Astrium has unveiled a carbon-fiber airborne terminal that it says will sharply improve performance compared to standard aluminum antennas that currently dominate the market. The company says the highly stabilized 16-kg. (35-lb.) terminal, dubbed AirPatrol, has demonstrated data rates of up to 20 Mbps. in X-band in bench trials, using the unit’s standard 60-cm. (24-in.) dish, and up to three times the capacity of a conventional antenna, but has yet to undergo flight trials.
Turkish Aerospace Industries rolled out the first prototype Anka (Phoenix) medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft in Ankara on July 16. The Anka is a Predator A-class UAV. First flight is planned for October. The Thielert diesel-powered vehicle has a 56-ft. wingspan, 3,500-lb. gross weight, 30,000-ft. ceiling and 24-hr. endurance with a 440-lb payload.
In reference to reader Tom Megna’s letter, “Capsule Calvacade” (AW&ST July 5, p. 8), please note that spaceplanes appear attractive for science fiction, but are inefficient in terms of energy. We need to adhere to some basic principles of physics, in particular: All existing propulsion systems are linked to the “simple” law F=ma—Newton’s second law of motion. What goes into orbit are the payload mass and accessories, the latter must be minimized to reduce the total amount of propellant used.
The planned visit this week to India of British Prime Minister David Cameron likely will coincide with the announcement of a contract for a further 57 BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft. The state visit will see Cameron meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The U.K.’s recently elected Conservative-Liberal Democratic coalition government has already identified India as a nation with which it wants to build a strategic relationship.
China has deferred building a second airport for Beijing, opening opportunities for those at nearby cities to help serve the capital. A policy under development and not yet announced will determine the configuration of airports that will serve the booming city, whose population has already passed 17 million as it heads toward a future as one of the biggest points on the world’s air transportation map.
The Japanese defense ministry is considering ordering a further batch of about 20 F-2 strike fighters from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to sustain the country’s combat aircraft production base. The aircraft would replace F-4 Phantoms in the air-to-air role and would be ordered in addition to the 94 that, according to a 2006 plan, were supposed to complete the F-2 program.
Aviation Week & Space Technology writers Joseph C. Anselmo and William Garvey are among those who were honored in London last week with Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards. A magazine cover package on Oct. 17, 2009, exploring the economic plight of the business aviation sector and focusing on Wichita, Kan., was judged to be the best business aircraft submission.
Details of a workshare agreement between U.S.-based Alliant Techsystems and MBDA in Italy for the AGM-88E Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Ground Missile (Aargm) modification kit are nearing a close. Italy and the U.S. are jointly building the new guidance kit to reduce the fratricide and collateral damage of High-Speed Anti-Radiation missiles in the fleet. In the U.S., initial operational test and evaluation is underway, and initial operational capability is expected next year on the F/A-18C/D.
I read William Garvey’s very timely commentary on unleaded avgas versus the clock (AW&ST July 5, p. 39) with interest. I am distressed that engine specialists Continental and Lycoming cannot agree on an alternative 94UL (automobile gas) fuel versus 100UL. Maybe the best alternative is Jet A1 . . . in a diesel!
Many senior defense industry leaders say the Pentagon’s acquisition reform is “noble,” but few appear convinced that real change to a burdensome—and some say broken—procurement process is on the horizon.
Italy will field Textron AAI Shadow 200 unmanned aircraft under a €51-million ($68-million) contract. Italy is the second European export customer for the Shadow 200 after Sweden, which plans to field its first systems next year. Italy is buying four systems with four air vehicles each.
Douglas Barrie (Farnborough), Amy Butler (Farnborough), Robert Wall (Farnborough)
Savings at home and sales abroad are emerging as key drivers in the fighter aircraft market as manufacturers vie for export programs fundamental to their future welfare. Some of the efforts are aimed at tempting prospective F-35 buyers to defect. Building on its F-15 Silent Eagle template, Boeing is now offering a similar upgrade model for its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Chris A. Spann (see photo) has been named director of aviation at Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon Inc. , Nashville, Tenn. He was associate vice president/national aviation manager at PBS&J, also in Nashville.
John Cunningham has become managing director of Shannon (Ireland) Engine Support , succeding Patrick Bergin, who has taken a lead marketing role at GE Commercial Aviation Services.
Maritime authorities are hoping that a Norwegian experimental nanosatellite-based automatic identification system (AIS) will demonstrate the suitability of spacecraft in low Earth orbit to provide comprehensive and inexpensive maritime situational awareness. The 20-cm. (8-in.) wide, 6-kg. (13-lb.) AISSat-1 was among the payloads orbited July 12 together with India’s Cartosat-2B remote-sensing spacecraft (AW&ST July 19, p. 32).
Mark T. Esper (see photo) has been appointed Washington-based vice president-government relations for the Raytheon Co. He was executive vice president of the Global Intellectual Property Center and vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Sid Ashworth (see photo) has been appointed corporate vice president-government relations for the Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. , effective Aug. 16. She has been vice president-Washington Operations for GE Aviation.
Irkut has announced the launch customer for its MS-21 narrowbody airliner, which is due to enter service in 2016. Crecom Burj Resources, a Malaysian leasing startup, agreed to acquire 50 MS-21s, firming up a letter of intent signed in early June. The $3-billion deal—Russia’s largest commercial aircraft sale ever—comprises 25 MS-21-200s, which will seat 150 passengers in two-class configuration; and 25 180-passenger MS-21-300s.
USAF Maj. Gen. (ret.) Susan L. Pamerleau and Brig. Gen. (ret.) Sanford Schlitt have been named to the Civil Air Patrol board of governors. Pamerleau is a director of the Government Personnel Mutual Life Insurance Co. in San Antonio. Schlitt is vice chairman for aerospace education of the Air Force Association. Paul L. Graziani, CEO of Analytical Graphics Inc., has been reappointed to a second three-year term.
The U.S. and Italian militaries are developing plans to bolster their C-27J tactical transport capabilities, driven in part by the involvement of combattroops in Afghanistan. The Italian air force is developing a special-mission configuration for the C-27J that would allow the aircraft to carry a high-power jammer to disrupt wireless detonation of improved explosive devices. The payload is under development by Restoge (Reparto Supporto Operativo di Guerra Elettronica) the EW operational support unit.
USAF Maj. Gen. David W. Eidsaune has been named director of strategic plans, programs and analyses/director of Develop and Sustain Warfighting Systems in the Air Force Process Office at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He was AFMC director of Air, Space and Information Operations. He has been succeeded by Col. William J. Thornton, who has been selected for promotion to brigadier general and has been commander of AFMC’s 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. Brig. Gen. David S. Fadok has been appointed commander of the Curtis E.
Pockets of the U.S. government are beginning to mobilize to protect unique skill sets in the aerospace industry that support a fragile—and threatened—launch industry.
Boeing plans to start fabrication of the first Indian P-8I maritime patrol aircraft in the fourth quarter after completing the final design review. The Indian navy has ordered eight P-8Is.
Adrian Osborn (see photo) has been appointed vice president-programs for Greenpoint Technologies Inc. , Kirkland, Wash. He was vice president-original equipment manufacturer programs for Heath Tecna Inc.
