This day in: 1969, 1970, 1976 & 1983

22 Jul 2010

22 July 1969 An agreement between Fiat and Rolls-Royce was signed in Turin. This covers technical collaboration on the design, development and manufacture of a new series of Viper turbojet engines. 22 July 1970 - The government of the UK and German Federal Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch development of the MRCA, later named Tornado). - Sikorsky and Westland Helicopters agreed to present the latter company’s WG.13 Lynx in the US as Sikorsky’s contender for the US Navy’s LAMPS (Low-Altitude Multi-purpose System) requirement. 22 July 1976 - The US State Department granted a licence allowing Pratt & Whitney to start co-operative development of the JT10D high by-pass ratio turbofan with Fiat, MTU and Rolls-Royce. - The Royal Navy retired its last piston-engined helicopter when the Whirlwind HAS.7 XN299 was withdrawn from service at Old Sarum, Wiltshire. 22 July 1983 Australian Dick Smith achieved the first solo flight around the world in a helicopter. The 56 742 km (30 638 nautical mile) journey was made in stages, with the Bell JetRanger III Australian Explorer accumulating an actual flying time of some 320 hours.

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