3
1
A
U
G
U
S
T
2
0
0
3
|
UPDATE
Week ending 31 August, 2003
+++ NASA grilled over Shuttle accident +++ Austrian Eurofighter buy approved +++ Sonic boom lowered by nose work +++ SIRTF satellite launched +++ Boeing wins Small Diameter Bomb competition +++ Ryanair switches from Strasbourg to Baden-Baden +++ Phoenix tested in windtunnel +++ Embraer 170 belly landing +++ News in brief +++
NASA grilled over Shuttle accident
Harsche Kritik an der NASA
On 26 August, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board presented its final report on the causes of the Feb. 1, 2003 Space Shuttle accident to the White House, Congress and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The CAIB report concludes that while NASA's present Space Shuttle is not inherently unsafe, a number of mechanical fixes are required to make the Shuttle safer in the short term. The report also concludes that NASA's management system is unsafe to manage the shuttle system beyond the short term and that the agency does not have a strong safety culture. The Board determined that physical and organizational causes played an equal role in the Columbia accident - that the NASA organizational culture had as much to do with the accident as the foam that struck the Orbiter on ascent. The report also notes other significant factors and observations that may help prevent the next accident.
The Board crafted the report to serve as a framework for a national debate about the future of human space flight, but suggests that it is in the nation's interest to replace the Shuttle as soon as possible as the primary means for transporting humans to and from Earth orbit. The Board makes 29 recommendations in the 248-page final report, including 15 return-to-flight recommendations that should be implemented before the Shuttle Program returns to flight. The report, which consists of 11 chapters grouped into three main sections, was the result of a seven-month-long investigation by the CAIB's 13 board members, more than 120 investigators, 400 NASA and contractor employees, and more than 25,000 searchers who recovered Columbia's debris.
The report says that, under severe budget constraints, NASA developed practices detrimental to safety. Agency funding dropped 40 percent during the 1990s as the Clinton administration sought to reduce the huge U.S. budget deficit. Panel member John Barry, an Air Force major general, says that in this fiscal atmosphere, NASA pitted safety against meeting shuttle flight schedules. “NASA had conflicting goals of cost, schedule, and safety,” observed General Barry. “And unfortunately, safety lost out in a lot of areas to the mandates of operational requirements.” The investigators say NASA relied heavily on the experiences of past successful missions as a substitute for sound engineering and testing. They found that the space agency threw up barriers to effective communication about critical safety information and stifled professional differences of opinion.
NASA has established a committee of outside experts to monitor its compliance. The chairman of the inquiry, retired admiral Harold Gehman, said his board calls for other longer-term organizational improvements to NASA that cannot be accomplished in the short-term. “Over a period of a year or two, the natural tendency of all bureaucracies, not just NASA, to migrate away from that diligent attitude is of great concern to the board because the history of NASA indicates that they have done it before,” he said, referring to criticism of the space agency after the shuttle Challenger exploded on liftoff in 1986.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Austrian Eurofighter buy approved
Eurofighter für Österreich: Notwendiges Gesetz in Kraft
The procurement contract for 18 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft destined as an airspace surveillance system for the Austrian armed forces has become effective, after the legislation accompanying the budget having been countersigned by the Federal President and published in the Federal Gazette. “We extend a warm welcome to the Austrian Air Force as a future user of the world's most advanced air defence system,” announced EADS CEOs Rainer Hertrich and Philippe Camus. “Austria is a prime export customer and with its decision to purchase Eurofighter has now cast a clear vote in favour of strengthening European security structures and extending European industrial cooperation. This is a strong boost both to Eurofighter's export potential and to EADS' defence business,” the EADS CEOs agreed.
Aloysius Rauen, President and CEO of EADS Military Aircraft, emphasized that although the contract negotiations with the Austrian partners had been tough with regard to military technology and economic issues, at all times they had been fair. “I am delighted that the Eurofighter consortium has been able to satisfy the requirements of the Austrian Air Force by offering the best product, while at the same time taking into account Austria's national economic interests in this unique industrial partnership agreement.”
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Sonic boom lowered by nose work
F-5E mit neuer Nase produziert leiseren Überschallknall
Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector, in cooperation with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and NASA, has demonstrated a method to reduce the bone-jarring impact of sonic booms, a technology that could usher in a new era of supersonic flight. In flights conducted Aug. 27 on the same supersonic test range where Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier nearly 56 years ago, the government/industry team showed that modifying an aircraft's shape can reduce the intensity of its sonic boom. This theory had never been demonstrated in actual flight. The technology, being developed as part of DARPA's Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program, could eventually lead to unrestricted supersonic flight over land.
The flights were conducted at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. An F-5E aircraft with a specially modified nose section flew supersonically through the test range, and sensors on the ground and in other aircraft measured the sonic boom overpressure. Shortly thereafter, an unmodified F-5E flew supersonically through the same airspace. The data comparison of the two aircraft signatures clearly showed a reduction in intensity of the sonic boom produced by the F-5E with a modified fuselage. An identical test later in the day confirmed these results. "The demonstration has proven the theory that you can reduce sonic boom intensity by changing aircraft shape, and engineers will be able to study the data to learn more about the effects of aircraft shaping on sonic overpressure," said Boccadoro. "Based on those studies, an experimental aircraft could eventually be built that will produce a noticeably quieter sonic boom." The Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) program is a $7 million cooperative agreement with Northrop Grumman, DARPA and NASA's Langley Research Center and Dryden Flight Research Center. Other government and industry entities are participating in the program.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
SIRTF satellite launched
Neues Weltraumteleskop im All
NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), built, integrated and tested at Lockheed Martin facilities in Sunnyvale, California, roared into space on 25 August at 1:35 am EDT from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SIRTF's Cryogenic Telescope Assembly, which includes the scientific instruments, was built by Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colo., and was delivered to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale in February 2002 and integrated with the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is also providing mission support for SIRTF spaceflight operations in conjunction with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology.
The spaceborne SIRTF observatory comprises a 0.85-meter diameter telescope and three scientific instruments capable of performing imaging and spectroscopy in the 3-180 micron wavelength regime. Incorporating the latest in large-format infrared detector array technology, SIRTF will provide more than a 100-fold increased in scientific capability over previous IR missions. Cornell University, University of Arizona, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have provided the instruments for SIRTF. An important feature of the SIRTF mission is the adoption of a solar orbit. To reach this orbit, the spacecraft was launched on a Delta 7920 launch vehicle with slightly greater than terrestrial escape velocity. The resulting orbit will have SIRTF trailing the Earth in its orbit around the Sun. This orbit makes better use of launch capability than would many possible alternate orbits that would have kept SIRTF in orbit around the Earth. It permits excellent, uninterrupted viewing of a large portion of the sky without the need for Earth-avoidance maneuvers. In addition, the absence of heat input from the Earth provides a stable thermal environment and allows the exterior of the telescope to reach a low temperature via radiative cooling.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Boeing wins Small Diameter Bomb competition
Neue Mini-Bombe für die USAF
Dr. Marvin Sambur, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, announced the selection of McDonnell Douglas (a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company), St. Louis, for the development, production and support of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) weapon system. Dr. Sambur's announcement concludes a 24-month downselect, during which McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Fla., conducted component advanced design activities and testing. The SDB weapon system consists of a 250-pound class munition, a carriage system, an accuracy enhancement system, associated mission planning and logistics support. The SDB, designed to be compatible with the majority of Air Force fighters and bombers, is capable of significant standoff ranges against fixed and stationary relocatable targets. SDB increases weapons loadout, allowing more kills per sortie than current inventory weapons and possesses an effective, day/night, adverse weather, stand-off capability.
McDonnell Douglas will receive a contract for the Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the SDB program. The SDD phase allows continued development and testing of a production representative system. No contract will be awarded at this time but the value of the SDD portion of the effort is estimated to be $188 million. The SDD contract will be awarded after the program has completed all actions required for initiation of the SDD phase and upon confirmation by the Defense Acquisition Board, currently scheduled for October. During the next 15 years the Air Force intends to procure 24,000 SDB weapons and 2,000 carriage systems at a total cost of approximately $2.5 billion.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Ryanair switches from Strasbourg to Baden-Baden
Neue Ryanair-Route ab Deutschland
Ryanair announced a new daily route between Baden Baden and London Stansted, with fares starting from EUR14.99 including taxes. The new route will commence on 25th Sept. and will replace the existing Strasbourg-London route, which will be terminated on 24th Sept as a direct result of the recent Strasbourg administrative court decision prompted by Air France. Ryanair now operates 25 low-fare routes from Germany to destinations throughout Europe, and now links seven German cities with London. Baden Baden is the latest addition to Ryanair's expanding European network, and with its close proximity to Stuttgart and Strasbourg in France, means that visitors to Germany and the Alsace region can travel from London at Ryanair's lowest fares.
Speaking in Baden Baden today, Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair said: "Baden Baden is set for a boom in tourism, as Ryanair will deliver 200,000 passengers on this new route this year. Baden Baden's foresight in providing low cost facilities means the airport will be serving the Wurttenburg region of Germany as well as Alsace in France.
Ryanair had not received confirmation from the Nancy Court of Appeal of the stay it had requested on the Strasbourg Court's order requiring the Strasbourg Chamber of Commerce to terminate its commercial agreement with Ryanair on 24 September next. Ryanair sincerely regrets that Air France's misguided Court action has resulted in the Alsace region losing the only daily low fare service on the Strasbourg route and up to 130,000 visitors a year to Baden Baden in Germany. Ryanair has confirmed to both Strasbourg Airport and the Chamber of Commerce that this suspension will be temporary. If and when we receive a stay on the judgement (or win the appeal), then Ryanair will make arrangements to recommence flights on the London-Strasbourg route. Ryanair expects in time to obtain a stay on the judgement and to overturn the original decision of the Strasbourg Court, and when we do so, the London service will be secured long into the future.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Phoenix tested in windtunnel
Raumgleiter im Windkanaltest
Autonomous access to space and drastic reduction of transportation costs are essential factors in safeguarding Europe's future and competitive-ness in space. Reusable transport systems are playing a decisive role in achieving this goal. With PHOENIX, a seven-metre long flight demonstrator, a scaled model of such a reusable transport system will be tested in the Deutsch-Niederländischer Windkanal (DNW -German-Dutch Wind Tunnel), in the Large Low-Speed Facility (LLF) near Marknesse in the Netherlands for the first time. The DNW-LLF and another nine wind tunnels of Deutsches Zen-trum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR - German Aerospace Centre) and the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory, NLR, are operated by the Foundation DNW. The flight demonstrator, which was developed and built by EADS SPACE Transportation, is intended as precursor to the fu-ture, reusable space transport vehicle HOPPER. The DLR is decisively involved in research and development activi-ties carried out in various sectors. These activities include, for instance, conception of the helicopter towing forma-tion, design, test support and analysis of the air data system as well as the development of a modern hardware-in-the-loop simulator, which allows ground testing of all onboard systems of Phoenix under real conditions. Furthermore, DLR will evaluate all sensor data acquired from flight testing and carry out system identification.
PHOENIX is a scaled flyable model with a length of almost seven metres. The LLF conduit, which is eight metres by six, is used for tests in preparation of the free flight of the fully equipped PHOENIX which is scheduled for early summer 2004. To this end, a helicopter will tow the demonstrator to an altitude of 2,400 metres and then release it. After a controlled gliding flight, PHOENIX will extend its landing gear and touch down automatically. The automatic touchdown test of the flight demonstrator, which does not have a propulsion system of its own, will take place in Vid-sel in Northern Sweden. With a span of 3.9 metres, wing and control surfaces of the PHOENIX flight demonstrator, an aluminium structure hav-ing a weight of about 1,000 kg, were kept as low as possible to minimise frictional drag and thus heat development during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. During the test flights, the fuselage of PHOENIX will serve for accommo-dating avionics, navigation, data transfer and energy supply systems.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Embraer 170 belly landing
Landeunfall mit Embraer 170
On 19 August Embraer announced that one of the test Embraer 170s made an unintentional gear-up landing at the test facility at Gavião Peixoto last Sunday, causing minor damage to the aircraft with no injuries. The incident, caused most probably by operational factors, will not affect the Embraer 170 certification program, scheduled for November. The aircraft, Embraer 170 S/N 0004, is expected to be repaired and reenter the flight test campaign in the coming weeks. Damage was limited to engine nacelles and to the lower aft fuselage. Repairs were initiated immediately and no changes in the Embraer 170 certification schedule are expected. The other six aircraft remain fully engaged in the development program. The Embraer 170 certification campaign moves on according to schedule, having already reached its final stages, with more than 90 percent of the tests successfully completed.
The Embraer 175 successfully performed its maiden flight on June 14th and certification is expected to take place in the 3rd Quarter 2004. The Embraer 190 certification program is scheduled to the 3rd Quarter 2005 followed by the Embraer 195 certification on the 3rd Quarter 2006.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Consistent with its commitment to the Airbus A320 Family of aircraft and a with a Letter of Intent previously announced by the airline, U.S. low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines has placed a firm order for 15 new A319s. The Denver-based carrier currently operates 19 A319s and took delivery of the first two of five purchased A318s in July this year. Deliveries of the newly ordered A319s will begin next year and continue through 2008. Airbus has granted Frontier type conversion rights to change some of the newly ordered aircraft to larger A320s, in keeping with the aircraft manufacturer's characteristic flexibility.
+++
Brazilian investigators have begun the process of recovering and identifying the remains of the 21 workers killed in a rocket explosion on 23 August. Authorities suspended the investigation late Friday because of intense heat at the accident site, in northeastern Maranhao state. Forensic investigators from the nearby city of Sao Luis Saturday said they will use DNA testing to identify some of the remains. The Brazilian Air Force has released the names of workers they believe were killed in the explosion, which also injured 20 people at the Alcantara Launch Center. Officials say they are investigating why one of the rocket's four engines ignited by mistake, three days before its scheduled launch. The incident triggered a blast that devastated the launch site as technicians were carrying out final tests, and sent a huge plume of smoke over the seaside launch center on Brazil's Atlantic coast. This was Brazil's third attempt to become the first Latin American nation to send its own rocket into space. All the attempts have failed. The unmanned vehicle was to have taken two satellites to collect weather data for research programs. Rockets launched in 1997 and 1999 were destroyed shortly after take-off because of technical problems
++++
The European Commission has authorised the acquisition of Avio (formerly FiatAvio) by the Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica and the US private investment group Carlyle. Carlyle will hold 70% of Avio's share capital and Finmeccanica will hold the remaining 30%. However, Finmeccanica and Carlyle will exercise joint control over Avio. The operation was notified to the Commission on 11 July 2003. Although Carlyle will hold a 70 % shareholding, the Shareholder's Agreement between Carlyle and Finmeccanica provides that Finmeccanica - although a minority shareholder will hold veto rights over major strategic decisions concerning Avio. Finmeccanica and Carlyle will thus exercise joint control over Avio. Avio, which prior to the operation was 100% controlled by Fiat (under the name FiatAvio), produces aero-engine components for commercial and military aircraft and helicopters systems used in power generation and for maritime propulsion and equipment for space propulsion. Avio also provides maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for both military and civil aircraft engines.
+++
On August 27, Cessna team members rolled-out the first Citation Sovereign assembled on the production line, serial number 0003. During a brief roll-out ceremony, team members were commended for their hard work and dedication. “You have done an outstanding job in producing a quality product, on time, and under budget. This is an exciting day for Cessna and Sovereign customers. With over 100 orders taken, the Sovereign is well on its way to becoming another distinguished member of the Citation family,” said Brad Thress, Cessna's Vice President of Quality. The Sovereign's 17-station, production assembly line is fully operational. Cessna will deliver its first Citation Sovereign early in 2004, once certification is completed in the fourth quarter of 2003. Certification testing continues to run smoothly and is on schedule. The three Citation Sovereigns in the certification flight test program have accumulated over 1600 hours.
+++
Thales announced that Chelton Ltd., a Cobham group company, has acquired 100% of the shares in Thales Antennas. This acquisition was completed at the end of July 2003 and is fully consistent with the Thales Group's strategic refocusing of its IT&S business area. Thales Antennas is a specialist manufacturer and supplier of tactical antennas and masts covering the full range of HF, VHF and UHF applications, and also produces a range of telescopic/sectional support masts and ancillaries. The acquisition follows a restructuring by Thales whereby the antenna operations will be concentrated at the Southampton site in the UK, which Chelton has now taken over.
+++
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has received British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) certification of its model 480B turbine. The CAA is the United Kingdom's equivalent to America's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “This makes the 480B an official aircraft of the British Register,” said Director of Engineering William E. Taylor. “British owners can now operate under all UK regulations, including commercial operations. For example, Enstrom's latest turbine model is officially available for flight training in the UK.” This completes the company's CAA certification of its entire product line.
+++
Something new is flying over Hohenfels these days – an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV. The first RQ-5A Hunter UAV took its maiden flight in Germany during a ceremony on the Hohenfels Army Airfield Aug. 15. Hohenfels' newest tenant unit and the unit responsible for the flight is A Company, 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (AE). The unit is standing up this month for USAREUR and V Corps. Their official flagging takes place Oct. 7. Commanded by Capt. Kevin L. Fittz, A Co.'s mission is to rapidly deploy to contingency areas of responsibility, conducting operations in support of the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade and V Corps throughout the full spectrum of military operations.
+++
Luxair, the national airline of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, recently ordered its third new Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 this year, adding to the two airplanes it ordered in February. All three 737-700s will be equipped with blended winglets. The 737-700s will replace older 737-400 and 737-500 airplanes Luxair uses on scheduled flights throughout Europe and chartered holiday flights to Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Madeira and North Africa sunshine destinations. "The flexibility of the 737-700 is one of the strongest selling points for us," said Christian Heinzmann, Luxair president and chief executive officer. "The 737-700 is efficient on our shorter scheduled service routes and our longer leisure routes. The 737-700 is the natural evolution of our fleet."
+++
Bombardier Aerospace announced that the all-new Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet has been awarded full type certification to European JAR Part 25 Change 15 by the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). The approval was issued on July 31 – less than two months after winning a record type certification from both the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada (TC). “Achieving JAA certification so soon after being awarded certification by the U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities, and without any additional limitations or restrictions, is simply another measure of the outstanding quality of this aircraft,” noted Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “With full TC, FAA and JAA certification, the Bombardier Challenger 300 is now truly an international product which can easily be put into service in any market.”
+++
Offshore helicopter transportation company Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI), has signed an agreement to purchase two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, Sikorsky's newest aircraft in the medium-lift helicopter market. The pair of S-92s should enter service in 2004 and support deepwater drilling and production activity in the Gulf of Mexico. Sales of the S-92 have now taken place in two of the world's leading oil producing regions, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, as well as in the North American corporate market, attesting to the aircraft's versatility and confidence in Sikorsky.
+++
Beech Starship NC-41 went home Sunday for its final flight. The aircraft, formerly based in Rockford, Ill., was flown to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, home of the Kansas Aviation Museum, where it will permanently reside as part of the museum's aircraft collection. A group of about 100 Kansas Aviation Museum officials and supporters greeted the Starship on its return. “This composite aircraft was a milestone in Kansas aviation that must be preserved and is a significant addition to the new Kansas Aviation Museum,” said Don Grant, vice president of the KAM board. “We are grateful for Raytheon Aircraft's support and very generous donation of the Beech Starship.” Raytheon Aircraft announced in June that it was decommissioning the 50-ship Starship fleet because support costs were prohibitive. The company will be donating a limited number of Starships to museums, airframe and powerplant schools, and research institutes.
+++
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct environmental assessments in support of National Airspace Redesign projects. These assessments will examine the potential environmental impacts resulting from proposed modifications to air traffic routings. The contract will be worth more than $6 million over five years to Northrop Grumman's Information Technology (IT) sector. "In addition to the environmental studies, Northrop Grumman IT will facilitate community involvement programs to assure that all interested parties have a voice in the environmental process," said Jim Perriello, president, Government Solutions, Northrop Grumman IT. "We have had much success with large-scale airspace environmental tasks for the FAA and look forward to providing the FAA Air Traffic Division with prompt, technically accurate studies."
+++
Fire fighters tackling the blazes that have ravaged Portugal are doing so with the aid of a satellite data-link. For the first time, ESA's satellite Artemis has been used to support an emergency request under the International Charter on “Space and Major Disasters”. Portugal's civil protection unit (SNPC) was able to receive information and groups of images that showed the scope of the fires. The data, transmitted from ESA's Earth observation satellite, Envisat, via the Artemis data-relay spacecraft in geostationary orbit, were received in near real-time at the ESA data processing centre, located at ESRIN near Rome. On 4 August ESA's Earthwatching service requested a full resolution MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) acquisition over the areas in Portugal affected by the fire. The Portuguese Civil Protection then requested emergency planning on 6 August, through the Charter. The first acquisition was made via Artemis on 7 August.
+++
The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team has successfully accomplished the Phase III Critical Design Review (CDR) of its F136 propulsion systems for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The JSF Joint Program Office (JPO) determined that the GE Rolls-Royce team met all the review objectives, clearing the way for the first full engine tests in July 2004. The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team comprises: GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Rolls-Royce plc in Bristol, UK and Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. In their respective reports, both the JPO and prime contractor Lockheed Martin acknowledged the F136 team's success.
+++
Northrop Grumman Corporation has taken a significant step toward giving U.S. military commanders a new, integrated approach for rapidly achieving information superiority on the battlefield through the seamless integration of multiple sensors and airborne strike systems. A team led by the company's Integrated Systems sector has submitted a proposal to develop the Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) subsystem for the U.S. Air Force's new E-10A Multisensor Command and Control Aircraft. The team includes four other Northrop Grumman operating sectors (Electronic Systems, Information Technology, Mission Systems and Space Technology), as well as Harris Corp., Melbourne, Fla.; General Dynamics Corp., Arlington, Va.; Cisco Systems, San Jose, Calif.; Oracle Corp., Redwood Shores, Calif.; Zel Technologies (ZelTech), Hampton Roads, Va.; Alphatech, Burlington, Mass.; L-3 Communications West, Salt Lake City, Utah; and L-3 Comcept, Rockwall, Texas.
+++
Honeywell announced that it has received Federal Aviation Administration manufacturing approval for its new Multi-Function Radar Display (MFRD). "The new MFRD is the perfect solution for aircraft needing a display upgrade to comply with FAA regulations or for operators wanting to simply improve the reliability and functionality of their displays," says Charles Sheets, director of marketing and sales for Honeywell Lighting & Electronics. The MFRD enables airlines and other aircraft operators to improve reliability by replacing an older cathode ray tube-based weather radar indicator with the new liquid crystal display unit. At the same time, the MFRD provides a single, multi-function display for other systems such as the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS), the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), and the airplane's flight management system (FMS) and moving-map navigation displays.
+++
Russian Regional Jet aircraft is going to make its maiden flight in the beginning of 2006. RRJ Project presented at MAKS-2003 is being created by JSC "Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft", a 100% affiliated to "Sukhoi" Design Bureau, in cooperation with the world commercial aviation leader Boeing and Russian aircraft manufacturers - AK "Ilyushin" and "Yakovlev" Design Bureau. Snecma Moteurs and "Saturn" are also participating with their engine SM146, selected to be installed on RRJ family aircraft. In September 2003 the electronic mockup development will be accomplished and all the aircraft properties will be defined. This November the preliminary design of the aircraft will be finalized and approved, finishing the preliminary design phase. Besides, this November will see the ergonomic flight deck mockup built up for subsequent preliminary evaluation of crew operation comfort. In August 15, 2003 the first bidding stage selecting the potential suppliers of the main RRJ aircraft systems resulted in the Short Lists of finalists. Among the Russian winners there are such companies as Aviapribor-Holding, Gydromash, "Salut", SPM-Aero, "Zvezda", Respirator, JSC "Electropribor", Voshod, Teploobmennik. Among Western winners are Rockwell Collins, Thales, Liebherr, Honeywell, Hamilton Sundstrand, Messier Dowty, Intertechnique, Pall, Parker, Air Cruiser, ECE (Zodiac) and others. "In June 2003 "Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft" along with its project partners - Boeing and Snecma - held RRJ Program presentations for the airlines. The following airlines attended the presentation: Air France, Delta, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Air Mexico, Regional, Aeroflot, Sibir. The great interest to the project demonstrated by the airlines is motivated by significant growth of passenger flows at regional routes. We decided to create the Airlines Advisory Board for joint discussions of the project details, defining the airlines' requirements to the aircraft configuration and properties, after sales support and operation economy" - said Andrey Ilyin, JSC "Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft" General Director.
+++
At a signing ceremony held in Pretoria today, Minister Lekota, Minister of Defence signed the agreement on behalf of the Department of Defence for the supply of four Super Lynx 300 maritime helicopters together with an initial product support package. Other signatories to the agreement on behalf of the Government of South Africa were Mr Sipho Thomo, CEO of Armscor and Dr Alistair Ruiters, Director General of the DTI. Mr Richard Case, Chairman of Westland Helicopters, signed on behalf of Westland Helicopters Ltd. This important contract represents another significant chapter in the Lynx 300 success story following previous orders from Malaysia, Oman and Thailand. Super Lynx 300 will be operated by the South African National Defence Force and will be utilised as a ship-borne helicopter operating from the new MEKO Class Corvettes. The South African Government announced in November 1998 their intention to select the Super Lynx 300 as their preferred solution following a thorough evaluation of the aircraft and its competitors.
+++
Airbus held a ceremony at its Nantes site in France to mark the completion of the first A380 center wing box section, before a large audience of invited guests, local dignitaries and teams from the site. The center wing box is the first large section to be produced and is often described as the keystone of the aircraft because of its central position at the junction of the wings and the fuselage. Gérard Blanc, Airbus executive vice president programs, paid tribute to teams involved in its design and manufacture, saying that the A380 was setting new standards of technological innovation. The part, which measures 7.8m and 7m by 4m, is manufactured using stress-resistant carbon composites, a first for commercial aircraft of more than 100 seats. This makes it lighter while improving its resistance to stress and corrosion. The wing box will be transported later this week by barge to the Airbus site at Saint Nazaire where it will be integrated into a larger component before delivery to the final assembly line in Toulouse in early 2004.
+++
On Aug. 20, the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced supersonic trainer successfully completed 20 months of static structural testing right on schedule. The tests were performed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in the modern test facility at Daejeon, South Korea. Structural engineers from Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], the principal subcontractor for the program, supported the tests. "We were very pleased with the results of the T-50 static tests for several reasons," said Jang, Sung Sub, KAI's T-50 chief engineer. "The tests validate our design and analysis methods as KAI builds its first high-performance jet aircraft. The tests indicate the aircraft will meet or exceed every structural design parameter. This should provide us a very safe and durable airframe that has good growth potential for extensive combat training use in the lead-in fighter trainer role. It also means we may not have a lot of redesign for a light-combat variant down the road."
+++
Raytheon Airline Aviation Services has delivered the first Japan-based 1900C aircraft. Orange Cargo Inc. is a start-up freight carrier with headquarters in Nagoya, Japan, serving the mainland of Japan and surrounding islands. The aircraft, serial number UC-151, is the first of four 1900 freighters included in the initial Orange Cargo order. The freighters are equipped with increased gross weight capability and an all-cargo interior including a vertical cargo net system.
+++
Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Griffon Corporation), announced a contract award from MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates LTD (MDA) of Richmond, BC, Canada. The total contract value is expected to exceed $60 million over the life of the program. The company will develop, manufacture and deliver its advanced APS-143B(V)3-MPA OceanEye Surveillance Radar for the Canadian Air Force's CP-140 Aurora Incremental Modernization Program. Telephonics joins Team MDA to provide an Imaging Radar System for the CP-140 Aurora multi-mission reconnaissance and antisubmarine aircraft fleet.
+++
Russian scientists have announced plans to build a nuclear power station on Mars before 2030. Technical drawings have apparently been completed, and the scientists will soon be ready to start work on constructing the power station, which is to be located in Mars' mountainous areas, possibly inside a canyon. The plans foresee the power station serving a permanent research camp on Mars, which they believe could be set up within the next 30 years. The only problem, as far as the Russians are concerned, is how to transport the building blocks necessary for the power station to the Red Planet. There is also, however, the issue of how to protect those building and running any power station or research base from radiation. US scientist Cary Zeitlin from the country's national space biomedical research institute spoke in March of how Mars is continuously bombarded by radiation from the galaxy at large as well as the Sun. Any astronauts orbiting Mars would be exposed to a radiation dose 2.5 times higher than that received in low Earth orbit aboard the international space station.
+++
U.S. Air Force aircraft landed at Ramenskoye Airfield just south of Moscow Aug. 18 to participate in the Moscow Aviation and Space Show, a first for the U.S. military.
Visitors will get a close-up look at five U.S. Air Force aircraft and see a daily F-15C Eagle aerial-demonstration flight along with MiG-29s and Su-27s piloted by Russian air force flight demonstration teams. The American aircraft on display include the B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle, KC-135 Stratotanker and C-130 Hercules. They are among the 200 aircraft participating from around the world.
+++
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has successfully completed the Initial Operational Assessment (IOA) of the T-50 supersonic advanced jet trainer well ahead of schedule. The first of 26 test flights began on July 28, and the last flight was completed on Aug. 14, more than two weeks ahead of the anticipated one-month schedule. The T-50 is being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with the assistance of Lockheed Martin. The T-50 IOA was the last of three key prerequisites for the Initial Production Authorization decision by the government of the Republic of Korea, expected this October. The other prerequisites were the first 105 flights of developmental flight testing and the initial Integrated Logistics Assessment, both of which had been successfully completed earlier this year. IOA is similar to Initial Operational Test and Evaluation flying performed in the United States and is used to perform an early evaluation of operational suitability to support an initial production decision.
+++
Vision Systems International, the worldwide leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display technology, announces the successful international first flights of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), on Danish F-16s as part of the MLU M3 Lead-the-Fleet program. The first flights were performed by four Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) test pilots and Operational Test and Evaluation pilots. The flawless JHMCS performance / accuracy, as well as its integration into the F-16, performed by Lockheed Martin, were praised by the RDAF test team. JHMCS was also flown during the MLU M3 Early Operational Assessment (EOA) at Leeuwarden Air Base, the Netherlands, in June 2003. The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Norway participated in this joint exercise to evaluate the advanced technology weapon systems added in the F-16 upgrade. Pilots from the participating air forces were fitted with JHMCS-helmets and flew with the system throughout the evaluation. During the three week EOA, all pilots who flew with JHMCS were extremely pleased with the performance, accuracy, and robustness.
+++
Vision Systems International, has been awarded a $84.65 million contract from Lockheed Martin Fort Worth for the development of VSI's advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) system for the F-35 JSF. This HMD contract covers the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase, and planning for low rate initial production (LRIP) and subsequent full-rate production phases.
+++
NASA has awarded a contract to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to provide science and operational support for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of the world's most powerful tools to better understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The contract will have a period of performance from August 31, 2003, through July 31, 2010, with an estimated value of $373 million. It is a follow-on contract to the existing contract with Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory that has provided science and operations support to the Observatory since its launch in July 1999. At launch the intended
mission life was five years. As a result of Chandra's success, NASA extended the mission from five to 10 years. The value of the original contract was $289 million. The follow-on contract with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will continue through the 10-year mission. The contract type is cost reimbursement with no fee.
+++
The US Air Force has created an office within the installations and logistics directorate to assess the future of its aging aircraft fleet. Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche created the Air Force Fleet Viability Board to provide senior leaders with an unbiased assessment of the service's aircraft inventory. Roche asked Lt. Gen. Michael E. Zettler, Air Force deputy chief of staff for installations and logistics, to come up with a process for Air Force aircraft, similar to the Navy's process for retiring ships, according to Col. Francis P. Crowley, the board's director. The board was Zettler's answer, according to officials. Board officials will coordinate the studies on particular airframes and make recommendations to service leaders about the future of those airframes within the Air Force. In the past, the Air Force had no official system for determining when aircraft should be retired from service. The board itself is not a decision-making body, Crowley said. In fact, the board's recommendations will not be presented as unbiased factual statements about an airframe.
+++
Connexion by Boeing has signed a contract with leading satellite operator Eutelsat for satellite transponder capacity for Connexion by Boeing's mobile broadband information services. The provision of transponder capacity covering key areas of Europe and Asia provides additional momentum for the full-scale introduction of high-speed connectivity for airlines and passengers seeking real-time access to email, company intranets, the World Wide Web and entertainment content in flight. Based on the agreement, Connexion by Boeing will lease capacity on Eutelsat's SESAT satellite, which is located at 36 degrees East and provides a footprint stretching from the eastern Atlantic Ocean across the European continent and as far east as Central Asia. Eutelsat previously provided Connexion by Boeing with satellite capacity over the North Atlantic and Europe during successful three-month service demonstrations with Lufthansa and British Airways. Financial terms were not disclosed.
+++
Singapore Airlines became the world's second largest Boeing 777 operator and largest non-U.S. 777 operator this week with the delivery of its 50th 777. The airplane, a 777-200ER, joins 41 other 777-200s and eight 777-300s in the Singapore Airlines' fleet. Singapore Airlines first ordered the 777 in 1995 when the airline placed a firm order for 28 of the world's largest twin jets. Singapore Airlines continued to add firm orders in subsequent years and has now ordered 59 Boeing 777s to date.
+++
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been awarded a contract with a potential value of up to $473 million. Gulfstream will supply and provide support for four Gulfstream G550 business jet aircraft, with an option for two additional G550 aircraft, to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The aircraft will be used as Compact Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) platforms. The program will take full advantage of the Gulfstream G550's exceptional capabilities, endurance, reliability and low operating cost. The contract includes a firm, fixed-price 10-year contractor logistics support (CLS) program valued at up to $18 million, with the follow-on 10-year option valued at up to $26 million. Following initial phase and partial final phase production, which includes interior and exterior modifications to the platform at Gulfstream's Savannah facility, the mission equipment installation and system integration will be done in Israel.
+++
U.S. officials transferred control of portions of Prince Sultan Air Base to Saudi officials at a ceremony Aug. 26. The ceremony also marked the inactivation of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing. “We came here under difficult circumstances following the Khobar Towers bombing (at Dhahran Air Base),” said Col. James Moschgat, the wing's commander. “The mission thrived and prospered here, and I believe our legacy will live on. We are leaving after seven years of friendship and cooperation. It's bittersweet, but it's time to go.” Saudi government officials asked U.S. servicemembers to deploy to Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War. The troops remained to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 688 -- the no-fly zone south of the 33rd parallel over Iraq -- until Operation Iraqi Freedom started March 19. The base here became the center of the U.S. presence in the country in 1997 after the Khobar Towers bombing that killed 19 airmen and injured 400 others.
+++
Due to delays in launch preparation, Eurockot Launch Services has decided to postpone the originally planned October 8th launch of the Japanese SERVIS-1 spacecraft from Eurockot facilities at Plesetsk Cosmodrome. A new launch date towards the end of October is planned, with an exact date to be announced later. The SERVIS-1 (Space Environment Reliability Verification Integrated System) satellite is being developed by the Institute for Unmanned Space Experiment Free Flyer (USEF) of Tokyo, Japan under a contract by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
+++
Lockheed Martin and San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) have teamed to jointly pursue the U.S. Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program. BAMS UAV is a $2 billion opportunity to provide the U.S. Navy with a persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability. The BAMS UAV program will expand the U.S. Navy's capability to conduct broad area maritime surveillance and complement the transition from the Navy's current P-3 system to the next generation Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA). Lockheed Martin's integrated avionics mission system expertise, along with unmanned aircraft such as GA-ASI's Predator B – Extended Range, provides a low-risk solution to meet the Navy's operational requirements for persistent ISR missions, passing real-time information to a variety of networked littoral and battle group assets within the maritime infrastructure.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Summaries of previous UPDATES are still available:
August 17, 2003
August 10, 2003
August 3, 2003
July 27, 2003
July 20, 2003
July 13, 2003
July 6, 2003
June 29, 2003
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
|
