Sikorsky reaches settlement over fatal ’14 Navy helicopter crash [CH53E Stalion]

The MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter crashed on Jan. 8, 2014, about 18 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach during what the Navy said was routine mine countermeasure training.

A Navy investigation concluded that insulated electrical wires had likely chafed against a damaged fuel line, allowing a spark to escape through damaged wiring insulation and ignite fuel through holes in the line. The pilots became disoriented because of thick smoke from the fire, which led to the helicopter crashing into the ocean, investigators said.

The lawsuit blames Sikorsky and other companies for the installation of what it alleges was defective and unsafe Kapton wiring insulation. […]
he Navy determined that the remaining 28 Sea Dragon helicopters were at risk because of the same wiring insulation, and crews replaced any wires and fuel lines that had deteriorated, The Virginian-Pilot reported. The Navy first identified the problem in 1987 and has spent millions of dollars replacing Kapton wiring, the newspaper reported.

The Kapton wiring on the helicopter that crashed was scheduled to be replaced, according to the lawsuit.

Source:
Navy Times.com

Leonardo-Finmeccanica: Six Additional AW139 Helicopters to the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service (Guardia di Finanza)

Almost 240 customers from over 70 countries have ordered over 970 AW139 helicopters making it the best-selling helicopter in its class.

It couldn’t be left unnoticed !!

How do you mean?

There are some very stupid people out there?

Yes. And a solution should already have been fielded. At least in the major airports like London. Its not like the cost of it (when cleverly designed) would prohibit a quick fielding. Instead of that, we have to read that Bird of preys and Eagles are tried with all the Manpower cost and a… negative level of persistence.

Then there are winds. A gust can probably pull a drone out of its user control, especially in the direct path of an aircraft landing near airports.

Air Force study finds operational lasers for AC-130 demo

study found there are existing lasers that will fit within the aircraft’s size, weight, power and budget limits, says AFSAB chair Werner Dahm. Although technologies must achieve a technology readiness level 6 to enter into a programme of record, capabilities with a lower TRL are suitable for a near-term demonstration,[…]

Lockheed Martin AC-130J’s onboard power generator has enough power to operate a laser that could fire frequent shots. […] The laser capability would not require new research to develop batteries that could store the energy needed on the platform

Source:
FlightGlobal.com

MUX By 2026: Marines Want Armed Drone ASAP To Escort V-22

we’re trying to accelerate MUX and field it in 2026,” said Barranco, using the acronym within an acronym adopted for the sea-based drone. (MUX stands for MAGTF Unmanned eXpeditionary; MAGTF, in turn, stands for Marine Air Ground Task Force). For manned aircraft, Barranco said, “we have a lot of testing requirements. A lot of the burden in test is really related to aviation life support systems, air crew survivability, which we don’t have in an unmanned system. Crashworthiness. G-(force)-compliance for the air crew.” Since that won’t be needed for a drone, he said, “MUX could fill that gap, temporarily, to escort the Osprey.”

Source:
BreakingDefense.com

Is that Sebstien Loeb?

Size anyone? 😉