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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, April 13, 2015

VOL. 177 NO. 14 April 13, 2015

Military Space

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One-On-One With USAF Secretary

Apr 08, 2015
U.S. Air Force Secretary discusses creating an apples-to-apples comparison of ULA and SpaceX launch cost, embracing public-private partnerships for a new rocket engine and developing trust with new market entrants.
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A U.S. Air Force EELV Program Timeline

Apr 08, 2015
The Rise and Fall of a Launch Monopoly?
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USAF: Major Savings With New Launch Range Deal

Apr 13, 2015
The U.S. Air Force claims the new LISC deal could save up to $1.8 billion over 10 years, although skeptics question how.
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Aerojet Rocketdyne Embracing 3-D Printing For AR1

Apr 08, 2015
Just because parts can be produced faster with 3-D printing does not mean engineers can cut corners validating their properties, an additive manufacturing expert warns.

First Take

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First Take (April 13, 2015)

Apr 10, 2015
​DEFENSE Saudi Arabia has opened a second front in the war on Islamic extremism, taking on Yemen’s Houthi faction with a hastily assembled but formidable coalition of Arab nations. Gulf Cooperation Council nations, with the exception of Oman, have deployed aircraft in support of Operation Decisive Storm, along with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan. Pakistan is considering a request to join.

Space

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Blue Origin Passes Big Hurdle To Start Of Passenger Flights

Apr 10, 2015
Blue Origin plans to begin autonomous flight tests later this year with the reusable New Shepard suborbital human spacecraft it will power.

Commercial Aviation

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FedEx In $5 Billion Takeover Of TNT Express

Apr 10, 2015
FedEx latest acquisition—TNT Expresss expands U.S. freight company’s European footprint

Chinese Business Aviation

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Politics To Determine China Bizjet Sales Revival

Apr 07, 2015
The anti-corruption campaign that has disrupted business jet sales in China will end in 2017, says one expert. It may moderate earlier—or not until years later.
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Bizjet Market Shows Faint Signs Of Recovery In China

Apr 13, 2015
Chinese business jet orders appear to be tracing out the beginnings of a curve that looks like a bathtub.
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Textron Aviation Exec: Joint Ventures In China A ‘Good Decision’

Apr 07, 2015
Three years after forming joint ventures for two aircraft in China, Textron Aviation officials say they are pleased with progress as they work to expand capabilities.

Technology

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USAF Test Pilots School Vets Safer Adaptive Flight Controller

Apr 06, 2015
The L1 controller is designed to automatically intervene in the case of control problems.
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Approach-Flying Aid Heads For At-Sea Carrier Trials

Apr 06, 2015
Flight-control and head-up display changes make landing a Super Hornet on a flightdeck less stressful on the pilot.
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The Week in Technology, April 6-10, 2015

Apr 06, 2015
Darpa wants to separate payloads from platforms to distribute air warfare; Army offers prizes for lasers that can shoot down mortars and UAVs; Robotic copilot gets a head start; UAV hitches Antarctic balloon ride to 23-km. altitude; Air Force wants a radar that can communicate, navigate and jam.

Defense

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Pratt Unveils Sixth-Generation Fighter Engine, F135 Upgrade Options

Apr 09, 2015
Pratt & Whitney outlines plan for F135 engine upgrade options, as well as for sixth-generation combat aircraft engine.
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Marines Still Expect CH-53K To Meet IOC In 2019

Apr 09, 2015
While the U.S. Marine Corps awaits the delayed first flight of its CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter, Sikorsky is using test vehicles for additional tasks on the ground to make the best use of the schedule slippage.
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Saudi-Led Coalition Uses Airpower Against Yemeni Rebels

Apr 10, 2015
Airpower from across the Middle East deploys to Saudi Arabia to support operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Up Front

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Opinion: Shifting Requirements, Budget Reality Conspiring Against T-X

Apr 10, 2015
USAF’s T-X advanced trainer procurement program is the second largest outstanding undetermined aircraft procurement program in the world.

Commander's Intent

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Opinion: Nearing A Laser Tipping Point

Apr 15, 2015
Star Wars lasers were intended to hit things that missiles could not touch. The new generation exploits different characteristics.

Going Concerns

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Opinion: Market Capital And National Capitals Getting Aligned

Apr 08, 2015
Arms exports from companies in EU member states taking a hit as governments think twice about approving deals with Russia and countries in the Middle East

Airline Intel

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Opinion: Lessons To Learn From Germanwings Flight 9525

Apr 14, 2015
There have been a handful of events that can be linked to pilots intentionally crashing aircraft. But that’s in hundreds of millions of flights since the late 1990s.

In Orbit

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New Approach Cuts Cost Of Sending Humans To Mars

Apr 08, 2015
A new concept puts Mars in reach with today’s NASA budget. The trick is a stop in Martian orbit, and a flight-test landing on Earth’s Moon.

Washington Outlook

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‘Stick Rockets,” Engine Jousting, Ex-Im Case And McCain’s Run

Apr 10, 2015
Mars exploration plans more down-to-Earth; Pratt ready for F-35 engine competitors; another win for Ex-Im bank; McCain wants sixth term.

Editorial

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Editorial: Putting Space Above Politics

Apr 15, 2015
Despite tensions, U.S. and Russia are still cooperating in civil space. Now it’s time to bring China into the fold.
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Editorial: Keep An Open Mind On Pilots’ Mental Health

Apr 10, 2015
Aviation has achieved its enviable safety record by not dismissing any possibility of failure and working systematically to eliminate risk wherever it can.

Feedback

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Letters From Our Readers (April 13, 2015)

Apr 10, 2015
Reader requests cost-comparison chart of A-10 vs. other platforms; Germanwings disaster prompts many security suggestions—two different ways to secure cockpit doors are discussed.

Who's Where

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New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections (April 13, 2015)

Apr 10, 2015
Jaan Albrecht (see photos) has been appointed CEO of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines joint venture SunExpress, effective June 1. He has been CEO of Lufthansa Group subsidiary Austrian Airlines and was CEO of the Star Alliance. Klaus Froese has been named chief operating officer of the extended executive board of Austrian Airlines and Tyrolean Airways. He was managing director of Lufthansa CityLine.

Aerospace Calendar

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Upcoming Events (April 13, 2015)

Apr 10, 2015
May 4—Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s Unmanned Systems 2015. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. See www.auvsi.org/events1/eventdescription/?CalendarEventKey=4b6a54a9-2072-463b-9398-67c2c462ec2e May 6—American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala. Washington. See www.aiaa.org/gala2015
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Conferences & Exhibitions (April 13, 2015)

Apr 10, 2015
May 5-6—MRO Baltics, Budapest, Hungary. June 17—Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Briefing, Paris. Oct. 13-15—MRO Europe, London. Nov. 3-5—MRO Asia, Singapore. Nov. 3-5—Aerospace Defense Chain, Scottsdale, Arizona.