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Week ending December 22, 2002
+++ Fairchild Dornier split up +++ German Bundestag approves Meteor development +++ Boeing ditches Sonic Cruiser +++ Ariane 4 launch success +++ US to field missile defence in 2004 +++ Sikorsky S-92 is certified +++ Finmeccanica acquires Aermacchi +++ News in brief +++
Fairchild Dornier split up
Flugzeugbauer Fairchild Dornier wird aufgeteilt
On December 20, bancruptcy administrator Dr. Eberhard Braun has unveiled the future for insolvent Fairchild Dornier GmbH. The maintenance division of aircraft maker Fairchild Dornier and a business supplying parts to aircraft maker Airbus have been sold to the Swiss RUAG..The purchase price is undisclosed. RUAG defeated a Russian aircraft company owned by Irkutsk-based aluminum giant Basic Element in weeks of fierce bidding, partly because the Swiss sought to purchase the two components together. This part of the business has 400 employees and a turnover of 55 million Euro.Braun also said an agreement was nearly complete to sell the company's 32-seat 328 passenger jet business to U.S.-based AvCraft Aviation LLC of Leesburg, Va. He did not give a price for the deal, which will come into effect as soon as certain conditions are met. These include financing and legal details, as U.S. parts of Fairchild Dornier are involved as well.
Fairchild's creditors and Braun had fought to sell the company as a whole, but finally decided to break it up after bids for the enterprise as an entirety fell short. Irkutsk was also interested inthe 728JET programme, but in the end it did not want to buy this piece of the business outright but wanted just an option. Other interested parties like AFC and Aircraft Alliance consistently failed to provide proof of adequate financial background.
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German Bundestag approves Meteor development
Lenkwaffe Meteor genehmigt
On 18 December 2002 budget committee and defence committee of the German Bundestag decided the participation of Germany in the European development of the Meteor air-to-air guided missile, in co-operation with Great Britain, France, Sweden, Spain and Italy. On Dec. 4, Minister of Defense Peter Struck had outlined to the Bundestag, how the continuation of the reform of the German Armed Forces will be modified on the basis of the coalition agreement. Following the general agreement of the Federal Department of Finance covering funding for procurement and equipment planning of the armed forces, the defense ministry's capacity to proceed with the Meteor program was achieved.In the medium term, Meteor will provide Eurofighter, the new combat aircraft being developed for the air forces of Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Germany, with a superior weapon for engaging air targets at medium and long ranges. Meteor is to replace the US-manufactured AMRAAM air-to-air missile, which will remain in service until 2011, when the first Meteor missiles will enter service as the main armament of Eurofighter. The agreement of the committees of the Bundestag for the multinational development of Meteor is a further contribution to strengthening European arms co-operation, and is an important positive signal to the European armaments industry.
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Boeing ditches Sonic Cruiser
Neue Strategie von Boeing: 250-Sitzer geplant
Boeing has changed tack and ditched its high speed Sonic Cruiser in favour of a new ultra-efficient 250-seter. Alan Mulally confirmed Boeings much roumoured strategy change on December 20 in Seattle. The new conventional plane will look like a smaller version of the 777 and go the same speed. But hiding under the familiar shell will be new lightweight composite materials, avionics and engine technology that will greatly reduce the weight. It will burn up to 20 percent less fuel and provide the substantial cost savings financially-struggling airlines need, Mulally said. Many of those technologies were developed for the Sonic Cruiser program, and Mulally said nearly all the advances in aircraft design and production processes that have come out of that program will be applied to the new plane.
All the technology partners recruited to the Sonic Cruiser program will continue to work with Boeing on the "super-efficient" aircraft. Nearly all of the nine companies recruited to date specialize in composite materials that would have been used throughout either airplane. More partners will be announced next month. Boeing thinks the new aircraft will eventually replace Boeing's 757 and 767 models, as well as a host of other aging midsize models such as the Airbus A300 and A310, the Lockheed L1011 and the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 and MD-80. "(The airlines want to) replace all these older airplanes in the middle of the market, and when they do it, make it really efficient," Mulally said. He predicted Boeing could sell 2,000 to 3,000 over the life of the new jet. By comparison, over the last 24 years, Boeing has sold nearly 1,987 757s and 767s.
The so-called "super-efficient" plane will be the company's third new product focus in less than two years. In 2000, Boeing was trying to market a stretched version of its 747, called the 747X, to compete against the planned Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet. But the 747X never found a buyer, so on March 29, 2001, shortly after announcing its headquarters move to Chicago, Boeing dropped the 747X in favor of the Sonic Cruiser.
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Ariane 4 launch success
NSS-6 launched by Ariane 4
On December 17, Arianespace successfully orbited the NSS-6 satellite for international operator New Skies Satellites N.V. Less than a week after Flight 157, the flawless orbital injection of NSS-6 fully demonstrated Arianespace's capability to ensure launch service continuity for its customers. Flight 156 marked the second time that New Skies Satellites has relied on Arianespace for commercial launch services since the satellite company's founding in 1998. New Skies Satellites is one of four fixed satellite operators in the world that offers true global satellite coverage, and its NSS-7 satellite was orbited by Arianespace on April 17, 2002 (Flight 150). Built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, NSS-6 is capable of connecting more than 60% of the world's population, especially in the broadcasting and business services sectors. Weighing about 4,575 kg. at launch, it will be positioned at 95 degrees East to provide coverage of Asia, Australia, India, the Middle East and Southern Africa. NSS-6 features onboard switching, which means it can assign up to 15 transponders to each region. This high degree of coverage flexibility will enable New Skies to adapt to changing market requirements. Flight 156 was carried out by an Ariane 44L - the Ariane 4 launcher version equipped with four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters - from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on December 17, 2002 at 8:04 p.m. local time in Kourou (23H04 Universal Time, 6:04 p.m. in Washington, DC, and on December 18 at 0:04 a.m. in Paris). Provisional parameters at third-stage injection were:Perigee: 199.4 km for a target of 199.7 km. (±3 km.); Apogee: 35,904 km for a target of 35,955 km. (±150 km.); Inclination: 6.99 degrees for a target of 6.99 degrees (±0.06 deg.)
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US to field missile defence in 2004
Amerikanische Raketen schon in zwei Jahren bereit
In light of the new security environment and progress made to date in missile defense development efforts, the President has directed the Department of Defense to begin fielding initial missile defense capabilities in 2004-2005 to meet the near-term ballistic missile threat to our homeland, our deployed forces, and our friends and allies. This initial capability will build on the planned Pacific Missile Defense Testbed and serve as a starting point for fielding improved, layered missile defense capabilities later. The Department of Defense is employing an evolutionary approach to the development and deployment of missile defenses over time. This means there is no final or fixed missile defense architecture. Rather, the composition of missile defenses, including the number, type, and location of systems deployed, will change over time to meet the changing threat and take advantage of technological developments. This approach includes the use of prototype and test assets to provide early capability, while improving the effectiveness of defensive capabilities over time. The initial set of capabilities planned for 2004-2005 will include: Up to 20 ground-based interceptors capable of intercepting and destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase of flight located at Ft. Greely, Alaska (16 interceptors) and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (4 interceptors); up to 20 sea-based interceptors employed on existing Aegis ships to intercept short and medium range ballistic missiles in the mid-course phase of flight; deployment of air-transportable Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) systems to intercept short and medium range ballistic missiles; land, sea and space-based sensors, including existing early warning satellites, an upgraded radar now located at Shemya, Alaska, a new sea-based X-band radar, upgraded existing early warning radars in the United Kingdom and Greenland and use of radars and other sensors now on Aegis cruisers and destroyers.
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Sikorsky S-92 is certified
FAA-Zulassung für S-92
Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification on Decmeber 19, with 1,570 test flight hours under the most stringent rotorcraft safety requirements imposed to date. „Today represents a culmination of almost a decade of work by the best team in the helicopter industry," said Sikorsky President Dean Borgman. "It's an extraordinary achievement, marking our first new FAA aircraft certification since we launched the S-76 in November 1978." Before it is allowed to transport passengers, each aircraft must comply with U.S. Government standards for strength and safety. The S-92 now meets Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 29 Airline Transport Rotorcraft, Amendment 45, the most rigorous set of laws put forth. Evolved from the proven S-70 BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK aircraft, the S-92 incorporates more than 50 years of Sikorsky civil and multi-mission helicopter experience. Originally conceived as a replacement for the venerable S-61, the S-92 is available in a variety of configurations for commercial customers, including offshore oil, VIP transport, airline operations, and other missions. The aircraft continues to generate strong interest, with firm orders spanning various customers and industries across the globe. In addition to its superior safety features, the S-92 excels in the areas of performance and cost effectiveness. Not only does the S-92 reach speeds of 165 knots and fly more than 500 nautical miles while carrying more payload than current competitors, but operators are also projected to save more than $200 per flight hour in maintenance costs over the Super Puma, and $500 per flight hour over the EH-101. Production on the S-92 is already underway, with major subassemblies under construction in partner facilities, and final assembly commencing in March 2003 in Sikorsky's new Bridgeport facility.
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Finmeccanica acquires Aermacchi
Aermacchi geht an Finmeccanica
On December 19, Finmeccanica signed an agreement for the acquisition of a controlling stake in Aeronautica Macchi SpA, sector leader in the manufacture of military aircraft trainers. By acquiring a 66.6% stake, previously held by the Foresio family, Finmeccanica will now gain control of Aeronautica Macchi, given that it already owns 27.4% of the company's capital through Alenia Aeronautica. The purchase price for the stake in Aeronautica Macchi, which is cash positive, is EUR 160 million. Aermacchi's value of production has grown steadily since 1996, and in 2001 stood at EUR 296 million with an EBITDA of EUR 56 million. In 2002 the group strengthened its Aerospace & Defence core business through acquisitions worth about EUR 1bn in total, while maintaining a sound balance sheet and modest gearing. Taking into account the stake in the MBDA missile systems joint venture acquired in December 2001, the acquisitions made in 2002 (Telespazio, Marconi Mobile and Aeronautica Macchi) would have increased by more than one third, on a proforma basis, the value of production gen erated by its Aerospace & Defence businesses. The deal will help Finmeccanica to consolidate its business in the Aerospace & Defence sector bolstering its competitive position as the market leader in Italy and a major player at international level. The transaction will become effective once approved by the Antitrust Authorities.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Airbus' North Wales factory at Broughton started its production of the A380 wings with the first metal cut on Thursday 12 December. These are the largest Airbus wings ever designed and built in the UK. The first cut took place on a long bed milling machine in the main factory where A380 work has been in progress for many months, manufacturing test pieces in preparation for production to commence. The first panel is being machined from a 35 meter long aluminum-alloy billet or casting, weighing nearly 4,500 kg. The machining process will remove over 70 per cent of the metal in order to form the finished panel. The Broughton site is manufacturing 18 of the 20 panels forming the top and bottom surfaces of each pair of A380 wings, as well as assembling and delivering the complete wing box. The bottom wing panel cut on Thursday 12 December is over 33 meters long and two meters wide and is one of the largest in the set of 18.+++
On December 13 NATO approved a strategic partnership with the EU, giving the green light for the creation of an EU rapid deployment force and making it possible to implement related decisions approved by the EU summit in Copenhagen. Initial steps in this direction were taken at a formal meeting of EU defense ministers in November. In the future the EU is to have access to NATO military and planning capabilities. The prerequisites for this were created at the EU summit held in Copenhagen on December 12 and 13. The creation of a European rapid deployment force is based on a decision taken by the Helsinki European Council of 1999 and is to be available for EU missions independent of NATO. The EU force is to be compatible with a planned NATO response force. The EU force will be a key component of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). This improvement of collective military capabilities is intended to enable the EU to respond adequately in crisis situations and make its own contribution towards the achievement of lasting peace in crisis regions. The rapid reaction force is to be capable of deployment within sixty days and to have a personnel strength well above that of the planned NATO response force.
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ESA's gamma-ray satellite, Integral, is fully operational. Today Integral's first ground-breaking images of the high-energy Universe were presented in Paris, France. Astronomers call such initial observations 'first-light' images. The high-energy Universe is a violent place of exploding stars and their collapsed remnants such as the ultra-compressed neutron stars and, at the most extreme, all-consuming black holes. These celestial objects create X-rays and gamma rays that are many times more powerful than the optical radiation we can see with our eyes and optical telescopes. Integral's Principal Investigators – the scientists responsible for the instruments on board - explain the crucial role that high-energy missions like Integral play in astronomy. “X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy is a pathfinder to unusual objects. At optical wavelengths, the number of stars is staggering. At X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths, there are fewer objects, but the ones that remain are the really peculiar ones.” As a first test, Integral observed the Cygnus region of the sky, looking particularly at that enigmatic object, Cygnus X-1. Since the 1960s, we have known this object to be a constant generator of high-energy radiation. Most scientists believe that Cygnus X-1 is the site of a black hole, containing around five times the mass of our Sun and devouring a nearby star. Observing Cygnus X-1, which is relatively close by in our own Galaxy - 'only' 10 000 light years from us - is a very important step towards understanding black holes. This will also help understand the monstrous black hole - three million times the mass of our Sun - at the centre of our Galaxy.
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The Swiss air rescue organization REGA received the first of five EC 145 helicopters in Donauwörth (Germany) that it had ordered. The helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter describes this delivery as being of major strategic importance. Switzerland together with REGA is synonymous with supreme standards in air rescue and is consequently a prestigious customer for the new Eurocopter model. With its first EC 145, REGA has procured one of the world's most modern rescue helicopters. Besides its advanced digital glass cockpit (Avionique Nouvelle by Thales), the helicopter stands out particularly with its unique, self-supporting, fiber-composite cockpit-airframe construction. With a utilizable cabin length of 3.42 m and a width of 1.66 m, the chopper features above-average cabin comfort – a decisive criterion in air rescue – and, thanks to dispensing with the so-called center post and the door posts, there is substantially more room inside the helicopter. In addition, the EC 145 features a combined cabin cargo bay without steps and excellent access from all sides via wide rear and side doors.
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Northrop Grumman has acquired Fibersense Technology Corp. from Audax Group. The stock of Fibersense, a designer and manufacturer of fiber optic gyroscope-based navigation systems, was acquired for $44 million in cash. Fibersense, which has approximately 140 employees, designs and manufactures precision fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG), inertial measurement units and sensor components for missile, aircraft, sea and land applications. The Fibersense business has expected 2003 revenue in excess of $30 million with solid double-digit growth anticipated for the next several years. Fibersense will be integrated into Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division headquartered in Woodland Hills, Calif. "The acquisition of Fibersense Technology enhances our ability to offer fiber optic gyroscope-based navigation systems and provide better situational awareness solutions to customers in the aerospace and defense markets," said Robert P. Iorizzo, president of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "Fibersense Technology's strong customer base and technical expertise will provide the platform for Northrop Grumman's future FOG design and development."
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In a ceremony at Marignane, Mr. Philippe Harache, Executive Vice-President of Commercial Helicopters and External Relations, officially handed over the keys of the last of 5 EC 155 B1 helicopters to Mr. Brian Butt, Director of the Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS), who was accompanied for the occasion by Mr. Benny C.C. Lee, GFS Chief Aircraft Engineer.
The story started in September 1999 when a contract worth $ 93 million US was signed in Hong Kong for the supply of three AS 332 L2 Super Pumas and five EC 155 B1s. GFS was the launch customer for the B1. GFS is a public organization whose helicopters are based at the new Hong Kong airport, where they perform missions for the government of the special administrative region of Hong Kong. These helicopters replace the former fleet of 9 US-manufactured aircraft.
The Super Pumas, which were delivered in December 2001, are chiefly involved in Search And Rescue (SAR) missions. As for the multi-purpose EC 155 B1s, they perform VIP transport, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and other missions.
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The Slovenian Ministry of Defence has formally awarded the decision to procure one A109 Power to AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company. The decision also envisages an option for further two A109 Powers. The helicopters will be operated for border patrol, civil protection, SAR and emergency medical service requirements. Almost 300 A109 Powers have been ordered world-wide since the model's introduction, spanning a broad range of operations including police, EMS, VIP/Corporate and military applications. The selection of the Power by the Slovenian Ministry of Defence provides further testimony of the aircraft's competitiveness, versatility and performance.
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The U.S. Army saluted one of its own, the first UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter to reach 10,000 hours of flight time. The high-time aircraft is UH-60A, serial 85-24441, which entered service at the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker in 1985, fresh from the Sikorsky Aircraft plant in Stratford, Conn. The BLACK HAWK has been at Rucker ever since, enabling pilots to develop their flying skills. Students from the U.S. Army, Customs, DEA, other U.S. military services and 17 foreign countries have trained on the aircraft at Rucker. Eighty-three UH-60s serve in the school fleet. The flight milestone was marked at a ceremony at Fort Rucker hosted by Maj. Gen. John M. Curran, the Army Aviation Center's commanding general. On hand from Sikorsky was Jeff Pino, Senior Vice President of Business Development, himself a Rucker flight school graduate.
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Goodrich Corporation announced that it has reconfigured its organization into three strategic business segments -- Airframe Systems, Engine Systems and Electronic Systems. The structure is designed to enhance the company's alignment and communications with its global customer base and further streamline the organization. It is also the next step in the formal integration of Aeronautical Systems (AS). The new segment structure will go into effect on January 1, 2003.
The AS business, acquired on Oct. 1, 2002, will be structured and operated as focused, strategic business units, consistent with Goodrich's present operational approach. The new business units will be Actuation Systems, Cargo Systems, Engine Control Systems and Power Systems in line with Goodrich's leadership positions in these market sectors. With projected 2003 sales of approximately $1.7 billion, the newly formed Airframe Systems Segment will report to John Grisik, President. It will be comprised of the following strategic business units -- Actuation Systems, Aviation Technical Services, Engineered Polymer Products, Landing Gear, Landing Gear Services and Wheels & Brakes, as well as the former AS Customer Services organization.
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Researchers at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., and Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., have begun a series of validation flights for a revolutionary flight control system that could enable future aircraft suffering major system failures or combat damage to be flown to a safe, controlled landing. The Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) research, aboard a highly-modified F-15B, focuses on development of "self-learning" neural network software for aircraft flight control computers. In its final form, the software would compare data from how the aircraft and its systems are operating with a database of how it would normally operate, and automatically adjust the flight controls to compensate for any damaged or inoperative control surfaces or systems. The current series, encompassing about six to 10 flights, began Dec. 6, 2002, at NASA Dryden, located at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
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Rockwell Collins Aviation Services and Warner Robins Air Logistics Center have entered into a strategic partnership agreement. This strategic partnership agreement is expected to mutually improve communications, planning and support to facilitate the availability and use of resources as well as technical and logistics expertise to maximize operational readiness. The strategic partnership agreement was signed by Greg Churchill, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Harry Gregory, vice president and general manager, Rockwell Collins Aviation Services, and Major General Donald Wetekam, Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins, Ga. A signing ceremony was held at Robins Air Force Base on December 16.
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Virgin Atlantic Cargo, the highly successful air cargo division of Virgin Atlantic Airways, today announced that it will be operating its new direct route between London and Port Harcourt, Nigeria from Gatwick. The twice weekly service, which is a result of an agreement that Virgin Atlantic has concluded with the Nigerian authorities and Nigeria Airways, will commence on 25 February 2003 using an Airbus A340-300.
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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.
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The U.S. Army has executed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) paving the way for the sale of Raytheon Company Stinger weapon systems to Lithuania. The agreement with the government of Lithuania was signed at a ceremony in Vilnius Nov. 13 by Lithuanian Minister of Defense Linas Linkevicious and U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, John F. Tefft. It is expected to result in an award to Raytheon Company of approximately $21 million. The Lithuanian government will procure the Low Altitude Surface-to-Air Missile System (LASAMS) from the U.S. Army and Raytheon.
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More than 200 representatives from European small and medium size enterprises (SME) participated in the workshop “Space for new ideas: Big opportunities for small enterprises,” held at ESRIN, 16 December 2002. “In the third millennium, Europe aims to become the most competitive and dynamic region of the world based on knowledge,” said David Raitt, Senior Technology Transfer Officer, ESA, to open the session, “Space activities will provide a fundamental and strategic contribution towards achieving this objective, stimulating innovation and technological developments.” The workshop was the annual showcase of how space technologies can increase industry competitiveness. Co-organised by D'Appolonia, the Italian technology broker and member of ESA's Technology Transfer Programme network, it presented some of the initiatives from ESA and EU supporting entrepreneurs and small companies in Europe. The focus was on SMEs. Their key role in the European future was emphasized by Franco Malerba, Italy's first astronaut and Chairman of the Advisory Board for ESINET, the European Space Incubator Network.
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The GERB instrument onboard the MSG-1 (Meteosat Second Generation) satellite took its first measurements yesterday, Thursday 12 December. The results of such measurements are pictured in images that identify the likely areas where there is a net gain or loss of energy in the Earth's climate system. GERB (Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget) is a research instrument initiated by the European Space Agency (ESA). It will enable experts to study the Earth's radiation budget and its potential influence on the climate. Flown on board EUMETSAT's MSG-1 geostationary satellite, it will provide continuous measurements covering a whole hemisphere. Eva Oriol-Pibernat, MSG Mission Manager at ESA: "GERB will enable us to follow trends in key climate parameters from a fixed point in orbit. Combining these results with data gathered by ESA's Envisat and ERS-2 satellites, Europe will thus be able to contribute significantly to the monitoring of climate and the environment".
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Embraer announced the signature of a contract with the Venezuelan Air Force (AMV - Aviación Militar Venezolana) for the supply of the new Advanced Training and Tactical Support aircraft to AMV. The agreement specifies the sale of 12 AMX-T aircraft to replace their T-2D Buckeye trainers. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2005. According to the AMV, Embraer's AMX-T was selected through an international bid involving seven participants for being the multimission aircraft that presents the best performance in terms of training and tactical support. With the first exports of the AMX-T under this agreement, Embraer consolidates its remarkable position in the international market of high-technology products for the competitive defense segment. “The AMX Program was important for Embraer's technological and industrial breakthrough, enabling the Company to develop the competences which led it to reach the position it enjoys today in the world aeronautical market. The victory in this disputed bid confirms the superior qualities of our product,” said Maurício Botelho, President and CEO of Embraer.
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In the single largest commercial aircraft engine order in five years, easyJet today ordered CFM56-5B engines to power 120 firm Airbus A319 aircraft. The firm engine order is valued at $1.2 billion at list price over the life of the contract; easyJet holds purchase rights for 120 additional aircraft. The order is subject to the successful conclusion of the contract between easyJet and Airbus for 120 A319 aircraft, with options with price protection on a further 120 Airbus aircraft. easyJet expects this to be concluded in the New Year. CFM56-5B engines are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company. With 13,500 engines in service, CFM is the world's leading aircraft engine supplier. Prior to this order, the company had received orders for 562 engines to power 61 percent of the total firm 100+ passenger aircraft ordered this year.
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Iridium Satellite LLC, provider of global satellite voice and data communications, announced that the Department of Defense has renewed their existing airtime contract. This extends the DoD's commitment to using Iridium's global communication services for an additional year. The original $72 million, two-year contract ($36 million per year) was awarded by the Pentagon through The Defense Information Systems Agency in December of 2000 and includes options to extend the deal through 2005. The contract gives unlimited airtime to 20,000 government workers who use the Iridium network for mobile voice, data and paging capabilities. Boeing continues to operate the satellite constellation system under contract to Iridium Satellite LLC.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced an important milestone in aviation history with the recent delivery of the 100th ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express business jet. Acknowledged as the technology leader in its class – outpacing all competitive aircraft in virtually every performance category – Bombardier Global Express s/n 9100 was presented to Allen Stanford, chairman and president of Stanford Financial Group of Houston, Tex., during a brief private ceremony at the Bombardier Completion Center in Montréal. Stanford Financial Group will utilize the aircraft for intercontinental business travel. “I'm very pleased to take ownership of this aircraft,” stated Mr. Stanford. “The Bombardier Global Express is well-suited to meet my high demands for performance, comfort and safety when traveling and I think it's a great-looking aircraft.”
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NASA scientists and engineers are testing new technologies using a K9 rover in a newly built 'Marscape' test facility in preparation for future missions to Mars. Testing is being conducted at NASA Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley in a 3/4-acre 'Marscape' that has been designed to resemble the terrain on Mars. Constructed at a cost of about $74,000, the test facility incorporates the environmental and geological features of Mars that hold the greatest scientific interest. The Marscape features a dry lakebed and outflow channel, a meteorite impact crater, a volcanic zone containing a dry hydrothermal spring and an area that scientists describe as "chaotic terrain." "The goal of the K9 project is to integrate and demonstrate new robotic technologies that will enable NASA to meet the science goals of future Mars missions," said Maria Bualat, a computer engineer at NASA Ames who is the K9 rover project lead. Scientists hope to utilize new robotic technologies during NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission anticipated in 2009.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's RQ-8A Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned system has achieved a series of milestones at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., over the last five weeks, including significant expansion of its flight envelope and the initial flight of the first engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) air vehicle. The Fire Scout system is in development and low-rate initial production for the U.S. Navy by Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector as a force multiplier for naval forces at sea and Marine Corps forces ashore. During the Nov. 14 envelope expansion flight, the P-3 demonstrator unmanned air vehicle (UAV) reached an altitude of 5,500 feet and flew at 60 knots (true air speed). Previously, the vehicle had reached an altitude of 3,800 feet and a speed of 30 knots.
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The BAE Systems F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Airframe Team has produced the first aluminum components for the aircraft, just one year after the downselect decision which saw the Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman team's aircraft selected as the preferred solution for the Joint Strike Fighter. Over the last year, the Empennage and Aft Fuselage Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), based at Samlesbury in Lancashire, have been progressively maturing the F-35 JSF airframe layout and design in support of the first full airframe delivery to Lockheed Martin at Fort Worth in Texas, due in October 2004. In support of this, the Integrated Product Teams have also been working on the test and qualification process necessary to de-risk the design and also support the flight clearance process. The Empennage IPT has initially focused on engineering a number of Horizontal and Vertical Tail test items, which will be tested in the Structural Test facility at the BAE Systems Brough facility, East Yorkshire.
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The European Consortium ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) announces that the ATR 42-500 has been chosen by the national carrier of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the start up of a domestic shuttle service between Cairo and Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheik and Luxor. These aircraft will enhance domestic travel in Egypt by providing several daily flights for the benefit of Egyptian passengers as well as foreign tourist and business travelers. Six ATR 42-500s have been taken on a lease agreement including crew members in order to commence operations at the beginning of December 2002.
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The hatch to the airlock opens, revealing a human figure encased in a white pressure suit. After a brief glance at the strange surroundings through his bowl-shaped visor, the ambassador from Earth gingerly steps outside and begins to descend the ladder. Within minutes, the visitor from another world reaches the bottom rung and prepares for a 'giant leap' - humanity's first imprint in the pristine, orange sands that stretch as far as the eye can see. The human exploration of Mars has begun. Science fiction? At present, the answer is yes, but this fictional scenario may become a reality by the year 2030. In order to achieve such an ambitious target, ESA has introduced its new Aurora program. This will eventually enable European astronauts to venture beyond Earth's orbit to the Moon, Mars and beyond. One of the first requirements of Aurora has been to identify the key technologies that will be needed to send robots, and then people, to explore the solar system. This important task was undertaken by a team of ESA experts, known as the Technical Support Team; the 11 'technology streams' identified for development over the next few decades are shown in the following table. Automated guidance, navigation and control and mission analysis; micro-avionics; data processing and communication technologies; entry, descent and landing; crew aspects of exploration; in situ resources utilization; power; propulsion; robotics and mechanisms; structures, materials and thermal control; instrumentation
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AirTran Airways has received its 50th 717-200, a reliable short-range, high-frequency twinjet built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Long Beach, Calif. AirTran is the launch customer and largest operator of the 717. By the end of 2003, the low-cost carrier will have one of the youngest fleets in the world. From its hub at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, AirTran provides daily flights to 40 cities throughout the eastern United States in 717s configured to carry 117 passengers in big jet comfort. The fuel-efficient 717 is the best-selling airplane in its class, with the most orders of any new airplane in the 100-seat market
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Engineers at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center are evaluating the capability of an F/A-18A aircraft as an in-flight refueling tanker to develop analytical models for an automated aerial refueling system for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).The Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) project is documenting how an operational tanker's drogue basket responds when in the presence of the receiver aircraft. Currently little flight-obtained dynamics data exists. For this modeling study, a second F/A-18 is flying as the receiver aircraft. The F/A-18A tanker aircraft is undergoing flight test envelope expansion with an aerodynamic pod containing air-refueling equipment carried beneath the fuselage. During the 1990s, the refueling pod was integrated on the newer F/A-18E/F. According to AAR project engineers, the objectives of the recent flights at NASA Dryden are to demonstrate the operational flight envelope and to assess the free-stream hose and drogue dynamics on the earlier model F/A-18s.
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One of the most capable precision target designation and navigation systems currently available to U.S. and allied fighter pilots, Northrop Grumman Corporation's LITENING system, has been improved with the addition of enhanced video processing capabilities. The upgraded system, known as LITENING Advanced Targeting (AT), makes use of new circuitry and algorithms that extend target detection range and improve target coordinate generation accuracy to support weapons guided by Global Positioning Systems (GPS). "This latest upgrade demonstrates Northrop Grumman's continuing commitment to applying edge-of-the-envelope technology to address our military customers' evolving combat requirements," said Michael Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance Programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division in Rolling Meadows. "We want to ensure that our customers have the world's most sophisticated precision targeting system to perform their missions."
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Northrop Grumman Corporation and EADS highlighted important progress in their trans-Atlantic cooperative defense efforts with the first successful demonstration of an EADS electronics intelligence (ELINT) payload aboard a U.S. Air Force RQ-4A Global Hawk, built by Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. U.S. Air Force and German Ministry of Defense officials conducted the demonstration during flight tests Nov. 17 and 22 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The Edwards flight test team demonstrated the ELINT sensor's ability to reliably disseminate information via data link from the sensor on board the UAV to the ground station in preparation for a Global Hawk ELINT demonstration scheduled for next spring in Germany. "EADS and Northrop Grumman started the Euro Hawk initiative two-and-a-half years ago. We are proud to see how far this project has progressed since, and we are proud of our teams and their great work. Euro Hawk is fully supported by the U.S. and German air forces, and it will play a pivotal role in the future European intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance structure, including the recently launched NATO air ground surveillance program," said Dr. Thomas Enders, head of the EADS Defence & Civil Systems Division.
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Saab Avionics has received an order from Eurocopter Deutschland for development and delivery of a complete self-protection electronic warfare suite for the new Swedish multi-role helicopter, the NH90 from NHIndustries. The order is a result of the close cooperation between Saab Avionics in Sweden and Avitronics in South Africa. Development and manufacturing will take place at both companies. The EW-suite will include a counter measures dispensing system and a multi-sensor warning system providing aircrew warning and protection from radar, laser and passive heat seeking missile threats.
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Raytheon Company has received a $96.2 million contract for continued production of the AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile. The award was made by the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. The firm-fixed-price contract includes 599 AIM-9X tactical and training missiles as well as AIM-9X specific support and test equipment.
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KT said on Friday (Dec. 20) that it has selected French telecom equipment maker Alcatel for the manufacture of the new satellite Koreasat-5 for military purposes. In a statement, KT said the company would sign a formal contract with Alcatel but the contract still needs the government's approval. The exact cost of the manufacture has not yet been revealed, chief of KT's procurement team Kim Jong-wook said. Alcatel won the bid against the U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and another French satellite consortium Astrium, by offering the lowest price, Kim said. Korea has four satellites, all used for non-military purposes such as communications, weather observation and scientific research.The launch of the new satellite, which will have a 15-year life span, will take place in late 2005.
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Boeing has received a contract modification to continue and complete the Mid-Term Modernization Program, a major upgrade to NATO's fleet of 17 AWACS aircraft. The agreement, which increases the value of the Mid-Term contract to more than $1.3 billion, was awarded by the Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. acting as agent for the NATO Airborne Early Warning Programme Management Agency in Brunssum, Netherlands. The upgrade includes integration of state-of-the-art enhancements to the fleet's computers, displays, communications, navigation and target identification systems. Under the contract modification, additional work packages will provide engineering and development to integrate new commercial-off-the-shelf electronics and computing systems, as well as an option for the production and retrofit program.
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EADS confirms its EBIT guidance provided on 14 November 2002. At that time, the company had assured the financial markets that it will develop into a double-digit EBIT margin company, but that this EBIT margin would be achieved later than 2004. This is due to the low visibility about the future economic developments, particularly since EADS has witnessed a considerable global slowdown of economic expectations in terms of Gross Domestic Product growth and specifically a reversal of the air traffic recovery. In a statement published on 18 December 2002, EADS reiterated this guidance, adding that the A380 programme would make a significant EBIT contribution after the initial stages of serial production ramp-up.
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British Airways CitiExpress, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, will start operating from London City in April 2003 with the launch of three new routes to Frankfurt, Glasgow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Using RJ100 aircraft, the new London City routes are aimed primarily at the European and domestic business markets. In addition British Airways will give its key Manchester network a major boost with the introduction of three new routes and extra capacity, to be announced in the New Year. British Airways CitiExpress has also signed a heads of terms with Eastern Airways with the intention of transferring its 12 strong fleet of 29-seater Jetstream 41s and its associated engineering hangar at Glasgow to the Humberside-based airline. This will be the first part of an accelerated strategy to move to an all jet regional operation. British Airways CitiExpress plans to withdraw from 21 regional routes and will no longer fly from Cardiff and Leeds-Bradford airports.
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Bombardier announced that Mr. Paul Tellier is appointed president and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier Inc. and, effective immediately, Mr. Robert E. Brown is leaving the Corporation. "The Board of Directors, at a special meeting held at the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, appointed Mr. Paul Tellier, a director of the Corporation and, until now, president and CEO of Canadian National, as president and CEO of Bombardier Inc.," said Mr. Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Committee of Bombardier. Mr. Tellier will take up his new responsibilities on Monday, Jan. 13, 2003. In the interim, Mr. Beaudoin will assume the CEO's functions.
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The SWISS Board of Directors has named William L. Meaney, 42, as the company's new Chief Commercial Officer. He will hold the rank of Managing Director at the new supradivisional level recently announced for SWISS's top management corps. An experienced airline manager and pilot, Meaney is best known within the industry as the prime mover behind the turnaround achieved at South African Airways. He assumes his new duties on January 1.
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A German army CH-53GS helicopter came down near Kabul on December 21, killing the five crewmembers. The cause of the crash is not yet clear, but it seems that there was no enemy action. Germany has three CH-53 heavy lift helicopters in Afghanistan to support ISAF. The one that was lost was fitted for medical evacuation duties.
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