The battery-operated recorder with Ethernet interface is designed for recording blast and shock data. With rechargeable batteries and solid-state memory, the unit 5871 will record three channels of transducer data at 2 million samples per second in the face of 50g shock on any axis. The Ethernet interface is used for programming and debriefing of recorded data. Multiple systems may be installed on a LAN to support the larger number of channels typical of explosive, impact and pyroshock tests.
European scientists unveiled an advanced weather satellite to U.N. delegates and political leaders last week, highlighting the potential contribution of space systems to predicting extreme weather phenomena and climate change. The 2-metric-ton satellite, built by Alcatel Space and orbited by an Ariane 5 on Aug. 28, is the first in a new generation of geostationary spacecraft--dubbed the MSG series--intended to replace the Meteosat family that has served Europe, Africa and Asia for the past quarter century.
Delta Air Lines Technical Operations has won a 10-year, $1-billion contract to provide shop visit maintenance for the General Electric CF34 engines that power Atlantic Southeast Airlines' and Comair's Bombardier regional jets.
The FAA released new Practical Test Standards for the Private, Commercial and Certified Flight Instructor Airplane (single-engine, multi-engine, land and sea) certificates. Last updated in 1997, the new standards recently became effective. This marks the first time the FAA has written and released the three test standards concurrently, which helps maintain harmony of content and consistency in maneuver descriptions. The PTSs guide students, instructors and FAA-designated examiners through check rides.
Rockwell Collins has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft to provide displays for the U.S. Army's fleet of more than 1,200 Black Hawk UH-60M helicopters. The 20-year contract is valued at up to $225 million.
Eurocopter, an EADS subsidiary, seeks to establish closer links with the U.S. with the hope of acquiring more military business in North America. Theoretically, Bell Helicopter Textron, Boeing Military Aircraft and Sikorsky Aircraft--all competitors of the Europeans--are viewed as potential partners, according to Eurocopter Chairman/CEO Jean-Francois Bigay. ``Our product ranges complement each other more than they overlap.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is rewriting the rule book on acquisition. Late last week, he canceled two key directives that shape the defense acquisition system, criticizing them as ``overly prescriptive'' and inimical to ``efficiency, creativity and innovation.'' He issued interim guidance and directed officials to prepare revised documents within 120 days.
Embraer is counting on FAA certification and initial deliveries to Chicago-based corporate charter operator Indigo to make its Legacy supermidsize business jet, now just entering service, as successful as its regional jet program. The Brazilian manufacturer has several U.S.-bound units of its Legacy Executive model lined up for delivery pending reception of an FAA airworthiness certificate, expected to be announced at the NBAA show. Derived from the Embraer 135 regional jet line, the Executive twinjet seats up to 18 passengers and can fly 3,100 naut. mi.
What's the optimum balance between product reliability and affordability? Aerospace companies of all sizes have wrestled with that question for years, and Raytheon Co. believes it has enough experience in ``reliability engineering'' that it can offer its expertise for hire. Working through its Reliability Analysis Lab (RAL), the company has started marketing consulting services aimed at helping other organizations determine the right mix.
The business aviation community is in a state of flux as it learns to adapt to operations in an environment that has changed significantly since Sept. 11. In conjunction with the National Business Aviation Assn. convention being held this week in Orlando, Fla., Aviation Week & Space Technology editors examine the industry's status, the impact of federal security requirements on daily operations and denial of access to key airports.
The company is offering NRG Damp, a sound-damping and vibration-reducing composite material comprising two or more metallic substrates surrounding an engineered viscoelastic core. The material functions through micro-shear deformation of the viscoelastic core, which dissipates vibrational energy. Applications are in quieting and reducing vibration in racks, chassis, enclosures and other components. NRG Damp material may be formed by stamping, drawing, bending or roll forming with no loss of performance and no delamination, according to the company.
When British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke at a luncheon in late 1942 on whether the end of World War II was in sight,he said. ``This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.'' As we commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, Churchill's statement aptly applies to the U.S.' war on terrorism. While the U.S.
Taiwan is slated to boost its missile inventory under proposed sales of 182 AIM-9M short-range air-to-air missiles and of 449 AGM-143 Hellfire missiles for use from AH-1W Cobras and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters. The AIM-9M foreign military sale is estimated at $36 million, while the Hellfire deal is pegged at $60 million.
Eurocorps, a joint fighting unit formed by Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg, admitted three new members to its high command last week in the first phase of a plan to expand the unit to 13 nations. The new members--Greece, Poland and Turkey--will be followed by Austria and Poland. Italy, like the U.K. and the Netherlands, will send a liaison officer to the unit, which is to become the command structure for Europe's Rapid Reaction Force, to be formed next year.
Lycoming is using Comergent e-business software to help sell its piston aircraft engines. The system allows customers to securely buy engines online and track orders. . . . Raytheon Aircraft Co. will have Computer Sciences Corp. manage its infotech infrastructure, including mainframe down to desktop computers, help desk, e-mail, and voice and video telecommunications. The contract runs through January 2010 and is potentially worth $128 million.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is exploring whether to pursue development of a hypersonic, reusable aircraft that could ``skip'' along the atmosphere and deliver military payloads anywhere in the world within about 2 hr. The idea itself isn't new; aerospace engineers for years have harbored the notion that skipping along the atmosphere would be an efficient method to traverse great distances. But after years of mulling the concept, Darpa appears ready to take the concept off the drawing board toward a demonstrable capability, called HyperSoar.
When a belt-sander pulley failure halted production in a customer's finishing area, this company used rapid manufacturing techniques to make a replacement from polycarbonate on its fused deposition modeling Titan prototyping system. Instead of days, the item was ready in 4 hr. NASA experimented with the system on board a KC-135 in reduced-gravity conditions for possible use on the ISS. Stratasys, 14950 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, Minn. 55344.
Manufacturers and operators of single-engine turboprop aircraft are hoping a new rule proposed by Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities, at industry's request, will shortly permit the use of such aircraft in commercial operations. The JAA has long been planning preparation of the rule, which would enable aircraft powered by a single turboprop with a specified level of reliability, or another powerplant with equivalent reliability, to fly commercial IFR routes.
Marion Blakey scored easy points with receptive Senate Commerce Committee members during her confirmation hearing Sept. 3, but early approval to be FAA administrator might elude her because of a 19-month-old labor dispute she would inherit.
Germany faces fundamental procurement decisions in the next few weeks that will have far-reaching ramifications for both the German and European defense industries. Several logjammed aerospace/defense programs will be on the agenda when the German parliament's budget committee meets on Sept. 12. Likely to be discussed are the collaborative Meteor and IRIS-T air-to-air missile programs, as well as the A400M military air transport.
Marking a dramatic turnaround from its NZ$1.4-billion (US$657-million) loss last year, Air New Zealand has registered A NZ$39-million profit for the year ended June 30. Revenues were down 9.5%, but the carrier cut its costs 11.3%. ``We have pulled out of a nosedive, but we still have a long way to go,'' said ANZ Chairman John Palmer. The carrier's losses were so heavy last year they required a government bailout (AW&ST Aug. 19, p. 40).
Major airplane body sections for Boeing's newest 777, the 777-300ER, have arrived from Japan. The parts, which were shipped to the assembly facility in Everett, Wash., will be loaded into tools that join the body section together to form the fuselage. The rear fuselage (known as the No. 46 section), cargo door panel and keel panel assemblies were manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Hiroshima. The company manufactures similar parts for three other 777 passenger models.
This is Part 3 of an ongoing special report on how the military responded to terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Earlier articles appeared in the June 3 and June 10 issues. For this segment, one D.C. Air National Guard F-16 pilot chose not to have her name used, so is identified only by her call-sign. Within minutes of American Airlines Flight 77 hitting the Pentagon on Sept.
Forecasting an increase in European defense spending, and heeding indications that a U.S. Air Force lease with Boeing for 767 tankers will be rejected by the government, senior executives of EADS announced long-term plans for increasing its visibility here and redoubling efforts to penetrate the U.S. defense and commercial markets. As the strategic planners for the world's second largest aerospace and defense company, and armed with a mandate to become more competitive in the U.S., they have named Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., as chairman and CEO of EADS North America.
