May 20, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Steve Trimble May 20, 2020
The U.S. Air Force has kicked off a three-way competition to re-engine the entire 76-aircraft B-52 fleet from 2021 to 2035.
The request for proposals (RFP) released on May 19 invites bids from GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce to supply 608 engines to replace each of the eight, 60-year-old, 16,000 lb.-thrust P&W TF33 turbofans on the heavy bomber.
GE can choose between the CF34 or Passport engine or offer both. P&W has proposed the PW800. Rolls-Royce will offer a military version of the BR.725.
The Air Force RFP lays out a two-step selection process. In step one, companies must submit “virtual” prototypes of their engine, meaning a digital design with integrated models for manufacturing, performance and sustainment.
Step 2 calls for the traditional engine source selection process, which will be informed by the data from the virtual prototypes and an integration risk analysis completed in the first step.
The Air Force has said the TF33 engines that now power the B-52 cannot be sustained practically beyond 2030. The Cold War jet, meanwhile, is expected to continue operating beyond 2050, outliving the B-2 and B-1B fleets scheduled for retirement in the 2030s.
Armed with a new class of hypersonic and long-range missiles, including the nuclear Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon, the B-52 will perform the standoff mission, while the B-21 penetrates into contested airspace.
August 3, 2024 | International, Land
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will visit British Columbia from August 7 to 9, 2024, to discuss investments in Canada’s aerospace sector, housing for Canadian Armed Forces members, and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
November 29, 2023 | International, Naval
Canada is set to announce on Thursday a multi-billion dollar sole-source contract for Boeing Co’s P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to replace the country’s military surveillance planes, a senior government source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
October 10, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Helen Massy-Beresford Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer expects the E175-E2 to make its first flight later this year, with an entry into service for the latest member of its new-generation E-Jets family expected at the end of 2021. Meanwhile, the E195-E2, Embraer's largest commercial aircraft, which offers up to 146 seats and boasts lower operating costs per seat, better fuel consumption and lower emissions, is partway through a global demonstration tour. The tour has just left Europe and is now in North America before heading to Africa next month. “The first prototype of the E175-E2 is being built, and the engine is being hung. We're looking forward to going into service at the end of 2021 and to the first flight at the end of this year,” Martyn Holmes, Embraer Commercial Aviation's VP for Europe, Russia, Central Asia and Leasing, told a press conference at the European Regions Airline Association general assembly Oct. 9. “I think there are great opportunities for the E175-E2 in western continental Europe, I think it will be a great hub feeder. We're stepping up our activity with airlines–watch this space.” As for the E195-E2, following certification by Brazilian, European and U.S. authorities in April, Embraer delivered its first aircraft Sept. 12 to Brazilian low-cost operator Azul, the type's global launch operator, and to lessor AerCap. The E195-E2 is due to enter service with Binter Canarias and Helvetic Airways in the next few weeks. Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO John Slattery also said the manufacturer is considering the turboprop market. “There's absolutely a place in the world for turboprops but the current technology for turboprops is over three decades old,” he said. “I do believe there is an opportunity to significantly improve the operations and the emissions against what's available in the market today in turboprops. “This is something we have been looking at now in earnest for quite some time. We're continuing to spend meaningful dollars in continuing our review. We're always running the ruler over what's next. We're also running the ruler over what should come after the turboprop: What should we be doing on electric hybrid or autonomous travel, for example. There's a role for turboprops, and I'd like to own a piece of that, but we haven't quite closed the business case yet.” Embraer has spoken to operators and lessors in the turboprop segment around the world who “uniformly” see a market for a new-technology turboprop that would yield reduced operating costs and emissions, Slattery added. https://aviationweek.com/crossover-narrowbody-jets/embraer-predicts-e175-e2-first-flight-year-end