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Interest is currently being expressed in heat exchanged propulsion gas turbines for a variety of aeroengine applications, and in support of this, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the relevance of experience gained from development testing of several recuperated aeroengines in the USA in the late 1960s.

Technology status, including engine design features, performance, and specific weight of recuperated propulsion gas turbines based on radial and axial turbomachinery, that were development tested in the power range of about 300 to 4,000 hp (224 to 2,984 kW) is discussed in Part I.

A successful flight worthiness test was undertaken in the USA of a helicopter powered solely by a recuperated turboshaft engine and this demonstrated a specific fuel consumption reduction of over 25 percent compared with the simple‐cycle engine. However; in an era of low‐fuel cost, and uncertainty about the long‐term structural integrity of the high‐temperature heat exchanger, further development work was not undertaken.

The gas turbines tested were based on conventional simple‐cycle engines with essentially “bolted‐on” recuperators. Optimum approaches to minimize engine overall weight were needed in which the recuperator was integrated with the engine structure from the onset of design, and these are discussed in Part II.

Based on engine hardware testing, a formidable technology base was established, which although dated, could provide insight into the technical issues likely to be associated with the introduction of future heat exchanged aeroengines. These are projected to have the potential for reduced fuel burn, less emissions, and lower noise, and recuperated and intercooled turboshaft, turboprop, and turbofan variants are discussed in Part III.

With US Navy concurrence, United Technologies' Pratt and Whitney, Government Products Division has been selected by the Allison Gas Turbine Division of General Motors to be the second production source for the Allison 501‐MBOC engine to power the US Navy's V‐22 Osprey.

CANADIAN Helicopters, formed in 1987 through the amalgamation of Okanagan Helicopters, Sealand Helicopters and Toronto Helicopters, recently announced plans for a new repair and overhaul facility to be built at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia.

WHEN the Airbus Industrie A320 makes its first flight next year it will be equipped with two CFM 56‐5‐A1 turbofans of 25,000 lb thrust each. This engine is scheduled for certification in August, 1987 and will enter service in the A320 early in 1988. Following closely is the International Aero Engines V2500 turbofan which is being developed at thrust levels of 23,000 and 25,000 lb and is due to be certificated in April, 1988 and enter service (at the higher thrust level) in ther A320 early in 1989. Both these powerplants make extensive use of the expertise gained over recent years by engines in service and which has been improved and refined to produce the higher thrust/‐weight ratio and lower specific fuel consumption (SFC) anticipated in current turbofans.

British Aircraft Corporation, Electronic & Space Systems have developed the world's first digitally controlled air intake system for passenger carrying aircraft. The Air Intake Control System (AICS) is in production for Concorde. It has recently completed 53 flights in the Concorde endurance flying programme for which the Aviation Authority have issued a special category certificate of airworthiness — a significant step towards full certification of Concorde for airline service.

On show for the first time, a new and unique super lightweight headset to be known as the Minilite will be the main feature of the Amplivox Communications stand at the Paris Salon.

THE Model 230 helicopter, produced by Bell Helicopter Textron, made its first flight (August 12, 1991) at the company's commercial manufacturing facility in Quebec, Canada. The new intermediate twin‐engined helicopter was developed at the Bell plant in Mirabel. Co‐test pilots for the first flight of the Model 230 were Leo Meslin and Dwayne Williams. Also on board for the first flight was Bell engineer Steve Schmidt. Certification of the Model 230 is scheduled for the first quarter of 1992.

A range of worldwide interests was represented at the display of rotating wing technology at Redhill and the occasion also featured several first public demonstrations. The appearance of the Westland civil EH101 Heliliner was accompanied by news of the naval variant with the first production models of the latter to be delivered in 1995. From Eastern Europe the USSR had four helicopters in the flying display and more on the ground while the Polish Sokol made its first appearance in the UK after lengthy development. US industry was well represented and UK companies such as Bristow were prominent with advanced technology displays. Eurocopter showed the first UK‐based BK 117 and news was available of the progress of flight tests with the Franco‐German Tiger helicopter.

To compete in the new global environment, companies must constantly map the terrain in which they operate, alert for signs of change. Managers must move beyond the narrow concepts of segmentation and begin to think in terms of strategic arenas in order to be successful.