Tag: production (Page 2 of 17)

Joby Aviation selects Dayton, Ohio for first scaled manufacturing facility

September 19, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Cruz, California and Dayton, Ohio, September 18, 2023 — Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, today announced it plans to locate its first scaled aircraft production facility in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.

The Wright Brothers, who invented and flew the first powered aircraft, lived and worked in Dayton and opened the first airplane factory in the United States there in 1910. The city is also home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories which has played a key role in supporting Joby’s development.

Joby plans to build a facility capable of delivering up to 500 aircraft per year at the Dayton International Airport, supporting up to 2,000 jobs. The 140-acre site it has selected has the potential to support significant further growth over time, providing enough land to build up to two million square feet of manufacturing space. Construction of the scaled Ohio facility is expected to start in 2024 and it is expected to come online in 2025. Joby plans to use existing nearby buildings to begin near-term operations.

The State of Ohio, JobsOhio and local political subdivisions have offered incentives and benefits of up to $325 million to support the development of the facility, while Joby plans to invest up to $500 million as it scales operations at the site. Joby is also announcing today that it has been invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to submit a Part II Application for financing under the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program, which provides access to low-interest loans for clean energy projects and would support the scaling of the facility.

Joby’s long-term investor, Toyota, who worked with Joby on the design and successful launch of the company’s Pilot Production Line in Marina, California, plans to continue to advise Joby as it prepares for scaled production of its commercial passenger air taxi in Ohio.

Click the link below to watch the Joby aircraft rollout!

Airbus delivers first C295 to India

September 13, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Seville, Spain, September 13, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) Defence and Space has officially handed over in fly-away condition the first of 56 C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) to begin replacing its ageing Avro 748 fleet.

The C295, in transport configuration and with an indigenous electronic warfare suite, will leave Airbus’ production site in Seville, Spain, for Delhi, India, in the next few days, piloted by a joint IAF and Airbus crew.

The first 16 C295’s of the 56 aircraft on order will be assembled at the San Pablo Sur site in Seville, Spain, with the second aircraft due to be delivered in May 2024 and the next 14 rolled out at a rate of one per month until August 2025.

First C295 ‘Make in India’ in 2026

To boost self-reliance in the defence-manufacturing sector in India, the remaining 40 C295s of the IAF order will be manufactured and assembled – in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) – at a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara in western India.

The production of components of these aircraft has already started in the Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad, southern India. These parts will be shipped to the Vadovara FAL, which is expected to be operational by November 2024.

The first ‘Make in India’ C295 will roll out of the Vadodara FAL in September 2026 in what will be a milestone for the Indian aerospace industry; the final aircraft expected to be delivered to the IAF by August 2031.

Heart Aerospace & Honeywell to collaborate on Flight Controls for ES-30 electric airplane

September 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Swedish electric airplane maker Heart Aerospace and Honeywell, a leader in aerospace technology, have announced a collaboration to integrate Honeywell’s next-generation flight control system into the new ES-30 regional electric airplane.

Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ: HON) was selected by Heart Aerospace for the Joint Definition Phase of Heart’s ES-30 airplane, and the goal, once the phase has been completed successfully, is to fully integrate Honeywell’s compact Fly-by-Wire system into development for production.

Honeywell’s next-generation compact Fly-by-Wire system is in an advanced stage of development on multiple aircraft, and its functions are adaptable to the ES-30, allowing Heart to bring its airplane to market quickly and cost-effectively.

The ES-30 is a regional electric airplane with a 30-passenger standard seating capacity and is driven by electric motors powered by batteries. It will have a fully electric zero-emissions range of 200 kilometers, an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometers with 30 passengers, and flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers, all with typical airline reserves.

Heart Aerospace has 250 firm orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for an additional 120 planes.

Saab opens new radar production site in Fareham, Hampshire, England

September 9, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Saab (SAAB-B.ST) UK’s Sensor Systems business operates from Saab’s site in Fareham, with a team also located in Farnborough. The skilled staff in Fareham primarily produce and integrate the new Deployment Set, a configuration of the Giraffe 1X highly mobile, compact, rapidly deployed, software-based, 3D AESA radar. This increases Saab’s production capacity for its Giraffe 1X Deployment Set and the first units are already in production at the Fareham site.

Saab UK’s Sensor Systems business will also act as a Centre of Excellence developing follow-on UK Intellectual Property in the radar domain. It will also grow to maintain existing radars in-service with the UK Ministry of Defence, such as Giraffe 1X and Giraffe AMB air defence radars and artillery locating MAMBA (Arthur) radars.

Saab UK’s Fareham site has been growing with the announcement in February 2023 of the expansion of its Underwater Systems business of Seaeye autonomous and remotely operated vehicles. Across the UK, Saab has eight principal sites which focus on software engineering, underwater robotics, training services, radars and more.

Saab UK’s presence has been growing at pace, with employee numbers quadrupling through consolidation, acquisition and organic growth, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation.

The whole site in Fareham benefits 400 jobs at Saab, in established and future roles across various business activities.

Rolls-Royce to complete initial F130 engine testing for B-52J by year end

September 7, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Rolls-Royce (OTC: RYCEY) today announced that it is on track to complete initial F130 engine testing for the United States Air Force B-52J Stratofortress by the end of the year. Continued Rapid Twin Pod Tests at NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi have accomplished all of Rolls-Royce’s initial goals and allowed for the gathering of unprecedented amounts of data early in the program, further de-risking the integration of the F130 engine onto the B-52J.

In September 2021, Rolls-Royce F130 engines were selected by the Air Force to replace the existing powerplants in the B-52 fleet, with over 600 new engine deliveries expected. The new engines will extend the life of the B-52 aircraft for 30 years and are so durable they are expected to remain on wing for the remainder of the aircraft life.

F130 engines will be manufactured, assembled and tested at Rolls-Royce facilities in Indianapolis, the company’s largest production facility in the U.S. The F130 is derived from the Rolls-Royce BR family of commercial engines, with over 30 million hours of operation and a high reliability rate. It’s a proven, dependable engine with a fuel-efficient design.

Beautiful scenic of mountain and cloudscape seen from above.

Boeing showcases F-15EX for Poland’s air defense

September 7, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Kielce, Poland, September 7, 2023 – Boeing (NYSE: BA) is showcasing the F‑15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft to Poland as a potential U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales program. The announcement was made at the annual MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition where Boeing is highlighting advanced defense systems, capabilities and services.

Boeing has made significant investments in the F-15EX making it the most capable multirole fighter aircraft in production today. The aircraft offers improved survivability and capability with:

fly-by-wire flight controls,
a new electronic warfare system,
an all-glass digital cockpit,
the latest mission systems and software capabilities,
as well as the ability to carry advanced hypersonic weapons.

The F-15EX is in production with two aircraft delivered to the U.S. Air Force. Indonesia recently became the 8th country to select the F-15 and will become the first export customer of the latest FX variant when the sale is finalized.

Boeing has been present in Poland for more than 30 years. With headquarters in Warsaw, Boeing Digital Solutions & Analytics operations in Gdańsk and Parts & Distribution Services in Rzeszow, Boeing employs more than 1,000 people in Poland and is currently establishing strong engineering capability in all of its three locations. In addition to its growing footprint in-country, Boeing is an important partner of the Polish aviation industry and has strong relationships with local communities, industry, airlines, Polish Government and the Polish Armed Forces.

ANA Expands SAF Flight Initiative Services for Air Cargo

September 5, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Tokyo, Japan, September 4, 2023 – All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-Star airline for 10 consecutive years, is launching a new service in its SAF Flight Initiative, a program dedicated to reducing CO2 emission levels through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Through the new service, ANA will extend the SAF Flight Initiative offering to companies that use air cargo to transport and deliver products and provide a solution to visualize and reduce indirect CO2 emissions.

Launched in October 2021, the SAF Flight Initiative is one of ANA’s efforts to work with leading partners across a range of industries by supporting efforts to reduce emissions in the value chain as well as expand the production and use of SAF. Under the current cargo program, the SAF Flight Initiative is offered to logistics and freight companies that have a direct business contract with ANA. The new service will enable companies that use air cargo to transport products based on their track record, including factors like weight, volume and distance of transportation.

With the expansion of the SAF Flight Initiative to air cargo, ANA will continue to contribute to the realization of the environmental goals for participating companies and will promote the use of the SAF in cooperation with our partners.


How to Join	Enter into corporate agreement with ANA Details on how to register will be available on ANA’s SAF Flight Initiative website*
Certificate	Issuance of a CO2 reduction certificate verified by a third-party organization
Usage	Substantially reduce CO2 emissions from employee business trips, etc. (Category 6 of Scope 3)	Substantially reduce CO2 emissions from transportation and delivery of goods in the business value chain (Categories 4, 9 of Scope 3)
Other benefits	Listing of company name, corporate symbol, etc. as a SAF Flight Initiative partner

Norse Atlantic Airways Q2 report shows strong growth momentum going into Q3 2023

September 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

CEO, Founder and largest shareholder, Bjorn Tore Larsen:

“Q2 marked a significant period of ramping-up as we inaugurated new destinations in the US and Europe. Additionally, more of our fleet of fuel efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliners were brought into production. By the end of Q2 the airline had more than doubled capacity, with June being our first month of increased production, and notably our first month generating bottom line profits.

Q3 is expected to be our first financial quarter generating a profit. The move to profitability is driven primarily by having all 15 aircraft generating revenue for the first time, from July 1st; 10 of which are operating for Norse and five generating revenue through sublease income.

A milestone was passed during Q3 as we surpassed one million booked passengers. By providing affordable air fares on competitive and established routes to key primary airports and destinations, we allow more people to explore the world and enjoy the experience of long-haul travel whether for leisure or business. Norse will be the first truly low-cost profitable long-haul airline”.

For further information please see Q1 2023 report and company update presentation attached.

• Revenue increased by 152% quarter-on-quarter (“QoQ”) to USD 100.1 million

• 204,564 passengers carried, up 86% QoQ

• Revenue per passenger increased 89% QoQ to USD 422

• Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) up by 51% QoQ due to planned ramp-up as Norse brought more aircraft into production

• Positive EBITDAR of USD 2.2 million, the first positive EBITDAR on a quarterly basis since inception of the Company

• Intra-quarter Norse recorded its first profitable month (June) and continued positive momentum

into Q3

• Load factors showed strong development during the quarter, with monthly average load factors of 67%, 72% and 82% in April, May and June respectively. The positive development continued post quarter end with an average load factor of 85% in July

• USD 19.0 million cash generated from operations in the quarter, an increase of USD 39.8 million QoQ

• Total cash held at quarter end of USD 59.1 million

• As communicated in November 2022 in relation to a private placement at the time, Norse made good on its promise to shareholders that it would perform a repair offering, which it completed during the quarter, raising NOK 150 million gross (USD 14.1 million)

• Norse upgraded to Euronext Expand at Oslo Stock Exchange, a regulated market, during the quarter

• Heavy increase in production through Q3 compared to Q2 with all Norse aircraft generating revenue for the first time from 1st July 2023

Rolls-Royce pioneering electrification in aviation at scaleRolls-Royce

September 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

At Rolls-Royce (OTC: RYCEY), we aim to lead the Advanced Air Mobility market and achieve the world’s first certification of an electric engine for commercial aircraft by the mid-2020s. Light aircraft are already flying with electric propulsion, demonstrating the technological possibilities for the decarbonisation of large aviation in the future, if we can develop at scale.

In 2022, Rolls-Royce Electrical launched a dedicated programme that will enable us to achieve the levels of mass production needed to support the industry, embedding industrialisation within our electric propulsion product portfolio.

To do this, the programme is focussed on developing the right capabilities within the business’s core functions: supply chain, manufacturing, quality and services. As such, our core industrialisation team is working in close collaboration with a new product introduction projects team to ensure that any under-development electric drive technologies and systems can be sourced, manufactured and serviced at scale.

Rolls-Royce supply chain teams are responsible for sourcing partners to produce materials that will not only uphold the highest of aviation safety standards but that can be sourced and brought to the assembly line affordably and at pace, ready to support mass production.

Once chosen, the supply chain team also support our engineers by working hand-in-hand with suppliers throughout the product’s design to ensure that customer needs are met.

Airbus & Korea Aerospace Industries launch Light Armed Helicopter production

August 31, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Seoul, South Korea – Airbus (OTC: EADSY) Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed an agreement to initiate the serial production phase of the Light Armed Helicopters (LAH). This follows the contract awarded by the country’s Defence Acquisition Programme Administration to KAI in December 2022 to supply an initial batch of ten LAH to the Republic of Korea Army. Deliveries will begin at the end of 2024, with follow-on orders to continue into the next decade.

This agreement will see Airbus Helicopters and KAI enter into the next phase of the programme, ramping up production of the LAH at KAI’s Sacheon facility in South Korea. Airbus Helicopters will support KAI’s order fulfilment with delivery of the required kits for the mass production.

The two companies have also signed an agreement to deepen their commitment in the joint Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH Surion) programme, to meet a wide range of operational requirements for the military, civil and parapublic markets.

This follows the recent launch of the joint development of new KUH variants, such as the Marine Attack Helicopter and Mine Countermeasure Helicopter, and their corresponding future versions. These programmes will benefit from Airbus Helicopters’ expertise in flight control systems and helicopter drive systems, and KAI’s industrialisation capability for local production. Airbus Helicopters is also committed to supporting KAI for additional serial deliveries.

Archives