Category: Manufacturing & Assembly News (Page 3 of 51)

Lockheed Martin delivers 75th APY-9 radar for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

January 29, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Syracuse, New York, January 29, 2024 – Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), under contract to Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, has delivered the 75^th APY-9 radar that provides the U.S. Navy with information dominance through revolutionary sensor capability. More Hawkeyes have been built and delivered than any other AEW platform in the world.

The newest Advanced Hawkeye variant is at the forefront of technological capability, due in large part to Lockheed Martin’s APY-9 radar. The Northrop Grumman-built E-2 has come to be known as the U.S. Navy’s “eyes of the fleet” because of its ability to simultaneously watch over air, land and sea. Any time a Navy carrier has aircraft airborne, there is an APY-9 radar at work, guarding the United States and its allies.

On Time and On Task

The U.S. Navy has funded 80 out of 86 aircraft in the current program of record. Japan has purchased 18 E-2D Hawkeyes and France has purchased three. With U.S. and international demand, the APY-9 is expected to be in production into the late 2020’s, and in modernization and sustainment well into the 2040’s.

Click the link below to read the full press release!

Lockheed Martin APY-9 Radar

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Alstom signs contract to supply 16 electric locomotives in Romania

January 29, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

January 29, 2024 – Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, and the Romanian Railway Reform Authority (ARF) have signed a contract for the delivery of 16 Traxx 3 MS electric locomotives and 20 years of associated maintenance services. The contract, totalling around €150 million, extends Alstom’s collaboration with ARF within the rolling stock sector. The 20-year maintenance and repair period can be extended by a further 20 years by concluding an additional agreement.

The Traxx locomotives offer a flexible design based on a robust, modular platform approach compatible with many applications (single or multi-country freight and passenger transport) and available in various configurations (AC, DC and multi-system). This product delivers increased operational performance and reliability with higher energy efficiency and extended maintenance intervals to improve its availability.

Alstom has been active in Romania for almost 30 years and is a market leader in railway electrification and signalling solutions. The company is responsible for implementing signalling or electrification solutions on the Rhine-Danube railway corridor as well as in the Cluj area, where the company is also part of the consortium building the second metro system in the country, in the city of Cluj Napoca. The first CBTC urban signalling solution in the country is under implementation by Alstom on Bucharest’s metro Line 5. The company has also been the provider of maintenance services for the Bucharest metro fleet for nearly 20 years, with an ongoing contract valid until 2036.

Eve announces list of eVTOL suppliers

January 29, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Melbourne, Florida, January 29, 2024 – Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX) has named four additional suppliers for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Thales will supply a proven air data solution, comprising sensors and a computer while Honeywell (NYSE: HON) will supply guidance, navigation and external lighting for the aircraft. RECARO Aircraft Seating will supply the eVTOL’s seats and FACC will supply the horizontal and vertical tail including the rudder and elevator.

Honeywell will supply guidance and navigation products including magnetometers, GPS-aided attitude & heading reference systems, and inertial reference systems built upon decades of engineering and manufacturing experience. These systems will relay and aid the pilots and other onboard systems to ensure safe and efficient flight. The company will also supply external lighting for the aircraft.

Thales will supply a proven air data solution, comprising sensors and computer, which gather critical data such as airspeed, altitude and environmental conditions. The solution then relays the information to pilots and onboard systems to ensure safe and efficient flight in all weather conditions.

RECARO Aircraft Seating, a global supplier of premium aircraft seats for airlines, OEMs and eVTOL aircraft, was selected to design, certify and produce the four passenger seats and one pilot seat for the aircraft. RECARO is widely recognized for product innovation, award-winning customer service and commitment to reliability, efficiency and sustainable practices.

FACC was selected to lead the development and production of the eVTOL’s horizontal and vertical tail including its rudder, elevator and the aircraft’s aileron. FACC is recognized for its production of lightweight components relying on innovative manufacturing techniques and technology.

These new suppliers are in addition to Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), Liebherr Aerospace and Intergalactic that were announced in October and Nidec Aerospace LLC, a joint venture between Japan’s Nidec Corporation and Brazil’s Embraer SA (B3: EMBR3), BAE Systems PLC (London: BAES) and DUC Hélices Propellers which were announced at the Paris Air Show this past summer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Malaysia Aviation Group to add 12 Aircraft in 2024

January 28, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Sepang, Selanger, Malasia, January 29, 2024 – As part of its ongoing fleet modernisation plan, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is set to induct 12 new aircraft in 2024, including its first Airbus 330-900 (A330neo) which is scheduled to arrive in the third quarter of 2024. The Group is looking to receive four of the new aircraft type this year, alongside eight Boeing 737-8 aircraft to support its network growth requirements.

In August 2022, MAG signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon for the acquisition of 20 A330neo aircraft which are scheduled to be delivered through 2028. 10 of the aircraft are directly purchased from Airbus with a back-to-back sale and leaseback arrangement with Avolon, while the remaining 10 are leased directly from Avolon. The acquisition underscores the Group’s steadfast commitment as it seeks to provide modernity and elevate the standards of its service offerings, while ensuring that it can support the post-pandemic growth of the aviation industry.

With the introduction of these new seats, Malaysia Airlines is poised to become the flagship carrier in the world to feature the Elevation seats on the A330 airframe. The A330neo will comprise of 297 seats (28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy Class, of which 24 seats come with extra legroom).

Garmin collaborates with Kawasaki on RIDGE side x sides

January 28, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Olathe, Kansa, January, 2024, PR Newswire – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) announced today that it has been selected by Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., to provide a customized, factory-installed solution for the center console of the all-new 2024 Kawasaki RIDGE^®Limited side x sides. Incorporating Garmin technology seen in the popular Tread^® navigator series, this display will help guide the adventure by providing seamless navigation and vehicle systems information, such as engine data, alerts, rider settings and more. The device is also built to withstand the rigors of an off-road adventure.

Designed to elevate the off-road experience for powersports enthusiasts, the new Kawasaki RIDGE side x side is engineered with premium components and luxurious cabin features, promising unparalleled comfort and versatility for riders navigating rugged trails, as well as those undertaking essential tasks on their properties.

The display units feature a glove-friendly, 8” ultrabright display with turn-by-turn trail navigation¹ that includes OpenStreetMap (OSM) and USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps for traversing unpaved roads and trails. It comes preloaded with topographic maps, U.S. public and private landowner information and satellite Imagery. Adventure-seekers can also track and keep in touch with friends on the trail through Group Ride Radio features. The integrated displays also provide vehicle information such as RPM, engine temperature, battery voltage, CVT temperature and more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Airbus and Tata to set up first helicopter Final Assembly Line in India

January 26, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

New Delhi, India, January 26, 2024 – In a major boost to ‘Make in India’, Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) Helicopters has announced that it is partnering with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the country. The FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries.

The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, providing a major boost to the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) programme. Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters.

The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

The FAL in India will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine. It will also do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region. The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026. The location of the FAL will be jointly decided by Airbus and the Tata Group.

Forward-Looking Statements

Archer Aviation and NASA sign Space Act Agreement on EVTOL Technology

January 24, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

New York City, January, 2024 – Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced it has signed a Space Act Agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The collaboration will kick off with an initial project focused on studying high-performance battery cells and safety testing targeted for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and space applications.

Archer believes that while the supply chain for electric vehicles in the U.S. is maturing, the supply chain for electric aircraft remains nascent not just here in the U.S., but globally, so this testing will help push progress forward. NASA’s goal is to test Archer’s battery cell and system design and share the results to push the entire AAM industry forward. Maturing battery technology is anticipated to be a key enabling factor for the mass production and adoption of electric aviation.

Archer plans to deliver a high-performing battery pack with leading levels of safety to its Midnight electric air taxi, validating that these cells are tailor made for aerospace applications, including electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL), electric conventional take off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft and potential usage in space.

Forward-Looking Statements

French Ministry of Interior orders 42 Airbus H145 helicopters

January 24, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Marignane, France, January 24, 2023 – The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) ordered 42 new Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) H145 helicopters at the end of 2023, on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, with deliveries set to start in 2024. Of these 42 helicopters, 36 are destined for the French rescue and emergency response agency, Securite Civile, while the French law enforcement agency, Gendarmerie Nationale, will use six. The contract includes an option for a further 22 H145’s for the Gendarmerie Nationale and a range of support and service solutions from training to spare parts, as well as a complete initial support package for the aircraft.

The Securite Civile currently operates four five-bladed H145’s that were ordered in 2020 and 2021. The 36 H145’s will progressively replace the 33 EC145’s currently in operation for rescue and air medical transport services throughout France.

The six H145’s will initiate the renewal of the Gendarmerie’s fleet, composed of Ecureuils, EC135’s and EC145’s. They will be equipped with an electro-optical system and a mission computer to perform the most demanding law enforcement missions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Sierra Space advances its Commercial Space Station Technology

January 23, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Louisville, Colorado, January 22, 2024 – Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully designing, manufacturing, assembling and testing its first full-scale, expandable space station structure, alongside exclusive softgoods technology partner ILC Dover.

By the Numbers:

Company’s first stress test of a full-size, inflatable space station structure
Test unit stood over 20’ tall and was comparable in size to an average family home
The article was 300 m³ in volume, or 1/3^rd the volume of the Intl. Space Station
Test results exceeded NASA’s recommended x4 safety levels by 27%

The pressure shell for Sierra Space’s LIFE™ (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) habitat is made of expandable “softgoods,” or woven fabrics that perform like a rigid structure once inflated. During an Ultimate Burst Pressure (UBP) test, the teams inflate the test article until it fails, which helps determine how strong its softgoods materials would be under extreme stresses in the harsh environment of space. The full-scale unit in this test reached 77 psi before it burst, which well exceeds (+27%) NASA’s recommended level of 60.8 psi (maximum operating pressure of 15.2 psi multiplied by a safety factor of four).

Joby to install first electric air taxi charger in New York City region

January 23, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Cruz, CA, Jan 23, 2024 — Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Helo Holdings, Inc., (“HHI”), to install the first air taxi charger in the greater New York City region at the company’s heliport in Kearny, New Jersey, located just a two minute flight from Manhattan.

The agreement, which provides Joby with an operational base for its electric air taxi in the NYC region, builds on the partnership already established between Joby and HHI in November 2023, when Kearny served as a temporary home base for Joby’s aircraft. Joby completed several flights at Kearny in preparation for the Company’s exhibition flight in New York City at an event hosted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Mayor Eric Adams. The city has committed to electrify the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to enable electric air taxi operations.

First opened in 2011, the Kearny heliport is the largest vertical-lift facility on the east coast with 27 parking spots for helicopters and plans to expand to 32. The heliport provides ground services as well as hangar space for maintenance operations to helicopter operators in the NYC region, one of the busiest low-altitude corridors in the world.

As part of the agreement, HHI will upgrade its electrical infrastructure to support the installation of Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (“GEACS”), designed to support the safe and efficient operation of all electric aircraft under development today, including Joby’s quiet, emissions-free air taxi.

Forward-Looking Statements

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