Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked his way into the debate involving the pending retirement of the Warthog, the nickname for the A-10 Thunderbolt, a close air support jet originally manufactured by Fairchild and, subsequently, Northrop Grumman. The Warthogs are planned for retirement in 2015 in favor of the developing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, one of the most expensive procurement projects ever undertaken by the United States military. In an online exclusive for WND (formerly WorldNet Daily), the frequently “meme-d” action star argued that the Warthog’s low-flying and tactical close air support accuracy is not replaceable by other high-performance, high-altitude, and technologically advanced models in the military’s aircraft fleet.
Learn MoreFinal assembly on the first prototype of Saab’s Gripen fighter is “well under way.” The fuselage sections for the Gripen E/NG fighter test aircraft 39-8 have already been assembled. There was much rejoicing when the pieces fit together immediately without any modifications. It shows that Saab is on schedule to roll out the aircraft in 2016. The deal with Brazil is worth $4.55 billion USD and was finalized on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Under the contract, 36 Brazilian next-generation Gripen fighter aircraft will be delivered. Covered in the order are 28 single-seat Gripen NG aircraft and 8 two-seater aircraft. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2019. The contract expires in 2024. Included in the contract is the complete turnkey weapon system, training, spare parts, support, planning and maintenance.
Learn MoreIn March of 2015, Northrop Grumman announced that they have awarded a contract to the Intel subsidiary Wind River to deliver its VxWorks 653 platform for integration onto the Black Hawk UH-60V helicopter. This commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform belongs to Wind River’s product portfolio of safe and secure operating systems and was ordered as part of Northrop Grumman's latest helicopter digitization avionics mission equipment package. The platform which was recently updated is designed to support delivery of safety-critical, integrated modular avionics (IMA) applications.
Learn MoreThe United States State Department has approved the sale of three Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico to help in the war against drugs. The proposed deal would be worth USD$110 million for the three helicopters plus communications, radar, weaponry, training, and logistical services. This deal would help Mexico’s ability to fight against drug cartels, organized crime, and perform other counter-narcotics operations. Mexico has a notorious drug problem, and with drug dealers running rampant help from a foreign supplier was necessary.
Learn MoreAt the end of last week, the United States Air Force announced their completion of a new aircraft coating for fighter aircraft including Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II. With funds from the USAF’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Texas Research Institute worked closely with the Air Force to develop the new coating called Proteckt. It offers improved high temperature abrasion resistance that could directly improve the reliability and maintainability of weapon systems.
Learn MoreThe United States Army is set to acquire nineteen Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Poway. According to the Defense Department, the deal is worth nearly USD$133 million and includes a variety of support equipment. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV. It can fly continuously for twenty-five hours at up to 167 KTAS at altitudes of up to 29,000 feet. It carries over half a ton of internal and external payload, and is able to fire four Hellfire missiles. According to General Atomics Aeronautical, the aircraft has a wing span of 56 feet, a length of 28 feet, and its powerplant is a Thielert 165 HP heavy-fuel engine. Its objective is to provide long-endurance, persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical strike capabilities.
Learn MoreIn March of 2015, Sierra Nevada Space System announced its formal entry into the running for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract. The CRS-2 competition, seeking proposals for an unmanned cargo supply carrier servicing the International Space Station, is currently undergoing its second round of bids. Sierra Nevada will offer a supply carrier-modified Dream Chaser spacecraft, a variant of their submission for the NASA Commercial Crew Program’s “space taxi” contract, decided in 2014. Although Sierra Nevada lost out to Boeing and SpaceX for the manned spacecraft contract, the company hopes their cargo version will prevail in the new contract.
Learn MoreIn the 1990s, the United States Coast Guard enacted a covert program, dubbed “New Frontier”, to create an advanced helicopter which could keep up with speedboats used by drug cartels for smuggling illicit goods. Towards this purpose, the Coast Guard intended for these new helicopters to be weaponized with machine guns and sniper rifles, have sufficient cabin space, an integrated avionics suite, high speed ability, and have takeoff and landing capabilities on the USCG’s Medium Endurance Cutters (WMEC), commissioned vessels longer than 65 feet with a permanent crew aboard.
Learn MoreAirbus and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a USD$3 billion deal to allocate more than three hundred helicopters to South Korea. This includes two types of helicopters: Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH). The previous McDonnell Douglas 500MD Light Helicopters will be replaced once the Airbus fleets are completed. They plan to build around 214 LAHs and 100 LCHs over the course of twenty years, headed by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. They chose Korean Aerospace Industries to head this program over Korean Air. Both the LAH and LCH will be based on the make and design of Airbus Helicopter’s H155 and EC-155B1. The civilian rotorcrafts are expected to be released in 2021, with the military helicopters following a year later.
Learn MoreThe close air support, low-flying, high-survivability A-10 Thunderbolt was deployed last year in 2014 for the air campaign against ISIS - Operation Inherent Resolve. The 30-millimeter Gatling cannon-equipped A-10s are primarily used in a ground attack role, specializing in tank and armory piercing operations. In March of 2015, the United States declared that the US Air Force will not be utilizing depleted uranium ammunition, formally denoted PGU-14 armor piercing incendiary ammunition. In a statement to the press, the USAF explained that PGU-14 is unnecessary against the Islamic State, as the jihadist group lacks a large tank or armored vehicle capability.
Learn MoreThe aerospace industry is taking a step forward towards sustainable and energy-efficient flight. Switzerland’s Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) marks one of the first solar panel operated aircraft. Based on the HB-SIA prototype, the Si2 spans 236 ft. and weighs 5,070 lbs. This light-weight frame was made possible by the 0.07 oz./sq. ft. carbon fiber and honeycomb material. The solar panels are composed on 17,248 monocrystalline silicon solar cells, which allows electricity to be stored in 1,395 lbs. of lithium-polymer batteries.
Learn MoreThe aluminum production giant Alcoa, Inc. has set its sights on a greater focus towards the aerospace industry. On March 9, 2015 Alcoa agreed to acquire the titanium supplier, RTI International Metals for USD$1.3 billion with the goal of generating greater profits in aerospace products. Approximately 80 percent of RTI’s business is in the defense and aerospace industry as titanium is currently the fastest growing metal used in aerospace production. Current customers of RTI include big names in the aircraft industry such as Boeing. With the deal in place, Alcoa looks to save approximately USD$100 million in 2019 and generate USD$1.2 billion in revenue.
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