Microlattice Doesn't Reinvent The 787 But It Could Revolutionise It

Micro-Lattice is a micro light material from processing existing materials like metals into a super light and super strong matrix with the lightness of a dandelion seed head. A primary application could be used in aircraft components and automotive structures. Any area having a potential for compression and shock would benefit from it as it is more shock absorbent than bubble wrap, while having a significant greater structural integrity and significantly less weight. Let's just image this new invention on the Dreamliner in areas now occupied by heavier materials, having less applicable dynamic function than what any current material can provide. The floor decking, seating constructs, and wall panels fly off of any brainstorming session with ideas, as if the 787 could just as well float. The "egg" or the passenger, could sit in a Microlattice seat protecting it like it would from a terminal velocity fall from a 25 story building. Beneath them is a microlattice floor. Finally the lab suggest a wall panel protecting passengers from side impact. However, all this magic weighs thousands of pounds less than what currently flies on the Dreamliner making it more efficient. Watch for this implementation on all Boeing products as soon as it can finish its development for many more applications protecting the consumer. 

Please stand-by for an article link, and its short Boeing video below:

This Incredibly Strong Metal Mesh Is 100 Times Lighter Than Styrofoam

Boeing's KC-46 Tanker Testing On Target

Air Force's new Oklahoma-bound aerial refueler passes crucial flight test

Oklahoma Bound KC-46 tanker looking good on the flying test block. During an inflight ferrying to Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma City today, the tanker function is tested with step one. Deploying its center drogue line (s). Mission accomplished.

 Tinker AFB KC-46 for Service

As simple as this sounds it is more of the indication of how you test an extremely complex function. Becoming a flying gas station at 200 miles per hour with multiple customers pulling up to the pump is dangerous. Even though this benchmark has already been achieved by the Old(er) KC-135 types, but in this case the drogue boom is rigged to handle the kitchen sink of war birds from helicopters to the F-35 spectrum of technology.

Altus AFB Training Center For KC-46 Crews

It marks a significant test envelop for refueling and can now go forward by subjecting systems to more complex conditions which will excite the crews and observers. Finding out how the KC-46 maintains refueling stability under various conditions of multi speed envelopes, weather and war conditions. It will also test systems with a fully loaded combat configured aircraft before the first fighter craft can come up to KC-46 and fuel.

Today’s News, suggests bumps in the road for the tanker are in the manageable arena. Those testing glitches may hide in the lab, but what goes on-board the KC-46 during this point forward, has been cleansed with a fully operation stamp awaiting the KC-46 airborne run for full validation.

However, this is not to say teething woes do not circle the KC-46 program. Those woes are pinned up on the ground where they will remain until development assurances allows it on board the tanker.

The KC-46 test passed a milestone flying to Oklahoma. Tinker AFB arrival, signals the program has shifted its step from theory room to the practice stag. The AF is really good at this function. Boeing is pushing hard but also is ready for this step. Program confidence has entered the manageable phase with its loaded concept going through incremental testing. Glitches are no longer the News, but testing’s expectation for finding its limits is the News. Expect some problems. That is what real time testing is for finding those limits. 

The problems are now contained in a smaller circle on the diagram chart. Any potential catastrophic problems remain on Boeing's program neck. Any nominal problem is in the flying phase. The recent problems before this flight to Tinker, were a squeezing into a time frame of Boeing’s gasping trek to the finish line. They wrote off cost in a last gasp, they experienced fuel line contamination losing another month or two in time. It’s now go time at Tinker. It’s all systems on-the-go, and let’s improve its results. It’s a no longer in the fix it stage, but it’s in “The improve it” stage during its flying phase.

"D*** The Budget- Full Steam Ahead"

The DDG 1000 series of three ships is about to hit the budget wall. Several factors are lining up for this battle on the congressional check writers podium. The first and most important factor is the need/function ratio as an implied 1/1 ratio for rating its importance for our national defense for anytime. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer currently reigns supreme in its class and continues to be built, albeit, in a more stop gap manner, than as an ultimate defender that could operate both in littoral and Blue waters, as the DDG 1000 Zumwalt promises. The Zumwalt is rapidly approaching the Need/Function ratio of "1".

Let's face it, the Zumwalt class is in experimental mode at this time, and has yet become deployed. It does not have all systems on deck currently. Its second sibling is just currently assembling at BIW Maine. A third and "last" Zumwalt type is stacking paper and Iron at the same time waiting for cash. The cost for copy one, Zumwalt is Billions, Copy two is probably a third less and so forth for its third sister. The Arleigh Burke has hit maximum production value through long term build efficiency. By now any adversarial Navy has its number.

The one great thing going for the Zumwalt class destroyer is its lethality potential. Since it has not deployed on mission with a full complement of its capability, the word potential is a weak word to take into battle. It needs to demonstrate its nominal capabilities and not necessarily its secret capabilities.  The Zumwalt need's not to live on its potential, but how it handles the reality of the world we live in through exercising stealth, battlefield management, and multiple operational tasks imposed upon it during times of national defense.

Before closing off a program, let's see what it can do, its true capability! The Zumwalt may have a greater capability than two Arleigh Burkes. It may make the F-35 more relevant a more capable Navy platform. The sum of the Navy parts should include the Zumwalt, and not a multitude of DDG -51's.

The Zumwalt has both stealth, advanced battlefield awareness greater than the prior generations of Navy ships. Its construction cost reduces as more units are produced. A fact of lean production favors the more builds, the cheaper the costs. The Arleigh Burke class has become a stop gap placeholder for the Zumwalt arrival. The Works In Progress class ship will have some teething issues as all advancements customarily have because every time something completely new and different, has no precedence for which to lean on for a role model or lessons learned. That "New" and "Different" has an internal cost for which no one can ever get its arms around.

However, when something as big as the Zumwalt steams out, the new lessons learned multiply. The real test is a pass or fail situation, where if the Zumwalt works as expected, and its supporting systems are not a colossal failure in concept, the Navy has a winner. Because, using it over and over again pounds out the program dents. It's the program cracks that ends a program, not Congress. The Navy Secretary currently has his hammer in hand before the Congress and is now saying there are no cracks in the Zumwalt program. Let's bring this ship home.

 

Lest we forget looking at its novel hull and its Carbon Fiber deck house one would think this non Iron clad could not hold up in battle. The secret is inside. The outside is just for Radar, detection, and speed. Under the hood are power plants that could light up a community of 2,500 homes. It also can send a projectile 75 miles every so many seconds. The impact of the tip of this spear would cause great destruction. Its newly developed counter measures for any incoming attacks makes it extremely reliant during battle. 

 

The greatest danger the military has is its over reliance on the old concepts of warfare, and not learning a better more efficient way of battle management. The F-35 program suffers this military attitude malaise over it performance numbers. Pilots also testing the aircraft suffer similar impressions at times citing, the F-16 flies faster or nimbler having superior aircraft performance numbers. Then they begin to appreciate and understand the wide range of capability of its sea, land, and air warfare management. The real part of the problem is having pilots tests the F-35 up to its original design features, where combat with the F-35 is not about the fourth generation fighter culture, but about the fifth generation capabilities as originally it was purposed. A new way of aerial combat does not sync well with fourth generation until you have the fifth generation F-35 supervising the F-16's in a battle situation. The F-35 multi-tasking machine allows and informs the F-16 wing of the situational issues by priority, so the F-16 only becomes a more formidable foe than what its own systems would allow it, if the F-35 was not present in the battlespace.  

The Zumwalt has a similar characteristic in that it also would inform and relay information with the Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, much in the same way the F-35 can do for the F-16. It can fight as an Island, and then sail with the fleet adding to it an exponential capability. It offers unmitigated fire power. It's a dangerous ship Congress can't afford not to have at its disposal. 

The Newest Battleground Market Is China

Boeing isn't sitting still on the obvious. China is the market to be the the leader in aircraft insertion. Its in the center quadrant  for north of the equator with Long range potential opened by both Boeing and Airbus. The 7778X is an obvious selection for aircraft for the mission as Ethiopian has just demonstrated by nixing the A350-1000 for the 7778X. The litmus test Boeing offered for its 777X was too positive for Ethiopian and Addis Abba to pass up.

I've read about Addis Abba's average temperature of 69 degrees year around and in every month. It's better than Hawaii's 80 F on stand-by. The only setback is no luxurious beach. It's landlocked. But that shouldn't stop any destination developer from exploiting the city, since the Boeing family of aircraft can get you there from anywhere.

China is the real topic. They have several, if not more Addis adda type features within its region. However none exactly like the heart of Africa. Airbus built a single aisle A320 factory, nine years ago, and now Boeing "Doubled Down" on Airbus with an upcoming 737 single Aisle factory for China and Boeing. The industrial aviation temperature for China is rising. But China still has location, location, and location for incoming landing's for the 787, 777 and others. Research suggest you can really get there from here and here etc. China wants a piece of the Addis Abba action for temperate climate zones even without having a beach, but they have beaches in the South East China.

China is rapidly becoming aviation important, because two conditions exist. 1. A Billion plus population and 2. having more people earning wages than the US has people at any given time.

Its location makes China the perfect transportation storm for the world. Much like the United States, it enjoys location with climate and industry. It needs airplanes to gain its ascendancy in the market place. In order to do that, they need to make money using airplanes, and it will diligently ascend to its place with the world market through time. China is really good at doing time. It's been around as a culture for a very long time, if counting 4,000 years a really long time.

The battleground has shifted from America to Europe and then to the  Middle East, as if a switch were thrown each time, turning on its moment for aviation and things. In a short dynasty of time, China will be competing, if not already.

Ethiopian Airlines Going For the 7778X

Ethiopian has indicated it will purchase 15-20 777-8X for its desert heat and higher elevation hub. The 777-8X beat out the A350-1000 as it "deemed the 7778X a better fit" reported by the Wall Street Journal. 

Airbus finds itself, in an apparent box with its A350 family of Aircraft from this singular purchase placed on the table for Boeing. The Airbus problem may continue for a while as the 777X family of twin engines will supersede anything Airbus offers, competing with any of Boeing's 777 twin engines, having extended range and passenger capacity beyond what Airbus can currently offer.

The Day After This Winging IT Feature News Link : GuruFocus

This may cap-off Airbus' A350-1000 sales campaign, as it will show fewer orders for this type going into the future. Currently Airbus is showing a stall over the last few years while the 777X family is outselling it by double in total numbers. The Mid-body heavy, the 787, has settled in finally, being the goto for its type holding the market share. As expected, Boeing would overcome the inconvenience of implementing its higher technology aircraft over the less technologically endowed A350-900. The A350-800 is currently a no go as it stands. 

The importance of this order is not over-looked by both giant air framers. It was a head-to-head competition on a level playing field. As mention, it included many dynamic factors. Long Range capability, heat penalties, and take-off elevation, while using heavy passenger loads up to 350 passengers. The Airbus offering could not match Boeing, as it now will try and compare the A350-1000 with the Boeing 787-9 or 787-10 performance guidelines during head to head sales pitches.

A350-1000 is a lonely number, it’s twice as lonely as two 777X types. The air wars is not over but it has become increasingly apparent it was a bad decision going with half measures when competing with Boeing's new technological paradigm...  

Emirates Stuck On Range Gap Will Order Later

Tim Clark of Emirates has expressed a desire holding off on ordering for his next batch of Wide Body from either Airbus or Boeing. It signals a want of allowing Boeing a showing of the 787-10 in real time capabilities. He has placed the Airbus A350-9 as a 14 hour range hauler and the 787-10 as an 8 hour range hauler. His concern is desert heat and take-off weight, hauling full loads whether they be full passenger loads, freight or both.

Emirates demands an 8 hour range hauler for 95% of its fight routes. Therefore the A350-900 may be wasted capacity 95% of the time. Where the Boeing 787-10 may have a shortfall 5% of the time. The tie breaker is what manufacturer has the best takeoff and landing dynamics while meeting requirements in the desert heat without enabling some kind of Boeing enhancements for its engine thrust configurations. Engine tweaking may cost Emirates more money than it wants to expend having a 787-10 order selection.

Boeing is addressing these concerns through its 787-10 development progressions, and will give Emirates a final solution for its fully configured 787-10 desert bird. It may not do enough for Tim Clark and he will pay the penalty by ordering under utilized A350-900 will a Maximum range of 14 hours. Either way this article could be written for Airbus or Boeing and the tipping point could be having the 777X added for that 5% of the time needing its Long range and freight capacity coming from a 777-8 or 777-9. Clark is running numbers from its computer route generator in figuring out what option would complete the Emirates planning.

A hint is the fact he is willing to wait for the decision before placing the order for about 70 aircraft. Deal making will make the winning order. Timing is in Boeing's corner. If Emirates waits another year before ordering, looking at either  manufacturers backlog or order position is a key element in the deal. In one year Boeing will have shrunk production capacity back log by another 140 787 frames were built and delivered. In one year Airbus will have probably shrunk its production backlog by only forty more A350 frames.

Boeing has the high ground for Emirates at this time when Clark says wait another year before dropping the order into a selected production line. It is really up to each framer what it can do to tie the deal with Emirates at this time. Boeing will bring the price and production slot to Tim Clark for what he needs. If Boeing assures and demonstrates to Tim Clark, the thrust package will exceed performance expectation in the Emirates route environment, then this delay signals an Emirates preference for a Boeing Order.

British Airways Celebrates First 787-9

British Airways turn a page in its illustrious business as a leading aviation company moving people around the world. Its first 787-9 signals a jump start for its competitors that invaded London Heathrow landing in boat loads of 787 aircraft from the four corners of the earth. The 787-9 will level the playing field as:

"It is the first of 22 787-9s the airline is set to receive from Boeing, with the next due to arrive in mid-October and a further two expected by the end of the year."  Quote from: "Breaking Travel News"

Since the news on BA 787-9 arrivals has been out this week for a few days, I'll just say Boeing's lead over Airbus WB A-350 offering, is ever widening through the air. By the time Airbus goes max production its A-350 line within three years, Boeing will have already added 400 hundred more 787, equaling more than 725 flying by end of 2018. It would represent a close number of Boeing 787 flying, as compared with Airbus Current order book of 782 A-350's, and having only five A-350's delivered at this time.

Speaking of Nazi Germany What!!!

Hitlers comrades built a Stealth Jet. Here is the design sketch.

The Nazis Made a Stealth Jet During WWII

The Nazis Made a Stealth Jet During WWII

787 3rd Quarter Has Set

Since October 1, 2015 is today what does the 787 look like after its 92 day journey  through the hot of the summer?  The answer is in the Winging It charts below created for pondering over  and reflection as we move towards Dubai and the fall with the 787 programs.

End Of Month Comment

Defense issues, programs and progress have been a feature in Winging IT during the third quarter 2015. It was not by accident. In fact this blog has incorporated into its composition facets of Navy ships, Fighter jets and Tankers from Boeing. The common denominator comes from military themes and national importance going forward. Boeing is in the midst of this vortex. The Military Industrial Complex is at this century's crossroad from the financial perspective, and having an unsure foreign policy throughout the world it becomes a more critical focus on what our nation needs to build. Military equipment is the tool box of our foreign policy.

It is time to step up with a new feature for the Winging It Blog. It will be Americas Long Range Bomber (LRB) program. The military purchasing program has delayed a decision for two more months from its earlier announcement date by end of September 2015. The players are Boeing-Lockheed and Northrup participants. A shroud of secrecy over the LRB attributes exists for all manufacturers joined in the contract hunt.  Boeing with its famed expertise for plastic flying bodies, Lockheed for its more famous dash of flying excellence through its super-secret spy planes. Northrup-Grumman is no slouch for bomber air-frames either. They have built some serious Bombers just by looking.

Northrup-Grumman B-2 B Stealth Bomber

So here is the Blogs perspective, no matter who wins the bid, it won't have Boeing's auto attention thrown on it. Since this is an almost Boeing exclusive Blog. Winging It, will apply due diligence and enthusiastic commentary for the winner of the Bid Process selection. In other words, I will submit a follow-up on all event milestones regarding the "Life of The American Long Range Bomber", during its development start through the first delivery time frame.

Northrup Super-Secret Bid Is What lies Beneath

The next step is the announcement phase for the LRB winner. I don't care who wins the bid, but I do care if the winner is the best choice for this nation. If Northrup does win, I am excited about this nation. If Boeing-Lockheed wins it had to be better than Northrup submission, otherwise, I would hate to hear of a crony outcome, because all our lives are dependent on the B-52 bomber replacement. The B-52 reaches age 70 before I do, in fact, the first B-52 to fly is older than I am, by four months. The first one flew in April 1952. Now we find ourselves at this point in history. We need a new LRB! All the players are game and can get the job done. Winging It wants to follow this airplane passage no matter the winner of this once-in-a-lifetime event for me. I invite you also to come along for the ride.

Boeing-Lockheed LRB Assumption Is Depicted Below