WASHINGTON, March 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Aviation Week Network has announced the Grand Laureate winners for the 62nd Annual Laureate Awards, honoring extraordinary achievements in the global aerospace arena. They were selected from a total of 30 winners of the 2019 Laureate Awards and were announced last night at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, where all of the laureates were honored.
“The Grand Laureates represent winners who embody the spirit of exploration, innovation and vision that will inspire others to strive for broad-reaching progress in aviation, aerospace and defense,” said Aviation Week & Space Technology Editor-in-Chief Joe Anselmo. Categories included Business Aviation, Commercial Aviation, Defense and Space.
In addition, Aviation Week & Space Technology bestowed two Philip J. Klass Awards for Lifetime Achievement and four cadets and midshipmen from U.S. military academies were recognized as Tomorrow’s Leaders, honoring young men and women who have chosen career paths in the armed forces.
The Grand Laureate winners are:
COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Platform: Embraer E-Jet E2
Though it looks similar to Embraer’s original E-Jet series, the manufacturer’s E2 airliner family is substantially a new design, with major advances in aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, flight controls and cabin defining a new benchmark for crossover jets.
DEFENSE
Operations: Royal Netherlands Air Force/Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet
Addressing an acute shortage of tanker aircraft in Europe, the Royal Netherlands Air Force is leading the creation of a multinational fleet of eight Airbus A330 MRTT tanker/transports to improve the interoperability and boost the capability of European air forces.
SPACE
Launchers: Rocket Lab Electron
First to dive into the potentially fast-growing market for dedicated smallsat launches, privately owned Rocket Lab has entered commercial service with its innovative two-stage Electron rocket, which features battery power, 3D-printed engines and composite structures.
BUSINESS AVIATION
Platform: Bombardier Global 7500
Certified in 2018, the Global 7500 sets a new standard for business jets, with a four-section cabin, full-size kitchen and dedicated crew suite; advanced fly-by-wire and flight deck technology; and a 7,700-nm. range—enough to fly New York-Hong Kong or Singapore-San Francisco.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Paul Allen
With a lifelong passion for aviation, Paul Allen was the first of the technology barons to spend part of his fortune backing technology to enable less costly and more frequent access to space. In addition to funding the X Prize-winning SpaceShipOne, precursor to a new generation of commercial human-rated spacecraft, Allen funded development of the Stratolaunch air-launched space transport system.
Tom Enders
As CEO of Airbus, Tom Enders has transformed the European aerospace giant from a cross-national conglomerate to an integrated company and made crucial product decisions across its commercial, defense and space units, including the successful launch of the A320neo family. His move to take control of Bombardier’s C Series program has changed the structure of the commercial aircraft industry.
About Aviation Week Network
Aviation Week Network, an Informa business, is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Network’s portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising. principle
About Informa Exhibitions
Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Exhibitions, the global exhibitions division of Informa PLC, enables communities across the globe to engage, experience and do business by providing them with powerful platforms to connect across key regions and market verticals. Industry insight, coupled with an innovative and customer first approach, provides Informa Exhibitions’ customers and partners with the opportunity to create business advantage and access markets, both digitally and face-to-face, 365 days of the year.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Elizabeth Kelley Grace
Elizabeth@thebuzzagency.net
561.702.7471 (m)