Editor Carl Chance, Wings Over Kansas’ aviation & aerospace correspondent, former news consultant and producer for Wingspan Air & Space Channel.
Boeing-Built Orbital Test Vehicle X-37 B Begins 1st Flight!
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.,
April 22, 2010
"The X-37B has the potential to bring to space the
flexibility that unmanned systems provide warfighters and combatant commanders
today," said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space
& Security. "With the ability to be launched into space and then land
on its own, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is an example of the kind of
innovation that Boeing has been doing for decades to advance aviation, space
systems, and now unmanned systems. Close teamwork between the Air Force Rapid
Capabilities Office, the United Launch Alliance Atlas team, and the 45th Space
Wing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station made this launch a success."
The vehicle will be used to demonstrate a reliable, reusable
unmanned space test platform for the Air Force. Program objectives include
space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept-of-operations development
for reusable space vehicle technologies.
"The Orbital Test Vehicle combines the best of aircraft
and spacecraft to enable flexible and responsive missions," said Paul
Rusnock, Boeing vice president of Experimental Systems and program director for
the X-37B. "This first flight will demonstrate the readiness of the X-37B
to begin serving the Air Force as it continues to investigate ways to make
space access more routine, affordable and responsive."
Boeing’s commitment to this space-based unmanned vehicle
spans a decade and includes support to the Air Force Research Lab’s X-40
program, NASA’s X-37 program, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency’s X-37 approach, landing and test vehicle (ALTV) program.
Boeing program management, engineering, test and mission
support functions for the OTV program are conducted at Boeing sites in Huntington
Beach, Seal Beach,
and El Segundo, Calif.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is
one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing
in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s
largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St.
Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34
billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
Boeing Statement on EADS’ Decision to Enter KC-X Tanker Competition!
ST. LOUIS, April 20, 2010— The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS), parent company of
Airbus, today announced that it will re-enter the competition for the U.S. Air
Force KC-X Tanker contract through its subsidiary, EADS North America. The Air
Force has said that EADS’ announcement of intent will extend the proposal
deadline by 60 days, from May 10 to July 9. The Boeing Company responded with
the following statement:
"From the outset, Boeing has been 100 percent focused
on responding to the needs of our Air Force customer and preparing a
competitive proposal. Only Boeing can produce a tanker that will meet the Air
Force’s 372 requirements and promise delivery of a combat-ready, safe and
survivable tanker that is the most capable for the warfighter, the lowest cost
for the taxpayer, and backed by Boeing’s proven U.S.
work force. We are confident in the superior value and capabilities of our
NewGen Tanker and intend to present a compelling case for it in our proposal.
"While we are disappointed in the bid submission delay,
we hope for a fair and transparent competition free of any additional changes
intended to accommodate a non-U.S. prime contractor.
"We also remain deeply concerned about the ability of a
heavily subsidized Airbus/EADS to accept levels of financial risk that a
commercial company such as Boeing cannot. We regret that these concerns will
not be addressed in the bid evaluation, even when the U.S.
government has proven in a world court that those subsidies are illegal and
directly distort competition between Airbus and Boeing."
The Boeing NewGen Tanker will meet all 372 requirements set forth by the Air
Force in its search for a medium-size tanker to replace the KC-135 fleet. It
will be a widebody, multi-mission aircraft based on the proven Boeing 767
commercial aircraft, updated with the latest and most advanced technology. And
it will provide more fuel and more cargo to more warfighters in combat.
Boeing will build the NewGen Tanker with a low-risk approach
to manufacturing that relies on existing Boeing facilities in Washington
state and Kansas
as well as U.S.
suppliers throughout the nation, with decades of experience delivering
dependable military tanker and derivative aircraft. Nationwide, the NewGen Tanker
program will support approximately 50,000 total U.S.
jobs with Boeing and more than 800 suppliers in more than 40 states.
The Boeing NewGen Tanker also will save American taxpayers
more than $10 billion in fuel costs over its 40-year service life because it is
24 percent more fuel-efficient than the Airbus A330. It will cost 15 to 20
percent less to maintain, saving hundreds of millions of dollars over its
service life.
More information on Boeing’s NewGen Tanker, including video
clips and an interactive tour of the aircraft, is available at www.UnitedStatesTanker.com.
Beechcraft
AT-6 Demonstrates Irregular Warfare Capabilities in Joint Expeditionary Force
Experiment
WICHITA,
Kan. (April 19, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and team members Lockheed
Martin, L3 WESCAM and CMC Esterline are demonstrating the capabilities
of the Beechcraft AT-6 Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft to
the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in scenarios that showcase its support for irregular
warfare operations. From April 12-23, HBC is conducting flights from
Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., as part of the Air Force’s
Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX). The JEFX objective is to take
identified gaps in current combat capabilities and to demonstrate and assess
possible innovations to fill those gaps. The involvement of the AT-6 in the
exercise is sponsored by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve
Command Test Center.
“The
JEFX evaluations provide an outstanding opportunity for the AT-6 to demonstrate
its versatility and performance and we’re confident it will do so in an
impressive fashion,” said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International
Government Business. “The HBC team continues to respond to military
mission requirements. We’re able to do so because we’re working with a platform
that is extremely versatile and with partners who share the vision and
resourcefulness to create a system that meets diverse mission needs.”
The
AT-6 is a structurally strengthened derivative of the highly successful USAF
and U.S. Navy (USN) T-6A/B trainer – the world’s most proven military trainer
aircraft. HBC flew the AT-6 in its present avionics configuration after only nine
months by working with leading defense companies to integrate the aircraft with advanced technologies.
-Borrowing
heavily from technologies it recently integrated into the Air Force’s A-10
Thunderbolt II aircraft, Lockheed Martin integrated into the AT-6 a new mission
computer controlled by A-10/F-16 based stick and throttle controls, an EO/IR
sensor that serves as a targeting pod, data links to communicate with ground
and airborne forces, anti-jam and secure communications radios, and full motion
video transmission capability. The AT-6 also features fully integrated L3
WESCAM optical and infrared sensors, as well as sophisticated laser
capabilities. The aircraft is equipped with the same CMC Esterline
primary flight avionics and navigation system found in the USN T-6B and
Moroccan T-6C.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer
of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and
supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and
individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are
located in Wichita, Kan., with
operations in Salina, Kan.; Little
Rock, Ark.; Cheste, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The
company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned
and authorized service centers. For more information, visit
www.hawkerbeechcraft.com. More
Borrowing heavily from technologies
it recently integrated into the Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft,
Lockheed Martin integrated into the AT-6 a new mission computer controlled by
A-10/F-16 based stick and throttle controls, an EO/IR sensor that serves as a
targeting pod, data links to communicate with ground and airborne forces,
anti-jam and secure communications radios, and full motion video transmission
capability. The AT-6 also features fully integrated L3 WESCAM optical and
infrared sensors, as well as sophisticated laser capabilities. The aircraft is
equipped with the same CMC Esterline
primary flight avionics and navigation system found in the USN T-6B and
Moroccan T-6C.
Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special
mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation
products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide.
The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the
industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized
service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.