The Luxembourg Armed Forces have taken delivery of its Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, which was accepted at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville (Spain) and has performed a ferry flight. It will make a first stop in Luxembourg before continuing its journey to the 15th Wing Air Transport in Melsbroek (Belgium), where the joint airlift unit between Belgium and Luxembourg will be based. With this delivery, Luxembourg becomes the seventh A400M operator.
The aircraft, known as MSN104, will be operated by the Luxembourg Armed Forces and Belgium within a binational unit, together with the seven A400M ordered by Belgium, which is due to receive its first aircraft in the coming weeks.
Alberto Gutierrez, Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “I welcome Luxembourg to the growing A400M user community. With 94 aircraft in service, the A400M is increasingly becoming the air mobility backbone of our customers, both in civil and military environments, as seen in recent COVID-19 crisis missions around the globe.”
The A400M recently achieved additional capabilities such as simultaneous paratrooper dispatch for a maximum of 116 paratroopers using the side doors, automatic low level flight in visual meteorological conditions (the only military transport aircraft with this capability), and aerial delivery and combat off-load that allows a single 16-tonne load to be dropped automatically via parachute extraction. In addition, 25 tonnes can be gravity dropped and the manual combat offload of up to 19 tonnes on pallets (one pass) or 25 tonnes (two passes) on an unpaved runway is possible, which is unprecedented. With regards to helicopter air-to-air refueling operations, the A400M recently achieved the first successful wet contacts with a H225M helicopter.
Category: Military
AEVEX Aerospace Acquires IKHANA and Geodetics
AEVEX Aerospace announced its acquisitions of IKHANA Aircraft Services and Geodetics Incorporated. IKHANA Aircraft Services, headquartered in Murrieta, Calif., is a full-service provider of aircraft engineering, modification, and maintenance solutions (see Aviation Maintenance cover story on IKHANA here). Geodetics Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., designs, develops, and manufactures commercial high-precision positioning and assured navigation products and solutions.
We are thrilled to welcome both of these great companies into the AEVEX family,” said Brian Raduenz, AEVEX CEO.
Each brings unique, world-class capabilities that are consistent with our strategic vision to offer our customers the full spectrum of airborne ISR solutions—from systems engineering and technology integration to mission operations and data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
IKHANA has a long history of engineering, modification, and certification of both jet and turboprop aircraft with extensive experience on a variety of commercial and special-mission aircraft. Geodetics builds a suite of low size, weight, and power (SWaP) products for high-precision, assured positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) that are readily adaptable to any system requiring high-fidelity solutions. Additionally, Geodetics produces application-specific LiDAR mapping and photogrammetry solutions.
When we looked at how to take IKHANA to the next level of growth, AEVEX was the obvious choice,” said John Zublin, President and CEO of IKHANA. “The capability and cultural fit are compelling, and our combined expertise will offer unmatched agility and tailored support to a wide range of customers.
The demand for our solutions is growing dramatically, and a combination with AEVEX is the logical next step for us,” said Dr. Lydia Bock, president and CEO of Geodetics. “AEVEX shares our passion for quality and performance and provides unique insights and access for the continued evolution of our solutions to meet the needs of both civilian and national security customers.
Flying observatory SOFIA Returns to Hamburg for a C-check
SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), a modified Boeing 747SP, is due for another “pit stop”: For a routine check at Lufthansa Technik, the flying observatory of the US space agency NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) landed at Hamburg Airport on 30 September 2020. During this layover, which is equivalent to a C-check taking place approximately every three years, the Boeing 747SP is put through its paces.
“We are looking forward to the renewed cooperation with Lufthansa
Technik,” says Heinz Hammes, SOFIA Project Manager at DLR’s Space Administration branch. “The special circumstances this year require cooperation and increased flexibility from all parties involved. We are convinced that we are in the right place for the tasks ahead.”
New Air Conditioning for the Research Instruments
In the special case of SOFIA, the aircraft will be repaired in
accordance with NASA regulations, which also defined the exact work
packages for this layover. During the extended maintenance visit the
aircraft structure undergoes extensive inspections before necessary
repairs are carried out. Therefore, engines and cabin, including the
panelling and floors, are removed in order to be able to subsequently
carry out the test and maintenance work and to check all cabling and
ducts.
In addition, the air conditioning system is given an upgrade. “This
will enable us to adjust the temperature in the cabin very finely in
future,” explains Hammes. “This is particularly important in the
instrument zone, because every research instrument requires a
precisely fitting ambient temperature.”
The final checks at Lufthansa Technik – for instance on the engines
and the cabin’s internal pressurization – are scheduled for
mid-December. The maintenance work should be completed by the
beginning of February when SOFIA should resume its scientific
operations.
University of Stuttgart Carries Out Telescope Maintenance
The telescope on board of SOFIA, the German contribution and the
heart of the observatory, will also be thoroughly overhauled during
its stay at Lufthansa Technik. This work will be carried out
exclusively by the staff of the German SOFIA Institute (DSI) at the
University of Stuttgart, who are very familiar with this globally
unique system. “With this extensive maintenance, we pay particular
attention to those work packages that, due to their complexity, are
only carried out every three or six years,” says Michael Hütwohl from
DSI, who is responsible for the telescope at SOFIA. “Moreover, a
large number of smaller jobs, from the inspection of the 2.7 meter
primary mirror to software updates of the electronic telescope
systems, are also on the agenda.”
Exceptional Cooperation
At present, more than 10,000 working hours are already earmarked for the scheduled work alone, so that the activities of all those
involved must be well coordinated. “In 2014 and 2017 we have already experienced an exceptionally good cooperation with our colleagues from DSI, DLR and NASA and we are now looking forward to continuing this cooperation,” says Sven Hatje, the project manager at Lufthansa Technik responsible for SOFIA’s C-Checks. “It is great that we can now welcome SOFIA back again.”
Unlike SOFIA’s other visits to Hamburg, this time its scientific
instrument (GREAT – German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz
Frequencies) is mounted on the telescope. It will be disassembled
after landing and brought to the Max Planck Institute for Radio
Astronomy in Bonn for maintenance and optimization.
Special Safety Precautions for Coronavirus Pandemic
All work on the aircraft is carried out under strict safety precautions due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Both Lufthansa Technik and NASA have developed and coordinated comprehensive procedures for working in and on the aircraft. These include the rule that no more than 15 people may be on board at at the same time. The technicians are also obliged to wear a mouth-and-nose protection during the entire work, and only the absolutely necessary personnel have access to the aircraft.
JetSupport and PAL Aerospace Awarded Contract to Supply and Support New Maritime Surveillance Aircraft for the Netherlands Coastguard
JetSupport, in partnership with PAL Aerospace, was awarded a contract to provide and support maritime surveillance aircraft and services for the Netherlands Coastguard. This new contract, executed under the authority of the Defence Material Organization of the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands, will see JetSupport and PAL Aerospace modify and deliver two fully missionized DHC-8 aircraft, provide crew training on all systems and support the operation of the aircraft for an initial ten-year period with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
“Winning this contract in partnership with PAL Aerospace confirms our status as a leading provider of technical services and support solutions for the aerospace industry in the Netherlands,” says Ton
van Deursen, managing director of JetSupport. “We are excited to be a part of the team selected to deliver these vital aircraft and look forward to continuing our support of the Netherlands Coastguard in this essential operation for the next decade.”
These aircraft will be missionized primarily for the purpose of providing air reconnaissance capacity in the North Sea for the Netherlands Coastguard. The aircraft’s tasks will include support for search and rescue, law enforcement and surveillance activities as well as other missions such as “out of area” deployments in support of FRONTEX.
“PAL Aerospace’s partnership with JetSupport on this vital project solidifies our presence in the European intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance market and deepens our relationship with the Netherlands,” said Jake Trainor, CEO of the PAL Group of Companies. “We are excited to work with JetSupport to foster innovation and refine best practices to our mutual benefit, making us a more competitive partnership to pursue additional future work.”
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Completes First Go-Live with iBASEt
iBASEt, a provider of manufacturing, quality, and MRO solutions that enable digital continuity, shared that Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has achieved with its implementation of iBASEt’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The first site went live without customization in just eight months, an achievement considering the complexity of the project. Future sites are expected to go live even faster, iBASEt says.
Lockheed Martin’s iBASEt MES deployment delivers digital continuity across the company’s manufacturing engineering, process planning, shop floor execution, and quality management operations. Over the coming years, iBASEt’s MES will be deployed across multiple Lockheed Martin sites.
“Our digital continuity strategy consolidates multiple existing systems into a single platform, allowing for the necessary retirement of many outdated legacy systems,” explains Brad Leech, senior manager, MES Implementation at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “The improved capabilities of the system allows our team to quickly adapt, delivering more value to our customers.”
“It has been exciting to work with Lockheed Martin along their digital thread journey. Together, we have redefined how a successful MES solution can be deployed within the complex discrete aerospace and defense manufacturing industry,” says Naveen Poonian, CEO and president at iBASEt. “In times of change when facing extreme challenges, leaders rise to the occasion and innovate to take the industry to the next level – we are now experiencing this firsthand and have learned a great deal as part of the process.”
Delta Digital Video’s Encoders Included in Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigate
Delta Digital Video announced that it has been selected to supply video encoders to Saab Australia, who as part of the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) Alliance is conducting a major upgrade to the ANZAC Class Frigates Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) System. The WAMA Alliance is a strategic partnership between the Commonwealth of Australia, BAE Systems, Saab Australia and Naval Ship Management (NSM) for the total asset management of the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates.
Delta Digital Video’s Model 4480E H.264 HD/SD Video Encoders will be integrated into the CCTV System allowing multiple sources of combat system and other video to be converted and input into the CCTV network to be delivered into the Operations Room and throughout the ship.
The compact, rugged Model 4480E H.264 HD/SD Video Encoder is a network appliance designed to compress High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video (HD/SD-SDI, HDMI, RGBHV, RGsB, NTSC, PAL) for transmission over IP networks. The unit converts camera and A/V equipment video to an Ethernet data stream for remote monitoring applications. Utilizing industry-standard H.264 compression, along with flexible adjustments for video resolutions, compression parameters, and network settings, the Model 4480E can be configured to deliver high-quality video at any data rate over an IP network. The unit is easily configured via the Ethernet or serial port. Audio and user-data multiplexing provides for single-stream transmission. The 4480E is compliant with off-the-shelf video players and most decoding hardware. Extended temperature operation makes it ideal for shipboard applications.
“We look forward to taking part in strengthening the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class interoperability” said George Nelson, vice president and general manager. “Performance is all that matters when it comes to designing and engineering video encoders to be deployed on shipboard, UAS, manned ISR aircraft, helicopters, ground vehicle platforms.”
New Applications From LiquidPiston Enable Aircraft Electrification To Improve Drone and Rotorcraft Flight Duration and Fuel Efficiency
LiquidPiston, Inc., developer of advanced rotary internal combustion engines for diesel and jet fuels, announced it received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the U.S. Army for the development of its X-Engine as a hybrid-electric propulsion platform for UAVs. The company showcased its X-Engine powered propulsion platform in a successful parallel hybrid UAV demonstration using jet fuel. The company was also named one of 12 winners in the U.S. Army xTechSearch 3.0, a prize competition to award and accelerate innovative technology solutions that can help solve key Army challenges, for its X-Engine configured as a high-efficiency auxiliary power unit (APU). These new aviation applications of LiquidPiston’s X-Engine technology demonstrate the versatility of the X-Engine system and its ability to provide compact, fuel-efficient power for manned or unmanned aircraft using military-grade heavy fuels such as JP8.
“This SBIR award and xTechSearch 3.0 innovation competition showcases the Army’s interest in innovative, fuel-efficient power sources to deliver the power needed to support Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Modernization Priorities,” said Alec Shkolnik, CEO and co-founder of LiquidPiston. “When we reimagined the rotary engine with the X-Engine, we knew it could be used to improve power generation in a number of different ways, given its high power-to-weight, efficiency, and ability to run on heavy fuel including Jet-A / JP8 fuel which the Army wants to use exclusively. The versatility of LiquidPiston’s X-Engine enables the company to provide hybrid-electric power generation in various form factors, which makes it uniquely suited to serve not just FVL, but all 6 of the Army’s modernization priorities.”
The X-Engine, a rotary engine that operates on the company’s patented High-Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC), is the perfect power source for a hybrid-electric propulsion platform because of its compact size and fuel efficiency. UAVs with Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) capabilities enable the Army to launch and land UAVs on a small area and set up and stow quickly while the X-Engine hybrid-electric power system allows minimization of heavy, low energy density onboard batteries. The X-Engine, configured as a parallel electric hybrid, also provides UAVs with the unique ability to cruise in “quiet mode” using electric-only power, with the ability to restart the engine mid-flight, enabling more efficient fuel usage and stealthier missions. The ability to do this on jet fuel has not previously been demonstrated in other vehicles currently fielded.
The flexibility of the X-Engine can further be seen with the company’s development of various APU concepts for Army aircraft and land vehicles. The company entered into the xTechSearch competition with a high-efficiency aviation APU concept for rotorcraft. The proposed unit is compact, highly-efficient, and can perform the typical on-ground APU functions but also functions in-flight to offload the main engines in providing supplementary power for hydraulics, heating and cooling, and addresses the increasing power demands of the onboard electronics, weapons and other equipment. In APU applications, the X-Engine approaches the power density and packaging similar to a turbine-based APU, with the efficiency of a Diesel engine. Today’s APU’s are only 5-10% efficient, making them useful for only short periods on the ground. The LiquidPiston APU would offer substantial gains in power and efficiency and offload the main engines, allowing a helicopter substantial gains in range, or adding a passenger or other payload capability.
The X-Engine, when matured and deployed, will help to provide the increasing power requirements for direct and hybrid electric propulsion for the US Army Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) and other DoD UAS programs as well as Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), Supplemental Power Units (SPUs) and Power & Thermal Management Systems (PTMS) for manned rotorcraft and fixed wing aircraft.
Dr. William Cohen, Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) i.e. ASA(ALT), said “Advanced power generation and alternative fuels are critical for the Army, and we continuously seek new technologies that can materially improve our ability to execute national security missions. Reliable engine technologies that offer a wide range of sustainable applications, from UAVs to auxiliary power units for air and land vehicles, can increase endurance and lessen reliance on contested or extended supply lines. Potential benefits include increased reliability and access to power, increased redundancy within the power distribution network, reduced logistics footprint associated with fuel distribution, and extended operational reach.”
Safran Makes Management Appointments
Olivier Andriès has been named Executive Vice President, effective September 10, 2020. He is a member of the Group’s Executive Committee. As initially announced, Olivier Andriès will succeed Philippe Petitcolin as Chief Executive Officer of Safran on January 1, 2021.
Olivier Andriès joined the Treasury department at the French Ministry of Finance in 1990, where he oversaw aerospace and defense companies. In 1993, he joined the cabinet of the Minister of the Economy and Finance, as advisor on industrial affairs. In 1995 he moved to the Lagardère group as Deputy Director of Strategy, and was named personal advisor to Jean-Luc Lagardère in 1998. Olivier Andriès joined Airbus in 2000, in charge of Widebody Aircraft Programs. He was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2005 as Executive Vice President, Strategy. He joined Safran in 2008 as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Development. He was subsequently named Executive Vice President, in charge of the Defense and Security branch, and a member of the Management Board, in 2009. In 2011, Olivier Andriès was named Chief Executive Officer of Turbomeca (now Safran Helicopter Engines). In 2015 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines.
Olivier Andriès, 58, holds degrees from Ecole Polytechnique (1981) and Ecole des Mines de Paris (1984).
Jean-Paul Alary has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines, effective September 10, 2020. He succeeds Olivier Andriès and is a member of the Group’s Executive Committee.
Jean-Paul Alary started his career in 1991 at Snecma Moteurs (now Safran Aircraft Engines). After heading a business unit at Microturbo Limited (now Safran Power Units), he joined Hurel-Hispano (now Safran Nacelles) in 2004 as program manager, was named head of Aircelle’s Large Nacelles division in 2007, then Vice President, Programs in 2008. He moved to Snecma’s Commercial Engine division in 2010 as head of customer support. In 2013, Jean-Paul Alary was named Executive Vice President, Safran Electronics division at Sagem (now Safran Electronics & Defense). In 2015, he was named CEO of Safran Nacelles, and in 2018 he was appointed CEO of Safran Landing Systems.
Jean-Paul Alary, 54, graduated from the Ecole Centrale Paris engineering school (1990).
Cédric Goubet has been named Chief Executive Officer of Safran Landing Systems, effective September 10, 2020. He succeeds Jean-Paul Alary and is a member of the Group’s Executive Committee.
Cédric Goubet started as career as a senior civil servant. In 2004, he was appointed advisor to the French ministers of the interior and the economy. In 2007, he was named chief of staff for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a position he held until joining Safran in 2010 as deputy to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Operations. He was named Vice President for CFM programs at Snecma (now Safran Aircraft Engines) and Executive Vice President of CFM International in 2011. In 2015 he became Executive Vice President, Commercial Engine division at Safran Aircraft Engines, and in 2018, he was appointed CEO of Safran Nacelles.
Cédric Goubet, 49, holds a political science degree from Paris IEP (Institut d’Études Politiques, 1993) and a master’s degree in international economics from Paris Dauphine University (1994). He also attended ENA (École Nationale d’Administration), the leading school for French senior civil servants (1998).
Vincent Caro has been named Chief Executive Officer of Safran Nacelles, effective September 10, 2020. He succeeds Cédric Goubet and becomes a member of the Group’s Executive Committee.
Vincent Caro started his career with Labinal’s automotive business, in a series of purchasing positions. He was named head of purchasing at Labinal in 2001, then Managing Director of the Casablanca, Morocco-based joint venture Matis Aerospace (between Boeing and Safran) in 2005. He moved to Snecma (now Safran Aircraft Engines) in 2008 as head of purchasing, then joined Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (now Safran Landing Systems) in 2013 as Executive Vice President, Programs. Two years later, he was named head of the company’s Wheels and Brakes division.
Vincent Caro, 50, graduated from the ESTACA engineering school, and holds an advanced master’s degree from ESSEC (1996) and an Executive MBA from HEC (2011).
Greene Tweed Announces New, Ultra-Low-Temperature EPM 953 Elastomer for Phosphate Ester Hydraulic Systems
Greene Tweed, a maker of high-performance seals, thermoplastics, composites, and engineered components, announces the release of its new EPM 953 elastomer for phosphate ester hydraulic systems in aerospace applications.
Developed for its ultra-low-temperature performance and compatibility with phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, EPM 953 outperforms existing EP elastomers and maintains an excellent seal at temperatures as low as -85°F (-65°C) or below.
Suitable for static and dynamic seals in hydraulic actuation systems, Greene Tweed’s EPM 953 delivers improved elasticity at ultra-low-temperatures. The new proprietary elastomer material has been extensively tested, ensuring high durability and little to no hydraulic fluid leakage over the lifetime of an aircraft. EPM 953 meets and exceeds the new AMS 7361 in independent testing.
In addition, the new EPM 953 improves dynamic cap seal energization while increasing the margin of safety and elasticity at low temperatures. The company says ts superior hydraulic fluid leak prevention ensures reduced environmental impact by eliminating the release of phosphate ester hydraulic fluids into the environment.
Delta Digital Video Receives Editor’s Choice Award from Military Embedded Systems for Multi-platform Rugged Video Encoder
Delta Digital Video, maker of video compression, recording, & scan conversion solutions for government and commercial applications, has been awarded Military Embedded Systems Editor’s Choice Award in the July/August magazine issue for its Model 7840R 4-Channel HD/SD H.265 Rugged Video Encoder.
“We’ve chosen to recognize Delta Digital Video with our Editor’s Choice award for its low SWaP Model 7840R – which supports multiplatform applications,” according to the Military Embedded Systems editorial team.
Delta Digital Video’s Model 7840R H.265 HD/SD Video Encoder compresses video and audio signals, multiplexing them with metadata and other system information for real-time video transmission applications. Intended for end uses including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), the 7840R is capable of simultaneously encoding four channels of video with resolutions up to 1080p. Using the H.265 (HEVC) video compression algorithm, the encoder provides high-quality video transmission at various resolutions and a wide range of bandwidths. The H.265 compression algorithm takes advantage of highly bit-efficient coding to provide encoded streams at nearly half the bandwidth of its H.264 (AVC) predecessor.
“It is an honor to be recognized with an Editor’s Choice Award from Military Embedded Systems,” said George Nelson, Vice President and General Manager. “The Model 7840R is the newest addition to our line of rugged high-performance H.265 video encoders. It is designed to be deployed on shipboard, UAS, manned ISR aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicle platforms.” Delta Digital Video’s world-class video encoders are specifically engineered to ensure mission success.