Latest news with #RAF
The National
2 hours ago
- Science
- The National
Cold War building repurposed as rocket test lab in Argyll and Bute
The cutting-edge rocket testing and teaching facility, MachLab, which is located close to the Mull of Kintyre, near Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute, opened on the site of the former RAF Machrananish airbase this week. Established by University of Glasgow, researchers have sourced almost £500,000 in funding from the space industry, including a matched contribution from the UK Space Agency. It is hoped the facility will play a key role in supporting the research and development of new rocket engines. READ MORE: US man sets up 'apologies desk' in Aberdeen ahead of Donald Trump's visit MachLab's custom-built test stand will help offer researchers the opportunity to fire experimental rocket designs and gather data to help propel Scotland's space sector. Researchers hope the facility will help establish the next generation of rocket engineers through specialist training, including a Rocketry Research Teaching Training led by the University of Glasgow. Dr Krzysztof Bzdyk and Professor Patrick Harkness, of the [[University of Glasgow]]'s James Watt School of Engineering, collaborated with space technology experts Exotopic to design and build the MachLab facility. Professor Harkness said: 'MachLab is ready to play a key role in the UK's strategy to return to vertical launch, ensuring that students and researchers can access hotfire facilities in a safe and controlled environment. 'MachLab will allow us to co-operate with other countries establishing or re-establishing their access to space. 'We have already had visitors from South Africa, and we expect to welcome partners from Australia in the near future. 'The UK is returning to vertical launch, and will be going to the stars. We are building that future here, today.' (Image: MachLab) The facility has already hosted a test-fire of new 3D-printed rocket engines designed by University of Glasgow PhD student Jack Tufft, which have an advanced cooling system. The TORC-1, -2, and -3 engines use a high-strength aerospace alloy made from copper, chromium and zirconium and were built to explore use of topology optimisation in regenerative cooling channel design. MachLab aims to enable the development of rocket engines using solid, liquid and cryogenic propellants designed to carry payloads into space in the future, with the rocket test stand allowing researchers to fire prototype rockets while they remain safely locked down and stationary. The lab was originally built in the late 1980s as part of a refuelling complex for US Air Force strategic bombers. Dr Bzdyk said his team is excited to be making their mark in rocket research, development and teaching in Scotland. READ MORE: British Jewish body calls for broadcaster James O'Brien to be 'taken off air' He said: 'MachLab has been two years in the making, with all the systems required to operate a liquid bipropellant rocket engine being created from the ground up. 'We're excited to be ready to start making our mark in rocket research, development and teaching in Scotland. 'Patrick and I are very grateful to our colleagues Jack Davies and Jack Tufft, and the many others who have helped us in countless ways since work on MachLab began.' Andy Grey, CEO of Exotopic, said he is looking forward to welcoming researchers from across the world at the new site hoping it will lead to new jobs and further opportunities for Scotland's space industry. He said: 'This has been a fantastic opportunity to partner with some of the UK's leading researchers at the University of Glasgow to develop a world-class facility that provides a key capability within our unique aerospace R&D offering at Machrihanish airbase. 'We are looking forward to welcoming national and international researchers from academia and industry to our site, growing this R&D service, and creating more jobs and opportunities in the area.' Matt Archer, director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, added: 'Facilities like MachLab strengthen our launch ecosystem, helping build the skills, infrastructure and innovation needed for a resilient UK launch capability. 'By supporting rocket engine testing and inspiring future engineers, it lays the groundwork for the UK to lead in launch. 'The UK Space Agency is proud to have supported MachLab's development as part of our broader commitment to growing the UK's launch sector.'
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
APRAV raises alarm over RABS Bill's impact on road accident victims
Ngoako Mohlaloga, deputy chairperson of APRAV, and Chairman Pieter de Bruyn addressed the media on what they deem the dangers of reintroducing the RABS Bill as a replacement for the RAF. Image: Zelda Venter The Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV) has voiced concern and strong opposition to the reintroduction of the Road Accident Benefits Scheme (RABS) Bill to Parliament, saying a broken system cannot be fixed by stripping away the rights of road accident victims. 'RABS is not reform; it is regression,' Ngoako Mohlaloga, APRAV's deputy chairperson, said on Wednesday. He and the chairman of the association, Pieter de Bruyn, addressed the media during a briefing held in conjunction with the National Press Club on the 'flaws' of the proposed Bill. APRAV's response follows the reintroduction of RABS by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, a Bill previously rejected three times by Parliament due to its limitations, unaffordable structure, and impractical design. Trade union Cosatu recently voiced its support for the Bill, which it called a progressive measure aimed at protecting the poor. But De Bruyn, however, warns that it will do the opposite, and explains that it will deny victims access to justice, limit financial support, and overwhelm an already dysfunctional Road Accident Fund (RAF). 'This Bill offers less money, fewer rights, and no path to challenge the system when it fails you. If implemented, it will turn the RAF from a safety net into a bureaucratic trap,' he said. In explaining how it will work, De Bruyn said under RABS, road accident victims will no longer receive once-off compensation. Instead, they will receive monthly annuities, regardless of the severity of injury or loss of income. These payments will be capped, and they will terminate immediately if the victim dies. 'You can't pay for trauma surgeries, prosthetics, or settle urgent debt with a few thousand rand a month. RABS shifts the financial burden to victims when they are at their most vulnerable,' De Bruyn said. RABS also removes the right of victims to take their case to court or to access legal assistance. The system places full administrative control in the hands of the RAF, leaving victims with no way to challenge underpayments, delays, or rejections. As it is based on a no-fault model, RABS ensures that even negligent or intoxicated drivers can qualify for compensation. It erases accountability and creates a system vulnerable to fraud, while victims receive reduced and delayed payouts, De Bruyn explained. He added that RABS will also exclude children over 18 who lose a parent, elderly victims over the age of 60, and foreign nationals, as well as informal workers, caregivers, and those not formally employed. APRAV calls this a system of exclusion — not protection. 'If your 19-year-old son depends on you and you're killed in a crash, he will get nothing,' Mohlaloga explained. APRAV has, meanwhile, presented Parliament with a 10-point evidence-based action plan which it said requires minor practical changes to existing legislation. It called for a transparent, public engagement process to determine what is in the best interests of road accident victims. According to the government, the proposed RABS Bill aims to create a more efficient and equitable system for compensating victims of road accidents by focusing on social security principles rather than individual liability. It also proposes that a new body be established to administer the scheme, replacing the current RAF. The proposed RABS Bill has faced considerable opposition in the past, which has delayed its progress. De Bruyn, however, said while APRAV wants the system to be fixed, the proposed Bill is not the answer. He proposed that the RAF should get back on track and settle claims rather than fighting for a law that has failed three times to pass muster. [email protected]
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Healey signs agreement paving way for export of Typhoon jets to Turkey
The Defence Secretary has signed an agreement paving the way for the export of Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey. John Healey and Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler signed a memorandum of understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. It comes after the German government reportedly cleared the path for the delivery of 40 Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Turkey. 'Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets,' Mr Healey said. 'It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. 'Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place at the BAE Systems site in Lancashire. The Typhoon jet programme is a partnership with Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany's security council has signed off on a Turkish request to buy the jets, which will use German parts, Der Spiegel reported, and has informed Turkish and Greek leaders of the decision. The programme supports 20,000 jobs in the UK. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years.
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Healey signs agreement paving way for export of Typhoon jets to Turkey
John Healey and Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler signed a memorandum of understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. It comes after the German government reportedly cleared the path for the delivery of 40 Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Turkey. 'Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets,' Mr Healey said. 'It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. 'Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place at the BAE Systems site in Lancashire. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years (Jane Barlow/PA) The Typhoon jet programme is a partnership with Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany's security council has signed off on a Turkish request to buy the jets, which will use German parts, Der Spiegel reported, and has informed Turkish and Greek leaders of the decision. The programme supports 20,000 jobs in the UK. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years.
Western Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Healey signs agreement paving way for export of Typhoon jets to Turkey
John Healey and Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler signed a memorandum of understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. It comes after the German government reportedly cleared the path for the delivery of 40 Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Turkey. 'Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets,' Mr Healey said. 'It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. 'Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place at the BAE Systems site in Lancashire. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years (Jane Barlow/PA) The Typhoon jet programme is a partnership with Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany's security council has signed off on a Turkish request to buy the jets, which will use German parts, Der Spiegel reported, and has informed Turkish and Greek leaders of the decision. The programme supports 20,000 jobs in the UK. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years.
