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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology December 1/8, 2014

VOL. 176 NO. 42 December 01, 2014

Collision Avoidance

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Auto ACAS Moves To Next Development Stage

Dec 01, 2014
U.S. Air Force completes air collision prevention tests as prelude to development of fully integrated safety system for fighter aircraft.
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Conducting Collision Avoidance Testing Without Colliding

Nov 28, 2014
Testing USAF’s new fighter collision avoidance poses challenges in preventing mishaps during the test-flight evaluation process
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Students Take Researcher Role At USAF Test Pilot School

Dec 01, 2014
USAF Test Pilot School involves students in testing Auto ACAS collision avoidance system, providing benefits for all parties involved in the process.

Letter from the President

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Aviation Week Expands Its Coverage

Dec 01, 2014
We are making some important enhancements to your subscription that will provide access to Aviation Week & Space Technology how you want it and when you need it.

Feedback

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Letters From Our Readers (Dec. 1, 2014)

Dec 01, 2014
More Bumps In The Road Likely The loss of the Orbital Antares launch vehicle and of SpaceShipTwo in the course of less than a week is certainly proof that spaceflight is complex and dangerous.

Who's Where

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New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections (Dec. 1, 2014)

Dec 01, 2014
Rene Groot (see photo) has been appointed chief operating officer of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, effective Jan. 1. He succeeds Pieter Elbers, who has become president/CEO of KLM. De Groot has been senior vice president-operations at Air France-KLM Engineering and Maintenance and was an Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 captain.

The World

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Chenevert Abruptly Exits UTC

Dec 01, 2014
Mystery swirled after United Technologies Corp. (UTC) announced the sudden departure of Chairman and CEO Louis Chenevert on Nov. 24.
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Money Talks Coming for ESA Rockets, ISS Activities

Dec 01, 2014
Members of the 20-nation European Space Agency (ESA) plan to meet Dec. 2 at the ministerial level to approve billions of euros in financing for major programs over the next few years, including a new generation of rockets and participation in the International Space Station (ISS) through 2020.
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Romania’s Arca Plans UAS Production in U.S.

Dec 01, 2014
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Overlay and Above

Dec 01, 2014
The European Space Agency (ESA) and mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat have signed a contract valued at €15 million ($19 million) to provide satellite-based air-traffic monitoring as part of the European Union’s Single European Sky ATM Research (Sesar) initiative. Dubbed Iris Precursor, the Nov. 26 agreement is intended to upgrade Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband service to meet standards set for ground-based VHF data links that will allow flight plans to be updated continually to maintain optimal trajectories. The U.K.
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Proton Woes Pile On

Dec 01, 2014
The scheduled Nov. 28 launch of the SES Astra-2G satellite atop a Russian Proton rocket was postponed Nov. 26, owing to a problem with a gyro unit in the rocket’s Briz M upper stage. Russian space agency Roscosmos said prelaunch tests were halted on the pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and both the rocket and spacecraft have been returned to their assembly building.
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Soyuz Delivers New ISS Crew

Dec 01, 2014
The International Space Station (ISS) returned to full six-person staffing late Nov. 23 with the arrival of three U.S., European and Russian crewmembers. They are prepared to kick off external changes in advance of the dockings of U.S. commercial crew transports and host a pair of veteran astronauts trained for a yearlong stay. Meeting the ISS program objectives is intended to support activities beyond the current 2020 deadline for station operations and provide medical researchers with new insights into the physical and mental challenges of long-duration human deep-space exploration.
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Hollande Holds His Ground

Dec 01, 2014
Despite threats of contractual retaliation from Moscow, French President Francois Hollande has indefinitely postponed delivery of the first of two Mistral-class helicopter assault ships to Russia, citing ongoing conflict between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. Since suspending the 2011 contract in September, Hollande has been loath to cancel the €1.12 billion ($1.4 billion) Mistral deal. The first ship is dubbed Vladivostok and located at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France.
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Japan Picks U.S. Aircraft

Dec 01, 2014
Japan has chosen the Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye over the Boeing 737 AEW&C to fill a requirement for four surveillance aircraft, while also confirming it will proceed with orders for the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk and Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey. Three RQ-4s will be ordered in the fiscal year beginning April 2015, says NHK television. The timing of orders for the other types is unknown. The mid-term plan also set out the requirement for three surface-surveillance drones. RQ-4 beat the propeller-driven General Atomics Guardian ER, which is based on the U.S.
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Non-U.S. Munitions on F-35

Dec 01, 2014
The U.K.’s F-35 test team has begun captive-carry trials of non-U.S.-made munitions for the aircraft. The Raytheon Paveway IV and the MBDA Asraam, both destined for use on F-35Bs were carried on external pylons for the first time last month. The weapons are scheduled for the Block 3F package.
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Mil Flies Improved Mi-171A2

Dec 01, 2014
Russian Helicopters is flight-testing the Mi-171A2 medium helicopter, the latest iteration of the Mi-8, equipped with new engines, rotors and glass-cockpit avionics. Developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, the Mi-171A2 is powered by two digitally controlled, 2,400-shp, Klimov VK-2500PS-03 turboshafts, replacing the Mi-8/17’s 2,200-shp TV3-117s. The Russian KBO-17 avionics suite developed by Radio-Electronic Technologies includes multifunction displays, TV and infrared sensors and increased automation to reduce the crew to two.
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CSeries Completes Load Test

Dec 01, 2014
Bombardier has completed the ultimate-load wing-up bending test on the CSeries static test airframe at Saint-Laurent, Quebec. The test took the structure to 150% of design load. Static-testing is planned to be completed this year, the company says, while the fatigue-test article at IABG in Germany has logged more than 7,000 cycles. Four CS100 test aircraft have now returned to flight, with the fifth and final one still to fly this year. The first of two stretched CS300 test aircraft has begun ground runs.
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Hanwha To Buy Samsung Units

Dec 01, 2014
Hanwha Group will dominate South Korea’s aircraft engine, artillery and military electronics sub-sectors with the acquisition of a major stake in the defense businesses of conglomerate Samsung Group. Hanwha says it will buy a 32.4% share in Samsung Techwin, which in turn owns Samsung Thales jointly with Thales. Samsung Techwin makes the K-9 155mm self-propelled gun and, under license, General Electric F404 and T700 engines. Samsung Thales supplies the South Korean defense forces with radar and combat systems.

Up Front

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Opinion: Plenty Of Risk Remains For The F-35 Program

Dec 01, 2014
There shouldn’t be much doubt that the F-35 program is making progress, but the larger questions remain.

Commander's Intent

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Opinion: China’s Radar and Missile Work Means More Than Fighters

Dec 01, 2014
Everyone pays attention to China’s new fighters, but the most important developments may be closer to the ground.

Inside Business Aviation

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Cessna Caravan Finding New Popularity With Asian Operators

Dec 01, 2014
The aircraft generating smiles in Wichita of late is neither sexy nor new.

Airline Intel

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Opinion: Cebu Pacific And PAL Analyze Fleets

Dec 01, 2014
Airline industry is measured by many metrics, from on-time performance to available seat kilometers.

In Orbit

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Augustine Gives Human-spaceflight A Mixed Review

Dec 01, 2014
Five years after his most recent advisory panel, Norm Augustine sees NASA making some progress toward human spaceflight, but hurdles remain.

Washington Outlook

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Intelligence From The U.S. Capital

Dec 01, 2014
Within a day of the announcement of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s resignation, two promising candidates for replacing him quickly opted out. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who is likely to lead Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee next year, said, “No.” And then the former head of Pentagon policy, Michele Flournoy, who is the CEO of the Center for New American Security, told the think tank’s board she would not leave her current job.

Propulsion

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China To Separate Engine Business From Avic

Dec 01, 2014
Upper ranks of the Chinese government have decided to split off the collection of factories and design institutes known as Avic Engine, say industry officials in China. The future of a separate subsidiary that is struggling to build a competitive civil turbofan, Avic Commercial Aircraft Engines (ACAE), is unconfirmed, but the unit must face a large risk of being folded into the mainstream aviation propulsion group, losing funding and priority.

Air Transport

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Rapid Growth Of Vietnam’s Vietjet Mirrors Country’s Development

Dec 01, 2014
Vietjet Air has grown dramatically in three years—but things are likely to get tougher as it looks to file for an IPO and expand internationally
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JetBlue Pleases Wall Street By Adding Seats And Bag Fee

Dec 01, 2014
Despite reducing seat pitch on some aircraft and adding bag fees for some fares, JetBlue is confident it can protect its brand, appeal to its target market and differentiate itself from competitors.
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Larger Asia-Pacific Carriers Adjust Fleets To Address Capacity Concerns

Dec 01, 2014
For many of Asia’s major airlines, the boom days of previous industry cycles must seem like distant memories
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Could New LCC Subsidiaries Become Big Players In Leasing Market?

Nov 25, 2014
The concept of airlines forming leasing units is certainly not new, but the latest evolution sees more LCCs going down this path, particularly those with hundreds of narrowbody aircraft on order.

Defense

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Israel Slows F-35 Procurement Plans

Dec 01, 2014
In an unprecedented move, Israeli defense procurement panel rejects defense minister’s decision to buy 31 more F-35As.
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NATO Faces AWACS Fleet Shrinkage

Dec 01, 2014
NATO might be calling on its members to raise their defense spending, but if the alliance’s airborne early warning program is anything to go by, that message maybe falling on deaf ears.

Engineering

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NASA Begins Tests On Distributed Electric Propulsion Rig

Dec 01, 2014
NASA already is learning about distributed electric propulsion from a unique low-cost testbed, as it completes high-power static tests ahead of low-speed taxi trials leading to high-speed runs on the dry lakebed at Edwards AFB, California, in January.

Business Aviation

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MEBA 2014 To Attract Record Number Of Exhibitors, But Reasons For Concern Remain

Dec 01, 2014
When the biennial Middle East Business Aviation Show opens on Dec. 8, it is expected to set new records in almost every respect.

Flying Bombardier's Challenger 350

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Pilot Report: Upgraded Challenger 350 Meets Raised Bar

Dec 01, 2014
Facing increased competition, Bombardier has updated its popular super-midsize business jet with improved avionics, more powerful engines, new winglets and cabin enhancements. For a modest price increase, the resulting Challenger 350 provides a significant increase in value.

Indian Space

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The Growing Reach Of India’s Space Program

Dec 01, 2014
India’s space program has ambitious goals, including new missions to the Moon and Mars, and improved Earth-observation, communications and GPS capabilities
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New Indian Launcher Ready To Fly

Dec 01, 2014
India’s newest Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is perched on the launch pad at Sriharikota Island in the Bay of Bengal, weeks away from its first experimental flight.
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India Aims To Bolster Launch Business

Dec 01, 2014
Using cost advantages, India seeking to become major player in satellite space-launch market.

Simulation & Training

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Military Simulation And Training Market Pursues The Next Big Thing: LVC

Dec 01, 2014
The market for military simulators and virtual training will continue to flourish over the next two decades. Senior Editor for Avionics and Safety John Croft examines how LVC-simulation technology may answer this demand.
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F-35 Sim Incorporates Real, Not Emulated, Software

Dec 05, 2014
Lockheed Martin says F-35 pilots are getting the education they need thanks to improved simulation technology incorporated into the program’s full-mission simulators that employ the actual F-35 software used by flying aircraft.
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Live Action Remains Key Element In Air Force RPA Training

Dec 01, 2014
The Air Force’s training school for operators of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) sees surging demand for enrollment.
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Navy Pleased With First-Generation P-8A Pilots And Crew

Dec 01, 2014
Pilots learning to fly the P-8A Poseidon are spending a majority of their time in simulator-based training.

Military Aircraft Update

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Combat Aircraft Programs In Flux As Budgets Determine Orders And Mods

Dec 01, 2014
When it comes to military combat aircraft, 2015 is supposed to mark a change from fourth- to fifth-generation aircraft in the U.S.
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A-10 Thunderbolt II - B-2 Spirit Program Updates

Dec 01, 2014
A-10 Thunderbolt II
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F-15 Eagle - JAS 39 Gripen Program Updates

Dec 01, 2014
F-15 Eagle
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F-CK-1 - Tejas Light Combat Program Updates

Dec 01, 2014
AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.) F-CK-1
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Korean Aerospace T-50 - Sukhoi Su-25 Program Updates

Dec 01, 2014
Korea Aerospace Industries T/TA/FA-50

Military Aircraft Update (A-10 Thunderbolt II - B-2 Spirit)

Military Aircraft Update (F-15 Eagle - JAS 39 Gripen)

Military Aircraft Update (AIDC Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. F-CK-1 - Hindustan Aeronautics Tejas Light Combat Aircraft)

Military Aircraft Update (Korea Aerospace Industries T/TA/FA-50 - Sukhoi Su-25)

Aerospace Calendar

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Conferences & Exhibitions

Dec 01, 2014
Jan. 13-14—MRO Latin America, Buenos Aires. Feb. 2-3—MRO Middle East, Dubai. March 5—Laureate Awards, Washington. April 14-16—MRO Americas, Miami.
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Upcoming Events (Dec. 1, 2014)

Dec 01, 2014
Feb. 1-3—Routes Americas. Denver. See www.routesonline.com/events/172/Feb. 1-3 Feb. 3-6—NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference. San Jose, California. See www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2015/ Feb. 11-14—LPBA’s Winter Convention. Sunscape Sabor Resort. Cozumel, Mexico. See www.LPBA.org

Viewpoint

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Opinion: Many Reasons To Be Skeptical Of Skunk Works’ Fusion Project

Dec 01, 2014
Fusion physics is an elegant and simple concept, but it masks a series of very hard-to-solve basic engineering problems.

Flying The CHallenger 350