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Newfound exoplanet may turn to dust: Planet’s dust cloud may explain strange patterns of light from its star
Researchers have detected a possible planet, some 1,500 light years away, that appears to be evaporating under the blistering heat of its parent star. The scientists infer that a long tail of debris -- much like the tail of a comet -- is following the planet, and that this tail may tell the story of the planet's disintegration. According to the team's calculations, the tiny exoplanet, not much larger than Mercury, will completely disintegrate within 100 million years.US House of Representatives mandates Taiwan F-16 sale
The US House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the US Congress, has approved a measure that would mandate the sale of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16C fighters...US House of Representatives mandates Taiwain F-16 sale
The US House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the US Congress, has approved a measure that would mandate the sale of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16C fighters...Chengdu J-20 could enter service by 2018
The stealthy Chengdu J-20 fighter could enter operational service by early 2018 and join a rapidly improving Chinese military armed with long-range strike...SpaceX aborts commercial mission to International Space Station
SpaceX has delayed the Falcon 9 launch from Kennedy Space Center (KSC)in Florida, meant to send the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International...What astronauts ate: Apollo 10 space meal, 1969
This Smithsonian Snapshot marks the May 18, 1969, launch of the Apollo 10 mission with an astronaut's space meal from that mission.F-35 problems on their way to being fixed
The F-35 Lightning II is making good progress through flight testing this year, a top Lockheed Martin official says. Most of the biggest challenges faced...New-look medium multi-role Ka-62 unveiled
Russian Helicopters has unveiled the newest model of the medium multi-role Ka-62 at the 5th international helicopter exhibition HeliRussia 2012. The new model includes a reduced environmental footprint and expanded functionality, according to a 17 May, 2012 company statement.
Russian Helicopters said that, built using new technologies and materials, the Ka-62 is a single-rotor design, with an enclosed tail rotor and an airframe and propeller blades consisting of over 50% polymeric composite materials. The new version can be fitted with two Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engines, providing 1,680 hp. The modular design and dual channel FADEC make the Ardiden 3G ‘highly reliable and easy to use, with the benefit of exceptionally low fuel consumption’. The helicopter will also include a glass cockpit developed by St Petersburg-based company Transas.
Other features include a five-blade rotor, secondary hydraulics circuit, energy-efficient wheeled landing gear, strengthened fuselage and fuselage attachment points and shock-absorbing seats for the crew and passengers, the company said. The Ka-62 is designed for cargo transportation, medevac and search-and rescue operations, and can also be used in the oil and gas sector and for corporate purposes.
The Ka-62 will be produced at the Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company in Russia's Far East. The first flight is scheduled for August 2013, with certification by the Interstate Aviation Committee and first deliveries set for 2015. Russian Helicopters also plans to have the Ka-62 certificated by the European Aviation Safety Agency.
Insitu awarded ScanEagle contract modification
Insitu has been awarded a contract by the US Naval Air Systems Command for additional operational and maintenance services in support of the ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS). The contract, worth $35,507,379 is a modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract.
Under the contract Insitu will provide electro-optical/infrared and mid-wave infrared imagery in support of land-based operations in Operation Enduring Freedom to provide real-time imagery and data.
The contract is expected to be completed in December 2012.
CUV announces STMPAS aerial system delivery
Carolina Unmanned Vehicles CUV has announced that it has delivered its Lightweight Aerostat System (LAS) for the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System (STMPAS) to the US Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF). The company made the announcement in a statement on 14 May, 2012.
STMPAS combines LAS hardware from CUV, CUV aerostats and ground operating equipment, with payloads developed by Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). According to CUV, it will provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability for small tactical units in Afghanistan and other locations.
The company said that the REF mission is to ‘rapidly increase mission capability while reducing risk to Soldiers and others by equipping operational commanders with off-the-shelf (government or commercial) solutions or near-term developmental items that can be researched, developed and acquired quickly.’
The STMPAS consists of several optional ISR payloads attached under a small specially designed tethered blimp, called a Helikite, and a trailer Carrier that stores the Helikite and the required winch, sensors and helium tanks. The STMPAS blimp can fly at 1000 feet for low cost, long term coverage for 24 hours a day for a week or more without maintenance or downtime for weeks at a time.
STMPAS has been tested by GTRI and the Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and will fly in the Aerostat Limited Objective Experiment (LOE) at Fort Benning, Georgia in May 2012. The REF is procuring six more STMPAS for deployment to Afghanistan for further operational evaluation.