All Nippon Airways says it will swap 15 of its current order of 55 standard-sized Boeing 787-8s for the stretched 787-9 version and indicates it will fly both models with high-density seating for domestic routes. “The model will meet the increasing need for 400-seat-capacity aircraft for domestic routes,” the airline says.
First flight of the Mirage 2000 occurred in 1978, with production running through 2007. Early aircraft of the type were powered by a Snecma M53-5 augmented turbofan (19,840 lb. thrust), while later aircraft were fitted with an M53-P2 augmented turbofan (21,385 lb. thrust). While in production, single-seat interceptor and two-seat nuclear strike fighter variants were available. Approximately 607 Mirage 2000s were produced and no more are anticipated.
The Sikorsky CH-53 and MH-53 are three-engine, heavy-lift transport and special-purpose helicopters. Initially developed out of twin-turboshaft models, power for the current CH-53E and MH-53E models is provided by three General Electric T64-GE-416 or -419 turboshaft engines rated at 4,380 shp. and 4,750 shp., respectively. Through final delivery in 1999, Sikorsky produced 177 CH-53Es, 48 MH-53Es and 11 S-80s (export version of the H-53).
Lawmakers may have passed new authorization for NASA, but they still have to back it up with annual appropriations for Fiscal 2011 and every year thereafter. And if past is prologue, the muddied compromise—which moves toward commercial human spaceflight to the space station but continues some elements of the government’s Constellation program—will not fare well in being fully funded by Congress.
The E-3, E-6 and E-8 series are a family of special-purpose military aircraft based on the Boeing 707. The E-3 AWACS, the E-6 and the E-8 are out of production, with Boeing now promoting a 767-based AWACS aircraft over the E-3. The E-3—with production aircraft powered by either four Pratt & Whitney TF33 or four CFM International CFM56-2 turbofan engines—made its first flight in February 1972. First flight of the E-6A Tacamo II communications platform, which uses four F108-CF-100 (CFM56-2A-2) turbofans, took place in 1987.
Scott Davis, CEO of UPS, has been appointed chairman of the Export Promotion and Advocacy Subcommittee of the President’s Export Council . The panel is expected to focus on U.S. government promotional activities such as commercial advocacy, export finance and export promotions. United Airlines Chairman/CEO Glenn Tilton has been named to the Global Competitiveness and Trade Promotion and Advocacy subcommittees. He also is chairman of the Air Transport Association and a member of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s Future of Aviation Advisory Committee.
The U.S. Navy expects delivery of the last Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2015. The service issued Boeing a $5.3-billion multi-year procurement contract for 46 F/A-18Es, 20 Fs and 58 E/A-18Gs.
USMC Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling has been named deputy commandant for Aviation at USMC Headquarters. He was commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force/commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan/commander, Marine Forces Japan in Okinawa.
Harvey Berger (see photo) has received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ (AIAA) Aerospace Communications Award for contributions to satellite communications link technology. Berger, a technical fellow for Northrop Grumman Corp. Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., was cited for contributions through analysis, design, consultation and mentoring to the satellite communications links developed by Northrop Grumman.
Commonly used in search-and-rescue and offshore duties, the AW139, a twin-engine, 15-passenger civil/commercial helicopter, is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines rated at 1,679 shp. each at takeoff. Originally named the AB139 when the AW139 was a joint venture between AgustaWestland and Bell, the name changed when Bell withdrew from the program. The AW149 is a slightly larger military transport variant powered by two 2,000-shp.-class GE CT7-2E1 engines. An AW149 prototype completed its maiden flight on Nov. 13, 2009.
The AS555 utility helicopter is a military version of the AS355 powered by two Turbomeca Arrius 1A turboshaft engines. Military applications include forward observation, light attack, reconnaissance, naval search and rescue, light anti-shipping and anti-submarine warfare. Some 773 AS355/555s were built through 2009. Though it is currently not possible to rule out further production, Eurocopter appears to have moved away from the model, with the last known produced in 2004.
The Pentagon has spelled out details of its proposal to Sweden for a new transport helicopter in a competition pitting the Sikorsky UH-60M against the Eurocopter EC725. Sweden is looking to quickly field 15 new helicopters with deliveries by April 2013.
Thai Airways International plans to go on a renewed aircraft buying spree now that it is has secured much-needed capital. The national carrier’s objective—to raise 15 billion baht ($490 million) through the issuance of new shares—will be achieved, because the share sale is already oversubscribed, says Thai’s vice president of investor relations, Raj Tanta-nanta. The new shares will start trading this month and some monies will be used for pre-delivery payments (PDP) on aircraft.
EADS, Europe’s leading aerospace/defense group, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The cross-border group, although beset with multiple difficulties, is considered to be a robust symbol of industrial unity—standing as a testament to the fact that economic union creates power and influence. Last year, the group had nearly €43 billion ($57.9 billion) in revenues and its backlog was as high as €369 billion, but it posted €763 million in losses due to costly delays affecting two major Airbus programs, the A380 mega-transport and A400M military airlifter.
The current production model of this twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter is the AH-64D, available both as a new-build aircraft and as a remanufactured upgrade (from existing AH-64As). The AH-64D Block II is generally fitted with GE T700-GE-701C engines, though some rebuilt AH-64Ds in the U.S. Army inventory retain the earlier -701 engines, while the British WAH-64D is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshafts rated at 2,100 shp. each.
The V-22 tiltrotor aircraft is a high-wing monoplane design with engines located in wingtip-mounted nacelles that rotate from full vertical for heliborne operation to full horizontal for forward, wing-borne flight. The engines are a pair of Rolls-Royce AE 1107C turboshafts rated at 6,150 shp. each. V-22s are being produced for the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force, with 134 built (including six prototypes) through 2009, and 311 V-22s expected to be produced in 2010-19.
The C-130 is a four-engine, turboprop-powered military transport. A number of variants have been produced, including the AC-130 gunship and the KC-130 tanker. First flight of a C-130 occurred in 1954, and the current production model, the C-130J, made its initial flight in 1996. The C-130J incorporates four 4,591-shp. Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 engines, new avionics and other improvements. Approximately 2,340 C-130s were produced through 2009, with 272 more C-130Js expected in 2010-19. Competition includes the Airbus A400M.
A single-engine, seven-seat light utility helicopter, the 407 is powered by a Rolls-Royce Model 250-C47B turboshaft engine rated at 813 shp. Bell entered a Honeywell HTS900-powered 407 variant in the U.S. Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) competition and that model (since dubbed the ARH-70A) was selected as the winner in July 2005. The ARH program was to involve the procurement of 512 helicopters, but the program was canceled in July 2008.
The A330 MRTT (known as KC-45 for the purposes of the KC-X U.S. tanker program) is a military tanker version of the Airbus A330 airliner. The twin-engine A330 MRTT is powered by either Rolls-Royce Trent 700 or General Electric CF6-80E1 turbofan engines. In February 2008, the U.S. Air Force selected the KC-45 as the replacement for the KC-135, beating a rival bid by Boeing. In mid-2008, however, the Government Accountability Office sustained a protest by Boeing, and USAF reopened the bidding process in September 2009.
The MB-339 was developed as a follow-on to Aermacchi’s MB-326. The first prototype flew in 1976. Propulsion is provided by a Rolls-Royce Viper Mk 632-43 engine (4,000 lb. thrust) or a Viper Mk 680 (4,400 lb. thrust). More than 220 aircraft for flight training and light air combat have been produced. The MB-339CD variant is a lead-in trainer for Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon pilots in the Italian air force. Production ended in 2004.
USAF Maj. Gen. William A. Chambers has been appointed assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration at USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon. He was vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany. Maj. Gen. Douglas J. Robb has been named joint staff surgeon at the Pentagon. He was command surgeon at Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill. Robb has been succeeded by Brig. Gen. Bart O. Iddins, who was command surgeon at Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Brig. Gen. Scott D.
The A-10 is a single-seat ground attack aircraft powered by a pair of General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines rated at 9,065 lb. thrust each. First flight of an A-10 prototype occurred in 1972 and by 1984, when the final aircraft was delivered, 713 A-10As had been built for the U.S. Air Force. Conversion of a portion of the service’s A-10A fleet for use in forward air control was subsequently performed, resulting in the OA-10 configuration.
An anti-armor/ground attack/utility helicopter, the AW129 is powered by two Rolls-Royce GEM 1004 turboshaft engines rated at 890 shp. each, or two LHTEC CTS800 engines rated at 1,373 shp. each. First flight occurred in 1983, with Agusta delivering 66 aircraft, including prototypes, through 2003. The Turkish army selected the AW129 in 2007 for a requirement of 51 attack helicopters, plus 41 options.
The SH-2 Seasprite is a multipurpose naval helicopter. The two most modern variants are equipped with distinct engines: the SH-2F is powered by two General Electric T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines, each rated at 1,350 shp., while the SH-2G is powered by two GE T700-GE-401 turboshafts, each rated at 1,690 shp. Although the Seasprite is still marketed by Kaman, no new production aircraft have been built since the 1990s. Since SH-2 production began, 191 helicopters have been built.
The long-delayed, sixth and final Boeing 787 flight test aircraft, ZA006, could make its first flight as early as Oct. 3 following a preflight ground test planned for Oct. 2. The aircraft is the second General Electric GEnx-1B-powered 787 test aircraft and will join ZA005, which is undergoing fan duct checks. Engine work is also keeping two of the four Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered 787s on the ground while both ZA001 and ZA004 receive new engines. Rolls meanwhile briefed Boeing top management Sept.
