The Times (UK) reports the X-59, built by Skunk Works, “promises to open a new era of supersonic travel.” The X-59 “has been designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without generating the thunderous, window-rattling sonic boom that has, until now, accompanied all supersonic flight. Instead, it should produce what NASA describe as a ‘gentle sonic thump’ – about as loud as a car door being slammed several metres away. The aim is to persuade regulators, including in Britain, to amend rules that have banned faster-than-sound commercial flights over land since the 1970s because of the noise nuisance.” Later this year, according to The Times, the “X-59 will pass over densely populated areas of the US. Residents will be asked what they think about the thump and the findings will guide future legislation.”
Full Story (The Times {UK})
Tag: aviation industry
NASA and Lockheed Martin Unveil X-59 “Quiet” Supersonic Demonstrator
Defense Daily reported that on January 12, NASA and Skunk Works “rolled out the X-59 ‘quiet’ supersonic demonstrator aircraft in Palmdale, Calif.” FlightGlobal reports that during the “roll-out ceremony at Lockheed’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, the sleek, single-engine jet was hailed by its developers as a potentially ‘revolutionary’ step forward that could unlock commercial supersonic flights over populated areas.” Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator, said, “As we unveil this technological marvel, it’s really important to understand the profound impact the X-59 holds for the aviation industry. … Today, supersonic flight brings a thunderous boom. It is restricted across populated areas for good reason. And the X-59 is going to break that barrier.”
Full Story (Defense Daily); More Info (FlightGlobal)
USAF Asks Aviation Industry to Detail Plans for KC-135 Replacement
Aviation Week reported that the US Air Force “wants to kick off a program to replace its aging Boeing KC-135s this month with a request for information (RFI), followed by industry days on both this effort and future mobility programs.” Aviation Week adds the USAF posted the “rare ‘heads-up’ notice on Sept. 1.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
GAMA Reveals Aviation Sector Full-Year Numbers for Deliveries and Billings
FlightGlobal reports that the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) “revealed the sector’s full-year figures for unit deliveries and billings.” The major airframers “boosted their aircraft output in 2022, revenue increases tended to be even greater, indicating some impact from inflation perhaps, but also that manufacturers are better able to maintain their prices.” For example, business jet deliveries increased in number by only two aircraft, but total value of the jets went up 4.5%. The top five manufacturers – Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream and Textron Aviation – “all saw their unit deliveries and billings rise in 2022.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal – Subscription Publication)
AIAA Statement on Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2021 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement after the president signed the legislation into law:
“The American Rescue Plan will help sustain the U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) industry during these ongoing difficult times. This vital industry is a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise that supports 2.19 million jobs nationally and many more globally. It has improved our quality of life by transforming transportation, medicine, defense, and security. The necessary aid this package provides will help the employees, small businesses, and large contractors who make up the A&D sector continue to play a critical role in safely leading the nation back to a healthy and prosperous future.
AIAA applauds lawmakers’ steps to support the aviation manufacturing industry, workforce, and supply chain, which has been severely weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic and will take several years to recover. Bipartisan efforts to provide economic relief with the inclusion of the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act in the package is especially helpful. That provision allocates $3 billion in payroll support for aerospace manufacturers, including a 50% government cost-share program for workers most at risk of layoff or furlough. The package also gives agencies funds to cover certain contractor costs and to keep skilled personnel and workers in a ready state during the pandemic response through Fiscal Year 2021. Moreover, many small businesses – essential to the A&D industry’s supply chain – will directly benefit from the additional $7.25 billion made available to the Paycheck Protection Program.”
AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270.
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.