Airbus Military demonstrates final A330 MRTT refuelling system
January 27, 2011
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT has successfully passed fuel to receiver aircraft using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for the first time – meaning that all of the aircraft´s refuelling systems have now been demonstrated.
In a three hour 10 min sortie from Getafe near Madrid on 21st January, the Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) variant for the UK Royal Air Force conducted a series of “wet contacts” with two F-18 fighters of the Spanish Air Force.
Contacts were successfully performed with both fighters at an altitude of around 15,000ft and at speeds from 250kt to 325kt.
The FRU is a hose and drogue similar to those fitted under the wings, but with a higher rate of fuel transfer, and which is also developed and supplied by Cobham of the UK.
The full complement of refuelling systems which can equip the A330 MRTT, and which have now all been demonstrated, consists of: the FRU, the underwing hose-and-drogue, and the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), plus the Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) used to receive fuel from another tanker.
Head of Airbus Military Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said: “This demonstration of the last of the A330 MRTT´s refuelling systems clearly positions it as the most capable, flexible and proven transport/tanker available to the world´s air forces today. We now look forward to conducting the first contacts with Royal Air Force fighters in the coming months.”
EMBRAER WILL OVERHAUL 43 AMX FIGHTERS FOR THE FAB
January 17, 2011
Deal complements previous contract signed in 2003.
São José dos Campos, January 17, 2011 – Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force – FAB
(Comando da Aeronáutica – COMAER) have signed a contract to overhaul 43 AMX jet
fighters. This deal complements the previous contract to modernize AMX fighters signed in
2003.
“We’re very proud to support the Brazilian Air Force in keeping this strategic aircraft fully
operational,” explains Orlando José Ferreira Neto, Commercial Vice President, Embraer
Defense and Security. “With this new contract, we will be able to more adequately get the
aircraft prepared and ready for their subsequent modernization program, under an ongoing
contract, so as to ensure a more efficient and steady flow for the fighters’ overall updating
process and to expedite their return to operation.”
The original modernization contract focuses on an upgrade of the electronic systems of the
AMX jets, called the A-1 by the FAB. This new agreement deals with a structural overhaul
and the repair and substitution of other outdated equipment.
The maiden flight of the modernized single-seat prototype is planned for early 2012, when the
flight testing of the systems will begin. The first delivery is expected by the end of 2012.
The Brazilian Air Force began operations with the AMX 20 years ago. This new contract will
strengthen the long and productive relationship between Embraer and the FAB, by
contributing to improving Brazil’s defense system.
Bell Helicopter and Northrop Grumman Successfully Test Fire-X Unmanned Vertical System
December 16, 2010
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 15, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announce the successful test of Fire-X, a new vertical unmanned system.
Development and demonstration of Fire-X is funded by Northrop Grumman and Bell Helicopter. Both companies began work on this program in early 2010 and completed its first fully autonomous flight at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., less than a year after development began on the project.
“We are thrilled with the progress we have made on the Fire-X program,” said Dr Cathy Ferrie, Director of Bell Helicopter’s Xworx. “From initial concept, to flying a prototype was extremely quick due in large part to how well the Northrop Grumman-Bell Helicopter team worked together.”
To get to the first unmanned flight, the team followed a strict timeline to “power on” the vehicle in September at Bell’s Xworx facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Modifications were then accomplished to convert the Bell 407 helicopter into an unmanned vehicle.
Additional flight tests and reliability data gathering will be conducted next week along with a series of limited internal cargo demonstrations. Integration and flight of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor payloads and cargo carrying capability demonstrations are planned next year.
“The expertise of Northrop Grumman in unmanned systems combined with Bell’s rotorcraft knowledge is what makes Fire-X so successful,” said George Spongberg, Northrop Grumman Fire-X program manager. “We’ve been able to share key insights throughout development – allowing a seamless transition of autonomous flight systems software to a new airframe.” The Fire-X system integrates the mature systems developed from the U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout program with the Bell 407 helicopter, a FAA-certified helicopter that’s been in commercial service since 1996.
The system is designed to carry ISR sensors and offer military users with a useful load of more than 3,200 pounds – for fuel, payloads and/or enhanced cargo hauling capabilities. Fire-X will be able to conduct ISR missions up to 16 hours long and various cargo missions in support of U.S. Marine Corps requirements.
“The first flight of the Fire-X demonstrator marks a milestone for the Bell – Northrop team,” said Charles Shepard, Manager, Technology Business Development for Bell Helicopter. “In a matter of a few months, we went from two separate flyable systems, to an integrated system that will be able to provide our customers with a flexible, low cost, rapidly adaptable unmanned rotorcraft for multi-cargo, multi-sensor and multi-use from a ship and from land.”
A piloted ferry flight to Yuma was completed Nov. 30 to position the aircraft for its first unmanned flight. The Fire-X demonstration aircraft will still retain the ability to be optionally piloted.
Brazilian Minister of Defence views first P-3 Orion modernised by Airbus Military
December 3, 2010
The first P-3 Orion aircraft modified by Airbus Military for the Brazilian Air Force was inspected today by Brazilian Minister of Defence, Nelson Jobim, during his official visit to Spain.
The aircraft is the first of a fleet of nine which will undergo a complete systems modernisation programme, including the installation of Airbus Military´s Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS).
As well as FITS, the aircraft will benefit from a powerful new suite of mission sensors, communications systems, and upgraded cockpit avionics. The engines are being updated and, depending on the condition of each individual aircraft, the structures are being renovated to permit many more years of effective operation.
The Brazilian Air Force will use the aircraft for maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and a range of civic missions including economic exclusion zone enforcement and search and rescue.
Indonesian Air Force to Fly Super Tucano
November 16, 2010
Embraer has won a competition held by the
Indonesian Ministry of Defense to supply
eight Super Tucano light attack turboprops
for the Indonesian Air Force.
The deal includes ground support stations
and an integrated logistics package, and
represents the debut of the Super Tucano in
Asia Pacific region.
Deliveries will begin in 2012.
The Super Tucano has been chosen to
replace a fleet of OV-10 Broncos, due to its
flexibility to perform a broad range of missions,
including light attack, surveillance, air-to-air
interception, and counter insurgence.
Israel Rafalovich
EADS and Airbus welcome A400M agreement with customer nations
November 5, 2010
EADS and Airbus welcome the conclusion of negotiations with OCCAR and the seven A400M launch customer nations. The agreement, finalised today in Toulouse in the presence of the French Defence Minister Hervé Morin, the national armament directors and other representatives from all customer nations, is the long awaited further detailing of the principle agreement reached in March 2010.
While the overall economics of the March agreement remain unchanged (for details see the EADS press release from 5 March 2010 – attached), the government payments are now more back-loaded than previously expected. Negotiations on the export levy facility (ELF) scheme are expected to be finalized before the end of the year.
“The A400M flight test programme is making excellent progress and demonstrates the soundness of the product. We are very proud of the achievements so far and are now moving towards the series production by the end of the year”, said Domingo Ureña, Managing Director of Airbus Military.
Lockheed Martin Submits Proposal for Cargo UAS Services Request
October 26, 2010
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Kaman Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (Nasdaq: KAMN), have formally offered the K-MAX® unmanned helicopter in response to a U.S. Naval Air Systems Command request for a cargo unmanned aircraft system.
Earlier this year, the unmanned K-MAX system successfully demonstrated its ability to resupply troops in a simulated environment similar to forward operating bases in Afghanistan. Under a contract with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Lockheed Martin and Kaman successfully flew the unmanned K-MAX at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, meeting or exceeding the requirements that were set.
“The aircraft offers significantly reduced operational and logistics costs compared to transporting cargo by convoy or manned helicopter,” said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems vice president. “We’ve paired Lockheed Martin’s mission management system with the proven rugged K-MAX airframe to give Marines the lift and reliability they need in theater. More importantly, it keeps them out of harm’s way.”
During the Dugway flights, the unmanned K-MAX demonstrated its ability to hover at 12,000 feet with a 1,500-pound sling load, deliver 3,000 pounds of cargo well within the six-hour required timeframe in two 150 nm round-trip flights, fly remotely controlled, perform a precision load delivery by a ground-based operator in either day or night conditions and upload a new mission plan to the aircraft’s mission management system during flight.
The team also showcased the unmanned K-MAX helicopter’s four-hook carousel, which enables multi-load deliveries in a single flight. The aircraft flew to three pre-programmed delivery coordinates loaded up with 3,450 pounds of cargo, and released a sling load autonomously at each location. At the Marine’s request, the fourth load delivery was performed under manual control by the ground operator.
This demonstrated capability exceeds all of the performance requirements detailed in the request. Lockheed Martin has teamed with Kaman to offer a proven solution.
Kaman has also performed a cargo airdrop demonstration in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center this past April.
“Airdropping cargo as an option to placing a sling load on the ground can enhance an unmanned aircraft’s survivability while delivering critical supplies in combat environments,” said Terry Fogarty, Kaman Unmanned Systems general manager.
The manned version of the K-MAX has accumulated more than 255,000 flight hours in the commercial logging and firefighting industry. Recently, the aircraft moved 2.5 million pounds of boulders in just over 40 hours at 10,000 feet altitude. Kaman designed the K-MAX helicopter to deliver sling loads up to 6,000 pounds at sea level, and 4,300 pounds at 15,000 feet. Lockheed Martin’s mission management and control systems give the K-MAX helicopter unparalleled flight autonomy in remote environments and over large distances. The team has flown the K-MAX nearly 400 hours in unmanned mode since joining forces in 2007.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.0 billion.
Kaman Helicopters is a division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (Nasdaq: KAMN). Founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safing and arming solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company’s SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The company is also a leading distributor of industrial parts, and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America.
Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Earns Navy Recommendation for full Fleet Introduction
October 5, 2010
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (October 4, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra successfully completed Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL).
On Sept. 24, the Navy’s Aviation program office (NAVAIR) for H-1 Upgrades received official notification from the Navy’s Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force that its AH-1Z helicopters were found to be “operationally effective and suitable” and were recommended for fleet introduction.
“We are pleased and proud that the AH-1Z has completed its operational evaluation,” said John Garrison, president of Bell Helicopter. “The AH-1Z is a remarkable aircraft that is only made stronger by the Marine aviators that fly them. We are excited that our warfighters will receive the full benefit of this awesome machine.”
The Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.
A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2019.
The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. The program’s goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors.
The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent commonality of parts between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y utility helicopters. This commonality reduces lifecycle and training costs and decreases the expeditionary logistics footprint for both aircraft.
IAI will unveil the “Panther” its new revolutionary tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for tactical missions
October 5, 2010
Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel, October 4th, 2010 – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will unveil its new revolutionary tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for tactical missions, the Panther, at the Latrun Conference in Israel, October 5-7, 2010. The Panther will be exhibited for the first time internationally at the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) 2010 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington D.C., October 25-27. This new line of UAVs includes also the “Mini Panther”.
Based on extensive research and development and IAI’s operational knowledge of the challenges of an advanced ground battlefield, the Panther combines the flight capabilities of an airplane with helicopter-like hovering, a tilt-rotor propeller, and a fixed wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) system, which enable a runway-free takeoff and landing on an unprepared area. The unique concept has been patented by IAI.
An innovative automatic flight control system controls the transitions between the hovering takeoff phase to forward flight and vice versa before landing. The Panther takes off and lands automatically by a simple click of the operator console, thus eliminating the need for an external pilot.
Itzhak Nissan, President and CEO of IAI, said: “The Panther’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, along with its effective use of changing flight dynamics, make it a unique and invaluable asset on the tactical battlefield for the Israel Defense Forces and for foreign customers. We consider the innovative technology used in this system to be ground-breaking.”
With its 3 ultra-quiet electrical motors, the Panther, which weighs roughly 65 kg, can loiter for approximately 6 hours, at an altitude of up to 10,000 feet, with a radius of operation of over 60 km. The Panther UAV carries IAI’s Mini-POP (Plug-in Optronic Payload) – a day/night stabilized camera with a laser range finder, pointer or laser designator.
The Mini Panther, which weighs up to 12 kg, can loiter for approximately 2 hours, and carries IAI’s Micro-POP.
The Panther control station, transported on a midsize vehicle, can store up to three aircraft, as well as the ground data link, the support equipment and spare parts, all of which allow the troops’ autonomous operation on the field at a tactical level. Two operators control the mission using two fully redundant identical consoles.
The portable Mini Panther system includes 2 planes and a command and control unit, and is carried in backpacks by two soldiers.
Both platforms, designed to be entirely automatic, can be controlled by one operator, while the command and control station has two operators to control the station and oversee the mission.
Prototypes of the Panther platform have conducted successful flight tests and will be operational by 2011.
Airbus Military to manage Spanish customs service aircraft fleet.
September 30, 2010
First aircraft about to begin operations.
Airbus Military has been contracted by the Spanish Customs Service (Dirección General de la Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria, DAVA) to undertake the management, operation and support of the service’s fleet of six C212 surveillance aircraft. Following refurbishment, the first of these aircraft will begin operations early next month under the new arrangement.
In order to fulfill this task, Airbus Military is teaming with Spanish mission-critical aviation services company INAER to perform the contract, which will mark a key step in the planned development of the Airbus Military customer services business.
Under the terms of the deal, the six aircraft will be transferred from the military to the civil register. Airbus Military will be responsible for contract management including the upgrading of the aircraft as required, provision of continuing maintenance and spares services and fleet management. INAER will be responsible for providing a dedicated pilot force and operating the aircraft. Under the terms of the contract three aircraft will be constantly maintained at two-hour readiness.
The €5.5 million contract runs for two years with an option to be extended for another two years. The remaining five aircraft will be progressively transferred to the new operation over the coming months.
The first aircraft will be operated primarily from Alicante. Other operating bases at Santiago de Compostela and Seville will be added next year. The aircraft are used to patrol Spain’s lengthy coastline against smuggling as well as other types of “civic” missions.
Airbus Military Senior Vice President Customer Services Richard Thompson said: “This contract is an important step in our strategy of growing the Airbus Military customer services business. We are delighted to be teamed with a highly respected partner in INAER and we look forward to undertaking further contracts of this type.”
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