The Saab Gripen is a single-engine multirole fighter built in Sweden. A prototype made its first flight in 1988, and deliveries began in mid-1993. Power comes from a single Volvo/GE RM12 turbofan rated at 18,000 lb. thrust with afterburning. Some 227 Gripens (including prototypes) were produced through 2010, with another 53 forecast to be built in 2011-20. Saab is currently developing the improved 22,000-lb.-thrust GE F414G-powered Gripen NG (Next Generation); the demonstrator made its first flight in 2008.
The single-engine AS550 utility helicopter is a military version of the AS350. It is powered by the Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft engine. Some 4,046 AS350/550/EC130s were produced through 2010, including civil and military variants as well as those assembled under license. Another 2,153 units are forecast to be produced in 2011-20.
As Norway sets a slightly increased level of defense spending for 2012, it is allocating the first funding for an initial batch of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to be used for training. Norway expects to see defense spending increase by 1.3 billion krone ($231 million) over 2011 levels, with the top line reaching 40.6 billion krone. For the four JSFs, Norway is budgeting around 4.9 billion krone, although the money will not be spent until later years.
In a taste of choices to come as budget cuts bite, the U.S. Army is curbing its appetite for a new aircraft program, in the hopes of preserving funds for future advanced rotorcraft by considering off-the-shelf replacements for its hard-flown armed scout helicopters. Surprising industry, the Army says it plans a flight demonstration of available aircraft as early as April of next year and, if they offer a worthwhile improvement in capability, will move immediately into a competition to replace its Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warriors.
Northrop Grumman will forego exhibiting at next year's Farnborough International Airshow. The move comes as the company tries to control costs in light of anticipated defense spending cuts in the U.S., the company's largest market. U.S. manufacturers have curtailed their presence at Farnborough and its French counterpart—the Paris air show—in recent years, citing the high cost of attendance. Boeing's defense group limited the executives attending the Paris air show this year to a minimum.
The NH90 is a medium-lift, twin-turbine troop transport and maritime helicopter. It is available with either the GE T700/CT7 or the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines. The NH90 comes in two standard models, the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), though extensive customization is available. The TTH functions as a tactical troop assault, transport and ground support aircraft; it is capable of hauling 14-20 fully equipped troops, more than 5,511 lb. of cargo, up to 12 stretchers, or one light transport vehicle with crew.
Peter R. Ingram (see photo) has been named executive VP and chief commercial officer at Hawaiian Airlines. He had been executive VP and CFO. His successor is Scott E. Topping, who will also add the title of treasurer. Topping comes from Southwest Airlines, where he directed corporate finance, fleet planning and risk management strategies.
This family of single-main-rotor, single- and twin-engine utility helicopters from Bell has been produced in a wide variety of models since its launch in 1958. The T700-GE-401C-powered UH-1Y variant is the only dedicated military model currently in production. More than 14,955 were produced through 2010, with another 411 forecast in 2011-20.
Boeing, with Northrop Grumman as a major subcontractor, produces the F/A-18. The F/A-18A/B/C/D models were powered by two GE F404-GE-400/402 turbofans (16,000-17,600 lb. thrust each), while the F/A-18E/F has two GE F414-GE-400 turbofans (22,000 lb. thrust each). First flight of an F/A-18 prototype occurred in 1978. The current production model, the E/F, features a larger fuselage, more powerful engines and additional hardpoints compared to the earlier models. An F/A-18F variant, the EA-18G, is replacing the EA-6B Prowler in electronic warfare duty for the U.S.
The AS555 utility helicopter is a military version of the AS355 powered by two Turbomeca Arrius 1A turboshaft engines. Military applications include forward observation, light attack, reconnaissance, naval search-and-rescue, light anti-shipping and anti-submarine warfare. Some 783 AS355/555s were built through 2010.
The KC-390 is a twin-engine, high-wing military transport under development by Embraer. As envisioned, the KC-390 will be able to carry a payload of 50,705 lb. Embraer has selected the International Aero Engines V2500-E5 turbofan (27,000-29,000 lb. thrust). First flight is planned for 2014, with service entry in 2016. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic and Portugal have all committed to acquiring the KC-390, with the Brazilian air force the program's prime sponsor. In 2014-20, 77 KC-390s are expected to be produced.
NASA says launch of the $1.5 billion Npoess Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., aboard a Delta II rocket is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 2:48 a.m. PDT. The current schedule represents a two-day slip to address a small hydraulic system leak and a damaged flexible exhaust system collar. NPP carries five Earth-observing instruments—each destined for operational assignments crucial to the future of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's rechristened Joint Polar Satellite System network—into a Sun-synchronous orbit with a 512-mi.
Jim Halsell, former NASA astronaut and retired USAF colonel, will join Huntsville, Ala.-based Dynetics this month. He was NASA director of operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia and led NASA's Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight Planning Team after the Columbia accident.
The AS565 Panther multirole, 10-15-seat helicopter is a military version of the AS365 Dauphin. Several variants of the Panther exist, including the U.S. Coast Guard's HH-65C (powered by Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 engines); the naval AS565MB and land-based AS565UB (both powered by Arriel 2Cs). Military roles include ground support, anti-armor, scout, medical evacuation, search-and-rescue, anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel warfare, and airborne assault.
Boeing's first 747-8 freighter was officially delivered to launch customer Cargolux Oct. 12 after a long-running wrangle over contractual terms concerning engine performance was resolved. Originally due for delivery Sept. 19, the aircraft departed from Boeing's Everett facility and stopped at nearby Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to pick up its first load (see photo). The second of 13 aircraft on order by Cargolux was delivered Oct. 13. The 747-8F program is more than a year behind its original schedule. Boeing has taken 75 orders for the 747-8F.
While the overall deployment rate may be low, required navigation performance (RNP) initiatives are under way in many countries. These are examples of developments in different regions:
Satellite-based airport approaches are expected to yield dramatic gains in efficiency and safety, but industry experts say slow deployment worldwide is preventing their full potential from being realized.
The Typhoon is a delta-wing, single- and two-seat, supersonic, air-superiority combat fighter produced by Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH (a consortium that includes Alenia, BAE Systems and EADS) and sponsored by France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. The aircraft is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 axial-flow, low-bypass, augmented turbofans rated at 20,250 lb. thrust each with reheat. The initial prototype flew in 1994, with deliveries commencing in 2002. Some 256 Typhoons were built through 2010, while an estimated 304 are forecast for production in 2011-20.
The A330 MRTT is a military tanker/transport version of the Airbus A330 airliner. The twin-engine A330 MRTT is powered by either Rolls-Royce Trent 700 or General Electric CF6-80E1 turbofan engines. Through 2010, 14 green A330s were produced for eventual conversion to the MRTT configuration; an additional 15 are forecast to be built in the 2011-20 period.
General Electric has submitted all documents to the European Aviation Safety Authority for certification of the Czech-built H80 turboprop, and is on track to deliver 12 engines before the end of the year. The H80, derived from the original Walter M601 but heavily modified with GE 3D aero design know-how, forms the core of GE's nascent business and general aviation strategy to penetrate this segment. In particular, GE sees a largely untapped niche in the agricultural, general aviation and utility market for a competitor to Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT6 turboprop.
And on our Things With Wings blog, Rupa Haria's post, “Call it Heathwick, Call It Gatrow, Call it Dead On Arrival,” outlines the many ideas (mostly bad) to revitalize London's failing airport infrastructure, eliciting: AirlinesAngel saying:
The Tucano series is a family of trainer and light attack aircraft; first flight occurred in 1980. The standard EMB-312 Tucano is powered by a single 750-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop engine, while the Shorts-built S312 (T1) variant is powered by an uprated 1,100-shp AlliedSignal TPE331-12B-701A turboprop. These original Tucano models are no longer in production. The current production model is the EMB-314 Super Tucano, which has an extended fuselage, pressurized cockpit, strengthened airframe and 1,600-shp PT6A-68C turboprop.
Airbus is poised to deliver the first A320 family aircraft powered by upgraded CFM International CFM56-5B PIP (Performance Improvement Package) engines. The upgraded -5B PIP package, originally dubbed the -5BE, will enter service on an A320 scheduled for delivery to LAN Airlines of Chile within the next few days. Prior to certification, the PIP package completed extensive ground testing and 26 hr. of flight-testing on the A320, says CFM.
Patricia Ornst has become regional managing director-community and state affairs for the Northeast at American Airlines. She was VP and director of aviation at the New York City Economic Development Corp.
