FLUG REVUE update: Week ending 12 September 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 12 Septembr 2004

+++ Airbus orders pass 5000 mark +++ Genesis crashes back to Earth +++ Delta Air Lines fights to stay afloat +++ MP-RTIP radar demonstration succesful +++ MBDA and Boeing in missile defence deal +++ Military transport market on the rise +++ News in brief +++

Airbus orders pass 5000 mark
Mehr als 5000 Airbusse bestellt

Airbus reports that it has passed a significant landmark in August after receiving its 5,000th aircraft order. The news comes just over 30 years after Airbus received its first ever order from Air France for the A300B2 type aircraft - the first commercial aircraft manufactured by Airbus. Since the first Airbus aircraft went into service in 1974 with Air France, Airbus has seen sales of its aircraft gain increasing momentum. By 1989, after its first 16 years in operation, Airbus had sold 4,000 aircraft. Less than half that time again, just seven years later in 1996, sales had risen to 2000. Sales of Airbus aircraft had reached 3,000 in 1998, again cutting the time it took to sell another 1000 planes by more than half. And by 2000 a total of 4,000 aircraft had been sold to the market.
The number of Airbus customers has now risen to 192 and the aircraft manufacturer boasts 225 operators of its aircraft. This has grown from 126 operators in 1994 and 42 operators in 1984. Although the Airbus fleet has accumulated some 72 million flight hours over the last 30 years and an Airbus aircraft now takes off or lands every four seconds, it is the youngest and most modern in service. Around 70 per cent of the entire Airbus fleet is less than 10 years old. Approximately 25 per cent is between 10 and 20 years old and just five per cent is more than 20 years old.
From Airbus total order book, which is now more than 6,000 aircraft, 21 per cent have been ordered from Europe, 43 per cent from North America, 18 per cent from the Far East, six per cent from the Middle East, four per cent from Latin America and two per cent from Africa.

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Genesis crashes back to Earth
Bruchlandung der Genesis-Sonde

The science canister from the Genesis mission was moved into the cleanroom at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah early Wednesday evening. The Genesis team began examining the contents of the canister on Thursday morning. The Genesis sample return capsule entered Earth's atmosphere at 9:52:47 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, September 8, and entered the preplanned entry ellipse in the Utah Test and Training Range as predicted. However, the Genesis capsule, as a result of its parachute not deploying, impacted the ground at a speed of 311 kilometers per hour (193 miles per hour). The impact occurred near Granite Peak on a remote portion of the range. No people or structures were anywhere near the area.
"We have the capsule," said Genesis project manager Don Sweetnam of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "It is on the ground. We have previously written procedures and tools at our disposal for such an event. We are beginning capsule recovery operations at this time." By the time the capsule entered Earth's atmosphere, the flight crews tasked to capture Genesis were already in the air. Once it was confirmed the capsule touched down out on the range, the flight crews were guided toward the site to initiate a previously developed contingency plan. They landed close to the capsule and, per the plan, began to document the capsule and the area. "For the velocity of the impact, I thought there was surprisingly little damage," said Roy Haggard of Vertigo Inc., Lake Elsinore, Calif., who took part in the initial reconnaissance of the capsule. "I observed the capsule penetrated the soil about 50 percent of its diameter. The shell had been breached about three inches and I could see the science canister inside and that also appeared to have a small breach," he said.
The Genesis mission was launched in August 2001 on a journey to capture samples from the storehouse of 99 percent of all the material in our solar system -- the Sun. The samples of solar wind particles, collected on ultra-pure wafers of gold, sapphire, silicon and diamond, were designed to be returned for analysis by Earth-bound scientists.

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Delta Air Lines fights to stay afloat
Umstrukturierung bei Delta

On Sept. 8, Delta Air Lines' top executive outlined key elements of the company's transformation plan intended to launch “the right airline for the new era” by improving its customers' traveling experience while simultaneously targeting more than $5 billion in annual cash savings by 2006. The company is on track to deliver by the end of this year through its previously announced Profit Improvement Initiatives (PII) approximately $2.3 billion of the total savings target. CEO Gerald Grinstein, in remarks to employees, described the top-to-bottom overhaul as a “comprehensive, 360-degree plan that reinvents Delta.”
The plan calls for over 51 percent of the company's network to be restructured by January 31, 2005, resulting in “the largest single-day schedule transformation in Delta's history,” along with improvements to its product and services, network and fleet, and operational efficiencies and productivity immediately and over the next 36 months, Grinstein said. In announcing that a simpler, more efficient airline would mean fewer jobs and reductions in pay and benefits throughout the company, the CEO also reaffirmed his commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for employees to share in the company's future success. Key initiatives include: Redesigning Atlanta's hub operation to add more flights for greater customer choice and reliability while simultaneously reducing congestion; dehubbing Delta's Dallas/Ft. Worth operation and re-deploying those assets to grow hub operations in Atlanta, Cincinnati and Salt Lake City; Growing Song, initially by 12 aircraft; reducing fleet complexity by retiring at least four fleet types in four years and increasing overall fleet utilization and efficiency; eliminating 6,000-7,000 jobs over the next 18 months, lowering management overhead costs by 15 percent, and reducing pay and benefits; and creating an Employee Reward Program to include equity, profit sharing and performance-based incentive payouts.
The company has stated that as a result of the rapid deterioration of its financial condition due to low yields, high fuel prices, its uncompetitive labor costs, and its high debt burden, coupled with a possible operational disruption from anticipated pilot early retirements, bankruptcy is a real possibility. “We're working hard and fast to avoid it,” Grinstein said, “but if the pilot early retirement issue is not resolved before the end of the month, or if all of the pieces don't come together in the near term, we will have to restructure through the courts.” “The permanently changed aviation marketplace and Delta's unsustainable financial losses confirm that our survival requires a viable cost structure. At the same time, increasing competition dictates that Delta's success depends on customer satisfaction, which in turn requires both operational excellence and motivated employees,” Grinstein said of the company's four-pronged approach.

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MP-RTIP radar demonstration succesful
Neues Radar für E-10A/RQ-4/TIPS im Test

A Northrop Grumman/Raytheon team has successfully integrated and tested a laboratory-based prototype of a new airborne surveillance radar planned for deployment on the U.S. Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance and E-10A battle-management platforms. Known as the "single-string" Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar, the prototype radar provides a key risk-reduction tool for the MP-RTIP team. It has allowed the two companies to identify and resolve technical integration issues long before starting production and integration of actual flight hardware. The single-string radar developmental testing culminated in a demonstration of the MP-RTIP capability on July 30. MP-RTIP is a family of modular, active, electronically scanned array radar systems that will dramatically improve the Air Force's ability to detect, track and identify stationary and moving vehicles, and low-flying cruise missiles. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are jointly developing and producing the MP-RTIP radars for the Air Force's Electronic Systems Center under a six-year, $888 million system development and demonstration contract awarded in April.
As configured, the single-string radar contains two of MP-RTIP's primary air moving target indicator (air-to-air) tracking modes. For the single-string test program, the MP-RTIP antenna elements were produced, assembled and tested at a Northrop Grumman's facility in Norwalk, Conn. The complete radar was then installed in a Raytheon high-rise facility near Los Angeles International Airport. The radar antenna was positioned behind a flat, window-replacing radome pointing out at a series of passive and active "targets" installed on a second Raytheon facility about one mile away.

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MBDA and Boeing in missile defence deal
Zusammenarbeit bei der Raketenabwehr

MBDA and Boeing have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing and developing a cooperative relationship in the area of regional and global missile defence. The MoU establishes an industrial framework whereby both companies canbetter explore complementary technologies and share expertise while examining architectures for defending against the threat posed regionally and globally by the next generation of ballistic missiles. "We are proud to link with Boeing which already has prime involvement in some of the U.S. government's major missile defence programmes," said Marwan Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of MBDA. "With comprehensive missile defence system expertise ranging from the design, development and production of C2 (Command and Control) through to interceptors and kill vehicles as well as system integration and simulation, MBDA possesses the technological know how and the necessary track record to contribute significantly to layered defence solutions in line with global, regional or theatre requirements," added Lahoud. MBDA has also led many of its domestic nation (France, Italy and the UK) and NATO ballistic missile defence studies and is now actively supporting the UK's Missile Defence Centre, launched in July 2003 to provide an interface between the UK and the USA's Missile Defense Agency and to create a forum in which the exchange of ideas and capabilities between UK and U.S. industry can be encouraged and advanced.

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Military transport Market on the rise
Gute Aussichten für Militärtransporter

Forecast International is projecting a growing demand for military transport aircraft through the next 10 years, with actual shipments and revenues higher during the second five-year period than in the first. The world's air forces will take delivery of 922 new transports valued at $53 billion. The two big U.S. manufacturers, Boeing and Lockheed, will face an increasing challenge from Europe's Airbus Military, Alenia, and EADS CASA but, according to Forecast International aviation analyst Bill Dane, “They are nonetheless expected to continue their long-standing dominance of this market segment.” However, Dane notes that “Boeing will see its market share fall off with the anticipated closing of its C-17 line in early 2011.” The emerging Airbus A400M, EADS CASA C-295, and Alenia C-27J programs are projected to accrue nearly 12 percent of the market in terms of revenues during the 2004-08 period, but should see this grow to more than 40 percent in the 2009-2013 timeframe. The upcoming A400M, sized between the U.S.-built C-17 and C-130 models, will account for most of this market gain. To date, the seven A400M partner nations have ordered 180 aircraft, and the consortium is aggressively seeking sales on the international market. The Forecast International market outlook assumes the U.S. Air Force will re-engine all 50 of its existing C-5Bs with GE CF6 turbofans, and will procure an additional 42 C-17s to preclude future airlift shortfalls. The service's earlier model C-5As would then follow the older C-141s into retirement. Although Airbus Military will increase its market share, primarily at the expense of Boeing, the latter and Lockheed Martin will continue to dominate this segment. The contest could intensify in the outyears, should Airbus succeed in lining up sales outside the multinational consortium, but the A400M will face stiff competition from both the new C-130J and refurbished/upgraded earlier model C-130s.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Boeing successfully conducted its first captive-carry test of a Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile enhanced with moving-target, network-centric software recently at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Range, China Lake , Calif. Carried on an F/A-18 aircraft assigned to VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, the SLAM-ER received real-time data via standard Link-16 messages that originated from an orbiting Joint STARS aircraft. Once the information was relayed automatically through the F/A-18 controlling the missile, the SLAM-ER trained its seeker on the moving target and gauged its velocity. The F/A-18 pilot then used "Stop Motion Aimpoint Update" technology to designate the precise impact point and simulate attacking and destroying a truck traveling in traffic between 40-50 mph.
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The board that investigated the loss of the remotely operated Helios Prototype aircraft released its final report. The board determined the mishap resulted from the inability to predict, using available analysis methods, the aircraft's increased sensitivity to atmospheric disturbances, such as turbulence, following vehicle configuration changes required for the long-duration flight demonstration. The Helios Prototype aircraft involved in the mishap was a proof-of-concept solar electric powered flying wing designed to operate at high altitudes for long duration flight. The failure occurred during a flight from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on the Hawaiian island of Kauai on June 26, 2003. At about 10:36 a.m., the aircraft again experienced normal turbulence and transitioned into an unexpected, persistent high wing dihedral configuration. As a result, the aircraft became unstable, exhibiting growing pitch oscillations. Airspeed deviated from the normal flight speed with the deviations rapidly increasing with every cycle of the oscillation. The aircraft's design speed was subsequently exceeded. The resulting high dynamic pressures caused the wing leading edge secondary structure on the outer wing panels to fail; the solar cells and skin on the upper surface were ripped off. The remotely piloted aircraft came down within the confines of the Pacific Ocean test range, northwest of PMRF.
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The Lockheed Martin A2100 communications satellite fleet has achieved a major milestone by accumulating 100 years of successful in-orbit operations. The A2100 satellite series, designed and manufactured at Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), currently consists of 24 satellites featuring 900 transponders with an accumulated lifetime of over 4,000 years of successful operations in orbit. "This major milestone is a testament to superior technical capabilities, design and engineering, manufacturing, operations and customer support," said LMCSS President Ted Gavrilis. "Lockheed Martin's lean process initiatives and drive for six-sigma quality serve as the foundation of our long-term commitment to delivering the best, most reliable satellites in the industry."
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Smoothly and ahead of schedule, Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Mike Fincke completed the fourth and final spacewalk of their six-month mission on September 6. Padalka and Fincke spent five hours, 21 minutes outside the International Space Station (ISS) on maintenance tasks and installing antennas to prepare for the initial arrival of a new European cargo spacecraft next year.Wearing Russian Orlan spacesuits, Padalka and Fincke began the spacewalk at 12:43 p.m. EDT, emerging from the Pirs airlock attached to the Zvezda Service Module. It was Padalka's sixth career spacewalk and the fourth for Fincke, all of his conducted during this expedition. The spacewalk was supervised by Russian flight controllers at the Mission Control Center in Korolev, outside Moscow. After setting up tools and tethers, Padalka and Fincke quickly went to work. On the Zarya module, they replaced a pump control panel that measures the module's coolant levels. They then installed a series of tether guides on four handrails. The guides are intended to prevent future spacewalkers' tethers from becoming snagged. As the Station moved into orbital darkness, the spacewalkers took a rest break. During the break, flight controllers in Houston collected data on the orientation of the orbiting laboratory. The information will help determine whether the cooling systems of the Russian spacesuits contribute to changes in the Station's orientation. Throughout today's spacewalk, the Station remained in predicted orientations. No unanticipated measures were needed to maintain its stability. Padalka and Fincke spent two and one half hours on the exterior of Zvezda, installing three communications antennas at its aft end. Those antennas, along with other equipment installed during an Aug. 3 spacewalk, will be used next year. They will guide the European Space Agency's unpiloted Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), the "Jules Verne" cargo spacecraft, to its maiden docking with the Station. The next Station crew, Expedition 10, will install three more ATV navigation antennas in February. The Expedition 11 crew will install ATV communications gear inside Zvezda as well.
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On 4 September MBDA signed an initial production contract with Eurocopter to equip all versions of the Tiger assault and NH90 multi-role helicopters with the advanced SAPHIR-M decoy self-protection system. The contract, which represents over 500 systems, is the largest of its kind in terms of quantity for MBDA and is the largest single contract placed for such a system in Europe. Commenting on the order, MBDA's Chief Executive Officer, Marwan Lahoud said, “The development contract for SAPHIR-M, won in the face of stiff competition, is a strong endorsement of MBDA's ability to work effectively with the leading platform suppliers of the world. With the production contract now in place, helicopter aircrews will have the confidence of knowing that the latest technology is in place to provide them with the highest levels of protection throughout the duration of the mission.”
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Dr Serge Plattard, a Frenchman, has become the first Secretary General of the European Space Policy Institute, founded by ESA and ASA (Austrian Space Agency) in November 2003 and located in Vienna (Austria). He was appointed, for a three-year term, in August by the ESPI General Assembly and took up his duties on 1 September. Further ESPI officers will be elected at a General Assembly to be held later this month.
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Engineers from Northrop Grumman Corporation and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., have proven that a new type of cryogenic fuel tank made from composite materials has the structural integrity to withstand the mechanical and thermal stresses associated with repeated fueling and simulated launch cycles. The nine-month, 40-cycle series of tests, concluded Aug. 9, is part of Northrop Grumman's ongoing partnership with NASA to help mature space technologies required to develop safe, affordable and reusable space transportation systems. The test program began in November 2003. "These tests prove that it's possible to build a lightweight fuel tank that's not only a safe, reliable container for liquid hydrogen," said Drew Smith, NASA's cryotanks project leader, "but also a durable, reusable component that can also help us reduce the costs associated with acquiring and operating a reusable launch vehicle." Composite cryogenic fuel tanks also offer a 10 to 25 percent weight savings over conventional aluminum fuel tanks, he added, which could enable larger payloads in the future.The composite tank technology demonstrated has potential applications not only as cryogenic fuel tanks for Earth-launched space vehicles, but also as on-orbit storage of cryogenic fuels such as liquid hydrogen or liquid oxygen. This orbiting "fuel depot" would be used to fuel space vehicles traveling from low-Earth orbit to the moon, Mars or beyond.
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Boeing and CEA Technologies of Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a cooperative partnership in the area of global missile defense. Under this agreement, the two companies will evaluate and develop opportunities in missile defense and evaluate architectures for defending against global and regional ballistic missile threats. This cooperation could lead to future joint research and development of missile defense technologies. Boeing is the prime contractor of the U.S. government's Ground-based Midcourse Defense and Airborne Laser programs. The company has established missile defense agreements in the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel and Japan. "We are very pleased to sign an MoU with CEA of Australia, a company with a great deal of expertise and significant potential to contribute to missile defense solutions not just for Australia, but also for the United States and other allies," said James Evatt, Boeing Senior Vice President of Missile Defense Systems.
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Northrop Grumman has been selected by NASA to help define the architecture of space transportation systems that will allow astronauts to travel initially to the moon, and later to Mars and beyond during the next few decades. The collaboration with NASA is part of the company's ongoing effort to help the nation define the smartest, most cost-effective way to design, implement and sustain the nation's Vision for Space Exploration. As part of a $6 million concept exploration and refinement (CE&R) contract awarded by NASA's Office of Exploration Systems, Northrop Grumman will help NASA define the "system of systems" architecture for Project Constellation, a constellation of human and robotic space transportation systems, launch vehicles and related in-space and lunar infrastructure required to ferry astronauts to and from the moon and Mars. The contract, which includes approximately $3 million for a six-month base period and an option worth approximately $3 million, also includes development of an initial concept for the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the first space transportation system planned for Project Constellation's system-of-systems architecture.
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Boeing NASA Systems received its first study contract under the Vision for Space Exploration to conduct preliminary concept studies for human lunar exploration and the development of the crew exploration vehicle (CEV). The contract is valued at $3 million with an option for another $3 million. The contract includes a six-month base period beginning Sept. 1, with a six-month option, which may be exercised at the government's discretion. Options may be exercised based on several factors, including the quality of performance during the base period, fiscal constraints and overall support to the Vision for Space Exploration. Boeing is one of 11 companies helping NASA define the overall architecture requirements for lunar missions in the 2015 to 2020 timeframe. The missions are part of the Vision for Space Exploration, announced by President Bush on January 14. The Vision provides a new focus for a sustained and affordable human and robotic space exploration program to explore the solar system and beyond. The contract is a result of the Concept Exploration and Refinement (CE&R) Broad Agency Announcement issued in June 2004.
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Rolls-Royce announced the appointment of Scott Crislip as President, Helicopters effective September 1, 2004. He succeeds Stuart Mullan, who is leaving the company to pursue other professional interests. Crislip reports directly to James M. Guyette, President & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America Inc. and, as a member of the company's global defense executive team, receives business direction from Colin Green, President - Defense Aerospace, Rolls-Royce.
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A NATO Air Chiefs Conference held at Ramstein Air Base brought together the top leaders of NATO's air forces to discuss their favorite subject, air power. The air chiefs of 19 nations, including six of the seven new-member nations accessed in March, came together to discuss current operations, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, support to the NATO Response Force, and air policing. The annual conference was co-hosted by Component Command Air Headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and at Izmir Air Station, Turkey. “CC Air-Ramstein and Air-Izmir hold their own meetings with their commanders, and this is a culmination of all the meetings,” said Lt. Gen. Glen W. “Wally” Moorhead III, air component commander for NATO's southern region. “This meeting not only helps us think through issues and challenges that we have in the air, but the specific nations' issues as well.” CC Air-Ramstein and Air-Izmir are the two air headquarters previously known as AIRNORTH and AIRSOUTH, respectively. The new names reflect the July 1 re- organization that streamlined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization command structure. The structure originated in 2002 as a result of the Prague NATO Summit. “The air chiefs, like any other group, get together and need to discuss common issues and problems. We are an alliance, and a strong one at that,” said the air marshal. “We have a forum where everyone has a say. It's very important to have an open and frank discussion so you can solve problems that affect all of NATO. General (Robert H. “Doc”) Foglesong (commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe) and the staff here have taken the lead in ensuring that this is possible.”
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On Sept. 8, Sikorsky Aircraft recognized Keystone Helicopter Corporation today for its superior achievement on the delivery of the 50 th S-76C+ helicopter. The milestone was marked with a presentation ceremony at Keystone's new Coatesville, Pennsylvania facility. Keystone is the principal completion center for Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. It performs customer options installation for Sikorsky at its Pennsylvania “Heliplex”. The work includes installing avionics and unique equipment, and completion of interiors and exteriors to suit customer needs. S-76 helicopters built by Sikorsky receive airworthiness certificates in a standard IFR-capable configuration at the Stratford, Conn. plant before delivery to Keystone's facility. The 50 th aircraft is an Executive version earmarked for delivery to Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
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Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) successfully conducted initial flight tests of the first re-engined HH-65 helicopter for the U.S. Coast Guard. The flight took place at the Coast Guard's Aircraft Repair and Supply Center in Elizabeth City, NC. This is the first production aircraft of the fleet to receive a new power system under the Integrated Deepwater System program. The modernization process is being conducted by the ICGS team, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. “The initial test flight is another example of exceptional teamwork among ICGS, the U.S. Coast Guard and our first-rate suppliers,” said Dale Bennett, president of ICGS. “We are working together to provide the U.S. Coast Guard with an urgent, eagerly awaited upgrade to their fleet's capability. I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many engineers, mechanics, technicians, and inspectors who have been working this re-engine effort around the clock.”
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A ceremony to mark development phase completion of Cupola was held in Turin, Italy, on Monday 6 September. From inside Cupola, a dome-shaped structure fitted with seven specially developed windows, astronauts will have a panoramic view for observing and guiding operations on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS). With a diameter of about 2 metres and height of 1.5 metres, the European-built Cupola provides a shirtsleeve working environment for two crewmembers. The ergonomically designed interior is equipped with workstations from which astronauts will be able to control the Station's robotic arm. Addressing representatives from ESA, NASA, Alenia Spazio and the subcontractors, ESA's Director for Human Spaceflight, Jörg Feustel-Buechl, congratulated the team on completion of the Cupola. Acknowledging the important contribution of main contractor Alenia Spazio, Mr Feustel-Buechl pointed out that once completed, roughly 50% of the pressurized volume of Station will have been designed and developed by the Turin-based company. Maurizio Tucci, CEO of Alenia Spazio, expressed his satisfaction about the number of modules built by Alenia Spazio and explained that with the assembly of the Node 3 module just getting underway they will soon be able to complete the series. Looking to the future Tucci is confident that the specialized knowledge gained by the company through the development of Cupola and other pressurized modules for the ISS, can be used to design and develop solutions for longer stays in space – such as the human exploration of the Moon and Mars.
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The Swiss defence ministry has announced the first wave of sweeping cuts affecting both the army and the air force. The air force has been granted a temporary reprieve, but it has been directed to cut 235 personnel by 2011. The defence ministry said it would also close four of the five airbases located in Alpnach, Buaochs, Dübendorf, Emmen and Mollis. It said airfields in Payerne, Sion, Meiringen, and Locarno would remain operational. Eighteen logistics bases will close and seven others will be downsized.
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Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $388 million contract by the U.S. Air Force for the next phase of a program to modernize the B-2 radar system. This program continues the efforts of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman to enhance the stealth bomber's ability to operate as part of the military's increasingly integrated force structure. Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector, the B-2 prime contractor, is leading the radar modernization effort, which will replace the current radar antenna with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna. Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, which provided the original B-2 radar, is the principal subcontractor. During the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase, Northrop Grumman will develop and test the antenna and integrate six new radar systems on B-2 aircraft for initial demonstration and operational training. The subsequent production and deployment phase will include low-rate initial production and full-rate production to field the upgraded radar. Installation of the new antenna into the B-2 fleet will take several years to complete.
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Boeing and Aeromexico said the airline is acquiring 10 additional Next-Generation 737-700 airplanes for its fleet-modernization program. Aeromexico ordered eight of the airplanes from Boeing and is leasing the remainder. As the transaction was completed earlier, Boeing has reflected it on its orders website in the "unidentified" category. The airplanes will be delivered between July and December, 2005. This order complements Aeromexico's 2003 order for 15 airplanes, 10 of which have been delivered. The remainder will be delivered by the end of November.
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Boeing and Copa Airline executives said the Panamanian airline will add four new Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplanes to its all-Boeing fleet during the next two years. Copa ordered two 737-700s from Boeing, which will be delivered in 2006. It will also receive a 737-700 and a 737-800 next year from leasing companies. Those airplanes will increase the carrier's fleet to 24 Next-Generation 737s -- 20 737-700s and four 737-800s -- and make it one of the newest fleets in the Americas.
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Lockheed Martin delivered its 2,268th C-130 Hercules airlifter, continuing the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history. The new aircraft, a C-130J Super Hercules, was flown to its new home at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., by Brig. Gen. David A. Brubaker, the deputy director of the Air National Guard; Lt. Col. Steven Friedricks, the commander of the 146th Airlift Wing, the Air National Guard unit receiving the C-130J; and Lt. Col. Greg Jones, an instructor pilot with the 146th AW. This is the third Super Hercules to be delivered to the Ventura County-based wing. The first YC-130 prototype was flown on August 23, 1954. Since then, more than 2,260 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to 60 countries. Today, 67 countries, counting those that bought used aircraft, fly the Hercules. The C 130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.
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The French, Italian and Swiss Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSP) - DNA (direction de la Navigation aérienne), ENAV S.p.A. (Società italiana per l'assistenza ed il controllo del traffico aereo) and skyguide (swiss air navigation services ltd) - have concluded on September 6 a new agreement for the common definition, development and procurement of a next generation of flight data processing system called Coflight. In 2001, DNA and ENAV came together to develop their future flight data processing system, based in a large extent on the requirements designed previously by the eFDP (european Flight Data Processing) Eurocontrol program. In 2003, the procurement contract of the system was awarded to the consortium Thales ATM/AMS. With the agreement signed in Geneva and skyguide taking an active part in the project, a new step is taken towards its enlargement in Europe. Developing future systems for Europe Flight data processing systems remain at the core of Air Traffic Management as they are tasked, through the full integration with the radar data, with providing accurate, timely and complete flight data to Air Traffic Controllers. Coflight eFDP's main objective is to increase the global control capacity of the system. This objective will be reached by a number of operational improvements, among others: a more reactive management of airspace (civil and military) by dynamic adaptation of sectors to balance control capacity and traffic load; a more accurate trajectory prediction based on improved aircraft modeling, consideration of pilot's intention, use of downlink aircraft parameters, control constraints and meteorological data; the improvement of coordination between the different ATM stakeholders (civil and military); the integration of dedicated tools with anticipation and prediction capabilities to support strategic management of traffic; the process of air-ground datalink; and the availability of interoperability functions: seamless operation (no difference between the sectors of all ACCs), automated approval for the whole route as from the departure, powerful recovery mechanism, better flight route automatically proposed.
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ARABSAT, the communication satellite operator based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has awarded EADS Astrium a contract for a Satellite Control Center (SCC) to control Arabsat-4A and Arabsat-4B, Arabsat 2B and Arabsat 3A satellites. EADS Astrium will design, integrate, validate, install and deploy the SCC on Arabsat sites, at Dirab (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and at Tunis (Tunisia). This contract will deliver to ARABSAT a user-friendly, state-of-the-art and fully integrated multi-mission control center. The OPSWARE products will provide operations automation and unification, which relieve operators from routine tasks, permit to keep the highest availability of service and to consolidate the operations of the fleet. The SCC will be based on EADS Astrium OPSWARE control center products. EADS Astrium has subcontracted the TM/TC layer to GMV with its hifly product.
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The third anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks shows a steady recovery of flight schedules and seat capacity, according to figures published today by OAG, the world's leading source of independent flight schedule information. OAG compared worldwide flight schedule frequency against 2001 levels, and the data showed the following results: For the first time since the attacks, worldwide flight levels are even with 2001. In addition, worldwide seat capacity is up 3 per cent; Washington Dulles International, New York JFK and Chicago Midway are operating at levels above September 11, 2001. “Worldwide flight frequency is once again even with 2001 levels, which suggests an increased confidence, both in the carriers who've made decisions not to reduce flights, as well as the consumers who continue to fly,” said Joe Laughlin, OAG vice president of sales and service. OAG also compared flight schedule frequency for the 2004 anniversary of the attacks against September 11, 2003. Highlights include: Worldwide flight schedules for the day were up 7 per cent from 2003. In addition, seat capacity for these flights has increased; U.S. domestic flights are up 12 per cent over last year, and seat capacity increased by 13 per cent; although OAG data indicates that carriers have decreased U.S. domestic flights by 5 per cent (approximately 1,600 flights) from September 11, 2001(a), this figure is still up 12 per cent from 2003 flight levels.
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British Airways announced its intention to sell its 18.25 per cent shareholding in Qantas by way of an underwritten offering managed by an international bank. British Airways acquired its original shareholding in Qantas in 1993 for A$665 million (£304 million). Since the original investment British Airways has received A$600 million in dividends. British Airways' chief executive Rod Eddington said: “Our shareholders have had a good return from our investment in Qantas. We now believe it is in our best interests to sell our shares to pay down our debt and continue to strengthen our balance sheet. “A strong balance sheet will place British Airways in a robust position for any future European consolidation. Following the announcement on 7 September, 2004, British Airways confirms that the book building process in connection with the underwritten offering for sale of its 18.25 per cent shareholding in Qantas was completed earlier in Sydney. The gross sale proceeds achieved were A$1.1 billion (approximately £430 million) which the airline will receive on 14 September. As previously announced, the airline expects to use the proceeds to repay part of its existing gross debt which at June 30, 2004 amounted to £5.6 billion.
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DIRECTV, Inc., provider of the US's leading digital multichannel television service, announced today a historic expansion of programming capacity with the planned launch of four new next-generation satellites. These satellites will provide DIRECTV with a massive expansion in local and national high-definition (HD) channels, as well as capacity for new interactive and enhanced services and standard-definition programming. DIRECTV will have the capacity to bring these new services to every household in America. The first two of these satellites, Spaceway 1 and Spaceway 2, will launch in 2005 with programming being offered to consumers by the middle of the year. These satellites will have the capacity for more than 500 local HD channels. With these satellites, DIRECTV will have the ability to bring local HD programming to most of the U.S. population, as well as continuing to expand standard-definition local offerings and other enhancements. The next two satellites, DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV 11, will launch in early 2007. These satellites will have the capacity for more than 1,000 additional local HD channels, more than 150 national HD channels, and other new programming offerings. These satellites will provide DIRECTV the capability to bring local and national HD programming and other advanced services to every U.S. household. Consumers will be able to receive all of these services, as well as existing DIRECTV(R) programming, with a single small satellite dish.
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BAE Systems Platform Solutions has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin for the initial design of an alternate helmet-mounted display (HMD) system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The helmet design is based heavily on the design of the Eurofighter Typhoon binocular helmet, which is in the final stages of development. The F-35 JSF alternate HMD will be a high-resolution, binocular system driven by powerful processor and graphics processor modules. The head tracker, based on that in the Typhoon helmet, is a high speed, high-accuracy, low-latency optical system. The helmet will be designed to display “virtual HUD” symbology and video imagery from the F-35 sensors and also will be compatible with helmet-mounted high-resolution night vision cameras.
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Arianespace announced the signing of its sixth and seventh contracts of the year, and fifth and sixth overall with The DIRECTV Group. The first contract will be for the launch of the Spaceway 2 satellite in April 2005. This 6.1 metric ton satellite carries an all Ka-Band payload destined to expand and enhance DIRECTV's direct-to-home (DTH) television service and to provide satellite broadband services across the United States. The second contract is for an un-named direct-to-home satellite. Both payloads will fly the Ariane 5 from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Launch preparation of the Spaceway 2 satellite will be completed in a record-breaking seven months from contract signature to launch. The speed of the campaign demonstrates how only Arianespace can deliver true mission assurance to customers worldwide.
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On 2 September 2004, the EU Commission sought Council approval for its recommendation to start negotiations on a cooperation agreement with Ukraine on the development of a Civil Global Navigation Satellite system (GNSS). “This proposal for a new international cooperation agreement clearly underlines the success of GALILEO and demonstrates again the widespread interest in the project”, stated Loyola de Palacio, Vice-President of the European Commission. The Commission intends to start the negotiations immediately after approval of the Council at the end of September 2004. Following the Ukraine-EU joint statement on cooperation on satellite navigation adopted in October 2003, and after several meetings with Ukrainian officials, Ukraine formally expressed its wish to pursue negotiations leading to an agreement on GALILEO. The scenario of cooperation identified in preliminary talks includes multilateral and industrial cooperation, research and scientific activities especially on standardisation issues, regional integrity monitoring and financial investment in GALILEO.
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Israeli military officials say a rocket carrying an Israeli spy satellite crashed into the Mediterranean shortly after takeoff, a failure seen as a serious setback for the Jewish state's military. Israel's Ofek-6 satellite was supposed to improve surveillance of Iran's missile program, but it was destroyed in Monday's crash. The rocket and satellite exploded in mid-air near the coastal launch site, south of Tel Aviv, and landed in the sea. The loss of the Ofek-6 is the second recent setback for Israel's military. Last week, its missile-killer system was unable to shoot down a dummy missile off the coast of California.
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Volvo Aero is acquiring the company Aero-Craft outside Hartford, Connecticut, in the US. The acquisition is part of a strategic alliance with Carlton Forge Works, and will mean that Volvo Aero can expand its range of specialized parts with fan cases. Aero-Craft has some 35 employees and sales of about USD 5 million. Aero-Craft is located south of Hartford in the northeastern United States. The company is a supplier and sub-supplier to major engine manufacturers, such as Pratt & Whitney and General Electric, but also to other component manufacturers in the industry, including MTU and Volvo Aero. Aero-Craft primarily manufactures components for large industrial gas turbines and for aircraft engines.
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China Southern Airlines Northern Company, a subsidiary of China Southern Air Holding Company, has announced that it will introduce a total of 23 A320 Family aircraft to replace its aging MD-82 and MD-90 aircraft. The aircraft will be leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The Shenyang-based carrier has already taken delivery of four A319s in 2004 and will receive another seven A319s in 2005. The remaining 12 aircraft of this acquisition will be either A319s or A320s, of which six will be delivered in 2006 and the remaining six in 2007. The aircraft will join the company's current Airbus fleet, including eight A321s and six A300-600s. The 23 aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500 engines from International Aircraft Engines.
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On September 6, 2004, at the Magliana headquarters, Alitalia's Human Resources director, Massimo Chieli, met with the nine union organisations representing Company employees in order to complete the presentation of the 2005-2008 Business Plan and to outline the strategic objectives for the next four years. He stressed that the project envisages a first phase of recovery (2005-2006), with a return to balanced accounts in 2006, and a second phase of re-launching (2007-2008). In 2006, the effect of recovery operations will amount to 830 million euros, reaching 1,027 million euros in 2008. The main indicators for the recovery phase show the following figures for 2006 (compared to forecasts in 2004): achieving balanced accounts, an increase in TKO (tonne kilometre offered) of +13%, a rise in load factor (ratio of aircraft capacity to number of passengers) of +2.2 percentage points. Compared to the results in 2003, revenues will grow by 13% in 2006. During the Plan's second phase (2007-2008) regarding re-launching, actions to be taken will focus primarily on the network, the fleet, the brand/product, as well as on distribution and sales. Fleet expansion will involve acquiring seven new long-haul aircraft bringing the total up to 34 in 2008, and twelve new medium-haul aircraft bringing the total to 162, again in 2008. The main indicators during the re-launching phase (2007-2008) will show the following figures: TKO up by +13%, load factor up by +1 percentage point, and a stable revenue situation.
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Cessna ahieved full FAA type certification for the Garmin G1000-equipped T206H Turbo Stationair. The G1000 system provides integration of all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, and engine sensor data on two large 10.4-inch glass, XGA resolution (1,024x768-pixel count) displays. The type certification was presented to Cessna officials the evening of September 7, 2004, in Wichita, Kansas. This marks Cessna's third Garmin G1000 FAA aircraft-level certification. Cessna received certification for the 182T Skylane and T182T Turbo Skylane in June 2004. Cessna anticipates certification for the regularly aspirated Stationair, 206H, by the end of the month. Cessna will begin Turbo Stationair deliveries in the immediate future.
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