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Week ending October 20, 2002
+++ Airbus beats Boeing to easyJet order +++ Integral lauched +++ CH-53 with IFR equipment delivered +++ Soyuz launch fails +++ Canada to convert A310s to tankers +++ News in brief +++
Airbus beats Boeing to easyJet order
Großauftrag für Airbus
easyJet, Europe's leading low-cost airline, announced that it had selected Airbus as the preferred supplier for 120 A319 aircraft, with options with price protection on a further 120 A319s. easyJet has granted Airbus exclusivity for 45 days to agree documentation. The agreement in principle is subject to contract. The detailed terms are subject to confidentiality restrictions, and any final agreement will be subject to shareholder approval. Key points of the deal: Firm order for 120 Airbus A319 aircraft for delivery from September 2003 over 5 years; options with price protection on a further 120 Airbus A319 aircraft until 2012; Airbus A319 will be configured with 150 seats, with the possibility of increasing to 156, compared to 149 on the Boeing 737-700; options for larger sized Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 at pre-agreed prices.It is expected that the final contract would provide easyJet with a number of significant financial benefits: easyJet estimates substantial savings, compared to buying additional B737-700s today; easyJet estimates the A319 would achieve an approximate 10% improvement per aircraft over the existing Boeing 737 operating cost base (measured per available seat kilometre); Airbus to provide extensive support so that the introduction of the A319 to be no more expensive than the B737-700 in the first two years; Airbus backed maintenance program means cost not higher than Boeing; Airbus assistance reduces residual value risk on remaining 10 owned B737-300s.
A319s will be introduced initially via easyJet's Geneva base from August 2003 operating under easyJet's Swiss air operator's licence. Eventually both the Airbus A319s and Boeing 737-700s will be interchangeable on all easyJet routes maintaining the "any aircraft, any route" aspect of the easyJet business model. Stelios Haji-Ioannou, easyJet Chairman, said: "As easyJet's largest single shareholder, I was faced with the dilemma of either following the conventional wisdom in the marketplace in order to keep shareholders happy in the short term, or doing what's right for all shareholders in the long run. We, at the Board, decided to do what's right. We refused to overpay in order to improve the stock price in the short term. It should be an offence to mis-use that level of corporate resources. At the end of the day 'low cost' companies remain 'low cost' by not wasting money. Sticking to old-fashioned fads like 'low cost airlines only fly Boeing' does not reduce costs. This order is big enough to be put to a vote by all shareholders. I will personally spend a lot of my time over the next couple of weeks along with the CEO and the Chairman-elect talking to our shareholders in order to explain the benefits of this deal. Having looked at several reference points on aircraft pricing including our own 44 Boeings, the offers Go Fly had received before the acquisition and the Ryanair deal, I am satisfied we have done the right thing by waiting. Having acquired Go Fly, one of the very few other potential buyers of significant numbers of aircraft, we have exploited the contestable market to its full potential. About four years ago, as a small airline we bought 15 B737-700s with no competition. Today, buying 120 aircraft in a competitive market, we can now purchase aircraft at approximately 30% per seat below the prices, adjusted for inflation, we achieved then. I have also followed the great success JetBlue have experienced with the Airbus product in the US. It offers an excellent, comfortable cabin for passengers, exceptional reliability and low fuel burn. The wider aisle also means faster boarding and deplaning, and therefore quick turnarounds. We also like the sizing of the A320 family, which allows us to graduate up to the 180 seat A320 and even 220 seat A321, if we choose to do so in the future."
"Boeing took this campaign very seriously and fought it aggressively." said Toby Bright, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Any sale loss is painful, of course, but win or lose, we value our customer relationships. EasyJet is an important customer. We are proud to be a part of their success thus far and will continue to work with them in the future. "Given the success of the 737 among low-cost carriers, we believe that Airbus offered easyJet a price lower than Boeing was willing to go. When you add the apparent guarantees on maintenance and transition costs, it seems that the competition was a "must-win" at any cost for them."
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Integral lauched
Start von Integral erfolgreich
The European Space Agency has launched a new observatory set to revolutionise the branch of astrophysics that seeks to unravel the secrets of the highest-energy – and therefore the most violent – phenomena in the Universe. This comes 20 years after the end of ESA's COS-B mission, which produced a complete map of the sky in the high-energy gamma-ray waveband. In the framework of ESA's cooperation with Russia, a Russian Proton launcher was chosen to place the Integral (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) observatory in orbit. The launcher lifted off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan at 10:41 local time (06:41 CEST). After re-ignition of its upper stage, it placed Integral in its 72-hour elliptical orbit, ranging from only 10000 km up to 153000 km from the Earth, i.e. nearly half the distance to the Moon. Controlled by ESA's ESOC mission operations centre in Darmstadt in Germany, the satellite will now undergo a two-months test period intended first to verify that the instruments onboard are working correctly and then that the data theycollect is of good quality.
Integral was developed by Italy's Alenia Spazio supported by over 30 firms in Europe. The satellite (mass 4 000 kg, height 5 metres) has two main instruments: the SPI spectrometer and IBIS imager Developed by a Franco-German-led team, the spectrometer will conduct a spectral analysis of isolated sources and of regions of gamma-ray activity with unprecedented energy resolution (40 times better than previous satellites), using germanium detectors cooled to 85 K. Since mirrors and lenses are of no use in detecting gamma rays, the SPI uses the „coded-mask imaging“ technique to form its images from very faint radiation. These images are then decoded by computer.
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CH-53 with IFR equipment delivered
Übergabe der ersten Serien IFR CH-53GS an die Bundeswehr
Die Bundeswehr hat für die gestiegenen operationellen Anforderungen im internationalen Flugverkehr die erste Serien-IFR CH-53GS erhalten. Im Rahmen einer feierlichen Übergabe haben Vertreter der Bundeswehr und des Bundesamtes für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) vergangene Woche vom Systemlieferanten Eurocopter in Donauwörth das Bordbuch des leistungsgesteigerten Hubschraubers entgegen genommen. Durch den hohen Arbeitseinsatz des Eurocopter-Teams wurde die Übergabe des Hubschraubers bereits zwei Wochen vor dem vertraglich vereinbarten Auslieferungsdatum möglich. Die Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH war im Juni diesen Jahres beauftragt worden, 38 Heereshubschrauber vom Typ CH-53 G/GS für den Flug unter IMC-Bedingungen (Instrumental Meteorological Conditions) umzurüsten. Hierfür erhalten die Maschinen Multifunktionsdisplays, die einen Teil der analogen Cockpitanzeigen ablösen, und die erforderlichen Anzeigen auf bedienerfreundlichen und übersichtlichen aktiven Matrix-LCD-Bildschirmen digital darstellen. Darüber hinaus werden als Bestandteil der IFR-Fähigkeit integriert: (1) satellitengestützte Navigationssysteme (GPS), die den Piloten die Orientierung in allen Lagen ermöglichen, (2) ein zweites Funkgerät VHF/AM für Funkverbindungen mit zivilen Bodenstationen, und (3) ein neues Entfernungsmessgerät (DME), das das militärische TACAN-System ablöst und den zivilen Anflugverfahren auf Flughäfen entspricht.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Soyuz launch fails
Fehlgeschlagener Sojus-Start
A Russian Soyuz launcher exploded some 20 seconds after lift-off from the Russian Plesetsk cosmodrome last night (15 October) at 20:20 CEST (Central European Summer Time). The launcher was carrying the unmanned Foton M-1 research satellite, using capsules of the Foton/Bion family containing 44 experiments supported by ESA. The experiments covered a wide range of scientific disciplines, including fluid physics, biology, crystal growth, radiation dosimetry and exobiology. ESA's contribution included: the Fluid Physics Facility, with fourexperiments, Biopan hosting nine experiments, the upgraded Telescience Support Unit, to assist both FluidPac and the German AGAT furnace, six Autonomous Experiments (three developed by university students) the latest Stone simulated meteorites, and the 'Soret Coefficient in Crude Oil' experiment. France's IBIS biological incubator, Germany's AGAT, Russia's Polizon furnace and five Russian experiments (Biokont, Komparus, Mirage-M, Sinus-16 and Chistata) brought the spacecraft's overall payload to total of 650 kg.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Canada to convert A310s to tankers
Kanada lässt A310 zu Tankern umrüsten
The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Defence, today announced an $80 million project to modify two Canadian Forces A-310 Airbus (CC-150 Polaris) aircraft with air-to-air refueling kits. The work will be carried out by the consortium of Airbus Germany and Lufthansa Technik in Dresden, Germany commencing in the fall of 2003. Strategic air-to-air refueling is a core capability for the Canadian Forces and the Air Force. It provides efficient, safe and timely intercontinental deployment for our CF-18 fighter aircraft and crews whenever they are called on to support international operations. "I am pleased to announce this contract that will provide our Air Force transport and fighter squadrons with the capability to deploy rapidly on operations around the globe," said Minister McCallum. "Our decision to join the German government, who have embarked on a similar project, has allowed us to save $50 million and reduce the work schedule by three years."Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The Board of Directors of EADS, one of the world's leading aerospace and defence companies, has appointed Fabrice Brégier (41) to succeed Jean-François Bigay (59) as Eurocopter's President and CEO as of 1 April 2003. Prior to assuming his full responsibilities, Brégier will become Deputy to the President of Eurocopter as of 1 January 2003. Bigay, who has been with Eurocopter and its predecessor companies since 1986, will take on new responsibilities within EADS as of 1 April 2003. EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich commended Bigay for his long and outstanding service to Eurocopter: “Jean-François Bigay was a driving force in the creation and integration of Eurocopter, beginning in 1992. His achievements include turning a helicopter consortium into the leader of the worldwide helicopter market. During his tenure, Eurocopter invested significantly in R&D and substantially redeveloped the product portfolio. Thanks to his vision and hard work, Eurocopter now has the most modern product line serving commercial, para-public and defence customers around the world.” The CEOs added that “Marwan Lahoud will continue the momentum achieved by the Meteor program and its six partner nations (Germany, France, UK, Spain, Sweden and Italy). We believe his business and strategy acumen will help MBDA reach its full potential of global competitiveness and greater customer satisfaction.”+++
Rolls-Royce plc announced today (11 October 2002) that Axel Arendt has been appointed Chairman of Rolls-Royce Deutschland and is also to join the Group Executive of Rolls-Royce plc. Mr Arendt, 53, joins Rolls-Royce from EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space company, where he had been Chief Financial Officer since 2000. He will take up his appointment on 1 November 2002. John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce plc, said today: "We are delighted that Axel is joining Rolls-Royce in Germany, which is an important operational centre for the company. It is significant that Rolls-Royce has developed the presence to attract an individual of Axel's calibre and I am looking forward to working with him as a member of the Group Executive. " Rolls-Royce Deutschland is the only company in Germany to have complete capability for the development, certification, production and support for modern aero engines and it is where we have developed the highly successful BR700 family of engines."
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On 15 October 2002, the Slovenian Defense Ministry and Eurocopter signed a contract in Ljubljana confirming an option for two AS 532 AL Cougar helicopters. After the initial contract signed in July 2001, this new contract brings the total number of Cougars ordered by the Slovenian Defense Ministry to 4. Together, the two contracts are worth approximately 60 million euros. The helicopters will be used for troop transport and Search And Rescue (SAR) operations. The first two Cougars will be delivered in April 2003, and the last two in May 2004.
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Jordan is to buy up to 16 military helicopters from European aeronautics and defence giant EADS under an agreement signed on the sidelines of a weapons fair Tuesday, the air force announced. The kingdom is to procure the light twin-engine EC-635 helicopter made by EADS subsidiary Eurocopter, the air force said. "The total needs may reach 16 units, of which a first batch is to be operational shortly," it said, without putting any price tag on the deal.
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Joint state tests of the Ka-60 helicopter will start in early 2003, a competent source at the Kamov company told Interfax-Military News Agency. Factory flight and design tests of the helicopter are underway, the source said. They are being carried out to determine the Ka- 60's main flight specifications, stability and controllability indexes. The Lukhovitsy aircraft production and test association located in the Moscow region is building an experimental batch of the helicopters, including one Ka-60U training modification. "The KA-60U will be used for enhancing professional skills of army aviation pilots. The demand of the Armed Forces for these helicopters is estimated at about 100 items," the source said. According to him, the Saturn research and production association located in Rybinsk will supply two RD-600V engines to the Kamov company before the end of the year. The engines will be installed in the second Ka-60 prototype. Two more RD-600V engines are to be supplied in the first quarter of 2003. They are intended for the Ka- 62 helicopter, which is a civilian version of the KA-60.
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The Russian Entrepreneur magazine has published an interview with Mikhail Dmitriyev, Russian deputy defense minister and head of Russian committee for military and technical cooperation with foreign countries. In his interview he reiterated that Russia's arms exports reached a record U.S. $4.4 billion. "Russia is a major arms trader. I think this positive trend will remain further on. It is important that the reorganization initiated by President Putin in 2000 (the creation of single state arms exporter Rosoboronexport) ensures efficiency and better control over military and technical cooperation. The measures taken helped us strengthen Russia's positions on the international market. We are looking optimistically in the future, both in the short and long term." He also noted that Russian aircraft, especially helicopters, are good sellers too. "Our helicopter programs are very popular so it is easy for us to reach new markets," Dmitriyev said. He also supported the idea of creating large integrated companies within the defense industry. "It is a timely development substantiated by global practice that such integrated holdings and concerns should have the right to export their products independently. However, given the current situation, these companies should be allowed to export their products independently after they have set up production and formed bodies able to work with foreign partners. The industry must be spared of any the fuss and unnecessary competition seen before. Fortunately, those detrimental tendencies have largely disappeared," Dmitriyev said.
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The Royal Air Force of Oman, the United Arab Emirates Air Force and the Czech Republic Air Force all signed individual U.S. Government Letters of Offer and Acceptance authorizing procurement of Raytheon Company's AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. These missiles will equip the Oman and UAE F-16s and the Czech Republic L-159 aircraft. The total value of these orders is in excess of $35 million.
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Honeywell announced that Barry Eccleston has joined the company as Vice President Commercial Aerospace for Europe. In this newly created position, Eccleston will be responsible for all commercial aerospace activities within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He will be responsible for regional marketing, sales and customer support, strategic development, and all in-region customer facing resources. As the Honeywell's senior aerospace executive in the region, he will also support Honeywell's Defense & Space organization and the various Aerospace businesses operating in Europe.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Alcatel Espacio, a Spanish subsidiary of Alcatel Space, as the main contractor, and its industrial consortium, the development and turnkey delivery of the Broadband Interactive Multimedia Communications System by Satellite, called Amerhis, which will be on board the Amazonas satellite from Hispasat. The system is planned to be delivered by mid 2004. The value of the system is 56 millions Euros of which ESA's contribution is 28 millions Euros. Amerhis is the first in the worldwide communications industry to offer bi-directional communications through satellite. Thanks to this, the operator Hispasat will be able to offer more and better services to its customers in an autonomous way like high-speed Internet, MPEG-based services, video and radio on demand and interconnection with the different terrestrial communication networks, controlling its capacity more efficiently. The system core is based on a digital processor that provides a compatible interface with the new open standard DVB-RCS (Digital Video Broadcasting-Return Channel Satellite) for the return channel through satellite and the DVB-S consolidated standard for down link. The use of the standard DVB-RCS/DVB-S makes the supply of equipment from different manufacturers possible, which results in the competitive provision of services and equipment. The design of this advanced system has been facilitated thanks to activities funded by the European Union within the IST program (IBIS Project) and will be validated by using tools that have been developed in close cooperation (since 2000) between Alcatel Space and CNES.
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Boeing completed a critical hot-fire rehearsal at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The test sets the stage for the first flight of the Boeing Delta IV powered by the first U.S.-designed and built liquid-fueled rocket engine certified for flight in a generation. The test firing of the Delta IV first stage propulsion system - the Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 engine - was an integral part of a second launch dress rehearsal designed to help ensure the success of the rocket's first flight-currently scheduled for mid-November. It was also the last major Delta IV development milestone for the rocket that was built by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a business unit of The Boeing Company.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has successfully conducted the first in-flight download of real-time sensor imagery from the U.S. Navy's RQ-8A Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle. The three test flights were conducted Oct. 11 at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif. The tactical common data link was used to download the data to the Navy's Fire Scout ground control station. The flights coincided with a visit to the China Lake range by John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Young observed the third test flight following a briefing on the status of the Fire Scout program.
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SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has signed a contract for an additional six A320 Family aircraft. Comprising four A320s and two A319s, deliveries are scheduled to begin from 2004. The airline currently operates an all Airbus fleet of five A320s and four A319s, with one additional A320 from an earlier order due to join the fleet in 2003. New aircraft will be utilised for the carrier's network expansion. “Commonality among our Airbus aircraft, and the subsequent savings, are major drivers in the decision to grow our A320 Family fleet,” said Subhas Menon, Chief Executive of SilkAir. “The combination of cost-effectiveness and passenger comfort is a definite advantage as we seek to expand our regional network in the coming years.”
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The European Commission has granted clearance under the European Union's merger control law to the proposed acquisition of TRW Inc. by Northrop Grumman Corp., two US companies active in the aerospace and defense sectors. The operation will have only a marginal impact in the European market where Northrop Grumman will face competition from EADS, BAE Systems and other companies. On 1 July 2002, Northrop Grumman and TRW jointly announced that they had entered into an agreement under which Northrop Grumman will acquire TRW. The acquisition was notified to the Commission for regulatory clearance in Europe because the companies' turnover is above the thresholds which trigger EU jurisdiction. The parties have a limited presence in Europe and generate most of their revenues from sales to the US Department of Defense and other US agencies. The Commission's investigation confirmed that the parties' activities were rather complementary and that there were very few overlaps in the EU. The investigation, however, analyzed a number of markets where horizontal or vertical overlaps might be identified within or between the following sectors: military aircraft, satellite systems, military command and control systems, communication components, lasers and information technology.
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TRW Inc. successfully completed the first test drop of two live warheads from a Hunter UAV at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., Oct. 11. Both targets were hit, incapacitating the moving tank and destroying the armored personnel carrier. This milestone achievement demonstrates the UAV's capability to carry and deploy Northrop Grumman's Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) weapon, maximizing Hunter's use by the U.S. Army for future operations. Just prior to the live warhead weapon drops, two BAT weapons without explosives were dropped at the missile range, both hitting and disabling their targets. The initial test flight of a Hunter UAV carrying and ejecting a simulated weapon was completed in late September at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz.
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After an intensive evaluation process, the Dutch carrier Martinair has selected Airbus' single-aisle A320 to expand its fleet. This decision was driven by the A320's superior economics and outstanding level of comfort. The Amsterdam-based airline will be the first carrier to operate the A320 in the Netherlands. It is scheduled to receive two A320s on lease in April 2003, while holding an option for an additional delivery in the spring of 2004. Martinair, which is jointly owned by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Royal Nedlloyd, serves charter and scheduled passenger routes, as well as operating a major world-wide cargo business. The A320s, powered by International Aero Engines' V2527, are ideally suited to Martinair's strategy to increase its network of holiday destinations around the Mediterranean Sea.
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The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program's Integrated Flight Test was once again a success -- resulting in an intercept and complete destruction of the incoming target. Tonight's test, referred to as Integrated Flight Test - 9, was the fifth system-level test of the program, incorporating all major elements into the test scenario. The intercept occurred over the Pacific Ocean at approximately 10:30 p.m. EDT. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a unit of The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] is the prime contractor for the GMD Program. With today's successful test, there have been five successful intercepts in seven flight tests since 1999, with approximately 17 more scheduled to take place over the next several years of the developmental test program. The Joint Program Office of the Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency directs the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program.
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Aviall Services, Inc. has been awarded an expansion to its worldwide aftermarket parts distribution rights for Honeywell Engine Systems & Accessories (ESA), allowing Aviall to sell additional ESA products used on various popular commercial and regional airline aircraft. According to Paul Fulchino, Aviall's chairman, president and chief executive officer, "This latest Honeywell agreement significantly broadens the product line offering of ESA components Aviall can distribute for Honeywell. As in the previous agreements, Aviall will be responsible for aftermarket components sales, marketing, order administration, warehousing, and product distribution. This new business agreement, effective immediately, is expected to boost Aviall's sales more than $20 million per year."
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A fleet of upgraded AP-3C Orion aircraft with the best surface surveillance capabilities in the world will now operate out of RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia following an acceptance ceremony. Defence Minister Robert Hill said the combination of the new 'imaging' radar with the Electronic Support Measures fitted previously represents a quantum leap in maritime patrol capability and has made the upgraded Orion the most advanced in the world today. "The new technology will improve the Australian Defence Force's capability in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, reconnaissance, and search and survivor supply," Senator Hill said.
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Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt set out the Government's new defence industrial policy, aimed at making the UK defence industry more competitive and better able to provide the Armed Forces with the equipment they need at best value for money for the taxpayer. Geoff Hoon said: "The Government is committed to a strong and globally competitive UK defence industry. We all benefit from its high-value, technology skill base. Our new policy demonstrates our drive to provide high quality equipment for the Armed Forces whilst promoting the interests of British industry and maximising the economic benefit to the UK from our defence expenditure. It has been drawn up in consultation with industry, and will maintain this close dialogue as we take this policy forward. "The policy responds positively to the rapid consolidation of the defence industry over recent years. The industry is now international in nature, and this can bring great benefits. UK companies have expanding commercial opportunities and improved access to markets; and increased investment into the UK brings with it technology, employment and economic value. The defence industrial policy framework is about working in partnership with industry to exploit these opportunities"
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BAE Systems Regional Aircraft and Turkish Airlines (THY) have signed a major lease extension deal covering its entire fleet of twelve Avro RJ regional airliners. This important fleet decision confirms the continuing role of the nine Avro RJ100 and three RJ70 aircraft in THY's fleet planning for several years and is the third lease extension since the fleet was originally delivered between 1993 and 1996.The Avro RJs will continue to be used on domestic routes within Turkey and will also fly to neighbouring countries on regional services.
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The Air Force's CV-22 tilt-rotor completed electronic warfare testing in the Benefield Anechoic Facility here recently. The purpose of the electronic warfare tests was to test the suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures, or SIRFC system, which is the radar warning receiver and electronic countermeasures system for the CV-22. The testing was a great success, said Maj. Greg Weber, the CV-22 government flight-test director here.
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Rolls-Royce plc today (17 October 2002) announced that Euan Baird will become its non-executive Chairman with effect from 1 February 2003. He will join the Board of the company as a non-executive director on 1 November 2002. He will succeed Sir Ralph Robins, who will retire as Rolls-Royce Chairman at the end of January next year. Scottish-born Euan Baird has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of global technology services company Schlumberger Limited since 1986. He will retire from Schlumberger early next year, after a distinguished international career spanning 40 years with the company, which achieved annual revenues of $14.3 billion in 2001. Commenting on the appointment, Sir Ralph Robins said: "I am delighted to have a successor of the calibre of Euan. His extensive international experience and leadership skills, together with his keen commercial acumen are exactly the qualities the Board has been seeking in a new Chairman. He is going to lead a great company with huge potential."
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A solar-powered uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) successfully completed a NASA remote-sensing applications demonstration. The Pathfinder-Plus airplane loitered more than four hours, over Hawaii's largest coffee plantation on the island of Kauai, taking digital images to make a "clear-sky" mosaic. The NASA team combined pre-planned, fixed flight lines with spontaneous, remotely controlled maneuvers to guide the UAV into cloud-free areas over the coffee fields. Despite an often 80 percent cloud cover, the project demonstrated how a solar-powered UAV, equipped with a ground-controlled aerial-imaging system, could aid coffee growers by informing them of the ripest fields for daily harvest. This type of technology may eventually aid farmers and ranchers and lead to more effective and efficient harvesting methods.
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Washington Group International Inc. announced that it has received two multi-year, cost-plus award fee task orders from the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency to eliminate 56 ballistic missiles in Russia and to build support facilities for other missile elimination efforts there. The awards were part of a $5 billion Cooperative Threat Reduction Integrating Contract, under which Washington Group and four other American firms were selected to compete for specific projects. "For about a decade, our corporation has focused on helping DTRA achieve its goals in eliminating weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union," said Stephen G. Hanks, president and chief executive officer of Washington Group. "During that time, most of our work was in the Ukraine. This project now firmly establishes our capabilities in Russia and expands our ability to help our country and the Russians get on with this important global mission."
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“Contrary to the general trend in the global aviation industry, I am very happy to be able to announce traffic statistics for the Austrian Airlines Group that are unremittingly positive. Our results for the month of September 2002, the 3rd Quarter and the first nine months of the year are altogether better than those achieved last year. By continuing to implement our strategies and programme of measures, we have clearly succeeded in winning market share in the face of extremely harsh market conditions,” commented Vagn Soerensen, Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Airlines Group, on the results achieved. The Group's best ever Quarterly Traffic Statistics (July – September 2002) With a transportation performance of 2,755,000 passengers, representing an increase of 3.3 % compared to last year the Austrian Airlines Group managed to achieve the strongest Quarterly Traffic Statistics in its long history. Compared to the previous year, the total load factor for scheduled and charter flights increased by 1.7 percentage points during this period, to reach 79.0 %.
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Norway's Volvo Aero Norge (VAN) will provide hardware for Pratt & Whitney's (P&W) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) propulsion system in what is the first contract issued to Norwegian industry for JSF work. P&W, the propulsion system prime contractor for JSF, issued a contract to VAN for low pressure turbine (LPT) shafts for the JSF's F135 propulsion system. The current contract covers LPT shafts to support the F135's System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. In October 2001, P&W was awarded a ten year, $4.8 billion contract to cover SDD activities for JSF.
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SWISS is optimising its route network. The airline is providing its passengers more attractive travel possibilities by virtue of altered take-off times on its Zurich – Johannesburg and Zurich – Cairo routes. Starting with the introduction of the Winter timetable on October 27, 2002, the airline will be increasing frequencies on the routes from Zurich to Rome, Nuremberg, Cologne and Lugano. SWISS is improving its offer on intercontinental routes. Instead of daytime flights, SWISS will fly by night from Zurich to Johannesburg, effective February 8. Both business travellers and vacationers will profit from this innovation. They will enjoy an additional day in southern Africa. Take-off from Zurich will be at 22:10. There are good connecting flights to many destinations in the region such as Cape Town, Durban, Harare, Lusaka, Port Elizabeth, Victoria Falls or Windhoek. The return flight leaves the South African metropolis at 21:00, arriving in Zurich at 06:20, in good time for connections to the morning flights to numerous international destinations. The departure times on the route between Zurich and Cairo will also be more attractive. In future, SWISS will fly six times weekly from Zurich to Cairo at 09:45 (instead of 12:30). The return flight will be with Boeing MD-11 leaving Cairo at 16:10 (instead of mornings at 07:35).
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Bangkok Airways has signed an agreement with Boeing Capital Corporation and Boeing Aircraft Trading to lease two additional 717-200 jetliners. "Sukhothai" and "Luang Prabang" - the designated names for Bangkok Airways' third and fourth 717s, respectively - are scheduled for delivery later this month, just in time to enter passenger service prior to the busy holiday season.
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Delta Air Lines' Chairman and CEO Leo F. Mullin told company employees in a memorandum that, due to dramatically lower demand for air travel and resulting unprecedented financial losses since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Delta must reduce staffing by 7,000 to 8,000 jobs from its workforce, including management. Mullin said that it is Delta's hope that a significant number of these reductions will come through voluntary programs. Delta will offer short-term and longer-term leaves of absence, an early retirement program and a voluntary severance program. Full details of the voluntary programs will be made available to employees next week. If there are not enough volunteers for these programs, it will be necessary to initiate involuntary furloughs.
uired job reductions will be met th
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