All news – Page 6698
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Ka-60 battlefield utility helicopter ready to fly
The first flight of the Ka-60 medium battlefield utility helicopter prototype, now fitted with its five-blade main rotor, is due within the next two weeks, according to Kamov. The Russian company claims that the main rotor RPM can be optimised to reduce noise levels when operating over hostile territory. ...
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Outrider UAV suffers in test flight crash
Outrider tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV) has been severely damaged in a crash during a test flight, just days after it officially completed a two-year demonstration programme for the US Army. The accident was witnessed by Danish military officials who were being briefed by Alliant Techsystems on the vehicle's ...
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Singapore scrutinises support
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE Singapore has begun evaluating different proposed logistical support packages for its planned fleet of eight new attack helicopters, following the recent submission of tenders by rival airframe and powerplant suppliers. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has sought to maximise its options by requesting separate ...
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UK scorns Trimilsatcom and focuses on Skynet
Tim Furniss/LONDON The UK has abandoned plans to join the £1 billion ($1.6 billion) UK-Franco-German Trimilsatcom next generation military communications satellite programme because it is concerned that a European collaborative programme will result in delays. The UK Government has decided instead to develop its own national successor to ...
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Fuses for penetrator
The US Air Force has picked Alliant Techsystems to undertake an initial $16 million engineering and manufacturing development pro- gramme for 100 hard target smart fuses to be used on deep penetration, hard target munitions. The fuse will be detonated at a pre-determined point by using an accelerometer, a capability ...
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Stretching a stretch
Guy Norris/SEATTLEBoeing's newest version of its 767, the -400ER, is unusual for two main reasons. It is the first widebody airliner to be stretched for a second time, and it is the first Boeing commercial jet design ever to directly involve Douglas Aircraft engineering input, thereby marking a milestone ...
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Commercial aircraft of the world
Part 2:the large airliners New models and increasing production are in prospect as the millennium approaches, but the manufacturers are taking heed of the warning signals that a slowdown is in prospectMax Kingsley-Jones/LondonData Tables/Air Transport Intelligence Large airliner production will break all records this year as the market moves towards ...
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Combat SAR, French style
Gert Kromhout/CAZAUX AB, FRANCE While The USA has been convinced of the value of combat search and rescue (CSAR) for years, European countries have only shown serious interest since the war in the former Yugoslavia. The French air force has now established a CSAR capability with modified Eurocopter Pumas and ...
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Record breaker
Dave Higdon/OSHKOSH More than ever before, the annual convention of the US Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) personified a major trade show - without sacrificing its traditional role as a fly-in and air show. Retitled Air Venture Oshkosh '98, the ...
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Economic booster
Tim Furniss/LONDON Development of an improved version of Japan's H-2 booster is a reflection of the country's determination to cut the production costs of its satellite launchers, to enable it to compete in the growing commercial launch market. Japan will not know how successful this bid is until 2001, ...
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Basler Turbo 37 returns to the market
Back on the market is Basler Turbo Conversion's Turbo 34, converted from a Cessna 337 Skymaster by removing the front piston engine and installing a 560kW (750shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop in the place at the rear. With 380kg (840lb) of fuel, the Turbo 34 can cover 1,100km ...
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Commander merger takes it into secondhand jet market
US piston-single manufacturer Commander Aircraft is expanding into the used business jet brokerage and refurbishment market following its merger with publicly traded Aviation General, a new holding company created to provide a vehicle for diversification and acquisitions, according to the group's chairman, Wirt Walker. The first venture by Aviation ...
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Raytheon prowls for more co-branding deals
Raytheon Aircraft is to end its King Air marketing agreement with luxury car manufacturer Jaguar after one year, as planned, but is considering similar "co-branding" deals involving its piston-powered aircraft. The manufacturer says the marketing tie-up has been a success, with all but one of 12 Jaguar Special Edition ...
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Boeing deliveries
Boeing has begun delivery of 45 MD 600N light single-turbine helicopters to the US Border Patrol, to replace Hughes OH-6As. Under a $71 million contract, the company will deliver nine aircraft a year. The low noise of the MD600's NOTAR tailrotorless anti-torque system was a major factor in the Border ...
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NASA's Pathfinder solar-powered wing soars to 80,000ft
NASA's Pathfinder Plus solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing reached an altitude of over 80,000ft (24,400m) on a 6 August test flight from Hawaii. The flight, which lasted for almost 15h, paves the way for testing the Pathfinder's successor, the Centurion, a solar-powered unmanned air vehicle which is designed to reach ...
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Douglas vanishes but gets 737 work
Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES Boeing has confirmed that it will open a new Next Generation 737 production line at the former Douglas Aircraft plant in Long Beach. The move comes as part of a major re-organisation within the group which could see up to 28,000 job losses. Despite the opening of ...
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China consortium plans regional jet
Three Chinese aerospace companies are proposing the joint development of a new 70-seat regional jet in what appears to be an independent initiative without central government support. Manufacturing plants Xian, Harbin and Shaanxi say that they plan to set up such a joint venture and are seeking additional risk-sharing ...
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UK Government livens up row over American/BA slot concessions
The UK Government has joined the row with the European Commission over whether British Airways should be allowed to sell airport slots as part of the deal allowing its alliance with American Airlines. Deputy prime minister John Prescott has sided with competition commissioner Karel Van Miert in claiming that ...
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Single company may emerge in South Korean restructure
Paul Lewis/SEOUL The South Korean aerospace industry is poised for a massive shake-up, possibly involving the creation of a single merged company, as the Government steps in to re-organise a sector which is struggling under mounting debts, shrinking work levels and growing overcapacity. In the wake of the ...
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Hyundai seeks KTX-2 wing
Paul Lewis/SEOUL Hyundai is signalling its intent to produce the wing for the planned Samsung KTX-2 advanced trainer/light combat aircraft, putting it on a collision course with the programme's principal subcontractor, Lockheed Martin. The US company has already been contracted to design and develop the wing for the ...