NASA Langley Research Center has begun tethered tests of the GL-10 Greased Lighting, a 10-ft. wingspan prototype of a hybrid-electric distributed propulsion vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft.
Aug. 25—Ninth Asia-Pacific Congress of Aerospace Medicine. Beijing. www.apfama.org/2014 Aug. 27-28—Fourth International Technical Specialists’ Meeting on Vertical Lift Aircraft RDT&E. Patuxent River, Maryland. vtol.org/pax Sept. 3-5—ALTA Aviation Law Americas. Miami. Call +1 (786) 388-0222 or see [email protected]
An innovative engine cycle conceived for a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) launch concept is attracting interest for possible wider application in several air-breathing hypersonic roles.
I agree with the premise of the subject editorial that Pratt & Whitney’s silence regarding the F-135 problems is “disappointing but perhaps understandable.”
Dowty is engaged in an advanced composite design and manufacturing research effort to prepare for a coming wave of new-generation blades, whether they are longer, thinner propellers or large-scale, wide-chord blades for an open rotor.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden’s statement: “If the species is to survive indefinitely, we need to become a multiplanet species” is typical of someone blinded by his own specialty. This and other gems were recounted in “Why Go?” ( AW&ST June 23, p. 45).
Anthony Velocci’s commentary “Innovation’s Quiet March” ( AW&ST Aug. 11/18, p. 18) concludes, “. . . leadership teams at established companies would do well to remember that casebooks are filled with examples of what happens when organizations start worrying more about protecting what they have than discovering what they can be.” The team of Orville and Wilbur Wright did just that with their obsession with lawsuits. The casebook goes back to the beginning.
Antoine Gelain’s commentary “Out of Steam” ( AW&ST July 7, p. 12) covers BAE Systems’ recent lackluster performance post-divesting itself of assets that subsequently proved very profitable. This unfortunate process goes back 25 years or more.
