Avic displayed a model of its proposed MA700 turboprop at Airshow China, confirming that the aircraft will be an all-new design unrelated to the MA60 and MA600, which are derivatives of the Russian Antonov An-26. Avic’s new Transport Aircraft Co. is negotiating exclusively with Pratt & Whitney Canada for an engine for the aircraft, which an executive says would seat about 80 passengers in a four-abreast cabin. The exterior is not expected to change much from the model.
The aerospace journals have been dominated recently with articles addressing the future of space exploration and expansion onto other planets. With NASA’s 50th birthday, the planned U.S. missions to the Moon then Mars, and yet another space tourist visiting the International Space Station (ISS), the future of human expansion far beyond Earth seems much more forthcoming.
The U.S. Navy is hailing as a success its intercept of a short-range ballistic missile target with an SM-3 launched from the Aegis destroyer Paul Hamilton on Nov. 1. This was the first fleet operational firing of the SM-3 Block IA against such a target; previous trials used test assets. By contrast, a second intercept attempt by the fleet failed. The Aegis destroyer Hopper engaged a second ballistic missile launched during the test but did not intercept. The goal of the demonstration was to achieve two intercepts in series.
Russia and Italy have concluded a bilateral agreement that will see the license production of AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters in Russia and the joint production of advanced composite materials.
The latest conflict in the remote and ungoverned area between Pakistan and Afghanistan is focusing attention on a problem older than either nation-state: controlling national borders. From the concrete walls dividing the crowded neighborhoods on the West Bank near Jerusalem to the “virtual fence” being built in the American Southwest, governments concerned about intruders are spending billions of dollars on fences, security cameras, gates and guards.
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Germany is pondering alternative paths for the direction of its satellite surveillance systems, decisions that could have a major impact on the country’s long-term spending in this area. Choices made now will be critical in shaping the country’s satellite industry, and are of particular interest to OHB Technology and EADS Astrium; both entities have a lot riding on future spending and system architectures.
David E. Anderson has been appointed controller of SkyLink USA , Dulles, Va. He was a project director for the NeoSystems Corp. and vice president-finance and accounting for DCA Management Services Inc.
The Russian air force is due to receive its first batch of Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B dual-seat coaxial-rotor combat helicopters in 2009, says its chief, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin. “We are planning to acquire up to 12 Ka-52s in 2009” as long as acceptance trials are completed and performance requirements met, he says. The air force selected the Mil Mi-28N Havoc as its basic attack helicopter to eventually replace the Mi-24 Hind. The Ka-52 is to be used as a reconnaissance-attack helicopter for special missions. Full-rate production was launched in late October.
Aermacchi MB-339 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). Over 220 aircraft for flight-training and light air combat have been produced to date. The MB-339CD variant serves as a lead-in trainer for Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon pilots in the Italian air force.
Boeing is planning to submit a proposal for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Counter-Electronics High-Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (Champ), a three-year Joint Capability Technology Demonstration that is expected to begin in mid-2009. Boeing has previously looked at direct-attack or cruise-weapon variants that could emit an HPM pulse and disable or destroy the electronics of its target.
The acquisition of Tapestry Solutions, a San Diego-based company that specializes in services and software for tracking and distributing equipment, will bolster Boeing’s desire for deeper penetration of the logistics and sustainment market.
Airshow China was graced for the first time by two Chengdu J-10 fighter aircraft, but both were parked well away from the static display area, with no close access., but one of the aircraft did participate in the flying dispays. The aircraft were fitted with fixed air-to-air refueling probes. Other People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft included the Xi’an H-6U tanker, a Xian JH-7A strike aircraft and two Shenyang J-8II fighters. A Plaaf CHAIC Z-8 and Harbin Z-9 helicopter also flew during the daily display.
China’s Taihang turbofan engine was on display at Airshow China, but which platforms the engine will power remain under wraps officially. The engine program, however, is closely associated with the J-11B development of the Su-27 Flanker. As well as the J-11B, the Taihang—which may also be known as the WS-10—could be used to reengine the Chengdu J-10. The Russian AL-31F currently powers the Su-27 and J-10.
NASA has awarded United Space Alliance (USA) the Integrated Mission Operations Contract, signaling a continuing partnership between the agency and the company for operation of the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The award is valued at $206.5 million for the three-year base period, which could grow to $371 million if a fourth option year and variable work content are fully exercised. The sole-sourced contract will support JSC with flight operations work for the Constellation and International Space Station programs.
The U.S. and the European Union have taken a major step toward harmonizing cargo screening standards while the U.S. edges closer to a deadline for much stricter security measures. The Transportation Security Administration and the EU’s Directorate General for Energy and Transport have signed a joint statement of purpose that establishes common standards for screening cargo on passenger aircraft.
Under an open skies accord concluded last week, Singapore and Kuwait carriers may operate any number of flights between the countries and points beyond.
Security lines will be shorter at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after the facility spent $26 million to add 10 lanes designed to cut passenger waiting time. Travelers now have access to 32 lanes at three security checkpoints at the world’s busiest airport. Last summer, for example, Hartsfield had more than 300 instances of security-line waits of more than 20 min., according to airport official Robert Kennedy. “This summer at our peak times, we had less than 40 instances of waits of more than 20 min.,” he noted.
China is pulling back the veil of secrecy around its space program by revealing new internal contracts for the launch of several new spacecraft and Long March boosters. It is also continuing an aggressive liftoff pace by launching a second dual-satellite mission within two week.
Mike Slattery has been named vice president-interiors and completions and Steve Denny manager of the Interior Dept. of the Western Aircraft Interior Re-Completion Center , Boise, Idaho. Slattery was director of operations at Savannah Air Center, while Denny was manager of the Interior Dept. for Stevens Aviation.
The U.S. Navy has inspected 476 of 636 F/A-18A-D Hornets, 99% of the deployed force, following the discovery of cracks in aileron hinges on the outer wing panel on 15 aircraft last month. Of those inspected, 10 were grounded and 20 placed on flight restrictions. Navy officials say that with the procedures now in place and maintenance techniques under development, no further degradations of the service’s strike-fighter capability are expected.
The Colombian air force has become the first international customer for Sikosky’s UH-60A-to-L upgrade, with six helicopters to be converted by its Sikorsky Aerospace Services aftermarket unit at Chase Field, Tex. Two additional upgrade kits are included in the contract. The A-to-L conversion installs uprated T700-701D engines and the main gearbox, and new avionics, flight controls and wiring.
Pentagon acquisition czar John Young says the Defense Dept. decision to terminate the $1.5-billion development contract with Northrop Grumman/EADS North America for an Airbus A330-200-based refueling tanker was not aimed at protecting Boeing, the only U.S. widebody maker. In actuality, the decision was based on the discovery of acquisition missteps on the part of the Air Force during the source selection. “There is nothing in this decision that involves protectionism,” Young says, adding that Europe could be more open to U.S. contractors. Young notes that U.S.
