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Week ending December 14, 1997
+++ Trilateral government approval for a European aerospace industry +++ Airbus gives go-ahead for A340-500/600 +++ German border patrol orders Eurocopters +++ Germany okays Trimilsatcom +++ ESA, NASA and DLR cooperate on X-38 +++ Mirror module for the XMM flight unit delivered after test +++ Russia's space industry to be restructured +++ Advanced X-ray astrophysics facility delivery delayed +++ Delta Air Lines to expand into Latin Amerika +++ News in Brief +++
Trilateral government approval for a European aerospace industry
Regierungsvereinbarung zur europäischen Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie
In simultaneous press conferences, the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom have declared their will and approval to integrate European aerospace companies. In Bonn the aerospace coordinator of the German government, undersecretary Dr. Norbert Lammert, expressed the firm will of Chancellor Kohl, Pime Ministers Blair and Jospin as well as President Chirac to keep up a competitive European aerospace industry. The governments welcome the initiative of Aérospatiale, British Aerospace and Daimler-Benz Aerospace to integrate their activities with restructuring Airbus as a first step with the others to follow. In a first reaction Dasa welcomed the trilateral paper but at the same time expressed concerns about the political conditions that are a prerequisite for the projected further integration.
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Airbus gives go-ahead for A340-500/600
A340-500/600-Programm gestartet
Backed with the strength of orders and commitments for some 100 aircraft, the Airbus Industrie Supervisory Board has approved the launch of the A340-500 and A340-600. The two new planes feature the highest capacity and longest range of the highly successful A330/A340 family. The launch represents an investment of $2.9 billion. The announcement follows the commercial launch of the aircraft in June of this year. Seven customers have already decided to add the new aircraft to their fleets. Air Canada, Egyptair, EVA Air, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic have made their decisions public. The combined orders and commitments are valued at more than $13 billion.The launch of the A340-500/-600 marks another step in the Airbus product expansion strategy. It will allow the consortium to be present in the 300-to- 400 seat, long-range category, a category which represents a market of about 1,500 aircraft by 2010. Airbus expects to get at least half of this market, worth $224 billion. As derivatives of the successful A340, the A340-500 and A340-600 will offer maximum commonality, enabling airlines to save in operation, training and maintenance costs. In addition to a stretched fuselage, the new aircraft will feature an enlarged and further-refined wing, a new horizontal tailplane and the fin from the A330-200. This latest generation of Airbus aircraft will be powered initially by new, more efficient, quieter and cleaner Rolls Royce Trent 500-version engines. Deliveries of the A340-600 are due to begin in early 2002. Deliveries of the A340-500 are scheduled for mid-2002.
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German border patrol orders Eurocopters
Neue Hubschrauber für den Bundesgrenzschutz
On December 12, the procurement agency of the German Ministry of the Interior has signed a contract with Eurocopter for new helicopters to partly re-equip the Grenzschutz-Fliegergruppe. It includes:- 13 AS 365N4, the latest version of the Dauphin with enlarged cabin and more powerful engines. They will replace the old single-engined Bell UH-1D from the end of 1998 in the light transport role
- 9 EC 135s with Turboméca engines, to be used as liaison and surveillance helicopter in place of the Alouette II. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 1999.
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Germany okays Trimilsatcom
Deutschland stimmt Trimilsatcom zu
After the German Parliament's procurement subcommittee's positive decision on the tri-national military satellite communication project Trimilsatcom the armament directors of France, Britain and Germany now can enter the definition phase. The system could be ready for service in 2005, said a spokesman of Dornier Satellitesystems (DSS), a Daimler-Benz Aerospace company. Dr. Klaus Enßlin, managing director of DSS welcomed the decision that will lead to the long awaited Project Definition contract early 1998. For the German armed forces this will be a new activity, whereas the United Kingdom's and France's military already operate systems like Syracuse and Skynet. Enßlin also pointed out the importance of this contract for his company: "Without government orders the German satellite industry will not stay competitive in many areas."Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
ESA, NASA and DLR cooperate on X-38
ESA, NASA und DLR kooperieren bei X-38
NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, Dr. Jörg Feustel-Büechl, ESA Drictor for manned space flight, and Prof. Walter Kröll, chairman of the restructured German Center for aviation and space (DLR) have agreed to cooperate in the X-38 reentry vehicle technology program. This prject evaluates technologies for a possible Crew Rescue Vehicle for the International Space Station ISS. Germany and ESA will contribute with TETRA (Technolgies for Future Space Transportation Systems), a national venture under the management of DLR. Industry (MAN Technologie, Daimler-Benz Aerospace, OHB Systems, IABG and Kayser-Threde) works together with Technical University Munich and the Stuttgart University. The program is financed by the Federal Technology Ministry and the State of Bavaria. The following technology areas are under study: hot carbonfibre enforced Sliciumcarbon structures (C/SiC), reusable ceramic thermal protection systems, navigation and guidance systems, intelligent health monitoring systems and aerothermodynamics while the reentry process.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Mirror module for the XMM flight unit delivered after test
Spiegelmodule für XMM-Flugeinheit getestet und ausgeliefert
Kayser-Threde's Italian subsidiary Media Lario has delivered the second and third golden mirror module for the flight unit of the world's largest x-ray telescope XM (X-ray Multi Mission) in 1997. Now the final tests at the Belgian Centre Spatial de Liège and the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestric Studies in Neuried near Munich have been successfully completed. XMM will use three mirror assemblies, each one meter long and 80 cm in diameter. XMM will be launched with an Ariane 5 in 1999. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Russia's space industry to be restructured
Rußlands Raumfahrtindustrie wird umstrukturiert
According to recent reports of Itar-TASS the Russian Ministry for Economics and the Russian Space Agency RSA plan to restructure the space industry in Russia. Of 140 companies only 80 are to rmain active. These companies will be pooled under the a single organisational center, the RSA. The major objective of this drastic measure is to adapt the industry to the current needs and economical realities. About 50 percent of the remaining firms are to be kept in state ownership, the rest is to be privatised with 50 percent plus one or 25 percent plus one golden share under state control. A decision is expected for December 19th, when the government will discuss this plan. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Advanced X-ray astrophysics facility delivery delayed
AXAF-Auslieferung verzögert
NASA reports that TRW Space and Electronics Group, Redondo Beach, California, has notified the agency that it will be unable to deliver the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL, on June 1, 1998, as required by contract, because it has experienced delays in assembly and testing of the facility. TRW is NASA's prime contractor for the observatory. NASA and contractor officials met at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, to discuss the issue. While no new delivery date was agreed upon, the agency has directed TRW to develop a plan of action that would show how the contractor can minimize impact to the June 1 delivery. Although a delay in delivery could delay the launch, currently scheduled for August 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-93 mission, and could result in additional program costs, the exact impact is not yet known. The delay is primarily due to TRW's difficulty in configuring and programming its Integrated Spacecraft Automated Test System to test the observatory before it is delivered to NASA.
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Delta Air Lines to expand into Latin Amerika
Delta Air Lines will in Lateinamerika expandieren
Delta Air Lines recently announced ist intention to become a competitive force in the U.S.-Latin America market. The carrier said it will begin nonstop service next spring to four countries in Central America and it will seek authority from the U.S. Government to serve Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Belize, Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay. The announcement follows on Delta's recently announced intention to begin service to Venezuela; expand its presence in Brazil; and seek operating authority to serve Peru and Chile. In making the announcement, Leo F. Mullin, Delta's President and CEO said: "Delta has a tremendous opportunity to become a major carrier in the Latin American market. One of our primary goals in this effort is to make Atlanta a competitive and convenient Latin American gateway. We will also take advantage of our strong position at New York's JFK Airport by offering new nonstop service to Latin America from that important gateway."Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The oldest operational unit of the Luftwaffe, 2. Squadron of Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelke", has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was formed on December 1, 1957 at Büchel, but soon afte moved to Nörvenich where it remains today. During a meeting at the airbase, to which all ex-members were invited, a small static display was arranged with a specially marked Tornado, an F-84F Thunderstreak and two TF-104G Starfighters, which once served at Nörvenich and now came in from their home at Grosetto, Italy.+++
ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has been recognized, in a provision of teh Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as the global instrument for the reduction of geenhouse gas emissions from international aviation.
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Aero International Regional (AI(R)), has cancelled plans to develop a new 70 seat regional jet. British Aerospace, Aerospatiale and Alenia deemend the project too risky, as there is already the Bombardier CRJ 700 in the market and a lingering threat from Boeing to enter the fray with an MD-95 variant. The AI(R) partners now said that a new, European way will be sought.
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After a first review of offers, only four consortia remain for the construction of a new airport at Berlin-Schönefeld. These are: Hochtief/Flughafen Frankfurt/ABB/Siemens, IVG/Dresdner Bank/Vienna Airport/Dorsch, Commerzbank/Bechtel/Kopenhagen airport, AGI/Bewag/WestLB. All four will now work out detailed proposals
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The Star Alliance partners Lufthansa, United, Varig, Thai Airways, Air Canada and SAS will coordinate their freight business as well. First steps in that direction were discussed at the beginning of December, but many details will have to be worked out over the coming months. The aim is to offer a seamless service around the world.
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Frankfurt Airport AG will take a 64,9 per cent stake in the Hahn airport. The regional government will retain a 25,1 per cent stake, while Hahn holding, which is mainly owned by construction firm Wayss & Freitag, will have ten per cent. Hahn is a former USAF base which now is trying to install companies and get freight and charter services.
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The 40th anniversary of the Berlin airlift of 1948/49 will be one of the main themes of the ILA 98 airshow at Berlin-Schönefeld next May. According to the organisers, a C-54 will be present as well as its successors of today. A "World Air Transport Meeting" is meant to unite military freighters form many countries. Also, the Airbus Beluga is anticipated.
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After the European Space Agency ESA has agreed to Dasa concepts for the Columbus Orbital Facility (COF) a first test structure is to be built. This electric test modell will be used to verify the function of the systems and validation of the operating procedures. Dasa will go ahead with its production early 1998. The actual flight unit will be produced by Alenia Aerospazio in Turin, delivery for final integration at Dasa's Brmen facilities is scheduled for mid 2000. The European Columbus space laboratory is to be launched in 2002 with the Space Shuttle.
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Lufthansa German Airlines is to introduce new first and business class services on its long-haul routes. The airline said it will invest DM 250 million to equip all its 47 Boeing 747 and Airbus A340 aircraft with the new cabin standard. Passengers in First Class will be offered more space and new seats that can be converted into beds. Business Class passengers also will be offered more space. Advanced