Global Hawk Completes Pacific Flight 04/30/01 The Global Hawk became the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to complete a non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean. It flew from California to Australia.
Helping to Build Kit Airplanes 04/13/01 Russell Lepre has never flown an airplane himself, but he runs a succesful business helping others to assemble their kit planes.
Global Hawk Sets UAV Record 04/02/01 The Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recently completed a flight around the equator, setting world records for altitude and endurance by a UAV.
F-22 Raptor Production Begins 04/02/01 Lockheed Martin began production of the F-22 Raptor fighter at the end of March. The F-22 will replace the F-15.
Boeing to Develop High-Speed Jet 04/02/01 Boeing has decided to forego development of a larger 747 and instead has begun work on a 100-300 passenger family of airplanes that travels at Mach 0.95.
VARTM Missile Structure Demonstrated 03/26/01 Lockheed Martin has built a portion of the TRIDENT II D5 missile structure using VARTM. Part count was reduced from 61 to one, eliminated 376 fasteners and cut manufacturing costs by 75%.
Northrup Unveils Pegasus Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) 02/28/01 Northrup Grumman rolled out a full-scale model of the Pegasus UAV. The kite-shaped aircraft is built mainly from composite materials. Relatd story[/link.
Solar Sail Test 02/28/01 A privately funded research team will launch a suborbital solar sail experiment this spring. The sail will be launched from a Russian submarine, and will test deployment of the sail petals. Related story.
Civilian Version of V-22 Osprey 02/28/01 Despite well-publicized problems with the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, Bell Helicopter continues work on the civilian version. Certification is hoped to be complete in 2003.
Aircraft Flutter 02/07/01 An interesting history of the study of flutter in aircraft wings: how it was discovered, how it was (and is) analysed, and what is being done about it.
NASA Creates New Reusable Launch Vehicle Program Office 01/24/01 NASA has created a new program office for the Second Generation RLV program. The new RLV will build on existing X-programs, including new materials and structures.
New Ultrasonic and Theromographic Tests for Aircraft Damage 01/20/01 Researchers have developed new ultrasonic and thermographic techniques for detecting damage in aircraft parts. The techniques are better suited to field use than current methods.
Concorde Returns to Flight 01/19/01 Its fuel tanks outfitted with a Kevlar-rubber liner, the Concorde took its first test flight since being grounded in July 2000. Related articles: 1, 2.
