A recent In Orbit column (AW&ST Oct. 28, p. 22) touted the potential of a cancer cure developed on the International Space Station (ISS). Nice idea, but first, even if the clinical tests work out, given the cost of getting the raw materials up to the ISS and returning them, will anyone be able to afford the cure?
The NH90 is a medium-lift, twin-turbine troop-transport and maritime helicopter. The helicopter is available with a choice of turboshaft engines: GE T700-GE-T6E1 (2,040 shp) and CT7-8F5 (2,634 shp), or Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 (2,100 shp) and RTM322-01/9A (2,544 shp). The NH90 comes in two standard models, the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), though extensive customization is available.
The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is a long-range nuclear and conventional strike/attack aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is powered by four 17,300-lb.-thrust GE F118-GE-100 turbofan engines. The B-2's maiden flight occurred in 1989, with the 21st and final aircraft delivered in 1997. The final two B-2s were delivered in the full Block 30 configuration, with the remaining bombers upgraded to that standard.
The T-6A is a tandem-seat, single-engine, high-performance, turboprop-powered trainer powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engine, flat-rated to 1,100 shp. It is based on the Pilatus PC-9 Mk II and was selected in 1995 for the U.S. Air Force/Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) requirement.
Thomas P. Quinly has become chief operating officer of the Curtiss-Wright Corp., Parsippany, N.J. He succeeds David C. Adams, who has been promoted to president/CEO. Quinly was president of Curtiss-Wright Controls.
Boeing has reached a tentative agreement with the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), which, if ratified, will help clear the way for the final assembly of the Boeing 777X and its composite wing in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. The provisional agreement aims to secure a long-term contract extension from 2016 to 2024, and will be voted on by the IAM around Nov. 13. In a related move, further pressure to keep the work in the Seattle area is being brought on Boeing by Washington Gov.
The MiG-AT is a twin-engine jet trainer. One prototype made its first flight in 1996, and a second in 2004. The aircraft uses two 3,150-lb.-thrust Turbomeca/Snecma Larzac 04-R20 turbofan engines, although it has also been tested with 3,750-lb.-thrust Soyuz RD-1700 engines for the Russian air force. RAC MiG has also conceived a single-seat light fighter/attack version designated the MiG-AS.
The first Bombardier 415 amphibious waterbomber sold to a U.S. customer has been delivered to Tenax Aerospace and leased to firefighting operator Aero-Flite for use on a multiyear contract with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Christine Geosling (see photos) is among four Northrop Grumman Corp. employees who were honored at the recent annual conference of the Society of Women Engineers. Geosling received the Resnick Challenger Medal, named for Judith Resnick, NASA mission specialist on the Challenger space shuttle flight, “for her visionary contributions to space exploration.” Receiving Emerging Leader Awards for their “engagement in engineering and outstanding technical accomplishments” were Linh Dang, Sonja Domazet and Diane LaFortune.
It is a commonplace that any future attempts to explore outer space will of necessity be an international effort. No single nation can afford the price of admission, and even with everyone pulling together, it will be difficult and dangerous. A recent television schedule for upcoming activities on the International Space Station brought that home.
The Senate finally has confirmed Alan Estevez as the deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics after a long delay over parochial concerns. In March, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a high-ranking Republican, had placed a senatorial “hold” on Estevez's confirmation to be the second-ranking defense acquisition official to again protest the Pentagon's decision to buy helicopters from the Russian state-owned Rosoboronexport for the Afghan security force, spurning helicopters made in part by Texas-based Bell Helicopter. Sen.
The CN235 is a twin-turboprop transport and maritime patrol/antisubmarine-warfare aircraft. In transport variants, the aircraft seats 30-40 passengers (up to 53 paratroopers), or provides a maximum payload of 11,023 lb. The CN235 is powered by two GE CT7-9C turboprop engines rated 1,750 shp. First flight of a CN235 prototype occurred in 1983, followed by initial deliveries in 1986. Approximately 270 CN235s were produced through 2012. Production is also licensed to IAe. CN235 production is forecast at 81 units for 2013-22.
In “Innovation Incubator” (AW&ST Oct. 7, p. 46) and the five articles on avionics innovations that followed it in that issue, you covered some highlights of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) 2013 AirVenture annual general aviation show in Oshkosh, Wis. You mentioned the new EAA Innovation Pavilion, but neglected to write about the other presentations and many innovations outside of avionics.
The Su-25 is a twin-engine, single- and tandem-seat, ground-attack and weapons-training aircraft powered by two Tumansky/Soyuz R-195 turbojet engines rated 9,921 lb. thrust each. First prototype flight occurred in 1975. A number of versions have been produced, the most recent of which, the Su-25TM, includes new avionics and increased fuel capacity. Production of the Su-25 ended in the 1990s after more than 1,200 were built.
The SH-2 Seasprite is a multipurpose naval helicopter. The two most recent variants are the SH-2F, powered by two GE T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines rated at 1,350 shp each, and the SH-2G, powered by two GE T700-GE-401s rated at 1,690 shp each. Although Kaman still markets the Seasprite, no new aircraft have been built since the early 1990s. Kaman has built 191 Seasprites since the first flight in 1959.
The Hawk is a single-engine, two-seat trainer and light-attack aircraft. A single-seat light fighter variant (the Hawk 200) is operated by several countries. All Hawk variants are powered by an unaugmented turbofan engine of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca's Adour series: The Hawk T1/1A uses the Mk 151 (5,200 lb. thrust); Hawk 50, the Mk 851 (5,340 lb. thrust); Hawk 60, the Mk 861 (5,700 lb. thrust); Hawk 100/200, the Mk 871 (6,270 lb. thrust); and Hawk 128 AJT, the Mk 951 (6,800 lb. thrust).
The F-16 is a single-engine multirole fighter. The initial F-16 prototype flew in 1974 under the General Dynamics brand. Lockheed Martin continues to produce the aircraft, which has also been built under license by a number of companies. The F-16A, F-16C and F-16E are single-seat fighters, while the F-16B, F-16D and F-16F are tandem-seat, combat-capable trainer versions. Power for the F-16 comes from a single turbofan engine. In the modern F-16C/D, this is either a 29,100-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney F-100-PW-229 or a 29,500-lb.-thrust GE F110-GE-129.
The MD 500 series is a family of 4-6-seat, single-engine, single-rotor military and commercial utility helicopters. The series comprises three models: the 500E, 530F and 520N. Demand for the 500E comes primarily from law enforcement and government operators. It is also well-suited for powerline inspection, which requires a high level of maneuverability and stability. The 530F offers superior hot-day, high-altitude performance over the 500E, increasing takeoff power 18%. The 520N model adds MDHI's proprietary Notar (No Tail Rotor) technology.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat ground-attack aircraft powered by a pair of General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines rated at 9,065 lb. thrust each. First flight of an A-10 prototype occurred in 1972 and by 1984, 713 A-10As had been built for the U.S. Air Force. Conversion of a portion of the service's A-10A fleet for use in forward air control was subsequently performed, resulting in the OA-10 configuration.
The Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter is a twin-turboshaft, multirole helicopter originally powered by Turbomeca TM333-2B2 turboshaft engines rated 1,000 shp each. Deliveries of a variant equipped with the new Turbomeca/HAL Ardiden 1H1 turboshaft engine began in 2011. The Ardiden 1H1 is produced and marketed in India under the name Shakti. The Dhruv's first flight with twin Ardiden 1H1 engines, each rated at 1,200 shp, took place in January 2009.
Additive manufacturing has captured industry's imagination, but even as the first parts appear inside jet engines, the technology's possibilities are only just being realized.
Since the end of the Cold War, France has roughly halved its nuclear arsenal and eliminated the option to conduct land-based strikes. But with 300 warheads still in its stockpile, Paris is investing in a major upgrade of its deterrent force through 2030, with plans to modernize strategic submarine and aircraft fleets, missiles, warheads, communications networks and production facilities.
Marketing of the 767 AWACS, also known as the E-767, began in 1991 as a follow-on to the 707 AWACS. The E-767 is powered by two GE CF6-80C2 turbofan engines rated at 61,500 lb. thrust, and has a crew of two plus 19 AWACS mission specialists. System suppliers include Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. The 767 AWACS competes with Boeing's 737 AEW&C aircraft and the Northrop Grumman E-2D. Only four E-767s have been produced, and all are in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Boeing also markets a tanker/transport version of the 767 known as the KC-767.
