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UPDATE 
Week ending March 26, 2000
+++ Astrium authorized by European Commission +++ Ariane 5 launcch suceeds on March 22 +++ Airship HALE study completed by ESA +++ BAE launches Avro RJX +++ Iridium announces end of service +++ News in brief +++

Astrium authorized by European Commission
EU genehmigt Astrium

DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Aerospatiale Matra welcomed the European Commission's decision authorizing the formation of Astrium. This merger of space activities of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich) and Matra Marconi Space will create Europe's leading space company as a joint venture shared between Aerospatiale Matra in France and BAE Systems in the UK on the one hand and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace in Germany on the other field. Astrium paves the way to the even larger scaled European consolidation by the planned merger of the overall activities of Aerospatiale Matra, CASA and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace into the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). Currently studying this merger notification the Merger Task Force of the European Commission has determined that it needs additional information given the broad scope of activities covered by this merger. The EADS shareholders have responded immediately to the request from the European Commission and have submitted the required information. This procedure has been used before by the European Commission in complex merger-cases and does in no way prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The European Commission will thus be able to continue its investigation without significant delay. "Therefore, we are sticking to our plan to materialize our merger by this summer," said Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, the twoCEOs designate of EADS.
The Astrium deal was approved with conditions, for example regarding the market for mechanical wheels for satellites in Western Europe. The only alternative supplier in Europe, a German firm called Teldix, appeared to depend on sales to Astrium. To address this concern, the companies agreed to divest Matra Marconi Space's mechanical wheels business. The Commission also concluded the merger would raise competition concerns in the supply of military communications satellites in France, because Astrium might be able to shut Alcatel Space Industries out of the market and become the only supplier to the French defence ministry. To meet these concerns, the companies agreed to grant licences for the manufacture and sale of equipment such as chemical propulsion systems, chemical thrusters and on-board management systems supplied by DaimlerChrysler (DASA) to Alcatel Space Industries.

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Ariane 5 launcch suceeds on March 22
AsiaStar und Insat 3B mit Ariane 5 gestartet

During the night of March 21 to 22, 2000, Arianespace Flight 128 successfully placed two telecommunications satellites into orbit: AsiaStar for Alcatel Space, WorldSpace prime contractor and system architect, and Insat 3B for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Since December 1999, Arianespace has launched a total of seven satellites using four Ariane 4 and two Ariane 5 launchers. Flight 128 lifted off at 7:57 pm Kourou time. The next launch, Flight 129, is planned for April 18, 2000. An Ariane 42L launcher will place into orbit the Galaxy 4R satellite for PanAmSat Corporation of the United States. Following Flight 128, Arianespace's backlog now stands at 39 satellites to be launched. Arianespace has booked a total of 209 launch contracts to date.

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Airship HALE study completed by ESA
ESA-Studie über hochlfliegende Luftschiffe

Our skies could soon be home to special airships able to provide local to regional telecommunication services, Earth observation services, atmospheric science and astronomical observations. The European Space Agency, together with DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, Lindstrand Balloons Ltd. of the United Kingdom and the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, have completed a first assessment of a concept for High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) aerostatic craft, positioned in the stratosphere at about 20km altitude - in a region of space where no aircraft or satellites fly - and with an operational lifetime ranging from months to years. HALEs are large helium-filled powered airships with an aerodynamic "cigar" shape about 220m in length and 55m in diameter, carrying payloads of up to 1000kg or so. Unlike Zeppelins, which they closely resemble from the outside, HALEs do not need a rigid overall internal structure. With modern flexible hull materials, helium-tight and UV-resistant, their design can rely on pressurisation to impart the necessary stiffness to the airship body. Only local rigid reinforcements for the engine and payload attachment are necessary.
ESA's interest in HALEs is due to their relevance to a broad range of space technologies such as thin-film solar cells, inflatable technology, telecommunication equipment, astronomical instruments and various subsystems such as power management and distribution, steerable antennas, Earth observation sensors and radar imagers. Lightweight design, another typical area of space expertise, is particularly important to the development of HALE airships. Also Industry is interested: Considerable effort is currently being put into assessing HALE's business potential and market access while additional companies and institutions are considering to join the team and discussing their possible roles in the development and commercial exploitation. This initiative must be seen in the context of similar efforts in Japan (Sky-Net) and the US (Sky Station Int'l), in which also European Space and Balloon-manufacturing companies are participating.

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BAE launches Avro RJX
Neue Regionaljets von BAE Systems

On 21 March BAE Systems announced the formal launch of the Avro RJX family or regional jet airliners. The Avro RJX is being developed from the BAe 146 / Avro RJ family, which already serves with over 50 operators worldwide. The Avro RJX, which will be offered in RJX-70, -85, and -100 versions spanning 70-110 seats, is scheduled to enter service in September 2001, well in advance of most competitors of similar size. The aircraft will give operators even greater flexibility than the current Avro RJ family, with up to 15% reduction in fuel burn, 17% increase in range and 20% lower maintenance costs allied to a 500 lb decrease in empty weight. Significant increases in payload/range will be available at different airfields such as London City, Lugano and Florence while improved "hot and high" capability will also generate major benefits to many operators.
The test programme for the aircraft is gathering pace with the first two test aircraft, Serial No. 376 an RJX-85 and S/N 378 an RJX-100, taking shape on the Woodford final assembly line in preparation for first flight later this year. The all new, latest generation Honeywell AS900 series engine first flew on a Boeing 720 test aircraft from Phoenix, Arizona in January and is one of a number of engines in the series already running as part of an intensive engine test programme.

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Iridium announces end of service
Super-Pleite der Iridium Mobilfunksatelliten

On March 17, Iridium announced that it would terminate the provision of commercial mobile phone service as of 11:59 p.m. EST. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved use by the Company of its secured lenders' cash collateral to commence the wind down of its operations and the sale of its assets. Thus rescue attempts for the billion-dollar enterprise since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 13, 1999 were unsuccessful.
Iridium LLC became the world's first global satellite phone and paging company on November 1, 1998. Its network of 66-low earth orbiting satellites combined with existing terrestrial cellular systems enables customers to communicate around the globe. Those customers failed to sign up in sufficient numbers, mainly due to high costs but also due to marketing blunders. With an estimated write-off of 5 billion US-Dollars or more, Iridium is one of the biggest failures in US company history.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On March 22, Bombardier Aerospace announced that it has concluded a long-term agreement with Spain's Air Nostrum for the supply of both jet and turboprop aircraft products. The agreement will be celebrated in early April at the airline's home base in Valencia. The contract calls for the delivery of 29 Q300 Dash 8 turboprops and 15 CRJ200 Series ER (extended range) twinjet aircraft. Under the terms of the agreement, aircraft deliveries will commence late this year. The airline has also secured options for 40 additional aircraft which may include Q200 , Q300 or Q400 turboprops or CRJ200, CRJ700 or CRJ900 regional jets. Value of the aircraft on firm order is approximately $818 million US ($1.2 billion Cdn).
+++
On March 20, a Sojus-Fregat launcher successfully lifted off from Baikonur for another test flight in preparation for the Cluster missions in June and July. ESA had demanded two successful flights before committing the Clusters to the Starsem-marketed vehicle. Starsem claimed a turnover of 330 million DM for 1999.
+++
The FAA has ordered inspections on over 2,500 older model Boeing 737s to find and repair any forward bulkhead cracks, which could cause a loss of cabin pressure. In an official airworthiness directive, the FAA reported "numerous" findings of cracks on the bulkhead, a wall between the cockpit and the airplane's outer shell, which created a safety hazard, although it cited no evidence that the cracks had caused any cabin decompression. The AD formalises a 1998 service bulletin from 737-maker Boeing. Airlines have until April 2004 to complete the lengthy inspections, which will take 60 man hours and cost $22,800 per plane.
+++
Denel has signed a contract with BAE Systems and Saab on subcontracts that couldgenerate 2.5 billion rand (about 430 million US dollars) for Denel in the next decade. Linked to South Africa's defense renewal program, the deal provided for Denel to become a supply partner to BAE and Saab. South Africa is to acquire 28 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk fighter trainers from the two European companies. Denel's involvement formed part of the joint defense industrial participation program the procurement of the aircraft provided for. Botha said Denel Aviation had already started work on two participation packages in anticipation of the signing of the contract. The first of these, worth 42 million rand (about 7 million dollars), was for the development of store pylons for the Gripen aircraft. "A follow-on contract worth 240 million rand (about 40 million dollars) is envisaged for the manufacture and supply of pylons for at least 200 future export market Gripens," Botha said. The second package, initially worth about 350 million rand (about 58 million dollars), was for the production of rudders, ailerons and other components for jetliners seating between 70 and 100 people. Denel had been contracted to produce at least 18 rudder and aileron sets a year to meet the expected demand for 150 new aircraft over the next nine years.
+++
French transport minister Jean-Claude Gaysot has said that the Airbus partners have made much progress on negotiations concerning A3XX assembly. Toulouse will do the final assembly, but Hamburg will also be involved. Details apparently have still to be worked out.
+++
European airlines and pilot associations have achived a compromise in regulating cockpit crew working rules. Maximum work time is 2000 hours per year, with flying tome not more than 900 hours. Time off must be eight days per month and 96 days per year.
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Finmeccanica has said that it will check the very good alliance offers for Alenia from BAE Systems and EADS by the end of April. Both bids were delivered on March 23. It is said that BAE is mainly proposing working together on the military side, while the EADS proposals are more balanced, possibly even opening the door to Airbus. Meanwhile, union officials urged to go for EADS.
+++
GKN Westland Helicopters achieved another key milestone recently when the first WAH-64 Apache attack helicopter for the British Army was handed over in front of a distinguished audience at its Yeovil, UK factory. The aircraft, designated WAH#6, is one of eight UK Apaches that have been built by Boeing at their Mesa, Arizona facility and shipped to the UK for final assembly and test. The remaining 59 will be delivered to Yeovil as part fuselages for completion, final inspection and test by GKN Westland Helicopters. The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Geoffrey Hoon, MP, was the guest of honour at the ceremony and he unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. He was accompanied by General Sir Roger Wheeler, Chief of the General Staff, within whose command the Apache will operate in the recently created 16 Air Assault Brigade.
+++
On 21. March, the senior executives of US Airways and Airbus Industrie gathered today in Toulouse, France to unveil the first A330-300 to wear the livery of a United States-based carrier. The aircraft being presented today to US Airways will enter service in May and is the first of 10 firmly ordered Airbus widebodies to be delivered to the airline. US Airways holds options on an additional 20 aircraft. Speaking at the ceremony, US Airways Chairman, Stephen M. Wolf said, " The A330-300 will lead the way to a new era of transatlantic air travel. As the first U.S. airline to fly this plane, US Airways will present a pattern of service commensurate with the quality of the aircraft on which that service is provided. US Airways' international customers will enjoy a state-of-the-art travel experience."
+++
From 1 June 2000, Dr. Stefan Zoller (42), up to now Corporate Secretary and Chief of Staff to the President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich), is to succeed Werner Heinzmann (61) as Chairman of the Executive Board of Dornier GmbH. As Dasa and Dornier announced after the Supervisory Board and Shareholders' Meeting of Dornier GmbH held in Friedrichshafen on Thursday, on 1 June 2000 Heinzmann is to move to the Dornier Supervisory Board, so the company will continue to benefit from his long years of experience. On 14 February 2000, he had requested premature release from his contracts with the Dasa and Dornier boards on 1 June, considering a rejuvenation of the company's top management to be essential in the formation phase of the future European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). In addition, Dr. Thomas Enders (41), who has up to now been responsible for Corporate Development, Strategy and Technology at Dasa Headquarters in Munich, is to become a new member of the Dornier Supervisory Board on 1 June, from which date and until the formal foundation of EADS, Enders will head Dasa's Defense and Civil Systems business unit in place of Werner Heinzmann.
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Lockheed Martin has completed a successful First Flight Readiness Review (FFRR) in early March for the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant of its X-35 JSF, designed to meet U.S. Air Force requirements. Representatives from the U.S. Government JSF Program Office engineering teams, independent review team and safety review board validated the LM JSF design as safe and ready for flight, following completion of remaining ground testing. Prior to the FFRR, the Lockheed Martin JSF team submitted the Flight Clearance Request letter that formally outlines flight-envelope criteria for the upcoming X-35A CTOL flight-test program.
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Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen sind weiter abrufbar:

*March 19, 2000 *March 12, 2000 *March 5, 2000

*February 27, 2000 *February 20, 2000 *February 13, 2000 *February 6, 2000

*January 30, 2000 *January 23, 2000 *January 16, 2000 *January 9, 2000

*January to December 1999 *January to December 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

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