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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, March 27, 2017

VOL. 179 NO. 12 March 27, 2017

A320neo In-Service Report

article

Airlines Praise Airbus A320neo Performance, But Engine Issues Remain

Mar 24, 2017
Operators are impressed by the fuel savings achieved a year after entering service. But the PW1100G engine is still causing problems, and fixes are pending.

Safety

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Electronics Ban Highlights Safety Versus Security Trade-offs

Mar 24, 2017
By requiring laptops and other devices with lithium-ion batteries to be put in cargo holds, the Homeland Security Department may be setting up a “perfect storm” of conditions that could lead to an uncontrollable fire.

Technology

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Navmar’s Tigershark First To Fly UAV Turbines’ Small Turboprop

Mar 22, 2017
Private investment advances development of a small turbine engine, promising a much-needed increase in propulsion reliability for Class 3-4 tactical unmanned aircraft.
article

Brexit Could Decide Future Of European 'Clean Sky 3'

Mar 23, 2017
Planning for Europe’s next multiyear aeronautical research program will overlap with negotiations on the UK’s exit from the European Union.
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The Week In Technology, March 20-24, 2017

Mar 20, 2017
Lockheed Martin laser power record; biofuels and contrails; DARPA Gremlins make progress; UTM for Japan; Mesmer seduces drones.

Commercial Aviation

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Beijing Influence Rising In Russo-Chinese Widebody Program

Mar 24, 2017
The Lrwbca is supposed to be a 50:50 split, but the headquarters and engineering team will be in Shanghai, the project leader and possibly the engine Chinese.
article

Lufthansa’s Breakthrough Pilot Deal Highlights European Troubles

Mar 20, 2017
Lufthansa did not get everything it wanted in its labor agreement with pilots, but it did address many key issues.
article

Boeing 737, 787 Order Rewards Likely From Chinese Completion Center

Mar 21, 2017
Conveniently for Boeing, the province where it will build a 737 completion center is home to a small, government-backed airline with big growth plans.
article

SmartSky Set For Network Buildout Sprint

Mar 23, 2017
Critics said it couldn’t be done, but SmartSky has proven how to make use of unlicensed spectrum to provide aircraft with 4G connectivity that’s down to Earth.
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Growing MRO Capability Prioritized By South Korea

Mar 22, 2017
The South Korean government is focused on growing the local MRO industry, while Incheon Airport plans a major new maintenance complex.
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Asian MRO Growth Raises Fears Of Oversupply

Mar 22, 2017
Rapid expansion could result in excess capacity for Asian MROs. Other challenges include finding skilled personnel, pressure from OEMs and new aircraft types.

Space

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ADS Delivers Its First All-Electric Satellite To Eutelsat

Mar 20, 2017
Launch service operators and satellite manufacturers stand to benefit from electric-propulsion satellites.
article

Labor Dispute Delays Ariane 5 Launch

Mar 24, 2017
French Guianese workers say launchpad construction is not employing enough local workers

Defense

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Japan-UK Fighter Project Sign Of Closer Defense Partnership

Mar 24, 2017
The two countries will tell each other what they want from a future fighter and what technology they have. Then they will consider studying a joint program.
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Italian Air Chief Says New Technology And More Joint Operations Needed

Mar 24, 2017
The Italian air force faces rapid change as new aircraft types enter service.
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First New USAF Pilots Begin F-35A Training At Luke AFB

Mar 22, 2017
The Air Force hopes a new crop of young pilots will help take the F-35 to the next level
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U.S. Air Force OA-X Light-Attack Demo Competitors

Mar 21, 2017
The U.S. Air Force is looking for light-attack aircraft for its OA-X program, and two turboprops seem to be in the lead, though many more are in the running.
article

Boeing, Lockheed Aircraft Win Big In Trump’s Budget Plan

Mar 20, 2017
Trump’s budget stands little chance of becoming law unchanged, but still sets the stage for a significant military buildup.
article

Indonesian Air Force Struggling To Acquire A400Ms, AW101s

Mar 21, 2017
A defense law directs the Indonesian air force to prefer Airbus H225Ms, fitted out in the country, even though it wants AW101s. An A400M order is awaiting a report on a 2015 crash.
article

MQ-9, Heron TP Vie For RAAF Armed-UAV Program

Mar 20, 2017
Australia’s planned force of armed drones are probably intended for expeditionary operations; Canberra does not seem to think propeller-driven UAVs would have a large role for the defense of the country.
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The Week in Defense, March 23-30, 2017

Mar 23, 2017
Lockheed looks toward deal for 130 F-35s, Leonardo’s new boss, French politicians pitch Rafale fighter in cash-strapped Malaysia and the UK seeks Hellfire missiles.

Airline Intel

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Electronics Ban: Ultimately Everyone Will Lose

Mar 24, 2017
The questionable logic that banning laptops from some aircraft cabins makes flying more secure could actually jeopardize passenger safety.

Inside Business Aviation

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Now 80, The Ubiquitous-but-halted Cub Enjoys Second Coming

Mar 23, 2017
Want to go low and slow and smile? Fly a Cub, and your options now go beyond the original.

In Orbit

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Ideology, Not Reality, Drives Trump NASA Cuts

Mar 22, 2017
Trump administration’s views on climate change may curtail NASA Earth-observation satellite missions.

Washington Outlook

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China And Russia Test The U.S. In Space

Mar 24, 2017
In this week’s Washington Outlook: Deterring plausibly deniable attacks in space may involve actions on the ground.

Viewpoint

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Opinion: The Uneven Progress Of Women In Aerospace

Mar 24, 2017
Women have made great inroads in aerospace finance and management, but they remain woefully underrepresented on the technical side of the industry.
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Opinion: How Lockheed Martin Will Lower Orion Cost, Speed Production

Mar 21, 2017
Most of the toughest engineering challenges have been tackled, 80% of structural element designs are finished, and Lockheed investments in facilities, labs and personnel certifications can help speed readiness for complex deep-space missions.