Aerospace
National Research Council Gives NASA A C-
December 17, 2012 2:11 pm | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | Articles | CommentsIt’s a cliché to say that if you don’t know where you’re going, it will be hard to tell when you get there or how long it will take. But that is the picture that emerges from the investigation and analysis performed by members of the NRC panel, who visited ten different sites in the widespread NASA organization.
Boeing Delivers First New Jet To Iraq In Decades
December 17, 2012 8:31 am | by Adam Schreck, Associated Press | News | CommentsIraq is eager to improve its creaky aviation industry, which lags far behind that of its energy-rich neighbors. Boeing's delivery of the twin-aisle 777-200LR plane comes less than two weeks after the company's chief rival Airbus announced the delivery of one of its own wide-body planes to Iraq.
United Tech Sells 3 Businesses For $3.5B
December 13, 2012 3:54 pm | News | CommentsUnited Technologies Corp. has sold two industrial businesses, raising nearly $3.5 billion to help finance its purchase of aerospace parts maker Goodrich Corp. The Hartford-based conglomerate said Thursday it completed the sale of Milton Roy Co., Sullair Corp. and Sundyne Corp. to BC Partners and The Carlyle Group for $3.46 billion.
Engineering Newswire 17: Life-Sized, Programmable Humanoid Robot Talks, Sings, Acts
December 13, 2012 10:32 am | by Eric Sorensen, Coordinator of Multimedia Development | Videos | CommentsToday on Engineering Newswire, we’re working with the world’s smallest wrench, crossing the pacific in an autonomous wave rider, and creating a humanoid robot that can walk, talk, and … act? Today’s episode features: RoboThespian is a life-sized, programmable humanoid robot designed to talk, sing, he’s even recites Shakespeare. Engineered Arts is currently at work on a next generation humanoid dynamic robot.
Virgin Galactic's Future At Spaceport Uncertain
December 12, 2012 11:39 pm | by Jeri Clausing, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe deal was sold to New Mexicans in classic Richard Branson fashion. If taxpayers would build the colorful British businessman a $209 million futuristic spaceport, he would make New Mexico the launching point for a space tourism business catering to the rich and famous.
Pratt & Whitney Sells Turbine Unit To Mitsubishi
December 12, 2012 8:48 am | News | CommentsJet engine maker Pratt & Whitney is selling its Power Systems segment, saying it will focus more on its core aerospace and commercial businesses. The United Technologies Corp. subsidiary announced Wednesday it is selling the turbine business to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Air Force Sends Mystery Mini-Shuttle Into Space
December 11, 2012 1:38 pm | by Marcia Dunn, AP Aerospace Writer | News | CommentsA top-secret mini-space shuttle has blasted off from Cape Canaveral. The Air Force launched the unmanned spacecraft Tuesday aboard an Atlas V rocket. These mystery machines are about one-quarter the size of NASA's old space shuttles and they can land automatically on a runway.
Engineering Newswire 16: Designing an Underwater Hotel
December 11, 2012 9:25 am | by Eric Sorensen, Coordinator of Multimedia Development | Videos | CommentsToday on Engineering Newswire, we’re taking our first taste test on Mars, building an underwater hotel, and powering the EcoBot with nothing more than poo.
Turkish Airlines Finalizes Boeing Order
December 10, 2012 8:56 am | News | CommentsTurkish Airlines has finalized an order for 15 Boeing airplanes that will help it fly to more destinations globally. The order is valued at $4.7 billion at list prices although customers buying multiple planes often get a discount. The companies said Monday that the deal, initially announced in October as a commitment, includes options for five more of the 777-300ER planes.
To The Moon? Firm Hopes To Sell $1.5 Billion Trips
December 6, 2012 1:57 pm | by Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsA team of former NASA executives is launching a private venture to send people to the moon for a price that is definitely out of this world. For $1.5 billion, the newly formed business is offering countries a two-person trip to the moon, either for research or national prestige.
Delta Order With Bombardier Worth Up To $3.29B
December 6, 2012 11:46 am | News | CommentsDelta Air Lines is ordering up to 70 aircraft from Bombardier, which could be worth about $3.29 billion. Bombardier Aerospace said Thursday that Delta placed an order for 40 NextGen regional jets and has options for an additional 30 CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.
EADS Downgraded After Shareholder Overhaul
December 6, 2012 11:41 am | News | CommentsMoody's Investor Service lowered its main credit rating for EADS, the make of Airbus plans, citing the European aerospace giant's overhaul of its ownership structure. EADS on Wednesday announced a sweeping change to its shareholding structure which will see overall government influence by state shareholders France and Germany shrink.
How Airbus Makes The A380
December 6, 2012 10:39 am | by CNN Money | Videos | CommentsJust a glimpse of the 1,500 engineers working are enough to give you an idea of the size and scale of the super jumbo A380. Each part requires precision and patience - 4,000 rivets alone are used to attach the wings to the body. CNN's Ayesha Durgahee looks at how Airbus assembles and tests the largest passenger jet in the world.
Boeing In Deal To Sell 737s To Icelandair
December 6, 2012 9:38 am | News | CommentsBoeing will sell 12 of its new 737 version to Icelandair, the company said Thursday. The initial order, which is not yet final, is worth a combined $1.2 billion at list prices, but airlines rarely pay full price. The new 737, which Boeing calls the Max, has a new engine and is billed as the most fuel efficient plane available of its kind.
Hawker Beechcraft Closer To Exiting Bankruptcy
December 6, 2012 8:01 am | News | CommentsPlane maker Hawker Beechcraft Corp. is a step closer to exiting bankruptcy after a court ruling approving the company's disclosure statement. The ruling by the bankruptcy court on Wednesday means Hawker Beechcraft can begin soliciting approval of its plan of reorganization from its creditors.
2 Plead Guilty In Plot To Ship Aircraft To Iran
December 3, 2012 2:04 pm | News | CommentsAn Iranian national and a U.S. citizen who worked as an airline pilot have pleaded guilty in a plot aimed at illegally shipping aircraft and parts to Iran for civilian use. Federal authorities say both men face up to 40 years in prison and fines of $500,000 following their guilty pleas to a two-count indictment unsealed before their hearing Monday in federal court in Louisville, Ky.
EADS Confirms Talks On Shareholder Structure
December 3, 2012 9:50 am | News | CommentsIn response to media reports that EADS was talking about capping state stakes and giving both France and Germany voting shares of 12 percent each, the company issued a statement Monday that it was in discussions whose objective was to "preserve and enhance... the interests of all stakeholders."
USS Enterprise Carrier Taken Out Of Active Service
December 1, 2012 4:14 pm | by Brock Vergakis, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was retired from active service on Saturday, temporarily reducing the number of carriers in the U.S. fleet to 10 until 2015. The Enterprise was the largest ship in the world at the time it was built, inheriting the nickname "Big E" from a famed World War II aircraft carrier.
Boeing Hopes Defense Cuts Will Spare Tanker
November 29, 2012 5:29 pm | by Joshua Freed, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBoeing expects its new tanker for the U.S. Air Force to be untouched by cuts in defense spending next year, its top defense executive said Thursday. Defense contractors have been getting ready for automatic defense cuts that are a part of the so-called fiscal cliff that starts in January if Washington lawmakers can't strike a budget deal.
Court Overturns Supersonic Jet Crash Conviction
November 29, 2012 10:29 am | by Greg Keller, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsA French court overturned the conviction of Continental Airlines and its mechanic in the crash of a Concorde that helped lead to the demise of the whole supersonic jet's program. The court ruled that the mechanic's mistakes did not rise to the level of legal responsibility for the deaths.
NuSil Technology Continues Expansion With Fourth Building
November 28, 2012 12:30 pm | News | Comments“The expansion at Bakersfield is a long-term strategic decision for NuSil to help facilitate and maintain the growth of the company,” said Scott Mraz, President and CFO of NuSil Technology LLC. “Our goal is to increase capacity with the best available manufacturing technology, and we have made significant investments in new energy-efficient buildings and processes to accomplish this goal.”
Bombardier In Deal With VistaJet For $7.8B
November 27, 2012 2:00 pm | News | CommentsCanada-based Bombardier Inc. says it has made the biggest sale of business aircraft in its history, potentially worth up to $7.8 billion if all options are exercised. VistaJet, a private European company that provides luxury chartered flights, has placed firm orders for 56 Bombardier Global jets valued at $3.1 billion and acquired options for a further 86 Global jets.
China Praises Engineer In Aircraft Carrier Program
November 26, 2012 9:53 am | News | CommentsChina's government gave hero's praise Monday to a senior engineer on its aircraft carrier program who died of a heart attack after witnessing the first landing of a plane on the ship, underscoring the project's huge national prestige. State broadcaster CCTV ran news of Luo Yuan's death as its first item on the noon news broadcast, an unusual honor for a scientist who was previously unknown outside of the carrier program.
Danes To Buy Sikorsky Combat Helicopters
November 21, 2012 10:13 am | News | CommentsDenmark's Defense Ministry says it will purchase nine Sikorsky Sea Hawk naval combat helicopters for 4 billion kroner ($686 million). Minister Nick Haekkerup said in a statement Wednesday that the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters built by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin will be delivered in 2016-2018.
Hawker Beechcraft Customers Balk At Inventory Sale
November 19, 2012 2:09 pm | by Roxana Hegeman, Associated Press | News | CommentsHawker Beechcraft wants to sell the remaining inventory on "an expedited basis," without bankruptcy court approval of each sale, because it believes the value of the discontinued line of planes will continue to decline as competitors introduce new aircraft and further dilute the company's share in the business jet industry.
