Radome
- The UK government has launched a new innovation and research agency, with a remit to pursue risky but high pay-off projects. The £800m ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency) is patterned after the US DARPA organisation. Designed to respond rapidly and empower scientists and inventors, ARIA will be exempt from freedom of information laws and restrictions in place to stop taxpayers’ money being invested in high-risk projects. It is set to be operational in 2022.
- Gloucester-based Electroflight is to develop a high-energy battery system for the all-electric ES-19 airliner under development from Sweden’s Heart Aerospace. The contribution of a certifiable battery for aerospace systems, along with partner Baines Simmons, leverages Electroflight’s experience working on electric racing aircraft, with its latest collaboration being on the Rolls-Royce ACCEL electric aircraft, set to fly later this year.
- Boeing has submitted technical comments to regulators for the installation of central fuel tanks for Airbus’ latest A321XLR, alleging that the location presents an increased fire risk. The submission to EASA says that: “The location of such an integral fuel tank immediately aft of the main landing gear presents the most extensive range of threats to be considered.” The A321XLR, is the longest range narrowbody yet from Airbus and is set to enter service in 2023.
- Rolls-Royce is to collaborate with Italian airframer Tecnam and Norwegian regional airline Widerøe to develop an all-electric nine-passenger commuter aircraft, the P-Volt. The P-Volt, based on the P2012 Traveller, will help Norway achieve its goal of making all domestic flights zero-emission by 2040.
- Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific has announced a record loss of $2.8bn for 2020 as a result of the pandemic. The airline had previously reported a profit of $220m in 2019. Due to the crisis, it is also retiring 34 aircraft early, while nearly 50% of its fleet are now in longterm storage.
- The UK government is reported to be considering cutting the air passenger duty (APD) tax as a way of stimulating demand in the domestic air travel market and reinvigorating the battered airline sector. A consultation has been launched.
- Dutch flag carrier KLM has taken delivery of its first Embraer E195 E2 regional aircraft. The E195 E2, acquired via ICBC Leasing, will be used by KLM’s Cityhopper arm, where it brings the total number of Embraer jets up to 50. KLM has leasing options for 25 E2s.
- UK airlines reported a surge on flight and holiday bookings after the government announced a potential phased plan to exit lockdown and restart international travel. EasyJet said flight bookings had jumped 300%, while holiday bookings had risen 600% on the news that travel may restart from mid-May. Other holiday and airline firms, such as TUI and Jet2 reported similar surges.
- BAE Systems has revealed that the Tempest crewed fighter portion of the UK’s FCAS future combat systems is set to transition from the R&D phase to the Concept and Assessment phase this summer. Talking to reporters ahead of the imminent approval of the project’s outline business case, the programme’s BAE head, Michael Christie, said that the transition to this next phase, along with aligning parallel development with international partners, were the two priorities for the programme this year.
- The first Taiwanese AIDC T-5 Yung Yin (Brave Eagle) advanced jet trainer/light fighter is shortly to be handed over to the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) for operational testing and evaluation.
- The Israeli MoD has announced it is to become the first export customer for the US-built Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, heavy-lift helicopter which will replace its existing CH-53D fleet. The IAF currently operates 22 of the ageing CH-53D models and will replace these with between 20-25 of the latest CH-53K variants, which are also set to enter service with the US Marine Corps.
- Airbus Space has announced that it has won a two-year study contract to investigate the feasibility of building satellites in LEO. The PERIOD (PERASPERA In-Orbit Demonstration) project, it is envisaged, would lead to an orbital demonstrator. 3D printing parts, or assembling satellites in orbit, would allow for larger, lighter antennas, without the need to fold them up or make them structurally strong enough to survive a rocket launch.
- New Zealand’s Rocket Lab has announced that it is to go public with a merger with SPAC Vector Acquisition Corp, making for a company worth $4.1bn. The company will use this cash boost to help develop Neutron, a larger eight-ton launcher than its current Electron vehicle, which will be suitable for mega-constellations, beyond LEO missions and will be human-rated.
- SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype SN10 successfully landed, then exploded 8mins later after a high-altitude flight test on 3 March, in Boca Chica, Texas. The vehicle was seen to land heavily but safely in one piece on its landing legs but then a fire developed near its base and the rocket then exploded at the 8mins mark. The flight was the third in a series of trials to demonstrate the high-altitude flip re-entry manoeuvre.
- eVTOL start-up Joby Aviation has gone public on the New York Stock Exchange and merged with Reinvent Technology Partners, a special purpose acquisition company, (SPAC) – giving it access to $1.6bn of funding. Joby, which has now conducted 1,000 test flights with its passenger eVTOL, says it intends to begin air taxi services in 2024. Its five-seat eVTOL, has a range of 150miles at 200mph.
- Diamond Aircraft has won an order from North Carolina-based pilot training school Blue Line Aviation for 50 new aircraft. The order includes single engine DA40 NGs, twin engine DA42-VIs and a Diamond simulator, with the option for 50 additional aircraft. The flight school is expanding with a new 50,000sq ft $16m HQ at Johnston Regional Airport, expected to open later this year.