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UPDATE
Week ending February 3, 2002
+++ Swiss is new name for Crossair +++ EC 135 flies with fly-by-light system +++ A400M has another chance +++ Ryanair announces new routes +++ Westland Lynx upgrade contract +++ Fairchild Dornier distribution centers +++ BA/American to abandon close alliance +++ News in brief +++

Swiss is new name for Crossair
Neue Schweizer Airline heißt Swiss

Swiss qualities and a Swiss name: the new inter-continental airline will fly under the trade mark SWISS. At an international press conference, Crossair CEO André Dosé outlined the brand strategy under which the new airline will enter the market. The name reflects the multi-cultural, cosmopolitan character and the typical Swiss characteristics of quality. With the introduction of the Summer timetable on March 31, SWISS will take flight.
André Dosé, Chief Executive Officer of Crossair and of the new airline, said that there were two decisive factors in the choice of name. “The new airline is a unique instance in Swiss post-war history, of a collective alliance of politics, industry and the people of Switzerland. It will be the qualities, which have made our country great, on which we are banking in the building up of our new airline”. The new brand concept and its visual appearance were presented to more than 200 national and international journalists by André Dosé, the Canadian Creative Director, Tyler Brûlé and Arjen Pen, Head of Sales and Marketing for the new airline. Brûlé's agency, Wink Media of London, won the contract in an international competition to create the brand of the new Swiss inter-continental airline. Arjen Pen, head of Sales and Marketing, gave a briefing on the routes and the fleet of the new inter-continental Swiss national airline, as well as on business developments over the next few months These are proceeding better than had been foreseen in the business plan. Reservations for the next few weeks indicate that the predictions for load factors and revenues will be exceeded.

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EC 135 flies with fly-by-light system
Erster Hubschrauber mit Fly-by-Ligth-Steuerung

The Franco-German helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, once again confirmed its leading role in the research and development sector. On January 28, 2002, the first aircraft worldwide featuring a series production capable primary flight control system via optical fibres ("Fly-by-Light") successfully completed its official maiden flight at Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH's Ottobrunn facility near Munich. The fully-redundant flight control system for pilot and co-pilot was integrated into a production EC135 helicopter. The aircraft was flown by Eurocopter test pilot Herbert Graser and flight test engineer Manfred Hausner. They were impressed by the capabilities of the new system which represents a quantum leap in helicopter flight control. Conventionally, helicopters are controlled via mechanic control rods. Electrical flight control ("Fly-by-Wire") already represents a major advance and is incorporated in the NH90 transport and naval helicopter, jointly developed by Eurocopter, Agusta, and Stork-Fokker. The NH90 which is the first production helicopter worldwide to be equipped with a fly-by-wire system, will go into service with the German Armed Forces in 2004. Fly-by-Light control represents a highly progressive, innovative system whereby, in contrast to Fly-by-Wire control, the control signals between the pilot's station, the flight control computer, and the actuators for the rotor-blade control are not transmitted electrically, but optically via optical fibres. The advantages compared to electrical data transmission comprise comprehensive immunity to electromagnetic interference, a much broader transmission spectrum favouring the realization of future, demanding flight control and mission systems, and low weight.
Eurocopter's Fly-by-Light helicopter is designated ACT/FHS, i.e. Active Control Technology demonstrator/Flying Helicopter Simulator. The fully-digital flight control system is a completely new development. It is subdivided into a core area and an experimental area. The core area has four lanes in each primary control axis and comprises of a test pilot and a safety pilot station, a cockpit interface computer, and actuators with integrated control electronics ("Smart Actuators"). The experimental area comprises computers, sensors, a data-recording and telemetry system as well as the work station for a flight test engineer. The system architecture has been selected to fulfill the stringent safety requirements for flight critical control systems, at the same time offering a high degree of flexibility for performing advanced handling qualities experiments.
The ACT/FHS is being developed within the framework of a technology programme by Eurocopter Deutschland and Liebherr in co-operation with the German Aerospace and Space Centre (DLR) and the German Armed Forces test centre (WTD61). The development activities commenced in March 1996, and the programme is funded by the Federal German Ministry of Defence as well as by the DLR and the two industrial companies. Upon completion, the ACT/FHS will be used in research activities by industry and the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) test centre as a technology demonstrator and flying simulator.

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A400M has another chance
Entscheidung über A400M vertagt

At a meeting of armaments directors in Paris on January 31 it was apparently decided to give the German partner in theA400M programme another chance to come up with the money to start development by March 31. By that time, the defence ministry in Berlin has promised to clear the first tranche of 5,1 billion Euro through the relevant Bundestag approvals. But it is rather doubtful that the total sum of 8,6 billion Euro can be approved by then. In sum, the project is still on shaky ground.
Originally Germany had until January 31 to reconfirm its signature on the December memorandum of understanding, after which the other intending buyers -- France, Spain, Britain, Turkey, Belgium, Portugal and Luxembourg -- would again be free to drop out of the project. Earlier in the week, the German constitution court had heard a plea by opposition parties to block defence minister Scharping signing any contract until budgetary issues are resolved. There was no ruling as such, but Scharping was forced to concede to the demands. He will now try to bring the long overdue procurement documents before the budget committee.

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Ryanair announces new routes
Expansion wird fortgesetzt

Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline has announced 8 new routes from London Stansted to Continental Europe and 3 new routes from Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool and Brussels Charleroi. The eight new routes to be operated from London Stansted include services to Rome, Milan, Friedrichshafen, Klagenfurt, Graz and Montpeillier. This Summer, Ryanair will be entering Holland for the first time competing head to head with KLM and BA, offering fares that are 78% cheaper than the 'rip-off' flag carriers. In addition, Ryanair will also be adding new services from Glasgow Prestwick to Oslo Torp; Liverpool to Brussels Charleroi; and a new route to Rome Ciampino from its Brussels Charleroi base. Speaking at the announcement, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary said, “This will be Ryanair's biggest and most successful Summer Schedule - ever. With these 8 new destinations and our first route to Holland (Eindhoven), we will continue our policy of offering choice and low fare competition to British Airways, Alitalia, SAS, KLM, Lufthansa and all of Europe's high fare carriers. As the comparative fares above show, Europe's consumers have been and are still being ripped off by the high fare carriers. Our new routes to Graz and Klagenfurt bring our total number of destinations in Austria to three, these are in addition to our already hugely successful route to Salzburg where we have carried over 150,000 passengers in the first year.Our new route to Friedrichshafen is our third destination in Germany along with Frankfurt Hahn and Hamburg(Lubeck).”

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Westland Lynx upgrade contract
Lynx werden modernisiert

Westland Helicopters have won a contract worth over 20 million Pound to develop the latest version of their Lynx helicopter. An UK MOD study has shown that the Future Lynx has the best potential to meet the Army's requirement to replace its current battlefield Lynx. But further development work is needed before the final decision is made at the end of next year. A full order for replacement aircraft would be worth up to £1 billion for Westland, sustaining around 500 jobs at the company's Yeovil plant. Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach said: "The Army's Lynx Mark 7 and Mark 9 helicopters have played a key and versatile role, from Northern Ireland to the Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo. But these hardworking aircraft will be reaching the end of their service lives over the next 10 years, and an effective replacement is needed. "Future Lynx has the potential to give the Army what it needs. But Westland need to develop the aircraft further to prove to us that it is the right choice. This new package of work gives them the opportunity to do so. In parallel with the work carried out by Westland, the MOD will commission additional appraisal work on other aircraft options. Together this will form the Assessment Phase of the Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter programme, which aims to provide a light battlefield lift and reconnaissance capability for the Army and the Royal Marines.

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Fairchild Dornier distribution centers
Zusammenarbeit LHT/Fairchild Dornier

Fairchild Dornier and Lufthansa Technik Logistik GmbH have agreed to establish new spare parts distribution centers in Munich and Dulles, Virginia (outside Washington, D.C.) for Fairchild Dornier and Dornier aircraft as part of Fairchild Dornier's ongoing commitment to enhance customer service. Operation of the Munich Airport-based distribution center will begin six weeks after the contract is signed. Dulles will start operation in July 2002 at Lufthansa Technik Logistik's new facilities at Washington's Dulles International Airport. Both centers will provide transport management of incoming and outgoing material, which will ensure a quick response for spare parts requests. The Munich-based distribution center will manage all transports to the USA. To ensure an efficient exchange of data, Lufthansa Technik Logistik (LTL) will implement an IT-interface linking Fairchild Dornier's SAP R3 with LTL's inhouse systems.

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BA/American to abandon close alliance
Beschränkungen zu hoher Preis für BA/American

In response to the US Department of Transportation's regulatory conditions for the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines Rod Eddington, British Airways' Chief Executive and Don Carty, Chairman and Chief Executive, American Airlines, said: "We will not do this deal at this price. We made it clear from the start that we would not conclude the deal if the regulatory price was too high. Regrettably this has proved to be the case. "It is a disappointment for both airlines, shareholders, and for the many staff who have worked extremely hard to ensure that the deal would be a real success for the flying public. The conditions laid down by the US government do not make sense for either company. We will not acquiesce to unrealistic, and in our view, unnecessary demands. For us, the price is just not right. We simply sought to have the same commercial advantages and deliver the same consumer benefits that rival airline alliances and their passengers already enjoy. Consumers will now be denied the substantial range of benefits that would have arisen from a closer alliance between our two great airlines."
American Airlines remains British Airways' partner of choice across the Atlantic. Both airlines pledged to continue to develop the bilateral relationships within the oneworld alliance, the grouping is as strong as ever and oneworld is still a central plank of the alliance strategy. British Airways and American Airlines will continue to give passengers access to each other's networks and will endeavour to deliver as much of the customer proposition as they can within the existing legal boundaries.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Griffon Corporation, and Eurocopter, a worldwide supplier of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, announced today a joint agreement making Telephonics' family of Maritime Surveillance and Search Radar the standard on board the manufacturers aircraft. “We are delighted to be selected as Eurocopter's preferred supplier," stated Joe Battaglia, President, Telephonics Corporation.
+++
Gripen International has submitted a response to the Australian government's Request For Information (RFI) for 'New aerospace combat capability' within its Air 6000 project. Australia issued the RFI last year, for technical information about the Gripen swing-role fighter to meet its national defense needs from 2012 and beyond. Gripen International has submitted technical information based on the supply of Gripen, the world's most capable and cost effective combat aircraft in operation today, and its future enhancements. "We are confident that with planned technology developments the Gripen is ideally suited to play a significant role in Australia's future Air Force and would fit perfectly into a network centric warfare structure interoperating with unmanned combat air vehicles", says Ian McNamee, Managing Director Gripen International.
+++
Bombardier Aerospace celebrated an important milestone when Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) took delivery of its first 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700. Fred Buttrell, president and CEO of Delta Connection, Inc., and W. E. "Skip" Barnette, president of Atlantic Southeast Airlines, officially accepted the aircraft during a ceremony at Bombardier's new CRJ700/CRJ900 assembly facility at Mirabel International Airport. The airline also took delivery of Bombardier CRJ200 serial number 600. The Bombardier CRJ200 is Delta Connection's 165th CRJ100/200 Series aircraft for its wholly owned subsidiaries ASA and Comair. The Bombardier CRJ700 received is the first of 57 scheduled for delivery to ASA and Comair.
+++
A Raytheon Company STANDARD Missile-3 (SM-3) intercepted a ballistic missile target in space during a Jan. 25 Missile Defense Agency Sea-based Missile Defense System (SMD) flight test off the Hawaii coast. The success of this test, sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency, moves the U.S. Navy a step closer to fielding a sea-based missile defense capability. By intercepting the target and exceeding mission objectives, the SM-3 and supporting systems demonstrated the capability to provide the country with Sea-based Missile Defense. The test, designated Flight Mission-2 (FM-2), was designed to evaluate the fourth-stage kinetic warhead interceptor's guidance, navigation and control capabilities. It was the Sea-based Missile Defense (SMD) program's third successful flight and first target intercept. It was also the first using an operational Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS). The missile, kinetic interceptor and the rest of the system performed just as expected. In the test, an Aries target was launched from Kauai to verify the SM-3 interceptor's characterization functions. USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) tracked the missile as it rose above the horizon, and then launched the SM-3. The missile, with guidance commands from the AEGIS Weapon System, flew a nominal trajectory and delivered the SM-3 interceptor into space at which point it was ejected as planned.
+++
The rocket engine configuration selected by the design team at the Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power unit of The Boeing Company for Boeing's propulsion system entry in NASA's Space Launch Initiative (SLI) will provide greater reliability while increasing safety for future space flight crews. Engineers at Canoga Park, Calif.-based Rocketdyne are developing the RS-83 engine for NASA's SLI program for future reusable space transportation. In May 2001, NASA awarded Boeing Rocketdyne $65 million to develop concepts and technologies for the main and upper stage propulsion systems for the next-generation launch vehicle. The new RS-83 engine system will be staged-combustion, liquid hydrogen/oxygen, providing improved controllability and increased reliability that even surpasses the mission success of the only current reusable engine for human spaceflight, Boeing Rocketdyne's Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). It will be rated for a 100-mission life cycle, twice the planned mission life for the SSME.
+++
Saab has responded to a Request for Information regarding Australia's strategic defence structure from 2010 and beyond. Saab is confident that the advanced Saab concept for future defense would be ideally for Australia. Australia has decided to restructure its strategic defence from 2010 and beyond. The project is called Air 6000 by the Australian armed forces. Australia has issued a request for information to a "Mix option market survey" from several companies, including the Saab Group. Saab has today submitted its response to this Request for Information. "We are confident that Saabs concept for future defense will be ideally for Australia. We are one of the most advanced companies in this field and will hopefully be selected to continue with more in-depth studies into Australia's future defence," says Lennart Sindahl, Manager of the Future Products business area at Saab Aerospace in Linköping.
+++
Boeing has been awarded a $112 million dollar indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide upgrade and subscription support for the C-32A Mission Communications System. The upgrades will use the revolutionary Connexion by Boeing airborne broadband communication service, with all work scheduled to be completed by September 2003. The C-32A is a specially configured Boeing 757-200 for the United States Air Force. The aircraft provides safe, reliable worldwide airlift for the Vice President, cabinet members and other government officials. Four C-32As are currently in service.
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Lufthansa resists official pricing dictate Cartel Office lapsing into national provincialism Lufthansa is to seek legal redress against the Cartel Office's announced plans to prohibit its current fares on the Frankfurt-Berlin route. "It is grotesque that a German authority should lapse into national provincialism only four weeks after the launch of the euro," said Lufthansa Executive Vice President Network Management and Sales Ralf Teckentrup in Frankfurt. By solely considering a single route in total isolation in the German route network, the Federal Cartel Office is misjudging the real competitive situation in air traffic. It is actually in cross-border networks in Europe that liberalised competition between airlines and airline alliances is taking place. The success that can be earned there is evidenced by low-cost carriers with constant annual growth rates of between 30 and 40 per cent. Moreover, the Cartel Office is ignoring competition from road and rail traffic on the Berlin-Frankfurt route. The Cartel Office complained that Lufthansa fares are too low in competition with the Germania airline on the Berlin-Frankfurt route and demanded that they be raised to a consistent 40 euros instead of the present five euros above the price charged by its competitor airline. That is warranted by Lufthansa's product benefits such as inflight service, its Miles & More frequent flyer programme and its greater flight frequency on the route, the Office said. Back in December last year, Lufthansa submitted extensive documentation on its pricing policy. Subsequent talks were conducted in January in a bid to reach an acceptable compromise. The Cartel Office has nevertheless seen fit to to issue an injunction against the airline's pricing measures. Years earlier in 1997, the Office intervened in Lufthansa's pricing policy by fixing a maximum price for the Berlin - Frankfurt route. That case is still pending. "Since Lufthansa alone is operating with 1.5 million fares in a fully liberalised market, it is inacceptable that the Cartel Office should act as a regulatory body on just a single tariff. That would be tantamount to revoking air traffic liberalisation, said Teckentrup. He underlined that the fare complained about is only one of many on the route. Decisive, however, for a route's profitability is the sum of all revenues from operating on it.
+++
Kaman Corp. full-year results were adversely impacted by a second quarter sales and pre-tax earnings adjustment of $31.2 million and the phase-down of large contracts in the Aerospace segment; as well as a yearlong national economic decline that affected all segments, but particularly the Industrial Distribution segment. Substantially all of the Aerospace adjustment is associated with a change in estimated costs to complete the SH-2G(A) helicopter program for Australia. This adjustment has had the effect of lowering the profit rate on the Australian program. The cost growth for that program is related to a contract dispute settlement with Litton Guidance and Control Systems (now part of Northrop Grumman) regarding development of an advanced Integrated Tactical Avionics System (ITAS) that is unique to this particular contract. The company has replaced Litton with two subcontractors for the balance of the ITAS software development work. +++
NASA's Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) re-entered the Earth's atmosphere at approximately 11:15 p.m. EST Wednesday. According to calculations made by the United States Space Command Space Control Center, EUVE re-entered the atmosphere over central Egypt. "The actual location of EUVE's re-entry was within the predicted orbit track," said Scott Hull, spacecraft engineering lead for space science mission operations, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. "We expected EUVE could come in at a number of points along the ground track."
+++
Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management will provide seven air traffic control automation systems to China, improving safety and increasing capacity for the world's most populous nation and one of the fastest growing regional airspaces. Under a $10.7 Mn contract with INCOM, a subsidiary of China National Instruments Import and Export Corporation, Lockheed Martin will tailor its advanced SkyLine, state-of-the-art air traffic control system for Chinese airspace. The contract represents the fourth SkyLine sale in China and the seventh for Lockheed Martin in the Asia-Pacific region.
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The European Commission continues to take steps to counteract the repercussions of the attacks in the United States on the air transport sector. Following the emergency aid for insurance authorized in recent months, the Commission has now authorized aid schemes to compensate French airlines for losses caused by the closure of airspace between 11 and 14 September 2001. The scheme carries a budget of FRF 360 million (54.9 m euros). These decisions of the Commission tie in fully with its communication of 10 October on “The repercussions of the terrorist attacks in the United States on the air transport industry”. The Commission had accepted in this communication that some types of aid, including aid for insurance and losses suffered through the closure of airspace, as “intended to compensate for damage caused by natural calamities or other extraordinary events” (in the words of the EU Treaty), could be granted to the air transport industry by way of exception.
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Following negotiations with the specialist aviation and inflight staff group of the HTV trade union which lasted until late last night, 24 January 2002, the individual managements of Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air, Tyrolean Airways and Rheintalflug have concluded an agreement with respective in-flight and ground staff representatives on the size of the employee contribution that should form part of the Austrian Airlines Group staff cost reduction package. Based on the new agreement, all employees of the Austrian Airlines Group will make an 8% contribution to personnel cost reduction. The agreement comes in addition to the cutting of 930 jobs across the group as part of the restructuring, and forms an essential component of the total volume of the package, which totals € 260 million. The concrete composition of the 8% varies according to the different collective agreements for in-flight and ground staff at individual companies. The packages of measures are currently being presented to employees for their acceptance following ballots and staff meetings. These will be carried out group-wide in the course of the next few days. Broad-based support is expected from the workforce.
+++
The first vertical launch of a VL MICA missile, developed by the newly formed company MBDA, took place successfully at the Centre d'Essais des Landes (CEL) in France. This trial was to validate the principles and technologies used during the launch phase of this new short range air defence (SHORAD) system, using the air-to-air MICA missile which is in service with many air forces. This validation marks an important step in the VL MICA programme. It effectively clears the way for the full development of the system, the naval version of which is due to be launched during 2002. This version is for the self-defence of surface ships. The first vertical launch of VL MICA took place in December 2001 at the Centre d'Essais des Landes (CEL) of the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA).
+++
Following the decision to close the RJX program, announced on 27 November 2001, BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group has had a series of discussions with its two launch customers for the aircraft, British European and Druk. These discussions have now concluded with both customers deciding not to take the RJX. Their orders, for 12 and 2 aircraft respectively, will therefore not be delivered. Aircraft Services Group understands and respects the decision taken by British European and Druk, and looks forward to continuing its relationship with both operators, and to supporting their existing BAe146 aircraft.
++
Boeing Commercial Airplanes officials late last week signed an agreement with Japan Aircraft Industries (JAI) and Japan Aircraft Development Corp. to conduct research and development work on technologies including composites for the Sonic Cruiser and other potential new airplanes. JAI includes Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries. The Sonic Cruiser is a new airplane concept unveiled by Boeing on March 29, 2001. The airplane has a dramatic new configuration and is designed to fly at speeds of up to Mach 0.98 to shorten travel times.
+++
The first of 62 Jaguar GR3a aircraft powered by upgraded Adour engines was officially handed over to the Defence Logistics Organisation on 28 January. The aircraft flew from BAE Systems Warton to RAF Coltishall in Norfolk on 24 January. This handover represents a major milestone in the £105 million contract let to BAE Systems by the Defence Logistics Organisation's Equipment Support (Air). BAE Systems Customer Solutions and Support business is prime contractor and has worked with ES (Air) and Rolls Royce to develop and integrate the engines with the aircraft. Following an extensive development and test programme BAE Systems and Rolls Royce declared themselves very pleased with the engine performance and its handling. BAE Systems test pilot and Director of Flight Operations Derek Reeh stated: “This has been an extensive integration programme that has tested the aircraft to the extremes of the flight envelope. The new engine is more surge-resistant than previous Adour variants and performs well even at the limits. Aircraft handling is unaffected and the performance enhancements will improve take-off performance at high ambient temperatures.”
+++
MBDA has successfully completed the first qualification firing of its Aster 15 Naval missile from an Italian naval defense system known as SAAM/IT (Superficie-Aria Anti-Missile/Italia, or Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile/Italy). The launch was conducted from the Italian "Carabiniere" experimental ship at the French DGA's Mediterranean Test Centre (Centre d'Essais de la Méditerranée - CEM), off the coast of Toulon, southwest France. The firing resulted in a direct hit against the target from a distance of 7 km and at an altitude of 1000m. The missile followed a nominal trajectory. The SAAM/IT naval defense system shares the same subsystems as the French SAAM/FR system, notably the Sylver vertical launcher and Aster 15 Naval missiles, but the MBDA-designed fire control system is integrated with an Italian multi-function EMPAR radar.
+++
On December 21, 2001, French defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale pour l'Armement) qualified the Stage 4 version of Snecma Moteurs' M88-2 engine, which powers Dassault Aviation's Rafale multirole fighter. The Stage 4 version of this high-performance engine incorporates a number of advanced technologies. In addition to its excellent thrust-to-weight ratio, the engine give customers a significant decrease in specific fuel consumption at different speeds, and a longer life for the most critical components (high-pressure core and afterburner system). DGA qualification culminated an extensive series of ground and flight tests, including simulation runs equivalent to more than 1,000 hours in operation. The proven lifespans on engine service entry surpass the original objectives set on program launch. A very successful flight readiness trial at the CEV flight test center, along with in-depth evaluation by French army and navy pilots, demonstrated the perfect integration of engine and airframe.
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MTU Maintenance Hannover, an affiliate of DaimlerChrysler's MTU Aero Engines, has signed a maintenance agreement with Dragonair, Hongkong, to maintain the V2500 eingines as installed on their Airbus A320/A321 aircraft. This contract, with an initial duration of one year, should built the bases for a long term Fly-by-Hour contract with the opportunity to have the engines maintained by MTU Maintenance Zhuhai at a later stage. The MTU presence in China has further been strengthened by this contract as the German maintenance provider now counts all Chinese V2500 operators among its customers.
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Saab and NHIndustries have today signed a contract regarding the development and production of a tactical mission system (TMS) for the new Swedish multi-role helicopter, the NH90, at a value of around SEK 2 billion. In addition to this initial order, the Swedish helicopter deal will entail further business opportunities for Saab of a similar scope. "This contract is the result of the broad expertise that exists within the Saab Group. This is creating new business opportunities, and we have also strengthened our position as a qualified supplier and business partner to yet another major international supplier of defence materiel," says Bengt Halse, President and CEO of Saab AB.
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On January 29, 2002, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/ Frontier Systems Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) Hummingbird A160 vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle successfully conducted its first forward flight at the Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, Calif. All flight systems, including avionics, flight control, power plant and drive train, fuel systems, electrical power generation, data link and telemetry performed completely as planned.
The Hummingbird lifted off the tarmac in autonomous mode and climbed to a hover 50 feet above the ground for several minutes. The A160 then retracted its landing gear and executed test maneuvers including forward and backward flight, right and left slides and heading maneuvers. Following the hover sequence, Hummingbird transitioned into autonomous forward flight, climbing to 4,000 feet above mean sea level (1,200 feet above ground level). The air vehicle reached and sustained a speed of 45 knots during the majority of forward flight. Flying autonomously, the A160 traveled several miles away from the ground control station. During flight, the Hummingbird maintained 80 percent of maximum rotor RPM using the patented variable speed rotor that is the focus for DARPA's Hummingbird program.
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MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg and General Electric Engine Services on Thursday, January 31, 2002, signed a repair and overhaul contract for the CF34 engine series. An authorized CF34 service provider, the company will provide comprehensive repair services worldwide, plus extensive customer service for the engine. The company has started setting up a CF34-1 and ­3 repair line, the first of these engines expected to visit before year-end. At some later date, also other versions of the CF34 will come to Ludwigsfelde. DaimlerChrysler Aviation intends to have its CF34 fleet repaired at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg.
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The Spot 5 Earth observation satellite is undergoing final qualification tests at the Astrium facility in Toulouse. It will be handed over to French space agency Toulouse by the end of the month for launch preparations, which will continue until mid-February. Spot 5 will then be shipped to the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana aboard a special Airbus Super Transporter, dubbed the “Beluga”, with ground support equipment preceding it in a Boeing 747 cargo plane. This is the first time a Beluga will be used to ship a satellite from France to Kourou. Spot 5 was developed for CNES in close liaison with the Helios II military observation satellite program, an approach that has generated significant savings on each program. Major elements of this platform are being reused on the Metop weather satellite, developed jointly by the European Space Agency and the European Meteorological Satellite Organization (Eumetsat).
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For ESA, the year has got off to a busy start in terms of international relations, with a number of key cooperative agreements being signed in January and February, with Brazil, India and Poland. On 1 February a Framework Cooperation Agreement between ESA and Brazil was signed at ESA Headquarters in Paris, by the Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ronaldo Sardenberg , and ESA's Director General Mr. Rodotà, in the presence of the President of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), Dr. Mucio Roberto Dias. On 24 January in Warsaw, in presence of the Polish deputy Prime Minister Mr Pol, Mr Rodotà renewed the ESA - Poland Agreement, together with the Polish Minister of Science Professor Kleiber. This agreement reinforces the existing relations between Poland and ESA. Mr Rodotà also met with Mr Truszynski, Principal Negotiator with the European Union. Mr Truszynski talked to Mr Rodotà about the European integration process as seen from Poland. Mr Rodotà in turn introduced the ESA/EC European Space Strategy, stressing the need to work in close relation with the applicant countries.
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CAE announced that the Australian Army's S-70 Black Hawk Full Flight and Mission Simulator, designed and manufactured by CAE, has achieved accreditation to Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority Level 5. This level is equivalent to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Level D, the highest in full flight simulation. This is the first accreditation of a military helicopter simulator to this level, and reflects the high level of fidelity required by the Australian Army. A key feature of the Black Hawk simulator is the quality of visual cues provided by its unique mirror collimated visual display system. CAE's Maxvue™ visual system is used to deliver the high-fidelity visuals to the 220 degree by 60 degree field-of-view display. The combination of the wide field-of-view exceeding Level 5 requirements with the depth perception provided CAE Maxvue™ on the mirror display system represents a significant advance in the level of fidelity typically found on this type of simulator.
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Previous updates are still available:
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*January 27, 2002 *January 20, 2002 *January 13, 2002 *January 6, 2002

*December 23, 2001 *December 16, 2001 *December 9, 2001 *December 2, 2001

*November 25, 2001 *November 18, 2001 *November 11, 2001 *November 4, 2001

*October 28, 2001 *October 21, 2001 *October 14, 2001 *October 7, 2001

*January - September 2001

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

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