Opening ceremony at Red Bull Air Race airport in Sabadell
BARCELONA, Spain – The Spanish cities of Barcelona and Sabadell officially welcomed the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, its 15 pilots and CEO Bernd Loidl with a ceremony at the Red Bull Airport in Sabadell on Wednesday ahead of the final race of the 2009 season this weekend. Loidl – standing with championship leader Paul Bonhomme of Britain, defending champion Hannes Arch of Austria and the rest of the pilots – expressed his thanks to Josep Ayuso, Vice-Mayor of Sabadell City Council, and Lluis Gomez, representative of the Barcelona City Council, for hosting the 3-4 October grand finale of what has been the most exciting season in Red Bull Air Race World Championship history.
“It’s a very special opportunity to have the final race of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Barcelona,” Loidl told the local dignitaries and media gathered at the airport. “Staging a race of this complexity and scale is based on a true partnership of all the authorities here and partners especially the City of Barcelona and City of Sabadell. Without their support it would not be possible. It forms the base for a strong future cooperation in the years to come.”
Hannes Arch is in the hunt
Bonhomme leads the championship with 55 points and will be trying to win his first title after coming a close second in both 2007 and 2008. Arch, who won last year’s championship in only his second season, is four points behind and will be looking to capitalise on any errors Bonhomme makes in front of what could be the largest crowd of the season. With 13 points up for grabs for the victory, Arch is still very much in the hunt in the race just off Barcelona’s beaches and a few metres above the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. Both Bonhomme and Arch got a close look at the World Championship trophy which was on display – specially designed by Herend Porcelain from Budapest.
“The weekend will be loaded with race action and a great entertainment programme throughout the entire day on Saturday and Sunday,” Loidl said. “We hope to give people a chance to witness the fastest developing motorsport in the world. You can see that reflected when you walk up and down pit lane and look at this high end motorsport. You can also see the future here – in 2010 we’ll underline the claim of being truly global with 8 races in major cities around the world.”Ayuso, the Vice-Mayor of Sabadell City Council, said he was delighted to be hosting the season finale on the same weekend as a major industrial trade fair is taking place.
It’s good for the city
“This weekend we also have an international meeting with lots of commercial companies and Sabadell is a centre for industry so from a business perspective it’s a huge boost. The aviation industry in Sabadell now employs an additional 500 people and the Red Bull Air Race has helped contribute to this.” he said. “It’s a sport that will be followed by thousands of people not only here but around the world. It’s very good for the city.”
Alejandro Maclean is proud of being able to race in Spain
Local hero Alejandro Maclean said he was looking forward to racing at home again in Spain, which is hosting a race for the first time since the 2006 race in Barcelona that was watched by about 1 million spectators.
“Obviously I’m very proud of being able to race here in Spain and particularly in Barcelona,” Maclean said. “It does bring an additional pressure due to the responsibility to deliver and give the best. But it’s part of the game and it’s great fun.” Maclean said the Red Bull Air Race is custom-made for Spanish fans.
“The Spanish people share something with all of us, with the competitors and with the organizers – which is the passion, the passion for sports and particularly motorsports which you can breathe and feel in the air,” he said. “It’s something special and I feel very proud to be able to race in my country. We can expect an incredible race this weekend with two potential champions — one trying to show that he can still be the world champion and one trying to be world champion. I wish them both the very best.”
Source: Red Bull Air Race.com
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 30, 2009 — The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) missile system recently reached two program milestones — the first launch from an F-16 aircraft and the 100th missile launch. Both flights took place at the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, Calif.
The 100th launch occurred during a U.S. Navy Air Wing training exercise. The missile was launched from an F/A-18C aircraft and received aimpoint updates from an F/A-18F, striking a simulated command and control building. This milestone includes operational launches as well as those conducted for tests and training. The first SLAM ER launch took place in March 1997.
“With these program achievements, SLAM ER continues to prove that it is a very capable and reliable system,” said Jim Young, Boeing Harpoon/SLAM ER Weapons program manager. “The launch from the F-16 adds yet another launch platform for SLAM ER, and the 100th launch is proof that the missile consistently performs its missions as designed and provides warfighters a capability they can count on.”
SLAM ER is a highly adaptable day and night, all-weather, over-the-horizon precision strike missile capable of hitting stationary or moving targets on land or at sea. It can be launched from safe standoff ranges of more than 150 nautical miles and is the Navy’s weapon of choice for surgical strikes against high-value land targets and ships in port and at sea. The missile is fully integrated onto F/A-18A+/C/D/E/F, F-15K, P-3C and S-3B aircraft. It now has been demonstrated on the F-16E/F and is currently being integrated onto P-8A and F-16C/D.
Source: Boeing
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 30, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has connected two additional F-15E Mission Training Centers (MTC) to the U.S. Air Force’s Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON) — one at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and one at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
These two sites join the F-15E MTC at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, which Boeing connected to the DMON in June. F-15E pilots at all three bases now can train virtually with military aircraft pilots located around the world.
Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) provides an advanced training environment in which simulators flown by front-line aircrew are linked via the DMON from their home bases.
“Having all three MTCs on the network is a significant achievement,” said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president, Training Systems and Services. “Now warfighters at these three bases can benefit from the realistic training provided by the MTCs without incurring the financial or environmental costs or safety risks of live-fly training exercises.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Boeing’s first delivery of MTCs in support of a networked and distributed training environment. The first MTCs on the DMON connected F-15C pilots at the Eglin and Langley Air Force bases. Today, Boeing connects 10 MTC sites at Air Force bases around the world for pilots to train on F-15E and F-16 platforms. Boeing expects to add the F-22 Raptor to the DMON by 2010; the system also has the capability to incorporate airlift and tanker missions.
The DMO configuration has enabled Boeing-developed and -operated MTC sites around the world to network to one another throughout the past decade, improving the scale and fidelity of multisquadron training operations.
“DMO allows the Air Force to simulate combat and training between several bases and dissimilar aircraft, allowing aircrews to ‘train as they fight,’ right from their home base,” added McGraw.
Source: Boeing
Photo: Rob Vogelaar
HERNDON, Va., Sept. 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has equipped and fielded its Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with an Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS) to the Army’s UAS Training Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where it successfully completed its first launch and recovery.
Hunter, which has been in use with the Army since 1996, was originally designed using an External Pilot (EP) for take-offs and landings. Like a radio-controlled airplane, the EP required someone manually controlling Hunter during approach and landing as well as take-off. Using differential GPS, ATLS eliminates the need for an EP and allows Hunter to take-off and land automatically and do so precisely at pre-surveyed points on the runway.
The MQ-5B Hunter, which is currently deployed in contingency operations, provides warfighters with state-of-the-art reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), communications relay, signal intelligence, and weapons delivery. Hunter recently surpassed 80,000 flight hours, 53,000 of which are combat-related.
“Our warfighters and their safety are top priorities at Northrop Grumman,” said Bob Avery, Northrop Grumman Technical Services’ ATLS program manager. “Take-off and landing tend to be the riskiest flight evolutions for Hunter. Not only does ATLS significantly reduce such risks — keeping the nation’s warfighters safe — it also reduces manpower requirements and operator workload.”
Northrop Grumman’s Hunter team also recently received a $39 million follow on to the Army’s Combine Base Rotation effort to continue to support Army Hunter units in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The RQ-5A Hunter was the Army’s first fielded UAS. The MQ-5B is the next-generation Hunter, continuing a legacy of service to Army corps, division and brigade warfighters. Flying over the battlefield with its multi-mission optronic payload, the MQ-5B gathers RSTA information in real time and relays it via video link to commanders and soldiers on the ground.
The MQ-5B Hunter is distinguished by its heavy fuel engines, its “wet” (fuel-carrying) extended center wing with weapons-capable hard points and a modern avionics suite. The MQ-5B Hunter system uses the Army’s One System ground control station and remote video terminal. It also carries a communications relay package to extend the radio range of warfighters.
“Each day and each new innovation further demonstrate the adaptability of the Hunter UAS,” said Karl Purdy, Northrop Grumman Technical Services’ Hunter program manager. “We’re always looking for ways to make Hunter a better platform for our warfighters, and ATLS does just that with the added bonus of reduced risk.”
The MQ-5B features a robust, fixed-wing, twin tail-boom design with redundant control systems powered by two heavy fuel engines – one engine to “push” and another to “pull” the air vehicle. Another Hunter capability is its relay mode that allows one Hunter to be controlled by another UAV at extended ranges or over terrain obstacles typical of those found in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
Hunter’s toughness and reliability are unmatched as it maintains an operational readiness rate over 95 percent in operational theaters. It is an ideal platform for spiral enhancements and technology refresh payloads. Recently Northrop Grumman integrated a new suite of avionics for Hunter, including upgraded flight and mission computers, an auxiliary power distribution unit, the LN-251 inertial navigation system with GPS, a downsized data link system, and an APX-118 IFF transponder. The avionics suite improves performance by reducing size, weight, and power consumption of the equipment used to control the aircraft and manage its critical subsystems.
From Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NNS) — Electronic Attack (VAQ) 132 received the official notification in a Sept. 22 Navy message from Capt. Tom Slais, Commander Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, that the squadron was certified “safe for flight operations in the EA-18G.”
“Your hard work and dedication is exemplary, and I am confident you will continue to display the same pride and professionalism as you execute safe operations and maintain your aircraft,” said Slais.
The first operational Growler squadron to attain “safe for flight” status since the first EA-18G arrived Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in June 2008 recently returned from a successful carrier qualification detachment on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) with a 100 percent qualification rate.
Operating out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., each pilot in the Fleet’s first EA-18G “Growler” squadron completed a series of day and night arrested landings to become officially qualified to fly the newest fleet aircraft aboard Navy aircraft carriers.
“Carrier Qualification is a huge milestone in VAQ-132’s transition to the Growler,” said Bunnay, who was happy with the results of the detachment. “Squadrons build their reputations operating around the carrier, and I feel like we conducted ourselves with a high level of professionalism.”
Since February of this year, VAQ-132 has been in the process of transitioning to the EA-18G under the guidance of VAQ-129, the Fleet Replacement Squadron responsible for training transition aircrew.
Along with the Scorpion aircrew, the maintenance personnel in VAQ-132 have been working non-stop to complete their requirements for the squadron’s “safe for flight” qualification, which will allow them to operate airplanes autonomously.
Recently the maintenance department underwent a series of rigorous inspections conducted by Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet and performed above and beyond expectations.
Company holds discussions on various topics related to E-Jet and ERJ 145 families
São José dos Campos, September 30, 2009 Conference – Worldwide for customers and suppliers from North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Montreal, Canada, September 27 to October 2. The gathering focuses on the E-Jet and ERJ 145 aircraft families, with an expected attendance of 450 aviation professionals and 45 airlines and operators, worldwide.
– Embraer is hosting the 2009 Embraer Operators
“For more than 20 years, this conference has been a great communications forum for providing up-to-date information to our customers and suppliers, receiving their feedback, and assuring them they are being heard on issues concerning Embraer’s commercial jets,”
said Mauricio Aveiro, Embraer Vice President, Customer Support and Service – Airline Market.
Embraer has been holding global operators meetings since 1988, beginning with the EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft, followed by the ERJ 145 fleet in 1998, and introducing the family of E-Jets to the conference in 2006.
São José dos Campos, September 30, 2009 Conference – Worldwide for customers and suppliers from North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Montreal, Canada, September 27 to October 2. The gathering focuses on the E-Jet and ERJ 145 aircraft families, with an expected attendance of 450 aviation professionals and 45 airlines and operators, worldwide.
– Embraer is hosting the 2009 Embraer Operators
“For more than 20 years, this conference has been a great communications forum for providing up-to-date information to our customers and suppliers, receiving their feedback, and assuring them they are being heard on issues concerning Embraer’s commercial jets,”
said Mauricio Aveiro, Embraer Vice President, Customer Support and Service – Airline Market.
Embraer has been holding global operators meetings since 1988, beginning with the EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft, followed by the ERJ 145 fleet in 1998, and introducing the family of E-Jets to the conference in 2006.
São José dos Campos, September 29, 2009
Econômico newspaper, dated September 28, 2009, Embraer clarifies that it is not directly participating in the selection process of the new F-X2 fighter for the Brazilian Air Force and, contrary to what was stated, it has no preference among the proposals presented. Embraer reaffirms its unconditional support of this process, always in close alignment with Brazil’s Aeronautics Command and the Ministry of Defense.
– Regarding the article published in the Valor– Regarding the article published in the Valor
Paves the way for 100 per cent synthetic jet fuel approval
Airbus welcomes the latest steps towards the approval by ASTM International, one of the largest voluntary standards developing organizations in the world, for the use of a 50 per cent synthetic jet fuel in commercial aviation. Synthetic liquid jet fuels can be made from biomass, natural gas or coal. All of these are known as xTL
fuels.
“This breakthrough paves the way for a 100 per cent xTL blend made entirely from bio feedstock, such as woodchip waste”, said Christian Dumas, Airbus Vice President Sustainable Development and Eco-Efficiency. “This new specification is a major step towards reducing aviation’s environmental footprint and represents a significant achievement along the Airbus alternative fuels roadmap,” he added.
The Airbus Alternative Fuels roadmap estimates that some 30 per cent jet fuel used in 2030 could be sustainable biojet fuel if maturity of alternative high yield non-food feedstock occurs in the middle of the next decade.
A major step towards the progressive introduction of alternative fuels was achieved on 1st February 2008, for the first time in commercial aviation history, a civil airliner, an Airbus A380 with Rolls Royce engines, flew using a 40 per cent blend of synthetic fuel derived from natural gas (GTL) supplied by Shell.
Airbus believes in extended international and cross-industry cooperation to develop sustainable alternative fuel solutions. Airbus and its partners have already gone a long way to studying fuel alternatives. Airbus is sharing alternative fuel research with European partners (Calin, Alfa-Bird -Alternative Fuels and Bio fuels for aircraft development). In November 2007, Airbus, Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Fuels, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Rolls Royce and Shell International Petroleum Company Limited signed an agreement to investigate in detail operational and environmental benefits of the use of GTL fuel for aviation.
Source: Airbus
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) – Airmen of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing here surpassed the 600,000 flight hour mark in the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system Sept. 4 here.
The Predator fleet passed 250,000 hours in June 2007, after 12 years of flying, and it only took a year and eight months for the aircraft to fly an additional 250,000 hours to reach 500,000 flying hours in February 2009.
Due to the continuous demand for the aircraft by combatant commanders, the Predator reached 600,000 flying hours seven months later.
An aircrew from the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew this milestone mission in support of overseas contingency operations.
“We are proud to be a part of yet another RPV milestone and will continue to make significant contributions in the future,” said Lt. Col. Robert Kiebler, the 15th RS commander. “The men and women of the 15th RS provide continuous 24/7/365 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close-air support, and combat search and rescue capability to support the warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their dedication and commitment in the face of adversity is nothing short of astounding.”
Fielded in 1995, the Predator’s primary mission is to provide armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition to commanders in the field. The Predator can be armed with two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and carries the Multispectral Targeting System, which integrates electro-optical, infrared, laser designator and illuminator into a single sensor package.
Col. Pete Gersten, the 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing commander, said the capabilities of the Predator have made the aircraft a vital asset to the joint ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq,
“The Predator provides our ground forces direct support with its unblinking eye and persistent stare, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Colonel Gersten said. “This milestone is a true testament to the impact this capability has in the fight.”
Currently there are more than 31 Predator combat air patrols flying 24/7, 365 days a year over Iraq and Afghanistan.
TOWNSVILLE, Australia (AFNS) – The U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, took to the Australian sky Sept. 26 showcasing the power and precision that embodies Air Force Airmen worldwide.
Flying wingtip-to-wingtip formations and in solo maneuvers, the Thunderbirds put on a show for a crowd of more than 70,000 spectators lining the beach in Townsville and filling the balconies of hotels for miles around.
“When I was 12, I actually had a Thunderbirds replica model,” said Jason Bitossi, a local man who enjoyed the Thunderbirds’ recent visit “down under” with his son, Kyle.
The Thunderbirds typically travel from mid-March to Mid-November in the continental United States, and only travel overseas semi-annually. It’s been more than a decade since the Thunderbirds performed in Australia; however, the airshow was about much more than the aerial demonstration. While hundreds of man-hours went into the planning and execution of the show, the relationship between America and Australia goes back much further.
“Many people don’t realize that Australia is the only ally that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with America in every conflict dating back to World War I,” said Maj. Tony Mulhare, the Thunderbirds advance pilot/narrator. “This airshow is an opportunity to strengthen bonds that date back nearly a century.”
Indeed, right now there are Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed to locations throughout the Middle East in support of coalition forces. The Royal Australian Air Force has provided fighter jets as well as combat airlift capability during operations in Southwest Asia. The RAAF also provided a location in Australia for the Thunderbirds to park the jets and perform scheduled maintenance.
Townsville Air Force Base officials welcomed the public with an open house Sept. 27, giving locals and tourists alike an up-close experience of the Thunderbirds. In addition to the Thunderbirds, RAAF aircraft on static display included the F-111, F-18, and the DHC-4 Caribou.
“It’s such a thrill to be able to meet the pilots we saw flying yesterday,” said Miranda Ryan, a camp counselor who brought more than 20 children out to the base to get up close and personal with the pilots and support personnel.
The Townsville Air Show is the second stop on the Thunderbirds’ Far East tour following two performances in Hawaii. The six-week tour also includes stops scheduled for Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
Source: USAF
Eurocopter UK Ltd. and the British Ministry of Defence signed a contract on September 18 for the Life Extension Programme for 28 of the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Puma Mk1 helicopters. The upgraded Pumas, which will be designated Puma HC Mk2, will consequently offer significantly enhanced performance and operational capabilities, thus being capable of remaining in service until at least 2022. The contract is valued at ₤220 million (€250 million) and is due to be completed by December 2014.
The programme is based on comprehensive upgrades, including new Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, a glass cockpit, new communications, navigation and defensive systems, and a digital autopilot. The Puma HC Mk2’s performance and payload will be substantially increased, particularly in hot and high conditions. As a key pillar of the Royal Air Force’s fleet of medium lift helicopters, Puma continues to play a major role in operational theatres, delivering very high operational readiness levels.
Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling commented, “This contract represents an important new phase in Eurocopter’s long lasting and maturing relationship with the UK Ministry of Defence. We will bring to this programme our extensive experience in upgrading and enhancing helicopters, and in adapting them to the new scenarios and challenges arising from present and future deployment.”
Markus Steinke, Managing Director of Eurocopter UK, added, “As the British pillar of the Eurocopter Group, we are proud to sign this major contract strengthening our industrial expansion in the UK even more and enabling us to develop a widening partnership with the MoD, also in view of forthcoming new helicopter programmes such as Future Medium Helicopter (FMH).”
Eurocopter UK Ltd. provides strong local presence in the United Kingdom
Through its fully-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter UK Ltd., headquartered in Oxford and with additional bases in Dublin (Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Hawarden (Wales) and Aberdeen (Scotland), Eurocopter has a strong industrial footprint in the UK and enjoys a reputation for innovation, high quality and a strong customer support ethos. Eurocopter UK was established in November 2007 through the purchase of McAlpine Helicopters Ltd., the company’s long-standing distributor in the UK. In the last 30 years, the company has achieved an exemplary performance in the customization, distribution and support of Eurocopter products for civil and public service customers. Eurocopter helicopters account for 75 per cent of the existing Police Air Support and Emergency Medical Service fleets in the UK and Ireland. In addition, Eurocopter UK has extended its activities into the Oil & Gas and MoD business. With over 450 helicopters in service in the British Isles, Eurocopter is the leading supplier of helicopters to the United Kingdom.
Source: Eurocopter
WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 29, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $5.4 million contract for the initial effort required for integrating a new satellite communication system on the U.S. Air Force B-52 fleet. The Extremely High Frequency (EHF) system will enable the exchange of information through Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T), enabling communication with the B-52 from ground, air and space platforms.
The first of three contract increments has been authorized to begin; it includes planning, risk mitigation and development of system requirements. Increment Two will cover the design and installation of the FAB-T communication hardware. Increment Three will integrate the new system into the Global Information Grid. Total contract value is expected to be more than $100 million.
“The EHF upgrade is one of many upgrades we are installing on the B-52 fleet,” said Scot Oathout, B-52 program manager for Boeing. “This capability, along with the rest of the suite, will provide B-52 crews with better situational awareness and extend the long arm of the B-52 even further into the battlefield.”
A B-52 upgraded with the Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) network-centric upgrade completed its first flight in May and is now in the flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Boeing also is integrating the SNIPER advanced targeting pod on the B-52 and continues to install software upgrades on an 18-month schedule.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
Source: Boeing
Photo: Rob Vogelaar
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