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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2018

VOL. 180 NO. 2 January 15, 2018

Military Space

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Rocket Companies Vying For U.S. Air Force Investment

Jan 09, 2018
Companies such as Blue Origin, Orbital ATK, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance are jostling to be a part of the future U.S. military spacelift market. Photo: Orbital ATK

First Take

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First Take (Jan. 15, 2018)

Jan 12, 2018
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

An Appreciation

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An Appreciation: John Young, 1930-2018

Jan 11, 2018
He walked on the Moon, commanded the inaugural shuttle mission and was the first person to fly on six space missions. He also headed NASA’s astronaut office and was an outspoken advocate for astronaut safety.

Cargo Market

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Booming E-Commerce Sector Drives Air Cargo Demand

Jan 10, 2018
Though belly capacity increasingly helps meet the demand, there is still a need for widebody freighters.
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Cargo Narrowbody Conversions Fit Operator Efficiency Needs

Jan 11, 2018
Demand is strong for converting the newer narrowbody aircraft for cargo use, but supply can be a problem.

Unmanned Aircraft

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Boeing HorizonX Tests Disruption Strategy With Cargo UAV

Jan 12, 2018
Boeing HorizonX, formed to bring in disruptive ideas from both outside and inside, has its first internally developed innovation, an unmanned cargo aircraft.

Technology

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Bell Unveils Air Taxi Approach With Cabin Demo

Jan 09, 2018
Visitors to Bell Helicopter’s booth at the CES consumer electronics show in Las Vegas will get a taste of flying in an air taxi.
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French Region Supports Safran’s Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Effort

Jan 09, 2018
For onboard electric power, hydrogen fuel cells are serious competitors against batteries.
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Drone-makers Riff On The Quadcopter Form At CES

Jan 12, 2018
While the consumer drone world attempts variations on the quadcopter form, the software and sensors are what will lead to something bold.
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Peregrine Falcons Inspire Counterdrone Thinking

Jan 11, 2018
Studies show missile guidance law closely mimics how peregrine falcons track and catch their prey in flight.
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Researchers Combine Actuators, Smart Materials To Morph Wing

Jan 08, 2018
Researchers have made significant progress with morphing wings, bringing the long-sought dream of copying birds on how to achieve aerodynamics closer to reality.
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The Week In Technology, Jan. 8-12, 2018

Jan 08, 2018
SureFly ready to fly; CityAirbus powers up; HopFlyt takes flight; UAV power options; 3D printing scales up

Commercial Aviation

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U.S. Experts Split On Drivers Of Airline Safety Record

Jan 09, 2018
U.S.-based passenger airlines haven’t suffered a fatal accident since 2009, but industry safety experts don’t agree on the reason why.
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Sichuan Airlines Helps Chengdu’s Long-Haul Ambitions

Jan 08, 2018
Now officially designated as China’s fourth intercontinental gateway, Chengdu looks forward to having more than 20 intercontinental long-haul routes this year.
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Shuster Retirement Could Aid FAA, Airport Boosters

Jan 09, 2018
A retirement decision by a key congressman who has been pushing so-called privatization of the U.S. ATC system may spell the demise of that effort.

Space

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Falcon Heavy To Become World’s Most Powerful Operational Rocket

Jan 12, 2018
Fit checks for the triple-core booster, a practice propellant load and finally one or more static test fires will pave the way for long-awaited debut flight
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Analysts Disagree About Classified Sat Zuma’s Fate

Jan 11, 2018
The Falcon 9-launched satellite is rumored to have reentered after what SpaceX says was a successful launch.

Defense

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Hey, Siri, How Do You Fly An F-35?

Jan 08, 2018
The U.S. Air Force is looking at leveraging virtual reality and artificial intelligence to transform pilot training.
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Japan Plans Aegis Ashore, Standoff Missiles, Maybe F-35Bs

Jan 12, 2018
Perhaps the most significant change to Japanese military policy will be breaking the iron ratios by which the armed forces share the defense budget.
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Uncertainty Surrounds Turkey’s Air And Missile Defense Vision

Jan 10, 2018
The Russian S-400 deal is signed, but Ankara is continuing to pursue joint European air defense studies.
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Russian Forces In Syria Thwart First Swarming Drone Strike

Jan 12, 2018
Thirteen improvised systems, each carrying 10 small bombs, were launched against the Khmeimim Air Base. Russian units took control of six and shot down seven.
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Kratos Expands Target Drone Business

Jan 11, 2018
After doubling production last year, Kratos' target drone business is set for another expansion after capturing the Army’s MQM-107 replacement program.
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The Week in Defense, Jan. 11-18, 2018

Jan 11, 2018
Japan moves ahead with potential purchase of SM-3 Block 2A, U.S. Army takes first step to buying new Airbus Lakota helos, new questions about Indonesia’s AW101 purchase and Mexico considers U.S. weapons for its ships.

Up Front

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Opinion: Trump’s Unremarkable Defense Playbook

Jan 12, 2018
If the defense budget wins enough support to pass, it would represent an increase of only about 2% over the Obama baseline.

Going Concerns

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Retirees, Shareholders Big Winners Of New U.S. Tax Law

Jan 10, 2018
Shareholders of public A&D companies have always been expected to benefit from U.S. tax law changes, but another list of potential winners is emerging.

Leading Edge

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AeroVironment's Stratospheric Satellites Persistence Pays Off

Jan 12, 2018
Fifteen years after it first tried to market solar-powered high-altitude UAVs, AeroVironment signs development deal for “pseudo-satellites.”

The Launchpad

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Cutting Bureaucracy To Meet Cape Canaveral's Aggressive Launch Goal

Jan 11, 2018
“We have to move at the speed of business, not the speed of bureaucracy,” says 45th Space Wing Commander Wayne Monteith.

Airline Intel

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Airbus Faces Dilemma As It Looks At Next Development Options

Jan 10, 2018
As Airbus takes control of the Bombardier C Series, there is no clarity about the manufacturer’s next moves.

Editorial

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Opinion: A Poison Pill for Defense?

Jan 10, 2018
The U.S. tax code received a needed major revamp, but one great concern is the manner in which it will be paid for—and what that could mean for defense budgets going forward.
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Opinion: SpaceX Is An Engine Of Progress

Jan 12, 2018
The company has pushed longstanding government contractors to rethink how they do business, move to drive down costs and improve quality to remain competitive.

Feedback

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Letters From Our Readers (Jan. 15, 2018)

Jan 12, 2018
Readers responded to nearly every article in the Aerospace & Defense 2018 edition. Topics include military outlooks for Canada, Turkey and Russia; the F-35; progress in civil and military engines; and MRO spending.

Who's Where

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New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections (January 15, 2018)

Jan 12, 2018
Aviation Partners Boeing has promoted Mike Stowell to president and CEO from executive vice president and chief technology officer. He succeeds Bill Ashworth, who is leaving the company.

Aerospace Calendar

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Aerospace Calendar And Aviation Week Events (Jan. 15, 2018)

Jan 12, 2018
Upcoming aviation and aerospace industry events and Aviation Week Network events