FLUG REVUE update: Week ending August 12, 2001

U
P
D
A
T
E

UPDATE

Week ending August 12, 2001

+++ Australia chooses Tiger +++ Airline traffic weakens +++ Bombardier ASTOR makes first flight +++ Ariane 5 fault found +++ EADS order intake increases strongly +++ News in brief +++

Australia chooses Tiger
Eurocopter siegt in Australien

Eurocopter International Pacific has been selected as the tenderer to advance to the tender development stage of Project Air 87, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters. Eurocopter has offered the French/German 'Tiger' to meet the Australian requirement which was issued in mid December last year following the publication of the White Paper. The company and Defence will now enter into detailed development of the tender. When the contract for the 22 helicopters is finalised it will be worth about $1.3 billion and will create up to 150 jobs during the assembly phase from mid 2002 to mid 2006. Eurocopter has proposed that assembly and deeper maintenance will be carried out in Queensland. This project will give Australia a new level of industry capability for the maintenance and support of leading edge technology. Importantly, some of the components produced in Australia will be exported and thus give Australia entry to the worldwide supply chain for Eurocopter. Air 87 has been a lead project in the overall reform of acquisition processes, designed to reduce the costs of tendering and to accelerate the introduction of new equipment into service. The first of the armed reconnaissance helicopters are scheduled to enter service by the end of 2004. The 'Tiger' will be equipped with leading edge technology in its sensors, data links and communications and provide a major new capability for Army. Their flexibility and ability to deploy at short notice and operate in diverse circumstances represents a revolution in the Australian Army's operations. Eurocopter has proposed this production line be established in Queensland. It will produce between 30 - 50 helicopters per year for the Australian, New Zealand and Asian markets. This production line will have a turnover of about $50 million dollars per year and employ approximately 30 people.

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

Airline traffic weakens
Fluggesellschaften spüren Konjunkturschwäche

Passenger traffic growth on the international scheduled services of IATA airlines fell from a 'year on year' rate of around 10 percent in January, to little more than 1 percent in June - giving a cumulative rate of slightly less than 3 percent for the first 6 months. After negligible growth in Jan-Mar, freight traffic actually declined for the next three months, to give a cumulative rate of growth of minus 3 percent for the first 6 months. During the first six months of 2001, total traffic (passengers plus freight) grew by only 0.5 percent, against a total capacity increase of 4.0 percent (these figures do not appear on the summary table, below). "These figures point to a worrisome evaporation of traffic growth," said IATA Director General & CEO Pierre J. Jeanniot. "Unless IATA Members are able to drastically curtail their capacity growth during the next few months and further control their costs, all prospect of profitability for the year 2001 will quickly disappear."

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

Bombardier ASTOR makes first flight
ASTOR fliegt in Wichita

The first flight of a Bombardier Global Express in ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) configuration took place on Friday, 3rd August, at Bombardier's Flight Test Center (BFTC) in Wichita, Kansas. ASTOR is the UK Ministry of Defence's new, highly sophisticated, long range airborne surveillance system which will be carried on board Bombardier Global Express aircraft. It is scheduled to enter service in 2005. The development aircraft took off from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport at 9:05 AM and flew for 3 hours and 18 minutes, conducting a series of tests at altitudes up to 25,000 feet (7,620 m) and speeds up to 250 knots (288 mph, 463 km/h.). It was crewed by Bombardier Flight Test Center pilot Mark Schlegel, co-pilot Pete Reynolds and flight test engineer Scott Runyan.
Dr Richard Anderson, Raytheon's VP of Air Ground Surveillance Systems, commented, "The maiden flight of the aerodynamic validation aircraft is a critical milestone for Raytheon and the ASTOR programme. This flight of over three hours proved the engineering design efforts that had led to this momentous event." Aircraft 9001 is the Bombardier Global Express development aircraft that has now been fitted with the various external shapes and other aerodynamic modifications that will be installed on the production ASTOR aircraft. The trials are intended to validate the aerodynamic assumptions of the ASTOR-configured Bombardier Global Express. The aerodynamic modifications include a canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage, which will house the dual-mode radar antenna, a radome on the upper fuselage to house the Satcom antenna, a "bullet-fairing extension" on the vertical stabiliser and delta fins under the aft fuselage. The flight trials will continue into second quarter 2002. The first production aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to Raytheon's Greenville, Texas, facility in 2002, where the airframe modifications and systems integration will be carried out. Subsequent aircraft will be modified and equipped by Raytheon Systems Limited in the UK.

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

Ariane 5 fault found
Bericht über Ariane 5-Fehler vorgelegt

The Inquiry Board appointed to investigate the malfunction of Ariane 5's EPS upper stage during Flight 142 submitted its report to Arianespace on August 1. As requested, the board pinpointed the causes for the anomaly and recommended corrective measures. All of the recommendations have been accepted, and they will be applied as quickly as possible. Arianespace is now targeting the next Ariane 5 launch for late November, a delay of approximately two months compared to the initial schedule for this mission.
The board's findings confirmed that all processing and countdown operations for Flight 142 proceeded nominally, as did the Ariane 5's flight prior to ignition of the upper stage's Aestus engine. The Inquiry Board's report identified a combustion instability during the Aestus engine's ignition. The resulting degraded engine combustion conditions led to a lower than normal thrust output. In addition, these conditions also resulted in the premature depletion of one of the propellants, which in turn caused the engine to shut down earlier than normal. Te strong pressure variation responsible for the combustion instability at Aestus engine ignition is attributed to a dynamic hydraulic coupling between the upper stage's propellant feed system and the engine's combustion chamber internal circuits. A part of its investigation, the inquiry board clearly ruled out any link between the Ariane 5's upper stage malfunction and the operation of propulsion systems on the Ariane 4 launch vehicle.
The Inquiry Board made the following recommendations: The hydraulic conditions that occur during Aestus engine ignition should be dynamically modeled mathematically; The upper stage's ignition phase improved to make it steadier and smoother; the qualification criteria adapted to the modified ignition phase; the test benches adapted to more closely duplicate flight conditions; the in-flight operating margins demonstrated by an engine test program; the next flight engines should be qualified according to these new criteria. Arianespace accepted all of these recommendations. Arianespace will apply them as quickly as possible, coordinated with the manufacturers concerned.
Based on the timely application of this action plan, Arianespace now expects the next Ariane 5 launch to take place in late November. This would be a delay of about two months compared with the initial schedule.

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

EADS order intake increases strongly
Hoher Auftragseingang bei EADS

EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company reports a successful first half- year in 2001 with order intake rising sharply to EUR 42.8 billion (first half year 2000: EUR 24.0 billion). This order intake continues to be substantially higher than revenues in the same period. Total order backlog reached EUR 185 billion at the end of June 2001, an increase of 56% from June 2000 and of 9% from March 2001. The increase is mainly attributable to the full consolidation of Airbus since the beginning of the year and to the aircraft manufacturer's strong order intake, including 155 orders for commercial aircraft received during the Paris Air Show. Orders received by the end of June included 38 firm orders for the A380 superjumbo (currently: 48 firm orders). The EADS order backlog is equivalent to more than six years of business and is the highest in the aerospace and defence industry worldwide. It provides a solid foundation for EADS' profitable growth prospects. The rise in revenues was generated mainly through the first-time 100% consolidation of Airbus (80% prior to 2001), the increase of deliveries at Airbus and the stronger US-Dollar. Revenues also rose in all other divisions but Space.

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

NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On 9 August, the first A318 prototype, the newest and smallest member of the Airbus single-aisle family, entered the single-aisle final assembly line in Hamburg, marking another milestone in the history of Airbus. "It is an exciting moment," said Gerhard Puttfarcken, senior vice president single aisle programme. "Manufacturing has been progressing on time and smoothly so final assembly is starting right onschedule." The first step in final assembly is joining the front and rear fuselage sections, coming respectively from St-Nazaire, France, and Hamburg, Germany. Twelve days later, the fuselage will be moved and will acquire its wings, landing gear and engine pylons. This will be followed by the addition of the horizontal and vertical tail planes, and tail cone. In September, a brand new engine, the PW6000 from Pratt and Whitney will be fitted to the first aircraft as well as a number of test equipment. A CFM International engine, developed from an existing series of power plant will also become available for the A318 in 2002. This will be followed by two months of tests specific for a first aircraft in development. These tests prepare certification and ensure the aircraft meets specifications.
+++
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) is extending its relationship with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, building on a long-term partnership that started with Kawasaki's risk-sharing participation in MD Explorer development. A recently signed agreement calls for Kawasaki to build and deliver 46 transmissions for MD Explorer helicopters through 2002. Deliveries for 2003 and beyond are being discussed and will be finalized in the near future.
+++
Another successful milestone for the U.S. Navy's Harpoon Block II program has been achieved. USS Decatur, an Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer, launched a single Harpoon Block II missile against a simulated SA-10 radar target located on San Nicholas Island at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Pt. Mugu, CA. This event marked completion of Developmental Test (DT) II for the program. In this test, the missile successfully demonstrated its coastal target suppression capabilities for the first time. Following its preplanned engagement profile with three enroute waypoints, the missile skimmed across the sea and performed a terminal pop-up maneuver prior to making a steep dive angle attack. The missile scored a direct hit on the target, striking just behind the radar antenna panel during this GPS aided shot. The third and final Harpoon Block II developmental test shot is tentatively scheduled for late October 2001 using a simulated surface ship target located close to shoreline.
+++
Astronaut Robert D. Cabana has been named NASA's Director, Human Space Flight Programs, Russia, effective Aug. 8. He assumes this role at a time when the International Space Station (ISS), while still under construction, has become self-reliant, and larger and more capable than any other space station in history. Cabana will act as Deputy to both the ISS Program Manager and the Director of the Johnson Space Center, Houston, with full authority to represent both in all matters pertaining to NASA human space flight activities in Russia.
+++
The U.S. Air Force has ordered a C-40 aircraft from Boeing to begin replacement of the Air National Guard's C-22B aircraft. This is the second C-40 aircraft ordered by the USAF under the contract established with Boeing in February 2001. With an interior configuration identical to the C-40B platform, the aircraft will be used to improve the Air National Guard's capability for rapid response to team travel and special air mission tasking. The USAF can order up to five additional C-40 aircraft under the terms of its contract with Boeing. C-40 aircraft are based on a newer model of the 737-series aircraft.
+++
Emirates, the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, has placed a firm order for two more A330-200s, for delivery in July and August 2002. The deal reinforces Emirates' position as the largest A330 airline customer in the world, as well as its role as the biggest Airbus client in the Middle East. The new A330s will join Emirates' existing fleet on services to Europe, Africa, Asia and within the Middle East. Like the rest of the Emirates A330-200 fleet, the new aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772s. The two new A330-200s will seat 237 passengers, in first, business and economy class.
+++
Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems Sector (ISS) will perform the first flight demonstration of a sonic boom mitigated by airframe shaping as part of a cooperative industry and government effort under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program. The flight test will use a Northrop Grumman F-5E aircraft with a modified forward fuselage to produce a specially shaped sonic boom that is expected to be noticeably quieter than a conventional sonic boom produced minutes earlier by an unmodified F-5E. This "back-to-back" test approach is intended to highlight the effect that aircraft shaping can have on the mitigation of sonic booms. The flight demonstration work, expected to be completed by September 2002, will involve all government and industry QSP participants because it is considered a key overall program enabler and risk-reducer. DARPA's QSP program is designed to lay the foundation for efficient and capable long-range supersonic cruise aircraft that will operate with a less intense sonic boom and reduced takeoff and landing noise. The QSP program is focused on the validation of multiple breakthrough technologies to enable such an aircraft. DARPA awarded multiple initial contracts last year to industry, government laboratories and universities.
+++
Embraer announced today the signing of a contract with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for the supply of 76 ALXs (Light Attack Aircraft). The model is a derivative of the Super Tucano and 23 options were logged as well. The new aircraft, configured as single-seat or tandem two-seat, is designed for training and operational missions in the Amazon region, and the first delivery is planned for 2003. Currently, a number of air forces around the world are evaluating the Super Tucano, being foreseeable that with the contract consolidation with the Brazilian government, the international career of the aircraft is prone to take effect.. The FAB selected the ALX certainly because it is the current multi-mission aircraft that presents the best performance for both training and operational missions, as well as featuring the best costs, benefits and quality like no other in its category.
+++
CAE announced it has signed a contract with Eurofighter Simulation Systems GmbH valued at C$40 million for the Eurofighter Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA) program. ASTA will support the introduction to service and future training requirements of the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet across the four partner nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Under the terms of the contract, CAE will develop and deliver the synthetic environment simulation for a total of 27 training devices, including Full Mission Simulators (FMS), Cockpit Trainer/ Interactive Pilot Stations (CT/IPS) and other ancillary devices. CAE will also participate in the installation and integration of the training devices at the German Air Force's Eurofighter Main Operating Bases (MOB). The first MOB at Laage, Germany, is scheduled to be ready for training in 2004. This contract is in addition to CAE's selection last June as the preferred supplier for the C$170 million Eurofighter visual systems, bringing the total contract value under this ASTA program to C$210 million. "The synthetic environment simulation developed by CAE will enable Eurofighter crews to train under the most advanced, challenging and realistic tactical scenarios," said Donald W. Campbell, Executive Vice President, Military Simulation and Training, CAE. CAE will use its internally developed STRIVE and ITEMS software as the foundation for developing distributed simulations and synthetic tactical environments. This environment will prepare Eurofighter pilots to react to threats and engage targets while also training on the handling characteristics of the aircraft.
+++
Eurofighter GmbH has been awarded a contract for the provision of an Industrial Exchange and Repair Service (IERS) for Eurofighter Typhoon airborne equipment. The contract is valued in the region of DM 1.5 billion. IERS will support the introduction to service of the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System across the four partner nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom by providing an efficient and cost-effective exchange and repair service for key equipment. IERS is unique in that Eurofighter will manage equipment exchange spares as an international spares pool. This contrasts with more traditional support scenarios where an aircraft customer buys and manages its own spares stock. The "common spares pool" planned for Eurofighter Typhoon will minimise the overall spares requirement and significantly reduce support costs of the four Partner Nations. The IERS contract award covers Integrated Logistic Support Contract No.5 (PC.5) in a series of eleven contracts that, together, provide an integrated support package for the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System.
+++
After tests with conventional tanker aircraft, EADS Military Aircraft for the first time successfully performed Eurofighter in-flight refuelling trials with the German Air Force's (GAF) buddy-buddy pod. The first buddy-buddy test flight with the Manching-based Eurofighter Development Aircraft One and a GAF Tornado aircraft in the tanker role from OTC/WTD-61 took place August 6, 2001. The flight lasted one-hour and forty minutes and was another milestone towards the introduction of the Eurofighter weapon system into Luftwaffe. For the remaining flight trials, the availability of the GAF-standard refuelling system is beneficial due to increased ferry range and endurance.
+++
On August 6, a Titan IV B rocket roared off its launch pad at Complex 40 early morning carrying a Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite for the U.S. Air Force. Liftoff was right on time at 3:28 a.m. EDT. The satellite will join the Air Force's DSP constellation in providing early warning of missile launches worldwide. An inertial upper stage (IUS) transferred the satellite to its final orbit. "This morning's launch demonstrated the Titan IV team's commitment to deliver important assets to space and make a lasting contribution to the security of our country and our allies," said G. Thomas Marsh, president-Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company-Astronautics Operations. "Titan IV remains the workhorse heavy-lifter for the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense." This was the second of four launches planned this year on the Titan IV B, the nation's most powerful expendable launch vehicle. Titan IV B is capable of boosting payloads weighing 47,800 pounds into low-Earth orbit or more than 12,700 pounds into geosynchronous orbit.
+++
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft surveillance systems, announced today that it has received a contract to deliver the Predator remotely operated aircraft (ROA) system to the Italian Air Force. The contract valued at $60 million includes options for the planned purchased of additional aircraft and a number of General Atomics Lynx synthetic aperture radars (SAR) to support all-weather operations. Production will commence immediately with -deliverables scheduled within 7-9 months. GA-ASI has teamed with Meteor, an Italian aerospace company working in the field of UAVs and Flight Simulators, who will assist with in-country activities and program support.
+++
The Royal Thai Navy has ordered two Super Lynx Series 300 Maritime helicopters in a contract worth some #25 Million including integrated logistic support and services. A significant element of the contract is an obligation on the part of Westland Helicopters to undertake countertrade of Thai products, to the value of 50% of the contract price. In 1998, Westland Helicopters launched the Super Lynx 300 programme representing a new generation of the Lynx. As part of its commitment to this company funded programme, Westland built a demonstrator aircraft to assist in the remaining development and testing. Super Lynx 300 incorporates an all new integrated glass cockpit and the more powerful CTS800-4N engines jointly developed by Rolls Royce and Honeywell. The T800 matches Super Lynx's increased operational demands with a newer, more powerful Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) controlled engine that delivers low maintenance, enhance performance and excellent economy.
+++
On August 8, the successful launch of a Boeing delta II rocket set the stage for a 38-month NASA mission toinvestigate the origins of the solar system. The Boeing Delta II lifted off from launch pad 17A at 12:13 p.m. EDT. Spacecraft separation occurred 64 minutes into flight. "Genesis' trip back in time began its journey right here, with the launch," said Joy Bryant, director of NASA Programs for Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "With the Genesis probe accurately placed on its unique orbital path, the Boeing Delta II rocket has helped NASA take the first major step toward achieving the goals of this mission." The results from the Genesis mission will help scientists better understand the formation of the planets, moons, asteroids, comets and the sun. This is the third NASA science mission flown aboard a Boeing Delta II this year.
+++
On August the 6th , Austrian Airlines and Österreich Werbung (the Austrian National Tourist Office) unveiled exciting new plans to upgrade existing collaborative projects. Under the slogan "Strategic Partnership in the Service of Austrian Tourism", the two organisations will build on their co-operation in source markets located outside Austria. Both Austrian Airlines and Österreich Werbung have a considerable strategic interest in developing these markets. The numerous offices and external branches of the two groups already make an essential contribution to the promotion of Austria as a product, particularly abroad. By linking together their know-how and working on joint projects and products, the organisations will massively improve Austria's competitive position in the international tourism industry.
+++
Lufthansa is adapting its long-haul network to counteract the sharp downturn in the world economy and its impact on intercontinental air traffic. The airline is to reduce its planned capacity growth and focus more sharply on profitable routes. The reduction is equivalent to the capacity of two Boeing 747-200 aircraft. At the start of the 2001/2002 winter timetable, Lufthansa will cease operating its traditional services to Rio de Janeiro. Connections to Bogota and Tashkent will be discontinued in early 2002. Simultaneously, Lufthansa will be deploying smaller aircraft on North Atlantic routes ex Frankfurt to Atlanta, Detroit and Vancouver. Two flights weekly are to be scrapped on the Frankfurt-New York route. The weakening global economy, originating in America, has had a significant impact on the airline business. Demand in intercontinental traffic is well below the previous year's level. The airlines, including Lufthansa, are additionally burdened by rising costs for fuel, maintenance services and personnel. The entire industry is coming under increasing pressure to ponder capacity adjustments. In the first six months of the year, Lufthansa increased its share of the premium market segment on all relevant connections. "On prime North Atlantic routes, we also made clear gains. But there are markets, whose structure principally generates tourist demand, like Rio. High capacity utilisation does not in itself suffice to serve those routes profitably. For that, a balanced mix of First, Business and Economy-Class passengers is essential," said Ralf Teckentrup, Lufthansa Executive Vice President Network Management and Marketing.
+++
The EC 135 remains the most successful helicopter of its class in public service. This has been underlined once again by a firm order for seven EC 135s by the Swedish Ministry of the Interior for use by the country's police. The EC 135 was once more deemed superior to its competitors, the Explorer from MD Helicopters and the Bell 427. The EC 135s will replace the Bell 206s currently in service. The first aircraft (SN 189) was handed over today by Dr. Siegfried Sobotta, Senior Executive Vice President of the Eurocopter Group, to Sten Heckscher, Rikspolischef, at the helicopter base of the squadron in Tullinge (Stockholm). Further deliveries are scheduled for November (two), three more will follow in 2002, starting from spring, and the final one in early 2003.
+++

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