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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, September 21, 2015

VOL. 177 NO. 37 September 21, 2015

Safety

article

Better Metrics Can Cut Turbulence Costs

Sep 15, 2015
Fewer maintenance inspections are occurring post-severe turbulence encounters, thanks to new software that improves upon traditional qualitative pilot reports.
article

New Flight Deck Apps Help Pilots Avoid Turbulence

Sep 15, 2015
Software applications that will help futurecast storms and other hazards will soon be on tap as cockpit connectivity flourishes.
article

NTSB: Pilot Error, Flawed Safety Nets in Gulfstream Crash

Sep 17, 2015
GIV final crash analysis blames pilots for routinely ignoring checklist procedures and FAA for not verifying a key safety system during certification of the aircraft.
article

Are Pilots Missing Too Many Checklist Items?

Sep 18, 2015
NTSB points to possible broader problems in the industry with missed safety checks.

Technology

article

Turbine Engine Could Pave Way For Supersonic Cruise Missiles

Sep 23, 2015
Developers hope to ground test a turbine engine at Mach 3.2 in the coming months, paving the way for long-range supersonic cruise missiles as well as potentially laying the foundation for a viable combined-cycle hypersonic propulsion system.
article

Alcoa Boosts Investment In Additive Manufacturing

Sep 14, 2015
Leader in lightweight metal industry invests in R&D of materials, processes and design tools for additive manufacturing of complex metal parts, with aerospace demand taking the lead.
article

FAA’s Cleen 2 Widens Participation In Environmental Research

Sep 14, 2015
FAA awards contracts to eight companies to mature technologies to reduce fuel burn, noise and emissions in commercial aircraft, beginning around 2026.
article

Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Solar System

Sep 15, 2015
JPL concept outlines a slingshot concept for exploring multiple asteroids, comets and small planets in the outer Solar System in one mission.
article

The Week In Technology, Sept. 14-18, 2015

Sep 14, 2015
Darpa’s Gremlins mess with defenses; robotic landing gear; countering unmanned aircraft; drone collision in Norway; NASA’s airspace design challenge.

Commercial Aviation

article

Lufthansa Seeks €500 Million in Savings

Sep 18, 2015
German carrier wants to monetize synergies created by its acquisition of three airlines.
article

Airbus's First U.S. Final Assembly Line Opens

Sep 15, 2015
European manufacturer plans to deliver its first U.S.-assembled A321 in April 2016, and expand production to other types.
article

Is SAS Ready For Sustainable Long-term Growth?

Sep 18, 2015
SAS has repositioned itself as a niche carrier serving the Scandinavian frequent traveler
article

Why Lifting U.S. Oil Exports Could Benefit Airlines

Sep 17, 2015
Do airlines much care if the ban on U.S. oil exports is removed? So far, most carriers have avoided entanglement in the debate.

Space

article

Manned Mission Around Moon Slips Two Years

Sep 18, 2015
Republican lawmaker says NASA shortchanged itself in delaying the first manned Orion flight.
article

Old Buildings for New Rockets Take Shape at Cape Canaveral

Sep 18, 2015
Historic space-launch facilities in Florida are getting a private-sector makeover
article

Aerojet Back to Square One With ULA Offer Snubbed

Sep 18, 2015
Aerojet’s offer for ULA falls on deaf ears, leaving rocket maker without a ride in EELV program.
article

SpaceX November Mission Will Loft SES Satellite

Sep 16, 2015
Company reshuffles Falcon 9 manifest, moving a commercial satellite launch on an upgraded version of the rocket ahead of the Jason-3 ocean-monitoring mission for NASA.

Defense

article

Fighter Gap Forces Questions On USAF F-15C Plans

Sep 17, 2015
F-22 shortfall likely to prompt billions in extra spending on upgrading F-15Cs, though questions remain on what mods are needed.
article

Could Lasers Finally See Airborne Combat Action?

Sep 17, 2015
After decades of promise, directed-energy weapons could finally see operational action by the end of this decade.
article

Kuwait's Typhoon Choice Buoys Consortium

Sep 17, 2015
Billions spent on the Eurofighter aircraft’s capability enhancements may finally be paying off.
article

The Week In Defense Sept. 17-24, 2015

Sep 17, 2015
Poland buys U.S. cruise missiles; General Atomics delivers MQ-9 Reapers; preventing hypoxia; secure voice communication systems for helos; new Czech trainer demonstrator.

Rotorcraft

article

Australia Will Decide Tiger’s Future In Next Decade

Sep 18, 2015
Australia’s Airbus Tiger helicopters, which were under threat of abrupt replacement early this year, are proving their worth. Belated declaration of final operational capability is likely only a few months away.
article

Australian CH-47F, MH-60R Orders Ahead Of Schedule

Sep 18, 2015
The smooth performance of helicopter deliveries to Australia under U.S. FMS contracts contrasts with troublesome programs for two Airbus types that were immature when ordered
article

Airbus Fixing Remaining Australian NH90 Faults

Sep 18, 2015
After years of delays and development problems, Australia’s MRH90 helicopters are finally going into service.

Up Front

article

Opinion: Defense Contractors Shouldn’t Dismiss Silicon Valley Outreach

Sep 17, 2015
Why the Pentagon should invest in high-tech commercial research and why start-ups will warm to the lure of government dollars.

Inside Business Aviation

article

Raisbeck Adds Two New Swept Props For King Air 350

Sep 16, 2015
Company’s modifications are popular among operators because they improve performance or free up cabin space.

Leading Edge

article

CFD Code Modernization Keeps Pace With Supercomputing

Sep 16, 2015
Simulation of complete aircraft and engines takes a giant step as software developer Ansys shows computational fluid dynamics code can run efficiently on a massively parallel supercomputer.

In Orbit

article

ISS, Matt Damon And Space Spuds: Not Just Sci-Fi

Sep 16, 2015
The botanist played by Matt Damon in The Martian has real-life counterparts in space and on the ground today.

Washington Outlook

article

F-35 Test Questioned, Orbital’s Next Launch And Flights From Japan

Sep 18, 2015
What is a ‘real’ operational test, anyway; NASA doubts Orbital can meet its schedule for returning Antares to flight and Japan may lift restrictions on daytime flights to the U.S.

Viewpoint

article

Opinion: How To Craft Better Fleet Maintenance Programs

Sep 17, 2015
Many airlines want the lowest maintenance cost possible, but also wish to retain full flexibility.