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Week ending December 8, 2002
+++ Germany cuts procurement plans +++ Mayrhuber to be new Lufthansa boss +++ Fairchild Dornier will be broken up +++ Eurotraining feasibility study contract signed +++ Embraer joint venture with China ++ Space Station nations meet +++ News in brief ++
Germany cuts procurement plans
Kürzungen bei Rüstungsprojekten angekündigt
German Secretary of Defense Struck outlined the fundamentals of German Federal Armed Forces planning to 2006 in the Bundestag. Struck for the first time released the numbers for reduced procurement projects. The armed forces will order 60 A400 M transport aircraft, instead of 73 as originally planned. Struck said he had discussed his plan with Britain and France, which he said accepted the move. But he admitted it could increase the price of the planes by just one per cent, a figure greeted with scepticism by experts.He said Germany would stick to its planned order for 180 of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Regarding the armament of the new fighter, both missile programs are being maintained. However, only 1,250 IRIS-T air-to-air missiles will be procured, instead of the 1,812 as previously planned, and the number of Meteor air-to-air missiles will likewise be reduced from the original 1,480 to 600. The Bundestag must still authorize the procurement of Iris-T missiles in the spring 2003.
Between 2003 and 2006, the armed forces will receive a budget of 24.4 billion euros per year. In addition, during the same period 1.15 billion euros would be available for the war on terrorism.
Minister Peter Struck said the government will examine further the number of Tiger and NH90 helicopters it will buy. He said the number and type of necessary fighter jets are also to be examined and part of this will involve looking more closely into the continuation of the use of the Tornados and the more than 40-year-old Phantom F-4F. Plans to procure the "Brequet Atlantic" Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be retained. The priority is for it to be made within the framework of a multinational European cooperation. He said Germany will "improve" the electronic protection system of the transport aircraft C-130 Transall. A total of 86 Transall are currently being used to transport personnel and materials in combat zones.
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Mayrhuber to be new Lufthansa boss
Nachfolge von Jürgen Weber geregelt
At its meeting the Lufthansa Supervisory Board named the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Wolfgang Mayrhuber, as the successor to the current Chairman and CEO, Jürgen Weber. The change at the helm of the aviation group will take place at the next Annual General Meeting, on 18 June 2003 in Cologne. "This early decision will ensure continuity at the top of the Group," Supervisory Board Chairman Dr. Klaus Schlede said, and paid tribute to Jürgen Weber's 35-year service to Lufthansa. During his twelve years as Chairman and CEO he had successfully implemented decisive policies such as corporate rehabilitation, restructuring and privatisation. Under Weber's leadership Lufthansa and the Star Alliance, which he had initiated, had become a global player. Jürgen Weber congratulated Wolfgang Mayrhuber on behalf of the entire Executive Board: "With Wolfgang Mayrhuber at the helm the company at this difficult time is well equipped for the future. That is an important signal for our customers, our shareholders and our employees." It will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2003 that Jürgen Weber be elected to the Supervisory Board. In his position on the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG Wolfgang Mayrhuber is responsible for the autonomous Passenger Business segment. With effect from 1 April 2002 he was also appointed Deputy Chairman of the Lufthansa Group. Alongside the traditional airline business, the passenger-business-unit remit encompasses the strategically important areas of “Corporate Infrastructure“, “Alliances and Airline Stakes“, and “Operational Excellence“. Wolfgang Mayrhuber is thus responsible for the Group's biggest business operation, employing more than 30,000 staff in the cockpit and cabin, at ground stations in Germany and around the world, and worldwide sales. Superior technical and aviation competence, acknowledged service standards and a unique, global network operated by Lufthansa in harness with its Star Alliance partners are the core values associated, worldwide, with the passenger airline that he now heads.
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Fairchild Dornier will be broken up
Keine Gesamtlösung für Fairchild Dornier
The insolvency administration for Fairchild Dornier met again on 2 December to review progress. Now that the Russian consortium of Basic Elements and Irkutsk is no longer interested in the whole company, it seems likely that the company will be split up.According to insolvency administrator Braun, there are now nearly completely negotiated contracts with AvCraft/Dimeling on the takeover of the 328 regional jet programme production and customer support. Also, the maintenance and Airbus components divisions should be sold to Swiss RUAG. On the other hand, the Russians are still interested in the 728/928 programme, and talks concerning this will continue, especially to secure a political blessing of the deal. Other parties like Earl Robinson and AFC had failed to submit proof of their finacial power.
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Eurotraining feasibility study contract signed
Studienvertrag für Eurotraining unterschrieben
On 2 December 2002, Aermacchi of Italy acting for a consortium of five leading European aerospace companies (Aermacchi, Dassault Aviation of France, EADS-CASA of Spain, EADS-Deutschland and Saab of Sweden) signed a contract for the Eurotraining Feasibility Study with the Italian DGAA (General Directorate forAeronautical Armaments) acting on behalf the air forces of twelve European countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The Italian DGAA is the appointed Executive Agency on the military side as agreed in a MoU signed by the twelve participating nations.The objective of the feasibility study is to define possible solutions and their life cycle costs for an integrated Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) system, Eurotraining, to be introduced around 2010. The study will cover all aspects of advanced jet pilot training including a new trainer aircraft, ground based systems, syllabi, infrastructure and siting, and will also address the implementation. The study will be carried out by a joint industry team consisting of members from the consortium companies with support from a large number of other European aerospace firms. The study is scheduled to last one year to be followed by a definition phase. The contract signature was preceded by an industrial launch meeting held in Dassault Aviation, Paris, on 27 and 28 November. More than 60 experts from the many cooperating companies were gathered to mark the official starting of a project which features the ambitious vision of a major step forward in the flying training of future fighter pilots in Europe while also strengthening European co-operation in defence and industry.
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Embraer joint venture with China
ERJ 135/140/145 to be built in China
Embraer has signed an agreement to build a production unit in China through a joint venture with Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hafei Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. -- companies controlled by China Aviation Industry Corp. II, AVIC II. Embraer's first industrial initiative outside Brazil will manufacture its renowned ERJ 135/140/145 family aircraft to better meet the needs of the Chinese market in terms of commercial aviation products. The new company, denominated Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company Ltd., will be located in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province. "This event represents a landmark not just in the history of Embraer, but also in the history of both countries' bilateral relations. China and Brazil have an enormous potential for cooperation in different fields of interest, and we are confident that this is but the first step towards many successful accomplishments in the future. We firmly believe that Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company will be a powerful lever to expand the presence of our products in this flourishing Chinese market which, for sure, will represent an important share of Embraer's global operations," affirmed Mauricio Botelho, President and CEO of Embraer, during the signature of the contract in Beijing. Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company Ltd. will be responsible for the manufacturing, assembly, sales and after-sale support for the ERJ 135/140/145 family aircraft. The contract covers the production under license of all versions of the ERJ family of regional jets, including the ERJ 135, ERJ 140 and ERJ 145 aircraft, to be marketed primarily in the entire territory of the People's Republic of China. The delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for December 2003. The equity investment in the Joint Venture will be of US$ 25 million, 51% made by Embraer. The new production unit will occupy an area of 24,000 sq. m., employing up to 220 people.
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Space Station nations meet
Die Zukunftspersektiven der Raumstation
Space agency leaders from the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan and Russia met in Tokyo, Japan, December 6, 2002, to review and further promote International Space Station (ISS) cooperation. The meeting participants reviewed in detail the significant progress that has been made in the development and deployment of the ISS elements and in the implementation of the ISS Program Action Plan adopted at the last Heads of Agency meeting in June 2002. This Plan provided the framework for the Partnership's efforts over the last six months to select an option path to meet the utilization and resource requirements of the ISS.At this meeting, the participants unanimously endorsed an option path that enables maximised ISS utilization in the 2006/2007 timeframe through greater use of ISS research elements. The implementation of an expanded scientific program on ISS would be supported by phased growth of ISS capabilities, significantly increased quantity of permanent crew, with crew rescue initially provided by additional Soyuz crew rescue vehicles and eventually by both Soyuz and Orbital Space Plane. Additional Space shuttle, and other vehicle support would also enhance this unique on-orbit research facility. The participants also agreed upon a process for selecting an ISS configuration beyond the accommodation of the remaining International Partner elements. This process includes further technical and programmatic assessment, cost estimation, and internal budgetary reviews by each partner. It will lead to approval of a configuration option recommendation in March 2003, the selection of a revised ISS configuration option by June/July 2003, and agreement on a configuration by December 2003.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Dr. Fritz Merkle, program director for SAR-Lupe at the Bremen-based space company OHB-System AG, observed the first hardware test for the radar satellites with great anticipation in Ulm yesterday. At Thales Electron Devices GmbH, the capabilities of the traveling wave tube were successfully demonstrated for Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG. “This marks the completion of a key milestone in the project”, explained Merkle, “as this combination of band width and performance constitutes a major technological advance.” As demonstrated yesterday, the particularly powerful trans-mitter tube is responsible for amplifying the microwaves which are sent by the satellites to the earth and are ultimately used for generating high-resolution images. Tesat-Spacecom is responsible for developing the high-performance amplifier for the SAR-Lupe radar. This transmitter tube forms a key element of the amplifier, development of which has been contracted out to Thales Electron Devices. In October, OHB-System lodged a progress report on the SAR-Lupe project on schedule for critical review by the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement. This milestone, the critical design review, was also completed successfully.+++
In late November 2002, the SPAé (French Aeronautical Production Agency), acting on behalf of the French General Delegation for Armaments (DGA), notified Eurocopter of a contract for the supply of 10 medium-sized Eurocopter EC 725 helicopters to the French Special Forces. The contract, which is worth 271 million euros, covers the helicopters, general customization costs, and support services. Delivery of the first EC 725 is set for late 2004, with the follow-on deliveries spread out over 2005 and 2006. With this contract notification, the EC 725/225 order book now totals 18 machines.
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Enstrom Helicopter Corp. is finalizing plans for the final acceptance, following delivery, of four piston-powered 280FX training helicopters to the Venezuelan National Guard (Guardia Nacional) early next month. A large delivery ceremony, which will be televised in Venezuela, is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6, on Margarita Island, Venezuela. Venezuela's Minister of Defense, and various high-level officers in the Guardia Nacional, will attend the ceremony, including its commandant, chief of staff, and the commanding general of the Air Wing. Also attending the ceremony will be Enstrom President Steven Daniels.
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"The UK and London require one international hub/gateway airport", said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO in a letter to UK Transport Minister Alistair Darling. "It follows that Heathrow should continue to play that role" he added. The letter introduced IATA's response to the Consultation on the South East that is part of the wider UK Government Consultation on the Future Development of Air Transport. Demand for the South East is forecast to grow to 360 million passengers per year by 2030 while forecast capacity is only 180 million passengers per year. There is, therefore, a very significant shortfall. In its recommendations, IATA pointed out that the "Provision of adequate airspace and airport capacity is a prerequisite for achieving significant reductions in congestion, delays and greenhouse gas emissions." IATA's response emphasised three main priorities. First priority is Heathrow. A third runway should be built, 2000m long, with related terminal and stands all to the north of the Bath Road, to be operational by 2012. Second priority is Stansted. A second widely-spaced runway should be constructed to be operational by 2014. The third priority is a choice of either building a third runway at Stansted or a second one at Gatwick, depending on market demand. It would become operational in 2020.
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Raytheon Comp is being awarded a $6.7 million modification to an existing contract to continue development of the SEA RAM Weapon System in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. "This award will allow us to continue conducting research and development of SEA RAM and develop improvements directly applicable to the Phalanx system. The project will continue development of the horizon emphasis radar, upgrade existing radar systems and improve the system's software," said Troy Oberg, Raytheon's SEA RAM program manager. "Our plan is to develop improvements to Phalanx that are directly applicable to SEA RAM development."
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Helicopter Support, Inc. (HSI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft, has agreed to lease a 180,000 sq. ft. facility to be constructed in Trumbull, Connecticut. HSI is a customer service organization that provides worldwide aftermarket support to commercial and foreign military helicopter operators. The company currently maintains six separate leased facilities in Orange, West Haven, and Stratford, Connecticut, totaling approximately 100,000 sq. ft. The new Quarry Road facility, which will be constructed by R.D. Scinto enterprises, will enable the consolidation of five of the units and will result in all departments, except field maintenance, being housed under a single roof. The lease term is expected to commence in summer 2003 upon completion of the facility.
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Space Imaging, the world's leading provider of Earth imagery and related services, announced today that it has signed an agreement with The Nature Conservancy (Arlington, Va.). Under the terms of the agreement, Space Imaging will provide discounts on various IKONOS and Indian Remote Sensing global satellite imagery product suites, taken both from archive and new imagery collections. Space Imaging will also provide a limited number of selected images at no cost. This data will be used to inform and enhance The Nature Conservancy's conservation plans for managing lands and protecting biodiversity.
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GE Aircraft Engines has delivered to Lockheed Martin the first F110-GE-132 engine, the highest-thrust fighter engine ever developed for the F-16 aircraft. The F110-GE-132, which can produce up to 32,500 pounds of thrust (144 kN), is derived from GE's highly successful F110 engine family, which powers the majority of F-16C/Ds worldwide. The F110-GE-132 engine development was launched in 2000 with its selection for 80 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 60 aircraft by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defense.
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Last month, Adam Aircraft observed the 100-hour mark in the developmental testing phase of their A500 aircraft--a 250-knot, pressurized, six-place piston twin. Flight Test Results: "We've completed 50 test flights, which accounts for about 30 percent of the tests we plan to perform on Serial No. 0001," reported Glenn Maben, flight test pilot and lead powerplant engineer. "So far, the aircraft has met or exceeded our expectations. We're very pleased," he continued, describing the performance of the first aircraft built on production tooling in the aircraft manufacturer's Denver facility.
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Raytheon Company has been awarded a $118.7 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the second year of low-rate initial production of the Evolved SEASPARROW Missile (ESSM). This award includes funding for 163 all-up-round missiles. Raytheon also has been awarded a $6 million contract for ESSM radome production. ESSM is an advanced ship self-defense missile, designed to protect ships by destroying currently fielded and near-term projected anti-ship missiles, particularly those that fly at low altitudes and maneuver during their terminal flight phase.
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Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced today that the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced supersonic trainer reached its operational ceiling of 40,000 feet on Nov. 25. "We are very satisfied to reach the operational ceiling so early in the flight-test program," said Lt. Col. Cho, Gwang-Je, test pilot for this flight. "The aircraft feels very comfortable and safe at 40,000 feet altitude, and all systems operated normally." The maximum service ceiling for the T-50 is estimated to be 48,500 feet, the altitude where rate of climb is limited to 100 feet per minute at maximum power (full afterburner). However, the operational ceiling has been set at 40,000 feet.
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The U.S. Air Force has given the CC-130J, the extended fuselage version of the Lockheed Martin C-130J airlifter, high marks for austere field takeoff and landing operations. The recently completed trials, held in Yuma, Ariz., were the latest in a series of CC-130J developmental military utility tests before U.S. Air Force-led operational testing and evaluation begins in 2003. "The CC-130J's ability to take off and land on very short austere runways is a unique capability," said Ross Reynolds, C-130J program vice president. "The Super Hercules, with its greatly increased range and speed, is going to revolutionize theater transport operations both strategically and tactically. The CC-130J will also be able to deploy new systems, such as the Army's Stryker, over greater distances into areas unreachable by other aircraft."
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CAE announced the German procurement office BWB has awarded the company a C$1.6 million contract to develop a suite of CAE Simfinity training solutions for the German Army Aviation (GAA). Under terms of the agreement, CAE will develop simulation-based courseware and deployable training systems to train German Army CH-53 pilots on the helicopter's electronic warfare (EW) equipment. CAE's Simfinity solutions will address an urgent requirement of the German Army to train war-zone-deployed aircrews in the use of newly acquired EW equipment. The solutions delivered to the German Army will provide a full simulation of the CH-53 helicopter and its EW/countermeasures systems, a virtual cockpit, computer-based training lessons, and full freeplay capabilities. In addition to developing CAE Simfinity training systems for deployment in the field with combat units, CAE will deliver Simfinity solutions to GAA bases in Bueckeburg, Rheine, and Laupheim. The CAE Simfinity solutions, based on the same simulation software used in two CH-53 full mission simulators CAE has delivered to the GAA school, will be used primarily for familiarization and procedures training.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Air Wisconsin has placed a firm order for six additional 50-passenger Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet aircraft as a result of its recently inaugurated code share relationship with AirTran Airways. The transaction, valued at $140 million U.S. ($213 million Cdn.), represents the conversion of six of the 26 conditional orders currently held by Appleton, Wisconsin-based Air Wisconsin. It increases the airline's firm orders to 64, of which 27 aircraft have been delivered. Air Wisconsin retains 20 conditional orders, and 75 options on Bombardier CRJ aircraft.
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Boeing confirmed Ethiopian Airlines' order of new Boeing airplanes. The purchase agreement includes three Boeing 737-700s with blended winglets and three 767-300ER (extended-range) airplanes as part of the carrier's aggressive fleet renewal and expansion program. Ethiopian Airlines also announced its intention to lease six additional airplanes, including Next-Generation 737s and 767s, to complement this acquisition. The flag carrier made the announcement today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Rolls-Royce announced 1 December that it had signed a ten-year Total Care agreement worth $215 million with Lufthansa to provide in-service support for the Trent 500 engines powering the airline's new fleet of Airbus A340-600s. Lufthansa becomes the third customer for growth versions of the A340 to place long-term engine support agreements with Rolls-Royce this year, worth a total of more than $600 million and bringing civil aerospace aftermarket services business in 2002 to around $1.5 billion. Well over 40 per cent of all Trent engines for the A340-500 and -600, Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 are covered by Total Care agreements. Customers select from a menu of services to produce tailor-made solutions which match individual fleet requirements based on agreed rates per flying hour. Deliveries of the ten A340-600s for which Lufthansa has placed firm orders begin in the third quarter of 2003, with the aircraft scheduled for use on routes to Asia and the Americas. The airline also has options for a further ten of the four-engined, long-range jets.
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At the beginning of this year, it was established that a reduction of 968 personnel positions would be necessary by end-2002 for the extensive restructuring programme to succeed at Austrian Airlines. In the event, this reshaping exercise has been completed by the end of November. The number of people employed by the Austrian Airlines Group has been reduced to its present level of around 7,500. Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen made the following statement about current personnel management: “We have achieved the vast majority of this reduction in the equivalent of 968 posts by means of natural wastage, fluctuation and part-time working models. Only around 150 colleagues have had to leave the company due to joint dissolution of their contract of employment or, in very few cases, on the basis of a termination. This has given the Group a new and streamlined basis for success in 2003.” Thomas Kleibl, Chief Financial Officer of the Austrian Airlines Group, added to this forward-looking perspective. “For us, it will always be of the utmost importance to adjust staffing levels to demand and current production in all sectors.”
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Preparations for the 2003 summer schedule are now fully underway, and Lauda Air will be presenting another attractive destination in its holiday flight programme next summer – the company has announced it will begin flying to the Maltese capital of Valletta five times every week. Lauda Air will use a modern Boeing 737- 400 (either with 164 Economy Class seats or with 50 Business Class and 104 Economy Class) or a Boeing 737 –800 (16 Amadeus Class seats, 142 Economy Class). Due to the minimal flight time between the two countries, Malta is perfectly suited to the network of the Austrian Airlines Group, with its numerous connecting flights at Vienna Airport.
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Raytheon Aircraft has been awarded a $169.9 million follow-on contract to provide the U.S. Air Force an additional 35 T-6A Texan II trainer aircraft, plus training devices and manuals. The contract is the first exercised option to the company's largest military contract ever – a one-year contract with four one-year options worth a potential $1.22 billion that was awarded in December 2001. That contract called for the production of an initial 47 T-6A Texan II aircraft, associated ground-based training devices and technical support. The 35 aircraft in this first option will begin delivering in April 2005. The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy have ordered 250 aircraft to date. The total value of the acquisition program to date, including options, is $1.3 billion. The Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) program calls for nearly 800 aircraft through the year 2017.
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Next year three more European astronauts are scheduled to fly to the International Space Station (ISS). Since the Station was first permanently manned in October 2000, five Europeans have already done so, in cooperation with both the US and Russian space agencies. The next flight with a crew including a member of the ESA astronaut corps is scheduled for April, when the Spaniard Pedro Duque will fly out on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for a 10-day mission to the Station. In July Sweden's Christer Fuglesang will board a US Space Shuttle for mission STS-116, and in October André Kuipers, from the Netherlands, will leave on a Soyuz for a 10-day mission to the Station.
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The latest version of Lockheed Martin F-16s to have Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) modifications have begun delivery on schedule. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin Corp. , provides the modification kits and field support for the F-16 CCIP modification effort. The aircraft are being modified at USAF's Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah, the prime depot for the F-16. The first Phase IA aircraft was completed during October and was assigned to the 57th Fighter Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for follow-on operational test and evaluation.
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Sikorsky signed a $275 million contract with Corpus Christi Army Depot to provide technical, engineering, and logistical support services for military BLACK HAWK, PAVE HAWK and SEAHAWK helicopters. Under the five-year agreement, Sikorsky will team with Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) to provide the best service support in the areas of aircraft crash damage repair kits, inventory management, line support and other services for U.S. Army and Department of Defense aircraft. CCAD, as the Army's only depot-level maintenance facility, specializes in overhauling and repairing aircraft in the fleet. Sikorsky and CCAD signed a Memorandum of Agreement in 2000 that laid the framework for today's contract. The 2000 MOA led Sikorsky to explore partnering agreements with CCAD and allowed the company to provide a limited number of services to improve fleet readiness.
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Rolls-Royce announced it has shipped its 100th AE 1107C turboshaft engine for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, a major milestone in its support of the program. Steven F. Dwyer, President, Defense North America, Rolls-Royce, said: "This milestone is indicative of the success we continue to experience in developing engines with the highest levels of performance and efficiency. We are proud to be involved in a program that continues to redefine not only the future of military aerospace, but also how we will respond to future conflicts."
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Boeing has selected AAR Composites of Clearwater, Fla., an operating unit of AAR, as a member of its nationwide team to provide the 767 Tanker Transport to the U.S. Air Force and customers around the globe. As part of this team, AAR Composites will design and manufacture the main-deck cargo barrier, which separates the freighter section from the aerial-refueling crew in the 767 Tanker Transport. The agreement is valued at approximately $19 million. "AAR Composites is a key member of the pre-eminent team of suppliers we are assembling for the 767 Tanker Transport program," said Bob Gower, vice president of 767 Tanker Programs, part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "This team will ensure low-risk and best value for all of our customers."
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Postponed decisions concerning aircraft purchases have created a staffing surplus that is causing Saab Aerospace in Linköping to give notice to 24 employees. Saab Aerospace employs over 4200 workers. Saab Aerospace consciously expanded its workforce in conjunction with bids tendered to the Czech Republic and Austria earlier this year. The increase was necessary to be able to meet commitments in the event that deals were closed with those countries. Flooding in central Europe has now caused the two countries to substantially postpone their decisions. Saab Aerospace must adjust its operations and the size of its workforce accordingly. The planned increase in the pace of operations has been deferred, leading to a staffing surplus. A total of over sixty full-time jobs is involved, 24 of which must be terminated due to the shortage of work.
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EADS will develop and install the new common evaluation system of the armed services (Gemeinsames Auswertesystem der Bundeswehr - GAST) together with T-Systems, the systems company of Deutsche Telekom, and Thales System Integration. EADS is represented in this consortium (ARGE GAST) by its subsidiaries Dornier GmbH/Friedrichshafen and ewation GmbH/Ulm. As reported by the company on Wednesday the contract with an overall volume of 82 million euros has been awarded to the consortium by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). The new evaluation system will enable the German armed forces to carry out a uniform technical reconnaissance for Army, Air Force and Navy within a common system. The EADS project parts, such as system engineering, order management, IT security and technical systems will be carried out by the EADS Business Unit Systems & Defence Electronics. "Currently, GAST is one of the largest IT projects of the German armed forces. We are able to incorporate our know-how into this project using state-of-the-art Internet technology. We can thus ensure our technological lead position", said Stefan Zoller, President and CEO of the EADS Systems & Defence Electronics. The information necessary for planning and exertion of armed forces missions can be obtained - among other things - by means of sensors capable of detecting electronic, optical and acoustic signals. The obtained information is treated in the evaluation centers of the armed services and transmitted to the Intelligence Office. At present, the in-service evaluation systems operate at different levels and with different software systems. For that reason, the common evaluation system is to be developed and put into operation in three development steps by the end of 2007.
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Honeywell announced that it has received European Joint Aviation Authorities certification for its AS907 turbofan engine. The AS907 turbofan engine will power Bombardier Aerospace's new super-midsize Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet, currently in the flight test and certification program. The Bombardier Challenger 300 enters service in 2003. “The AS907 was designed to meet our customers' expectations for high reliability, durability and low cost of maintenance,” said Mike Redenbaugh, Acting President, Honeywell Engines Systems & Services. “This engine will enter service FAA approved for on condition maintenance, a level of reliability that no other business aviation engine in this thrust class can match.” The AS900 program has accumulated more than 22,000 hours of test operation and Honeywell expects to accumulate more than 25,000 test hours by the time the engine enters service in 2003. The AS907 is flat rated to 6,500 pounds of take off thrust for further life enhancement.
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TDRS-J, the third Boeing-built replenishment spacecraft for NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet, was successfully launched tonight from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Boeing Satellite Systems, a unit of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], built the modified Boeing 601 satellite for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center of Greenbelt, Md. The launch took place at 9:42 p.m. EST (6:42 p.m. PST; 2:42 a.m. Dec. 5 GMT). The spacecraft's first signals were acquired 59 minutes later by NASA's Deep Space Network ground station in Canberra, Australia, confirming that its systems are operating normally. "The TDRS spacecraft are the lifeline of mankind in space, and TDRS-J will add significant new capability to the TDRS fleet," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems, the El Segundo, Calif.-based satellite-manufacturing arm of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. “Along with TDRS-H and TDRS-I, this new spacecraft will help maintain and expand the specialized space communications capabilities of the TDRS constellation, which has served numerous national and international missions since 1983.”
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Based in southern China, Shenzhen Airlines is that country's first customer for whom Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen will be servicing the thrust reversers of the CFM 56-3 engines of its entire fleet of Boeing 737s. Specialists in the overhaul of thrust reversers and other parts made from composites, the company will be the exclusive provider of this service for the next five years for the airline's eight Boeing 737-300s. The package of services also includes engineering support and the supplying of needed spare parts. In the area of ARCs (airframe-related components) its present staff at Shenzhen's Baoan Airport, China's fourth-largest, will also be servicing engine cowls and radoms. By mid-2003 an autoclave will become operative in its workshops, which cover an area of some 6,300 square meters (68,000 sq. ft.). Complete servicing of parts made from composites will then become possible for the first time in China. When operating all out, the company can service ten thrust-reverser halves per month. As its business grows, the number of its employees may rise to as many as 200.
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Expedition Six Commander Ken Bowersox, Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin and NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit continued to get familiar with the International Space Station on Thursday. They are participating in a two-week orientation period. They are also preparing for a spacewalk that Bowersox and Budarin will conduct next week. Thursday's activities included preparing the U.S. spacesuits that they will wear. The spacewalkers will continue outfitting work on the P1 (P-One) Truss and prepare the station for upcoming assembly flights. The 6.5-hour excursion is slated to begin about 8:30 a.m. CST (1430 GMT) Dec. 12. On the ground Dec. 10, NASA managers and flight controllers will hold a briefing to discuss the upcoming spacewalk. NASA TV will carry the briefing live, beginning at 1 p.m. CST (1900 GMT).
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Despite recent changes in the F/A-22 Raptor program, the aircraft's future remains bright, Air Force officials said recently. Service officials recently announced they were appointing two new senior F/A-22 program officials soon after learning that there could be potential cost overruns, up to $690 million, in the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the program. Brig. Gen. Richard B. H. Lewis and Col. Thomas J. Owen were selected to take over the program because they have the right operational requirements expertise and technical backgrounds to bring the F/A-22 program into its next phase by the summer of 2003, according to Dr. James G. Roche, secretary of the Air Force. Lewis, currently the director of the Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization at the Pentagon, will become the new program executive officer for fighters and bombers at the Pentagon, replacing Brig. Gen. William J. Jabour.
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UAL Corp., the holding company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines, commented on the announcement by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board (ATSB) related to its application for a $1.8 billion federal loan guarantee. UAL Chairman, CEO and President Glenn F. Tilton said, "We are disappointed that the ATSB could not approve the proposal submitted by United. We appreciate, however, the possibility expressed to consider an improved proposal at a later date. We will consult with our union leaders and other stakeholders and quickly determine what step to take next. "I want to thank all the members of United's union coalition, our salaried employees and our management for their willingness to contribute to United's financial recovery. We also appreciate the time and effort the ATSB staff, working group and board members put into reviewing our business plan. Despite our disappointment, we believe that the work we've accomplished in developing our ATSB proposal will serve us well as we build our platform for the future, regardless of the path we take. Finally, I want to express my deep appreciation to the many friends of United who supported our efforts.
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Dutch State Secretary for Defence Van der Knaap today (29 November) informed Parliament that he wants to acquire German Patriot air defence systems for the Royal Netherlands Air Force to replace out-dated Hawk guided missiles. The Patriots, along with similar air defence systems purchased by the Netherlands at the end of the 1980s, are an excellent weapons system for intercepting tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, among other targets. The purchase of the Patriots, which have been made surplus to requirements due to a reorganisation in Germany, cost a total of EUR 227 million, including all associated costs. If the Netherlands had chosen to purchase new Patriots in the U.S., it would have cost approximately EUR 450 million.
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Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reporting today on the Major Projects Report 2002, told Parliament that the Ministry of Defence is showing a continued improvement in overall performance but that maintaining this will be the challenge. There are also encouraging signs that Smart Acquisition is resulting in innovative programme design and risk is being measured more regularly. However, performance on individual projects once underway is more varied and some projects are continuing to suffer from delays in both the Demonstration and Manufacture stage and in the Assessment Phase.
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In August 2002, the Navy issued a demand letter seeking repayment from General Dynamics and Boeing of approximately $2.3 billion owed the government as a result of the termination for default of the A-12 aircraft development and production contract. The letter also advised that if the companies failed to pay the amount owed, the government would initiate collection of the debt. Because the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice continued to engage in what we had hoped would be productive settlement negotiations with the companies, DoD did not begin any collection efforts between August and November. Since it now appears that an equitable settlement will not be reached in the near term, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Dov S. Zakheim today instructed the Defense Finance and Accounting Office (DFAS) to begin offsetting against payments due on existing contracts with the companies.
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The Fairchild Corporation announced today that it has completed the sale of its fastener business for approximately $657 million to Alcoa Inc. The cash received from Alcoa is subject to a post-closing adjustment based upon the net working capital of Fairchild Fasteners on December 3, 2002, compared with its net working capital as of March 31, 2002. Fairchild may also receive additional cash proceeds up to $50 million, in an earnout formula based on the number of Boeing and Airbus commercial aircraft deliveries during 2003-2006. Jeffrey Steiner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Fairchild Corporation, stated: "This sale is very timely. It allows Fairchild to lessen dependency on a single industry, provides funds for new acquisitions and reduces debt to $31 million of non-recourse real estate financing and $5 million of other debt." The Fairchild Corporation used a portion of the proceeds from the sale to repay its bank debt and to complete a tender offer acquiring all of its outstanding $225 million 10.75% senior subordinated notes due in April 2009. The tender offer and the repayment of bank debt closed concurrently with the closing of the sale to Alcoa.
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The United States' war against terrorism is leading it to focus very strongly on unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) that have become almost indispensable to military and government organizations. This rapidly growing market is gearing up to meet a surge in demand. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan , World Unmanned Air Vehicles Market, reveals that revenues in this industry totaled $1408.3 million in 2002 and are projected to reach $1758.1 million by 2007. "The Bush administration is a strong proponent of UAV roles in future military actions around the world," says Frost & Sullivan Senior Consulting Analyst Michel Merluzeau. "Unmanned systems have the potential to become true force multipliers in these engagements." The campaign against terrorism has propelled reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition UAVs into the limelight. Increasing government budgets toward the development and procurement of UAVs, as a result of convincing past successes, have created more opportunities for this segment.
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Lufthansa will be celebrating a world first by launching the first Boeing 747-400 with broadband Internet on board. Passengers will be able to access the Internet for the first time above the clouds with state-of–the-art notebook technology from Fujisu Siemens Computers. For the initial three month trial of FlyNet on flights between Frankfurt and Washington DC, the airline will be giving out 50 LIFEBOOK S6010 on loan to its passengers. The LIFEBOOK is small and light with a powerful Mobile Intel Pentium III Processor -M making it ideal for mobile communications. It also has a brilliant 13.3" TFT-XGA display, a battery life span of up to six hours and integrated wireless LAN allowing easy access to the high-speed satellite Internet on board. Lufthansa is also planning to make broadband Internet available in all departure lounges worldwide in the near future.
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Tupolev JSC, Sirocco Aerospace International, V/O Aviaexport and Aviastar-SP PC In the development of the Investment Agreement between Aviastar-SP PC and Tupolev JSC with Sirocco Aerospace International on November 13th , 2002 in Moscow the contract for the delivery of 25 Aircraft TU-204-120 with Rolls Royce engines was signed. From the Russian side the contract was signed by V/O Aviaexport, Tupolev JSC and Aviastar-SP PC; from the Egyptian side by Sirocco Aerospace International. TU-204-120 aircraft will be manufactured and delivered to Egypt in 2003-2006. The aircraft, subject of a new contract, are meant for Chinese, Egyptian and other foreign airlines. TU-204-120 aircraft have been delivered for export since 1998 and they are modifications of TU-204-100 aircraft that are under operation by Russian airlines. Nowadays, 5 aircraft TU-204-120 in passenger and cargo variants are under successful operation abroad.
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Finmeccanica confirms that talks are being held with BAE Systems with the aim of enhancing its partnership in the defence electronics sector. Once appropriate evaluations have been made these talks could lead shortly to an agreement. The agreement aims to strengthen Finmeccanica's capabilities within the sector and reinforce the Group's competitive position on the international market in line with current strategy.
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