European Space Agency scientists are analyzing radio-science data from the closest flyby ever of the Martian moon Phobos, in the hope they can use it to estimate the density variation across the tiny object that is believed to be nothing more than a pile of relatively loosely gathered planetary rubble. The European spacecraft began a series of 12 Phobos flybys last month, and will begin collecting high-resolution images of the surface on the next pass before wrapping up the sequence by the end of the month.
Aurora Flight Sciences has completed a test wing section built with company funds to support its bid for Phase 2 of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Vulture program, to demonstrate technology for a five-year-endurance solar-powered stratospheric unmanned aircraft. With a span of 22 ft. and chord of 15 ft., the test wing section is made from advanced composites and lightweight plastics . The upper surface is covered with solar cells.
Target tracking, hostile-fire indication, anti-brownout and three-dimensional audio capabilities are being added to an infrared sensor system designed to provide 360-deg. situational awareness to helicopter pilots.
Lockheed Martin has received an initial $213 million in long-lead funding for 20 Advanced Block 52 F-16s for Egypt. Delivery of the 16 single-seat F-16Cs and four two-seat F-16Ds, powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-220 EEP engines, will be completed in 2013. Egypt has received 240 F-16s since 1980.
Orbital Sciences Corp. is purchasing General Dynamics’ satellite development and manufacturing business. The deal includes the company’s Gilbert, Ariz., manufacturing facility. Called Spectrum Astro until it was purchased by GD, the facility once specialized in small satellites but has stepped up to develop a medium-class satellite platform. This capability gives Orbital “quick entry into a mid-class satellite that serves and is optimized for the government customer,” says Barron Beneski, an Orbital official.
The U.S. Navy’s next generation jammer (NGJ) is slated for operations in 2018. Depending on the winning design, it is expected to bring with it the ability to invade enemy networks from the air. NGJ is expected to have the software to generate a data stream and place within it wave forms and algorithms that can see what’s going on inside that network and, at some point, take over control of the network if desired or perhaps just rest there relaying data to friendly forces.
The FAA is proposing an airworthiness directive that would require operators of Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft to inspect engine low-pressure check valves for excessive wear—a condition that could lead to an uncommanded inflight engine shutdown. Required actions under the proposed directive published Mar. 4 include repetitive replacements of the valves and seals of the left- and right-hand engine bleed system. The FAA’s action follows earlier directives issued by Brazil’s aviation authority, the Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC).
The extent of the reduction in U.K. air assets in all three services since the mid-1990s was spelled out in Parliament last week by Quentin Davies, the minister for defense equipment and support. Fighter and strike aircraft numbers have fallen to 297 in January of this year from 408 in March 1997. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and maritime patrol aircraft numbers dwindled to 18 from 45.
The U.S. government’s push to convert tens of thousands of defense contractor jobs into civil service positions has begun, and is already causing consternation among contractors, who face the exodus of top talent and the dwindling of an already shallow pool of qualified candidates.
Embraer will focus its efforts to develop the KC-390 tanker transport by securing key suppliers—and potentially program partners—before starting to define the new aircraft in detail next year.
The challenge of defeating infrared missiles will always be difficult when it comes to helicopters, especially large noisy ones such as the CH-47 Chinook. When you look at the threat versus the weapon system, it is a virtual turkey shoot. The missiles are small and fast, and helicopters are big and slow. We are glad there has been success in defending these assets (AW&ST Jan. 18, p. 38).
Former Qantas executive John Borghetti will be the new CEO of rival Virgin Blue Airlines, replacing co-founder Brett Godfrey, who is retiring. Qantas says its chief financial officer, Colin Storrie, has resigned for personal and health reasons.
Engineers at NASA’s Johnson and Marshall field centers are trying to find a way to accelerate work on a new heavy-lift rocket in Fiscal 2011, but it must fall within the Obama administration’s budget limits for the agency. Administrator Charles Bolden asked the center directors to look into it, but NASA officials emphasize he is not seeking a compromise with unhappy lawmakers over the budget. “I’m open to hearing ideas from any member of the NASA team, but I did not ask anybody for an alternative to the president’s plan and budget,” Bolden states through a spokesman.
Obituary:Aaron Cohen, who helped the space shuttle program recover from the 1986 Challenger disaster as director of Johnson Space Center, died Feb. 25 in College Station, Tex., after a long illness. He was 79.
Robert Wall (Getafe, Spain), Douglas Barrie (London)
The downturn in commercial air travel is forcing the U.K. company that is buying A330 tankers to operate for the Royal Air Force to rethink its strategy as Airbus moves closer to first flight for the British aircraft.
Large U.S. aerospace companies that choose outsourcing to improve the bottom line by using skilled labor elsewhere should take note of the legal battle being fought by Pratt & Whitney .
Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. has purchased an advanced composites fiber placement system and two vertical profilers from MAG Industrial Automation Systems of Erlanger, Ky., for delivery in the first quarter of 2011. The MAG Viper and HyperMachTM Vertical profilers, valued at more than $9 million, will support production of MS-21 series of medium-range transport aircraft. Previously, MAG sold 26 machine tools to Ural Boeing Manufacturing and VSMPO-Avisma, which produce titanium components for Boeing and Airbus.
Bankrupt Japan Airlines, as it restructures under protection from creditors, may cut back or even close its cargo operation. The airline says it has given up plans to merge its air cargo service with that of shipping company Nippon Yusen KK. And Nippon Yusen was no longer committed to combining its Nippon Cargo Airlines unit with the ailing airline, according to the Jiji news agency. The government’s Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. is in charge of Japan Airlines’ reorganization.
Alabama’s two Republican senators relented somewhat last week in their procedural muscling in support of Northrop Grumman and EADS North America in the U.S. Air Force KC-X tanker competition. Late Mar. 4, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which includes Sen. Jeff Sessions, unanimously agreed to forward the nominations of six Defense Dept. officials for full Senate confirmation.
Boeing’s so-called NewGen Tanker, a 767-based design for the U.S. Air Force KC-X competition, will feature a new refueling boom and a flight deck based on the 787 airliner. Company officials say the airframe will be based on a 767, but they decline to say which variant. An artist’s concept appears to point to a 767-200.
David A. Fulghum (Washington), Amy Butler (Washington)
War in Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal areas—a training and command-and-control site for the Taliban and a source of recruits and supplies for attacks in Afghanistan—will see the introduction of precision strikes with 500-lb.-class bombs and night-fighting technology. These new weapons are an additional capability for the Pakistani air force and will serve as an indigenous adjunct to the U.S.’s Predator/Reaper remotely piloted aircraft that are conducting precision strike operations in the region with the 100-lb.-class Hellfire missile.
Europe’s air transport sector is facing another serious dispute over allegedly illegal state aid, after financially struggling Malev Hungarian Airlines was bought by the government. The move effectively saved Malev from collapse as its desperate financial situation already made funding ongoing operations all but impossible. Several competitors, among them low-fare carrier Wizz Air, have reportedly filed complaints with the European Commission about the government bailout.
In April, Etihad Airways will begin introducing the Tempus IC health monitoring system across its long- and ultra-long-haul fleet. In the event a passenger develops a medical problem in flight, the Remote Diagnostic Technologies (RDT) system enables crewmembers to gather vital diagnostic information about the individual—such as blood pressure (see photo), glucose readings and electrocardiograms— as well as to take photographs.
New airline Meridiana Fly, the product of the integration of the former Meridiana and Eurofly airlines, launched services Feb. 28 from airports in central and northern Italy. The carrier, owned by the Meridian Group, plans to offer services to seven intercontinental and 32 domestic destinations, as well as 48 mid-range routes in Europe. The group started its strategic expansion plan in 2006 with the acquisition of a stake in Eurofly, which previously was the charter arm of the former iteration of Alitalia.
