Just recently, Japan has demonstrated its growing power in the global space industry. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has unveiled on July 1, 2015, their next automated HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) spacecraft. This vessel will be designed to specialize in cargo transportation to deliver payloads to the International Space Station. This freighter, named Kounotori-5 (HTV-5), is being prepared to resupply the International Space Station on its upcoming launch date of August 16th. Kounotori-5, which in Japanese means “white stork,” is anticipated to lift off from Tanegashima Space Center to dock on the International Space Station on August 22nd.
Learn MoreIn April 2015, Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Demonstrator successfully completed an autonomous aerial refueling (AAR) test by plugging into an aerial refueling basket behind an Omega Air KC-707. The Salty Dog 502, one of the two UCAS-D aircraft of the X-47B program, was the aircraft that performed the test off the coast of Maryland. Originally, the aircraft was not going to receive funding for aerial refueling, but the money ended up coming through for what is slated to be the final test of the historic X-47B.
Learn MoreIn April 2015, a Boeing-manufactured RC-135U aircraft was intercepted by a Russian SU-27 Flanker fighter jet while flying over the Baltic Sea. The encounter was more than just unsafe. According to US officials at the Pentagon, the Russian pilot’s actions were “unsafe and unprofessional due to the aggressive maneuvers it performed in close proximity to their aircraft and its high rate of speed." Pentagon spokesman Mark Wright said the Pentagon and State Department will "file the appropriate petition through diplomatic channels" with Russia.
Learn MoreIn April 2015, the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced the details of its Vulcan platform, a next-generation launch system intended to end US reliance on Russian-built rocket engines. The goal of this new reusable rocket, which is planned to take flight in 2019, is to make future launch services affordable and accessible. Vulcan will have the capabilities to facilitate missions from low-Earth orbit all the way to Pluto.
Learn MoreGorgon Stare, a remote-controlled, aircraft-based persistent wide area airborne surveillance (WAAS) system developed by Sierra Nevada has received operational clearance from the United States Air Force. Gorgon Stare is a spherical array of nine cameras installed onboard the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) that provides real-time situational awareness for both soldiers and commanders involved in large scale operations. The upgraded system, known as Increment 2, provides a four-fold increase in area coverage and a two-fold improvement in resolution compared to its predecessor, the Increment 1.
Learn MoreDespite a decrease in single - and twin-engine light helicopter sales in 2014, there was still substantial developments made for many helicopter engines. With a multitude of helicopters entering service and coming into the pipeline, engine manufacturers keep developing and designing new power plants for service.
Learn MoreThe Boeing Company is an American global designer and manufacturer of airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, and satellites. It also provides leasing and product support services to a multinational customer base. Boeing is among the largest global aircraft manufacturers, is the second-largest defense contractor in the world based on reported 2013 revenue, and is the largest exporter in the United States by dollar value.
Learn MoreTurbomeca has been selected by Airbus Helicopters to power their new X4 helicopters. Airbus originally planned for the PW210 engine to be used in the X4 helicopters. However, due to a comprehensive market assessment along with the need for an increase of engine power, the Turbomeca Arrano was selected. The Turbomeca Arrano 1,100 – 1,300 shaft horse power engines will provide up to 15% in fuel efficiency compared to other engines in the market. Commercially known as the TM800, the engine is designed to power four to six ton helicopters and fit the Arriel and Ardiden performance ranges.
Learn MoreIn February 2015, The Boeing Company announced that it would restructure its defense and space businesses into a separate company known as BDS Development. The divesture was created in an effort to streamline and promote oversight of space and security related programs. Jim O’Neill, previously president of BDS Global Services & Support, will oversee the new company devoted to enhancing the efficiency of development programs.
Learn MoreSikorsky Aircraft Corporation is in the final stages of debuting the company’s new S-97 Raider light attack helicopter. On January 28, 2015, the aircraft underwent its first auxiliary power unit ignition and subsequent systems checks off the APU (currently a General Electric GE-T706). This test marks the beginning step towards the aircraft’s first test flight scheduled for a couple of weeks.
Learn MoreBombardier Aerospace, the third largest aircraft manufacturer in the world behind Boeing and Airbus, announced this month (January 2015) that it would be bringing its long-delayed Learjet 85 mid-sized business jet program to a complete halt due to extremely low market demand—an announcement that is a revision from the company’s already conservative market forecast.
Learn MoreIBM first appeared as Computing Tabulating Recording Company in 1911. Through the merger of three separate business entities in 1924, International Business Machines was formed. In 2012 IBM was ranked the 9th largest U.S. firm in terms of profitability. IBM was ranked in the top 20 of multiple categories which include the number of employees, revenue, green company and most admired company by Forbes, Fortune and Baron’s. Worldwide IBM operates 12 research laboratories.
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