Latest news with #Mk2
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hermeus notches first flight of Quarterhorse high-speed aircraft
Hermeus, a venture capital-backed firm building high-speed aircraft, flew its Quarterhorse vehicle for the first time last week at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the company said. The aircraft, dubbed Mk 1, is the second iteration of the Quarterhorse high-speed test platform and the first to take flight. Its May 21 flight test brings Hermeus a step closer to its goal of flying the autonomous, reusable vehicle at near-Mach 5 speeds by 2026. 'We've proven the viability of our iterative development approach,' Hermeus CEO AJ Piplica said in a statement Tuesday. 'But this is just the start. We have much more to do as the bar rises for the next iteration.' Hermeus had planned to fly Quarterhorse in 2023 and then pushed that date to last summer before eventually hitting the milestone this month. Still, the company touted its ability to go from a clean-sheet design to a flight-ready system in just over a year. The first flight test focused on validating Quarterhorse's ability to take off and land, which is a particular challenge for high-speed systems. Hermeus is feeding data from the first flight into its second test vehicle, Mk 2, which is currently being built at the firm's headquarters in Atlanta. That aircraft is slated to fly by the end of the year and reach supersonic speeds. It will also enable 'novel operational defense capabilities,' the company said. This early work will push Hermeus toward its larger goal of supplying high-speed platforms to both defense and commercial customers. The company plans to build one aircraft per year — an approach it hopes will position it to address the challenges that come with operationalizing a hypersonic aircraft. 'The company's approach emphasizes 'hardware richness' — building multiple prototypes in quick succession, allowing the team to take well-managed technical risk,' Hermeus said. 'While driving technical progress towards high-speed flight, this approach simultaneously enables Hermeus to rapidly develop its team and talent.' Hypersonic aircraft fly and maneuver at speeds of Mach 5 or higher. The Defense Department has several major programs to develop and field hypersonic weapons and vehicles — including the Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile and the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon — and is interested in potentially using Quarterhorse to help test hypersonic technology. Along with funding from private investors, Hermeus received early backing from the Air Force Research Laboratory, which awarded the company a $1.5 million contract in 2020, followed by another $60 million deal the following year. The Defense Innovation Unit also chose the firm for its Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program, which aims to increase flight test support for Pentagon programs. Piplica previously told Defense News he expects Quarterhorse to start supporting DOD test events in 2026, around when its Mk 3 vehicle rolls off the line.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approves AMCA execution model through industry partnership
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for the under development indigenous fifth generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to execute the programme through industry partnership. Speeding up the development and induction of AMCA has become critical since China has already fielded two fifth gen fighters and is set to supply 40 J-35s to Pakistan, and especially so after the military confrontation under Operation Sindoor. Also read:IAF Chief emphasises Air Force's commitment to self-reliance The AMCA project, the country's only fifth gen fighter programme, received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024 at an approximate cost of ₹15,000 Crore as a 25-tonne twin engine stealth aircraft 'The execution model approach provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on competitive basis. They can bid either independently or as joint venture or as consortia. The entity/bidder should be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the country,' a Defence Ministry statement said. As reported by The Hindu earlier, the design of AMCA is ready and the first prototype is expected to roll out by 2028-29 and production is expected to begin from 2032-33. The target is to have the aircraft ready for induction in 2034. This is an important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise, capability and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, which will be a major milestone towards Aatmanirbharta in the aerospace sector, the Ministry said adding that ADA will shortly issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the AMCA development phase. AMCA will feature internal weapons bay and diverterless supersonic intake which has been developed in India for the first time with an internal carriage of 1,500 kg of payload and 5,500 kg of external payload with 6,500 kg of internal fuel. Officials had stated earlier that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be the lead production agency with significant involvement of the private sector to speed up the project. Two-phases development Development of AMCA is planned to be carried out in two phases, a MK1 with the General Electric F-414 engine and a Mk2 with a more powerful engine planned to be co-developed in partnership with Saran of France for which discussions have been under way over the last few years. The F-414 engine is the same that will power the under-development Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2 that was sanctioned in September 2022. A deal to licence-manufacture the F-414 in India by HAL is in advanced states of conclusion. While the indigenous LCA programme is critical in addressing the falling fighter squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the AMCA project is critical to maintain the technological edge and will be the mainstay of the IAF in future. China, which has made great progress in the development and deployment of FGFAs, has deployed its twin-engine J-20 FGFA in Tibet bordering India and recently unveiled an advanced prototypes of its fifth generation fighters. A report to the US Congress on the military and security developments involving the PRC for 2024 noted that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and PLA Navy Aviation together constitute the largest aviation force in the Indo-Pacific region. The PLAAF and PLAN Aviation continue to field greater numbers of fourth-generation aircraft (now more than 1,300 of 1,900 total fighters, not including trainers) and probably will become a majority fourth-generation force in the next several years, the report added. In addition, J35 and J-20 are being added at a phenomenal rate and flight testing of the latest jets indicates a fairly advanced state and that they have been under development for sometime.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, David Cronenberg & Javier Bardem Join 380 Cinema Figures In Open Letter Condemning Silence Over Gaza
More than 350 film world figures, including Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Javier Bardem, have published an open letter on the eve of the Cannes Film Festival condemning 'silence' over the deadly impact of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The letter, published on the website of France's Libération newspaper on Monday evening, was headed 'In Cannes, the horror Gaza must not be silenced'. It was addressed 'For Fatem', in memory of 25-year-old Gaza artist and photojournalist Fatima Hassouna. More from Deadline Michael Cera To Make Directorial Debut With 'Love Is Not The Answer' Starring Pamela Anderson, Steve Coogan, Fred Hechinger & Jamie Dornan; Mk2, 2AM & CAA Launch Sales At Cannes Market Matt Rife To Star In Comedy 'The Escort' For 'Wedding Crashers' Director David Dobkin; Upgrade & UTA Launching For Cannes Market Mubi Deep Dive: Founder Efe Cakarel & Content Boss Jason Ropell Lift The Lid On Rapid Growth & Next What Does The Industry Think? The young woman was killed in an Israeli airstrike in mid-April just 24 hours after it was announced a documentary exploring her life in the Gaza Strip would world premiere in the Cannes. Ten of her relatives, including her pregnant sister, were killed in same strike. 'She was a Palestinian freelance photojournalist. She was targeted by the Israeli army on 16 April, 2025, the day after it was announced that Sepideh Farsi's film Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk, in which she was the star, had been selected in the ACID section of the Cannes Film Festival. She was about to get married,' read the letter. 'Since the terrible massacres of 7 October 2023, no foreign journalist has been authorised to enter the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army is targeting civilians. More than 200 journalists have been deliberately killed. Writers, filmmakers and artists are being brutally murdered.' Israel's bombing and invasion of Gaza began in October 2023 in response to Hamas's October 7 attacks on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of 251 hostages. Eighteen months on, at least 52,600 people have been killed by Israeli military action, according to figures released by the Hamas-run Gaza health authority, while the 2.4 million population is also facing severe food shortages due to a two month blockade of essential supplies by Israel. The letter was published just hours after Hamas released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, in what it said was a gesture of goodwill ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, which does not include Israel. Around 58 hostages are still missing in Gaza, with around 24 of them still believed to be alive. Further signatories include Pedro Almodóvar, Javier Bardem, Leïla Bekhti, Kaouther Ben Hania, David Cronenberg, Costa-Gavras, Julie Delpy, Alice Diop, Xavier Dolan, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Nicole Garcia, Jonathan Glazer, Alain Guiraudie, Annemarie Jacir, Yórgos Lánthimos, Nadav Lapid, Mike Leigh, Boris Lojkine, Kleber Mendonça, Viggo Mortensen, Laura Poitras, Ruben Östlund, Mark Ruffalo and Ira Sachs. The letter also highlighted the case of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, with Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra and Rachel Szor, who was attacked by Israeli settlers and then kidnapped by the army in late March, before being released under international pressure. 'The Oscar Academy's lack of support for Hamdan Ballal sparked outrage among its own members and it had to publicly apologise for its inaction,' read the letter, referring to a U-turn by the body. 'As artists and cultural players, we cannot remain silent while genocide is taking place in Gaza and this unspeakable news is hitting our communities hard. What is the point of our professions if not to draw lessons from history, to make films that are committed, if we are not present to protect oppressed voices? Why this silence?' Read the full letter here: For Fatem Fatma Hassona (Fatem) was 25 years old. She was a Palestinian freelance photojournalist. She was targeted by the Israeli army on 16 April 2025, the day after it was announced that Sepideh Farsi's film PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK, in which she was the star, had been selected in the ACID section of the Cannes Film Festival. She was about to get married. Ten of her relatives, including her pregnant sister, were killed by the same Israeli strike. Since the terrible massacres of 7 October 2023, no foreign journalist has been authorised to enter the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army is targeting civilians. More than 200 journalists have been deliberately killed. Writers, film-makers and artists are being brutally murdered. At the end of March, Palestinian film-maker Hamdan Ballal, who won an Oscar for his film NO OTHER LAND, co directed by Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra and Rachel Szor, was brutally attacked by Israeli settlers and then kidnapped by the army, before being released under international pressure. The Oscar Academy's lack of support for Hamdan Ballal sparked outrage among its own members and it had to publicly apologise for its inaction. We are ashamed of such passivity. Why is it that cinema, a breeding ground for socially committed works, seems to be so indifferent to the horror of reality and the oppression suffered by our sisters and brothers? As artists and cultural players, we cannot remain silent while genocide is taking place in Gaza and this unspeakable news is hitting our communities hard. What is the point of our professions if not to draw lessons from history, to make films that are committed, if we are not present to protect oppressed voices? Why this silence? The far right, fascism, colonialism, anti-trans and anti-LGBTQIA+, sexist, racist, islamophobic and anti-Semitic movements are waging their battle on the battlefield of ideas, attacking publishing, cinema and universities, and that's why we have a duty to fight. Let's refuse to let our art be an accomplice to the worst. Let us rise up. Let us name reality. Let us collectively dare to look at it with the precision of our sensitive hearts, so that it can no longer be silenced and covered up. Let us reject the propaganda that constantly colonises our imaginations and makes us lose our sense of humanity. For Fatem, for all those who die in indifference. Cinema has a duty to carry their messages, to reflect our societies. Let's act before it's too late. 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Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer reveals which ‘modern classic' vehicle will skyrocket 6 times in value in just 10 years
Brewer explains why now is the perfect time to buy WHEEL DEAL Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer reveals which 'modern classic' vehicle will skyrocket 6 times in value in just 10 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEELER Dealers star Mike Brewer has declared the car he thinks is a 'modern classic'. Brewer said its value could skyrocket over the next few years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Mike Brewer hosts Wheeler Dealers Credit: Twitter 3 The Audi TT's value could go up to £10,000 Credit: Getty Mike Brewer has revealed he thinks the Audi TT Mk1 is a 'modern classic'. Brewer reckons that the TT could shoot up to as much as £10,000. This would be around six times the car's current market price, with motoring experts Parkers saying second-hand models currently go for between £1,130 and £2,205. This is a shadow of the model's retail price when it was new, of around £27,775. The first-generation TT was made at the turn of the millennium, between 1999 and 2005, before being replaced by the Mk2 a year later. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Brewer said: 'Definitely a modern classic is a Mk1 Audi TT. 'The 225bhp model, that's a really good car – a very good modern classic. 'People who have still got those today don't realise they're worth 15 hundred or two grand, maybe two-and-a-half-grand, some of them, but that car will be solid in years to come. "People will be paying 10 grand for those in the future.' The TT packs a sizeable punch for its price, with Parkers believing the four-cylinder, 1781cc engine could reach a top speed of 151mph. Chelsea's £115m ace Moises Caicedo has £160k Audi seized by cops after driving without valid licence near training ground The Mk1 is no slouch off the mark either - going from 0-60 in just 6.4 seconds. The main downside of the sports car is a limited luggage capacity of just 220 litres. Even so, car insurance experts at Hagerty UK have also been keen to heap praise on the Mk1 TT, calling it a "future classic." They said: 'Driving it was one of those rare moments when you realise without a shadow of a doubt you're looking the future right in the eye. 'Subsequent generations were of course faster still, and handled better, but lacked entirely the stunning visual innovation of the original.' Brewer has also suggested that now is a great moment in the markets to snap up forgotten classics, explaining that the market for these has settled after a post-COVID bounce. The TV star explained: 'There has been an oversupply of good classic car stock. "Because during Covid people had money and time, went in their garage and finally finished that Ford Cortina or Triumph Herald they promised they would. 'The market got swamped with good quality classics that bumped prices up because sales were high. "But now the market has gone completely flat and prices are on their way down, dropping 10 to 20 per cent over the past six months and still coming down. "I can see that happening for the next six to eight months. It's a resetting of the market to where it should be. 'So it's absolutely the right time to buy, in some cases a good time to hold your nerve if you're buying. "We've got an unsettled market for a load of reasons: the energy crisis, mortgage rates, now we're going through a change of government.' There's further good news for Audi TT fans, as comments by the manufacturer's CEO, Gernot Döllner, sparked speculation of an electric relaunch of the car. The third generation, petrol, Audi TT was discontinued in 2023. But Döllner said: "I believe Audi should have a sports car, for sure." And when asked if a model like the beloved TT could make a return, he said: "Yes, that's thinkable. But we have a broad view on what's possible. "If you're talking about real racing cars for the track, to me, the only way until now is combustion engine or hybrid. "But if it's more for everyday use on normal roads, I would definitely see a transition to the electric era."
