All articles by James Drew – Page 3
-
News
A320 'plastic bag' collision highlights publicity perils of drone accident investigations
The recent “frenzy” over a suspected collision between a drone and a British Airways Airbus A320 on approach to London Heathrow Airport has again highlighted the confusion and misinformation that typically surrounds accidents reportedly involving unmanned aircraft.
-
Analysis
ANALYSIS: California's waterbomber fleet is matched only by its wildfire problem
California is a US state known for its big-budget movies and wine, but also scorching droughts and massive wildfires
-
NewsFAA has rulemaking 'bandwidth' problem
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a “bandwidth problem” when it comes to implementing new aviation regulations and needs more money and more people, according to the department’s former unmanned aircraft systems integration office chief.
-
NewsFormer FAA UAS official bemoans growing patchwork of state drone laws
Former US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) unmanned aircraft systems executive Jim Williams has cautioned state and local government legislators in America against creating a patchwork of rules and regulations relating to the operation of drones.
-
NewsKarem readies optimum-speed tiltrotor for FVL
Sometime in 2018 or 2019, Karem Aircraft will power up what it believes should be the American military’s next vertical lift system, the company’s patented optimum-speed tiltrotor.
-
NewsPiasecki touts winged compound helicopters for Future Vertical Lift
Piasecki Aircraft chief executive John Piasecki sees an enduring place for the company’s winged compound helicopters within the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift strategy despite the robust competition that has emerged between compound coaxial and tiltrotor types currently engaged in a Joint MultiRole technology demonstration effort.
-
NewsAVX would replace heavy-lift Chinook with tiltrotor
The US Army is in no hurry to replace the venerable Boeing CH-47 Chinook that has carried its soldiers into battle since the Vietnam War, but when it does finally decide to move on, AVX Aircraft would offer up a 27.2t (60,000lb) tiltrotor replacement with 13.4m (44ft) propellors.
-
NewsUS military leaders call for next generation of FVL rotorcraft
The deputy commander of US Pacific Command says the Army must field next-generation aircraft with greater range, speed and survivability than is achievable with today’s helicopter inventory.
-
News
AVX reveals new attack helicopter configuration for FVL Light
AVX Aircraft of Benbrook, Texas has responded to the US Army’s request for information on the smallest of five planned Future Vertical Lift (FVL) capability sets with two 7.5t (16,700lb) winged coaxial compound helicopter configurations that the company’s chief executive describes as vertical takeoff fighter aircraft for light reconnaissance, attack, ...
-
NewsDeath knell for Raytheon's 'runaway' aerostat
It was a scene that captivated America. On 28 October, one of two US Army aerostats broke free of its mooring at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and proceeded on a wild journey north through Pennsylvania, dragging a 6,700ft (2km) tether over powerlines as it went.
-
AnalysisANALYSIS: House panel approves funds for 11 F-35s and 14 F/A-18s
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II might be the world’s costliest and most divisive warplane, but there’s something to be said for the seemingly Teflon-coated Joint Strike Fighter’s resiliency.
-
AnalysisANALYSIS: Global Hawk prepped for next decade of service
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an aircraft finally coming into its own. Having first flown on 28 February 1998, the unmanned aircraft is nothing if not resilient.
-
NewsF-35 office has 2,590 staff and $70 million annual budget
It takes 2,590 military personnel, government civilians and full-time equivalent contractors and $70 million per year to run the world’s largest and most expensive military aircraft programme, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
-
NewsCongress appears ready to let the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk go
The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) is considering a legislative provision that would allow the US Air Force to finally junk the famed Lockheed Martin F-117A Nighthawk.
-
NewsBoeing records $243 million KC-46 charge as it seeks LRIP contract
Boeing has taken another financial hit from its 767-based KC-46A Pegasus tanker programme, with the company reporting a $243 million pre-tax charge for cost overruns on the US Air Force project.
-
News
Congress to block A-10 retirement pending F-35 combat evaluation
The chairman of the US Senate House Armed Services Committee says lawmakers aren't likely to authorise the retirement of any more legacy warplanes until there is “no doubt” that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II can adequately fulfil its intended roles.
-
NewsF-35 chief considers fix for troubling Block 3i software faults
After 15 years of development and billions of dollars of investment, software glitches continue to hamper Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II operations and in one case, just one of six US Air Force F-35As on a mock deployment to Mountain Home AFB in Idaho were able to takeoff during an ...
-
NewsPICTURES: Bell's third 525 Relentless takes flight in Amarillo
Bell Helicopter has added a third flight test aircraft to its 525 Relentless helicopter fleet as the company works toward type certification and first customer delivery next year.
-
NewsBoeing's fourth and final KC-46 test aircraft takes flight
Five years and two months after being selected to build the US Air Force’s next-generation KC-X aerial tanker, Boeing has launched its fourth and final test aircraft of the KC-46A programme.
-
NewsDOD explores multispectral sensor options for V-22 Osprey
The US military wants to give the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey new eyes and the ability target enemies from afar by installing a multispectral imaging and targeting sensor system.