Tag: concept (Page 3 of 3)

Bombardier wins Dresden contract for 30 Flexity trams

August 22, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Innovative lightweight concept allows wider trams to use existing infrastructureBombardier wins contract to supply and maintain 30 FLEXITY trams for Dresden’s transport authority
Contract includes the FlexCare maintenance management system and the Obstacle Detection and Assistance System

Mobility solution provider Bombardier Transportation and Dresden’s transport authority Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB), have signed a contract to supply and maintain 30 BOMBARDIER FLEXITY trams, equipped with the Obstacle Detection and Assistance System (ODAS) for preventing collisions. The contract also includes the FlexCare maintenance management system for a 24-year period. The value of the order is 197 million euro ($219 million US). In addition, an option for ten additional FLEXITY trams and eight more years of servicing and maintenance are included in the contract.

The new FLEXITY trams are wider than DVB’s current vehicles and offer significantly greater comfort for passengers with 2+2 seating and large panorama windows. The new trams will be able to carry up to 290 passengers, which is around a 10 percent increase. To allow barrier-free access while using the existing infrastructure, only the portion of the carbody which is above platform level is wider. The new fleet will be delivered by the end of October 2023.

“I am pleased that Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe is counting on the employees’ competence, know-how and the quality of Bombardier’s products here in Saxony and that these modern light rail vehicles are being built at the Saxon sites. The future of both factories and Bombardier’s long-term commitment are very close to my heart. I am confident that Saxon products will also increasingly prevail in many tenders outside Saxony due to their quality, which combines innovation and sustainability,” emphasized Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Martin Dulig.

“We urgently need the new light rail vehicles, which provide larger capacity, in order to offer sufficient space for the rapidly growing number of our passengers,” said Andreas Hemmersbach, DVB’s Board Member for Finance and Technology. He added, “In a multi-stage selection process, criteria such as technology, price, service and design were evaluated on a points-based system. Of all the manufacturers, Bombardier offered us the best overall package.”

“We are proud to support our long-standing partner and customer DVB in their transport service expansion by supplying our innovative, reliable and air conditionedFLEXITY trams, offering generous multi-purpose areas and the highest safety standards. Our FlexCare maintenance management system not only ensures high availability and reliability, but also guarantees cost security over the entire term of the contract. Hand in hand with DVB, we will carry out servicing and maintenance of these FLEXITY trams together,” explained Alexander Ketterl, responsible for the urban transport business at Bombardier Transportation in Germany.

Michael Fohrer, Head of Bombardier Transportation Germany, added, “This contract will be carried out at our two sites in Saxony. The carbodies will be produced in our center of competence for carbodies in Görlitz. Final assembly and commissioning will be carried out at our industrial lead site in Bautzen.”

More than 4,000 trams and light rail vehicles from Bombardier are already successfully in operation or on order worldwide.

Check out the Dresden Flexity tram YouTube video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=lXBpdMLjXaQ

Airbus Mimics Nature With ‘Bird of Prey’ Concept Plane

July 19, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

An Airbus concept aircraft with a wing design inspired by nature, dubbed Bird of Prey, is displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Raf Fairford, near Fairford

RAF FAIRFORD, England (Reuters) – Airbus <EADSY> on Friday unveiled a concept aircraft with splayed wingtips and a fanned tail inspired by the feathers of an eagle as it experiments with “biomimicry” technology that could eventually lead to quieter landings and less pollution.

The European planemaker’s UK subsidiary sought to capture the imagination of future engineers by showing off a model of the raptor-like airliner at a military air show in England.

The propeller-driven aircraft would have individually controlled “feathers” on the wingtips to provide what Airbus calls “active flight control” used by an eagle or a falcon.

Also evident is the absence of a traditional vertical tail, relying instead on a split, wedge-shaped tail to reduce drag.

The regional aircraft would carry as many as 80 passengers up to 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) and burn 30% to 50% less fuel than today’s equivalent planes, Airbus said.

Inaugurating the display to curious military chiefs and visitors to the Royal International Air Tattoo, Britain’s Trade Secretary Liam Fox said it highlighted Britain’s technical capability and its attractiveness as a place to invest.

Airbus said its concept plane would have a geodesic or curved fuselage in a throwback to the contours of the Wellington bomber designed by British aircraft designer Barnes Wallis.

That aircraft was built in Broughton in Wales from the 1930s to keep it beyond the range of German bombers.

Airbus now uses the same site to produce wings for over 800 jetliners a year. But it has warned the plant faces competition from European nations such as Germany, or others such as Korea, for future generations following Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Brexit supporters are sceptical Airbus would take such a step given Britain’s experience with wingmaking.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Tom Brown)

Jaunt Air Mobility Taps Triumph Aerospace for eVTOL Vehicle

June 11, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

BERWYN, Pa., June 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Triumph Group, Inc. (NYSE:TGI) announced today at the Uber Elevate Summit in Washington, D.C. that its Triumph Aerospace Structures business unit has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jaunt Air Mobility to provide engineering services in support of Jaunt’s all electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) concept air vehicle. Triumph will support Jaunt’s efforts to develop and build a full-scale demonstration aircraft based on Jaunt’s reduced rotor operating speed aircraft (ROSA™) in support of urban air mobility (UAM) operations.

Triumph Group Logo (PRNewsfoto/Triumph Group)

“Working with Jaunt and our other partners, Triumph will help bring ROSA to reality,” said Kaydon Stanzione, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility. “Triumph’s experience in innovative structural design is essential for streamlining future certification of Jaunt’s unique configuration.”

“We are excited to be a key contributor to Jaunt’s new air vehicle concept. Triumph’s experience in aircraft design, development, and certification, demonstrates the capabilities required to bring the Jaunt eVTOL air vehicle to reality, and achieve their program milestones consistent with the growing market potential for eVTOL aircraft and Uber’s vision for all-electric, on-demand aviation,” said Michael G. Engers, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development.

Triumph Aerospace Structures will design the aircraft structure to optimize weight, cost, and producibility in support of the program. The engineering services will be provided at Triumph’s Technology and Engineering Center in Arlington, Texas.

About Jaunt Air Mobility

Jaunt Air Mobility LLC is a transformative aerospace company focused on developing advanced air vehicles that incorporate innovative technologies and management strategies providing the highest levels of operational efficiencies, safety, and community acceptance. We are the pioneer and world-leader in Reduced Rotor Operating Speed Aircraft (ROSA™) design and development. ROSA™ is the metamorphosis of the best features available from helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes. For more news and information on Jaunt Air Mobility; please visit www.jauntairmobility.com.

About Triumph Group

Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components and structures. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators. More information about Triumph can be found on the company’s website at http://www.triumphgroup.com.

Nissan Recycles Old Leaf Batteries for Opus Camping Trailer

February 20, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

The RV industry has seen an impressive resurgence in recent years. And while the electric vehicle scene is also booming, options that take both sectors into consideration are still rather thin. Nissan already has an all-electric mini-camper in its arsenal but today we’re getting a look at a new project coming down the line. Leaning on technology from its Leaf electric vehicle, Nissan is leveraging rechargeable energy on its ROAM battery pack, which will be paired with the forthcoming Opus concept camping trailer. Enough on-board energy to keep campers warm and fed for nearly a week makes this one of the more intriguing concepts we’ve seen in a while.

Click the link below for the full story!

https://9to5toys.com/2019/02/19/nissan-opus-camping-trailer/

Airbus and Dassault Sign Joint Concept Study Contract

February 6, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Paris / Munich, 6 February 2019 – France and Germany have awarded the first-ever contract – a Joint Concept Study (JCS) – to Dassault Aviation (stock exchange symbol: AM) and Airbus (stock exchange symbol: AIR) for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme. The launch of the JCS was announced by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and her German counterpart, Ursula von der Leyen, at a meeting today in Paris.

The decision by both countries represents a milestone to secure European sovereignty and technological leadership in the military aviation sector for the coming decades. Starting date for the two-year study is 20 February 2019.

Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said: “This new step is the cornerstone to ensure tomorrow’s European strategic autonomy. We, as Dassault Aviation, will mobilize our competencies as System Architect and Integrator, to meet the requirements of the Nations and to keep our continent as a world-class leader in the crucial field of
Air Combat Systems.”

Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “FCAS is one of the most ambitious European defence programmes of the century. With today’s contract signature, we are finally setting this high-technology programme fully in motion. Both companies are committed to providing the best solutions to our Nations with regard to the New Generation Fighter as well as the systems of systems accompanying it. We are truly excited about having been given this opportunity and appreciate the trust placed in both our companies.”

This planned Next Generation Weapons System will consist of a highly capable manned “New Generation Fighter” (NGF) teaming with a set of new and upgraded weapons as well as a set of unmanned systems (Remote Carriers) linked by a Combat Cloud and its Ecosystem embedded in a System-of-Systems FCAS architecture.

The JCS is based on the bi-nationally agreed High Level Common Operational Requirements Document (HLCORD) signed at Berlin Air Show ILA in April 2018 between the Defence Ministers of France and Germany as well as respective national concept studies.

Its aim is to conceptualise the different FCAS capabilities and to pave the way for future design, industrialisation, as well as an estimated full operational capability by 2040. The study will prepare and initiate demonstrator programmes for launch at the Paris Air Show in June 2019.

Rafale B de l’Armée de l’Air Française en opérations extérieures (Opération Serval) – Vue en vol au dessus du Mali. Equipé de la nacelle Damoclès et de GBU-12.

Story from http://www,airbus.com Image from http://dassault-aviation.com

BMW & The North Face Built Lightweight Camper Concept

January 9, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Towing a camper behind your car or truck is nothing new. In fact, it’s something that families have done for years. But, BMW teamed up with The North Face to bring a brand-new high-tech pop-up camper to CES 2019 which uses futuristic materials. The camper is made out of “Futurelight”, which is a new material that is breathable, yet waterproof.

Click the link below for the full story!

https://9to5toys.com/2019/01/08/bmw-the-north-face-futurelight-camper/

Boeing Unveils New Transonic Truss-Braced Wing

January 9, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Boeing revealed the newest Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW), which researchers say will fly higher and faster than the previous TTBW concepts. The new configuration is designed to offer unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency while flying at Mach 0.80.

From end-to-end, the folding wings measure 170 feet. The high wingspan is made possible by the presence of a truss, which supports the extended length of the ultra-thin wing.

Originally, the TTBW was designed to fly at speeds of Mach 0.70 – 0.75. To increase the aircraft’s cruise speed, the new concept now has an optimized truss and a modified wing sweep. By adjusting the wing sweep angle, the truss can carry lift more efficiently. The end result was a more integrated design that significantly improved vehicle performance.

The new changes follow extensive wind tunnel testing at NASA Ames Research Center. For nearly a decade, Boeing and NASA have been studying the concept as part of the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) program. The research focuses on innovative concepts that reduce noise and emissions while enhancing performance.

Story and image from http://www.boeing.com

Aston Martin Takes To The Skies

July 27, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Aston Martin aims to bring luxury private transport to the sky with its Volante Vision Concept aircraft – a flying autonomous, hybrid-electric vehicle that can take off vertically.

This is the first time the British car brand, traditionally known for its luxury sports cars, has ventured into aircraft design.

Named after the Italian word for flying, the Volante was debuted on 16 July 2018 at the Farnborough Air Show, alongside other aircraft designs including Boeing’s hypersonic aircraft concept.

Click the link below for the full story!

Aston Martin Takes To The Skies

Click the link below for the YouTube video!

Aston Martin Volante video

Vision Mercedes-Maybach at Beijing Auto China Show

April 24, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury concept debuted today at the Auto China show in Beijing. One quick look at the Ultimate Luxury concept’s side profile is all you need to realize this isn’t just another SUV. Instead of a traditional bulky SUV rear end, which would match the rest of the concept, Maybach grafted on the rear end of a sedan. The result is like nothing before it. It’s weird as hell, but weirdness deserves its place in a concept car.

Click the link below for the full story!

Vision Mercedes-Maybach

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