Gulfstream expands R&D capability
Gulfstream has signed a lease to develop a new research and development centre (RDCII) at its Savannah, Georgia facility. With room for 700 employees, RDCII comprises two new buildings – a 108,750ft2, office building and an 80,500ft2 ‘flex’ building. The aircraft maker has signed nine-year leases for two buildings next to its existing research facilities, and will move in by Q2 2008.
“By leasing the RDC last year, we were able to consolidate much of our engineering, new development and large- and mid-cabin aircraft programmes under one roof, without incurring a long-term capital expenditure,” says Gulfstream president Joe Lombardo. “One year later we have filled the RDC and we still need more workspace.”
Last year, the company announced several new projects including advanced flight controls, the next generation enhanced vision system, synthetic vision, and ongoing sonic boom suppression efforts with its Quiet Spike programme.
Orbit AMS for Q300s
Orbit Technology Group has signed a contract with Canadian Field Aviation to supply ADAMS – an Audio Management System (AMS) for the special-mission DASH 8 Q300 aircraft for the Japanese Coast Guard. This contract is the latest of several signed between Field Aviation and Orbit over the past few years.
ADAMS is designed to meet the communication needs of large aircraft applications, including special mission, tanker and transport platforms.
The system integrates the routing and distribution of inbound and outbound audio and data communication to the aircraft. It can also handle the intercom communication between crew members, maintenance crew and technicians.
Reduced workload
BAE Systems is studying how best it can use autonomous technology to help work out optimised crew levels and reduced workload.
Geoff Slater from BAE Systems’ strategic business development team says: “We are examining a number of factors including human fatigue and lapses in concentration and the areas where technology can be used, either individually or as part of a combined system, to reduce crew requirements.”
Source: Flight Daily News
