Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review June 17, 2016_Neat

Supersonic, UAS research highlighted at social
by Jay Levine in restricted airspace at Armstrong
NASA Amstrong FRC
and data collection with a proposed
A NASA Social highlighted two
projects, one with supersonic aircraft supersonic demonstrator called the
and the other featuring subsonic air-
craft and a remotely piloted airplane, Quiet Supersonic Technology.
May 31 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight
Research Center in California. The strategy could provide the

About 45 social media representa- information needed to make recom-
tives and a number of media organiza-
tions listened to updates on NASA’s mendations to the Federal Aviation
work to mitigate the sound made by
aircraft traveling supersonically. The Administration for amending a pro-
other topic was how aircraft are help-
ing to validate technologies that could hibition in place since the 1970s on
lead to Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Integration into the National Airspace over land supersonic travel. The idea
System.
is to reduce the strength of the son-
Dave Richwine, NASA Commer-
cial Supersonic Technology subproj- ic booms and break them up so the
ect manager based at NASA’s Lang-
ley Research Center in Virginia, said sound is hardly noticeable by people
the U.S. needs to “make sure it is
out front” in supersonic aircraft. Su- on the ground, Jones explained.
personic aircraft could reduce travel
times by half and infuse the economy The QueSST is being designed
with good jobs and open new markets.
through a NASA contract with Lock-
Tom Jones, NASA CST associate
project manager based at Armstrong, heed Martin. Michael Buonanno,
said supersonic travel could one day,
“bring the world a little closer to- Lockheed Martin chief engineer for
gether.”
the QueSST contract, said the design
A three-pronged strategy is pro-
gressing. The approach includes a includes a 94.2-foot long, piloted air-
sonic boom simulation lab at NASA
Langley, shaped sonic boom research craft with a single engine. The con-

Lockheed cept includes many commercially-

available systems to reduce cost of the

potential future X-plane that would

greatly reduce the sound of current

breaches of the sound barrier.

Attendees heard sonic booms from

a NASA F/A-18 supersonic aircraft

in level flight as well as witnessed NASA photograph by Carla Thomas

demonstrations of a special flight The aircraft used in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System project include, front

technique that mimics the magnitude from left, a TG-14, a T-34C and the Ikhana remotely piloted aircraft. The back row from left include a B-200, a G-III
of the much quieter sonic booms that and a C-90.

the QueSST aircraft is being designed worked with astronauts and wants to ing,” he explained. “I was startled. A panel including Richwine, Jones,
to achieve in level flight. be one in the future. He heard his first The other demonstration flights Peter Iosifidis, Lockheed Martin pro-
sonic boom. sounded more like dropping a mat- gram manager for the QueSST con-
Philip Belzeski, a Boise State Uni- tress (from an aircraft).”
versity physics major who is popular “The first sonic boom was shock- See SOCIAL, Page 3
on Twitter for his music, said he has

Martin produces own power
fornia. The panels track the sun and converts DC
by Linda KC Reynolds current to AC current before it goes to the grid, Lockheed Martin photograph
staff writer so energy is produced in real time.
Just in time for summer — Carol Cala, Lockheed Martin Corporate vice president of Energy,
As temperatures and energy costs rise, Lock- “Because the Antelope Valley has about 300 Environment, Safety and Health, (left) Melani Austin, Lockheed Martin Skunkworks VP of Execution
heed Martin Skunk Works® in Palmdale, Calif., days of cloudless skies, it is a superior place to and Integration and Palmdale Mayor James Ledford cut a ribbon in celebration of Lockheed Martin’s
is doing their part to not only conserve energy, use this type of engineering and energy,” ex- new solar farm. Built on seven acres, the farm has the distinction of being one of the largest, single
but to create it. plained Rowena Striff, Lockheed Martin energy axis photovoltaic systems built on-site in an industrial location in Southern California.
manager.
“Lockheed Martin has a very strong commit-
ment towards sustainability and environmental Saving costs on utilities means the company
stewardship, as such we actively set GO Green saves in other places as well. It is estimated that
goals on carbon, energy, water and waste reduc- the company will save more than $350,000 a
tion to be reached by 2020,” said Melani Austin, year in energy. Lockheed Martin also has a solar
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works vice president of plant in Clearwater, Fla.
Execution and Integration.
“I couldn’t be more proud of everyone at
“This is an active goal from our corporation, Lockheed,” said Palmdale Mayor James Led-
we really believe in doing the right thing — this ford who said he worked at the site before it
is evidence of our actions,” she said speaking of had gates. “I’ve been able to see the transforma-
the new solar farm built on seven acres of land. tion of this facility over the years … today is
another demonstration of the efficiency of what
By building their own solar farm, Lockheed Lockheed Martin is bringing to the facility and
Martin will produce 1 megawatt of power and community.”
provide eight to 10 percent of Site 10 needs —
“that is pretty impressive,” said Austin. “Dropping energy use makes Palmdale more
competitive, enabling them to keep costs down
The farm has the distinction of being one of and to bid on more programs. “It is good for the
the largest, single axis photovoltaic system built entire valley,” said Ledford.
on-site in an industrial location in Southern Cali-

June 17, 2016 • Volume 30, Issue 8 Serving the aerospace industry since 1986 Use your smartphone to connect to
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