All news – Page 6722
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U-2 improvements take off
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DCThe upgrade of the Lockheed Martin U-2S avionics and principal sensor is gaining momentum with the start of testing of the improved Raytheon Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System 2 (ASARS-2) and the recent selection and order of improved systems. Flight validation of an improved high-resolution reconnaissance radar has ...
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Sea Launch wins four orders
The Boeing-led international Sea Launch operation has received four confirmed launch orders, valued at about $350 million, from Hughes Space & Communications. This brings to 14 the number of Hughes satellites on the company's manifest. Space Systems/Loral also has five launches booked. The four new firm orders, for launches ...
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Surrey Satellite signs for Dnepr launches
The Russian-Ukrainian Kosmotras company has signed a contract with the UK's Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) for two launches of SSTL mini-satellites on the Dnepr, a converted SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile booster. The launches are planned to take place in March/April and October/November next year. The first commercial Dnepr launch ...
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X-34 makes first captive flight
The first Orbital Sciences X-34 vehicle made its maiden captive flight beneath a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar on 29 June, from Edwards AFB, California. Captive flights will be made to get US Federal Aviation Administration approval. Next year, another X-34 will fly unpowered glide flights to a runway after being dropped ...
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Heathrow business operators fight on
Kate Sarsfield/LONDON Business Jet operators at London Heathrow Airport have suffered a further setback in their fight for improved treatment at Europe's busiest hub, following the loss of a court appeal against slot co-ordinator Airport Co-ordination (ACL). The Heathrow Executive Jet Operators Association (HEJOA) failed to convince the ...
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Eurocopter/Kawasaki fly EC145
Eurocopter and Kawasaki have begun test flights of the EC145 medium utility helicopter, a successor to the jointly developed BK117 twin turboshaft. The manufacturers decline to reveal programme details, but the helicopter is understood to be a development of the BK117, incorporating some cockpit and forward fuselage features of ...
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Cirrus alters SR20 design after NTSB crash report
Cirrus has altered the design of its single-engined SR20, following the release of findings by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into the fatal crash on 23 March of the first production aircraft. Safety investigators found signs of interference between the right aileron and the right wing which, they ...
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Eagle 150 popularity soars in North America
Australia's Eagle Aircraft has started to export its two-seat Eagle 150 to its US subsidiary, less than six months after the single-engined aircraft was granted US certification. According to the Orlando, Florida-based company that will assemble the Teledyne Continental IO-240-powered aircraft for the North American market, orders "are nearing ...
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Bell considers 206 upgrade and ponders plans to modify 412Plus
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC Bell is considering improving its 206 helicopter, rather than developing an all-new replacement to compete with the Eurocopter EC120. In the meantime, the company expects to decide before the end of the year on a 412Plus upgrade. "We're looking at enhancements to the 206. We're ...
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First from second
Lanchile has been "working to be one of the 10 best airlines in the world," Cueto says. He sets about defining what he means. "When you fly to the Far East you choose an airline - perhaps Singapore Airlines. When people fly to South America we want them to think ...
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Controlling Chile
Chile has a good safety record despite unusual air traffic challenges David Learmount/SANTIAGO DE CHILE No other country is as long and thin as Chile. Few other countries contain such vast distances and terrain so unkind that its main 5,500km (3,420 mile)-long north-south trunk road has to retreat temporarily ...
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Trent 895 cleared
The Rolls-Royce Trent 895, which powers the Boeing 777, has won European Joint Aviation Authorities certification. The 95,000lb-thrust (423kN) engine is the most powerful Trent to be approved. It will enter service in January with British Airways. Source: Flight International
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Erieye signature
Greece and Ericsson have signed a SKr4 billion ($465 million) contract for four Erieye radar-based airborne early warning systems. The radars will be mounted on Embraer RJ-145 regional jets. First delivery will be in 2002. Until then, the Greek air force will use a Swedish air force Argus, a Saab ...
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Millennium budget axe
NASA's $240 million Champollion New Millennium programme Deep Space 4 mission to land on a comet in 2005 has been axed by the space agency because of budget constraints. Source: Flight International
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Car radio satellites
Hitachi of Japan plans to establish a consortium to launch a 10-year, $826 million, digital satellite broadcasting service for use by car drivers by early 2002, using three satellites in various orbits. Source: Flight International
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Indian space bid to Iran
Among the bidders to build Iran's delayed $500 million Zohreh communications satellite is Antrix, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The bid marks the latest stage in the growth of the Indian space industry, following its recent first commercial launch of two mini-satellites, a tie-up with Intelsat ...
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Orbital engine test
Orbital Sciences (OSC) has successfully test fired a new low cost, 4,500kN thrust rocket engine it is developing for a NASA/US Air Force upper stage. The hydrogen peroxide-JP-8 kerosene engine fired for 140s. The upper stage will be flown with a small OSC-developed craft scheduled to be launched on a ...
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Strela launches
Russia's NPO Mashinostroemya will test fly the Strela small satellite launcher in the middle of next year from Baikonur. It will carry a military or commercial payload, the company says. The SS-18-based booster will make its second launch, from the Svobodny cosmodrome in Siberia in 2001. Source: Flight International
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Eutelsat contract
Italy's Alenia Spazio has been selected to build the 20 Ku-band transponder Atlantic Bird 1 satellite for Eutelsat, the company's first Eutelsat prime contract. Alenia will shortly become a part of the new Matra Marconi Space-Dasa-Alenia company, Astrium. Source: Flight International
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Italian trim
5,000 Italian air force personnel are to lose their jobs as reorganisation continuesAndy Nativi/GENOABy 2005, the Italian air force plans to have cut its ranks to about 55,000 personnel, also reducing its number of bases and shedding aircraft. The latest changes mean that 5,000 people will be axed, at ...