Saturday, July 16, 2011

DTN News - SIKORSKY DEFENSE NEWS: Sikorsky Launching New S-97 Raider Helicopter

Defense News: DTN News - SIKORSKY DEFENSE NEWS: Sikorsky Launching New S-97 Raider Helicopter
(NSI News Source Info)
TORONTO, Canada /
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida - Sikorsky
- July 16, 2011:
Aircraft Corp.’s X2 Technology™ demonstrator has flown for the last time, the company announced today. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

In an early morning demonstration flight conducted from the company’s new Sikorsky Innovations Center within its Development Flight Center, the X2 Technology demonstrator gave invited guests one last look at its technology in flight before officially being retired and transitioning to its first application, the S-97 Raider™.

It was the twenty-third test flight of the award-winning X2™ aircraft, which flew approximately 22 total hours and achieved a maximum cruise speed of 253 knots in level flight at its peak point in the program. That milestone, an unofficial speed record for a conventional helicopter, was achieved on Sept. 15, 2010.

“This flight is the culmination of a five-year, internally funded program to expand the operational envelope of helicopters,” said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino. “The results of this program speak to the success of a rapid prototyping environment, where a small empowered team was able to meet a specific number of very challenging goals. We met these within a small budget and a compressed schedule.

“The X2 program also has helped to develop the next generation of Sikorsky engineers, including some who are now in key positions on the S-97 Raider™ program and the Firefly™ electric helicopter program. Today, the entire Sikorsky workforce stands proud of this accomplishment and what it means for the future of rotorcraft aviation,” Pino said.

The S-97 Raider helicopter program is the follow-on program to the X2 Technology demonstrator initiative. Sikorsky Vice President of Research & Engineering Mark Miller said the S-97 Raider program will design, build and fly two prototype light tactical helicopters to enable the U.S. military to evaluate the viability of a fast and maneuverable next-generation rotorcraft for a variety of combat missions. A number of Sikorsky’s military and commercial customers were on hand to observe today’s final X2™ flight.

“This program will produce two prototype assault/attack aircraft with six passenger cabins and the ability to carry armament,” Miller said. “In addition to the superior speed and maneuverability of X2 technology, these aircraft are designed to be capable of 10,000-foot hover out of ground effect on a 95-degree day. The future awaits this technology, and today we can say that we see it on the horizon.”

The X2 Technology program began in 2005 when Sikorsky first committed resources and full funding, ultimately $50 million, for the program’s development. Earlier this year, the X2 Technology™ demonstrator team won the 2010 Robert J. Collier Trophy, awarded annually to recognize the greatest achievements in aeronautics or astronautics in America.

In addition to winning the 2010 Collier Trophy, over the past two years the X2 Technology demonstrator received numerous accolades including the 2010 Hughes Award from the American Helicopter Society andAviation Week ‘s “One of the Top 10 Technologies to Watch” for 2010. In 2009, it won a Popular MechanicsBreakthrough Innovator Award, and a Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award. It also was named “One of 2009’s Best Inventions” by Time.

Like the X2 Technology demonstrator, the S-97 Raider helicopter will be designed to feature twin coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a pusher propeller that enables an X2-designed helicopter to cruise at 220 knots. Other innovative technologies include fly-by-wire flight controls, hub drag reduction, active vibration control, and an integrated auxiliary propulsion system.

The X2 design is scalable, opening up a variety of potential mission uses including joint-multi-role such as combat search and rescue, armed aerial scout, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), attack, VIP transport, and offshore oil.

The X2 Technology demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots while retaining such desirable attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.

Among the innovative technologies the X2 Technology demonstrator employs are:

  • Fly-by-wire flight controls
  • Counter-rotating rigid rotor blades
  • Hub drag reduction
  • Active vibration control
  • Integrated auxiliary propulsion system

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.




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DTN News - BOEING NEWS: Boeing Business Jets Marks Anniversary With Delivery To Deer Jet Airlines

Defense News: DTN News - BOEING NEWS: Boeing Business Jets Marks Anniversary With Delivery To Deer Jet Airlines

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / SEATTLE - July 16, 2011: Boeing (NYSE: BA) today (July 15) marked the 15th anniversary of Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) with the delivery of a BBJ to Deer Jet Airlines of Beijing. This is the third of four BBJs for the airline.

While representatives from Deer Jet were in Seattle to take delivery of their new BBJ, they joined dozens of current and former BBJ employees to celebrate the program's 15-year anniversary. Zhang Zhi, president of Deer Jet Airlines, said the proven success of the BBJ is why his company is adding another one.

"We've been so pleased with the comfort and performance of our first BBJ, we're thrilled to take delivery of our newest airplane," said Zhi.

"Fifteen years after entering the business jet market as a bit of a niche player, Boeing Business Jets has grown to be an industry leader," said Steve Taylor, BBJ president. "We offer more space, more comfort and more utility than any of the traditional business jet manufacturers and back it up with some of the industry's best reliability and product support."

Boeing and General Electric launched the joint venture in July 1996 with the BBJ, a 737-700 modified for corporate and VIP applications. As the demand for even larger business jets grew, so did BBJ.

"We're building on our terrific brand with our newest twin-aisle products, the 787 VIP and 747-8 Intercontinental VIP," said Taylor.

BBJ and VIP sales have far exceeded expectations. In total, the program has booked orders for 205 airplanes and delivered 168, including this one to Deer Jet.

Boeing Business Jets Orders and Deliveries since July 1996


BBJ / VIP Model

Orders

Deliveries




737

9

9

BBJ (BBJ2, BBJ3, BBJ C)

154

138

757

5

5

767

8

8

777

5

5

787

12

0

747-400

3

3

747-8 Intercontinental

9

0




Total

205

168



Contact:
Dina Weiss
Boeing Business Jets Communications
+1 206-853-9620
dina.m.weiss@boeing.com



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DTN News -LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers First F-35 Production Jet For Training To Eglin AFB

Defense News: DTN News -LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers First F-35 Production Jet For Training To Eglin AFB
(NSI News Source Info)
TORONTO, Canada /
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla, - July 16, 2011: The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] production model F-35 Lightning II to be assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing arrived here today (July 14) at 1:18 p.m. CDT after its more than 90-minute ferry flight from Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, known as AF-9, will be used for activities in concert with training F-35 pilots and maintainers who begin coursework at the base’s new F-35 Integrated Training Center this fall.

AF-9 is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version of the 5th generation stealth fighter. Overall, the jet is the third production-model F-35 delivered to the U.S. Air Force, with the first two assigned to Edwards AFB, Calif.

“We’re incredibly proud of our government/industry team whose steadfast dedication to this program led to the successful delivery of AF-9 today,” said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. “The exceptional capabilities of this 5th generation fighter are now in the very capable hands of the men and women of the 33rd Fighter Wing who are ushering in a new era of F-35 training. We look forward to delivering our full complement of F-35s to the Emerald Coast in the months and years ahead.”

AF-9 is the first aircraft delivered from Low Rate Initial Production lot two and the seventh F-35 delivered in program history to the Air Force. Over the lifetime of the program, a total of 59 F-35s will compose the fighter fleet at Eglin AFB.

The F-35A CTOL variant – designed to meet U.S. Air Force requirements – is also the primary export version of the Lightning II. The air forces of Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway and Israel will employ the F-35A. To date, the F-35 program has accomplished more than 925 flights since late 2006.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

Located at Eglin AFB, the fully-integrated F-35 pilot-and-maintenance training center includes pilot and maintenance training equipment, support, systems and facilities for all three aircraft variants. The center will be home to a full spectrum of the latest courseware, electronic classrooms, simulators and flight events ensuring superior training for the next generation of pilots and maintainers.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Media Contacts

Mike Rein
Voice: 817-763-3980
Email: michael.j.rein@lmco.com

Samantha Un
Voice: 817-965-3967
Email: samantha.un@lmco.com

Heather Kelly
Voice: 407-306-6845
Email: heather.kelly@lmco.com

For additional information, visit our websites:

http://www.f35.com

http://www.codeonemagazine.com


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