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UPDATE
Week ending 24 October 2004
+++ German Air Transport Initiative presents master plan +++ Maiden flight of first Czech Gripen +++ American Eurocopter inaugurates new facility +++ Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo and DEG found cargo carrier +++ Primaris Airlines bets on Dreamliner +++ Columbus Control Centre inaugurated in Oberpfaffenhofen +++ Snecma and EADS Space study propulsion merger +++ News in brief +++
German Air Transport Initiative presents master plan
Deutsche Flughäfen legen Pläne vor
On October 20, the German Air Transport Initiative, represented by Dr. Wilhelm Bender, Chairman of the Executive Board of Fraport AG and Dr. Michael Kerkloh, CEO of Flughafen München GmbH, submitted a master plan for the future development of air transport to the German Federal Minister of Transport, Manfred Stolpe, in Berlin. The master plan is a tool for the demand-oriented planning of airport infrastructure, and is one element of the just -released interim report of the Air Transport Initiative which was founded by Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Fraport AG, Flughafen München GmbH and DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH under the auspices of Minister Stolpe.
The master plan is based on a Germany-wide forecast of air traffic, which predicts that German airports will have 256 million passengers in 2015 - an increase of 74% over 2003. In the opinion of the partners of the Air Transport Initiative, this window of opportunity can only be realised if the capacity of German airports is increased. The master plan mainly focuses on the two hubs Frankfurt and Munich and airports in Hamburg, Hannover, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart. At present, these eight airports have a share of 86% of the total passenger volume in Germany and, according to forecasts, this figure will increase to 88% by 2015.
In view of the increasing importance of global airline alliances and the resulting concentration of intercontinental flights at large hubs, bottlenecks at the German hubs Frankfurt and Munich have to be prevented. Only if the capacity at these hubs is enhanced in due time and in line with demand can Germany ensure its competitiveness in air transport on an international level, and can prevent airlines from leaving Germany to go to neighbouring hubs in Europe. Furthermore, the partners of the Air Transport Initiative see the need for further expansion at the airports in Berlin and Düsseldorf.
The master plan does not deal with further airport expansion measures which may be considered necessary by the German Länder (federal states). Although expansion may be required from a regional point of view, the overall strategy for the location should always be borne in mind and proposed measures should be coordinated with all Länder in consultation with the federal government. According to the Air Transport Initiative, failure to act or a delay in enhancing air transport capacity would bear enormous economic risks. The master plan estimates a loss of up to 27 million passengers in Germany. In addition to the harmful impact on economic development, this would also have a disastrous effect on the job market. The direct, indirect and induced creation of up to 80,000 jobs as a result of the increase in traffic volume will be jeopardised without a systematic advancement of the infrastructure. And this does not include the domino effects on employment, i.e. the creation of new jobs due to the establishment of companies in the vicinity of airports. Increasing capacity at Frankfurt Airport alone is expected to generate 54,000 jobs due to catalytic effects.
The uncoordinated creation of new capacities at smaller airports across Germany for low-cost airlines, however, is considered to be problematic by the members of the Air Transport Initiative. Germany's position in the air transport market should not be jeopardised by "conversion projects" during which former military airports are transformed into civil airports with great effort and mainly public financing. Airports which can only operate if propped up by ongoing subsidies weaken not only public budgets but also the other - cost-efficient - airports. In addition to the master plan for the development of airports, the new interim report of the German Air Transport Initiative contains specific recommendations on the reorganisation of the air navigation services in a European context, on increased representation of interests in favour of the German air transport industry at a European level, particularly with regard to aviation security, and on the improvement of legal and regulatory framework conditions regarding competition. In an effort to consolidate Germany's position on the air transport market, the "European Center of Aviation Development" was founded. This research institute is to deal with all issues relating to economic, strategic and aviation policies. The Technische Universität Darmstadt will support this project as a university partner. A decision about including further members has not yet been taken.
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Maiden flight of first Czech Gripen
Gripen für Tschechien im Flugversuch
Monday October 18 saw the take-off of the first Gripen fighter ordered for export. The aircraft, which will be delivered to the Czech Republic, was marked with Czech colors. The Czech Air Force will be the first NATO country to operate Gripen, one of the world's most modern, fourth generation fighter aircraft. The fighters will be delivered by FMV to the Czech Republic from April 2005. Gripen was up for 1 hour and 25 minutes and was flown by Mats Thorbiörnson, one of Saab's test pilots. Following today's maiden flight there will be a period of further air and ground tests to verify that the systems are working in line with the Czech specifications. The fighter that made the historical flight is the first of 14 aircraft that the Swedish state (FMV) is leasing to the Czech armed forces. The contract also includes training. Since August, the first Czech pilots have been re-training for the Gripen systems at the F7 Swedish Air Force base in Såtenäs, western central Sweden. Approximately 40 engineers are also being trained in Gripen systems at the Armed Forces Halmstad Schools (FMHS) on the south-west coast
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American Eurocopter inaugurates new facility
Neues Eurocopter-Werk in Columbus
A throng of customers, and political and industrial leaders were on hand for the inauguration ceremony of American Eurocopter's new plant in Columbus, Mississippi. American Eurocopter is a North American subsidiary of Eurocopter. Next to Columbus Airport's "Golden Triangle", the new site will provide work for about 100 engineers, technicians and administrative staff. The activities of the new 2,400 acre site will involve manufacturing, assembly and customization. The Columbus site will mainly focus on the assembly and customization of the helicopters sold by American Eurocopter to local and federal government organizations for military operations, homeland security and other parapublic missions. As far as manufacturing is concerned, the Columbus facility has already started manufacturing rear fuselage sections of the AS 350 (AStar) helicopters assembled in the USA and France. Another activity will be the production of the components for the re-engining kits boosting the performance of the US Coast Guard HH65 Dauphins. The Columbus facility is already up and running: the first AS 350 AStars have been assembled, customized, and acceptance-tested on the site, and delivered to their customers. On the day of the site inauguration ceremony, the first EC 120 Colibri produced by the plant was delivered to its customer, Pacer Communications and the EMS operator State Medevac signed for two new EC 145.
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Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo and DEG found cargo carrier
Neue Frachtfluggesellschaft in China
The Chinese carrier Shenzhen Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo are in future to operate a joint cargo carrier in China. They will be partnered by the DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, which is also taking out a stake in the new company. At 16 hours local time today, the three partners put their signatures to an agreement setting up "Jade Cargo International" in Beijing. Senior representatives of the Chinese and German governments also attended the signing ceremony in the Diaoyutai state guesthouse. The headquarters of the new carrier is located at its major hub in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen, which already has the fourth biggest airport in the People's Republic of China. General Manager of Jade Cargo International is Dr. Rudolf Tewes.
Jade Cargo International begins operations after the Chinese New Year festival in 2005. Besides destinations within China, it will initially serve intra-Asian routings to countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with two Airbus A300-600 freighters. Later, in a second phase, it will extend its route network to other destinations beyond Asia. Shenzhen Airlines will own 51 per cent of the joint venture, Lufthansa Cargo will have a stake of 25 per cent with the remaining 24 per cent held by DEG. It will be the first carrier with foreign participation to operate in the Chinese market. Commenting on the strategy of the new company, Dr. Rudolf Tewes, the General Manager of Jade Cargo International, said: "Jade Cargo International's operations will be governed by rigorous cost discipline and flexibility combined with high quality. Its product portfolio will be adapted to suit the needs of the local market and customers. We will focus clearly on airport-to-airport general cargo for our target customer group - intra-Asian and globally active forwarders."
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Primaris Airlines bets on Dreamliner
Neue US-Fluggesellschaft bestellt 7E7
On 21 October, Boeing confirmed Primaris Airlines. has chosen the Boeing 7E7-8 Dreamliner and the 737-800 for the airlines' future fleet development. The airline announced plans to purchase 20 737-800s and 20 7E7-8s, with options for an additional 25 737-800s and 15 7E7-8s. The firm purchases would be worth approximately $3.8 billion at list prices. Contract negotiations are expected to conclude later this year. Deliveries of the 737-800s will begin in 2007 and the 7E7-8s in 2010. "Primaris is the first low-cost carrier to select the 7E7 Dreamliner. Its decision validates the 7E7 Dreamliner as a catalyst for new business models," said Mike Bair, Boeing vice president and general manager of the 7E7 program. "The 7E7 will be the airplane of choice for many types of carriers, including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and charter and leisure carriers. It's an incredibly versatile machine."
Primaris is an emerging commercial airline offering distinctive value for business travelers. Primaris plans to equip the Next-Generation 737s with 94 seats in an all business class, while the 7E7s will seat approximately 150 passengers in an all business class. The U.S. domestic carrier intends to build a route structure serving domestic and international business travelers starting in 2005.
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Columbus Control Centre inaugurated in Oberpfaffenhofen
Neue Bodenstation des DLR eröffnet
On 19 October 2004, ESA and DLR officially inaugurated the Columbus Control Centre. The Centre has been set up under ESA contract in Oberpfaffenhofen at the premises of DLR, near Munich, Germany. The Columbus Control Centre is now ready to take up operations of the European elements of the International Space Station (ISS). For the coming months ESA, DLR and industrial teams will establish operational procedures, train the flight control teams, connect to all other centres of the ISS operations network and test the communication lines. The Columbus Control Centre will see its first real-time operations in April next year, when the Italian ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori will visit the ISS for 10 days. An ESA/DLR team will control and command the scientific programme of the European experiments on board the ISS using the Columbus Control Centre for the first time. Later in 2005 the Control Centre will provide communications support for the launch and in-orbit operations of ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). In 2006 it will control the operations of ESA's Columbus laboratory once it is connected to the ISS.
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Snecma and EADS Space study propulsion merger
Zusammenlegung der Raumfahrtantriebe?
Snecma and EADS Space are studying the possibility of merging the launcher and satellite space propulsion operations of Snecma Moteurs in France and EADS Space Transportation GmbH in Germany. The aim of this merger is to strengthen the technical and industrial capabilities of the European space industry. Snecma Moteurs and EADS Space Transportation have teamed up for many years on the liquid-propellant engines for the Ariane launcher, and have contributed to the success of European space programs from the outset. The operations that would be involved are liquid-propellant propulsion for launchers and satellites, and electric propulsion for satellites. These operations are based at Vernon (west of Paris) and Villaroche (near Paris) in France, and at Ottobrunn (Bavaria) and Lampoldshausen (Baden-Wurtemberg) in Germany. They generate total sales of about 400 million euros a year, with 1,250 employees in France and 450 employees in Germany.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva, a wholly owned Embraer subsidiary, has received type certification for its ethanol-fueled Ipanema cropdusting aircraft from Brazilian aviation regulating agency Centro Técnico Aeroespacial (CTA). The Ipanema is the first series production aircraft in the world coming out of the factory certified for flying with ethanol. "An efficient and cheaper source of power, the ethanol alternative will find favor with farmers for lowering their crop-dusting aircraft's operating costs" said Satoshi Yokota, Embraer Executive Vice-President for Development and Industry. "Ethanol is also a more environmentally friendly fuel and Neiva research indicates that it may prolong the engine's life, making it a prospective national market success. "In the medium and long terms, we may benefit from the introduction of the Ipanema in countries that adopt ethanol as a source of energy." The choice for using ethanol was based on the fact Brazil is a major producer of this type of alcohol, extracted from sugar cane, and automobiles have been using this fuel for more than 20 years. This makes ethanol about three to four times cheaper than aviation gasoline (AvGas). Additionally, ethanol-powered aircraft engines are cleaner and have lower levels of emission than AvGas because they have no lead in their composition, providing for a more environmentally friendly fuel. Neiva has registered the name "AvAlc" (Aviation Alcohol) in Brazil for use of this new fuel.
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BAE Systems and Finmeccanica have agreed in principle a revised structure for the Eurosystems transaction. The revised structure will enable BAE Systems to bring together its systems integration activities into a new wholly-owned business comprising the UK operations of AMS, currently a 50/50 joint venture with Finmeccanica, and BAE Systems' C4ISR Networked Systems & Solutions business. In addition, BAE Systems and Finmeccanica will form a new Avionics business comprising BAE Systems' UK avionics activities and Finmeccanica's Galileo Avionica business. BAE Systems will hold a 25% interest in this new entity. Finmeccanica will acquire the UK air traffic management businesses of AMS, together with Gematronik GmbH and AMS (ASI) Inc, in addition to all of the Italian operations of AMS and BAE Systems' Communications business - CDI. This revised structure is consistent with BAE Systems' intent to enhance its systems integration and network enabled capabilities (NEC) in the UK. The transaction is subject to negotiation of definitive agreements and applicable regulatory approvals being obtained.
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Thales has won the flight management system (FMS) contract for Airbus Military's new A400M military transport. The FMS is the core of the avionics suite, handling aircraft flight control during flight operations and tactical missions, especially at low altitude. The FMS400, a new generation flight management system, will be developed by Thales using a platform derived from integrated modular avionics (IMA), with an innovative software architecture. This selection confirms Thales' position as a major player in the modern FMS market. It also reflects Airbus Military's confidence in Thales, and demonstrates our proven expertise in the development of a new-generation flight management system.
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Two additional MD 900 "Explorer" helicopters have now become part of the TEAM DRF fleet. Operated by HSD Hubschrauber Sonder Dienst Flugbetriebs GmbH & Co. KG, partner within the air rescue alliance TEAM DRF, the two helicopters were officially put into service on October 8, 2004, at the TEAM DRF HEMS base Halle/Germany. For this occasion, the helicopter operator HSD organized the symposium " Air Rescue - A Question of Time?", directed at medical and political experts. The two MD 900s stationed at the airport Halle/Oppin replace the two helicopters (Bell 222 and BK 117), which were in use before. They are to be primarily employed for intensive care transport between clinics, but are also alerted for emergency rescue missions. The one MD 900 with the call sign "Christoph Sachsen-Anhalt" is available 24 hours a day, all year round. The second MD 900 with the call sign "Christoph Halle" is employed from Monday to Friday during the day, in the case of "Christoph Sachsen-Anhalt" being on a mission.
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SEACOR Holdings announced an agreement to acquire 100% of the common stock of ERA Aviation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rowan Companies, for an expected cash purchase price of approximately $118.1 million (subject to post-closing working capital adjustments). SEACOR intends to combine Tex-Air Helicopters, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEACOR) with ERA and the combined operation will continue under the name of "ERA Aviation." After giving effect to the combination with Tex-Air, the combined fleet will consist of 128 helicopters, 16 fixed wing aircraft and 14 operating bases.
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Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration are today signing a contract worth just over MSEK 500 for development and production of a tactical support and training system for the Gripen fighter. The concept can be used from basic training to advanced tactical training. The new concept is called PETRA (Planning, Evaluation, Training, Rehearsal and Analysis) and can be used for planning and evaluating missions, basic training and rehearsal exercises, mission rehearsal in training and analysis of tactical scenarios. "With PETRA we are offering our customers a total concept for planning, evaluation and simulator support for the Gripen, which fully comply with the software in the aircraft. This will also eliminate unnecessary adaptation of the software to the simulator. This is why Gripen is one of the most cost-effective fighter aircraft on the market," says Johan Lehander, head of Gripen operations at Saab Aerosystems.
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The European Commission welcomed delegates from 60 developing nations to encourage their active involvement in international Earth observation initiatives. For the first time ever, a large-scale dialogue with countries with developing or emerging economies is being initiated to raise awareness about the huge potential benefits of international co-operation in Earth observation, aid the development of partnerships in this field and foster interactions between developing countries and European and international research on Earth system science. "The European Union is resolutely going for a true global partnership in Earth observation and attaches great importance to the full involvement of developing countries", said Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for Research. "Adapting this global initiative to their interests can help them to better manage their natural resources, support sustainable agriculture and forestry and combat land degradation." Over 120 delegates from Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific region and elsewhere [comment: Wider Europe, in fact] took part in today's conference, opening a dialogue on the development of new global research partnerships. Discussions surrounded their future inclusion in initiatives such as the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and other major research programmes including the EU research Framework Programme. The conference confirms the EU's leading role in GEO research, which aims to create a global observation system to inform international environmental policy and decision-making.
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The AMC-15 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for SES AMERICOM, was successfully launched on October 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Liftoff occurred Oct. 14 at 5:23 p.m. EDT aboard a Proton rocket provided by International Launch Services (ILS). Initial contact with the satellite was confirmed at 2:52 a.m. EDT from the Lockheed Martin satellite tracking station in Uralla, Australia. AMC-15 features one of America's first payloads operating at Ka-band frequencies, comprising 12 125-MHz Ka-band spot beams. AMC-15 also features 24 36-MHz transponders of Ku-band capacity. SES AMERICOM has an agreement with EchoStar Communications, Inc., a leading U.S. direct broadcast system operator, to use both payloads on AMC-15.
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From 10 to 14 October the ion engine of ESA's SMART-1 carried out a continuous thrust manoeuvre in a last major push that will get the spacecraft to the Moon capture point on 13 November. SMART-1, on its way to the Moon, has now covered more than 80 million kilometres. Its journey started on 27 September 2003, when the spacecraft was launched on board an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Since then, it has been spiralling in progressively larger orbits around Earth, to eventually be captured by the lunar gravity and enter into orbit around the Moon in November this year. The SMART-1 mission was designed to pursue two main objectives. The first is purely technological: to demonstrate and test a number of space techniques to be applied to future interplanetary exploration missions. The second goal is scientific, mainly dedicated to lunar science. It is the technology demonstration goal, in particular the first European flight test of a solar-powered ion engine as a spacecraft's main propulsion system, that gave shape to the peculiar route and duration (13 months) of the SMART-1 journey to the Moon.
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NASA announced the selection of four teams to conduct research into critical issues in electric propulsion in support of the Vision for Space Exploration. Electric-propulsion critical issues research is part of Prometheus, within NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Total value of the work over a three-year period is approximately $6 million. NASA's Glenn Research Center (GRC), Cleveland, has been selected to develop an electrode-less microwave electron-cyclotron resonance cathode for high power ion propulsion systems. This award is valued at approximately $1.8 million over three years. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is an important member of this team. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., has been selected for an approximately $1.7 million, three-year contract to develop a high power two-stage pulsed plasma thruster system. The University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan and Aerojet, Redmond, Wash., will be making valuable contributions to this effort.
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Scattered in universities across Europe, a 250-strong team of students have never collectively met in person, but between them they have built a space-ready satellite. SSETI Express is currently being integrated in an ESA cleanroom for a planned launch in May next year. Collaboration between the pan-European network of students, universities and experts involved in the Student Space Education and Technology Initiative (SSETI) has been carried out via the internet.
Now that the completed subsystems are being delivered to ESA's European Space Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands, remote participants from Italy to Denmark are eagerly following the integration process through daily photo updates, the integration logbook, and even a webcam. Jörg Schaefer of Stuttgart University in Germany, has taken time out from studying for a PhD in Satellite Systems Design to take part in the integration work at ESTEC: "What we are doing here in the clean room is assembling the final spacecraft flight model. After all the planning and preparation for the mission it is exciting to see it finally take shape, with new parts being delivered almost every day."
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Aerospace Filtration Systems, the rotorcraft industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine inlet barrier filtration systems, has been purchased by QinetiQ, one of the world's foremost science and technology companies. Earlier this month, Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc. (Westar), the parent company of AFS, agreed to be acquired by QinetiQ. AFS will remain a wholly owned subsidiary of Westar, with its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, MO. "AFS has grown quickly and consistently because we have been able to meet the ever-evolving needs of the rotorcraft industry and our customers," said AFS President Mike Scimone. "QinetiQ has the depth of resources and technology necessary to help AFS continue to grow and lead the way in providing innovative solutions to our customers."
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Boeing and Guggenheim Aviation Partners recently signed an agreement to purchase four Boeing 747-400 Special Freighters. Guggenheim, the U.S-based aviation investment firm, will make the Special Freighters available to cargo operators starting in 2007. The Special Freighter program converts passenger 747-400s to cargo carriers. Guggenheim is acquiring the four airplanes through Boeing Aircraft Trading. A Boeing-approved modification facility will convert the airplanes between 2006 and 2009, a process that Boeing's Commercial Aviation Services unit will manage.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a critical milestone this fall when the Air Force officially declared initial operational capability for a new emergency communications system in the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch control centers. The company's role is to modernize the nation's fleet of Minuteman III ICBMs, and this new communications system will significantly improve the link between the command authorities -- most notably the President of the U.S. and U.S. Strategic Command combatant commanders -- and the crews manning the silos in the event a missile should need to be launched. By December 2005, all launch control centers will receive the upgraded system known as Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network, or MEECN.
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Delta Air Lines reported a net loss of $646 million and a loss per share of $5.16 for the September 2004 quarter. For the September 2003 quarter, Delta reported a net loss of $164 million and a loss per share of $1.36. Excluding the non-cash charges described below, the September 2004 quarter net loss and loss per share were $592 million and $4.73, respectively.1 In the September 2003 quarter, Delta reported a net loss of $172 million and a loss per share of $1.43, excluding the unusual items described below. As announced previously, Delta no longer records income tax benefits related to current period operations. This change was effective in the June 2004 quarter and will continue for the foreseeable future. "Last month we outlined the key elements of Delta's transformation plan, which targets $1 billion in annual pilot cost savings, as well as participation from Delta's other stakeholders," said Gerald Grinstein, Delta's chief executive officer. "As Delta's financial situation continues to deteriorate, time is of the essence."
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As a precautionary measure, the Air Force has limited its fleet of 15 CH-149 Cormorant helicopters to search and rescue (SAR) operations and test flights only until more details are known about cracks that were found on the tail rotor half hubs of Cormorant CH-149908. The decision was made Saturday night. "The safety of the men and women who operate the Cormorant is a top priority," said Major-General Charles Bouchard, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division. "After assessing the preliminary data of this particular case, it was decided that SAR operations and the necessary test flights required to do that job can continue for the fleet without putting our crews at an unacceptable level of risk." The cracks on the tail rotor half hub were larger than previously seen in Canada. While the depth of the cracks are not known at this time, the largest, which is hairline in nature, can be seen spanning out along a portion of the half hub.
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Boeing employees began working on the forward fuselage for EA-1, the first EA-18G test aircraft being built for the U.S. Navy under a $1 billion System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract. The EA-18G is the Navy's next-generation electronic attack aircraft and combines the combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornet with a state-of-the-art Improved Capability III electronic attack subsystem provided by Northrop Grumman Corporation. EA-1 will be the first of two test aircraft produced under the SDD contract covering all laboratory, ground and flight-testing.
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Boeing and Turkey successfully completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of the airborne and ground mission system for Turkey's first 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, known as Peace Eagle. The PDR includes a general review of the design architecture against the requirements established by the Turkish customer. "The next step in the process is the detailed design definition of components, parts and software to create the airborne and ground mission systems," said Mike Brewer, Boeing Peace Eagle program manager. The $1 billion dollar-plus contract calls for four 737 AEW&C aircraft, options for two more plus a ground support segment for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance support.
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Lockheed Martin has signed a contract with the Royal Danish Air Force for an additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The new contract is the exercise of an option available under Denmark's original order for three C-130Js, placed in December 2000. The first three aircraft were delivered to Denmark earlier this year. "Denmark has rapidly become a highly proficient C-130J operator and this further order shows this customer's satisfaction with the aircraft," said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin's vice president for the C-130J program. "The face of modern conflict is changing all over the world, and the C-130J brings a transformation to air mobility that meets that challenge. The C-130J's outstanding performance and reliability have been rapidly exploited by the Royal Danish Air Force as part of the expanding fleet of operational C-130Js around the world."
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The South Korean Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) announced on October 17 a plan to recruit two astronauts who will accompany a Russian spaceship for a 10-day space research tour in 2007. For the recruitment, the ministry will take four-stage screening procedures, the first-stage being the selection of a group of 200 candidates through an "on-paper" screening process. Out of the 200, the ministry will initially select 30 winners, and then 10, through various tests taken for two months during the second-stage screening process. The winners will compete for the five slots reserved for the third-round. Five successful candidates who pass the third round will be sent to Russia for further screening and tests for the two finalists who will get to ride along Russian astronauts on the Russian spacecraft Soyuz.
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The US Navy transferred operation of the former Naval Space Surveillance System, the nation's oldest sensor built to track satellites and debris in orbit around the Earth, to the Air Force during formal ceremonies here Oct. 1. The Secretary of Defense had directed the Navy to transfer program management of the system to the Air Force beginning in October 2003. The Air Force requested that the Navy continue to operate the space surveillance sensor, also known as the "Fence," through fiscal year 2004. The newly created 20th Space Control Squadron (20th SPCS) Det. 1 assumes operation of the Fence from the Naval Network and Space Operations Command (NNSOC). At the establishment ceremony, Rear Adm. John Cryer, the commander for NNSOC, reminded the audience that the nation's space surveillance mission has been a joint service effort from its earliest beginnings.
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The Airborne Laser program achieved a long-awaited and important milestone with the delivery of the flight turret assembly, the final subsystem required to support the aircraft's return to flight - scheduled for later this year - after almost two years of extensive modifications. The ABL aircraft, YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400 series freighter, arrived at Edwards' Birk Flight Test Facility in December 2002 to undergo the installation of all the hardware components needed to support and accurately fire the weapons-class laser that will eventually be housed aboard YAL-1A. The turret assembly completes the beam control/fire control system, or BCFC, for YAL-1A. This system is designed to point and focus the high-energy laser on a ballistic missile while it is still in its boost phase of flight. The BCFC employs a complex array of mirrors and optics in order to correct for atmospheric disturbances and the turbulence of flight, ensuring the laser reaches its target.
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Eurocopter welcomes the $ 124 million contract signed in Washington DC by American Eurocopter to provide re-engining kits for 95 U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphins in a multi-year upgrade program that will significantly improve the maritime service's operational capabilities. The contract - signed with Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman - includes American Eurocopter's supply of the re-engining kits, spare parts and technical assistance/support. In addition, American Eurocopter has made a contractual commitment that the re-engined HH-65s will meet improved performance specifications established for the upgraded rotary-wing aircraft. Eurocopter-built HH-65s are a mainstay of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter fleet, and are flown from air stations across the U.S. on recovery missions, border patrols, drug interdiction operations and other service.
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Airbus and Boeing have distributed to 900 commercial airplane customers worldwide an updated training aid as part of a continuing effort to reduce loss-of-control airplane accidents.
The upset recovery training aid is contained in a compact disc format with tutorials, training syllabus and videos, and focuses on helping flight crews recover from unusual flight attitudes that can result from numerous causes, or "upset" conditions. It is also designed to increase the pilot's ability to recognize and avoid situations that can lead to airplane upsets. The training aid was originally released in 1998 using the same collective industry and government process. These teams were composed of domestic and international experts representing a wide range of knowledge and interests. Airbus and Boeing have provided the training aid update as a means of giving customers the most recent information available on upset recovery training -- and the recommendation that the training aid be incorporated into their current training programs.
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Two veteran astronauts are retiring from NASA and moving on to new phases of their lives. Astronaut Scott J. "Doc" Horowitz, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, has left NASA for a position with private industry. Astronaut Duane G. "Digger" Carey has left the space agency to see the world from a new perspective. Horowitz is a veteran of four Space Shuttle flights. He's traveled more than 16 million miles in space during his missions, leading activities in science, satellite maintenance and International Space Station assembly as a commander and pilot.
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The market for turboprop engines is expected to remain strong over the 2004-2013 forecast period, although analysts at Forecast International believe that turbofan engines will rise in popularity at the expense of select segments of the turboprop market, particularly that of regional aircraft in the 50-75-passenger range. "Turbofans will increase in popularity for aircraft between 50 and 75 seats," said David Franus, Senior Power Systems Analyst for Forecast International. "However, turboprops will continue to be the aircraft engine-of-choice for many purposes. In most cases, the military will continue to favor turboprops for the high lift they provide, and turboprops are also ideal for most hot-and-high altitude operations as well as transport to rural areas with short runways." Much of the recent increase in turbofan use can be attributed to the rise in fractional ownership of business jets, and the increasing number of regional aircraft markets, especially in light of the public's perception of jet aircraft as being superior to turboprop aircraft (in terms of modernity, as well as safety and speed). Companies such as Embraer and Bombardier offer turbofan designs that feature lighter materials and more efficient engines, which in turn offset many of the market advantages of turboprops.
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Rolls-Royce announced that Goodrich Corporation and Hamilton Sundstrand, both headquartered in the United States, have been selected as risk and revenue sharing partners (RRSPs) on the Trent 1000 engine being developed for the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner. Goodrich's Engine Control Systems business unit, based in Birmingham, UK, will design and manufacture the Trent 1000's engine control system. Goodrich is already a partner on every member of the Trent series, and also has a control systems agreement covering smaller aero engines produced by Rolls-Royce. Hamilton Sundstrand, which will be responsible for the Trent 1000 gearbox system, is already a partner on the Trent 500 and Trent 900 programmes.
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Copa Airlines of Panama announced its acquisition of ten EMBRAER 190 commercial jets with an option for twenty additional aircraft. The airline's first delivery is planned for November 2005. The order is Embraer's first in Latin America for its family of 70 to 110-seat E-Jets, a new-generation of commercial aircraft featuring advanced engineering design, exceptional performance efficiency, superior operating economics, and a spacious cabin. Copa is the undisclosed customer from Embraer's orderbook and therefore, the current order backlog is not affected by this announcement. As the national airline of Panama, Copa Airlines has built an impressive international network in its 57-year history and established Panama City as the "Hub of the Americas" from which it serves 31 destinations in 20 countries with an all-Boeing B737 fleet. The new EMBRAER 190s will allow Copa to better match capacity to demand in small markets that can be more efficiently served by 100-seat aircraft.
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In light of the bankruptcy of US Airways, Embraer is revising its total deliveries forecasted for the years 2004 and 2005, which change to 145 aircraft for both years. As of September 30, 2004, Embraer's total firm order backlog, including the Airline, Corporate and Defense markets totaled US$ 11.0 billion. The backlog including options reached US$ 29.5 billion. As the American Eagle agreement has not been finalized, it is not reflected in Embraer's third-quarter orderbook.
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According to German press reports, Bundestag rapporteurs after years of research have finally approved what amounts to the largest current trans-Atlantic defense project. At a time when Germany is tightening its defense spending and streamlining its military, parliamentary factions agreed to order between 12 and 24 of the MEADS units, under development for the last few years. MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System) is a ground-launched missile system which can destroy aircraft and missiles within a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The program is being hailed as a symbol of trans-Atlantic cooperation, with Germany set to contribute some 25 percent of the project's costs, the US shouldering over 50 percent and Italy financing 17 percent. In an interview with the daily Berliner Zeitung, Hans-Peter Bartels (SPD) revealed that Berlin has earmarked some 1.142 billion euros until 2012 for the MEADS system development, and said that contracts with EADS (Germany), Alenia Marconi (Italy) and Lockheed Martin (US) are expected to be signed by the end of 2004. According to Bartels, the first MEADS systems will be ready by 2012. The program, which will provide both defense for German airspace and can also be used abroad, will gradually replace Germany's existing Patriot radar guided anti-aircraft missile system.
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Lockheed Martin recently received a contract valued at $87 million to support upgrades to 17 F-16A/Bs transferred to the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The main upgrade is the F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU), essentially the same as being performed on 400 F-16s operated by the five European Participating Air Forces (EPAF). This modification consists of enhancements to the cockpit, avionics, sensors and weapons. These upgrades also improve system reliability and supportability. In addition, future software upgrades will be available through the common M-series F-16 software upgrade program being implemented by the U.S. Air Force and the EPAF.
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XCOR Aerospace announced it has completed another significant milestone in its Pump-Fed Rocket Program by successfully pumping liquid oxygen through a cryogenic liquid oxygen pump developed by XCOR. The cryogenic liquid oxygen pump is driven by a motor unit that has been operating to requirements for over a year. Previously, the pump had been pumping liquid nitrogen. Both motor and pump are piston machines, rather than the more traditional turbo-centrifugal hardware. The pump's size is matched to XCOR's 1,830 lbf thrust LOX-kerosene engine under development with private investment funds. The pump's success completes a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Phase II contract. DARPA's objective for this contract was to develop a low cost, highly operational alternative to turbo pumps for high performance propulsion systems. DARPA is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). It manages and directs selected basic and applied research and development projects for DoD, and pursues research and technology where risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a firm fixed price contract for a new Bombardier Global 5000 business jet. Bombardier will deliver the Global 5000 to the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J., by Sept. 30, 2005. The aircraft will be operated as an airborne research and development laboratory equipped to accommodate various special missions instrumentation. Its unique interior will be designed and installed by Midcoast Aviation in St. Louis, Mo., prior to final delivery.
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With their time aboard the International Space Station down to only a few days, Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke continued handover activities with their replacements -- Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov -- and prepared for their return to Earth. Expedition 9, along with Russian Space Forces Test Cosmonaut Yuri Shargin, are scheduled to leave the Station and return to Earth this weekend aboard the ISS Soyuz 8 spacecraft -- the same ship that delivered Padalka and Fincke to the ISS in April. Undocking is set for 4:08 p.m. CDT (2108 GMT) Saturday and landing is scheduled for 7:36 p.m. CDT Saturday (0036 GMT Sunday) in Kazakhstan. Shargin arrived with Chiao and Sharipov and is spending his days at the Station conducting science experiments.
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Fraport AG -the owner and manager of Frankfurt Airport (FRA) -has purchased the site of the former Caltex refinery from Caltex Deutschland GmbH. Final approval for the purchase is expected from Fraport's supervisory board shortly. Located near the Main River and only a few kilometers northwest of FRA, the 84-hectare Caltex site is the largest undeveloped commercial land area remaining in the airport vicinity.
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