FLUG REVUE update: Week ending 14 November 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 14 November 2004

+++ Improved Soyuz 2-1a launcher makes first flight +++ DHL selects Leipzig/Halle as new hub +++ Lufthansa manages profit in Q3 +++ Orbital Recovery completes funding for its Space Tug +++ IAR-99s for Romania +++ News in brief +++

Improved Soyuz 2-1a launcher makes first flight
Erster Start der Soyuz 2-1a

The maiden flight of a Soyuz 2-1a launch vehicle took place on Monday 8 November 2004 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia at 21:30 Moscow time (19:30 Paris). Starsem, Arianespace and their Russian partners report that the mission was accomplished successfully. This launch marks a major step forward in the Soyuz evolution program as this modernized version of the launcher implements a digital control system providing additional mission flexibility and enabling control of the launch vehicle with a larger fairing.
The next step will be the introduction of the Soyuz 2-1b. This launcher version will have a more powerful third-stage engine to significantly increase the overall launch vehicle performance and provide additional payload mass capability. The inaugural flight of the Soyuz 2-1b is presently scheduled for mid-2006 from Baikonur. Both new versions of the Soyuz launcher will be adapted in view of their exploitation by Arianespace from the Europe's spaceport in French Guiana. This will be made possible through the “Soyuz at CSG” ESA program, which encompasses the development of a Soyuz launch complex on the territory of Sinnamary and participation in the Soyuz 2-1b development. The Soyuz at CSG program is a key building block in the implementation of strategic cooperation between ESA and the Russian Space Agency, which falls under the general framework of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and ESA on Cooperation and Partnership in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, signed in Paris on 11 February 2003.

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DHL selects Leipzig/Halle as new hub
Neues Frachtzentrum in Leipzig geplant

The Group Deutsche Post World Net intends to extend the Airport Leipzig/Halle into the central European hub of its express and logistics subsidiary DHL. Plans for a move to the alternative location Vatry, France, are not pursued any further at present. As no political consensus on an extension could be achieved in Belgium, it is intended to maintain Brussels as a regional hub from 2008 onwards. Until then, DHL plans to keep activities running at the current scale at Brussels Airport. All these plans will be discussed with the appropriate social partners and employee representatives following the procedures legally required at national and European level in order to make sure that all employees are treated fairly.
Following the successful finalization of all negotiations and preparations, start of operations in Leipzig could be realized at the beginning of 2008. The Group plans to invest around 300 million euros in the new site and to create around 3,500 jobs by 2012. Experience has shown that a further 7,000 jobs are likely to be created in the Leipzig area should such a dynamic, globally acting business move there. "This is a location that would pave the way for the necessary growth of DHL in the future and provides the Group with long-term planning security", says Dr Klaus Zumwinkel, Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutsche Post World Net. "With DHL located in Leipzig, 10,000 new jobs would be created and our company would make a major contribution to the enforcement of the eastern German states."
Key argument for Leipzig as favoured option is the large capacity for flight operations and for the overall infrastructure. With operations running 24 hours a day, the Airport Leipzig/Halle meets the night flights requirements. The regional government of Saxony would allow an extension of the infrastructure, which above all implies the construction of a second runway and the further improvement of road and railway connections.

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Lufthansa manages profit in Q3
Trotz Ölpreis Gewinn für Lufthansa

Despite the dramatic hike in the oil price, the Lufthansa Group earned an operating profit of Euro 218 million in the third quarter of 2004. The cumulative operating result for the first nine months improved by Euro 405 million to Euro 251 million. "We exploited the market opportunities, successfully sold our extra capacity and enhanced the quality of our products," Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Lufthansa's Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO, said on presenting the Group's figures up to the end of September. "A keen ability to adapt and adjust, a high innovative capability and a sound financial base are key strengths of our Group."
The Group's strategy is focused on profitable growth and the systematic ongoing development of the Lufthansa passenger airlines as a full line provider. "The passenger traffic is the core business of our Aviation Group," Mr. Mayrhuber explained. "Growth in the passenger business segment will fuel the expansion of the Group as a whole." Lufthansa carefully considers both the strategies of the individual business segments and their respective importance for the Group's passenger business. In this vein Lufthansa will continue to pursue an active portfolio management policy and concentrate on its core competencies.
For 2004 as a whole the Executive Board remains confident of posting an operating profit of around Euro 300 million. Mr Mayrhuber pointed out, however, that such a result will not suffice in the long term: "The current improved figures cannot hide the fact that we need significantly better operating results in future in order to ensure our company's viability for the next generation." A key contribution to this is to come from the action plan, which envisages earnings improvements of Euro 1.2 billion up to 2006. Of the sum of Euro 430 million in savings earmarked for this year, Euro 354 million has already been realised.
In the personnel field, however, only half of this year's target of Euro 105 million will be achieved. "We are engaged in tough negotiations with the social partners. But the readiness for change is apparent among our employees." Wolfgang Mayrhuber outlined two approaches for those negotiating issues that are still unresolved: "More work for the same pay" and "New recruits at market prices". He added that all the divisions throughout the company must make their contribution to the action plan. "It is a question of securing jobs in our company, creating new perspectives and boosting our competitiveness. My preference is clear: I would like to secure our successful course for the existing workforce and create additional employment in our domestic German market."
The task of restructuring Thomas Cook and LSG is making headway. Mr. Mayrhuber sees some initial advances in the Leisure Travel segment: "Thomas Cook is on the right path. The trend is clearly pointing upwards." By contrast, Lufthansa's Chairman and CEO is not yet satisfied with the progress made towards turning round the Catering segment. He said that the priority task remains the restructuring of LSG, especially in the United States. "We have reinforced the leadership team with two highly experienced Lufthansa managers. This should ensure both a successful and speedy restructuring process."
Lufthansa has improved its traffic performance in the first nine months 2004. The Lufthansa Group increased passenger and freight volumes as well as capacity utilisation in comparison to the same period of the prior year. The number of passengers carried grew by 12.7 per cent to 38.6 million. The 14.3 per cent increase in available capacity was outpaced by the growth in sales, which climbed by 16.1 per cent. As a result, capacity utilisation rose by 1.2 percentage points to 74.3 per cent. In the first three quarters of the year, Lufthansa Cargo transported around 1.3 million tonnes of freight and mail. This is eleven percent more than in the same period last year. The cargo load factor rose substantially and at 66.2 per cent exceeded the prior-year figure by 2.1 percentage points. The Lufthansa Group raised its overall load factor (passenger and cargo business) by 1.7 percentage points to 70.9 per cent.

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Orbital Recovery completes funding for its Space Tug
Space Tug: Finanzierung gesichtert

Orbital Recovery Ltd. has completed its second round financing for the ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (CX OLEV), marking a major program milestone that allows production of the first “space tug” to begin in early 2005, followed by the initial operational mission approximately 36 months later. The company is now fully funded with the addition of major European industrial investors -- the Swedish Space Corporation and SENER of Spain. These companies join Dutch Space of The Netherlands, which became the lead investor of the company in April. Also contributing is the European Space Agency, which has co-funded the definition phases of the CX OLEV initiative in its ARTES 4 Public-Private Partnership programme.
“The CX OLEV project is a technological challenge and we are extremely pleased to participate in it as an industrial shareholder” said Alvaro Azcárraga, SENER Managing Director of the Space Department. This concept introduces a revolutionary new way of doing business for the telecom operators.” “This is one of the rare occasions to unlock a novel commercial space market niche in a public private partnership approach,” said Ben Spee, Chief Executive Officer of Dutch Space. The CX OLEV will serve as an orbital "tugboat" - providing the propulsion, navigation and guidance required to maintain telecommunications satellites in their proper orbits for years beyond the normal fuel depletion.

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IAR-99s for Romania
Elbit und IAR bauen neue Trainer

Elbit Systems, in cooperation with the Romanian aircraft manufacturer Avioane Craiova, was recently awarded a US$43 million contract from the Romanian Defense Ministry to supply eight IAR-99 lead-in trainer aircraft. The project will be executed in cooperation with Romanian industries over a period of three and a half years. As part of the contract, Elbit Systems will supply an advanced avionics package which will contribute to significant savings in pilot training costs. Elbit Systems will also supply ACTS, an Advanced Combat Training System, which will aid pilot training and the transition to upgraded MiG-21 aircraft and other future fighters. This contract follows Elbit Systems' upgrade project of four IAR-99 aircraft which was announced in 2001. The first program has since been completed and the aircraft are currently used by the Romanian Air Force. The upgraded IAR-99s, developed by Elbit Systems and Avioane Craiova, have already recorded 1,300 flight hours and performed in Farnborough and Paris air shows.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

At the Friedrichshafen-based space company EADS Astrium, the final spurt for the development team has now begun with the start-up of the integration activities. As of April 2006, from an altitude of approximately 500 kilometres, TerraSAR-X is scheduled to deliver Earth observation data of new quality for scientific and commercial applications. TerraSAR-X is the first German space project implemented in a public/private partnership. Cooperation partners are the German Aerospace Centre (DLR, Cologne) and EADS Astrium GmbH. TerraSAR-X has been specifically designed for scientific and commercial use. Previously built Earth observation satellites do not or only partly meet the demands of private-sector users. Commercial users require detailed data adapted to their individual requirements. These data must be available quickly and reliably, that means often independent of daylight and weather conditions. This is exactly what TerraSAR-X offers. Data from Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) are particularly suitable for commercial exploration. The SAR instruments supply extremely detailed radar images, day and night, in all weather conditions. The German Aerospace Centre (DLR) will be responsible for the scientific use of the TerraSAR-X data, whereas commercial marketing will be performed exclusively by Infoterra GmbH (Friedrichshafen), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the European satellite company EADS Astrium specialising in the collection and processing of air- and satellite-based data.
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Northrop Grumman and Boeing have signed a memorandum of agreement that outlines the structure of a team that will compete for NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and other elements of Project Constellation, a planned architecture of human and robotic space systems that will allow astronauts to travel to and explore the moon, Mars and beyond. The two companies expect to finalize the teaming agreement in the near future. CEV, the first of several space systems envisioned within Project Constellation, will serve as the architecture's central human space transportation system. A competition to begin development of the CEV is expected to begin in 2005. "A Northrop Grumman - Boeing team will bring together two proven leaders in the development, production and successful deployment of reliable, advanced technology space systems," said Gary Ervin, sector vice president for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "Northrop Grumman's systems integration skills, technology innovation and track-record of superior space systems performance, coupled with Boeing's extensive experience in human space flight offers NASA a team that can develop and deliver an innovative, highly affordable CEV to serve the nation's space exploration needs safely and reliably well into the future." Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman will serve as the team's leader and prime contractor during the initial development phase of the CEV, known as Spiral 1. During this period, which will demonstrate the CEV's ability to operate safely with astronauts in low Earth orbit, Boeing would serve as Northrop Grumman's principal teammate and major subcontractor. In subsequent Spirals of Project Constellation, NASA's focus will expand from operating the CEV in low Earth orbit to transporting astronauts to the Moon and beyond. In Spiral 2, the Prime Contractor leadership role will shift to Boeing for new human lunar CEV transportation system elements, with Northrop Grumman serving as Boeing's principal teammate and major subcontractor. Northrop Grumman and Boeing will also determine the prime/subcontractor relationship for subsequent elements of Spiral 2 and 3 as NASA further defines Project Constellation.
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MTU Maintenance Hannover has won a new customer in GATX. Since mid-October, the leasing company ships CF6-50 engines to Langenhagen for repair and overhaul. “The six-year contract involves four engines,” explains Norbert Möck, Director Sales North America. These CF6-50 engines are no strangers at Langenhagen; they power Boeing 747-200 cargo transports that used to be operated by Atlas Air and have since been returned into the hands of GATX. The leasing company has previously entrusted engines for maintenance to MTU Maintenance Hannover and the two companies are presently planning to expand their cooperation. A leasing and financing specialist, GATX combines several different service units under one roof, with aircraft and engine leasing companies among them. Its affiliate GATX Air, in conjunction with the various partners, ranks among the world's leading aircraft leasing companies. Its fleet includes 160 transports of their own and more than 70 aircraft under their management. It supports some 60 air-craft operators worldwide from their offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Tokyo, Singapore, Toulouse and London.
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An Indian Air Force 'Cheetal', a derivative of Cheetah with a new engine and systems, piloted by HAL's test pilot Group Captain A.S.Butola and Squadron Leader S.Sharma landed at 'Saser Kangri' in Ladhak region at a density altitude of 25,150 feet or 7670 metres above mean sea level at 8.45 AM setting a world record of high altitude landing ! Highly rarified atmosphere, strong winds and glare of blazing sun did not deter the agile & mighty Cheetal and its crew in executing a safe landing at this awesome altitude for the first time in the history of aviation. While the Cheetal was executing its epoch making landing – one Indian Air Force Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Dhruv'(J 4041) set another record by flying at a density altitude of 27,000 feet or 8230 metres above mean sea level in the same region ! The mission was flown by HAL's Chief Test Pilot Wg.Cdr.C.D Upadhyay – a retired veteran of IAF and a winner of Vir Chakra. He was accompanied by his co-pilot – another test pilot Wg.Cdr.Unni Pillai. This is the highest altitude ever attained by an intermediate class helicopter. Its a rare tribute to Indian endeavour made possible by the rich contribution of HAL designers, engineers, technicians and Indian Air Force pilots who have carried out these missions with total dedication. An excellent team effort to touch the sky with glory !!
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On November 6, a Lockheed Martin-built Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite was successfully launched by the U.S. Air Force from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This was the 12th successful launch of the new-generation GPS IIR spacecraft. The satellite, designated GPS IIR-13, will join 29 other operational GPS satellites now on orbit, and will improve global coverage and increase the overall performance of the GPS constellation. The company has delivered eight more of these satellites to the Navstar GPS Joint Program Office, Space and Missile Systems Center, to sustain the GPS constellation. "With the successful launch of GPS IIR-13, the world-wide navigation system for both military and civil users is more robust than ever," said Dave Podlesney, GPS IIR Program Director, Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Valley Forge, Pa. "We take great pride in our partnership with the Air Force in carrying out the important mission of the GPS system and look forward to providing significantly improved positioning capabilities as we transition to the modernized fleet of IIR spacecraft."
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The three main sections of the 500th Boeing 777, which is assembled at the company's Everett, Wash. Plant, are joined. The airplane, a 777-300ER (Extended Range), is scheduled for delivery to International Lease Finance Corp.'s customer Air France in December. The first 777 was delivered in May 1995. The 777 has reached 500 airplanes delivered sooner than any other twin-aisle airplane in commercial history. The Boeing 777 has captured 65 percent of its market since the airplane's October 1990 launch. Thirty-seven customers and operators worldwide have ordered 642 airplanes.
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Boeing and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have signed an agreement that will reduce ANA's operating costs by having Boeing manage much of the airline's spare parts inventory. Under the arrangement, known as Integrated Materials Management (IMM), Boeing will be responsible for the purchasing, inventory management and logistics for a number of ANA's expendable aircraft parts. ANA is the fourth airline to sign up for the Boeing IMM program. “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Boeing, not only because the IMM program will assist us in bringing costs down in terms of parts for our present fleet, but also because it will allow us to minimize our initial investment in parts for aircraft yet to be introduced, namely the 737NG and the 7E7 Dreamliner,” said Suguru Omae, ANA senior executive vice president. Boeing and other suppliers will own the aircraft parts, which will be stored at a location near the airline's operations until needed. ANA will only pay for parts as it uses them, thereby significantly reducing its inventory holding costs and improving its return on assets.
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Northrop Grumman has used a series of low-speed wind tunnel tests to successfully validate the aerodynamic design of the X-47B unmanned combat aerial vehicle it is developing for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) Concept Demonstration Program. The tests, which used a high-fidelity scale model, were completed ahead of schedule on September 22. They were conducted at Northrop Grumman's low-speed wind tunnel in Hawthorne, Calif. as part of the company's $1.04 billion contract for the operational assessment phase of the J-UCAS Concept Demonstration Program.
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Lockheed Martin announced that it has delivered on-schedule the flight structure and key payload support equipment to Northrop Grumman for assembly of the first space vehicle in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program. AEHF satellites will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for warfighters in all services within the Department of Defense. Over the next several months a combined team of engineers and technicians from Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the AEHF system prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Redondo Beach, Calif. the payload provider, will continue component installation and preparation activities leading to the integration of the first flight payload. Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide the first two Advanced EHF satellites and command control system to its customer, the MILSATCOM Program Office, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
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Lockheed Martin announced it has selected ATK to provide stage two and three solid rocket motor sets for its Boost Vehicle-Plus (BV+) program - an element of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system managed by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Lockheed Martin recently held a competition to select a motor supplier following a May decision by Pratt & Whitney to exit that business. In addition to supplying Orbus-1a motors, ATK also will provide thrust vector control systems to be used on the program. The contract also includes funds for test motors and ground and altitude qualification tests. ATK will begin motor deliveries in the first quarter of 2006. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
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During October 2004 Fraport AG recorded strong growth in almost all traffic categories at its Frankfurt Airport (FRA) home base. Passenger traffic, airfreight tonnage and aircraft movements reached new record levels. In the reporting month, more than 4.8 million passengers used Frankfurt Airport - the strongest October in the airport's history. In comparison to the previous year, this represents a 4.9 per cent increase. Due to the autumn school-vacation period, there was strong demand for destinations throughout the Mediterranean region. Traffic to eastern Europe also continued to grow, as did intercontinental connections - for example, traffic to the Far East, South America and North Africa. Increasing by 14.5 per cent to 163,458 metric tons, airfreight tonnage at Germany's largest airport grew even faster than passenger traffic in October 2004. Never before in the history of Frankfurt Airport has so much airfreight tonnage been handled in a single month. FRA achieved a new daily record on October 31, when some 7,616 metric tons of airfreight were handled. Expansion in freight traffic was particularly strong to Latin America, North Africa, and southeastern Europe. Airmail tonnage declined by 7.5 per cent due to service reductions in the so-called overnight domestic airmail network based at FRA. In contrast, Frankfurt Airport experienced a noticeable 5.4 per cent increase in aircraft movements during October 2004, with 42,367 takeoffs and landings registered. As a result, the number of aircraft movements climbed to a new monthly record. Maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs), which are relevant for airport charges, increased 9.9 per cent versus the same month last year to 2,457,000 metric tons.
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On November 12, UK trade unions Amicus and T&G trade unions balloted members for strike action across Lufthansa after voting to reject a 2.6% pay offer. Lufthansa engineers, sales, marketing, ground and cargo staff are to be balloted on taking industrial action which could result in the airline being grounded. Kevin Egan, Amicus national officer, said: "Lufthansa is doing very well yet our members who have delivered success for the company are being offered one of the lowest pay settlements at Heathrow. Our members voted overwhelmingly to reject the offer and we are confident they will vote for industrial action."
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Delta Air Lines confirmed that it was advised by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) that Delta pilots ratified a new contract to deliver $1 billion in long-term, annual savings to the company. Many of the key provisions in the contract, which is a critical component of Delta's comprehensive out-of-court restructuring efforts, are scheduled to take effect Dec. 1, 2004. The savings will be realized through a combination of changes to wages, pension and other benefits, and work rules. In an internal memorandum to Delta pilots, Delta CEO Jerry Grinstein recognized the achievement so far of the company's multi-faceted efforts to avoid bankruptcy. "Your contributions, coupled with the financial benefits realized from Delta people throughout the company, other stakeholders, and our own operational improvements, represent a Herculean effort to control our own destiny -- a feat that is often attempted but seldom attained in our industry," he wrote. Delta's combined restructuring efforts are intended to deliver $5 billion in annual financial benefits by 2006, as compared to its 2002 base year -- an amount the company has calculated it needs to have the opportunity to achieve long-term viability. Through its previously announced Profit Improvement Initiative (PII), Delta is on track to deliver $2.3 billion of the $5 billion annual target by the end of 2004.
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Lockheed Martin has selected the Italian firm Officine Aeronavali Venezia S.p.A (OAN) to operate the first C-130J heavy maintenance facility. OAN, headquartered in Venice, will conduct both scheduled and unscheduled C-130J maintenance at a newly built facility located in Brindisi. The facility will work on the 22 C-130Js operated by the Aeronautica Militare Italiana's (AMI -- the Italian Air Force) 46th Air Brigade at Pisa. Lockheed Martin has delivered 21 of the aircraft to the AMI to date. OAN was founded in 1947 and is a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, an Italian industrial leader in aeronautics and space, which is part of the Finmeccanica group.
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On November 11th , the Interior Senator of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Udo Nagel, officially inaugurated two new EC 135 police helicopters. They have been named Dragonfly 1 and Dragonfly 2 (German call name: Libelle 1 and Libelle 2). The two brand new Eurocopter aircraft replace the older and now-retired BO 105 helicopters of the Hamburg Police Helicopter Squadron. The EC 135 is currently the latest-technology light twin-engined helicopter in the market and best-seller in its class. Around 350 helicopters have already been delivered to customers throughout the world. The Hamburg Police Squadron is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It is based at the site of the Lufthansa Repair Centre in Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel and is under the command of the emergency police force. The President of Police, Werner Jantosch, explained the wide range of duties carried out by the squadron. Aside from diverse police duties carried out in coordination with the ground forces, there is also close cooperation with the fire service. For example, the Dragonflies take rescue divers from the professional Hamburg Fire Service to the site where they are required. Hamburg's Police Helicopter Squadron has already proved a life-saver many times in the search for injured and missing persons. The area covered is another special feature of the squadron. Missions are not restricted to the City of Hamburg, they also cover northeast Lower Saxony, the western part of Mecklenburg-Pomerania, and Schleswig Holstein.
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MTU Maintenance Hannover has just overhauled its 1,000th CF6-50. The engine comes from the cargo carrier European Air Transport (EAT), a DHL affiliate, and is no stranger at Langenhagen. “As if on cue, this engine was in fact the very first one we received from EAT four years ago”, remarked Andreas Kalina, Vice President Marketing and Sales Europe, Middle East and Africa during small-scale celebrations on November 4. The 1,000th CF6-50 engine had been received at MTU Aero Engines' Langenhagen shop late in August, with 4,785 operating hours and 3,245 cycles, exceeding the average maintenance interval by almost 100%. Some two months later, with final testing, the engine overhaul concluded successfully. The engine powers an Airbus A300B4-200F.
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The Finmeccanica board has appointed the new Chairman and CEO of AgustaWestland, of which Finmeccanica is acquiring the entire 100% of the share capital. Amedeo Caporaletti was appointed the Chairman of the helicopter company while Giuseppe Orsi will be appointed Chief Executive Officer.
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In a first-of-a-kind test earlier this month, the Raytheon Missile Systems and Bofors Excalibur team successfully fired a global positioning satellite-guided 155mm artillery shell, which guided to a target aim point 20 kilometers down range. The shell hit less than 11 feet from the aim point, well within the performance specification of Excalibur. "This test was a complete success," said Raytheon's Program Manager John Halvey. "We could not be happier. This success demonstrates the hard work and dedication that the team has strived for in order to put precision munitions into the warfighters hands at the earliest possible date."
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UK Competition Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced that he has accepted undertakings instead of referring the proposed acquisition of AgustaWestland by Finmeccanica to the Competition Commission. The undertakings address protection of classified information and maintenance of UK military helicopter capability. Mr Sutcliffe's decision follows an invitation to interested parties to make their views known on the content of the draft undertakings. No representations were received.
The acceptance of the undertakings is in line with the advice of the Office of Fair Trading on jurisdiction, and representations from the Ministry of Defence on how best to remedy the public security concerns identified by the proposed acquisition.
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ScanEagle, a long-endurance fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Boeing and The Insitu group, this week surpassed 1,000 flight hours during operations in Iraq. Since late summer when ScanEagle was first deployed in theater with the First Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), the UAV has provided critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) information to tactical commanders. Boeing received a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps in July to provide two ScanEagle "mobile deployment units" for use with the I MEF. "Reaching 1,000 hours in such a short period of time is the result of ScanEagle's long-endurance capability, as well as the Marine's heavy reliance on the system due to its unique ISR value," said Dave Martin, ScanEagle program manager. "Another plus is that ScanEagle has been able to operate in a harsh weather environment, including high winds, which have kept other UAVs on the ground."
Feedback regarding ScanEagle's operational effectiveness and clear, detailed imagery has been extremely positive from all echelons of The Marine Corps. ScanEagle has proven to be reliable in all weather conditions, and the information provided has been well received by Battalion Combat Operations Centers.
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Rockwell Collins announced that Boeing has Type Certified the 737NG aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins' Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) technology. This marks the first time that an aircraft manufacturer has Type Certified a forward-fit aircraft equipped with CPDLC for use on the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN). Rockwell Collins' CPDLC technology utilizes the company's state-of-the-art CMU-900 Communications Management Unit, enabling digital data communication between pilots and air traffic control; and the APM-900, an Aircraft Personality Module which permanently stores an airplane's unique parameters and provides that information to the CMU-900 for accurate aircraft identification.
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United Airlines announced that it has extended a request for proposal (RFP) to a number of regional airlines to provide up to 70 regional jets to the United Express network. These jets will be used to cover capacity currently operated by Air Wisconsin, one of United's six United Express partners. The RFP is not expected to increase the overall size of the fleet at United Express. Rather, United expects that under the terms of the bids it receives, the cost of the capacity currently operated by Air Wisconsin will likely be reduced. Additionally, the RFP will provide United with an opportunity to fine-tune the mix of smaller and larger regional jet aircraft in the United Express fleet. "As we continue with our cost-control efforts, we must look at every area of the company and within every contract we have," said Sean Donohue, vice president-United Express and Ted. "Air Wisconsin is a long standing, valuable partner for United Airlines that performs well for us today, and we look forward to productive discussions with Air Wisconsin and other potential bidders. We must ensure we are paying market rates for our United Express service. By requesting competitive bids from a number of regional airlines, we are confident we will secure proper market rates for our United Express contracts while providing our customers with safe, reliable service throughout our United Express network."
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Prover Technology, the world's leading provider of formal verification products and services, today announced that Airbus has decided to purchase additional licenses for Prover Plug-In based verification software for verification of the A380's flight control systems. Surveying the A380 flight control system will enable Airbus to evaluate how to optimally deploy and benefit from Prover Plug-In based verification tools. Introduced in 1989, Prover Plug-In is the world's leading family of proof engines. Prover Plug-In enables verification tools providers to integrate Prover Plug-In into tools for equivalence checking, property checking and test case generation, and thereby deliver best in class capacity and performance without substantial high risk investment in internal proof engine development. By leveraging from production proven technology, they reduce costs and shorten time to market. Prover Plug-In proof engines are packaged as software libraries with well-defined ANSI C APIs and are available for most platforms, including Solaris, Windows, HP-UX, and Linux.
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In an impressive performance, OHB Technology AG increased its total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 to EUR 73.3 million (previous year: EUR 63.6 million). This operative success has resulted in a further steady rise in profitability. The OHB Group generated EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of EUR 7.7 million (previous year: EUR 5.1 million) in the period under review. This disproportionately strong increase of more than 51% over the same period one year earlier is also impressively reflected in the EBITDA margin of 10.5%, up from the year-ago figure of 8.0%. Similarly, EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of EUR 5.5 million (up 52% from EUR 3.6 million in the previous year) benefited from this improved margin, with the group EBIT margin in the first nine months of the year widening from 5.7% in the year-ago period to a current 7.5%.
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The Guiana Spaceport roared to life with the sounds of a solid rocket motor test firing that was part of evaluations performed to support the Ariane 5 launcher's development. This firing was carried out with a full-scale solid rocket motor, which was fixed on a purpose-built test stand at the Spaceport. Data gathered during the firing will be used to validate improvements to the solid rocket motor that are part of Ariane 5's evolution, and to confirm the motor's performance and reliability. The test is part of the ARTA program, which is an effort of the European Space Agency and is managed by the French CNES space agency. (ARTA is the French acronym for: research and technology support).
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Boeing has selected Latecoere of Toulouse, France, to provide the passenger doors for its all-new 7E7 Dreamliner airplane. This marks the first time that Boeing has selected a French provider for major airframe structure. Latecoere joins a growing list of French partners on the 7E7 team. Dassault Systemes is providing the suite of software tools used to develop, manufacture and support the 7E7 for its lifetime. In addition, Snecma Group companies Messier-Dowty, Messier-Bugatti and Labinal are providing main and nose landing gear, wheels and electric braking systems, and wiring respectively. Thales has been selected to provide the electrical power conversion system and the integrated standby flight displays.
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Boeing is adding Messier-Bugatti of the Snecma Group and Goodrich's Aircraft Wheels and Brakes group to its 7E7 Dreamliner global supplier team as providers of electric brakes. The awards mark the fourth 7E7 work package for North Carolina-based Goodrich Corp. and the third for France 's Snecma Group. Airlines can choose either the Messier-Bugatti or Goodrich electric brake systems for their 7E7s. On the 7E7, braking forces are generated with electro-mechanical actuators as opposed to traditional hydraulic pistons. That approach provides a high rate of reliability and lower weight compared to the traditional systems. The electric brakes also offer self monitoring through the 7E7's computers, which is a maintenance advantage for airlines.
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Sir John Bourn, head of the UK National Audit Office, reported today that in the last year, costs on the MOD's 20 biggest equipment projects have increased by £1.7 billion and that these projects have been delayed by three months each on average. The problems on these projects show that the sensible principles of Smart Acquisition have not been consistently applied and the NAO expects to see more problems on these projects in future. Sir John supports the MOD's recent efforts to improve its performance and warned that all parts of the department will need to work together to achieve this. The increase in the last year is less than the £3.1 billion which the NAO reported last year. The total cost of these projects is now expected to be £50 billion, which is 14 per cent higher than originally planned. There is little evidence that acquisition has been improving. Many problems can be traced to the fact that the MOD has not spent enough time and resources in the assessment phase. Projects less than halfway through their procurement are already expected to be delivered later or to cost more than approved. The 15 most recent projects are moving rapidly towards their 'not to be exceeded' approvals and six have already breached them.
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The first 737-700 aircraft for Turkey's Peace Eagle airborne early warning and control program rolled off the Boeing production line in Renton, Wash. this week. Following the completion of delivery and flight test activities, the plane will fly to Delaware in December for installation of auxiliary fuel tanks. It will then fly back to Seattle where crews will modify the plane at the Boeing Military Flight Center. The modifications include installation of a reinforced fuselage section that will hold the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar. Provisions for the other mission system equipment will be installed and tested, with first flight scheduled for late 2006.
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Guggenheim Aviation Partners and Israel Aircraft Industries Bedek Aviation Group have announced the first firm orders for Boeing 747-400 Combi to Special Freighter (SF) conversion. Both aircraft are under contract in a transaction arranged by GE Capital Aviation Services and are currently operated by Air Canada. The conversions are scheduled for completion in 2005 and 2006. +++
SPACEHAB, a leading provider of commercial space services, announced that it has filed a formal claim against NASA under the Federal Tort Claims Act seeking restitution of its losses totaling in excess of $79.7 million resulting from the tragic destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003. In January 2004 the Company filed a formal proceeding with NASA seeking indemnification under the Company's ReALMS contract in the amount of $87.7 million for the value of the Company's Research Double Module (RDM) and related equipment that was destroyed during the STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy. NASA responded to this contract claim on October 5, 2004. NASA's determination states that its liability is limited under the ReALMS contract to $8.0 million. The Company received payment of $8.2 million, which included $0.2 million of interest, from NASA in October 2004. The Company has the right to appeal NASA's decision to deny its claim for indemnification in excess of $8.0 million. The appeal can be filed with either the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. SPACEHAB is evaluating its options in appealing NASA's determination.
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As announced on October 29, 2004, the Snecma Board of Directors met on Tuesday, November 2, to review the planned merger of Snecma and Sagem. It approved the operation, which will be carried out in two successive stages: Public offer by Sagem for Snecma (main exchange offer, along with a subsidiary cash offer with a ceiling). Followed by the merger-absorption of Snecma by Sagem.
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In a second major A400M contract award this year, GKN Aerospace has been selected as the prime contractor supplying both metal and composite wing trailing edge subassemblies for Airbus Military's new military strategic airlifter. This contract is worth over $160m based on the current order book. When combined with the advanced composite wing spar contract, awarded to GKN Aerospace in March, the value of the company's involvement on the A400M exceeds $1.0m per aircraft. In fulfilling this contract, GKN Aerospace takes prime responsibility for the design, development and supply of all wing trailing edge subassembly packages, including the shroud box and outer falsework, ribs and panels for the A400M wing trailing edge. The contract also covers the drawings for the trailing edge assembly installation.
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Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, announced that its newest large-cabin, mid-range business jet, the Gulfstream G350, has received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. The G350, which was introduced just eight months ago at the 2004 Asian Aerospace exhibition in Singapore, is expected to enter service during the third quarter next year. "We developed the G350 specifically for customers who require ample seating and cargo space, but who don't need long- or ultra-long-range capability," said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. "An outstanding value, the G350 is competitively priced, yet outperforms all other business jets in its class and features the largest number of standard equipment items, including the PlaneView cockpit."
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By signing a long-term supply contract for the leading German engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines Pankl Racing Systems successfully enters a further field of business. From the coming year the Austrian system supplier for the racing and aviation industries will also produce IPT shafts and Airtubes (engine shafts) for aeroplanes. Up to now Pankl has in the aviation supply mainly concentrated on the helicopter market. Engine shafts used in the engine TP400-D6 for the Airbus A400M The order volume agreed upon adds up to EUR 5 million. More than 1500 engine shafts (IPT shafts and Airtubes) are to be produced in the next 15 years. These products made of titan and high-strength steel will be used in the A400M, a military transporter plane produced by EADS. 180 transporter planes have already been ordered by seven EU states. New market segment in the aviation industry Since the beginning of the 90ies the Pankl group has positioned itself as a supplier of drive shafts for world-wide leading helicopter manufacturers. The focus of the cooperation with the MTU is now the development and production of engine shafts. This opens up for Pankl an important access to a new market segment in the aviation industry.
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