Despite recent advances in the acceptance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), regulatory issues still hinder their growth in areas such as homeland defense, according to Daryl Davidson, executive director of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).
Wireless local area network [LAN] technology being developed by the Boeing Co. could one day allow both manned and unmanned aircraft to "log on" to an airborne network to share highly accurate position and flight control data. This data sharing ability is a critical component of the autonomous formation flight (AFF) program - a joint effort between NASA, Boeing, and UCLA.
L-3 Communications has agreed to acquire PerkinElmer's Detection Systems business for about $100 million in cash, the New York-based company announced Jan. 2. Detection Systems offers X-ray screenings for aviation systems, port and border applications and facility protection. The company's customer base includes major airlines and airports, the U.S. departments of Agriculture and State, the U.S. Customs Service and Marshals Service and other domestic agencies and international customers.
NASA has selected two missions to launch in 2006 as part of its Discovery Program, the aerospace agency announced Dec. 21. The first, Dawn, will orbit the two largest asteroids in the solar system. The second, Kepler, will be a spaceborne telescope that will search for Earth-like planets around stars outside the solar system.
The production of turboprop engines for military transport aircraft probably will increase over the next decade, but that is unlikely to compensate for the decline in turboprop engine production for business and regional aircraft, says a new report from Forecast International Inc. The overall production of turboprop engines is expected to decline through 2010 as the market contracts to niche commercial and business operators using turboprops, according to power systems analyst Carl Opdyke.
Following three satellite launches last month, the Russian Aviation and Space Agency is hoping to restore its waning global positioning capabilities, according to Col. Mikhail Lebedev, a spokesperson for the Russian Space Troops. According to Russia's Interfax-Military News Agency, Lebedev told reporters last week that the recent launch of three satellites, including one of the new Glonass-M satellites, will pave the way for restoring the full capabilities of Russia's global positioning system by 2008.
As the Navy reviews the options for replacing the service's aging EA-6B Prowler aircraft fleet, officials from the Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. are moving forward with EA-18 flight tests to demonstrate what they describe as the most cost efficient and operationally suitable solution for the military's standoff and escort jamming needs.
Jan. 10 -- Washington Land Warfare Forum Breakfast, sponsored by TRW. Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. For more information contact LexaLynn Hooper at (703) 907-2666. Jan. 14 - 15 -- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University presents its Fourteenth Annual Aviation Law/Insurance Symposium, Adams Mark Resort, Daytona Beach, FL. For more information visit www.erau-dce.org/alis.
The production of turboprop engines for military transport aircraft probably will increase over the next decade, but that is unlikely to compensate for the decline in turboprop engine production for business and regional aircraft, says a new report from Forecast International Inc. The overall production of turboprop engines is expected to decline through 2010 as the market contracts to niche commercial and business operators using turboprops, according to power systems analyst Carl Opdyke.
As the Navy reviews the options for replacing the service's aging EA-6B Prowler aircraft fleet, officials from the Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. are moving forward with EA-18 flight tests to demonstrate what they describe as the most cost efficient and operationally suitable solution for the military's standoff and escort jamming needs.
L-3 Communications has agreed to acquire PerkinElmer's Detection Systems business for about $100 million in cash, the New York-based company announced Jan. 2. Detection Systems offers X-ray screenings for aviation systems, port and border applications and facility protection. The company's customer base includes major airlines and airports, the U.S. departments of Agriculture and State, the U.S. Customs Service and Marshals Service and other domestic agencies and international customers.
COMBAT READY: The U.S. Army has certified a fifth AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter battalion as being combat ready, helicopter maker Boeing announced Jan. 3. The 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, based at Fort Campbell, Ky., has 18 Apache attack helicopters
Following three satellite launches last month, the Russian Aviation and Space Agency is hoping to restore its waning global positioning capabilities, according to Col. Mikhail Lebedev, a spokesperson for the Russian Space Troops. According to Russia's Interfax-Military News Agency, Lebedev told reporters last week that the recent launch of three satellites, including one of the new Glonass-M satellites, will pave the way for restoring the full capabilities of Russia's global positioning system by 2008.
The Senate late last month confirmed Air Force Maj. Gen. Claude Bolton to be assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, technology and logistics.
Aerospace and defense analysts with Standard & Poor's affirmed their ratings for Textron Inc. and Textron Financial Corp. in a report released in December. Textron currently has a corporate credit rating of "A/A-1," a senior unsecured debt rating of "A" and commercial paper rating of "A-1." The ratings outlook for the company remains negative.
Some activities in the Space Based Laser program are being terminated in response to a deep cut in funding that Congress recently approved for the missile defense initiative, according to a program source.
NASA has selected two missions to launch in 2006 as part of its Discovery Program, the aerospace agency announced Dec. 21. The first, Dawn, will orbit the two largest asteroids in the solar system. The second, Kepler, will be a spaceborne telescope that will search for Earth-like planets around stars outside the solar system.
Some activities in the Space Based Laser program are being terminated in response to a deep cut in funding that Congress recently approved for the missile defense initiative, according to a program source.
Wireless local area network [LAN] technology being developed by the Boeing Co. could one day allow both manned and unmanned aircraft to "log on" to an airborne network to share highly accurate position and flight control data. This data sharing ability is a critical component of the autonomous formation flight (AFF) program - a joint effort between NASA, Boeing, and UCLA.
Cubic Defense Systems will provide a new air combat training system to Saudi Arabia's air force under a $19 million contract from the U.S. Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the company announced Jan. 3. Saudi Arabia will receive a system similar to Cubic's Kadena Interim Training System, now used by U.S. Air Force pilots at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and Air National Guard pilots at Alpena, Mich.
The U.S. Army has certified a fifth AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter battalion as being combat ready, helicopter maker Boeing announced Jan. 3. The 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, based at Fort Campbell, Ky., has 18 Apache attack helicopters
TRAINING CONTRACT: Cubic Defense Systems will provide a new air combat training system to Saudi Arabia's air force under a $19 million contract from the U.S. Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the company announced Jan. 3. Saudi Arabia will receive a system similar to Cubic's Kadena Interim Training System, now used by U.S. Air Force pilots at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and Air National Guard pilots at Alpena, Mich.
Missile defense officials may be able to conduct more extensive and realistic testing now that the United States has announced it will withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia, but they will still have to grapple with program costs in the coming year.
A Dec. 19 test of an Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) guided test vehicle marked another step toward the eventual fielding of a significantly improved ability to destroy enemy air defenses, the U.S. Navy said Jan. 2. The first launch of a guided test vehicle (GTV) took place last August. Two control test vehicle (CTV) launches have also been conducted. The Navy said all the launches have been successful.
