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UPDATE 
Week ending October 29, 2000
+++ Lockheed Martin X-35A flies +++ EU clears Airbus Integrated Company +++ General Electric to acquire Honeywell +++ Hapag-Lloyd first with 737-800 winglets +++ EADS reports first half +++ Shuttle lands at Edwards AFB +++ Lufthansa flies nonstop Berlin - Washington +++ NASA outlines Mars exploration programme +++ Antonow An-225 ready again next year +++ News in brief +++

Lockheed Martin X-35A flies
Erstflug der X-35A von Lockheed Martin

On October 24, the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) X-35A took off at 9:06 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on its successful first flight, marking its entry into the flight-test program and validating the Lockheed Martin design approach. With a greater than one-to-one thrust-to-weight ratio the Pratt & Whitney F119-611 engine propelled the sleek, supersonic fighter into the California high-desert skies to the cheers of the Lockheed Martin X-35 team. The aircraft landed at the air force flight test center at Edwards Air Force Base. "An awesome aircraft," Lockheed Martin X-35 test pilot Tom Morgenfeld said. "This aircraft looks and flies like a fighter. The performance, sheer power and responsiveness were exactly what our engineers predicted. The hours spent training in the simulator were superb preparation. But it's the actual flying that will validate our design and provide the data that will be used for production aircraft to avoid any unexpected problems." Following the X-35's take-off, Morgenfeld put the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version of the JSF through its paces. The initial flight profile included check-outs of the on-board systems, handling characteristics and down-link connections for the constant stream of critical data-transfer to the flight-test technicians at Palmdale and Edwards Air Force Base.

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EU clears Airbus Integrated Company
Airbus-Firma von EU genehmigt

On October 18, the European Commission gave the green light to the creation of Airbus Integrated Company (AIC). AIC will manage the civil aircraft operations of EADS, which owns 80 percent of the group, and partner BAE Systems, which holds the remaining 20 percent. Both BAE Systems and EADS, under a deal announced in June, will contribute all their Airbus assets and activities to the new company. "The aim of this change of corporate form is to make Airbus even more efficient and competitive," said Rainer Hertrich and Philippe Camus, co-Chief Executives of EADS, in a statement. "The integrated structure is as important for a transparent and efficient industrial organisation as it is for new projects as the Airbus A3XX." They confirmed that AIC was expected to begin operating in its new form at the start of 2001.

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General Electric to acquire Honeywell
GE übernimmt Honeywell

On October 22, General Electric (GE) and Honeywell announced that GE has agreed to acquire Honeywell in a tax-free merger valued at $45 billion dollars, plus assumed debt. As part of this definitive agreement, Honeywell shareowners will receive 1.055 shares of GE stock in exchange for one share of Honeywell. Along with other customary deal protections, GE will receive an option for 19.9% of Honeywell's outstanding stock. The announcements were made by John F. Welch, Chairman and CEO of GE, and Michael R. Bonsignore, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell. Mr. Bonsignore will become a member of the GE Board of Directors. Two additional Honeywell directors will join Bonsignore on the GE Board.

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Hapag-Lloyd first with 737-800 winglets
Erste 737-800 mit Winglets für Hapag-Lloyd

German carrier Hapag-Lloyd Flug has become the first airline to fly the Boeing 737-800 with blended winglets. The certification test flight took place Sept. 26 in Seattle. The flight is the latest of several significant events involving Hapag-Lloyd and the Boeing 737-800. The airline was the airplane's launch customer in 1998, with 16 orders, and it operates the largest 737-800 fleet in Europe, with 17 airplanes in service and nine more on order. Hapag-Lloyd provided one of its 737-800s as a certification-test airplane for the blended winglet technology. This airplane is expected to go into service early next year, which will make Hapag-Lloyd the first airline to commercially fly a 737-800 with blended winglets. Additional winglets are being retrofitted on Hapag-Lloyd's current fleet of 737-800s through a contract with Aviation Partners Boeing, a joint venture that offers blended winglet technology for in-service Boeing commercial airplanes.
Blended winglets are offered by Boeing on new 737-800s as an option and are installed during production. For Hapag-Lloyd and other customers electing to retrofit winglets, the procedure involves removing the 737-800's wingtip and performing minor structural modifications to the wing before attaching the winglet. The modifications take about two weeks.

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EADS reports first half
Halbjahresergebnisse der EADS

EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company started into life in July 2000 on the back of a sound first half year. The company reported proforma Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT, pre goodwill and exceptional items) of EUR 553 million for the period up to June 30, 2000, according to its first Half-Year Report published in Amsterdam. EADS group revenues for the same period amounted to EUR 10.6 billion. The company formed by a merger of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Aerospatiale Matra and CASA is well on track to deliver what was announced during the initial public offering, which took place on July 10, 2000. Co-CEO Philippe Camus said: "Our fundamentals continued to improve during the first six months of the year confirming our vision that EADS will become a strong leader in the Aerospace and Defence business. The Airbus division revenues and profit recorded for the first half of 2000 establish a strong base for continued improvements coming from the transformation of Airbus into an integrated company." "As our markets show clear growth opportunities and our order backlog will generate a significant increase in revenues and earnings from 2002, we can confirm our target of eight percent EBIT margin in 2004," Hertrich continued. "Moreover, the strong dollar will constitute a favourable environment for even exceeding these profitability goals past the year 2003."
The Airbus division of EADS continued its sound performance during the first half of 2000, with revenues of EUR 6.8 billion and EBIT of EUR 516 million. The aircraft market has proven to be stronger than our expectations with orders for 234 aircraft and deliveries of 145 aircraft in the first half year. The Military Transport Aircraft division recorded revenues of EUR 74 million in the first half year. EBIT was EUR -35 million, as the division's business is not yet benefiting from upcoming programs such as the A400M. The Aeronautics division's order intake attained a high level, particularly at Eurocopter. Four European states have already ordered the NH 90. Series production of the Eurofighter aircraft will start near the end of the year, with first delivery expected at the end of 2001. Revenues of the Aeronautics division reached EUR 1.95 billion in the first six months of 2000, with EBIT of EUR 53 million. Revenues at the Space Systems division were EUR 1.08 billion, and EBIT amounted to EUR 29 million. Major contracts were awarded for three Inmarsat IV, two Intelsat 10 and one Hot Bird 7 satellites, as well as for the production of 20 Ariane launchers, thus confirming the competitiveness of the company's products. The Defence and Civil Systems division recorded revenues of EUR 1.07 billion in the first six months of 2000, leading to EBIT of EUR -62 million. Major contracts for defence export such as Scalp, Mica and Exocet missiles for Greece at the beginning of the current half year and a strong order backlog will be the basis for renewed growth of this business by 2002.
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is setting up a European Works Council. On Monday, the three EADS Human Resources Directors and the Special Negotiating Body representing employees and the trade unions within EADS signed an agreement in Amsterdam establishing the European Works Council as an original and innovative body. The European Works Council will allow a real and permanent social dialogue to be developed within EADS, not only at the Group level but also at the Business Unit and national levels. While the European Works Council will be able to discuss transnational issues with Central Management, associated committees will be constituted as a platform for further dialogue , for example: an Economic Committee, which is to be informed about economic and strategic matters; Subgroup European Committees at the individual Business Units (Airbus, Astrium and Eurocopter) for discussing matters relating to their respective fields; National Committees for France, Germany and Spain for discussing matters of exclusive concern to the respective national companies.

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Shuttle lands at Edwards AFB
ISS-Mission der Discovery endet in Endwards

Discovery glided to a textbook landing under sunny skies at Edwards Air Force Base in California on October 24, completing a successful mission to the International Space Station. The crew spent more than two extra days in space because of unfavorable weather at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and at Edwards. Discovery touched down at 4 p.m. CDT and rolled to a stop on Edward's concrete runway at 4:0l, for a mission elapsed time of 12 days, 21 hours and 43 minutes. The astronauts fired Discovery's orbital maneuvering system engines for the deobrit burn at 2:52 p.m. as the spacecraft was over the Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar and east of Kenya. Discovery felt the first traces of the atmosphere about 78 statute miles over the South Pacific, just south of the Tropic of Capricorn and east of Australia. The spacecraft passed south of Hawaii and crossed the California coast over Los Angeles. By the time it landed at Edwards, Discovery had traveled more than 5.3 million statute miles.
Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pam Melroy and Mission Specialists Leroy Chiao, Bill McArthur, Jeff Wisoff, Mike Lopez-Alegria and NASDA Astronaut Koichi Wakata spent 6 days, 21 hours and 23 minutes docked to the ISS. They left a larger and more complete station that they had helped prepare for the early November arrival of the first station crew. They added two major components, increasing the mass of the ISS by about 10 tons to a total of about 80 tons. In addition to the total of 27 hours, 19 minutes spent outside the station on the four spacewalks, -- two each by Chiao, McArthur, Wisoff and Lopez-Alegria, the astronauts spent 27 hours and 4 minutes inside, completing connections with the new elements and transferring equipment and supplies for the Expedition 1 crew.

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Lufthansa flies nonstop Berlin - Washington
Berlin erhält Nonstop-Transatlantikroute

Lufthansa is commencing nonstop flights between Berlin and Washington at the start of the summer flight schedules 2001. The new service was announced by Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Jürgen Weber at a ceremony in Berlin-Tegel marking the tenth anniversary of the resumption of flights by the airline to the federal capital. Six flights weekly will be flown ex Tegel to the US capital by a Lufthansa long-haul Airbus A340. Bookings for the new nonstop transatlantic connection can be made now. The new Berlin-Washington route not only connects the two capitals. The Washington gateway, one of the major hubs of Star Alliance partner United Airlines, is an ideal springboard for Lufthansa passengers to board convenient flight connections to more than 60 destinations in North America. Jürgen Weber: "We are not just linking two cities - we are opening up North America for Berlin." Launch date for the US flights is Sunday, March 25, when the summer timetable 2001 begins. The Washington LH 414 flights leave Berlin daily, except Saturday, at 11.30 am and arrive in the US capital 14.45 pm local time. Return flights (flight number 415) take off daily (except Friday) at 17.30 pm and touch down in Berlin the following morning because of the time difference at 8.00 am. Lufthansa is embarking on the long-awaited nonstop US connection from Berlin "because the critical mass for such an intercontinental connection viable is ostensibly beginning to emerge following the move to Berlin by the government and a host of institutions", remarked Jürgen Weber. All the same, this decision at the present time is a presumptive stake in Berlin. "We are taking on a high entrepreneurial risk".

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NASA outlines Mars exploration programme
Mars-Forschungspläne der NASA

By means of orbiters, landers, rovers and sample return missions, NASA's revamped campaign to explore Mars is poised to unravel the secrets of the Red Planet 's past environments, the history of its rocks, the many roles of water and, possibly, evidence of past or present life. Six major missions are planned in this decade as part of a scientific tapestry that will weave a tale of new understanding of Earth's sometimes enigmatic and surprising neighbor. The missions are part of a long-term Mars exploration program which has been developed over the past six months. The new program incorporates the lessons learned from previous mission successes and failures, and builds on scientific discoveries from past missions. The NASA-led effort to define the program well into the next decade focused on the science goals, management strategies, technology development and resource availability in an effort to design and implement missions which would be successful and provide a balanced program of discoveries. International participation, especially from Italy and France, will add significantly to the plan. The next step will be an 18-month programmatic systems engineering study to refine the costs and technology needs.
In addition to the previously announced 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter mission and the twin Mars Exploration Rovers in 2003, NASA plans to launch a powerful scientific orbiter in 2005. This mission, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, will focus on analyzing the surface at new scales in an effort to follow the tantalizing hints of water from the Mars Global Surveyor images and to bridge the gap between surface observations and measurements from orbit. For example, the Reconnaissance Orbiter will measure thousands of Martian landscapes at 8-to-12-inch (20-to-30-cm) resolution, good enough to observe rocks the size of beach balls.

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Antonow An-225 ready again next year
Größtes Flugzeug der Welt soll wieder fliegen

The world's largest cargo aircraft, the 250 tonne capacity Antonov An225 'Mriya', is set to become available for commercial service in the second half of 2001. Operated by Antonov Design Bureau, the An225 will be marketed worldwide by Antonov Airlines, the long-term commercial partnership between Antonov and Air Foyle. The giant aircraft, named Mriya (Ukrainian for 'Dream'), was designed and built in the late 1980's by the Kiev based Antonov Design Bureau. Antonov are currently renovating and modernising the original aircraft with a view to gaining a full Airworthiness Certificate for commercial use similar to the type certificate held by the highly successful An124-100 'Ruslan' freighter on which the An225 is based. A small amount of test flying remains to be completed which is planned to commence by the end of this year. It is also planned to launch the aircraft's commercial possibilities on the global charter market with a second appearance at the Paris Air Show next year.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Due to the rising oil prices, Lufthansa will now increase ticket prices for intra-German flights by 4 per cent. Best price for Frankfurt - Munich will be 209 DM instead of 199 DM, for example. Arch-rival Deutsche BA follows suite, with an increase of around the same amount.
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MyAicraft.com, the web trade exchange so far owned by United Technologies, Honeywell and BFGoodrich, has clinched the support of nine of the world's largest airlines, among them American, United and Delta, as well as Britisch Airways and Air France. The new site will offer B2B services like spares, engineering, fuel, inflight meals or stationery. It could handle up to 75 billion Dollars worth of business per year. A rival offering, called AeroExchange, is set up by 13 airlines, including Lufthansa.
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Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company has selected Hamilton Sundstrand, San Diego, Calif., as the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) supplier for the U.S. Air Force's C-5 Galaxy Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). The APU contract value is in excess of $110 million over the life of the program, and includes logistics support. The APS3400 APU is a derivative of a commercial off-the-shelf unit now in service on commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A319, A320 and A321.
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Thomson-CSF Signaal in the Netherlands has played an active role in the three-year feasibility study ordered by The Royal Netherlands and German Navies to explore the possibility of adding a Maritime Tactical Ballistic Missile Defence (MTBMD) capability to their new air defence and command frigates, the LCF and F124. With the feasibility study successfully completed, the Concept Validation Phase (CVP) has now begun. Thomson-CSF is leading the CVP effort in co-operation with EADS Germany. The national laboratories FGAN in Germany and TNO/FEL in the Netherlands are participating in this team. A supporting FMS case assures the contribution of JHU/APL and Raytheon from the USA.
+++
Two unique engines designed to propel America's X-33 into high-speed, suborbital flight in 2003 have been mounted side by side in a Mississippi test stand for qualification firings, now slated for later this year. At NASA's Stennis Space Center, MS, tandem test firings of X-33's Linear Aerospike XRS-2200 engines will begin with short bursts and will eventually lead to full firings for durations needed to send the unpiloted vehicle from a launch pad in California to landings in either Utah or Montana. Fourteen single-engine test firings of an earlier version the unique Aerospike engine, developed by the Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power Unit of the Boeing Company, were successfully completed earlier this year.
+++
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is assembling the first of the longer C-130J Hercules tactical airlifters being acquired by the U.S. Air Force. The USAF's newest transport aircraft has now completed "body mate" at the company's facility in Marietta. The C-130J-30, based on the standard C-130J model, features a fuselage 180 inches longer than the standard C-130J model, providing the greater airlift capability required by many operators. When compared with the standard model, the -30 carries eight 463L pallets rather than six, 97 medical litters instead of 74, and 24 Container Delivery System bundles instead of 16. Most important, the -30 carries 128 combat troops instead of 92, and 92 paratroops instead of 64.
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An Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) produced by Raytheon Company was successfully launched Oct. 24 from a Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor marking a key flight-test milestone for both programs. The launch of this specially instrumented separation test missile was the first of a series of integration test firings and demonstrated the Raptor's stealthy weapons system integration concept for employment of AMRAAM. The launch was conducted over the Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., test range. The test means another of the F-22 program's Year 2000 Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) criteria has been successfully completed. Later this year, Pentagon leaders will make their decision whether to order the F-22 into production based on how the program is proceeding in relation to the DAB criteria.
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Delta Air Lines, the world's largest operator of Boeing 767 airplanes, took delivery of its 100th new Boeing 767 jetliner. The airplane is a 767-400ER (extended range) model, and the sixth 767-400ER to be delivered to the airline this year. By year-end, Delta will introduce 55 new Boeing jetliners including 18 767s into its fleet. "As one of the first airlines to put the 767 into service, Delta has quietly become the largest 767 operator in the world," said John Quinlivan, vice president and general manager of Boeing 767 program. "We want to congratulate Delta on taking delivery of its 100th 767, recognize them for being the largest 767 customer, and thank them for being a long-time Boeing customer." In addition to the 100 new 767s Boeing has delivered to Delta, the airline also has acquired seven additional 767s from other sources. Delta began revenue service with its fleet of 767-400ERs on Oct. 1.
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On October 19, Boeing confirmed that Singapore Airlines has agreed to order six Boeing 747-400 Freighters. Today's announcement, which is subject to the signing of a definitive agreement, has an estimated total value of $1.3 billion at list prices, including spares and spare engines. Delivery for the new freighters is scheduled to begin in September 2002. Once delivered they will join the nine 747-400 Freighters the carrier currently operates. SingaporeAirlines also holds existing firm orders for two 747-400 Freighters. Singapore Airlines also operates 36 747-400 passenger airplanes, with four additional on firm order from previous announcements.
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Boeing recently delivered the first 747-300 Special Freighter to Atlas Air from the Boeing Airplane Services' Wichita, Kan., modification facility. Colorado-based Atlas Air launched the 747-300 modification program in May 2000 with an order for three airplanes. Boeing expects to deliver the remaining two freighters by year-end. Combi airplane freighter modifications require the removal of all passenger features on the airplane as well as the replacement of floor beams, seat tracks and floor panels to strengthen the main deck. Boeing Airplane Services installs additional powered cargo handling, smoke detection and fire suppression systems in the airplane's forward area. The converted 747-300s will be capable of carrying the same volume as 747-200 modified freighters -- 26,600 cubic feet, of which 20,550 cubic feet will be on the main deck. The airplane will be able to carry approximately 235,000 pounds of revenue payload and its range will be approximately 4,200 nautical miles.
+++
Within the framework of the 5th Outline Programme on Research, the European Commission appointed Alenia Aerospazio/Finmeccanica as the leader in two important programmes for the development of new aeronautical technologies aimed at improving air transport safety. This appointment, obtained in a highly innovation-intensive environment characterised by a strong competition, is a further evidence of Italy's potential in joining large European aeronautical projects with qualified functions in crucial sectors. The value of these programmes exceeds 22 billion Lire, funded 50% by the European Commission; Alenia Aerospazio will also participate in one third of the total aeronautical research projects included in the 5th Outline Programme. The two programmes, ADMIRE and ESACS, are meant to achieve a greater aircraft reliability to the advantage of passengers and are part of the "Aeronautics Key Action", that the EU included for the first time among the paramount factors to increase the competitiveness and sustainable development of European industry. Purpose of the ADMIRE programme is that of developing new probabilistic design criteria based on the resistance to damage of aircraft metal structures and on advanced failure detection and evaluation methods. Thanks to ADMIRE, civil aircraft maintenance and inspection plans will be improved, the safety of aircraft structures will be assessed with the utmost accuracy and, above all, the most cost-effective design criteria will be identified, allowing to decrease the weight or extend the operational life of aircraft while maintaining their safety parameters constant. In the ADMIRE programme Alenia is joined by the largest European aerospace companies (EADS, BAE Systems, Eurocopter), as well as by Research Centres and Universities in eight European countries, among which the University of Pisa and the University "Federico II" of Naples. Purpose of the ESACS research programme is that of developing dedicated methodologies and tools for the evaluation of safety and reliability parameters from the very first design phases, and for the reduction of development times. The ESACS programme may apply to Complex Systems regarding not only aircraft but also railway systems, air and ground traffic control systems, etc.
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Pending regulatory and board approvals, GKN plc of the United Kingdom intends to buy The Boeing Company's St. Louis fabrication operations, establish its U.S.-based administrative offices here, and transfer non-Boeing manufacturing work to St. Louis once the transaction is completed. Boeing and GKN reached agreement Oct. 18. The transaction is subject to approval by the Boeing and GKN boards of directors, union approval of a collective bargaining agreement, and certain government approvals. Transfer of ownership is expected to occur by early 2001. Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems President Jerry Daniels said GKN met all of the criteria Boeing had requested of potential buyers. "This is exactly the kind of deal we hoped to reach when we announced our intent to sell fabrication operations last June," Daniels said. "GKN has promised to reduce the cost of the structures it delivers to Boeing; to commit to St. Louis on a long-term basis; to work with our existing unions; to maintain pay and benefits comparable to those Boeing employees make now; to bring in outside, non-Boeing work; and to invest in new technology, process improvements and other capabilities." About 1,500 Boeing employees currently work in St. Louis fabrication operations. GKN estimates it initially will employ about 1,200 of them. Although there will be some initial job reductions, this divestiture ultimately will increase the volume of fabrication work and the number of aerospace jobs in St. Louis, Daniels said.
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Gulfstream Aerospace will provide five Gulfstream C-37A aircraft to the U.S. Air Force in a $477 million lease and support service agreement. This multi-year aircraft lease pilot program will supply additional aircraft for the Department of Defense regional Commander- in-Chief (CINC) mission and maintenance support services for up to 10 years. The first two special mission C-37A's -- the U.S. military designation for the Gulfstream V, the world's first ultra-long range business jet -- will be delivered to the Air Force in July and August 2001. The remaining three aircraft will be delivered by September 2003. "This innovative and cost-effective acquisition of additional C-37A's will significantly reduce operating and support costs for the CINC support mission," said Bill Boisture, Gulfstream's president and chief operating officer. "The C-37A's will replace large transports, which due to their age, high cost of operations and operational restrictions, are no longer suitable for the mission." The U.S. armed forces have six fully outfitted C-37A aircraft in service today. The aircraft are being used to provide fast, safe and reliable worldwide transportation for Cabinet members, members of Congress, senior government officials and military leaders. One of these aircraft, delivered in February 2000, is the first to support the CINC mission.
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EADS-Sogerma, a unit of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Company, and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), announced today the signing of a joint venture to pursue the repair, maintenance and overhaul (MRO) of large commercial aircraft. Under the agreement, EADS-Sogerma, as the majority investor, will lead the operations of EADS Aeroframe Services, LLC, which will be based in Lake Charles. Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, the co-chief executive officers of EADS, said, "With the EADS-Sogerma and Northrop Grumman joint venture, EADS is enlarging and strengthening its presence in the U.S. aerospace market. This is another proof of our commitment to further develop trans-Atlantic ties and to deepen European and U.S. industrial cooperation."
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Abdellah Sbai has been appointed Vice President Sales of Airbus for Northern Africa, Middle East and Western Asia. He succeeds Habib Fekih, who has been promoted Head of Sales and Business Development. Abdellah Sbai was previously Area Sales Director in charge of severalArab countries.
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Jean Pierson, retired chief executive of Airbus Industrie, who led the firm's meteoric rise to become one of only two manufacturers of large commercial aircraft in the world, was presented the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award by The Wings Club. Pierson, 59, is the first Frenchman to receive the award since it was first presented to General James H. Doolittle in 1975. The Silver Anniversary edition of the award was presented before an audience of over a thousand aviation industry leaders and guests.
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Rolls-Royce has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with DaimlerChrysler Aviation, Inc. worth up to US$5,000,000 for maintenance on Rolls-Royce BR 710, Rolls-Royce Tay and Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines. Included in the contract are overall engine maintenance, repair and refurbishment, technical assistance, field service, lease engines and spare parts management. The BR 710 powers the Bombardier Global Express, the Gulfstream V, and will power the new Gulfstream V-SP
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On October 21, Sea Launch, the multinational ocean-based launch services company, successfully launched the heaviest commercial payload in history, the Thuraya-1 mobile communications satellite. The Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off from the Odyssey Launch Platform at 10:52 p.m. PDT, from the equatorial launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude. The 11,260-pound (5,108 kg) Thuraya satellite was delivered to geosynchronous transfer orbit approximately two hours and 22 minutes after liftoff. Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS - formerly Hughes Space and Communications) built the HS-GEM model spacecraft for Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Foollowing liftoff, the Russian- and Ukrainian-built launch vehicle headed downrange to the east on its ascent to geosynchronous transfer orbit. All systems onboard the three-stage rocket performed nominally. The Block DM upper stage separated from the satellite 1,388 miles above South America. BSS acquired a signal from the satellite some 22 minutes later at a ground station in Fucino, Italy.
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The two partner companies, EADS Deutschland GmbH and Thomson-CSF Comsys, have scored a resounding success on the German-French market for aircraft identification systems. The Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has awarded a production contract including a further option for IFF transponder onboard systems (worth Euro 160 million) to the Franco-German joint venture European Identification Systems GmbH/Munich-Unterschleißheim. This was reported by EADS on Thursday. The new firm is a joint venture in which EADS and Thomson-CSF hold a fifty percent stake each. On account of a requirement of European Air Traffic Control and a subsequently launched German-French programme, the armed forces of both nations will equip their aircraft with a new generation of IFF transponders (IFF = identification friend or foe). This bilateral programme runs under the stewardship of the BWB. Thomson-CSF Comsys, with facilities in Colombes and Laval, and EADS, represented by their Defence Electronics and Telecommunications Business Unit, with plants in Friedrichshafen, Ulm and Unterschleißheim, will jointly produce the new generation of IFF transponder onboard systems.
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Spain is buying six new Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopters in a contract that also includes upgrades to the six SH-60B aircraft already serving the Spanish Navy. The Foreign Military Sale (FMS) was announced by the U.S. Defense Department. Under the FMS, the U.S. Navy will buy the aircraft for the Spanish Navy. The $77.4 million firm-fixed-price contract is for the production of six SH-60B Block I airframes, six Block I upgrade kits, six armed helicopter kits and two spare left-hand extended pylon wings. Under the contract, Sikorsky will install one Block I kit and one armed helicopter kit and assist with the installation of a second Block I kit and armed helicopter kit. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn. (80%) and Rota, Spain (20%) and is expected to be completed by March 2004.
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Lufthansa is still breaking records: In the first nine months of the year 2000, the Group carried more passengers, transported more freight and mail, and improved utilisation in all traffic regions compared with the first three-quarter term in the previous year. September was the historic top month of passenger traffic. Passenger numbers rose by 7.5 per cent 35.5 million. Of the total passenger count, 31.2 million (plus 6.3 per cent) flew with Lufthansa German Airlines and 4.3 million (plus 17.0 per cent) with Lufthansa CityLine. Capacities in the Group fleet were extremely well utilised: The seat load factor accordingly rose by 1.8 percentage points to a peak of 75.2 per cent. September was especially successful: The Group managed to sell nearly 80 per cent - exactly 79.8 per cent - of seat capacity offered, a first in Lufthansa's history. Freight business over the first nine months was no less positive. Lufthansa Cargo carried 3.9 per cent more freight and mail, lifting the nine-month total to 1,326,786 tonnes. Capacity utilisation was up by 0.2 percentage points to 67.4 per cent.
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EADS, Europe's premier aerospace group will assist Thailand with a high-performance radar system. Dornier GmbH, a group company of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, EADS, has won a contract worth millions from the Thai Air Force. Under this contract, reconnaissance and surveillance flights will be performed with an airborne SAR radar system (Synthetic Aperture Radar) which makes it possible to survey the Earth's surface at day and night and through a cloud cover. The EADS Business Unit Defence Electronics and Telecommunications, which is responsible for this contract, will start flight operations in northern Thailand at the end of October.
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Previous updates are still available:
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*October 15, 2000 *October 8, 2000 *October 1, 2000

*September 24, 2000 *September 17, 2000 *September 10, 2000 *September 3, 2000

*August 27, 2000 *August 20, 2000 *August 13, 2000 *August 6, 2000

*January to July 2000 *January to December 1999 *January to December 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

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