Archives for October, 2006
F-117: A long, storied history that is about to end
Tuesday, October 31st, 2006
After 25 years of storied service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force’s first stealth fighter, is about to retire. The technology that once made it a unique weapon system has now caught up to it and newer fighter aircraft are now joining the fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind, a fact anyone who has spent time around the aircraft is quick to point out.
China to deploy first internally developed airliner in 2008
Monday, October 30th, 2006
China’s first internally-developed regional jet, the ARJ21 is expected to get its air-worthiness certificate in 2007 and go into commercial operation in 2008, sources with China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) have reported.
Boeing Rolls Out Modified 747 Airborne Laser Aircraft
Monday, October 30th, 2006
The Boeing Company, along with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, rolled out the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft today from a modification facility in Wichita, Kan., during a ceremony marking major program achievements on several fronts. Two solid-state illuminator lasers, which are part of the beam control device, and a surrogate high-energy laser were installed and fired repeatedly at a simulated ballistic missile target. The track illuminator laser is designed to track a target, while the beacon illuminator laser is intended to measure atmospheric turbulence that the high-energy chemical laser would encounter in its path to the target.
Boeing to Test X-48B Blended Wing Body Concept
Monday, October 30th, 2006
In cooperation with NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Boeing Phantom Works soon will begin ground testing of its X-48B Blended Wing Body (BWB) concept in preparation for flight testing early next year. The X-48B ground and flight testing will take place at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where two high-fidelity 21-foot wingspan prototypes have been delivered. In preparation for first flight, the X-48B Ship 2 will undergo ground testing to validate its engine- and fuel-system integrity, battery endurance, telemetry link communication, flight-control software, and low- and high-speed taxiing characteristics.
Cessna’s Light Sport Aircraft Makes First Flight
Saturday, October 14th, 2006
Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company, announced the first flight of its Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The airplane departed McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan., at 8:33 a.m., performed a variety of flight maneuvers at speeds in excess of 110 knots (127 miles per hour), and landed 9:05 a.m. at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport a few miles away.