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UPDATE 
Week ending December 10, 2000
+++ Swiss Air Force selects the CASA C-295 +++ AH-1Z Super Cobra completes first flight +++ Korea team evaluates Eurofighter Typhoon +++ Alliance between Diehl and Saab +++ Germany to stay with MEADS +++ News in brief +++

Swiss Air Force selects the CASA C-295
C-295 Transporter von der Schweiz gewählt

The Military Transport Aircraft Division of EADS welcomes the confirmation that the Swiss Chief of Armament, Toni Wicki, had decided to select the C-295 as military transport aircraft to be proposed to Parliament as part of procurement bill 2001. The selection process took into account the results of the evaluation along with budgetary and security policy aspects. The contract signature for two C-295 and Full In Service Support (FISS) from EADS CASA is expected in October 2001 with deliveries scheduled for 2003. The lower cost of the C-295 was finally the driving factor for its selection against the C27J. This decision reveals, once again, that the C-295 is the most cost effective option for a medium-size airlifter. The Spanish Air Force is the launching customer for CASA's C-295 with nine aircraft ordered. With this decision, the Swiss Air Force will become the first export customer of the C-295.

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AH-1Z Super Cobra completes first flight
Erstflug der Bell AH-1Z

The USMarine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Super Cobra, successfully made its first flight on December 7 at the Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas facility. "Today's first flight marks a major milestone for the AH-1Z Super Cobra and for the entire H-1 Upgrade program team," said Navy Capt. Tom Curtis, H-1 program manager (PMA-276, USMC Attack and Light Utility Helicopter Programs). "Z1's first flight represents the culmination of four years of initial development work and begins an entirely new phase for the H-1 team." Z1 is scheduled to be flown to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. in March 2001 as the next step in a 30-month flight-test program totaling approximately 1,300 hours to validate the AH-1Z's and UH-1Y's flying qualities and performance. The next two AH-1Zs (Z2 and Z3) and the first two UH-1Ys (Y1 and Y2) will follow within the year. Both government and contractor personnel will fly and maintain these new helicopters during an integrated developmental test program. Since the AH-1Z and UH-1Y are fielded, deployed, flown and fought together, linking the test points allows early identification and correction of any problems found during the test program. The flight test program should be completed by summer 2003.

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Korea team evaluates Eurofighter Typhoon
Eurofighter-Testflug für südkoreanischen Piloten

At EADS CASA's Getafe facilities, Brig. Gen. Shin Bo Hyun, Commander of the F-X Test and Evaluation Group of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), took off in DA6, the twinseater development aircraft of the Eurofighter Typhoon built by EADS in collaboration with BAe Systems and Alenia. This was a demo flight for the commander of F-X Evaluation Group, ROKAF, and took place just after major lay-up of the development aircraft in which avionics and radar were updated and received a new software release. During the briefing prior to the flight, Brig. Gen. Shin Bo Hyun was very interested in the general cabin lay-up as well as the different presentations of the displays. Brig. Gen. Shin expressed his enthusiasm to the EADS CASA pilot regarding the handling characteristics, agility, roll rate and overall performance. This was an historic occasion since Gen. Shin Bo Hyun was the first non-European pilot to fly the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Eurofighter Typhoon, the next generation swing-role aircraft has been shortlisted by the Korean MND for their F-X programme. ROKAF plans to acquire a first batch of 40 aircraft to cover their needs during the first quarter of the 21st century.
The flight of Brig. Gen. Shin preceded by only a few days a complete Test and Evaluation effort to be conducted by his team of 12 pilots and engineers in BAe Systems (Warton, UK), Alenia (Turin, Italy) and EADS CASA (Getafe, Spain). The ROKAF Test and Evaluation flight programme will start next Wednesday December 6 in the EADS CASA facility in Getafe near Madrid, using the same DA6 twinseater development aircraft of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

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Alliance between Diehl and Saab
Saab und Diehl arbeiten zusammen

Diehl Corporation, Nuremberg, the German system house for guided missiles, will in the future co-operate with SAAB Bofors Dynamics, Karlskoga, the leading high-tech company in Northern Europe, in the development and production of anti-ship missiles. For the present integration/verification phase of the RBS15 Mk3-project and for theproduction delivery and maintenance of the missiles, as well as for future upgrades, the two companies will work together. SAAB will be system leader and Diehl, as German prime contractor, will be responsible for the final assembly and test of the missiles at Diehl's Maasberg location. Diehl will also be responsible for the maintenance of the missiles. The Diehl companies BGT, Diehl Ammunition and Junghans Feinwerktechnik will be responsible for the delivery of certain subsystems to the missiles. The co-operation agreement with SAAB is another success of Diehl's strategy to retain and further expand German know-how and jobs in the field of guided missiles through strategic alliances. Moreover, the co-operation agreement ensures the German missile industry's independence and strengthens Germany's position as a high-tech centre. SAAB will support Diehl with technology so that production and maintenance can be moved to Germany. Thus Diehl will be able to act as the point-of-contact for the German Navy in all system matters.

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Germany to stay with MEADS
Scharping für das MEADS-Programm

It is expected that a Memorandum of Understanding on the three-year Risk Reduction Effort portion of the MEADS program can be signed soon after German Defence Minister Rudolph Scharping has apparently overruled his acquisition chief and promised U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen that Germany would join the United States and Italy in the next phase of the trinational Medium Extended Air Defense System effort. For more than four years, the three countries have struggled to develop MEADS, which would be a mobile air and missile defense system. Scharping's decision to join the effort comes after German acquisition chief Walther Stuetzle in a Nov. 26 letter informed Pentagon policy chief Walt Slocombe that Germany would not participate in the next phase of the program. Stuetzle explained that it remains unclear whether the system would address the nation's future air defense needs and that the ballistic missile threat facing the country remains limited. As a result, new "solutions" to the requirement should be considered, Stuetzle added. Earlier this year, Germany considered dropping out of the program as officials wrestled over how best to pay for MEADS as well as a series of other major modernization efforts. Other factors included uncertain estimates of MEADS' eventual total cost, and poorly-defined Luftwaffe air defense requirements. As a result, Scharping was reluctant to ask his parliament for the funding needed for the upcoming program phase.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The first full Phase III simulator in Europe for Bombardier Aerospace's new CRJ700 Series regional jet is now in place and being prepared for service beginning in March 2001 at the Berlin-Schonefeld Lufthansa CityLine Simulator and Training Centre. The centre is a joint partnership between Bombardier, Lufthansa CityLine and simulator manufacturer CAE. Opened in 1991, it is also Europe's leading training centre for the CRJ100/200 models. Once operational, the CRJ700 simulator will provide crew training for Lufthansa CityLine pilots destined for duty on the airline's 20 CRJ700 Series aircraft. It is anticipated that other air carriers will choose to contract the Berlin-based CRJ700 simulator for their pilot training needs. Orders for the 70- to 78-seat CRJ700 now total 182 from 10 customers in Europe, North America and Asia.
+++
Aero Services Executive has become the first French company to select an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), consolidating the aircraft's customer base in Europe. The ACJ will be the first available for executive charter flights from Paris, becoming the top-of-the-line offering in the Aero Services Executive business aircraft fleet, which is based at Le Bourget. Aero Services is due to receive the outfitted aircraft in summer 2001. "We pride ourselves on helping our customers to make better use of their time and money, and the ACJ, with the best cabin in its class and 29 seats, will enable us to transport larger groups in unprecedented comfort over longer distances," says Aero Services Executive Managing Director Philippe d'Aprile. "Our passengers will also benefit from the latest in satellite-based communications."
+++
British Airways franchisee British Mediterranean Airways has announced it will acquire two A321-200s to begin offering non-stop scheduled services from London to Tehran - a distance of over 2,380nm/4,400km. Deliveries of the aircraft, which are British Mediterranean's first A321s, are scheduled for February and March 2002. The single aisle A321s, like British Mediterranean's fleet of four A320s, will be powered by V2500 engines from International Aero Engines. The new airliners will each be fitted with an ACT (additional centre tank), enabling them to fly the longest scheduled commercial routes ever undertaken with an aircraft from the A320 Family. In British Mediterranean's configuration, the aircraft will seat 149 passengers in a spacious 2-class layout.
+++
Transaero has taken delivery of its first Airbus aircraft, an A310-300, becoming a new Airbus operator in Russia. The Moscow-based carrier joins some 190 airlines worldwide currently flying over 2,350 aircraft from Airbus' product range. Transaero operates the aircraft under an operating lease agreement arranged by Airbus Asset Management Division. It will use the European widebody-twin to enhance its service on routes from Moscow to Tel Aviv, London, Frankfurt and Almaty. In the airline's spacious configuration, the A310 will seat 36 passengers in business class and 150 in economy, and is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines.
+++
Flying as many as five flights a day in the last week, the Boeing Joint Strike Fighter X-32A concept demonstrator aircraft has successfully completed low-speed approach aircraft carrier variant (CV) tests -- one of the government's three main program objectives. Since the aircraft's first flight on Sept. 18, the X-32A has made a total of 33 flights, with both Boeing and government pilots at the controls, demonstrating CV low-speed handling characteristics. As of today, Boeing has completed 50 percent of the government-defined X-32A flight-test objectives. Boeing CV accomplishments include 97 approaches and 74 actual touch downs, as well as numerous "wave-offs," throttle transients and integrated test blocks including roll response and speed stability during the field carrier landing practice (FCLP) tests. Conducted on the outline of a carrier deck superimposed on a runway, FCLPs are designed to demonstrate flying and handling qualities during simulated low-speed aircraft carrier approach.
+++
The U.S. Air Force successfully launched an Atlas 2AS rocket Dec. 5 at 9:47 p.m. EST. The payload it lofted into space is a satellite designed, built and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Spacecraft separation occurred flawlessly about 30 minutes after liftoff. The launch team comprised representatives from agencies including the 45th Space Wing here; the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.; the NRO, Chantilly, Va.; Lockheed Martin, Denver, Colo.; and International Launch Services, McLean, Va. The 3rd Space Launch Squadron oversees Atlas launch operations at the Cape for the 45th Space Wing.
++
A Pound 260 million contract for a mid-life update of the Royal Navy's Seawolf missile system has been awarded to Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS), securing over 1000 jobs at AMS and its sub-contractors in the United Kingdom, Defence Procurement Minister Baroness Symons announced. Baroness Symons said: "This is excellent news, both for the Royal Navy and for British industry. The Seawolf short range air defence system, fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 22 and Type 23 frigates, was battle proven in the Falklands and Gulf campaigns. The mid-life update will bring improved system performance, keeping Seawolf at the forefront of ship missile system technology and allow it to meet emerging threats well into the future.
+++
The US DoD awarded a two-year, $72 million contract Dec. 6 to a Maryland firm for unlimited use of its global, satellite-based, secure telephone network. The contract was awarded through the Defense Information Systems Agency to Iridium Satellite LLC (IS) of Arnold, Md., which will contract with the Boeing Co. to operate and maintain the system's 73 satellites. According to Dave Oliver, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, the contract will give DoD increased communications ability around the globe and a conduit to private-sector innovation. Under the contract, DoD will pay a $3 million monthly service fee for unlimited airtime for 20,000 government users over the Iridium satellite network. Contract options, if exercised, could increase the contract value to $252 million and extend the contract period to 2007.
+++
On December 6, Agusta delivered the 100th A109 Power to Austrian customer SchenkAir. The helicopter will be operated in an EMS configuration. More than 35 aeromedical A109 Power have been purchase by 16 operators and are either presently in service or will soon begin operations. The military version has won order for 30 aircraft from South Africa while the police version is in service with US, Italian and UK police forces. The Power, certainly the most stylish helicopters on the market, has also set the standard for VIP/Corporate application with more than 80 customers all around the world.
+++
Israel Aircraft Industries/MBT Division announces the launch of its EROS A1 satellite by the Russian Start-1 launcher. Early reports indicate a successful launch into orbit. EROS-A1 satellite carries a high-resolution electro-optical camera that will make commercial digital imagery services available to users around the world. MBT's EROS A1 is the first in a series of satellites in a multi-phase program delivered to ImageSat International, a joint venture, in which IAI, American and European investors are partners. Last month, IAI/MBT teams arrived in Svobodny, the Russian launch site, to prepare the satellite for launch and direct the entire launch campaign. The satellite was launched 5 December, 2000 at 12:32 GMT, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). In this polar orbit, the satellite circles the earth over its poles every 94 minutes and crosses the equator, maintaining the same local time. SSO gives the satellite total coverage of the earth for various imaging tasks. Once in orbit, EROS A1 will undergo a series of tests by MBT's engineers to verify its operation and performance capabilities. These in-orbit tests are expected to last about a month.
+++
The SAirGroup has named Hans Reischl to its Advisory Board. Mr. Reischl (61) is Chairman of the German travel group REWE and designated Chairman of LTU. The SAirGroup Advisory Board was created in 1999 to serve the Group's regular Board of Directors in a consultative capacity. The Advisory Board now consists of 18 members from six different countries.
+++
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $104 million modification to a pre-existing contract to begin the third phase of low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile, according to an Army spokesperson. Also known as LRIP II, the modification will cover the production of 40 missiles, 26 training rounds, and six launcher modification kits and nine fire solution computers to upgrade existing Army Patriot launchers to fire the PAC-3 missile, the spokesperson said. Boeing provides the seeker and Raytheon, the Patriot system prime contractor, is the system integrator for the PAC-3 missile segment.
+++
Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES) of Luxembourg, the operator of Europe's leading ASTRA direct-to-home (DTH) Satellite System, has ordered its 10th satellite from the world's largest satellite manufacturer, Boeing Satellite Systems, formerly Hughes Space and Communications Company. The satellite, ASTRA 3A, is a high-power Boeing 376HP model spacecraft and is scheduled for launch in 2002. The contract also includes launch services and ground station control software. The launch provider under this delivery-in-orbit contract will be announced at a later date, and financial terms were not disclosed. ASTRA 3A will augment SES's existing fleet of 13 to help meet growing demand for digital satellite services. The payload consisting of 24 Ku-band transponders, 20 active, will provide high-power DTH services to the German-speaking markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland from SES's new orbital position of 23.5 degrees East longitude. The ASTRA 3A satellite will have a contracted service life of at least 10 years. Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. (SES) is the operator of ASTRA, Europe's leading direct-to-home satellite system. Via 10 satellites at the orbital positions of 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East, ASTRA transmits in analog and digital more than 1,030 different television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services to an audience of close to 80 million homes in Europe.
+++
Rockwell International Corporation has announced that its board of directors has approved in principle the tax-free spin-off of its Rockwell Collins avionics and communications business unit to shareowners. The result of this transaction will be the creation of two strong, publicly-traded companies, each focused on its own customers, products and markets. "As stand-alone, world renowned companies with leading market positions and outstanding employees, we believe these businesses will be better able to enhance their strategic positions, serve their customers and create value for their shareowners," said Don H. Davis, Rockwell's chairman and chief executive officer. "Moreover, we are taking this initiative from a position of strength. Both businesses performed exceptionally well in fiscal 2000. Rockwell Collins achieved record sales, captured new business in key commercial and military markets, continued to expand aviation electronic content on all platforms, and strengthened its leadership position in promising markets for In-Flight Entertainment and advanced cockpit display solutions. This success has translated into a compound average annual growth rate in sales in excess of 14 percent over the last five years."
+++
After James McNerney departed GE for the chairman and chief executive job at 3M, the company has swiftly named David Calhoun as new president and CEO of GE Aircraft Engines. He was previously chief operating officer.
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Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen sind weiter abrufbar:

*December 3, 2000

*November 26, 2000 *November 19, 2000 *November 12, 2000 *November 5, 2000

*October 29, 2000 *October 15, 2000 *October 8, 2000 *October 1, 2000

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

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

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Last updated 9 December 2000
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