U 
P 
D 
A 
T 
E
Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles
UPDATE
Week ending March 16, 1997
+++ German CH-53s help evacuations from Tirana +++ Airbus forecast: Confirming a very large demand +++ Siemens to sell defence business +++ Aérospatiale builds Meteorid-Debris Protection for Space Station module +++ Lauda Air and Austrian Airlines: archrivals becoming partners +++ Dasa starts test flights with Rapin +++ Four New German Partners for the Large Binocular Telescope +++ EJ200 engine development progresses well +++ News in brief +++

German CH-53s help evacuations from Tirana
Deutsche Hubschrauber evakuieren Ausländer aus Albanien

On Friday, March 14, six German helicopters contributed to the evacuation efforts from crisis-ridden Albania. The CH-53s flew 120 persons from 21 nations to nearby Montenegro where they were taken aboard three waiting Transalls and brought back to Cologne/Bonn. Preparations for the operation had started on Thursday afternoon, and on Friday morning the CH-53, stationed in Bosnia for SFOR duties, deployed from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik. From there they flew to Tirana, where they landed a few minutes drive away from the German embassy at around 16.00 hrs. After a few minutes on the ground, during which time there was a short shooting, they returned to Podborica.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Airbus forecast: Confirming a very large demand
Prognose von Airbus sieht weiter großen Bedarf

In its latest Global Market Forecast, Airbus Industrie foresees a demand for close to 16000 jetliners to satisfy traffic growth and replace aging aircraft over the next 20 years. The forecast covers the demand for deliveries of passenger and combi aircraft with more than 70 seats to the world's 246 largest airlines - excluding those of the CIS - during the period from the end of 1996 until the end of 2016.
With some 2,300 of these aircraft already ordered by airlines (1900) and leasing companies (400), the actual open market for additional sales is some 13500 worth approximately 1100 billion US dollars at current value. Of these, some 15 percent (i.e., slightly more than 2000 aircraft) may be taken up by used aircraft. This leaves an open market for new aircraft sales of some 11500 airliners.
"This new forecast confirms that there is a very large demand for capacity and new equipment," said Airbus Industrie Senior Vice President Commercial John Leahy on the occasion of the presentation of the company's new Global Market Forecast. "Like any other industry, the air transport business is a cyclical one, but despite these ups and downs, the general trend is definitely for continued growth, making it a worthwhile and profitable industry to invest in, and specially in the more modern equipment which has the highest long-term residual value."
Worldwide demand for air travel will continue to grow strongly, according to the forecast, at an average annual rate of 5.2 percent, with passenger traffic being nearly three times as high in 20 years' time as it is today. The growth will be stronger in the first ten year period, increasing annually at an average rate of 5.9 percent, while the second ten-year period should register a 4.6 percent year on year progression. There will also be regional variations, with the mature North American air passenger market growing at only 1.9 percent per year, while annual growth in several markets serving the Asia-Pacific region will average over seven percent. Air travel within the People's Republic of China is expected to multiply at least six times during the period, increasing at nearly ten percent per year.
As a result, the capacity of the world's jetliner fleet will more than double, with the number of seats rising from 1.7 to four million, representing an annual capacity increase of 4.5 percent. The active fleet will therefore rise to 17100 aircraft from today's 9400.
The average size of aircraft will grow from today's 179 seats to 235 seats. The average single-aisle capacity is expected to increase from 135 to 139 seats, and the widebody size is anticipated to grow from 295 to 358 seats - indicating a clear trend towards much larger aircraft. Actually, the proportion of widebody aircraft in the fleets will grow from just over a quarter (28 percent) to nearly half (44 percent).
The bulk of the demand will be in the 100 to 400 seat capacity, which Airbus Industrie covers with ist existing product line and its planned derivative developments. In the timeframe, the airlines will also need 1,440 aircraft above 400 seats. Although representing only nine per cent of the demand in terms of units, this represents a quarter of the world demand by value.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Siemens to sell defence business
Verteidigungsaktivitäten von Siemens stehen zum Verkauf

US investment bank Morgan Stanley has been tasked with finding an outright buyer for the Siemens defence activities after earlier joint-venture considerations were abandoned. A shortlist of suitable investors will be drawn up shortly in the hope to complete the disposal before the end of Siemens current financial year to September. Interest has apparently been shown by GEC, ITT and Lockheed Martin.
Siemens defence is dominated by Siemens Plessey in the UK and is expeczted to show a profit of 60 million DM on sales of 1,6 billion DM for last year. It is to be sold off after declining defence spending and big pressure to consolidate in Europe has led Siemens to believe it should concentrate on its core activities.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Aérospatiale builds Meteorid-Debris Protection for Space Station module
Aérospatiale entwickelt Meteoritenschutz für Raumstationsmodul

Aérospatiale has been selected by Alenia Aerospazio to build the meteoride-debris protection subsystem for the Columbus Orbital Facility, which will be part of the International Space Station Alpha. This subsystem will be designed to resist the impacts of microdebris for the whole life of the laboratory. The concept selected is a shield composed of a double barrier. The first layer is a thin skinned metallic wall. The second, which acts as a damper in case of a strong impact, consists of an assembly of composite material based on Nextel and Kevlar cloth.
The protection is attached to the 100 m2 of the external wall of the COF in form of large panels, covered with surface coating, which is part of the module's thermal control. This coating must, in addition, be resistant to the ultraviolet rays and atomic oxygen encountered in low orbits.
Aérospatiale will develop the panels in its Aquitaine center. First deliveries are scheduled for mid 1998. The integration of the panels will handled by Alenia Aerospazio in Turin.
Main contractor to ESA for the Columbus Orbital Facility is Daimler-Benz Aerospace, Germany.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Lauda Air and Austrian Airlines: archrivals becoming partners
Wie aus Erzrivalen Partner werden: Austrian steigt bei Lauda Air ein

Competing carriers Austrian Airlines and Lauda Air on March 13th announced a strategic cooperation agreement. State-owned Austrian Airlines will acquire a 36 percent stake in Lauda Air. Former race-car driver Niki Lauda will hold a 30 percent stake and keep his position as president and CEO. Lufthansa, which currently owns 39,7 percent of the shares, will reduce its stake to 19 percent. The remaining 6 percent will come from other shareholders. The move surprised airline experts, as several previous efforts to bring both companies under one roof had failed. Lauda started its operation with charter flights in the late 80's, but soon moved to compete against state-controlled Austrian Airlines on scheduled services. Lauda Air in a statement said the new cooperation, which includes regional carrier Tyrolean Airways, will create a new airline group in Austria of "international standard". It also said Lauda will concentrate on its "touristic-orientated" long-haul and European route network as well as its charter activities whereas Austrian will focus on scheduled services.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Dasa starts test flights with Rapin
Präzisionsnavigationssystem Rapin im Flugtest

Daimler-Benz Aerospace has started flight trials with the Rapin-system, offering Reliable Autonomous Precise Navigation. After bench tests, the equipment is now installed in a C 160 Transall at WTD 61 (test department of the Luftwaffe at Manching). Rapin is a generic system with applications not only in transport aircraft but fighter-bombers and cruise missiles as well. It works by combining the best data from Lins (Laser INS), GPS, air-data computer and radar altimeter. To this is added a terrain database for comparison with the altimeter data. Through access to all these systems, specific weaknesses of the various sensors can be eliminated via weighted input of their data and cross-updating. Three test campaigns with Rapin are planned through 1997.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Four New German Partners for the Large Binocular Telescope
Vier deutsche Partner bei Large Binocular Telescope dabei

A high performance space observatory is being built in Arizona with German partners. Together with Ohio State University four German research institutes recently joined the combined effort of the USA and Italy: Max-Planck-Institute (Heidelberg), the Instuitute for Extraterrestric Physics (Garching), Institute for Radioastronomy (Bonn) and the Astrophysical Institute Potsdam.
The four German institutes formed a Heidelberg based company that represents their interests with Prof. Steven Beckwith as speaker (Managing Director of the Astronomy Institute of Max-Planck, Heidelberg). The new German partners will contribute financially as well as technically and will be receive respective observation times in return. The overall cost of the project stands at $76 million (1995). The German partners will have a stake of approx. $1 Million.
The all new telescope will be constructed on Mount Graham (3230 m) in the southern part of Arizona, where the Vatikan oberservatory and Heinrich Hertz Observatory already are working. First observations will be possible beginning 2002.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


EJ200 engine development progresses well
Entwicklung des EJ200 läuft gut

According to Eurojet-partner company MTU, the development of the EJ200 engine for the Eurofighter is progressing well. 14 prototpyes are in use in the various EF2000 prototypes. These are representing the so-called standards 01A and 01C. Meanwhile, standard 03A-engines with more thrust have completed flight qualification tests. Six are in the final stages of assembly. One important next step towards the full production release in 1999 will be an endurance run with an engine incorporating all the latest improvements. Among them are Blisk compressors and a new digital control system. The DECU C2 is 20 weighs 20 per cent less and has 40 per cent fewer parts than the original, which caused many troubles. It was developed by MTU in cooperation with Diehl and Smiths Industries.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The AS 350B3, a new high-performance version of Eurocopters Ecureuil family, has made its maiden flight at Marignane. Test pilot Didier Guerin was airborne for 70 minutes on March 4. It is expected that the AS 350B3 will be certified by November, with first deliveries in December. Some orders are already in hand.
+++
Lufthansa on March 12 in a statement said mainly due to higher fuel costs preliminary pre-tax profits for 1996 declined about 10 percent compared to the year before. 1995 the German carrier gained a 756 million DM net profit.
+++
The Mirach 100/5 target drone, built by Alenia subsidiary Meteor, has recently completed its first flight. The new member of the Mirach UAV family is developed to meet the training needs for the year 2000 and beyond. The new drone is powered by a Microturbo jet engine of 300 lbs thrust and has a navigation system based on GPS. It can fly at low levels in formation.
+++
The first Eurocopter EC 135 in a police configuration with camera and special equipment will be delivered to the Basque police soon.
+++
After a 5-year break, Air France re-starts intra-german services. Beginning on May 5th, the route Berlin-Tempelhof - Frankfurt will be served 4 times a day. The aircraft, an ATR 72, will be operated by Air France partner airline Eurowings under a blocked-space agreement.
+++
The union of German soldiers (Deutscher Bundeswehr-Verband = DBwV) has applauded latest official report by Claire Marienfeld, defence spokesperson for the Parliament. She had criticised that continuing budget cuts had now negative effects on morale and equipment of the armed forces. "In army and air force, pilots are flying weapons systems with 50s technology. Today, more than 80 hours of maintenance are needed for a single F-4F Phantom flying hour", commented Bernhard Gertz, president of DBwV.
+++
United Airlines has announced orders for an additional for Airbus A319s and thre A320s, adding to a contract for 24 A319s placed last August. Deliveries will start this year.
+++
Progress M-33, the recently abandoned Russian transport capsule, has disintegrated while reentering the earth's atmosphere. Parts (totalling 200 kg) crashed into the southern Pacific 3000 km east of New Zealand.
+++
Huygens, the European spacecraft that forms part of the Huygens Cassini mission and is to be launched on October 6th this year from Cape Canaveral, has been completed at Daimler-Benz Aerospace space integration center in Ottobrunn. It will be integrated at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Huygens then will be on a seven years flight to Saturn and is scheduled to land on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, after arrival in the Saturn system.
+++
Sextant Avionique has signed a contract with South African company ATE to supply aviionics equipment for 12 production Rooivlak combat helicopters. Sextant will supply the laser gyro inertial navigation system, liquid crystal displays and helmet mounted displays. Initial deliveries to ATE are slated for early 1998.
+++
Cologne/Bonn airport will build new administrative offices and warehouse space for Lufthansa CityLine. The regional carrier is moving its main office from Kriftel to the airport and will lease the 18 million DM-building after completion in late summer 1998.
+++
Daimler-Benz Aerospace is seeking further South African involvement in its proposed AT 2000 advanced trainer/light strike aircraft. At a recent workshop at Johannesburg, 60 representatives from 18 companies were briefed and in turn presented their capabilities applicable to the project.
+++
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has ordered four Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 twinjets, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group confirmed on March 14. Based on the manufacturers average list price, the estimated value of today's order is $204 million.
+++
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group confirmed an order by Germany-based Deutsche BA for seven Boeing 737-300s, valued at $287 million. The airline is acquiring the jets in a financial agreement with Deutsche Structured Finance. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the airplanes beginning in August. The single-class configuration of Deutsche BA's 737-300s will accommodate 136 passengers and be used primarily on German domestic routes. The airplanes will replace a fleet of Fokker 100s and join a fleet of nine 737s currently on lease.
+++
Airbus has decided to set up its own office at Rio de Janeiro to develop business in the Brazilian market limited so far to three A300B aircrafts operated by Vasp airline. Airbus looks to conquer new customers among them TAM, that is evaluating the acquisition of aircrafts for long distance international flights, and other Vasp airline subsidiaries throughout South America.
+++
Lufthansa Technik will provide total support for two Boeing 767-300ER and one Boeing 757-200 of Uzbekistan Airways. This follows the existing contract for the support of two A310-300s.
+++
Swissair will write down to zero its 210 million Dollar investment in a 49 per cent stake of Sabena. The announcement came after Sabena revealed disastrous 1996 financial figures, with a loss of 8,87 billion BFr - five times more than in 1995.
+++
Eurowings will enter the Frankfurt - Berlin market on Mai 5 with four daily roundtrips to Tempelhof airport. Prices will be only slightly lower than those of previous monopolist Lufthansa.
+++

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Previous updates are still available:

PunktMarch 9, 1997 PunktMarch 2, 1997

PunktFebruary 23, 1997 PunktFebruary 16, 1997

Punkt January 26, 1997 PunktJanuary 19, 1997 PunktJanuary 12, 1997 PunktJanuary 5, 1997

Punkt December 22, 1996 PunktDecember 15, 1996 PunktDecember 8, 1996 PunktDecember 1, 1996

PunktNovember 24, 1996 PunktNovember 17, 1996 PunktNovember 10, 1996 PunktNovember 3, 1996

PunktOctober 27, 1996 PunktOctober 20, 1996 PunktOctober 13, 1996 PunktOctober 6, 1996

PunktSeptember 29, 1996 PunktSeptember 22, 1996

Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles
Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated March 16, 1997