http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200804/20080404014086.html
波音研發氫動力飛機　航空業可望更環保
法新社╱陳昶佑 2008-04-04 00:20     

 
 
（法新社西班牙歐坎納三日電）美國飛機製造大廠波音公司領先全球，讓一架以氫燃料電池為動力來源的飛機飛上天空，這項突破可能引領航空業走向更環保的未來。

波音技術長崔西說：「這是航空史上第一次，波音讓一架以氫燃料電池作為動力來源的載人飛機飛上天空。」

崔西在西班牙中部歐坎納市的研究中心召開記者會說，這項發展「對波音而言是歷史性的技術成就，對於走向更環保的未來更是充滿希望」。

但波音公司表示，雖然氫燃料電池可作為小飛機動力來源，但它不認為這種電池可作為大型民航機的主要動力來源。

這次試飛的飛機是一架白色螺旋槳小飛機，可以搭載兩人。

飛機以一百公里的時速飛行約二十分鐘，飛行高度約一千公尺，而飛機動力來源只有氫燃料電池，機上僅有一名駕駛。

飛機翼展十六點三公尺，長六點五公尺，重約八百公斤。飛機飛越了歐坎納的機場。

氫動力利用「燃料電池」，運用氫與氧進行化學變化變成水時產生的能量。

由於氫能源產生的廢棄物只有無害的水蒸氣，因此可望作為更乾淨的再生能源。

在波音的測試飛機中，電池放在乘客座，而駕駛座則放置一個氧氣筒，就如同潛水客背上的氧氣瓶一樣。波音說，飛機飛行時間可達四十五分鐘。 
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080403/sc_afp/usaerospaceenergyenvironmentcompanyproduct_080403142438
In a first, Boeing flies hydrogen-powered plane

by Fabien Zamora
9 minutes ago

OCANA, Spain (AFP) - US aircraft giant Boeing claimed a world first Thursday in sending a plane powered by a hydrogen-cell battery into the air, a breakthrough that could herald a greener future for the industry.

"For the first time in the history of aviation, Boeing has flown a manned airplane that was powered by a hydrogen battery," Boeing chief technology officer John Tracy said.

The development was "a historical technological success for Boeing (and) ... full of promises for a greener future," Tracy told a news conference at the firm's research centre in the central Spanish town of Ocana.

At the same time, the company said that although hydrogen fuel cells could be used to power small planes it did not believe they could become the primary power source for large passenger aircraft.

The test plane was a small, white prop-driven aircraft capable of carrying two people.

It flew at a speed of 100 kilometres (62 miles) an hour for about 20 minutes at an altitude of some 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) using only the hydrogen battery for power and with just the pilot on board.

It has a wing span of 16.3 metres (51 feet) and is 6.5 metres long, and weighs approximately 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds). The plane was flown over the airport at Ocana.

Hydrogen power uses "fuel cells" that tap the energy produced from the chemical transformation of hydrogen and oxygen into water.

It holds the promise of a cleaner and renewable energy resource as it produces only harmless water vapor as waste.

In the Boeing test plane, the battery was kept in the passenger seat while the pilot had an oxygen tank similar to the ones used by divers on his back. Boeing said the plane had a flying time of 45 minutes.

During takeoff, the airplane's batteries were used to provide an additional boost but while it was in the air, it relied only on the hydrogen cell.

The director of Boeing's research centre at Ocana, Francisco Escarti, said it "could be the main source of energy for a small plane" but would likely not become the "primary source of energy for big passenger planes.

"The company will continue to explore their potential as well as that of all durable sources of energy that boost environmental performance," he said, adding the test plane had the advantage of "not making any noise."

Engineer Nieves Lapena, who was responsible for the test flight, said the technology could be sued as a secundary source of energy for large planes but this would still take some time.

"In my opinion, we are talking about a delay of about twenty years," she said.

Demand for cleaner, safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles and airplanes is growing amid rising costs and concerns over pollution and climate change.

Several auto makers, including General Motors, Nissan and BMW, are working on the development of hydrogen-powered cars.

"Boeing recognizes that pollution represents a serious environmental challenge," Tracy said.

Boeing's first new model in over a decade, the Dreamliner, uses high-tech composites which reduce weight, allowing it to consume 20 percent less fuel then similar-sized planes already on the market.

The International Energy Agency has said that hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells could play a key role in weaning energy users away from oil, gas and coal which have been blamed for climate change.

http://news.yam.com/afp/life/200804/20080403013916.html
航空史上首創 波音氫電池動力飛機試飛成功
法新社╱陳政一 2008-04-03 21:50    

 
 
（法新社西班牙歐坎納三日電）美國波音飛機製造公司技術長崔西今天在西班牙表示，該公司一架以氫電池為動力的飛機在今年初試飛成功，這是「航空史上的第一次」。

崔西在西班牙中部城鎮歐坎納的波音研發中心召開的記者會中說，這項發展「對更注重環保的未來而言充滿希望」。

他表示：「這是波音的歷史性技術成功。」

波音在記者會分發的聲明中說，這架螺旋槳飛機在約一千公尺高度直線飛行了大約二十分鐘。

這份聲明說：「波音今天宣布，它以氫燃料電池為動力的一架載人飛機已經試飛成功，這是航空史上首創。」

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080403/sc_afp/usaerospaceenergyenvironmentcompanyproduct_080403142438
In a first, Boeing flies hydrogen-powered plane

by Fabien Zamora
9 minutes ago

OCANA, Spain (AFP) - US aircraft giant Boeing claimed a world first Thursday in sending a plane powered by a hydrogen-cell battery into the air, a breakthrough that could herald a greener future for the industry.
 
"For the first time in the history of aviation, Boeing has flown a manned airplane that was powered by a hydrogen battery," Boeing chief technology officer John Tracy said.

The development was "a historical technological success for Boeing (and) ... full of promises for a greener future," Tracy told a news conference at the firm's research centre in the central Spanish town of Ocana.

At the same time, the company said that although hydrogen fuel cells could be used to power small planes it did not believe they could become the primary power source for large passenger aircraft.

The test plane was a small, white prop-driven aircraft capable of carrying two people.

It flew at a speed of 100 kilometres (62 miles) an hour for about 20 minutes at an altitude of some 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) using only the hydrogen battery for power and with just the pilot on board.

It has a wing span of 16.3 metres (51 feet) and is 6.5 metres long, and weighs approximately 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds). The plane was flown over the airport at Ocana.

Hydrogen power uses "fuel cells" that tap the energy produced from the chemical transformation of hydrogen and oxygen into water.

It holds the promise of a cleaner and renewable energy resource as it produces only harmless water vapor as waste.

In the Boeing test plane, the battery was kept in the passenger seat while the pilot had an oxygen tank similar to the ones used by divers on his back. Boeing said the plane had a flying time of 45 minutes.

During takeoff, the airplane's batteries were used to provide an additional boost but while it was in the air, it relied only on the hydrogen cell.

The director of Boeing's research centre at Ocana, Francisco Escarti, said it "could be the main source of energy for a small plane" but would likely not become the "primary source of energy for big passenger planes.

"The company will continue to explore their potential as well as that of all durable sources of energy that boost environmental performance," he said, adding the test plane had the advantage of "not making any noise."

Engineer Nieves Lapena, who was responsible for the test flight, said the technology could be sued as a secundary source of energy for large planes but this would still take some time.

"In my opinion, we are talking about a delay of about twenty years," she said.

Demand for cleaner, safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles and airplanes is growing amid rising costs and concerns over pollution and climate change.

Several auto makers, including General Motors, Nissan and BMW, are working on the development of hydrogen-powered cars.

"Boeing recognizes that pollution represents a serious environmental challenge," Tracy said.

Boeing's first new model in over a decade, the Dreamliner, uses high-tech composites which reduce weight, allowing it to consume 20 percent less fuel then similar-sized planes already on the market.

The International Energy Agency has said that hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells could play a key role in weaning energy users away from oil, gas and coal which have been blamed for climate change.

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2008-04-02/0849493045.html
美國下一代戰略轟炸機可攻擊中俄戰略縱深目標

http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年04月02日 08:49 新華網

　　美國空軍之所以是美軍中獨一無二的存在，是因為它應具備在地面發現、觀察、並摧毀任何目標的能力。--美空軍參謀長麥克爾•莫斯利上將

　　中國、俄羅斯等國家擁有的"戰略縱深"，或許會給實施境內打擊造成一定困難。但是，在任何時間對任何地點發起攻擊，應是美空軍未來轟炸機的應有之義。——美《空軍》雜誌

　　新華網專稿：沒有什麼比遠端戰略轟炸機更能代表空軍的特點了：讓地球任何角落的任何目標遭遇滅頂之災。

　　然而，自從1991年海灣戰爭以來，戰鬥機以其突飛猛進的精確打擊能力，逐步成為空軍的主角。未來某一天，轟炸機是否會重新成為主導戰場態勢的決定性力量？

　　美國《空軍》雜誌認為，這一天遲早會到來，下一代轟炸機將成為打破一切"戰略縱深"的強大威懾力量。

　　轟炸機新概念

　　21世紀，轟炸機將實現作戰半徑、載彈量與網路傳感系統的融合，從而大幅提升空軍未來遠端打擊能力。

　　歷史表明，作戰半徑和載彈量素來是轟炸機研製的重中之重。美國最早的轟炸機由雙座偵察機改進而成。為增加作戰半徑和載彈量，之後的B-17、B-24等轟炸機都有意犧牲了速度和靈活性。美軍不少飛行員因此喪命，然而二戰早期，這些轟炸機是英美對納粹德國發起攻擊的唯一途徑。隨著B-1、B-52、B-2的亮相，美軍轟炸機在這兩方面取得進一步拓展。

　　然而，自從F-117、F-15、F-111等戰鬥機憑藉鐳射制導武器在沙漠風暴行動中大展身手之後，轟炸機似乎正逐漸被美軍冷落。目前，美空軍擁有2300多架戰鬥機，而轟炸機數量尚不足200。

　　這些轟炸機能否應對未來威脅？對此，美國軍方的答案是：一再加速新型轟炸機的研製進程。按照當前計畫，未來轟炸機將於2018年面世。

　　根據設想，新型轟炸機將成為美國空軍殺手鐧武器的基本組成部分，無燃料補充的作戰半徑達到3700千米，並能攜帶14噸有效載荷。此外，未來轟炸機將在作戰機群的配合下執行任務，通過網路傳感系統與機群成員共用飛行狀態、圖像、作戰路線、乃至聲音等資訊。

　　告別"孤狼"歲月

　　美空軍發展過程中歷來最看重戰機本身有什麼功能，相對忽略與其他機群之間的配合。最典型的例子莫過於F-117，作為隱身戰鬥機的鼻祖，綽號為“夜鷹”的F-117從某種意義上說開創了全新的空中作戰模式。然而前不久美國軍方卻宣佈要將這種著名的隱身戰機全部淘汰出局，原因之一正是難以與未來作戰網路對接。

　　實際上，直到最近幾年，F-22還被視作獨行者——高度的隱蔽性要求使之只能與附近的F-22通信。

　　"2018轟炸機"有望改變這一局面。未來作戰場景中，它將與F-22、F-35等先進戰機等互聯，例如，F-22憑藉先進的空中雷達發現數架"蘇-30"，馬上將圖片資訊傳給轟炸機，並給後者標明更加安全的飛行路線。

　　"轟炸機將不再是一匹孤狼，而是狼群中的一員。"《空軍》雜誌說。那麼，十多年以後，這個狼群將扮演什麼作用呢？

　　文章分析說，除了支援特別行動等任務外，其主要任務是打擊移動目標，可以是SUV上的恐怖分子，也可以是導彈發射車。這類目標有兩個顯著特點：一、對於敵人至關重要，如裝載反衛星武器的發射車；二、在面臨威脅時可以迅速逃離多數導彈的爆炸區。所以，除非導彈發射後具備自動跟蹤功能，很難命中這些目標，此外，遠距離發射的滑翔式導彈可能由於飛行速度過慢而被擊落。

　　對付它們的方法之一，就是靠近打擊，可這些目標往往受到強大防空體系的保護，不容易靠近。於是，殺傷力強大的遠程轟炸機成了上佳選擇。

　　當前，美軍只有B-2轟炸機具備深入嚴密防空網打擊移動目標的能力。由於缺乏保密的通信手段，短期內B-2還不能與其他戰鬥機安全對接，然而未來的轟炸機，將徹底告別"孤狼"歲月。

　　打破一切戰略縱深

　　未來轟炸機的另一個顯著特點，是配備高超音速武器。

　　真正意義上的高超音速飛機——速度超過6馬赫的飛機，還沒有出現。不過，美國空軍在高超音速武器方面的研製，已有所進展。

　　近年來，美國國防高級研究工程署、海軍研究處以及其他幾個單位一直致力於超音速武器的研製工作。

　　高超音速導彈專案的成果之一，是將火箭助推器與雙燃燒室衝壓發動機結合，試驗表明導彈飛行速度可達到6馬赫，五分鐘內便可命中400英里以外的目標。如果正式列裝並與新型轟炸機結合，移動目標在導彈飛行期間逃離攻擊的可能性將大大減少。

　　與30年前軍工企業著手研製B-2轟炸機之時相比，美國航空業在航空材料、飛機引擎、製造技術等方面都已取得長足發展，打造新型轟炸機的基礎已經存在。

　　與此同時，十多年以來，美空軍也一直致力於深入潛在對手的腹地，獵殺重要的移動目標。文章說，中國、俄羅斯等國家擁有的"戰略縱深"，或許會給實施境內打擊造成一定困難。但是，在任何時間對任何地點發起攻擊，應是美空軍未來轟炸機的應有之義。

　　"未來的對手再也不會覺得無懈可擊，下一代轟炸機將徹底改變這種模糊認識。"作者在結論中寫到。(朱鴻亮)

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2008-03-11/1114489569.html
美國軍方將開始研製黑燕極超音速飛行器

http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年03月11日 11:14 新華網

　　新華網消息，據《簡氏防務週刊》網站3月10日報導，美國軍方將會在接下來幾個星期公佈"黑燕"極超音速飛行器的招標書。

　　這一項目是經典的"黑鳥"SR-71超音速偵察機的改進型，不過現在還處於技術研發層面。

　　美國空軍首席科學家馬克•路易士說："黑燕"是美國空軍和國防部高級研究計畫局的共同專案，它將鋪就美國極超音速飛行器發展之路。我們叫這種飛行器SR-72。"

　　"‘黑燕'並不叫SR-72,但是卻是空軍實現極超音速飛行器過程中踏出的重要的第一步。"在3月5日華盛頓的新聞通氣會上，路易士告訴簡氏的記者。

　　路易士說，SR-72會執行與SR-71相似的偵察任務，只是速度會是"極超音速"，那將是5馬赫或更快。

　　飛行器以如此高的速度飛行要求其擁有一種非常專業的極超音速推進系統；"黑燕"的出現就是要扮演開發技術這種角色。(付志偉)

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2008-03-04/0756488294.html
美軍研發小型空射誘餌可對敵防空系統實施干擾

http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年03月04日 07:56 中國航空信息網

　　雷聲公司近日宣佈，已經完成了ADM-160B小型空射誘餌(MALD)的飛行試驗。小型空射誘餌以渦噴發動機為動力，可對敵防空系統實施干擾，其載機包括B-52轟炸機和F-16戰鬥機等。迄今為止小型空射誘餌在B-52轟炸機和F-16戰鬥機上共進行了35次飛行試驗，其中33次獲得了成功。

　　今年一月，雷聲公司和美國空軍還簽訂了一份總額為1610萬美元的合同，生產和交付12枚樣彈以用於作戰試驗。小型空射誘餌重為115kg，採用可折疊彈翼，可裝備多種作戰飛機，只要這些作戰飛機具有懸掛227kg炸彈的能力即可，其中裝有1760數位武器資料庫的作戰飛機還具備發射前的誘餌航跡重新規劃能力。目前雷聲公司正在對在小型空射誘餌上加裝資料鏈進行演示驗證，目的是使小型空射誘餌具備發射後的航跡重新規劃能力。(魯進軍 責編薑)

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/26/221839/raytheon-completes-flight-tests-of-mald-decoy.html
Raytheon completes flight tests of MALD decoy
By Graham Warwick

DATE:26/02/08
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com

Raytheon has completed flight tests on the US Air Force's ADM-160B Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD), clearing the way for a decision on low-rate initial production.

The expendable, turbojet-powered MALD is designed to be launched from aircraft including the Boeing B-52 bomber and Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter to disrupt enemy air defences ahead of a strike package.

The MALD scored 33 successes in 35 flights from the B-52 and F-16 during development testing, says Raytheon missile systems business development manager Michael Spencer. The company will deliver another 12 air vehicles for operational testing under a $16.1 million contract awarded in January, he says.

"We have completed flight testing, and testing of the decoy payload," says Spencer. A Milestone C decision on proceeding into low-rate production is expected "in a couple of months", he says.

Flight profiles preprogrammed before a mission can enable a small group of MALDs to mimic the behaviour and signatures of a strike package, to provoke enemy air defences into engaging the decoys.

The 115kg (250lb) folding-wing MALD is designed to be integrated on to "smart" or "dumb" aircraft - respectively those with or without the 1760 digital weapons databus.

The decoys can be carried by almost any aircraft - "if it can carry a 500lb bomb, it can carry a MALD," says Spencer - but those with 1760 can reprogram the navigation waypoints before launch.

Raytheon has demonstrated a datalink capability that allows the decoy to be reprogrammed in flight, after launch, says Spencer. A version of MALD carrying a jammer payload is under development.

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2008-02-05/1104484603.html
美國國防部計畫開始研發高超聲速戰機

http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年02月05日 11:04 中國航空信息網

　　俄羅斯《軍工信使》網站2008年1月31日報導 布希政府請求美國國會撥款7.5億美元用於研製高超聲速戰機樣機。

　　研製高超聲速飛機的撥款申請將納入2009財政年度的軍費預算，而該軍費預算將於2月提交國會審議。

　　美國研發高超聲速戰機的第一階段，專案將由美國國防部下屬的國防預先研究計畫局(DARPA)負責，美國空軍參與其中。不過在軍費預算通過之前，美國國防部的代表拒絕透露有關專案的任何細節。目前已知的是，研究專案的目的是製造一種比現有飛行器飛得更高和更快的飛機。

　　高超聲速飛機能夠以超過音聲速5倍的速度飛行，並將成為多用途的首架高超音聲飛行器。預計，借助日益完善的技術工藝將能夠製造出在起飛後1小時內便能摧毀地球上任意一點目標的飛機。(中國航空信息中心 星月)

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2008-01-27/1125483107.html
美國波音與洛-馬公司將共同開發新一代轟炸機

http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年01月27日 11:25 中國新聞網

　　中新網1月27日電 　美國軍工巨頭波音公司和洛克希德馬丁公司25日宣佈將共同開發新一代遠端轟炸機。

　　據日本共同社報導，美國空軍計畫在2018年之前配備新一代轟炸機，取代目前使用的B-1和B-2等戰略轟炸機。

　　上述兩家公司曾合作開發過美國空軍最尖端的F-22隱性戰鬥機等，這次將在新一代轟炸機的電子武器系統等方面進行共同研發。

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1635efa4-cbb2-11dc-97ff-000077b07658.html
Lockheed and Boeing plan to collaborate on new bomber
By Hal Weitzman in Chicago

Published: January 26 2008 02:00 | Last updated: January 26 2008 02:00

Boeing and Lockheed Martin yesterday said they would collaborate on developing a next-generation bomber for the US Air Force following speculation they could compete for the contract.

Both companies said they were confident they could deliver the aircraft, which are likely to be capable of carrying nuclear missiles, by 2018.

Their proposed collaboration echoes their joint production of the F-22 fighter jet, a programme that is led by Lockheed but in which Boeing has a stake of about one-third.

The air force is committed to putting the first aircraft in the air by 2018 and says it is working on the requirements needed for the programme and expects to open the bidding process next year.

However, officials said this month there would be no funding for a next-generation bomber in the 2009 spending plan that President George W. Bush is expected to deliver to Congress early next month.

Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Advanced Systems, said he expected the air force to start the programme in 2010. "That means it will have to start no sooner than the last quarter of 2009," he said.

He added that, in order to deliver the aircraft by 2018, production would have to begin no later than 2016, with first flights probably beginning in 2015.

The companies would not be drawn on budgets and specifics yesterday, saying they were waiting to see the Pentagon's requirements. However, Michael Wynne, secretary of the air force, has said that he wants the next-generation of bomber to be used to launch nuclear weapons, a requirement that is likely to raise the cost of the programme significantly.

Frank Cappuccio, executive vice-president and general manager of Lockheed's Advanced Development Programs, defended the need for a new bomber programme. Pointing out that the programmes for bombers currently in service had begun in the 1970s, he said: "It's like holding on to a 1975 Chevy. Would you want to hold on to that for another 20 years?"

The nuclear requirement means that at least the first version of the aircraft is likely to be manned, since Congress is thought unlikely to approve a nuclear-armed pilotless bomber. However, Mr Wynne has floated the idea that an unmanned version of the bomber could be developed.

Boeing and Lockheed yesterday said they were "agnostic" about the issue.

The air force is thought to want to take at least two contractors through a preliminary design review before choosing a winner, in an attempt to try to minimise cost overruns and technology problems.

Mr Davis yesterday said he expected Northrop Grumman to put forward a rival bid for the programme.

Mr Cappuccio said that his company had first approached Boeing but had also talked to Northrop Grumman about a possible collaboration.