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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology October 6, 2014

VOL. 176 NO. 35 October 06, 2014

Rotorcraft

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Sikorsky Talks To Customers About Potential Raider Applications

Oct 06, 2014
The manufacturer wants to redefine rotorcraft with a configuration that offers higher speed, maneuverability and hover performance, but retains the helicopter’s defining low-speed agility while enabling unique flight characteristics.
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Offshore Helicopter Industry Wants Global Approach To Safety

Oct 06, 2014
Safety concerns are now front and center for offshore helicopter operators, and initiatives are well underway to unify regulations

Feedback

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Short Shrift For MRO, Odyssey

Oct 06, 2014
Multiple articles discussed the comet Siding Spring and its close approach to Mars (AW&ST Sept. 8, pp. 38-39) including coverage of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile evolution (Maven) and Mangalyaan orbiters, but only a very brief mention of MRO—Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter—and no mention of the Odyssey. Those two have been in orbit around Mars for a combined two decades.

Up Front

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Opinion: Enders Pushes Stronger Focus On Value Creation

Oct 06, 2014
The announcement by Airbus Group that it was putting €2 billion in defense and space businesses up for sale is an important milestone not only for Airbus but also for European A&D.

Leading Edge

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Don’t Forget Booster In Designing Hypersonic Weapons

Oct 06, 2014
A significant number of attempts to fly at hypersonic speed have failed—not due to the advanced airframe or propulsion technology being tested, but because of the rocket booster needed to reach that speed.

Reality Check

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Opinion: Airline Industry Must Step-Up Solving Slot Shortage

Oct 06, 2014
As airport congestion worsens worldwide, the pressure is on to find ways of alleviating slot shortages

Airline Intel

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Opinion: Qantas Raises Stakes In Transpacific Competition

Oct 06, 2014
When a Qantas A380 landed at Dallas/Fort Worth for the first time, it marked the latest escalation in the hotly contested market between North America and Australasia.

In Orbit

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Partnership Measuring Greenhouse Gas From World’s Cities

Oct 06, 2014
One of the almost three dozen symposia scheduled during the International Astronautical Congress dealt with issues of Earth observation from space.

Washington Outlook

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Russians Will Ride NASA’s New Commercial Crew Vehicles

Oct 06, 2014
NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX to take U.S. astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) as a way to stop paying Russia $76 million a pop for seats (and training) in the Soyuz capsule after early 2018. But even in this era of cooling relations between the countries, it doesn’t mean astronauts will stop flying Soyuz. And cosmonauts probably will fly in the new U.S. vehicles, to restore the “dissimilar redundancy” in ISS crew transport that has been missing since the space shuttle retired.

Defense

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KF-X Awaits Budget After Defense Ministry OK

Oct 06, 2014
If the KF-X survives while production of older European and U.S. aircraft winds up, then next decade it may be the only alternative to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning as a fighter engineered for compatibility with Western weapons and communications
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Tweeted Uclass Photo Reveals Retro Stealth Strategy

Oct 06, 2014
Lockheed Martin’s full-scale mock-up of its Unmanned Carrier Launched Surveillance and Strike (Uclass) contender was unveiled in late September when CNBC reporter Jane Wells tweeted a photo from the company’s Skunk Works unit.
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Contractors Respond To Polish Deep-Strike Requirement

Oct 06, 2014
International defense companies visiting last month’s MSPO defense exhibition in Poland are responding to the call for munitions that can strike ballistic missile launchers, long-range air defense and command-and-control centers deep in enemy territory.
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Norway Paves The Way For F-35 Acquisition

Oct 06, 2014
F-35 proponents in Norway are working to ensure that the country reaps all that it can from the procurement
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Norway Has High Hopes For Joint And Naval Strike Missiles

Oct 06, 2014
Enhanced missiles that could greatly boost Norway’s air arm capability are high on the country’s wish list
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Canada’s Hornet Upgrade Delays New Fighters

Oct 06, 2014
Politics holds up Canada’s progress on JSF decision

Space

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Space Assets Needed To Guide Politicians On Climate

Oct 06, 2014
Penny-pinching politicians and those who reject the evidence that human activity is changing Earth’s climate are making it hard for scientists to continue providing the data from space needed to monitor and try to manage the effects of inaction
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UrtheCast Hopes Customer Will Fund Next-Gen ISS Cameras

Oct 06, 2014
If signed, the deal with an undisclosed customer would allow UrtheCast to develop two sensors, a high-resolution, dual-mode optical/video camera and a high-resolution dual-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that will be capable of imaging simultaneously in L and X bands.

Business

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Exelis Drops Army, Aims At USAF, FAA, NASA

Oct 06, 2014
Exelis sets its sights on airborne and technology strengths

Air Transport

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787-9 Test Lessons To Aid 787-10 And 777X

Oct 06, 2014
To help smooth the way for follow-on 787 and 777X derivatives, Boeing is banking on using valuable and, in some cases, unexpected lessons learned during the test and development of the latest stretch model, the 787-9.
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Chinese Military Increases Temporary Civil Airspace

Oct 06, 2014
Commercial airspace routinely takes a backseat to military airspace in China
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Industry Changes Spur Transition For SkyWest

Oct 06, 2014
SkyWest, the U.S.’s largest regional carrier, keeps its focus on adapting to partners’ needs.
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United Airlines Gains Efficiencies Through Ops Center

Oct 06, 2014
Enhanced customer service is just one of the benefits United hopes to inculcate thanks to it new network operations center
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Vietnam Airlines Looks To ANA As Potential Investor

Oct 06, 2014
Foreign investors are sought by Vietnam Airlines as it makes plans to bolster its fleet
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Chicago Center Arson Spotlights FAA’s Subpar Backup Plans

Oct 06, 2014
The FAA is rushing to overhaul backup plans and technology used at 20 en route air traffic control facilities in the continental U.S. after weaknesses were exposed by one troubled employee’s sabotage of the Chicago air route traffic control center. The damage caused the complete loss of command-and-control functions for en route aircraft over a five-state area in the Midwest.
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Report Critical Of FAA’s Monitoring Of ADS-B Health

Oct 06, 2014
A watchdog agency has detected several glitches in ADS-B, which the FAA is now addressing
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Airbus Preparing A350-900 For First Delivery

Oct 06, 2014
With EASA certification now in place for the A350-900, Airbus is shifting gears to prepare for first delivery of the aircraft and a steep production ramp-up.

Low-Cost Carriers

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After Its First Profitable Year, Virgin America Readies For IPO

Oct 06, 2014
While Virgin America has a compelling onboard product—its 10 Airbus A319s and 43 Airbus A320s offer relatively fast onboard Internet service, seat-back televisions and mood lighting—analysts say the carrier may lack the scale needed to compete with United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines in key business markets.
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For Southwest, 2014 Is A Transformative Year

Oct 06, 2014
Among this year’s milestones: the airline began its first international flights, established a new reservations system and will wrap up its operational integration with AirTran Airways, which it acquired in 2011. And perhaps most symbolically important, from Oct. 14 Southwest will be able to fly anywhere it wants in the continental U.S. from its home base at Dallas Love Field.
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Frontier Contemplates Going Head-To-Head With Spirit

Oct 06, 2014
Frontier Airlines is transforming itself into an ultra-low-cost carrier, taking on the likes of Spirit Airlines

Aerospace Calendar

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Conferences & Exhibitions

Oct 06, 2014
Nov. 4-6—MRO Asia, Singapore. Nov. 19-20—A&D Programs, Litchfield Park, Arizona. Jan. 13-14—MRO Latin America, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Feb. 2-3—MRO Middle East, Dubai. March 5—Laureate Awards, Washington. April 14-16—MRO Americas, Miami.
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Upcoming Events (Oct. 6, 2014)

Oct 06, 2014
Nov. 4-6—MRO Asia, Singapore. Nov. 19-20—A&D Programs, Litchfield Park, Arizona. Jan. 13-14—MRO Latin America, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Feb. 2-3—MRO Middle East, Dubai. March 5—Laureate Awards, Washington. April 14-16—MRO Americas, Miami.

Viewpoint

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Opinion: How Unions Contribute To Pilot Shortage

Oct 06, 2014
No one should have been surprised to read on this page that ALPA thinks there is no pilot shortage in the U.S.

Who's Where

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Airbus Group UK

Oct 06, 2014
Paul Kahn (see photo) has been appointed president of Airbus Group UK. He was president/CEO of Thales Canada. Kahn succeeds Robin Southwell, who has left the company.
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Boeing, Northrop Grumman Offer AEW&C For Japan

Oct 06, 2014
Michael C. Ford has been named vice president-global diversity and employee rights for Chicago-based Boeing, effective Oct. 17. He has been vice president-global diversity and inclusion for Hilton Worldwide. Ford succeeds Ozzie Pierce, who was interim vice president after the retirement of Joyce Tucker. Pierce will continue as director of equal employent opportunity compliance.
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Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.

Oct 06, 2014
Jim Tait (see photo) has become vice president-sales operations and analysis for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Georgia. He was director of financial planning and analysis.
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Private Jet Services

Oct 06, 2014
Brian Kratt has been named president of Private Jet Services, Seabrook, New Hampshire. He was CEO of Language Scientific and had been vice president-sales and marketing at Black Dragon Software.
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Executive AirShare

Oct 06, 2014
Matt Hand (see photo) has been appointed director of scheduling for Kansas City, Missouri-based Executive AirShare. He was director of crew resources for Minneapolis-based Endeavor Air.
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Northrop Grumman Corp.

Oct 06, 2014
Tarik Reyes (see photo) has been named vice president-business development for the integrated air and missile defense division of the Falls Church, Virginia-based Northrop Grumman Corp.’s Information Systems Sector. He was director of the civil information solutions unit within the sector’s civil division.

Who's Where: Honors and Elections

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Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal

Oct 06, 2014
Alan Lindenmoyer, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, has received a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for his work to stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate commercial cargo and human spaceflight services. Lindenmoyer was cited for leading “the effort that has launched a new era of private-sector orbital transportation while reducing the costs to taxpayers of building and deploying rockets and spacecraft,” through partnering with American industry.
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InsideCounsel Magazine

Oct 06, 2014
Sheila Cheston (see photo), corporate vice president/general counsel for the Northrop Grumman Corp., has received the InsideCounsel Magazine Sharing the Power Award for “making significant strides to expand the influence and empowerment of women in the legal profession and leadership in enhancing diversity.”

The World

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Eastern Confirms MRJ Order

Oct 06, 2014
Miami-based Eastern Air Lines, which is not yet flying, has confirmed its order for 20 Mitsubishi Aircraft 92-seat MRJ90 regional jets. Deliveries are due to begin in 2019, about two years after the MRJ enters service. Mitsubishi now has orders for 191 MRJs, which should increase to 223 when Japan Airlines confirms an order for 32 covered by a letter of intent. In addition, customers hold options and purchase rights on another 184 MRJ90s. Eastern will use the name and livery of the historic but unrelated U.S. airline that closed in 1991.
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Blackpool Facing Closure

Oct 06, 2014
Blackpool International Airport in the U.K. has announced that commercial flights could end by the middle of October if a buyer is not found for the loss-making facility. The airport owner, infrastructure company Balfour Beatty said Sept. 29 that if no buyer can be found before Oct. 7, airport operations will end on Oct. 15. The airport currently has flights to resort destinations in Spain and Turkey with U.K. low-cost airline Jet2 and flights to Ireland and the Isle of Man by Aer Lingus and Citywing.
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So Long, Seattle

Oct 06, 2014
As part of ongoing moves to streamline its defense and space business, Boeing is moving the majority of its service and support-related work from Washington State to Oklahoma City and St. Louis. The move will take around three years and affect about 2,000 employees principally working on service and support of the E-3 AWACS, 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control and F-22 combat aircraft. Boeing says up to 900 jobs could be added in Oklahoma and 500 in St. Louis, and that further work will be moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and Patuxent River, Maryland.
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RAF Hands Merlins To RN

Oct 06, 2014
The U.K. Royal Air Force has stood down one of its AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin squadrons and handed over the aircraft to the Royal Navy. The former RAF Merlin Mk3s will replace Westland Sea King Mk4s that were the backbone of the Commando Helicopter Force but are due to be retired in March 2016. The RAF’s 78 Sqdn. stood down on Sept. 30 at RAF Benson with the handover, while the RN reactivated 846 Naval Air Sqdn. (NAS).
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BAE Upgrading Nulka

Oct 06, 2014
Australia has contracted with BAE Systems to upgrade the launcher subsystem of the Nulka naval defense system, with the aim of ensuring the hovering-rocket decoy can remain in use despite the obsolescence of some parts. Nulka, an Australian product that BAE calls “the world’s most effective soft-kill anti-ship missile defense,” is in service on more than 140 vessels in the U.S., Canadian and Australian navies. Unlike reflective chaff and transmitters suspended under parachutes, Nulka decoys are designed to to lure anti-ship missiles away from targeted ships.
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Watchkeeper to Afghanistan

Oct 06, 2014
The British Army’s Watchkeeper UAV has finally been deployed to Afghanistan, only months before the U.K. ends combat operations there. At least two of the Thales-built Watchkeeper platforms have been deployed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province. Watchkeeper is expected to return to the U.K. following the handover of Camp Bastion to the Afghan government, which is expected before year-end.
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Barco Barter

Oct 06, 2014
Esterline Technologies’ roughly $200 million acquisition of Barco’s aerospace and defense display unit is likely the former’s last major addition for about two years as it implements a multiyear cost-cutting and restructuring program, Canaccord Genuity analysts believe. The deal, announced last week, merges Barco’s display operation into Esterline’s avionics and controls business.
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Marenco Swisshelicopter Makes First Flight

Oct 06, 2014
Startup helicopter manufacturer Marenco Swisshelicopter put its SKYe SH09 single-engine light helicopter through its paces on Oct. 2. The aircraft was maneuvered in hover in a series of five test flights that lasted about 20 min. at the company’s test facility at Mollis, near Zurich, with chief test pilot Dwayne Williams in charge. The delayed flight comes 10 months after the rollout of the initial prototype on Nov. 28, 2013.
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Magnum Aluminum

Oct 06, 2014
Metals giant Alcoa is continuing its push into Indiana and the aerospace business, with the formal opening last week of “the world’s largest” aluminum-lithium plant in Lafayette. The company says its cast house there, next to its extrusion plant, can produce more than 20,000 metric tons of aluminum-lithium annually. The $90 million facility is capable of making aluminum-lithium ingots big enough “to make any single-piece component on today’s aircraft,” says Alcoa.
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Proton Back in Action

Oct 06, 2014
Russia’s Proton M/Briz M heavy-lift launch vehicle returned to flight Sept. 28, sending a Russian military satellite to geosynchronous orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The vehicle, which has been grounded since a May incident that led to the loss of Russian Satellite Communications Co. (RSCC) AM4R satellite, lifted off at 12:23 a.m. Moscow time, marking the fifth launch of a Proton rocket this year.
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Airbus Optronics

Oct 06, 2014
Airbus this month closed its takeover of the former optronics subsidiary of Carl Zeiss. Airbus had held 75% ownership but in October 2012 moved to take over the remainder. The 800-person unit, previously known as Cassidian Optronics, with headquarters in Oberkochen, Germany, now will be called Airbus DS Optronics. It designs and produces optronic, optical and precision-engineered products for satellites and UAVs.
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Sierra Nevada Pushes Dream Chaser for Human Spaceflight

Oct 06, 2014
Sierra Nevada Corp. is underscoring its position as a potential human spaceflight provider for a global market, despite its rejection by NASA as one of two commercial operators to fly astronauts to the International Space Station.
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737 Rate To Rise Again

Oct 06, 2014
Production of Boeing 737s is expected to rise to an unprecedented 52 per month in 2018. The company, which already announced plans to increase the production rate to 47 per month in 2017, hinted last month that the even higher assembly rate was being considered in response to market demand. Once established, the new rate means more than 620 aircraft a year will be built, roughly equivalent to the cumulative production for the first 13 years of the 737. Boeing has a firm order backlog of more than 4,000 737s: over 1,700 for 737 NGs and 2,294 for the 737 MAX family.