Space Highlights - November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016

The United Launch Alliance expects to see its eighth launch of the year before the end of December, with the anticipated launch of the EchoStar 19 communications satellite aboard an Atlas 5 rocket.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/11/28/atlas-5-rocket-to-finish-year-with-commercial-broadband-satellite-launch/


China successfully launched its fourth data satellite, completing a global relay system to support its satellite network.  The satellite, the Tianlian I-04, was launched aboard a Long March 3C rocket.
http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/china-successfully-launches-fourth-data-satellite-4392662/


The ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has begun to exercise its instruments for the first time, after successfully entering Martian orbit last month.
http://www.space.com/34810-europe-mars-orbiter-tests-science-instruments.html


India's ISRO has begun planning for its second Mars orbiter, following the success of its MoM-1 spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Mars for a little over a year.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isro-seeks-proposals-for-mars-orbiter-mission-2/articleshow/55627163.cms


Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have suggested that new computer models point to the hypothesized Planet 9 - which is believed by many to be responsible for perturbing the orbital paths of several Kuiper belt objects in the far reaches of our solar system - as being an exoplanet that was captured by our sun.
https://knowridge.com/2016/11/how-the-new-planet-9-was-stolen-by-our-sun/

Wide Body Report - November 29, 2016

November 29, 2016

The first Airbus A350-1000 prototype made its first flight on Thursday November 24th.  The stretched version of the A350, featuring an all-new wing and higher-thrust engines, is expected to compete head-to-head with the Boeing 777.
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/airbus-completes-first-flight-of-a350-1000-challenger-to-boeings-twinjets/
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2016-11-24/airbus-a350-1000-completes-first-flight


The World Trade Organization has ruled that a Washington state tax break amounts to an illegal subsidy for Boeing's 777X airline, which is still under development.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/business/international/world-trade-organization-rules-against-boeing-tax-break-for-new-jet.html?_r=0

Vietnam Airlines has taken delivery of its 10th Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  The airline has nine more 787s on order, with all aircraft powered by General Electric GEnx-1B engines.
http://www.postandcourier.com/business/vietnam-airlines-picks-up-from-boeing-s-north-charleston-site/article_ac724c24-b31b-11e6-abe9-fffce3770aaf.html
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-delivers-10th-787-dreamliner-to-vietnam-airlines-300368624.html

A United Airlines Boeing 747-400 en route to Japan aborted its flight shortly after take-off, after reporting a compressor stall in its number two engine.  The airplane was equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines.
http://fortune.com/2016/11/28/united-airline-flight-engine/

Single Aisle News - November 28, 2016

November 28, 2016

Bombardier has been awarded the same type rating (STR) for both the CS100 and CS300 aircraft models, by both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada.  This allows for delivery of CS300 aircraft under the previously issued type certification for the CS100 model.
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newseasa-transport-canada-awards-str-for-bombardier-c-series-jets-5679802


Bombardier expects to hand over the first CS300 airplane to launch customer airBaltic during a ceremony on Monday November 28th.
http://montrealgazette.com/business/bombardier-to-deliver-first-c300-on-monday-to-airbaltic


Embraer expects to begin assembly for the first wing for its prototype E195-E2 airplane within the next few days.  The E195-E2 is a stretched version of the E190-E2 which is already in flight test.  The E195-E2 will feature up to 144 seats.
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2016-11-21/embraer-ready-assemble-first-e195-e2-wing


The fourth Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) prototype made its first flight from Nagoya Airfield on November 22nd.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-fourth-mrj-prototype-makes-maiden-sortie-431695/


Thai AirAsia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 NEO, with a second airplane due at the end of December.  AirAsia's NEO fleet is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1141205/thai-airasia-adds-a320neo-to-boost-fleet


Fiji Airways has ordered five Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft to replace its narrowbody fleet of 737-800s and -700s.  The first MAX-8 will be delivered in 2018.
http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines/fiji-airways-commits-five-boeing-737-max-8s

Fighter Jet Times - November 24, 2016

November 24, 2016

Canada has begun negotiating for an "interim" purchase of 18 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.  The Canadian government has not formally withdrawn from the F-35 program.  However, the ruling Liberal Party had previously pledged to pursue less expensive options for recapitalizing Canada's fighter fleet.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article116510233.html


Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $536 million sustainment contract for the F-22 fighter.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newslockheed-wins-536m-f-22-sustainment-services-contract-from-usaf-5673940


Reports continue to circulate, comparing the presumed capabilities of China's J-20 stealth fighter, which recently entered low rate initial production, and the Russian PAK-FA stealth fighter, which is expected be procurred by both the Russian and Indian armed forces.
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-india-s-stealth-fighter-pak-fa-will-be-superior-to-chinese-j-20-report-357719


Japan recently scrambled fighters to the East China Sea after a reported flyover of Japanese claimed islands by a Russian helicopter.
http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=197982


Turkish warplanes have reportedly staged air strikes against suspected PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) positions in northern Iraq.
http://www.nrttv.com/en/Details.aspx?Jimare=11100


Lockheed Martin has secured a $1.2 billion contract to upgrade Korea's F-16 fighters.  The deal includes the installation of APG-83 AESA radar.  Lockheed snagged the deal after an earlier agreement with BAE Systems fell through, due to rising costs.
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/lockheed-martin-clinches-12b-fms-deal-for-koreas-f-16-cm712005
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/11/21/lockheed-scores-1-2-billion-contract-to-upgrade.html


The U.S. State Department has formally approved the sale of 72 F-15QA Strike Eagles to Qatar and 40 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to Kuwait.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/state-department-approves-kuwait-and-qatar-fighter-431637/


South Korea is continuing to negotiate technology offset agreements with the United States, for the supply of components and technologies for a proposed indigenous South Korean stealth fighter.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/korea-pursuing-kfx-technology-through-future-offset-431682/


The Russian MiG-29K that recently crashed into the Mediterranean reportedly ran out of fuel as it was awaiting permission to land on the carrier deck.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/11/22/Crashed-Russian-MiG-29-ran-out-of-fuel-awaiting-repairs-officials-say/2691479842178/

Space Highlights - November 23, 2016

November 23, 2016

After multiple delays, the next-generation GOES-R weather satellite was finally launched into orbit this past weekend, aboard an Atlas V rocket.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/goes-r-weather-satellite-launch/
http://www.space.com/34777-powerful-weather-satellite-launches-goesr-goes16.html


SpaceX has won a contract to launch a Global Surface Water Survey satellite for NASA in 2021.
http://www.ibtimes.com/spacex-wins-nasa-contract-global-surface-water-survey-satellite-launch-2021-2450233


China has launched its fourth Tianlian 1 communications satellite aboard a Long March 3C booster.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/china-national-space-administration/long-march-3c-launches-fourth-tianlian-1-communications-satellite/


Europe launched four more Galileo geopositioning satellites this past week, aboard an Ariane 5 booster.
http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/galileo-satellite-launch/


SpaceX has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, to launch up to 4,425 satellites into orbit in the coming years.  Only 1,419 active satellites are currently in orbit around Earth.
http://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-internet-satellite-constellation-2016-11


The EchoStar XXI satellite has arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome for launch aboard a Russian rocket.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/echostar-xxi-satellite-arrives-at-baikonur-cosmodrome-for-launch-300367801.html


Arriving at the International Space Station this past week, at 56 years old, U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson has become the oldest woman to go into space.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/20/502798752/at-56-peggy-whitson-becomes-oldest-female-astronaut


Two Chinese astronauts returned to Earth after 32 days in orbit, in what was China's sixth manned space flight and the longest Chinese manned mission to date.
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/32562/20161122/chinese-astronuts-return-earth-safely-longest-manned-space-mission.htm


NASA's Cassini spacecraft is preparing for a series of 20 "ring grazing" orbits, as it prepares to wrap up its mission to Saturn.
http://phys.org/news/2016-11-cassini-ring-grazing-orbits.html


A recently released study, comparing rock and mineral formations recorded by NASA's Spirit mars rover to formations left at high-altitude hot springs on Earth, suggests that some of the features identified on the Martian surface resemble those formed by microbial life on Earth.
http://www.space.com/34795-mars-life-nasa-spirit-rover.html


NASA has released additional images of Ceres' mysterious "bright spot," as captured by the Dawn spacecraft.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122130643.htm

Wide Body Report - November 22, 2016

November 22, 2016

United has announced plans to retire the last of its Boeing 747 aircraft by October 2018.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2016/11/16/united-boeing-747s-retired-october-2018/93952294/


Phillipine Airlines (PAL) has inducted its seventh Boeing 777 into operational service.
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/244405/pal-brings-home-a-new-boeing-777/


Royal Jordanian has introduced a sixth Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet, with a seventh airplane scheduled for delivery next year.
http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/sixth-boeing-787-joins-the-royal-jordanian-fleet.html


China's Juneyao Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding for the delivery of five Boeing 787s.
http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/china-s-juneyao-airlines-signs-mou-five-boeing-787-9s


The first Boeing 787 destined for Air France has entered flight trials in preparation for delivery.
http://centreforaviation.com/members/direct-news/air-frances-first-boeing-787-9-takes-off-314210


A lawsuit has been filed against United Airlines, Boeing and engine manufacturer General Electric in connection with the Boeing 767 that suffered an engine failure and fire at Chicago's O'Hare Airport in October.  All 170 passengers and crew were successfully evacuated from the airplane, although 20 passengers reported minor injuries.
http://patch.com/illinois/chicago/american-airlines-engine-manufacturers-sued-passengers-ohare-airplane-fire


Lufthansa expects to receive its first Airbus A350-900 on December 19th, with commercial operation to commence in February.
http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/lufthansa-set-to-receive-first-airbus-a350-900/


Assembly has begun on the first six Airbus A350-900s ordered by Malaysia Airlines.
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/189378/mas-first-order-six-airbus-a350-xwbs-undergoing-assembly-worldwide


First flight of the Airbus A350-1000 has been scheduled for November 24th.  The A350-1000 is a stretched version of the airplane, featuring a new wing and greater range, that is expected to compete with the Boeing 777 for high-capacity, long-distance routes.  The smaller A350-900 competes with the Boeing 787 for sales.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/airbus-a350-1000-first-flight-scheduled-nov-24


Emirates has complained that the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines which are expected to equip 50 of its Airbus A380 super-jumbo aircraft have not been performing as advertized.  Emirates closed on a deal last year for the supply of the Trent engines, after previously purchasing GP7000 engines to equip its first batch of 90 A380 aircraft.  The first Trent-powered A380 is expected to be delivered to Emirates in December.
http://www.thenational.ae/emirates-airline-says-rolls-royces-airbus-a380-engines-not-up-to-standard

Single Aisle News - November 21, 2016

November 21, 2016

Latvian carrier airBaltic intends to introduce the Bombardier CS300 - the larger of the two C-Series variants - into revenue service on December 14th.  AirBaltic is the launch customer for the CS300 model, with 20 aircraft on order.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/airbaltic-launch-bombardier-cseries-300-service-dec-14


Embraer is proposing an electronic eavesdropping version of its E2 E-Jet for service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, together with its KC390 military transport.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/embraer-responds-to-new-zealand-rfi-for-airlift-surveillance-aircraft


A second Mitsubishi Regional Jet prototype has arrived in the United States to participate in the airplane's flight test program.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/19/business/corporate-business/mitsubishis-second-test-jet-arrives-u-s-flight-trials/


Japan's Peach Aviation has placed orders for 10 Airbus A320 NEO aircraft, as well as for 3 A320 CEO models.  Peach Aviation is 39-percent owned by ANA.  No engine selection has been announced.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-airbus-orders-idUSKBN13D0AH
http://www.wsj.com/articles/japans-peach-aviation-orders-13-airbus-jets-1479435492


United Continental Holdings has deferred deliveries of future Boeing 737s, converting 61 of the 737-800 aircraft that it currently has on order to 737 MAX models, and delaying delivery to an unspecified future date.
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/11/17/boeing-737-order-deferrals-raise-red-flags-about.html
http://www.wsj.com/articles/united-continental-postpones-boeing-737-jets-1479213003


The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill that would block the sale of Boeing and Airbus commercial aircraft to Iran.  Both manufacturers rely on U.S. components for key items, allowing the U.S. to effectively shut-down a number of existing deals, should the House measure be approved by the Senate and signed into law by the White House.
http://247wallst.com/aerospace-defense/2016/11/18/us-house-votes-to-kill-boeing-airbus-sales-to-iran/

Fighter Jet Times - November 17, 2016

November 17, 2016

The U.S. Air Force has still not established root cause for the fire that broke out in the rear section of an F-35 preparing for a training mission in Idaho last September.
http://ctmirror.org/2016/11/15/air-force-still-doesnt-know-what-caused-f-35-fire/


Chinese marketers are advertising two new anti-aircraft radar systems which they claim can track stealth aircraft such as the F-35 and F-22.  The radar systems were unveiled at this past month's Zhuhai Air Show, and operate in the VHF and UHF frequency bands.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a23846/china-anti-stealth-radars-detect-f-22/


China's first female fighter pilot died in a training accident involving a mid-air collision of two J-10 fighters.  The pilot, Yu Xu was the squadron leader of a Chinese aerobatics team.  The pilot of the other aircraft survived the accident.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Chinas-first-woman-pilot-of-J-10-fighter-jet-killed-in-accident/articleshow/55399490.cms
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/14/first-woman-to-fly-chinas-j-10-fighter-killed-in-crash/


A Russian MiG-29K fighter crashed into the Mediterranean while conducting a training flight from the deck of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.  The carrier was part of a contingent that Russia had expected to use in operations over Syria, where Russia is supporting the government forces of President Assad.  The pilot was recovered without injury.  The accident has been attributed to a mechanical malfunction.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-russia-jet-idUSKBN13922J
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37978463


Turkish warplanes have reportedly made strikes on areas around the Syrian town of al-Bab.  Despite a temporary ceasefire in the nearby city of Aleppo, Syria's civil war has continued to rage elsewhere in the country.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/turkish-warplanes-attack-is-stronghold-in-northern-syria-1.3159839

Space Highlights - November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016

The next-generation GOES-R weather satellite is scheduled to be launched from Cape Canaveral this coming weekend, following multiple delays to its launch schedule due to both weather and technical glitches.
http://www.news4jax.com/weather/weather-satellite-launches-into-space-this-weekend


The WorldView-4 earth observation satellite was launched this past week aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/watch-an-earth-observing-satellite-launch-today/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/atlas-5-rocket-launches-commercial-imaging-satellite/


China launched the Yunhai 1 weather satellite aboard a Long March 2D booster this past week.
http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/11/13/mysterious-weather-satellite-launched-from-china/


China launched five small satellites, including an experimental X-ray pulsar navigation satellite, aboard a Long March 11 booster.
http://www.ibtimes.com/space-news-china-satellite-launched-map-deep-space-using-pulsar-x-rays-ease-2444405


Scientists are examining photographic evidence from funnel-shaped craters on Mars, which could point to locations where microbial life may once have existed.  On Earth, these features correspond to volcanic eruptions which occur under ice - providing a mix of liquid water and minerals that provides ideal conditions for microscopic life to thrive.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2016/11/ice-cauldrons-on-mars
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/space/scientists-dive-inside-weird-looking-mars-funnel-for-the-first-time/news-story/bc04258bedc615b46e16643ce4dbcd18


Despite past technical difficulties, NASA is preparing for the next close fly-by of Jupiter by the Juno spacecraft, due to take place in December.
http://dailycaller.com/2016/11/15/the-world-is-about-to-get-close-up-hd-images-of-jupiter/


A new study compiles additional evidence for the existance of a subsurface ocean on Pluto, leveraging data obtained from the New Horizons spacecraft.
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_Analysis_Supports_Subsurface_Ocean_on_Pluto_1PM_ET_Nov_16_999.html


A group of European scientists report the discover of an exoplanet with five times the mass of Earth, orbiting a red dwarf star 32.7 light years away.  Although the planet is not in its star's habitable zone, its close proximity to Earth make it a promising target for future attempts to directly measure the composition of an alien atmosphere.
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/31847/20161114/scientists-discover-exoplanet-5-times-earth-mass.htm


Tests have confirmed that the CHARIS instrument, fitted to the 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, appears to be operating as expected.  CHARIS (Coronagraphic High Angular Resolution Imaging Spectrograph) is expected to separate the light reflected from distant planets from the light emitted by their parent star, allowing astronomers to make direct measurements for the chemical composition of exoplanet atmospheres.
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2016/11/10/Scientists-unveil-latest-exoplanet-hunter-CHARIS/5811478805167/
https://astronomynow.com/2016/11/11/earth-bound-charis-samples-atmospheric-gases-of-exoplanets/

Wide Body Report - November 15, 2016

November 15, 2016

Emirates Airline has retired its last Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft.  The remaining Emirates fleet is composed completely of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/emirates-becomes-all-airbus-a380boeing-777-operator


An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Kolkata to Delhi made an emergency landing this past weekend, after the pilots reported smoke in the cockpit.  The spoke is believed to be tied to a failed cabin air compressor.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Dreamliner-lands-safely-after-smoke-in-cockpit/articleshow/55405301.cms


An Etihad Airways' Boeing 787 touched down in Johannesburg on its first flight to South Africa, flying out of Abu Dhabi.
http://traveller24.news24.com/News/Flights/pics-etihad-airways-boeing-787-9-dreamliner-touches-down-in-johannesburg-20161108


The FAA and General Electric continue to debate the appropriate corrective action, following the failure in September of a second stage turbine disk on a CF6-80 engine.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ge-engine-explosion-chicago-20161114-story.html


Airbus added 19 confirmed orders to its backlog during the month of October, including the sale to an undisclosed customer for 10 A320 NEOs, the sale to another undisclosed customer for 3 A321 CEOs and 2 A320 CEOs, and the sale to a third undisclosed customer for 4 A319 CEOs.  Airbus' year-to-date order book for 2016 stands at 572 aircraft, including 22 A320 CEO family aircraft, 310 A320 NEO family aircraft, 16 A330 CEO aircraft, 14 A330 NEO aircraft, and 33 A350 family aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/manufacturers/airbus-posts-19-commercial-aircraft-orders-october

Single Aisle News - November 14, 2016

November 14, 2016

The first CS300 C-Series model is expected to be delivered to airBaltic on December 1st.  The CS300 is the larger C-Series model, approaching the seating and range characteristics of a small Boeing 737 or Airbus A319 model.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=125361


Bombardier's CEO, Alain Bellemare has hinted that the promised infusion of investment by Canada's federal government, originally aimed at shoring up the production ramp-up of the C-Series, could also help jump-start an all-new aircraft development effort at Bombardier.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ottawa-cash-could-jumpstart-new-project-bombardier-431401/


Kazakhstan's Air Astana has become the first airline in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to take delivery of the Airbus A320 NEO.  The Air Astana aircraft feature the Pratt & Whitney Geared TurboFan engine.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/air-astana-takes-delivery-first-airbus-a320neo-cis


It is estimated that engine delivery delays for the Pratt & Whitney Geared TurboFan engine, which power over half of the Airbus A320 NEO aircraft being delivered today, will extend throughout most of 2017.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-08/top-airbus-a320neo-buyer-indigo-slows-fleet-plan-on-engine-woes
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pratt-needs-a-year-to-catch-up-on-a320neo-engine-del-431397/


The first production models of the CFM International LEAP-1B engine that powers the Boeing 737 MAX are currently in pre-delivery testing.
http://aviationweek.com/technology/first-production-cfm-leap-1b-engines-enter-predelivery-testing


The first flight of the Irkut MC-21, once slated for the end of 2016, has officially slipped into 2017.  The MC-21 is powered by a version of the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engine that also powers the Airbus A320 NEO.
http://tass.com/economy/911867


China's Comac has begun engine tests of the first LEAP-1C engine slated for flight test aboard the C919, which is expected to fly next year.  The LEAP-1C is a derivative of the LEAP-1A which is offered as an option aboard the Airbus A320 NEO.
http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/comac-begins-c919-leap-1c-engine-runs

Fighter Jet Times - November 10, 2016

November 10, 2016

A USMC F-35B caught fire during a routine training flight, and made an emergency landing at Beaufort, South Carolina.  The incident was classified as a Class-A mishap - meaning that over $2 million of damage occurred.  The fire reportedly initiated in the airplane's internal weapons bay.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/07/marine-corps-f35-caught-fire-training-flight.html


Analysts are reporting that the Pentagon's decision to unilaterally impose final terms on the latest contract for F-35 fighters - after being unable to reconcile negotiating positions between the Defense Department and prime contractor Lockheed Martin - is likely to cut into Lockheed profits during coming years.  Lockheed Martin already earns a smaller profit margin for each F-35 sold than it earns for legacy aircraft such as the F-16.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/lockheed-pentagon-battle-over-f-35-price-1478264213


Repairs are reportedly underway for the first two F-35 fighters destined for delivery to Israel, to correct the faulty wiring insulation that has plagued recent examples of the stealth fighter.  The repairs are not expected to delay the planned delivery date in early December.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/11/03/report-after-insulation-fix-iafs-first-two-stealth-fighter-jets-set-to-arrive-in-israel-as-planned-next-month/


Japan's domestically produced stealth fighter technology demonstrator, the X-2 is expected to enter field tests by Japanese Ministry of Defense pilots this coming month.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/17579/Japan___s_First_X_2_Stealth_Fighter_Jet_To_Be_Tested_This_Month#.WCRNC9QrLs0


Four RAF Eurofighter Typhoons have joined U.S. and South Korean fighters in training maneuvers over South Korea.  The RAF fighters also participated in recent training exercises in Malaysia and Japan, as part of the first Eurofighter Typhoon deployment to the Far East.
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/11/09/2016110900916.html


Two USMC F/A-18 fighters collided off the coast of San Diego.  The pilot of one of the aircraft was able to make an emergency landing at a U.S. Naval Air Base, while the other pilot ejected safely and was recovered at sea.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/marine-fighter-jets-collide-off-san-diego-pilots/story?id=43429571


India's government has approved Defense Ministry plans for the purchase of 83 Tejas fighter jets, as well as 15 helicopter gunships, 464 tanks and 598 mini-drones.
http://thediplomat.com/2016/11/india-orders-83-new-fighter-jets-15-helicopter-gunships-and-464-tanks/


Construction has reportedly begun on a prototype for a second version of China's FC-31 stealth export fighter.  The FC-31 is smaller than the J-20 stealth aircraft that recently entered low rate production for Chinese domestic use.
http://www.janes.com/article/65359/new-details-emerge-on-shenyang-fc-31-fifth-generation-export-fighter


The unveiling of China's first operational stealth fighter, the J-20 at this past month's Zhuhai Air Show has continued to stir apprehension among China's neighbors.
http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20161110-MISSION-CONTROL/Politics-Economy/China-s-new-J-20-stealth-fighter-stirs-up-questions

Space Highlights - November 9, 2016

November 9, 2016

The launch of NASA's GOES-R weather satellite was delayed for a second time, this time due to "technical issues" with the United Launch Alliance booster rocket.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-weather-satellite-delay-ula-20161107-story.html


Space-X has confirmed that it has determined the cause of its Falcon 9 booster explosion on September 1st, attributing the launch failure to an unexpected interaction between supercooled solid oxygen and the carbon-fiber materials that make up the tank.  The event occurred while filling the booster's liquid helium tanks - which are used to maintain pressure in the liquid oxygen and fuel tanks during launch.
http://fortune.com/2016/11/05/spacex-satellite-launch-order/


Despite confirmation that SpaceX has identified root cause for the Falcon 9 launch explosion in September, European satellite provider Inmarsat is examining alternative venues for launching its next communications satellite.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-spacex-may-lose-inmarsat-launch-order-1478165008
http://www.valuewalk.com/2016/11/spacex-inmarsat-satellite/


China successfully launched its first Long March 5 rocket this past week, introducing China's heaviest booster yet into service, with more than twice the launch capacity of prior Chinese rockets.  Among other objectives, the Long March 5 is expected to launch China's future Mars probes in 2020.  This first launch this past week carried the Shijian-7 satellite on its way towards geosynchronous orbit.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-space-idUSKBN12Z0AF
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3903972/China-says-new-rocket-brings-space-station-plans-closer.html


The latest time-lapse video from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveals the formation, movement and dissipation of methane clouds in the atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
http://astronomy.com/news/2016/11/methane-clouds-over-titan


NASA's Opportunity rover has begun what is expected to be the final two years of its mission to Mars, after spending the month of October studying the geology of the Wharton Ridge, on the western rim of Endeavour Crater.  The rover is expected to drive into the crater in coming weeks - from whence it is unlikely to be able to climb back out again.
http://theusbport.com/opportunity-mars-rover-set-for-last-missions-to-find-water/20842


NASA is investigating a possible link between thruster problems with the Juno spacecraft, in orbit around Jupiter, and malfunctions of a similar thruster aboard a recently launched Intelsat satellite.
http://spacenews.com/nasa-investigating-possible-link-between-juno-and-intelsat-thruster-problems/


NASA's Dawn spacecraft has identified a mysterious landslide at the edge of a 10-km wide impact crater, labeled Oxo, on the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres.  The landslide is believed to hold clues into the structure of Ceres' surface.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2016/11/04/dawn_image_of_oxo_crater_on_ceres_shows_it_may_have_triggered_a_massive.html

Wide Body Report - November 8, 2016

November 8, 2016

The engine failure aboard an American Airlines' Boeing 767 last month has been tied to cracks in an HPT turbine disk.  The NTSB has confirmed that fatigue cracks have been found in the 2nd-stage CF6-80 turbine disk, indicating that the crack had initiated prior to the failure event, and that the cracks had been propagating.
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/dramatic-ge-engine-explosion-on-boeing-767-poses-puzzle-for-investigators/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2016/11/04/ntsb-american-airlines-engine-failure-showed-signs-fatigue/93285768/
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/engine-turbine-disk-had-fatigue-crack-before-ohare-plane-fire/


British Airways has unveiled a plan to squeeze an extra 52 seats onto its Boeing 777 economy flights.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/07/british-airways-to-squeeze-extra-52-seats-onto-boeing-777-econom/


Boeing has rolled out the first 777-300ER destined for United Airlines, fresh from the paint shop.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boeing-rolls-out-uniteds-first-777-300er-431099/


Air India has announced plans to resume Boeing 777 service on its New Delhi to London route.  Air India routinely adjusts its aircraft routing assignments to reflect seasonal changes in air traffic.
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-to-resume-boeing-777-services-on-its-new-delhi-london-route-3732696/


Boeing has reduced the number of engineers on contract that are assigned to support 777X development, cutting back several dozen contract engineers in October with a similar number notified that their contracts will not be renewed at year-end.
http://www.heraldnet.com/news/boeing-cutting-back-contract-engineers-on-777x-development/


China Southern signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GE Aviation at this year's Airshow China, for the delivery of GEnx-1B engines to power its 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners currently on order.
http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12276813/china-southern-selects-genx-engine-to-power-its-boeing-787-dreamliners


Qantas has unveiled its new livery and interior for its upcoming Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2016/10/31/qantas-logo-livery-dreamliner/93074980/


Vietnam Airlines has taken delivery of its first of three Airbus A350-900 aircraft on order.
http://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/vietnam-airlines-receives-another-airbus-a350-3491990.html


Emirates has announced the shortest A380 route in the world: from Doha to Dubai.
http://www.traveller.com.au/emirates-announces-shortest-a380-route-in-the-world-doha-to-dubai-gsf2g5


Emirates plans to introduce the A380 super-jumbo on two New Zealand routes, with service to both Christchurch and Auckland.
http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/emirates-brings-airbus-a380-to-two-new-zealand-routes/

Single Aisle News - November 7, 2016

November 7, 2016

Embraer released its 2016-2035 Market Outlook for China, projecting a market requirement for 1,030 new aircraft in the 70 to 130 seat size class during this period.  Embraer's E2 family of E-Jets is projected to capture the major share of this regional jet market.
http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/63246/embraer-projects-1-030-new-jet


China's Qingdao Airlines has selected Pratt & Whitney's PW1100G engine to power its fleet of 18 A320 NEO aircraft currently on order.
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newsqingdao-airlines-selects-pws-purepower-engine-for-new-a320neo-aircraft-5657360


The China Development Bank (CDP) has selected the CFM International LEAP-1A engine to power its first batch of A320 NEO aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/engines/china-s-cdp-leasing-selects-cfm-leap-1a-engine-power-a320neos


Boeing has rolled out its first Boeing Business Jet 737 MAX-7 aircraft.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nbaa-boeing-unveils-bbj-737-max-7-430951/


Russia's Irkut has projected that they could sell as many as 980 MC-21 aircraft worldwide, the first prototype for which is expected to fly at the end of this year.
http://www.rusaviainsider.com/irkut-forecasts-980-mc-21-aircraft-to-be-sold-by-2035/


China's Comac has announced that China Easten Airlines will become the launch customer for its C919 single aisle airline, currently under development.  China Eastern placed a firm order for five C919 aircraft during this past week's Zhuhai Air Show.  Orders from SPDB Financial Leasing, and Citic Financial Leasing (both Chinese based lessors) brought the new order total to 23 for the air show, with options for 33 more.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-airshow-china-china-eastern-idUKKBN12W2Y2?il=0
http://www.reuters.com/article/airshow-china-comac-idUSB9N1CW002

Fighter Jet Times - November 3, 2016

November 3, 2016

The Department of Defense has concluded negotiations with Lockheed Martin for the ninth low rate initial production (LRIP) batch of F-35 fighters.  The contract covers the delivery of 57 additional aircraft.  To close the agreement, however, the U.S. government had to exercise a unilateral contract option - a rarely used clause that automatically imposes standard terms and conditions from previous contracts to bridge remaining differences between the government and Lockheed Martin negotiating positions.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lockheed-pentagon-contract-f35-exclus-idUSKBN12X2LK


The Pentagon has notified Congress that it will require an additional $530 million in aircraft testing costs to complete the development of the F-35.  The request follows the release of another memo from the Pentagon's Director of Operational Testing, recommending that "the program be restructured now."
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-02/lockheed-s-f-35-said-to-need-500-million-more-for-development


Turkey has placed an order for a second batch of F-35 fighters, bringing its total order to 116 aircraft.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/turkey-to-place-new-f-35-order


The first two F-35 fighters are expected to arrive in Israel on December 12th, with another six to be delivered in 2017, out of a total of 33 on order.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israel-plans-speedy-introduction-of-f-35i-431012/


The USAF's Scientific Advisory Board is being funded to launch studies in FY 2017 to help outline the requirements for a Penetrating Counterair Aircraft, which many in the industry are already labeling as a sixth-generation fighter.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/air-force-scientific-advisory-board-takes-second-loo-431023/


China's J-20 stealth fighter made its air show debut at this year's Zuhai Air Show, with two fighters putting on a low altitude performance.  The J-20 recently entered low rate production.  Also featured at the air show was the latest version of China's J-10 fighter, the J-10B.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-j-20-fighter-jet-makes-public-debut-1478003124


Also on display at this year's Airshow China were the latest attempts to develop Chinese jet engines, including a display copy of the WS-10A, which is intended to eventually replace the Russian-built AL-31F engines which power China's J-10 and J-11 (Su-27) fighters.
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2042432/china-air-show-shows-latest-fighter-jet-engines


Chinese officials accused Japan of engaging in "unprofessional, dangerous provocative behavior" during the intercept of Chinese warplanes over the East China Sea.
http://thediplomat.com/2016/10/china-accuses-japan-of-endangering-its-military-aircraft/


India's government has set a goal to procure up to 200 single-engine fighters in an effort to recapitalize its air force fleet.  The F-16 and Sweden's Gripen are both expected to be entries in the new competition.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/govt-offers-to-buy-200-foreign-fighter-jets-if-they-are-made-in-india/articleshow/55130201.cms


Responding to Russian press reports suggesting that a deal for Indian procurement of Russia's 5th generation stealth fighter, the PAK-FA, was imminent, Indian officials have cautioned that terms for a final arrangement have not yet been closed.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/need-more-time-on-5th-gen-fighter-jet-india-tells-russia/317186.html

Space Highlights - November 2, 2016

November 2, 2016

A Japanese H-IIA rocket successfully launched the Himawari 9 weather satellite into orbit.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/japanese-h-iia-rocket-himawari-9-launch/


India's ISRO is aiming to set a world record with the launch of 83 satellites on a single rocket in 2017.
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ISROs_World_record_bid_Launching_83_satellites_on_single_rocket_999.html


China plans to introduce its new Long March 5 satellite booster later this week, with the launch of the Shijian 17 experimental satellite.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/china-national-space-administration/china-debut-powerful-next-generation-long-march-5-launcher-thursday/


Three crew members of the International Space Station - one Russian, one American and one Japanese - returned safely to earth aboard a Soyuz capsule.
https://www.inverse.com/article/22954-space-station-trio-returns-to-earth


NASA has released photos from the Cassini spacecraft, depicting Saturn's hexagonal cloud pattern at its north pole.
http://www.space.com/34573-saturn-rings-hexagon-vortex-cassini-photo.html


NASA's Curiosity rover has captured images of a small metallic meteorite on the surface of Mars.  The fact that the meteorite is intact, and did not produce a crater, gives evidence that it arrived at a time when Mars' atmosphere was thicker and could slow such a meteorite down before impact.
http://www.sciencealert.com/curiosity-has-spotted-a-weird-metallic-meteorite-on-mars


A computer glitch has been identified as the most likely cause for the crash of the European Space Agency's Schiaparelli lander after it entered Mars' atmosphere.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/oct/26/mars-probe-crash-computer-glitch-exomars-schiaparelli-lander


The New Horizon spacecraft has finally uploaded the last of the data that was collected during its flyby of Pluto last year.
http://newatlas.com/nasa-new-horizons-pluto-data/46192/


Scientists believe that they have detected water on the surface of 16 Psyche, a large metallic asteroid that was believed to have been devoid of water up until now.  It is still unclear as to whether the water was native to the asteroid when it was formed or - as many believe - was deposited by subsequent impacts with other asteroids or comets.
https://www.inverse.com/article/22920-scientists-find-water-on-psyche


Astronomers have succeeded in capturing a visual light image of an exoplanet orbiting a star 1200 light years away.  Direct images of exoplanets are extremely difficult to obtain, due to the glare of the parent star.  The exoplanet in question, CVSO 30c is a large gas giant, orbiting the star CVSO 30 at a substantial distance.  The orbital period of CSVO 30c is estimated at some 27,000 years.
http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/picture-giant-exoplanet-04321.html

Wide Body Report - November 1, 2016

November 1, 2016

Phillipines Airlines (PAL) took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER, an airplane that is being leased from Intrepid Aviation.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/148332/new-pal-boeing-777-arrives-in-manila
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-intrepid-aviation-celebrate-delivery-of-milestone-777-300er-to-philippine-airlines-300353995.html


Boeing has unveiled a working mock-up for the wing tip folding mechanism for its future 777-X, currently under development.  The 777-X will feature a greater wing span than any aircraft yet flown, requiring the wind folding feature to navigate existing airports.
http://aviationweek.com/technology/watch-boeing-777x-folding-wingtip


An American Airlines Boeing 767-300ER caught fire at Chicago's O'Hare airport this past week, after its starboard engine suffered an uncontained event.  The airplane was powered by General Electric CF6 engines.  All 170 passengers and crew members evacuated safely.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/28/us/ohare-aircraft-incident/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/29/chicago-plane-american-airlines-fire-investigation-ohare


Etihad Airways has announced that it will begin servicing its Abu Dhabi-Tokyo route with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner beginning on December 1st.
https://www.japantoday.com/category/travel/view/etihad-to-operate-boeing-787-dreamliner-on-narita-route


Qatar Airways has become the first airline to service Manila's Clark airport with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
http://www.interaksyon.com/business/133840/qatar-airways-first-to-fly-boeing-787-dreamliner-to-clark-airport


Qatar Airways has launched service at London's Heathrow Airport with the Airbus A350.
http://www.gulf-times.com/story/519529/Qatar-Airways-starts-Airbus-A350-service-to-Heathr


Qatar Airways' CEO has expressed his pessimism that Airbus will be able to deliver the full alottment of 12 Airbus A350-900 aircraft that were originally scheduled for this year.  Airbus has been struggling with supplier delays on the airplane.
http://dohanews.co/qatar-airways-chief-says-a350-orders-year-unlikely/


DAE has closed a leaseback arrangement with Vietnam Airlines for the delivery of three Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161030005026/en/DAE-Announces-Sale-Leaseback-Airbus-A350-900-Aircraft


Singapore Airlines celebrated the delivery of its sixth Airbus A350-900.
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/242149/singapore-airlines-celebrates-delivery-of-sixth-airbus-a350-900/