FLUG REVUE update: Week ending September 14, 2003

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UPDATE
Week ending 14 September 2003

+++ Spain orders Tiger +++ Frankfurt airport expansion proceedings start +++ AECMA: initiatives needed to return to growth +++ NASA plans Shuttle return to flight +++ Bmi buys Airbus A319s +++ Teal Group predicts 6500 airliner sales +++ News in brief +++

Spain orders Tiger
Tiger-Kampfhubschrauber für Spanien

Eurocopter welcomes the decision of the Spanish Government to select the Tiger helicopter. The decision not only marks a new step in the building of a European defense industry, but it also allows Spain to become the third fully-fledged member of the Tiger program, along with France and Germany. The version selected - HAD for Support Suppressor Helicopter - will also equip the French Army Air Corps (ALAT). After this announcement, Eurocopter Group President Fabrice Brégier noted, "coming after the success in Australia with the ARH version, Spain's choice confirms the Tiger as the multi-purpose combat helicopter in the post cold war period that is best suited to the new geostrategic situation". He added: "I am particularly pleased to note the excellent cooperation that has existed between the national authorities and companies involved, and that has allowed this formative project for Eurocopter and for the European defense industry to conclude successfully."
The new military and geostrategic environment in the world has slowly but surely demonstrated the need for a multi-role machine that can be quickly reconfigured for the mission required at a given time. The HAD is the ultimate answer as it combines the capabilities of outstanding air-to-air combat (30 mm turret-mounted gun and Mistral air-to-air missiles), combat and fire support (rocket pods), and tank suppression (Trigat missiles). Derived from the HAP Combat Support version, the HAD has 14% more engine power and is equipped with an anti-tank system featuring the new generation Trigat developed for the German UHT Tiger with "fire-and-forget" missiles. The new HAD Tiger will be developed in close cooperation by EADS CASA, Eurocopter and Eurocopter Espana, the upgraded engine by the Spanish engine manufacturer ITP and European consortium MTR, and the countermeasures system by INDRA.
One consequence of the Spanish decision is to focus the Spanish aeronautical and defense sector on the Tiger program and to reinforce new sectors such as small gas turbines, defense electronics and helicopter manufacturing. Spanish industry will in this way become a major partner in the Tiger program. Eurocopter Espana will be a partner in Eurocopter Tiger GmbH - the prime contractor for the Tiger program - and will therefore be closely associated with the Tiger's development. Eurocopter Espana will be the sole source manufacturer of the rear fuselages for the Tigers produced by the entire program, including the export machines. This will make it possible to create a bona fide helicopter design, production and support capability in Spain. A final assembly line will also be set up in the country.

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Frankfurt airport expansion proceedings start
Ausbauantrag für FRA

Fraport AG has submitted its paperwork for the planning hearings concerning the expansion of Germanies largest airport. Main point is the construction of a new runway (landings only) to the northwest of the current airport area, on the other side of the east-west motorway. Also, a third passenger terminal to the south, using the then vacated USAF base, is planned. Dr. Wilhelm Bender, managing director of Fraport AG, called the submission “a milestone for the airport, which is in the process of laying the foundation for its future”. The project, which is priced at 3,3 billion Euros, will be beneficial for the region and Germany as a whole, Bender said. Fraports role as a “job-machine” will be strengthened.
Depending on the outcome of the application hearings, which will meet stiff opposition from neighbouring towns, the new runway should be finished by the end of 2006 and be in use by 2007. It will boost yearly movements from 500000 to 660000. The new terminal will only be finished in a decade, be about 2015. Fraport claims the new facilities will add another 100000 jobs. This includes “catalytic effects” for the region, not just for the airport.
To ease approval for the new runway, Fraport has included a rstriction on night flying with the paperwork, which comprises 10000 pages and 750 plans and charts as well as 34 expert opinions.

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AECMA: initiatives needed to return to growth
Europas Luftfahrtindustrie zieht Jahresbilanz

AECMA, the European Association of Aerospace Industries, published the latest industry figures today during its Annual Press Conference. They show that in 2002 the industry suffered the first contraction since 1995: Turnover has dropped by 9% to Euro 75 billion; employment was reduced by 6% to 407,000 employees; operating profit was 4.6%; exports were at 53% of turnover; the order book had Euro 317 billion (representing about 4 years of business). Civil sales remained the dominating sector with more than 68% of turnover. The events of September 11, 2001 and the economic downturn, with their impact on the airline business and subsequently on the manufacturing industry, had a considerable effect on the 2002 figures. However, the combined export performance of the civil aviation, defence and space industry in Europe was again outstanding in 2002 with 53% of “Overall”, Dr Bengt Halse said, “the Operating Profit Margin was around 5%, which gives reason for confidence in the performance of our industry.”
He raised concerns for the defence business: “Basically the aerospace industry stands on two legs – civil and defence – and it requires both to be successful in order to be competitive. But in Europe this balance is the defence side. In the US the share is closer to 50/50. Europe must increase its defence capabilities. Only in this way it can become a real partner to the US, in business as well as in politics. Therefore we must work towards a truly European security and defence market to make expenditure more effective.”
Positive signs have been set by two specific security and defence initiatives: the first is the proposal for a European Armaments, Research and Defence Agency, which has emerged through the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe. It should deal with the planning and harmonisation of defence capabilities and strategic research. In the second initiative the European Commission is preparing to launch a much needed Security Research Program at European level, with pilot projects planned to begin in 2004. Dr Halse said: “Our industry is strongly promoting and supporting both initiatives. Amongst other things, they would enable public money to be spent more efficiently by eliminating duplication.”
R&D investment in 2002 was again high, at 13.9% of turnover. Over the past years, the aerospace industry has continuously increased its R&D investment, while the public sector has reduced its contribution. “This is of great concern for us”, said Dr Halse. “It's no secret that the US government invests almost 3 times the European institutions contribution to aerospace R&D. If we want to compete with them on a level playing field, equivalent institutional investment must be available in Europe on similar terms. The R&D investment which we make today is the foundation for our industry in 15 and 20 years time.” In this context the current work of ACARE, the Advisory Council for Aerospace Research in Europe, promises to be a significant improvement to the co-ordination of research activities in the civil sector.
Another field in which action is urgently required is air traffic management. Air traffic is likely to double in 10 to 15 years' time. Therefore a new system must be developed soon: a complete re-organisation of the European airspace, new procedures, and modern equipment. The proposal by Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio for a Single European Sky was adopted in December 2002. In a next step a Master Plan needs to be established with industry participation. Another major step forward was the formal approval of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by the EU Parliament and the Council. Dr Halse said: “EASA is essential for our industry and for the efficiency of the aircraft certification system in Europe.” The Agency is due to be up and running by the end of September.

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NASA plans Shuttle return to flight
Pläne für Neustart der Shuttle-Flüge

Officials at NASA say they want to resume space shuttle flights early next year. The NASA announcement comes just two weeks after a high-level investigation criticized NASA's management culture for contributing to the February 1 disaster when the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart while returning to earth, killing all seven astronauts on board. NASA's return to flight plan says the space agency will try to launch the space shuttle Atlantis on a mission to the International Space Station between March 11 and April 6, 2004. NASA officials say the dates are for planning purposes only and their plans are safety driven and not schedule driven. The document issued by NASA comes two weeks after the Columbia Accident Inquiry Board released its findings on what caused the Shuttle Columbia to break apart while re-entering earth's atmosphere. In response to the Board's findings, NASA engineers say they will stop using most foam insulation and install heaters to prevent ice formation around the shuttle's tanks. All launches will also take place during daylight hours to improve safety monitoring and cameras will be mounted both on the shuttle and on the International Space Station so that any damage to the shuttle can be detected before it returns to Earth. NASA officials say however they are still evaluating many of the safety recommendations made by the Board and have made no final decision on several, including how to harden the shuttle's thermal protection system.

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Bmi buys Airbus A319s
A319 für britische Fluggesellschaft

bmi, the UK's second largest full service scheduled airline, has today announced that it is to accelerate the transition to a short haul single aircraft fleet type by taking delivery of four Airbus Industrie A319 aircraft with options for five additional aircraft. The first three aircraft are scheduled for delivery within the next six months and will be available for the 2004 summer schedules commencing March 28 2004. The fourth aircraft is to be delivered early in 2005. The aircraft will initially be introduced on bmi services from London Heathrow to Brussels and subsequently on a range of bmi domestic and European routes from Heathrow. The aircraft will be configured with a maximum of 132 seats in a flexible business/economy cabin. The opportunity to bring forward the single fleet strategy has occurred due to the advantageous availability of these aircraft in the world market and a 25 per cent increase in passengers carried by bmi during the first eight months of its current financial year. The aircraft will be leased from ILFC. By Spring 2005 the bmi airbus fleet will consist of three Airbus A330, ten Airbus A321, 11 Airbus A320 and four Airbus A319. bmi's fleet of 13 Boeing 737s has already been transferred to bmibaby, the low cost arm of bmi.

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Teal Group predicts 6500 airliner sales
Maktprognose der Teal Group

Some 6,473 commercial jet transports valued at $420.6 billion are expected to be built throughout the world in the 2003-2012 ten year period, predict Teal Group analysts in their annual commercial jet transport forecast released at the Aerospace Congress and Exhibition (ACE) taking place this week at the Palais de Congres. This includes 4,503 narrow-bodied jet transports worth $171.8 billion, and 1,970 wide-bodied airplanes worth $248.8 billion (all in 2003 dollars). By comparison, over the last ten years, some 6,351 commercial jet transports worth $396 billion (again in 2003 dollars) were delivered. The new Teal forecast covers all Airbus and Boeing jets, which account for all of the world jet transports equipped with over 100 passenger seats except for Embraer's 195. It also excludes the former Soviet jetliners, which together hold well under 1% of the market. Thus, the analysis provides a picture of almost all of the world market for civil jetliners larger than 100 seats.
Teal analysts predict that 561 commercial jet transports will be produced this year. However, the “trough” year of this down cycle will be 2004 and 2005, which will see 447 and 452 deliveries, respectively. A recovery will begin in the second half of 2006, with a new peak of 846 airplanes reached in 2009, and declining again to 733 transports in 2012, the last year in the new Teal forecast. While Airbus's claims of market share victory are slightly premature, the consortium's share will continue to grow, averaging 45.9% through the latest Teal forecast period. Airbus's backlog, as of mid 2003, is now considerably larger than Boeing's with a 65% share by value. Boeing's ability to catch up depends on the 7E7.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On 9 September, a Lockheed Martin-built Titan IV B rocket lifted off at 12:29 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time carrying a classified payload for the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NRO is the U.S. government agency responsible for reconnaissance satellites. The launch was from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Fla. The launch marked a significant milestone for the Titan program with the final flight of the Centaur upper stage to be used with Titan IV. This was the 36th Titan IV launch overall. Eleven Titan IVs have been launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and 25 from CCAFS. Titan IV, the nation's largest and most powerful expendable launch vehicle, is built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Denver, Colo. The Titan IV B is capable of boosting payloads weighing 38,800 pounds into low-Earth polar orbit, 47,800 pounds into low-Earth equatorial orbit, or more than 12,700 pounds into geosynchronous orbit.
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New Piper President and CEO Chuck Suma announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the company with the Type Certificate for the Piper 6XT. The TC was issued just seven months after project launch. “Our team's experience and the excellent working relationship we have with the FAA allowed us to obtain this certificate in such short time,” Suma told the 200 dealers and key staff from around the world. “We are pleased to bring this aircraft to market in a remarkably short period of time. Coupled with the six months it took us to bring the 6X through certification and to market, we are achieving world-class timing on moving aircraft from concept to customer.” The Piper 6XT is a turbocharged fixed-gear version of the popular six-place Saratoga II aircraft. The Piper 6X – which was certified in July of this year – is its normally aspirated equivalent. Both aircraft represent excellent value and top-notch performance at an extremely competitive price.
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The signature of a framework agreement between the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA) draws nearer, the European Parliament's industry, external trade, research and energy committee has adopted a report calling on the EU to close the investment gap in space between Europe and the US. The own initiative report by Italian MEP Guido Bodrato welcomes the pending agreement between the EU and ESA, a text for which has now been proposed by the Commission. Mr. Bodrato refers to the accord as a major step towards cooperation, which should minimize duplication of effort. The report dwells on the growing gap between public spending on space in Europe and the US in both the civil and military spheres. Official US expenditure in 2001 was equivalent to more than 60 per cent of the world market in manufactured goods, compared with only 14 per cent in Europe. The committee is also concerned that the development of many strategic technologies solely in the US is leading to a dependence on these American technologies. The report therefore asks the Commission to work with industry to find ways of ensuring Europe's independence. MEPs also call on industry to develop specific services for the use of the Galileo satellite navigation program so that it shoulders its share of responsibility for making the project a success.
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Lockheed Martin UK, the Merlin Mk1 prime contractor, revealed early company-developed concept visualisations on how the Royal Navy's Merlin weapon system could potentially evolve in the future. Ron Christenson, Group Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Ltd Integrated Systems said: “The Merlin is an incredibly versatile system that could be given many additional roles in the future. Potentially its capabilities are wide-ranging and the concepts here go beyond what is planned for the Merlin Capability Sustainment Plus Programme, but they give a taste of the possibilities that might be looked at during the aircraft's life.
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On 8 September 2003, at Krakow-Balice airport the Secretary of State, First Deputy of Minister of National Defence Janusz Zemke, handed over the first two Spanish-made CASA C-295 aircraft to 13 Squadron of transport aviation. During the ceremony, static presentation of the aircraft took place as well as a flight in which the guests and journalists participated. Deputy Minister Janusz Zemke said among other things that the new aircraft would be included into shuttle communication with Iraq in order to transport people and equipment. The C-295 aircraft is a developmental version of CN-235, of which over 230 are used by the military aviations of 23 countries.
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India is to buy six Mi-17 helicopters from Russia. These military helicopters will be serving with border-control units in Jammu and Kashmir, the regional IANS (Indo-Asian News Service) news agency reported here today, quoting an Indian Defence Ministry spokesman. The first chopper batch will be received by September 16; and the rest are to arrive early next year, the spokesman noted. The Indian army will get these Russian helicopters in line with specific Defence Ministry plans for overhauling the national air-force fleet. $2.71 billion have been allocated for this purpose.
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China's Hafei Aviation Industry Co.,Ltd. signed an agreement with Bell Helicopter Textron Canada to manufacture multipurpose Bell 430 helicopters. Based in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Hafei will be the only provider of airframes for Bell-430 helicopters, according to the agreement. Hafei will make the whole sets of airframes, tails and wings for the helicopters. Borith Hakim, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada global procurement chief, said at Wednesday's signing ceremony that the reason his company chose Hafei as its cooperative partner was that they were confident in its technologies and product quality.
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On 9 September, Rolls-Royce announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing covering co-operation on further studies for a new member of the Trent engine family to power the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner. The Memorandum of Understanding - the first to be signed by an engine manufacturer - provides a framework agreement for Boeing and Rolls-Royce to continue evaluation of aircraft and engine data covering performance, noise and emissions characteristics, operating economics and market studies. The timetable will continue to support Boeing's schedule for a 2008 entry into service. Charles Cuddington, Managing Director – Airlines, Rolls-Royce, said: “This agreement marks a step forward in our joint efforts with Boeing which continue to demonstrate a high degree of co-operation and mutual commitment to programme goals.
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Boeing confirmed that Shanghai Airlines, the first Chinese local airline, based in Shanghai has placed an order for five Boeing 757-200s valued at approximately $410 million at list prices. The first three airplanes are scheduled for delivery in first half of 2004, followed by two more in spring 2005. "We have found through our years of experience with the Boeing 757 that this airplane fits our market well, while providing great cost-efficiency and reliability," said Zhou Chi, chairman of the board and CEO of Shanghai Airlines. "Expansion of our 757 fleet will meet Shanghai Airlines' future growth requirements very effectively."
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On 5 September, Eurofighter GmbH announced the formal delivery of the first Series Production Aircraft (SPA) to the Spanish Air Force. Following Four Nation Type Acceptance of the Eurofighter Typhoon on 30 June, 2003, the partner Air Forces in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom have been working with industry partners to provide individual national clearances that will allow the aircraft to begin their service life. Spain is the second partner country to formally accept delivery of Eurofighter for service use. Initially, the aircraft, designated Eurofighter Typhoon ST001, will be used for Service Pilot Instructor Training based at Getafe, in Central Spain. Later, the aircraft will be delivered to the Spanish Air Force Base of Moron in Southern Spain. Based on a four nation Government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 1998 that covers a production run of 620, Spain will receive 87 Eurofighter Typhoons that will begin to replace existing Mirage F-1C aircraft.
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IAR Brasov is to supply to the Ministry of National Defence, by the end of the year, six Puma helicopters within the SOCAT (Anti-Tank Optronic Search and Combat System) programme, which join the two already supplied starting the year, Ion Dumitrescu, the company's commercial manager, said. "In the first quarter, we finalized an order from Cote d'Ivoire, for supplying another four Puma helicopters. All these supplies brought about the increase of production volume, which positively influenced upon the company's results," stated Dumitrescu. The value of the order for the four Puma helicopters supplied to governmental authorities from the Cote d'Ivoire increased to 12m dollars.
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On 10 September, celebrations took place between Airbus and Alenia Aeronautica/Finmeccanica to mark the official start of deliveries of major parts for the A380. The Italian aerospace company is in charge of the design and production of six major components for the central fuselage of the A380, which is the world's first true long range double-decker entering airline service in 2006. The official ceremony took place at the Alenia Aeronautica site in Nola, in the province of Naples, its center of production for the new program. It is also the point of departure for deliveries of components ready for assembly. The event was attended by representatives from the central and regional Italian Government, as well as top management from Airbus and Alenia. The six components, which make up the center section of the A380 fuselage (the upper, two lateral, the floor structure and the rear), are 7 meters wide, 23 meters long, almost 9 meters high and weigh about 10 tons. Five out of six of those components were on display at the event. They will be delivered - together with a floor structure which will reach Naples harbor - to Airbus during the second half of September, joining one part that was previously delivered on 14 August 2003, and thereby completing the supply for the first A380.
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Raytheon Company announced the successful ground system integration and delivery of the ECLIPSE command and control software to Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) for integration into Hughes Network System's SPACEWAY satellite network. Hughes Network Systems is procuring three Boeing 702 satellites from BSS with the first SPACEWAY satellite scheduled to launch in 2004 over North America. The SPACEWAY broadband satellite network will provide full-mesh connectivity for efficient delivery of high-bandwidth services. Raytheon provided the system integration and test of the SPACEWAY satellite ground control system at control center sites in Texas, Colorado, and California. The ground control system consists of Boeing-provided control centers, support facilities and satellite operational procedures; Raytheon's command and control software, hardware and baseband equipment.
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The union representing technical and professional workers at The Boeing Company said continued efforts to stall and kill the 767 tanker program by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) threatens American jobs. “There is a lot of smoke and mirrors around the tankers, but the bottom line is this program is about American jobs and the American economy,” said Charles Bofferding, executive director of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, AFL-CIO. “Senator McCain says he is saving taxpayers' money when, in reality, he is costing American workers their jobs -- and he knows it.” The Air Force seeks congressional approval for 100 converted 767s to use as refueling tankers. The tankers will replace aging KC-135 tankers, some of which are more than 35 years old. The program could save tens of thousands of aerospace jobs at Boeing and its U.S. suppliers. Structured as a lease, the program will cost $21 billion.
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A newly dedicated work space at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth will play a major role in ensuring that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter meets the needs of United States and allied naval air forces. The F-35 Basing and Ship Suitability Integration Center, or BASSIC, features scale models of U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carriers and aircraft, as well as real ship-board hardware such as tie-down chains, cables, tow-bars and helmets. The center also has multi-media equipment to supplement ongoing education programs such as “Design for Air- Ship Integration”, a course that teaches engineers about the unique design requirements of ship-based aircraft, and the issues posed by a maritime environment. “This facility will help us make sure that we're designing a carrier suitable airplane the way it needs to be done,” said Tom Burbage, a former naval aviator and test pilot who serves as executive vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF program. “It is a symbol of our commitment to making whatever investments are necessary to support our Navy customers.”
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International Launch Services (ILS) of the United States will launch the Amazonas satellite for HISPASAT of Spain on a Proton/Breeze M vehicle next year under a contract announced This is the third launch pairing for HISPASAT and ILS, who saw the successful flights of HISPASAT 1C in 2000 and HISPASAT 1D in 2002 on Atlas IIAS vehicles from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Amazonas launch, planned for mid-2004, is scheduled to be the first Proton mission for HISPASAT. The heavy-lift Proton vehicle, with the proven Breeze M upper stage, will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch will follow several launches from other international satellite operators. Amazonas will be the biggest of the HISPASAT fleet that will cover Brazil and the rest of America, Europe and Northern Africa with transatlantic and Pan-American capacity. Amazonas will therefore be the first satellite conceived and designed for Latin America with coverage and power appropriate for the specific needs of satellite communication in the region. With this satellite, HISPASAT has plans to offer a wide range of services including the traditional satellite telecommunication services as well as content broadcasting, Internet access and broadband services.
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Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, a business unit of the Lockheed Martin Corporation has been awarded a contract to build an A2100 geosynchronous satellite for EchoStar Communications Corp. The satellite, designated EchoStar X, will provide distribution of direct-to-home broadcast services across the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii following its scheduled launch in third quarter, 2005. Financial terms were not disclosed. The EchoStar contract marks the fourth new commercial satellite order received by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems during 2003.
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Simula Inc announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to act as the prime contractor and system integrator for the Clothing and Individual Equipment (CIE) portion of the next-generation Air Warrior Ensemble. The award was made by the Army's Air Warrior Program Office at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The award is a five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The initial delivery order is valued at $750,000 and is scheduled to be completed by May 2004. The maximum value of delivery orders that can be placed over the life of the contract is in excess of $25 million. The Army indicated that it intends to procure the Air Warrior Ensemble through 2013. The Air Warrior Ensemble is designed to be worn by U.S. Army helicopter aircrews to improve mission performance in the areas of aircraft interface, comfort, safety, and survivability. As system integrator for the CIE portion of the ensemble, Simula will have responsibility for the integrated safety and survivability gear worn on the body including the flexible body armor, survival gear carrier, overwater equipment carrier, and flotation collar assembly. Simula's subcontractors, Aerial Machine and Tool, Armor Holdings, Inc., and Hamilton Sundstrand, will produce various elements of the system.
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Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. company, successfully completed, in early August, manufacture and integration testing of the Xenon Propellant Management System (PMS) and Digital Control Interface Unit (DCIU) simulator for Phase 1 of the NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) ion engine development program. Once manufacture of the PMS and DCIU simulator was completed at Aerojet's Redmond, Wash. facility, the hardware was delivered to NASA's Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, where integration tests were successfully performed with an engineering model 40-cm ion thruster and a Breadboard power processing unit. The NEXT program is a two-phase effort to develop a next generation high power six-kilowatt ion thruster system for NASA space science missions. Aerojet is a major subcontractor for both the xenon thrusters and feed system.
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International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) has selected engines from the GE - P&W Engine Alliance for up to 14 new Airbus A380 aircraft. The agreement, covering four firm and ten option A380s, is valued at $200 million for the firm aircraft and a total of $800 million if all options are exercised. This is the first firm engine order ILFC has placed for its A380 fleet. The Engine Alliance will provide both the 70,000-pound thrust GP7270 for passenger versions and the 77,000-pound thrust GP7277 for freighters. The aircraft and engines will be delivered between 2007 and 2012.
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International Launch Services (ILS) announced a contract with Binariang Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. to launch the MEASAT-3 satellite in 2005. Financial details were not disclosed. The mission will use the Russian-built Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage to place the satellite at 91.5 degrees East longitude to serve Malaysia, Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Australia. ILS, the world's leading launch provider, is a U.S.-Russian joint venture that markets and manages the commercial launch missions for the Proton vehicle, built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, as well as for the American Atlas rocket, built by Lockheed Martin Corp.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation has signed a contract worth $160 million with Boeing to deliver four Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar systems for Turkey's “Peace Eagle” 737 airborne early warning and control program. The Turkish government selected the Boeing-led team in 2001. Contract negotiations were completed in late 2002, and the Peace Eagle program officially started in July 2003. Delivery of the four MESA systems is scheduled to begin in August 2005 and conclude in June 2007. Boeing is slated to deliver the first fully integrated aircraft to Turkey in July 2007, with the fourth delivery scheduled for June 2008. Designed under contract to Boeing for the launch customer, the Australian Defence Force's Project Wedgetail, the multiband MESA radar is integrated into a modified 737-700 aircraft. Mounted on the top aft section of the fuselage, the antenna enables a 360-degree azimuth scan with no mechanical rotation. It provides multiple surveillance applications, using pulse Doppler radar forms for aerial search and pulse forms for maritime surface search, as well as an integrated identification friend-or-foe capability that uses the same aperture.
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Leading UK companies, British Airways, Marshall Aerospace and Smiths Aerospace have joined TTSC-The Tanker Team as strategic partners in its bid to win the UK Ministry of Defence's GBP13 billion Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract to provide the Royal Air Force with an aerial refueling and air transport service under a 27 year Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The new partners strengthen The Tanker Team's offer of the lowest risk and best value solution for Britain and add to an already powerful shareholder team of BAE Systems, Boeing, Serco (35.1% each) and Spectrum Capital. Over 85% of revenues from The Tanker Team's bid will remain in the UK and thousands of jobs will be created and sustained in UK companies throughout the life of the contract. UK companies stand to win in excess of GBP1.0 billion in export orders through The Tanker Team's bid.
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SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company and Arianespace are pleased to announce that ASTRA 1KR, the 14th satellite in the ASTRA series, has been contracted for launch onboard an Ariane 5 booster in the third quarter of 2005. Financial terms of the launch contract were not disclosed. ASTRA 1KR is being built by Lockheed Martin on the reliable A2100 platform and will feature 32 active Ku band transponders in the FSS band, with a TWTA output power of 140 watts and a pan-European footprint. With an expected launch weight of approximately 4200 kilograms and a design life of 15 years, the spacecraft's primary mission, following the lost ASTRA 1K mission of November 2002, will be to replace ASTRA 1B and 1C at SES' prime Continental European position of 19.2(degrees) East. The launch of ASTRA 1KR will be the ninth satellite in the ASTRA series to launch on the Ariane booster from the European Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
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International Launch Services (ILS) and SES AMERICOM have set the launch of the AMC-15 satellite for the second half of 2004 on a Proton launch vehicle. The companies made the announcement today during the Euroconsult World Satellite Business Week conference. SES AMERICOM ordered an unspecified Proton launch from ILS earlier this year, and recently assigned it to a Proton/Breeze M launch for the AMC-15 satellite. The spacecraft is an A2100 model built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), with a Ku/Ka-band payload for distribution of video, Internet and broadband services across the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii. The target launch date is August 2004. ILS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. in the United States, which builds the Atlas rocket; and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Russia, which builds the Proton vehicle.
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Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation announced the successful first flight of its unique GoldenEye-100 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). During early morning hours, the barrel-shaped autonomous vehicle executed a smooth vertical take-off and transition to a stable hover well above the ground-hugging mist at the Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia. “This demonstration completes a key milestone in our development program,” according to Carl Schaefer, GoldenEye-100 Program Manager. “It confirms the robustness of flight control systems and other key technologies in this unique autonomous system.” Goldeneye features unconventional performance that enables it to take-off and land vertically, like a helicopter, then level off into horizontal flight by virtue of rotating wings. This provides users with access to a bird's-eye- view of hard to reach areas. Its engine, known as a ducted-fan, is a propeller shrouded within a cylindrical body -- a design that integrates advanced lightweight structures and innovative flight controls to achieve the remarkable performance. A key subsystem that contributed to flight success is the GuideStar flight control system developed by Aurora's sister company, Athena Technologies.
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Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (E&S) has established another partnership relationship with two prominent Russian technological entities by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Russian State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS) and Penza Simulation Design Bureau (PKBM). The agreement establishes a business relationship among the three organizations that will allow them to pursue opportunities for new and upgraded simulator systems in Russia as well as with users of Russian-built aircraft throughout the world. The State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS) is a research center for the Russian aviation industry. Established in 1946, the institute specializes in development and integration of sophisticated avionics and armament systems, as well as image acquisition and processing technologies, simulation software, and hardware. A recognized leader in Russian simulation for more than 40 years, PKBM is also well-known in the international simulation community, participating in working groups to establish standards for aircraft flight simulator qualification. The two companies have played integral roles in the majority of military and civil aircraft system integration and simulation programs for modern Russian aircraft, including the Il-96M, Su-27, and Mig-29.
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Pratt & Whitney's (P&W) F117-PW-100 engine recently achieved a major milestone of two million engine flight hours of operation in the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. Four F117 engines power the C-17, the strategic airlifter for the U.S. Air Force. The F117 is a military derivative of P&W's commercial PW2000 airline engine.
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is offering a new cargo connection to Dubai (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates. Because of growing cargo demand Emirates is deploying the Boeing 747-400F widebody freighter twice per week on the new Frankfurt-Dubai route. Until now, Emirates has used its passenger jets to carry airfreight between Frankfurt and Dubai. Fraport AG's Aviation Ground Services and Logistics (BVD) division has been contracted by Emirates to provide cargo handling at FRA. With more than 1.6 million metric tons of airfreight and airmail in 2002, Frankfurt Airport ranks number one in Europe and number eight worldwide (Source: Airports Council International rankings).
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The NAVAIR F/A-18 program is pleased to announce the successful test results of ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting FLIR (ATFLIR) pod, in its Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL). The fleet testers of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) gave the highest grade possible to the ATFLIR calling it “operationally effective and operationally suitable.” In addition, the report recommended the system's introduction into the fleet. “This is great news for the fleet,” said NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Manager Capt. “BD” Gaddis. “We got the best grade possible from OPEVAL – operationally effective and suitable. In all my years in the Navy, this is one of the best test reports I've ever seen. Its a testament to the value of teamwork which is shared by all members of the NAVAIR, Raytheon, and the Boeing ATFLIR team.”
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The Korean Ministry of Science and Technology said that it may sign a memorandum of understanding with Israel on bilateral cooperation in space and aeronautics. “The issue was brought up when Korea's Science Minister Park Ho-koon met with Uzi Manor, Israeli ambassador to Korea on Aug. 26,” said Lee Ok-gyu, an official from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. “However, Minister Park didn't say yes at the time, but there is a high possibility that the document will be signed at the fifth minister-level meeting slated for November in Seoul,” he added. The MOU, if signed up, would specifically focus on satellites, according to an official from the ministry.
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Skyship 600B Santos Dumont, an Office of Naval Research funded project, arrived at Brown Field in Otay Mesa, Calif. Aug. 29, beginning a three-month test/demonstration phase in Southern California. Measuring more than 190 feet in length, the Skyship 600B Santos Dumont will test and demonstrate the capabilities of the Littoral Airborne Sensor Hyperspectal (LASH) system, which captures light patterns and determines anomalies or abnormal patterns. Steve Huett, Naval Air Systems Command's director of airship programs, said the combination of the LASH system and an airship, or blimp, could potentially provide the Navy with a platform that can provide “persistent, long duration surveillance missions.”
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As part of the ongoing System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, Rolls-Royce has successfully completed crucial tests of the Rolls-Royce LiftFan clutch, lubrication system and shaft. Tests of the LiftFan's gearbox and fan component are also underway. These tests are part of a series of key risk mitigation activities, which Rolls-Royce, as a member of the F135 STOVL propulsion system team led by Pratt & Whitney (P&W), is undertaking in SDD. The testing was conducted at the Rolls-Royce facility in Indianapolis, IN, US. Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce JSF F135 STOVL program director said: “Our work now is all about developing very successful flight demonstration equipment into hardware that will stand up to service conditions. These key tests met or exceeded our expectations and give us confidence well ahead of the first F135 STOVL propulsion system test that we can achieve the unique technical requirements on schedule and to cost.”
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The ceremonial keel-laying of the Navy's newest Nimitz-class carrier, Pre-Commissioning Unit George H. W. Bush (PCU 77), was held Sept. 6 at Northrup Grumman Newport News shipyard. On-hand to authenticate the keel was former president and namesake George H. W. Bush. The 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier will be the most advanced carrier of the class, a transitional carrier to bridge the gap between today's Navy and the next generation of aircraft carriers – CVN 21. Improvements include a modernized island house that includes a new, more integrated radar tower, navigation and communication systems upgrades and installation of transparent armor windows. Also included will be a modernized aircraft launch and recovery system, and an integrated damage control data display system, which will improve the crew's crisis response capabilities.
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Air Berlin is expanding its services from Dusseldorf airport. From November 1, it will fly to London-Stansted three times a day, Zurich (two flights a day) and Vienna (2 times), as well as Mailand-Bergamo (once a day). Until now, it just flew to Barcelona. At the same time Air Berlin will stop flights from nearby Mönchengladbach. The problem is that ther only Bae 146s can be used, which have proven unprofitable compared to Boeing 737s to be used from Dusseldorf.
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NASA announced a major milestone in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the selection of a beryllium-based mirror technology for the telescope's 6.5-meter primary mirror. The JWST prime contractor, Northrop Grumman, Redondo Beach, Calif., recommended to NASA the mirror technology, supplied by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation, Boulder, Colo., be selected for the JWST primary mirror. Northrop Grumman made the recommendation following a detailed process that took advantage of insights from a panel of experts representing the contractor team, NASA and the science community. Two mirror technologies, beryllium and ultra low-expansion glass, were tested, and their implementation plans were thoroughly reviewed during a six-month evaluation. Technical performance, manufacturing schedule, facilities, staffing, and cost were factors taken into consideration.
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Raytheon,under a subcontract with Boeing successfully delivered the primary and back-up tracking, telemetry and command satellite ground system for SUPERBIRD-6, a Boeing 601 satellite. SUPERBIRD-6, also known as SUPERBIRD-A2, is the second Space Communications Corporation (SCC) spacecraft to be operated by Raytheon's ECLIPSE(R) software. The spacecraft is under construction at Boeing Satellite Systems. With the delivery of SUPERBIRD-6, Raytheon continues its long- standing relationships with both Boeing and SCC as their preferred ground system provider. Raytheon previously delivered ground systems for SCC's SUPERBIRD-C, SUPERBIRD-B2, and SUPERBIRD-D, also known as N-SAT-110. SUPERBIRD-6, which will replace the aging SUPERBIRD-A, will provide HDTV, VSAT, and business telecommunications services to the Asia-Pacific region. Raytheon upgraded and expanded the existing ground system that supports SUPERBIRD-C, SUPERBIRD-B2 and SUPERBIRD-D spacecraft, as well as SUPERBIRD-6.
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Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG will be building a transmission system for EADS Military Aircraft allowing complex data flows to be transmitted free of any errors from manned and unmanned aircraft to ground stations. OHB will be demonstrating the system, which entails a project volume of EUR 2.6 million, in in-flight experiments by July 2006. OHB has been amassing skills in this area since 1997. On the strength of the impressive performance of the disruption-free radio transmission system for imaging data collected by high-resolution cameras, the German Federal Ministry of Defense commissioned OHB with the BüLAND (broadband transmission of aerial reconnaissance data) project in May 2001. This system is intended for missions in which the transmitter has direct contact with the receiving antenna.
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On September 6, while performing work on the NOAA-N Prime spacecraft, being prepared to launch in 2008 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the satellite was dropped. Lockheed Martin, the contractor in charge of the construction and test of the satellite in Sunnyvale, Calif., NASA and NOAA formed teams to investigate the accident and assess impact. The 14-foot spacecraft was about three feet off the ground in an upright stance, when it slipped from a fixture, as it was being turned from a vertical to horizontal position.
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All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Boeing announced the signing of a letter of intent signaling the air carrier's plan to install the Connexion by Boeing mobile Internet service on its long-haul commercial aircraft. Commenting on the announcement during the World Airline Entertainment Association conference in Seattle, Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson applauded ANA for its commitment to passenger services that add value for airline passengers as well as for the airline's operations.
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Germanwings has added another route from its new Stuttgart base, flying to Berlin-Schönefeld two times a day from 26 October.
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Korean Air has announced it will take over Daewoo Industries' stake in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Korea's largest aerospace company -- paving the way for Korea's flagship airline to also be the country's only aircraft manufacturer. It also will position Korean Air as the only major international airline to have significant passenger/cargo operations and aerospace manufacturing capabilities. KAI was created in 1999 by spin-off and consolidation of three Korean business' aerospace divisions -- Daewoo, Samsung, and Hyundai -- in a government realignment program called the "Big Deal". Korean Air said it has signed a preliminary agreement with Daewoo General Machinery to take all the shares Daewoo has in KAI. The carrier also has tentative deals with the Hyundai and Samsung groups, the other two group shareholders in KAI. Hyundai Motor, Daewoo and Samsung Techwin each own about 28 percent of KAI while a group of creditors owns 15 percent. Korean Air estimates the deal will be in the range of $85 to $108m.
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Raytheon Aircraft employees, along with the representatives from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and the Hellenic Air Force of Greece celebrated the 200th delivery of the T -6A training aircraft last week. This is the aircraft in which all U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force pilots -- and a growing number of international pilots -- will learn to fly well into the 21st century. Accepting the aircraft for the Navy was Captain David Wooten and Captain Chaunce Mitchell. Raytheon Aircraft employee Bill Parker, a flight mechanic who's been with the T-6A program since its inception in 1991, handed over the keys. Also attending was Brig. Gen. Ted Bowlds, who heads the USAF Program Executive Office of Airlift, Trainers and Modeling and Simulation, and Maj. Panos Kalotychos of the Hellenic Air Force. The U.S. Navy received the 200th T-6A, its 21st. The U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of 108 T-6As, the Hellenic Air Force 45, and the NATO Flying Training in Canada program 26.
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