BAE Systems PLC (London: BAES) and L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE: LXH) delivered the first of 10 EC-37B Compass Call aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for formal combined developmental and operational testing. The next-generation system evolves the Air Force’s 40-year mission of employing electromagnetic attack (EA) capabilities in support of U.S. and coalition air, surface, and special operations forces.
Mission system prime BAE Systems produces the Compass Call Airborne Electromagnetic Attack mission system at its Hudson, New Hampshire facility. The system disrupts enemy communications, radars and navigation systems, and suppresses enemy air defenses by preventing the transmission of essential information between adversaries, weapon systems and command-and-control networks.
Platform integration prime L3Harris integrated the EC-130H Compass Call mission system into a modern Gulfstream G550 business jet at its Waco, Texas aircraft missionization center. The EC-37B has increased speed, endurance and high-altitude operation for improved survivability and range to deliver EA effects.
Tokyo, Japan – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (OTC: MHVYF) announced that order intake rose 75.1% year over year to 1.6 billion Yen in the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Revenue rose 12.9%, resulting in profit from business activities (business profit) of 51.9 billion Yen, a 248.1% increase from the previous fiscal year, which represents a profit margin of 5.3%. Profit attributable to owners of parent (net income) was 53.1 billion Yen, an increase of 177.1% year-over-year, with a profit margin of 5.4%. EBITDA was 85.1 billion Yen, an 80.3% increase from Q1 FY2022, with an EBITDA margin of 8.7%, up 3.3 percentage points year-over-year.
Large orders growth in Energy Systems was driven by Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (GTCC), which continues to see strong demand for both new builds and after-sales services. Business profit in the segment increased by 27.0 billion Yen due to a reduction in one-time charges in the Thermal Power businesses as well as revenue growth and improved project margins.
In Plants & Infrastructure Systems, revenue increased by 33.8 billion Yen due to contributions from Metals Machinery and Engineering, while business profit improved by 5.0 billion resulting from increased revenue in Metals Machinery as well as positive developments in Engineering and Machinery Systems’ project mix.
In Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems, successful passthrough of cost inflation to sales prices mainly in Logistics Systems and Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) led to 14.3% increases in order intake and revenue, respectively. Cost passthroughs in these businesses also helped to raise the segment’s business profit by 15.3 billion Yen.
Most notable this quarter is the striking growth in Aircraft, Defense & Space order intake, specifically in Defense & Space, which saw orders rise by 584.1 billion Yen. This is due to large orders for missile defense systems from Japan’s Ministry of Defense as the country seeks to improve its capabilities in this area.
SAVANNAH, Ga., June 28, 2022 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the all-new ultralong-range Gulfstream G800 successfully completed its first flight, officially launching the flight-test program of the industry’s longest-range aircraft. Announced in October 2021, the G800 is the latest addition to Gulfstream’s next-generation fleet to take flight and make progress toward customer deliveries.
The G800 departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 9:00 a.m. and landed there two hours later. In keeping with Gulfstream’s commitment to sustainability leadership in aviation, the aircraft made the flight using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel.
The G800 can fly 8,000 nautical miles/14,816 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nm/12,964 km at Mach 0.90 with class-leading fuel-efficiency, thanks to the combination of the Gulfstream-designed, advanced high-speed wing and all-new, high-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines.
The G800 is equipped with Gulfstream’s next-generation Symmetry Flight Deck and dual head-up displays featuring the new Combined Vision System, which includes Enhanced Flight Vision System and Synthetic Vision System imagery, further enhancing safety and pilot situational awareness.
Saint-Cloud, France, May 06, 2021 – Dassault Aviation today announced an all-new Falcon jet that will deliver a level of comfort, versatility and technology unmatched by any purpose-built business jet. Featuring a range of 7,500 nautical miles, the Falcon 10X will fly nonstop from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Sydney, Hong Kong to New York or Paris to Santiago. Top speed will be Mach 0.925.
The Falcon 10X is scheduled to enter service at the end of 2025.
The 10X will have the biggest and most comfortable cabin on the market and offer greater modularity than any other aircraft in its class, with a selection of multiple interior configurations. The 10X is large enough to accommodate four cabin zones of equal length but owners can configure their cabin to create a truly customized interior, including for example, an expanded dining/conference area, a dedicated entertainment area with a large-screen monitor, a private stateroom with a queen-size bed or an enlarged master suite with a private stand-up shower.
The 10X will have a cabin cross section larger than some regional jets. Its cabin will be 6-feet, 8-inches (2.03 m) tall and 9 feet, 1 inch wide (2.77 m). That will make it almost 8 inches (20 cm) wider and 2 inches (5 cm) taller than the widest and tallest purpose-built business jet flying today.
Pressurization will also be the best on the market, with passengers experiencing a 3,000-foot cabin pressure altitude while flying at 41,000 feet. A next-generation filtration system will provide 100-percent pure air. The aircraft will be at least as quiet as the Falcon 8X, currently the quietest business jet in service.
The 10X will feature an entirely new fuselage with extra-large windows—nearly 50 percent larger than those on the Falcon 8X. Thirty-eight windows will line the fuselage making for the brightest cabin in business aviation.
The high-speed wing will be made of carbon fiber composites for maximum strength, reduced weight and minimum drag. Tailored for speed and efficiency, the very-high aspect ratio wing will be equipped with advanced, retractable high-lift devices offering superior maneuverability at low approach speeds.
The twin-engine aircraft will be powered by business aviation’s most advanced and efficient engine, the in-development Rolls Royce Pearl® 10X. The 10X is the latest, largest and most powerful version of the Pearl series, delivering more than 18,000 pounds of thrust.
The Falcon 10X’s flight deck will set a new standard in intuitive design, with touch screens throughout the cockpit. A next-generation Digital Flight Control System, derived directly from Dassault’s latest military technology, will provide an unprecedented level of flying precision and protection, including a revolutionary, new single-button recovery mode.
A single smart throttle will serve as the primary power control, connecting both engines to the Digital Flight Control System which will automatically manage the power of each engine as needed in different flight scenarios.
Thanks to Dassault’s breakthrough FalconEye® combined vision system—the first to offer both enhanced and synthetic vision capabilities—combined with dual HUDs able to serve as primary flight displays, the 10X will be capable of operating in essentially zero ceiling/visibility conditions.
“Universal Avionics is proud to be selected as the Enhanced Flight Vision System provider for the AS2 supersonic business jet,” said Dror Yahav, UA Chief Executive Officer. “By using the SkyLens as a wearable Head-Up Display, the ClearVision EFVS brings unprecedented capabilities to the airplane and demonstrates a compelling roadmap to the future, on top of the proven operational landing credit and all-weather operation.”
ClearVision provides an innovative Combined Vision System (CVS) displayed on the pilot and copilot SkyLens HWD, the only display of its kind certified today for commercial aviation. The intuitive avionics suite includes UA’s high-resolution EVS-5000 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) camera, composed of six sensors for a comprehensive and unprecedented multispectral coverage, and 3D Synthetic Vision System (SVS). ClearVision greatly improves crew resource management in the cockpit of the AS2, supporting Aerion’s ongoing mission of faster point-to-point travel. In addition, ClearVision offers pilots the ability to overcome degraded visibility situations day and night to move in and out of airports faster, saving time and increasing operational efficiency. With SkyLens, pilots continuously operate head-up and are able to monitor flight information while retaining 3D situational awareness of terrain, and eventually aircraft traffic, through the system’s unlimited 360-degree Field of Regard.
“We are truly excited to bring ClearVision to the highest levels of the business aviation market,” commented Marc Bouliane, UA Vice President of Business Development, Marketing and Services. “For the past year, we have worked diligently with Aerion’s engineering, flight operations and supply chain teams to refine a solution that fits the vision set forth by Aerion. We are honored to have been selected for this ground-breaking project and look forward to the production launch of the AS2 in 2023.”
ClearVision is a trusted and certified solution, flying today on a number of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Nearly 3,000 ClearVision EVS cameras have been fielded to date. Pilots have a discernable Visual Advantage against incandescent and LED airport lighting systems, and the compact size of SkyLens is critical for profiled cockpits such as in the AS2.
“With a proven track record of innovation, Universal Avionics has become the market leader in Head-Wearable Display systems and EVS sensors. This industry-leading technology will offer pilots of the AS2 unparalleled vision and enhanced situational awareness capabilities,” said Steve Berroth, Aerion’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Aircraft Development. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we seek to change the future of aviation together.”
Aerion’s pursuit of faster point-to-point travel begins with the launch of the AS2 supersonic business jet. Designed to be inherently environmentally responsible from first flight, the AS2 is the first supersonic aircraft designed to be powered by 100% engineered synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner.
The manufacture of 300 AS2 aircraft is planned for the first decade of production. The AS2 will be the first aircraft to be assembled at the company’s new global headquarters in Melbourne, Florida – Aerion Park. The state-of-the-art development – powered by sustainable technology – will incorporate headquarters operations plus an integrated campus for research, design, build, and maintenance of the company’s supersonic aircraft.
The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a combined $3.1 billion in contracts for Harpoon and Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) weapon systems in support of Foreign Military Sales (FMS). About $2.6 billion of that was contracted today while the remainder had been previously awarded.
“We are pleased to continue our long legacy of partnering with the Navy to build weapons that defend America and its international partners,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, vice president, Boeing Weapons. “These awards will not only extend production of the Harpoon program through 2026, they will also restart the production line for SLAM ER and ensure deliveries through 2028.”
Boeing last delivered the SLAM ER weapon system in 2008. In October 2019, Boeing began construction on a new 35,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility to support increased production for the Harpoon and SLAM ER programs. Construction is expected to be complete in 2021.
Nearly 50 Foreign Military Sales orders valued at more than $560 million
Boeing [NYSE:BA] and the U.S. Army have finalized orders from three nations to provide their armed forces with the new, more capable AH-64E Apache model. The contracts are for the remanufacture of 47 existing AH-64D Apaches. The total combined value of the orders is more than $560 million.
“More allied defense forces worldwide are selecting the AH-64E Apache because they know it provides the most advanced technology and capability to keep their nations safe and secure today and well into the future,” said Kathleen Jolivette, vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs. “The Apache continues to be the most proven and reliable attack helicopter on the battlefield today.”
Sixteen countries currently field the Apache. AH-64 Apaches have flown 4.6 million flight hours, including more than one million flight hours in combat.
The remanufactured aircraft will be delivered in the early 2020’s.
Railsystems RP GmbH orders two locomotives from Siemens Mobility
Sustainable concept: a combined diesel and electric locomotive
Delivery at the end of 2020
Railsystems RP GmbH has ordered two Vectron Dual Mode locomotives from Siemens Mobility, marking the first order for the new locomotive that can be operated either as a diesel or electric unit. Siemens Mobility first presented the concept at the InnoTrans 2018.
“With the Vectron Dual Mode, Railsystems RP GmbH is getting a locomotive that combines the best of two worlds: On electrified routes, the Vectron Dual Mode is powered by electricity to save fuel and reduce maintenance costs. On rail routes without overhead wires, the Vectron can shift to diesel operation without the operator having to change locomotives,” said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
The Vectron Dual Mode enables operators to increase value sustainably over their entire lifecycle. The locomotive can also operate through gaps in the electrified sections, eliminating the need to change locomotives. At the same time, conurbations and major cities, where there is often an electrified rail network, are spared emissions. The Vectron Dual Mode is specifically designed for freight service in Germany and is based on proven Vectron components. It operates on a 1,435 mm track gauge and weighs 90 tons. The locomotive is designed for the 15-kV-AC voltage system and is equipped with the PZB train control system. Regardless of whether it operates on electricity or diesel, traction power at the wheel rim is 2,000 kW. The locomotive’s diesel tank has a capacity of 2,600 liters. The Vectron Dual Mode has a top speed of 160 km/h.
(Reuters)
– The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is investigating Southwest
Airlines Co for widespread failure to accurately track the combined
weight of checked bags loaded onto its jets, the Wall Street Journal
reported on Monday.
The
U.S. aviation safety agency’s year-long civil probe found systemic and
significant mistakes with employee calculations and luggage-loading
practices, resulting in potential discrepancies when pilots compute
takeoff weights, the Journal reported, citing government officials and
internal agency documents
The
FAA has not decided whether to impose fines or any other punishment,
the report cited people familiar with the investigation as saying.
The
inaccuracies ranged from a few dozen pounds to more than 1,000 pounds
(450 kg) in excess of what the paperwork indicated, sparking disputes
between the company and some agency inspectors about potential safety
consequences, the report said.
A
company spokeswoman said there was an open Letter of Investigation
(LOI), which is a common mechanism for the FAA to document and share
safety interests or concerns with an airline.
The
airline has not been issued fines and faces no enforcement action
regarding its weight and balance program, Southwest spokeswoman Brandy
King said.
“In
this case, the LOI addresses an issue that Southwest voluntarily
reported to the FAA last year and since that time, Southwest has
implemented controls to address weight and balance program concerns, and
shared those measures with the FAA,” King said.
The FAA said in a statement it initiated a probe against Southwest in 2018 regarding weight and balance performance data.
“Since
that time, the FAA has directed the development of a comprehensive
solution to the methods and processes used by Southwest Airlines to
determine this performance data,” it said in the statement. “The FAA
will not close its investigation until it is satisfied that Southwest’s
corrective actions are consistent and sustained.”
(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Peter Cooney)
