Osprey Radar Taking Flight in Asia-Pacific

Leonardo has confirmed that its Osprey active, electronically scanned array surveillance radar is being evaluated in the Asia-Pacific region by more than one potential customer following an operational deployment with the U.S. Navy. The system began flying in December on a Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout UAV operated from the USS Milwaukee.

The radar is in use by 12 international operators and has been selected for Australia’s Peregrine manned surveillance aircraft program. The Osprey’s compact, fixed-panel sensors can be fitted to “almost any” platform, Leonardo says. In a January press release announcing the Milwaukee deployment, Northrop says the radar can “detect and automatically track contacts at extremely long ranges, at night and even in stormy weather conditions.”

GTF Powering Huge Emissions Reduction Numbers, P&W Says

Pratt & Whitney is trumpeting its green credentials at the Singapore Airshow, calculating that its geared turbofan (GTF) engines have enabled Asia-Pacific operators to save more than 300 million gal. of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by 3 million metric tons since the powerplants were introduced in 2016. Twenty-five carriers in the region operate GTF engines on more than 500 aircraft across three aircraft families: the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220 and Embraer E-Jets E2.

The GTF Advantage configuration, announced in December and due to begin deliveries in 2024, will see further improvements on the baseline GTF’s fuel efficiency and emissions characteristics. “We developed the geared architecture for the advantages it would give us and our customers in the long term,” says P&W Chief Commercial Officer, Rick Deurloo, adding: “We’re just getting started.”

DSEI Japan Gets New Date

Organizers of the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) series of expositions have announced a new date for the second edition of DSEI Japan. The event was originally scheduled for Jan. 26-28, but was postponed last November because Japan had imposed a ban on foreigners entering the country following the emergence of the omicron variant of COVID-19. The event will now take place March 15-17, 2023, at the same Makuhari Messe venue in Chiba.

China Airlines Extends Lufthansa Technik A330 Component Deal

Taiwanese flag carrier China Airlines has extended its component support contract with Lufthansa Technik (LT) for a further six years. The deal covers the airline’s 23 Airbus A330s; Lufthansa Technik is also China Airlines’ provider of component services on their A350s. LT’s Total Component Support package is designed to provide operators with component repair services without having to maintain a spares inventory; delivery is guaranteed against an agreed timescale via a pooling arrangement. “The reliable and high-quality services we have experienced since 2010 had convinced us to extend the contract,” says Jason Tsai, vice president of China Airline’s engineering division.

P&W Canada, ATR, Complete 100% SAF Flight Test Program

An ATR 72-600 with a PW100 turboprop engine running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has successfully completed a series of ground and flight trials. The other engine ran on a blend of 50% SAF and traditional fuel. A trial on an operational ATR 72-600, belonging to Swedish-based Braathens Regional Airlines, is due to take place this year. According to engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada, this flight will see both engines running on 100% SAF. P&WC also expects ground testing to begin this year on a hybrid-electric Dash 8-100 demonstrator it has been developing in partnership with De Havilland Canada and Collins Aerospace.