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June 21, 2007

Pathfinder defeats dust ‘brownout’

By David Donald

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has just completed the demonstration of a new piloting aid known as Pathfinder.

Based on the Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensor used in the AH-64 Apache, the Pathfinder system has been developed for use on transport and utility aircraft, both fixed- and rotary-wing. It uses a long-wave IR seeker offering high-fidelity imagery, with an excepti more

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Airlines must boast about enviro gains

By Ian Goold

One way to improve the airline industry’s perceived environmental impact is for carriers to shout louder.  Ironically, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) calls for operators to make more noise comes as airlines claim to have reduced sound levels by 75 percent in the past 40 years.

In addition, fuel efficiency has been improved by 70 percent and soot eliminated, acco more

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Athena control can take a hit and keep going

By Stephen Pope

Athena Technologies (Hall 6, Stand B1/C1), a maker of flight controls for unmanned aerial vehicles, successfully demonstrated a “damage tolerant” automatic control system and autonomous landing capabilities on a scale model of an Boeing F/A-18 powered by a turbojet engine, the company announced.

Sponsored by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the demo was held i more

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Airbus Aluminum Supplier Signs Agreement

By Julian Moxon

Alcan and Airbus have signed a long-term agreement covering the supply of high-performance aluminum products for the entire range of Airbus aircraft, including the A380 and new A350XWB. Details of the contract were not disclosed, but Alcan says the deal “underscores our position as the largest supplier of aluminum products to Airbus.” Materials will be supplied from Alcan’s Issoire facility in Fra more

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Rolls Coating Can Stand 2,100 Degrees F

By Julian Moxon

Rolls-Royce’s U.S. branch has acquired the exclusive rights to use a new heat-resistant turbine blade coating invented by Iowa State University. The coating improves the durability and reliability of the ceramic thermal barrier applied to the blades to withstand metal temperatures approaching 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Oxidation resistance is improved by the coating, which is made from a compositio more

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Kuwait Renews MRO Contract with Snecma

By Bernard Fitzsimons

Kuwait Airways has renewed a time-and-material engine maintenance contract with Snecma Services covering the CFM56-5C engines on its Airbus A340s. Snecma Services has overhauled more than 50 CFM56-5s for the Kuwaiti flag carrier in the course of a relationship that started more than 10 years ago. more

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New Faces for ATR and Socata

By Thierry Dubois

Two EADS CEOs have swapped places–almost. Stéphane Mayer, who since 2003 was CEO of aerostructures and light aircraft specialist Socata, has moved to regional turboprop manufacturer ATR as its new CEO. Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Léonard, who was a former ATR CEO and used to be head of Airbus’ center of excellence in electric systems, has been appointed CEO of Socata. more

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Derco Signs with STA, Senior Aerospace

By Bernard Fitzsimons

Derco Aerospace has won a contract from Singapore Technologies Aerospace to install new auxiliary power units and improved environmental control systems on four
C-130s for the Republic of Singapore Air Force and has agreed to become the worldwide non-OEM distributor of ducts and assemblies for Burbank, California-based Senior Aerospace. The modernization work on the RSAF C-130s includes prog more

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Torpy Leads UK Defense Delegation

By Ian Sheppard

The UK is wheeling out the big guns at the show this year, led by chief of the air staff, air chief marshall Sir Glenn Torpy. Alan Garwood, head of the Defence Export Services Organisation, and air vice marshal Gavin Mackay, senior military adviser to DESO, are joining him here in Paris. According to DESO, the UK has won an average of $8 billion in defense equipment export orders each year for the more

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Thales VP To Head EUROCAE

By Bernard Fitzsimons

Gil Michielin, v-p and general manager of Thales Commercial Aircraft Solutions, has been appointed president of EUROCAE, the European air transport electronic systems and equipment standardization body. With 20 years’ experience in the industry, Michielin has worked on programs ranging from the Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighters to the A380 and 787 airliners. “We are extremely proud of Gil’s achievem more

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