A couple of interesting stories from Avweek

First on Quiet Supersonic tech, second on Mars ISRU.

Catching up

A couple of interesting pieces from last week that I jut came across today (didn't have an work today so spent most of it browsing on line),

First off two MSM articles on current and future launch systems, the first on the BBC, and the second in the WaPo (this one has a few errors but nice graphics, they also have an additional accompanying piece)

Second, Lockheed Martin has flown a T-50A, its entry for the USAF's T-X programme. Personally I think it would be a big mistake to give them the contract based on their history with the F-35, also its getting close to the point where the rest of the industry will lack the capability to design and build advanced fighter aircraft if they don't win any contracts soon. On the other hand at least this one is an existing design (as opposed to Boeing and Northrop Grumman's designs) so it should be quicker and cheaper to build (but then again you have to add the L-M factor in....).

Big news last week was Beam being visited and Elon talking about manned Mars missions by 2024, further thoughts to follow...

Finally, not space related directly but a good article comparing Tesla and Tucker.

More F-22's to be built?

Starting to look possible.

End of the Sea Harrier

India has decommissioned its Sea Harrier FRS 51's. End of an era. Random though from this article- it also mentions that IMS Viraat (formerly HMS Hermes) will be decommissioned this year. Would be nice to bring her home and preserve her as a museum, esp since it seems unlikely Illustrious will be saved from scrap. After HMS Plymouth went there are no Falklands veterans left, so having Hermes back would also rectify that situation.

Scorpion Jet update

I only recently discovered Textron Airland's Scorpion Jet program, and think it is a fascinating attempt to show what can be done on a small budget with off the shelf parts.

                                               (image (c) Textron Airland, from flightglobal.com)

Here is the latest on its attempt to land sales. Hopefully someone will sign on the dotted line soon...

The week in review 1

Due to various circumstances, I now have a lot more free time and have decided to start a new blog. This is the third time (I think) I have tried this out in the last 15 years, and my main aim with this one is to focus on my interests in space, aviation, military and other advanced technology. It is the 21st century after all, and I'd like this site to be a log of new developments with a bit of commentary and speculation of what may come.

And to so to start what I plan to be a weekly feature, a round-up of the biggest developments of the past week that have caught my eye. In future I'm also planning on linking back to my own posts, but today will just be external links.

Space flight

The biggest news this week has to be SpaceX's announcement that they plan to land a Dragon capsule on Mars in 2018. I have been dwelling on this a lot and have some thoughts I'd like to share soon on a near tern manned mission using this technology.

Additionally we saw a new very small launch vehicle unveiled by Vector Space. I'm not sure how much demand there will be for launchers in this payload range but will be the more competition the better. It will also be interesting to see how far this design can be scaled up. More info here.

Blue Origin posted (by email) some information on the development of their BE-4 engine. Here's a summary.

Finally, a good piece on Buzzfeed on the SLS and its lack of uses, and an Economist article on Billionaire philanthropists that mentions Elon Musk and Jeff Bezo's space projects. 

Aviation:

Saw this week about the Cobalt Valkyrie on Popsci. Is a very pretty plane and will be following its future development with interest.

Also this week Japan's' X-2 5th generation fighter prototype made its first flight, and while slightly older news I saw this article on Lockheed-Martins' return to the civil aviation market with the LM-100.

Military:

Australia orders 12 subs from France. Compared to the problems with the Royal Navy's Astute program seems a good deal.

That's it for this week! Check back for more news and commentary.