At 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.
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 MoreOn February 27, 2015, Lockheed Martin was awarded new contracts by the United States Navy to continue supporting Radiant Mercury. Valued at USD$90 million, the two contracts call for Lockheed Martin to support Radiant Mercury over the course of the next five years. Lockheed Martin has had a long history with Radiant Mercury since its development in 1992 and is currently deploying the fourth generation of the system.
Learn MoreGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and SENER signed a recent contract for the use of GA-ASI’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems. SENER, founded in 1956, is a Spanish engineering company specializing in the fields of aerospace engineering, infrastructures, transport, power, and marine. By “offering solutions and products that are technologically efficient and innovative,” SENER has been a leading provider for defense and security sectors in Spain. This contract marks an important joint effort between this flourishing Spanish company and United States’ GA-ASI, an affiliate of General Atomics.
Learn MoreAt the 2015 International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, NIMR Automotive announced a joint development with Raytheon to fit Talon laser-guided rockets (LGRs) onto sixteen NIMR armored vehicles. In 2013, the Armed Forces General Headquarters of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) allocated a contract to Tawazun to purchase the Talon rockets. One year later, Raytheon was awarded USD$117 million for the rockets.
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