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Week ending October 27, 2002
+++ Boeing unveils „Bird of Prey“ +++ X-31 completes first ESTOL tests +++ ESA pushes new spacecraft systems +++ NH90 series production under way +++ Fraport's Manila problems continue +++ News in brief +++
Boeing unveils „Bird of Prey“
Stealth-Technologiedemonstrator von Boeing enthüllt
On October 18 Boeing unveiled the "Bird of Prey," a technology demonstrator that pioneered breakthrough low-observable technologies and revolutionized aircraft design, development and production. The once highly classified project ran from 1992 through 1999, and was revealed because the technologies and capabilities developed have become industry standards, and it is no longer necessary to conceal the aircraft's existence. In addition to proving many new stealth concepts, the Bird of Prey program demonstrated innovative rapid prototyping techniques. Developed by the Boeing Phantom Works advanced research-and-development organization, the Bird of Prey was among the first to initiate the use of large, single-piece composite structures; low-cost, disposable tooling; and 3-D virtual reality design and assembly processes to ensure the aircraft was affordable to build as well as high-performing. Fully funded by Boeing, the Bird of Prey project costs $67 million. A subsonic, single-seat technology demonstrator, the aircraft completed 38 test flights as part of its flight-demonstration program. Its first flight took place in fall 1996. Bird of Prey has a wingspan of approximately 23 feet and a length of 47 feet, and weighs nearly 7,400 pounds. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C turbofan engine, the Bird of Prey has an operational speed of 260 knots and a maximum operating altitude of 20,000 feet.
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X-31 completes first ESTOL tests
Neue Flugversuche mit der X-31
This Wednesday, October 23, 2002, the famous U.S.-German experimental aircraft X-31 has successfully completed its first in-flight testing phase of the new Flight Control Software 123A as well as of the new GPS based Landing System, IBLS (Integrity Beacon Landing System), and the Air Data System, FADS (Flush Air Data System) at the Naval Air Station “Patuxent River”, Maryland. In conjunction with modifications like a combined Inertial/GPS platform and autothrottle this is an important step towards the development of the aircraft`s ESTOL (Extremely Short Take Off and Landing) capability. Since May 2002, 24 test flights ending up with a total of more than 17 hours of flight were performed by test pilots Ruediger Knoepfel of the German Armed Forces Test Center 61 (WTD-61) and Vivan Ragusa of the U.S. Navy.Michael Jost, EADS Military Aircraft program manager of the German – U.S. program is highly pleased with the results and announced that the flight control software as well as the slightly modified configuration met the requirements in all aspects. “During the flights speeds up to Mach 0.8 and angles of attack up to 45 degrees were successfully achieved.” The new precision navigation system consisting of two GPS antennas reaches its accuracy by blending differential carrier wave GPS data with inertial data yielding dynamic cm-level position accuracy with high integrity. This allows autonomous high precision approaches and automatic landings at increased angles of attack over twelve degrees and low speeds down to around 100 knots for fighter type aircraft. Compared to standard GPS providing a precision of about ten meters and differential GPS of about one meter this is a new generation of navigation devices.
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ESA pushes new spacecraft systems
Forschungsprogramm DevILS gestartet
The European Space Agency (ESA) has started a 50-million-euro initiative to bring together Europe's leading aerospace companies for the next four years. The aim of DevILS is to develop 'intelligent', lightweight spacecraft systems that ESA can use on future missions. Having these 'plug- and-play' systems will allow Europe to create lighter spacecraft that perform better. The traditional way to build a spacecraft is to make each one according to exact specifications. Just like asking a tailor to make you clothes, however, this can be an extremely expensive business. ESA has asked the European aerospace industry to find ways of taking a more 'off-the-peg' approach when building spacecraft. In this way, they will aim to reuse such systems on many different spacecraft. ESA has already taken the first steps towards this sort of reusage and proved that it saves time and money. For example, the recently launched Integral gamma-ray satellite reused part of XMM-Newton's design. Mars Express reuses hardware designed for the comet-chasing mission, Rosetta. The Venus Express mission is likely to use the same hardware design again. DeVILS is another way to save the taxpayer's money which uses 'intelligent' systems on-board satellites. An intelligent system is a multipurpose component that performs the same tasks as a number of previous units. In this way, you reduce the number of components and the size and mass of individual spacecraft as well, enabling cheaper missions.
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NH90 series production under way
Erster NH90 in der Endmontage
The splicing of the two first serial production NH90 fuselages has just been performed by Agusta and Eurocopter Deutschland, for respectively the first Italian Army and the first German Army NH90 helicopter. Eurocopter will activate the production on its assembly line at Marignane, by the end of this year, producing the fuselage for the first NH90 to be delivered to the Finnish Army. This will complete the starting of the three assembly lines based at the Partner Company facilities. An additional assembly line will be set-up in 2003 at Patria dedicated to the production of the NH90s for the Nordic Countries. This demonstrates the capability of the industry to face-up the stringent commitment of the first deliveries scheduled in 2004. Meanwhile the Partner Companies are strongly progressing in the development and the qualification of all the remaining aircraft and mission systems by means of the intensive use of the NH90 prototypes and the test rigs.Meanwhile, the future military transport and naval helicopter NH90 completed the crash safety test at Eurocopter's Ottobrunn facility in Germany. Except for a few marginal, non-critical areas, the helicopter proved its ability to withstand a crash. This is a major milestone for the NH90 program and an important prerequisite for the scheduled delivery of the helicopter to the armed forces of the five NAHEMA nations starting in 2004. With representatives from the customer side as well as program employees, the center fuselage section of the NH90 with all equipment and instrumentation successfully demonstrated its ability to protect passengers in accordance with the customers' specifications. For the test, the module was, among others, loaded with 13 dummies. The central focus of the exercise was to test such vital characteristics as the integrity of the fuselage structure, the energy absorption of the lower floor structure, special load absorption mechanisms, the seal integrity of the fuel system and the proper functioning of the troop seats. The precise test data were obtained using complex measurement and high-speed film technology, and will be analyzed in detail over the days to come.
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Fraport's Manila problems continue
Manila-Projekt ein Problem für Flughafen Frankfurt
Fraport AG continues to work on re-transferring the Manila airport terminal project (International Passenger Terminal 3) in tandem with a management contract. Fraport AG's executive board chairman Dr. Wilhelm Bender explained this today in an interview with the Frankfurter Allegmeine Zeitung (FAZ), Germany's authoritative national newspaper. Bender further indicated that Fraport AG would not tolerate being damaged by the Philippine government's stance. "The government is questioning the validity of contract agreements that we signed with the previous government in 1999," said Bender. As a result, the economic viability and funding of the project is no longer possible. "Thus, the Philippine government will jeopardize future privatization projects as well as the country's international reputation as an investment location," said Bender. "We will not be afraid to bring the Philippine government back on the path of honoring legal contracts and of being a reliable partner for this, the biggest foreign investment project in the Philippines," Bender continued. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
On the occasion of the 50th Airbus freighter conversion for US-based express transportation company FedEx Express (Federal Express Inc.), EADS EFW organized a gala ceremony in its conversion facility in Dresden, Germany. The EADS EFW relationship with FedEx started in the early nineties with the preparation of the first Airbus freighter conversion for FedEx. This aircraft, an A310-200, was delivered to FedEx in 1994. Seven years later, in 2001, FedEx took over both prototypes of the next widebody conversion generation, the A310-300 and A300-600. As of today, FedEx is operating a total of 49 EADS-converted freighter aircraft, 44 A310-200, three A300-600 and two A310-300. The 50th Airbus aircraft, an A300-600 (MSN 358), which is currently under conversion at EFW, will be delivered to FedEx in January 2003. “Ten years ago, FedEx looked closely at all the alternatives and found that the converted A310-200 was the most cost-effective aircraft for our medium-range domestic routes. A few years later, FedEx made the same decision for the A310-300 and A300-600. Our in-service experience with the aircraft has confirmed that it was the right decision for us,” said Thomas E. Bodamer, managing director of aircraft conversions, FedEx Express.+++
Sixteen years after taking delivery of its first CFM56-powered airplane, Lufthansa German Airlines and CFM International (CFM) are today celebrating the achievement of 10 million flight hours on the airline's fleet of CFM-powered Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s and A340s. CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company and the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines. Lufthansa took delivery of its first CFM56-3-powered Boeing 737 in September 1986. Three years later, it added CFM56-5A-powered Airbus A320s. In 1993, Lufthansa was one of the first operators of the long-haul, four-engine Airbus A340 powered by CFM56-5C engines. The combined fleet numbers more than 150 aircraft.
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On October 18, Space Shuttle Atlantis glided to a noontime landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida completing a 4.5 million mile journey to outfit the International Space Station with a new section of truss and supplies for the Expedition crew onboard. With weather of little concern, Commander Jeff Ashby piloted the shuttle to its 60th landing at KSC at 10:44 a.m. CDT. The deorbit burn occurred an hour earlier as Atlantis flew high above the southwestern Indian Ocean, dropping the shuttle out of orbit for the high-speed reentry and landing. Atlantis' ground track carried it above Central America and western Cuba before crossing the west coast of Florida south of Tampa. Ashby took over manual control of Atlantis at an altitude of 50,000 feet, guiding the 200,000 pound shuttle through a 290-degree right turn to line up with Runway 33. Meanwhile, aboard the International Space Station, the Expedition Five crew was able to watch Atlantis' safe landing while the three crewmembers continue to unpack and stow supplies delivered by the shuttle crew. Commander Valery Korzun, NASA ISS Science Officer Peggy Whitson and Cosmonaut Sergei Treschev are in their 135th day in space (133rd aboard the station). Their next visitors are the three members of a Soyuz Taxi Crew scheduled to deliver a fresh rescue spacecraft to the station later this month. Expedition Five's ride home will be aboard Endeavour scheduled to launch no earlier than Nov. 10 bringing another truss segment and the Expedition Six crew.
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MBDA has been given the go-ahead by the French MoD and Navy to develop an extended range version of the Exocet MM40 anti-ship missile. This commitment to the successful Exocet family of anti-ship missiles will see the French Navy profiting from MBDA's proposal to add turbojet propulsion to the MM40 giving the missile an added coastal attack capability. Confirming the launch of the new missile today at Euronaval, Mrs Michèle Alliot-Marie, the French Minister of Defence said, “ I have agreed to the financing of the Exocet upgrade which will promote not only the evolution but also the future of this heritage of excellence.”
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Negotiations for Australia's entry into the decade-long development phase of the US$200 billion Joint Strike Fighter program have been successfully completed, Defence Minister Robert Hill and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane announced. Cabinet this week approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Government after Defence and the Department of Industry Tourism and Resources determined the terms of Australia's involvement in the JSF program. The decision means an investment of up to US$150 million over 10 years to join as a level three partner. This puts Australia at the forefront of developing the world's most advanced combat aircraft over the next 30 years. "The JSF is a fifth generation aircraft. Participating in its development and expected acquisition enables us to leap a generation of aircraft, rather than invest in a platform that may well be out of date in the next 10 or 15 years," Senator Hill said.
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Frankfurt Airport's Winter Timetable 2002/03, which goes into effect on October 27, will offer a choice of 4,206 direct connections per week for scheduled passenger services. Some 106 scheduled passenger airlines - six more than for the corresponding timetable last year - will link Frankfurt Airport (FRA) with 274 destinations (up from 273) in 104 countries (up from 103). Thus, the timetable offering has again reached a level similar to what it was before the events of 9/11. Frankfurt's top European routes will be London-Heathrow with 134 weekly connections, Paris-Charles de Gaulle with 121, and Berlin-Tegel with 110. The most frequented Asian routes will be Singapore with 31 connections per week, Bangkok with 26, and Tokyo with 21. In North America, Los Angeles will be the top route with 35 connections per week, followed by Chicago and New York-JFK with 28 connections each. Regarding scheduled cargo services with freighter aircraft, FRA's Winter Timetable 2002/03 will offer 248 planned direct connections per week. The new timetable will feature 11 airlines linking FRA with 64 destinations in 39 countries - including Cairo (Egypt) as a new cargo destination.
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The Boeing Company completed agreements to acquire all of FlightSafety International's (FSI) interests in FlightSafety Boeing Training International (FSBTI). The new organization will operate as a subsidiary of The Boeing Company and will continue to report to Commercial Aviation Services, a unit of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Boeing and FSI announced the details of the agreement on Sept. 23, 2002, and, since that time the companies have worked on the ancillary agreements. All of those agreements were completed and signed and the transaction finalized. FSBTI, which Boeing and FSI operated as a joint venture since 1997, became the world's first truly global training company responsible for flight and maintenance training in the 100-seat-and-above range of aircraft.
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ExecuJet Aviation Group announced the appointment of Peter Smales as executive sales director, ExecuJet Aviation Group. Mr. Smales will be responsible for the operation of a professional, competent and highly motivated team to ensure the sale of new Bombardier business aircraft across all ExecuJet sales territories. In addition, Mr. Smales is responsible for the Group's sales support, charter sales and marketing divisions.
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he European aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced the participation of three leading Japanese manufacturers in the A380 aircraft programme now under development. In addition to the seven Japanese suppliers which were already announced early in the year, ShinMaywa Industries Ltd., The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., and Nikkiso Co. Ltd. are now joining the next-generation super jumbo programme. Airbus President and CEO Noel Forgeard said : “We are very pleased to confirm the participation of these three highly skilled and renowned companies. Their state-of-the-art carbon fibre reinforced plastic production technology will surely enhance the most advanced airliner programme currently under development and launched in production. The support of ShinMaywa, Yokohama Rubber and Nikkiso to the A380 programme success is highly appreciated.”
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Adam Aircraft announced the Adam A700 business jet -a solution to affordable business and personal transportation. An affordable business jet fills a huge void in the aviation market. There are approximately 20,000 cabin-class twin and turboprop aircraft that are step-up candidates for the A700. The A700 business jet will facilitate access to thousands of close-in community airports and avoid the delays of the airline hub-and-spoke system. At a speed of 340 knots (391 mph), the Adam A700 provides an unprecedented level of cabin space and comfort along with speed and range. It offers a large, private, aft lavatory. Seating for two pilots and four passengers is provided. Certified to fly at 41,000 feet, the A700 will be able to fly above most unfavorable weather, offering the pilot and passengers a smooth, safe ride. The introductory price of the A700 will be $1,995,000. An initial deposit of $10,000 will secure a preferential price and preferred delivery position for future customers. Adam Aircraft anticipates the first flight of the A700 in the second half of 2003 with first customer deliveries in late 2004.
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Boeing has announced its strategic partners for Phase I of the Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft, or UCAR, program. The team, which will focus on everything from collaborative operations and robotics to en route mission auto routers, has started detailed work on this transformational program. The strategic partners include the following companies and research facilities: ALPHATECH (Burlington, Mass.) - Distributed autonomous cooperative control; Axiom (Norfolk, Va.) - Objective Force and joint operations warfighting concepts; BAe Systems (San Diego) - Mission planning, automatic re-planner, router; Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh) - Collaborative robotics, distributed intelligence, stereo vision technology; Harris Corporation (Melbourne, Fla.) - Advanced communication, data links, command and control; New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, N.M.) - Artificial Intelligence; Rockwell Scientific (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) - Advanced sensors, tactical radar and technology assessment.
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Boeing and the U.S. Air Force celebrated the delivery of the 100th T-38C Talon jet trainer modified as part of the T-38 Avionics Upgrade Program. During a ceremony at the Boeing modification facility at Williams Gateway Airport, Ariz., Boeing presented the milestone aircraft to Maj. Gen. Scott Bergren, commander, U.S. Air Force Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Deliveries of the upgraded T-38 began in November 2000 following an engineering and manufacturing development program. The 90 Boeing people who work on the T-38 AUP program at Williams Gateway have implemented numerous Lean techniques, reducing cycle time and delivering aircraft to the customer ahead of schedule.
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Quantum3D announced at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., a new embedded graphics subsystems design win with Saab Avionics AB for the Swedish multi-role helicopter, HKP14. Under the terms of its contract, Quantum3D will provide Saab Avionics with Sentiris PCI Mezzanine Cards (PMCs) to drive the helicopter's digital map system, and develop a custom video/graphics subsystem to power the helicopter's displays for advanced situational awareness information. The Sentiris PMC and other Quantum3D visual computing products and solutions will be on demonstrated in booth 729 at AUSA. This program marks the first major avionics program win for the Sentiris PMC COTS 2D/3D embedded graphics subsystem, and another major win for Quantum3D's Farsight nV program-the Quantum3D and NVIDIA initiative under which Quantum3D brings NVIDIA graphics technology to the embedded visual computing market. Under the Farsight nV program, Quantum3D provides commercial and military aircraft, vehicles, vessels and transportable systems integrators and manufacturers with Quantum3D developed graphics subsystems based on NVIDIA Quadro 4 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for realtime graphical, sensor, symbolic and imagery-based information systems used by air, ground vehicle and vessel crews to provide enhanced situational awareness and operational mission effectiveness.
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AirTran Airways has signed an agreement with Boeing Capital Corporation to lease 23 additional 717-200 jetliners. All the airplanes are scheduled to be delivered by Boeing in 2003. From its hub at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, AirTran Airways provides 388 daily flights to 40 cities throughout the eastern United States. The low-cost carrier was the launch customer of the 717 and is the largest operator of the airplane. AirTran Airways has received 46 of the modern twinjets to date and, by the end of 2003, will have one of the youngest fleets in the world.
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As part of its extensive Group restructuring programme at the beginning of this year, the Board of Management of the Austrian Airlines Group set itself the objective of breaking even at the EBIT level in 2002. Due to faster traffic growth of the Austrian Airlines Group, associated gains in market share and the impact of measures introduced to increase income and reduce costs, it proved possible to generate a positive half-year result of EUR 29.7 million when measured by EBIT. On publication of the half-year result on 20 August 2002, the results forecast for the full year 2002 was set at EUR 24 million (EBIT). In the third quarter of 2002, the Austrian Airlines Group then succeeded in generating the best traffic results in its history. This was reflected in income figures. In the annual cycle of network airlines, the third quarter traditionally produces the highest levels of passenger traffic and income.
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The first NATO AWACS aircraft, upgraded by Boeing Company under the Mid-term Modernization Program, has successfully completed initial European engineering tests and evaluation. NATO operators and Boeing Integrated Defense System crews worked together to complete flight and ground testing in Europe over a two-week period in September and October. These were the first tests of the aircraft's enhancements in its home environment. The next phase of testing is scheduled for November in Europe.The Mid-term Modernization Program features integration of state-of-the-art enhancements to NATO's fleet of 17 AWACS aircraft including: computers, displays, communications, navigation and target identification systems. The effort is an important element of Boeing's vision for an integrated battlespace."We had already tested the aircraft's functionality in the U.S. and knew it worked. But we needed to find out how well the system worked in Europe," said Steve Behnen, Boeing NATO AWACS program manager.
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Lockheed Martin and a Boeing-Sikorsky team recently passed a significant milestone by completing the first test flight of the Night Vision Pilotage System (NVPS), a major sub-system of the Electro-Optical Sensor System (EOSS) on the Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. The EOSS, developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, provides the Comanche with state-of-the-art targeting and navigation capabilities. It uses advanced focal plane array and digital imaging technologies, and is composed of a solid-state television, a two-color laser designator/rangefinder, and two second-generation FLIR sensors. The EOSS was developed to meet specific needs of Comanche helicopter pilotage, reconnaissance, and targeting requirements in reduced visibility and in obscured atmospheric, high laser, and flare threat environments.
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Lockheed Martin has officially delivered the first production F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter to the U.S. Air Force. The formal acceptance documents for the aircraft were signed at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company facility here on October 23. "It is supremely gratifying to achieve acceptance of our first production aircraft," said Bob Rearden, Lockheed Martin vice president and F/A-22 program general manager. The aircraft, the tenth Raptor built, is a Production Representative Test Vehicle (PRTV) and is the first aircraft to be purchased with production phase funds. It will be flown to the service's flight test center at Edwards AFB, Calif., in the next few weeks. Raptor 10 will then be readied to successfully support the F/A-22 program's Dedicated Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (DIOT&E) phase, scheduled to begin next year.
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United Industrial Corporation announced that the U.S. Army has approved full-rate production for the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) program, the Company's ongoing program to develop the Army's next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This accomplishment is the culmination of a series of successfully achieved milestones since 1999, and marks the first time in U.S. history that any UAV program for the military has progressed to the full-rate production stage.Under the full-rate production stage, the Army is committed to fielding and supporting the TUAV program over the next twenty years. This will be realized in part through yearly TUAV production contract awards to United Industrial, beginning in fiscal 2003, and continuing through 2007, by which time it is anticipated up to 60 TUAV systems will have been ordered by the Army.
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“Following the successful introduction of our new fare concepts in Austria, from and to Germany and between Vienna and Altenrhein, we shall be launching a further product offensive on 1 November. Flights from Austria to Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands will be selectively reduced in price by up to 40 %. Both flexible business passengers and holiday travellers will be able to benefit from these new, target group-oriented offers,” explained Austrian Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Josef E. Burger as he presented the Group's scheduled flight programme for the coming winter season. From Austria to Switzerland, the Economy Return fare will now be available on the Vienna–Zurich route, with just 3 days advance booking, at the new rate of EUR 950 instead of EUR 985 from 1 November. The completely new Eco Super Flex fare, which requires advance booking of 5 days, is already available at EUR 690; your outbound flight must be taken between 10.00 and 15.30, with the return between 19.30 and midnight. The best fare offer to Switzerland of EUR 259 is the Visitor fare, which is applicable at weekends.
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Eurocopter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, one of the world's leaders in aerospace and defense, today announced that its U.S. subsidiary, American Eurocopter Corporation, will construct a facility in the Golden Triangle area of Mississippi. This new presence will be dedicated to the manufacturing of helicopter components for the Eurocopter AS350, EC130, AS355 models, and the customization of helicopters. It will also include the final assembly of American Eurocopter's market-leading AS350 series helicopters, serving both the commercial and the para-public market, which includes law enforcement and emergency services. The plant will employ a workforce of approximately 100. Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter commented, "Eurocopter is the market leader in rotary wing aviation in the United States, as well as around the world. This announcement signals our increasing industrial presence in the United States market and reinforces American Eurocopter's market-leading role."
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On October 11th 2002, Eurosam completed the first qualification firing of the full land-based SAMP/T system (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre - Land-based Medium Range Ground-to-Air). Within the framework of the collaboration between France and Italy, the SAMP/T qualification campaign is performed in Italy at the “Poligono Interforze di Salto di Quirra “PISQ” Test centre on Salto di Quirra in Sardinia. The firing simulated a medium range interception of a subsonic aircraft attacking at an altitude of 3,000 metres. As the land-based component of the F.S.A.F. family, the SAMP/T system is a theatre anti-missile system designed to protect the battlefield and other sensitive sites (airports, harbours, etc.) against all current and future threats (cruise missiles, piloted and non-piloted aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles in the 600-kilometres class).
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After France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, Greece is the 5th European country to select Sagem's Sperwer UAV systems following an international competition. This choice confirms Sagem's systems technical and operational leadership. These systems comprise the ground stations, the catapult and several unmanned aircraft. The contract is worth tens of millions of Euros. Sperwer features an "all weather" capacity, including under harsh meteorological conditions and an "all terrain" capacity thanks to totally autonomous and automatic launching (catapult) and recovery (parachute) modes. The Sperwer's open and modular design allows to quickly offer solutions adapted to the evolving needs of armed forces in the field of tactical UAVs with the integration of innovative functions and payloads for example.
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The Navy took delivery in September of its newest aviator training asset that will take naval flight officer training to the next level. Following the Navy's acceptance of two T-6A "Texans" into its inventory, Raytheon executives presented a model of the trainer to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) officials on Monday. In the same ceremony, Boeing representatives also presented a model of the T-45 "Goshawk," which just achieved its 153rd delivery. “The most important thing we do at NAVAIR is to deliver products to the fleet,” said Tom Laux, program executive officer for Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs. “These T-45 and T-6A models provide a visual reminder of the products that our team delivers. This ceremony honors the commitment and recognizes the contributions of PMA-273 (NAVAIR's Undergraduate Flight Training System Program Office) and our industry team to deliver quality products to the warfighter.”
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With Portland, as of the summer timetable 2003, Lufthansa will serve another attractive destination in the United States. The new Lufthansa service from Frankfurt to Portland will be the only European connection with Oregon's metropolis and thus of interest to travelers not only from Germany, but also from other European markets. Oregon will gain considerably in importance as a destination due to the Lufthansa flight. Portland, the "City of Roses", is the home of several large U.S. industrial companies, including no less than 1,696 high-tech firms which altogether provide work for more than 72,000 employees. In addition, there are branch offices of leading German and European groups. More than 1.9 million people live in the Greater Portland area.
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As part of the implementation of the updated business plan submitted to the Air Transportation Stabilization Board (ATSB), United Airlines announced this week's second round of cost-cutting measures that are expected to improve profitability by approximately $120 million annually. In response to current market conditions, the carrier will be closing four international stations and better matching capacity with demand by shifting to smaller aircraft in several markets. In combination, the U.S. domestic and international cost-cutting initiatives announced this week are expected to improve the carrier's profitability by approximately $220 million annually. Beginning Jan. 7, 2003, United will close stations in Caracas, Venezuela; Santiago, Chile; and Dusseldorf, Germany. On January 22, 2003, United will close its station in Milan, Italy. The closings will affect 69 employees in Caracas, 110 in Santiago, 46 in Milan and four in Dusseldorf. The last flights will depart Dusseldorf, Caracas and Santiago on January 6, 2003, and will depart Milan on January 21, 2003. Customers already booked for travel beyond the last date of service will be offered reaccommodation on other carriers.
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