The article “Real-World Training” suggests that airlines need more and better full-motion simulators to teach pilots how to deal with stalls (AW&ST May 16, p. 42). In the article, the Air Transport Association says, “Any training rules changes must be science-based and an improvement over existing regulatory requirements.”
Fearing that the administration's Phased Adaptive Approach to missile defense in Europe could imperil the Boeing-run system designed to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles, some Republicans are trying to add money for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system. But in the race to gain backing for GMD, funding for Lockheed Martin's Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads) might just get shot down.
Qatar Airways bought a 35% stake in Cargolux last week after months of negotiations. Cargolux plunged into deep losses in the global economic downturn of 2008-09, but returned to profits last year. Nevertheless, its current owners—among them Luxembourg-based banks and Luxair—decided the carrier needed another strategic investor.
In the midst of it all, the Pentagon's top leadership is changing. Defense Secretary Robert Gates leaves at the end of the month, and Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, departs in late September. Gates's replacement, another Cold War-cum-counterinsurgency leader, is seen as more amenable to cuts to the legacy national security regime. CIA Director Leon Panetta told senators in his confirmation hearing last week that the U.S. faces “a blizzard of challenges.” One program he says he will definitely keep an eye on is the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Managers at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will likely dip into a $22 million reserve fund held in case of shortfalls in the $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory mission. They believe they can still meet the 2011 planetary launch window, though. The agency's inspector general (IG) cautions that the program is taking it right down to the wire for the Nov. 25-Dec. 18 launch window. The mission includes a car-sized rover called Curiosity, 10 different instruments and a unique “sky crane” that hovers while gently lowering the rover to the surface.
Lackluster operational test results for the newest U.S. Air Force Global Hawk do not appear to be curbing the appetite for this high-flying unmanned aerial system (UAS) among international customers or U.S. commanders. Fixes for a list of shortcomings are under way, according to Air Force officials and Northrop Grumman, prime contractor for the $13.9 billion program.
Michael Anselmi has joined San Francisco-based Jackson Square Aviation as its new head of research and risk management. He comes from aviation consultancy Outlaw Partners.
Contractors vying for the U.S. Navy's proposed Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) say they can deliver the system for much less than the government's cost estimate because of their extensive experience building similar radar programs in recent years. Such arguments are becoming increasingly important as Washington scrambles to find bill-payers while eyeing expensive defense programs.
Boeing is beginning flight tests of novel drag-reducing technology in the tail of one of its initial 787 certification aircraft. Tests of a hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) system are taking place on ZA003, the 787 originally assigned for the bulk of cabin interior and systems certification. Initial tests are expected to be operated out of San Bernardino, Calif. HLFC has never been introduced on a large-scale commercial aircraft before but it shows potential for large drag reduction.
Gerassimos D. Corakianitis (La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland )
Graham Warwick's “Cyberhunters” (AW&ST May 23, p. 51) is interesting in theory, but the “cyberattackers” seem to have overcome all seven steps in the cyber kill chain. Lockheed Martin now has to rethink the process from Square One. La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland
When uncommanded wing drop during transonic maneuvers was first observed in flight testing of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, it was well down the priority list. But as other issues were resolved, wing drop moved steadily up the list until it became the problem that jeopardized the program.
Even on an island of unique buildings anchoring the premiere U.S. Navy maritime testing grounds for the service's most sophisticated air and ballistic missile defense radar systems, the building that those here call the “Taj Mahal” stands apart, gleaming eggshell white near the ocean's edge.
Josh Abelson has been promoted to senior VP-supply chain solutions at AeroTurbine, Stockton, Calif. He was head of the airframe programs group, OEM relations and AeroTurbine Defense Solutions division.
The race between Iran's ballistic missile efforts and Israel's anti-missile activities is entering a new stage. As Iran more quietly tries to improve its offensive capacities, Israel is striving to keep pace by fielding a more effective defensive shield.
June 20-26—Paris air show. LeBourget, France. See www.paris-air-show.com June 23-25—International Air Transport Association's 128th Schedules Conference. Swedish Exhibition & Congress Center, Gothenberg. See www.iata.org June 23-24—Technology Training Corp.'s Space Security and Defense Conference. Caesar's Palace Hotel, Las Vegas. See www.ttcus.com June 27-28—Aviation Safety Management Systems Overview Workshop: ATC Vantage. Tampa, Fla. Call +1 (727) 410-4759 or see www.atcvantage.com/sms-workshop.24l
Boeing's Chandler, Ariz., and Leesburg, Va., facilities will provide system integration and testing support for the Iridium Next satellite constellation under a contract from satellite developer Thales Alenia Space.
USAF Col. (ret.) Michael R. Gallagher (Hillsboro, Ore. )
In reference to your editorial “Disturbing Lessons” (AW&ST June 6, p. 66), the fact that the most junior pilot was at the controls when the accident sequence started should be irrelevant. While a junior pilot won't have the experience base of a senior captain, he must be able to deal completely with any aircraft malfunction that could occur while in charge.
Several forecasts have identified 2012 as a turnaround year for general aviation aircraft manufacturers, but it seems Bombardier was impatient with that timetable and has begun racking up impressive numbers a year early. On June 1, the Montreal plane and train maker announced its financial results for its first quarter, which ended April 30. During the 90-day period, it delivered 37 business aircraft, 23 airliners and one water-bomber—61 aircraft, versus 56 for the same quarter in 2010.
What a ride it was! In recent years, Oshkosh Corp. turned in a performance more resembling a high-tech startup than a 94-year-old truck builder from Wisconsin. Annual revenues rocketed to more than $9 billion last year from less than $2 billion in 2003, rising more than 50% in 2010 alone, when Oshkosh reported an operating profit of $101,000 per employee—second-best among publicly traded companies in the global aerospace and defense industry.
Airlines around the world are looking to the Asia-Pacific region, and China and India in particular, to fuel their growth, but there is a danger Middle East carriers may soak up much of the traffic originating in Asia-Pacific. Besides the competitive threat from the Middle East, rising fuel prices and regional disasters have dramatically reduced the global airline industry's margins, putting the industry as a whole in a precarious position from which it will be difficult to turn a profit if economic growth slows or there is another shock to the system.
Robert Wall (St. Louis), Amy Butler (Philadelphia)
Boeing appears unsure about the long-term sales opportunities—especially to customers abroad—for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, although the company is more confident about the futures of its fighter and Chinook production activities.
USAF Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold has been nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command at the Pentagon. He is commander of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency/deputy chief of staff for ISR at Lackland AFB, Texas. Brig. Gen. Mark A. Atkinson has been confirmed by the Senate for promotion to major general. He is the director of logistics at Air Combat Command Headquarters, Langley AFB, Va. Brig. Gen. William J. Bender has been promoted to major general.
