FLUG REVUE update: Week ending March 16, 2003

9

M
A
R
C
H

2
0
0
3

UPDATE
Week ending March 16, 2003

+++ First civil Tiltrotor flies +++ EADS reveals 2002 loss +++ Bombardier Global 5000 flies +++ Commision proposes EU Defence Equipment Policy +++ Swiss looses one billion in 2002 +++ MD Explorers for Stuttgart police +++ News in brief +++

First civil Tiltrotor flies
Erstflug der BA609 in Texas

On March 7, a new chapter in aviation history opened with the maiden flight of the world's first civil tiltrotor, the Bell/Agusta Aerospace BA609. The nine-passenger aircraft, jointly developed by Bell Helicopter, a Textron company and by Agusta, an AgustaWestland company, hovered at an altitude of 50 feet, performed left and right peddle turns, both forward and aft flight maneuvers, four take-offs and landings, nacelle position changes and stability testing for .6 flight hours (36 minutes) before setting down. The first flight follows seven weeks of ground runs and taxi testing for the BA609 conducted at Bell's Flight Research Center, Arlington, Texas. “The first flight was flawless, the 609 performed exactly as we knew it would,” explained Bell/Agusta Senior Flight Test Pilot Roy Hopkins who is the world's high time tiltrotor pilot with over 1,000 flight hours in the V-22 Osprey and XV-15 tiltrotor aircraft. Bell test pilot Dwayne Williams flew as co-pilot on the first flight of the BA609.
The BA609, a six to nine passenger aircraft, is expected to be certified by the FAA in 2007 with first deliveries to begin immediately following. Bell/Agusta will produce a total of four prototype tiltrotor aircraft for flight-testing. Final assembly for production aircraft will take place at Bell's Amarillo, Texas, facility with another assembly line to be established at the Agusta plant in Italy. Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan has the contract to build all of the production fuselages for the BA609. All parts and components for both lines will come from the exact same source yielding aircraft that will be identical whether assembled in Italy or Texas.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

EADS reveals 2002 loss
Verluste bei EADS

EADS successfully masters the difficult market situation and is well on track for 2003. “We have prepared EADS to weather a possible further deterioration of the business climate in 2003. Our ability to rapidly respond to changes in the business environment is proving a huge asset in the current circumstances”, the EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich said when the company released its 2002 annual results.
In 2002, EADS achieved solid results in both its commercial and defence businesses and maintained its strong Operating Cash Flow and Net Cash position. While the Airbus and Aeronautics Divisions were the main contributors to EADS' profitability, the Defence and Civil Systems Division achieved its planned turnaround, which was stronger than expected.
In 2002, EADS achieved an EBIT (Earnings before interest and taxes, pre goodwill amortisation and exceptionals) of EUR 1,426 million (2001: EUR 1,694 million), slightly above its target. Before Research and Development (R&D) costs, EADS slightly improved its EBIT margin from 11.5 % to 11.8 %, despite lower Airbus deliveries. R&D costs increased, as anticipated, to EUR 2.1 billion (2001: EUR 1.8 billion), particularly due to the A380 programme.
Net Income in both 2001 and 2002 was significantly affected by goodwill amortisation and exceptional non-cash items. Net Income pre goodwill amortisation and exceptionals was EUR 696 million in 2002, after EUR 809 million in 2001. Earnings per share pre goodwill and exceptionals reached EUR 0.87 (2001: EUR 1.00). Net Income after goodwill and exceptionals amounted to EUR -299 million. It was negatively impacted by goodwill depreciation of EUR 936 million, including an extraordinary (and not tax deductible) depreciation of EUR 350 million resulting from impairment tests at the Space Division, reflecting further deterioration of the space markets. On the other hand, the 2001 figure of EUR 1,372 million was affected by positive exceptional items mainly resulting from the creation of the integrated Airbus SAS.
“Despite the difficult environment, 2002 was another year of commercial and financial success. As in the previous year, we are proud to have again met or exceeded all our financial targets under these circumstances”, the EADS CEOs, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, commented. “Looking forward, we have positioned EADS to master the new challenges ahead. We are continuously focusing on means to further improve management efficiency in order to generate cash and to reduce cost. In that respect, Divisions and Headquarters have all done their share in 2002”, the CEOs said. “In addition, as ever we continue to pursue new order opportunities based on our superior product portfolio. This means that all the levers we can influence are perfectly under control. And once the commercial aviation markets recover, which we now expect at the earliest by the end of 2004, EADS with its increasingly balanced business portfolio will be extremely well positioned to take full advantage of opportunities across the full spectrum of the aerospace, defence and space industry.”
For 2003, the EADS management is setting prudent financial targets that preserve the company's flexibility to respond to market changes. In this uncertain environment, EADS will continue to favour profitability and cash control over market share gains. EADS presently anticipates 2003 EBIT in the same range as 2002, based on 300 deliveries by Airbus - currently backed by a higher order book - and taking into account the increase in R&D spending to peak levels in 2003. The EADS 2003 EBIT target also includes a considerable provision for a significant re-engineering of the Space business in order to achieve profitability during 2004. The Space Division 2003 expected EBIT represents a further deterioration compared to 2002 due to ongoing restructuring and programme contingencies, and the first-time full consolidation of Astrium.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

Bombardier Global 5000 flies
Erstflug des Global 5000

Bombardier Aerospace's all-new Bombardier Global 5000 business jet successfully completed a rigorous first flight on March 7. The first Bombardier Global 5000 business jet – s/n #9127 – took off from Bombardier's Downsview, Ontario facility under clear skies, at 12:24 p.m. EST and returned at 4:08 p.m. EST. During the course of its three-hour, 44-minute flight northwest of Toronto, it reached a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 m), and a maximum indicated airspeed of 340 knots (391 mph; 630 km/h). Captain Craig Tylski, principal engineering test pilot, Bombardier Flight Test Center, flew the aircraft with co-pilot Gary Bruce, senior engineering test pilot. Also on board was flight test engineer Scott Runyan. Mr. Tylski, who has 32 years experience as a pilot, and 25 years as a test pilot, was impressed with the aircraft's performance. “The Bombardier Global 5000 first flight was flawless; the aircraft flew as smooth as a Bombardier Global Express,” stated Mr. Tylski. “That we were able to take the aircraft to maximum speed on first flight represents an extraordinary feat, and reflects the advanced capabilities of our Bombardier Global family.”

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

Commision proposes EU Defence Equipment Policy
EU schlägt Rüstungspolitik vor

The long-term needs for a competitive European defense equipment industry to support a European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) are outlined in a Communication adopted by the European Commission. The Commission underlines that cost efficiency of defense spending, the maintenance of a competitive defense and technological industrial base, better access for EU manufactured goods to third country market, ethics and fairness in the arms trade, security of supply, and also the need to respect Member States prerogatives in this sensitive area are all important considerations when defining an EU defense equipment policy. Action by the Union Institutions is proposed to help establish a European defense equipment market. A key contribution is to seek improve the EU regulatory framework governing the treatment of armaments in Europe. In the area of research linked to global security, the Commission will invite Member States, industry and the scientific community to help identify common needs and pool know-how and investments to jointly develop technologies that could be critical for Europe's security in the long term.
Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen said: “Tax payers should get the most out of the investment they make in security. There is ample evidence that this is not the case at present and that a European defense equipment market would bring significant economic efficiencies. It is crucial for both civil and defense sectors of the economy that we create an environment in which European companies can give better value for money.” He added: “By placing the issues clearly in the context of industrial competitiveness, the European Commission is signaling the importance it attaches to developing policies which will give European companies in the defense industries, whether prime contractors or part of the tens of thousands of SMEs in subcontracting roles, the opportunity to remain at the leading edge of advanced technologies and to compete on a the basis of fair competition.”
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

Swiss looses one billion in 2002
Verluste für Swiss

SWISS generated consolidated total operating revenue of CHF 4278 million for 2002 and sustained a loss of CHF 980 million for the year. The overall annual results were better than originally envisaged. The bottom-line result was adversely affected by exceptional expenditure totalling CHF 322 million. Net of these non-recurring items, the loss for the year amounted to CHF 658 million. SWISS reported earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of CHF -909 million for 2002 on total operating revenue of CHF 4278 million. The EBIT result was diminished by various non-recurring exceptional expenditure items. The company incurred some CHF 180 million in one-off costs deriving from its expansion from a European regional airline into an air carrier operating an intercontinental route network and its introduction of the new SWISS brand. Exceptional expenditure was also incurred through value adjustments effected to the aircraft fleet and in connection with the enforced administration of the SAirGroup. SWISS posted a sizable net loss after financing costs of CHF 980 million in its first year of operation. Excluding non-recurring exceptional expenditure items, the company sustained a loss of CHF 658 million for the year. The balance sheet total amounted to CHF 4668 million at December 31, 2002. The company held CHF 1256 million in cash, fixed-term deposits and fixed-interest securities at year-end. After incorporation of the loss for the year, shareholders' equity stood at CHF 1709 million, giving a balance sheet equity ratio of 36.6%.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

MD Explorers for Stuttgart police
Polizei erhält MD Explorer

The first of five MD Explorers for the state police of Baden-Wurttemberg, based in Stuttgart, Germany, was delivered March 4 in Mesa. MDHI officials say the helicopter, now enroute to Germany, is the among the most technologically advanced ever delivered for airborne law enforcement. The highly complex, heavily equipped law helicopter will begin operating immediately, replacing a BO105 that is currently in service. The aircraft features an array of communications equipment, searchlight, FLIR, downlink capability, and much more.
The second MD Explorer for Stuttgart will be delivered in July, and the remaining deliveries will follow in the second half of 2003. Due to its unique configuration, the German Police MD Explorer required type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. "With the delivery of this aircraft, we further strengthen our position as a leader in serving the airborne law enforcement market," said MDHI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Henk Schaeken. "The certification of this complex configuration sets the stage to offer these unique niche options to future customers.”

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The HJT36 training aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India made a very successful first flight at Bangalore on March 7. It is powered by a Larzac 04H20 jet engine, designed and developed by Snecma Moteurs and Turbomeca. The test flight proceeded exactly as planned, and the engine provided very satisfactory in-flight performance. HAL selected the Larzac back in 2000 to power the prototype of the HJT36, the Indian Air Force's future intermediate trainer. The Larzac was adapted for installation in this aircraft. Snecma Moteurs provides all necessary technical support to HAL and has already delivered two engines fully flight-qualified on an Alpha Jet flying testbed. Snecma Moteurs and Turbomeca have started the development of an enhanced thrust version of this engine, developing 1,700 dN. The new version is now on offer to HAL to power production models of the HJT36. This program is likely to further bolster the industrial partnership between HAL and Snecma.
+++
The Air Force launched its first military satellite payload on an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Cape Canaveral on March 10. The military payload, a Defense Satellite Communications System satellite, was lifted into orbit by a Boeing Delta IV rocket. The Delta IV and Lockheed Martin's Atlas V are the two families of EELVs developed with the Air Force to modernize and reduce the cost of America's space-lift operations. Both flew their maiden missions with commercial payloads last year. "Today's launch marks the dawn of a new day for national security space programs," said Lt. Col. Tony Taliancich, director of the EELV Cape Consolidated Task Force. "It culminates our joint efforts with industry to develop a national launch capability that satisfies both government and commercial needs." "This ... satellite will be positioned over the Indian Ocean and should be fully operational by July 1. That's about a 55-day reduction from nominal on-orbit checkout operations," said Capt. Greg Ellingson, from Detachment 8 of the Space and Missile Systems Center. "Getting this satellite up and running is being accelerated because it's critical to our warfighters“.
+++
OU MEDICAL CENTER, which owns and operates Medi Flight of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Okla., will be the first hospital/air ambulance service in the world to use the custom designed EC 130 B4 helicopters for transporting critically-ill patients. There are only a handful of the newly designed helicopters in use today, but none are used for medical transportation. The two new EC 130 B4 helicopters will be maintained by Rocky Mountain Air and should be delivered in early 2003. Currently, the interior of the new EC 130 B4 helicopters, which are designed to hold 7-8 seats, is being custom designed by Rocky Mountain Air and Medi Flight for emergency air patient transport. Until the EC 130 B4 helicopters are delivered, Medi Flight will fly black and gold AS 350 B2 Astar helicopters beginning Monday, April 1.
+++
Bombardier Aerospace recently celebrated the delivery of its 600th Bombardier Challenger widebody business jet – an aircraft that has set the standard for comfort, productivity and value in business travel for more than two decades. Aircraft s/n #5557 recently rolled off Bombardier's Challenger assembly line in Montreal and is now at Bombardier's completion center in Tucson where it will be furnished with a customized interior. Scheduled to enter service this summer, the milestone aircraft will be utilized primarily for regional and intercontinental executive travel by an international corporation based in North America.
+++
Rolls-Royce, the number two defense aero engine manufacturer in the world, today announced it has designated its AE 1107C engine for the U.S. Marine Corps the AE 1107C-Liberty. The engine, which currently powers the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, will commonly be known as the Liberty. The announcement was made during a ceremony attended by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Dan Schultz, the Defense Department's V-22 program manager. "The name 'Liberty' has a special significance in the history of Rolls-Royce, as it was the designation given to the company's first engine produced in North America to support U.S. troops during World War I," Steven F. Dwyer, President, Defense North America, Rolls-Royce, said. "This engine is a key component in our nation's next generation of military aircraft, which makes the 'Liberty' name even more appropriate."
+++
A Chinese-designed helicopter, the Z11-MB1, had a successful first flight on March 8 at Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province. The success indicated that the helicopter, an improved model of Z11 helicopter, was expected to take a significant share of the domestic civil aviation and international markets, said experts. Information from manufacturers shows that the helicopter is equipped with an engine provided by Turbomeca Co., Ltd, of France, and can reach a maximum height of 6,000 meters, compared with the original model's 4,500 meters. It has an integrated display and monitor system, short wave and ultrashort wave radio, GPS navigation system and intercom. It can be used for a variety of purposes such as medical relief, patrolling and searching, and transportation.
+++
The Outsize Cargo Market, and especially Antonov Airlines, enjoyed the best year ever in 2002. Antonov Airlines and their partner Air Foyle HeavyLift can boast a 2002 turnover in excess of $140 million; this is due to record numbers of AN 124 flight bookings, the re-introduction of the newly re-furbished AN 22 and the commercial launch of the AN 225. Commented Vince Seeger, Vice President of Commercial for Antonov Airlines; “For us, the market is exceptionally strong, in general terms there are ongoing flights into Kabul on behalf of the German and Italian militaries and operations into the Gulf for the British and American forces. We are extremely pleased to see the AN 225/AN 22 taking an active role within the commercial market.” Flights to the gulf have carried payloads of all varieties. Antonov Airlines have been carrying loads consisting of everything that a military camp could need, such as pre-fab housing, sanitary equipment, medical supplies, food and vehicles to name but a few.
+++
Rockwell Collins' high-speed SATCOM system has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) on the Falcon 50, 900 and 900EX. This is the first STC installation that permits the use of Aero safety services in the flight deck and simultaneous voice and high-speed data in the cabin. This is made possible through a Rockwell Collins proprietary software management system that ensures the flight deck maintains its priority and pre-emptive receipt of essential communications. The management system also validates frequency assignments to ensure there is no potential interference with GPS frequencies. The installation and STC was completed by Pentastar Aviation in Waterford, Mich. The Collins HST-900 enables enhanced passenger connectivity, including access to e-mail and the Internet while in flight. Designed as a companion to the Collins SAT-906 satellite communications system, the HST-900 provides 64 kilobits per second connectivity using Inmarsat's Swift64 service and an aircraft's existing SATCOM antenna and SAT-906 high-power amplifier.
+++
Boeing has resumed development of its ultra-long-range 777 airplane, the 777-200LR (Longer Range). This new jet will fly more than 9,100 nautical miles (nearly 17,000 kilometers) for nonstop trips such as Singapore to New York, Dallas to Hong Kong, Mumbai, India to Los Angeles and Chicago to Sydney. The 777-200LR, with a capacity of 301 passengers in a three-class configuration, is the fifth member of the 777 family. The airplane also will carry up to 18 tons (16 tonnes) of cargo on routes that are payload limited for all other airplanes Pakistan International Airlines and EVA Airways of Taiwan have ordered a total of five 777-200LRs. Pakistan International Airlines will receive the first in January 2006.
+++
US Air Force officials tested a Massive Ordnance Air Blast weapon here March 11. The MOAB is a precision-guided munition weighing 21,500 pounds and was dropped from a C-130 Hercules aircraft for the test. It is the largest non-nuclear weapon in existence.
+++
The US Air Force's top two space officials told lawmakers March 12 that development of a "space cadre" was one of their top agenda items for national security space programs in 2004. Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets and Gen. Lance W. Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command, also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee's Strategic Forces Subcommittee of their goal to fully integrate space capabilities for warfighting and national intelligence. According to Teets, who is also the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, there are similarities between intelligence-collection activities and warfighting needs. Among them is the Space Based Infrared System High, which will replace the veteran Defense Support Program platform for early-missile-warning protection. "SBIRS High will have two very highly capable infrared sensors (to) collect large amounts of information useful to the intelligence community," he said in written testimony. "In addition, it will significantly contribute to the theater ballistic missile warning system."
+++
On Monday 10 March 2003, the Hungarian Parliament authorized the government to proceed with the procurement of 14 NATO-interoperable Gripen new-generation swing role aircraft to meet Hungary's national, European and NATO needs for the next 30 years. This procurement decision follows the signing of an amendment to the lease agreement between FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) and the Hungarian Department of Defence in February 2003, for the lease and purchase of Gripen new generation fighter aircraft. The Hungarian Gripens, 12 single seater and 2 dual seaters to be delivered in batches during 2006-2007, will be equipped with a retractable Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) probe, capability to use NATO interoperable weapons including Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs), an advanced electronic warfare system, On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), English language full color cockpit displays and a NATO interoperable communications suite.
+++
UK Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach cut the ribbon at the opening of a new £3.5 million facility at Broughton, North Wales where new RAF "spy in the sky" planes will be completed. ASTOR (Airborne Stand Off Radar) will provide British Armed Forces with a completely new capability to monitor movement of hostile ground forces far behind the front line when it enters service in 2005. Data gathered by ASTOR aircraft will help shorten the time between the detection of a target and its destruction. The £800 million contract is being delivered by Raytheon Systems Limited. The development will create 80 jobs at the company's factory at Broughton and the company estimates that hundreds more jobs will be secured across the UK as the programme develops.
+++
The newly founded company Lufthansa Technik Completion Engineering (LTCE) will strengthen the capacities and capabilities of Lufthansa Technik's Completion Center, established only last year, in the area of design and installation of VIP aircraft cabin interiors. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lufthansa Technik Completion Engineering is starting out with around 20 employees. The new company is a joint venture of Lufthansa Technik and Yankee Pacific Group LLC of Rye, New Hampshire. Lufthansa Technik holds 51 percent of its shares, Yankee Pacific Group the other 49 percent. The founder of Yankee Pacific, Ken Goldsmith, acts as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa Technik Completion Engineering, which is set up as a limited-liability company under U.S. law. "Team working with experienced U.S. colleagues gives us a unique opportunity to meet directly the desires of our customers in the world's largest aircraft market," says Dr. Gunther Kruse, Head of Programs and Finance at the Lufthansa Technik Completion Center and Chief Executive Officer of LTCE. The new company will not only prepare engineering orders but will also be in touch with North American customers in support of the activities of Lufthansa Technik's VIP & Executive Jets Sales Department in Hamburg.
+++
Indra has recently obtained two contracts to complete the deployment of the Army's communications systems in big size ships. The last phase of this deployment, recently awarded, consists in the development and implementation of satellite transmission and reception systems for the aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias, the two F-100 frigates, the corvettes and the S-70 submarines. These contracts complete the satellite communications equipment of the Army's big size ships and gives way to a second phase to complete the network with the integration of smaller ships.
+++
The fifth aircraft in Bombardier Aerospace's Challenger 300 certification program, equipped with a fully functional interior, successfully completed its first flight on Saturday, March 8, 2003, in Wichita, Kan. Aircraft s/n 20-005 will now begin a comprehensive functional and reliability (F&R) test program. This fifth aircraft – featuring the most advanced production interior in any corporate jet F&R test program – will validate the integrity and functionality of all cabin systems including water and waste management, lighting, environmental controls, cabin electronics and entertainment systems and ergonomics.
+++
The Dassault Board of Directors chaired by Mr Charles Edelstenne, meeting on 11 March 2003, approved the accounts for the past year. Consolidated orders taken amounted to 3.52 billion euros. These were especially for: the sale of 72 Falcon, notification of the contract to develop and industrialize the two-seater version of the Rafale Marine. Consolidated 2002 sales amounted to 3.44 billion euros. The Falcon division accounted for 65 % of the business. Consolidated operating profit amounted to 472 million euros. It accounts for 13.7 % of consolidated sales. Consolidated net profit (Group profit and Group's share) amounted to 312 million euros. It accounts for 9.1 % of consolidated sales.
+++
Max-Viz Inc. announced that the company's EVS-1000 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) has received FAA certification on the Bombardier Challenger business jet. The installation and the STC were accomplished by Total Aircraft Services (TAS) in Van Nuys, CA on a customer CL-601-3A aircraft. This marks the first time an EVS has been certified without the requirement for a Head-Up Display (HUD). TAS developed the tail-mounted installation scheme with the image displayed on a dedicated 6.5” video-capable LCD cockpit display.
+++
Turbomeca announces 20 Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines ordered by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to power their upgraded S-76 helicopter. Turbomeca received the launch order for 20 Arriel 2S2 engines to support helicopter deliveries scheduled to begin in 2005. The Arriel 2S2 engine will provide 6 % more power than its predecessor the Arriel 2S1 and includes a dual channel digital engine control (EECU). The Arriel 2S1 provides 18 % more power than the Arriel 1.
+++
PanAmSat Corporation announced the launch of G2 Satellite Solutions Company (G2), a division that will offer and develop a range of satellite and value-added services to support the global requirements of the U.S. government and its numerous agencies. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., this new business brings together a unique combination of satellite industry expertise and government insight resulting in an innovative enterprise.
+++
Saab Aviocomp AB, Sweden, together with SAS Component, Denmark has won another deal further consolidating its solid position as the major supplier of component services for Fokker 50 operators. Saab Aviocomp AB and SAS Component signed a component supply agreement with Gee Bee Air, Greece, in a joint operation. The agreement covers 3 Fokker 50 aircraft. The services will be supplied in partnership with SAS Component.
+++
Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 engines, introduced on the Boeing 757 twinjet in 1984, have passed 30 million flight hours, including 12 million take-offs and landings, the company announced today (11 March). The RB211-535, which became the first western powerplant to be installed on a Russian commercial aircraft when it was introduced on the Tupolev Tu-204, has been chosen by 80 per cent of Boeing 757 customers and has a 59 per cent share of all engine orders placed on that aircraft. Nearly 1,300 RB211-535E4s have been delivered. The engine is among the most reliable in airline service and holds the world on-wing record of 40,500 flying hours during an unbroken period of nearly nine years on an Icelandair 757. Average time to first shop visit is now over 20,000 hours, the best in its class.
+++
Volvo has signed a contract with German MTU covering production of components to the GP7000, one of the engine alternatives to be mounted on the forthcoming Airbus super jumbo A380. In accordance with the agreement, Volvo Aero will produce the housing for the low-pressure turbine to the GP7000 for a period of about 15 years. The order value is estimated at approximately SEK 1 billion. Volvo will produce the housing for the engine's low-pressure turbine (LPT). In total, the contract covers 1,000 engines. In addition, Volvo Aero will now immediately become involved in the development program for the GP7000 engine, which is not fully developed, with manufacturing of development hardware. The first LPT will be delivered as early as September 1 this year and series production will commence in 2005. As a result of this new agreement with MTU, Volvo Aero is involved in both engine alternatives for the A380 aircraft.
+++
The F-22 fighter development and testing program is dragging behind schedule and attempts by the Air Force to control costs are failing miserably, according to a new report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), “Tactical Aircraft: DOD Needs to Better Inform Congress about Implication of Continuing F/A Cost Growth,” GAO-03-280. The report, released late Wednesday by Representative John Tierney (D-MA), concludes that the Air Force has been unable to implement the cost-saving measures it promised and has essentially kept Congress in the dark about excessive cost overruns.
+++
Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, today announced that it has resumed construction of WildBlue-1, the world's first commercially dedicated all-Ka-band, multiple spot-beam broadband satellite, for WildBlue Communications, Inc., Denver, Co. WildBlue recently announced that Intelsat, Liberty Satellite & Technology, Inc., the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and David Drucker, WildBlue's chairman, agreed to invest $156 million in the company, which will allow WildBlue to enter commercial service in 2004 and complete its investment in the WildBlue-1 satellite.
+++
JetBlue Airways has signed a three-year agreement for training services with CAE and Airbus, and will acquire three CAE-supplied flight training devices (FTD). The total value of the contracts, including training within the CAE-Airbus cooperation network, is estimated at C$28 million (US$19 million) based on list prices and expected simulator usage. JetBlue pilots will train on Airbus A320 full flight simulators (FFS) in the Airbus Training Centre in Miami, Florida, which is part of the CAE-Airbus training network. The value of the three-year agreement is approximately C$16 million (US$11 million).
+++
Lockheed Martin ceremonially delivered its Sniper XR (eXtended Range) Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) to the U.S. Air Force Wednesday in Orlando. Maj. Gen. Donald Wetekam, Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. was keynote speaker for the ceremony. The U.S. Air Force selected Lockheed Martin in August 2001 to develop and build the Sniper XR pod for the ATP program. The contract provides for up to 522 pods and associated equipment, spares, and support for both the Air Force and Air National Guard. Sniper XR pods will initially equip the U.S. Air Force's F-16CJ Block 50 aircraft and the Air National Guard's F-16 Block 30 aircraft. Follow-on acquisitions are destined for the F-16 Block 40 and F-15E fleets.
+++

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite