The Navy is planning to demonstrate an armed, sensor-equipped, carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft system (UCAS) by 2018, as a follow-on to carrier-suitability and autonomous aerial-refueling demonstrations planned for completion in 2013. A request for information (RFI) will be released this year, said Rear Adm. William Shannon, program executive officer for unmanned aviation and strike weapons, last week at Aviation Week’s Defense Technology and Requirements conference in Washington.
In October 2007, not even the design concept had been selected, but 24 months later the Mantis medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicle demonstrator flew for the first time—even allowing for some non-program-related distractions.
As the U.S. ponders shutting down its capacity to manufacture the largest solid-fuel space-launch boosters, India has tested a 200-metric-ton solid rocket for the latest version of its Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk. III). The S200 strap-on stage fired for 130 sec. in a test Jan. 24 at the Satish Dhawan Space Center on Sriharikota Island in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) says the all-domestic booster generated a peak thrust of about 500 metric tons in the static test.
Despite the prospects for improving market conditions in Middle East air travel, many of the region’s carriers are bracing for a difficult year with competition increasing as few airlines are moderating their growth ambitions.
Rohit Philip has become senior vice president-corporate strategy and business development for United Airlines . He was vice president-financial planning and analysis and has been succeeded by John R. Gebo, who was managing director for investor relations. Following Gebo is Tyler Reddien, who was a financial planning and business management executive.
SES says big outlays for new satellites and other investments will trigger a further surge in revenues and profits by the middle of the decade, despite the lingering economic crisis.
An airborne radar that can track individuals on foot over a wide area is to be deployed operationally by U.S. forces in Afghanistan to aid in the fight against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Martin Sweeting, executive chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. and chairman of the Space Center at the University of Surrey, England, has been awarded the Faraday Medal by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) , for his contributions to the advancement of satellite technology. The medal recognizes scientific or industrial achievement in engineering, or service to the advancement of science, engineering and technology.
Rob Pasterick has been named president of the Chicago-based Boeing Shared Services Group. He was corporate controller/vice president-finance and succeeds Tim Copes, who has become vice president-quality and manufacturing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Greg Smith succeeds Pasterick and was vice president-financial planning and analysis. Smith has been followed by Diana Sands, who will now be corporate vice president-investor relations, financial planning and analysis. USN Adm. (ret.) Edmund Giambastiani, Jr., has been appointed to the Boeing board of directors.
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-P (GOES-P) is set for liftoff on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV medium-lift rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., on Mar. 2. Built by Boeing on its 601-series platform under a NASA contract for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, GOES-P is the third in a series that includes an advanced search-and-rescue link for aircraft or ships in distress.
Regarding the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash, when I was flying 30-seat turboprops, we were trained in recovery from tailplane stalls resulting from ice accretion. We were required to watch a NASA training video in which the research pilots discussed the characteristics of tailplane stalls and recovery methods .
The Transportation Security Administration plans to take another crack at its controversial Large Aircraft Security Plan (LASP) when it meets with general aviation representatives Mar. 9-10. The restriction in the original LASP proposal, which covered all private aircraft weighing more than 12,500 lb., drew such a storm of protest from operators across the U.S. that the agency agreed to rework the plan. Ultimately, changes expected include raising the minimum weight of aircraft covered and lifting bans on carrying tools and sports equipment onboard aircraft.
Edward M. Swallow has become vice president-business development for the Northrop Grumman Corp. Information Systems Sector’s Civil Systems Div., Reston, Va. He was the sector’s vice president-business acquisition process and proposal operations.
Any disgruntlement within the general aviation community over the absence of a candidate from its sector in this year’s Collier Trophy competition is a self-inflicted emotion. “We didn’t get any nominations, and anyone can submit one,” says Walter Boyne, chairman of the National Aeronautic Assn., which oversees the selection.
:The BAE Systems-led Mantis medium-altitude long-endurance UAV demonstrator has completed a first series of development flights using the Woomera test range in Australia. Following the conclusion of the Spiral 1 program, industry is now waiting for the U.K. Defense Ministry to proceed with the next stage (see p. 48). BAE Systems photo.
USAF Maj. Gen. Eric E. Fiel has been named chief of staff at U.S. Special Operations Command Headquarters, MacDill AFB, Fla. He was director of the Center for Force Structure, Requirements, Resources and Strategic Assessments at SOC Headquarters and has been succeeded by Brig. Gen. Morris E. Haase.
French space agency CNES says it has moved to reinforce ties with the French air force’s air defense and operation command (CDAOA) in order to facilitate space situational awareness (SSA) operations. CNES is responsible for ensuring the safety of France’s 17 satellites, while the CDAOA handles day-to-day SSA operations using the country’s Graves ground radar. In addition to streamlining operations, the move is likely to make it easier for France to integrate its SSA information with other data providers.
Premium traffic on international routes saw a 1.7% year-on-year increase in December, the first month since May 2008 that has seen a positive growth rate. Economy traffic, which has been positive since September, improved 5% year-on-year in December, according to the International Air Transport Assn. Despite its stronger finish for the year, total premium traffic was down 15.8% for full-year 2009. IATA calculates that premium traffic lost six years’ of growth during the latest down cycle, while economy traffic lost slightly more than two years.
Developing active, electronically scanned radar—with electronic attack capabilities—is at the heart of a Royal Air Force drive to accelerate the air-to-surface role for the Typhoon aircraft, as the service mulls pulling the Tornado GR4 earlier than planned. The Defense Ministry is aiming to fly an active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar demonstrator on a Eurofighter Typhoon toward the end of 2013, the culmination of a four-year program which it recently contracted with radar manufacturer Selex Galileo.
The Pentagon’s new industrial policy director, Brett Lambert, intends to recast the relationship between the Defense Dept. and industry to gain a better understanding of contractors and suppliers at all levels. Meanwhile, defense officials are complaining about the quality of work from contractors just as the Pentagon is trying to revive a dormant dialogue with top CEOs over how to sustain the U.S. industrial base.
Europe’s Mars Express has begun a series of new flybys of Phobos that could help scientists untangle the puzzle of the moon’s mysterious origin. Mars Express frequently passes Phobos; but due to an orbital adjustment last year, it will approach much nearer this time than before. At its closest encounter, on Mar. 3, the probe will come to within 50 km. (31 mi.) of the Martian moon, sufficient to obtain an unprecedented map of its gravity field. During the flyby campaign, which started on Feb. 16 and ends on Mar.
The FAA is proposing a $2.9-million fine for American Eagle on allegations it operated more than 1,000 flights between February and May 2008 using aircraft with improperly repaired main landing-gear doors. The FAA alleges the American Airlines subsidiary violated an airworthiness directive that required operators of certain Bombardier jets to inspect the doors for cracks and other damage—including loose or missing fasteners—and to replace affected doors .
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector will begin to recover after hitting rock bottom in 2009, but the climb back will be a long one, according to a review set for release this week.
Boeing has begun working through initial flutter testing on the 787, judged by the program leadership to be one of the early high-risk phases of the test program. The flights, which began with the first aircraft ZA001 on Feb 14, are intended to evaluate the aircraft’s stability and dampening modes at design limit speeds and high altitude. Completion of flutter is an essential step toward gaining Type Inspection Authority (TIA), and the start of the formal FAA flight test certification program.
The U.K. needs to re-examine the extent of its reliance on “third-party capabilities” for military space according to the Royal Air Force chief, while also revisiting national investment ambitions in this arena. Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton, the chief of air staff, used a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies last week to attempt to put air and space power center stage in the forthcoming Strategic Defense Review (see p. 58).
