September 22, 2018
Airbus' handover of the first A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR) opens a new frontier in non-stop air travel
With the delivery of the first A350-900ULR to launch customer Singapore Airlines (SIA), the A350 XWB Family is positioned to lead the way for new ultra-long-range operations, including on the world's longest commercial route, between Singapore and New York.
Airlines already use the A350-900 and A350-1000 primarily for long-distance flights, but there is also demand for non-stop services on extreme long-haul missions, which is why Airbus developed its new game-changing variant.
The A350-900ULR – derived from the A350-900 – has an extended range of up to 9,700 nautical miles. This was achieved by integrating a modified fuel system, which increases the aircraft's fuel carrying capacity by 24,000 litres without the need for additional fuel tanks.
With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 280 tonnes, the A350-900ULR is capable of flying over 20 hours non-stop, combining the highest levels of passenger and crew comfort with unbeatable economics for such distances.
The first A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range), which has an extended range of up to 9,700 nautical miles, was delivered to launch customer Singapore Airlines in September 2018
Setting new standards for long-haul travel
Since entering service in 2016, the A350 XWB Family has set new standards for long-haul travel in the mid-size category. Based on a clean sheet design, it has brought a step change in efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and lower cash operating costs compared to the older-generation aircraft it replaces. And in service both the A350-900 and A350-1000 are demonstrating high levels of operational reliability and maturity. The A350 XWB's flexibility also means the A350-900ULR can easily be reconfigured as a standard -900, if required.
Evolving the ULR from the A350-900 was made possible thanks to extensive design and upstream industrial studies at Airbus, avoiding complex modifications. Some of the engineering development, for example, involved the relocation of sensors in the fuel system – enabling existing tanks to carry the maximum fuel load for the ULR. This eliminated the need for additional fuel tanks.
source: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/news/en/2018/09/ul...
PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2018
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the United States Missile Defense Agency completed a successful intercept flight test in cooperation with the U.S. Navy off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii.
A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) SM-3® Block IB missile intercepted a ballistic missile target, marking the first time Japan has tested the sophisticated interceptor as announced by MDA.
The target missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, and the interceptor was launched from the Japanese ship JS Atago (DDG-177), verifying the newest ballistic missile defense engagement capability of the upgraded destroyer. The flight test mission is a significant milestone in missile defense cooperation between Japan and the U.S. Japan currently employs the SM-3 Block IA interceptor, but the IB variant's improved two-color seeker and upgraded throttling divert and attitude control system enables engagements with a larger set of threats.
"The Standard Missile-3 family consistently demonstrates capability against sophisticated threats, both on land and at sea," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "This test underlines the importance of allied ballistic missile defense interoperability and the powerful results we generate when we work together with our allies."
The SM-3 is produced at Raytheon's Space Factory in Tucson, Arizona, and the company's integration facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter.
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September 20, 2018
Canadian military ditches plan to paint new search-and-rescue planes grey, will stick with familiar yellow
RCAF leadership had requested the new planes be painted tactical grey because they wanted the aircraft to be available for other missions, including combat.
Extract from an article by Sylvain Faust on Fliegerfaust published on November 10, 2018
I'm told an intermediate solution is currently being worked on by some civil servants in Ottawa to modify the existing new contract to Airbus to swap two (2) of those sixteen (16) C-295 SAR (search and rescue) equipped aircraft for the C-295 MPA (maritime patrol aircraft). This would allow doing some of the equivalent work the CP-140 Aurora is doing. But two is not enough, as Canada operates fourteen (14) Aurora. Those two (2) C-295 MPA could be used for general maritime surface reconnaissance (detecting drug operations, smuggling of illegal immigrants, fisheries protection patrols, pollution monitoring, etc.), search-and-rescue assistance and Arctic sovereignty patrols. Thus, another solution (aircraft) will have to be contemplated because the C-295 MPA lacks the heavy and sensitive anti-submarine warfare capability as well as the anti-surface warfare fittings of the CP-140 Aurora. A faster aircraft with more range would be necessary. CP-140 (750 km/h - Range: 9,300 km) vs the C-295 MPA (480km/h – Range 5,630 km)
Airbus is hard at work in Canada (Ottawa) as you can see.
Could Ottawa then show its True Colors and go for a Canadian based Aircraft solution for the replacement of the Aurora CP-140 aircraft fleet? Let me say it "again"…"
Read more https://www.fliegerfaust.com/bombardier-airbus-cf-...
Canada's military has reversed its plan to abandon the familiar yellow paint scheme for the country's new search-and-rescue planes after debate within the ranks over the aircraft's need to be visible on such missions.
The new fleet of 16 Airbus C-295W planes will replace the main Royal Canadian Air Force search-and-rescue fleet of Buffalo aircraft as well as the Hercules transport planes which are also used at times in a search-and-rescue role. Postmedia reported last year that RCAF leadership had requested the new planes be painted tactical grey, asking for a change to the original contract which had stipulated the familiar yellow colour scheme, because they wanted the aircraft to be available for other missions, including combat.
But the move to the grey paint scheme has now been reversed. "While there was, last year, a stated interest in painting the C-295W grey, a decision was made following further consultation to maintain the iconic yellow colour scheme of the RCAF's current SAR fleet, such as the Buffalo, Twin Otter, Cormorant and Griffon," the Department of National Defence said in a statement Wednesday. "This colour, which provides a higher level of visibility and recognition in the ground and the air, is also widely known by Canadians — especially those who might find themselves in a situation requiring our aid."
Asked last year about the plan to ditch the yellow paint scheme, the Forces said in a statement to Postmedia that "the RCAF has made the decision to use a grey colour scheme for the C-295W fleet to enable surging flexibility for the very wide range of missions the RCAF is required to conduct, from humanitarian and disaster relief missions, to security missions with partners, and all the way to full spectrum operations."
read more https://nationalpost.com/news/canadian-military-di...
