FLUG REVUE update: Week ending 10 October 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 10 October 2004

+++ SpaceShipOne wins X Prize +++ US an Europe take subsidy dispute to WTO +++ EC 120 order from US Customs +++ UK commits to Aurora programme +++ Bombardier cuts staff to adapt +++ News in brief +++

SpaceShipOne wins X Prize
Perspektiven für private Raumflüge

On 4 October the SpaceShipOne flew a suborbital space mission for the second time in five days, securing the $10 million Ansari X Prize for designer Burt Rutan and his team. This time, Brian Binnie was at the controls as SpaceShipOne reached an altitude of 367,442 feet (112,2 kilometers), setting a record for the vehicle and proving that private industry can build a viable aicraft for sending paying passengers to space. At a post-flight press briefing, Rick Searfoss, a former shuttle astronaut and now chief judge for the Ansari X Prize, stated: "I declare that the Mojave Aerospace Ventures has indeed earned the Ansari X Prize." Binnie was the 434th human to have left our planet to go into space, Searfoss noted. The Ansari X Prize is a $10 million purse for the first privately built vehicle that could safely haul a pilot and the equivalent weight of two passengers to the edge of space -- then repeat the feat within two weeks.
Burt Rutan, leader of Scaled Composites, has big plans. The company announced September 27 they plan to build a new 5-person 'rocket plane for British entrepreneur Richard Branson, who will market space tourism flights to the public under the name Virgin Galactic. Virgin chief Branson, on hand for Monday's flight, called it "a magnificent achievement."

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US an Europe take subsidy dispute to WTO
Handelskonflikt um Airliner-Subventionen verschärft sich

On 6 October U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced that in order to level the playing field for American workers and companies, the United States would file a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement case against the European Union (EU) regarding billions of dollars in unfair subsidies provided to Airbus by European governments. "This is about fair competition and a level playing field. Since its creation thirty-five years ago, some Europeans have justified subsidies to Airbus as necessary to support an 'infant' industry. If that rationalization were ever valid, its time has long passed. Airbus now sells more large civil aircraft than Boeing," said Zoellick. "We urged the EU to agree that neither of us should provide new subsidies to aircraft manufacturers. We offered to simplify our task by using the subsidy definition that the EU and the United States had already agreed to in the WTO. We even were willing to accept subsidies in the pipeline – but then draw the line. That's a fair offer," said Zoellick. "But the EU and Airbus appear to want to buy more time for more subsidies for more planes. That isn't fair and it violates international trade rules. Since we could not agree, the United States decided to pursue resolution through the agreed procedures of the multilateral trading system, by bringing a WTO case before an international dispute resolution panel." Consistent with the decision to move forward with a WTO case, the United States also exercised its right, as provided by the 1992 Agreement's terms, to terminate that agreement.
In a counter-move, the EU has requested consultations with the United States in the World Trade Organization (WTO) on massive subsidies granted to Boeing. The EU believes that these subsidies are in serious violation of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. The US launched a case regarding European support to Airbus earlier in the day. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy stated: “The US move in the WTO concerning European support to Airbus is obviously an attempt to divert attention from Boeing's self-inflicted decline. It also shows that the US were never seriously interested in seeking to renegotiate the existing 92 EU-US Bilateral Agreement. . If this is the path the US has chosen, we accept the challenge, not least because it is high time to put an end to massive illegal US subsidies to Boeing which damage Airbus, in particular those for Boeing's new 7E7 programme. Nonetheless, it is a pity that the US has chosen to go to litigation which could destabilize trade and investment, including in Boeing's 7E7 project. Aerospace workers can rely on the European Commission to defend their interests. ” For many years the US Government has subsidised Boeing, mainly by paying research and development costs through NASA, the Department of Defence, the Department of Commerce and other government agencies. Since 1992 Boeing has received around $ 23 billion in US subsidies. Moreover, the US Government continues to grant Boeing around USD 200 million per year in export subsidies under the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion Act (the successor to the “FSC” - Foreign Sales Corporations legislation), despite a WTO ruling expressly declaring these subsidies illegal.
Boeing said it fully supports the action taken by the U.S. government, which came only after unsuccessful government-to-government attempts to resolve the issue. It is clear that the 1992 agreement does not reflect current market realities and has outlived its usefulness,” said Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer Harry Stonecipher. “Boeing appreciates the U.S. government's leadership and its commitment to end the subsidies, particularly launch aid, that Airbus receives,” Stonecipher said. “The decision to request consultations with the World Trade Organization provides the opportunity for the two governments to continue working toward a new agreement that eliminates launch aid going forward.
On the other side, Airbus has fully supported all recent actions by the European Commission to engage with the US government in serious discussions on comprehensive new disciplines on government support. The United States decision to terminate the 1992 Agreement and request formal consultations at the WTO is a strong demonstration of our competitor's unwillingness to enter negotiations to end the massive US federal and state supports for the 7E7 and other programmes. The path chosen by the US government underscores our belief that the 7E7 programme is only viable because of the WTO-inconsistent subsidies granted to it — subsidies which were already prohibited by the 1992 Agreement. The WTO will now be asked to rule on the compatibility of the various governments' subsidies to this and other programmes. The market will now draw its own conclusions on the viability of the 7E7, a programme which depends vitally on WTO - incompatible subsidies.

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EC 120 order from US Customs
Großauftrag für Eurocopter aus USA

American Eurocopter announced on October 4 that the company has been awarded a contract by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to supply more than 55 aircraft to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. The value of the award is potentially $75 million over the five-year term of the contract. American Eurocopter will use the EC120 for the Law Enforcement Equipped Single Engine Light Observation Helicopters – or “Light Sign Cutter” fleet. The single-engine turbine EC120 is the quietest helicopter in its class, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly helicopters that can be flown in some of the wildlife areas contained within the Border Patrol's area of operation. The aircraft offers excellent endurance, unmatched cabin visibility and compliance with energy attenuating capability. The EC120 offers excellent value to the Department of Homeland Security. Currently, more than 380 EC120 aircraft are in operation worldwide. The Light Sign Cutter fleet of more than 55 EC120 aircraft will be produced in Mississippi at the company's second and newest manufacturing facility in Columbus, adjacent to the Golden Triangle Airport.

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UK commits to Aurora programme
Europäische Raumfahrtpläne mit Großbritannien

UK Science Minister Lord Sainsbury announced the UK's commitment to the next stage of the European Space Exploration Programme (ESEP) 'Aurora'. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) will invest £5 million on behalf of the UK in the European Space Agency's (ESA) preparatory phase for Aurora. Aurora is the framework proposed by ESA for the long-term exploration of the Solar System, with the aim of a human mission to Mars in 2033. Its two main themes are the development of human technologies to eventually take humans to Mars, and the robotic exploration of Mars as a precursor to the human mission. Lord Sainsbury said: “I am delighted to announce that PPARC will take forward the UK's investment in the preparatory element of the Aurora programme. This subscription will make the UK one of the leading contributors to this next phase up to early 2006. As well as the science benefits, this programme could develop valuable new technology in autonomous robotics, which is why the UK places such emphasis on this approach to space exploration.”

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Bombardier cuts staff to adapt
Regionaljet-Anpassungen bei Bombardier

Bombardier Aerospace announced that it is aligning the production rates of its Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft with current and forecast market demand. This will result in a total workforce reduction of approximately 2,000 employees at its Montréal-area facilities and at its Belfast site over a nine-month period starting November 2004. Severance costs associated with these layoffs will total approximately $26 million US and will be expensed through the normal course of operations over the current fiscal year 2004/05 (year ending January 31, 2005). As a consequence, Bombardier Aerospace cannot maintain its previous guidance of break-even at the earnings before income taxes (EBT) level for the current fiscal year.
Total Bombardier Aerospace aircraft deliveries for the current fiscal year 2004/05 will not be affected by the adjustments to the production rates and will remain as previously announced, approximately the same number as was delivered in the last fiscal year 2003/04 (year ending January 31, 2004). The production rates will be adjusted as follows: For the 50-passenger Bombardier CRJ200, a reduction to a rate of one aircraft produced every four days from a rate of one aircraft produced every three days, or a total of 68 CRJ200 deliveries in the next fiscal year 2005/06. The 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700 and 86-passenger CRJ900 production level will remain at the rate of one aircraft produced every three days, or 77 CRJ700/CRJ900 aircraft deliveries in the next fiscal year 2005/06. This rate was established at the beginning of this current fiscal year 2004/05 and will not be increased as planned. However, in Belfast, due to the necessity of a long production lead-time within the aircraft manufacturing cycle, the production rate for the CRJ700/900 programs had already increased and will now revert to the original rate.
"Given the context of the airline industry and the financial difficulties facing a number of our customers, we must continue to be prudent and proactively manage our production rates and delivery schedule to reduce our exposure to the cancellation or deferral of orders," said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "By making these difficult but necessary decisions, we will remain competitive and ensure our success in the long term," he added. In addition, Delta, a major CRJ customer, is facing unprecedented financial challenges. Should Delta be unable to take delivery of CRJ aircraft, a further cut in the Bombardier CRJ Series production rate would be implemented with an additional workforce reduction of approximately 1,200 employees.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The International Space Station (ISS) crew made steady progress with maintenance work this week. Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA Station Science Officer Mike Fincke restored the primary oxygen generator to partial operation and replaced a cabin air monitoring system. Padalka and Fincke also began packing for the trip home. The Russian Federal Space Agency announced today launch of the next Station crew, Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov, is scheduled for 11:06 p.m. EDT Oct. 13. NASA and Russian Station managers also met to review preparations for that mission in a Flight Readiness Review and found everything in order. Heading to the Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft with Chiao and Sharipov will be Russian Space Forces Test Cosmonaut Yuri Shargin. The trio will dock with the Station at 12:24 a.m. EDT Oct. 16. Padalka, Fincke and Shargin will return to Earth in another Soyuz that's already docked to the Station. They're scheduled to land in Kazakhstan at 8:32 p.m. EDT Oct. 23. Chiao and Sharipov will remain aboard the Station for six months. Padalka and Fincke continued troubleshooting the Elektron oxygen generator this week. It has operated intermittently during the past few weeks. The system creates breathing oxygen from water, venting hydrogen overboard from the Station in the process. With plans provided by Russian ground controllers, the crew hooked the system's hydrogen venting line up to a different overboard valve in the Station's Zvezda module. The valve is normally used as part of an atmospheric contaminant control system.
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The first RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) slated for the Navy's Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) program made its first flight from Palmdale, Calif., to Edward's Air Force Base Oct. 6. The mission lasted for approximately four hours and exercised the airframe, guidance system and powerplant. This is the first of two RQ-4A aircraft the Navy is acquiring as part of the GHMD program. The GHMD program is intended to develop maritime UAV tactics and operating procedures. Lessons learned from GHMD will be applied to future naval UAV systems. This system will provide the Navy with an enduring testbed to evaluate new technologies; to support fleet experiments and exercises; and to provide a contingency operational capability to support deployed Navy and Marine Corps forces. The Navy Global Hawks are designed with features specifically tailored to maritime missions, including new radar modes for detecting and identifying ships at sea, as well as passive sensors capable of picking up hostile radars. The ground stations are also modified, adding displays and controls needed to allow operators to analyze sensor information in real time and without external assistance.
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NASA is working to determine how four hurricanes that affected several centers this year will impact efforts to return the Space Shuttle to flight. The agency has been working toward a launch-planning window that opens in March 2005. Top officials in NASA's human space flight program determined the March-April window is no longer achievable. The Space Flight Leadership Council met in an executive session at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. The council directed the Space Shuttle Program to assess how it would meet Return to Flight milestones for the next available launch window, which opens May 14, 2005. The Shuttle program will present its analysis at a late October leadership council meeting. "More than a year ago, we set out a specific plan for Return to Flight with specific milestones. Right now, those milestones are pointing us toward a new launch window," said William Readdy, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations. "I am proud of our Shuttle team for taking good care of our orbiters during this terrible storm season. I am pleased they are taking the time to make a careful assessment of the hurricanes' impact. Their thoroughness will help us make the right decision," he said.
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Team US101 has for the first time flown a US101 medium-lift helicopter equipped with more powerful, FAA-certified General Electric CT7-8E engines and new, large-screen cockpit instrument displays. Both the engines and the improved cockpit displays will be used for the Presidential Helicopter Replacement (VXX) program. "This first, two-hour flight is a significant demonstration of the US101's superior air vehicle capabilities, ready now for the Marine One program," said Stephen D. Ramsey, Lockheed Martin's US101 vice president and general manager. "While our competition's engines are still in development and not yet FAA-certified, we have flown the actual engines that will be used by our Marine One offering, again demonstrating that ours is the proven, low-risk solution to the President's needs." The more powerful, 2,500 shaft-horsepower GE CT7-8E engines provide 12 percent more power than previous CT7-family engines, increasing the US101's payload by at least 2,000 pounds while operating on hot days at high altitudes. The large cockpit displays give US101 pilots 70 percent more display area, and enhance their management of flight, system and mission data.
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Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) an original Mercury 7 astronaut, died earlier today at his home in Ventura, Calif. He was 77 years old. Cooper piloted the sixth and last flight of the Mercury program and later commanded Gemini V. "As one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, Gordon Cooper was one of the faces of America's fledgling space program. He truly portrayed the right stuff, and he helped gain the backing and enthusiasm of the American public, so critical for the spirit of exploration. My thoughts and prayers are with Gordon's family during this difficult time," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. The youngest of the original seven astronauts, Cooper's flight in his Faith 7 spacecraft stretched the capabilities of the Mercury capsule to the limits. The mission, May 15 and 16, 1963, lasted more than 34 hours and 22 orbits. That was more than three times the longest U.S. human space flight until that time, and far exceeded the initial design capability of the capsule. During his flight, Cooper became the first astronaut to sleep in space.
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Famed aerospace engineer and designer Willis M. Hawkins, whose career with Lockheed Martin's legacy companies spanned nearly 50 years, passed away at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 28. He was 90. "Our industry has lost a true titan," said Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. President Dain Hancock. "Willis was a superb engineer, program manager and leader. He was a person of great dignity and depth who made true and lasting contributions to aerospace and national defense." Among many career highlights, Hawkins oversaw development of the Polaris, the U.S. Navy's first sea-launched ballistic missile, and headed the then-classified Corona reconnaissance satellite program. In 1963, he briefly left Lockheed to serve as assistant secretary of the Army, and he started development of what became today's M1 Abrams main battle tank. In 1951, Hawkins led the team that designed the C-130 Hercules airlifter in a little more than two months. This past August 23 marked the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the YC-130 prototype. 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. Today's C-130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history. Not surprisingly, Hawkins considered the C-130 one of his greatest successes.
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The Rolls-Royce Turbomeca (RRTM) RTM322 engine has been selected by the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) to power its new fleet of twin-engine NH90 multi-role helicopters. The RAFO has ordered 20 Tactical Troop Lift (TTH) variants of the NH90 aircraft. With this order, RAFO becomes the ninth NH90 customer to select the RTM322 and will benefit from the 2,500-2,600 shp class upgraded version of the engine. Oman joins the family of RTM322 NH90 users whose countries consist of Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
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With a 15.6 percent jump in passenger volume, Munich Airport has far exceeded all traffic forecasts in the third quarter and once again posted a new record. Between the start of July and the end of September 2004, Munich Airport counted a total of 7.7 million passengers – an increase of more than one million as compared with the comparable prior-year period. During the same three-month period, the number of commercial take-offs and landings was up sharply by more than 12 percent to nearly 100,000, breaking all records for a single quarter. Following this massive traffic boom in the third quarter, the airport is on course for a double-digit increase in passenger traffic for the whole year. On the basis of the 20.3 million passengers already counted during the first nine months of the current year, Munich Airport is now 11.3 percent ahead of the prior year figure. The third quarter also saw new single-day records at Munich Airport. On Friday, September 24, more than 104,000 passengers passed through the handling facilities. The daily average of 90,000 passengers in the month of September marked another all-time high. A further daily record was set for aircraft movements: The new mark of 1,232 take-offs and landings on a single day was set on September 15th. The old record was beaten 12 times in September.
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Due for launch next spring, ESA's ice mission CryoSat marked an important milestone last week when the innovative SAR/Interferometric Radar Altimeter (SIRAL) instrument was delivered to the prime contractor Astruim GmbH for integration into the satellite. Developed by Alcatel Space, the SIRAL radar altimeter is the key instrument to be carried on the CryoSat mission. Its design is based on heritage from existing radar altimeters but with a number of sophisticated enhancements to overcome the challenges of measuring two different kinds of ice cover. SIRAL will be able to acquire very precise measurements of the thickness of relatively thin floating sea-ice so that annual variations can be observed, and also accurately survey the surface of polar ice-sheets, which are kilometres thick, in order to detect any small changes. CryoSat is the first Earth Explorer satellite to be launched as part of ESA's Living Planet Programme. It is now generally agreed that the Earth's atmosphere is warming, however, it is very difficult to predict what effect this is having on polar ice cover. Since ice plays such an important role in the regulation of the Earth's climate and sea-level height, it is crucial to determine any change in the thickness of marine and continental ice cover.
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Raytheon announced an acquisition that will strategically strengthen its capabilities across its missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, precision strike and homeland security strategic business areas. The Company announced that it has acquired Photon Research Associates Inc. (PRA), based in San Diego, Calif. Previously a privately held company, PRA specializes in physics-based solutions for government customers. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "The acquisition of PRA strengthens our focus on technology," said William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of Raytheon. "PRA will help provide unique technical solutions for our customers."
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The launch campaign for Arianespace's upcoming Flight 164 entered a new phase with arrival of the XTAR-EUR satellite payload at the Spaceport. XTAR-EUR arrived October 5 aboard a Volga-Dnepr Airlines An-124 heavy-lift cargo transport, at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport, and was transferred to the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation building for fit-checks with Ariane 5 interface hardware.
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SAS has reached agreement with the Swedish Transport Workers' Union, after the union had given notice of industrial action on October 11. The agreement will result in increased personnel costs that will reduce SAS' competitive possibilities in the areas of baggage handling, ramp services and technical maintenance. SAS Group CEO Jörgen Lindegaard made the following comment: "We have succeeded in signing a new collective agreement with 38 out of 39 trade unions to adapt SAS' cost structure to external conditions. On behalf of SAS employees, I regret that we did not succeed in achieving such an agreement with the Transport Workers' Union." SAS Group management is now conducting a review of the operations included in the new agreement with the Transport Workers' Union. The consequences of the new agreement could mean the termination or divestment of certain operations within this area.
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Virgin Express Holdings announced that after long and constructive negotiations its Board of Directors has approved the binding agreement placing Virgin Express NV/SA and SN Brussels Airlines under the common ownership of SN Airholding II (“SN Air”). The agreement was signed yesterday evening by all parties, and will complete once certain conditions have been satisfied. The conditions are expected to be satisfied in the first quarter of 2005. The excess capacity which has existed in the Brussels market for some time has meant that consolidation in the European short haul market is essential. The Board of VEX PLC believes that this transaction offers a solution for both companies to the problem of excess capacity and should deliver synergies, in terms of network and cost optimisation. SN Air will offer to its customers two airlines with different brands and products to satisfy the needs of the competitive market in Belgium: a flexible full service airline and a low fare airline. The Board of VEX PLC believes that the agreement and the transactions which it contemplates are in the best interests of all concerned parties, their employees, shareholders and customers. The agreement contains a number of conditions which will need to be fulfilled before completioncan take place.
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Boeing and Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd., (JAL) said that JAL, the world's largest 747 operator, recently ordered three 747-400 Special Freighters with up to four options. JAL joins other cargo carriers in the region as an operator of the Boeing 747 Special Freighter, a 747-400 passenger airplane converted into a cargo airplane. Boeing launched the program earlier this year.
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On 6 October, the European Commission today adopted a communication on moving to the deployment and operational phases of the European satellite radionavigation system. On the basis of the conclusions of this document, at the end of 2004 the Council will take the political decisions needed to launch these two phases concerning, in particular, funding and the definition of the services. In its communication, the Commission comes to the conclusion that the conditions are now met for launching the GALILEO program. “There are no more obstacles to launching the subsequent phases of the program” said Loyola de Palacio, Commission Vice-President. In its communication, the Commission reiterated the four matters that needed to be settled prior to launching the deployment and operational phases: Establishment of the structures for the management of the system – This is now settled with the Regulation on the structures of the management of European satellite radionavigation programs and the Joint Action on the security of the system, both of which were adopted by the Council on 12 July 2004; Total interoperability of the American and US systems is explicitly provided for in the agreement signed with the US on 26 June 2004; The definition of the services to be offered – The work carried out so far during the program development phase is culminating in the definition of a range of services with the required characteristics and meeting the requirements imposed, in particular with regard to quality, public service and compliance with security standards; Confirmation that there will be a significant contribution from the private sector towards the funding of these phases – The Commission indicates that the Galileo Joint Undertaking has successfully completed the procedure for selecting the concession holder. The Joint Undertaking's report setting out the results of the procedure confirm not only the commercial viability of the operation of this system as a result of substantial income, but also the commitment of the private sector to fund a significant proportion of the subsequent program phases. The two applicants for the concession have submitted innovative commercial ideas. Their bids indicate the willingness of numerous investors, in particular financial institutions, to assume financial responsibility for the construction and operation of the system.
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Delta will provide customers with a convenient link between the financial capital of the United State and the capital of Germany with new, daily non-stop service between New York's John F. Kennedy, Airport International and Berlin Tegel Airport beginning May 2, 2005. With this new service, Delta will be the only carrier serving Berlin non stop from the U.S. "This new flight will be particularly beneficial for the business community since New York and Berlin are both key financial centers,” said Jorge Fernandez, Delta's vice president-International and Alliances. “We look forward to providing this important new link for our customers. As Delta works to implement its new strategic plan, designed to create the right airline for the new era, gaining service to Berlin will support our goal of creating and sustaining profitable growth.” Delta will operate its daily non-stop flight between New York-JFK and Berlin with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with the capacity to carry up to 204 passengers in a two-class configuration and featuring Delta's award-winning BusinessElite service.
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SAS Flight Academy AB has established a new training center at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen, Norway. The new training center opened on August 15, 2004, with opening ceremonies scheduled for October 7. In the first phase, three full flight simulators will be featured: a B737NG, a B737 Classic and a Dash8-100/300. The training center even includes cabin-training equipment for these aircraft types. The building is modern and spacious, and houses classrooms, CBT terminals, briefing and debriefing rooms etc. Customers include SAS Braathens, Widerøe, Britannia, Sterling, Estonian Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
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NASA scientists recently successfully radioed artificial intelligence (AI) software to a satellite. They tested the software's ability to find and analyze errors in the spacecraft's systems. Normally, troubleshooting is done on the ground. The AI software, Livingstone Version 2 (LV2), automatically detects and diagnoses simulated failures in the NASA Earth Observing One (E0-1) satellite's instruments and systems. E0-1, launched in November 2000, is a flying test bed for new technologies and techniques intended to boost safety, reduce costs and development times. "This is the kind of technology NASA needs to support future exploration of the Earth, moon, Mars and beyond in the 21st Century," said Ghassem Asrar, deputy associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "This software grants us the ability to troubleshoot the robotic systems required to handle increasingly complex tasks of exploration, while they are millions of miles and perhaps light years away from Earth," he said."Livingstone gives us a chance to recover from errors, protect our investments in space and continue to achieve our mission goals," said Sandra Hayden, the Livingstone E0-1 experiment principal investigator. She is a scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, Calif. "It is critical to ensure spacecraft systems behave as designers intended, and to accurately diagnose potential problems," Hayden said.
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V-BIRD, the Weeze based low-cost carrier, stopped flying on Friday after money ran out and negotiations with a new investor from the Netherlands failed. Thousands of travellers were stranded. V-BIRD did operate to 18 destinations, like Rome, Helsinki and Kopenhagen. 180 people are employed.
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Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company, a joint venture of Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, and Agusta, an AgustaWestland company, released a program update on its AB139 medium twin helicopter. The first customer AB139 was delivered in late 2003 to Elilario, an Italian helicopter public transport company. A second AB139 was recently delivered to the government of Namibia. The handover took place on September 16th at Eros Airport in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, and was presided over by President Dr. Sam Nujoma. The aircraft will perform utility, emergency medical service and transportation roles as part of the country's Government Air Transportation Services. Additional AB139 deliveries are expected by year end to customers in the government, commercial and private sectors, while the order book currently stands at approximately 80 aircraft slated for more than 40 customers worldwide. Training in Italy for technicians and pilots has been completed for earlier customers and continues apace for future deliveries.
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UK Competition Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced that he is proposing to accept undertakings instead of referring the proposed acquisition of UK helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland by Finmeccanica to the Competition Commission. The undertakings, which are issued in draft today for consultation, would protect sensitive information and ensure that the UK maintains a military helicopter capability. Mr Sutcliffe's decision is in line with the advice of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on jurisdiction, and representations from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on how best to remedy the public security concerns identified by the proposed acquisition. Gerry Sutcliffe said: "The OFT has advised that, if I believe it is necessary on national security grounds, I am able to either refer this merger to the Competition Commission, or accept undertakings in lieu of reference, under relevant legislation. The MoD has advised that this merger raises security issues relating to the confidentiality of sensitive information and to the maintenance of strategic capabilities in relation to the UK Armed Forces helicopter fleet. I am proposing to accept from Finmeccanica certain behavioural undertakings to ensure the protection of classified technology and information, and the maintenance of a UK military helicopter capability."
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MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg added another name to its global customer list when it recently began to provide maintenance services for LM6000PC gas turbines operated by Thai power producer Rojana Power. "This marks another milestone in our Asia business," says a pleased Burkhard Schulz, Vice President Industrial Gas Turbines (IGT). The service agreement between the Thai company and the German MRO provider lasts seven years. "It assures Rojana we'll repair three gas turbines to begin with, provide service around the clock and trouble shooting in the field whenever necessary," says Hermann Nagel, Regional Sales Manager Asia-Pacific at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg. The first Thai gas turbine has already been repaired and overhauled at the German facility. Ludwigsfelde-based MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg is the IGT Center of Excellence of MTU Aero Engines, Germany's leading engine manufacturer. It repairs and overhauls General Electric LM2500, LM2500+, LM5000 and LM6000 gas turbines.
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EADS North America has acquired Racal Instruments Group, marking the initiation of a core strategic element of growth through acquisition. Racal Instruments is a leader in the development, production, and integration of systems and instruments to test electronics, aerospace, and defense systems. Racal Instruments will be operated through EADS North America Defense Company. “The acquisition of Racal Instruments is part of the long-term growth strategy of EADS in North America,” stated Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO, EADS North America and a Member of the EADS Executive Committee. “With this acquisition, we obtain a market leader in the integrated test business in the U.S., build upon our other U.S. test businesses, and add materially to our critical mass as a leading global test and services company. EADS will provide Racal Instruments with an enhanced technology base, improved financial stability, and thus better position it to develop new capabilities”, Crosby said. “This will facilitate the production of a more extensive range of products, and services.”
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Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. and SR Technics Switzerland have referred their dispute over the interpretation of their present „full-support“ maintenance contract to an arbitration process subject to Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The issues to be referred to the court are essentially of a commercial nature. Both parties will continue to fully observe the terms and conditions of their present maintenance contract, thereby ensuring that the high safety standards of the SWISS Airbus fleets, which are under SR Technics' care, are maintained throughout these proceedings.Despite the ongoing arbitration proceedings, SWISS and SR Technics will work closely together in order to solve the conflict in a mutually acceptable fashion.
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The US Navy completed a Systems Requirements Review (SRR) of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program Sept. 30 at a three-day conference in Seattle. The review was a crucial step that permits the program to continue forward in the Systems Development and Demonstration phase of the acquisition. This was the first major review of the program since the contract was awarded to Boeing June 14. “I've been extremely impressed with the work the MMA Team has produced to date,” remarked Stu Young, technical director, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, and designated MMA SRR review board chairman, during the meeting's conclusion. “The very few action items generated indicate that this program is on the right track.” The purpose of the SRR was to ensure understanding of the planned system and contract requirements. Meetings included briefings and discussions that provided a detailed review of documents, such as the technical specifications, statement of work and contract schedule.
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Marine Attack Training Squadron-203 retired the original AV-8B Day Attack Harrier in a flyby ceremony Sept. 30 at Cherry Point. Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating costs and flexibility the AV-8B Day Attack Harrier has been an essential element for the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps. “I've been flying AV-8B Harriers for 18 years,” said Lt. Col. Richard W. Regan, the Commanding Officer at VMAT-203. “They have been globally deployed since the summer of 1986. They served exceptionally well in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and during the Kosovo Conflict. During Desert Storm, they were the closest to the front of any tactical aircraft.” Harriers have been able to serve a special purpose flying off of aircraft carriers. Part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit, they have been an invaluable element of strategic planning.
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A very strong combined government and industrial delegation from all four Eurofighter Typhoon nations is visiting this week's Defendory exhibition in Athens. The defense procurement Ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom have been joined by the Chief Executives of the Eurofighter partner companies. The delegation's purpose is to show its strong commitment to the Eurofighter Typhoon project and in particular to progress a number of export opportunities. Austria has selected Eurofighter Typhoon and the aircraft is on the final shortlist in Singapore. Eurofighter Typhoon was also judged in 1999 by the then Greek government to meet the Greek Air Force's next generation fighter requirement. The Eurofighter Typhoon delegation is making clear its support for Greek involvement in the project and for related industrial activities in Greece.
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Snecma and Boeing announced an agreement to perform Nacelle Component Repair on Embraer 135/145 and Boeing 737 Next-Generation and Classic airplanes. The agreement will extend the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability of both companies. Through the agreement, Snecma Group subsidiary Hurel-Hispano will provide its American customers a repair center for the Embraer 135/145 at Boeing's Wichita Service Center; and its European customers Nacelle repair capability for the Next-Generation 737 and Classic airplanes at Hurel-Hispano European Services.
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Due to the rising demand for flight services to Libya, the Austrian Airlines Group is expanding its scheduled flights to Tripoli on an ongoing basis. The company operates three flights a week at present, and a fourth weekly frequency will be added from 1 December 2004. In detail, flight OS 891 will depart from Vienna for Tripoli at 23.10 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, arriving in the Libyan capital at 02.10 the following morning. A fifth weekly service, every Saturday, will be added at the beginning of the 2005 summer schedule, as of 27 March 2005. Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Josef E. Burger made the following comment on this new increase in the company programme: 'With these additional flights, we are taking into account the greater business contacts with the North African state. In future, Libya will also become an increasingly important tourist destination. Once again, we are opening up a new market for the Austrian and international economy, and offering the ideal service. All flights will be made using Austrian jets in cooperation with our route partner Libyan Arab Airlines. The flight schedule to and from Tripoli is also perfectly integrated into our transfer concept via Vienna International Airport and a key part of our overall network. We plan to increase our programme to a daily service in high season from July to September 2005.'
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Lockheed Martin's Maritime Systems & Sensors (MS2) unit has received contracts with a combined value of $625 million for radar development associated with the design and development phase of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), an international air defense program. This follows the September 28 announcement that MEADS International - a multinational joint venture of Lockheed Martin, MBDA-Italia, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, and Lenkflugkorpersysteme of Germany - signed a multiyear design and development contract valued at approximately $3 billion. Lockheed Martin MS2 received its contracts from MEADS International and several of its constituent organizations.
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With final negotiations completed and the contract signed, work can begin next year on a major upgrade of New Zealand's P-3 Orion aircraft fleet. At the signing ceremony today with US firm L-3/IS Communications Integrated Systems, Defence Minister Mark Burton said that this $352 million project was another significant step in re-equipping all three services of the NZDF. “Since the 2002 release of the Defence Long-Term Development Plan, 22 major re-equipment projects have been advanced. They include investments in seven new purpose-built naval vessels, a 15-year life extending upgrade of our C-130 Hercules aircraft, the purchase of two 757-200 jet aircraft to replace our ageing 727s, and the recent acquisition of a new fleet of Light Operational Vehicles.
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The Sea Launch Independent Review Board (IRB) has concluded its review of the Telstar 18 mission on June 28, which released the satellite short of its intended target apogee. Sea Launch is now ready to return to flight. Immediately following the mission, Sea Launch partner RSC Energia appointed a commission in Moscow to investigate a premature shutdown of the Block DM-SL upper stage. RSC Energia was able to recreate the anomaly on the ground in full scope, matching the flight telemetry data from the Telstar 18 mission. The commission identified the most probable cause as a short in the onboard cable network. This short introduced electrical interference in the circuits that transmit liquid oxygen and fuel flow rate data to the main engine control system. The main engine control system performed nominally, given the distorted data it received from the flow rate sensors. As a result of the main engine control system acting upon the distorted data, the Block DM-SL consumed more fuel than planned and prematurely shut down due to fuel depletion. The shutdown was performed nominally based on the ability of the robust Block DM-SL control system to handle contingency situations.
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The prices of crude oil in general and especially kerosene, which continue to remain at a record level, have forced Lufthansa to adjust the temporary fuel surcharges it introduced in August. In the last few days the price of crude oil has risen to over 50 US dollars per barrel (159 litres) and has now surged to an all-time high. The price of crude oil has thus almost doubled in comparison to last year and has compelled the company to respond. The fuel surcharge on domestic and intra-European flights will be raised by five euros, bringing the total surcharge per flight leg to seven euros. On long-haul routes, on which fuel accounts for a higher percentage of the total flight costs, a fuel surcharge of 17 euros per flight leg will be levied - ten euros more than before. The new fuel surcharges apply to all tickets bought on or after 15 October 2004, and will remain in force until the crude oil price on the spot markets falls below 40 US dollars per barrel on 30 successive days.
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Four-digit mark celebration at Langenhagen: MTU Maintenance Hannover has just repaired its 1,000th V2500 engine and returned it to JetBlue Airways. "On this engine type, we're the world's No. 1 repair champ," said Bernd Kessler, Executive Vice President Civil Engine Maintenance (MRO) with MTU Aero Engines, during a small celebration. "And justly so, with the invaluable experience we have in this segment of the business." MTU's affiliate in Germany's Langenhagen has been repairing and overhauling International Aero Engines (IAE) powerplants since 1989. Globally, more than 30 airlines rely on the repair specialists at MTU's maintenance shop. Take JetBlue, for instance, which currently operates 70 V2500-powered A320 twinjets and expects to grow its fleet size to over 170 transports in the coming years.
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