BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile being developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and NPO Mashinostroeyenia (NPOM) of Russia. The missile can be launched against ships and land-based targets. The missile is named after two rivers, the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva in Russia.
BrahMos has a flight range of up to 290km and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 3. The air launched version of the missile is under development as of 2013.
Advanced satellite navigation systems from Russia's Kh-555 and Kh-101 strategic long-range cruise missiles, and GPS-GLONASS technology were added to the existing doppler-inertial platforms of BrahMos missiles in 2013.
The missile can be installed on ships, submarines, aircraft and ground vehicles. BrahMos missiles are inducted in to the armed forces of India and Russia and can also be exported to friendly nations.
The 'Fire and Forget' type missile weights 3t and intercepts surface targets at an altitude of 10m up to 14,000m. In February 2011, the Indian Army placed a $4bn order with BrahMos Aerospace for BrahMos missiles. Deliveries are expected to conclude by 2016. The total value of orders placed by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force for BrahMos missiles was approximately $9bn as of March 2013.
First ever image of Earth taken by Mars Color Camera
This image was taken on November 19, 2013 at around 01:50 PM IST from a height of almost 70,000 km above Earth and has a spatial resolution of 3.5 km.
The A350 XWB twin-engine jetliner is shaping the future of air travel by offering a complete family of new-generation aircraft that is best suited to the market’s requirements for size, range, revenue generation, passenger comfort and the environment.
Airbus brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies in the A350 XWB to provide a 25 per cent step-change in fuel efficiency compared to its current long-range competitor. Contributing to this performance are the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines that power the A350 XWB family.Over 70 per cent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials, combining 53 per cent of composite structures with titanium and advanced aluminum alloys. The aircraft’s innovative all-new Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) fuselage results in lower fuel consumption, as well as easier maintenance.
Airbus’ A350 XWB family consists of three versions (the A350-800, -900 and -1000) – each with flight ranges that give them a global reach. In a typical three-class configuration, the A350-800 will accommodate 270 passengers, while the A350-900 and the A350-1000 will seat 314 and 350 passengers, respectively. All A350 XWB Family members can be configured for higher density layouts of up to 440 seats. the A350-1000 will be equipped with more powerful Trent XWB engines – which will be fully optimised for this largest member of the A350 XWB Family. The enhanced Trent XWB will deliver up to 97,000 lb. of thrust on takeoff, making it the most powerful engine ever developed for an Airbus aircraft. This extra thrust – together with an increased aircraft takeoff weight capability of 308 tonnes – will enable operators to fly the A350-1000 some 400 nm. further with a full load of 350 passengers, or to carry approximately 4.5 extra tonnes of payload at a given range.
The A350 XWB Family’s longest-fuselage member – the A350-1000 – can transport 21 tonnes of volumetric cargo and up to 31.3 tonnes of structural cargo, along with its passenger load in a typical two-class configuration. The mid-sized A350-900’s cargo capability is 16.6 tonnes volumetric and 24.5 tonnes structural (in addition to the passenger load); and the shorter-fuselage A350-800 version has a cargo capacity of 13 volumetric tonnes and 19 structural tonnes while also carrying main deck passengers in the two-class configuration.
The A350 XWB will be a faster, more efficient and quieter aircraft as the result of its advanced wing design ,the wing is optimized through extensive use of computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing for a fast cruise speed of Mach 0.85. This reduces trip times, improves overall efficiency, and extends the aircraft’s range.
All three A350 XWB family members share the same wing planform – with a 64.7-metre wingspan, a total area of 442 sq. metres, and high swept leading edge. In addition the internal wing structure will be scaled to meet the specific requirements of each aircraft variant.
Innovative concepts applied to the A350 XWB wing’s high-lift devices will reduce noise and drag while also improving the aircraft’s low-speed performance. One of these innovations is the stream-wise deployment of trailing-edge flaps. On a traditional swept-wing jetliner, the outboard flaps extend at an angle to the airflow. For the A350 XWB, flap deployment is along the direction of flight – resulting in better lift efficiency and improved low-speed performance, while reducing aerodynamic-generated noise.
Other A350 XWB wing enhancements include the adoption of a drop-hinge mechanism to improve the flap’s deployment kinetics, along with the introduction of a downwards movement for the upper wing spoilers to fill the gaps that occur when flaps are extended. In addition, the A350 XWB’s flight computer will perform in-flight trimming of the inboard and outboard flaps, creating a variable camber wing that adapts to different flight conditions.
"An A-380 takes off or lands every 6 minutes in the world" The A380 has been winning over business and leisure passengers alike since its service introduction in 2007, providing levels of comfort and reliability that have led travelers to specifically request flights on Airbus’ 21st century flagship – which is in operation with carriers around the globe.The double-deck A380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft flying today, with capacity to carry 525 passengers in a comfortable three-class configuration, and up to 853 in a single-class configuration that provides wider seats than its competitor. Overall, the A380’s two decks offer 50 per cent more floor surface than any other high-capacity aircraft.With superior range of 15,700 km., the A380 is the ideal solution to alleviate traffic congestion at busy airports. It has two full-length passenger levels with true widebody dimensions: a main deck and an upper deck, which are conveniently linked by fixed stairs forward and aft. In addition to offering the highest levels of passenger comfort, the A380 provides the lowest fuel burn per seat – which allows airlines to substantially reduce CO2 emissions for a healthier environment while achieving profitable, sustainable growth for decades to come.
It also is the quietest long-haul aircraft flying today, generating 50 per cent less noise on departure than the nearest competitor – as well as three to four times lower noise when landing, all while carrying 40 per cent more passengers. Inside the cabin, travellers have applauded the A380 for its extremely quiet cabin, which on average has half the sound energy of other aircraft. This is a key factor in stress-free flights, allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed.
The A380 has proven itself as a true revenue generator for a broad spectrum of leading carriers, and promises even greater potential as these current airlines and future customers explore the jetliner’s full opportunities on a range of route network segments. And whether it is being used to reduce the number of flights and create real cost savings while maintaining capacity, or to offer more capacity with fewer take-off slots, the A380 brings operators a wide range of commercial advantages.
Powerplants :-A380-800 - Four 311kN (70,000lb), initially derated to 302kN (68,000lb), later growing to 374kN (84,000lb) thrust Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or 363kN (81,500lb) thrust Engine Alliance (General Electric-Pratt & Whitney) GP-7200 turbofans.
Performance :-A380-800 - Max cruising speed M 0.88. Long range cruising speed M 0.85. Range 14,800km (8,000nm). Service ceiling 43.000ft (13,100m). A380-800F - Range 10,370km (5,600nm). Weights :-A380-800 - Operating empty 277,000kg (610,700lb), max takeoff 560,000kg (1,234,600lb). A380-800F - Operating empty 252,000kg (555,600lb), max takeoff 590,000kg (1,300,700lb).Dimensions :-A380-800 - Wing span 79.8m (261ft 10in), length 72.75m (238ft 8in). Height 24.08 m (79ft)
Capacity :-A380-800 - Flightcrew of two. Standard seating for 555 passengers on two decks in a three class arrangement. Qantas plans to fit its aircraft with 523 seats (in three classes). A380 has 49% more floor area but only 35% more seats (in 555 seat configuration) than the 747-400, allowing room for passenger amenities such as bars, gymnasiums and duty free shops. Cargo capacity 38 LD3s or 13 pallets. Production:-236 firm orders by August 2011. Airbus has forecast a market for approx 1235 airliners of 400 seats and above through to 2020. First delivery took place in autumn 2007.
