All news – Page 6437
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Aerospatiale Matra fishes for army contract with Heron
Aerospatiale Matra is using an Israeli long endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to compete for a French army requirement for a medium altitude vehicle. The Israel Aircraft Industries Heron UAV (above) was displayed by Aerospatiale Matra at the Paris air show as the Eagle without any hint that it was ...
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UK sends for Sender tenders
The UK Ministry of Defence is to award 12-month assessment contracts for its Sender unit-level unmanned air vehicle (UAV) requirement next year. Sender is one of two emerging tactical UAV requirements that specify systems to enter British Army service in around 2008. It will have a range of 30km ...
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US Predators give extra guidance
The US Army has installed laser designators on four General Atomics Predator unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to mark targets for laser-guided munitions. The designators are also available for use on TRW/Israel Aircraft Industries Hunter vehicles. "This concept of operation would facilitate target acquisition, permit the aircraft to release their ...
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Shorts close to Starstreak Apache fix
Stewart Penney/BELFASTShorts Missile Systems (SMS) is closing on a solution to eliminate an adverse pressure wave when the Starstreak missile is fired from the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Tests by the US Army have revealed problems with debris from the missile's packaging and a pressure wave created by the ...
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Battle expected for USAF C-130X award
At least four US aerospace firms are expected to compete in the US Air Force's $4 billion C-130X avionics modernisation programme (AMP). Incumbent Lockheed Martin will be trying to keep the work away from Raytheon Systems, Boeing and the Austin, Texas-based unit of Marconi Electronic Systems (formerly Tracor). The ...
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IPTN plans business split as it looks to privatise
Indonesia's cash-strapped Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara(IPTN) plans to spin off its rotary wing work, defence and space systems into subsidiaries as part of its restructuring plan. The move is a prelude to eventual privatisation, says IPTN. According to IPTN's aircraft unit executive vice-president Ilham Habibie, the rotary wing, defence ...
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AIM-9X launch
The US Navy has successfully completed the first guided launch of the new Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile at China Lake. The missile was fired from a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter and intercepted a McDonnell Douglas QF-4 drone. The launch was the first of 40 guided test firings scheduled to ...
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Mesa's preference for 35-seat regional jet favours Embraer
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTONMesa Air Group wants early delivery of a new 50-seat regional jet. It has an additional requirement for a smaller complementary aircraft, giving the Embraer RJ-145 the edge over the competing Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200. Phoenix, Arizona-based Mesa plans soon to announce the acquisition of up 40 new ...
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BM widens the field for Fokker replacement
British Midland (BM) is widening its evaluation of 100-seat aircraft to replace its Fokker 70/100 and warns that, with the increasing number of new types becoming available, Boeing will have to make a "very attractive offer" to win the UK carrier's order for its 717 twinjet. The airline has ...
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Routes
Japan Airlines (JAL) plans to codeshare with Iberia on Amsterdam-Madrid and Amsterdam-Barcelona routes from October. JAL and KLM co-operate on the Amsterdam-Spain routes, but this would end if the JAL/Iberia link is confirmed. Continental Airlines launched the first non-stop connection between Cleveland, USA, and London Gatwick, UK, on 1 July, ...
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Turkish row triggers Piaggio take-over by Italian investor group
Andy Nativi/GENOAA group of Italian investors has taken control of general aviation aircraft maker Piaggio in a move prompted by an Italian/Turkish political row. Aero Trust has acquired a 16% stake in the company from Turkey's Tushav holding group (which previously held 51%), taking its share to 60%. The trust, ...
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Esprit racer appears at Cranfield
The Esprit VFII experimental homebuilt racing aircraft was on display at the Cranfield, UK, Popular Flying Association rally on 2-4 July. The Rolls-Royce 0200-powered all-composite kit, designed by Switzerland's Valentino Fry, offers a maximum range of 1,000km (540nm) and a maximum speed of 210kt (385km/h). According to Fry, the aircraft's ...
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Italian amphibian
The Italian Civil Protection Agency is in negotiations with Bombardier for the acquisition of up to five Canadair CL-415 amphibians, to add to its current fleet of 10. The aircraft will be used to fight fires in the Reggio Calabria, Trapani, Olbia and Ciampino areas. The aircraft will be operated ...
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Re-engining plan will speed up King Air 90
Max Kingsley-Jones/LONDON Re-engining of the Beech King Air 90, providing improved performance and lower cabin noise, is expected to be available by the end of the year. The project, the Kilo Alpha 290, is being developed by Detroit-based Murray Aviation for the five- to eight-seat twin turboprop and is ...
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Resurrected Luscombe heads for approval
Kate Sarsfield/LONDON Renaissance Aircraft's Luscombe 8F light aircraft is on target for certification and first deliveries by the fourth quarter of the year, nearly four decades after production of the piston single was halted. "The first production aircraft is flying and we are taking orders," says Renaissance. Monkton, Maryland, ...
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USAF commissions F-16 trainer centres
Lockheed Martin has been selected to build and operate privately financed F-16 training centres for the US Air Force. The contract award is the latest under the USAF's Distributed Mission Training (DMT) programme. The first two of up to 18 F-16 mission training centres (MTCs) are to be operational ...
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UK police Islander will test anti-noise propellers
In response to growing environmental concerns over noise from general aviation aircraft in Europe, the UK's Britten-Norman plans a six-month trial of new generation propellers on a BN2B light utility piston-engined Islander. The test is part of a UK Government-backed programme. Designed by US propeller manufacturer Hartzell as part ...
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Jamaican force ready for two more AS355Ns
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is due to take delivery of two Eurocopter AS355Ns in August, to add to the two it acquired earlier in the year. The aircraft, which were completed by Eurocopter UK distributor McAlpine Helicopters, will be deployed on law enforcement and anti-drug trafficking missions. In preparation ...
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Pop-out floats
The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved Robinson R44 emergency pop-out floats, allowing the pilot to resume flying, without noticeable loss of airspeed, once a cause of an emergency is corrected. Robinson says the $22,000 floats are lightweight, durable and inflate in about 2s. The company has delivered the first ...
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Diesel Air sets sights on general aviation piston engine market
As the potentially lucrative piston engine replacement market emerges, UK manufacturer Diesel Air has entered the fray, with plans to produce a diesel engine family aimed at the general aviation market. The 75kW (100hp) DAIR 100 is the first in a 75-450kW engine range. It has completed more than ...