07.10.2015 par ONERA

Jul 22, 2015 by Krishnan Haridasan for SatCom Frontier (SPX)

Bethesda MD - The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is rising rapidly worldwide. Long known only for their military applications, UAS are increasingly being deployed by civilian governments for use in scientific research, climate change research, and humanitarian relief operations.

As detailed in a recent article from Northern Sky Research, the number of UAS dedicated to civilian applications is expected to triple by 2023. The U.S. leads the world in civilian government use of UAS. For example, NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center operates a Northrop Grumman Global Hawk for high-altitude, long-duration Earth science missions. The Global Hawk has contributed greatly to NASA's study of climate change due to its unique ability to operate in the upper stratosphere.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate has teamed with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Energy to use the Global Hawk for Earth observation research. Initial operational capability for Global Hawk science missions began in 2010.

A portable ground control station is functioning and has supported operations originating outside the continental United States. A permanent ground control station located at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, was used to support the Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel multi-year study from 2012 - 2014 over the Atlantic Ocean. Future hurricane studies in partnership with NOAA are planned in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans using the Global Hawk.

As detailed in Fast Company magazine, NASA also uses a General Atomics Predator UAS christened Ikhana, to track forest fires and also to test tracking technology that will eventually allow UAS to share the skies with conventional aircraft.

The ability of UAS to autonomously fly long distances, remain aloft for extended periods of time, and carry large payloads brings a new capability to the science community. The unmanned vehicles are effective for measuring, monitoring and observing remote locations of Earth not feasible or practical with piloted aircraft, most other robotic or remotely operated aircraft, or space satellites. The use of UAS to facilitate communications to underserved regions around the world is also anticipated to be a strong growth area.

According to NSR: "The use of UAS for communication relay is well understood, and architectural studies have been conducted for integrating stratospheric UAS with LEO and GEO communication satellites for localized high quality service. Despite none of these studies leading to implementation, the announcements and investment by Internet companies such as Facebook and Google in High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAS for data connectivity globally has generated renewed interest in this concept."

Clearly UAS are incredibly versatile machines that deliver benefits far beyond their use in national defense. As their civilian government and commercial use continues to expand, they will improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.

James Lackey, Redstone Scientific Information Center chairman and U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center director, and board members reviewed near-term actions as well as far-term strategic plans during Board of Directors meeting held Mar. 11 at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center.

March 20th, 2015 By Army News Service - defencetalk.com

The board of directors for the largest science and technology library in the Army met March 11 at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, or AMRDEC.

Redstone Scientific Information Center, or RSIC, is a unique, national asset containing a collection of specialized materials including technical reports, contractor reports, technical memorandums, informational briefs, special reports, and conference papers open to all government employees and contractors at Redstone Arsenal.

In addition to being the largest technical library, it is also the only joint Army/ NASA library.

The RSIC board of directors is composed of various Redstone organizations to include AMRDEC, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, or MSFC, Missile and Space Intelligence Center, Space and Missile Defense Command and most recently, Missile Defense Agency as an emergent funding partner.

“RSIC is extremely important to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center as a resource for technical data on a wide variety of topics ranging from rocket propulsion to space physics, from systems design to vehicle operations,” said MSFC Center Chief Technologist and board member, Dr. Andrew Keys. “Marshall is committed to working with the ‘Team Redstone’ members to ensure RSIC has a future within our community.”

RSIC Board Chair and AMDREC Director James Lackey shared insight on future development for the center.

“One of the key challenges for RSIC is making a secure transition into a more digital future. The entire definition of what a library means is fundamentally changing,” Lackey said. “Just look at how eBooks are proliferating over traditional hardback products in your very own home. Brave new world concepts of ‘knowledge management’, ‘data mining’, and ‘cloud analytics’ prevail over traditional dusty phrases of ‘card catalog’, ‘bound periodicals’, and ‘microfiche’.”

Library customers can provide information on their topics of interest and the staff will set up a profile in several databases. Customers will then receive journal articles, conference papers, and report citations by email when something new is published on their subject. This service saves researchers time and keeps them informed about the latest publications in their field.

All registered users at RSIC also have desktop accessibility to the library’s online resources, which include access to the library’s online catalog, 20 electronic databases, the electronic books and journals, RSIC’s digital collection containing electronic documents produced by AMRDEC, MSFC, Redstone Test Center, and the Comanche Project Office.

Lackey said, “RSIC must keep pace with information technologies to remain viable and relevant for today’s and tomorrow’s technical workforce. This entails a variety of activities including converting existing collections into digital format, exploring use of information technology tool sets, and social media as well as potentially expanding partnerships of RSIC beyond the arsenal gates to include local academic institutions. All of this future greatness comes with a literal cost.”

The objective of RSIC board of directors, or BoD, was to review the current operational status of the RSIC and make decisions on near-term actions as well as far-term strategic plans, including how to secure a more stable funding future.

“While the answer to this question is complex and obviously depends on a variety of factors, BoD members remain committed to support the RSIC charter going forward in the best supportive manner under our current and projected budget constrained environment,” Lackey said.

L'Onera et la Nasa ensemble dans la soufflerie F1 au Fauga-Mauzac, pour comprendre, faire face, éliminer le givre.

28.11.2014 - ONERA

L'ONERA vient de signer avec la NASA (Glenn) un accord de coopération sur le givrage des ailes en flèche. Il fait suite à un premier accord (2006-2012) dédié aux aspects simulation numérique du givrage des avions.

D’une durée de 3 ans et demi cette coopération "Swept-wing ice accretion characterization and aerodynamics research" s’est fixée pour objectif de comprendre et de modéliser la dégradation des performances aérodynamiques des avions par accumulation de glace sur les ailes. Le programme prévoit une étude paramétrique, des campagnes d'essais à Glenn (IRT) et à l'ONERA (F1), ainsi que des simulations. Cette étude est rattachée au projet de recherche ONERA SUNSET 2.

La signature de cet accord porte à six le nombre de projets en cours avec la NASA, ce qui fait de l'ONERA le premier partenaire international de la NASA en aéronautique

source nanosdconf.com


NanoSD 2014 will provide an opportunity to discuss general issues and important impacts of nanotechnology in the development of security and defense. A broad range of defense and security technologies and applications, such as nanostructures, nanosensors, nano energy sources, and nanoelectronics which are influencing these days will be discussed.

It is evident that nanotechnology can bring many innovations into the defense world such as new innovate products, materials and power sources. Therefore, NanoSD 2014 will present current developments, research findings and relevant information on nanotechnology that will impact the security and defense.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Paolo Bondavalli (THALES Research and Technology, France)

Jérôme Bourderionnet (Thales Research and Technology, France)

Fernando Briones (IMM-CSIC, Spain)

Elvira Fortunato (CENIMAT, Portugal)

Raquel Gonzalez-Arrabal (IFN-ETSII, Spain)

Antonio Hernando (IMA-UCM, Spain)

Margaret E. Kosal (Georgia Tech, USA)

Meyya Meyyappan (NASA, USA)

Fabrice Pardo (LPN/CNRS, France)

María Pilar Pina Iritia (INA, Spain)

Jean-Pierre Simonato (CEA-Grenoble, France)

Denis Spitzer (ISL-CNRS-UdS, France)

Nava Swersky Sofer (International Commercialisation Alliance, Israel)

More informations

MOSCOU, 25 juillet - RIA Novosti

La CIA cherche comment contrôler le climat de la planète. Et elle a déjà dépensé 630 000 dollars pour ça, écrit jeudi le quotidien Rossiïskaïa gazeta.

L’agence assure que le projet – intitulé "Géoingénierie du climat : évaluations techniques et discussions des impacts" – est inoffensif, mais les experts russes affirment que l'accès à l'arme offensive climatique est un rêve de longue date de Washington. L'étude des changements climatiques et des moyens de les contrôler prendra 21 mois aux chercheurs américains. C’est le délai imparti pour ce projet d'étude sur lequel travaillent, hormis la CIA, l'Académie nationale des sciences, l'agence responsable de l'étude de l'océan et de l'atmosphère NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) et la Nasa. Les technologies développées avec le soutien actif de la CIA, même sous forme "limitée", paraissent très menaçantes. Il est notamment question de limiter le rayonnement solaire sur Terre grâce à la dispersion de particules spécifiques dans la stratosphère, de contrôler les radiations solaires et de déplacer des nuages.

Le porte-parole de la CIA a refusé de commenter le rôle du renseignement américain dans cette recherche sensible. Il a tout de même déclaré aux journalistes qu’au sujet des changements climatiques "la CIA travaillerait évidemment avec les chercheurs afin de mieux comprendre les phénomènes qui se produisent, pour assurer la sécurité nationale".

Pourtant, les rapports annuels du National Intelligence Council reflètent la vision qu’ont les renseignements américains des "phénomènes naturels". L'un des rapports indique que les changements climatiques et la politique visant à modifier le climat pourraient influer sur la stabilité intérieure dans certains pays-clés et avoir des conséquences géopolitiques importantes. Les fuites sont de plus en plus fréquentes dans la presse, concernant un mystérieux centre américain qui chercherait à "apprivoiser la météo".

Quoi qu'il en soit, les réunions de mai et juin des membres du "projet géo-ingénierique", selon la presse américaine, étaient complètement fermées au public. On promet pourtant de déclassifier le rapport des chercheurs américains en automne 2014.

Les experts russes des technologies militaires ne doutent pas du "double usage" de ce genre de travaux scientifiques. Igor Korotchenko, rédacteur en chef de la revue Défense nationale, a déclaré que la CIA n'était pas la seule à effectuer les recherches sur l'arme climatique. Selon lui, le Pentagone financerait également ces recherches avec un budget confidentiel.

"A l'heure actuelle, il n'existe pas d'arme climatique opérationnelle. Cependant, les USA mènent des recherches pour identifier les problèmes d’une telle arme et analyser les méthodes qui permettraient de les résoudre. Les Américains cherchent un moyen de générer des phénomènes naturels et de les contrôler grâce aux nouvelles technologies. Bien que la création d'une arme climatique soit longue – cela prendra entre 20 et 40 ans – le travail des USA dans ce sens prouve que Washington voit un sens pratique à ces recherches", explique Igor Korotchenko.

D'après l'expert, en cas de succès des travaux fondamentaux et pratiques pour la création de l'arme climatique, sa principale mission pourrait être de "déstabiliser économiquement certains pays" en y provoquant la sécheresse, des pluies de mousson ou des tornades. Ces catastrophes pourraient provoquer des manifestations antigouvernementales, voire des renversements de régime.

Rappelons que conformément à la résolution de l'Onu de 1977, il est interdit d'utiliser des technologies de changement climatique à des fins hostiles. Un traité international a été ratifié à cet effet par les USA en 1978. Mais selon l'expert, les accords en vigueur n'arrêteront pas Washington.

7 June 2013 Liam Stoker - aerospace-technology.com

Developed as part of a collaborative effort involving Boeing Phantom Works and Nasa, the X-48C hopes to prove that blended wing body aircraft can deliver on fuel efficiency promises.

Having completed its flight testing campaign in late April, Boeing's X-48C experimental aircraft can only be considered a successful first foray into blended wing body (BWB) aircraft. Having been first conceptualised in the 1990s, the BWB finally looks like taking off.

Boeing acquired the concept as part of the company's merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, with the latter's Project Redwood certain of providing fuel efficiency advantages over traditionally designed aircraft. The concept relies on the aircraft designed as one entire part, combining the fuselage and wings into a more triangular design.

By reducing the number of parts that are pieced together and creating a design that is more streamlined, it is expected that the aircraft will provide greater fuel efficiency through being more aerodynamic.

In an age where airliners are increasingly at odds with spiralling fuel prices, any way in which fuel efficiency can be drastically boosted has to be considered worth persevering.

BWB goes into development

Having been developed through a collaboration involving Nasa's Langley Research Center and Boeing Phantom Works, the aircraft's initial entity - the X-48B - completed wind tunnel testing in May 2006, before progressing to taxi and ground testing.

Boeing X-48 chief engineer Norman Prince said: "Earlier wind-tunnel testing and the upcoming flight testing are focused on learning more about the BWB's low-speed flight-control characteristics, especially during takeoffs and landings. Knowing how accurately our models predict these characteristics is an important step in the further development of this concept."

The X-48B first flew in July 2007, reaching an altitude of 7,500ft during a 31 minute flight, before completing its initial flight testing phase in March 2010. Just over two years later the latest incarnation of the aircraft, the X-48C, commenced flight testing.

Featuring a new flight computer, new engines and a slight re-design, which saw the vertical stabilisers moved inboard, the aircraft completed 30 further test flights, finishing in April 2013.

The future for BWB aircraft

With two successful flight test regimes under its belt, the X-48 programme is edging ever closer towards proving the BWB concept as a manageable, fuel-efficient alternative to fuselage-and-wing aircraft.

Boeing and Nasa now intend to developer a larger BWB capable of transonic flight based upon the X-48C concept.

BWB aircraft are now also interesting the US Army and Air Force, with their improved fuel efficiency likely to be highly applicable for air-to-air refueling and cargo delivery missions.

Thought to be between 15 and 20 years away from development, blended wing body aircraft could become a cornerstone of not just civilian airliners, but non-combat military aircraft too.

26/07/2012 Actus Air

Le lieutenant-colonel Thierry David commandant le centre militaire d’observation par satellites et le commandant Marc d’Oria du commandement interarmées de l’espace ont participé, en tant que conférenciers, à la session 2012 de l'université d'été de l'International Space University (ISU). Ce rendez-vous annuel s’est tenu en Floride au sein du Florida Institute of Technology de Melbourne et du Kennedy Space Center à Cap Canaveral, du 11 au 14 juin 2012.

Les deux officiers de l’armée de l’air avaient déjà participé à la session d’été 2009 de l’ISU en tant que stagiaires. Désormais conférenciers, ils ont ainsi eu l’occasion de partager les perspectives de la Défense en matière d’observation par satellite et de surveillance de l’espace auprès d’un large public international. Rassemblant plus de 35 nations, l'université d'été de l'ISU a pour objectif de promouvoir le milieu spatial sous divers aspects (technique, juridique, commercial ou géopolitique). Elle offre à ses participants l'occasion d'accéder à un large panel d'activités et de séminaires.

Comme chaque année, l’armée de l’air a par ailleurs désigné un officier, le capitaine Arnaud Cateau, de la division surveillance de l’espace du commandement de la défense aérienne et des opérations aériennes (CDAOA), pour intégrer les rangs de l’ISU en tant que stagiaire. Pendant deux mois, il a bénéficié de formations, de témoignages et autres retours d’expérience dans le domaine spatial civil et militaire.

En offrant l'opportunité à ses officiers de participer à ce genre de séminaire, l'armée de l'air démontre sa volonté de maintenir son vivier de compétences et son attachement au milieu spatial.