Bombardier Aerospace is projecting to sell 9,000 light, medium and large business jets over the next 10 years, valuing at $267 billion. Their forecast is based on the expansion of economic activity, globalization of trade, growth in the world’s developing markets, new aircraft programs, aircraft retirements and alternatives to full aircraft ownership, fractional ownership, card programs, and charter.
Learn MoreIn May 2015, Airbus completed the maiden flight of its A320neo equipped with CFM International's Leap-1A engines in Toulouse, France. During the flight, which lasted 4 hours and 25 minutes, the company evaluated the A320neo's airspeed and load factor capabilities at up to 39,000ft and engine speed variation. The aircraft was flown by experimental test pilots Philippe Perrin and Malcolm Ridley.
Learn MoreAirbus has partnered with University of Cincinnati researchers to develop metals that will fortify aircraft components.
Learn MoreThe Mexican ultra-low cost carrier VivaAerobus has received its first delivery of an Airbus A320 that is a part of the 52 aircraft order placed in October 2013. This order of 52 aircraft includes 12 A320ceo and 40 A320neo and was the largest Airbus aircraft order from a single airline in the history of Latin America.
Learn MoreAccording to Reuters, the aircraft leasing firm Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is in negotiations with Moelis investment bank to sell its StandardAero aviation services unit for USD$1.8 billion. The auction process is expected to start later this year according to Reuter’s sources. DAE, StandardAero, and Moelis all declined to comment and because the negotiations are not public, the sources asked to remain anonymous.
Learn MoreIn a joint venture between Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Boeing, a $990 million order was placed for three 777-300ERs. Known as an extended range aircraft, the 777-300ER is a twin-aisle aircraft with fuel and cost-effective capabilities. It can hold a total of 386 passengers and travel up to 7,825 nautical miles on a non-stop route. This is following another order between the two companies for six of these aircraft in 2013.
Learn MoreThe Chinese company DJI has become a leader in the civilian market for drones after raising over $75 million from the venture capital firm Accel Partners. This deal, along with the $30 million investment by Sequoia Capital last year, puts DJI’s value at approximately $8 billion as well as having the distinction of being one of Accel’s largest investments ever.
Learn MoreNASA’s Langley Research Center has been in the process of developing a drone that looks to combine the best qualities of fixed-wing airplanes and rotary-wing helicopters. With a goal of building an aircraft with considerable speed, cargo capability, excellent maneuverability, and no need for large runways, NASA has developed a new drone prototype, the GL-10 Greased Lightning.
Learn MoreIn April 2015, Aerojet Rocketdyne announced that they have been selected by NASA to design an electric propulsion system to power its future manned spaceflights to cislunar space and beyond to Mars. The company will soon begin negotiations to finalize contract terms. The scope of the contract will include Aerojet Rocketdyne developing a 100kW hall thruster system, including its 250kW multi-channel nested hall thruster (NHT).
Learn MoreNASA has created the world’s first copper rocket engine part through the new technology of 3D printing. The combustion chamber liner was constructed using GRCo-84, which is a copper alloy created by the scientists at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Learn MoreIn April 2015, Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with the Korean satellite service operator KTSAT to design and build two telecommunications satellites, the Koreasat-7 and Koreasat-5A. As the program’s prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the design, production, testing and On Ground Delivery (OGD) of the satellites. It will also take charge of the launch campaigns, the launch and early operations phase (LEOP) and in-orbit tests (IOT).
Learn MoreRocket Lab, the Lockheed Martin-funded start up, has revealed their new Rutherford engine. The Rutherford is made up of mostly 3D-printed components, powered by battery and electric turbo pump, and can thrust 4,600 pounds. Powered by a mix of kerosene and liquid oxygen, the engine’s key feature is the use of a battery to power brushless DC motors in the turbo pump. Usually, pressurized gas is used to power a turbine. However, the Rutherford’s innovative electric motor that powers the pump is only the size of a soda can and has approximately 50 horsepower.
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