Textron awaits approval for production of aircraft

The two contractors and Marines are trying to capitalize on recent positive test assessments of the V-22, which can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane, to launch a publicity campaign aimed at military and civilian leaders.

More than $12 billion has been spent on the Osprey program, which started development in 1982. Critics say the aircraft, which has suffered three fatal crashes in test flights, is too complex and costly, the newspaper said. The Pentagon will decide by the end of 2005 whether to ask Congress to pay for a fleet of 458 Ospreys at a cost estimated at $48 million each.

Boeing and Textron stand to earn $20 billion from the Osprey, the Times said, and are lobbying members of Congress and conducting demonstrations to keep the project moving forward. Work on the V-22 is spread over 200 congressional districts, the newspaper said.

Pentagon testers say the companies have fixed flaws in the plane’s software and hydraulics, and that pilots can recognize and escape the onset of an aerodynamic phenomenon that causes uncontrolled roll and rapid descent similar to what caused a crash in April 2000 that killed 19 Marines. (Bloomberg News)

APC launches new line of power supplies

WEST KINGSTOWN – American Power Conversion (APC) recently launched its new line of uninterruptable power supplies. APC added two new models to the line including its 2200VA and 3000VA rack-mount models. The new design occupies only 2U of rack space and provides up to 2,700 watts of power making it useable in server blades, storage devices and servers, according to the company.

The new models incorporate a feature that provides enhanced power conditioning and management capabilities for the protection of critical business applications, data and equipment from utility power disturbances.

“Our Smart-UPS family of products has long been an industry benchmark for reliable, manageable power protection for networking applications,” said Ed Bednarcik, vice president of APC’s Business Networks Group. “This next generation rack-optimized design builds on these core attributes while addressing the need for increased power density as more IT equipment is packed into the rack.”