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46-823: The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was developed by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation as a replacement for the SOC Seagull as the United States Navy 's standard floatplane scout. Curtiss named the SO3C the Seamew but in 1941 the US Navy began calling it by the name Seagull , the same name as the aircraft it replaced (the Curtiss SOC a biplane type), causing some confusion. The British Royal Navy kept

92-523: A cost of $ 3 million. These simulators were unlike earlier ones produced in the late 1940s for airliners but now included visuals, sound, and movement. They were the first of today's modern flight simulators for commercial aircraft. In 1956, financially strapped automaker Studebaker-Packard Corporation entered into a management agreement with Curtiss-Wright to allow the nation's fifth-largest automobile manufacturer to avoid insolvency. The relationship lasted until 1959 at which time Curtiss-Wright withdrew from

138-594: A few exceptions. Throughout the 1930s, Curtiss-Wright designed and built aircraft for military, commercial, and private markets but it was the Wright engine division and the longstanding relationship with the U.S. military that helped the company through the difficult years of the Great Depression . Guy Vaughan was appointed president in 1935. In 1937, the company developed the P-36 fighter aircraft, resulting in

184-533: A move aimed at expanding its presence in the military aircraft emergency arresting systems sector. SAA, a subsidiary of Safran Aerosystems, specializes in designing and manufacturing aircraft emergency arresting systems and will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Naval & Power segment post-acquisition. The completion of the acquisition, valued at $ 240 million, is contingent on regulatory approval and other closing conditions, with expectations for finalization in

230-705: A safety concern. Soon after World War II , Rickover was assigned to the Bureau of Ships in September 1947 and received training in nuclear power at Oak Ridge, Tennessee . In February 1949 he received an assignment to the Division of Reactor Development , U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and then assumed control of the United States Navy's effort as Director of the Naval Reactors Branch in

276-564: A supplier of specialized data communications products for real-time systems, primarily for the aerospace and defense, industrial automation and medical image markets. The acquisition also reintroduced Curtiss-Wright to Dayton, Ohio. In 2010, Curtiss-Wright acquired Hybricon Corporation for $ 19 million in cash. Hybricon is a supplier of electronic packaging for the aerospace, defense, and commercial markets, and provides electronic subsystem integration. In 2011, Curtiss-Wright acquired Ireland-based Acra Control for $ 61 million in cash. Acra Control

322-540: Is a supplier of data acquisition systems and networks, data recorders, and telemetry ground stations for both defense and commercial aerospace markets. At the beginning of 2013, Curtiss-Wright acquired Exlar Corporation for $ 85 million in cash. Exlar, a private company, is a designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electric actuators used in motion control solutions in industrial and military markets. The acquired business will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Motion Control segment. In October 2013, Curtiss-Wright completed

368-638: Is active, the other three being laid up. The command ship SSV-33 Ural , based on the Kirov class, is also laid up. Seven civilian nuclear icebreakers remain in service: four of six Arktika -class icebreakers , the two Taymyr -class icebreakers Taymyr and Vaygach , and the LASH carrier and container ship Sevmorput . By 2003 the U.S. Navy had accumulated over 5,400 "reactor years" of accident-free experience, and operated more than 80 nuclear-powered ships. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover , (1900–1986), of

414-454: Is anticipated to yield a 100% free cash flow conversion rate, underscoring the robust liquidity position. This strengthened financial position can be leveraged for profitable and revenue-generating strategies. As well as manufacturing engines, a range of electrically actuated constant speed three- and four-bladed propellers were manufactured under the name Curtiss Electric . Albert Kahn Associates designed several industrial buildings for

460-659: The Charles de Gaulle , is nuclear-powered. The United Kingdom rejected nuclear power early in the development of its Queen Elizabeth -class aircraft carriers on cost grounds, as even several decades of fuel use costs less than a nuclear reactor. Since 1949 the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been one of the lead laboratories in the development of the nuclear navy. The planned indigenous Chinese carriers also feature nuclear propulsion. The United States Navy operates

506-648: The USS Bainbridge , USS California , USS Long Beach , USS Truxtun , USS South Carolina , USS Virginia , USS Texas , USS Mississippi , and USS Arkansas . The Long Beach was deemed too expensive and was decommissioned in 1995 instead of receiving its third nuclear refueling and proposed upgrade. It was sold for scrap in 2012 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard . Currently the United States does not have any nuclear cruisers . Russia has four Kirov -class battlecruisers , though only one

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552-542: The United States and France possess nuclear-powered aircraft-carriers . The United States Navy has by far the most nuclear-powered aircraft carriers , with ten Nimitz -class carriers and one Gerald R. Ford -class carrier in service. The last conventionally-powered aircraft carrier left the U.S. fleet as of 12 May 2009, when the USS Kitty Hawk was deactivated. France's latest aircraft carrier,

598-643: The Wright J65 . It powered models of the Martin B-57 , and several U.S. fighter aircraft. Subsequent derivative engines were late and did not find substantial markets. Curtiss-Wright briefly licensed rights to the Wankel rotary engine from NSU in 1958 as a possible aircraft power plant. For this project, Curtiss-Wright relied on the design leadership of NSU-Wankel engineer Max Bentele . In 1954, United Airlines bought four Curtiss-Wright flight simulators at

644-399: The commercial , industrial , defense , and energy markets. It makes parts for commercial and naval nuclear power systems, industrial vehicles, and oil - and gas -related machinery. Curtiss-Wright formed on July 5, 1929, the result of a merger of 12 companies associated with Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company of Buffalo, New York , and Wright Aeronautical of Dayton, Ohio . It

690-546: The Bureau of Ships. This dual role allowed him to lead the efforts to develop the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, USS  Nautilus , which was launched in 1954. As Vice Admiral , from 1958, for three decades Rickover exercised tight control over the ships , technology , and personnel of the nuclear navy, even interviewing every prospective officer for new nuclear-powered navy vessels. Leading nuclear physicist Philip Abelson (1913–2004) turned his attention under

736-683: The Curtiss Wright Corporation, including plants in Beaver, PA; Buffalo, NY; Caldwell, NJ; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Kenmore, NY; Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MO. Albert Kahn's personal working library, the Albert Kahn Library Collection , is housed at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield , Michigan. Nuclear navy A nuclear navy , or nuclear-powered navy , refers to

782-578: The Curtiss name, Seamew , for the SO3Cs that they ordered. One of the US Navy's main design requirements was that the SOC Seagull's replacement had to be able to operate both from ocean vessels with a single center float and from land bases with the float replaced by a wheeled landing gear. From the time it entered service the SO3C suffered two serious flaws: inflight stability problems and problems with

828-731: The Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division, which manufactured airframes ; the Wright Aeronautical Corporation, which produced aircraft engines ; and the Curtiss-Wright Propeller Division, which manufactured propellers . After 1929, most engines produced by the new company were known as Wrights. Existing aircraft continued using the Curtiss name, while new designs used either the Curtiss or Curtiss-Wright name, depending on which location they were designed by, with

874-593: The United Kingdom and France fewer than twenty each and China six. The Indian Navy launched their first indigenous Arihant -class nuclear-powered submarines on 26 July 2009. India is also operating one nuclear attack submarine with talks of leasing one more nuclear submarine from Russia. India plans to build six nuclear attack submarines and follow on to the Arihant class of ballistic missile submarines. The US had several nuclear cruisers. The cruisers were

920-459: The United States Navy, known as "father of the nuclear navy" was an electrical engineer by training, and was the primary architect who implemented this daring concept, and believed that it was the natural next phase for the way military vessels could be propelled and powered. The challenge was to reduce the size of a nuclear reactor to fit on board a ship or submarine , as well as to encase it sufficiently so that radiation hazards would not be

966-580: The acquisition of 901D Holdings, LLC (901D) for $ 132 million in cash. Designing and manufacturing electronic systems, subsystems, and shipboard enclosures, 901D is a contributor to major U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs including both nuclear and non-nuclear powered vessels. In February 2020, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) completed the acquisition of Dyna-Flo Control Valve Services Ltd. ("Dyna-Flo") for $ 81 million in cash. In January 2022, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) announced an agreement to acquire assets from Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company (SAA),

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1012-487: The acquisition of Keronite Group Limited, involving a cash transaction of $ 35 million. This strategic move is expected to enhance Curtiss-Wright's capabilities in Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation ("PEO") surface treatment services. Operating within Curtiss-Wright's Aerospace & Industrial segment, the acquisition is projected to have a neutral impact on the company's earnings in the initial year. It

1058-529: The acquisition of the Parvus Corporation, a business unit of Eurotech S.p.A ., for $ 38 million. Parvus is a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged small form factor computers and communications subsystems for the aerospace, defense, homeland security, and industrial markets. Curtiss-Wright acquired military communications equipment supplier Pacific Star Communications for $ 400 million, on November 2, 2020. Curtiss-Wright Corporation finalized

1104-463: The agreement. The shift of civilian aircraft to jets left the company with little of its old business, and during the 1960s it shifted to components for aircraft and other types of equipment, such as nuclear submarines , a business that continues today. In 2002, Curtiss-Wright acquired Penny & Giles , a supplier of black boxes and sensing devices (Hybrid linear, hybrid rotary and VRVT sensors). In 2003, Curtiss-Wright acquired Systran Corporation,

1150-537: The aircraft's main role was spotting. While the in-flight stability problem was eventually addressed (although not fully solved), the Ranger XV-770 engine proved a dismal failure even after many attempted modifications. Poor flight performance and a poor maintenance record led to the SO3C being withdrawn from US Navy first line units by 1944. The older biplane SOC was taken from stateside training units and restored to first-line service on many US Navy warships until

1196-422: The eighty gallons" fixed as the maximum for Air Transport Auxiliary trips. In addition the tail needed to be raised before becoming airborne, as "it was possible to take off in an attitude from which it was both impossible to recover and in which there was no aileron control." The final comment from this experienced pilot was "it is hard to imagine how, even in wartime, such an aircraft could have been accepted from

1242-652: The end of World War II. A number of the SO3C-1s, a fixed undercarriage version, were ordered by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm under the terms of Lend-Lease . In RN service the SO3C was given the designation "Seamew", a name used again in the 1950s for the Short Seamew . Crews gave it the name "Sea Cow". Lettice Curtis , in her book Forgotten Pilots , stated "that although its standard fuel tanks held 300 gallons, it would only just take off with

1288-673: The factory, let alone given valuable cargo space across the Atlantic." The first batch for the RN was to have a centreline bomb rack and arrestor gear. Later versions, known as the Seamew Mk.I , were the SO3-2C variant. 250 Seamews were allocated and some 100 actually delivered, the last batch was refused in favour of additional Vought Kingfishers . Deliveries to the RN started in January 1944. It

1334-525: The government gave the development of the Whittle jet engine to GE , the company concentrated on reciprocating engines and propeller production for military transport and civilian airliners. With the twilight of the big piston aircraft engine, Curtiss-Wright needed a new design direction, and in 1950, Curtiss-Wright licensed the Sapphire jet engine from Armstrong Siddeley in the U.K and manufactured it as

1380-521: The guidance of Ross Gunn to applying nuclear power to naval propulsion . Their early efforts at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) provided an early glimpse at what was to become the nuclear Navy. At the present time, many important vessels in the United States Navy are powered by nuclear reactors. All submarines and aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered. Several cruisers were nuclear-powered but these have all been retired. United States naval reactors are given three-character designations consisting of

1426-506: The largest fleet of nuclear submarines. Only the United States Navy, the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, and France's Marine Nationale field an all-nuclear submarine force. By 1989, there were over 400 nuclear-powered submarines operational or being built. Some 250 of these submarines have now been scrapped and some on order cancelled, due to weapons reduction programs. Russia and the United States had over one hundred each, with

Curtiss SO3C Seamew - Misplaced Pages Continue

1472-831: The largest peacetime aircraft order ever given by the Army Air Corps. Curtiss-Wright also sold the P-36 abroad, where they were used in the early days of World War II . During World War II , Curtiss-Wright produced 142,840 aircraft engines, 146,468 electric propellers, and 29,269 airplanes. Curtiss-Wright employed 180,000 workers, and ranked second among United States corporations in the value of wartime production contracts, behind only General Motors . Aircraft production included almost 14,000 P-40 fighters, made famous by their use by Claire Chennault 's Flying Tigers in China, over 3,000 C-46 Commando transport aircraft, and later in

1518-489: The main plant at the Buffalo airport. During divestiture of the airframe division, the lab was given to Cornell University along with a cash gift to finish the construction of a transonic wind tunnel. Cornell Aeronautical Labs, or CAL as it was known, was eventually spun off from the university as a private company, Calspan Corporation , which has been responsible for numerous innovations in flight and safety research. After

1564-605: The portion of a navy consisting of naval ships powered by nuclear marine propulsion . The concept was revolutionary for naval warfare when first proposed. Prior to nuclear power, submarines were powered by diesel engines and could only submerge through the use of batteries. In order for these submarines to run their diesel engines and charge their batteries they would have to surface or snorkel. The use of nuclear power allowed these submarines to become true submersibles and unlike their conventional counterparts, they became limited only by crew endurance and supplies. Currently, only

1610-737: The rapid development of jet engine technology and near-supersonic flight, this technological lag resulted in Curtiss losing a number of critical postwar military aircraft orders. The final nail in the coffin was the choice of the Northrop F-89 Scorpion over the XF-87 Blackhawk . After the F-87 was cancelled in October 1948, Curtiss-Wright shut down its entire Aeroplane Division and sold the assets to North American Aviation . Curtiss-Wright continued to occasionally venture back into

1656-467: The realization that sufficient quantities of aluminum aircraft alloys would be available for war production, plans for large-scale C-76 production were rejected. The Louisville plant was converted to C-46 Commando production, delivering 438 Commandos to supplement the roughly 2,500 C-46s produced at Buffalo. The C-46 cargo aircraft was fitted with two powerful radial engines and could fly at higher altitudes than most other Allied aircraft. Consequently, it

1702-522: The realm of designing aircraft, such as the TDU-12/B Skydart target drone and the X-19 tilt-rotor, but none of these amounted to anything and by the early 1960s Curtiss-Wright was no longer an aircraft manufacturer. While this marked Curtiss-Wright's departure from preeminence in the aviation industry, one notable spin-off involved Curtiss-Wright's flight research laboratory, founded in 1943 near

1748-439: The third quarter of 2022. The strategic acquisition of SAA is part of Curtiss-Wright's efforts to enhance growth prospects and diversify its product portfolio. With an anticipated positive impact on CW's earnings, the $ 240 million transaction is projected to contribute to a robust free cash flow conversion rate exceeding 100%, signaling a favorable liquidity position for the company in the future. In November 2022, CW has finalized

1794-420: The unique Ranger air-cooled, inverted V-shaped inline engine. The stability problem was mostly resolved with the introduction of upturned wingtips and a larger rear tail surface that extended over the rear observer's cockpit. The additional tail surface was attached to the rear observer's sliding canopy and pilots claimed there were still stability problems when the canopy was open; the canopy was often open because

1840-584: The war, over 7,000 SB2C Helldivers . Its most visible success came with the P-40, variously known as the Tomahawk, Kittyhawk, and Warhawk, which were built between 1940 and 1944 at the main production facilities in Buffalo, New York . During the war, a second large plant was added at Buffalo, followed by new plants at Columbus, Ohio ; St. Louis, Missouri ; and Louisville, Kentucky . Engine and propeller production

1886-518: Was at plants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In May 1942, the U.S. government assigned Curtiss-Wright a defense production factory for wartime aircraft construction at Louisville, Kentucky , to produce C-76 Caravan cargo aircraft, which was constructed mostly of wood, a non-priority war material. After difficulties with the C-76, including a crash of a production model in mid-1943, as well as

Curtiss SO3C Seamew - Misplaced Pages Continue

1932-882: Was declared obsolete in September the same year and completely removed from service in 1945. The SO3C-1K was to have been taken into service as the Queen Seamew , but an order of 30 was canceled. Seamews served with No. 744 NAS and No. 745 NAS at RCAF Yarmouth, Nova Scotia , Canada, and with No. 755 NAS based in Hampshire , UK. Data from American Warplanes of World War II General characteristics Performance Armament Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Curtiss-Wright Corporation It no longer makes aircraft but does make many related components, particularly actuators , aircraft controls , valves , and it provides surface-treatment services. It supplies equipment to

1978-549: Was especially true in the first two years of the war. Curtiss' failure to research and develop more advanced wing and airframe designs provided an opening for North American , Bell , Lockheed, Northrop, and other U.S. aircraft manufacturers to win contracts from the Army and Navy for more advanced aircraft designs. The P-60 , the firm's last prop-driven fighter design, was merely an extrapolation of its 1930s P-36 Hawk , offering no advantage over other designs already in service. With

2024-565: Was headquartered in Buffalo, New York . With $ 75 million in capital (equivalent to $ 1.33 billion in 2023), it became the largest aviation company in the United States. By September 1929, Curtiss-Wright had acquired the Moth Aircraft Corporation (which primarily built de Havilland Moth aircraft under licence) and the Travel Air Manufacturing Company . There were three main divisions:

2070-532: Was later revealed that Wright company officials at Lockland had conspired with civilian technical advisers and Army inspection officers to approve substandard or defective aircraft engines for military use. Curtiss-Wright failed to make the transition to design and production of jet aircraft , despite several attempts. During the war, the company expended only small amounts on aircraft research and development, instead concentrating on incremental improvements in conventional aircraft already in wartime production. This

2116-780: Was used extensively in the China-Burma-India Theater . From 1941 to 1943, the Curtiss Aeronautical plant in Lockland, Ohio , produced aircraft engines under wartime contract, destined for installation in U.S. Army Air Forces aircraft. Wright officials at Lockland insisted on high engine production levels, resulting in a significant percentage of engines that did not meet Army Air Forces (AAF) inspection standards. These defective engines were nevertheless approved by inspectors for shipment and installation in U.S. military aircraft. After investigation, it

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