Avionics
South Korea Develops Human-Powered Aircraft
by karen on Jan.04, 2010, under Avionics
The South Korean Air Force has successfully developed a human-powered aircraft (HPA), which is powdered by direct human energy.
The HPA, known as Sky Runner, weighing 40kg, has a wingspan of 30m, and relies solely on thrust provided by the pilot pedalling during take-off and flight, according to Xinhua news agency.
The Sky Runner, during two separate preliminary flight tests held last September at the air force academy in central South Korea, had successfully covered 150m and 100m.
Lt. Col. Choi Seong-ok said the flying distance was short but could be improved through systematic pilot training.
The South Korean Air Force has become the fifth nation in the world to develop an HPA, after the US, Britain, Japan and Germany.
(See full article at: www.airforce-technology.com)
US Army Apache Block III Aircraft Tests New Technology
by karen on Dec.16, 2009, under Avionics
The US Army’s next-generation Block III Apache Attack helicopter has tested new technology which enables pilots to control unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their sensor payloads from the cockpit of the aircraft.
The technology called UTA (UAS tactical common data link assembly) enhances pilots’ ability to view and control nearby drone assets providing intelligence, targeting information and overall situational awareness.
The software to equip the aircraft with the next-generation capability is being developed by army engineers.
Apache block III programme manager Lieutenant Colonel Dan Bailey said the recent limited user test (LUT) represented an effort to advance this technology and give pilots the ability to control the unmanned aircraft payload and flight path.
“The LUT execution is complete and the data analysis is on-going. Execution was very successful and met all the objectives for the test,” Bailey said.
“The onboard Apache block III software provides the interface and control functions through a TCDL modem and antenna assembly.
“Utilising the Nato standard STANAG 4586, the aircraft can view and exchange images with other air and ground assets.
“The Apache block III aircraft will sustain the Apache fleet through 2040 and will add a host of new capabilities to the fleet, including an ability to climb to higher elevations such as those reached by Chinooks.”
The low-rate initial production of the new technology equipped block III Apache attack helicopters is scheduled to start in 2011.
(See full article: www.army-technology.com)
Euro Hawk Is Unveiled, But Latest Global Hawks Face Problems
by karen on Oct.27, 2009, under Avionics
The first Euro Hawk UAV for the German Air Force (GAF) was unveiled last month at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, Calif. facility. It was apparent that the wing pods that house the SIGINT sensors, provided by EADS Defence and Security, have again grown in size, since AIN provided a description of this program at the Paris Air Show last June.
The Euro Hawk is a joint venture between NG and EADS DS, and is based on the Block 20 Global Hawk that is already in U.S. Air Force service. At the unveiling, a GAF official revealed that the flight test plan for the Euro Hawk has changed. It will now remain at Edwards AFB for at least a year, where it can fly in segregated airspace before being ferried to Germany.
The Block 30 Global Hawk is also intended for the SIGINT role, equipped with Northrop Grumman’s own advanced signals intelligence payload (ASIP). But AIN has learned from U.S. Air Force sources that deliveries to the USAF are still two years away because of integration difficulties with the UAV. In the meantime, NG will deliver Block 30 (I) Global Hawks equipped only with imaging sensors. However, the ASIP has been successfully added to a few manned U-2 surveillance aircraft. A Northrop Grumman spokesman told AIN there were no problems in adding ASIP to the Global Hawk.
Meanwhile, the future of the next Global Hawk version for the U.S. Air Force has been questioned. The Block 40 is supposed to carry the new MP-RTIP surveillance radar sensor that is under development by a Northrop Grumman/Raytheon team. The sensor has already been flight tested on the Scaled Composites Proteus testbed aircraft, and the Global Hawk Block 40 was unveiled at Palmdale last June. But the U.S. Congress has proposed a major cut in funding, and a source told AIN that the U.S. Air Force would now prefer the MP-RTIP to be installed on a larger and more powerful platform to enhance its performance as a moving target indicator. If correct, this has implications for the long-delayed NATO AGS program, which would also use the Global Hawk/MP-RTIP combination.
(See full article: www.ainonline.com)
C-5M Super Galaxy Airlifter Sets Aviation Records
by karen on Sep.21, 2009, under Avionics
A US Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport aircraft set 41 world aeronautical records in one flight conducted on 13 September 2009.
The Lockheed-built C-5M modified airlifter evolved out of two upgrade programmes, the avionics modernisation programme and the reliability enhancement and re-engining programme conducted on the air force’s C-5 aircraft.
The flight broke eight existing records and established standards in 33 other categories where there had been no previous record attempt.
The records were set in the class C-1.S jet category for altitude in horizontal flight, altitude with payload, time-to-climb, time-to-climb with payload and greatest payload to 2,000m.
During the flight, the C-5M also carried a payload of 176,610lb to an altitude of more than 41,100ft in 23.59 minutes.
The class C-1.S jet category is for aircraft weighing between 551,155lb and 661,386lb.
The C-5M’s take-off weight of 649,680lb included fuel, crew weight, necessary equipment and the payload loaded on 29 standard US military 463l cargo pallets.
The flight also set new records for altitude with payload of 41,188ft. It also set record for time-to-climb with different quantity of payloads.
The airlifter took 4.13 minutes to reach an altitude of 3,000m, 7.27 minutes to get to 6,000m, 13.8 minutes to fly to 9,000m and 23.59 minutes to reach 12,000m.
The aircraft also broke existing class records for altitude in horizontal flight and greatest payload to 2,000m.
The records will require the approval of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, which is expected to take several weeks.
First Upgraded Lynx Helicopter Completes Maiden Flight
by karen on Sep.21, 2009, under Avionics
The British Army’s first Lynx AH mk9A helicopter upgraded with more powerful CTS800 engines, has successfully completed its maiden flight.
The maiden test flight of the helicopter took place for 60 minutes at the Yeovil facility of AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company that designed and manufactured the helicopter.
The new CTS800-4N engines will replace the current Gem engines on the Lynx, enhancing its power to operate in extreme hot and high conditions with maximum payloads.
The new engines require modifications to be carried out to the main gearbox, top deck structure, rear fuselage along with the cockpit, where the new engine controls and digital displays are installed.
AgustaWestland signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence in December 2008 for the installation of new CTS800-4N engines on 12 Lynx aircraft, of which four will be delivered in late 2009 and the rest in 2010.
(See article: http://www.army-technology.com)
UK and France to Collaborate on Anti-Ship Missile
by karen on Sep.14, 2009, under Avionics
The UK and French governments have announced the start of a joint Assessment Phase to develop systems and technologies for a new helicopter-launched anti-surface missile.
The announcement was made at this year’s Defence Systems Exhibition International (DSEi) at the Excel Centre in London, a biannual gathering of the world’s largest defence companies.
The weapon is being developed for use initially in the naval environment and to be launched from different helicopters, including the British Lynx Wildcat and the French NH90 and Panther platforms.
This co-operative project, which meets the UK’s Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) and the French Anti-Navire Leger (ANL) requirements, is the latest in a long history of co-operation between the two nations on missile projects, which has most recently included Meteor and the Sea Viper (Principal Anti Air Missile System – PAAMS).
The project will begin with an Assessment Phase expected to last just over two years and will cost £35m, to be shared between both nations. Work will be undertaken in the UK and France, using industries within their respective supply chains.
This Assessment Phase is fully consistent with the UK MoD’s aims to deepen co-operation with close allies and to take forward the various strands of the Team Complex Weapons initiative.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:
“This announcement demonstrates our commitment to deepen the co-operation between our two countries, particularly where requirements are closely aligned, as they are in this case.
“By bringing together industry expertise from across the nations we are strengthening our technical knowledge, allowing us to equip our forces with the best highly-advanced anti-surface missile for them to use for years to come.”
The Assessment Phase will investigate appropriate technologies for a future anti-surface guided weapon that meet the capability requirements for the system. In addition, any previous research will be taken into consideration, along with the opportunity to re-use technology from other programmes.
By the end of the Assessment Phase, sub-system technology will be matured sufficiently to progress into full demonstration of the overall system.
The joint Assessment Phase is being undertaken through the Team Complex Weapons (CW) enabling contract placed with MBDA (UK) last year.
As well as being a further example of co-operative intent between the UK and France, the contract represents a further milestone as part of the wider Team CW approach towards weapons procurement which was announced at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2008.
The French Ministry of Defence is linked to the MBDA (UK) contract through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two governments which came into effect on entering into the contract.
(See article: http://www.asd-network.com)
Air Force to Begin Operating its 1st UAS
by karen on Sep.08, 2009, under Avionics
(September 7, 2009) — Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Royal Australian Air Force has acquired Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in close collaboration with Canadian Defence forces.
“This high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability will enhance the capability of Australian forces in Afghanistan,” Senator Faulkner said.
The Heron UAV is a one tonne aircraft capable of medium altitude, long endurance flights. Under Project NANKEEN, the Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a contract with Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) to lease Heron UAV services which will provide high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
The Australian Defence Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Forces which already operates Heron UAVs in Afghanistan.
In July 2009 Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel undertook Heron training in Canada. These personnel have now been absorbed within the Canadian Heron UAV Detachment at Kandahar airfield conducting combat operations in support of ISAF.
This has meant the ADF has rapidly established its Heron capability by drawing on the Canadians’ operational knowledge, experience and facilities.
“The Australian Government greatly appreciates the assistance of the Canadian Defence Force in this project,” Senator Faulkner said.
When the systems acquired through the NANKEEN contract are delivered to Kandahar, Australia will establish its full Heron detachment of Air Force and Army personnel.
“Air power of the future will involve a balance of manned and unmanned platforms. In particular a long endurance UAV can enhance force protection by providing ground commanders with real time intelligence,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The experience that Air Force gains in operating long endurance UAVs in Afghanistan will also help shape the development of unmanned Defence capabilities for Australia through the next decade,” Senator Faulkner said.
Heron can conduct operations in excess of 24 hours, with a maximum speed of more than 100 knots (180 km/h) and at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.
This leading edge technology is operationally proven and provides Australia with an essential capability.
(See article: http://www.asd-network.com)
Nasa Tests Eco-Friendly Rocket Propellant
by karen on Aug.25, 2009, under Avionics
Nasa and the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) along with a senior graduate students have successfully launched a small rocket using a environmentally friendly rocket fuel.
The propellant comprised of aluminium powder and water ice is called ‘ALICE’ and can be used for both flight on earth and in long-range space missions.
During testing, a 9ft rocket soared to a height of 1,300ft using ALICE during the test and achieved a thrust of 650lb.
The energetic propellant has a high burn rate and the potential to replace some liquid or solid propellants with the possibility of higher performance than conventional propellants when optimised.
‘ALICE’ has the consistency of toothpaste when prepared and can be fitted into moulds and cooled to -30°C, 24 hours before flight.
Purdue University researcher Dr Steven F Son said that ‘ALICE’ can be improved with the addition of oxidisers and can become a potential solid rocket propellant on Earth.
“Theoretically, ‘ALICE’ can be manufactured in distant places like the moon or Mars, instead of being transported to distant locations at high cost,” Son added.
The fuel was developed as a graduate project in a collaboration between Nasa, Purdue University and the Pennsylvania State University.
(See article – http://www.airforce-technology.com)
