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Week ending August 11, 2002
+++ Production contract for TAURUS KEPD 350 +++ Space Shuttle to fly again in September +++ Airbus and CAE to establish training centers +++ Crosby new chairman and CEO of EADS North America +++ Ryanair expansion contiunues +++ News in brief +++
Production contract for TAURUS KEPD 350
Abstandswaffe für Luftwaffe bestellt
Following the positive decision taken by the German Bundestag on 3 July 2002, the Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) awarded the contract worth a total of EUR 570 million to TAURUS Systems GmbH for "production investment, series production and the establishment of logistic supportability" for the precision standoff guided missile system TAURUS KEPD 350. This guided missile system is planned as armament for the German Luftwaffe's combat aircraft Tornado IDS and Eurofighter/Typhoon - the latter in its air-to-ground role. In the production investment phase, which is to begin before the end of this year, all the equipment required for series production is to be purchased and set up. From mid-2004 up to 2009, a total of 600 missiles are to be delivered. In addition, the scope of the contract covers the manufacture of all logistic equipment and documentation required to bring the missile into operational service and also training courses for personnel. For this purpose a further 14 training missiles are to be built.
"We are proud to have provided the required proofs of functionality for TAURUS KEPD 350 within the extremely short development time of just under five years and - as a consequence - to have received the series contract. Also in the future we wish the trust placed in us by our German customer to be justified and will certainly be a reliable partner to the contract. Thanks to this initial order for 600 missiles and the excellent price/performance ratio we offer, we now have a solid economic base that in future will enable us to also market TAURUS KEPD 350 outside Germany," stated Dr. Wolfgang Blaschke, Managing Director of TAURUS Systems GmbH.
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Space Shuttle to fly again in September
Reparaturen für die Raumfähren
Following an extensive investigation into the cause of tiny cracks inside fuel lines of the four space shuttle orbiters, NASA announced the team is ready to resume preparations for launching on Sept. 28, with Atlantis up first on an assembly mission to the International Space Station (ISS). "We've just completed a thorough review of the team's findings and recommendations, and I am pleased to report to you that -- pending the satisfactory completion of welding repairs -- we plan to resume shuttle flights by the end of September," said Ron Dittemore, NASA Space Shuttle Program Manager, Johnson Space Center, Houston. "There always will be inherent risks in space flight and it's our job to manage those risks appropriately." A welding and polishing process is being implemented that will restore flow-liner integrity to design condition. These liners are inside the space shuttle Main Propulsion System fuel lines to preclude liquid hydrogen and oxygen turbulent flow into the engines during launch and climb to orbit. The technique calls for welds of three very small cracks on Atlantis and two on Endeavour, which now is targeted for a launch no earlier than Nov. 2, also to the ISS. Additionally, the microscopic rough edges of the liner holes will be smoothed by polishing to reduce the chance of more cracks developing in the future.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Airbus and CAE to establish training centers
Trainingskooperation zwischen Airbus und CAE
CAE, the civil flight simulator and integrated training solutions provider and Airbus have entered into a ten-year renewable co-operation agreement for the development of a global network of training centers with the largest fleet of Airbus full flight simulators in the world, offering the highest quality of Airbus flight crew training. According to this agreement, CAE will provide equipment, facilities and advanced training technologies while Airbus will provide its courseware and training expertise, including Airbus qualified instructors ensuring that its very high training standards are maintained. The result will be a worldwide global network of training centers combining the North American Miami Airbus facilities with those of CAE in Denver and Toronto, as well as the Toulouse Airbus facilities with those of CAE in Madrid, Brussels, Rome, Dubai, Singapore and Sao Paulo. CAE will be responsible for adding flight simulators and related training technologies in line with Airbus standards, expanding the global network according to market demand. This will allow Airbus customers and operators to benefit from top quality training at more convenient locations closer to their home-base, leading to savings in time and travel expenses for their personnel, and allowing better planning flexibility. This network will offer the whole range of integrated training solutions, from simulator availability to complete training for initial, recurrent, transition and specialty training. This cooperation agreement is to be extended to maintenance training prior to mid-2004.
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Crosby new chairman and CEO of EADS North America
Ex-Northrop Manager für EADS
EADS has elected Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. (54) to the position of Chairman and CEO of EADS North America. This decision marks a strong strategic commitment by EADS to establish a real industrial presence in the United States, to develop strategic partnerships with US companies and to enhance the access of EADS to all elements of the U.S. defence and aerospace marketplace. EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich said, "We have created this top management position as a strong signal of our commitment to the US market. We are proud to welcome Ralph Crosby as a member of our executive committee. The U.S. is essential to EADS' global strategy. As our senior official in the United States, he will oversee our efforts to expand our business, develop industrial partnerships, and ensure strong customer relationships in this critical market. His excellent operational background, and many years of experience in a prime contractor role ideally suit him to lead this effort." Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. has over 20 years of experience in the defence and aerospace industry. Most recently, he was President of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems Sector, retiring in January of this year. After serving twelve years as an Army officer, he joined Northrop Grumman in 1981, and served in a variety of staff and line positions. For a number of years he was Vice President and Manager of the Washington Office. He had several major operational assignments including general management of the company's B-2 Division, and Commercial Aircraft Division. During his last four years at Northrop Grumman, he established and led the Integrated Systems Sector whose programs included the B-2 Bomber, JointSTARS surveillance aircraft, Global Hawk UAV, E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft, and the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare system.
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Ryanair expansion contiunues
Mehr Passagiere und höherer Gewinn bei Ryanair
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today announced its biggest increase in Q1 profits (end 30 Jun 02). Passenger traffic during the quarter rose by 38% to 3.54m (the first quarter in Ryanair's history when over 1m pax were carried each month) due in large measure to a further 7% reduction in average air fares. Total revenues grew by 29% to Euro 194.3m, however operating expenses rose by only 22% to Euro 148.9m with the result that profits rose significantly ahead of expectations by 68% to Euro 39.0m. Announcing these results Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "This record increase in Ryanair's quarterly profits is a direct result of the key elements of our unique low fares model. Firstly very strong traffic growth in all our new and existing markets, secondly extremely disciplined cost-management, and thirdly using these lower costs to drive down airfares for our customers. "Our traffic growth during Q1 was outstanding, with high load factors on all 10 routes to/from our new German base at Frankfurt Hahn, and our 8 new routes to/from London Stansted. Existing markets have also grown strongly where we were able to allocate bigger aircraft or increase frequencies. Average load factors for the quarter rose from 77% to 83%. "Despite this strong growth Ryanair continues to deliver impressive cost discipline. Operating expenses increased at a considerably lower rate (+22%) than revenues (+29%). The fact that marketing and distribution costs declined by 11% during a quarter when we were promoting our new German base and over 20 new routes, highlights the strength of Ryanair's unique low fares formula in Continental Europe. Despite the protestations of Lufthansa, (who continue to predict that low fares won't work in Germany), Ryanair enjoys load factors of over 80% on our 10 routes to/from Frankfurt Hahn. We will continue to expand in this market where Ryanair is now Germany's largest low fares airline.
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NEWS IN BRIEF – KURZMELDUNGEN
The U.S. Navy (USN) Acquisition Review Board has confirmed that GE Aircraft Engines' (GEAE) proposed T58 Engine Reliability Improvement Program (ERIP) has successfully met all requirements to qualify for low-rate initial production. The ERIP converts T58-GE-16 engines to the -16A model configuration. The Board's decision was based in large measure on the successful testing of a new verification core module. Near-term plans also include Accelerated Simulated Mission Endurance Testing (ASMET) of one verification engine and "Lead The Fleet" flight evaluation on two additional verification engines. The ERIP is to be introduced into 300 T58 engines powering Boeing CH-46E helicopters of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) fleet. The ERIP improvements will help extend the service life of the helicopters to at least 2015 and will substantially increase the engine time on wing. Potential growth plans may include additional T58 engines.+++
Fairs and Exhibitions (F&E), organisers of Dubai 2003, the eighth international aerospace exhibition, has reported an excellent showing at the recent Farnborough air show, announcing the addition of two new national pavilions. "This will be the first time the show has had either a Swiss or a Ukrainian national pavilion and highlights the growing importance of the Middle East market for both these countries," said Clive Richardson, CEO, F&E. Switzerland has reserved some 60 square metres for its national pavilion, while the Ukraine announced its intentions to participate with the reservation of 42 square metres. "Industry response to Dubai 2003 has been very positive and has very much exceeded our expectations. With the recent downturns in other markets, industry players are more than ever casting their eyes towards the vibrant Middle East Market,"
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Marconi plc announced it has completed the sale of its Strategic Communications business (Marconi Mobile Holdings) to Finmeccanica SpA for approximately 387 million pounds (614 million Euros). The completed sale is not conditional on any approvals or consents. The proceeds, received today in the form of cash and in debt assumed by Finmeccanica, have had the effect of reducing Marconi's net debt. Mike Parton, Marconi chief executive, said: "We have achieved a very positive outcome for Marconi and for Strategic Communications. Finmeccanica will be an excellent home for the business, its customers, management and employees." Strategic Communications designs, manufactures and supplies communications and information systems, primarily for defense and security applications, including ground, naval, avionic communications/command and control systems. The company employs approximately 4,000 people in Italy, UK, Germany and Turkey and, in the financial year ended 31 March 2002, had sales of approximately 308 million pounds (502 million euros).
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Lufthansa can report significant success in organising its business operations in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner. By deploying extremely fuel-efficient, low-emission and quiet jets the airline has achieved almost half of its growth over the past ten years without causing any additional impact on the environment. In 2001 Lufthansa jets needed an average of only 4.7 litres of fuel to fly one passenger 100 kilometres. Since 1991 fuel efficiency has thus risen by 23.4 per cent. Over the next ten years the airline aims to raise this figure to 38 per cent. There has also been a sharp drop in aircraft noise emissions. Today all the aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet comply with the most stringent noise criteria. Moreover, the Group actively supports wide-ranging measures and research projects aimed at further reducing noise levels. In future the Group will continue to invest in extremely low-emission and quiet jets.
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A delegation from the Committee of the Swiss Pilots (CCP) union of former Crossair cockpit personnel met with SWISS Executive Management on Wednesday, to discuss the pilots' Collective Labour Agreement. In the course of these discussions, the CCP delegation announced that it would be asking its members to vote on the strategy to be adopted. The CCP declined to provide details of precisely what its members would be invited to vote on. The CCP submitted a proposal for former Crossair pilots' salaries to SWISS Executive Management at the end of last week. The CCP delegation refused to discuss SWISS Executive Management's own proposal, which was also presented last week, at today's meeting. The CCP delegation also declined to agree a new date for further discussions. SWISS Executive Management will now present its own position to the former Crossair pilots directly in a series of meetings to be held in Zurich, Basel, Geneva and Lugano. The SWISS Board and Executive Management have emphasised that they will abide by all the provisions of the Basic Collective Labour Agreement which the company has already concluded with the Aeropers pilots' union. The Board and Executive Management of SWISS welcome the fact that the former Crossair pilots who are members of the Swiss Pilots (CCP) union will now be able to voice their views directly. SWISS expects the referendum among the union's members to include its own proposed solution which was presented by its Board and Executive Management on Tuesday, July 30, and which offered enhancements worth a total of CHF 16 million to the pilots concerned. The proposal would, SWISS feels, ensure due and full compliance with the ruling by the court of arbitration regarding the Basic Collective Labour Agreement concluded in March with the Aeropers union of former Swissair cockpit personnel. The court ruled that the terms of employment of former Crossair and former Swissair pilots should only differ in cases where such differentiation was justified in technical terms. The court thus demanded modifications to the vacation and bonus regulations for former Crossair pilots and equal salaries for pilots assigned to the MD-80 (ex-Crossair) and Airbus A320 (ex-Swissair) fleets
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NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe today selected William F. Readdy as the agency's next Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Readdy, a veteran Space Shuttle commander and Navy test pilot, replaces Frederick D. Gregory, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Aug. 1 as NASA's Deputy Administrator. Readdy will assume his new duties after Gregory takes the oath of office and will be in charge of NASA's human exploration and development of space. Since July 1998, he has served as space flight's Deputy Associate Administrator overseeing NASA's Marshall, Kennedy, Stennis and Johnson Space Centers. He also managed top-level policy planning and management of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Space Communications and Space Launch Vehicles programs.
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Together with the German company STN Atlas and Ericsson Microwave Systems, Saab Bofors Dynamics has been awarded a contract for delivery of new air defense systems to the Finnish defense forces. STN Atlas is the Prime Contractor. The contract valued will exceed an amount of 120 M Euro, of which circa 30 M Euro is for the Saab Bofors Dynamics share of the procurement. "This order underscores our standing as a world leading producer of short-range Air Defense systems, and it opens the door for similar contracts from other countries" says Ingemar Andersson, President of Saab Bofors Dynamics. The order comprises a mobile air defense system designated Asrad R, and the RBS 70 Manpad, system. Saab Bofors Dynamics is responsible for RBS 70 Manpad, parts of Asrad-R as well as Bolide missiles for both systems. The order constitutes a breakthrough on the export market for several new products, namely Asrad-R, the Bolide-missile and a new night sight for the RBS 70 system.
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The Embraer 170 recently completed successfully its first European tour, amassing more than 100 flight hours in 43 cycles and hosting more than 3,000 people, including current and potential customers and aerospace media representatives. Embraer 170 S/N 0005 had its maiden flight July 14 and less than a week later was displayed at the International Air Exhibition in Farnborough, England. It is the first Embraer 170 configured with a completely equipped passenger cabin. More than 3,000 people had the opportunity to see the Embraer 170 during its tour, which included stops in Switzerland, Italy at the bases of Embraer 170 customers Swiss and Alitalia as well as 9 countries in Europe more than 1,200 participated in 18 demonstration flights.
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Pratt & Whitney Component Solutions, Inc. (PWCS) has significantly upgraded its warehousing operations through the construction of a 15,328 sq.-ft expansion with a total of 30,000 sq.-ft. now available for aviation related distribution. The expansion allows for the consolidation of inventories from the Franklin Lakes satellite facility in addition to accommodating an expanding customer base. A grand opening unveiling the expansion to PWCS customers, industry representatives along with state and local business and civic dignitaries, marked the occasion.
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Orbital Sciences Corporation announced that it has been awarded a contract by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan, valued at up to $21 million, to provide launch support services for an experimental supersonic flight test program that is being sponsored by Japan's National Aerospace Laboratory. Under the contract, which is subject to annual budget reauthorization, Orbital will utilize its "Stargazer" L-1011 to carry a small-scale, unmanned supersonic airplane to a preplanned altitude and location, where it will be released to commence its autonomous flight. The ground activities and flight tests will originate from Woomera Airfield, Australia, with the first flight of the jet-powered experimental airplane scheduled to take place in 2005.
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Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL) has just been selected for award of another contract in connection with the European GALILEO programme. This award is one of 18 UK projects and studies, selected from a field of 50 proposals, to explore opportunities in the satellite communications and navigation industry, and which were recently announced by Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Innovation. This latest contract for RSL, valued at around 300,000 pounds and due to be awarded by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) as part of their National Telecommunications S@TCOM Programme, is for a Receiver for High Integrity Navigation Operations (RHINO). This project calls for the development of a prototype GPS/GALILEO satellite navigation receiver for applications such as safety of life services, where a high level of receiver integrity is required. RSL will lead this particular project with participation from Roke Manor Research Ltd, the University of Leeds and Helios Technology Ltd.
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The Boeing Company of Seattle was awarded $460,056,330 to fund the Spiral 1 objectives that are being incorporated into the existing Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) Other Transaction Agreement on July 6. The Spiral 1 effort will lead to the design, development and fabrication of two X-45B air vehicles, two containers and an upgraded mission control station. The effort will also include risk reduction modeling and simulation, ground and flight-testing, and system level demonstration activities necessary to meet the Spiral 1 objectives. This effort also includes an additional block of software development and flight-testing on the X-45As. It will be incrementally funded; the initial funding increment is $1,562,000. Spiral 1 will be performed in St. Louis. (62 percent), Seattle (34 percent), Palmdale, Calif. (three percent), Mesa, Ariz. (one percent), and Southern Calif. (one percent). The effort is to be completed by Dec. 30, 2005. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a limited competition with one proposal received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the contracting activity
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Dignitaries from NASA, Lockheed Martin and the State of Mississippi opened the new Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space & Technology Center, an advanced propulsion, thermal, and metrology facility located at the John C. Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. The facility represents a partnership between the Corporation's Space Systems and Technology Services companies, the State of Mississippi, Hancock County and NASA. Lockheed Martin Space Systems will operate a spacecraft propulsion and thermal system product center. Lockheed Martin Technology Services will establish a world-class Integrated Metrology Center and provide engineering and manufacturing services. Both will be housed in the same facility with operations expected to begin in the Fall of 2002. Approximately 270 jobs will be created at the center. These jobs reflect the projected needs of the two Lockheed Martin companies and their potential customers.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector, prime contractor for the B-2 stealth bomber, has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Air Force that will enhance support of the B-2 weapon system by a joint government-contractor team. Called the Total System Support Partnership (TSSP), the agreement will add supply chain management and support integration to Northrop Grumman's work under the existing B-2 Flexible Acquisition and Sustainment Team contract. Northrop Grumman employees will be able to work more closely with Air Force logistics personnel to support B-2 operational readiness. "The TSSP agreement reflects the Air Force's confidence in Northrop Grumman's continuing support of the B-2," said Paul Marchisotto, vice president and B-2 program manager for Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. "It will enhance support of the warfighter by leveraging the strengths of the government and the prime contractor to improve response time and reduce costs." Under TSSP, Northrop Grumman personnel will be involved in daily B-2 support activities to anticipate needs and expedite acquisition of items that could affect mission capability rates. They will perform these functions during the flight line review of pre- and post-flight aircraft records, informal and formal interaction with flight line maintenance personnel and data monitoring in the consolidated aircraft maintenance system at Whiteman Air Force Base, the operational home of the B-2 fleet.
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The first Airborne Laser (ABL) plane is continuing a series of successful flight worthiness test flights, ABL program officials said. As of Friday, ABL had completed four flights since its inaugural flight on July 18. On Friday, it flew to Boeing facilities in Seattle, where it will be painted, a program official said. A Boeing - Lockheed Martin - TRW team is developing ABL, a high-energy laser on a Boeing 747-400 aircraft for intercepting ballistic missiles in their boost phase. The modified 747 now flying is equipped with modifications necessary to house the laser, which will be integrated later. An actual laser shootdown test against a target won't take place at least until December 2004.
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Boeing delivered the 150th T-45 Goshawk training aircraft to the United States Navy. The aircraft, a T-45C, is headed to Training Wing 1, Squadron 7, based at Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. Rear Adm. John Boyington Jr., chief of Naval Aviation Training, accepted delivery of the aircraft. "The delivery of this aircraft marks a significant milestone achieved by the CNATRA, NAVAIR and Boeing team," said Boyington. "The continued production of T-45s will be the cornerstone within CNATRA that will train future strike naval aviators until 2025 and beyond."
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