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UPDATE
Week ending March 3, 2002

+++ Envisat launched by Ariane 5 +++ STS-109 captures Hubble +++ Emirates orders GP7000 to power A380s +++ Osprey to resume flight testing +++ Boeing offers new 747-400X Quiet Longer Range +++ Lufthansa CityLine averts strike +++ Cessna Citation Sovereign makes first flight +++ Hypersonic missile test succeeds +++ Teal Group predicts 2,951 fighters to 2011 +++ UK orders new satcom from Paradigm +++ News in brief +++

Envisat launched by Ariane 5
Ariane 5 bringt Envisat ins All

Arianespace's heavy-lift Ariane 5 delivered another perfect performance tonight, placing the massive Envisat environmental satellite into a highly accurate orbit Sun-synchronous orbit. The Ariane 5 lifted off from the Spaceport on the power of its Vulcain cryogenic main engine and two solid boosters. The vehicle's EPS upper stage was used for the final propulsion phase, climbing to an altitude of approximately 7,100 km. for release of the Envisat payload. The Feb. 28 flight was the 11th launch of an Ariane 5 and the eighth commercial mission under Arianespace management. The success kicks off a busy year for Ariane 5, with four other missions of the new-generation heavy-lift launcher targeted by Arianespace for 2002.
Envisat is the largest environmental platform ever built by Europe, and will provide an unprecedented look at the environment and the impact of human activity on our planet. The satellite was developed in a European Space Agency program, and it will be operated from ESA's European Space Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. An industry consortium of 50 companies led by Europe's Astrium produced the Envisat spacecraft. The Envisat mission profile set a very specific launch time for tonight's flight: 10:07.59 p.m. at Kourou, and the countdown proceeded without interruption to allow ignition to occur at the exact moment desired.

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STS-109 captures Hubble
Hubble-Wartung durch Space-Shuttle-Mannschaft

Space Shuttle Columbia arrived at its destination, the Hubble Space Telescope, early Sunday (march 3). At 3:31 a.m. CST (0931 GMT), STS-109 Mission Specialist Nancy Currie used Columbia's robot arm to capture Hubble. She later placed it into the orbiter's payload bay to set the stage for the five space walks that the STS-109 crew will perform to service and upgrade the telescope. Mission Specialists John Grunsfeld and Rick Linnehan are scheduled to begin the mission's first space walk at 12:27 a.m. CST (0627 GMT) Monday. They will install a new solar array onto Hubble.
With the Hubble Space Telescope orbiting high overhead, the shuttle Columbia lifted off on Friday on a complex mission to replace and upgrade key telescope systems through five challenging spacewalks. Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Duane Carey, Flight Engineer Nancy Currie and spacewalkers John Grunsfeld, Rick Linnehan, Jim Newman and Mike Massimino blasted off of Launch Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center at 5:22 a.m. Central time as Hubble orbited just west of Sarasota, Florida at an altitude of about 360 miles. Because of its brightness and elevation, the telescope was visible in the pre-dawn sky over the launch site as Columbia began its pursuit.

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Emirates orders GP7000 to power A380s
GP7000 schlägt Trent

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the GE-P&W Engine Alliance for its GP7000 family of engines to power 22 firm and 10 option Airbus A380-800 aircraft. Emirates Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, signed the MOU at the Asian Aerospace Show in Singapore to buy the engines, which have a list price, including options, of approximately $1.5 billion (US). Also signing the agreement was Lloyd Thompson, president of the GE-P&W Engine Alliance. Sheikh Ahmed said: "As Emirates grows to become a truly global airline, we need an engine to power our future A380 flagship over the world's biggest air routes. After exceptionally exhaustive studies of the various engines on offer, we have selected the Engine Alliance GP7000 as the one best suited to our present and future network.
Comprehensive negotiations are now taking place between Emirates and the Engine Alliance to finalize the General Terms Agreement (GTA). The Emirates order is for GP7270 engines rated at 70,000 pounds (311 kN) of thrust powering 20 A380-800 passenger variant aircraft and GP7277 engines rated at 76,500 (340 kN) pounds of thrust powering the two freighters it has ordered. With the Emirates selection, the Engine Alliance's GP7000 engine family now leads in engine orders on the A380 among airline customers, with 32 firm aircraft.

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Osprey to resume flight testing
V-22 fliegt bald wieder

The V-22 is scheduled to resume developmental flight testing in late April 2002 at the V-22 test facility, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md. Over an 18-month developmental flight test period, two MV-22 Engineering, Manufacturing Development (EMD) aircraft and three MV-22 low rate initial production aircraft will return to flight with improvements in routing of hydraulic/electric lines in the nacelle as well as an upgraded software system. Developmental flight testing will validate these engineering and software changes and further test such areas as vortex ring state boundaries, dynamic shipboard compatibility, formation flying, combat maneuverability, and low speed hovering and landing conditions when the prop rotors blow up dust and debris.
A total of 1800 flight test hours are scheduled for the flight test program which also includes testing of the aircraft's icing, cargo handling, and radar warning systems. Senior Defense and Navy officials will assess the testing program at various points and have said that tests will not move to new areas until engineers fully understand the results of earlier testing. In July, the Air Force is expected to resume flight testing of the CV-22 at Edwards Air Force Base, using two EMD aircraft that have been configured with Special Operations equipment.

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Boeing offers new 747-400X Quiet Longer Range
Neue Jumbo-Version vorgeschlagen

Boeing announced at Asian Aerospace 2002 the offering to customers of the new Boeing 747-400X Quiet Longer-Range airplane family. The latest addition to the 747-400 family of airplanes was introduced during a press briefing by Larry Dickenson, senior vice president - Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Jeff Peace, vice president and general manager. "I am very excited that we can publicly announce the offerability of 747-400X Quiet Longer Range airplane at the Asian Aerospace air show -- one of the most prestigious air shows in the world," Dickenson said. "The 747 is known by many as the 'Airplane of Asia' and is the world's most recognizable airplane."
The 747-400X Quiet Longer-Range could enter service in early 2004, depending on customer demand. The 747-400X Quiet Longer-Range, which is being developed in both passenger and freighter versions, will feature the Boeing signature twin-aisle interior on the passenger version, providing even more comfort and spaciousness to the 747's unbeatable 20-foot (6.1 meter) interior cross section. The range of the passenger model is being extended to 7,980 nautical miles (14,775 kilometers), while added value also will be apparent through quieter and more environmentally responsible operation. The new 747 model will maintain 747-400 characteristics preferred by airlines and passengers worldwide, such as the lowest cost per seat and the fastest subsonic speed of any commercial airplane.

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Lufthansa CityLine averts strike
Kein Streik bei Lufthansa CityLine

In intense negotiations CityLine and the pilots` union Vereinigung Cockpit have reached an accord on a new pay agreement. The threat of a pilots` strike has thus been averted. This pay settlement is economically viable for Lufthansa CityLine. It will result in specific improvements in the pay scales for the company`s 663 pilots. The new pay agreement is valid for 36 months and covers the period from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004 – subject to approval by the unionized CityLine pilots. In September 2001 negotiations were halted after the terrorist attacks in the USA. They were resumed on February 20 this year. The agreement takes the economic developments in the aviation industry after September 11 into consideration. CityLine employs 2,141 employees; of these, 663 work in the cockpit, 722 in the cabin and 756 on the ground in engineering and administration. Currently, CityLine`s fleet consists of 68 modern and environmentally compatible jets: 18 Avro RJ85s with 80 seats each, 43 Canadair Jets CRJ 100/200 with 50 seats, and seven Canadair Jets CRJ 700 with 70 seats.

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Cessna Citation Sovereign makes first flight
Erstflug der Citation Sovereign

Cessna Aircraft Company's newest aircraft, the Citation Sovereign, took to the air on 27 February at 4:55 p.m. for its first flight. Cessna's team members witnessed the take off from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport. Piloted by Wayne Spriggs and Bob Rice, the plane took a one hour and ten minute flight to conduct a variety of tests, including basic stability, flap extension and retraction, controllability, trim actuation, and slow flight. "The aircraft performed flawlessly,” said Spriggs. "We completed all test conditions as planned and were very pleased with the results. The Sovereign team did an excellent job in building this aircraft – the quality is remarkable and workmanship is outstanding.”
Of the four aircraft introduced at the 1998 NBAA Convention, the Sovereign is the final aircraft to undergo first flight. FAA certification is expected to be awarded in late 2003 with first customer deliveries starting early in 2004. "The hard work and dedication of the entire Sovereign Team, enabled us to not only stay on schedule, but to fly a very complete aircraft for first flight,” said Brad Thress, Sovereign Program Manager. "The fact that the aircraft is complete, coupled with the experience we accumulated on the numerous systems test articles, will help us proceed quickly into certification flight testing.”

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Hypersonic missile test succeeds
EADS testet Hyperschall-Lenkflugkörper

During a flight test at a German test site, an EADS/LFK missile designed according to a new integral concept reached a speed of over 6.5 Mach - that is more than 2.1 kilometres per second - in low-level flight. The successful test was carried out as part of the Hypersonic Missile research and technology project, which the Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (Koblenz/Germany) had commissioned EADS/LFK in October 2000 to investigate over a three-year period. EADS/LFK is the German guided missile company of EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.
With the support of the Bundeswehr Technical Centres WTD 71 and WTD 91, the aim of the test - investigation of the new engine and the innovative aerodynamic control system - could be fulfilled completely. The conically-shaped high-thrust engine, which was designed by the EADS subsidiary Bayern-Chemie, confirmed its capabilities. The engine was designed with regard to optimal utilisation of momentum and aerodynamic stability. The effectiveness of the lattice fins, which are an important part of the aerodynamic control system, has been proved fully. Evaluations of the test results have up to now shown that the prescribed roll rate of the missile has been reached. To measure this, a magnetic field sensor from the Franco-German research institute ISL was used for the first time.
Following the evaluation of all test results, a further flight test within the framework of the Hypersonic Missile research and technology project is due to take place in Germany before 2003.
In the future, powerful and advanced high-speed guided missile systems are expected to be employed in the fields of air defence and ground target engagement.

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Teal Group predicts 2,951 fighters to 2011
Kampfflugzeug-Prognose: $139.6 Milliarden Umsatz

A total of 2,951 combat aircraft valued at $139.6 billion (in 2002 U.S. dollars) will be built worldwide in the 2002- 2011 period, predicts Teal Group in their latest world fighter/attack aircraft production forecast released here today at Asian Aerospace 2002. The new Teal forecast covers all combat aircraft over 20,000 lbs maximum take-off weight (all supersonic planes plus the AV-8B Harrier).
The numbers indicate that the market is recovering from its lowest point since the jet age began. A mere 175 fighters worth $7.2 billion were delivered in 2001. This will rise to 193 planes worth $8.1 billion this year, the first sign of growth in over four years. And the next ten years look considerably better than the last ten -- a total of 3,200 fighters worth $105.8 billion (also in 2002 dollars) were built between 1992 and 2001. "Procurement holidays are ending. The market will continue its growth, doubling its size between 2002 and 2005,'' said Richard Aboulafia, lead analyst for Teal Group's "World Military and Civil Aircraft Briefing,'' the 1,400-page monthly-updated competitive intelligence service, in which this and nine other consolidated forecasts plus 156 separate aircraft program reports are published and regularly updated. Because Europe's procurement holiday was longer, Europe's share of the fighter market will increase dramatically, from 18.9% in 1992-2001 to 35.4% in 2002-2011, as Eurofighter and Rafale series production begins. This period is effectively a "window of opportunity'' for European manufacturers, until F-35 arrives.

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UK orders new satcom from Paradigm
Europa gewinnt britischen Satellitenauftrag

Britain's Armed Forces are to get a new and highly advanced satellite communication system under a Private Finance Initiative programme worth around £2 billion. The British-based Paradigm consortium has today been selected as preferred bidder for the Skynet 5 programme, which is expected to create or sustain up to 1,500 jobs across the UK. Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie said: "Skynet 5 is the biggest MoD Private Finance Initiative project to reach preferred bidder stage. We are getting this service for a lot less than we would have paid if the MoD had followed a traditional procurement route and ordered the satellites itself and operated them using its own personnel.
When a contract is placed later this year, Paradigm will progressively take over the management of the existing Skynet 4 series constellation in the run up to the launch of Skynet 5 satellites. Initial Operational Service will be delivered in 2005 with the full service available in 2008.
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company welcomes the UK Government's selection of Paradigm Secure Communications as preferred bidder for Skynet 5. "We are very pleased by this decision of the UK Ministry of Defence which shows its confidence in the support of Europe's leading source for advanced space technology”, said the CEOs of EADS, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich. EADS, which holds a 75 percent share in Astrium, the Europe's largest space company, has teamed up with BAE Systems to secure the public-private-partnership with Paradigm Secure Systems. Astrium is Europe's answer for leading space technology.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Aiming to take into account both the harmonisation process within the Austrian Airlines Group and the raised expectations of its Business Class passengers, Rheintalflug will introduce a Business Class service on all scheduled flights as of 1 March 2002. This will mean even more attention to the best service and highest levels of comfort and individual care for which the Rheintalflug brand has been so well-known in the past. The division between Business and Economy Class areas is made clear with cushion covers produced from the same leather as the seats, and whose red colouring provides a visual indication of the division between the Classes. This allows crew increased flexibility in their organisation of the cabin. The system is currently being checked out in the testing department to ensure a seamless changeover in March.
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The management of Crossair AG notes with total consternation the claims made by the management of SAirGroup, alleging that the SWISS brand name and the intended new corporate name SWISS Air Lines Ltd. infringes the rights of the "Swissair" brand name. Crossair AG believes that this contention is totally untenable and without any foundation. Crossair AG will therefore deploy any means at its disposal to rigorously contest any claim that the market appearance of SWISS should be declared unlawful by the courts. In its letter dated Thursday, February 28, 2002, Crossair AG has notified SAirGroup that it sees no reason whatsoever to pay any compensation for the use of the names SWISS or SWISS Air Lines Ltd. In its judgement Crossair relies on the legal clarifications made before the SWISS brand was registered. Crossair AG further believes that both the market appearance of SWISS and the intended corporate name SWISS Air Lines Ltd. are quite distinct from "Swissair", with the effect that no rights of SAirGroup whatsoever are infringed. The course of action taken by SAirGroup has caused entirely unnecessary unrest among the personnel and the customers of SWISS. Should Crossair AG suffer any losses as a consequence of these claims
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SWISS, Switzerland's new intercontinental airline, has taken a further key step towards its planned takeoff: Crossair AG and the kapers flight attendants' union have reached agreement on the basic terms of a new Collective Working Agreement for cabin personnel. The new accord will now be drawn up in detail and presented to kapers members for approval. The basic agreement concluded between Crossair management and kapers will lower cabin crew costs by some 10 per cent, meeting in full the cost reduction target stipulated in the Project Phoenix Plus business plan. No actual salary reductions will be entailed. The temporary reductions in the salaries of Swissair cabin personnel from November 2001 to the end of March 2002 will also be rescinded. The new agreement should come into effect on April 1. kapers and its sister union unia are the biggest social partners of the new SWISS airline, representing a total of 3200 employees. The new Collective Working Agreement was described as "a piece of genuine Swiss social partnership”, "a fair solution” and "a signal achievement for SWISS” by representatives of Crossair AG and kapers at a joint media conference held in Zurich today. "Cabin personnel are the calling card and the key image carrier of any airline,” said Björn Näf, SWISS Executive Vice President Product & Services. "That's why this agreement is so vitally important – not just for our staff and for us, but for our customers, too."
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Systems sector has been awarded a $20 million contract to provide AN/AAQ-24(V) NEMESIS directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems for the Australian Defence Force Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft being acquired under the Project Wedgetail program. The Australian contract represents the first foreign sale of the NEMESIS system augmented with the Viper multiband laser. The prime contractor for Project Wedgetail is The Boeing Company. The contract signed with Boeing's electronic warfare self-protection suite supplier, BAE Systems Australia Limited, runs through 2003. A joint cooperative program between the United Kingdom and the United States, the NEMESIS DIRCM system uses infrared laser energy to disrupt the guidance systems of even the most advanced infrared or "heat-seeking'' missiles. NEMESIS is currently the only such infrared countermeasures system in production worldwide.
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At Asian Aerospace 2002 in Singapore, EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and Honeywell have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the sourcing area. This agreement is part of EADS' global sourcing strategy that has been launched across the company. This MoU paves the way for enhanced performances in the relationship between Honeywell as a supplier and EADS as a customer, to better meet customer requirements. The resulting improvements are cornerstones for the implementation of a "Competitive Partnership" between EADS and Honeywell in the sourcing area. The EADS Sourcing Strategy aims to build a long term relationship with suppliers that are willing to develop sustained, excellent performances to better meet the customers' needs. Tuned to the particular end customers needs, it applies to every Business Unit of EADS. It facilitates the implementation of a deepened, privileged relationship between EADS and its best suppliers, called "Competitive Partnership".
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At Asian Aerospace 2002 in Singapore, EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and Thales Avionics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the sourcing area. This agreement is part of EADS global Sourcing Strategy launched across the company. The signed MoU paves the way for enhanced performances in the relationship between Thales Avionics as a supplier and EADS as a customer to better meet the end market requirements. The resulting Improvements are cornerstones for the implementation of a "Competitive Partnership" between EADS and Thales Avionics in the sourcing area. EADS Sourcing Strategy comprises major aspects such as supplier evaluation and proactive development of performances and business along procurement policy targets and principles.
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The U.S. State Department is streamlining its export licensing system of defense articles, services and information, says Assistant Secretary of State Lincoln Bloomfield. Bloomfield, speaking before a two-day defense issues forum in Washington, said February 20 that approximately 50 modifications to the current export process are under consideration, including a new automated tracking system for export license applications. The modifications will occur along with planned improvements in the department's information technology system, he said. Bloomfield oversees the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the State Department, which includes the Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) that is responsible for handling approximately 47,000 license applications annually. DTC is charged with controlling the export and temporary import of defense articles and defense services covered by the United States Munitions List.
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Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (S.A.L.E.) has exercised an option for the purchase of an additional A320 aircraft, bringing its total order for Airbus aircraft to 51 to date. The Asian-based lessor is the largest customer for the A320 single-aisle product line in the region. Including the newly exercised option, S.A.L.E. has placed orders for three A319s, 42 A320s and six A321s. Of these, 19 A320s and two A321s have already been delivered to the Singapore-based aircraft leasing company. Delivery of the newly exercised A320 is scheduled for May 2004. Robert Martin, S.A.L.E. Managing Director, said that the lessor maintained its outlook for a return to growth in the air transport market within the next year, generating further demand for new generation aircraft types.
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Located at the Marseille-Provence International Airport, HELISIM is one of the largest and most advanced training centers in the world. It has just been inaugurated by the presidents of Eurocopter (Jean-François Bigay), Thales Training & Simulations (Guy Delevacque), Defense Conseil International (Yves Michot), and HELISIM (Guy Dabadie). HELISIM was founded at the beginning of 2000 as an SAS-type company under French law with three shareholders: Eurocopter (45%), Thales Training & Simulations (45%) and Defense Conseil International (10%). HELISIM will operate 2 full flight simulators, and 4 cabins respectively for the Super Puma/Cougar 332/532 MK1, 332/532 MK2, Dauphin/anther, and EC 155. All the facilities incorporate the very latest technology, and also meet the JAA/FAA Level D qualification requirements.
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Rolls Royce and its partners today (27 February 2002) announced the opening of Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL), a new US$100 million Rolls-Royce Trent engine overhaul facility. Ian Lloyd, chairman of the SAESL joint venture and Managing Director, Aero Repair and Overhaul, Rolls-Royce, said: "This new facility underlines Singapore's position as a repair and overhaul hub for the aerospace industry in the Asia-Pacific region. We expect to handle 150 engines in the next three years and our sales to exceed US$50 million in the first full year of operation. The popularity of the Rolls-Royce Trent family of engines in the region will ensure the rapid growth of this business.” Nine Rolls-Royce customers in the Asia-Pacific region have selected Trent engines to power the Airbus A330, growth versions of the A340, the A380 super jumbo and the Boeing 777. The 18,000 square meter, fully air-conditioned facility will ultimately overhaul up to 200 engines a year and provide employment for 400 highly skilled local staff.
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In a clear vote of confidence in Airbus and Chinese airlines, ten aviation vendors from Europe and the United States signed today agreements with CASC/Airbus Customer Services Support Center in Singapore during the 2002 Asian Aerospace show. The ten vendors, which include Airbus France Avionics & Simulation Products, AirCruisers, Avio-Diepen, B/E Aerospace, Eltra Aeronautics, FR-HITEMP, Messier Services, Pacific Scientific, Satair and Smiths Industries, provide spare parts, avionics repair, customer liaison and training to Airbus operators in China and the Asia-Pacific region at large. They bring the total numbers in partnership with Airbus at the center to 20. In cooperation with Airbus, they continue to demonstrate their support commitment to the region.
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Volvo Aero has signed an agreement with the Russian airline company Aeroflot, whereby Volvo Aero will overhaul Aeroflot's JT9D-59A engines, powering its DC 10-40 aircraft. The initial value of the contract is 60 MUSD, making it the largest overhaul contract signed by Volvo Aero since 1998. There is also a potential for a total order value of 120 MUSD if Aeroflot decides to add more DC 10-40's to its fleet. The contract, that was unveiled at the Asian Aerospace in Singapore, has been negotiated over the last couple of months and is the first contract where Volvo Aero gives a total package of services, including e.g. spare engine and LRU support, Engine Condition Monitoring and On Wing support.
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The EU Commission has decided to authorize the proposed grant by France of a 102 million euro repayable advance to Snecma towards its participation in the development of two new jet engines for civilian aircraft: the GE90-115 and the GP7000. The Commission examined the proposal under the Community framework for state aid for research and development. It found that the costs eligible for public support of the project were in line with the categories provided for in the framework, that the amount of aid was compatible with the ceiling applicable to repayable advances and that the aid had a clear incentive effect, particularly in view of the ambitious nature of the programs and the substantial technological risks involved. The Commission accordingly concluded that the proposed aid could be authorized under the competition rules.
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GE Elano Asia Ltd., an affiliate recently established by the GE Aircraft Engines ("GEAE”) division of the General Electric Company (E, today announced that it has committed to invest more than Bht 3,000 million (approximately US$ 69 million) over the next eight years in a three-phase project to set up in Thailand Asia's largest aerospace tubing, ducting and configuration components manufacturing and servicing facility. This marks the second aerospace-related investment by a GE business in Thailand announced this month. The facility will be located at the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate, Rayong province.
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Bombardier Aerospace is pleased to announce that Sino Private Aviation Limited, a Hong Kong-based corporation, has become the Asia-Pacific launch customer for the new, high-speed Bombardier Global 5000 business jet. The firm order for the Bombardier Global 5000 was signed today by Diana Chou, director, Sino Private Aviation Limited, at a ceremony held during Asian Aerospace 2002 in Singapore. The Bombardier Global 5000 program was officially launched on February 5th after worldwide market interest resulted in letters of intent for 15 aircraft.
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The South African airline Solenta Aviation, based in Lanseria, has recently ordered 2 ATR 42-300s with the objective to develop its cargo activity on behalf of DHL Aviation Africa. The aircraft will be delivered at the end of the month. The aircraft will be configured in South Africa in cargo configuration with JAR certification. The first aircraft will be operated out of Libreville (Gabon), while the second one will be operating out of Abidjan (Ivory Coast). The DHL freight routes from Amsterdam and Brussels to Lagos where it is loaded onto the ATR 42's for onward movement to the West African destinations, extending from Dakar to Point Noir.
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Two Chinese airlines have taken delivery of five Caravans with an additional three to be delivered in 2002. Shandong Airlines, based in Jinan, has taken delivery of three Caravan Amphibians and one Grand Caravan. The Caravans were chosen because of their low operating cost, ease of maintenance, exceptional reliability, and takeoff performance. The Caravan Amphibians provide added flexible benefits by allowing airline service from either land or water. A fifth Caravan Amphibian is scheduled to be delivered in March 2002. China Northern Airlines, based in Shenyang, is using the first of their three Grand Caravans to provide agricultural support as well as passenger transportation. Two additional Grand Caravans will be delivered in mid-2002.
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After months of preparation, the first permanently assigned aircraft arrived at a military compound located at Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan on Feb. 27. Six French Mirage 2000 multirole combat fighter aircraft arrived to fly fighter and reconnaissance missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "Our job is to participate in air military operations in Afghanistan and help in the international fight against terrorism,” said French air force Lt. Col. Bertrand Bon. "We are proud and honored to be a participant in this mission.” Before bringing the Mirage to Kyrgyzstan, the French air force previously brought in a force of engineers and technicians.
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Elbit Systems Ltd., the international defense electronics company, announced today that Elop Electro-Optics Industries Ltd (El-Op), its wholly-owned subsidiary, recently won its first contract for the supply of Laser Obstacle Ranging & Display System (LORD) for the Israel Air Force helicopters. LORD is a unique Laser Radar (LADAR) capable of detecting obstacles, such as electrical wires and antennas, and providing real-time alerts to pilots when flying at low altitude and adverse weather conditions. LORD offers both video and audio warnings, providing information about the obstacle's shape and precise location. LORD's laser radar operation is based on fast scanning of the field of view in front of the helicopter, carried out by an EyeSafe narrow laser beam, which creates an image of the area in front of the helicopter. This laser beam scanning detects obstacles, which in many cases cannot be detected by the pilot's eye.
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Mr. Jean-Pierre Cojan, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Engine Division, Snecma Moteurs, and Michael Kuzmenko, Technical Director and General designer, NPO Saturn, with Michel Laroche, Vice President, Engineering, Snecma Moteurs, and Constantin Davidoff, Head of the Snecma Moscow Bureau in attendance, opened, last Friday February 15, 2002, the two joint design engineering entities: the Smartec company and the SM 146 Program Office, both offsprings of the partnership between NPO Saturn and Snecma Moteurs. Smartec has an initial staff of 10 graduate engineers originating from prominent Russian institutes such as Baumann and the Moscow Physics and Technical Institute. Smartec will support their further development, by transferring Snecma Moteurs state of the art design processes and methodology. The staff should double soon and will continue to grow according to the opportunities. Smartec uses the latest Information Technology resources: networking work stations, CATIA, PATRAN and SAMCEF software…
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European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang will fly on a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station in spring 2003. During that flight, he will conduct three Extra Vehicular Activities (EVAs) or 'spacewalks' to attach new hardware to the Space Station. He will become the first Swede to travel and walk in space. Fuglesang will join the STS-116 crew for an important space flight. One of the major objectives of the mission will be to add new segments to the Space Station's truss and to carry the Expedition Eight crew to the Space Station, returning the three astronauts of Expedition 7 back to Earth. The mission should include several 'spacewalks' (Extra Vehicular Activity), demonstrating once again the skills and professionalism of the European astronauts, and in particular of Fuglesang who trained during many years at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City and at NASA Johnson Space Centre.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) is pleased to announce that the Y12E, a twin-engine, light general-purpose aircraft built in China and powered by PT6A-135A engines, has received Type Certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The 19-seat aircraft achieved its first flight in August 2001. The Y12E, with the PT6A-135A engine and four bladed Hartzell propeller, offers reduced noise levels and improved "hot and high” performance over previous Y12 models. This will further broaden its market appeal for short-range regional transport and as a highly capable utility aircraft.
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MD Helicopters (MDHI) continues to make inroads into new markets, this time with the sale of the first MD Explorer to a customer in the People's Republic of China. Zhejiang Leasing, a major equipment leasing and financing company based in Hangzhou, will purchase and lease the MD Explorer to Guangdong General Aviation Company (GGAC). GGAC also operates China's first MD 600N. The MD Explorer will be delivered this fall.
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Boeing announced that it intends to use its Wichita facility and work force for the potential conversion of Boeing 767 aircraft into tankers for the U.S. Air Force. If chosen by the Air Force, Boeing would produce the 767 aircraft at its Everett, Wash., plant, and then complete tanker-specific modifications at its Wichita Development and Modification Center. Late last year, Congress granted the Air Force authority to negotiate a lease for up to 100 tankers as the first step in replacing its aging Eisenhower-era KC-135 tanker fleet. Boeing produced 732 KC-135 tankers for the Air Force between 1957-65; some 540 are still in service today.
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The Department of Public Enterprises of South Africa and Turbomeca marked an important milestone in the Government's restructuring program for the Defense sector by singing Heads of Agreement in preparation for Turbomeca to acquire a majority equity holding in a company to be formed from the Airmotive division of Denel (Pty) Ltd. "Turbomeca Africa" is the name that has been chosen for this new company. The Heads of Agreement signed today take both parties forward towards our objective of creating a vibrant and thriving defense sector in general and a dedicated facility to increase the manufacturing base for Airmotive and Turbomeca's product ranges in particular. A number of matters still need to be finalized prior to concluding this deal. We are confident, however, that based on the progress we have made thus far Government and Turbomeca will be able to successfully conclude this transaction to the benefit of South Africa.
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