SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 2, 2015 ? Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully integrated the propulsion core and payload module for the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite nearly five months ahead of schedule. Reaching this critical milestone early accelerates AEHF-4 into its test flow and evidences the continued programmatic success of the nation?s most protected military communications satellite system.

Pictured here, the payload module and propulsion core for the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite are mated together, bringing the nation?s most protected military communications satellite system closer to expanded capabilities. The system provides strategic and tactical protected communications for the United States and international partners: Canada, Netherlands and United Kingdom.

2 March 2015 Press Release

Argentina?s flagship carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas, has taken delivery of their first new, directly purchased Airbus A330-200 aircraft as a part of the carrier?s fleet renewal strategy. The aircraft, equipped with GE engines, joins the airline?s existing fleet of 11 Airbus widebody aircraft, comprising four A330-200s and seven A340s.

?The addition of this new A330-200 to our wide body family will enable Aerolineas Argentinas, to redefine its long-haul network and enhance its international service offering,? said Dr. Mariano Recalde, President of Aerolineas Argentinas. ?This new A330 not only shares commonality with our existing A330 and A340 airliners, it also offers exceptional operational flexibility with the right range and lowest costs. It will play a key role in our fleet renewal strategy, ensuring that we continue to offer our passengers the best in world class comfort and service levels.?

Aerolineas Argentinas will deploy its new A330 on starting on long haul routes from their Buenos Aires hub to Miami and New York City, and then Madrid in July 2015.

The Dutch parliament has approved an order for the nation?s first production batch of eight Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs, to be delivered in 2019.

?With this decision, we have reached the point of no return in the replacement of the [Lockheed] F-16,? said defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on 26 February.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is already operating two F-35As, which were acquired to enable the service to participate in US-led initial operational test and evaluation of the Joint Strike Fighter. In early February, these were moved from Eglin AFB in Florida to Edwards AFB in California.

BETHESDA, Md., March 3, 2015 ? Lockheed Martin?s [NYSE: LMT] 30-kilowatt fiber laser weapon system successfully disabled the engine of a small truck during a recent field test, demonstrating the rapidly evolving precision capability to protect military forces and critical infrastructure.

Known as ATHENA, for Advanced Test High Energy Asset, the ground-based prototype system burned through the engine manifold in a matter of seconds from more than a mile away. The truck was mounted on a test platform with its engine and drive train running to simulate an operationally-relevant test scenario.

?Fiber-optic lasers are revolutionizing directed energy systems,? said Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin chief technology officer. ?We are investing in every component of the system ? from the optics and beam control to the laser itself ? to drive size, weight and power efficiencies. This test represents the next step to providing lightweight and rugged laser weapon systems for military aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks.?

The demonstration marked the first field testing of an integrated 30-kilowatt, single-mode fiber laser weapon system prototype. Through a technique called spectral beam combining, multiple fiber laser modules form a single, powerful, high-quality beam that provides greater efficiency and lethality than multiple individual 10-kilowatt lasers used in other systems.

ATHENA is based on the Area Defense Anti-Munitions (ADAM) laser weapon system developed by Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, California, which has been proven in demonstrations against small airborne and sea-based targets. It incorporates the 30-kilowatt Accelerated Laser Demonstration Initiative (ALADIN) fiber laser developed by the company in Bothell, Washington.

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West today announced an order for three 747-8 Freighter airplanes valued at more than $1.1 billion at current list prices.

"Silk Way Airlines' success and profitability as a cargo operator is a direct result of investing in its fleet and services and growing its regional and international footprint," said Zaur Akhundov, president, Silk Way Group of Companies. "I am confident we will maintain our rate of growth, supported by three new Boeing 747-8 Freighters."

"The 747-8 is perfectly suited to meet the needs of Silk Way Group for their growing cargo business," said Marty Bentrott, vice president, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We value our partnership with Silk Way West and are grateful for their enduring confidence in Boeing and the 747-8 Freighter."

Silk Way West is an enterprise of the Silk Way Group, which includes 23 companies working in the aviation industry and related services. The airline currently operates seven Boeing airplanes, including two 767-300 Freighters, three 747-400 Freighters and two 747-8 Freighters.

U.S. Marines perform maintenance checks on an AH-1Z Viper with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the coast of San Diego March 2, 2015. The pilots of VMM-161 (Rein) were practicing take-offs and landings at night to maintain proficiency aboard ship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo's by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)



4 March 2015 Feature story

The IKEA superstore in Toulouse, France isn't the obvious starting place for an innovative approach to one of aviation's most intensively technical areas. Nevertheless, it was this home retailer's ready-to-assemble furniture that gave Airbus systems designer Raphael Andre an idea that already is proving its value: the flat-pack cockpit kit.

Andre, whose work at the time centred on cockpit-related research and technology, believed that an inexpensive and easily-available mock-up would be extremely useful for early testing of ideas. ?After a trip to look at some furniture (at IKEA), it occurred to me that a simple-to-construct, wooden version of a cockpit would do the job very well,? he explained.

The idea stuck with Andre, however he didn?t take action until a couple of years later after a visit to Airbus ProtoSpace in Toulouse ? a facility that enables and encourages innovators, and has the prototyping equipment needed for the next steps. After revisiting his concept, Andre did some basic drawings and discovered it was possible to make a slot-together version that wouldn't require any fixings or tools, however the design was pretty basic and required proper drawings via computer-based design tool CATIA.

Andre turned to his Airbus colleague Laurent Saint-Marc, who uses CATIA every day in his work on cockpits, and together they made a small cardboard version of the cockpit mock-up at an Airbus fabrication laboratory (FabLab). Afterward, it was back to Airbus ProtoSpace to make a full-sized wooden prototype.

The prototype was ready in a few days, but the surprise was how quickly it went into use. Werner De Rammelaere, an Airbus innovation engineer who works in Emerging Technologies and Concepts, noticed the kit in ProtoSpace and thought it might be ideal for a project with automotive manufacturer Continental. ?They've been doing research into safety systems that monitor drivers, and we've been working with them to explore possible applications in aviation,? he explained. ?Continental wanted to use mock-ups and simulators, but there is huge demand on these, so I suggested that they drive over and pick up a cockpit kit instead.?

The kit met all of Continental's requirements, so the team had to make another prototype for themselves. ?We've already had some interest from colleagues in A320 development and there are ergonomic applications too, so we might need more,? Andre concluded.


Rare World War II glider restored
LINK - http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/03/03/rare-world-war-ii-glider-restored/

The A400M Atlas, the Royal Air Force?s newest airlift aircraft, delivered a cargo of vital freight into Cyprus this week on its first operational mission as it prepares for initial operational capability later this year.

The aircraft, ?City of Bristol?, flew into RAF Akrotiri delivering operational freight, making this training flight also Atlas? first operational tasking. In the Captain?s seat on this historic flight was 24 Squadron pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jamie ?JJ? Jackson. He said:

?This flight was incredibly significant for the RAF demonstrating the capability of the aircraft and that we are able to use it to support operations even before we are declared operational. Once we were airborne the aircraft performed well throughout all phases of flight and was great to fly.?




ARABIAN GULF (March 3, 2015) Marine Nationale (French Navy) Rafale Marine aircraft from Squadron 11F embarked aboard the French navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) operates aboard the U.S. Navy nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conductiong carrier qualifications. Carl Vinson is deployed as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)




EVERETT, Wash, Mar. 6, 2015 ? Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cargolux Airlines are celebrating the 30th direct delivery of a 747 Freighter to the Luxembourg-based cargo carrier. To mark the occasion, Cargolux?s latest 747-8 Freighter carries a special decal of the ?Father of the Boeing 747,? Joe Sutter, the Boeing engineer who led the team that designed the airplane.

Actor Harrison Ford's yellow 1942 Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR sits on the ground after crash landing (Due to engine failure) at Penmar Golf Course in Venice, Los Angeles California March 5, 2015. Actor Harrison Ford was injured on Thursday in the crash of a small airplane outside Los Angeles, celebrity website TMZ reported. Ford, 72, suffered multiple gashes to his head and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. (Lucy Nicholson)

9 March 2015 Press Release

The first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines has been rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse on Friday 6th March, featuring the airline?s updated distinctive blue and gold lotus livery.



The aircraft, which will be leased from AerCap, is now entering the advanced stage of production. This will include installation of the engines, completion of cabin furnishing, and cockpit fitting, followed by ground and flight tests. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the middle of the year.

Vietnam Airlines will become the first Asian airline to fly the A350 XWB and the second operator in the world. Vietnam Airlines will acquire 14 A350 XWBs, including ten on order from Airbus and four under lease agreements. The carrier will operate its A350 XWB fleet on premium long haul routes, beginning with services between Hanoi and Paris.



Solar Impulse Live

LINK - http://www.solarimpulse.com/

9 March 2015 Press Release

New higher weight A330 variant paves the way for the A330neo

Just four months after entering the Final Assembly Line, and less than two months after its maiden flight, the first 242 tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) variant of the A330 rolled out of the paintshop in Toulouse, France in Delta Air Lines livery.

This first, new higher weight variant of the A330-300 is powered by two GE CF6-80E1 engines and will be delivered this year to the new variant?s launch customer Delta Air Lines.

Delta Air Lines is a major Airbus widebody customer, with 32 A330 Family aircraft (11 A330-200s and 21 A330-300s) in service today and 35 more on order (25 A330-900neo and 10 A330-300). In addition, Delta has equally 25 A350-900s on order. Delta also operates 126 A320 Family aircraft (57 A319ceo, 69 A320ceo) and has 45 A321ceo on order.

The A330 242 tonne MTOW is the platform for the future A330neo and offers more capability at lower operating cost with a range extended by up to 500 nautical miles and up to two percent reduced fuel consumption while also benefiting from today?s A330 operational reliability of 99,4 percent. The 242 tonne MTOW is capable of flying missions up to 15 hours.

9 March 2015 Press Release

Renewed confidence in the aircraft to boost growth

Turkish Airlines has signed a firm order for the purchase of four A330-200F freighter aircraft. Operated by Turkish Cargo, a brand of Turkish Airlines, the additional aircraft will help to further boost the company?s expansion in the cargo market.

Turkish Airlines already operates five A330-200F, and the additional order will enable them to quickly meet the growing cargo market demand. ?The A330-200F freighter aircraft have demonstrated outstanding operational reliability and performance for our cargo transport operations. It is with this in mind that we chose to expand our freighter fleet with more A330-200F,? said Dr Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Airlines.? ?A prestigious customer like Turkish Airlines ordering the A330-200F for the third time shows a real vote of confidence in this aircraft to help further develop their cargo business,? said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. ?The A330 Family is the most versatile family of aircraft on the market and the A330-200F is no exception, being the most flexible, reliable and cost-efficient freighter?

Turkish Airlines operates the largest Airbus fleet in the country with a total of 139 Airbus aircraft in service. These include 91 single aisle aircraft, two A310 freighters, 17 A330-200, 18 A330-300, five A330-200F and six A340s.

Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.

The A330-200F is capable of carrying a payload of 65 to 70 tonnes, with a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles. With unit costs similar to larger freighters, it is the ideal aircraft for opening new routes and developing networks with minimum risk. The technologically advanced design and continuous improvements since the programme launch make the A330-200F today?s most modern and efficient mid-size freighter.

A U.S. Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing "Jersey Devils" takes off for a training mission at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J., March 7, 2015. (U.S. Air National Guard photo's by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht/Released)


Malaysia.
Airbus Defence and Space has formally delivered the first of four Airbus A400M military transport ordered by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The handover also marks the first delivery of an A400M to an export customer outside the original launch nations.

The aircraft was accepted at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain on 9 March by Chief of Malaysian Defence Force General Tan Sri Dr. Zulkifeli, witnessed by Datuk Nozirah, Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Finance, and Dato Dr. Rothiah, Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Defence, who signed the Transfer ot Title on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Chief of RMAF, General Dato' Sri Roslan Bin Saad, said: ?The A400M will give the RMAF the most advanced heavy transport capability in the region and enable us to undertake an extraordinary range of military and humanitarian operations.?

Bernhard Gerwert, CEO Airbus Defence and Space, said: ?We are extremely proud to deliver the first A400M to our first export customer - Malaysia. These aircraft will transform Malaysia?s air mobility force thanks to the A400M?s unique combination of strategic and tactical capabilities. Today sends a clear message that the A400M is not just a specialised aircraft designed and developed for Europe?s air forces, but is truly the new reference in tactical and strategic transport market globally ? fulfilling both roles in a single machine.?

After arrival in Malaysia, the A400M will star in the LIMA airshow at Langkawi, 17-21 March.

Seasprites Formally Handed Over to Defence Force

(Source: New Zealand Defence Force; issued Mar 06, 2015)
"These refurbished helicopters were originally bought in 1997 by the Royal Australian Navy, which was conspicuously unable to upgrade them as it wanted to despite several years of effort.
After the cost of the upgrade doubled, still without meeting requirements, the RAN finally sold them back to the manufacturer in 2008, and replaced them with new-buy Sikorsky S-70s.
They were bought by New Zealand in 2013 for one-tenth to one-fifth of they had cost Australia, and of the 11 eight will be operated and three used for spare parts. This is the second Seasprite buy by New Zealand, which has bought an initial batch which entered service in 2007.
This was certainly not the most successful program ever managed by Australia and its Defence Material Organisation."

The brand new RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft 2019 sits on the flightline at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. A2019 was the first block 20 and first RQ-4B model to arrive in the area of responsibility here(Asia) on Oct. 16, 2010 and is the first Global Hawk to reach the 10,000 hour flying milestone. (Courtesy photo)

FALLON, Nev. (March 5, 2015) An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center taxis at Naval Air Station Fallon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent/Released)

FALLON, Nev. (March 5, 2015) An F-5 Tiger II attached to the Saints of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13 taxis at Naval Air Station Fallon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent/Released)

FALLON, Nev. (March 5, 2015) An F-5 Tiger II attached to the Saints of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13 sits on the flight line at Naval Air Station Fallon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent/Released)

FALLON, Nev. (March 5, 2015) An F-16 Viper attached to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center sits on the flight line at Naval Air Station Fallon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent/Released)

Persian Gulf



An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 125th Fighter Squadron, Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., lands after a Red Flag 15-2 sortie at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 11, 2015. Red Flag provides an opportunity for Guardsmen aircrew and maintainers to enhance their tactical operational skills alongside flying units from around the U.S. and the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, lands after a Red Flag 15-2 sortie at Nellis AFB, Nev., March 11, 2015. Red Flag provides a series of intense air-to-air scenarios for aircrew and ground personnel to increase their combat readiness and effectiveness for future real-world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)

CAMERI, ITALY, March 12, 2015 ? History was achieved today when the first Italian F-35A Lightning II rolled out of the Cameri Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility, marking the first F-35A assembled internationally and the first of eight aircraft currently being assembled. The aircraft, designated as AL-1, will now proceed to additional check-out activities before its anticipated first flight later this year.

The rollout exhibits the ongoing strong partnership between the Italian Ministry of Defense, industry partner Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi, and Lockheed Martin. The Italian FACO is owned by the Italian Ministry of Defense and is operated by Alenia Aermacchi in conjunction with Lockheed Martin with a current workforce of more than 750 skilled personnel engaged in F-35 aircraft and wing production.

?The Cameri FACO is truly a national crown jewel, currently assembling the first eight Italian F-35As and producing wings for all F-35As fleet-wide,? said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program manager. ?Additionally, as the European F-35 airframe Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade center, it will generate thousands of long-term, high-tech jobs for the Italian people for decades. Lockheed Martin is proud of its relationship with Italy and values the highly-skilled Alenia Aermacchi workforce building this incredible jet.?

The FACO will build all Italian F-35A and F-35B aircraft, is programmed to build F-35As for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and retains the capacity to deliver to other European partners in the future. In December 2014, it was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense as the F-35 Lightning II Heavy Airframe Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade facility for the European region. The 101-acre facility includes 22 buildings and more than one million square feet of covered work space, housing 11 assembly stations, and five maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade bays. The first full F-35A wing section was recently completed and will soon be shipped to Lockheed Martin?s Fort Worth, Texas, F-35 production line for final assembly.


(Lockheed Martin photo's by Larry Bramblett)

SEATTLE, March 12, 2015 ? Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently completed the first flight of a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft with modern flight deck and avionics systems that replace 1970s-era analog systems.

During the two-hour flight on Dec. 31 testers evaluated five full-color glass displays with customizable engine, navigation and radar data. The systems performed better than expected and the program will now enter an extensive flight test qualification phase. Fourteen NATO AWACS in total will receive the flight deck modernization, delivery of the first upgraded aircraft is scheduled for January 2016.

?These improvements provide NATO with an AWACS fleet that will save time and fuel and will also decrease operational costs by allowing a reduction in the flight crew size,? said Jon Hunsberger, Boeing AWACS program manager.

The upgrades ensure compliance with current and future air traffic control and navigation requirements, giving the aircraft broader access to airspace around the world. They also resolve recurring issues involving out-of-production avionics by using commercial, off-the-shelf digital avionics. The AWACS is based on the Boeing 707.

The upgrade to the first NATO AWACS, as well as for a U.S. Air Force AWACS aircraft, is part of a $394-million Air Force contract awarded in 2012. First flight of the upgraded U.S. AWACS is expected in 2016.

Thirteen additional NATO AWACS will receive installation of the upgrade as part of a $257 million modification effort. Those modifications begin in 2016 and will be completed by 2018.

?The AWACS program is a model for enduring transatlantic defense cooperation,? said Brian Moran, president, EU & NATO relations. ?Boeing is honored to enhance this critical capability for the Alliance in close collaboration with industry partners from across Europe and the United States.?

(Photo credit: John Parker)
MOSCOW (Sputnik) ? The Mykoyan MiG-31 Foxhound supersonic interceptor aircraft will stay in service with the Russian Air Force until 2026, the head of the MiG corporation said Wednesday.

"The MiG corporation is currently developing heavy fighter-interceptor aircraft to replace the MiG-31, but the MiG-31 will remain in service until 2026," Sergei Korotkov told RIA Novosti.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150311/1019361011.html#ixzz3UHeMoHaX

16 March 2015 Press Release

Spanish carrier Vueling, the low cost platform for International Airlines Group (IAG), has taken delivery of the first A320 incorporating the new Vueling cabin configuration. Thanks to an efficient use of the cabin and the selection of the latest generation seats, Vueling will offer enhanced comfort and more space to its passengers while adding six extra seats.

The new Vueling cabin is equipped with the innovative Airbus Space-Flex module that makes for a more efficient use of the volume at the rear end of the cabin. Vueling is the first customer benefiting from the new exit limits, which when combined with the Airbus Space-Flex module increases the A320 seating capacity from 180 to 186 seats while retaining the higher comfort level of the Airbus 18? (45,72 cm) wide seat.

This innovative Airbus solution not only provides room for more seats, but also features a lavatory with full access to Persons with Reduced Mobility. The reconfigurable PRM-friendly lavatory is facilitated via a simple conversion process consisting on converting two Space-Flex lavatories into one Space-Flex PRM in a similar manner as those delivered on an Airbus wide-body aircraft.