January 30, 2017 - No. 009 In This Issue San Antonio to Host Global Aviation Industry Conference NASA Selects Industry Team to Advance Green Aviation Engine Technology Turkish researchers develop self-healing material, aim aviation, defense industries Triumph secures engine components contract from Rolls Royce NASA's Groundbreaking New Development in Rocket Science Is ... Paint? Aviation Test Equipment Market is Expected To Generate Huge Profits by 2024 UTC Aerospace, VAS Aero sign supply, distribution agreement Russia's Proton-M Rocket Grounded For Another 3.5 Months Following Failed December Launch San Antonio to Host Global Aviation Industry Conference The global aviation industry continues to grow rapidly, yet changing market trends, emerging technologies, and global economic indicators all influence decisions on how to best meet future needs. Port San Antonio is the presenting sponsor for the 2017 Aero-Engines Americas Conference, Analyzing the Shifting Dynamics of the Engine MROIndustry. Remarks begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 2 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Participants may register here. This all-day program will host more than 200 global airline operators and leading industry experts from around the world. Speakers will discuss the regional and global markets for aircraft engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, and related technical innovations. The detailed agenda is available here. Port San Antonio partnered with the New York-based publication Aviation Weekto bring the Aero- Engines Americas 2017 conference to San Antonio. Keynote speaker Jim Perschbach, executive vice president of business development at Port SA, will provide an overview of San Antonio's aviation legacy, the aerospace work taking place in the region today, and the Port's strategic plans for future development. Perschbach will address San Antonio's important growth plans in support of global aviation and opportunities for collaboration between the aerospace industry and other advanced technology sectors in the region, particularly cybersecurity. "There are two big ways we'll do this," Perschbach told the Rivard Report. "The Port is a one-stop- shop for companies with airplanes, because we have the capabilities here to do everything from avionics to painting, from engine maintenance to IT support and cyber security of aviation data links. "That's a vital differentiating factor for aviation companies, because for airlines, it's important to get planes back to flying as quickly as possible, rather than [staying] grounded by delays." The second way Port San Antonio will continue to grow as a center of excellence is by implementing more innovative and advanced technology into aviation and manufacturing industry practices. For example, in a Boeing 787, 50% of the plane's cost is spent on navigation, guidance, and control systems, with half of that dedicated to avionic software. The latest advances in aviation are in system software, data handling, aircraft-to-aircraft communication, and aerospace engineering and manufacturing. "Predictive maintenance [for airplanes] is going to require machine learning and good use of data, as it takes the paper [-based record keeping] out of the system," Perschbach explained. "Predictive analytics can help drive predictive avionic maintenance, so companies are not overspending on replacing plane parts simply because paper records show after so many hours flown [that] it's time to replace all the parts whether that's needed or not." The Port's core competencies in information technology and cyber security are natural complements to the growing trend of incorporating machine learning into aviation predictive maintenance. Companies in San Antonio are already innovating MRO operations, such as Elevate Systems, which reverse-engineers and 3D-prints out-of-production airplane parts for the Department of Defense, and the Port-based Indo-MIN, which manufactures precision metal-injected plane parts. The conference is an important opportunity for San Antonio's aviation industry to share its vision with a global audience. The all-day event will help highlight the importance of Kelly Air Force Base and its redevelopment into a 1,900-acre complex that provides a strategic platform for companies such as Boeing, StandardAero, Lockheed Martin, and others. Those firms not only support military aviation needs, they increasingly meet the needs of the commercial aircraft industry as well. "The Port's Project Tech concept is that it will be a fusion center, a hub where our knowledge-based industry can interact with the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries here," Perschbach stressed. "If we can match up our mature industries in what we do so well in San Antonio, like MRO, with technology and innovation, we can provide a higher value product and attract new opportunities." The Aero-Engines Americas conference will provide the Port and San Antonio's other aerospace leaders the opportunity to highlight the work already being done in the region as well as efforts to grow San Antonio into a global center of aerospace support and innovation. https://therivardreport.com/san-antonio-to-host-global-aviation-industry-conference/ Back to Top NASA Selects Industry Team to Advance Green Aviation Engine Technology NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) has chosen a Connecticut-based company to conduct an aircraft engine flight demonstration designed to showcase quieter, more fuel- efficient, less polluting engine technology. United Technologies Corporation (UTC)/Pratt & Whitney in Hartford has been selected for NASA's Ultra-High Bypass Advanced Nacelle Technologies Flight Demonstration - part of NASA Aeronautics' research efforts to make commercial airliners more environmentally friendly. The proposed three-year, cost-shared cooperative agreement between NASA and a Pratt & Whitney team, which includes the Boeing Company in St. Louis, Missouri, and UTC Aerospace Systems in San Diego, California, will invest in the design, fabrication, testing, integration, and flight demonstration of a suite of engine technologies that improve aerodynamic performance and reduce overall weight and noise. The challenge is to integrate those technologies into a single structure and apply them to a commercial transport high bypass ratio jet engine advanced nacelle system. NASA's portion of the investment over the three years is about $22 million. NASA and the industry team will develop, ground test and take to flight technologies integrated on an advanced compact engine inlet to reduce drag, weight, noise and fuel consumption. Technologies to be addressed include: - Both active and laminar flow for drag reduction - Advanced light-weight composite structures for weight reduction with laminar flow compatible outer mold lines - Acoustic liners extended into nacelle lip region for noise reduction - Advanced low power anti-ice/de-ice systems compatible with compact inlet and acoustic liners - Advanced coatings for abrasion and to reduce insect adhesion The Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project under ARMD's Integrated Aviation Systems Program sponsored the cooperative agreement solicitation. The effort will be managed by the Advanced Nacelle Subproject at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. For information about NASA's Flight Demonstration Project, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/programs/iasp/fdc For more information about NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=50325 Back to Top Turkish researchers develop self-healing material, aim aviation, defense industries Researchers from Gebze Technical University (GTÜ) in northwestern Turkey have developed a polymeric material that can self-heal by up to 95 percent for a project supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜB?TAK). The self-healing polymeric material, developed within the scope of the project conducted by GTÜ Materials Science and Engineering Department, aims to prevent risks occurring and losses, particularly in the fields of defense and electronics industries. Project manager, GTÜ Materials Science and Engineering Department lecturer Assistant Prof. Dr. ?lke Anaç said that damages and mistakes are inevitable during material applications. Anaç asserted that when a material is damaged it is either impossible or too expensive to heal the piece. But through self-healing polymers, it is now possible to prevent these risks. She stated that, with this new technology application, materials can be used much longer and the cost of materials would be reduced. It is possible to avoid leaks in aircraft fuel tanks Anaç noted if the material they developed is commercialized, it could be beneficial in many fields. "I am thinking of the defense industry in particular. Aircraft fuel tanks have one thin layer of polymer film. In case of damages, leaks are unavoidable. If self-healing polymer films are used, we can reduce fuel leaks," said Anaç. She added that the material can also avoid cracks in smartphone screens, which usually occur from smaller cracks that go unnoticed. http://www.dailysabah.com/technology/2017/01/30/turkish-researchers-develop-self-healing- material-aim-aviation-defense-industries Back to Top Triumph secures engine components contract from Rolls Royce US-based aircraft structure manufacturer Triumph has entered an eight-year contract worth $52m with Rolls Royce to supply thrust links for the Trent XWB engine programme. Triumph Precision Components (TPC) will be delivering the thrust links components in 2019 following a two-year development period in which Triumph Integrated Systems will perform structural tests for the components. A producer of customised close-tolerance parts, TPC has been manufacturing thrust links for the past 20 years in Toronto, Canada. The thrust link components developed by TPC will undergo structural tests, which will performed by Triumph Integrated Systems. Triumph Precision Components executive vice-president Rick Rosenjack said: "This contract with Rolls Royce demonstrates how Triumph businesses work together to meet the needs of our customer as One Triumph. "We look forward to supporting the Trent XWB engine programme for many years to come." Triumph Integrated Systems has been providing integrated solutions, which includes design, development and support of proprietary components, subsystems and systems, as well as production of complex assemblies using external designs. The company has been catering to a wide a range of requests in the aviation industry, which includes original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of commercial, regional, business and military aircraft and aircraft components, as well as commercial and regional airlines, and air cargo carriers. http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newstriumph-secures-contract-from-rolls-royce- 5725004 Back to Top NASA's Groundbreaking New Development in Rocket Science Is ... Paint? Paint probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of rocket science, but NASA's Ames Research Center has discovered it can use paint to identify the parts of rockets that are being overly buffeted by pressure as they zip toward supersonic speed. Specifically, it's "Unsteady Pressure Sensitive Paint" that reacts with oxygen to create light, causing the parts of the rocket under the most duress to shine bright red in simulations. By studying those points, they can refine their designs to minimize or eliminate those problem spots in order to keep the craft or rocket from breaking up. The paint isn't actually used on real rockets. Instead, the pinkish substance is lightly painted over a scale model, which is then set up in a wind tunnel that mimics the intense atmospheric pressures on a real spacecraft or aircraft. NASA has used pressure sensitive paint in the past, but it wasn't effective as it could be as it only measured averages over time. With the new "unsteady" paint, however, researchers can see the fluctuations from buffeting in far greater and faster detail when they're monitored under ultraviolet light with multiple high-speed cameras. When the resulting data are compiled, the areas enduring less pressure than average appear blue and the most affected parts shine red. "We learned from this test that this method is what you need to study buffet," said Jim Ross, one of the two scientists at Ames heading the project, along with Jayanta Panda."There's a lot we don't understand about unsteady flow that this paint will help us figure out." It doesn't even look much different than standard pressure sensitive paint, but up close it's filled with pores that allow the air flowing down the sides of the model to interact with a greater area of paint. The pores cause oxygen to react much more quickly with the paint, which produces more accurate images of the potentially damages forces. For all the thought that went into creating it, it's a fairly simple procedure that could greatly minimize the costs of future testing. By contrast, the traditional method of measuring buffeting forces on rockets involves hooking up to 400 tiny microphones to a model and running it through a wind tunnel. Not only is this approach much more time-consuming and expensive, but it doesn't even cover the full surface of the model as the Unsteady pressure sensitive paint does. http://motherboard.vice.com/read/nasa-paint-rocket Back to Top Aviation Test Equipment Market is Expected To Generate Huge Profits by 2024 The testing devices for the aviation sector include air data test sets, pilot static adapters, transponder test sets, distance measuring equipment testing, traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) test sets. Other important aviation test devices are tactical air navigation system (TACAN) testers, navigation/communication test sets, radar test sets, altimeter test sets, GPS satellite simulators, battery testers, engine test sets, among others. The aviation sector faces challenge in terms of volatility in market (revenues) and this in turn affects the market for aviation test equipment. Aviation sector has been experiencing growth in manufacturing (shipments), especially, the civil aircraft sales. According to Aerospace Industries Association, general aviation shipments rose by 9.7% in 2013 to reach 1,661 units as compared to 2012. This growth combined with the increasing demand for maintenance of older aircrafts is expected to be instrumental in increasing the sales of aviation test equipment. Moreover, the aviation sector especially the defense aircrafts have seen rise complex systems with technological advancements, this is leading to demand for sophisticated test equipment. The various test equipment types in aviation sector include electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and power test equipment. There are significant growth opportunities for aviation test equipment market in Asia Pacific; especially China as there has been proliferation of aviation sector including both civil and defense aerospace in recent years in this region. North America and Europe form a major chunk of the demand for aviation test equipment owing to their advanced technical capability in aerospace. The Middle East and Latin American markets for aviation test equipment are also growing owing to need for enhanced capabilities for repair, maintenance, and overhaul services. Key players in this market include Honeywell International, Inc., Airbus SAS, The Boeing Company, Rockwell Collins, Inc., Avtron Aerospace, Inc., DAC International, Inc., Testek, Inc., Tesscorn Systems India Pvt. Ltd., General Electric Co., 3m Company, Moog, Inc., DMA-Aero, International Aero Engineering LLC, Rolls Royce Holdings Plc, and Teradyne, Inc., among others. http://www.openpr.com/news/422793/Aviation-Test-Equipment-Market-is-Expected-To-Generate- Huge-Profits-by-2024.html Back to Top UTC Aerospace, VAS Aero sign supply, distribution agreement UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has signed a strategic supply and distribution agreement with VAS Aero Services, significantly improving parts availability to meet growing customer demand for ready access to OEM-certified serviceable parts. VAS Aero Services´ inventory of in-demand parts are expected to translate to cost savings and improved efficiencies for UTC Aerospace Systems customers. Both companies have a global footprint with warehouses and distribution centers strategically positioned close to customers, allowing for quick turnaround and timely delivery of parts. VAS Aero provides global aviation logistics and aftermarket services. UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. The company supports a global customer base, with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities. Farmington, Connecticut-based United Technologies provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. http://www.financial-news.co.uk/39406/2017/01/utc-aerospace-vas-aero-sign-supply-distribution- agreeme/ Back to Top Russia's Proton-M Rocket Grounded For Another 3.5 Months Following Failed December Launch Russia's Proton-M rocket - a heavy lift vehicle that has, for over 16 years, been used to launch military and civilian satellites - will remain grounded for another three and a half months, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Saturday evening. The announcement, made during Rogozin's visit to a factory in the city of Voronezh that supplies engines for the country's most powerful operational rocket system, comes almost two months after an International Space Station- bound cargo ship - being carried on board a Proton-M rocket - blew up just minutes after launch. Russian officials said that the explosion was caused by a faulty third-stage engine - a defect that was later traced back to the Voronezh plant. As a result, the head of the factory was reportedly forced to resign last week. "The launches of Proton-M will be resumed within 3.5 months. Voronezh Mechanical Plant will receive economic aid for technical re-equipment," Russia's state-run Sputnik news agency quoted Rogozin as saying. "All those guilty of technology and document substitution will be severely punished. Three Proton-M rockets will be dismantled. Engines of the second and third stages will be changed." The December explosion destroyed the Progress MS-04 - also known as the Progress 65 - cargo ship carrying 2.6 tons of food, fuel and other supplies for astronauts on board the ISS. In a statement released at the time, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said that the explosion "will not affect the normal operations of the ISS and the life of the station crew." "Most of cargo spacecraft fragments burned in the dense atmosphere," Roscosmos said. "The State Commission is conducting analysis of the current contingency." This wasn't the first accident involving a Proton-M rocket. In May 2014, a Proton-M rocket carrying an advanced communications satellite broke up. Then, in May 2015, another rocket carrying a Mexican satellite crashed just eight minutes after lift-off due to a third-stage anomaly. http://www.ibtimes.com/russias-proton-m-rocket-grounded-another-35-months-following-failed- december-launch-2482967 Curt Lewis