Three recent space-related articles speak volumes. The first two are in the same issue (AW&ST Sept. 30): “Launcher Leap” (page 22) followed by “What's Next” (page 24). Hot on the heels of this printing, the AviationWeek.com Space Channel (Oct. 3) offered “NASA's J-2X Engine To Be Mothballed After Testing.” The first article outlined China's plans for a more capable Moon rocket than the Saturn V; the second depicted China's planned Mir-class space station. And the third covered the U.S.'s human space exploration program.
The CRJ series is a family of twin-engine, 44-100-seat regional jets. The initial model was the 50-seat CRJ100, which first flew in May 1991; deliveries began in October 1992. The CRJ100 was replaced by the 50-seat CRJ200, which is powered by a pair of 9,220-lb.-thrust GE CF34-3B1 turbofans. Other variants have included the 44-seat CRJ440, also powered by CF34-3B1s; the 64-78 seat CRJ700, powered by two 13,790-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5 turbofans; and the 86-90-seat CRJ900, powered by two 14,255-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5s.
As of late last week, the U.S. government was in the second week of drastically curtailed operations and Washington was flirting with inaction on a technical fix needed to make good on its treasury's obligations. One major defense company chief we spoke with last week described the federal budget process as “chaos” and the impact on the industries we cover as “a destructive force” (see page 31).
This twin-engine turboprop aircraft family was known as the Dash 8 series. The original Q100 made its first flight in June 1983; first deliveries followed in October 1984. The Q100 carried 37-39 passengers and was equipped with 2,150-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120/121 engines. Other models have been the 37-39-passenger Q200 (with 2,150-shp PW123C/Ds) and the 50-56-seat Q300 (with 2,500-shp PW123Bs). Q100, Q200 and Q300 production has ended. The 68-78-seat Q400 (with 5,071-shp PW150As) remains in production.
This single-turboprop-powered utility/passenger aircraft first flew in December 1982. Through 2012, Cessna produced 2,214 Caravans of all types. Designed with the small-package delivery segment in mind, Caravan models currently in production include the 675 and the 208B Grand Caravan. Both are powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop engine rated at 675 shp. Also in production is the upgraded Grand Caravan EX model, featuring a more powerful PT6A-140 turboprop engine. The EX achieved certification in January 2013.
The TBM 850 is a single-engine, 4-6-passenger, turboprop-powered aircraft that replaced the TBM 700 in 2006. Power is provided by a single 850-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D engine, flat-rated to 850 shp. The aircraft has a range of 1,585 nm. Through 2012, production totaled 299 aircraft. Production of another 421 is forecast for 2013-22.
The Irkut MS-21 is a twin-turbofan, narrowbody derivative of the defunct Yakovlev Yak-242 airliner. The MS-21 family comprises the 150-seat MS-21-200, 181-seat MS-21-300 and 212-seat MS-21-400. All three are to be available in both basic and extended-range versions; the -200 is also to be available in a long-range variant. Power will be provided by Pratt & Whitney PW1400G or Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines. First flight is planned for 2015, with a service entry target date of 2017. Primary competition is likely to come from the Boeing 737, Airbus A320 and Comac C919.
Vanessa Hudson has been named senior executive vice president for the Americas for Qantas Airways. She succeeds Wally Mariani, who has retired. Hudson was executive manager for strategy and planning for Qantas Domestic.
This pressurized, single-turboprop-powered, corporate/utility transport aircraft first flew in May 1991, and received Swiss and U.S. certification in 1994. It seats nine in its standard layout. Portugal's OGMA assembles green aircraft and manufactures some components. The current PC-12 production version, the PC-12 NG (Next Generation), is powered by the 1,200-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P. A total of 1,166 PC-12s in all versions were built through 2012. Production of 875 units is expected during the 2013-22 period.
Mitsubishi formally launched the twin-engine Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) family in March 2008. Initially, two basic models were planned: the 78-passenger MRJ70 and 92-seat MRJ90. The MRJ70 is powered by 15,600-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney PW1215G engines, while the MRJ90 is powered by 17,600-lb.-thrust PW1217Gs. Extended- and long-range versions of each basic model are envisioned, while a 100-seater dubbed the MRJ100 is being seriously considered. MRJ first flight is planned for the second quarter of 2015, with service entry slated for 2017.
Viking Air owns the manufacturing rights to a number of out-of-production de Havilland aircraft, including the DHC-6 Twin Otter, an all-metal, non-pressurized, high-wing, twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft. In April 2007, Viking Air launched a program to restart production of the 19-passenger Twin Otter. The updated Viking Air Twin Otter Series 400 incorporates more than 800 changes to the Series 300, and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34s or optional PT6A-35s.
The Tu-204-100 is a twin-turbofan, short/medium-range, narrowbody commercial transport aircraft powered by a pair of Aviadvigatel PS-90As, while the Tu-204-120 has two Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 engines. The Tu-214 has a higher maximum takeoff weight (110,750 kg or 243,650 lb.) than the Tu-204-100. It retains the PS-90A powerplants of the -100 but carries additional fuel. The Tu-204's first flight occurred in January 1989 and through 2012, 87 Tu-204s and Tu-214s were produced. Just six Tu-214 aircraft are forecast for production in the 2013-22 period.
This week, Aviation Week publishes two editions, both double issues. The cover at the far left features the first business aircraft to be developed in China—Avic subsidiary Caiga's Primus 150, an all-composite six-seater based on a U.S. kitplane design and powered by single 850-shp General Electric H85 turboprop. The aircraft is set to fly soon, but its market is uncertain as Chinese tastes continue to favor large business jets (page 58). Photo by Bobby Yip for Reuters via Newscom.
Smarting from South Korea's decision to sideline Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle and reopen bidding for a new fighter, the company is now strategizing to capture some—but not all—of a forthcoming buy. Boeing Defense, Space and Security President Dennis Muilenburg says the company is still investing in development of the Silent Eagle, which has conformal fuel tanks, a stealthy weapons bay, fly-by-wire controls and a digital electronic warfare system. Boeing remains in the game for Seoul's yet-to-be-revamped F-X Phase 3 competition.
The MA60 twin-turboprop transport aircraft is a stretched version of the Xi'an Y7-200A, in turn a variation on the Antonov An-24. The 52-60-seater is powered by two 2,750-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J engines. Initial flight and delivery of the MA60 took place in 2000. A freighter version, the MA60-500, is also marketed. In May 2010, a new variant, the MA600, was awarded certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. It features reduced weight, an upgraded cabin, new avionics (the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 suite) and a host of other improvements.
Xian is developing a twin-turboprop regional airliner dubbed the MA700. This aircraft is a clean-sheet design, not an MA60 variant. Features include six-blade propellers, a T-tail and an unswept, high-mounted wing. Plans call for an initial variant seating 76-78 passengers. A stretched 90-seater would follow. MA700 service entry is targeted for 2018. Xian intends to pursue FAA and EASA certification for the MA700. The MA700 could eventually replace the MA60/MA600 in production.
The 777 is a twin-engine, widebody jetliner. First flight occurred in June 1994, followed by FAA/JAA certification in April 1995 (Pratt & Whitney-powered version). Deliveries began in June 1995. The 777-200ER seats 301-440 passengers, and is powered by two PW4000, Trent 800 or GE90 turbofans rated 84,000-95,000 lb. thrust each. Two newer versions are the 777-200LR and -300ER. The -200LR, which seats 301 in three classes, is powered by a pair of 110,100-lb.-thrust GE90-110B1 or 115,300-lb.-thrust GE90-115BL turbofans.
The 787 Dreamliner is a family of twin-engine widebody airliners with three versions. The 787-8 carries 210-250 passengers and has a range of 7,650-8,200 nm. The 787-9, lengthened by six meters (20 ft.), carries 250-290 passengers and has a range of 8,000-8,500 nm. The 787-10 is stretched another 5.5 meters beyond the 787-9. All three models are sold with either two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 or General Electric GEnx turbofans.
George Ullrich has become senior vice president-strategy development for Applied Research Associates Inc., Albuquerque, N.M. He has been chief technology officer of the Schafer Corp. and was senior vice president-advanced technology programs at the Science Applications International Corp.
Launched in July 2008, Bombardier's CSeries family comprises two basic models: the CS100, which carries 110 passengers; and the larger CS300 model, which seats 135 in a standard configuration. The aircraft will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofans producing up to 23,300 lb. thrust each. With an extra-capacity seating option, the CS300 can carry up to 160 passengers. The CS100's first flight occurred in September. The CS100 will compete with the Embraer 190 and 195, while the CS300 will vie against the Boeing 737 and Airbus A319.
Initially, the new ARJ21 regional jet from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China was to be available in the ARJ21-700 78-90-seat variant, while later introduction of the 98-105-seat ARJ21-900 is a possibility. Power is provided by two GE CF34-10A turbofans producing 18,500 lb. thrust each. Rollout of the ARJ21-700 occurred in December 2007, followed by first flight in November 2008. Four ARJ21s were built through 2012, and 103 additional examples are forecast for production through 2022. The ARJ21 faces competition from Bombardier and Embraer.
This is Embraer's E-Jets family of twin-engine, 70-132-seat regional jetliners. The 70-80-passenger 170 made its first flight in February 2002, followed by the larger 78-88-seat 175 in June 2003. The 170 and 175 share a common engine in the 14,200-lb.-thrust GE CF34-8E. The 94-114-seat 190 made its initial flight in March 2004, while the 106-122-passenger 195 first flew in December 2004. GE CF34-10E engines, rated at 20,000 lb. thrust each, power these models.
