tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67762289420706721512024-03-17T04:26:51.644-04:00AviationFlying. The planes, the people, and the history.K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-71865140264829527342012-08-11T14:39:00.002-04:002012-08-11T14:39:42.586-04:00MARS ROVER CURIOSITY LANDING - full colour panoramic pictures of the martian landscape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As most of us already know, the Mars rover Curiosity successfully landed in Gale Crater, Mars on August 6, 05:17:57 .3 UTC (or Coordinated Universal Time). Launched from Cape Canaveral on November 16 last year, Curiosity took almost ten months to reach Mars. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfLK0PGHRuU/UCakpfG4NaI/AAAAAAAAAPM/mq31Wx0wwvI/s1600/mars-rover-landing-sequence-landed_57831_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfLK0PGHRuU/UCakpfG4NaI/AAAAAAAAAPM/mq31Wx0wwvI/s640/mars-rover-landing-sequence-landed_57831_600x450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/578/cache/mars-rover-landing-sequence-landed_57831_600x450.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
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The Curiosity mission is NASA's first astrobiology mission since the Viking probes of the 1970's. The rover costs $2.5 billion and is the most complex interplanetary rover ever built. Weighing over 900 kg, the Curiosity is packed with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and a generator that draws energy from nuclear power called a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. This power source, in contrast to the expected solar panels, will provide more power to the rover and avoids the problem of Martian dust blocking the panels from the sun.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Main Goals</span></b><br />
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Curiosity's main scientific goals in its 23 month long mission (668 Martian sols or Martian days) are (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_rover_curiosity#Goals_and_objectives">wiki</a>):<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>determine mineralogical composition of the crater surface</li>
<li>attempt to detect chemical building blocks of life</li>
<li>interpret the processes that have formed and modified rocks and soils</li>
<li>assess the long timescale Martian atmospheric evolution processes</li>
<li>determine present state, distribution, and cycling of water and carbon dioxide</li>
<li>characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Descent</span></b></div>
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<tr><th style="background-color: #f2f2f2; border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em; text-align: center;">Event</th><th style="background-color: #f2f2f2; border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em; text-align: center;">Time of Event Occurrence at Mars (PDT)</th><th style="background-color: #f2f2f2; border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em; text-align: center;">Time Event Occurrence Received on Earth (PDT)</th></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">Atmospheric Entry</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:10:45.7 PM</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:24:33.8 PM</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">Parachute Deploy</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:15:04.9 PM</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:28:53.0 PM</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">Heat Shield Separation</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:15:24.6 PM</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:29:12.7 PM</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">Rover Separation (from Descent Stage)</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:17:38.6 PM</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:31:26.7 PM</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">Touchdown</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:17:57.3 PM</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); padding: 0.2em;">10:31:45.4 PM</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CA-1HunB7lE/UCaRorWpqhI/AAAAAAAAAO8/7BddB20IDCg/s1600/675607main_edl20120809-673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CA-1HunB7lE/UCaRorWpqhI/AAAAAAAAAO8/7BddB20IDCg/s640/675607main_edl20120809-673.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the time of Curiosity reaching the outer edges of the Martian atmosphere to its landing took 7 minutes and has been aptly dubbed as the "7 minutes of terror" by NASA mission control (<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/675607main_edl20120809-673.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
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As Curiosity entered the Martian atmosphere, it was travelling at 24 times the speed of sound and pulling up to 11 g's. With such a heavy load dropping down at such an immense speed, the descent system employs the world's largest supersonic parachute. Several rockets augment the deceleration of the rover in its final stages before touchdown. </div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Landing</b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NldJajBaZMA/UCak7LeRcCI/AAAAAAAAAPU/M8Jvovw4w7s/s1600/first+colour+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NldJajBaZMA/UCak7LeRcCI/AAAAAAAAAPU/M8Jvovw4w7s/s320/first+colour+image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curiosity's first colour image of the Martian landscape (<a href="http://i.space.com/images/i/20244/i02/curiosity-martian-landscape-1600.jpg?1344357099">link</a>)</td></tr>
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<div>
After a 350-million-mile journey, Curiosity landed only 1.5 miles off the target area, a very impressive feat in comparison to previous Mars landings. This accuracy is also paramount to the mission success as the chosen landing site had an 18 000-foot mountain, called Aeolis Mons or Mount Sharp, only 7 miles to the south. Aeolis Mons is the principle target for Curiosity's 2-year period of exploration. NASA scientists hope that the sedimentary deposits that are exposed on the mountain sides will provide a detailed geological history of Mars as well as providing clues or evidence of the historical presence of water or lifeforms. </div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So Far...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
Curiosity has spent the first four Martian days (sol) on Mars checking its systems to make sure no damage was sustained during its descent, performing minute science operations, and taking pictures of its surroundings. All these activities were suspended in the beginning of the fifth sol (Friday night, California time) as NASA scientists prepare to remotely install new computer software uploaded to the Rover while it was en route to Mars. This new software will allow NASA to safely drive the Rover on Mars. The previous software handled the complex tasks of atmospheric entry, descent, and landing. </div>
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It will be a week and bit before Curiosity actually starts moving on the Martian surface as its myriad of systems will all need to be checked. </div>
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Although it is planned that Curiosity's expected period of "life" will be up to 2 years, it is likely that the mission will go on for much longer. Opportunity, a previous Mars rover that landed in 2004, was planned to only run for 3 months but is still working as of today.</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-87804443589289428892012-08-10T12:57:00.002-04:002012-08-10T12:58:01.524-04:00F-35 Lightning II Photo Gallery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/unknownskywalker/608380750/1/tumblr_l2layd2qjW1qzyhb5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/unknownskywalker/608380750/1/tumblr_l2layd2qjW1qzyhb5" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Two F-35's in formation (<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/unknownskywalker/608380750/1/tumblr_l2layd2qjW1qzyhb5">link</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.armybase.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-jsf-lightning-ii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://www.armybase.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-jsf-lightning-ii.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F-35 on display (<a href="http://www.armybase.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-jsf-lightning-ii.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/f35b-stealth--fighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/f35b-stealth--fighter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F-35 taking off vertically (<a href="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/f35b-stealth--fighter.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.peacealliancewinnipeg.ca/wp-content/uploads/stealth-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://www.peacealliancewinnipeg.ca/wp-content/uploads/stealth-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">F-35 front view (<a href="http://www.peacealliancewinnipeg.ca/wp-content/uploads/stealth-3.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sflorg.com/aviation_gallery/albums/military/military_07.sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://www.sflorg.com/aviation_gallery/albums/military/military_07.sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F-35 flying towards an aircraft carrier (<a href="http://www.sflorg.com/aviation_gallery/albums/military/military_07.sized.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-78335062706065682482012-08-09T17:48:00.001-04:002012-08-11T11:07:43.664-04:00MODERN ATTACK AIRCRAFT RESEMBLES WWII FIGHTERS - A-29 Super Tucano, a counter insurgency powerhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uB81tK9_FE/UCZ1I7HVJjI/AAAAAAAAANM/nN_h1jCbQyk/s1600/a29_super_tucano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uB81tK9_FE/UCZ1I7HVJjI/AAAAAAAAANM/nN_h1jCbQyk/s640/a29_super_tucano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~otranto/fab/fotos/super_tucano_a29/a29_super_tucano.jpg">link</a>)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Designed and built by Embraer Defense and Security, the EMB-314 Super Tucano (also named ALX and A-29) is a versatile turboprop aircraft aimed mainly for light attack, aerial support, and reconnaissance roles in low threat environments; attributes that are perfect for counter insurgency operations. Don't be deceived by its WWII-esque fighter aircraft airframe as the Super Tucano incorporates 4th-gen avionics and weapons systems to deliver precision guided munitions. Because of its low cost and high maneuverability (stemming from its light weight and low speed), the EMB-314 is also an ideal training aircraft. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Super Tucano has been very successful and is currently in service with many developing countries (Brazil, Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, and Chile) where insurgency is a large problem. Several other countries have also ordered
EMB-314's, which, surprisingly, also included the United States. The Super Tucano won a USAF competition for a Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft, beating the AT-6 from Hawker Beechcraft.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.aereo.jor.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/super-tucano-linha-de-voo-foto-embraer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://www.aereo.jor.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/super-tucano-linha-de-voo-foto-embraer.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Super Tucano is based off the EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft used by the Brazilian Air Force. It was developed due to a rising need for a light attack aircraft to keep Brazil's borders secure. The Super Tucano also met the requirements of the air force's ALX project for a new trainer aircraft. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Super Tucano was planned to be equipped with the more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C engines. With power came more weight in this case, so the fuselage of the original Tucano was extended fore and aft of the cockpit by 1.37-m total to restore the centre of gravity. The airframe was also strengthened, the landing gear reinforced, cockpit pressurization was introduced, and the nose was stretched to house the larger engine. Several prototypes were built and tested and in 1995, the Brazilian government granted Embraer $ 50 million to develop the Super Tucano for the ALX project. The initial flight of the production-configured Super Tucano happened on June 2, 1999.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Besides alterations to the airframe and overall structure of the baseline Tucano, the Super Tucano also had:</span><br />
<ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2gbr6C10wQ/TjbZ0om6iaI/AAAAAAAAAl0/OtSgxVaEOGw/s1600/emb314supertucanobn0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2gbr6C10wQ/TjbZ0om6iaI/AAAAAAAAAl0/OtSgxVaEOGw/s320/emb314supertucanobn0.png" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kevlar armour protection</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a .50 calibre machine gun mount</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 hard-points on the wings (giving it a capacity to carry ordnances from cannon pods to air-to-air missiles)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a new Night Vision compatible cockpit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) controls</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Numerous new avionics systems including missile approach warning receiver systems (MAWS) and radar warning receivers (RWR).</span></li>
</ul>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since its introduction in 2003, the Super Tucano has seen a large amount of military action, including Brazil's Operation Ágata 1,2, and 3. The operations involved rigorous military action over the borders of Brazil to rid them of illegal activities such as drug trafficking and non-permitted mining/logging. The Super Tucanos were also extensively used by the Columbian Air Force in its ongoing campaign against the rebel FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia) guerilla forces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Specifications (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Tucano#Specifications_.28EMB_314.29">wiki</a>)</span></div>
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<big><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">General characteristics</span></b></big></div>
<ul style="background-color: white;">
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Crew:</b> One pilot on single seat version, one pilot plus one navigator/student on double seat version</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Payload:</b> 1,550 kg (3,420 lb)</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Length:</b> 11.42 m (37 ft 6 in)</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Wingspan:</b> 11.14 m (36 ft 7 in)</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Height:</b> 3.9 m (12 ft 9.5 in)</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Wing area:</b> 19.4 m² (209 sq ft)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Empty weight:</b><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> 3,200 kg</span><span style="line-height: 10.65333366394043px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">(7,055 lb)</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Max. takeoff weight:</b> 5,400 kg (11,905 lb)</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Powerplant:</b> 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop, 1,600 hp (1,193 kW)</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em; text-align: start;">
<big><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Performance</span></b></big></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Maximum speed:</b> 590 km/h (319 knots, 367 mph)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Cruise speed:</b> 520 km/h (281 knots, 323 mph)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Stall speed:</b> 148 km/h (80 knots, 92 mph</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>g</i>-limits:</b> +7/-3.5 <i>g</i>)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Range:</b> 720 nmi (827 mi, 1,330 km)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Combat radius:</b> 550 km (300 nmi, 342 mi) (hi-lo-hi profile, 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of external stores)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ferry range:</b> 1,541 nmi (1,774 mi, 2,855 km) </span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Endurance:</b> 8hrs 40mins</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Service ceiling:</b> 10,668 m (35,000 ft)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Rate of climb:</b> 24 m/s (79 ft/s)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-79394197102603520592012-08-08T09:14:00.004-04:002012-08-08T09:25:52.342-04:00CHINA'S NEWEST ATTACK HELICOPTER - WZ-10<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Manufactured by Changehe Aircraft Industries Corporation, the WZ-10 was first introduced to the People's Liberation Army in December 2010. It is categorized as an attack helicopter and designed mainly for anti-tank/anti-ground activities with a subsidiary air-to-air role. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i54.tinypic.com/1zev0y8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/1zev0y8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The development of the WZ-10 was the result of failed foreign ventures in the late 1900's to purchase helicopters dedicated to meet the "attack" role. China realized that they needed a solution to counter large armoured formations and their fleet of civilian helicopters converted to military roles were simply inadequate. At that time, China did not have a strong aviation industry and so sought after foreign produced aircraft, evaluating several candidates such as the Italian Agusta A129 Mangusta and the US AH-1 Cobras. A contract was secured for the latter but this was subsequently cancelled due to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the ensuing arms embargo. Further offers to the Russians and Bulgarians for the Mil Mi-28 were rejected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What was left over were the indigenous programs: the Armed Helicopter Development Team <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">(武装直升机开发工作小组) and the China Medium Helicopter (CHM) program. The Gulf War ushered in a new urgency for a dedicated air-to-ground attack helicopter and in 2000, China abandoned all ventures on foreign purchase with another failed deal with the Russians. The WZ-10 program accelerated and in April 2003, a prototype made its maiden flight at Lumeng airfield. In the coming years, numerous prototypes were built and by January 2006 after three rigorous testing phases, weaponry and sensory tests that included live ammunition were taking place. </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avionics</span></span><br />
<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMqH_0A4iLBDv_7VDg0h8GetrISza0DYWKtNkrrT-9KF93JLedA-r_vmwr" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMqH_0A4iLBDv_7VDg0h8GetrISza0DYWKtNkrrT-9KF93JLedA-r_vmwr" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">The WZ-10 incorporates top end technology in its avionics. The helicopter uses a holographic HUD and the first </span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">indigenous helicopter to use HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick).</span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> Also, unlike previous home brewed helicopters, the WZ-10 navigation systems are fully integrated and many instruments are designed to be easily replaced by upcoming technology that is still in development. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The electronic warfare system of the WZ-10 is the first Chinese system that integrates all the key components: radar, radar warning receivers, laser warning receivers, electronic support measures, and electronic counter-measures. The aircraft also has an advanced electro-optics system comprising a colour daytime TV camera, night vision camera, imaging infrared camera, and a laser targeting system. The entire system is integrated with the HMS (Helmet Mounted Sight) system. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Engines</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">The WZ-10 is currently powered by foreign engines as it was clear Chinese manufacturers will not be able to deliver a suitable powerplant for the helicopter. However, the future long term engines will all be </span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">indigenously</span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> built. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Weaponry</span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0gnAnQihug/TebpJrh80XI/AAAAAAAAEtI/AGl0W7v8M4A/s1600/WZ-10+wz10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0gnAnQihug/TebpJrh80XI/AAAAAAAAEtI/AGl0W7v8M4A/s320/WZ-10+wz10.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The WZ-10 has a modular design concept and can be armed with a variety of weaponry, of Soviet and Western origin. The helicopter's armament consists of a chin-mounted heavy autocannon (30 mm calibre) and 4 hardpoints on the stub wings. Each hardpoint can hold up to 4 missiles. Smaller calibre machine guns and automated grenade launchers can also be mounted in the turret form in lieu of the autocannon.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scandal </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In June of this year, the United States charged United Technologies and two of its subsidiaries for selling the necessary engines codes to operate the WZ-10. The Chinese government denied buying the software but United Technologies agreed to settle the charges for more than $75 million (<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/china-labels-u-helicopter-allegations-fictitious-083906960--finance.html">Yahoo News</a>). </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Specifications (<a href="http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2007-04-09/0721438818.html">jczs</a>)</span></span></div>
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<big><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">General characteristics</span></b></big></div>
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<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Crew:</b> 2</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Length:</b> 14.15 m (ft)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Rotor diameter:</b><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> 13.0 m</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 10.65333366394043px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">(ft)</span></span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Height:</b> 3.85 m (ft)</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Empty weight:</b> 5,540 kg (lb)</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Loaded weight:</b> 7,000 kg (lb)</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Useful load:</b> 1,500 kg (lb)</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Max. takeoff weight:</b> 7,000+ kg (lb)</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Powerplant:</b> 2 × WZ-9 turboshaft, 1000 kw (1340 shp) each</span></li>
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<big><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Performance</span></b></big></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Maximum speed:</b> 300 km/h</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Cruise speed:</b> 270 km/h</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ferry range:</b> 800 km</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Service ceiling:</b> 6,400 m (ft)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Rate of climb:</b> over 12 m/s (ft/min)</span></li>
</ul>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-76946769961071500802012-08-07T09:24:00.000-04:002012-08-11T11:28:00.797-04:00A VENERATED GIANT'S WEAKNESS? - F-22 excels at long-range, but not as much in traditional dogfights<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/AC309B8D-0D71-41D3-8B5E-344098FA16AF/0/EurofighterTyphoons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/AC309B8D-0D71-41D3-8B5E-344098FA16AF/0/EurofighterTyphoons.JPG" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurofighter Typhoons</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since its introduction, the F-22 Raptor has been known as the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world. This is certainly not an exaggeration. With its stealth capabilities, state-of-the-art detection equipment (e.g. radars), powerful computers, and potent engines, the aircraft was years ahead of the best fighter aircraft fielded by any other country out there. It was also a Hollywood icon, appearing in multiple Blockbusters such as Iron Man, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and The Avengers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, in a recent (this June) mock military exercise of an international scale called the Red Flag training exercise in Alaska, the F-22 found itself equally matched by Europe's finest fighter aircraft, the Eurofighter Typhoon, in traditional dogfighting. This comes as a surprise since during the 2006 Red Flag exercise, the F-22's had a 144:0 kill ratio; an undefeated giant. As such, the German pilots that confronted the Raptors had initially went in doubtful of their own aircraft's performance and only when the mock aerial duelling start did they realise they could match the F-22 almost turn for turn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This, however, is not a big problem for the F-22 Raptor. The aircraft mainly excels in long-range combat where it is able to track down and lock on to the target miles before the enemy can do the same or do it at all. In fact, according to two German officers that were present at the exercise, Col. Andreas Pfeiffer and Maj. Marco Gumbrecht, the F-22 was far superior compared to the Eurofighter at long range, being able to target the fighter 20 miles out. This is probably why it was so dominant in Red Flag 2006. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image09.webshots.com/9/2/33/45/112423345gdHTbu_ph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://image09.webshots.com/9/2/33/45/112423345gdHTbu_ph.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">F-22 Raptor</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In light of the training exercise, many US military officials have come out to defend the Raptor, arguing primarily that the Raptor and Eurofighter were designed for two different aspects of combat and thus hard to be compared. Much of this reaction stemmed from the F-22's hefty price tag of an estimated $ 420 million while the Eurofighter costs less than half as much at just under $ 200 million.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Red Flag training exercise is a two week ordeal where the air forces of countries allied to the United States meet to undergo simulated air wars, pitching the pilots in a variety of missions. Red Flag takes place in the US annually. You can watch the 2004 Red Flag exercise in the IMAX documentary, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/IMAX-Fighter-Pilot-Operation-Blu-ray/dp/B001BEK88S">Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag</a></i>. </span></div>
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</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-10023486489944878222012-08-05T15:39:00.002-04:002012-08-07T09:27:54.710-04:00BEE SWARM DELAYS PLANE - pittsburgh int. airport<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Wednesday night last week, a Delta commuter flight bound for New York in Pittsburgh International Airport was delayed by a most unexpected thing; a honeybee swarm that had decided to take refuge under the left wing of the aircraft. However bizarre this might seem to outsiders, these bee swarms are not uncommon to the airport's maintenance crews. In fact, the swarm is the fourth one discovered this year.</span><br />
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<a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1128409.1344022477!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/bees4n-2-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1128409.1344022477!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/bees4n-2-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To fix this problem, no act of cruel massacre was performed (nor was it truly an act of kindness as the honey bees are a protected species and thus required by law to be moved). Instead, the airport called in Master beekeeper Stephen Repasky of Meadow Street Apiaries to safely relocate the bees (most likely his fourth time this year at the airport). Repasky worked his magic and scraped the bees off with a light thistle brush into a box later for release.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">According to Repasky, swarms of wayward honey bees form when a colony becomes overpopulated. They show up most anywhere to rest before moving to find a new home. Of course, when the ignorant citizen sees these bees, there's not knowing what s/he would do from fear of seeing such a large cluster of black and yellow. However, Repasky urges the people not to fear upon seeing a swarm as honey bees are extremely docile and would sooner move on if left alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Repasky worked swiftly but gently and the flight was again underway to JFK airport in about 20 minutes. The sentiment on the plane was not that of annoyance but fascination as some took out their phones for pictures and videos. The delay caused by the bees were in fact, irrelevant, as the flight was still going to be delayed going into JFK due to congestion issues. </span>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-4830714263514775602012-08-05T12:15:00.002-04:002012-08-05T12:28:07.941-04:00CONCEPT AIRCRAFT - airbus 2050<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://event.airbus.com/fileadmin/media_gallery/photos/aircraft/future_aircraft_and_concepts/Airbus_Concept_Plane_3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://event.airbus.com/fileadmin/media_gallery/photos/aircraft/future_aircraft_and_concepts/Airbus_Concept_Plane_3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Airbus's envisioning of their newest airliner in 2050 is massive, elegant, and luxurious. The company unveiled the "concept cabin" to the public in advance of the 2011 Paris Air Show "Le Bourget". The cabin sacks the traditional cabin classes that we all despise (economic, business, first class) and replaces them with different seating zones. First, there is the "<i>vitalising zone</i>" where the air is enriched with vitamins and antioxidants, mood lighting, aromatherapy, and acupressure treatments. Second, there is the "<i>interactive zone</i>" where virtual pop-up projections can bring you to an activity you are interested in such as golf or even a changeroom (for the proactive shoppers). Third, there is the "<i>smart tech zone</i>" that is focused on the passengers that need to work and is described by Airbus to have a "chameleon style" offering where seats can change shape according to your preferences among other things.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/jenny/airbus2050/airbus2050concept01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/jenny/airbus2050/airbus2050concept01.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Airbus emphasizes its incorporation of nature into the concept cabin and the imaginary high tech fuselage is a prime example. The airframe's bionic structure of an exoskeleton mimics the efficiency of bird bone where strength is applied where strength is most needed. Apart from the skeletal frame, the rest of the frame will be built with plant based material that will allow the fuselage to have sections that can turn transparent to provide a panoramic view of the sky.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/jenny/airbus2050/airbus2050concept02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/jenny/airbus2050/airbus2050concept02.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The aircraft exterior layout will also emphasize comfort with high tech wing designs and engines placed in the rear that will lower engine noise for passengers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other high tech amenities include an integrated neural network that will identify and respond to passengers' needs including changing the shape of seats or bringing snacks/beverages. The seats of the plane will also be made of self repairing and self cleaning materials, and like the rest of the cabin, will be 100% recyclable. In keeping with the theme of environment, the seats will have body heat energy harvesting technology that will help power the personal holographic screen among other things. The aircraft will also feature double doors for faster boarding and luggage drop off right at the aircraft door.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A 2012 UPDATE OF THE AIRBUS 2050</span></div>
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</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-64493641304195017952012-08-04T22:21:00.002-04:002012-08-04T22:22:54.247-04:00GROUND-TO-AIR LASER RECHARGES AIRCRAFT - LaserMotive's laser power system<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laserfocusworld.com/content/lfw/en/articles/2012/07/lasermotive-lockheed-martin-stalker/_jcr_content/leftcolumn/article/footerimage.img.jpg/1342797374800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://www.laserfocusworld.com/content/lfw/en/articles/2012/07/lasermotive-lockheed-martin-stalker/_jcr_content/leftcolumn/article/footerimage.img.jpg/1342797374800.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lockheed Martin Stalker</td></tr>
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Lockheed Martin's recent test of LaserMotive's new laser powering system on the Lockheed Martin's Stalker, a small, silent UAV used by US special forces since 2006, showed that drones of the future might not need to land to be recharged. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXirG5DXPY/UABcTx5WsLI/AAAAAAAAA8k/mTRyTcUP69o/s1600/Stalker+power+laser+beam+working.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXirG5DXPY/UABcTx5WsLI/AAAAAAAAA8k/mTRyTcUP69o/s320/Stalker+power+laser+beam+working.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visual summary of how the system works.<br />Credits to <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXirG5DXPY/UABcTx5WsLI/AAAAAAAAA8k/mTRyTcUP69o/s1600/Stalker+power+laser+beam+working.PNG">techcentre.in</a></td></tr>
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In the test, the Stalker was modified for compatibility with LaserMotive's laser recharging system through the installation of special photo voltaic cells on the drone (as you can deduce, the way this system works is very similar to that of solar panels). The Stalker was then placed to fly in a wind tunnel under flight conditions so the laser does not have to constantly track and adjust for the drone's position that would have been necessary if it was actually in fight. Results were overwhelmingly positive as the drone seemed to be able to stay in flight indefinitely with the battery power being higher than when the test started. The test team only stopped at 48 hours because it was already greatly passed their originally set endurance goals. Without the laser power system, the Stalker's battery can only last a maximum of 2 hours. </div>
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Although this tremendous rate of power transfer by LaserMotive's wireless recharging systems will be a huge step forward for electric aircraft flight endurance and wireless recharging technology overall, it definitely isn't good news for birds everywhere. </div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-91113460487245164272012-08-04T17:42:00.003-04:002012-08-04T22:23:16.566-04:00SUPERSONIC BIPLANE - the resurrection of the biplane<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/biplane_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/biplane_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese computer model of a <br />
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The biplane/triplane designs largely died out in the 1930's due to their inefficiency compared to monoplanes but we may very well see the rise of them again in the next decade or two. Recently, university teams in Japan and the United States are working on a supersonic biplane design conceived by aviation engineer Adolf Busemann in the 1930's. The concept produces a greatly reduced sonic boom and might mean the revival of commercial supersonic air travel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.avweb.com/newspics/busemann_biplane.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.avweb.com/newspics/busemann_biplane.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busemann's concept; as you can see,<br />
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For Busemann's design to work, the plane's wings had to be in specific angles so shockwaves would destructively interfere as they left the wing cavity. The only problem was, even though the concept aircraft performs well in supersonic flight, it cannot fly at subsonic speeds. This is because the wings are symmetrical, which does not allow for the low-pressure/high-pressure difference between the top and bottom of the wings, respectively, to create enough lift. Also, when approaching supersonic speeds, the two wings create tremendous drag. Now, eight decades later, modern aviation engineering teams in opposite sides of the world are using computer simulations to improve upon Busemann's work and have come up with two different approaches to solve this drag problem.<br />
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The Japanese Tohoku University's research team is experimenting with a plane that has movable wings, eliminating the lift/drag problem in subsonic speeds. The US Stanford/MIT research team has come up with a stationary wing design but with greater wing separation to increase air flow, smoother inner wing surfaces, and curved out wing edges (reduces drag at supersonic speeds). At supersonic speeds, this model is even more flight efficient than the Concorde.<br />
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WHAT ARE SONIC BOOMS and why they are so detrimental to supersonic civilian planes<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Sonic_boom.svg/250px-Sonic_boom.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Sonic_boom.svg/250px-Sonic_boom.svg.png" /></a>As a plane nears supersonic speeds, tremendous pressure builds up in front of the plane as air-pressure waves (created by the displacement of air by the plane) are compressed together. As the plane exceeds the sound barrier, these pressure waves combine to form shock waves that are similar to wake waves generated by a fast moving boat. The sonic boom is heard during the sharp release of pressure after the shock wave passes through. It is this loud sound that greatly annoys civilians and wildlife alike and is one of the main causes of the premature retirement of the Concorde and the subsequent avoidance for the development of newer supersonic passenger jets. Fortunately, it is possible that the supersonic biplane might breath life back into commercial supersonic air travel.K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-21967556734526451812011-05-15T12:29:00.005-04:002012-06-28T20:42:33.836-04:00Human-Powered Helicopter - The Gamera<br />
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<a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/12/article-1386205-0C02A5D400000578-397_634x321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/12/article-1386205-0C02A5D400000578-397_634x321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A team of 52 graduate students of the University of Maryland has successfully flown their human-powered helicopter called the Gamera this week Thursday. The project was started in a bid to set an aviation 'first', a world record, and to win the $ 250 000 Sikorsky Challenge. Although the aircraft successfully lifted off in the air, it is still unofficial as the results still have to be analysed by the NAA and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland.<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The helicopter is made of light weight materials such as balsa wood, mylar, carbon fiber, and foam. The backbone of the helicopter is a massive X frame with each crossbar measuring 60 ft. (18 m). At the ends of the crossbars are four huge rotors 42 ft long (12.6 m). The pilot seats in the middle and will have to peddle furiously to fly the thing. Although the whole aircraft takes up about a third of a football field, it only weighs 210 pounds, plus the pilot. </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The pilot for this Thursday's successful trial is Judy Wexler, a 24 year-old Graduate student of the University of Maryland. Being the pilot, she has to pedal furiously with both her hands and feet as pedaling at 120 rpm will cause the rotors to spin at only 18 rpm. Although the length of the entire flight and the height at which the helicopter reached is uncertain as of now, what is certain is that the aircraft did lift off the ground and that's all they need to beat the world record. Sadly, the Sikorsky Challenge requirements of at least 3 m of altitude and a 1 min flight duration was not met.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It's interesting to note that the Sikorsky Challenge was issued in 1980 and as of today, no one has been able to meet this challenge. </div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-81548974064608050482011-05-08T12:02:00.000-04:002012-06-28T20:45:48.798-04:00Aerial Intelligence - The LEMV Modern Blimp<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">The US military gave Northrop Grumman a $ 517 million contract to create an LEMV or Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle. The LEMV is basically a giant airship that will provide long term aerial reconnaissance and surveillance support for ground troops.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The LEMV is a 300 ft. long behemoth that, like many of the new aircraft being developed, will be unmanned. It can stay aloft in the air for up to three weeks at a time and has a low pressure helium hull. However, what's really incredible of the LEMV is that its aerodynamic hull accounts for 40% of its lift. As a result, the hull does not need a lot of helium to keep it in the airship in the air and so, when the fragile surface of the hull is somehow punctured or shot, the airship will not explode or fall out of the sky.</div>
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<a href="http://karakapend.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/huav-for-lemv_lockheed-martin-thumb-450x313-50020.jpg?w=450&h=313" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="445" src="http://karakapend.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/huav-for-lemv_lockheed-martin-thumb-450x313-50020.jpg?w=450&h=313" style="cursor: move; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The LEMV will be powered by four diesel engines and will cost $15 000 per re-fuel for every three-week mission. This is amazingly one-tenth of the price of fuel used for a helicopter and one-quarter of the price of fuel used for an airplane per mission.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The LEMV is set to be finished and operational in the latter half of this year. It will be used for a demonstration mission in Afghanistan and upon success of the missile, five more will be built.</div>
</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-18092219148704908422011-05-07T12:59:00.005-04:002012-06-28T20:41:36.600-04:00Boeing 787 DreamLiner Photo Gallery<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://otilya.com/categories/Transportation/Air/Planes/Boeing-787-Dreamliner/Boeing-787-Dreamliner-006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://otilya.com/categories/Transportation/Air/Planes/Boeing-787-Dreamliner/Boeing-787-Dreamliner-006.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 600px;" /></a></div>
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Dreamliner in flight</div>
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<a href="http://files.myopera.com/a_testado/blog/450boeing23_newcockpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://files.myopera.com/a_testado/blog/450boeing23_newcockpit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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State-of-the-Art Dreamliner cockpit</div>
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<a href="http://www.aviationnews.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/boeing-787-dreamliner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="429" src="http://www.aviationnews.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/boeing-787-dreamliner.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Dreamliner at its unveiling</div>
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<a href="http://www.lushbling.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/boeing_787_dreamliner_inside-560x354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="403" src="http://www.lushbling.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/boeing_787_dreamliner_inside-560x354.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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Stylish interior</div>
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<a href="http://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Dreamliner in the factory</span></div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-69290526052831759982011-05-07T12:49:00.004-04:002012-08-09T13:45:00.676-04:00Airbus A380 Photo Gallery<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.aviationexplorer.com/aircraft_thumbs/a380_middle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.aviationexplorer.com/aircraft_thumbs/a380_middle.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 669px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 636px;" /></a></div>
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A380 in flight</div>
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Crowd gathers around unveiling of A380</div>
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<a href="http://www.privatejetreviews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/A380-Airbus.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://widebodyaircraft.nl/a380sing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://widebodyaircraft.nl/a380sing.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 353px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 580px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Singapore Airline's A380 in flight</span></div>
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<a href="http://airlineworld.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/a380_bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://airlineworld.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/a380_bar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Luxurious interior of A380</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/airbus-a380-panorama.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 354px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 600px;" /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Spacious seats - What size can offer</span></span></span></div>
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</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-10685970272650211302011-05-01T15:04:00.008-04:002011-05-07T12:26:00.589-04:00'JetMan' Will Fly Through Grand Canyon On Jet Pack<a href="http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/1/4/6/Jet-Man.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 350px;" src="http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/1/4/6/Jet-Man.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yves Rossy, nicknamed 'JetMan', is a Swiss engineer and aviator. Being the first man to achieve sustained human flight with a jet pack, Rossy has flown across the Geneva river, the Alps, the English Channel, and partway through the Strait of Gibraltar (he had to ditch in the ocean because of bad weather but was unharmed). He is planning another feat on Friday, May 6 this month. This time, he will be flying across the Grand Canyon in Arizona.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rossy's jet pack is designed by him and straps onto to him like a backpack. It is powered by 4 jet engines modified from model aircraft engines attached to the undersides of the semi-rigid carbon fibre wings. To steer himself, Rossy's body acts as a rudder. Although powerful, the engines are not strong enough for a takeoff on the ground. Therefore, Rossy has to go onboard a plane and then "takeoff" from there. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In his past flights, Rossy has reached speeds of up to 304 km/h (189 mph).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Assuming that I am able to count, this will be Rossy's 5th official flight to date. In my opinion, it takes a lot of guts to strap onto a jet pack and fly across rivers and mountains at unimaginable heights so let's wish wish Rossy good luck for Friday. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j-66AcTo9TU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-71706062133144563862011-05-01T14:46:00.005-04:002011-05-07T12:26:13.947-04:00Naval-Aerial Power - Carrier Battle Groups<a href="http://www.freewebs.com/keithwarner/ph-10145.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 471px;" src="http://www.freewebs.com/keithwarner/ph-10145.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A carrier battle group is a group of ships centred around an aircraft carrier. These groups consist of destroyers, minesweepers, oil tankers, battleships, and other such crafts that are dedicated to protecting the aircraft carrier. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The carrier battle group first originated in WWII when Japan demonstrated the power of the carrier in the Battle of Pearl Harbour. Nowadays, the US Navy operates the largest number of carrier strike groups (US Navy term). Ten groups are based in the US and one is based in Japan.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As an example of the composition of a typical carrier battle group, here's what the French Charles de Gaulle carrier battle group usually consists of:</div><div><ul><li>the carrier air wing - about 40 aircraft</li><li>a submarine </li><li>two anti-submarine destroyers</li><li>two anti-aircraft destroyers</li><li>one frigate in forward patrol</li><li>one supply ship</li></ul></div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-15164864241355853072011-04-25T19:32:00.008-04:002011-05-07T12:26:27.456-04:00Phantom Ray - Future of UAV's?<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/Phantom_ray_rollout.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 573px; height: 274px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/Phantom_ray_rollout.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Phantom Ray is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Boeing using company funds and is currently being used as a testbed for UAV technologies. It made its first flight in December last year and is currently being used in a series of 10 test flights over six months involving a myriad of battlefield duties such as surveillance, ground attack, and autonomous in-air refueling. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Phantom Ray is derived from the X-45C aircraft. It is fairly large, being 36 feet long and having a wingspan of 50 feet (about 4 cars placed horizontally side-by-side). The aircraft weighs about 36 500 pounds and flies at a cruising speed of 614 mph, one-eight of the speed of sound. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Phantom Ray will not go into service as a combat aircraft but will instead only be used as a testbed. Nevertheless, with its sleek form and white paint job, the Phantom Ray definitely looks like an aircraft of the future.</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-59928280991568897162011-04-24T14:47:00.003-04:002011-05-07T12:26:41.501-04:00Submarines as Aircraft Carriers?<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gizmowatch.com/images/drone.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 444px; height: 279px;" src="http://www.gizmowatch.com/images/drone.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The details are not clear but what is for sure is that the US Navy is planning to equip their ageing nuclear ballistic missile submarine fleet with aerial drones in the missile launch tubes. Since the end of the Cold War in the 80's, the nuclear threat is much diminished and nuclear ballistic missile submarines have lost much of their value. As a result, the US Navy is now trying to find new ways to utilize these underwater warships besides scraping them.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In September of 2009, the US Navy revealed quite a large extent of this program in an interview with Rear Admiral Mark Kenny. The Admiral stated that already 4 of the Cold War-era missile boats have been stripped of its nuclear missiles to make room for conventional weapons, SEAL deployment chambers, and aerial/aquatic drones. Among these that the Admiral mentioned are: a torpedo-sized drone used for eavesdropping, a 45 pound possibly armed aerial drone, and a 15 pound aerial reconnaissance drone that relays video and radio info back to the submarine.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Not much else has been released by the US Navy but it is very possible that the submarines are now a viable platform to launch these drones. This has much implications for the future of naval warfare. Maybe submarines will become the new aircraft carriers, being able to submerge thus giving more protection and stealth. This idea is not very far-fetched as the Japanese have experimented with underwater aircraft launching with their I-14 submarine during WWII.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://www.thehistorybluff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/aircraft-sub.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 461px; height: 239px; " /></span></div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-72002448003724013412011-04-17T18:03:00.007-04:002011-05-07T12:26:59.712-04:00SpaceX's New Rocket - Most Powerful Private Rocket Ever Built<a href="http://timenerdworld.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/falcon-heavy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 580px; height: 330px;" src="http://timenerdworld.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/falcon-heavy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As NASA is wrapping up its space shuttle program, private space corporations are beginning to take a stronghold in space exploration. Recently, SpaceX or Space Explorations Technologies Inc. announced a new rocket called the Falcon Heavy that is only second in size to the Apollo Era's Saturn V.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Falcon Heavy is planned to have a payload of 117 000 pounds, twice that of the Space Shuttle and rival company United Launch Alliance LLC's Delta IV. The new rocket is also much cheaper per launch, costing $ 80 - 120 million. This is a lot less than the cost of Delta IV ($ 140 - 160 million). </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The first demonstration flight of SpaceX's new rocket will be sometime between November and December of 2012 at California's Vandenburg Air Force Base.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The company already has successes with its operational rockets. NASA has given SpaceX a $ 1.6 billion contract to send supplies to the International Space Station through SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on the Falcon 9, the predecessor of the Falcon Heavy.</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-5345138227116336472011-04-16T11:36:00.003-04:002011-04-16T12:16:59.076-04:00The Secretive X-37 - Unmanned US Spacecraft<a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/.a/6a00d8341c4df253ef013489a2e5d9970c-250wi" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://blogs.abcnews.com/.a/6a00d8341c4df253ef013489a2e5d9970c-250wi" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Boeing X-37 OTV (Orbital Test Vehicle) is an unmanned spacecraft similar to the space shuttle in appearance that made its first flight on April 22 of last year. The flight lasted for 225 days and the OTV successfully landed on Vandenburg Air Force Base on December 3 of that year.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The OTV is powered by solar energy during its orbit. It features new thermal protection technology, avionics systems, and an autonomous guidance system.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The OTV has generated much controversy. Amateur astronomers have claimed that they have spotted the spacecraft in orbit and states that the course the spacecraft is on brings it over hotspots around the globe such as Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan. The <i>China Daily</i> newspaper picked up the story and stated that the X-37 is raising concerns of a space arms race. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Right now, the X-37 is already well on its way orbiting the planet on its second mission. It launched on March 5 this year in Cape Canaveral.</div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-12329350616551444462011-04-01T16:10:00.003-04:002011-04-02T11:17:04.630-04:00Hand-launched UAV - The RQ-11B Raven<a href="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/photogallery_image/articles/03-raven.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 525px; height: 383px;" src="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/photogallery_image/articles/03-raven.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Since production of the AeroVironment RQ-11B Raven began in 2004, more than 13 000 units have been built. These small hand-launched remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle or SUAV were originally developed for the US military but have now been adopted by several other countries.<div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Raven is now widely used by the US military for reconnaissance, scouting, surveillance, and target acquisition purposes both day and night. It can fly for about 60-90 minutes in an operational radius of 10 km (6 miles). The Raven can either be remote-controlled from the ground or fly autonomous missions using GPS waypoint navigation. Its small 1.9 kg (4.2 pounds) airframe usually harnesses CCD color video cameras and infrared night vision camera. The aircraft is powered by a small propeller located at the back of the wings.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Landing for the RQ-11B is not a problem as it can automatically fly itself to a predetermined landing point and perform a near vertical (1 foot down, 1 foot forward) "Autoland" descent. If its wings snap or break off on landing, a new one can easily be attached.</div><div><br /></div></div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-76545870304821208002011-03-26T15:10:00.001-04:002011-03-26T15:10:22.854-04:00Video: SmartBird flight further explained<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9fbmWQ3ExEs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-36697272049502684012011-03-26T15:08:00.003-04:002011-03-26T15:09:33.807-04:00Festo's Smartbird - An Ultra Realistic Seagull Robot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/smartbird.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 501px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/smartbird.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A new robotic seagull called the SmartBird designed by the German company Festo that also created the autonomous robotic jellyfish and the elephant-trunk-inspired robotic arm is one of the most realistic animal inspired flying machines ever. To be specific, the robot is modelled after the herring gull and its flight motions and appearance is extremely similar to the real bird. Besides its startling similarities to a real bird, another amazing feature of the robot is that it can take off and land autonomously without any additional drive systems. <div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>To achieve flight, Festo designed the robot with wings that not only beat up and down, but bend at specific spots just like what the wings of a normal bird do in flight. When flying, a lever mechanism increases the degree of deflection from the torso to the wing. The wings can also twist in such a way that during the upwards stroke, the leading edge of the wing is slightly upwards. This is called a positive angle of attack. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Direction can be changed by the opposing motion of the head and torso of the bird. This movement is synchronised by cables and two electric motors. The tail's movements also help change directions. It can tilt left or right to initiate turns or move left to right to generate <a href="http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/yaw.html">yaw</a>. The tail also acts as stabilizer and a <a href="http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/pitch.html">pitch elevator</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The robot has a wing span of about 2 m (6.5 feet), which is much larger than an actual herring gull, and has a weight of about 400 g (1 pound). To achieve this weight, the company used lightweight carbon fibre in the body of the bird. </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>All these design features result in a robot that is light and agile with excellent aerodynamic qualities. In developing the Smartbird, the company says it has successfully deciphered bird flight, "one of the oldest dreams of humankind". They also say that the development of this technology with its functional integration of coupled drive units yields significant ideas and insights that the company can then apply to hybrid drive technology. </div><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nnR8fDW3Ilo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-23124281502295416942011-03-22T14:10:00.006-04:002011-03-22T23:11:42.474-04:00A Flying Car?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/458a1cbb-25e0-48d6-826a-9fad49a9ee28.Full.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 525px; height: 485px;" src="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/458a1cbb-25e0-48d6-826a-9fad49a9ee28.Full.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute received $988 000 late last year to develop an autonomous flight system for DARPA's military flying car concept called the Transformer. If DARPA had its way, the Transformer will be a four-wheeled off road military vehicle that can also transform into a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. It will have a range of 250 nautical miles on a single full tank of fuel, seating for four, and a payload of 1 000 pounds. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Transformer will greatly improve mobility for ground troops. The soldiers will not only move to and fro the battlefield faster, it will also allow them to fly over difficult terrain or terrain with possible enemy troops. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>One of the many challenges of developing the Transformer is the flight system. The ordinary soldier will not be able to fly an aircraft and so the flight system of the vehicle will have to be largely automatic. That's where Carnegie Mellon comes in. Their robotics institute have already won DARPA's Urban Challenge, which is a race to create an automatic car, in 2007 and I would say they are well prepared. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The rest of the Transformer will be developed by AAI and Lockheed Martin, who are creating overall design concepts, and Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne, who is developing the engines. </div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-12406625465966382732011-03-21T15:32:00.005-04:002011-03-21T16:12:44.419-04:00The Beast of Kandahar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2011/01/fca4f5df-716d-48da-8015-58115b44dcac.Full_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 280px;" src="http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2011/01/fca4f5df-716d-48da-8015-58115b44dcac.Full_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This mysterious UAV dubbed "The Beast of Kandahar" has surfaced in many photos in recent years. It first appeared in the skies of Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2009 and the US Air Force confirmed that they did indeed operate a stealth drone called the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel and that the drone is the product of Lockheed's Skunk Works, which is also responsible for the U-2, the <a href="http://webaviation.blogspot.com/2008/01/fastest-plane-in-world-next-to-space.html">SR-71 Blackbird</a>, the F-117 Nighthawk, the <a href="http://webaviation.blogspot.com/2008/06/lockheed-martinboeing-f-22-raptor.html">F-22 Raptor</a>, and the <a href="http://webaviation.blogspot.com/2008/05/lockheed-martin-f-35-lightning-ii_12.html">F-35 Lightning II</a>. However, that was about all that was revealed about this mysterious aircraft. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pictures of the RQ-170 Sentinel right now show that it does not carry any weapons. So what is it used for? Reconnaissance is definitely part of its function but with so many other drones operating in Afghanistan, it certainly is unlikely that information collection is the only function of the drone. Well, according to Bill Sweetman, a blogger that maintains AviationWeek's Ares blog and the undisputed civilian expert of the RQ-170 at this point states that from looking at the belly shape of the Beast, it is most likely configured to carry "a high-powered microwave source" to fry electronic equipment such as radars and weapons computers or as an electronic jamming platform.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>However, right now, the secret drone is more likely jamming radars than using a high-powered microwave weapon. Only four months ago, the US Air Force gave Lockheed Martin $230 000 to develop a microwave energy weapon concept and a month later gave BAE Systems $150 000 to test the effectiveness of microwaves on computers. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It is interesting to note that the RQ-170 Sentinel is similar in appearance to the US Navy's <a href="http://webaviation.blogspot.com/2011/03/navys-new-x-47b-carrier-capable-stealth.html">X-47B</a> Stealth UAV drone. </div>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6776228942070672151.post-82156247176799813662011-03-21T15:30:00.001-04:002011-03-21T15:30:49.299-04:00Anti Gravity Helicopter?!<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wTR-noVj8UI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>K.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15731162740512458858noreply@blogger.com0