Sukhoi Superjet 100 Has Scored 100 Hours in the Air. Certification Launched.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 is ready to undergo a certification stage. Flight certification tests of the first SSJ100 will begin right after factory flight tests have been completed. In the course of these flight tests the aircraft completed over 40 flights, having scored more than 100 hours in the air. It gained a maximum flight altitude of 11,300 meters at the speed of 0.7 Max.

The Aviation Register of Interstate Aviation Committee concluded a technical review of the factory flight tests. These tests proved that all aircraft systems are able to work smoothly and efficiently at all design modes within a total range of flying speeds, altitudes, angles and balances. This stage estimated flight and technical performance of the aircraft as well as its aerodynamic characteristics, including takeoff/landing performance, and a climb rate.

The conducted tests demonstrated distinct convergence of aircraft characteristics with the designed ones, obtained through aerodynamic wind tunnel and bench tests as well as simulation. Thus, these tests confirmed the expected level of static, aerodynamic, flight, technical, takeoff & landing performance as well as the hourly fuel consumption rate. The latter confirms competitive advantages declared earlier. During Sukhoi Superjet 100’s presentation at Khabarovsk, AR IAC awarded the first flying aircraft with the Experimental Certificate and the authorization vital for the first stage of the certification tests to take place. The first stage of the certification campaign will involve tests on high angles of attack.

The tests on high angles of attack are supposed to determine aircraft’s stall parameters and to attest the piloting safety initially implemented within the flight control system at the development stage. In the future this will largely contribute to flight safety in Russia. When this takes place, the aircraft will undergo flight certification tests targeted to confirm flight and technical performance, takeoff and landing characteristics, stability and controllability, as well as the aircraft strength characteristics and flutter safety. In the course of preparing the high angles of attack flight test campaign, two flights had already been performed by Mikhail Torokhov, a test pilot of the State Research Institute of Civil Aviation. Certification flight test campaign will be performed by 10 test pilots altogether. The Russian type certificate is expected to be obtained by the 2H09 with deliveries to begin late 2009.

It is increasingly important to highlight that today – together with the first flying aircraft – we have more Sukhoi Superjet 100’s.

SSJ100#95003 – the second aircraft – has undergone through a whole series of system development tests and is now ready for frequency tests. The SSJ100#95003 aircraft is ready to have the engines mounted.

As scheduled, the second flying aircraft will be introduced into the flight test campaign by the end of November 2008.

The third and the fourth test aircraft are experiencing a system installation stage. The sixth in succession Sukhoi Superjet 100 designed for aircraft endurance tests is now at the final assembly shop and by the end of October 2008 will be transferred to the Siberian Research Institute of Aviation located in the city of Novosibirsk.

All manufacturing sites – KnAAPO, NAPO, and VASO – continue producing parts for the first four aircraft, intended for airlines. The first such aircraft, which is the seventh in succession of the SSJ100 family, is experiencing the assembly of panels, fuselage sections, outer wing and pylons.

Source: Sukhoi

Arch has pylon problem in training

Austrian suffers 2 pylon hits in training, Bonhomme hopes still alive

After suffering two nerve-racking pylon hits in each of his first two training sessions in Perth, Hannes Arch finally settled down in the third and final timed session on Friday before the weekend’s Red Bull Air Race to record the second fastest result of the day behind rival Paul Bonhomme. The Brit, the only pilot who still has a shot of snatching the World Championship away from Arch, applied pressure on the second-year sensation from Austria with a superb time of 1:14.34 on the treacherous Perth course full of gusting winds and tight turns. Bonhomme’s time was 0.96 seconds second faster than Arch, who is 9 points ahead of Bonhomme in the Championship with 54 points.

“It’s very good to have him feeling the pressure,” said Bonhomme, who has 45 points and could win the title if he were to collect 9 points for a victory on Sunday and Arch fails to score any points – which hasn’t happened to the Austrian in the Edge 540 since last year’s race in Perth. “We’ve got to put the pressure on him. It’d be rude if we didn’t. It wouldn’t be any fun if we just let him romp away and win.”

Arch, who moved ahead of Bonhomme into the lead with a victory in the last race in Porto, insisted he wasn’t bothered by the two pylon hits – even though one in Friday’s early session was a direct hit. “It’s better to hit the pylon now than on race day,” Arch said after Friday’s first session. “I didn’t just nick it with the propeller. I hit it with the whole plane. I flew straight into it and the pylon exploded. But that’s what they’re here for. I don’t think it had anything to do with nerves, not at all. I felt really good out there, really calm. Even after the pylon hit I did a fast time on the rest of the track, so I’m confident. This was only training and the objective is to go for the max and find the best line. One line today obviously didn’t work.”

Source: www.redbullairrace.com

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£97m maintenance contract for TriStar fleet

Photo: RAF

The Ministry of Defence has signed a £97m, seven-year contract with Marshall Aerospace of Cambridge to provide logistic support for the RAF’s fleet of TriStar aircraft.

 

Known as the TRIOS contract (TriStar Integrated Operational Support), it will provide maintenance and engineering and support to the RAF’s core passenger fleet until 2015.

The RAF fleet of TriStar aircraft are operated by No 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, and carry out the air transport role, notably acting as the airbridge for troops flying from the UK to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies MP, said:

“This is good news for industry and good news for our airbridge support to troops in theatre. The TriStar aircraft play a vital role in air transport, and it is important that we ensure that they are well maintained and serviced, with a good supply of spares. This contract will do just that, and I am delighted that we can support British jobs at the same time.”

Group Captain Adam Northcote-Wright from the ARC (Air Refuelling and Communications Fleet) Integrated Project Team in Defence Equipment and Support said:

“The signing of the TRIOS contract marks the successful conclusion of many months’ hard work by the team from Defence Equipment and Support, and Marshall of Cambridge. It is an excellent achievement, which has been made possible by the efforts and focus of our team and our industrial partners. They have worked tirelessly towards an innovative and cost effective solution, and I am confident that all parties will benefit from this contract.”

The TRIOS contract will improve supply chain and technical support arrangements for the TriStars at RAF Brize Norton, their main operating base. This contract will assure future aircraft availability and is expected to deliver around £10m in savings to the MOD over the life of the contract.

Source: RAF

Bombardier Lands At Airshow China 2008 – Zhuhai

Bombardier Aerospace, a market leader in China for commercial and business aircraft, is participating in the seventh edition of Airshow China 2008, which is taking place in Zhuhai in the People’s Republic of China, from November 4 to 9. Bombardier aircraft on display at the show include the Bombardier Challenger 605, Global Express XRS and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.  

 “Bombardier offers the widest range of business jets of any Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The Chinese market for private aviation is poised for tremendous growth, and Bombardier is ready to provide travel and business solutions that are tailored to the requirements of corporate and government leaders in China,” said Jason Liao, Director of Sales, China, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The Global Express XRS and the Challenger 605 aircraft are two fine examples of business jets that combine comfort, performance, speed and range to create an ideal mode of business or luxury transportation.”

According to Bombardier Aerospace’s market forecast, China represents 15 per cent of the    20- to 149-seat aircraft market over the next 20 years, or approximately 2,000 aircraft.  Currently, five commercial airlines in China operate a total of 25 CRJ Series regional jets. The airlines include China Eastern Yunnan Airlines, China Express Airlines, Kunpeng Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. In addition, government agencies operate a total of 12 corporate variants of CRJ200 and CRJ700 aircraft. The corporate variants are configured as personnel shuttles. 

“Bombardier Commercial Aircraft is promoting all its market-leading products in Zhuhai – the CRJ NextGen regional jet with its enhanced cabin environment, the quiet Q400 turboprop, and the all-new CSeries airliner – the world’s newest and most advanced single-aisle aircraft designed to set new standards in technology, fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact,” said Trung Ngo, Vice President, Sales Asia-Pacific, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. 

Bombardier’s aerospace activities in China have grown substantially in recent years as the Chinese marketplace shows increasingly strong interest in Bombardier’s comprehensive line of products. Bombardier has sales offices in Beijing and Hong Kong for both business aircraft and commercial aircraft.

Airshow China, organized with the backing of the government and the Chinse aviaiton and aerospace industries, will feature 60 exhibitors from 35 countries and expects over a quarter million people to visit the show. The Bombardier exhibit is located in Hall 1, B2-3 at the China International Aviaiton & Aerospace Centre.

Source: Bombardier

Modernization Work Begins in Naples on the G.222 for Afghanistan

Naples, Italy—October 31, 2008—The refurbishment and modernization of 18 G.222s, purchased by the United States Air Force and destined for the re-established Afghan Air Force, has begun at Alenia Aeronautica’s Capodichino plant in Naples.

On September 30, Alenia North America signed a $287 million contract to provide 18 refurbished and modernized G.222 aircraft. The aircraft were previously in service with the Italian Air Force and reacquired by Alenia Aeronautica in conjunction with the Italian Air Force’s acquisition of a new fleet of C-27J Spartans. The aircraft are to be modernized at Capodichino with state of the art avionics and general improvements according to the specific requirements of the United States Air Force. Two of these craft will be outfitted for a VIP soundproof module and equipped with seats, desks and a pantry so as to be used for the transport of Afghan leaders.

Four G.222s, sent from Pisa and Pratica di Mare air bases, have already arrived at Capodichino to begin the refurbishment and modernization process. The eighteen G.222s to be provided to the Afghan National Army Air Corps were produced between 1977 and 1985 in several avionic and cockpit configurations. As part of the modernization effort, all 18 will be upgraded to a standard avionic and system configuration, with a new autopilot system, ballistic protection and new maintenance operations. The refurbishment and modernizations are anticipated to last between 12 and 15 months per aircraft.

The first refurbished and modernized G.222 will be delivered to the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan halfway through 2009 and the entire supply will be complete by 2011.

Source: Alenia North America

AirAsia X takes delivery of first A330

AARGM enters production

NAVAIR’s newest advanced weapon for destruction of enemy air defenses, AGM-88E, was recently approved to go into low rate production, and the NAWCWD Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) Technical Project Office (TPO) played a major role in achieving that milestone.

On Sept. 30, NAVAIR’s Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242) received Navy approval for its AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) to enter low rate initial production (LRIP).

“The work and knowledge at China Lake was vital to the success of reaching this milestone,” said Stephen Farmer, ARM TPO lead. “We’ve worked closely with PMA-242 and the contractor providing hands-on development and test execution of this weapon system.”

China Lake has been involved with AARGM since it began as a Small Business Innovative Research program in the mid-90s. ARRGM was approved to enter System Development and Demonstration in 2003. VX-9, with assistance from the ARM TPO, conducted two successful AARGM firings in August at China Lake as part of the Operational Assessment, which was a major contributor to the production decision.

The LRIP decision, known as Milestone C, initiated production of a highly lethal “destruction of enemy air defenses” capability for naval aviation forces. The AARGM missile, produced by Alliant Techsystems (ATK), is an upgrade to the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), AGM-88B, currently in the fleet.

“This missile provides a game-changing capability that allows first strike forces to transform from a suppression role to a role of direct destruction of enemy air defenses,” said Cmdr. Pat Smith, deputy program manager of the ARM IPT in PMA-242. “We are not just temporarily silencing the enemy; we are removing them from the fight.”

AARGM is a stand-off, air-to-ground weapon upgrading the existing HARM weapon system with a new guidance section, and a modified control section that enhances overland and maritime strike capability for targeting enemy air defenses while minimizing collateral damage. This advancement in capability is the result of a team effort between the U.S. Navy, ATK and the Italian Air Force, which will integrate AARGM onto the Tornado aircraft.

“So many people have supported this program over the years,” Farmer said. “I applaud the hard work of all those who helped keep this program on schedule and on budget. Besides the long hours put in by folks inside the ARM TPO, we couldn’t have done it without the help from a wide range of China Lake activities like the intel folks, mission planning, the north range, ECHO Range, the Advanced Weapons Lab, VX-31 and VX-9, just to name a few.”

The next big step for AARGM is Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) scheduled to start next year. Four more firings will be conducted at China Lake prior to an Operational Test Readiness Review that will decide if the weapon system is ready to be handed over to VX-9 for OPEVAL. Eleven firings and numerous captive carry tests are tentatively scheduled for OPEVAL that will determine if AARGM is operationally effective and suitable. Following successful OPEVAL and a favorable full rate production decision, AARGM is expected to be out in the fleet in 2010.

“I’m really anxious for the warfighter to get this weapon because I think it’s the system that’s truly needed in the fleet,” Farmer said. “We’re putting metal on metal, and it’s exciting to be part of that.”

Source: NAVAIR

Lockheed Martin Delivers 500th Arrowhead® System To U.S. Army

Orlando, FL, October 30th, 2008 — Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] marked the delivery of the 500th Arrowhead system to the U.S. Army at a celebration held at its Ocala and Orlando, FL, facilities. Arrowhead is the U.S. Army’s Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

Known as the “eyes of the Apache,” the Arrowhead system provides Apache pilots the most advanced long-range, electro-optical precision engagement and pilotage capabilities to ensure flight safety in day, night and adverse-weather missions.

“The delivery of the 500th Arrowhead system marks a significant milestone,” said LTC John Vannoy, product manager for Apache sensors. “It demonstrates the teamwork and total commitment to success from the Arrowhead Team and Program. Our Soldiers deserve nothing less.”

“We are proud to develop and integrate a system that helps Apache pilots complete their missions safely,” said Bob Gunning, vice president of Apache Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This 500th delivery milestone signifies the strong dedication we and our Army partners have to outfitting our Warfighters with the most advanced capabilities available.”

Arrowhead uses forward-looking infrared sensors to provide pilots with enhanced image resolution, allowing Apache aviators significant standoff range and unrivaled targeting capabilities. Arrowhead improves performance and reliability over legacy systems by more than 150 percent, reduces maintenance actions by nearly 60 percent, and will save the Army nearly $1 billion in operation and support costs over its 20-year system life.

Electronics assembly of the Arrowhead system is performed at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s Ocala facility, while final assembly is performed in Orlando. Both sites were recognized in 2007 by IndustryWeek as two of the top 10 ‘Best Plants in the Country’. The plants were chosen for their efficient and strategic manufacturing processes as well as their dedication to continuous improvement through lean thinking.

Source: Lockheed Martin

ASTRA 1M satellite ready for launch

The ASTRA 1M satellite, built by Astrium for SES ASTRA, will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan during the night of 5-6 November. The satellite will be launched on a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS).

As prime contractor for ASTRA 1M, Astrium is responsible for the design and build of the satellite and the supply of both the payload and the Eurostar E3000 platform. ASTRA 1M arrived at the launch site at the end of September, where its tanks were filled and the satellite was assembled in the upper stage of the launcher. Following the launch, the Astrium control centre in Toulouse will take control of the satellite, position it on its operational location, before handover to SES ASTRA.

ASTRA 1M will deliver direct-to-home (DTH) services, including digital and high definition (HD) television with pan-European coverage. Once positioned at 19.2°E, it will be the second Eurostar satellite in the ASTRA fleet following ASTRA 2B, which was launched in September 2000. Astrium is constructing two other Eurostar E3000 satellites for SES ASTRA: ASTRA 3B is currently undergoing final assembly and testing, and ASTRA 1N was ordered in July 2008.

ASTRA 1M will be the fifth Eurostar satellite launched this year and the 39th in orbit. It is the 14th Eurostar E3000 satellite. Eleven others are currently at various stages of production.

The communications payload includes 36 high-power Ku-band transponders and three deployable antennas. The spacecraft will have a launch mass of 5,300 kg, a solar array span of 35 metres once deployed in orbit, and electrical power of 10 kW.

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2007, Astrium had a turnover of €3.5 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.

Source: EADS

Construction Begins on Cessna’s Citation Columbus Facility in Wichita

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 29, 2008 – Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius joined Cessna Aircraft Company Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton this morning to celebrate the start of construction of the company’s new Wichita Citation Columbus design and assembly facility. Cessna is a Textron (NYSE: TXT) company.

Sebelius and Pelton were joined by local and state legislative and business leaders and a small representation of Cessna’s 12,000 Wichita employees.

“Being able to call Kansas home for the Citation Columbus is important to Cessna and it wouldn’t be possible without the team effort shown earlier this year,” Pelton said. “Today is our way of recognizing how big of a victory this is for Cessna, Wichita and Kansas, and to again thank everyone who played a part in making this happen.”

Cessna announced it will build the assembly facility at its Mid-Continent facility in April following approval by the Kansas Legislature of a new incentive measure designed to keep and attract new business. Among those collaborating with the legislators on the package were the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition and the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Sebelius signed the bill during a visit to Cessna on April 23.

“Landing the Citation Columbus sends a strong message that Kansas will compete to keep and grow aviation jobs,” Sebelius said. “But this reaches far beyond aviation and the direct jobs created at Cessna. Research shows that each aviation job creates an additional 2.9 jobs, which means a total of nearly 4,000 future new jobs in Kansas as a result of this new plant.”

The stand-alone, 600,000-square-foot facility is being built near the intersection of K-42 and Hoover on the Cessna campus adjacent to Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. Wichita firms McCluggage Van Sickle & Perry and Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. have been hired for architecture and engineering work, respectively.

Cessna and the design team are working toward compliance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system for this facility. The new building will house engineering offices and final assembly for the Citation Columbus – the largest and longest-range business jet in the Cessna Citation family of business jets.

Cessna was given the go-ahead for the program by the Textron board of directors on Jan. 23. Textron is investing $780 million into development of the Citation Columbus, Cessna’s newest and largest business jet. The program will create up to 1,000 new jobs at Cessna with an estimated annual payroll of $74 million.

“The hard work of employees past and present has made it possible for us to launch a program as massive as the Citation Columbus,” Pelton said. “Despite the uncertainty of the short-term economic environment, we believe it is critical that we not compromise our future.”
The all-new aircraft’s large, comfortable cabin is configurable for up to 10 passengers and is expected to exceed top competitor passenger seating room. The Columbus also is expected to lead its segment with its combination of speed and range.

The Citation Columbus follows the design philosophy of other Citations by using an aluminum airframe, and it contains structural and cabin interior features to maximize interior cabin space. Cessna’s engineering team and its co-development suppliers have designed the clean-sheet Columbus to be one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, cleanest business jets ever conceived. The price for the Citation Columbus is $27 million in 2008 U.S. dollars. Cessna plans to achieve Federal Aviation Administration certification for the Citation Columbus by the end of 2013, with deliveries beginning in 2014.

Source: Cessna

Boeing Team Awarded AESA Radar Modernization Contract for US Air Force F-15E

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 30, 2008 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $238 million System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract by the U.S. Air Force to modernize the radar system on F-15E fighter aircraft.

“The Radar Modernization Program (RMP) will ensure that the F-15E continues its multirole supremacy for decades,” said Mark Bass, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. “The supportability improvements and tactical flexibility inherent in the RMP take the F-15E capability to a higher level.”

The RMP will incorporate an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna with more-supportable radar electronics. The AESA replaces the APG-70 radar currently integrated on the F-15E, improving radar reliability, maintainability and performance while reducing support costs. When integrated into the F-15E weapons system, the AESA radar will improve detection and tracking of enemy targets, including small targets.

During the SDD phase, Boeing team member Raytheon will produce developmental and flight-test units and support Boeing’s integration of the AESA into the F-15E. The integration activity will take place at Boeing facilities in St. Louis prior to the developmental and initial operational test and evaluation flight programs. Initial operational capability is expected in fiscal year 2014 with 12 operational aircraft.

Source: Boeing

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Signs A Contract For Three AW139 Helicopters Plus Options

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has signed a contract for three AW139 medium twin engine helicopters plus options for several additional aircraft. These helicopters will be used to perform search and rescue, coastal patrol and law enforcement duties around Malaysia’s extensive coast line. This order marks the entrance of the AW139 helicopter into the Malaysian government market and follows the earlier success of the aircraft in the Malaysian commercial market. The MMEA adds to the growing number of customers which have placed orders for or are already operating the AW139 for homeland security, maritime patrol and search and rescue missions, including the Japan Coast Guard, Korean Coast Guard, Spanish Marine Safety Agency (Sasemar), Estonian Border Guard, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Italian Coast Guard.

A new generation medium twin-turbine helicopter setting new standards against which all new medium twin are measured, the AW139 has been designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, offering unmatched performance and safety levels as well as the largest cabin in its class. With a maximum cruise speed of 165 kts (306 km/h), a maximum range of 573 nm (1061 km) and over 5 hours endurance, the AW139 helicopter offers class leading mission capability. State-of-the-art mission-dedicated technology and equipment and outstanding performance features enable the AW139 to accomplish the most demanding operations in the harshest weather and environmental conditions.

Source: Agusta Westland

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