Reuters is reporting a major feud brewing up between Boeing and a major subcontractor, Aerojet Rocketdyne over the Starliner valve issue: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/exclusive-boeing-clashes-with-key-supplier-ahead-starliner-spacecraft-launch-2022-05-11/ Chicago-based Boeing ...
Jump to postNow the Air Force will be paying for some portions of the update / replacement of the RVS.... https://breakingdefense.com/2022/05/air-force-backtracks-now-says-its-paying-for-kc-46-panoramic-camera-fix/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%3A%20Weeks%20after%20the%20Air,costly%20element%20of%20the%20fix. Sounds like...
Jump to postHalf of them are ‘cracking?’ As per the two previous posts, 15 knots vs. a design speed of 70 is quite a restriction. what an epic fail of a program.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/t ... e-cracking
Well, that and the Soviets deliberately chose artillery dimensions that are 1 or 2 mm different because they felt the same way.
Jump to postThe last 100 years is no predictor of a company's future, unless the economy, technology, management and staff are unchanged. Boeing is where it is today from a short-term pre-occupation with shareholder value and management package maximisation, rather than engineering excellence and customer sati...
Jump to postThis is good news. Of course, despite some of the rhetoric in this order thread, LH also historically operates…well some of every kind of widebody jet ever offered by Boeing/Airbus alike. I’m sure there’s an exception somewhere along the line, but haven’t they basically operated all of the core (mea...
Jump to postAnother point is that the T408 should be available for the Apache as an upgrade at some point in the next 10 years, but I don’t believe it will work for the AH-1 for some reason (not sure if I am right on that.)
Jump to postThe US Navy is retiring LCS hulls as fast as it can. The biggest constrain is whether Congress will let the USN retire ships that are so new and cost so much when built. I won't join in but I see you are getting a lot of push back from others on this subject. I politely don't think that's true. I t...
Jump to postSo, I’ll just ask this again, since this is going to be the highest carbon emission per pax mile route in the world by far with a modern airliner, does anyone here who usually supports things like hydrogen power etc. have an objection to this ‘glamor’ route dependent on exorbitant fares to avoid sto...
Jump to postI don't really understand the move, but in part because none of the coverage I've read is indicative of a tax incentive for the relocation. Surely this is partially to benefit financially for several years. Having corporate offices close to lobbyists/legislators is fine, but I really don't think th...
Jump to postThe issue with that idea is that only two could have been produced, and not made operational. Additional updated F-15E’s (a la EX) probably would have been a better investment. Or, you know, an actual tanker that works about 30 years prior to the RVS2.0 on a KC-46 finally being installed. More (upd...
Jump to postTechnology developed for the B-2 has been critical for many other programs. So while expensive, it gave the US a significant advantage that still exists to this day. LCS gets kicked around but they are out there serving every day, and crews like them. Their concept is just different than the tradit...
Jump to postIsn’t the F-15EX going to be just single-seater though? I thought I read that is what USAF is buying. I don’t see a need for two people in a tactical aircraft moving forward unless the software/integration is just not real advanced. That’s a huge aircraft, did they ever figure out how to start makin...
Jump to postI don't really understand the move, but in part because none of the coverage I've read is indicative of a tax incentive for the relocation. Surely this is partially to benefit financially for several years. Having corporate offices close to lobbyists/legislators is fine, but I really don't think tha...
Jump to postThat’s still the most Boeing ‘action scene’ I have seen this year.
Jump to postHe should be more coherent and just cancel his 777x orders. He can then order a lot of A350-1000. Really? It does sound like EK claims to want both (a) price concessions to take 5 year old aircraft and (b) compensation for spending what is claimed to be $1.5B to keep their existing A380’s/77W’s. (W...
Jump to post.... If Tim wasn't bluffing, then it might spell the end for the 777-programm. He should be more coherent and just cancel his 777x orders. He can then order a lot of A350-1000. Really? It does sound like EK claims to want both (a) price concessions to take 5 year old aircraft and (b) compensation f...
Jump to postObjectively, does the 229 ft 0 in (69.80 m) 777-8 passenger aircraft still exist? Their are old orders for it, probably, now also for a 777-8F freighter. I think a confirmation, delivery dates from the 777-8 customers would help. Boeing stopped splitting out orders, for unclear reasons. https://www...
Jump to postThe GE T901 (ITEP) engine fired up last month for the first time, and they sound confident of being ready to mate it to an aircraft (FARA) in November. https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2022/5/2/future-vertical-lift-engine-program-on-upward-ramp “I’m very confident that November is th...
Jump to postWith the delay and cessation of production of pax 777’s, I have seen no updates about the certification status. Has there been any progress with EASA or other regulatory bodies seeking to make the 779 a new type cert, as opposed to a derivative? Anything about the rumors of the tail being too small/...
Jump to postIn any event, 4 engine tech in the civilian world is going away, unless an OEM or the Air Force commissions new build 4 engine military a/c - say a new transport If they get to a BWB, they have an option of a 3 engine configuration. Would that be sufficient? bt BWB >>> the Blended Wing Body will pe...
Jump to postI doubt this production issue poses a short term problem for Ukraine. They have already gotten or have been promised thousands of Stingers or similar missiles by allies which will come from their existing stocks. The US alone is sitting on a huge stockpile that was getting old and obsolete and was ...
Jump to postIsn’t that wing itself…very, very outdated? https://flyer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/EH18320.jpg I don’t mean just the aspect ratio, but the wet area, construction methods, etc? Is there really anything to be left of the original -52 design/construction? Does the Red engine start with a Daimle...
Jump to postI have never understood why AF1 isn’t just a souped up C-5. Upper deck has plenty of space, main deck can haul the cars/logistics crap just fine.
Jump to postThe AH-1Z is I believe substantially lighter and needs a lot less maintenance than the latest Apache’s. It’s available, can be integrated with a lot of weapons similarly, and depending on the need for things like taxiing (vs hovering) still does a lot of things really, really well for many customers...
Jump to postI believe this is an additional order for them, the Kansas folks already have one being modified for another customer. It is sort of amazing these types of outfits are likely to get type certificates for these heavily modified 777W's prior to Boeing getting the 779 FAA cleared.
Jump to postAs I pointed out last month, producing over 25 copies of the 779, with zero ability to deliver them until, now, 2025, was an enormous mistake. The carrying/storage/possible future modification of that inventory (to an eventual type cert. standard) is a ludicrous investment for Boeing at a time they ...
Jump to postI know Tyler is onto that hook, but it seems like bait to me. I strongly doubt the USAF is looking to reduce the buy in reality, but I can absolutely believe they are playing games haggling with congressional negotiators for funding. It’s an election year in the states for legislators, fyi everyone....
Jump to postBesides, most internet backbone traffic is hauled by fiber connections, which transmit at the speed of light.. so most of the distance for most internet traffic is moving at the speed of light. (Switching equipment also adds latency.) Well, keep in mind that "the speed of light" through o...
Jump to postThe cross links are laser-based, not RF, so actually they should be…faster than other data connections (electrical ones).
Jump to postIt seems very silly to me to spec for a tiny fleet to have 4 engines today. The USAF can think ‘outside of the box’ in a number of ways regarding E-3/E-7/rivet joint replacements, so why does this need to be…such an enormous aircraft?
Jump to postI think the in-flight transition has been modeled aerodynamically quite a bit. Now, putting that into practice mechanically/software wise is another matter, but I expect Bell will succeed at that. I just hope the development is much shorter than the XV-17 to V-22 IOC took. Is the model to…basically ...
Jump to postYes, such a plane that can move a Bradley, or a Striker perhaps, will be interesting. I think again we are talking though about a quad, and likely one with rotors at the front and rear on each side, not a twin. A lot of the V-22 problems were that it had do accommodate the ludicrous USMC requirement...
Jump to postFinally, thx avatar2go 25. Although Boeing first briefed the RVS 2.0 preliminary design in May 2021, Air Mobility Command recommended that the Air Force hold off on approving the preliminary design — a milestone expected to occur last fall — until it reached a consensus with Boeing on the panoramic ...
Jump to postAirlines have been upgauging, globally, largely as a result of very efficient revenue management capabilities that were not possible 20 or 30 years ago I believe (not because larger models weren’t available at all). Yes, this has also coincided with lower and lower seat pitches/comfort, but I doubt ...
Jump to postI think a VTOL transport would be considerable be more expensive than a conventional 4 engined transport. And carry less, have shorter range and fly slower. https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-340-million-boeing-c17-globemaster-iii-military-jet-2022-1?international=true&r=US&IR=T Tho...
Jump to postA quad Herc-sized aircraft I think will happen, but I doubt it will be just VTOL (unless mostly empty), as you’ll need a football size area anyway and realistically the down wash would/will be tremendous, especially for an unimproved field/strip etc. The political battle for it between the army and ...
Jump to postThx, but I actually LOL’ed at all of the catchy buzz words in that article; It’s a heavy lift helicopter, for goodness sakes, not a stealth strike fighter. Ultimately, it’s a cargo hauler, not a combat aircraft. CSAR missions imply certainly some combat (I think they have around 15-20 G’s configure...
Jump to postHere is an article that describes the digital advantage of the CH-53K, and how it interfaces with the networked battle force concept. The US Marines are using it in this context. https://sldinfo.com/2022/04/the-germans-f-35-fcas-and-the-heavy-lift-helicopter-choice/ Thx, but I actually LOL’ed at al...
Jump to postI think those are very extreme numbers. Frankly, it is probably the case that 70 -47F’s vs. 60 -53K’s might be more accurate. Why do you think that? I offered the price from an order from the US government in 2020, and another in 2021. Same customer, very close dates. If you have a better set of co...
Jump to postUSAF re-engines things when parts become an issue. That’s not the case for the legacy herc fleet. The T-56 has plenty of power for the Herc, and they don’t care one iota about fuel efficiency. Upgrading some E or H models to the RR might make sense, I dunno, at some point, but in today’s budget envi...
Jump to postThere is no doubt in my mind the 53K is more capable, but at what price is it worth it to the Germans? The commonality with the French/other Chinook operators seems like a no brainer, with the industrial partnerships Boing et al. Have lined up, unless money is just no object now to them. I understo...
Jump to postThe Chinook is also…basically a 60 year old design/frame. So was the 737. It's not necessary the structural design, it's the new fangled software and upgraded engines that can cause problems. Stick with the existing engines and not try to get the extra power, and CH-47 will be fine for Germany. bt ...
Jump to postThis issue doesn't have anything to do with other certifying agencies. A law was passed in the wake of the MAX crashes that requires all new aircraft certified in the US after a certain date (I believe December 31, 2022) to have EICAS. You think so eh, and that when it comes to the MAX all other ce...
Jump to postThey can try but it is highly unlikely. This extension will have bi-partisan support. Congress isn't going to sabotage one of the biggest exporters over an arbitrary deadline when the FAA is at fault for the delay. Bingo. Boeing is too important (even if the FAA isn’t at fault). But we will see com...
Jump to postThe Chinook is also…basically a 60 year old design/frame. There aren’t a lot of ‘surprises’ coming, imho, from a grounding perspective.
Jump to postLeeham used this site/analyses to try to show a lot of demand under the 738 but it is nonsensical, imho. What major customers has Boeing lost to the A319 or A220 etc? None. That the A220 has sold a bunch of frames (apparently at money losing prices) is not news, nor is their fantasy of ramping up pr...
Jump to postAs stated up thread, that Boeing has partnered with RR Germany for support on this bid seems to indicate it will be…the T55.
Jump to postFurther to the point, after the German experience trying to sustain their CH-53G fleet at something resembling 25 percent mission capable any given day for the past 2 decades, I am not sure any comparative maintenance/supply chain commonality with the K variant would be a very good selling point.
Jump to postThere is no doubt in my mind the 53K is more capable, but at what price is it worth it to the Germans? The commonality with the French/other Chinook operators seems like a no brainer, with the industrial partnerships Boing et al. Have lined up, unless money is just no object now to them. Wouldn't t...
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