FLUG REVUE update: Week ending February 2, 2003

UPDATE
Week ending February 2, 2003

+++ Norway participates in Eurofighter +++ BAE and Thales to build UK aircraft carrier +++ Boeing now goes for 7E7 design +++ Ryanair buy BUZZ +++ EADS acquires BAE stake in Astrium +++ L-3 sonar for NH90 +++ Astrium to build Venus Express +++ News in brief +++

Norway participates in Eurofighter
Mitarbeit Norwegens am Eurofighter

On January 29, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Eurofighter GmbH signed an agreement that will involve Norwegian industry in the further development of the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System. Norway is the first country to formally participate in the Eurofighter industrial partnership for enhanced versions of the weapon system. The agreement covers industrial participation in the Eurofighter program that will be jointly funded by the Royal Norwegian MoD and Norwegian industry. Areas of particular interest include high technology development work in weapon systems integration, sensors - including radar, and flight controls. The initial contract is valued at 20 Million euros.
Commenting on the agreement Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer, Eurofighter GmbH said : 'We consider this agreement as a positive signal from the Norwegian Government that the choice of a replacement fighter has not been decided and that a competitive situation exists. The Eurofighter industry and nations will now work closely with Norway to demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of our partnership to deliver long-term benefits to the Norwegian Government and provide Norwegian industry with high technology work and jobs for its skilled labor force.'
Under the partnership arrangement Norwegian companies will benefit from high technology work across the defense and aerospace spectrum. In particular this agreement will open the possibility of additional work within other programs of the Eurofighter Partner Companies Alenia Aeronautica, BAE SYSTEMS, and EADS.

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BAE and Thales to build UK aircraft carrier
Flugzeugträgerauftrag erteilt

The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon MP, set out in the House of Commons on 30 January 2003 a proposal for BAE Systems and Thales UK to work in partnership to design and build two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, planned to enter service in 2012 and 2015. The competition for the future carrier programme's Prime Contract had been closely run between bids from the two companies. Following detailed analysis of their proposals by the MOD, particular strengths were identified in each. The Ministry of Defence has therefore recommended drawing these areas of expertise together to provide the best possible solution for meeting the project's requirements. It has suggested that the partnership would be led by BAE Systems as the Prime Contractor, responsible for project and shipbuilding management, while Thales UK would be the Key Supplier for the whole ship design. The MOD would participate in the Alliance, managing appropriate risks and contingencies, as well as ensuring the provision of necessary assets such as trained manpower and the JSF aircraft which the carriers will embark.
Both companies have indicated their willingness in principle to participate in such an Alliance, which would be underpinned by robust contractual agreements. Work will now be carried through to Spring 2004, when the final investment decision for the programme is scheduled. It is currently envisaged that building work for the two carriers would involve four shipyards: BAE Systems at Govan, Vosper Thornycroft at Portsmouth, Swan Hunter on Tyneside and Babcock BES at Roysth. Other shipyards may become involved in due course, while Rolls-Royce is expected to provide the engines. Some 10,000 jobs are likely to be created or sustained by the project.

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Boeing now goes for 7E7 design
Neues Boeing-Verkehrsflugzeug heißt 7E7

On January 29, Boeing named four executives to key leadership assignments on its new super-efficient, mid-sized commercial airplane program, designated for development as the Boeing 7E7. Michael B. Bair, 46, is appointed senior vice president of the Boeing 7E7 program. Walter B. Gillette, 61, will be responsible for full development of the airplane, including engineering, manufacturing and partner alignment. Gillette led the company's development work on the enabling technologies of the Sonic Cruiser, which form the foundation of the new super-efficient airplane. In his 37 years with the company, Gillette has worked on every new Boeing commercial jet. John N. Feren, 47, will lead sales, marketing and in-service support. Craig A. Saddler, 43, will lead finance and business operations. "We are assembling the strongest leadership team possible to continue our development work and bring this exciting new product to market," Mulally said. "Each of the leaders we've selected has the depth of experience and skills to work together effectively with our customers and global technology team to create the next great advance in commercial aviation."
The Boeing 7E7 is being developed as a 200- to 250-seat airplane that will fly between 7,000 and 8,000 nautical miles at speeds similar to today's fastest twin-aisle commercial airplanes -- the 777 and 747. It will be the most advanced and efficient commercial airplane in its class and will set new standards for environmental responsibility and passenger comfort. The airplane will be based on the enabling technologies developed with a global industry team during the company's examination of the Sonic Cruiser concept. In December 2002, Boeing announced that based on customer input and market analysis, it would focus these new technologies on a super-efficient, mid-sized airplane. The market potential for a new airplane of this size is forecasted at up to 3,000 units over the next 20 years. The company expects to formally offer the new airplane to customers in early 2004, with entry into service targeted for 2008.

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Ryanair to buy BUZZ
Expansionspläne bei Ryanair

Ryanair Holdings plc, the No.1 low fares airline in Europe announced that it had reached agreement with KLM to take over Buzz for a total payment of Euro 23.9m (less than £15m) which it will fund from its own substantial cash reserves without any recourse to the markets. Highlights of this transaction include: Ryanair will buy the entire issued share capital of Buzz for a total of Euro 23.9m (£14.95m). Since Buzz will have Euro 19m (£11m) of cash on completion the net cost of this purchase is less than Euro 5m. The acquisition will be funded from Ryanair's existing cash deposits which presently exceed euro 1.05 billion, so the cost is nominal to Ryanair. In the year to 31 March 2003 Buzz will fly just under 2m passengers, generating revenues of Euro 140m, with a forecast double digit PBT loss. Buzz currently operates a network of 21 routes from London Stansted to points in Germany, Holland, France and Spain, as well as two French domestic routes. The company will operate a fleet in Summer 2003 of 6 x BAe 146 aircraft and 6 x Boeing 737-300's. As part of the transaction KLM have agreed to take back all of the remaining BAe146 aircraft at the end of the financial year (31/3/04). We currently plan that these will be replaced by more efficient Boeing 737's. The management believe that by applying Ryanair's low fares/low cost formula, the traffic in Buzz can be increased this year from under 2m to over 4m passengers and the operating losses will be eliminated and profitability achieved. The acquisition is expected by the Directors of Ryanair to make a positive contribution to Ryanair's earnings per share in the coming financial year (end 30 March 2004). This acquisition, which has been approved by the Boards of KLM and Ryanair, is expected to be completed, subject to regulatory approval on 1 April next.
Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair said: “The timing of this acquisition is opportunistic. Since Ryanair is growing strongly by rolling out our lowest fare services all over Europe, the last thing we need is the distraction of an acquisition. However there are a number of features of Buzz which makes this a favourable move at this time including: The cost of the Buzz acquisition is nominal at a net cash cost of under €5m, which will be a bargain if we can- as we expect - turn it around in one year. Buzz's operation suffers from two structural cost problems, (1) an inappropriate expensive fleet and (2) expensive congested airports. Ryanair can and will resolve both problems within 12 months. Ryanair will significantly rationalise Buzz's operations by closing a number of high cost unprofitable routes and operating the remaining routes at increased frequency, lower fares and much lower costs. Buzz's BAe-146 fleet will be redelivered without cost to KLM within the year, to be replaced by significantly more efficient Boeing 737's.
Meanwhile Ryanair has reached an agreement with Boeing to order 22 additional Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s and increase options by a further 78. This means the European low-fare carrier has committed to 250 37-800s since January 2002. Of those commitments, 125 are firm and 125 are options. Ryanair now has ordered more Boeing 737s during a one-year period than any other airline. The 22 newly ordered airplanes are scheduled for delivery in 2004 and 2005.
Days before Ryanair had announced five new routes from London Stansted Airport to Reims and Pau in France, Haugesund in Norway, Maastricht in the Netherlands and Dusseldorf (Niederrhein) in Germany, and announced details of increased flights to 11 destinations across Europe, with fares on these new routes starting from only £49.99. The new routes, which will commence on 30th April 2003, will add even greater choice to consumers at the lowest fares, with Ryanair now serving 49 destinations across Europe from London. Ryanair now have a network of 100 routes across 15 European countries.
Aslo Ryanair confirmed that it had chosen Stockholm Skavsta Airport to be its ninth European base. Starting in 9 weeks time (4th April 2003), Ryanair will allocate up to 4 aircraft to its new base in Stockholm, operating over 30 flights each day from Stockholm on 6 new international routes to Aarhus, Glasgow, Hamburg, Paris, Oslo and Tampere (Finland) – in addition to the hugely successful existing routes to London and Frankfurt. This new Scandinavian base will result in the creation of over 200 new jobs in the Stockholm area and will result in over 1.5 Million passengers being carried through Stockholm Skavsta in the first year of this new base.

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EADS acquires BAE stake in Astrium
BAE verkauft Astrium an EADS

EADS is acquiring BAE Systems' 25 percent interest (27.5 percent economic share) in Astrium, Europe's leading space company. The transaction, signed on 30 January 2003, will be implemented when all regulatory clearances have been obtained. Full control of Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd., formerly held by BAE Systems and EADS, has been transferred to EADS. Prior to completion of the transaction, EADS and BAE Systems will each make a capital contribution into Astrium of EUR 84 million (total EUR 168 million). The cash contribution will facilitate the acceleration of EADS' strategy of increasing the overall industrial and financial efficiency of the company. EADS, which already owns 75 percent of Astrium, will acquire BAE Systems' Astrium shares for EUR 84 million at completion. Taking into account the cash contribution, BAE Systems' interest will effectively be transferred to EADS for no net cash consideration.
These terms reflect the current deterioration in the commercial space sector and also EADS' continued intent to position Astrium for a return to profitability in 2004 and leadership in any future consolidation of the space industry under unified management. In July 2002, EADS and BAE Systems had announced their intention for EADS to acquire the interest of BAE Systems in Astrium and formed Paradigm Secure Communications to address service provision for the proposed Skynet 5 military communications satellite programme for the UK MoD. Under the original terms, completion of the sale of the Astrium interest was conditional on completion of contracts with the UK MoD for the Skynet 5 programme. In the event of EADS not achieving financial close of the Skynet 5 contract, BAE Systems will pay EUR 55 million to EADS. EADS continues to view the Skynet 5 programme as being of strategic importance to both its UK and space initiatives and is fully committed to signing the Skynet 5 contract with the UK MoD as soon as possible. BAE Systems will continue to support EADS in securing the Skynet 5 contract.

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L-3 sonar for NH90
Sonarsystem von L-3 für NH90

L-3 Communications announced that a subsidiary of its Ocean Systems division, ELAC Nautik located in Kiel, Germany, has received a contract to provide the Helicopter Long Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) system for the European four nation NH-90 Helicopter Program. The initial order is for 20 systems and is valued at over $32 million, and this order will support deliveries of NH-90 aircraft to the Italian and Dutch Navies over the next several years. Options for the remaining 40 systems of the Lot 1 production contract will follow, bringing the total contract value to over $65 million, with additional contracts anticipated for Lot 2 as well. ELAC will provide the first five complete HELRAS systems and up to 55 HELRAS transmit/receive subsystems for the Lot 1 order. In addition, ELAC will assist in the technology transfer for major avionic and mechanical subsystems of HELRAS with European partners Galileo Avionica and Netherlands' Fokker Elmo.
L-3's HELRAS is the highest performance helicopter dipping sonar in the world, featuring long range, deep and shallow water surveillance capability, even against stealthy diesel electric submarines. HELRAS is also able to function as traditional dipping sonar for close-range contact prosecution. The HELRAS system has been successfully demonstrated against submarines ranging from 400 tons to over 2,000 tons in both deep and littoral ocean environments by a number of international navies, and provides up to ten times the detection range of its closest rival. The system's long-range performance offers far better defense against today's modern diesel electric threat, and allows the theater commander the flexibility to use the sonar in a wide-area surveillance role, in addition to the traditional role of relocation and attack. The greatly improved detection range translates into an overall reduction of deployed helicopter assets and/or a significant increase in helicopter search rate, while providing a significant reduction in operational cost.

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Astrium to build Venus Express
Venus-Express-Auftrag für Astrium

Astrium has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) worth 82.4 million Euros for the design and development of Venus Express, the first European spacecraft to visit the planet Venus. Venus Express is scheduled for launch from the Baïkonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in November 2005. It will be launched by a Soyuz-Fregat rocket and put immediately into its transfer orbit to Venus. After a journey of about 5 months, the actual mission around Venus will last nearly two Venusian years (about 500 Earth days). Analyzing the prevailing conditions in the atmosphere and in the near environment of Venus is of crucial importance for the understanding of long-term climatic evolution processes on Earth. By re-using both the Mars Express spacecraft design and those spare instruments available from the earlier Mars Express and Rosetta program, Venus Express meets the triple challenge of its scientific objectives, its cost efficiency and its unrivalled development schedule. Venus Express will carry out a global investigation of the Venusian atmosphere in terms of structure, composition and dynamics up to an altitude of 250 km. For that, it will carry seven scientific instruments: spectrometers, spectro-imagers and imagers covering a wavelength range from UV to thermal IR, along with a full plasma analyzer. Astrium France is the prime contractor for the spacecraft, Astrium UK is responsible for the mechanical and propulsion systems and Astrium GmbH supplies the solar arrays, the mass memory and high power supply system for transmissions (TWTA).

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The Boeing Company reported net earnings of $590 million, or $0.73 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2002 on revenues of $13.7 billion. Reported net earnings for 2002 totaled $492 million, or $0.61 per share, on revenues of $54.1 billion. This includes a $1.8 billion ($2.26 per share) non-cash charge recognized in the first quarter for a change in accounting for goodwill. Net earnings for all of 2002, excluding non-recurring items and the change in accounting, totaled $2,299 million, or $2.84 per share. The impact of all non-recurring items in 2002 was favorable and netted to $0.03 per share, including $0.02 per share in the fourth quarter. Non-recurring items for 2002 and 2001 and the accounting change are detailed at the end of this release. “In 2002 several of our businesses successfully confronted the severe downturn in commercial aviation, while our Integrated Defense Systems business established itself as a market leader in integrated battlespace solutions and homeland security,” said Boeing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phil Condit. “Although we faced some noteworthy challenges, Boeing's balanced portfolio of businesses generated solid cash and profitability, and positioned the company for significant opportunities.” Operating margins for 2002 excluding non-recurring items were 7.2 percent and reflect solid overall operating performance, focused research and development and continued investment for long-term growth. Operating earnings were down as a result of decreased commercial airplane deliveries, increased customer financing charges and higher commercial satellite production costs.
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Following the announcement made in July 2002 during the Farnborough International Air Show by His Majesty the King, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) has today announced that it has contracted with BAE Systems for the supply of Hawk Advanced Jet Training aircraft, together with the necessary synthetics and simulators to provide a complete indigenous flying school in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The contract is constituted under a Government-to-Government memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which underpins the close relationship between the two nations, and particularly between the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) and the Royal Air Force. It forms the final part of a four-phase approach to flying training, comprising pilot selection, basic flying training in Slingsby Firefly aircraft, synthetics and simulation, ultimately leading to Hawk Jet Advanced Flying Training (AFT).
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France's Minister for Research and New Technologies, Claudie Haigneré has announced that her ministry will present an action plan in two months aimed at redefining the role that the national space agency, CNES (Centres Nationales d'Etudes Spatiales), plays in European space activities. The announcement came on 17 January, following the publication of a strategy plan by a working group on French space policy. The report makes a series of recommendations on what needs to be done to ensure CNES participation in space matters in Europe. “With the ongoing Convention on the Future of Europe and the ESA ministerial council meet taking place in Spring 2003, it is time for us to take action,” said Ms Haigneré.
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International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani urged Japan's Minister of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) Chigake Ogi to ensure that a strong and effective economic regulatory regime is put in place as part of Narita's privatization process. Bisignani noted that IATA is encouraged by the government's decision to privatize Narita independently but stated that several serious concerns remain. „Privatization should benefit not only the operators of Narita and the Government, but also the airlines, passengers and shippers. It is essential that a strong and independent economic regulatory regime be established,“ wrote Bisignani.
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Boeing has demonstrated a breakthrough in close air support capability by transmitting digital imagery with targeting information between warfighters on the ground and in the air. The demonstration included anAstrium to build Venus Express and a forward air controller communicating over existing radio links. The demonstration, which took place at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev., is another example of the leading role Boeing has taken network-centric warfighting capabilities. In the demonstration, a forward air controller, equipped with the advanced close air support system, or ACASS, provided rough target coordinates to the pilot of the F/A-18. The pilot used the Boeing Gateway to Airborne Tactical Data Exchange avionics system to capture a sensor image of the target, and transmit the image back to the controller for target confirmation. Newly developed ACASS software enabled the controller to view the image, annotate it with critical information and transmit it back to the pilot to complete the air strike. This information exchange ensures that both the warfighter on the ground and in the air share a common picture of the target.
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Artemis has finally reached geostationary orbit, some 36 000 km above the Earth, at 21.5°E. This announcement would, if all had gone to plan, been made just a few days after lift-off on 12 July 2001. Now, eighteen months and some serious brainstorming further on, the most advanced ESA telecommunications satellite ever commissioned, is on station, ready to play its part in the development of new telecommunications services. It will be remembered that Artemis (which stands for Advanced Relay and Technology Mission) was left in a lower than intended orbit when the Ariane 5 upper stage malfunctioned. It was even feared at the time that the entire mission might be lost. But thanks to creative thinking, often under severe time pressure, by engineering and other specialists from the European Space Agency, from prime contractor Alenia Spazio, from Astrium, which designed the ionic propulsion system, and from Telespazio, responsible for satellite operations at the Fucino control centre, satellite and mission have now been recovered. Novel, unplanned use of the ion propulsion technology built into Artemis was the key to this success.
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Goodrich Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Avionics business to L-3 Communications for $188 million. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Goodrich and L-3 Communications Corporation. Subject to customary regulatory approvals, the sale is expected to close late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2003. After-tax proceeds are expected to be about $134 million. Avionics Systems will be reported as a discontinued operation starting with the reporting of first quarter results in late April 2003.
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MTU Maintenance Hannover has landed a major new customer: TNT Express Worldwide (UK) Limited. The freight specialist, one of Europe's largest, will have its CF6-50 engines repaired at Langenhagen on a fly-by-hour basis. The five-year contract, worth about $25 million, covers the engines powering its six Airbus A300-B4 wide-body freighters as well as one spare engine. TNT as well as the Royal TPG Post are part of the Netherlands' TPG Group which employs 148,000 people worldwide. TNT operates six A300-B4s and seventeen BAe146s. Located in the north of Germany, MTU Maintenance Hannover is a subsidiary of MTU Aero Engines, the German leader in the engine industry and currently number five in the global market. TNT is Europe's second largest operator of A300 freighters.
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Today, about 90 percent of the hardware for Jules Verne, Europe's first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) spaceship that is to fly towards the International Space Station (ISS) in September 2004, is already built. The different parts and elements of the first in a series of eight ATVs have been manufactured and are progressively being tested and assembled in 10 different European countries including Russia, where the ATV docking mechanism, refuelling system and associated electronics are being produced. "2003 is a crucial year for integration and building the real spacecraft. The 20-tonne Jules Verne will be ready a year from now for its final test campaign", said Patrice Amadieu, ESA's ATV Deputy Project Manager. The ATV will provide ISS some 7.5 tonnes of equipment, fuel, food, water and air for the Station's crew. It will also remove waste from the Station and re-boost it to a higher altitude to compensate for atmospheric drag. The ATV, which is considered to be the most complex space vehicle ever developed in Europe, can be launched on any version of the powerful Ariane 5 launcher.
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EADS Socata has completed the sale of its German subsidiary to a British/German Joint Venture formed by Air Touring Ltd. from UK and Rheinland Air Service from Mönchengladbach, Germany. Socata GmbH, based in Siegerland, 50 miles north of Frankfurt, is primarily the sales & marketing center for EADS Socata in Germany and Austria, as well as the product support and maintenance center, parts distributor, repair station and avionics workshop, authorized for Socata aircraft as well as other type of aircraft. Born as independent sales organization under the name Rallye Deutschland, the company was purchased by Socata in the eighties. Socata GmbH has currently a staff of 20 employees. Air Touring Ltd is a long-time and successful Socata distributor, established at Biggin Hill Airport, southeast of London. Rheinland Air Service, is a fixed-based operator on the Mönchengladbach airport near Dusseldorf. The new joint managing directors of Socata GmbH are Michael Pearce, president of Air Touring Ltd and Johannes Graf von Schaesberg, CEO of Rheinland Air Service.
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A Boeing Delta II rocket successfully deployed two satellites today for the U.S. Air Force. GPS IIR-8, a satellite for the Air Force Global Positioning System, and XSS-10, a demonstration satellite for the Air Force Research Laboratory, were launched aboard a Delta II 7925-9.5 vehicle. The rocket lifted off at 1:06 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The mission was completed in just over an hour. Since its first military use in Operation Desert Storm, GPS has increased its use for warfighters. The system is operated by the U.S. Air Force Space Command. “We are proud to continue our support of the GPS program and the expanded role it has taken in supporting our national security,” said Jay Witzling, vice president and Delta deputy program manager. “We also look forward to hearing about the progress in satellite technology with the demonstration of XSS-10.” XSS-10 is a demonstration spacecraft that will test various functions of the micro-satellite as well as conduct a visual inspection of the Delta II second stage. The Air Force Research Laboratory will use the data for future satellite development.
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BAE Systems C4ISR has been awarded a contract by the UK Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA) for the supply of a further two Dagger vehicle-borne and two Talon man-portable high capacity satellite communications systems to support British Forces' network enabled capabilities (NEC) during field operations. Following delivery of these equipments in March 2003, some nine Dagger and nineteen Talon systems will be in service with the UK and NATO forces.
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Astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia are completing their final runs on experiments in the Spacehab Research Double Module and beginning preparations for the landing on Saturday's, 1 February, landing. Most of the 80 experiments already have completed their data collection, and today was the last day for the remaining investigations, in particular the Water Mist Fire Suppression Experiment (MIST), the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment (MEIDEX) and the Advanced Respiratory Monitoring System (ARMS). MIST, which got a late start due to problems setting up the test chamber, is nearing its 30th run as it studies the effectiveness of fog-like water droplet concentrations in putting out flames. The experiment is sponsored by the Center for Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden as part of continuing program to design replacements for environmentally hazardous chemicals such as Halons. MEIDEX will be recording its final data takes of lightning “sprites” and “elves,” after successfully imaging a major dust concentration in support of its primary objective to study how fine dust particles, or aerosols, affect the Earth's environment. MEIDEX was sponsored by the Israeli Space Agency and Tel-Aviv University in association with Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon's first space flight for an Israeli. Crewmembers also began wrapping up and storing the final blood, urine and saliva samples they are providing for studies of human physiology associated with the ARMS cardiovascular experiments and the Physiology and Biochemistry Team experiments. The samples will be kept at appropriate temperatures in refrigeration systems in the Spacehab module for return to Earth and further study.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is to launch a satellite of Singapore. This will be the 5th foreign satellite to be launched by ISRO. The Antrix Corporation of the Department of Space and the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore have signed an agreement in this regard. The satellite, a remote sensing 100 kg class micro X-SAT being developed by the Nanyang Technological University is for earth observation and imaging in visible spectral bands. The satellite will be used for land and coastal observations employing multi-spectral imaging. The three-axis stabilized spacecraft will have deployable solar panels. It will be launched by ISRO's time-tested polar satellite launch vehicle PSLV during one of its forthcoming missions. The Antrix Corporation will also provide the Singapore University with the necessary support for testing the satellite.
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The SWISS management notes with displeasure the demonstration by the Swiss Pilots' Association (SPA) in front of the SWISS offices in Basel. The SWISS management is concerned by the lack of responsibility shown by the SPA towards its employer and all the other 9000 staff at SWISS, and by the incorrect information circulated about the reorganisation of the charter business. This demonstration is absolutely inappropriate to a year in which SWISS is determined to prove itself and to a period of deep crisis for the international aviation industry.
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Orbital Sciences Corporation announced that on Saturday, January 25, it successfully launched the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite into its targeted orbit aboard the company's Pegasus rocket. The 315 kilogram (693 pound) SORCE scientific satellite, which Orbital also designed and built at its Dulles, Virginia, satellite manufacturing facility, was accurately delivered into its targeted orbit approximately 640 kilometers (400 miles) above the Earth, inclined at 40 degrees to the equator. Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The successful launch of the SORCE satellite underscores the reliability of the Pegasus launch system. We are exceptionally pleased to begin a very busy 2003 operational campaign for the Pegasus program with such a successful mission."
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The first trial flights of the tactical SDTI (Système de Drones Tactiques Intérimaire, Interim Tactical UAV System) UAV have been carried out with success at the end of 2002, in the military camp of Mourmelon, in the French region of Champagne. Part of the Sagem Sperwer DTI is the future tactical UAV system of the French Army. It is meant to replace CRECERELLE used since 1995 and prepare the ground for the MCMM program (multi-payload, multi-mission), planned by 2003-2008 Defence Spending Plan. The trials have permitted to validate all of the system's operational functions and the UAV flight envelope under harsh meteorological conditions, thus proving its "all weather" capability. The high level of performance in target observation and localization measured during these trial flights confirms the adequacy of the system to the future intelligence and target acquisition missions of the French Army.
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Lufthansa's 2003 summer timetable contains a number of innovations on intercontinental and continental routes. As plans stand at present, Lufthansa will be offering flights to 340 destinations in 89 countries when the new summer timetable goes into effect on 31 March 2003. The Lufthansa timetable will thus encompass about 3,500 flights per day or just under 25,000 flights a week. That represents ca. eight per cent more seat kilometres offered (SKOs) on intercontinental routes and ca. three per cent more SKOs on continental routes than in the 2002 summer timetable. Passengers on intercontinental flights from Frankfurt will benefit from the new connections and additional flights. The daily service from Frankfurt to Portland, Oregon, which will be launched on 31 March, is the only direct flight to the city from Europe, and will therefore be highly attractive - not only to passengers travelling from Germany, but also from all other European markets. This will bring to 17 the number of North American destinations served non-stop by Lufthansa. Three extra flights a week to Mexico City will be offered from Frankfurt, raising the number of weekly flights to that city to ten. Passengers travelling to Chennai (Madras) will also benefit from the increased frequencies. This summer Lufthansa will offer six flights a week to the South Indian city, twice as many as before. To coincide with the opening of Terminal 2 at Munich on 29 June 2003, Lufthansa is also offering more intercontinental flights and serving new destinations from its hub in southern Germany. From 30 June - pending government approval - Lufthansa will offer three flights a week from Munich to Beijing. At the end of March, services from Munich to Los Angeles, which were withdrawn in autumn 2001, will be resumed, with at least one daily connection. Three additional flights a week will be available for passengers to Hong Kong and Shanghai. Lufthansa will thus serve Hong Kong six times a week from Munich, and fly to Shanghai daily.
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Lockheed Martin Corporation reported 2002 earnings from continuing operations of $533 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared to $43 million, or $0.10 per diluted share in 2001. Adjusting for goodwill amortization, earnings from continuing operations in 2001 would have been $279 million, or $0.65 per share. The 2002 results included the impact of several unusual items, which decreased earnings by $632 million, or $1.40 per share. The 2001 earnings from continuing operations also included the impact of several unusual items that decreased earnings by $651 million, or $1.50 per share. Excluding unusual items, 2002 earnings from continuing operations would have been $1.2 billion, or $2.58 per share. After adjusting for the impact of goodwill amortization and excluding unusual items, 2001 earnings from continuing operations would have been $930 million, or $2.15 per share.
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The New Zealand Army has selected the Raytheon-Lockheed Martin Astrium to build Venus Express anti-tank weapon system to meet ist medium range anti-armor weapon capability. The number of Command Launch Units (CLU), missile quantities, along with associated support equipment, spares and training, are yet to be determined.
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Lufthansa Technik Malta, the joint company of the Maltese flag carrier Air Malta and Lufthansa Technik AG, one of the largest suppliers of aviation engineering services in the world, officially started its operation. The facilities, directly located at Malta's International Airport Luqa, have been inaugurated today by the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami together with Louis Grech, the Chairman of Air Malta, and August W. Henningsen, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik. Lufthansa Technik Malta will perform C-Checks on the Boeing 737 series - including the Next-Generation - and Airbus A320 family, for Lufthansa German Airlines and Air Malta as well as for external customers. As member of Lufthansa Technik's existing worldwide MRO (maintenance, repair & overhaul) network with now 23 companies the new corporation will be a backbone of the group's maintenance for short- and medium-haul aircraft. The two-bay hangar will operate in the first year with one C-Check line, which allows up to 70 of these maintenance events during this period.
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Airbus is very pleased with the announcement by Iberia that it has selected the A340-600 over the 777-300ER. This decision follows a long and intensive evaluation process as part of Iberia's fleet renewal programme. It shows the level of confidence Iberia, as well as the majority of other leading airlines, have in Airbus and its products. (Airbus has booked over 50 percent of all industry firm orders in three of the last four years). With this decision, Iberia becomes the 12th customer to select an aircraft from the new long-range A340-500/-600 Family, of which now a total of 81 have been committed to (72 firm orders plus nine committed to by Iberia), representing a 57 percent market share vs. its direct competitor, the 777-200LR/-300ER long-range family (of which 61 aircraft have been ordered by seven customers, according to the latest information available on the Boeing website).
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Song, a new airline service developed to revolutionize customer expectations for high-quality, low-fare air travel, was introduced today at a company event in New York City. Song, which will initially service Northeast to Florida routes, will fly its maiden voyage from New York City's JFK to West Palm Beach on Tuesday, April 15, 2003. By October 2003, Song plans to provide 144 daily flights utilizing a fleet of 36 Boeing 757 aircraft. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Song will meet air travelers' individual and ever-changing needs through a variety of innovations, several of which are industry firsts. These include: The addition and deletion of on-board and customer amenities and services based on customer feedback. Customers will have the ability to vote products and services on and off via the Song Web site: www.flysong.com. The most advanced in-flight entertainment technology available (October 2003). Song is partnering with Matsushita Avionics Systems and EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network satellite TV service to provide a complement of on-board amenities.
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