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UPDATE
Week ending July 28, 2002
+++ Missile Defence partnerships signed +++ Airborne Laser completes first flight +++ Air show crash in Ukraine kills 83 +++ BAE Systems and EADS alter space cooperation +++ Airbus delivers 3,000th aircraft +++ STAR 21 research plan in Europe +++ Bids for Italian/German MPA +++ Learjet 40 and 45 XR announced +++ News in brief +++

Missile Defence partnerships signed
EADS, Alenia, BAE und Boeing unterzeichnen Verträge

Two of the world's leading aerospace and defense companies, announced a partnership to develop solutions in ballistic missile defense. The transatlantic team effort will focus on creating end-to-end products for global ballistic missile defense. The announcement, which is the first partnering agreement between the two companies at the corporate level, was revealed in a joint EADS and Boeing press conference at the Farnborough Airshow. Phil Condit, Chairman and CEO of The Boeing Co., said: "U.S. and European industry came together today to show unity of purpose and appreciation of a common global threat. We will work together on ballistic missile defense -- adding a new dimension to transatlantic cooperation." As the prime U.S. government contractor on integrated missile defense systems, Boeing established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on missile defense with EADS. This agreement establishes a framework for the company's relationship in the area of global missile defense that would ultimately protect the United States and its allies from global threats.
Boeing and Alenia Spazio (a Finmeccanica Company) announced a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on ballistic missile defense at the Farnborough Air Show. Giorgio Zappa, chairman of Alenia Spazio stated: "This agreement confirms the worldwide appreciation of the level of technology achieved by Alenia Spazio in the field of secured communications, radar observation and system integration. We are proud to cooperate with Boeing in such a challenging endeavor."
Boeing and BAE SYSTEMS announced at the Farnborough Airshow a memorandum of understanding to support all aspects of global ballistic missile defense. Through this agreement, two of the world's leading aerospace and defense companies will collaboratively develop opportunities in missile defense drawing on their existing skills and capabilities. "This is an opportunity to bring to the missile defense effort the capabilities of two very capable companies, to the benefit of all those who will eventually be protected by such a system. We are pleased to be part of this effort," said Mike Rouse, Group Marketing Director, BAE SYSTEMS plc.

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Airborne Laser completes first flight
Erstflug des ABL-Testflugzeugs

An extensively modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser circled over western Kansas for an hour and 22 minutes during its maiden flight July 21, taking the first steps in becoming the world's first directed-energy combat aircraft. It was the first time the aircraft had flown since arriving here Jan. 22, 2000, straight off the Boeing assembly line. The flight was the first in a test series to prove the aircraft still performs like a Boeing 747 despite significant structural and operational changes made during its two-and-a-half-year stay at the Boeing Maintenance and Modification Center adjacent to McConnell Air Force Base. "This successful flight is truly a milestone in the history of ABL," said Col. Ellen Pawlikowski, ABL program office director at Kirtland AFB, N.M. "It represents a major step forward toward our ultimate goal of shooting down a ballistic missile with a beam of ultra-powerful light by the end of 2004."
The ABL is scheduled to take its place as a principal member of the boost-phase segment of the Missile Defense Agency's layered system designed to protect the country and U.S. troops against enemy ballistic missiles, Pawlikowski said. The ABL's task is to destroy just-launched missiles by focusing its high-energy laser beam on the pressurized fuel tank, causing it to rupture and explode, in effect causing the missile to kill itself. ABL, now under the MDA's management, is being developed by a team composed of the Boeing Co., TRW, and Lockheed Martin Corp., the colonel said. Boeing supplied the aircraft and the sophisticated software system which will be the brains of the weapon system. TRW built the megawatt-class lasers that comprise the system's kill mechanism, while Lockheed Martin built the complicated maze of mirrors and lenses used to guide the lasers to the target and the turret that will house the system's 1.5-meter telescope.

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Air show crash in Ukraine kills 83
83 Tote bei Flugshow-Unfall in Lwiw

A Ukrainian Suchoi Su-27 has killed at least 83 people and injured 116 when it hit the ground and cartwheeled in flames into a crowd of spectators at Lviv, near the border to Polan. It is the world's deadliest air show disaster. The fighter was demonstrating a rolling dive and failed to recover properly. Both pilots ejected and have survived. President Leonid Kuchma, who cut short his holiday on hearing the news and rushed to the scene, sacked air force chief Volodymyr Strelnykov, Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted his spokeswoman as saying. "The guilty must be brought to justice, on this point there is no doubt," the president told local television stations. Ukraine's defence minister had also fired the head of the 14th air force division, which was celebrating its 60th anniversary at the air show, the news agency said. The Su-27 had clipped the tops of trees lining the airfield before trailing a wing across the tarmac, slicing the nose off a large transport aircraft and exploding in a huge orange and black ball of fire. A shower of metal debris fell upon the onlookers.

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BAE Systems and EADS alter space cooperation
Neue Struktur für Astrium

BAE Systems and EADS are teaming to address military telecommunication satellite services. As a first important step, the partners will form a new joint venture company, Paradigm Secure Communications Limited, to address service provision requirements of the UK Ministry of Defence's Skynet 5 program. BAE Systems will have control of the UK operations of this joint venture. Paradigm Secure Communications will contract with Astrium for the manufacture and provision of satellites and ground systems. Skynet 5 is the future military communications satellite system for the UK Ministry of Defence. Paradigm has been designated as the preferred bidder for this service provision.
In parallel, BAE Systems has agreed to sell to EADS its 25 percent voting interest/27.5 economic interest in the Astrium space joint venture for Euro 65 million. EADS currently holds the 75 percent voting interest/72.5 economic interest in Astrium. Completion of the sale is conditional upon clearance by the European Commission under the Merger Regulation and upon finalization of the UK MoD contract for Skynet 5 with Paradigm Secure Communications Limited. Completion is expected to take place before the end of the year. For EADS, the acquisition will allow the integration into a single company of all its space interests in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, and will increase the overall industrial and financial efficiency of the group's space business. This single company will have two main industrial subsidiaries, dedicated respectively to satellites and to launcher and orbital infrastructure. "This agreement will give us the ability to consolidate and develop space systems, one of our core businesses, and to continue and to expand a fruitful partnership with BAE Systems in military satellite communication services," said Francois Auque, Member of the EADS Executive Committee and Head of the Space Systems Division. "Consolidating our ownership of Astrium will allow EADS to enhance its strategic positioning in a rapidly changing market place," he added.

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Airbus delivers 3,000th aircraft
3000. Airbus ausgeliefert

On July 18, Airbus delivered the 3000th Airbus aircraft, an A320 from the Toulouse final assembly line to the highly successful North American low-cost airline, JetBlue Airways. It took Airbus 23 years to deliver its first 1,000 airliners, just six to deliver the next thousand, and a mere three to reach this latest milestone. The aircraft is the 171st Airbus delivery so far this year, which puts the company well on track to delivering 300 aircraft in 2002, a level which it expects to maintain next year. From delivering less than one percent of all commercial jetliners in 1974, Airbus' share has risen steadily since then, reaching 30 percent in 1998 and 40 percent in 2001.

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STAR 21 resarch plan in Europe
Neue Aerospace-Pläne für Europa

The European Commission welcomed the initial findings of the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE). Its blueprint for a new strategic research agenda calls for a consistent and co-ordinated R&D drive at national and EU level, in both public and private sectors, with integrated technological platforms, large scale research test-beds, joint trans-national R&D projects and schemes to nurture bright ideas and foster innovation and technology transfer. ACARE proposes the launch of an ad-hoc Forum with Member States to improve research infrastructures. A new Aeronautics Contact Point information network should help make the most of EU know-how in this field. New technologies should be validated through a EU-wide certification system. ACARE also recommends upgrading skills and human resources in this sector, for instance by fostering mobility of researchers and life-long training.
Speaking from the Farnborough International Air Show in the UK, Commissioner Busquin said: "I welcome ACARE's findings. They are consistent with our 2020 vision for aeronautics and the STAR 21 report ("Strategic Aerospace Review for the 21st Century") released last week. All agree on the need to step up research in this sector. The success of our aeronautics industry today depends on research investments made 15 years ago. Unless we invest more in R&D today and adopt a consistent approach at EU level, we compromise the sector's future. In a global and highly competitive market, European enterprises cannot be successful without joining forces with the EU and Member States. Building on a vision for aeronautics in the 21st Century, we can avoid duplication and waste of resources, and pool forces to reach a critical mass at the European level. The 6th EU Research Framework Programme (FP6 2002-2006) will allocate Euro 1.075 billion to aerospace-related research. But on top of funding and access to finance, the sector needs regulatory and policy support, to help create a true aeronautics industrial platform at EU level."

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Bids for Italian/German MPA
Seeaufklärer-Angebote für Deutschland/Italien eingereicht

Alenia Aeronautica/Finmeccanica and EADS Military Aircraft have jointly submitted an offer for a modern Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the German-Italian Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement (MPA-R) Program. The offer is in response to a Request for Proposals issued in November 2001 by the German-Italian MPA-R Program Management Team at Koblenz to replace the ageing fleet of Breguet Atlantic ATL-1 operated by both countries. Alenia/EADS will establish a Joint Venture to be the prime contractor of the program. The offer comprises 24 MPA aircraft derived from the proven Airbus 320, platforms, using a unique modification concept incorporating MPA-specific state-of-the-art functionality in combination with the outstanding features of the A320. Equipped with advanced sensors, tactical data management and communications systems for operators, stores and weapons compartments and a crew rest area, the MPA320 will provide the highest operational value and unsurpassed availability to the customer. The offer is supplemented by fixed-site and deployable mission support facilities to be fielded at the main operating bases in Germany and Italy and deployed operating bases worldwide. Training simulators and the full spectrum of logistic and customer support services are included in the offer.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin Corporation, will propose a newly manufactured P-3C for the joint Germany and Italy Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement (MPA-R) program in the company's bid that will be submitted tomorrow, Friday, July 26. Accepted as the world standard for maritime patrol aircraft, the company's new production P-3 will join a fleet of more then 450 P-3s operated worldwide by 16 countries. "Lockheed Martin's solution to the MPA-R requirement will continue our 60 years of leadership in fixed wing Maritime Patrol innovation," said Jack Crisler, Lockheed Martin's director of international Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) pursuits. "Our team will consist of worldwide leaders in surface and subsurface surveillance and detection systems."

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Learjet 40 and 45 XR announced
Neue Geschäftsreisejets von Bombardier

Bombardier Aerospace unveiled two high-performance Bombardier Learjet business jets: the Bombardier Learjet 40, a new light business jet; and the Bombardier Learjet 45 XR, an enhanced version of the popular Bombardier Learjet 45 super-light business jet. "These new aircraft represent the latest stage in the evolution of Bombardier Learjet business aircraft and are significant additions to the product line of the world pioneer in business jets," said Pierre Beaudoin, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace, during a special event timed to kick off the biennial Farnborough International Air Show in the United Kingdom. "They will carry on Learjet's 40-year tradition of unparalleled performance and set new standards in jet-powered flight." "The new Bombardier Learjet 40 and Learjet 45 XR are a logical addition to Bombardier's product line, offering greater speed and range than any competitive aircraft in their categories," added Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "Moreover, they offer owners and operators the added benefit of commonality with the Bombardier Learjet 45 in terms of aftermarket services and enhancements."
The sleek Bombardier Learjet 40 is scheduled to enter into service in the first quarter of 2004. With four passengers and two crew, the aircraft will fly a maximum range of 1,803 nautical miles (3,339 km) under ISA conditions and IFR reserves. The Bombardier Learjet 40 will also feature cruise speeds up to Mach 0.81 and a maximum operating altitude of 51,000 feet (15,545 m), allowing it to fly further, faster and higher than any other jet in its class. The new Bombardier Learjet 45 XR, also unveiled, is an enhanced version of the Bombardier Learjet 45, which has become a dominant force in the world's super-light business jet category since its entry into service four years ago. Scheduled to enter service in mid-2003, the aircraft will be able to carry eight passengers and two crew more than 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 km) and offer faster climb times and increased maximum speeds, at given altitudes, than the Bombardier Learjet 45. It also offers significant improvements out of more hot weather and high elevation locations; for example, up to an additional 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 km) out of Aspen, Colo.

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NEWS IN BRIEF – KURZMELDUNGEN

Kaman Corporation announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the privately held German aerospace bearing manufacturing company, RWG Frankenjura-Industrie Flugwerklager GmbH, headquartered in Dachsbach, Germany. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of July. RWG will operate as a separate subsidiary within Kaman's aerospace segment. Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. RWG manufactures spherical and ball bearings, rod ends, bushings and specialty components primarily for the aerospace industry. The company employs about 85 people, had sales in 2001 of approximately U.S. $10 million and, along with its predecessor companies, has been in business for more than 50 years. RWG's largest customer is Airbus Industries.
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A five-year renewable Agreement for Cooperation was signed in Brussels by the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), Antonio Rodotà, and the Director General of Eurocontrol, Victor M. Aguado. The Agreement establishes a general framework for cooperation and supportbetween the two organisations regarding the use of space technology for civil aviation purposes in areas of common interest such as satellite navigation, telecommunications and the environment. Under the Agreement, the parties will exchange information regarding programmes and projects, research results and publications, and will coordinate research and development programmes. Specific arrangements will be implemented, spelling out the technical and operational interfaces between the respective activities and the roles and responsibilities of the parties. Each party will bear the cost of work to be done, without funds being exchanged. One such arrangement will cover the safety regulation process for GNSS with exchanges of information on the methodologies to be employed, sharing of results obtained from R&D and technical projects and joint participation in on-going projects. Operational validation will also be taken into account by working together on all phases of flight: en-route, standard non-precision approach and airport surface movements.
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UK Industry Minister, Alan Johnson announced £2.6 million of DTI funding to help a partnership led by Airbus UK, develop further wing technology for future generations of passenger jets. The CASCADE project will be led from Airbus UK's engineering centre at Filton near Bristol and will further develop techniques in using composite materials in civil aircraft wings. The DTI funding will be matched by industry partners. CASCADE will enhance the UK's future capability in a key area of design and manufacturing technology and enable the UK to maintain its civil airliner wing design leadership.
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Fokker Services B.V., member of the Netherlands based Stork Aerospace Group, signed an agreement with the Boeing Company to establish a new European Support Center at the Fokker Services facilities in the Netherlands (Nieuw-Vennep). This European Center will be part of the larger Boeing Global Support Network through which Boeing and its partners will offer comprehensive life-cycle maintenance and service for military aircraft around the world. Fokker Services B.V. will provide on behalf of Boeing the complete front office, including customer-, administrative and Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG) services and comprehensive warehouse services, beginning with the CH-47 Chinook helicopter platform and expanding to other military platforms manufactured by Boeing and other companies. Boeing Military Aerospace Support is a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Integrated Defense Systems develops, manufactures and provides support for military fighters, bombers, transport and tanker aircraft, rotorcraft, missiles and munitions for the U.S. and Allied Armed Forces around the world.
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In the first five months of this year Lufthansa achieved a significantly higher punctuality rate than any of its main European competitors, making the airline the most punctual hub carrier in Europe. Announcing this positive result in Frankfurt today, Dr. Christoph Klingenberg, Executive Vice President and General Representative Group Infrastructure of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said, "Since 1999 we have seen an excellent improvement in our departure punctuality rate. It has gone up from less than 70 per cent in 1999 to over 85 per cent this year. Lufthansa has thus clearly moved up to the top of the league in Europe," he explained. At Frankfurt, its main hub, Lufthansa achieved a punctuality rate of 85 per cent, much higher than its major European rivals in London, Amsterdam or Paris. According to international standards, a flight is classed as punctual if it takes off within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure time.
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Having suffered a generally weak trend in air cargo volume in the first five months of this year related to capacity and market conditions, the Austrian Airlines Group made a clear increase in its transportation volume in the month of June 2002. With total performance (cargo and airmail) amounting to 10,783 tons, the Group managed to exceed the comparison figure for the same month the previous year by a full 11.3 %. The trend in cargo volume to and from destinations in Asia was particularly encouraging, with the Group achieving significant capacity increases over successive months in the area. In total, 56,710 tons were carried in the first six months of 2002. Due to the weak economic trend at the beginning of this year, this figure remains 5.3 % below that for the previous year. The most successful day in the first half-year was 30 May 2002: 313 tons were carried by the aircraft of the Austrian Airlines Group fleet, representing a new record in the history of Austrian air cargo transportation.
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Aermacchi, Dassault Aviation, EADS-CASA, EADS Military Aircraft (Germany) and Saab have signed an Industrial Collaboration Agreement to perform the feasibility study for the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT). This step forward was reached shortly prior to the 2002 Farnborough Air Show. The object of the study is the feasibility of establishing a joint European Integrated Training System (Eurotraining) including all flying and ground based training for the advanced and fighter lead-in training phases. An important element will be a modern trainer aircraft based on advanced technologies and performance levels to meet today's and future training needs of European Air Forces. The Integrated Training System will be a cost-efficient way to prepare young pilots for the operation of modern 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft in the complex multifaceted scenarios of the future and multi-national missions demanding a high degree of interoperability. It will be a major step in strengthening the European defense identity by further intensifying the cooperation of Europe's Air Forces and industries in this crucial area.
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EADS, the world's second largest aerospace and defence company, has increased its profit forecast for 2002. The company expects Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT, pre-goodwill and exceptional items) to be 20% higher than the EUR 1.2 billion previously forecasted. The performance of the Airbus division has been better than expected, despite the market downturn in commercial aviation after 11 September. Due to lower aircraft deliveries and higher Research & Development costs, Airbus' results in the second half of 2002 will be reduced compared to the first half. For the full year 2002, EADS expects a higher contribution to the Group's EBIT by the non-commercial aircraft businesses than in 2001. The combined EBIT of these four divisions is expected to improve significantly.The overall effect of these factors will be an enhancement of our 2002 bottom-line profitability compared with EADS' earlier forecast.
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Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, and Gerard Brachet, Director General of French space agency CNES, signed the launch service contract for the Helios IIA satellite. The signing ceremony was also attended by French Ingenieur General de l'Armement Francois Fayard, Arianespace Chairman Jean-Marie Luton and CNES Chairman, Alain Bensoussan. An Ariane 5 will launch the Helios IIA satellite into a sun-synchronous polar orbit during the second half of 2004 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Helios IIA will weigh about 4,200 kg. at launch. Helios IIA is the first second-generation satellite in the defense/security observation system operated by France in collaboration with other European countries. The French defense procurement agency DGA (Delegation pour l'Armement), part of the Ministry of Defense, is in charge of the program, and has named CNES system architect and contracting authority for the space segment. The program organization is very similar to that chosen in 1986 for the Helios I production phase.
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Royal Jordanian Airlines took delivery of the first of two leased Airbus A340-200s, marking an important new step in its fleet growth and modernization. Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan attended the ceremony in Toulouse at which the A340-200 was handed over to Royal Jordanian President and CEO Samer Majali by Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard.
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Embraer delivered the first three aircraft that will be part of the Amazon Surveillance System, SIVAM, to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) today at the air force base in Anapolis (State of Goias). The aircraft, two EMB 145 SA (AEW&C - Airborne Early Warning and Control) and one EMB 145 RS (Remote Sensing) models are part of a total order of eight aircraft to be delivered over the next few months for the SIVAM Program, of which five will be EMB 145 SA and three of the EMB 145 RS type. The aircraft from Embraer are a fundamental part of the SIVAM Program that will provide precision surveillance and monitoring of some 5.2 million square kilometers of the Amazon. The EMB 145 SA, dubbed the R 99-A by FAB, will be responsible for performing air surveillance missions, monitoring all kind of air traffic, even aircraft flying at very low altitudes, thus guaranteeing the air space sovereignty. It is equipped with the state-of-the-art Ericsson Erieye Radar.
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The international team helping develop the advanced technology solutions for the Boeing Sonic Cruiser has grown with the appointment of Austria-based Fischer Advanced Composite Components (FACC) AG. "We believe FACC is especially well-suited to provide development expertise to our team," said Jeff Luckey, director of Supplier Management for the Sonic Cruiser program. "The company is well respected for its ability to optimize and improve existing designs for maximum benefits." Walter Stephan, chief executive officer of FACC AG, said his company is excited to work together with Boeing on this challenging new airplane, adding that the decision by Boeing is a great tribute to the company's emphasis on investing in new technologies for composite aerostructures.
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The regional jet engine, SM 146, developed by Snecma Moteurs and NPO Saturn, have been selected in the short list of two, for next step of the competition for Russian Regional Jet propulsion system. The Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) is being developed by Sukhoï Civil Aircraft and its partners. The SM146 engine, in the thrust range of 13500 to 17500 lbf, is specially designed for the regional aircraft market, which is expected to have a strong development in the world's air transportation business in the next 20 years. An important advantage of the SM146 engine is to be a common engine for the three versions of RRJ (60, 75 and 95 passenger seats).
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Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) is delighted to have been selected as one of two finalists considered to power the new Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) family of aircraft. P&WC is confident that its new PW800 engine represents a perfect match for the RRJ currently under development by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft in collaboration with Ilyushin of Russia, Yakovlev design bureaus of Russia and The Boeing Company of the U.S. The PW800 is being developed for the RRJ in collaboration with world industry leaders in aerospace to bring together best-in-class technologies from around the world. Team members include P&WC, MTU (Germany) and Fiat Avio (Italy), among others. P&WC and MTU also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Aviadvigatel in support of the development of the PW800.
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The front and rear NH90 fuselage sections have been delivered to Eurocopter Deutschland facility in Donauwörth (Munich), which produced the center one, for the imminent fuselage junction of the first serial production NH90. In accordance with the original NH90 Program, a single source manufacturer produced the fuselage modules: Eurocopter (Marignane) turned out the front, Eurocopter Deutschland the center and Agusta (at Brindisi facility) the rear one. The Partner Companies are currently manufacturing the main fuselage modules for the next eight helicopters. These first modules will be delivered to Agusta and Eurocopter facilities for the junction, with the in site produced module, operated with the already used special mating jig. In addition, the first production main transmission assembly is currently put through bench-tests at the Agusta Cascina Costa facility.
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On July 24, 2002, Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and Great Britain's research and development company Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. /SSTL/ signed an agreement providing for the launch of eight microsatellites. The satellites will be launched by three Kosmos rockets from the Plesetsk launching site in northern Russia in 2002-04. The agreement was signed by V.N.Yarmolyuk, deputy head of Rosoboronexport's directorate for defense technologies and space, and SSTL Chief Executive Officer, Sir Martin N. Sweeting. The satellites will form an international satellite constellation to monitor accidents and natural disasters, called "Disaster Monitoring Constellation" /DMC/. Seven European, Asian and African countries are participating in the project.
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Alcoa Aerospace announced during the Farnborough Air Show in England the introduction of two new products, the Fortress blast-resistant cargo container and a machined, forged aluminum door structure using Alcoa's new proprietary 7085 alloy. Alcoa Aerospace also announced that its Howmet Castings unit will supply investment cast engine structural components for the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine program, which will be used on the Airbus A380 commercial aircraft. Alcoa Aerospace has developed a new blast-resistant cargo container for airlines that brings together the company's aluminum design and production experience with its expertise in aluminum-based armor protection. Preliminary definition of the Fortress Container has been completed, and a full-scale prototype is being shown for the first time on Alcoa's exhibit stand at this week's Farnborough Air Show.
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BAE Systems welcomed the announcement by the Kingdom of Bahrain that it has selected the Hawk trainer aircraft to meet the future training requirements of the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF). This program further strengthens the strategic relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and BAE Systems. BAE Systems Hawk Managing Director, Kevin Taylor, said, "I am pleased that the Kingdom of Bahrain has selected the Hawk for their training requirements. This announcement demonstrates that the Hawk is an adaptable, cost effective training platform suitable for use by air forces throughout the world. We now look forward to concluding negotiations and bringing the Hawk into service with the RBAF."
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The Polish flag carrier LOT Polish Airlines and ATR announced the signature of a contract for 5 ATR 42-500 (1 new and 4 second-hand aircraft). They will be operated by LOT's regional subsidiary EuroLOT. Deliveries are scheduled to take place this summer. “We look forward to introducing those new generation ATR 42-500 into our fleet, underlined Marek Sidor, EuroLOT President and CEO. The aircraft will allow EuroLOT to offer improved services to our passengers while still retaining the benefits of the unmatched economics of operations of ATR aircraft.”
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To accelerate deployment of new technologies for enhanced air transport capacity, safety and security Airbus, EADS and Thales announced the creation of an open industry alliance to provide a global solution to radically increase air traffic capacity while enhancing safety and security. The Air Traffic Alliance team will work to improve the air transport system over the coming decades and is linked to major initiatives by the European Union, Eurocontrol and European Civil Aviation Authorities. Air Traffic Control Centers around the world currently deal with up to 100,000 flights a day with a growing need for additional capacity. Europe's major challenge is to develop an efficient transport system to handle 3 times more flights in the next 20 years safely and securely whilst reducing delays to less than 15 minutes for 99 per cent of the flights, as outlined in the EC-sponsored report “European Aeronautics: A Vision for 2020”. With its closely-spaced population centers, the core of Europe has the world's most challenging en-route airspace, where improved air traffic solutions are routinely pioneered, and later also used elsewhere. In an unprecedented move, the alliance partners propose a plan for simultaneous integration and deployment of aircraft capabilities with highly automated ground air traffic control systems fully exploiting the potential of new technologies enabling co-operation between aircraft and control centers.
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The U.A.E. Air Force & Air Defence (U.A.E. AF & AD) and Military Aircraft of the EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company are teamed in the Mako program since the Dubai Air Show in 1999. The two partners, who have already signed two MoU's are intensively working on further program progress. For this purpose the U.A.E. AF & AD / EADS team continues to jointly develop the technical and operational definition. As a result of this endeavor, twelve individual MoUs between EADS Military Aircraft, U.A.E. AF & AD and internationally renowned companies have already been signed. As far as the U.A.E. are concerned, the U.A.E. University at Al Ain, the Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (GAMCO), and the Higher College of Technology (CERT) have joined forces with the Mako team.
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Airbus, Rockwell Collins and Tenzing Communications, Inc. announced a cooperative effort to offer a complete range of airborne communications and data management solutions to airlines and their passengers. This unique team assembles key industry players to advance airborne connectivity services to the next evolutionary stage and deliver them to the world's commercial airlines. Airbus' efficient aircraft with Airbus in-Flight Information System (AFIS) platform, Rockwell Collins' aviation electronics systems expertise and Tenzing's inflight messaging communications capabilities offer innovative solutions for airlines and their passengers. Among other advantages, this approach offers airlines an immediate and affordable solution using existing infrastructure and equipment, true global coverage and an upgrade path to broadband service offerings.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has received type certification for its new PW306C turbofan engine from both Transport Canada (TC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. P&WC was awarded TC type certification on June 21 while FAA type certification followed July 12 with Europe's Joint Airworthiness Authorities approval to follow. The PW306C is the newest member of the eight-model PW300 engine family from P&WC. The engine family offers takeoff thrusts ranging from 4,600 to 7,000 lb. to operators in the corporate and regional markets. P&WC's PW306C turbofan is flat rated to 5,686 lb. thrust at takeoff available to ISA+15C.
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BAE Systems, Kazan of Russia and Canada's Kelowna Flightcraft have concluded and signed an international marketing agreement for the Mi-172 medium-utility and transport helicopter. Under the partnership, announced today at the Farnborough Air Show, the three companies will jointly market new Mi-172 helicopters built by Kazan and equipped with a new mission system from BAE Systems Avionics plus a 'western' avionics suite which includes glass cockpit and autopilot, installed and integrated by Kelowna Flightcraft. The new systems provide an increased operational capability, to meet NATO and other international standards, for an already established and proven, high performance helicopter. BAE Systems or Kazan will act as prime contractor in export markets, depending upon the prospective customer.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.'s (P&WC's) new advanced technology geared turbofan family, the PW800, aimed at the next-generation 50- to 100+-passenger regional jets and future large business aircraft, is poised for customer launch. The new engine's revolutionary technology is now ready and the engine family has already attracted considerable interest from aircraft manufacturers in Europe, Asia and North America. The PW800's technology readiness demonstrator, the Advanced Technology Fan Integrator (ATFI), completed its first run in March 2001 and over the past year underwent extensive testing to validate the very best key technologies to meet the industry's ever-increasing expectations in operating economics.
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Boeing has added Stork Fokker Aerostructures, based in the Netherlands, to the Sonic Cruiser technology development team. The team is working to develop the solutions that will make the Sonic Cruiser a success. "The Sonic Cruiser leadership team selected Stork Fokker as a part of its technology development effort based on Stork Fokker's expertise with advanced materials, processes and structures," said Jeff Luckey, director of Supplier Management for the Sonic Cruiser program. "We know that the technology Stork Fokker brings to the team will help us meet our program targets." Stork Fokker specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing and supporting structural airframe components, assemblies and systems of commercial and military aircraft and helicopters.
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Precision Conversions, LLC's President, Steven J. Thomas, announced today the award of an installation contract to Aviation Management Systems, Inc. (AMS) in Goodyear, AZ. The installation contract will provide aircraft modification and other technical support services required to support the certification of Precision Conversions, LLC's first B757 passenger-to-freighter conversion. The conformity aircraft is scheduled for modification at AMS in fourth quarter 2002. Mr. Thomas stated, "The AMS contract for cargo conversions continues our advancement towards certification, allowing critical production preplanning activities to begin in advance of the first aircraft arrival." Further, "The selection of AMS considered their past cargo conversion programs and their demonstrated experience and investment in B757 technical capability, tooling and associated facilities required for the long-term support of the B757 fleet."
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V Corps' long-awaited squadron of 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters arrived at the port of Antwerp last week and flew in mass formation July 22 to the unit's home airfield in Illesheim, Germany. The state-of-the-art attack helicopters, each encased in a protective cocoon of shrink-wrapped plastic, were unloaded from the ship Scan Bothnia by soldiers and contractors of the Military Traffic Management Command's 838th Transportation Terminal Battalion from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Aviation, a U.S. Army Europe 21st Theater Support Command unit based at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany. After unloading, the aircraft were unwrapped and inspected by aviation specialists from the unit to which they'll be assigned - the 6th Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry, part of V Corps' 11th Aviation Regiment, based in Illesheim, Germany. Once accounted for and inspected, mechanics and crew chiefs from Troop D of the 6/6th began reassembly of the Longbows. Following the reassembly process, the helicopters were test-flown before moved to Illesheim.
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Not content with a well performing 407, Bell has made many improvements to the aircraft. Approval was given recently that changed tail rotor bearing inspections from every 25 hours to 100 hours and eliminated tail rotor performance limits. The official notifications and compliance information has just been published. This change represents just one of several product improvements. Others improvements include an improved drive train components, a quick, lightweight blade fold kit available now that allows tighter parking, reliability improvements in engine instruments, a new strengthened tailboom, new transmission & mast oil seals, a new cargo hook system, selected kit wiring sets for floats, cargo hook and flight instruments which are easier to install and a starter generator that gives better performance for operations over 10,000 feet. These improvements are now incorporated into the production line helicopters and bulletins are available for upgrade of existing helicopters.
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Expedition Five Commander Valery Korzun and Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson and Sergei Treschev concluded another active workweek aboard the International Space Station. One of the areas that the crew focused on during the week was scientific research. Whitson worked with the Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules, or SUBSA, experiment and took images of the Advanced Astroculture experiment package. The crew also participated in the Pulmonary Function in Flight experiment, which studies the effects of long-duration spaceflight and spacewalks on human lungs. Early in the week, the crew replaced remote power converter modules in the Quest Airlock after the old modules displayed signs of malfunction. Also, Russian flight controllers conducted routine manifold tests on the Progress cargo ship's thrusters in preparation for a reboost maneuver scheduled for Aug. 1.
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Though the next Space Shuttle Program level review will not occur until July 31, Director Ron Dittemore on Friday said preliminary findings indicate that welding tiny cracks found in the orbiter fuel lines is the repair of choice to safely and quickly put the program back on track toward a launch no earlier than Sept. 26. As of now, the first mission would be to send Atlantis on a mission (STS-112) to the International Space Station delivering the next piece of the 360-foot-long truss. That would be followed about Nov. 2 by Endeavour carrying another truss segment and the Expedition Six crew to the station (STS-113). The last mission of the year would be Columbia's dedicated research mission (STS-107) in December. Though analysis has yet to determine the cause of the cracks, based on the extensive testing and analysis over the course of the last six weeks, Dittemore says shuttle flights can safely resume with the relatively straightforward weld repair. He has not ruled out the possibility that no repair is necessary and the shuttles could fly with the cracks, but the final decision will not be made until next week following a full program review of the findings.
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The Italian Ministry of Defense, Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Alenia Aeronautica, together with its subsidiary Aeronavali, announced today that the parties have reached agreement in principle to develop, produce and support four 767 Tanker Transport aircraft for the Italian Air Force. "This Tanker Transport program is a critical element in the modernization of Italian forces for global interoperability," said Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, Italy national armaments director. "Together, we can leverage the unique capabilities of Boeing and Alenia to provide the most capable solution for the Italian Air Force, while maximizing industrial return for Italy through a highly qualified participation of our industry." "This agreement is an important step in providing a much needed capability to the Italian Air Force," said Gen. Nazzareno Cardinali, director general, Armaereo. "The 767 Tanker Transport will provide advantages in effectiveness, flexibility, reliability and supportability over our current 707 tankers."
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The German government has cleared the way for the introduction of inflight broadband Internet services to air travelers beginning next January by authorizing The Boeing Company to use a range of radio frequencies for its revolutionary Connexion by Boeing. service. The license, known as a spectrum authorization, was granted by the German Regulatory Authority for Telecommunication and Post. Lufthansa German Airlines will join Connexion by Boeing beginning in January for a three-month service demonstration, bringing real-time, high-speed Internet, intranet and email services to trans-Atlantic flights linking Frankfurt and Washington, D.C.
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