FLUG REVUE update: Week ending 19 December 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 19 December 2004

+++ Forgeard and Enders to lead EADS +++ Eurofighter Tranche 2 signed +++ Airbus market outlook sees 17300 aircraft to 2023 +++ A400M contract from South Africa +++ Bombardier management changes +++ Tigers delivered to Australia +++ NASA chief O´Keafe leaves +++ Air Asia takes A320s +++ News in brief +++

Forgeard and Enders to lead EADS
Führungsstreit bei EADS scheint beigelegt

Weeks of turmoil over the future leadership of EADS have been ended by announcements that Airbus chief Noel Forgeard and EADS military business top manager Thomas Enders will take over form Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich next June, when their five-year term expires. "Noel Forgeard and Thomas Enders have a vocation to take over from Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich in order to lead a new stage of industrial history and of the development of EADS," France's finance ministry said in a statement. "Finance Minister Herve Gaymard is eager to salute the achievements of Mr Camus and Mr Hertrich since EADS's creation, which have turned it into a world-class enterprise... and a great Franco-German success story," it said. Earlier Arnaud Lagardere had said in a newspaper interview that Camus would return to work with him. "The question was this: should Philippe come back to Lagardere and is his mission accomplished? The mission of launching EADS has indeed been thoroughly completed and so quite naturally Philippe comes back to work with me," he said in Friday's edition of Le Figaro. The French government and the media and defence group Lagardere together own 30 percent of EADS. Enders was named by the German-US auto maker DaimlerChrysler, which also owns 30 percent of EADS.
Hertrich, who had a close relationship with Camus at the helm of EADS, unexpectedly announced he would resign earlier in December, reportedly in anger at French efforts to install Forgeard. Meanwhile, Camus issued a statement on 17 December, saying: “I have decided to accept Arnaud Lagardere's proposition to return full-time to the Lagardère group. I thank him for the trust and support he has always accorded me. But I have also taken this decision because I am convinced that a new stage must open up for EADS in the interests of its shareholders, its clients and its employees. I will give up my rôle as soon as the Board of Directors asks me to do so. I thank everyone who has helped me, along with my colleague and friend Rainer Hertrich, to create and develop EADS, which has become a symbol of the success of Europe's union of its greatest strengths. In five years we have together gained the respect and esteem of the global aerospace industry and its clients.”

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Eurofighter Tranche 2 signed
Auftrag für 236 weitere Eurofighter

NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeuge GmbH have signed the contract covering the second tranche of Eurofighter aircraft. "For us, Eurofighter Tranche 2 is one of the most important orders in the area of defence this year," commented Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, the two CEOs of EADS, on the conclusion of the contract. "For EADS as one of the Eurofighter partner companies, this represents a contract volume of Euro 4.3 billion. At the same time, this contract improves the export chances of Eurofighter, a latest-generation high-tech combat aircraft that has already reached market maturity and underlines Europe's capabilities in this area. The conclusion of the contract is a significant success for EADS and its Eurofighter consortium partners and also an outstanding step towards achieving the strategic aim we have set ourselves of further expanding our defence business over the coming years." Johann Heitzmann, CEO of the EADS Military Aircraft Business Unit, sees the achievements of the Eurofighter partners confirmed by the conclusion of this contract: "Several months of uncertainty regarding the continuation of the programme have been ended by the signing of the contract. We now have planning certainty for the production and development work that is to come. In particular also the small- and medium-sized companies that are suppliers to this programme will benefit from this."
Eurofighter Tranche 2 is the second of three elements in the umbrella contract that comprises a total of 620 aircraft for the four partner nations Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy. From tranche to tranche, an increasing degree of operational capability has been agreed for the aircraft. Of the 236 aircraft in this second production batch, the German Air Force will receive 68 and the Spanish Air Force 33, which will undergo final assembly in the EADS manufacturing plants in Germany and Spain. Delivery is scheduled from spring 2008 onwards. In addition, Italy will receive 46 aircraft and Great Britain 89. A further 18 aircraft to Tranche 2 standard will be delivered to the first Eurofighter export customer Austria.
Meanwhile, Eurofighter GmbH announced the signature with NETMA, on Monday 13 December 2004, of the Type Acceptance agreement for the Eurofighter Typhoon Batch 2 aircraft. This signature will allow the delivery of the first series production single-seat Eurofighter Typhoons to the four Partner Nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The Type Acceptance of Batch 2 aircraft sees a marked improvement in the functionality of Eurofighter Typhoon. For the first time, the DASS (Defensive Aids Sub-System) and the MIDS data link (Multiple Information Distribution System) have been cleared for flight operation. Following the commencement of training and conversion with twin-seat Eurofighter Typhoons at the start of this year, the partner air forces will now be able to comprehensively test these, and more, new functionalities of the aircraft in the ongoing national operational evaluation phase.

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Airbus market outlook sees 17300 aircraft to 2023
Optimisitsche Marktprognose von Airbus

More than 17,300 new passenger and freight aircraft with a value of US$1.9 trillion will be required by aircraft operators between 2004 and 2023, according to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast. Airbus forecasts that 16,600 new passenger aircraft of more than 100 seats will be needed in the coming 20-year period, creating an average delivery of 830 passenger aircraft per year. This requirement results from a three-fold growth in passenger traffic, or an average annual traffic growth in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) of 5.3 per cent, and the replacement of 9,200 less fuel-efficient passenger aircraft through to 2023. Air freight is forecast to grow even faster, with freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) increasing annually by 5.9 per cent over the same period, generating the need for more than 700 new and 2,400 converted freighters.
Overall, this period includes the strongest traffic-growth recovery seen since 1980 and highlights the resilience of the industry to the effects of recent world events. The strong economic development of the Asia-Pacific region, especially in emerging economies, and the increasing impact of low-cost carriers in all domestic markets will significantly contribute to this growth. The nine trillion RPKs forecast in 2023 will largely be generated in Europe (32 per cent), Asia-Pacific (31 per cent) and North America (26 per cent).
Accounting for 22 per cent of the value of all new aircraft delivered in the next 20 years, as many as 1,650 new large passenger and freight aircraft worth US$416 billion will be required. This includes 1,250 new passenger aircraft seating 450 or more passengers, of which more than half will serve the high-density population centres in Asia-Pacific. Bigger, more spacious and more economical than anything flying today, new large passenger aircraft will enable airlines to meet growing demand for air travel despite increasing congestion in the air and on the ground, while their lower operating costs will allow operators to respond both to intensifying competition and to the increasing price-sensitivity of demand for air travel as markets mature.
The requirement for twin-aisle passenger aircraft will continue to grow strongly with 4,450 new twin-aisle aircraft worth US$682 billion, or 38 per cent of the global value of new passenger aircraft, being delivered in the next two decades. Twin-aisle types will operate in diverse markets, covering short/medium-range operations with aircraft like the A330 as well as longer-range routes with types such as the A350 and A340. Two-thirds of all new twin-aisle aircraft will be delivered to airlines in Europe and Asia-Pacific, stimulated by increasing tourism and the internationalisation of business. Within the twin-aisle category, airlines will need as many as 3,100 aircraft of 250-300 seats, a market targeted by the A330 and its A350 sistership.
Single-aisle aircraft with more than 100 seats will continue to dominate the world's passenger fleet with more than 15,100 such aircraft being in service by 2023. Deliveries of 10,900 new single-aisle aircraft worth US$761 billion at current list prices will be needed in the next two decades. More than two thirds of new single-aisle aircraft will be delivered to the US and Europe where there are more dispersed population centres, while the increasing presence of low-cost operators in Asia-Pacific will provide another important factor driving demand.

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A400M contract from South Africa
Südafrika will A400M-Beteiligung

Following an initial declaration made on December 9th this year, the South African government has signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military which will lead to participation by South Africa in the A400M military transport aircraft programme and is worth at least 750 million Euros. The DOI, signed in Pretoria by South Africa's Minister of Defence, Mr. Mosiuoa Gerard P. Lekota and Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military, is the first commitment for the A400M from a country outside the existing group of seven European launch nations. Subject to a detailed contract to be signed early next year, the agreement provides for South Africa to become a programme partner in the A400M. To this effect, South African industry will receive high-value work packages from Airbus Military and thus become a key participant throughout the life of the programme. The A400M will enable South Africa to upgrade its airlift capability for both humanitarian and peace-keeping activities and assist the country in strengthening its aeronautical industry.

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Bombardier management changes
Krise bei Bombardier

On 13 December, Bombardier announced that the Board of Directors has created a new Office of the President that will regroup strategic and executive management responsibilities around the Executive Chairman of the Board and the Presidents of the Aerospace and Transportation groups, the Corporation's two main operating units. Mr. Paul Tellier leaves his position of President and Chief Executive Officer as well as director of the Corporation, effective immediately. "The Corporation hired Mr. Tellier as an agent of change and he has delivered" said Mr. Laurent Beaudoin. "Considering the evolution of the business and our challenges at this point, the Corporation has come to an agreement with Mr. Tellier and I am pleased that we are parting ways on good terms. We thank him for his contribution to the evolution of our Corporation," said Laurent Beaudoin. As Executive Chairman, Laurent Beaudoin will chair the Office of the President. He will be joined by Mr. André Navarri, President of Bombardier Transportation and Mr. Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bombardier Aerospace each of whom has been appointed Executive Vice President of Bombardier Inc. André Navarri and Pierre Beaudoin will also sit as Directors of the Corporation.

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Tigers delivered to Australia
Übergabe der ersten Tiger ARH

Australian Aerospace, the Eurocopter subsidiary, delivered the first two Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters to the Australian Army at a ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey, Queensland that also marked the achievement of Air 87 In Service Date Demonstration (ISD). Named ARH1 and ARH2, the two Tigers were manufactured in France and delivered to Australian Aerospace (AA) in Brisbane on the 23rd November 2004. Australian Aerospace finalized the re-assembly and flight testing of the two platforms before the hand over to Army for formal acceptance. Requirements for ISD were delivery of 2 ARH, achievement of a military flight permit, training of sufficient Army crews, and provision of an approved Support organization with adequate maintenance documentation, spares and tooling. Dr Lutz Bertling, Executive Vice President Governmental Helicopters of Eurocopter said " ISD is a major achievement and reflected 3 years hard work by many people in our Company, our Parent Eurocopter and of course our customer DMO and the Australian Army." Dr Bertling went on to say on schedule achievement of ISD was remarkable considering that the target date was only 4 years after release of the AIR 87 Tender and less than 3 years following the Contract Effective date." The ISD achievement will lead to Australian Military Type Certification in 2005. Australian Aerospace was selected in 2001 to deliver 22 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters and associated Services to the Australian Army. The first 4 aircraft are manufactured in France and the remaining 18 will be assembled at the Australian Aerospace assembly facility in Brisbane. The remaining two aircraft assembled in France will be delivered early next year. The first Australian assembled aircraft, ARH 5, is ready for flight and will be delivered ahead of schedule in the first half of next year.

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NASA chief O´Keafe leaves
Rücktritt des NASA-Chefs

Administrator Sean O'Keefe, who over the past three years led the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through an aggressive and comprehensive management transformation and helped the agency through one of its most painful tragedies, has resigned. In his resignation letter to the President the Administrator wrote, "I will continue until you have named a successor and in the hope the Senate will act on your nomination by February." O'Keefe, 48, is NASA's tenth administrator. He will move on to a much better paid academic job.

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Air Asia takes A320s
Neuer Erfolg für Airbus in Low-Cost-Markt

AirAsia, a leading low fare no frills airline in Southeast Asia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with European plane manufacturer, Airbus, for 40 firm orders of the A320 aircraft, and another 40 purchase rights. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding between AirAsia Berhad, represented by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tony Fernandes, and Airbus which is represented by Mr. John Leahy, Airbus's Chief Commercial Officer, marks the conclusion of months of negotiations following AirAsia's Request For Proposal from Boeing and Airbus for a proposed acquisition of up to 80 new aircraft, consisting of 40 firm orders and 40 purchase rights. Delivery of the new A320s is expected to take place over a period of up to 5 years with an average of one aircraft per month, starting from January 2006.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On a proposal from the Commission, the EU Council has confirmed the technical characteristics of the Galileo system, in particular with regard to the services being offered. It has decided in favour of moving on to the launching (2006-2008) and operational phases of the project and confirmed that the European Union will contribute to the funding of those two phases. “GALILEO is without a doubt the most wonderful European technological project. We are now on the home straight: next year will see the launch of the first satellites", said Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission. “GALILEO will be as much of a technological revolution as mobile telephony. This venture shows how capable Europe is of making a united effort in pursuit of a common goal" The programme will be developed in 4 phases: definition of the project; development between 2002 and 2005 (total costs: EUR 1.1 billion); deployment from 2006 to 2008, (EUR 2.1 billion - 1/3 public sector, 2/3 private sector) ; and then operation and exploitation. Exploitation costs are estimated at EUR 220 million a year with an exceptional contribution of the public sector for the first few years of EUR 500 million. Thereafter, these costs will be entirely covered by the private sector. The “deployment” phase, which now got the green light and during which satellites and ground receiving stations are to be built and launched, is the phase which is crucial to making GALILEO operational.
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The Instruction to Proceed covering the development program of the new Eurocopter Tiger HAD version and its MTR390 Enhanced engine was signed in Toulouse on December, 8th, between the Ministries of Defense of the Kingdom of Spain and French Republic, represented by the contracting authority OCCAR, and the industrial partners: Eurocopter Tiger, MTR/ITP, SAGEM and Indra Systemas. This contract enables the launch of the development program of the Enhanced MTR390 (MTR390 E) for the Tiger HAD. This new MTR390-E version will have a power increased by 14% compared to the existing basic version. This power growth is needed for missions in "hot and high" environmental conditions in which the new HAD helicopter will be operated. A full contract will be negotiated in the next 10 months to complement this Instruction to Proceed. It will cover the complete development and production investment activities of the enhanced engine, as well as series production for Spain and France with associated fleet support. The development program of the MTR390-E engine comprises 4 years until qualification. First deliveries of the MTR390-E production engines will start end of 2009.
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The International Air Transport Association released cargo and passenger traffic forecasts for 2004-2008 indicating 6.0% growth annually for international passengers and 6.0% annually for international cargo tonnage. "It looks like we will finish 2004 with the strongest traffic rebound that the industry has seen since the 1991 recovery from the effects of the Gulf War. Expectations for the rest of the forecast period are in line with historical industry trends. If nothing changes in the operating environment, this is the start of a good news story for the industry," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.Passenger numbers for 2004 are expected to grow by 11% over 2003 (14% if measured in revenue passenger kilometers). While this phenomenal growth is largely related to a recovery from the disastrous impact of SARS in 2003, two underlying factors are important. First, the robust economic expansion is the strongest in three decades. Second, increasing liberalization and intense competition in many markets is driving growth with declining yields.
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HLX is predicting 2,7 million passengers for 2004, a plus of 38 per cent. It will increase its fleet form eleven to 15 Boeing 737s for 2005 and is targeting 3,8 million passengers for the year.
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Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer Michael Redenbaugh announced the company is moving its V-22 Program Office from Fort Worth to Amarillo, Texas. “We're doing this now in anticipation of the eventual need to ramp up for full rate production on the V-22,” Mr. Redenbaugh said. In this process Bell will be establishing a number of new positions throughout its Dallas/Fort Worth Centers of Excellence as well as its Amarillo Military Assembly & Integration Center.
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Goodrich has been selected by Boeing to supply the entire cargo handling system for the new 7E7 Dreamliner. The Goodrich cargo system includes the mechanical system, Power Drive Units (PDUs), electrical control system and floor panels. The contract is expected to generate over $450 million in original equipment and aftermarket sales through 2028. According to Goodrich's Tim Dumbauld, Cargo Systems Vice President and General Manager, "This win marks the next step in our evolution from a subsystem supplier to a cargo system integrator at Boeing. New technology will be used in the cargo drive and control systems enabling us to offer a light weight, yet durable 7E7 system that will be cost effective for airlines to operate and maintain. We are thrilled to have been selected as a partner for this exciting new aircraft program which further extends our long term relationship with Boeing."
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Star Alliance announced the launch of its global interline e-ticket product. Following an extensive testing schedule, interline e-ticket is now being rolled out across the member carriers. Air Canada and Lufthansa was the first pair to launch in November. ANA and United are coming online this month, with Air Canada and Air New Zealand due in January. In addition to these launches, the following Star Alliance carriers already offer interline e-ticket. Scandinavian Airlines –Lufthansa, - Scandinavian Airlines – Spanair, Air Canada – Lufthansa – United, Austrian – Lufthansa, United -US Airways. All other e-ticket pairings will become live as part of the Star Allince global interline e-ticket roll out, which will be completed by the end of August 2005. At that point customers can travel across the entire Star Alliance Network using one single e-ticket.
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Two military jets flying together may seem routine, but when they are pilotless, tail-less aircraft, routine goes out the window and science fiction springs to mind. Boeing continued to turn science fiction into reality when two X-45A technology demonstrator aircraft made their second and third coordinated flights at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Controlled by a single pilot-operator, the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems' (J-UCAS) X-45As, complete with Boeing's latest software build known as Block 3 software, departed in succession and entered coordinated flight over the test range. Known by the call signs “Stingray 01 and 02,” the revolutionary aircraft operated together in coordinated flight for more than one hour. During the Dec. 3 mission, the 27-foot-long air vehicles flew successfully in several different formations, demonstrating the ability to autonomously enter and exit coordinated flight based on pre-identified points and showing the ability to dynamically alter the formation in all three axes simultaneously.
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Boeing delivered the 100,000 th tail kit on December 2 for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapon to the U.S. Military at its weapons facility near St. Louis. During the delivery ceremony, U.S. Air Force Major General Robert Chedister, commander of the Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., praised the St. Charles, Mo., based team responsible for producing the JDAM tail kit. Boeing began producing the JDAM tail kits in 1998, which provide near precision capability to Mk 80 series bombs through GPS satellite-aided navigation. Initial production was 900 tail kits per year, but following the September 11, 2001 attack; tail kit production skyrocketed to 3,000 tail kits per month.
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NASA completed installation this week of the three main engines that will help launch Space Shuttle Discovery on its Return to Flight mission. Installation was completed Dec. 8 at the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. "This milestone concludes the assembly, processing, inspection, data review and tests required for acceptance of engines," said Space Shuttle Main Engine project manager, Gene Goldman, at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. The Return to Flight mission, designated STS-114, is targeted for a launch opportunity beginning in May 2005. The seven-member Discovery crew will fly to the International Space Station primarily to test and evaluate new procedures for flight safety, including Space Shuttle inspection and repair techniques. Returning the Space Shuttle to flight is the first step in realizing the Vision for Space Exploration. The Vision calls for a stepping-stone strategy of human and robotic missions to achieve the nation's new exploration goals, starting with returning the Shuttle safely to flight and completing the International Space Station.
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Roberto Vittori will be the next ESA astronaut to fly to the International Space Station, on the 10-day Italian Soyuz mission, scheduled to be launched on 15 April next year from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The mission is called ENEIDE and takes its name from the epic tale written by the Latin poet Virgil in the 1st century BC. This story tells of the journey of Aeneas from Troy to Italy and the foundation of Rome. Vittori is a member of ESA's European Astronaut Corps and also an active Italian Air Force pilot. He is scheduled to take off on flight 10S to the ISS as flight engineer on board the Soyuz TMA-6 spacecraft alongside the Soyuz Commander and Roskosmos cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev and NASA astronaut John Phillips. The main objectives of the mission are: for the ESA astronaut to perform a full experimental programme of major scientific interest and valuable international cooperation on board the ISS; to exchange the station lifeboat, Soyuz TMA-5, for Soyuz TMA-6; and to exchange the current ISS Expedition 10 crew (Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov) for the ISS Expedition 11 crew (Krikalev and Phillips).
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The first C-27J Spartan series aircraft to be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force, has successfully achieved its first flight in Caselle, after the final integration at Alenia Aeronautica's plants of Turin-Caselle. After take-off at 10 a.m. from the Alenia Aeronautica's flight test field, piloted by Commanders Agostino Frediani and Gianluca Evangelisti (also on-board the third test pilot, Commander Mario Mutti), the C-27J has performed some manoeuvres and flight figures for a total of 83 minutes. The success of the first flight of the Hellenic Air Force aircraft enables the Italian company to respect contractual time schedule, which envisages delivery by end of January 2005. The C-27J, manufactured by Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin, is the most advanced tactical transport aircraft and has already been ordered by the Italian and Hellenic Air Forces (12 units each).
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The U.S. Navy has given Raytheon Company's unitary penetration variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW-C) its highest assessment: "suitable and effective." The assessment, from the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR), follows operational testing (OT) firings with 10 of 11 successful shots against a wide range of targets. JSOW-C was developed by a team that includes the U.S. Navy, Raytheon Company, BAE Systems and Thales Missile Electronics. "JSOW-C is expected to deploy early in 2005 and will represent a significant addition to our warfighting capability," said Captain David Dunaway, the Navy's JSOW program manager. "We look forward to the fleet introduction of JSOW unitary." JSOW-C incorporates a Raytheon-developed uncooled, long-wave infrared seeker with automatic target acquisition algorithms, providing the Navy a launch-and-leave weapon with a long range standoff precision strike capability. JSOW-C will be the first U.S. weapon to incorporate the two stage broach blast fragmentation/penetration warhead, developed by the United Kingdom's BAE Systems. Thales provides the fuze. JSOW-C has a unique capability for a glide weapon in its ability to attack a hardened target in a near-horizontal mode.
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Turbomeca is pleased to announce that the OAMTC has received the 23rd Eurocopter EC 135 helicopter of its fleet, a light twin-engine craft powered by the Arrius 2B2. These helicopters are used to carry out EMS applications. The OAMTC fleet that is spread over 15 bases in the summertime and 22 bases during wintertime has clocked up, to date, a total of 60,000 engine operational hours. 45 pilots and 650 team members make up the Austrian Touring Club, which has carried out 15,157 missions in 2003, of which 5,100 taking place in mountainous environments. The whole fleet is maintained by Heliair with a team of 20 people including engineers, logistic and store.
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For the first time, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducted landing operations with the MV-22 Osprey. The landing operations, which took place Dec. 7-13, was an effort to qualify 23 Marine Corps pilots from Marine Tilt Rotor Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22 on day deck landings, as well as to provide a "foundation" of experience for future operations. "These operational landings are not only giving us a foundation for operations in the fleet, they're also giving us time to find things that we don't like about the Osprey and what we want done differently," said Marine Corps Maj. Robert Freeland, an Osprey pilot and the assistant operations officer for VMX-22, located at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, N.C. To complete their qualifications in accordance with the Marine Corps Training and Readiness Manual for air crew, the pilots performed a minimum of five landings on the ship's port side of the flight deck; two spots on the forward end of the flight deck (spots two and four); and two on the aft section (spots seven and nine). In addition to their qualification, the pilots performed a minimum of two short takeoffs.
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Emirates SkyCargo and EADS EFW have signed a contract for the conversion of three A310-300 freighter aircraft, formerly operated by Aeroflot. The converted aircraft are cause for triple celebrations for Emirates Cargo. These will be the first Airbus freighters in Emirates' fleet, and also the first ones owned by the airline. With this order, Emirates will be the launch customer for Airbus freighters with side-by-side loading capability of 96”x125” pallets. The A310-300Fs are expected to enter Emirates' fleet from the middle of next year – one in July 2005 and the other two in January 2006. The wide-bodied freighters will have a payload capacity of 39 tonnes of cargo, offering excellent performance capabilities and fuel efficiency. The aircraft will be equipped with Auxiliary Centre Tanks to increase their range, enabling one-stop operations from Dubai to the U.S. and countries in the South Pacific.
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Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina S.A. rolled out the first upgraded Pampa jet trainer in a formal ceremony today. This AT-63 Pampa is the demonstrator of the new configuration of the Pampa, and is ready to initiate the ground testing phase, the necessary stage prior to flight testing which is expected to begin mid-year 2005. "We are proud to roll out this aircraft today, manufactured for the Argentine Air Force," said Alberto Buthet, President of Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina. "The Pampa rollout highlights a year of considerable growth for our company that included new contracts with other countries and companies and a 10 percent growth in our workforce." The AT-63 Pampa is a low-cost advanced trainer and light attack aircraft. It is the new version of the legendary IA-63 Pampa originally built in Cordoba. The new generation Pampa continues to provide the ease of maintenance and airframe stability of the original version, while featuring an upgraded crew station and modern avionics suite with a military standard 1553B data bus architecture and sophisticated mission computers to provide more reliability to support advanced weapon systems. These upgrades significantly reduce maintenance costs by using the modular approach to systems design.
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Saab Bofors Dynamics AB has won another contract for the RBS 70 Air Defence Missile System, this time with the Czech Armed Forces as the end customer. The order is worth MSEK 204 to Saab. “In the past three years we have sold RBS 70 systems worth a total of over one billion SEK. This shows that the system is well adapted to meeting different customers' demands for modern anti-aircraft defence, and is performing well in tough international competition,” says Tomas Samuelsson, President of Saab Bofors Dynamics. Deliveries will take place in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
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Bombardier announced that it has received regulatory approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Honeywell TFE-731-20BR engine upgrade. The approval allows Bombardier to begin delivering production aircraft to Bombardier Learjet 45 XR customers in any of EASA's 25-member countries. Bombardier will also issue a service bulletin along with revisions to the aircraft flight manual to current European Learjet 45 operators in December allowing them to upgrade their aircraft at Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services in Berlin, Germany. The Bombardier Learjet 45 XR delivers greater payload-range capabilities through a 1,000-pound (454-kg) increase in maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and enhanced performance from the -20BR engine upgrade, leading to significantly reduced balanced field length under hot and high conditions.
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Rolls-Royce confirmed on 13 December that Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), had chosen the Trent 900 engine to power its fleet of six Airbus A380 airliners. This takes the Trent 900's market share of A380 firm and option orders to 50 per cent. Mike Terrett, President, Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are clearly delighted by this vote of confidence in Rolls-Royce and the Trent 900 in being selected by PMB and MAS.
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EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson made a fact-finding trip to the Airbus production facility in Toulouse, France. The Commissioner toured assembly lines for the company's A380 airliner. He also met with Airbus senior management, including chief executive officer Noël Forgeard. Speaking to journalists Mr Mandelson said that the purpose of the visit had been "fact-finding". Asked about the dispute between Airbus and American competitor Boeing, Mr Mandelson said that "there is an issue of false perception on the American side. Just because Airbus is a formidable competitor does not mean that it is unfairly subsidised. The world market is big enough for two strong successful competitive companies". Questioned on next steps in the Airbus-Boeing dispute Mr Mandelson said that on the question of negotiation or litigation the EU was "ready to negotiate but fully prepared to defend ourselves in the WTO if so challenged". Mr Mandelson said: "negotiation is possible and viable. But it requires good will from both sides. I am ready for that; I hope the Americans are too". Suggesting the possibility of resumed talks in January, Mr Mandelson added that negotiations on support to the aircraft industry would only be acceptable if they could produce a new agreement that was "comprehensive, transparent and enforceable".
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Thales has reinforced its position in the Russian aerospace market by signing a protocol with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company to provide the development and integration of Thales' full avionics suite on board the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) airplane. The protocol, signed in Moscow, defines the main principles of this important industrial cooperation between both companies, including a contract of around 70 million euros for a first batch of equipment. Thales will participate in Sukhoi's civil jet programme as the avionics supplier and integrator for the total of the RRJ family. The full avionics suite provided by Thales, including the cockpit display, communication, navigation and surveillance systems, will boost the capacity and performances of the RRJ aircraft. The global scope of this agreement implies the production of a new family of regional aircraft ranging from 60 to 95 seats.
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Alcatel Space, a subsidiary of Alcatel, has delivered the Corotel telescope to the National Institute for Sciences of the Universe (INSU), on behalf of French space agency CNES. The telescope will be mounted on the Corot satellite, which is designed to study the inside of stars and look for new planets. CNES, prime contractor for the instrument, will now be able to integrate the telescope with its baffle and carry out tests in conjunction with the vehicle equipment bay. The complete payload will then be sent back to Alcatel Space's clean rooms for assembly on the Proteus platform and final integration of the entire satellite. This delivery marks a major milestone in this prestigious program, for which scientific coordination is provided by the Space Research and Astrophysics Instrumentation Laboratory and the Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory. The Corot scientific mission is a world first. Its primary objective is to study the internal structure of stars using the astroseismology technique (observation of oscillation modes, enabling an indirect look at the stars' cores). During a mission lasting nearly three years, the Corot satellite will study the internal structure of hundreds of stars to determine their mass, age and composition. This is an essential step in helping us better understand the universe, since its constituent chemical elements are formed in the stars at different stages of their life.
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A plan to help America meet the demands of a future aviation system was unveiled on 15 December. DOT Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, NASA Associate Administrator Dr. J. Victor Lebacqz, government and industry leaders were present for the release of the Integrated National Plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Mineta called it, "a blueprint that will lead to the transformation of America's air transportation network, as the government is moving to prepare the country for changes in the way we will travel by air in 2025 and beyond." The plan envisions a future of new affordable options to fly, including micro-jets, more fractional ownership possibilities, and other on-demand services to shorten curb-to-curb travel time and allow more consumer air transportation choices. NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said, "NASA is proud to participate in this first-of-its-kind multi-agency effort. Nothing is as important to the future of our economy and our quality of life as transforming the Air Transportation System to meet future needs." Congress established a charter in 2003 to create the Next Generation Air Transportation System by the year 2025, and it created a multi-agency committee to carry out the plan. The group includes -- the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Department of Transportation and its Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the Departments of Defense, Commerce and Homeland Security.
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Raytheon has delivered the first low rate initial production (LRIP) Army Airborne Command and Control System (A2C2S) to the U.S. Army. A2C2S prototypes have supported the Army's 4th Infantry Division (ID) in Iraq for more than a year and the 3rd ID since May 2004. During 17 months of combat duty, the A2C2S flying command posts logged thousands of mission hours to assist warfighters and peacekeepers overseas. Despite operating in the harshest combat environments, the command and control (C2) systems exceeded their performance and reliability requirements. "With more than 3,000 operational hours-2,000 of them in combat-A2C2S is performing extremely well," said Brian McKeon, vice president of Raytheon Command and Control Systems. The system's performance in combat confirmed its production readiness. As a result, Raytheon will manufacture five LRIP systems and two A-kits for EUH- 60 helicopters. The company anticipates that additional A2C2S systemswill be funded in fiscal year 2005; approximately 120 systems could be fielded to the Army during the program's lifetime.
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GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., Brazil's low-fare, low-cost airline, announced today that is moving forward with its plans to acquire new aircraft. GOL informed Boeing of its intent to exercise four more purchase options for 737-800 Next Generation in January 2005. This transaction is part of an agreement, signed in May of this year, for the acquisition of up to 43 737-800 Next Generation aircraft (15 of which were firm orders, and 28 of which were purchase options). With this new agreement and the exercise of two other purchase options in July 2004, GOL will be increasing the number of its firm orders to a total of 21 aircraft to be delivered between 2006 and 2009. The total transaction is valued at approximately R$ 3.4 billion.
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IRKUT Corporation has announced the launching of sponsored ADR level I program, after receiving the permission from Securities and Exchange Commission of USA. Depository bank is The Bank of New York According to the program, the number of shares available for investors to exchange for ADR is 40% of share capital. Under program parameters the ADR ratio to shares is 1:30. The ADR program follows the successful initial public offering of 23% of Corporation shares in March 2003. As an IPO results the Corporation has become a public company with wide Russian and international shareholders base. ADR Program targeting the following objectives: to attract new investors, to raise the liquidity of shares and capitalization of the company.
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General Electric has initiated tests for its new GEnx engine that advance the use of composites in jet engines in ways never before experienced. The GEnx is the only jet engine being developed with both the front fan case and fan blades made of composite materials - a breakthrough that will provide greater engine durability and dramatic weight reduction. At GE Transportation's headquarters in Evendale, Ohio, the company ran a successful "blade-out" rig test using a composite fan case and composite blades representative of the GEnx configuration. In this test, a fan blade is released while the fan operates at full speed. The composite fan case maintained its structural integrity while containing the released blade. "Simply put, the concept of a composite fan system worked, and worked well," said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program.
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An official French report has blamed a metal strip that fell off another commercial airliner for the crash of a supersonic Concorde that killed 113 people near Paris four years ago. The report, issued Tuesday said there was a direct link between the Concorde crash and the metal strip, which fell off a U.S. Continental Airlines plane. That metal fell to the airport runway and later pierced one of the Concorde's tires, sending chunks of rubber into a fuel tank and causing a fiery crash. Prosecutors said the strip was made of titanium, a harder metal than normally used. They said this violated aircraft building regulations and made the crash more likely. The report also blamed what it called a design flaw in the supersonic jet because its fuel tanks did not have sufficient protection from debris in the event of a burst tire.
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SWISS is pleased that Switzerland's Federal Council has issued the report on air transport policy before the end of the current year. In essence, the Federal Council's statements are welcome, particularly the amendments that have been made to the original draft. SWISS largely supports the objectives the Federal Council has set for the national air transport policy. “Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger deserves recognition for producing this report, which points the way forward. Consultation with the parties involved prior to the report was fair and thorough,” commented Christoph Franz, SWISS President and CEO. “It is now of great importance to implement concrete measures as quickly as possible.“ SWISS welcomes in particular the following main points from the report on national air transport policy: express recognition of the economic importance of? Switzerland's air transport industry, also as a key element in foreign trade policy and tourism promotion, as well as a factor in making Switzerland an attractive business location; acknowledgement of the value non-stop air services within Europe and to and from other continents provide for Switzerland as a business location; and of Zurich's role as an air transport hub in efficiently optimising Switzerland's international links; acknowledgement of the need for internationally competitive parameters for Switzerland's air transport industry; government commitment to SWISS as an important factor in air transport policy and the facilitator of effective international links; government willingness to absorb, if necessary, certain costs relating to security and air traffic control; the intention to review the degree to which the current tax on aviation fuel for domestic air services can be used to support measures to protect the environment and improve air transport security and safety; the objective of Switzerland participating in the European? Aviation Safety Agency and in the reform process for the creation of a Single European Sky with regard to air traffic control. SWISS is disappointed, however, that the Federal Council has rejected a proposal to transform the existing airport noise compensation fund into an independent legal entity and sponsor the fund in order to cover any short-term financial deficits. Given the current legal uncertainties surrounding this topic along with the expectation of high costs for compensation in future, managing the fund in this way would be an important element in ensuring the future of the country's airports and providing prompt compensation to those affected by airport noise.
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Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a ceiling amount $102,967,505 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 32 AN/APS-137D(V)5 Radar Units for the P-3 Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) Improvement Program (AIP). In addition, this contract provides for modification of control indicators for incorporation into the AN/APS-137D(V)5 Radar, and non-recurring engineering to replace obsolete components within the AN/APS-137D(V)5 Radar.
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Embraer announced that based on actual measurements during aircraft deliveries, the EMBRAER 170 shows a 2 percent better fuel burn rate than previously predicted. This benefit is the combined result of improvements in the engine specific fuel consumption together with enhancements in the manufacturing process reducing drag on the production airplanes. With more than 40 EMBRAER 170 airplanes already in operation, Embraer is now able to more accurately confirm the final fuel burn numbers for the production aircraft and will revise the related aircraft manuals to reflect the lower consumption. “With current oil prices driving airlines' operating costs up, this 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption will strongly contribute to the already outstanding economics of the EMBRAER 170, and we are quite delighted to bring this good news to our operators and prospects,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Senior Vice-President, Engineering and New Product Development.
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The three main sections of the first Boeing 777-200LR (Longer Range), which will be the world's longest-range commercial airplane, were recently joined at the company's Everett, Wash. plant. The 777-200LR can carry 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,446 kilometers), making possible routes such as London-Sydney and New York-Singapore with a full passenger load. The first 777-200LR will be unveiled in February and begin flight-testing in March. First delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006. Pakistan International Airlines and EVA Air are the airplane's first customers.
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Electro Energy, a developer and manufacturer of advanced rechargeable batteries, today announced that the Department of Defense (DOD) budget for fiscal year that began October 1, 2004 provides $1.3 million for the continuation of manufacturing technology development of bipolar, wafer- cell, nickel-metal hydride aircraft batteries. Electro Energy currently has a project with the U.S. Air Force, managed by Wright Patterson Air Force Base, to conduct manufacturing technology development of bipolar nickel metal hydride batteries for aircraft. Martin Klein, Electro Energy's CEO, stated, "The funds provided in the DOD's 2005 budget will allow us to continue our development efforts that are supporting the transition of the technology from laboratory prototypes to military-qualified products. This funding significantly complements the funds we have raised in our recent private placement, which are being used to expand our manufacturing capabilities and marketing initiatives for commercial and military customers."
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On 3rd December 2004, a French Navy Rafale MO2 combat aircraft took off from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and carried out a highly successful firing of MBDA's STORM SHADOW / SCALP EG long-range cruise missile. Having landed on the aircraft carrier as part of a convoy the day before, the Rafale took off and headed for the firing zone located in the Gulf of Gascogny in the Atlantic. Released from the Rafale's centre line station at 20,000 ft and at a speed of Mach 0.8, the STORM SHADOW / SCALP EG missile followed its pre-programmed flight trajectory over the sea and land areas of the CELM (Centre d'Essais des Landes) range towards its designated target. During the cruise phase, STORM SHADOW / SCALP EG was guided by its combined navigation system (inertial guidance, GPS and infra red imaging terrain profile matching) before hitting the target with extreme precision. In fact the difference between the intended and actual impact points on the target turned out to be lower than the metric accuracy tolerance specified for the missile system.
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The U.S. Air Force (USAF) and five European Participating Air Forces (EPAFs) -- Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal -- are receiving new technologies for their F-16s that will ensure the latest combat capabilities, along with an unprecedented degree of interoperability and cost savings among these NATO allies. The capabilities are being implemented mostly through software developed by Lockheed Martin. The new software packages for the USAF F-16s, designated M3+, and the corresponding EPAF version, designated M3, were released this summer and are being implemented on aircraft having received appropriate avionics upgrades (described in text below). There is a high degree of commonality in the software, with some differences owing to features that are unique to the various aircraft models. The most notable common new capabilities are the Link 16 data link and a helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS). The USAF F-16s also will be receiving a capability to deliver the Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and have compatibility with the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR targeting pod, both recently certified on the F-16. The European F-16s will gain the capability to deliver the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).
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Southwest Airlines has been selected as the winning bidder at the bankruptcy court-approved auction for certain ATA Airlines (ATA) assets. Bankruptcy court approval is anticipated on Tuesday, December 21. Southwest's approved bid calls for $80 million cash at closing to ATA. Assets acquired include the leasehold of six Chicago Midway Airport gates and an aircraft maintenance hangar. The purchase price for the assets is $40 million, with the remaining $40 million in debtor-in-possession financing. In addition to the cash, Southwest will guarantee payment of an ATA construction loan to the City of Chicago for $7 million. Upon ATA's emergence from bankruptcy, Southwest has committed to convert the debtor-in-possession financing to a term loan, payable over five years. Additionally, Southwest has committed to purchase $30 million of convertible preferred stock, in cash, for 27.5 percent of the new ATA. The stock is nonvoting, and it is Southwest's intent to liquidate that position in an orderly manner over time. Southwest and ATA are working on a code share agreement to exchange passengers, initially at Chicago's Midway Airport. Southwest estimates the code share could add $25 to $50 million per year to each airline's annual revenues. Further information regarding flights and schedules pertaining to the code share will be available once the agreement is finalized and the flights are ready for sale, which is expected to be early next year.
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Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. accepted its second Sikorsky S-92 at the helicopter manufacturer's main facility here. PHI's second S-92 was flown to the helicopter transportation company in Lafayette, La., early this month to join its sister aircraft in supporting deepwater drilling and production activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
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NASA has modified the Cargo Mission Contract. The agency added $62.5 million to include unpressurized payload bay cargo carriers on three future Space Shuttle missions, two of which also include a pressurized Spacehab module. The unpressurized Integrated Cargo Carriers have been added to Shuttle missions STS-121, STS-116 and STS-118. STS-116 and STS-118 also added pressurized Spacehab Logistics Single Modules. This is additional work within the scope of the existing Cargo Mission Contract. That contract was awarded Nov. 5, 2003. Lockheed-Martin Space Operations and its subcontractors, Teledyne Brown Engineering and Spacehab, Inc, hold the contract. The contract calls for services for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Services include mission planning; cargo coordination; stowage integration; analytical integration; physical processing; decals, placards and graphics; on-orbit operations; sustaining engineering and management; integration of commercial cargo carriers and services.
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The Defense and Space Power Division of EaglePicher Technologies, LLC announced that its nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) Single Pressure Vessel (SPV) battery has been selected by Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG to power SAR-Lupe, the future German satellite system for radar image reconnaissance. The order was received by German-based Diehl & Eagle Picher GmbH and is valued at EUR 2.7Mio ($3.6M US). The launch of the first of five satellites is planned for 2005 with a Russian launcher; the overall system will be completed in 2007 to deliver radar images for the German Federal Armed Forces until 2015. With a proven 12-year life span in space, the EaglePicher type SAR 10065 SPV battery operates at 28 volts and is rated at a capacity of 50 Ampere hours. OHB-System AG selected EaglePicher's nickel-hydrogen battery for its rigorous quality specifications and proven performance in space. "The SAR-Lupe satellite system will provide Germany with a key national capability for crisis prevention, collection of intelligence information and support for deployed forces," said OHB Project Manager Dr. Ingo Engeln. "The selection of EaglePicher's nickel-hydrogen batteries for this mission-critical reconnaissance system is a testimony to the technological superiority, proven capability and quality of EaglePicher's solutions." EaglePicher has developed, manufactured and tested nickel-hydrogen spacecraft cells and batteries for nearly 30 years. Nickel-hydrogen cells in orbit to date total more than 14,000 and provide energy storage and eclipse power for over 400 satellites. EaglePicher expects to reach one billion cell hours in the fall of 2006.
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Boeing will use a new wing ice protection system on its all-new 7E7 Dreamliner. Ultra Electronics Holdings of the United Kingdom is the lead contractor on the effort, responsible for overall integration and the controlling software and electronic equipment. The United Kingdom's GKN Aerospace will provide the composite mat for the wing ice protection system. Because the 7E7 does not use bleed air -- the extraction of hot air from the engine to power systems -- it is the first commercial jet airplane to use electronically based wing ice protection. The system is based on the proven technologies Ultra and GKN developed for helicopters. "This is another example of Boeing finding proven technologies and partnering with top international companies to bring the best possible solutions to our customers for the 7E7 Dreamliner," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 7E7 program.
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Finmeccanica's board of directors approved the agreement reached between Alenia Aeronautica and the US company Vought Aircraft Industries for the creation of a joint venture to work on the new Boeing 7E7. The joint venture, to be known as Global Aeronautica, will have the task of assembling and integrating fuselage sections manufactured by Vought in the US and Alenia Aeronautica in Italy. These will be transported to Charleston in South Carolina, where a new production plant is to be opened in 2005. Global Aeronautica will begin operations in 2006, with the two partners producing more than 60% of the 7E7's fuselage. The first sections are expected to be delivered in 2007. In light of the new strategic focus of the IT subsidiary Elsag on Aerospace, Defence and Security services and products, the board of directors has also appointed Vincenzo Zanni as Chief Executive of the company.
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Volvo Aero and General Electric Company have signed an agreement whereby Volvo Aero will be responsible for the design and manufacture of three major components for the new GEnx engine. Volvo Aero will make its largest investment ever in a new commercial aircraft engine program. Volvo Aero anticipates revenue in the range of SEK 20 billion if projected sales estimates are achieved. The GEnx Engine will power the new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner and the new Airbus A350 aircraft. According to the agreement, signed in Seattle on December 15, 2004, Volvo Aero becomes a revenue-sharing participant (RSP) in General Electric's GEnx engine program.
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From 13 January 2005, the Austrian Airlines Group will be extending its exclusive Bistro Service, originally introduced in November 2003, to include all Economy Class flights within Europe lasting up to 2 hours 30 minutes. (Until now, the service has only been available on flights lasting up to one hour 40 minutes.) The 'Bistro Service' range, which has proved popular amongst Austrian Airlines' discerning guests, has now been complemented by a creative and varied range of new hot and cold snacks specially designed to satisfy the smaller hunger.
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From 7 April 2005, subject to the granting of traffic rights, Lufthansa will offer three flights a week from Frankfurt to Port Harcourt in Nigeria. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, an Airbus A330-300 with 221 seats will take off for Port Harcourt, and from there continue to the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Lufthansa launched flights to Abuja in October 2002, and currently serves the city also three times a week. Lufthansa passengers will also benefit from more frequent connections to and from Accra in Ghana. Starting on 7 April 2005, Lufthansa will also offer daily flights to Lagos (Nigeria), continuing on to Accra (Ghana). At present Lufthansa flies four times a week to Accra and daily to Lagos.
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The New Piper Aircraft Inc. has made its largest single sale of advanced, glass-panel equipped trainers to Ohio University, which has purchased seven new Piper Warrior III aircraft equipped with the Avidyne FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck. Ohio University's purchase of the Entegra-equipped Piper Warriors makes it one of the first universities to provide its students with state-of-the-art avionics, complete with full glass-panel cockpit displays similar to what commercial airline pilots use.
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