AFR Enterprises Blog - page 15

Rockwell Collins announced this week they will be supporting the United States Army’s Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) operations by delivering its Secure Real Time Video (SRTV) solutions. Read more >>

Israeli national air carrier EL AL has just signed a new five-year Maintenance and Service Agreement with Pratt & Whitney to provide maintenance services on more than a dozen additional PW4000 engines.  This new contract is a supplement to the 27 EL AL engines that Pratt & Whitney already services.  Established in in 1948, EL AL is the premier airline carrier in and around Israel. In combination with its partner companies, EL AL offers flights to hundreds of additional destinations worldwide.  EL AL and Pratt & Whitney have been working together for more than 50 years, and this new agreement further solidifies their storied relationship. Read more >>

In order to replace an aging fleet of helicopters, the United States Army has selected one team from Boeing and Sikorsky, as well as one team from Textron’s Bell Helicopter in order to design and build models of a multi-role, vertical-lift aircraft. According to Heidi Shyu, the United States Army acquisitions chief, the pending acquisition of United Technologies Corp.’s Sikorsky Aircraft by Lockheed Martin should not affect the prototype work that will take place in order to replace thousands of existing helicopters. Read more >>

The Science and Engineering Services has recently awarded a contract to L-3 Communications in order to support the communications upgrades on the United States Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Under this contract, which is valued at $11.9 million, L-3 Communications will be responsible for providing its Manned and Unmanned Teaming - eXpanded Capabilities (MUMT-X) solution, which will help to offer increased communications capabilities between unmanned systems and the Apache. This technology, which is based off of the well-established MUMT-2 system, is anticipated to deliver high-speed transmit and receive capabilities of wideband data and video. The MUMT-2 system offers the Apache with improved capability of transmitting both Apache and UAS video ship-to-ship, as well as to soldiers on the ground. Read more >>

Lockheed Martin was recently awarded a contract to fit the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) F-16 fleet with Sniper advanced targeting pods (ATP). Arranged via the Dutch Defence Materiel Organization, the new contract allows for Lockheed Martin to deliver and equip 29 Sniper ATP systems. Additionally, the contract includes clauses for pilot training and equipment sustainment. Lockheed intends to perform upkeep on the ATP systems at the Warner Robins Logistics Complex via an agreement with the US government. Read more >>

Bombardier Inc. and Airbus Group SE have recently ceased communication over possible business opportunities for both jet makers. The two companies have verified that negotiations between the two have reached an end. These business opportunities arose when Bombardier had reportedly approached Airbus for financial support in an attempt to boost its development of their CSeries jets. In return, Airbus would have received a controlling stake in the program. Read more >>

Switzerland-based aviation industry supplier group Liebherr Aerospace was awarded with a contract by Boeing to supply high-lift systems and geared rotary actuators for the Boeing 777X aircraft. This is the third contact that they have been awarded for the 777X. On the first contract, Liebherr is expected to deliver three components-the lath pin actuator, secondary lock actuator, and fold subsystem. On the second contract, Liebherr is expected to deliver the power drive unit and the hydraulic motor. Read more >>

Sikorsky Aircraft has recently selected Rockwell Collins for the United States Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter program. Rockwell Collins will be expected to supply mission equipment and state of the art avionics to the upcoming generation of combat rescue helicopters; this will include the navigation radios, the cockpit flight and mission display system, as well as the advanced ARC-210 V/UHF communication system. Read more >>

Boeing has begun final assembly of the first 737 MAX 8, the very first member of its new fuel efficient single aisle family. Once the first fuselage arrived at Boeing’s Renton plant on August 21, technicians began installing insulation blankets, wiring, flight systems, hydraulics, and air conditioning systems. Afterwards, Boeing mechanics moved the new fuselage over to the wing-to-body section of the plant and connected the wings to the fuselage. Read more >>

Rolls-Royce has delivered its 2,000th AE 2100 engine, which was installed onto a US Air Force C-130J by Lockheed Martin. This major milestone reflects the continued success of Rolls-Royce as the world’s leading engine manufacturer for military transport. Developed to power the latest generation of high-speed turboprop aircraft, the AE 2100 has been designed to operate under the demanding conditions of open water and off-runway take-offs and landings. Read more >>