China is close to volume production of aero-engines that can handle higher internal temperatures, increasing performance, durability or both, very probably for use in combat aircraft. The shift is revealed in market inquiries for large supplies of rhenium, a rare metal that increases the temperature-resistance of turbine blades. Timing of production of the new or upgraded engines is unclear, but the metal is needed from 2016. Likely, some is intended for stockpiling.
The Face to Face interview with Chris Chadwick, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security ( AW&ST May 26/June 2 , p. 69), continues a trend of interviews that makes one wonder if the questions were written after the responses were provided. In this instance, Chadwick is asked 10 questions, and in only four does he actually answer the specific query. Essentially, we receive variations of the company line: “We are doing great.”
Counter Craft” ( AW&ST May 12, p. 30) reports on some measures being taken to counter the threat of shoulder-launched infrared missiles. Speaking specifically about the Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure (Music) systems, an executive of Elbit Systems was quoted as saying live-fire tests were conducted “with the goal of bringing them into the most extreme scenarios, and the result was a 100% success.”
'Solid Preference?' ( AW&ST May 26/June 2, p. 24) could be dealing with faulty figures. The cost-per-launch target value of €70 million ($95 million) for a future Ariane 6 vehicle was established by the European Space Agency (ESA) in early 2012 in its NELS study (New European Launch Service), based on the price Russia—prime competitor for geostationary transfer orbit launches—was charging for Proton services.
As China’s well-funded push to build up its aero-engine industry gathers strength, details are emerging of new aviation powerplants in early development. Three of these—a turboprop, turboshaft and turbofan—form a family built on a common core, a cost-effective development practice that the Western industry now rarely uses. Two others, turbofans for commercial aircraft, are based on the common approach of scaling turbo machinery up or down to meet different thrust requirements.
No one doubts China’s eagerness to move into the civil aircraft-engine sector with a broad range of products. But Avic’s ability to verify the performance and safety of its civil engines, always in question, is now confirmed to be quite lacking.
The Export-Import Bank is perceived as so important to Boeing that news stories initially blamed House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor’s primary election defeat for a one-day, 2.3% slide in Boeing stock. Financial analysts later stopped hyperventilating and attributed the downgrade more to other factors. But it was a nod to the power Cantor had wielded in the House.
The pilot of a Spanish Eurofighter died when the aircraft crashed near Moron airbase near Seville on June 9. The aircraft came down on approach to the airfield, which is shared with U.S. forces. The accident is the third Eurofighter crash in Spain in 12 years.
