With advanced avionics and mission systems, the 1970s-era delta-winged fighter called Kfir could rank in the same class as contemporary “fourth-generation” fighter jets, say officials from manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The company can deliver up to 50 of the Mach 2+ Kfirs, configured to the newest Block 60 standard, using airframes retired from Israeli air force service in the 1990s, IAI officials report. These aircraft were mothballed in the southern Negev desert and are in good condition for refurbishment.
While the uncertainty of two years of budget cuts and stop-gap spending bills may still not seem tangible to the public, “sequestration” is creating “chaos” for defense contractors.
Hobbled by the government's partial shutdown, the National Transportation Safety Board is standing down, except for the most pressing cases. “The agency can engage in those activities necessary to address imminent threats to safety of human life or for the protection of property,” the board said Oct. 10. Though it is clear investigators would be recalled for a major transportation disaster, how the NTSB is defining other “imminent threats” is murkier.
The 737 series is a family of twin-engine, narrowbody commercial transports. Seating capacity varies depending on model, though the most typical two-class configurations are 126 passengers for the 737-700, 162 for the 737-800 and 180 for the 737-900ER. All three models, which are the current production versions, are powered by two CFM56-7 turbofans. The first 737 flew in April 1967 and received FAA certification in December 1967. Through 2012, 7,437 Boeing 737s have rolled off the production lines.
Launched in July 2008, Bombardier's CSeries family comprises two basic models: the CS100, which carries 110 passengers; and the larger CS300 model, which seats 135 in a standard configuration. The aircraft will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofans producing up to 23,300 lb. thrust each. With an extra-capacity seating option, the CS300 can carry up to 160 passengers. The CS100's first flight occurred in September. The CS100 will compete with the Embraer 190 and 195, while the CS300 will vie against the Boeing 737 and Airbus A319.
This single-turboprop-powered utility/passenger aircraft first flew in December 1982. Through 2012, Cessna produced 2,214 Caravans of all types. Designed with the small-package delivery segment in mind, Caravan models currently in production include the 675 and the 208B Grand Caravan. Both are powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop engine rated at 675 shp. Also in production is the upgraded Grand Caravan EX model, featuring a more powerful PT6A-140 turboprop engine. The EX achieved certification in January 2013.
Initially, the new ARJ21 regional jet from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China was to be available in the ARJ21-700 78-90-seat variant, while later introduction of the 98-105-seat ARJ21-900 is a possibility. Power is provided by two GE CF34-10A turbofans producing 18,500 lb. thrust each. Rollout of the ARJ21-700 occurred in December 2007, followed by first flight in November 2008. Four ARJ21s were built through 2012, and 103 additional examples are forecast for production through 2022. The ARJ21 faces competition from Bombardier and Embraer.
The TBM 850 is a single-engine, 4-6-passenger, turboprop-powered aircraft that replaced the TBM 700 in 2006. Power is provided by a single 850-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D engine, flat-rated to 850 shp. The aircraft has a range of 1,585 nm. Through 2012, production totaled 299 aircraft. Production of another 421 is forecast for 2013-22.
The Pentagon is proceeding with upgrades to correct deficiencies in the original F-35 helmet made by Lockheed Martin subcontractor Vision Systems International (VSI). The F-35 Joint Program Office on Oct. 10 issued a stop-work order to BAE, the alternate helmet developer. Plans to conduct a flight demonstration of the two have been dashed, resulting in a cost avoidance of $45 million to continue maturing and testing the alternate design, according to a statement from the F-35 office.
George Ullrich has become senior vice president-strategy development for Applied Research Associates Inc., Albuquerque, N.M. He has been chief technology officer of the Schafer Corp. and was senior vice president-advanced technology programs at the Science Applications International Corp.
This is Embraer's E-Jets family of twin-engine, 70-132-seat regional jetliners. The 70-80-passenger 170 made its first flight in February 2002, followed by the larger 78-88-seat 175 in June 2003. The 170 and 175 share a common engine in the 14,200-lb.-thrust GE CF34-8E. The 94-114-seat 190 made its initial flight in March 2004, while the 106-122-passenger 195 first flew in December 2004. GE CF34-10E engines, rated at 20,000 lb. thrust each, power these models.
The ERJ 135/140/145 family is a series of twin-engine, 37-50-seat regional jets. The initial model was the 50-seat ERJ 145, which first flew in August 1995; deliveries began in late 1996. The next model was the 37-seat ERJ 135, which made its initial flight in July 1998 followed by deliveries in July 1999. The 44-passenger ERJ 140 first flew in June 2000, with initial deliveries in July 2001. All models use variants of the Rolls-Royce AE 3007A series turbofan.
The Y-12 series is another family of twin-turboprop aircraft. The Y-12-II is equipped with Western avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines flat-rated to 620 shp each. The Y-12-IV has winglets, a strengthened undercarriage and redesigned seating for 18-19 passengers. Another Y-12 version is the Y-12E, which is powered by 750-shp PT6A-135 engines. A total of 48 Y-12-II/-IV and Y-12E aircraft are forecast to be produced for the civil market in the coming 10 years. HAI is currently developing the Y-12F, which is substantially different from the earlier Y-12s.
This four-engine, medium/long-range, widebody commercial passenger and cargo transport aircraft first flew as the -300 in 1988 and was awarded certification in December 1992. It is powered by Aviadvigatel PS-90A1 engines rated 35,275 lb. thrust each. The stretched Il-96-400 is powered by uprated PS-90A1 engines. The Il-96-400 passenger version can seat 436 in a single-class configuration, 386 in two classes or 315 in a three-class layout. One Il-96-300 and four Il-96-400s are forecast for production in the 2013-22 period.
Launched in 2007, RUAG Aerospace's Do 228NG (Next Generation) is an updated version of Dornier's original Do 228. The aircraft is powered by 776-shp Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engines, and features other improvements such as a new glass cockpit, five-blade propellers and aerodynamic changes to the wing. The first RUAG-produced Do 228NGs were delivered to customers in 2010, with a total of eight to date.
Vanessa Hudson has been named senior executive vice president for the Americas for Qantas Airways. She succeeds Wally Mariani, who has retired. Hudson was executive manager for strategy and planning for Qantas Domestic.
Paul Saunders has become global product manager for Flatirons Solutions, Irvine, Calif. He was operations director for Conduce Software and has worked for Eurocopter and Triumph Air Repair in the U.K. and Dubai.
Smarting from South Korea's decision to sideline Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle and reopen bidding for a new fighter, the company is now strategizing to capture some—but not all—of a forthcoming buy. Boeing Defense, Space and Security President Dennis Muilenburg says the company is still investing in development of the Silent Eagle, which has conformal fuel tanks, a stealthy weapons bay, fly-by-wire controls and a digital electronic warfare system. Boeing remains in the game for Seoul's yet-to-be-revamped F-X Phase 3 competition.
USAF Maj. Gen. Steven L. Kwast has been appointed commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education/vice commander of Air University of the Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala. He has been director of the Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review in the Office of the Vice Chief of Staff at USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon. Maj. Gen. Samuel D. Cox has been nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and appointment as deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at USAF Headquarters.
This week, Aviation Week publishes two editions, both double issues. The cover at the far left features the first business aircraft to be developed in China—Avic subsidiary Caiga's Primus 150, an all-composite six-seater based on a U.S. kitplane design and powered by single 850-shp General Electric H85 turboprop. The aircraft is set to fly soon, but its market is uncertain as Chinese tastes continue to favor large business jets (page 58). Photo by Bobby Yip for Reuters via Newscom.
Three recent space-related articles speak volumes. The first two are in the same issue (AW&ST Sept. 30): “Launcher Leap” (page 22) followed by “What's Next” (page 24). Hot on the heels of this printing, the AviationWeek.com Space Channel (Oct. 3) offered “NASA's J-2X Engine To Be Mothballed After Testing.” The first article outlined China's plans for a more capable Moon rocket than the Saturn V; the second depicted China's planned Mir-class space station. And the third covered the U.S.'s human space exploration program.
