MAKS 2009
G2 Solutions @ August 31, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Interesting pictures at MAKS 2009
All Images: Copyright iMGSRC.RU
Boeing Shake-Up
G2 Solutions @ August 31, 2009 # No Comment Yet
BCA: Scott Carson announces retirement; Jim Albaugh named replacement
IDS: Muilenburg takes over Integrated Defense Systems
Photos: The Boeing Company
Bloomberg: Boeing’s Carson, Steward of Delayed 787, to Retire
WSJ: Boeing Names New Head of Passenger-Jet Unit
DoD Thirst for Gigapixels May Provide Clearer Picture of Dismounts
G2 Solutions @ August 31, 2009 # No Comment Yet
This interesting piece from David Hambling at Wired chronicles a in-progress wide-area sensor progression, with a stated goal of wide-area unmanned persistent surveillance to include dismounts. The promise of significantly broadening a UAV’s field of view, while also being able to track (with persistence) multiple individuals on foot would be a valuable asset in current [...]
The government never conducted an engine competition for the JSF
G2 Solutions @ August 30, 2009 # No Comment Yet
These are the words of Bill Sweetman in this Morning Ares on Defense. The debate is set to rage on…
Highlights:
“The three primes going into the JSF prototype stage made their own engine choices for the prototypes only, but time and cost constraints heavily favored the P&W F119. And since all three prototype proposals used the [...]
USAF MQ-9s Heading for the Indian Ocean
G2 Solutions @ August 30, 2009 # No Comment Yet
USAF General Atomics MQ-9s are heading for the Seychelles Islands to support Ocean Look Mission against the mounting piracy problem in the region.
U.S. plans land-based UAV patrols to combat piracy
Here is a link to our podcast with IAG earlier this year and more information about how UAS are fast becoming a vital asset in [...]
Avweek: Budget Axeman Stalks Halls of Pentagon
G2 Solutions @ August 28, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Budget Axeman Stalks Halls of Pentagon
The E-8C Joint Stars is supposed to start operations in Afghanistan next summer, but if Air Force officials cut upgrade packages (see link for AvWeek story), it may not be the higher-flying, multi-sensor platform that warfighters are hoping for.
DoD Buzz: Gates Calls JSF’s Heinz on Carpet
G2 Solutions @ August 24, 2009 # No Comment Yet
First it was Sen Daniel Inouye (D-HI) who recently has decided to somewhat rebuke the President on the issue of the F136 engine; now DoD Buzz brings us another good story; this time it highlights how forcefully the White House and SecDef appear to have come down on F136 proponents… to be continued for sure.
[...]
Yemen War on Northern Rebels Takes Another Turn
G2 Solutions @ August 24, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Debka provides a detailed situation analysis of the current conflict in Yemen, mentioning the unconfirmed report of direct Saudi Air Force involvement in the current operation.
Yemen War: Where US and Iran Jockey for Regional Primacy
The latest paroxysm of Yemen’s five-year war with the rebel Houthis has left more than 2,000 dead in less than [...]
France Weighing C-130J and C-17 purchases
G2 Solutions @ August 23, 2009 # No Comment Yet
French newspaper Liberation is reporting that the French Air Force is at an advanced stage of evaluation for a new tactical aircraft. General Alain Silvy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs has clearly indicated that the C-130J is the leading candidate (by default) at this time. However, while the C-130J debate is [...]
Bombardier Opts to Transfer more C-Series work to Chinese Partner SAC.
G2 Solutions @ August 23, 2009 # Comments Off
Flight reports tonight about the increased work that BBD has decided to contract to Chinese partner SAC. While not totally unexpected, this development could be interpreted in many ways. There is possibly a financial aspect to this decision, allowing BBD to maintain the initial production target and EIS for the C-Series, while [...]
SWA Setting New Standards: Southwest’s massive 737 fleet to be equipped with Row 44 Wi-Fi
G2 Solutions @ August 21, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Flight confirms what we all expected; SWA will soon be on par with Virgin America and AirTran, and has an agressive schedule for implementation. This might become an even more significant differentiator for customers; and a renewed headache for some of the legacies, especially those who break guitars.
Southwest’s massive 737 fleet to be [...]
QDR: It’s Over, Barring Surprises
G2 Solutions @ August 19, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Well, according to Colin Clark and the well informed crowd at DoD Buzz, the bulk of the much anticipated and perhaps already loathed Gates QDR is complete. Let’s see if this will go further than April 6, that day of “infamy” in some’s minds.
By Colin Clark
The QDR is pretty much finished and the major decisions [...]
Hawker Beechcraft: Continuing Pains
G2 Solutions @ August 19, 2009 # No Comment Yet
This article in Flight this morning summarizes the increasingly difficult situation at Hawker Beechcraft, perhaps the most exposed of all the business jets manufacturers to the effect of the current recession/depression.
Predictable cadence illusive for Hawker Beechcraft
By John Croft
Hawker Beechcraft chief executive Bill Boisture says the down economy, exacerbated by financing difficulties and recent negative publicity [...]
BF 2 Tanker Highlights from Flights 8 & 9
G2 Solutions @ August 17, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Lockheed Martin completed the first aerial refueling tests for BF-2, a short-takeoff and vertical landing prototype of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
HEETE (Highly Efficient Embedded Turbofan Engine)
G2 Solutions @ August 17, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Bill Sweetman produces this very interesting entry in this morning’s Ares about USAF HEETE program.
The good Monsignor Norris regretted in his August 6 report that there was no model of the USAF’s HEETE (Highly Efficient Embedded Turbofan Engine) on show at the Joint Propulsion Conference in Denver.
Russian Knights Lose CO Following Mishap Near Zhukovsky Airfield
G2 Solutions @ August 16, 2009 # No Comment Yet
Col. Igor Tkachenko, the Russian Knights Commanding Officer was lost today following a collision with another SU-27 while rehearshing the display ahead of the MAKS airshow near Zhukovsky.
Coverage:
NPR: 2 Russian jets collide in air show rehearsal
Foxnews: Russian Jets Collide During Air Show Rehearsal