FLUG REVUE update: Week ending November 24, 2002

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UPDATE
Week ending November 24, 2002

+++ NATO building new capabilities +++ F-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing flies +++ NATO AGS moves forward +++ First launch for Boeing Delta IV +++ New cuts at Astrium Space Infrastructure +++ SWISS cuts to survive +++ Delta announces low-fare subsidiary +++ X-31 makes ESTOL landing +++ News in brief +++

NATO building new capabilities
Partner versprechen neue Rüstungsanstrengungen

NATO is transforming to meet the new challenges of the 21st century. NATO's core mission of defending the nations of the Alliance remains; but the threats of the Cold War have ended, and the new threats a dangerous nexus of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and rogue dictatorial regimes -- is growing. Therefore, NATO was instigating a capabilities improvement programme at the Prague summit. The capabilities improvements have four interrelated components: (1) a NATO response force; (2) the Prague Capabilities Commitment; (3) streamlining NATO command structures; and (4) creating a strategic command dedicated to shaping the transformation of our military forces.
NATO is embarking on a focused program to concentrate spending on specific near-term capability improvements. The goal is to encourage European allies, old and new, to focus their defense spending on the most critical combat shortfalls identified by NATO military authorities: deployability, sustainability, interoperability, information superiority, and chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear defense (CBRN). Rather than attempting to sustain interoperability across the combat spectrum, our goal is to focus on creating niches of excellence in these areas of allied forces. Through their Prague Capabilities Commitment, NATO leaders have resolved to equip Alliance forces with leading-edge communications and weaponry essential to NATO dominance of the battlefield. New members, as well as existing Allies, will be able to produce specialized niche capabilities in their forces by concentrating modernization and transformation efforts on units identified for the NATO Response Force.
NATO Secretary General George Robertson has organized several efforts to fill shortfalls through multinational efforts: Germany is committing to lease C-17 transport aircraft as an interim measure, and lead a consortium of nations aimed at pooling airlift resources and capabilities; Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey are individually committing to buy UAVs; The Netherlands is leading a consortium with Canada, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway to pool purchases of precision-guided munitions; Spain and the Netherlands are buying munitions for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD); Denmark and Norway are contributing air-to-air refueling and Spain is leading a consortium of nations interested in pooling their refueling capabilities; Norway and Germany have committed to improving maritime counter-mine capabilities; and Poland and Hungary, are improving nuclear, chemical, and biological identification and defense capabilities.

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F-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing flies
Erstflug der F-18 AAW in Dryden

The first flight of a revolutionary flexible-wing F/A-18A research jet was Friday, Nov. 15 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, Calif. The Active Aeroelastic Wing program is researching the use of lighter-weight flexible wings for improved maneuverability of future high-performance military aircraft. The program intends to demonstrate improved aircraft roll control through aerodynamically induced wing twist on a full-scale manned supersonic aircraft-essentially a 21st century, high-tech update of the primitive wing-warping control system devised by the Wright brothers for their 1903 Wright Flyer. It is a joint program of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Boeing's Phantom Works and NASA Dryden.
The first AAW flight followed a three-year period of modification and ground testing at the NASA facility. During the one-hour, eight-minute flight, NASA research pilot Dana Purifoy put the modified Navy fighter plane through an extensive functional checkout of aircraft flight controls, avionics systems, engine operation, and newly installed test instrumentation. He also began evaluation of its aerodynamic flutter limits and differential movement of the inboard and outboard leading edge flaps used in AAW research.

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NATO AGS moves forward
Bodenaufklärung macht Fortschritte

NATO at its Prague summit welcomed the news that six of its member nations, from both sides of the Atlantic, have joined together to pursue cooperative development of a radar that will be an essential element of an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) capability. Earlier this week, prior to the Prague NATO Summit, the National Armaments Directors of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States signed a "Statement of Intent to Assess a Cooperative Radar Development. The Statement of Intent is a practical demonstration of true and equitable transatlantic cooperation and specifies that the participating nations will jointly design and build a radar sensor, leveraging, where possible, technology from existing programs. Specific technology and information sharing agreements are yet to be worked out, but the goal is to maximize the exchange of information among participants and their industries, within the constraints of each nation. The Transatlantic Cooperative AGS Radar (TCAR) will be designed primarily for the ongoing NATO core-owned and operated AGS project, but will also be available for participants'use to meet other national defense requirements
Thales Group has joined the Trans-Atlantic Industrial Proposed Solution (TIPS) approach developed by three other international defense contractors to address the longstanding requirement for a NATO-owned and -operated Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) capability. In addition to Thales, the team consists of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Company, Galileo Avionica of Italy and Northrop Grumman ISS International. The TIPS team's solution will be considered at the upcoming NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Prague. The four companies propose to share systems responsibilities in offering an AGS solution to NATO that would capitalize on the varied systems experience of each company. All parties recognize Thales' involvement adds its considerable experience in ground surveillance programs and studies to the trans-Atlantic industrial effort that initially proposed TIPS earlier this year. Together with NATO, the companies endeavor to develop a solution for an effective and affordable NATO AGS capability to meet the mandate for a 2010 initial operating capability and subsequently to build the complete system. The companies will continue to maintain constant dialogue with member nations to address national concerns such as platform and systems configuration and actively support the NATO AGS program. The TIPS system of systems approach centers on a government-to-government cooperatively developed active electronically scanned array radar sensor, a watershed event in industrial cooperation and technology sharing, by capitalizing on technology developed in both the U.S. Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) and Europe's Stand-Off Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (SOSTAR-X) technology demonstrator program in which Thales; EADS; FIAR, a Galileo Avionica Company; Indra and Dutch Space are cooperating.

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First launch for Boeing Delta IV
Neue Delta startet erfolgreich

In a spectacular evening launch on November 20, the first flight of the Boeing Delta IV family of rockets successfully delivered the commercial telecommunications satellite W5 for Eutelsat S.A.The Delta IV lifted off at 5:39 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Approximately 37 minutes after liftoff, the rocket deployed the W5 spacecraft to a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee of 539 kilometers above the Earth. The Delta IV rocket that deployed W5 was a Medium+ (4,2) configuration of the five-member Delta IV family of rockets developed by Boeing Expendable Launch Systems, a major program of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. The Medium+ category of the Delta IV features the Boeing Common Booster Core first stage, powered by the Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine; two Alliant Technologies strap-on solid rocket motors; the flight proven Pratt & Whitney RL10B-2 upper stage engine, and a four-meter Boeing composite payload fairing.

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New cuts at Astrium Space Infrastructure
Entlassungen bei Astrium

The Space Infractructure division of the European space company Astrium will cut 280 jobs. "There are particularly four reasons that force us to take this measure“, said Josef Kind, Astrium board member and President Space Infrastructure on the occasion of a staff meeting held in Bremen on Wednesday. "Production of Ariane-4 is on its way out. Demand for satellite transportation is weakening which is meant that we will built less Ariane-5 stages than planned and that at considerably lower prices. The Columbus programme will be completed in 2004. Considerable delays in contract awarding concerning the industrial operation of the European components of the International Space Station will also have an unfavourable effect on our business.“
Capacity adjustment will mainly focus on the Bremen site of Astrium where almost 200 jobs will be cut. The Space Infrastructure sectors in Ottobrunn, Lampoldshausen and Trauen, however, will be affected as well, Mr. Kind continued. Staff reduction shall be completed by the end of 2004.
All over the world, the space industry is increasingly facing the problem of standing its ground. The telecommunications market is declining considerably. Stagnant or cut public-sector space budgets and reanimated discussion of already approved large-scale projects such as the International Space Station or Galileo are reasons for the currently difficult situation of the industry.

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SWISS cuts to survive
Sparmaßnahmen bei Swiss

SWISS is to introduce a comprehensive optimisation programme which is designed to add CHF 400 million to its 2003 bottom line. The programme includes modifications to the airline's route network from the start of the 2003 summer schedules, a downsizing of the aircraft fleet, a revised charter concept and enhancements to its inflight product. The actions will entail the elimination of some 300 personnel positions, which should be effected through natural attrition as extensively as possible. At the same time, the company intends to create around 200 new positions in its Technical Services and IT divisions. A separate media release is being issued on the company's third-quarter results.
As the first seven months of full business operations have confirmed, SWISS is largely on course, with an aircraft fleet that is broadly the right size for an airline that strives to offer a comprehensive route network. The company is, however, about to effect some slight modifications to its fleet and route network, along with further product enhancements, in response to current market needs. The optimisation programme includes various measures aimed at both the cost and the revenue side of business operations. The Board of Directors approved the following proposals from Executive Management at its meeting of November 18:
The aircraft fleet will be reduced by one long-haul aircraft (an MD-11), one medium-haul transport (an Airbus A320) and three 50-seater regional aircraft. The downsizing will result in the withdrawal of services primarily from routes which are generating less-than-satisfactory results and offer no prospect of longer-term success. SWISS's charter services will be operated by four Airbus A320s in place of the current seven MD-80s. The aircraft can already be deployed to fulfil long-term contractual agreements which have already been concluded. The withdrawal of five aircraft from the scheduled services fleet, the downsizing of the charter fleet, the delay in deliveries of the Embraer ERJ 170 and the introduction of a new efficiency-raising pilot rostering system for the regional fleet will entail a reduction in the numbers of cockpit and cabin personnel. The positions to be eliminated among the ground staff corps are part of the overall cost-cutting measures. Of the total elimination of 300 positions companywide, the reductions required among the cabin crew corps and ground personnel (160 positions) can be achieved through natural attrition. For the elimination of the 140 positions among the cockpit crew corps, SWISS will be devising socially-acceptable solutions in collaboration with the pilots' unions.

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Delta announces low-fare subsidiary
Billiglinie von Delta Air Lines

On Nov. 20 Delta Air Lines announced that it will create a new low-fare subsidiary designed to appeal to the growing number of price-driven travelers. The main features include: Separate subsidiary. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, the new operation of 36 Boeing 757 jets will launch in 2003 to compete head-to-head with other carriers in the low-fare market segment and to strengthen Delta's current portfolio of businesses. The new subsidiary expects that most one-way fares to be between $79 and $299. Cost-competitive business model. The subsidiary will create a new, cost-competitive business focused on increased productivity and the efficient use of Delta's current assets, including fleet, operations, technology and people. Its unit costs will be approximately 20 percent below the available seat mile costs of Delta's mainline 757s. Distinct brand/customer experience. The new subsidiary will feature low fares, a distinctive brand, and amenities and services to meet the expectations of price-savvy customers. It also will feature the elements required for a discount carrier – simple low fares, low costs, high-utilization and direct purchasing methods for tickets. This service will initially operate its dedicated fleet of 757s in the Northeast - Florida market, with later expansion across Delta's United States network.
"The new subsidiary announced today represents an aggressive and proactive initiative to meet the burgeoning competition from low-fare carriers," said Leo F. Mullin, Delta's chairman and CEO. "We have previously noted that low-fare carriers represent a real threat to Delta – substantially more than that from other hub and spoke competition. Low-fare carriers have been making significant inroads particularly during this period of extreme financial duress for the industry. Even in the midst of these challenges, Delta intends, through the actions announced today, to meet the low-fare carriers head on – first to halt their progress and then to regain competitive share. The goals are an enhanced competitive position for our company and higher profitability."

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X-31 makes ESTOL landing
Kurzlandetests mit X-31 beginnen

The X-31 Vector test team reached a major milestone when Maj. Cody Allee engaged the aircraft's Extremely Short Takeoff and Landing mode and performed the project's first two ESTOL landings to a virtual runway 5,000 feet in the air. Five more ESTOL approaches were performed on Tuesday. The X-31 uses thrust vectoring controlling the direction of its engine exhaust with paddle-like vanes to maintain control at high angles of attack and reduced speeds, even well below the typical landing speed for an aircraft of its type. Through the Vector program, the Navy is exploring the applications of thrust vectoring technology for ESTOL, with a particular eye toward the carrier landing environment. Monday's flight was an important step toward proving the viability of thrust-vectored ESTOL landings, said Doug Wilkin, lead flight test engineer for VECTOR. A later flight test phase, scheduled for early in 2003, will culminate in ESTOL-type landings all the way to the runway, he added. Coupled with the right flight control software, the thrust vectoring system on the X-31 permits it to fly at up to 70 degrees angle of attack, meaning that its nose can be pointed 70 degrees above the aircraft's actual direction of flight. The X-31 performed such feats in the early 90s under the Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability program, in which the Navy was exploring the combat applications of thrust vectoring.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

NASA awarded contracts under the Cycle 2 Space Launch Initiative (SLI) solicitation to two companies for flight demonstrator technologies. The awards for flight demonstrators are required at this stage to mature technologies needed to support full-scale development design of a future competitively selected Orbital Space Plane under the restructured SLI effort. The Boeing Company-Phantom Works Division, Seal Beach, Calif., was awarded approximately $301 million (including options through 2006) to continue the development of the X-37 flight demonstrator. This contract includes a progressive series of approach and landing tests and a space transportation research orbital vehicle. The atmospheric tests are scheduled for mid-2004 and the orbital flight is scheduled for mid-2006. The Lockheed Martin Corporation, Denver, Colo., was awarded a contract valued up to approximately $53 million (including options through 2006) to develop a reusable launch pad abort demonstrator. The contract includes a full-scale reusable system that will provide the capability to test technologies in a launch pad abort situation. The solicitation was issued in January, as part of the second generation SLI, and requested proposals for a broad range of research and development activities for technology risk reduction activities.
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Regulatory agencies from Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands have granted authorization for The Boeing Company to use a range of Ku-band radio frequencies for its revolutionary Connexion by Boeing mobile information service. The authorizations have been granted in support of service demonstrations with Lufthansa German Airlines and British Airways that will begin in the first quarter of 2003. The two leading European air carriers are pioneering the use of broadband connectivity onboard commercial aircraft and will commence three-month service demonstrations in January and February, respectively. Through their market-leading efforts, airline passengers soon will be able to choose from a multitude of personalized real-time services in flight including access to high-speed Internet, intranet and e-mail services, e-commerce, shopping, entertainment content and travel and destination information on trans-Atlantic flights between Europe and North America.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the Automotive business ("TRW Automotive") of TRW Inc. (NYSE: TRW) to The Blackstone Group in a deal that values TRW Automotive at $4.725 billion. The Blackstone Group, a leading private investment firm, recently raised the world's largest private equity fund at $6.45 billion, and the purchase of TRW Automotive will be the first investment made by this fund. Under the terms of the agreement, which is conditioned on the closing of the Northrop Grumman/TRW merger, the seller will receive $4.725 billion, comprised of $3.757 billion in cash, $600 million in debt securities and an initial $368 million equity interest (approximately 42 percent of total equity of $868 million) in TRW Automotive. The parties intend to reduce their initial equity positions in TRW Automotive before closing. At the close of the transaction, anticipated to be in the first quarter of 2003, the seller's equity interest is expected to be approximately 20 percent, which would increase total cash consideration to between $3.9 billion and $4.0 billion. Cash proceeds from the sale of TRW Automotive, along with the proceeds already received from the completed sale of TRW Aeronautical Systems, will be used to pay down debt. All financing necessary to complete the transaction has been provided by JP Morgan, Credit Suisse First Boston and Lehman Brothers.
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Raytheon Company has delivered the first Track Illuminator Laser (TILL) to Lockheed Martin for use in the U.S. Air Force's Airborne Laser (ABL) missile defense program. The ABL TILL is the first diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser that has qualified for flight operation aboard a military aircraft. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems' TILL will be integrated with the beam transfer optics for an end-to-end test of the ABL's Beam Control/Fire Control system at the Lockheed Martin ABL test facility in Sunnyvale, CA. TILL is an integral part of the Beam Control/Fire Control system and will project rapid, powerful pulses of light to a small section of a boosting missile threat. The light will then be reflected back to an extremely sensitive camera. The reflected light data is used to obtain information about the threat's speed and elevation.
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Rockwell Collins is the first in the industry to demonstrate low level military approaches using synthetic vision technology. Rockwell Collins' synthetic vision technology offers enhanced situational awareness, real-time guidance, predictive alerting and improved flight planning capabilities. The successful flight tests are the culmination of a two year cooperative research agreement with the Air Force Research Lab at Wright Patterson Air Force Base demonstrating the applicability of synthetic vision technology in the military environment. More than 20 hours of flight tests were performed on the USAF Speckled Trout aircraft flying low level terrain sorties in simulated night instrument meteorological conditions. The tests are the first to be conducted using synthetic vision displays to perform a zero/zero approach to landing at an assault strip. Evaluation pilots from the 412th Flight Test Squadron and the Air Force Test Pilot School conducted blind low level profiles and approaches using Rockwell Collins head-up and head-down displays that were equipped with synthetic vision elements.
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Dassault Aviation has selected Rockwell Collins to supply its advanced Flight Dynamics head-up guidance technology for the new Falcon 7X. Based on the HGS 4000 Head-up Guidance System, the 7X HGS is smaller and lower weight compared with previous generation systems. The system provides a wider field-of-view and larger eyebox, allowing the pilot to view information conformal to the outside world in high crosswinds and to more easily manage approach angle and energy while conducting circling and other difficult approaches. New sensor and database technologies, such as enhanced vision and synthetic vision, can be readily accommodated through onboard software loading and a configurable imaging sensor interface.
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Boeing delivered the first B-2 "smart" bomb racks to Northrop Grumman ahead of schedule. Modifications to the racks were completed at the Developmental Center in Seattle, Wash., and will enable the B-2 to carry and launch up to 20 smart GPS-guided Mk-82 JDAMs from each of its four racks. Boeing employees in St. Charles, Mo., engineered and fabricated the controller that sends the power and signal to the weapon, while employees in Seattle engineered, manufactured and installed the overall bomb rack kit and are performing software development as part of a $55 million contract. The first four racks will be installed on a B-2 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where it will undergo a six-month test program.
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The 48th Fighter Wing at Lakenheath received the first two of 10 new F-15E Strike Eagles bought under contract from the Boeing Co. They are the first new F-15s the wing has received since 1996. The E-model has two Pratt and Whitney F100-P&W-229 engines, each generating 29,000 pounds of thrust.
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For the second time in a week, Iraq trained its anti-aircraft guns on coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-fly Zone over Iraq, DoD officials reported. At a Pentagon briefing, Navy Rear Adm. David Gove, Joint Staff spokesman, reported that the Iraqis fired surface-to-air missiles at coalition patrol aircraft today at about 6 a.m. Eastern time. The United States responded by dropping precision-guided munitions on three Iraqi air-defense communication facilities near al-Kut and al-Basrah. Gove said the Iraqis since Nov. 8 have fired on coalition aircraft at least nine times in the southern zone and twice in the north. He said the firings on coalition aircraft have spiked in recent weeks, but they've are no more frequent than coalition aircraft have faced at times in the past.
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DoD announces the United States is providing military aircraft at the request of the Czech Republic to assist in air defense over Prague during the 2002 NATO summit. The U.S. forces directed to deploy or participate in support of the summit include F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy; F-15 Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom; 606th Air Control Squadron, from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. The United States is one part of a larger NATO effort to provide security for the 2002 NATO summit - an example of the interoperability and security cooperation existing between NATO
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The Russian and French Prime Ministers, Mikhail Kassianov and Jean-Pierre Raffarin, visited Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse, France, today, just before the opening of the 8th Franco-Russian Commission for Bilateral Co-operation Aspects held in Toulouse on 18 November. On this occasion, two important milestones in the partnership between the Russian aviation sector and Airbus were reached, with a contract with Aeroflot for 18 A320 Family aircraft and a protocol highlighting the progress of the creation of the Moscow-based Airbus-Kaskol Engineering Centre. During their visits, Prime Ministers Kassianov and Raffarin toured Airbus' final assembly lines as well as the cabin mock up of the A380, which will be the world's largest and most modern passenger aircraft with 555-seats.
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Airbus has appointed Gerhard Puttfarcken as Chairman of the Board of Management and General Manager of its German branch, Airbus Deutschland GmbH, effective 1st January 2003. He will replace Hans-Joachim Gante, who will become Managing Director of the German Aerospace Industries Association BDLI. Gerhard Puttfarcken (56) is currently Airbus' Senior Vice President Single-Aisle Programme, and will be replaced in this role by Mario Heinen (46), who is currently Vice President of the Airbus Delivery Centre.
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MTU Maintenance Canada, one of the largest independent maintenance and repair operations for jet turbine engines in North America, signs a one year, back to back, exclusive CFM56-3 contract with Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services for five engines. With seven locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, Ansett Worldwide is the world's third largest aircraft leasing company. The Company was formed in 1985 as aviation trading and leasing company and to date has concluded deals with some 160 customers, representing all segments of the aviation industry. According to Ansett's October 2002 corporate overview, Ansett worldwide currently owns 177 jet aircraft with a total value of approximately USD 5 billion and these aircrafts are on lease to 70 airline customers in 44 countries around the world.
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According to press reports, a senate committee of the Philippine parliament plans to file an application with the supreme court to declare void parts of the concession agreement between the Philippine state and the PIATCO operating company. Fraport AG holds a 30-percent stake in PIATCO, the company that was awarded the concession for constructing and operating the new international passenger terminal (Terminal 3) at Manila airport. It is rumored that the application is being made because the concession agreement allegedly contains provisions detrimental to the government as well as the Philippine people. However, these provisions were essentially agreed to before Fraport AG invested in PIATCO. The false report by Handelsblatt German newspaper - saying that talks between Fraport and the Philippine government had failed and that the German ambassador in Manila had been informed accordingly - have been denied by the responsible department chief at the German Foreign Office in Berlin. Indeed, exactly the opposite was said in a long talk between the German ambassador and members of the Philippine government. In this regard, it was specifically said: "The Philippine government was striving for a solution that would protect the interests of Fraport." Incidentally, in its talks with the German ambassador the Philippine government showed a strong readiness to commit itself actively in favor of the investor, Fraport, and to ensure compensation.
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At the conclusion of the first-ever comprehensive examination of American's aerospace and aviation industries -- including assessment of air transportation, civil and military equipment manufacturing, and the outlook for expansion in space endeavors -- the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry today issued its Final Report and a set of nine recommendations for government and industry action. "We have centered our efforts upon nine key recommendations that we believe begin the process of reestablishing the aerospace sector on a firm footing for the 21st century," Walker said in transmittal letters to president George W. Bush and Congress concerning the commission's extensive year-long examination of aerospace and aviation issues. In its Final Report, the Commission recommends that: The United States boldly pioneer new frontiers in aerospace technology, commerce, and exploration. Transformation of the U.S. air transportation system be a national priority. The United States create a space imperative. The nation adopt a policy that invigorates and sustains the aerospace industrial base. The federal government establish a national aerospace policy and promote aerospace by creating a government-wide management structure. U.S. and multilateral regulations and policies be reformed to enable the movement of products and capital across international borders on a fully competitive basis and establish a level playing field for U.S. industry in the global marketplace. A new business model be designed to promote a healthy and growing U.S. aerospace industry. The nation immediately reverse the decline in and promote the growth of a scientifically and technologically trained U.S. aerospace workforce. The federal government significantly increase its investment in basic aerospace research in order to enhance U.S. national security, enable breakthrough capabilities, and foster an efficient, secure, and safe aerospace transportation system.
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Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Connexion by Boeing today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will make the flag-carrier a significant international customer for the high-speed mobile information services provider. A prelude to a service agreement, the MOU calls for the market-leading broadband data and entertainment service to be installed on 11 SAS long-haul aircraft as part of the first step, with additional aircraft options for expansion of the service. In 2004 SAS will be one of the first airlines in the world to offer this service. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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The Naval Air Systems Command intends to award a sole source contract to ATK Missile Systems Company, Woodland Hills, CA, for System Development and Demonstration (SD&D) of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile with an option for the integration of Quick Bolt into AARGM. Science and Applied Technology (SAT) developed AARGM under Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) phase I, II and III funding agreements. ATK recently acquired SAT's assets including its data rights in the AARGM technology. Based upon recent market research, ATK's acquisition of SAT's assets, and the retention of key personnel; ATK has been determined to be the only firm capable of performing the development and demonstration of AARGM and Quick Bolt.
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Eurofighter two-seat prototype DA6 has crashed near the central Spanish town of Toledo on 21 November, a Defence Ministry spokesman said. "Fortunately both pilots ejected from the plane," the spokesman said. The plane fell in the countryside near the village of Belvis de la Jarra. The reason for the crash is unclear, but it seems that both engines flamed out at high altitude during tests and the pilots were unable to relight them.
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Boeing and subcontractor Raytheon have rolled out the integrated APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to be used in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, in a ceremony at Raytheon facilities in El Segundo, Calif. The ceremony marks another milestone in the evolution of the F/A-18E/F fighter jet as the premier weapons platform for the 21st century U.S. Navy. "AESA is just the next step in the development of the Super Hornet," said Boeing AESA manager, Don Thole. "When we first began to develop the F/A-18E/F, we set out to build the world's most adaptable, flexible and lethal weapon system. The Super Hornet has always been a great tool in the Navy's arsenal and the AESA makes it more survivable, supportable and affordable."
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Raytheon Company has successfully completed the 60-day stability test for the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). The test is a critical milestone for acceptance of the system by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) early next year. WAAS is the FAA's next-generation global position system (GPS)-based navigation and landing system. It augments the basic signal from GPS satellites with another signal from geosynchronous satellites. The augmentation signal increases the airborne receiver's accuracy, continuity, integrity, and availability. "The FAA has completed the analysis of the test results and has approved the test reports," said Bob Eckel, vice president of Raytheon's Air Traffic Management Systems. "The system ran continuously during the test period and met all the system performance requirements. Successful completion of this step puts us one step closer to the commissioning of WAAS next year."WAAS is an essential part of the FAA's transition to satellite navigation. When commissioned, WAAS will support approaches with vertical guidance over most of the continental 48 states and parts of Alaska. New approach procedures will be published that allow aircraft to descend gradually to the runway, even when weather obscures the pilot's vision down to 250 feet above the ground. Additional reference stations and system refinements will improve vertical approach capability and increase coverage. Approaches with vertical guidance have been shown to be as much as five-times safer than non-precision approaches.
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In a VIP ceremony held at AgustaWestland's UK facility on November 19, an important milestone was achieved with the delivery of the last of 22 EH101 Merlin HC Mk3 helicopters for the Royal Air Force and the build completion of the last of 44 EH101 Merlin HM Mk1s for the Royal Navy. Richard Case, Managing Director, AgustaWestland and Alan Johnston, Managing Director, Westland Helicopters Limited hosted a ceremony at which Sir Robert Walmsley, Chief of Defence Procurement, was the guest of honour. Richard Case handed over the logbook for the 22nd Mk3 together with a crystal trophy to the Chief of Defence Procurement. In turn, Sir Robert Walmsley presented the trophy to Wing Commander Dave Stubbs, RAF, Commanding Officer No.28 Squadron as the trophy will become an annual award within the Squadron, home of Merlin HC Mk3. The ceremony concluded with a fly past of four Merlin Mk3s from RAF Benson and four Merlin Mk1s from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. During the late 1970s, the British and Italian governments reached agreement on the joint development of a medium-lift helicopter to fulfil the roles of shipborne anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, military utility and civilian transport. In September 1991, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed an order for 44 maritime EH101 versions to be known as Merlin HM Mk1 with Lockheed Martin appointed as prime contractor. This was followed in March 1995 by a further order worth Pound 500 million for 22 utility variants to be known as Merlin HC Mk3. The first milestone in the Merlin programme was reached in March 1996 when the first Royal Navy production aircraft, designated RN01, was officially rolled out. The maiden flight of the first production Mk3 took place in December 1998.
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Oil from the wrecked tanker off the northwest coast of Spain had already reached the Spanish coast when ESA's Envisat satellite acquired this radar image of the oil slick, stretching more than 150 km, on Sunday, 17 November, at 10.45 UTC. The 26-year-old tanker, Prestige, can be seen as a bright white point located about 100 km off the coast. Support vessels are identifiable as smaller white points surrounding the ship. The huge oil slick is clearly visible as a dark plume emanating from the stricken ship and stretching to the northwest coast of Spain. The image was captured by the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) onboard the Envisat spacecraft, launched by ESA last March. The ASAR was operating in its wide-swath mode covering an area approximately 400 km by 400 km.
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Saab has sold its Applied Composites AB subsidiary in Linköping to the British company Chelton Limited. Applied Composites develops and manufactures components made of advanced composite materials, mainly for the aviation and defense industries. "The sale is a part of the Saab Group's effort to focus on its core activities," says Ove Karlsson, who is coordinating the sale of Applied Composites at Saab.
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The Boeing 767 Program officially transitioned from performing final assembly tasks in a conventional slant position to orienting the airplane in a straight line configuration when it recently faced two 767s toward the big factory doors in Everett, Wash.. The Boeing 767 joins the 717, 737, 747 and 757 programs, which also use this innovative manufacturing technique - called a moving line - to improve production efficiency and quality, while shortening the time it takes to deliver airplanes to airline customers. "Transitioning 767 final assembly to a straight line will help us find and eliminate the waste in our production system," said John Quinlivan, Boeing 767 vice president and general manager. "It requires everyone to continually look for ways to do work better, simpler and easier."
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The advanced CFM56-5C/P began flight tests today on the Airbus A340, paving the way for engine/aircraft certification and entry into service in late 2003. The CFM56-5C, which powers the Airbus A340-200 and -300, is produced by CFM International (CFM). CFM, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company, is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines with more than 15,300 firm CFM56 engine orders from 350 customers worldwide. South African Airways launched the CFM56-5C/P program earlier this year with an order for six aircraft. Swiss International Airlines, which will be the first airline to take delivery, has ordered 13 airplanes. The engine is being developed for both the A340 Enhanced aircraft and as an upgrade package for current CFM56-5C operators.
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Korea is scheduled to launch its first omnibus satellite, part of which will perform military functions, in March 2006, said KT, Korea's leading telecommunications carrier. According to KT officials, the satellite was initially scheduled to be blasted off into space in 2005 but there has been a delay. "We have now begun the process of selecting the company for building the satellite for blast-off in 2006," a KT official said. The Koreasat 5 will be the fifth to be launched by KT and will replace Koreasat 2 whose lifecycle is near depletion. There is no Koreasat 4, most likely because "4" in a variation in Chinese characters means "death."
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Boeing will need to cut another 5,000 jobs next year in its commercial airplane division as the global aviation slump continues. The job reductions would bring to nearly 35,000 the company has eliminated since last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Alan Mulally, chief executive of Boeing's commercial airplanes told workers the company expects half the cuts to come through attrition and the rest through layoffs. He spoke Wednesday at Boeing's widebody jetliner assembly plant in Everett, 30 miles north of Seattle.
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In accordance with the agreements signed in July 2001, Air France and Alitalia have decided to take the development of their alliance one step further. The Boards of both airlines today approved the setting up of a cross-equity scheme of 2% in the capital of each partner. The two operations entail the purchase of shares on the stock market or negotiations of blocks of shares at market conditions, and will be finalized by the end of January 2003. This cross-equity scheme, together with the existing reciprocal representation on their Boards of Directors, reflects the determination of Alitalia and Air France to build a long-term partnership, while strengthening ties among the European airlines in the SkyTeam alliance.
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