2
9
J
U
N
E
2
0
0
3
|
UPDATE
Week ending June 29, 2003
Munich: Terminal 2 opens +++ Air France Concorde to Karlsruhe +++ SWISS in crisis operation +++ Chinese buy Fairchild Dornier's 728 programme +++ Europeans say 'Yes' to a strong Europe in space +++ Columbia accident: New recommendations +++ EADS, MBDA selected for UK Ground Based Air Defence programme +++ News in brief +++
Munich: Terminal 2 opens
Eröffnung des Terminal 2 in München
Just three and a half years after the start of construction and two days before the start of operations on June 29, Munich Airport's new Terminal 2 was officially opened at a gala event. The new terminal, which doubles Munich Airport's current capacity to 50 million passengers per year, is a joint project of Munich Airport and Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Lufthansa, which will have exclusive use of the terminal building along with the Star Alliance airlines and its other partner carriers, sees Terminal 2 as an integral component in the continuing development of Munich Airport as a major hub in its international route network.
Dr. Kurt Faltlhauser, the Bavarian finance minister and chairman of the airport's supervisory board, called the official opening of the new terminal “a leap forward into a new aviation era.” Dr. Edmund Stoiber, Bavaria's Minister President, emphasized in his speech that the new Terminal 2 will enhance the entire Bavarian economic region for a long time to come. On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany and the City of Munich, which comprise the shareholders in Munich Airport along with the Free State of Bavaria, the federal transport minister, Dr. Manfred Stolpe, and Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, also stressed the major impact of the new facilities on the role of Munich Airport.
In the view of Lufthansa's Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Munich Airport is now, following the opening of Terminal 2, "The new premiere address in worldwide aviation, " adding that "the facility created here is the most modern and convenient terminal in all of Europe.“ The Lufthansa Chairman and CEO also highlighted the achievement in Terminal 2 of “Europe's shortest transfer time” and, looking ahead to Munich Airport's new role in Lufthansa's corporate strategy, affirmed: “Germany now has two equivalent hubs – and the crane in Lufthansa's logo has a second home in Bavaria.”
Dr. Michael Kerkloh, the President and CEO of Munich Airport, called the new Terminal 2 "an infrastructure facility that points the way to the future and benefits the entire German aviation industry.” Remarking on the innovative cooperation between Munich Airport and Lufthansa -- the first-ever such partnership between an airport and an airline in Europe – Kerkloh declared: “Terminal 2 combines the strengths of one of the world's leading airlines with the strengths of one of Europe's fastest-growing airports to define a new level of quality.” After Terminal 2 'takes off,' Kerkloh is confident that Munich Airport, with its “two modern terminals, optimally structured to meet the needs of their users“, will be ideally equipped to continue successfully competing with Europe's major air transportation hubs.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Air France Concorde to Karlsruhe
Concorde kommt ins Museum Sinsheim
An Air France supersonic Concorde had made its final flight after more than a quarter-century in service. The needle-nose jet took off from Paris and made a loop over the Atlantic, breaking the sound barrier one last time, before touching down Tuesday outside the German city of Karlsruhe, on the last of nearly 5,500 flights. The plane will be partly disassembled before transport down the Rhine River to its new home, a technology museum in Sinsheim. There it will be exhibited beside its old competitor, the Soviet-made Tupolev TU-144, a supersonic aircraft that spent only a brief time in passenger service. Air France made its final commercial Concorde flight last month. Meanwhile, British Airways announced October 24 as the date for its final New York to London transatlantic Concorde flight.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
SWISS in crisis operation
Notmaßnahmen bei SWISS
Headed firmly for a turnaround, SWISS is to take drastic action to cut costs: 34 aircraft are to be withdrawn from services and around 3000 jobs will be lost. The new and massively reduced SWISS is reacting to far-reaching changes in the airline market: on intercontinental routes SWISS will offer its usual premium quality in three classes, whilst on European routes, passengers will in future be able to choose between alternative price and comfort levels themselves. In a meeting held on 23 June, the Board of Directors of Swiss International Air Lines approved the cornerstones of the new Business Plan. The essentials of the plan involve reducing the long-haul fleet to 18 aircraft, the medium-haul fleet to 21 and the regional fleet to 35. All in all, the number of seat-kilometres is to be cut by 35%. The changes will become effective on the 2003 winter timetable.
The enduring crisis in the airline industry points to sector-wide consolidation. Only healthy, well positioned companies will survive. The SWISS management has decided to take incisive action in response to this development. SWISS must reduce both its network and its fleet, continue to cut costs and shed a substantial number of staff. The SWISS Board of Directors is convinced that the planed restructuring is an essential condition for the survival of SWISS.
SWISS plans to launch an innovative European concept this autumn, when it will become the first scheduled service airline to offer both a Premium Business Class and an extremely competitively priced Economy Class on European routes. This in order to meet customer demands for competitive cost levels. By doing so, SWISS aims to allow its customers to select which level of price-performance suits their individual requirements. The customer makes his or her choice, and pays only for what he or she actually wants. In the future, those who book Economy Class will have to pay for food and drinks. In Business Class, however, passengers can look forward to the usual SWISS service. This new European concept will supersede both the previous pricing structure and temporary promotions (e.g. Swiss Europe Savers) within Europe. All European flights will be sold at transparent prices with clearly defined services. Outward and inward flights may be mixed as desired (e.g. Economy Class outward, Business Class back) depending on departure times, time of booking, availability and the customer's personal preferences. All European flights will be operated either by SWISS or by Swiss Express.
The benchmark figures set out in the Business Plan provide for a reduction in costs totalling CHF 1.6 billion. The first step in the direction of profitability is to make the necessary adjustments to our network. Focusing on profitable routes and destinations with a promising future will provide the basis for all further action. The network must, therefore, be trimmed by up to 35%. In line with this, there will also be a substantial reduction in the number of destinations served from all SWISS locations in Switzerland. On the precise number and choice of destinations to be eliminated SWISS is informing first its partners. The key markets will be maintained in the network. This reduction in destinations and frequencies will allow us to reduce our fleet to 74 aircraft (excl. Charter). We will retain 18 aircraft in the long-haul sector (MD-11, A340, A330), 21 in the medium-haul sector (A320 family) and 35 in the regional sector (Saab, Embraer, Avro).
The reductions in our network and fleet will inevitably mean corresponding job cuts, i.e. around 3,000 redundancies. This is a painful measure, and SWISS is consulting with the unions to find the most partnerly solutions. Around 700 cockpit jobs, around 850 cabin jobs and up to 1500 jobs on the ground are affected. The cornerstones of the new Business Plan, and hence the long-term survival of SWISS, can only successfully take effect if everyone – staff, trade unions, suppliers, creditors and official authorities – pulls together in the same direction. The turnaround requires a clear commitment to the future of SWISS. Over the next few weeks we will therefore be calling on all those involved to find viable solutions which are necessary for success.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Chinese buy Fairchild Dornier's 728 programme
728-Projekt von Chinesen gekauft
Chinese investors are buying the 728 passenger jet programme of the insolvent aircraft maker Fairchild Dornier. The investor group Dlong said in Munich there were good prospects of relaunching the programme as a joint German-Chinese project. Negotiatins with legacy suppliers and new Chinese partners regarding the continuation will be held over the coming months, a statement by insolvency management firm Braun said. With the conclusion of a sale of the 728, the insolvency management operation is now closed.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Europeans say 'Yes' to a strong Europe in space
Europäische Raumfahrtpläne
The four-month consultation on the Green Paper on European Space Policy came to a close in Paris, with EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, European Space Agency Director General Antonio Rodotà and other leading players in the space sector calling for a significant increase in European efforts in space research and an upgraded institutional framework. Claudie Haigneré, French Minister for Research and New Technologies, and Letizia Moratti, Italian Minister for Education, Universities and Scientific Research, also attended to propose key measures to drive forward the space ambitions of Europe. Other priorities outlined at the conference included better co-ordination between all sectors at EU and international levels, guaranteed independent access to space for Europe and a flexible system of programme funding.
Participants stressed the need to develop space technology, such as Internet by satellite and security applications. The Conference provided important input for the forthcoming EU White Paper on Space Policy, due to be published by the European Commission in October this year. Philippe Busquin said: “The consultation was a successful exercise in democracy and collective creativity. People expect the EU to play a greater role in space, and we must be ready to meet those expectations. We will build on the lessons learnt from the consultation to devise an ambitious action plan for European space policy. With strong political commitment from all key space stakeholders and sustained interest among the public, we can turn Europe into the space leader of the 21st century.”
The economic implications of space activities cannot be ignored. According to the US Department of Defense, by 2010 more than 2000 satellites will be orbiting the Earth compared to 600 today. Over the period until then, US investment will total some 500 billion dollars. In Europe, it is estimated that by 2010 the space industry and its related activities could represent around 10% of GDP. However, European funding for space research and development is only a sixth of the figure for the US, the bulk of which is accounted for by NASA and the Department for Defense. The Green Paper on European Space Policy, adopted by the European Commission on 21 January, is a strategic document developed in co-operation with the European Space Agency, which opens a new era for Europe in space. Its aim was to initiate a broad debate on the medium- and long-term future use of space for the benefit of Europe. On 13 May the EU Competitiveness Ministers adopted a resolution calling for rapid conclusion of a framework agreement between ESA and the European Commission and for urgent action to be taken at EU level to answer the challenges faced by Europe's space sector. On 15 May the European Parliament adopted a similar resolution, insisting that space be a shared competence in the new EU Treaty.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Columbia accident: New recommendations
Shuttle-Unfall: Neue Empfehlungen
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board has issued its third preliminary recommendation to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in advance of its appearance in the final report. Recommendation Three: Before return to flight, for missions to the International Space Station (ISS,) develop a practicable capability to inspect and effect emergency repairs to the widest possible range of damage to the Thermal Protection System (TPS,) including both tile and Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC,) taking advantage of the additional capabilities available while in proximity to and docked at the ISS. Before return to flight, for non-station missions, develop a comprehensive autonomous (independent of station) inspection and repair capability to cover the widest practicable range of damage scenarios. An on-orbit TPS inspection should be accomplished early on all missions, using appropriate assets and capabilities.The ultimate objective should be a fully autonomous capability for all missions, to address the possibility that an ISS mission does not achieve the necessary orbit, fails to dock successfully, or suffers damage during or after undocking.
The Board is convinced of the necessity of taking all practicable steps to “de-couple” foam insulation shedding from loss of crew and vehicle, including: 1) design improvements to prevent foam shedding; 2) toughening the TPS; 3) improved TPS inspection and repair capability. An inspection and repair capability is fundamental to improving the ability of the orbiter to experience TPS damage without catastrophic consequences. This effort does not reduce the urgency or importance of aggressively reducing all sources of potential damage to the orbiter. Only by reducing the likelihood of damage to the orbiter, as well as developing the ability to detect and repair damage, can the maximum safety improvement be realized.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
EADS, MBDA selected for UK Ground Based Air Defence programme
Britische Luftverteidigungssystem von MBDA/EADS
The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that the EADS/MBDA team has been selected as one of two teams awarded a contract to begin development of a new integrated air defence command and control system for the UK armed forces. Under the prime contract, worth approximately £38 million, the team comprising EADS Systems & Defence Electronics and MBDA will demonstrate a new Air Defence Command and Control System integrated with the MBDA Rapier Field Standard C air defence missile system and the Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) which are both currently in service with the UK armed forces. The ADC4I (Air Defence Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Intelligence) solution, Caracal, is based on EADS products already in service with the German Armed Forces offering a low risk military off-the-shelf solution for the UK. The Prime Contract, which will be finalised over the coming weeks, is for the Assessment Phase of the GBAD Phase 1 programme, under which the UK's air defence assets will be integrated with an advanced command and control system to protect UK forces against new airborne threats ranging from cruise missiles to UAVs. At the culmination of the two-year Assessment Phase EADS and MBDA will be required to submit a proposal for Demonstration and Manufacture. The total GBAD Phase 1 budget has been announced by the MOD as £1 billion. Under a second phase (Phase 2), the missile systems will be systematically updated or replaced. In January 2003, Caracal proved its ability to rapidly track aerial targets under a successful demonstration to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
After an intense maintenance check carried out by Aeronavali, an Alenia Aeronautica/Finmeccanica Company, with parts supplied by FedEx Express, the world's only flying eye hospital – the ORBIS DC-10-10 – returns to the skies and its mission of saving sight worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 180 million people are blind, or have low vision and are at serious risk of becoming blind. Nine out of ten people who suffer from visual impairments live in the developing world.
+++
The remotely operated Helios Prototype aircraft was destroyed when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean, June 26. Helios, a proof-of-concept solar-electric flying wing, was designed to operate at extremely high altitudes for long duration. It crashed during a checkout flight from the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii. No property damage, other than the prototype, or injuries occurred as a result of the mishap. The remotely piloted aircraft came down in the ocean, within the confines of the PMRF test range, west of the facility. The cause of the mishap is under investigation. The solar-electric, propeller-driven aircraft had been flying under the guidance of ground-based mission controllers for AeroVironment, Inc., of Monrovia, Calif., the plane's builder and operator. The lightweight flying wing had taken off from PMRF at about 5:00 a.m. EDT on a functional checkout flight. Helios had been aloft for about 29 minutes. The mishap occurred during a shakedown mission in preparation for a long-endurance flight planned for next month.
+++
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced that it successfully launched the company-built OrbView-3 high-resolution imaging satellite into its targeted orbit aboard the company's Pegasus rocket. The OrbView-3 satellite was accurately delivered into an initial "parking" orbit and, over the next several weeks, Orbital engineers will command the satellite to use its onboard propulsion system to reach its final circular operational orbit of 470 kilometers above the Earth, inclined at 97 degrees to the equator. Orbital designed, developed, built and tested the 304-kilogram OrbView-3 satellite for Orbital Imaging Corporation (ORBIMAGE) at the company's Dulles, Virginia satellite manufacturing facility. The powered flight sequence for the OrbView-3 mission took about 10 minutes, from the time the Pegasus rocket was released from its L-1011 carrier aircraft at approximately 2:55 p.m. (EDT) to the time that the satellite was deployed into orbit. Preliminary information indicates that the OrbView-3 satellite is working as planned in the early stages of its mission.
+++
The 300th AH-64D Apache Longbow, the world's most advanced, most capable multi-role combat helicopter, was delivered to the Army on May 22 at the Boeing Mesa, Ariz., facility where the Apache is built."Like all the Apache Longbow's that have preceded it, number 300 is a testimony to our great ongoing partnership with the U.S. Army's Apache Project office," said Al Winn, Apache Programs vice president. "We are continuously looking at ways to address our customer's evolving needs, while meeting delivery schedules and keeping the Apache a world leader."The U.S. Army has designated the Apache Longbow as a key member of its Objective Force for the future. The latest helicopters, including number 300, are in what is known as the "Block II" configuration, meaning these aircraft contain a number of enhancements which are key to improving situational awareness and move the program ahead toward Apache's role in the digital Army of the future.
+++
Recently, the prototype of the maritime patrol P-3B aircraft of the Spanish Air Force, included in the operation upgrade program, performed its first flight. The roll-out of the aircraft was on May 8, and a series of required and programmed ground tests were initiated to comply with all the necessary requirements to perform the first flight. First, run-in and tune-up of the engines and general systems were performed, followed by testing of the new mission tactical system and associated sensors. Electromagnetic interference (EMI/EMC) and compatibility tests were also performed, with satisfactory results. Aircraft modification certification ground tests were completed.
+++
Boeing has announced that in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, it has recently completed the Integrated Baseline Review, a significant Global Positioning System (GPS) control segment milestone. “The control segment is vital to the continuous operation of the GPS constellation,” said Mike Rizzo, director of Navigation Systems for Boeing Air Force Systems. “The Integrated Baseline Review milestone confirms that Boeing is leading a robust, stable and executable program.”
+++
The Copernio Corporation, a developer of aerospace-specific software systems announced today that it has launched the COSX Version 2.0. The new modular software suite provides OEM, commercial airlines and military organizations an integrated solution for Maintenance Management, In-Service Data Management and Configuration Tracking that will contribute directly to an organizations' bottom line. To be able to meet individual customer requirements, COSX is a modular system that allows customers the ability to build a system with functionality expressly tailored to their needs. As always the COSX Fleet Management System can be easily integrated with Copernio's Inventory and Procurement tools. Through the unique features offered by COSX 2.0, organizations are able to manage information in real-time from disparate locations:
+++
The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft expects to experience a blackout in the transmission of its scientific data during the week of 22 June 2003. This is estimated to last for about two and a half to three weeks. Engineers are predicting this problem after detecting a malfunction in the pointing mechanism of the satellite's high-gain antenna (HGA), which is used to transmit the large amounts of data from SOHO's scientific observations to Earth. The SOHO spacecraft is operating as safely as before the problem occurred. Its low gain antenna, which does not need to be pointed in a specific direction (omni-directional), will be used to control the spacecraft and monitor both spacecraft and instrument health and safety. The anomaly in pointing the high-gain antenna was recently discovered when engineers detected a discrepancy between the commanded and measured antenna position. In normal conditions, the antenna must be able to move along two axes, vertical and horizontal. The horizontal movement was no longer taking place properly. The problem is probably due to a malfunction in the motor or gear assembly that steers the antenna.
+++
The Satellite Management Unit (SMU) contains the electronics for steering and controlling a satellite while it is in orbit around the earth. This crucial hardware component was successfully tested last week by Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG for the SAR-Lupe satellite engineering model. Carlo Gavazzi Space in Milan, Italy, a member of the Fuchs Group, was responsible for assembling the unit and received great praise for its successful work as well as its ability to deliver on time in spite of a relatively tight schedule. The SMU ensures satellite communications, calculates the satellite's position and is thus ultimately responsible for generating high-resolution radar images. Following the delivery of the engineering model batteries by Diehl Eagle Pitcher, the gyro by Kearfott and the reaction wheel by Teldix for measuring and controlling the satellite's position, this marks a further key hardware shipment adding further contours to the engineering model of the first satellite.
+++
In the presence of Minister of Defense Dr. Peter Struck and his Polish colleague, Jerzy Andrzej Szmajdzinski, the undersecretary of state of the Federal Ministry of Defense, Dr. Peter Eickenboom, and the head of the Armaments Department, Ministerialdirektor Dr. Joerg, senior representatives of the Polish Ministry of Defense will sign two contracts for the advancement of military cooperation on June 24. Under the second contract, Poland will also receive 23 MiG-29 combat aircraft belonging to the German air force. This will allow Poland to fulfill its short-term requirement for NATO-compatible air-defense weapon systems. The first Mig-29 will be handed over starting in September 2003, along with the appropriate equipment, so as to allow the gradual integration of the Polish air force into the NATO integrated air defense network.
+++
Payload Systems, Inc., a Cambridge-based provider of specialized science and engineering services for spaceflight and research programs across the globe, this week delivered the first installment of parts for the much-anticipated SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites) testbed to NASA. The delivery marks the culmination of five years of research, design and development and will be followed by a subsequent delivery of additional hardware and software in the fall of 2003. SPHERES is projected to be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) by the space shuttle in 2004.
+++
One of the core strengths of the Austrian Airlines Group lies in the above-average quality of its safety and service. For decades, Austrian hospitality, friendliness, reliability, high safety standards and attentive, personal service have been product features prized by passengers from around the world. Passengers consistently place the Austrian Airlines Group at the top of the relevant airline rankings, confirming the company's superior levels of quality. To fulfil such high expectations, the Group needs to carry out training update sessions for its employees on a regular basis. Two brand-new mock-ups of aircraft interiors have now been constructed to provide the very latest safety and service training facilities for the entire Group. These have been being officially opened on 24 June 2003 at the Technical Base of the Austrian Airlines Group. All future safety training sessions will be held in what is referred to as the CEET or Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer. The mock-up of an Airbus A320 – which is 14 metres in length and weighs around 40 tons – uses an hydraulic motion system and a specially-designed sound system. It can be elevated to a height of 1.2 metres and has a motion speed of 0.5 metres per second. These specifications enable trainers to create realistic simulations of a wide range of situations including loss of cabin pressure, turbulence, a build-up of fire and smoke and behaviour during emergency landings, and to provide employees with essential training in what to do under such conditions. Special facilities such as an own fire trainer and door trainer also enable specific training sessions to target one-off situations.
+++
Following the December 2002 signing of the six-nation Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) contract, MBDA has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) to the satisfaction of the customer. As a result, MBDA is already cutting metal for a full-scale model in readiness for a missile/aircraft fit trial as well as a sub-scale model for aerodynamic wind tunnel trials scheduled for this autumn. Another important milestone will take place in the latter half of 2004 with the test firing of the missile's ramjet propulsion system whilst in the wind tunnel simulated flight environment. Significantly, the PDR has confirmed a new, wingless aerodynamic configuration for the missile. Following extensive pre-contract wind tunnel testing, and drawing on a wealth of expertise in guidance and control technologies developed by the company on systems like ASRAAM (the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile in service with the UK's Royal Air Force), MBDA has concluded that the selected wingless airframe configuration is the optimum solution to fulfil the required performance characteristics.
+++
Rockwell Collins has been selected as the Standard Supplier of communications and navigation equipment for new Airbus A380 aircraft. "This selection reinforces our position as a strategic supplier to Airbus," said Kelly Ortberg, vice president and general manager, Air Transport Systems for Rockwell Collins Commercial Systems. "Rockwell Collins has a heritage of providing industry-leading communication and navigation systems and we are proud to continue that tradition on the A380." The Rockwell Collins list of equipment for the A380 includes the VHF-920 data radio, HF-900 data radio and Multi-Mode Receiver (MMR). Also included is the VOR-900 omnidirection range/marker beacon receiver, DME-900 distance measuring equipment and ADF-900 automatic direction finder.
+++
Lockheed Martin and the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) rolled out the first Portuguese F-16 aircraft to undergo a Mid-Life Update (MLU) during ceremonies in Lisbon, marking the start of the PoAF's fighter fleet modernization program. The ceremony took place at the OGMA facility (Industria Aeronautica de Portugal S.A.), where extensive work on the F-16s is being conducted. This was the first aircraft of 20 F-16s (16 single-seat A models and four two-seat B models) to be retrofitted. The aircraft originally were transferred from U.S. Air Force inventory in 1999 before being placed into work at OGMA.
+++
Integral Systems Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary of Integral Systems, Inc., announced that Milan, Italy-based Carlo Gavazzi Space, has awarded Integral a contract to provide the satellite ground system for the SAR-Lupe constellation of five low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. The SAR-Lupe satellites and ground system will be built and operated by OHB-Systems (OHB) of Bremen, Germany. The SAR-Lupe system components provided by Integral under this contract include the primary and backup satellite control system, key elements of the satellite Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) used to support the integration and to test the satellites and a dual S-band/X-band ground station to be installed in Germany. The backup system, located at the German Space Agency's DLR/GSOC facility, will also be used during the LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) for each satellite.
+++
Dean Borgman, president of Sikorsky Aircraft since 1998, was appointed chairman of the company. Named to succeed him as president is Stephen Finger, who currently serves as president of Pratt & Whitney's Military Engines business. Both appointments begin July 1. Borgman, 62, will focus on developing new business opportunities and expanding and strengthening relationships with customers worldwide. Under his leadership, Sikorsky has introduced several major new products including the newly certified S-92 helicopter and the MH-60S and MH-60R naval SEAHAWK derivatives, while continuing to develop the stealth COMANCHE reconnaissance helicopter and beginning a major remanufacturing program for U.S. Army BLACK HAWK helicopters.
+++
Lockheed Martin announced the formation of a fifth business area that will leverage its existing and emerging capabilities to address customers' growing need for highly integrated systems and solutions. “As our customers continue to seek new ways to integrate many disparate systems,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO Vance Coffman, “they recognize the need for a worldwide interconnected set of information capabilities for gathering, processing, storing and delivering on-demand information and, as a result, are moving toward a more 'network-centric'—as opposed to 'platform-centric'—concept of operations. Further, they are looking for ways to synthesize data from all of these systems to get a clearer picture of what's going on in any given situation—on the battlefield or otherwise—so they can make faster, more informed decisions. Specifically, they want speed, agility, flexibility and simultaneity of action,” Coffman added.
+++
Serco announced that it has been awarded the prestigious RAF Cranwell Multi-Activity Contract (MAC) and Multi-Engine Pilot Training Interim Solution. The contract will also feature the introduction of a new aircraft, the King Air B200, to the Royal Air Force for pilot training. This UK Ministry of Defence contract is valued at approximately £60 million over five years, with options for three one year contract extensions. This innovative contract by Serco will provide a range of flight training and support services to RAF Cranwell. The flight training aspects include some 5,500 flying hours per year on the King Air B200 aircraft and 3,000 simulator hours per year. The MAC services include Management and Administration, Aircraft Maintenance and Mechanical Support Facilities, A/C Avionic and Electrical Support Facilities, Media Services, Communications Information Systems, MT Operations and Maintenance, Supply Support, Fire and Crash Rescue Services, Aptitude Testing Team and Aircraft Leasing. The King Air B200 will be leased by Serco from Raytheon Aircraft Company.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Summaries of previous UPDATES are still available:
June 22, 2003
June 15, 2003
June 8, 2003
June 1, 2003
May 25, 2003
May 18, 2003
May 11, 2003
May 5, 2003
April 27, 2003
April 20, 2003
April 13, 2003
April 6, 2003
January - March 2003
January - December 2002
January - December 2001
January to December 2000
January to December 1999
January to December 1998
January to December 1997
September to December 1996
|
