The UK Royal Air force awaits the delivery of a “the turboprop-powered, multi-mission” Predator B that has been scheduled to be delivered in the year 2018. The aircraft was completed and made to be able to meet the standards that the NATO requires on November 17. The manufacture of the aircraft is an American “defense contractor” known as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA ASI) head quartered out of San Diego, CA.
Learn MoreAlthough unmanned aircraft are typically not used to combat fires, Lockheed has just proved any doubters otherwise. This past week, Lockheed used its Stalker XE UAS drone to provide data and a precise location to an unmanned K-MAX cargo helicopter. By using an innovative dual-capability electro-optical infrared camera, the drone was able to work in tandem with the K-MAX helicopter to pinpoint fires and determine their intensity.
Learn MoreKawasaki Heavy Industries has developed a new maritime patrol aircraft, named the XP-1 (previously known as P-X), with intentions of using this aircraft to replace the P-3C maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). The initial prototype aircraft of the XP-1 was first revealed in July 2007, with this aircraft completing its maiden flight in September 2007. By March of 2010, Kawasaki had delivered four XP-1 aircraft to the Ministry of Defense for ground testing, during which the Japanese defense ministry discovered tears in various sections of the test aircraft. As a result of this, repairs to the aircraft included reinforcement of the fuel tank and central parts of the fuselage.
Learn MoreRaytheon has been awarded a $103 million contract from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a more accurate GPS.
Learn MoreIn March of 2015, two test F-35Bs were flown testing the efficacy of a recent installation of software patches meant to address issues with the fighter jets’ communication avionics systems. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is undergoing its final development stage. The F-35 program is the most expensive project in the most recent military procurement budget, accounting for 20% of the Department of Defense’s total acquisition costs (which is currently at $1.6 billion USD). Fraught with multiple delays and technical difficulties, the F-35 will cost approximately $1.5 trillion over its lifetime.
Learn MoreWith advancement of the 702 satellite system, Boeing released the 702 Small Platform (720SP). Operating on 3-8 kilowatts of power, with a capability of reaching a maximum of 18 kilowatts, the 702SP uses all-electric propulsion to increase liftoff force and reduce launch mass. This all-electric technology was the first of its kind to be launched into space. Using five reflectors, the 702SP was made easier to operate than previous models. Furthermore, the satellite offers much flexibility to customers. Modifications include sensors, UHF, military Ka-band, navigation L-band, and many other changes. The 702SP currently accommodates the S-, X-, C-, Ku-, and Ka-band frequencies.
Learn MoreIn February of 2015 Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (the aerospace and defense power systems descendant of the original automobile manufacturer) announced that it would be testing history’s largest 3D printed object since the inception of the technology. The component is a nickel-based front bearing engine housing with 48 airfoils. With a diameter of 1.5m and a thickness of 0.5m, this component was constructed entirely through additive layer manufacturing (colloquially referred to as 3D printing) and will be placed on the Trent XWB-97 engine for testing. Additive layer manufacturing (ALM) entails using electron beams to melt and form metal powder into thin sheet layered shapes. The Trent XWB-97 will be the exclusive engine of the upcoming Airbus A350-1000 jetliner. Although the additive layer manufactured component will not be used in production offerings of the Airbus as of now, the company expects that ALM technology has the potential to reduce lead time by up to a third and is already extensively used in repair and prototyping processes.
Learn MoreAfter culminating seven confirmed dogfight victories, the Israeli Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon No. 107 will be retired. After its 35 year career, the F-16 “Netz” will go on display at Hatzerim Air Base in Negev. The No. 107 F-16 has been in service since it was delivered to Israel’s Ramat David Air Base on June 18, 1980. In 1995 the aircraft starting serving Israel as a training aircraft for flight cadets and was finally retired at the end of 2014.
Learn MoreThe rivalry between two of the world’s leading defense contractors – The Boeing Company (second-largest) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (number three) – will come to a head when the US Air Force decides who will design and manufacture the branch’s new stealth bomber. For this contract, Boeing has enlisted Lockheed Martin (the first-largest defense company) as a subcontractor in its proposal, with Lockheed likely responsible for developing the design and Boeing carrying out manufacturing.
Learn MoreHeadquartered in São José dos Campos, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, Embraer is a Brazilian aerospace force that designs and manufactures commercial, military, executive, and agricultural aircrafts and also provides aeronautical services. Currently, it competes with Canada-based Bombardier for the title of third-largest aircraft maker behind Boeing and Airbus.
Learn MoreBeginning in Quarter 4 of 2014, the Beechcraft King Air C90GTx will now offer new standard features, providing an overall increase in performance. The King Air C90GTx is Beechcraft’s entry level twin turboprop family of aircrafts. Since its introduction in 1964, the King Air family is now the one of the most popular and widely used small aircrafts in the world.
Learn MoreConstrucciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA), a Spanish aircraft manufacturer founded in 1923, started out with an initial investment of 33% from the Spanish government, a figure which would increase to 99.2% by the year 1992. CASA was one of the original members of the Airbus Consortium that included France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In 1999, the company became a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), thus forming EADS CASA.
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