Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008 - (Page 12)

FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 The All-England Lawn Car Park and Air Show Site The formal title of what most of the world refers to as “Wimbledon” is “The AllEngland Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club,” making the UK famous for holding the only major international tennis tournament played on grass instead of an artificial or clay surface. Unfortunately for those who are in the aerospace business, UK air shows are also the only such events on the international calendar where car parks are also—you guessed—grass. Due to very heavy rains the past few days this long-honored practice has now forced the cancellation of this past weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), and may even cause problems here at Farnborough, prompting some to ask if it is not time to think about upgrading the infrastructure of these venues. Some would say it is long overdue. When former British Airways CEO, Australian-born Rod Eddington, returned to the UK several years ago (after a 20-year absence) and took the helm of the airline he declared himself appalled at the country’s dismal infrastructure. “I look around and wonder what's been going on since I left. All I can see is the M25, which is constantly clogged, and the Jubilee line extension on the London underground. That's a very bad advertisement for a country that claims to have the fourth largest economy in the world.” Most of those who were planning to attend RIAT would probably agree. ATR Speeds Work on New Regional Airliner Regional airliner manufacturer ATR (Chalet K12/13) is speeding efforts on a next-generation family of 70- to 98-seat aircraft, and won’t pursue a further stretch of the twin turboprop ATR 72. Propulsion options being considered include propfan and geared turbofan, as well as a conventional turbofan. ATR CEO Stephane Mayer says the only way to meet emerging requirements for improved performance, coupled with reduced operating costs and emissions, is with a new design. Superhawk to Embark on European Tour Sikorsky has revealed that its H-92 Superhawk helicopter will visit at least nine countries throughout Europe over the next several weeks to demonstrate its mission capabilities. Able to accommodate 22 troops, the Superhawk’s nearly six ft (1.82 m) wide ramp will accommodate 1,000 pounds (453 kg) and support external lift operations with its cargo hook capable of lifting 10,000 lb (4,536 kg). “The Superhawk offers a unique combination of large cabin, mission capabilities and low operating cost, which translates to a balanced cost-effective solution to customers,” said Bruce McKinney, vice president, Sikorsky Europe. The Superhawk is on static display here at Farnborough. P&WC Plans $90 Million Flight Test Center Pratt & Whitney Canada will invest $90 million in a new flight test operations center at MontrealMirabel International Airport to support flight testing for the complete range of Pratt & Whitney engines, from turboprops to turbofans, up to 90,000 pounds of thrust. Flight test operations positions currently located in Plattsburgh, New York, and Saint-Hubert, Quebec, will be transferred to Mirabel. P&WC will operate two Boeing B747SP test aircraft by the time the new facility is completed next spring. These aircraft will be upgraded and modified with the necessary test equipment. Saab 2000/Erieye Offers Expanded Endurance The Saab 2000/Erieye advanced AEW system is based on Sweden’s well-proven Saab 340/Erieye combination, but expanded and enhanced to take advantage of a larger, 10-hour endurance platform. On display here is the first production aircraft for the Pakistan Air Force (with Swedish test registration SE-045), developed as part of the Horizon program. The aircraft has a purpose-built mission suite for a team of onboard operators. It provides full air-to-air and air-to-ground surveillance and tracking with its Erieye AESA radar, which can be datalinked to the commanders on the ground. It is also fitted with a Saab electronic surveillance system to gather electronic and communications intelligence. Cowart Tapped for Gulfstream’s SST Program Gulfstream Aerospace (Chalet J, Business Aircraft Park) has appointed Robert A. "Robbie" Cowart director of supersonic development, responsible for the development of advanced technology support for quiet supersonic flight over land, with principal focus on sonic boom suppression, and high efficiency, low noise and low emissions in supersonic cruise. Cowart is an 18-year veteran with Gulfstream, most recently serving as project engineer for the Supersonic T echnology Program. Gulfstream/IAI CAEW Debuts Gulfstream and IAI are also showing their Conformal AEW (CAEW) system in public for the first time at Farnborough. The CAEW combines a Gulfstream G550 airframe with the IAI Elta Systems EL/W-2085 Phalcon AESA radar and mission suite. The CAEW system can carry up to six onboard operators, with datalinked connections to ground centers, and features a comprehensive Elint and Comint system. The aircraft here (Serial 569) was delivered to the Israeli defense force/air force in July 2007. The six-aircraft CAEW program was a cooperative effort between Israel and Singapore, and four CAEWs have been acquired by the Republic of Singapore’s air force. 12 July 14, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008

Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008 Contents Thirty More Years CFM Reveals New Engine Boeing Reduces Forecast UAVs’ Quiet Revolution Finmeccanica: U.S. Success A Plethora of AESAs BAE North America Plus L-3 Becomes a Prime Better Late Than Never A Peek Behind the Curtain China’s J-10 Revealed Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Breaking LM’s Hegemony

Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008

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