FLUG REVUE update: Week ending February 15, 2004

1
5

F
E
B
R
U
A
R
Y

2
0
0
4

UPDATE
Week ending 15 February 2004

+++ easyJet announces new base at Dortmund +++ Learjet 40 enters service +++ Messier-Dowty gear for A400M +++ Embraer 190 rolled out +++ Hapag-Lloyd Express partners Volare +++ Air France/KLM gets EC approval +++ News in brief +++

easyJet announces new base at Dortmund
Dortmund erhält easeJet-Anbindung

easyJet announced that it is establishing Dortmund as its next European base. As part of the airline's expansion plans for Germany the airline will introduce eight routes, with three aircraft operating from Dortmund. easyJet confirmed six of the routes, and the remaining two will be announced shortly. Europe's leading low cost airline will operate twice-daily services to Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and London Luton Airport, and daily services to Nice, Palma (Majorca), Alicante, and Rome (Ciampino). One-way fares will start at EUR 19 including all taxes and charges.
Dortmund is the gateway to the vast and wealthy Rhine/Ruhr industrial catchment - representing a market with huge inbound and outbound potential: two million people visited the city of Essen alone last year. In total, some 11 million people live within 60 minute's drive-time of the airport - an area that also includes the major cities of Essen and Düsseldorf and is roughly the same population as London. GDP per head at EUR 25,000 is significantly ahead of the European average and more than one-fifth of all Germany's GDP comes from the area. Two new routes, from Berlin Schönefeld to Basel and Budapest were also announced. The twice-daily service to Basel will start on 20 May 2004, and the daily service to Budapest commences on 17 June 2004. One way fares for both routes start from EUR 25.99 (EUR 51.98 return including taxes and charges), representing a huge saving for customers compared to the high fares charged by the traditional airlines.
These new services increase the total number of easyJet routes to 145, from 43 major airports throughout Europe, including 13 bases. Ray Webster, said: "It was only a couple of months ago that we announced our intention to significantly enter the German market with a substantial base of operation at Berlin. Today's announcement further strengthens our position in Germany - particularly in the vast and wealthy industrial heartland of the Rhine/Ruhr valley with its massive catchment area. This is yet another step in the planned growth of easyJet and the fact that we can start eight new routes using three aircraft by opening up a single new airport underlines why we put so much emphasis on network density and the joining-the-dots element of our growth strategy."

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

Learjet 40 enters service
Cirrus erhält Learjet 40

Bombardier Aerospace has marked an important milestone in corporate aviation with the delivery of five completed Bombardier Learjet 40 light business jets to operators in North America and Europe. Two Bombardier Learjet 40 aircraft were delivered to U.S.-based traditional operators, two entered service with Bombardier's Flexjet fractional ownership program, and one aircraft was delivered to a traditional operator based in Germany. All five jets were delivered in January – the first of a new aircraft type purposely designed to continue Learjet's 40-year tradition of leadership in light corporate jets.
One Learjet 40 went to Cirrus Aviation, one of Germany's leading charter operators. The delivery - first ever in Europe - follows the recent delivery of the first three Learjet 40 aircraft into North America and comes just over 18 months after the aircraft was officially launched at the Farnborough Airshow (UK). On-hand to commemorate this European first were Peter Otto, Sales Director, Europe, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Gerd Brandecker, Managing Director, Cirrus Aviation, and Judith Moreton, Managing Director, Bombardier Flexjet Europe.

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

Messier-Dowty gear for A400M
A400M erhält Fahrwerk von Messier-Dowty

Messier-Dowty announced that it has been selected by EADS to provide the integrated landing gear system for the A400M program. The company is leading a team of specialist partners that include leading hydraulic systems specialist and fellow member company of the Snecma Group, Messier-Bugatti, as well as other European partners. Building on extensive landing gear experience for existing programs, including systems integration capability on business, regional and military aircraft, Messier-Dowty will be responsible for managing the design, development, manufacturing, integration and support of the A400M landing gear system, which encompasses the dressed nose and main landing gears, the extension and retraction system, kneeling and raising system and steering system.
New design features were developed by Messier-Dowty and its partners to meet the specific requirements of the A400M aircraft. To meet the requirement of soft-field landing capability for unprepared runways, each of the main landing gears consists of three independent twin-wheel assemblies housed in the aircraft¹s aerodynamic fuselage sponsons. This twelve-wheel configuration contains the "high flotation" characteristics necessary for landings on unprepared terrain. Another feature includes kneeling and raising capability to support requirements for loading large military and civilian vehicles. To meet this requirement the main landing gear shock absorbers have been designed to ensure a minimum distance between the ground and aircraft structure whatever the loading conditions, thus preserving the integrity of the aircraft structure. Design activities will take place in Messier-Dowty¹s engineering team in Gloucester (UK) and Vélizy (France), including assignment of Messier-Dowty engineers to EADS CASA in Madrid to provide support to the customer. Production for the A400M will take place at both Messier-Dowty's Bidos (France) and Gloucester (UK) manufacturing facilities.

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

Embraer 190 rolled out
Neuer Regionaljet vorgestellt

Embraer opened the gates of its main Brazilian manufacturing facility in Sao Jose dos Campos to roll out the Embraer 190, the largest commercial airplane ever manufactured in Brazil. The rollout ceremony was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Sao Paulo State Governor Geraldo Alckmin, cabinet ministers, customers, partners and suppliers, Brazilian and international news media as well as Embraer employees. The Embraer 190 seats 100 passengers at a generous four-abreast 32-inch pitch cabin -- or up to 108 in a higher density configuration at 31-inch pitch. Embraer's newest airliner has already attracted 100 firm orders from launch customer JetBlue Airways, and another 10 firm orders from an undisclosed customer, in addition to 150 options. Furthermore, late last year Embraer and Air Canada signed a commercial proposal for 45 Embraer 190 jets with options on an additional 45.
The Embraer 190 is being prepared for its maiden flight, expected to take place in the coming weeks following the rollout ceremony. The first aircraft, S/N 0001, will be joined by three additional aircraft for the flight test and certification campaign, which shall be complete in the third quarter of 2005, immediately followed by the first deliveries to JetBlue Airways. “We are confident that the Embraer 190 will fit well with our strategy to expand into markets still lacking high-quality, low-fare airline service in the United States,” said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. “When taking delivery of the first Embraer 190, we will be in an excellent position to continue providing top quality airline service without compromising our low-cost philosophy.”

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

Hapag-Lloyd Express partners Volare
HLX/Volare arbeiten zusammen

Hapag- Lloyd Express and Volare decide to give birth to a commercial partnership, the first one of this kind between two low-cost airlines. Volareweb.com is the first Italian low-cost, brand of Volare Airlines. Volare Group is the financial holding owner of both Volare Airlines and AirEurope. With more than 3.5 millionpassengers carried in its 10 months of activity and an average of 15,000 daily bookings, Volareweb.com has introduced in Italy a new way of travelling. The fleet of 17 Airbus A320 of Volareweb.com serves about 25 destinations in Italy and Europe, with more than 130 daily flights.
Hapag Lloyd Express and Volareweb.com will cooperate, joining their resources and know-how to improve their efficiency and increase their presence on both companies country of origin. Reciprocity on the on-line sale system through integration of the flights of the other partner in the own website; therefore chosen Hapag Lloyd Express flights will be available for booking and purchasing on Volareweb.com website and vice versa, increasing the offer of flights and destinations. Line-up of both companies' presence and sales activities in Germany and Italy, so that each airline will take advantage of the in-depth knowledge of the partner in their own country. Share of know-how and search of synergies in the IT/distribution field, airport and ticket offices, commercial partners for other revenues and any other field where synergies for cost reduction and/or revenue increase can be defined and mutually agreed upon

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

Air France/KLM gets EC approval
EU genehmigt Air France/KLM

Air France and KLM expressed their satisfaction following the European Commission's clearance oftheir projected merger. This decision, which endorses the choice of alliance made by the two airlines, clearly reflects the complementary nature of their networks. Air France Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Cyril Spinetta and KLM President and Chief Executive Officer, Leo van Wijk, both declared: “The European Commission's decision defines a clear legal framework for us to set up Europe's leading air transport group. By giving its clearance, the Commission has shown its commitment to the consolidation of our industry, whose current, highly fragmented organization is no longer adapted to the challenges of today's world.” The remedies package, which has been agreed with the Commission, mainly consists in improved access to take-off and landing slots for new entrants, and is designed in such a way that these will not affect Air France's nor KLM's hub system. Both companies will make the required slots available at their main hubs, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airports, only when a new entrant is unable to obtain these slots via regular procedures. Neither party has been required to give up any routes or frequencies. Furthermore, both airlines have agreed to the traditional remedies sought by the Commission, which are not slot-related, such as frequent flyer programme access, interline agreements, etc.
The new Air France - KLM Group will leverage the brands, hubs and networks of both airlines. It will generate substantial synergies thanks to the optimization of the two networks, a more rational deployment of passenger and cargo operations, an extended offering in MRO activities, as well as cost savings in procurement, sales distribution and IT systems. Customers will also benefit from synergies through an extended network, attractive fares and enhanced services at all the Group's destinations.

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

NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Poland's Ministry of National Defense (MND) has selected Goodrich Corporation's DB-110 airborne reconnaissance system for use on F-16 fighters. The contract, when negotiated through Foreign Military Sales with the U.S. Air Force, is expected to generate significant revenue for Goodrich by 2008. Poland is acquiring 48 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52 advanced multi-role fighters under the Peace Sky Foreign Military Sale program. Goodrich's DB-110 digital, real-time, tactical reconnaissance system allows pilots to capture images day or night using electro-optical sensor technology. Images can then be transmitted to analysts on the ground in real time.
+++
Boeing has selected Honeywell, headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., to provide the navigation package and health management/crew information systems for the all-new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner. Final negotiations are expected to be completed within the next few weeks. "The creation of an all-new airplane is a monumental task and we are pleased to have Honeywell join our team," said 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair. "Their expertise will help us make the 7E7 a great product for the airlines of the world." The navigation package includes the flight management function, which manages navigation and aircraft performance and includes an inertial reference system that determines aircraft location, the air data system that measures speed and altitude, and a multi-mode receiver that houses global and air-navigation sensors. The health management/crew information system monitors the performance of the airplane's systems and communicates findings to the crew and ground-based personnel.
+++
Snecma Moteurs has successfully carried out the first tests (bird ingestion) of a new fan blade technology, using a woven composite and assembled via the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. These tests were carried out at Villaroche plant (near Paris) on a GE90 engine type fan blade, which equips the Boeing 777. They are designed to support the development of advanced technologies, which will eventually provide Snecma Moteurs with a critical competitive edge in commercial engine fans, one of its areas of excellence. “Snecma Moteurs is very pleased with the success of these initial tests of blades made from a woven composite,” said Pierre Thouraud, Vice President, Engineering at Snecma Moteurs. “It marks a new step forward in the development and validation of new technologies for fan blades.” The success of these tests also reflected excellent synergies within the Snecma group, between engine-maker Snecma Moteurs, the fabric/weaving experts at Snecma Propulsion Solide, and the composite experts at Hurel-Hispano.
+++
In 2003, Thales group revenues totalled Euro 10,588m1, showing a decline of 4.7% compared to 2002 (Euro11,105m). On a like-for-like basis, the organic variation in 2003 sales is +0.1%2. In Q4 2003, the organic increase in consolidated sales is + 6.5% versus Q4 2002 (excluding billing of the Sawari 2 hulls). This represents a very significant increase compared to the first 9 months of 2003 (-3 %). Although exchange rate fluctuations had an important effect throughout all of 2003, their impact was less visible in Q4 2003. For the full year 2003, the impact of exchange rate fluctuations cut Euro 378m off the revenues of international sales after their conversion into euros. This mainly concerned subsidiaries based in the UK and North-America. Exchange fluctuations had an impact on sales of Euro 144m in 2002 and Euro 218m in H1 2003. The change in the scope of consolidation represented a fall in sales of Euro 146m. This covers mainly the divestments of Thales Microsonics and Thales Contact Solutions in October 2002, Thales Antennas in July 2003, and Thales Geosolutions in November 2003 which was deconsolidated in Q4 2003. On a like for like basis, Defence sales remained virtually stable in 2003. Sales from communication activities and especially from optronic systems displayed significant increases, mainly in France and in Asia. These increases compensated the slight decreases witnessed in other activities where several major export programmes, in particular Sawari 2 and Mirage 2000, have now entered advanced phases. In addition, new contracts awarded to Thales in the last few months have for the time being only had a limited impact on sales. Excluding the Sawari 2 hull bookings, the organic increase in defence sales was 1%.
+++
NASA and its International Partners have assigned new crews to fly to the International Space Station this year. As Expedition 9, NASA astronaut Edward Michael "Mike" Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka will be the next crew to live aboard the complex. NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao and Russian cosmonaut Salizhan S. Sharipov will serve as Expedition 10. Fincke and Padalka are set for launch April 18 on a six-month mission. Padalka will serve as Expedition 9 commander and Soyuz commander, and Fincke will be the NASA Space Station science officer and flight engineer. They have been training together as a Space Station crew since March 2002. Chiao and Sharipov will serve as backup for Expedition 9 and as the prime crew for Expedition 10. They're scheduled to launch to the Space Station in October. Chiao will serve as the expedition commander and NASA science officer, and Sharipov will serve as Soyuz commander and flight engineer. Astronaut William S. McArthur Jr. and cosmonaut Valery I. Tokarev will serve as the Expedition 10 backup crew.
+++
Bombardier Aerospace announced that the Government of Italy has purchased and taken delivery of three Bombardier 415 amphibious aircraft. With this order, the Italian Department of Civil Protection is increasing its fleet to 16 aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to enter service for the 2004 fire season. The contract with Italy also contains an option to install a Search & Rescue system kit to convert one aircraft to the new Bombardier 415MP multi-purpose version, which is expected to be certified later this month.
+++
In a new analysis, The Market for Engine Retrofit & Modernization, 2004–2013, Forecast International is projecting opportunities worth nearly $3.3 billion over the next 10 years, with just under 80 percent of this amount headed toward military projects. The once-booming commercial market was driven by the need to comply with Stage/Chapter 3 noise and emissions guidelines but that deadline has come and gone. Further, large numbers of hushkit candidate narrowbody models were subjects of accelerated retirement due to the decline in traffic following the events of September 11, 2001. Forecast International's Senior Aviation Analyst Bill Dane notes that “some modest hushkitting of 707 and DC-8 models will continue and a small number of 707s are expected to be re-engined, but all these upgrades will be completed by about 2007.” More stringent Stage 4 guidelines will take effect in 2006, but the U.S. FAA has said that the OEMs will be able to comply with the new standards using currently available noise reduction technology and that retrofitting will not be necessary. A new Stage 4-compliant hushkit has been developed by Jet Engineering and Goodrich for the 300 or so MD-80s operating in Europe, and Forecast International expects some of these operators to install the kits as a rational alternative to paying noise penalty fees enacted at the local level. Jet Engineering has reported interest from a number of European carriers and from aircraft leasing firm GECAS.
+++
Bombardier Aerospace announced today that SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah has placed a firm order for 10 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 and two 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets for its expanding United Express operation. The contract value is estimated at $293 million U.S. ($389.8 million Cdn) and represents the conversion of 10 conditional CRJ200 orders and the exercise of two CRJ700 options. SkyWest's firm orders for the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ100/200 now total 110 aircraft, of which 100 have been delivered. With today's announcement, SkyWest has placed firm orders for 32 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets, of which one has been delivered. The carrier retains options on 39 CRJ200 and 80 CRJ700 aircraft.
+++
The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth $61.8 million for a second low-rate initial production run of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G aircraft. The LRIP2 contract calls for production of 12 of the AESA APG-79 radar systems, including radars, radomes and shields. Production of the LRIP2 radar is scheduled to begin March 2004, with delivery of the first LRIP2 radar-equipped aircraft scheduled for December 2005. The radars will be installed in selected two-seat “F” model Super Hornets. The radar system currently is undergoing evaluation testing at Naval Air Systems Command, China Lake, Calif.
+++
During testing of GE's new CT7-8C turboshaft engine, the engine exceeded its planned rating, demonstrating over 3100 shaft horsepower (shp) under sea level, static conditions while meeting all prescribed test parameters. Initial power turbine performance testing is now complete. Maturation testing is scheduled to begin later this year, leading to full certification of the CT7-8C model by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The CT7-8C, while fitting in the same space, produces 20 percent more power than the CT7-8, and twice as much power as the original T700 in this popular family of turboshaft engines. To achieve the power increase, the CT7-8C incorporates a new, advanced three-stage power turbine, compared to the two-stage power turbine of the CT7-8. In addition, the materials in the high-pressure turbine have been upgraded, and the CT7-8C retains the advanced, fully redundant, dual-channel FADEC (full authority digital electronic control) system certified in 2000 for the CT7-8. The components and materials required to upgrade the CT7-8 to the CT7-8C will also be available in kit form.
+++
Northrop Grumman Corporation has assembled a best-of-industry team to develop the Space Based Radar (SBR) system. SBR is a transformational program designed to bring global, persistent surveillance to military and intelligence community users. The system will be an integral component of the nation's future integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) network. "Northrop Grumman will lead an extraordinary coalition of companies thathave come together to apply the nation's best capabilities to develop SBR," said Wes Bush, president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "We are delighted to be working with The Boeing Company, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and BAE Systems to bring the best system solution to our customer."
+++
Goodrich Corporation has been awarded a contract from NASA - Langley to supply an integral, high-temperature composite flaperon control surface to be tested on a reusable launch vehicle. Dubbed the X-37, the Boeing-designed test vehicle is intended to be the first to operate in both the orbital and reentry phases of space flight. The contract is expected to generate $1.4 million in revenue for Goodrich over the next 2 years. Goodrich's Santa Fe Springs, California-based carbon plant will be manufacturing the test vehicle's flaperon, which helps steer the vehicle. The flaperon will be made of Goodrich's proprietary high-temperature composites. Traditional vehicles such as the Space Shuttle use thermal protection tiles on a metallic frame, the combination of which is quite heavy and costly to maintain. The X-37 will benefit from Goodrich's lightweight, composite structure, which becomes stronger as it is subjected to increasing temperatures.
+++
Beagle 2, the British-built element of ESA's Mars Express mission, has failed to communicate since its first radio contact was missed shortly after it was due to land on Mars on Christmas Day. The Beagle 2 Management Board met in London on Friday 6 February and, following an assessment of the situation, declared Beagle 2 lost. UK Science Minister Lord Sainsbury and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that an ESA/UK inquiry would be held into the failure the Beagle 2 lander. Lord Sainsbury, of the Department of Trade and Industry, said: "I believe such an inquiry will be very useful. The reasons identified by the Inquiry Board will allow the experience gained from Beagle 2 to be used for the benefit of future European planetary exploration missions."
+++
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $10.9 million contract to supply the U.S. Navy with a dual-function Avionics Maintenance Trainer (AMT 2) for repair technicians servicing MH-60S and MH-60R multimission helicopters. The AMT 2, to be located at the North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA., will enable service technicians to practice troubleshooting and repairs under conditions that closely simulate those of an actual MH-60 aircraft. The AMT 2 is to be in service by August 2005. The trainer consists of a partial MH-60 helicopter airframe outfitted with a combination of real and simulated avionics hardware. An instructor at a workstation outside the airframe can trigger avionics system faults that the technicians must find and correct.
+++
In December 2003, OHB Technology lodged a bid for the role of concession-holder for the operation of the GALILEO satellite constellation. The Company's proposal provided for a phase-based approach allowing the satellite navigation system to be established without any major initial capital spending by industry or the public sector in tandem with a reduction in market and technological risks. It was with great regret that we learned that our approach, which had been supported by many industrial partners, was not accepted by the Galileo joint undertaking. In the meantime, all the remaining bidders have established contact with us and invited us to join their syndicates. We will be making a decision on which syndicate to join in the near future and announce this in due course. The rejection of our concession proposal in no way affects our participation in the construction of the Galileo satellites. We are still involved in all current phases and, looking forward, will continue to produce components for the constellation within the Galileo Industries project in line with the treaties signed among the European countries governing the respective shares assigned to their national industry.
+++
Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh announced the relocation of the Bell Commercial Business Unit worldwide Sales and Marketing offices and the Bell Training Academy to the facility formerly occupied by Gulfstream at Fort Worth Alliance Airport in the AllianceTexas development. In making the announcement Mr. Redenbaugh said; "This move will further transform our Commercial Business Unit into an absolute premier world-class organization. Locating to this upscale facility provides more room, a better workflow, and more accurately reflects the current pride and future growth we expect at Bell Helicopter. In addition, there are plenty of lodging and restaurant facilities nearby to support our many customers from around the world that train with us.
+++
The consortium formed jointly by Inmarsat Ventures Ltd, EADS Space Services and the Thales Group announced today that it has been chosen as one of only three final bidders for the Galileo Concession. The Galileo Joint Undertaking made the selection after a full evaluation. The Consortium is pleased to have been selected to progress to the next stage of the concession process in this important project for the long-term future of Europe and is looking forward to working closely with European Governments and other interested parties to ensure that the Galileo dream becomes a reality.
+++
The U.S. Air Force and the Northrop Grumman-led team developing the service's E-10A Multi-Sensor Command and Control Aircraft (MC2A) have successfully completed the program's systems requirements review (SRR). The review, intended to ensure all system-level technical requirements have been completely identified, analyzed and understood by the customer/contractor team, was completed on Feb. 5. Northrop Grumman, who leads the industry E-10A weapon system integration team, hosted the two-week series of meetings at its Melbourne facility. "We covered a lot of material, confirmed the program requirements and clarified all of the critical system issues," said Jerry Madigan, Northrop Grumman vice president for the E-10A. "This review completes a major program milestone and ensures the E-10A is on track and moving forward."
+++
Decks have been cleared for supply of Phalcon Air Early Warning and Control System to India, with the visiting Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom declaring that “deliveries would be made shortly”. “Finally we have succeeded in implementing the deal and we expect to make deliveries shortly”, he told reporters after top-level meetings with Indian Leaders including the Defence Minister George Fernandes. Under the deal, estimated to be worth about Rs. 90 billion, Israel will supply the Phalcon Awacs radars to be mounted on the Russian IL-76 platform which would greatly enhance the surveillance capability of the Indian Air Force against incoming surface-to-surface missiles as well means to strike deep into enemy territory. India is bidding to have four aircraft mounted with the Awacs radars and the comments of Shalom indicate that considerable progress has been made in manufacturing of Phalcons radars and equipping the IL-76 with special avionics with the system integration being done by IAF specialists.
+++
Rolls-Royce results for the year ended 31 December 2003 reflect the benefit of a maturing business portfolio and the effective restructuring actions taken to mitigate the downturn in civil aerospace, which was exacerbated by the Iraq war and the outbreak of the SARS virus during the first half of 2003. A combination of operational performance and mix enabled us to increase profit on reduced revenues. Underlying profit before tax increased by 12 per cent to £285 million (2002: £255m) and underlying earnings per share were 12.20 pence (2002: 11.10p). Basic earnings per share were 7.04 pence (2002: 3.29p). Net debt was £323 million (2002: £595 million), reflecting a cash inflow of £272 million (2002: £94m outflow). Average net debt for the year was £950 million (2002: £1,090 million). There are two key components to this successful outcome: first, a strong business model based on a consistent strategy of providing power systems for four global markets with a common technology focused on the gas turbine and, secondly, committed people throughout the Company who understand our objectives, are focused on our customers and are prepared to support the changes necessary to enable us to be competitive.
+++
Credit Suisse First Boston, which took over a 10 % share in Austrian Airlines within the recent Swissair insolvency, has successfully placed this share via the Vienna Stock Exchange. Its share was reduced to below 5 % in 2002. The total allotment of AUA shares held in free float now stands at 43.2 %. The remaining ownership structure is divided up as follows: ÖIAG owns 39.7 %, Austrian institutional investors hold 10.6 %, Austrian Airlines have 5 % and Air France 1.5 %. Chief Financial Officer Thomas Kleibl made the following statement about the placement: “I am extremely happy that Credit Suisse has been so successful in placing the shares so widely via the Vienna Stock Exchange. This action will certainly have a positive impact on the portion in free float overall, and consequently the liquidity of the share in the Vienna market place. This will greatly increase the attractiveness of our share to new investors, small and large.” The AUA share has recorded sharp price gains since the beginning of this year, rising from EUR 6.50 to its current level of EUR 9.50. The importance of the portfolio of measures implemented by the group in 2003, which included building on its ability to withstand crises, increasing flexibility in the production base and introducing extensive marketing and product offensives, is now being recognised by the market as the competitive environment eases.
+++
The European Commission has described the progress of negotiations with the United States regarding the interoperability of the Galileo and GPS satellite navigation systems as 'constructive', and says that a possible cooperation agreement is within sight. A two day round of intensive discussions was held at the end of January, and while a final agreement could not be reached, both parties showed a willingness to evaluate the progress that had been made and hold a further round of talks in the second half of February. One of the main barriers to concluding an agreement has been a difference of opinion between the EU and US over the signal structure to be used by Galileo. The US proposed that the European system use a modulation known as BOC (1.1), which would not interfere with its planned M-code military signal. While the EU is willing to pursue a common approach to the Galileo signal, it is understood that there are concerns over the effect on Galileo's accuracy of using BOC (1.1). A Commission official close to the negotiations told CORDIS News: 'We do have another, compromise signal structure, but we need more time to carry out a technical evaluation. The EU is ready to go in the direction of the US, but the most important issue from our side is that any final agreement remains sufficiently flexible to allow for future improvements to the system.' The official stressed that the EU would ensure that any final cooperation agreement between the two partners would not specify a single, 'frozen' signal standard, as this would severely restrict the future development of Galileo. However, he did recognize that alongside technical considerations, military and security rationales would also have to be taken into account by both parties. Other outstanding issues that the two sides will aim to resolve at their next meeting include guarantees regarding the confidentiality of sensitive technical information, the mutual development of national security criteria for satellite navigation, and a commitment to non-discrimination in trade.
+++
SR Technics announced the signing of a contract to acquire FLS Aerospace, the Danish owned aircraft maintenance and engineering provider with major bases in the UK and Ireland. The acquisition will be supported by SR Technics' investors 3i group and Star Capital. SR Technics currently employs some 2,800 personnel and is based at Zurich Airport, Switzerland. SR Technics offers technical support to over 270 customers around the globe and provides MRO services for over 350 aircraft, more than 300 powerplants and over 78,000 components a year. Customers of SR Technics include SWISS, Martinair, Dragonair, Edelweiss, Helvetic, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Air China, Novair, FedEx, easyJet, KLM, bmi british midland, Air Caraïbes, Austrian Airlines, Hapag Lloyd, SAS, Monarch, Garuda, and Egyptair. FLS Aerospace currently supports over 500 Boeing and Airbus aircraft under long term contracts. It employs about 3,000 workers and operates a network of maintenance centers at London-Stansted, Manchester International, Dublin, and Palma, Spain. It also operates a major component storage and distribution center at Heathrow. SR Technics says with its extensive experience with Airbus aircraft, the acquisition of FLS Aerospace will expand its product portfolio to include a range of Boeing aircraft. Together, the enlarged SR Technics Group should generate revenues of more than $1b annually, making it one of the world's largest, independent solutions provider of technical aircraft services.
+++
SWISS is to offer all its services between Geneva and London as codeshare flights with its partner British Airways. The closer collaboration forms part of the bilateral cooperation agreement recently signed by the two carriers. The new arrangements will be introduced in two phases: from February 24, all British Airways flights to London (Gatwick) and all British Airways CitiExpress services to London (City) will be operated as codeshares with SWISS; and from the start of the 2004/2005 winter timetable on October 31, British Airways will assume operating responsibility for all services between Geneva and London (Heathrow), which will be offered as BA/SWISS codeshare flights.
+++
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has approved his country's participation in India's moon mission - Chandrayaan I. “The Prime Minister has expressed keen interest in the mission giving his go-ahead. He has asked the ministry to provide him with further details, exploring the possible areas of cooperation, appreciating India's initiative and its recent successes in this field”, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Science and Technology, Michal Ogolnik, told PTI. +++
EADS Space Transportation received, as member of an international consortium lead by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a NATO contract to define a Missile Defence System for protecting NATO members' territories. NATO's Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) has just been signed in Brussels an 18 month Missile Defence Feasibility Study Contract with the international consortium. Next to the prime contractor SAIC (US) and EADS SPACE Transportation, the other consortium members are ACSI (FR / US), Alenia Spazio (IT), Boeing (US), Diehl (GE), IABG (GE), QinetiQ (UK), Raytheon (US), Thales (FR) and TNO (NL). This industrial study team is an example of successful transatlantic armaments co-operation. The objective of the study is to analyze the feasibility, performance, costs and timescales of a Missile Defence System based on NATO requirements, to recommend an efficient architecture for protecting the NATO members' territories against the full range of ballistic missiles. This study is following up a first one, from July 2001 to January 2003, dedicated to Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence, against missiles up to 3 000 km range.
+++
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. announced that the company is the prime contractor to develop & operate Canada's first multi-porpose information delivery and scientific research small satellite mission. Called Cassiope, this innovative mission will build a small satellite spacecraft platform that will be adaptable for a wide range of missions, including science, technology, Earth Observation, geological exploration and high capacity information delivery. Scientists, led by the University of Calgary, will use the satellite to collect new data and details on space storms in the upper atmosphere and their potentially devastating impacts on radio communications, GPS navigation, and other space-based technologies. This innovative scientific probe, called ePOP, forms a key element of the Canadian Space Agency's science program and involves contributions from 10 Canadian universities and research organizations.
+++
A pioneering demonstration of communications between NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit and the European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express orbiter succeeded. On February 6, while Mars Express was flying over the area Spirit was examining, the orbiter transferred commands from Earth to the rover and relayed data from the robotic explorer back to Earth. "This is the first time we have had an in-orbit communication between ESA and NASA spacecraft, and also the first working international communications network around another planet," said Rudolf Schmidt, ESA's project manager for Mars Express. "Both are significant achievements, two more 'firsts' for Mars Express and the Mars Exploration Rovers."
+++
Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to integrate the Sniper XR targeting pod on the A-10 aircraft in support of the A-10 Precision Engagement (PE) Program. The contract award follows a successful demonstration of the Sniper system during the A/OA-10 Precision Engagement upgrade program's critical design review. As part of the integration effort, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control will develop the Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI), pod Operational Flight Program (OFP) software, and pod interface adapter hardware for the A-10. The pod will be integrated as part of the PE Program at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration -- Owego in New York, the prime contractor for the A-10 weapon system.
+++
CHC Helicopter Corporation announced that its European operating division has been awarded expanded multi-year contract renewals by Statoil ASA ("Statoil") and Norsk Hydro ("Hydro") for the provision of heavy helicopter transportation services in the Norwegian North Sea. The contracts include the provision of one dedicated new Sikorsky S-92 helicopter and up to four dedicated plus one backup advanced Super Puma MK2 helicopters, plus one dedicated Super Puma MK1 to Statoil from three bases in Norway; and the provision of two new dedicated Sikorsky S-92s, and backup, plus flight hours, from CHC's pool of Super Puma MK2s, to Hydro from CHC's base in Bergen.
+++
The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.6 million contract to provide the first of two 56,000-cubic-foot tethered aerostat surveillance systems for deployment in Iraq. The aerostats, equipped with various sensors, will provide a persistent surveillance capability in the defense of ground forces and high-value assets in Baghdad. Lockheed Martin will integrate existing aerostats with their sensors, ground stations and mooring systems at its facility in Akron. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, will evaluate the equipment during integration. The Army's Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors and PM RUS (Program Manager for Robotic Unmanned Sensors) at Fort Monmouth, NJ, will provide program and acquisition management. The Army will receive the first system in June 2004 and the second system within two months of the first system.
+++
The 22nd Northrop Grumman Corporation-built Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite was successfully launched by the U.S. Air Force from Cape Canaveral Air Station. A Titan IVB rocket and Inertial Upper Stage payload delivery vehicle carried the satellite into a geosynchronous orbit. DSP 22 joined the existing constellation on-orbit to give the nation advance warning of ballistic missile launches and other events. "With the successful launch of DSP 22, the long-standing cornerstone of the nation's early warning system just got stronger," said Peggy Paul, Northrop Grumman DSP program manager. "The men and women of the DSP team take great pride in seeing another one of our products called into service to meet the Air Force's current requirements and respond to evolving threats."
+++
The Department of Defense announced its Top 100 contractors. According to the new report, the top 10 Defense contractors for fiscal 2003 were: Lockheed Martin Corp. $21.9 billion; The Boeing Co. 17.3; Northrop Grumman Corp. 11.1; General Dynamics Corp. 8.2; Raytheon Co. 7.9 ; United Technologies Corp. 4.5 ; Halliburton Co. 3.9; General Electric Co. 2.8 ; Science Applications International Corp. 2.6; Computer Sciences Corp. 2.5 billion. In fiscal 2003, DoD prime contract awards totaled $209 billion, $28.2 billion more than in fiscal 2002.
+++
The aerospace industry enthusiastically embraced the president's vision for space exploration and urged the government to develop policies to strengthen the aerospace industrial base. The future course of American manned space flight—where we're going and how we plan to get there—was the subject of the first public hearing of the President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy (Moon, Mars and Beyond). Raymond Ernst, chair of the Aerospace Industries Association's Space Council and Director of Space Transport at Lockheed Martin Corporation, testified today that AIA's member companies supported the president's vision for future space exploration. He noted that AIA companies produced nearly all of the hardware and software used in U.S. space exploration and as such, represented the nation's space industrial base. ernst said the president's vision successfully met AIA recommendations urging the government to develop near-term, mid-term and long-term objectives for space exploration. He also said that AIA has asked the government to restore funding for space-related science and technology (S&T) to levels that will support technological and economic progress.
+++
Dassault Systèmes and Boeing are accelerating development of Dassault Systèmes' integrated Product Lifecycle Management version 5 (PLM V5) platform. The enhanced PLM solutions will enable Boeing and its partners to implement the digital tools and processes necessary to meet the challenges of the technologically-advanced 7E7. Working together, Boeing and Dassault Systèmes are creating a virtual development workspace known as the 7E7 Global Collaboration Environment (GCE). In this virtual environment, Boeing will design, build and test every aspect of the 7E7 airplane and its manufacturing processes digitally before production begins using the full suite of Dassault Systèmes' PLM software solutions. With the GCE, Boeing and Dassault Systèmes are providing the 7E7 team with the tools, technologies and processes that will make it easy for people around the globe to work together in real time. Contributing to the Global Collaboration Environment, Dassault Systèmes' solutions (CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, and SMARTEAM) will provide a fully distributed, worldwide collaborative workspace that integrates all 7E7 program partners into a single, seamless community. In addition, Dassault Systèmes Product Lifecycle Management Practices will ensure consistent development methodologies across the GCE.
+++
Oro Navigacija, the Lithuanian Air Navigation Service Provider, signed a contract with Thales Air Traffic Management (ATM), for the supply of Eurocat ATM system for its control centres. The upgrade programme, named LACMO (Lithuanian ATC Centres Modernisation) will provide Oro Navigacija with increased capacity to meet future air traffic growth and will enable the Vilnius Air Traffic Control centre to provide airlines with the advanced services, using the latest technology. The new air traffic management system meets European standards and the latest operational requirements for air traffic control. The upgraded ATM system will provide automatic flight data processing and radar data processing combined with flight monitoring aids and safety facilities, e.g. short term conflict alert, minimum safe altitude warning and restricted area warning. In addition Thales will supply an air traffic control simulator part of the project.
+++

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