Despite 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.
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 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 MoreAccording to reports, Honeywell International has been holding strategic meetings with Mahindra Group in hopes of creating a partnership in the defense and civil aviation sectors.
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 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 MoreOn February 17, 2015, the global aerospace and defense manufacturer Ducommun Incorporated was awarded their first direct contract from Airbus. The contract calls for Ducommun to provide titanium components for the Airbus A350 XWB wide body aircraft with an end goal of making the aircraft lighter, stronger, and more energy efficient. These new parts will be produced in Coxsackie, New York and have an end use installation on the aft fuselage of the aircraft.
Learn MoreEarlier this month, Orbital Sciences and Alliant Techsystems officially confirmed a merger into a consolidated aerospace and defense company, newly renamed Orbital ATK. The combination of Orbital Sciences (which specialized in satellite technology) and Alliant Techsystems (which specialized in rocket and missile propulsion) will increase the entity’s competitiveness in government defense contracts requiring integrated, comprehensive systems. Scheduled for March 2015, NASA has enlisted Orbital ATK in testing the booster avionics system (including hardware, software, and ground systems) of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
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.
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