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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, April 27, 2015

VOL. 177 NO. 16 April 27, 2015

Commercial Aviation

article

Bhutan’s Drukair Uses A319s To Provide Vital Air Service

Apr 21, 2015
Despite the challenges of high-altitude operations, limited traffic and new competition, Bhutan’s Drukair plans expansion.
article

Drukair Pilots’ Routine Life Is The Extraordinary

Apr 21, 2015
Surrounding high mountains, strong winds and limited navigational aids give pilots flying into Bhutan’s Paro Airport little margin for error.
article

MRJ First Flight, But Not Delivery, Slips

Apr 24, 2015
Ground testing has revealed a bug in the MRJ’s software, and some airframe changes are needed, too. Mitsubishi Aircraft plans to offset the delay by testing more aircraft in the sunny U.S.
article

Airbus Fails To Secure A330 Regional Orders, Looks At Cabin Upgrade

Apr 24, 2015
The transition from the current Airbus A330 to the A330neo was never going to be easy.
article

Air Berlin Follows IAG In Exiting AEA

Apr 24, 2015
Citing differences over policy regarding competition with Gulf carriers, Air Berlin follows IAG carriers British Airways and Iberia in leaving the AEA
article

Threat Of Pilots’ Strike Dogs Allegiant

Apr 21, 2015
Allegiant Air’s pilots formed a union in 2012, but they still have no contract.

First Take

article

First Take (April 27, 2015)

Apr 24, 2015
DEFENSE The U.S. Navy’s Northrop Grumman X-47B accomplished the first autonomous aerial refueling of an unmanned aircraft on April 22. Flying behind an Omega Boeing K-707 tanker off the U.S. East Coast, the probe-equipped unmanned combat air system demonstrator autonomously engaged the deployed drogue and took on 4,000 lb. of fuel. The test concluded the planned X-47B demo program.

MRO

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MRO Bracing For A New, Data-Driven Future

Apr 23, 2015
Why “big data” is about to go from buzz-phrase to business-driver in airline maintenance

Top-Performing Companies

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Top-Performing Companies Prove Their Business Prowess

Apr 24, 2015
Are some A&D companies becoming too good at business? Many are acting like well-oiled corporations, doing all the right things for their owners and executives—but maybe not for the nations they serve.
article

Wall Street Has Different Perspective On A&D Companies Than TPC Ranking

Apr 24, 2015
Wall Street can favor individual A&D companies or the sector as a whole, even as others lament mediocre program performance.
article

Pensions, Financial Tricks Help Companies Look Good

Apr 24, 2015
If not for a growing tailwind benefit of how Lockheed accounts for its pension liabilities, as well as its FX hedging and other asset-management accounting moves, its 2014 financial results and TPC scores would look worse.
article

A&D Companies Rushed To Send Shareholders Cash In 2014

Apr 24, 2015
Shareholders in aerospace and defense are reaping benefits more often associated with blue chip companies.
article

TPC Winners Are Not The Best Defense Contractors

Apr 24, 2015
BAE may not be leading the pack of its TPC peers, but it is managing its business portfolio and it is a leading performer for the Pentagon.
article

How It Works: TPC Scoring & Results

Apr 24, 2015
TPC rankings are the result of a composite scoring of four equally weighted performance categories that place significant emphasis on operating excellence.
article

2015 TPC Council of Advisers

Apr 24, 2015
Byron Callan ​Director Capital Alpha Partners Tom Captain Vice Chairman, Global A&D Sector Leader Deloitte Antoine Gelain ​Managing Director Paragon European Partners Steven Grundman ​Principal, Grundman Advisory Lund Fellow at the Atlantic Council Harlan Irvine Principal Deloitte

Technology

article

ONR: Swarming UAVs Could Overwhelm Defenses Cost-Effectively

Apr 23, 2015
Swarms of cooperating small UAVs offer the potential to counter hostile defenses at lower cost than conventional weapon systems.
article

General Atomics: Third-Gen Electric Laser Weapon Now Ready

Apr 20, 2015
High-energy laser developer says its third-generation tactical weapon is five years ahead in technical maturity compared to fiber laser systems.
article

The Week In Technology, April 20-24, 2015

Apr 20, 2015
Shoot-on-the-move lasers for Humvees; VTOL long-endurance UAV grows legs; Super Hornet to fly on 100% biofuel; NASA flies X-56A for first time; airship crowdfunding soars past £1 million.

Space

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Habitats Could Be NASA’s Next Commercial Spacecraft Buy

Apr 24, 2015
NASA is spending a little money to see if cargo carriers for the ISS can be “evolved” into crew habitats for deep-space exploration.
article

Sbirs IR Starer Set For Ops Assessment This Fall

Apr 22, 2015
Four years after the first Sbirs GEO launch, USAF pushes to get more infrared data to users in the field.
article

Competitive Shift Puts ULA, Aerojet Rocketdyne In A Bind

Apr 24, 2015
Government mainstays United Launch Alliance and Aerojet Rocketdyne face uphill battle now that private investments have entered the competitive launch arena.

Defense

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EASA To EU: Improve Information On Uncooperative Military Aircraft

Apr 23, 2015
An unexpected threat to European air traffic is being posed by uncooperative military aircraft flying in busy international airspace.
article

Poland Makes Selections On Missile Defense And Helicopters

Apr 23, 2015
Poland has taken the next step toward modernizing its armed forces, but its selections may have wider effects.

Up Front

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Opinion: How Improving U.S. Competitiveness Is Shaping MRO Investment Decisions

Apr 24, 2015
Recent analysis indicates North America led other regions for major MRO investments in 2012-13, and the momentum appears to be accelerating.

Going Concerns

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Pentagon Push For Industry R&D May Yet Have Consequences

Apr 23, 2015
While new requirements like that might seem onerous, remember that the whole technology push represents an opportunity to industry.

Airline Intel

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Stronger U.S. Dollar Having Mixed Impacts On Industry

Apr 23, 2015
Recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar has varied consequences for U.S. and European airlines and airframers

Commander's Intent

article

Opinion: Brazil Is Not Rushing Gripen Project

Apr 23, 2015
As the wheels come off India’s plans to build Rafales, Brazil’s Gripen program moves carefully forward.

Reality Check

article

Opinion: Revamped Airbus A330 Is Ill-Fated

Apr 24, 2015
Although Airbus cites a market for an upgraded A330, the manufacturer seems to be overly optimistic about its chances of success.

In Orbit

article

Space-Component Manufacturers Turn To 3-D Printing

Apr 22, 2015
Given budget pressures, space industry increasingly using additive manufacturing to make components more flexibly and at lower cost

Washington Outlook

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Money for Fighters, Uclass Oversight, ATC Debate and Corporate Collaboration

Apr 24, 2015
House to fund some Navy unfunded priorities, Virginia lawmaker keeps an eye on Uclass, more support for taking ATC out of FAA and aerospace companies collaborate with government space plans.

Viewpoint

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Opinion: The State Of U.S. Aerospace

Apr 24, 2015
We have seen some incredible leaps forward in technical innovation. We also have seen some incredible leaps backward in other areas.

Feedback

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Letters From Our Readers (April 27, 2015)

Apr 24, 2015
Be sympathetic but realistic about A-10 retirement; Caution about cockpit access and terrorism; Mode of cleaning up anticipated smallsat space debris; Gentle gibe at slow-speed aircraft

Who's Where

article

New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections (April 27, 2015)

Apr 24, 2015
​Brian Hunter has been named vice president-sales and marketing for Ametek Singapore. He was head of the Asia Pacific Comprehensive Accessory Repair and Exchange program of UTC Aerospace Systems. Steve Hasker has been appointed to the board of directors of Los Angeles-based Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. He is global president at Nielsen N.V. and was its president for global products.

Aerospace Calendar

Aviation Week Conferences & Exhibitions