X3 Flight Trials Launched By Eurocopter

Eurocopter is testing a new hybrid helicopter demonstrator called X3 that aims to reach 220 kt. forward speed.

The twin-turboshaft-powered helicopter uses two propellers on a short wing for forward flight, with a five-blade main rotor. Eurocopter at one point explored a tiltrotor design but later rejected that idea.

The company says the X3, or H3 (for high-speed, long-range hybrid helicopter) could be used for a wide range of utilizations like long-distance search and rescue (SAR) missions, coast guard duties, border patrol missions, passenger transport and inter-city shuttle services. It also may be well-suited for military missions in Special Forces operations, troop transport, combat SAR and medical evacuation – benefitting from the hybrid aircraft’s combination of higher cruise speeds with excellent vertical takeoff/landing performance.

Evaluations began Sept. 6 at the military flight test center at Istres in southern France. The tests will run through December, when the helicopter will undergo planned updates. During that time, 180 kt. should be reached. A new test campaign is to start in March, which will target 220 kt. sustained cruise speed.

Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling said during the unveiling of the design, “The teams at Eurocopter took this hybrid helicopter from concept to first flight in less than three years, which demonstrates their skills, capabilities and dedication to defining the future of rotary-wing aircraft.”

- aviationweek.com

- eurocopter.com

Fan Problem Leads GE-Rolls To Examine F136

The forced shutdown of a F136 development engine last Sept 23 led General Electric and Rolls-Royce to investigate, focusing on manufacturing records, to what might have been the cause of the said incident.

The GE-Rolls Fighter team claims that the shutdown was triggered when the F136 endurance engine, 008, “experienced an anomaly at near-maximum fan speed.” They added that “Initial inspection revealed damage to airfoils in the front fan and compressor area. The engine is currently being disassembled for a thorough investigation.”

The test incident comes at a potentially perilous time for the F136, which is once again struggling for survival in the continued debate in Washington over funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine. Despite a lack of explicit funding by Senate appropriators for the F136, GE-Rolls remains quietly confident the engine will once again prevail as House and Senate appropriators and their staff negotiate unresolved budget items for Fiscal 2011.

The Obama administration has promised to veto any bill prolonging the F136, although the House already is on record challenging the threat.

The shutdown occurred three hours into a mechanical “break-in” run, indicating that the issue is likely related to an assembly or set-up problem linked to this specific engine rather than a deeper, systemic failure. Although GE-Rolls is not commenting on specific focus areas, the statement points to the front fan in the Rolls-Royce-led fan module as being the chief suspect. Disassembly and inspection is likely to be undertaken relatively quickly as the endurance engine was not fully instrumented like other development units, GE-Rolls says.

GE-Rolls is drawing a crumb of comfort from the circumstances surrounding the isolated nature of the incident, which occurred in GE’s facility in Evendale, Ohio, although acutely aware of the possible political damage to its funding campaign. The Fighter Engine Team says “Engine 008 was shut down in a controlled manner,” adding it “is researching the manufacturing and assembly records for engine 008. The Fighter Team has run several builds of five F136 development engines for more than 1,000 hours since early 2009 without experiencing this issue.”

It also says it “promptly inspected two other development engines now running in the program and neither engine exhibited similar distress. Prior builds were also inspected with no findings.”

Tests on the other engines, 005 at the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and 007 at GE in Evendale, are meanwhile continuing, GE-Rolls says. Development engine 009 is in assembly and is expected to begin testing by year’s end. This will lead to a total of six development engines running in 2010. Flight test engine 041 also is in production, leading to a planned first flight on the F-35 in 2011.

-aviationweek.com

Final Osprey Trainer delivered to the Marines

The strategic alliance between Boeing and Bell Helicopter, called Bell Boeing V-22 Program, has delivered the sixth and final MV-22 Osprey Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD) to the U.S. Marines.

The CFTD trains aircrew on basic aircraft familiarization and handling qualities. Additional training capabilities include systems/subsystems operation, communication, malfunctions, day and night flying, use of night-vision goggles, formation flying, aerial refueling and landing on ships. The device is intended to train crews for any task that might be performed in the aircraft, while limiting the monetary and environmental costs and safety risks of in-flight training.

In the past year, the team has delivered five CFTDs to the Marines, as well as upgrades to two trainers delivered previously.

“The V-22 Integrated Product Team has made all of these early deliveries possible,” said Mark McGraw, vice president, Boeing Training Systems & Services. “They delivered three devices on this contract early, and all of them for the lowest per-unit cost our customer has seen.”

All CFTDs can be locally networked to allow for more robust training capabilities. The CFTDs at MCAS New River also are able to network with AV-8 Harriers at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.

The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL), multi-mission air-craft developed to fill multi-Service combat operational requirements. The MV-22 replaces the current Marine Corps assault helicopters in the medium lift category (CH-46E and CH-53D), contributing to the dominant maneuver of the Marine landing force, as well as supporting focused logistics in the days following commencement of an amphibious operation.

The Air Force variant, the CV-22, replaces the MH-53J and MH-60G and augment the MC-130 fleet in the USSOCOM Special Operations mission. The Air Force requires the CV-22 to provide a long-range VTOL insertion and extraction capability. The tiltrotor design combines the vertical flight capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a turboprop airplane and permits aerial refueling and world-wide self deployment.

- asdnews.com
- globalsecurity.org

Possible C-17 sale to Kuwait costs $693M

A C-17 Globemaster III

U.S. Congress was notified of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of one Boeing C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft worth $693 million. The package includes the aircraft’s associated parts, equipment and logistics support.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of one Boeing C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft, four Turbofan F117-PW-100 engines installed on the aircraft, one spare Turbofan F117-PW-100 engine, one AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS), one AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, aircraft ferry services, refueling support, precision navigation equipment, spare and repairs parts, support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

This proposed sale of the C-17 will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

- http://www.dsca.mil

Pilot’s cool gets all passengers aboard Delta Flight 4951 down safely

Yesterday, sixty passengers of Delta Flight 4951, an Airbus A320-232, just had a harrowing experience when their plane had a malfunction on its right landing gear and had to make an emergency landing. The gear was stuck and could not be lowered down.

The pilot reported the plane’s condition to the John F. Kennedy Airport’s control tower and was advised to land at Runway 31. As the plane landed, sparks flew off the plane’s right side as the right wing tip touches the ground but the pilot manages to put the plane to a stop within the runway area. Passengers began to troop out from emergency exits unto the runway as ambulances and fire trucks race towards the plane.

The fire trucks were readied in case the plane’s 3000 gallon fuel catches fire and the area was evacuated momentarily. Luckily, the plane did not explode. The passengers were all unhurt but were shocked because of the experience. When interviewed by the press later on the pilot seemed to have never left his cool during the landing process. Investigations are now being done as to why the landing gear was stuck.

Still image from an amateur video shot by Alessandro Albera; sparks fly from starboard side of Delta flight 4951 as it emergency lands at JFK Airport

The flight was set to travel from Atlanta City to New York and had to make a stop at the JFK Airport when the problem occurred. The plane was a Delta Connection flight managed by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a regional subsidiary of Delta Airlines based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The air traffic controller at JFK Airport was speaking to the pilot of the A320-232 Delta Flight 4951. “I understand you have your right gear stuck down,” the tower said.

“The right gear is stuck up,” the pilot said. “The other two are down.” The pilot remained as calm as if he were Chesley Sullenberger’s twin as the tower offered him a choice of runways. “Whichever one would be better for you all,” he said.

They decided on Runway 31 Right. The tower confirmed that there were 64 people aboard and inquired about the remaining fuel.

“We are making our approach,” the pilot said.

“4951, it’s been confirmed the gear is stuck up?” the tower asked.

“As far as we know the gear is stuck up,” the pilot said.

The tower gave him some speed and altitude instructions.

“Tower, thanks for your help, 4951.”

The tower notified the specially trained firefighters of the Port Authority Police Department.

“Attention all emergency equipment response, call Runway 31 Right.”

The rescuers stood ready. Extra manpower was available because of the influx of dignitaries for the UN General Assembly.

“4951, you’re cleared to land. Emergency equipment will be standing at midfield as a precautionary measure,” the tower informed the pilot.

The pilot was as calm as ever. He spoke what might have been some of his very last words.

“4951 roger and, uh better work,” the pilot said.

The tower radioed a reminder to the firefighters as they watched the lights of the plane descending out of the night.

“Rescue 1, there are 64 souls on board and 3,000 gallons of fuel.”

The lights kept descending until the plane touched down. Suddenly, the aircraft tipped to the right and a mass of sparks flared as the tip of the right wing scraped along the runway.

The fuel is in the wings and the rescuers were ready for the worst, but there was no explosion, no fireballs as the plane came to rest.

In the next instant, the 60 passengers and four crew members began to evacuate the A320-232 aircraft and the rescuers were there to assist them. All 64 were unhurt as they sat on the grass beside the runway where the pilot had decided to make the landing.

“It was better than the Hudson,” the pilot said.
- nydailynews.com

- allvoices.com

Rise In Military Global Helicopter Sales

Teal Group expects civil deliveries to fall 20.8% in 2010, on top of a 13.3% decline in 2009, after experiencing “unprecedented growth rates in 2003-2008 … that transformed the industry,” the consultancy’s World Rotorcraft Overview says.

“By contrast, the military rotorcraft market continues its impressive rise, with deliveries growing 7 percent by value in 2010, following record 25.4 percent growth in 2009 and a 12.2 percent compound annual growth rate in 2003-2009,” Teal Group’s report says.

Also, the consultancy forecasts even greater growth for the military market, hitting a “new high plateau” by 2013. “The drivers are quite strong – aging, worn-out fleets, and the great importance of force mobility for almost every conceivable military mission,” Teal Group says. And the situation looks like it could also improve for the civil market.

The report says “Assuming the developed world suffers from weak economic growth (but no double-dip recession) for another 12 months, we expect the civil market to recover starting in 2012.”

Teal Group forecasts production of 15,459 rotorcrafts worth $174.6 billion in 2010-19. This includes 8,917 aircraft for civil users, worth $42.9 billion, and 6,542 military aircraft worth $131.7 billion.

These figures are all in 2010 dollars and represent very strong 84% growth over the previous 10 years, 2000-09, when production totaled 9,405 and was worth $95.1 billion – a $65.4-billion military market and $29.7-billion civil market.

“These numbers understate the actual size and importance of this market,” the report says. “Very high levels of utilization in tough operating environments, coupled with aging fleets, mean strong and profitable aftermarket work for the primes.”

US Marine Corps jumping from a V-22 Osprey helicopter at 10,000 feet above ground

And there’s even more work in upgrade contracts, the consultancy says. “Our numbers cover some of the more extensive rebuilds, but there’s considerable work that isn’t captured in our forecast.”

As for the rotorcraft manufacturers, Teal Group says further industrial consolidation would be very difficult. Also, because the business is proving so profitable, Teal Group says no company wants to sell its rotorcraft industry assets. But the consultancy does not rule out trans-Atlantic cooperation on a new heavy-lift helicopter.

Still, U.S. companies will continue to dominate the military side of this industry, particularly due to higher levels of defense spending and thanks to the expensive V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.

Each V-22 Osprey costs USD 67Million. Primary users of this vertical takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and landing helicopter are the US Marine Corps and US Air Force.

-aviationweek.com

-wikipedia.org

Delta CEO: Bright Future For B787 Dreamliner

According to Richard Anderson, CEO of Delta Air Lines, Inc., in no uncertain terms, that he wants Airbus and Boeing to re-engine the A320 and 737 aircraft, respectively.

Asked about Airbus and Boeing re-engining during a Sept. 21 interview in his Atlanta office, Anderson first referenced Bombardier’s plans for a CSeries with a Pratt & Whitney PW1000 geared-turbofan engine and the narrowbody jet being developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China. The latter’s C919 is being developed with the CFM International LEAP engine.

The Delta CEO said “There is constantly innovation in this industry, and we need that innovation. So we think the manufacturers need to re-engine these airplanes and give us the benefit of that innovation.” Delta does not want to wait for the next generation of narrowbody aircraft, he added.

Anderson put Delta’s need in the context of pollution reduction, rather than fuel efficiency and cost savings. “We have very aggressive CO2 reduction goals, and part of that is to have the engine technology that will result in reduced fuel burn over time, so that we can meet our CO2 reduction goals,” he said.

Airbus seems to be close to deciding to re-engine the A320, but Boeing has been ambivalent about doing the same for the 737.

The Delta CEO called Bombardier’s CSeries an “interesting airplane,” but said the main issue will be proving the reliability of a geared turbofan engine. In the interview, Anderson also had high praise for the potential benefits of the Boeing 787. His remarks seemed to suggest it is not a question of whether Delta will take delivery of 787 aircraft, but of when.

When Delta merged with Northwest, it inherited Northwest’s $2.2 billion order for 18 787-8s as the North American launch customer for the aircraft. But earlier this year, Anderson confirmed that Delta has been negotiating with Boeing “to figure out what’s going to happen with those positions,” because Delta has a sufficient and relatively young transoceanic fleet right now.

Delta recently renewed leases for an average of five years on its 16 Boeing 747-400 aircraft—all of which are being fitted with new flat-bed seats—and has increased its Boeing 777 fleet to 18 aircraft. The airline operates a total of 167 transoceanic aircraft, with an average age of 11 years.

The first Boeing 787 aircraft produced

In his comments on Sept. 21, Anderson reiterated his belief that Delta’s transoceanic fleet is “in really good shape right now,” and he did not say much to dispel the belief that Delta will not be taking delivery on any 787s for a while. But he also was effusive in his praise for the aircraft’s potential.

“The 787 is still going to be a great airplane. It just has some growing pains here along the way,” Anderson continued. “An airplane that will do a 7,000-mile stage length with the same seat-mile costs as a 747 with 220, 230 seats, with the composite design and the new engines, is going to work. It’s just a question of when.” Anderson, however, would not quite commit to taking the 787 at some point, saying only, “I think eventually it could be part of Delta’s fleet.”

- aviationweek.com

Lockheed and Pentagon reaches agreement for F-35 buy

F-35 JSF

Lockheed Martin and Pentagon officials confirmed yesterday that the company has reached an agreement with the Pentagon on the highly anticipated buy of 32 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, known as the low rate initial production lot 4 (LRIP-4).

Lockheed spokesman John Kent said the contract is expected to be valued at more than $5 billion. While the deal has not been formally signed, Kent confirmed that negotiations for the planes are over and that on Sept. 21, the two organizations reached an agreement for the 32 F-35 jets, their production tooling and sustainment.

“The negotiated price is below the independent cost estimate prepared earlier this year and reflects the contract type deemed most efficient by the Department,” a Pentagon statement said.

Officials from both organizations have said that the 32 jets will cost as much as 20 percent less than the DoD’s December prediction of $76 million in 2010 dollars.

The fixed-priced LRIP-4 deal is seen as critical to Lockheed’s ability to deliver the jets on time and on budget.

-         DefenseNews

48 Aircraft Orders for Lufthansa

An Order for 48 aircraft with Airbus and Embraer that are going to be operated by the mainline carrier and subsidiaries has been placed by the Lufthansa group.

The order consists of eight Airbus A330-300s, 32 A320 family aircraft and eight Embraer 195s. Three A330s are allocated to Lufthansa, while five will be operated by Swiss International Air Lines. Lufthansa will also get 20 more A320 family aircraft, Swiss will take two more A320s and two A321s. The eight Embraer 195s are going to be operated by one of the regional subsidiaries. Low fare unit Germanwings will receive eight more A319s. Deliveries will start in 2012, Lufthansa said in a statement.

Lufthansa will partly use the aircraft for replacement. The mainline carrier has to phase out older A320s and Boeing 737s. The oldest 737 is now 24 years old and the youngest 15 with a large part of the fleet having been delivered around 1990/91. The oldest A320s are 21 years old. According to CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber, the airline will also look at growth opportunities, but wants to remain flexible in case the market deteriorates.

One of the significant aspects of the deal is who does not get new aircraft: Austrian Airlines. The carrier cannot grow capacity as a part of the European Commission approval of the 2009 takeover by Lufthansa in which the Austrian government assumed €500 million ($656.8 million) of Austrian’s debt. It has also been told by the parent company that it needs to be profitable before it will receive new aircraft. The regulatory restrictions expire in 2012.

-aviationweek.com

Indonesia to buy more Su fighters from Russia

Sukhoi- SU-30MK

Indonesia’s Air Force is planning to buy six more Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia to reinforce the country’s aerial defense capability.

Marshal Imam Sufaat, the Air Force’s chief of staff said the purchase would be on the Defense Ministry’s long-term agenda, but was not sure when the plan would be implemented.

He said the proposal was already approved by the country’s president, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“The existing squadron of Sukhois remains insufficient to give a deterrent effect given our vast territory,” Imam told the Antara news agency. He added that Indonesia lagged behind Malaysia, which has 18 Sukhois despite its smaller territory than its Southeast Asian neighbor.

The Indonesian Air Force has sent its pilots to Russia and China to learn how to operate the fighter jet.

Indonesia bought three Russian fighter jets in 2003. The $300 million contract signed in August 2007 stipulated the delivery of six Su-30MK fighter planes. Three aircraft were delivered in February 2009, another two were handed over to Indonesia on September 10, and one was taken to Indonesia on Thursday.

- air-attack
- The Jakarta Post