December 7, 2023 | International, Aerospace
US military grounds entire fleet of Osprey aircraft
The announcement comes one week after eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members died in an Osprey crash off the coast of Japan.
December 11, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Boeing’s Autonomous MQ-25 Completes First Test Flight with Aerial Refueling Store
St. Louis, December. 9, 2020 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy have for the first time flown the MQ-25 T1 test asset with an aerial refueling store (ARS), a significant milestone informing development of the unmanned aerial refueler.
The successful 2.5-hour flight with the Cobham ARS – the same ARS currently used by F/A-18s for air-to-air refueling – was designed to test the aircraft's aerodynamics with the ARS mounted under the wing.
The flight was conducted by Boeing test pilots operating from a ground control station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill.
“Having a test asset flying with an ARS gets us one big step closer in our evaluation of how MQ-25 will fulfill its primary mission in the fleet – aerial refueling,” said Capt. Chad Reed, the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager. “T1 will continue to yield valuable early insights as we begin flying with F/A-18s and conduct deck handling testing aboard a carrier.”
Future flights will continue to test the aerodynamics of the aircraft and the ARS at various points of the flight envelope, eventually progressing to extension and retraction of the hose and drogue used for refueling.
“To see T1 fly with the hardware and software that makes MQ-25 an aerial refueler this early in the program is a visible reminder of the capability we're bringing to the carrier deck,” said Dave Bujold, Boeing's MQ-25 program director. “We're ensuring the ARS and the software operating it will be ready to help MQ-25 extend the range of the carrier air wing.”
The Boeing-owned T1 test asset is a predecessor to the engineering development model aircraft being produced under a 2018 contract award. T1 is being used for early learning and discovery, laying the foundation for moving rapidly into development and test of the MQ-25.
Following its first flight last year, T1 accumulated approximately 30 hours in the air before the planned modification to install the ARS.
Earlier this year the Navy exercised an option for three additional MQ-25 air vehicles, bringing the total aircraft Boeing is initially producing to seven. The Navy intends to procure more than 70 aircraft, which will assume the tanking role currently performed by F/A-18s, allowing for better use of the combat strike fighters.
For more information on Boeing Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace.
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.
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Contact:
Ashlee Erwin
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Mobile: +1 314-239-9944
ashlee.i.erwin@boeing.com
Justin Gibson
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Mobile: +1 314-708-6293
justin.l.gibson@boeing.com
View source version on Saab: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130780#assets_20295_130780-117:20857
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November 4, 2019 | International, Aerospace
TERMA to equip U.S Air Force A-10 aircraft with 3D-audio
Washington D.C.October 28, 2019 – Terma North America Inc. has been awarded a USD 60.0 million contract to equip A-10 from US Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air Combat Command (ACC) with a Terma 3D-Audio/ANR system. With this program, the legacy Audio Management System will be replaced by the Terma Aircraft Audio Management System (AAMS), which includes our market leading 3D-Audio and noise reduction capabilities. Under this indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract Terma will engineer, integrate, produce, install, and support the 3D-Audio for Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II ("Warthog") aircraft. The work under this contract which also covers qualification, full and complete aircraft integration, installation drawing updates, Technical Order (TO) updates, repair support, spares, and support equipment will be performed at facilities in USA and Denmark and is expected to be completed by 2024. “The days of pilots having to use foam earplugs is over. Our 3D-Audio is another example of how Terma delivers NexGen today. 3D-Audio contributes to our enduring mission at Terma to help ensure pilots' success and safe return. 3D-Audio is a major component of Terma's Enterprise solutions, which provide complete self-protection for aircraft and crew. Through innovation and timely performance, Terma is an industry leader that helps protect against ever increasing threats to US and allied aircraft.” says Steve Williams, President and CEO, Terma North America.” The 3D-Audio and Active Noise Reduction system was initially fielded in 2009 on Royal Danish Air Force F-16s and has been combat proven. The system provides enhancement of the pilot's situational awareness, survivability, and reduction of workload by presenting audio warnings/cues and radio messages in a full 360-degree spherical representation. This capability enables the pilot to get the dynamically updated warning tone/cue in the true direction of the threat and spatially separating radio communication for increased speech intelligibility. The system also provides Active Noise Reduction (ANR) and Electrical Noise Reduction (ENR) for reduced pilot stress and fatigue. The contract award was the fourth within a two-years period of time and it further solidifies Terma's advanced AAMS as the preferred audio-based communication and situational awareness solution globally. In December 2017 the Belgian Defence and the Royal Netherlands Air Force signed similar contracts with Terma for Aircraft Audio Management System which also includes the market leading 3D-Audio and noise reduction capabilities. In February 2018 US Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve awarded Terma North America a USDM 44.3 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a 3D-Audio System for their F-16 aircraft. For further information about the Terma 3D-Audio/Active Noise Reduction solution, click here. Follow us on www.terma.com Instagram Twitter Linkedin Youtube Media contact: Kasper Rasmussen T:+45 2022 6091 E:kar@terma.com View source version on Terma: https://www.terma.com/press/news-2019/terma-to-equip-us-air-force-a-10-aircraft-with-3d-audio/
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October 22, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Pratt & Whitney Awarded Contract for F135 Engine Modernization Study
Seapower Staff EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp., has been awarded a $1.5M contract to conduct an F135 modernization study and operational assessment by the F-35 Joint Program Office to determine specific propulsion system growth requirements for Block 4.2 F-35 aircraft and beyond, the company said in an Oct. 20 release. The study is expected to conclude in March 2021. “This award is a significant milestone for the program and the warfighter, as we look to ensure the F135 propulsion system continues to provide the foundation for all air vehicle capability requirements over the full lifecycle of the F-35,” said Matthew Bromberg, president, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. “As we look to the future, growth in aircraft capability must be met with matched propulsion modernization. Fortunately, the F135 has ample design margin to support agile and affordable upgrades that will enable all F-35 operators to keep pace with evolving threat environments.” Under this award, Pratt & Whitney will assess F135 engine enhancements required to support future F-35 weapon system capability requirements across all F-35 variants beginning with Block 4.2 aircraft. The scope of the assessment focuses on enhancements addressing improvements to up and away thrust, powered lift thrust, power and thermal management capacity, and fuel burn reduction. Designed with the knowledge that operational environments will evolve and threats will advance, the F135 is postured to meet future F-35 capability requirements. Its modular design and advanced digital architecture allow for the agile development and spiral insertion of both hardware and software upgrades. As part of the study, Pratt & Whitney's GATORWORKS organization will complete the conceptual design and analysis of multiple F135 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) growth options with phased insertion plans. Leveraging significant U.S. Government and Pratt & Whitney investment in next generation adaptive propulsion technologies, Pratt & Whitney's EEP approach offers low risk, variant-common upgrade options for the F135 that provide increased performance aligned with the program's continuous capability development and delivery strategy and serve as a critical enabler for future capability growth of the F-35 weapon system. The combat-proven F135 is the most advanced operational fighter engine in the world, delivering 26% more thrust, 116% more powered lift, and more than a 300% increase in power and thermal management over 4th generation fighter engines – all with a demonstrated mission capability rate of greater than 94%. “Built upon decades of combat propulsion experience, the F135 provides the warfighter with a critical technological advantage over adversaries at an unparalleled value to the taxpayer,” said Bromberg. “With more than 40,000 pounds of thrust, unmatched low-observable signature, world-class thermal management, and innovative engine control system, the F135 is a critical enabler of the F-35 weapons system and of operations conducted in advanced threat environments – a core element of the National Defense Strategy.” https://seapowermagazine.org/pratt-whitney-awarded-contract-for-f135-engine-modernization-study/