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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, March 16, 2015

SPACE TELECOM

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Big Gains On Horizon For Laser Communications Suppliers

Mar 11, 2015
Silicon Valley’s renewed interest in space-based global connectivity offers opportunities.
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OneWeb Eyes Honeywell for Broadband Aero Terminal, Satellite Hardware

Mar 11, 2015
Established satellite service players have largely welcomed Silicon Valley’s sudden interest in the space sector—including some fleet operators who see the potential to collaborate with new LEO networks.
article

Eutelsat To Order Prototype Quantum Satellite By April

Mar 11, 2015
Led by Airbus Defense and Space and Surrey Satellite Technology, the Ku-band Eutelsat Quantum satellite will allow coverage areas to be redefined via software uploads in response to shifting service demand.

First Take

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First Take (March 16, 2015)

Mar 13, 2015
ROTORCRAFT Airbus unveiled its H160 rotorcraft, a €1 billion ($1.06 billion) challenger to AgustaWestland’s AW139, which has dominated the medium helicopter market for a decade. Formerly the X4, the H160 incorporates advanced technologies such as a carbon-fiber airframe and distinct composite blades with hockey-shaped tips to lower weight and improve fuel efficiency. Service entry is targeted for 2018 (page 44).

Space

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‘Jupiter’ Space Tug Could Deliver Cargo To The Moon

Mar 12, 2015
Lockheed Martin wants to use ISS as a commercial springboard to the Moon and beyond.

Commercial Aviation

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Equity Links Fail To Bring Air China, Cathay Close

Mar 10, 2015
Even cross shareholdings of 30% and 18% have failed to meld Air China and Cathay Pacific into anything like an integrated group
article

Mergers Allow Virgin Australia To Enter New Markets

Mar 10, 2015
Virgin has broadened its competitive scope by acquiring low-cost and regional carriers.
article

Has The Pace Of Airline Consolidation Slowed?

Mar 10, 2015
The lack of airline consolidation in Europe is fairly remarkable given that, unlike elsewhere in the world, a large part of the industry is actually up for sale.
article

Boeing Rolls Out 777 Upgrade Plan

Mar 09, 2015
Aimed at providing the equivalent of 2% fuel-burn savings in baseline performance, the rolling upgrade effort will also include a series of optional product improvements to push the total potential fuel-burn savings on a per-seat basis to as much as 5% over the current 777-300ER by late 2016.
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Do Airbus and Boeing Face Bubble Trouble?

Mar 13, 2015
The two dominant aircraft manufacturers are sanguine their robust orderbooks are sound; other industry analysts caution that they are being overly ambitious.

Electronic Warfare

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New Radars, IRST Strengthen Stealth-Detection Claims

Mar 16, 2015
There used to be stealth aircraft and non-stealth aircraft, but new detection technology is making that distinction more complicated.
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Darpa’s ACT Program Digitizes Active Arrays

Mar 12, 2015
Common modules with digital beam-forming will reduce development expense and timescale, increase capability and flexibility for AESA radars and jammers.
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USAF Plans $7.6 Billion Electronic Makeover For F-15s

Mar 12, 2015
Under pressure from slower-than-expected F-35 fielding, USAF is embarking on a pricey upgrade to keep the F-15 relevant into the 2040s.

Defense

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Inflation-Adjusted China Defense Budget Up About 7%

Mar 13, 2015
Take China’s 10.1% rise in defense spending and make two adjustments: reduce for the effect of inflation, then increase for the effect of officers now being less able to embezzle the people’s money

Technology

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Australian Researchers Advance UAS Automation

Mar 09, 2015
Enabling unmanned aircraft to ‘speak’ to ATC and land automatically in emergencies could help UAS fly safely in civil airspace.
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The Week In Technology, March 9-13, 2015

Mar 09, 2015
Truck-stopping laser; Lockheed backs Rocket Lab smallsat booster; quantum radar entangles microwaves and optics; CMCs feel the heat in GE engine tests; Kalashnikov buys into Russian UAV maker, and other unmanned news.
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Compressed-Air Noise Cancellation Quiets High-Bypass Turbofans

Mar 09, 2015
German researchers show compressed air can reduce annoying rotor-stator noise in an advanced turbofan engine.

Up Front

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Opinion: Is A&D Too Beholden to Wall Street?

Mar 12, 2015
Short-term thinking seems to have become the strategy of choice for many publicly traded companies.

Going Concerns

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Private Equity Owners Sell, Buy Their Way Through A&D

Mar 12, 2015
“The deal highlights another exit by private equity of a multiyear defense services investment,” says analyst Byron Callan of Capital Alpha Partners.

Airline Intel

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Opinion: The Playing Field Has Always Been Uneven

Mar 15, 2015
U.S. airlines are prepared to spend many millions in their effort to find a regulatory way to stop Gulf carriers.

Commander's Intent

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Opinion: Ambitious Marine Plans For F-35B Should Be Tested Early

Mar 12, 2015
Marine leaders believe that their JSF will be a war-winner. They should be given a chance to show how their plans will work.

In Orbit

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Private Company Eyes Commercial Space Station Airlock

Mar 11, 2015
NanoRacks is planning a commercial airlock on ISS to ease traffic crunch in Japanese module.

Washington Outlook

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C-130 Modernization Fight, Civil Space Cooperation with China and Air Traffic Cyber Security

Mar 13, 2015
C-130 modernization receives congressional scrutiny, Bolden laments lack of cooperation with China on civil space and senator blasts FAA’s cyber security lapses.

Viewpoint

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Opinion: Budget Blunders Threaten U.S. Military Superiority

Mar 12, 2015
The tremendous margin of technological superiority that the U.S. has typically enjoyed since end of World War II is eroding.

Who's Where

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New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections (March 16, 2015)

Mar 13, 2015
Sandy Samuel has been appointed vice president/general manager of Lockheed Martin Commercial Flight Training, Orlando, Florida. She was vice president-operations for Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions and succeeds Jeffrey Wood, who will be moving to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Feedback

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Letters From Our Readers (Mar. 16, 2015)

Mar 13, 2015
Pilot shortage articles elicit comment about Norwegian Air; A-10 advocate reminisces; direction of U.S. space policy is questioned; stalls and airmanship are emphasized; frustrated passenger calls for airlines to pay more attention to passenger needs
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Letters From Our Readers (March 30, 2015)

Mar 27, 2015
Suggestions for enhancing USAF stealth capability; questioning the divide between defense and commercial sectors; lauding an Aviation Week Laureate winner; noting a history of pilot retention woes

Aerospace Calendar

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Upcoming Events (March 16, 2015)

Mar 12, 2015
April 7—Aerospace Additive Manufacturing Briefing. Palos Verdes, California. See www.infocastinc.com/events/add-aero April 8—Aircraft Electronics…
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Conferences & Exhibitions (March 16, 2015)

Mar 12, 2015
April 14-16—MRO Americas, Miami. June 17—Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Briefing, France. Oct. 13-15—MRO Europe, London. Nov. 3-5—MRO Asia,…