The expensive and problem-filled F-35 stealth fighter program appears on track to finally getting cut short. The US Air Force is starting a months-long study of tactical aviation requirements that would lead to winding to the F-35 stealth fighter program. The study will look at a force mix that addresses both near- and long-term requirements. …
There are reports that a third batch of China’s WS-15 turbofans has been delivered with performance better than US F135. This would mean that China has achieved the goal of about 197 kilonewtons (44,000 lbf) of thrust with an afterburner.
Stratolaunch Systems Corporation, founded by Paul G. Allen, today successfully completed the first flight of the world’s largest all-composite aircraft, the Stratolaunch.
Fully occupited electric VTOL flying cars are more efficient than regular cars that are half occupied and are more efficient for trips over 22 miles.
Virgin Galactic had a suborbital test flight with a passenger. SpaceShipTwo reached an apogee of: 55.87miles 295,007ft 89.9km Virgin Galactic flew at three times the speed of sound. Three people were on the test flight that flew to edge of space. There was a chief pilot, pilot and an astronaut instructor. Congratulations to our Chief …
Read moreVirgin Galactic Flies First Passenger in Suborbital Test
Elon Musk indicated that the SpaceX Super Heavy Booster will use welded, internal, longitudinal hat stringers [to support its structure when unpressurized]. To the degree it may need hoop stiffness (probably not), combine with slosh baffles. Elon provided a general description of the internal structure of the SpaceX Super Heavy Booster. Below are pictures of …
Read moreSpaceX Super Heavy Booster Will Have a Welded Support Structure
Ukraine Antonov and Aerospace Industry Corporation of China (AICC) set up a joint venture for series assembly of the AN-225 plane (world’s largest cargo plane) in China. It also includes completing the second An-225 prototype. the second AN-225 prototype should be completed in 2019. China has been building two giant Antonov An-225 aircraft in Chengdu …
Read moreChina Completing More Copies of the World Largest Cargo Plane
Disk rotating detonation engines could provide engines that are 10% more efficient, which could enable hypersonic planes. The USA, China, and Russia will be ramping up hypersonic weapon and hypersonic plane spending over ten billions per year each. Combustion can be performed in two different modes (deflagration and detonation). Deflagration is usually treated as approximately …
Read moreWill the Rotating Detonation Engines Enable Hypersonic Planes?
A hybrid airship combines a blimp with plane for reliable speed and performance and greater safety. It can carry up to 8 passengers or 2000 lbs in its spacious cabin, which can easily be reconfigured to enable any number of tasks or payloads. It can travel with a full load at over 80 mph with …
Read moreHybrid Blimp Plane Has Reliable Speed, Greater Safety and Lower Operating Cost
Researchers reviewed all lofting technologies that seem plausible as methods to put 100,000 tons per year of sulphur to an altitude of up to ~20 km in 2033. The program then scales to 5 million tons per year. Their main research involved engaging directly with commercial aerospace vendors to elicit what current and near-term technology …
Read more100 Special Planes and $2.5 Billion per year for Sulphate Geoengineering
