Geelong, Australia and Waldwick, New Jersey – U.S. aerospace and defense companies will converge on Geelong and Avalon 2017, the Australian International Aerospace & Defence Exposition, in record numbers this week, looking to build on long-standing bilateral alliances – and a favorable trade and investment economy – to gain a stronger foothold in Australia, one of the fastest growing defense markets in the world, as well as the wider Asia-Pacific region.

More than 80 of America’s leading manufacturers and suppliers, many with proven operating partnerships already in country, are participating in this year’s show, notably: The Boeing Company (Australia is its largest operation outside of the U.S.), Lockheed Martin (more than 800 employees across Australia and New Zealand), Northrop Grumman (aiming to double its Australian footprint in the next three years) and Raytheon (operating locally as Raytheon Australia since 1999).

Collectively, U.S. exhibitors at Avalon represent more than 20 states, including five state economic development groups from Oregon, Maryland, Oklahoma, and a combined New England/New York stand. Oregon arrives on the heels of a nearly $100 million deal that has Perth, Australia-based Orbital UAVE setting up shop in the state to produce engines for Boeing unmanned aerial vehicle subsidiary InSitu. California, the most-represented-state with nearly 20 state-based exhibitors, is also expected to send Eric Eide, Director of International Trade for the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles, to further interests following the recent opening of Qantas’s US$30 million A380 servicing complex at LAX.

The centerpiece of the American presence at Avalon is the U.S. International Pavilion in Hall 3, organized by Kallman Worldwide Inc., in coordination with numerous U.S. government agencies, including the departments of Commerce, Defense, and State. The Pavilion is a destination for buyers looking for an efficient way to meet leading suppliers, an on-site business center for U.S. exhibitors looking to maximize their exposure and impact at the event, and a networking forum for all to share ideas and insights.

“From publicly traded stalwarts to privately held small-and-medium-sized enterprises, U.S. exhibitors are here because Australia is one of the world’s leading buyers of aerospace and defense equipment, and this event attracts real business prospects and customers,” said Kallman Worldwide President and CEO Tom Kallman. “As the representative of the Australian International Airshow and organizer of the U.S. International Pavilion at Avalon since 2005, our team is proud to work with our counterparts at Industry Defence and Security Australia Ltd. to help exhibitors capitalize on this event and further strengthen our two nations’ bilateral aerospace, defense and economic partnerships.”

In addition to organizing the national Pavilion, Kallman is rolling out its Ask America advocacy campaign inviting show attendees to visit U.S. exhibitors. The Ask America message will be placed prominently on site, integrated into hospitality and VIP events during the show, and promoted in social media.

“The United States is the biggest international exhibitor at Avalon because it’s the world's biggest aerospace and defense supplier, but that’s no guarantee buyers will look to work with U.S. companies over others,” said Kallman. “On behalf of the U.S. International Pavilion, we have a responsibility to advocate not only for our exhibitors, but for our country in this highly competitive global marketplace.

“We invite every Avalon 2017 visitor to ask America because we are listening,” he said. “Whether as manufacturing, supply chain or service partners, the United States is committed to our trade and investment partnerships in Australia, we bring smart ideas to the table, and we have the best-skilled workforce – here and in the States – ready to do the job.”

Source: Kallman Worldwide Inc.

Mechanical technician Dan Pitts prepares the model for wind tunnel testing. (NASA photo)

Palmdale, California – Supersonic passenger airplanes are another step closer to reality as NASA and Lockheed Martin begin the first high-speed wind tunnel tests for the Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) X-plane preliminary design at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

The agency is testing a 9% scale model of Lockheed Martin’s X-plane design in Glenn’s 8ft x 6ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel. During the next eight weeks, engineers will expose the model to wind speeds ranging from approximately 150mph to 950mph (Mach 0.3 to Mach 1.6) to understand the aerodynamics of the X-plane design as well as aspects of the propulsion system. NASA expects the QueSST X-plane to pave the way for supersonic flight over land in the not too distant future.

“We’ll be measuring the lift, drag, and side forces on the model at different angles to verify that it performs as expected,” said aerospace engineer Ray Castner, who leads propulsion testing for NASA’s QueSST effort. “We also want make sure the air flows smoothly into the engine under all operating conditions.”

The Glenn wind tunnel is uniquely suited for the test because of its size and ability to create a wide range of wind speeds.

“We need to see how the design performs from just after takeoff, up to cruising at supersonic speed, back to the start of the landing approach,” said David Stark, the facility manager. “The 8ft x 6ft supersonic wind tunnel allows us to test that sweet spot range of speeds all in one wind tunnel.”

Recent research has shown it is possible for a supersonic airplane to be shaped in such a way that the shock waves it forms when flying faster than the speed of sound can generate a sound at ground level so quiet it will hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all.

“Our unique aircraft design is shaped to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight, dramatically reducing the aircraft’s loudness,” said Peter Losifidis, QueSST program manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “Our design reduces the airplane’s noise signature to more of a ‘heartbeat’ instead of the traditional sonic boom that’s associated with current supersonic aircraft in flight today.”

According to Dave Richwine, NASA’s QueSST preliminary design project manager, “This test is an important step along the path to the development of an X-plane that will be a key capability for the collection of community response data required to change the rules for supersonic overland flight.”

NASA awarded Lockheed Martin a contract in February 2016 for the preliminary design of a supersonic X-plane flight demonstrator. This design phase has matured the details of the aircraft shape, performance and flight systems. Wind tunnel testing and analysis is expected to continue until mid-2017. Assuming funding is approved, the agency expects to compete and award another contract for the final design, fabrication, and testing of the low-boom flight demonstration aircraft.

The QueSST design is one of a series of X-planes envisioned in NASA's New Aviation Horizons (NAH) initiative, which aims to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise through innovations in aircraft design that depart from the conventional tube-and-wing aircraft shape. The design and build phases for the NAH aircraft will be staggered over several years with the low-boom flight demonstrator starting its flight campaign around 2020, with other NAH X-planes following in subsequent years, depending on funding.

Source: Lockheed Martin

Boeing’s C-17 simulator trains aircrews in a flight deck that is identical to the real aircraft. (Boeing photo)

Arlington, Virginia – Reflecting continuing momentum in its international training business, Boeing has received a two-year, $18.7 million contract from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide C-17 Globemaster III logistics support and training simulator maintenance.

Boeing, which originally manufactured the C-17, will support the UAE’s inventory of realistic, motion-based training devices used to train aircrews and support personnel for the country’s fleet of airlifters.

Boeing originally designed and delivered the simulators and has previously supported C-17 training for the UAE. This most recent award is the first standalone prime contract for Boeing to perform this work.

“With this new UAE contract, Boeing will continue training the Emirati C-17 students through each phase of their careers,” said Larry Sisco, C-17 training program manager.

In addition to the UAE, Boeing provides C-17 training to India, the United Kingdom, and NATO’s strategic airlift capability. Boeing tailors its training devices and course materials to each customer's specific C-17 fleet.

There are 35 Boeing-installed C-17 aircrew simulators at training centers around the world.

Source: Boeing

Youngstown, Ohio – Lucideon has joined with America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, to offer its members materials, component, and process testing, validation, and analysis.

As the national accelerator for additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP), America Makes is the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in AM and 3DP technology research, discovery, creation, and innovation. Structured as a public-private partnership with member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies, and workforce and economic development resources, its aim is to innovate and accelerate AM and 3DP to increase the United States’ global manufacturing competitiveness.

Lucideon, a materials technology company, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and with facilities in Schenectady, New York, Greenville, South Carolina, and the United Kingdom, is known for its materials expertise in metals, polymers, ceramics and composites.  With a backbone in technology development, R&D and testing and assurance, it has a team of experts who specialize in supporting manufacturers throughout the AM supply chain.

Brent Holloway, Lucideon’s director of sales & marketing, says, “We are delighted to be able to partner with America Makes, an organization that is leading the way in AM research and innovation. Through this initiative, we hope to provide members involved in engineering, operations and the supply chain with all the support services they need to reduce their risk and develop quality products and processes that perform right first time.

“Our AM knowledge extends across many industries and, with our expertise in materials and material technologies, we are confident that we can help members to optimize current products and processes and develop those of the future.”

Tiffany Westbay, membership director at America Makes, state, “America Makes is excited to welcome Lucideon as a Silver member. They bring expertise in a number of materials and technologies. Every new America Makes member helps us to develop a balanced community of diverse organizations. We are certain Lucideon will bring value to the America Makes mission to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing in the U.S.”

Lucideon has produced three webinars on AM and a white paper, Additive Manufacturing – A Metallurgical Perspective – all of which are free to download from its website.

Source: Lucideon