EADS Advanced Air Refueling Boom Deploys in Flight and Progresses to Final Verification Test Phase.Refueling System Completes Key Flight Test Milestones for the Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. KC-30 and Australia's KC-30B Tanker/Transport Programs ARLINGTON, Va. -- The world's most advanced in-flight refueling system has entered the next phase of its full-scale validation and flight testing. The EADS EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. EADS Expeditionary Air Defense System (USMC) EADS Extended Air Defense Systems EADS Environmental Assessment Data System EADS Echelons Above Division Study Air Refueling The capability to refuel aircraft in flight, which extends presence, increases range, and serves as a force multiplier. Also called AR. Boom System (ARBS) will be integrated into the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker aircraft
The EADS ARBS successfully completed a series of key milestones, including fully extending and maneuvering the refueling boom in-flight, thereby advancing the system to the next phase of flight evaluations intended to clear its use throughout the full refueling test and operations envelope. This major accomplishment follows 11 previous flight tests and associated milestones that began in March 2006. In the most recent flight test, the refueling boom successfully completed seven full extension deployments and subsequent recoveries to the stowed position. Tests included evaluation of the boom's operational flight envelope In aerodynamics, the flight envelope or performance envelope of an aircraft refers to the capabilities of a design in terms of speed and altitude. The term is somewhat loosely applied, and can also refer to other measurements such as maneuverability. and overall handling characteristics. The system also performed in-flight flutter tests at different extended boom lengths and at a variety of aircraft bank angles - reflecting operational use and conditions. A chase aircraft participated in the flight test and validated the Pilot Director Light (PDL See page description language. 1. PDL - Page Description Language. 2. PDL - Program Design Language. 3. PDL - Push Down List. 4. PDL - Dave Lebling, one of the co-authors of Zork. ) system functionality from a pre-contact position, representing key milestone events leading to the eventual testing of the refueling boom with a receiver aircraft in the full contact position. "Our ARBS is the most capable refueling system ever designed and the ongoing validation testing clearly demonstrates its ability to service a full range of aircraft," said EADS North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. "The pace and success of our boom development and test activities are well on schedule to meet the requirements of the Northrop Grumman-led KC-30 team bid for the U.S. Air Force KC-135 replacement competition, as well as the Royal Australian Air Force KC-30B program." The all electric fly-by-wire ARBS provides highly accurate, reliable in-flight refueling and is the result of a nearly three year, $100 million EADS self-funded research and development effort. With a maximum nominal fuel flow rate of 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute, the ARBS utilizes fly-by-wire controls and features an automatic load alleviation system that provides a larger refueling envelope and enhanced controllability. The system's all electric design significantly reduces traditional failure rates and subsequent down times. Using a 3D-vision surveillance system, the boom operator can remotely control ARBS operations from the cockpit during air-to-air refueling. The Royal Australian Air Force's first KC-30B Multi-Role Tanker Transport currently is undergoing its outfitting process, during which the aircraft will be equipped with a centerline cen·ter·line n. 1. A line that bisects something into equal parts. 2. A painted line running along the center of a road or highway that divides it into two sections for traffic moving in opposite directions, or, in the case of ARBS, a pair of under-wing pods with hose and drogue refueling systems (the same fourth-generation model series as currently in operational service on the U.S. Air Force MC-130 and the EADS A310 tankers flown by Canada and Germany), and an electronic warfare self-protection suite for defense against surface-to-air missiles. About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com) EADS North America is the North American operations North American operation Surgical oncology Radical surgery of a 'frozen pelvis', consisting of radical en bloc resection of the uterus and urinary bladder. See 'Frozen pelvis.'. Cf 'All-American' and 'South American' operations. of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $8.5 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 174,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 10 operating companies located in 38 cities and 19 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets. |
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