reduction and enhancements to aircraft efficiency.
[...]
t features an all-composite laminar-flow air inlet plus special acoustic treatment on interior surfaces, and components produced with new manufacturing processes such as thermoplastic forming.

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El centro de simulación de pilotos de Airbus se inaugurará la próxima semana

El acto prevé contar con la presencia del presidente de Airbus Military, Domingo Ureña Raso, y del consejero de Economía, Innovación y Ciencia de la Junta de Andalucía, Antonio Ávila.

En estas instalaciones, que contarán con los equipos de simuladores de misión y dispositivos de entrenamiento más avanzados, se formarán tanto los pilotos como los mecánicos del avión de transporte militar A400M, cuyo proyecto de ensamblaje final se realiza en la factoría de Airbus Military, junto al Aeropuerto de San Pablo.

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/10/08/andalucia_sevilla/1286546989.html

VIDEO: Sikorsky X2 Helicopter Reaches 250kt

Video



Video descriptrion (from Youtube):

Sikorsky video of the Sep. 15, 2010 test flight during which its X2 Technology coaxial-rotor helicopter demonstrator achieved its 250kt speed goal. Conventional helicopters cruise at around 150kt. The X2 reached 260kt in a shallow dive as is expected to exceed 250kt in level flight once a sail fairing is fitted between the upper and lower rotors to reduce drag further.

X2 uses a single T800 engine to power both the rotors and the tail-mounted variable-pitch propeller, which provides forward thrust to enable the high speed. Other technologies include fly-by-wire flight controls and active vibration control. As the video opens you see a full-scale mockup of Sikorsky's proposed X2 Light Tactical Helicopter in the hangar.

Related: Sikorsky X2 Technology™ Demonstrator Achieves 250-Knot Speed Milestone

The Future Of Airborne ISR May Really Be Hot Air (aerostats)

The future of airborne ISR may really be a lot of hot air. The first generation of a new type of unmanned platform is already being deployed. These new platforms are balloons, or more accurately aerostats. An aerostat is a tethered blimp that is filled with helium so it is lighter-than-air. Think of the old World War II barrage balloons. Except these are smart balloons with a sensor suite that can include electro-optical and infrared cameras, radar, sound and flash detectors and laser rangefinders/target designators. In addition, the ground control and intelligence center for each aerostat uses advanced computer software to do automated target recognition. The average aerostat carries a 200-500 pound payload and operates at between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. At the latter height it can find targets out to a distance of 200 kilometers. If unmolested, the aerostat can stay aloft for days.

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18565/

Heavy-lifting balloons: A new type of balloon may make delivering people and provisions to inaccessible places easier

Heavy-transport helicopters, such as the Mil Mi-26 or Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane, address some of these difficulties, but their payloads are limited to 20 and nine tonnes, respectively, and the huge rotors create a powerful downdraft that makes handling that payload rather tricky.

The company is developing a piloted dirigible capable of carrying loads of up to 150 tonnes over distances as great as 2,000km (1,240 miles) at a speed of 45 knots (83kph). This would permit the craft to transport not just hefty components, but entire buildings, to remote areas. The company envisages modules ranging from rural hospitals and disaster-relief centres to luxury airborne cruise ships.

http://www.economist.com/node/17136331



More info; http://skylifter.com.au/

Francisco Vergé, nuevo consejero delegado de Eurocopter España

Albacete, 8 de octubre de 2010

El Consejo de Administración de Eurocopter España ha nombrado como nuevo consejero delegado a Francisco Vergé Gracia, que asumirá sus nuevas responsabilidades el 1 de noviembre. Francisco Vergé ocupaba hasta el momento el cargo de director del Programa Eurofighter en España y ha ocupado diversos puestos de gestión, producción planificación, control, marketing y ventas en España, Alemania, Estados Unidos y Corea, estando fundamentalmente vinculado a programas como el Eurofighter, F-18 y aviones de transporte militar desde que ingresó en Construcciones Aeronáuticas, S. A. (CASA), en 1982, empresa que fue integrada en el año 2000 en EADS. De 53 años, es ingeniero aeronáutico por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y ha cursado diversos posgrados en materiales compuestos, gestión de proyectos, liderazgo, finanzas para directores y cuenta con un MBA.

Con unas modernas instalaciones en Albacete, Eurocopter tiene en España una de las dos líneas de ensamblaje final del helicóptero EC135 en el mundo, siendo también responsable de gran parte del proceso de fabricación del helicóptero de ataque Tigre y el polivalente NH90. Eurocopter España cuenta con una plantilla de más de 600 personas y desarrolla servicios de ingeniería, personalización para clientes, entregas y actividades logísticas con una responsabilidad total en apoyo al cliente y dirección de programas.


Nota prensa Eurocopter

AAI Flies Aerosonde(R) Mark 4.7 Aircraft with Heavy Fuel Engine

A heavy fuel propulsion system is a critical capability for both U.S. and international armed services. Maritime forces like the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard benefit because kerosene-based fuels are less flammable than gasoline in shipboard environments. Services with both land- and air-based missions, such as the U.S. Army, can embrace a "one fuel forward" concept by transitioning to a single fuel for all of their assets, minimizing cost and logistics.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aai-flies-aerosonder-mark-47-aircraft-with-heavy-fuel-engine-2010-10-07?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Sukhoi begins flight trials of modernized Su-33 fighters

Moscow, October 5. Sukhoi aircraft holding has begun ground and flight trials of the modernized fourth generation Su-33 naval fighter.

Modernization works and trials are being carried out at the KnAAPO aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur under a state defense order in 2010.

Su-33 (Su-27K) is a multi-role carrier-based fighter with horizontal takeoff and landing, and aerial refuelling capability. The fighter features folding wings and horizontal tail for hanger storage. It was designed to defend naval ships from airborne attacks.

Production of the first two prototypes of the warplane was completed in 1986-87.

The first flight of the Su-27K prototype by the design bureau's test pilot V.G. Pugachov on August 17, 1987. In the course of the plane's flight development tests, on November 1, 1989, he performed the USSR’s first conventional (non-V/STOL) landing on the deck of the USSR Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. In 1989, the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant started production of a Su-27K development batch, the first production plane being flight-tested at the plant in February 1990. Official testing of the Su-27K took place in 1991-1994.

In April 1993, the KnAAPO plant delivered the first ship-based fighters to the pilots of the aviation wing of the Russian Northern Fleet to be put into service at the 279th ship-based fighter aircraft regiment (SFAR). By August 1994, the regiment had received as many as 24 production aircraft. In 1993-95, combat pilots of the 279th SFAR gained experience on the aircraft; following that, between December 1995 and March 1996, the USSR Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov aircraft carrier put to sea for its maiden long-distance training voyage. The 31st August 1998 decree of the President of the Russian Federation put the Su-27K into service under the name of the Su-33.

Sukhoi

Sukhoi 100 Superjet kicks off Alitalia regional jet contest

Superjet International this week kicked off a three-contender regional jet contest at Rome Fiumicino airport for Alitalia, which is expected to choose within weeks between the Sukhoi Superjet 100, Bombardier CRJ900/1000 and Embraer 190.

Sources in Italy suggest that the Superjet is expected to outperform its rivals on short- to medium-length high-traffic, high-value routes such as between Milan Linate and Rome, while offering Airbus A320 comfort levels.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/07/348240/superjet-kicks-off-alitalia-regional-jet-contest.html

Las grandes aerolíneas de EEUU y la UE se unen contra las ayudas a Airbus y Boeing

La crisis obliga a extraños compañeros de cama. Las veinticinco mayores aerolíneas de Estados Unidos y Europa, algunas de ellas rivales irreconciliables, se han unido para hacer frente común contra los créditos públicos a la exportación que conceden sus gobiernos a aerolíneas de otros países para la compra de aviones a Boeing y Airbus. Iberia se encuentra entre ellas.

http://www.expansion.com/2010/10/07/empresas/transporte/1286446159.html

para leer con calma. revista AEROSPACE TESTING INTERNATIONAL

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/94e99eef#/94e99eef/1


vía I. González

Pilots push 787 Dreamliner to the limit

In the velocity minimum unstick test or VMU, pilots carefully drag the 787's tail on the runway to determine the lowest speed needed to leave the ground.

Crews dumped more than 50,000 gallons of water on an ungrooved runway to simulate the situation when pilots have land on a wet runway.


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El A330 MRTT de Airbus Military obtiene la certificación militar/Airbus Military A330 MRTT obtains military certification

En breve se entregará la primera unidad
Madrid, 06 octubre 2010

Airbus Military ha obtenido la certificación para el avión cisterna de transporte multifuncional A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) por parte del organismo español de certificación Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA). De esta forma, se allana la senda para la primera entrega del avión a la Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), prevista para las próximas semanas. El A330 MRTT es en este momento el único avión cisterna y de transporte de nueva generación que ha sido certificado y que se ofrece a las fuerzas aéreas de todo el mundo. Bartolomé Marqués, Director de Pruebas y Certificación del INTA, entregó la certificación militar, el día 5 de octubre, a Miguel Ángel Morell, Vicepresidente Senior y Director de Ingeniería y Tecnología de Airbus Military. La certificación abarca el diseño y operación de todos los sistemas militares añadidos al aparato con respecto al diseño civil básico, en especial, el sistema de manguera y cesta, así como el totalmente nuevo sistema de reabastecimiento de combustible en vuelo mediante pértiga (ARBS) que ha diseñado Airbus Military.

Esta autorización completa el Certificado Suplementario de Tipo (Supplemental Type Certificate – STC) que la Agencia Europea de Seguridad Aérea (EASA) concedió este año para la conversión del modelo básico del avión de pasajeros A330-200.

El Presidente de Airbus Military, Domingo Ureña, señaló: "Quisiera dar las gracias a todos y cada uno de los que han trabajado con tanto empeño para conseguir esta certificación. Este es un momento muy gratificante para todos, pues confirma que el A330 MRTT ha demostrado satisfactoriamente su aeronavegabilidad militar en todos los aspectos y la madurez de sus sistemas, así como su completa disponibilidad para entrar en servicio con los clientes. La combinación de la probada aeroestructura del A330 con los más avanzados —y ahora, certificados— sistemas de reabastecimiento en vuelo del mundo, que incluyen nuestro ARBS, transformarán el modo en el que se llevan a cabo las operaciones de reabastecimiento en vuelo ofreciendo al mismo tiempo una aptitud total para el transporte".

Airbus Military llevó a cabo más de 280 vuelos con el A330 MRTT y casi 170 más en un demostrador A310 para obtener esta certificación, además de efectuar casi 1.600 contactos en vuelo (tanto en seco y como con paso de combustible) con un avión receptor. Por otro lado, se efectuaron más de 600 contactos en los que el A330 MRTT era el avión repostado. En total se trasvasaron más de 450 toneladas (un millón de libras) de combustible. Entre los aviones a los que el A330 ha reabastecido hasta ahora se encuentran los cazas F-16 y F-18, el E-3 AWACS, con su radomo de gran tamaño, y otro A330 MRTT, en un proceso conocido como repostaje Airbus Military suministrará dos MRTT a la RAAF antes de que finalice el año. Los aviones, equipados con dos góndolas de reabastecimiento de manguera y cesta y la pértiga ARBS serán utilizados por el Escuadrón 33 de la base de Amberley de la RAAF. Pueden transportar asimismo a 270 pasajeros en configuración de dos clases.

En total hay encargos para 28 aparatos A330 MRTT por parte de las fuerzas aéreas de cuatro países: Australia, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Arabia Saudí y el Reino Unido.

EADS




English:


First aircraft to be delivered shortly

Airbus Military has obtained certification for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport from Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Aerospacial (INTA). This paves the way for first delivery of the aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the coming weeks. The A330 MRTT is now the only certified new-generation tanker and transport being offered to the world’s air forces.

The military certificate was presented by INTA Director for Testing and Certification Bartolomé Marqués to Airbus Military, SVP Head of Engineering and Technology, Miguel Angel Morell on 5th October in Madrid. It covers the design and operation of all the military systems added to the aircraft in addition to the basic civil design, and especially the hose and drogue, as well as the all-new Airbus Military designed Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).

This approval follows the civil Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the conversion from the basic passenger A330-200 awarded by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) earlier in the year.

Airbus Military Managing Director Domingo Ureña said: “I would like to thank all and everyone who has worked hard on achieving this certification. This is an enormously gratifying moment for all. It confirms the A330 MRTT has satisfactorily demonstrated its global military airworthiness and the maturity of all its systems, and its full readiness to enter service with its customers. The combination of the proven A330 airframe with the most advanced, and now certified, refuelling systems in the world, including our ARBS, will transform the conduct of aerial refuelling operations, while also providing full transport capability.”

Airbus Military conducted more than 280 A330 MRTT flights and nearly 170 more on an A310 demonstrator to obtain the certification, and performed nearly 1,600 wet and dry contacts with receiver aircraft. Additionally more than 600 contacts were made with the A330 MRTT acting as receiver. Altogether more than one million pounds (450 tonnes) of fuel were transferred. Aircraft to which the A330 MRTT has now transferred fuel include F-16 and F-18 fighters, the E-3 AWACS with its large radome, and another A330 MRTT in a process known as buddy-buddy refuelling.

Airbus Military will deliver two MRTTs to the RAAF before the end of the year. The aircraft, equipped with two underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods and the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), will be operated by 33 Squadron at RAAF Amberley. They can also carry 270 passengers in a two-class configuration.

A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by the Air forces of four nations (Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom).
EADS

GULFSTREAM G450 SETS SPEED RECORD BETWEEN SAVANNAH AND SÃO PAULO

SAVANNAH, Ga., October 5, 2010 — A large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 business jet recently established a city-pair speed record between Savannah and São Paulo, completing the 3,922-nautical-mile flight in less than nine hours.

The G450 took off from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 8:07 a.m. local time with six passengers, one flight attendant and international captains Eric Parker and Jaime Bahamon on board. The aircraft, flying to the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE), landed at the Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo eight hours and 50 minutes later.

The average cruise speed for the flight was Mach 0.80, with altitudes ranging from 41,000 to 45,000 feet.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) confirmed the flight as a U.S. record and forwarded the figures to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) in Switzerland for approval as a world record. The Savannah-São Paulo record had previously been unclaimed.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay Mk 611-8C engines, the G450 can fly 4,350 nautical miles -- Beijing to New Delhi or Moscow nonstop and can reach speeds of up to Mach 0.88. The aircraft features PlaneView®, the most advanced flight deck in its class, and the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) as standard equipment.

The G450 established its first speed record 10 days after it entered service on May 7, 2005, flying 3,550 nautical miles — Chicago to London — in 7:19 at an average speed of Mach 0.85. Since then, the aircraft has set four additional records, including Washington, D.C., to Luton, England — 3,290 nautical miles — in 6:12; Denver to Honolulu — 2,944 nautical miles — in 7:07; Oranjestad, Aruba, to Barcelona, Spain — 4,374 miles — in 8:56; and Tokyo to Hong Kong —1,694 nautical miles — in 3:58.



Gulfstram

Going where the four winds blow with the mobile wind turbine concept

Despite numerous refinements and improvements to the technology used to harness the power of the wind, windmills of old share an obvious characteristic with their gigantic modern counterparts. They're static. A network of designers coming together under the banner of Pope Designs has come up with a mobile wind turbine concept that could just change all that. Able to generate and store enough power to meet its own needs, the turbine could also be erected anywhere the wind blows to provide a source of clean energy to those who need it.

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