Boeing tests Ford hyrdrogen engine - 30-10-2007 - 15:49

Boeing has tested a hydrogen propulsion mechanism for its high altitude long endurance (Hale) unmanned aircraft.

The hydrogen engine, developed by Ford Motor Company, ran for four days in a controlled chamber powering the propeller-driven high-aspect-ratio-wing lightweight aircraft.

Conditions at 65,000 feet were simulated for a total of three of those days, with the hydrogen engine performing better than expected of fuel economy and airflow and torque control.

"This test demonstrates the technical readiness of the hydrogen engine system and confirms the capability breakthrough in flight endurance and altitude that could be realized by a variety of military and commercial customers," said Darryl Davis, vice president and general manager, Boeing advanced precision engagement and mobility systems.

Hale is designed to stay in the air over a specific location for more than seven days at stratospheric altitute, providing a base for potential surveillance anc communication applications.

This test could help convince potential customers that hydrogen-powered aircraft are viable in the near-term," said Boeing advanced systems president George Muellner. "This is a substantial step toward providing the persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities our customers' desire."

Rolls-Royce research gets EU funding - 30-10-2007 - 11:09

A research project led by Rolls-Royce has secured funding from the EU as part of a scheme to make air travel safer, more cost-efficient and more environmentally friendly.

The project, entitled Dream (or the Validation of Radical Engine Architecture Systems) is one of four large-scale research programmes which received funding under the Seventh Research Framework Programme.

Rolls-Royce-led Dream will involve 47 partners across 13 countries working to achieve a seven per cent reduction in carbon emissions and reduce noise levels by three decibels.

Funding also went to three other major aerospace research projects to improve composition and design of aircraft fuselage, create simulators to test new aircraft responses to electromagnetic interference and develop modular avionics platforms.

The rest of the €217 million (£151 million) allocated in this round of funding will go to 32 smaller projects including one Norwegian project to create more accurate altimeters.

A total of €2.1 billion has been committed to aeronautics research between 2007 and 2013.

Discovery docks with ISS - 26-10-2007 - 11:24

The space shuttle Discovery docked at the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday as part of the continuing construction mission and to deliver a new crew member.

The spacecraft docked following two days of flight to the station located more than 200 miles above earth, with cargo that will expand the ISS.

Commander Pamela Melroy and her crew carried with them the Italian Harmony module, which, when installed on the station will allow Europe's Columbus and Japan's Kibo modules to berth.

As well as adding the Harmony module to the $100 billion ($48.8 billion) station, the astronauts will move an 18-tonne solar power unit and take five spacewalks.

One of those spacewalks will test techniques for conducting repairs on the shuttle's heat shield.

Prior to take-off there had been concern over degradation of the shield but Nasa decided the flight should carry on as scheduled.

Before docking, Cmdr Melroy manoeuvred the shuttle near the station so station crew could take digital photographs of the heat shield.

A380 makes maiden commercial flight - 25-10-2007 - 11:13

The new Rolls-Royce powered superjumbo aircraft has completed its first commercial flight.

Singapore Airlines, which took delivery of the first Airbus A380 earlier this month, flew the aeroplane from Singapore to Sydney.

Seven hours after take off, the superjumbo, which can carry 850 passengers touched down after the inaugural flight for which passengers bought seats in an online charity auction.

Laurence Watts, one of the passengers on board, told the BBC the plane was "phenomenal".

He said: "The plane itself - the space is bigger than anything you can imagine. I can look out the window to my right at the moment and I can see a wing that looks bigger than most ordinary planes."

The wings are almost as large as a football pitch and Sydney airport had to make modifications costing millions to ensure the mega-plane could be accommodated.

Four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines power the giant plane and the company claims they deliver increased efficiency and improved environmental performance.

Aerospace R & D centre opened - 25-10-2007 - 11:13

A research and development (R&D) facility for the aerospace industry has been opened in Manchester.

The Aerospace Research Institute (Umari) was officially launched by the University of Manchester in the presence of senior figures from companies such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus and Rapiscan.

Researchers at the institute will be working towards developing quieter, more efficient and more durable aircraft while taking into account environmental, health and economic impact.

Hoping to become one the leading aerospace research and development sites in the world, the institute has over 100 researchers working on projects fitting the National Aerospace Strategy.

The Umari also has the second highest number of Engineering and Physical Science Research Council-funded research projects for the aerospace and defence sector.

Professor Phil Withers, director of the institute, said: "This new institute puts the University of Manchester at the top table of university aerospace research in Britain.

"We are now better equipped than ever to play a lead role in working with UK companies to maintain and enhance their position as major players in the full gamut of aviation-related fields."

Science 'moves from discovery to mastery of nature' - 24-10-2007 - 11:08

A New York scientist has heralded the beginning of a new "empowered" era.

Michio Kaku at the City College of New York has claimed that scientific advances are about to turn us from mere observers of nature into its masters.

He said: "We have unlocked the secrets of matter. We have unravelled the molecule of life, DNA. And we have created a form of artificial intelligence, the computer.

We are making the historic transition from the age of scientific discovery to the age of scientific mastery in which we will be able to manipulate and mould nature almost to our wishes."

The scientist's predictions of what is to come are being set out in a new BBC4 series called Visions of the Future.

Among the life-changing technologies of the next few decades, he sees cars that drive themselves, lab-grown human organs, domestic robots and even the possibility of teleportation and invisibility.

Submarine design office opened - 18-10-2007 - 11:08

Workers from BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Babcock Marine can start work on developing submarines following the opening of a new office at Barrow-in-Furness.

The Future Submarines (FSM) Integrated Project Team (IPT) office was officially opened last week by Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering Rear Admiral Paul Thomas CB, chairman of the defence nuclear safety committee.

Some 128 employees from across the industry are set to work at the new office

Led by Andy Mackinder of the MoD, and working with the MoD's Abbey Wood offices, the IPT will be responsible for a new concept design for the submarine component of the future deterrent programme.

Mr Mackinder said: "This is an exciting day for everyone involved in the future deterrent programme. My team has started design concept work on a new class of SSBNs [Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear] to replace the current Vanguard Class.

"This office is a significant part of our plans for delivery of this strategically important programme."

Europe to launch into space - 16-10-2007 - 10:35

The European Space Agency (Esa) is to send 45 tonnes of hardware into orbit as Europe takes to space again.

An orbital laboratory and a cargo transporter are part of the equipment which the Esa will launch into space over the next four months, with the Columbus laboratory set to become part of the International Space Station (ISS)

The preparations for joining the ISS have taken over ten years, employed more than 5,000 people and since 1995, the Esa has spent €5 billion (£3.5 billion), Esa station programme manager Alan Thirkettle told the BBC.

But the costs are worth it, he explained. "Once Columbus is up there, we're part-owner of the station and that's very important."

Another important aspect of participating in the programme, which is run by Nasa and Russia, is the potential to inspire children into scientific and technical careers as well as carrying out experiments that could lead to medical breakthroughs and new technologies.

One experiment is designed to develop lightweight turbine blades for aircraft engines.

Rolls Royce praise at A380 handover - 15-10-2007 - 11:08

As the first Airbus A380 was presented to Singapore Airlines, Rolls-Royce chief executive Sir John Rose expressed his pride in the aerospace giant's participation in the project.

The A380, which is the world's largest passenger aircraft was presented to the airline outside Toulouse.

Sir John, the chief executive, said: "It is vital that our industry strives for continuous improvement. Rolls-Royce is committed to investing in technology to deliver increased efficiency and improvements in environmental performance, and the Trent 900 is a good example of the success of this strategy. The efforts of our engineers and the entire Rolls-Royce development team have enabled us to play a full part in this landmark delivery."

Eight of the 11 airlines placing orders for the A380 opted for the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, which is the largest the maker has ever built.

Rolls-Royce also claims the engine is one of the greenest and exceeds present at foreseen emissions standards as well as meeting noise limits for Heathrow.

Rolls-Royce order book 34% bigger - 11-10-2007 - 11:58

Rolls-Royce has continued growing, with its order book swelling 34 per cent compared to 2006.

The aerospace giant's quarterly update reveals a record order book of £35.1 billion, which is already a 34 per cent increase on the end of year figure of £26.1 billion for 2006.

This growth was assisted by major third quarter orders to its civil aerospace, defence, marine and energy sectors across 17 different countries.

US defence deals were among the highlights, with a $700 million (£343 million) production contract with the US Navy and US Marine Corps and contracts worth $315 million for the US Air Force Research Lab.

The UK Ministry of Defence also signed a ten-year contract to support the nuclear powerplant systems on Royal Navy submarines.

Rolls-Royce also signed contracts worth more than $100 million to supply gas turbines for onshore power generation as well as oil and gas projects in the UK and Australia, as well as offshore projects around the world.

As well as growth to the order book, group sales also went up, rising by ten per cent on an underlying basis.

View latest technical vacancies at Rolls Royce

Nasa chooses Barrow minnows - 10-10-2007 - 17:13

Nasa's multibillion-dollar mission to put a man on Mars has chosen the help of a small software engineering company over giants IBM and Siemens.

3SL, a privately owned company with 40 engineers in Barrow-in-Furness will provide Nasa's America's Constellation programme with software to direct design.

The firm's Cradle system will run the design and manufacture process of a spacecraft to replace the Space Shuttle.

As well as co-ordinating the work on Orion spacecraft, which will take a crew to the lunar surface by 2020, the Cradle system will work on a wide range of systems such as space suits.

"We are minnows in a sea of sharks," Mark Walker, the founder of 3SL, told the Times. "This is a hugely significant win for a small company. It is important news, also, for Barrow-in-Furness, an area that desperately needs to have its profile raised as a centre for industry."

And, although the company grew to make the Nasa pitch, having secured the contract, it will have to expand further.

Mr Walker said: "We had expanded our capability in anticipation of this [Nasa] work. Now that we have it, we will need to recruit more engineers."

Rolls-Royce expands naval offerings - 08-10-2007 - 11:06

Aerospace giant Rolls-Royce is to increase its marine support services following the acquisition of naval architecture and engineering firm Seaworthy.

The Connecticut based firm, which has supported the US Navy and Coastguard for over 30 years, is to help Rolls-Royce develop TotalCare aftermarket services for naval customers.

Pat Marolda, Rolls-Royce president - naval, said: "We are developing a TotalCare service to provide ever-improving operational support for our naval customers. Seaworthy has a proven record of delivering similar contracts which will help us reach our goal."

Rolls-Royce already has 7,000 TotalCare and CorporateCare agreements in it civil aerospace division and the acquisition will help further develop its services in the naval industry.

Seaworthy specialises in ship design, operation and logistics, on-board equipment maintenance and automated equipment maintenance management software.

Last week, the US Navy renewed a $66 million (£33 million) contract with Rolls-Royce to maintain engines on 285 T-45 Navy jet trainer aircraft based at naval stations.

Rolls-Royce workers get boost from BA deal - 01-10-2007 - 11:06

A deal between British Airways and Boeing and Airbus will provide a jobs boost to East Kilbride workers at a regional Rolls-Royce plant.

The Rolls-Royce aero-engine production plant at Inchinnan employs 1,200 workers - of a total 3,000 in and around Glasgow - and will be responsible for manufacturing compressor blades for the engines that will power the planes BA has ordered.

BA has ordered 12 Airbus A380 superjumbos and 24 Boeing 787s, in a £4 billion order - the airline's largest in a decade.

And workers in East Kilbride will benefit from the deal, with another site, which employs 1,100 workers, assigned to service the blades.

A Rolls-Royce official said: "Our East Kilbride facility will be involved in the component repair of compressor blades for these engines during the overhaul and maintenance activity.

"Inchinnan will manufacture compressor blades and supply spares."