Tag: design (Page 1 of 15)

Hinterland Aviation picks Cessna Skycourier for fleet expansion

February 19, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Wichita, Kansas, January 19, 2024, Business Wire – Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT) today announced a purchase agreement for the first Cessna SkyCourier passenger variant in Australia to regional airline Hinterland Aviation. The aircraft, expected to deliver in 2026, will add to Hinterland’s expansive fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans to provide a greater payload capacity and increased passenger seating. This fleet expansion will greatly benefit remote communities, as well as the tourism and business sectors in Queensland.

The Cessna SkyCourier is meticulously designed to deliver unparalleled performance, unwavering reliability and cost-effective maintenance. With the ability to be operated by a single pilot and a generous payload capacity, the SkyCourier is the ultimate solution for air freight, passenger and special mission needs. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can effortlessly adjust configurations to effectively complete any mission, ensuring a significant return on investment.

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.

Southwest Airlines expand technical operations facility In Phoenix

February 19, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Dallas, Texas, February, 2024 – Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is celebrating the completion of a multi-year, $100 million project, which nearly doubles the size of the airline’s maintenance hangar at Phoenix Sky Harbor. The 90,000-square foot expansion adds three new aircraft bays to the facility, allowing the airline to work on up to five aircraft simultaneously and brings more maintenance shops to support the nearly 500 Southwest® Technical Operations Employees based at Sky Harbor. The project also included a larger facility for members of the airline’s Provisioning and Ground Support Equipment Maintenance Teams that opened in 2020.

The expanded hangar has also achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The expansion incorporated sustainable design features including the use of recycled content in over 30% of the building materials; the installation of high-reflectance roof and surrounding paving materials to reduce heat island effect; and the selection of building products from manufacturers with verified environmental performance.

Southwest Airlines® first opened a Technical Operations base at Sky Harbor in 1986. In 1993, the airline moved into a new maintenance hangar facility to support its growth throughout the western half of the United States. Today, the carrier’s Phoenix-based Technical Operations Teams accept new aircraft deliveries to prepare them to enter revenue service and maintain aircraft as part of daily and scheduled maintenance programs.

In addition to Phoenix, Southwest operates hangar facilities in Atlanta, Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love Field), Denver, Houston (Hobby), and Orlando. Construction is underway on a new hangar facility at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, which is anticipated to open in 2025.

Forward-Looking Statements

BAE Systems acquires Malloy Aeronautics

February 3, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

BAE Systems has acquired Malloy Aeronautics – a leading company in innovative heavy lift drone and aeronautical technologies. Malloy Aeronautics designs and supplies all-electric uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to both civil and military customers. Their range of uncrewed, heavy lift quadcopters are capable of lifting payloads from 68kg to 300kg over short to medium range missions.

These platforms offer interchangeable capabilities and greater flexibility at a fraction of the cost and time of more traditional methods, whilst minimising risk to more expensive assets and human life. Malloy’s approximately 80 strong workforce will continue to operate from its site in Berkshire, supporting its existing customers. BAE Systems and Malloy, who have been working together in advancing cutting-edge UAS solutions since 2021, will further develop Malloy’s existing portfolio and accelerate new and novel technologies to customers worldwide.

BAE Systems and Malloy Aeronautics engineers have been collaborating to develop the 300kg T-650 all-electric ‘heavy lift’ UAS as a potential new solution to deliver cost-effective, sustainable rapid response capability to military, security and civilian customers.

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.

Signia by Hilton debuts flagship downtown Atlanta hotel

January 15, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Atlanta, Georgia – Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) announced the highly anticipated opening of the 976-room Signia by Hilton Atlanta, marking the first new build and Georgia hotel for the Signia by Hilton brand, and Atlanta’s largest ground-up hotel development project in 40 years. Inclusive of the property’s debut, Atlanta represents Hilton’s largest market globally by number of hotels with a portfolio of 136 hotels across 13 brands welcoming travelers to the destination. In Atlanta, Hilton also has a pipeline of more than 40 hotels in various stages of design and construction.

Poised to become a signature landmark and economic catalyst on the city’s west side, Signia by Hilton Atlanta is owned by Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) and forms part of the Authority’s Championship Campus, North America’s largest combined convention, sports, and entertainment destination, which also includes Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park. Built on the repurposed foundation of the Georgia Dome, the hotel features eight food and beverage experiences; a spa, beauty bar, rooftop pool and fitness center; more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the largest hotel ballroom in Georgia; a grand outdoor event deck and lawn; and Club Signia.

Signia by Hilton Atlanta was developed by Boston-based Drew Company, with Gensler as the architect and interior designer, and a joint venture between Skanska and SG Contracting as the general contractor. As the tallest building on the west side of Atlanta, the 42-story, 1.25 million square foot property is enveloped in wall-to-wall glass, offering panoramic views of downtown Atlanta, an inspiring and curated art collection, and inviting spaces.

All guest rooms at Signia by Hilton Atlanta offer spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views and reflect the warmth and refinement of Southern luxury, featuring a combination of earth toned-fabrics, rich wood and rattan textures, and brass finishes. The colors and materials are inspired by the building’s unique location in the city, paying homage to some of the most historically important and culturally significant neighborhoods in Atlanta. Shades of amber, deep brown, soft beige, and slate blue evoke a subtle sophistication, while black and metallic details bring an understated modern twist. Together, these design elements invite guests to celebrate the distinguished style of Southern hospitality through a timeless look that is both stylish and functional.

Forward-Looking Statements

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection opens reservations for third superyacht Luminara

January 14, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveiled its summer 2025 itineraries across its fleet, Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara, marking an exciting moment as the company opens bookings for the inaugural season of its third superyacht. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection debuted in October 2022 with the launch of Evrima, the first time a luxury hospitality brand expanded into the cruising category. With all three superyachts now open for reservations, the brand extension continues to build on its success signifying continued growth and offering more opportunities for luxury travelers to enjoy unforgettable getaways at sea.

The Inaugural Season of Luminara
Inspiring curiosities and celebrations, Luminara, derived from Latin origin and meaning “light,” will measure 794 feet (242 meters) and accommodate up to 452 guests. In addition to 226 spacious suites, each boasting a private ocean-view terrace, a higher percentage of upper-suite categories, and superior guest amenities, the onboard experience will feature world-class dining, a wine vault, The Ritz-Carlton Spa®, and an expanded marina providing direct access to the sea. Among its range of upper-suite categories will be a new expansive accommodation, The Residential Suite, promising a collection of offerings that caters to a variety of preferences.

Luminara will embody contemporary craftsmanship and refined interior finishes envisioned by AD Associates, a renowned London-based architectural and design firm, with creative direction by Chapi Chapo Design, an internationally acclaimed Toronto-based luxury design firm, and celebrated lighting designer DPA. The yacht’s sleek and graceful exterior design, expertly envisioned by Helsinki-based design studio Aivan, draws inspiration from the elegant aesthetics of private yacht design. Inspired by light and luminescence, Luminara‘s design emphasizes elegance and sophistication. Its layout, featuring explorative passages and favoring circular silhouettes over geometric edges, creates a seamless design, forming a sense of limitless space in each area. A serene color palette of soft brown oak, Calcutta marble, leather accents, and touches of rich red, navy, and green will provide an elegant oasis at sea.

Click the link below to see the entire press release!

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Lockheed Martin Photography By Garry Tice 1011 Lockheed Way, Palmdale, Ca. 93599 Event: X-59 - Glamour Shoot Day Date: 12/12/2023 Additional Info:

Skunk Works® Rolls Out X-59, NASA’s Newest X-Plane

January 12, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Palmdale, California, January 12, 2024, PRNewswire – Lockheed Martin Skunk Works^® (NYSE: LMT) rolled out the X-59, a unique experimental aircraft designed to quiet the sonic boom, at a ceremony in Palmdale, California. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Lockheed Martin’s and NASA’s decades-long journey to solve one of the most persistent challenges of supersonic flight, the sonic boom.

Rollout ceremonies are a long-standing aviation tradition, and in the case of the X-59, it celebrated technical advancements, collaboration and innovation that stemmed from years of research, development and production of a one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft that will reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.

Next, the aircraft will complete ground tests including engine-run and taxi tests before its next major milestone, first flight, later this year. After the aircraft is validated in initial flight tests, it will move into the acoustic testing phase. This phase will include flights over populated areas to provide U.S. and international regulators with statistically valid data required to help approve new rules that could allow quiet commercial supersonic flight over land. This would cut commercial flight times to half of what they are today, transforming travel for people around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

Alstom to build two infrastructure sections on Florence tramway Line 4

January 12, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

January 12, 2024 – Alstom SA (Paris: ALSO), a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has been awarded a contract by the Municipality of Florence, valued at € 50 million for the construction of track, catenary, substations, and lighting system for Line 4.2 of the city’s tram system, with an option for Line 4.1, worth €49 million.

The tender was awarded to a temporary consortium of companies composed by the mandated company CMB together with Alstom, Hitachi Rail and ComNet, and covers operations spanning across a distance of 5.3 kilometres (11 stops) of Line 4.2 Campi Bisenzio-Piagge. The Line 4.2 will connect Le Piagge station to San Donnino and from there to the centre of Campi Bisenzio.

The contract includes an option, for the second lot, which will cover the 6.3 kilometres of Line 4.1 Piagge-Leopolda (13 stops) will connect Line 4.2 with the city centre.

The project is financed by National Recovery and Resilience Plan funds.

The works will be carried out by the System & Infrastructure team in Rome and the components for the electric traction will be designed and supplied by the Alstom site in Valmadrera, Lecco.

Forward-Looking Statements

Alstom signs contract for Saudi Arabia Tramway Project

January 9, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

January, 2024 – Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, signed a contract of more than €500 million with The Royal Commission for AlUla’s pioneering battery-powered tramway, the world’s longest catenary-free line.

The fully integrated Alstom tramway system will feature 20 state-of-the-art Citadis B battery-trams. The 22.4km line will encapsulate richness, history, and green mobility like no other, linking 17 strategically located stations, offering unmatched access to AlUla’s five core historical districts, including UNESCO World Heritage sites such as AlUla Old Town (District 1), Dadan (District 2), Jabal Ikmah (District 3), Nabataean Horizon (District 4), and Hegra Historical City (District 5).

This ambitious project aims to deliver unique transit options for residents and tourists, with innovative, climate-adapted trams.

Alstom plays a pivotal role in this project, from comprehensive system design to integration, installation and testing and commissioning of the catenary-free and battery-powered tramway. Alstom will also deliver power supply, signalling, communication, and depot equipment and provide full maintenance for the trams for 10 years, using HealthHub, Alstom’s tool for predictive maintenance and fleet management to deliver the highest availability. The services teams will also use an itinerant workshop for all types of overhauls to be more flexible and reduce capital expenditure, and provide robust training programmes for tram personnel, ensuring operational efficiency. The project will draw on Alstom’s global in-house expertise in integrated railway systems. The trams will be manufactured across Alstom’s French production sites, including La Rochelle for both design and construction.

Airbus and BMW Group launch Quantum Computing Competition

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Clara, California, December 6, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) and BMW Group (Xetra: BMWG) launch a global Quantum Computing Challenge entitled “The Quantum Mobility Quest” to tackle the most pressing challenges in aviation and automotive that have remained insurmountable for classical computers. This challenge is the first-of-its-kind, bringing together two global industry leaders to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications, unlocking the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation.

Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and to enable the most complex operations that challenge even today’s best computers. In particular, for data-driven industries like the transportation sector, this emerging technology could play a crucial role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services.

Challenge candidates are invited to select one or more problem statements: improved aerodynamics design with quantum solvers, future automated mobility with quantum machine learning, more sustainable supply chain with quantum optimisation, and enhanced corrosion inhibition with quantum simulation. Additionally, candidates can put forward their own quantum technologies with the potential to develop native apps yet to be explored in the transportation sector.

The challenge is hosted by The Quantum Insider (TQI) and divided into two parts, a four-month phase where participants will develop a theoretical framework for one of the given statements, and a second phase during which selected finalists will implement and benchmark their solutions. Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides candidates with an opportunity to run their algorithms on their Amazon Braket quantum computing service.

A jury composed of world-leading quantum experts will team up with experts from Airbus, BMW Group, and AWS to evaluate submitted proposals and award one winning-team with a €30,000 prize in each of the five challenges, by the end of 2024.

Registration opens today, and submissions will be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024 here: www.thequantuminsider.com/quantum-challenge.

Forward-Looking Statements

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