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+++ Enhanced Ariane 5 succeeds in second test +++ Single-Seat Eurofighter for Luftwaffe +++ Dassault unveils Falcon 7X +++ Boeing unveils 777-200LR +++ Earth Observation Summit agrees ten-year GEOSS plan +++ dba grows and co-operates with gexx +++ News in brief +++
Enhanced Ariane 5 succeeds in second test
Erfolgreicher Start für Ariane 5 ECA
The latest version of Ariane 5, designed to loft payloads of up to 10 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit, successfully completed its initial qualification flight on 12 February. After a perfect liftoff from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, at 18:03 local time (22:03 CET), the launcher on Ariane Flight 164 injected its payload into the predicted transfer orbit.
This success paves the way for the commercial introduction of this 'Ariane 5 ECA' version, which is due to replace the current Ariane 5G 'Generic' configuration and is designed to maintain the competitiveness of European launch systems on the world launch services market. Starting from the second flight scheduled for mid-year, Ariane 5 ECA will become the new European workhorse for lifting heavy payloads to geostationary orbit and beyond.
Ariane 5 ECA features upgraded twin solid boosters, each loaded with an extra 2.43 tonnes of propellant, increasing their combined thrust on liftoff by a total of 60 tonnes compared to the Generic configuration. The cryogenic main stage has also been upgraded to carry 15 tonnes of additional propellant. It is powered by the new Vulcain 2 engine, derived from Vulcain 1, which provides 20% more thrust. The Ariane 5 ECA introduces the new high-performance "ESC-A" cryogenic upper stage, powered by the same HM-7B engine as on the Ariane 4 third stage. Ariane 5 ECA has enough lift capacity to take most combinations of commercial satellites to geostationary transfer orbit and will enable Arianespace to reinstate the systematic dual-launch policy that spelled the success of previous generations of Ariane launchers.
On this flight, the Ariane 5 ECA launcher carried three payloads. The first released 26 minutes into flight, was XTAR-EUR, a 3600-kg commercial X-band communication satellite flown on behalf of XTAR LLC. This will subsequently use its onboard propulsion system to achieve circular orbit. After an initial period of in-orbit testing, it will be deployed to provide secure communications to government customers. The other two satellites onboard, the Sloshsat FLEVO minisatellite and the Maqsat B2 instrumented model, stored inside the Sylda dual launch adapter, were flown on behalf of ESA. Next released, 31 minutes after liftoff, the Sloshsat Facility for Liquid Experimentation and Verification in Orbit is a 129-kg satellite developed for ESA by the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NRL). It will investigate fluid physics in microgravity to understand how propellant-tank sloshing affects spacecraft control. Its mission is planned to last 10 days. In order to limit the proliferation of space debris, the third passenger, Maqsat B2, will remain attached to the launcher's upper stage. This 3500-kg instrumented model was designed to simulate the dynamic behaviour of a commercial satellite inside the Ariane 5 payload fairing. An autonomous telemetry system transmitted data on the payload environment during all the flight phases, from liftoff to in-orbit injection. Fitted with a set of cameras, Maqsat B2 also provided dramatic onboard views of several key flight phases, including separation of the solid boosters and jettisoning of the Sylda upper-half payload.
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Single-Seat Eurofighter for Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe erählt ersten Eurofighter-Einsitzer
EADS Military Aircraft has delivered the first single-seater Eurofighter from German series production to the German Air Force. “We have now handed over the Eurofighter to the Luftwaffe in the configuration for the aircraft that will form the future backbone of air defence in Germany, Great Britain, Spain and Italy,” commented Johann Heitzmann, CEO of EADS Military Aircraft, on the occasion of delivery at Manching. “Alongside the eight twin-seaters for pilot training that have already been delivered, the Luftwaffe now has the first single-seater Eurofighter destined for flight operations at its disposal.”
Up to now, more than 30 production aircraft have been handed over to the air forces of Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain. Currently, more than 50 further aircraft are in final assembly at the Eurofighter partner companies of Alenia, BAE Systems and EADS Military Aircraft Germany and Spain. Delivery of the first single-seater Eurofighter took place at EADS Military Aircraft's Getafe site in Spain on 29 December 2004. This was the first aircraft to be built in the new standard configuration. This standard is characterized by improved equipment performance and enhanced software. The Italian Air Force received its first production single-seater in early 2005 while delivery of a single-seater Eurofighter to the Royal Air Force is still outstanding. The aircraft are equipped with the Multiple Information Distribution System (MIDS), which enables transmission and reception of great amounts of different data through a network. This data transmission system is the prerequisite for deployment of the aircraft within the scope of netcentric operations.
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Dassault unveils Falcon 7X
Falcon 7X in Bordeaux-Mérignac präsentiert
On February 15, Dassault introduced Falcon 7X s/n 001 to an audience of 800 guests at Charles Lindbergh Hall at Dassault Aviation's Bordeaux-Mérignac facility. “Today we have made a huge step forward in the industry,” said Charles Edelstenne, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Due to the new and unique design and manufacturing process called Product Lifecycle Management that we pioneered with our sister company, Dassault Systems, we have started a new industrial revolution that will take us through this century.”
The 7X will accomplish many firsts. It is the first airplane ever designed and built in an entirely virtual environment using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) philosophy. PLM sets a higher standard for the design and manufacturing process that brings collaborative teams closer together. All conflicts and issues that occur during a traditional manufacturing process are resolved before production begins resulting in an overall reduction in production time and costs. The first 7X went together exactly as planned and was assembled in seven months, about half the time required for the first production airplane. Also, the 7X will be the first business jet to be flown with Fly by Wire (FBW) technology. FBW replaces mechanical linkage between the controls in the cockpit and the moving surfaces with electrical wires and circuits. It reduces pilot workload and increases safety. The first in a series of ground tests was completed successfully on 1 February. Flight testing is scheduled to start at the beginning of the second quarter of 2005. Flight testing will last about 18 months with three aircraft. Certification and first deliveries are expected before the end of 2006.
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Boeing unveils 777-200LR
777-200LR mit längster Reichweite
On February 15, Boeing unveiled the first 777-200LR Worldliner -- the world's longest range commercial airplane -- at a celebration attended by more than 5,000 employees, airline representatives, suppliers, and government and community leaders. Extending the range of the market-leading 777 family by more than 1,500 nautical miles (2,775 kilometers), the 777-200LR (Longer Range) allows airlines to service nonstop routes such as New York-Singapore and Los Angeles-Dubai at full passenger capacity and carry revenue cargo. The 777-200LR can carry 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,446 kilometers).
The 777-200LR Worldliner is the first Boeing airplane entirely painted in the company's striking blue livery introduced last year. The airplane's unveiling at today's ceremony also revealed its new name: Worldliner, which highlights its revolutionary capabilities to connect cities around the world. "The 777-200LR Worldliner will enable our customers to open new nonstop routes and explore new markets that once could only be accomplished with one or two stops,” said Lars Andersen, vice president -- program manager, 777 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. With first flight scheduled for early March, flight-test employees are putting final touches on the systems they will use to monitor and evaluate the airplane. The seven-month flight-test program will include approximately 300 hours of ground and 500 hours of flight testing. The first 777-200LR Worldliner is to be delivered to Pakistan International Airlines in January 2006. EVA Airways is also a launch customer.
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Earth Observation Summit agrees ten-year GEOSS plan
Erdbeobachtungstagung in Brüssel
Around 60 nations and more than 40 international organisations joined ESA and host the European Community at the Third Earth Observation summit. History was made at the Palais d'Egmont in Brussels as assembled delegates formally agreed a ten-year plan to implement a Global Earth Observation System of Systems. The plan summarises the steps that need to be taken to put a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) in place. GEOSS will build on existing Earth Observation systems by coordinating efforts, addressing data gaps and supporting interoperability and information sharing. It aims to increase responsiveness to user needs and improve information delivery to users. The creation of a single, comprehensive and sustained system for Earth Observation should help countries to identify and address global environmental and economic challenges, including climate change and natural disasters – the agreement coming on the same day that the Kyoto Protocol entered into force, and just under two months after the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
Stephen Briggs of ESA's Earth Observation Science and Applications Department gave details of a programme called TIGER which is focused on applying Earth Observation to Africa, with a particular focus on water management issues – some 95 research proposals have been received across the continent. Satellite radar images are being used to calculate rates of water extraction from underground aquifers, for example, based on millimetre-scale measurements of ground motion.
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dba grows and co-operates with gexx
Wachstum bei dba
From 28 March dba takes over 12 airplanes as well as 15 routes of the airline gexx. Thus the dba fleet grows to 27 airplanes. dba thereby will offer a larger selection to the passengers, at favourable prices. The dba passengers can in the future select between 15 (instead of so far 11) German domestic and 17 (instead 6) international routes. dba becomes the third largest German airline. So far dba offered up to 125 flights per day, it now offers up to 180 of daily flights. dba articularly strongly grows at its homel airport: In the future it flies from Munich to 17 instead of 9 destinations. And starting from Berlin dba offes 9 instead of 5 routes.
Hans Rudolf Woehrl, supervisory board chairman dba, is pleased about the growth of his airline: "dba had a strong mark. Therefore it was my avowed goal, to add our successful offer with fair prices, high reliability and good service to additional interesting routes. The assumption of the numerous gexx routes and airplanes offers a unique chance to successfully convert this strategy now." Dba already announced that the number of their coworkers will rise between September 2004 and April 2005 by 15 per cent to 760. Now already it appears that from the assumption of the gexx connections in the future further jobs will result with dba - for example within the ranges of sales and Yield management .
dba transfers the former gexx machines in the context so-called wet leasing. Thereby it is guaranteed that at the gexx parent company Germania jobs are not lost: Because the 12 new dba machines of the type Fokker 100 are flown and/or cared for by its past pilots, flight attendants and technicians. A special situation results during the flights to Moscow and Tiflis: Due to the national route rights these flights are accomplished officially by Germania, but are bookable under www.flydba.com.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Bell Helicopter is offering a militarized version of its successful Bell 407 single engine light helicopter in response to a Request For Proposal (RFP) issued by the U.S. Army on Dec. 9, 2004, for an Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). According to the RFP, the Army is expected to make a decision on the ARH Program in June 2005, for a total of 368 aircraft to be delivered between fiscal years 2006 through 2011. Bell Helicopter believes its Bell 407 is the perfect aircraft for meeting the Army's current and future ARH mission requirements. The Bell ARH, which will be built at Bell's Military Assembly and Integration Center in Amarillo, Texas, will also draw from a large and talented supplier base for its sophisticated sensors, weapons and defensive systems.
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Lockheed Martin delivered the last C-130J Super Hercules airlifter for Italy on February 10, completing a 22-aircraft program for the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, or AMI). "Our crew members have been operating in Iraq, Afghanistan, in all weather conditions and in very demanding and difficult environments, with enemy threat, and this has always been a very reliable aircraft," said General B. A. Settime Caputo, Chief of Staff, Force Command, Italian Air Force. The first AMI Super Hercules was delivered in 2000 and shortly after, crews began flying relief supplies to Eritrea. In April 2002, an AMI crew returned exiled Afghani King Zahir Shah and now-President Hamid Karzi to Kabul on board one of the C-130Js. Because of the defensive systems on board the Italian aircraft, a second C-130J was dispatched to fly top cover as the leaders returned to their country. Earlier this year, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi paid a surprise visit to Italian troops at a base near Nasiriyah, Iraq, after traveling in a 46th Air Brigade C-130J in secrecy and under tight security.
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RADA Electronic has introduced two new products in the training and debriefing segments; the Net Centric Digital Recorder (NCDR) and the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod. The NCDR is a centralized airborne digital data recorder capable of collecting and storing multiple video and audio streams as well as numerous data signals. Its initial market is based on the replacement of Airborne Video Tape Recorders currently installed on most fighter aircrafts around the world. The NCDR, provides an excellent vehicle for performing additional data management functions, such as Data Transfer, ACMI data recording and others. The ACMI pod is designed to meet the Indian Air Force's desire for an externally mounted ACMI system that can be easily integrated into any aircraft, and support advanced debriefing. The RADA pod is using elements integrated with Rafael's advanced data link system, that enables real time debriefing as well as the capability to become a tactical data link system.
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Lockheed Martin's first Atlas V booster for launch from the West Coast has arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The booster and Centaur upper stage made separate trips from Denver, Colo. aboard an An-124-100 Russian aircraft and upon landing and offload were taken to a base facility for receiving inspection. In March, the Atlas team will transport the rocket segments to the newly refurbished Space Launch Complex 3 East for vertical stacking, followed by "pathfinding" activity leading to first launch later this year.The Atlas V vehicle stands over 200 feet tall, an increase of about 50 feet over the Atlas IIAS vehicle that launched successfully three times from SLC-3E. The vehicle also incorporates a stretched Centaur upper stage. In performance, The Atlas V 400 and 500 series of launch vehicles will provide over two times the lift capability of the 100 percent successful Atlas IIAS vehicle, which concluded its perfect record with the final launch from CCAFS Aug. 31, 2004.
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft surveillance systems, announced that it is expanding into a new production facility in the Sabre Springs area of San Diego in response to greatly increased demand for its Predator and Predator B unmanned aircraft systems. “The tremendous demonstrated capability of Predator over Iraq has generated a new level of interest by the U.S. government, particularly the U.S. Air Force, and we are ramping up production to meet their requirements for additional aircraft,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, president and chief executive officer of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. “The MQ-1 Predators and propjet MQ-9 Predator Bs are the most successful unmanned aircraft systems ever developed, and this expansion will not only enable us to meet the immediate requirements of the Air Force for additional Predators, but also increase our capacity to support other customers' needs.”
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced that it has been flying the Warrior Demonstrator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a U.S. Army One System Ground Control Station (GCS). Recent test flights not only mark the first time that the Warrior UAV has been controlled by the Army One System GCS, but also demonstrated two new capabilities of the GCS. In a collaborative company-funded effort, GA-ASI and AAI Corporation, developer and manufacturer of the One System GCS, integrated the hardware and software required to provide Level IV control of the Warrior UAV. Warrior control was handed off in-the-air to the One System GCS, where full control of the aircraft and EO/IR payload was performed by a Shadow 200 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) operator. The system software implemented the NATO Standard STANAG 4586 Protocol, and communication between the aircraft and ground was conducted via both line-of-sight and Ku-band satellite communications (SATCOM).
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NASA's Spirit rover found a new class of water-affected rock, while its twin, Opportunity, finished inspecting its own heat shield and set a new martian driving record. The rovers successfully completed their three-month primary missions in April 2004 and are working on extended exploration missions. "This is probably the most interesting and important rock Spirit has examined," said Dr. Steve Squyres of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., principal investigator for the rovers. The rock, dubbed "Peace," is an exposure of bedrock in the Columbia Hills. The rock is in the Gusev Crater, where Spirit landed 13 months ago. "This may be what the bones of this mountain are really made of; it gives us even more compelling evidence for water playing a major role for altering the rocks here," Squyres added.
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Flexjet, the fractional business jet ownership program of Bombardier Aerospace, saw a strong rebound in aircraft sales and orders in 2004. The company experienced a 32 percent increase in the sale of shares of Bombardier Learjet and Challenger aircraft in the 12-month period ending December 31, 2004 compared with the same period of the previous year. The month of December was also the strongest in sales Flexjet has seen in more than three years and transactions completed during the fourth quarter of 2004 were up more than 70 percent compared with the same period in 2003. "The new Bombardier Challenger 300 and Learjet 40 aircraft have given us a significant competitive advantage," said Michael McQuay, President, Bombardier Aircraft Services. "The response to these new aircraft is very positive and has contributed to our significant increase in sales and in orders booked," added Mr. McQuay.
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A jury in Grimes County, Texas has found Textron Lycoming liable for fraud, and ordered the company to pay approximately $96 million to Navasota, Texas-based Interstate Southwest Ltd. The verdict came Tuesday following seven weeks of trial in State District Judge Jerry Sandel's 278th Judicial District Court in Anderson, Texas. The jury's award includes $9,725,650 in actual damages and another $86,394,763 in punitive damages. In addition, the verdict effectively precludes Lycoming from pursuing a $173 million indemnity claim against Interstate, which it had previously filed in a Pennsylvania court. "This is a total victory for our side," says attorney Marty Rose, who represents Interstate Southwest. "Between the verdict and its impact on the indemnity claim -- we couldn't have hoped for a better result."The case revolves around a number of small airplane engine failures that occurred when the airplanes' crankshafts broke in flight. Between 2000 and 2002, there were 24 failures and 12 deaths in Cessnas, Pipers and other airplanes with Lycoming aircraft engines. Interstate Southwest supplied Lycoming with the crankshaft forgings for those engines. Following the failures, Lycoming launched an investigation aimed at determining the cause. Its conclusion was that Interstate Southwest had overheated the forgings, weakening the steel.
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United announced it will launch a daily nonstop flight between Chicago O'Hare and Munich, beginning June 7, 2005. This new service is in addition to United's existing daily Washington Dulles-Munich service. United's new flight, open for sale today, complements the Chicago-Munich code-share flight currently operated by Star Alliance partner Lufthansa, giving customers an additional schedule option on the route and timed to provide convenient connections from both cities on United and Lufthansa.
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Barco has been awarded a significant contract by NIIAO (Zhukovsky, Moscow), the Russian Institute of Aircraft Equipment, for the delivery of high-performance avionics displays. Barco's Control Display and Management Systems and Multi-Function Displays will be integrated into the cockpit of the new multi-purpose Kamov Ka-226 AG helicopter. For Barco, this contract represents a major step towards confirming its presence in the Russian Civil helicopter market. Barco's Control Display and Management Systems (CDMS) and 6 by 8 inch Multi-Function Displays (MFD-6.8/1) will be integrated by NIIAO into 18 Ka-226 AG helicopters of the Russian gas producing company Gazprom, Moscow, Russian Federation. The Ka-226 AG aircraft will perform a multitude of tasks, including transportation and pipeline area scanning. Each Ka-226 AG cockpit will contain one CDMS unit and two MFD-6.8/1 single box units. Furthermore, NIIAO will integrate its own Flight Management System onto Barco's CDMS units. This order follows on earlier successful programs with NIIAO for the integration of Barco's display solutions into the cockpits of Tupolev, Illyushin and Beriev aircraft.
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The Farnborough International Airshow 2006 will be held from Monday 17th July to Sunday 23rd July, with some innovative changes within its successful seven-day format, the Society of British Aerospace Companies, SBAC announced today. It will be managed by Farnborough International Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the SBAC. Whilst the basic format of the show remains unchanged, an Industry Day has been introduced on the opening day of the show. Shorter in duration, open 10am – 4pm, Industry Day will feature specialist workshops and conferences. Friday will now be a dedicated Exhibitor Family Day, with the weekend open to the public as usual. Farnborough International has also confirmed that many of the exhibitor costs will be held at 2004 rates, the rules governing Chalet booking packages have been relaxed and there will be increased meeting and conference room facilities and more on-site exhibitor parking.
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The four major subassemblies for the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are taking shape as the program progresses toward final assembly in late spring at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth. "Our team's investment in cutting-edge manufacturing equipment, and its dedication to the latest and best thinking in production processes already are paying dividends in terms of assembly precision, quality and efficiency," said Bob Elrod, Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF program general manager. "This commitment will further prove its worth through reduced costs and speedier manufacturing. Even at this early stage, a glance across the factory floors of Samlesbury, Palmdale and Fort Worth shows the emergence of a new kind of aircraft." The Northrop Grumman-built center fuselage and the BAE Systems-built aft- fuselage and tails will be shipped respectively from Palmdale and Samlesbury to Fort Worth in the second quarter of 2005, where they will be joined with the Lockheed Martin-built wing and forward fuselage. Assembly of the initial F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant is expected to be completed at the end of the year. First flight is planned for August 2006. Manufacturing planning is currently in work for the first F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant in preparation for fabrication activities. At Northrop Grumman, assembly operations for the F-35B center fuselage are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2005. Lockheed Martin will begin F-35B assembly in the fourth quarter of this year, and BAE Systems will start assembling F-35B components in early 2006.
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Dassault has released the results for 2004. Consolidated orders amounted to 4.02 billion euros. It represents a strong increase compared to 2003 due to the supplementary order of 59 Rafale by the French Government and the sales of 69 FALCON. Consolidated 2004 sales amount to 3.46 billion euros. The Falcon jets account for 61% of total consolidated sales. Consolidated operating profit is 464 million euros. It accounts for 13.4% of consolidated sales. Consolidated net profit (total Group and net attributable Group profit) amounts to 308 million euros. It accounts for 8.9% of consolidated sales. The net consolidated earnings per share is 30.4 euros.
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RUAG Aerospace Services, operational enterprise of the Swiss RUAG Aerospace, will be involved in the technical preparation for the installation of the mission equipment of the new research aircraft HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft) of the DLR (German Aerospace Center). With the signature of the agreements between Gulfstream and the DLR on February 16, 2005, on the occasion of the DLR annual reception in Berlin, the project was launched. RUAG Aerospace Services will prepare this new high altitude research aircraft of the DLR for atmospheric research, under a subcontract of the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah (USA). The extensive modifications of the Gulfstream G550 comprise, among others, different fuselage cutouts up to a diameter of 50 cm, installation of a nose mast as well as of a modified tail cone. In the area of the wings 6 points to accommodate external stores (sensor containers and spray tanks) will be integrated. For the mission equipment operation a separate aircraft electrical supply and an independent line network will be added. Moreover, the work package of RUAG Aerospace Services includes the installation of 6 external cameras and an aircraft-independent air conditioning system. This modification work will be done from May 2006 until December 2007 in Oberpfaffenhofen. The HALO research aircraft is intended to take off as from 2008 from the special airport Oberpfaffenhofen to carry out research flights around the globe. Even until after the modification phase the HALO aircraft will be supported by RUAG Aerospace Services. For this purpose, the enterprise will be authorized by Gulfstream as a maintenance organization.
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Goebler-Hirthmotoren of Benningen, Germany is launching the world's first 45kw fuel efficient heavy fuel aircraft engine for the global military UAV market. The Hirth heavy fuel aircraft engine project was started in June of 2004 in response to NATO's desire to eradicate gasoline from the battlefield because of safety and logistics reasons. All existing gasoline military engines will need to operate on kerosene or diesel based fuels under this new one fuel policy. Some applications have shifted to compression ignition diesel solutions but these engines are significantly heavier than their gasoline counterparts and are not the best solution for unmanned aircraft where low weight is desired. Hirth developed the 45kw twin cylinder engine as the first step in meeting global demands for heavy fuel aircraft engines. The intent is to use the same engine cylinder configuration to launch a family of engines from 1 cylinder to 4 cylinders that produce 20kw to 80kw. The technology will also be applied to a twin cylinder 140cc 2-stroke boxer engine to meet the demands of smaller UAV's.
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Bell/Agusta Aerospace announced that the United Arab Emirates Air Force has awarded the Company a contract for eight AB139 medium-twin helicopters. The value of the contract stands at about US$83 million. The contract award coincides with the biennial IDEX military exposition held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This order, combined with last week's from SEACOR Holdings for 20 AB139s, raises the backlog to more than 100 helicopters for over 40 customers worldwide. Six aircraft will be configured for search and rescue operations, while the remaining two will be assigned to VIP transport. The UAE is the third country to choose the AB139 for SAR applications, following previous orders by the governments of Oman and Ireland.
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The search for a KC-330 advanced tanker assembly site in the U.S. gained momentum today as representatives from a majority of states were briefed on the process to select an industrial center that eventually could employ as many as 1,100 skilled aerospace workers. Approximately 135 represent- atives from 35 states attended the Site Selection Information Day meeting in Washington, D.C., which marked the second major step in a process to identify the location for KC-330 assembly, outfitting and delivery if the Air Force selects the tanker for its mission requirements. Participating in the meeting were business and economic development personnel from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
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Luxembourg Air Rescue has just put in service its fourth MD 900 Explorer helicopter. René Closter, CEO of LAR, explained ”LAR was one of the launching partners of the MD 900 in the '90 s and the risk at that time has paid off as the MD 900 has proven to be the ideal helicopter for medical and rescue missions. The two powerful 621 hp engines and the NOTAR system perform extremely quietly and enables us to land safely even in the most difficult terrain where there are often onlookers and where the safety of the surrounding medical teams is paramount. Three of the helicopters are stationed at the LAR headquarters at the Luxembourg airport whilst the fourth is stationed in the new hangar in the north of the country at Ettelbruck. “We can reach anywhere in Luxembourg within 8 minutes” says Closter “ and we are now collaborating with the German authorities and operating cross border missions into the Rhineland Paletania and Saarland regions”.
Ten pilots, 11 Flight attendants and three doctors are employed by LAR, which has been operating since 1988. All the MD 900s are used as intensive care transport helicopters as well as rescue helicopters.
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ESA's Science Programme Committee endorsed unanimously the proposed one-year extension of SMART-1 on 10 February 2005. The extension by one year of the mission will provide opportunities to extend the global coverage, compared to the original six-month mission, and to map both southern and northern hemispheres at high resolution. The new orbit will also be more stable and require less fuel for maintenance. The extension also gives the possibility to perform detailed studies of areas of interest by performing stereo measurements for deriving topography, multi-angle observations for studying the surface 'regolith' texture, and mapping potential landing sites for future missions. Implementation of this mission extension will be in two periods of six months that correspond to different orbital parameters and illumination conditions. During the first period, the southern survey study is to be completed and dedicated pointings made for multi-angle, stereo and polar illumination studies. In the second period, high-resolution coverage of the Moon on the equator and part of the northern hemisphere will take place due to the favourable illumination conditions. High resolution follow-up observations of specific targets will also be made, as well as observations relevant for the preparation of future international lunar exploration missions.
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Rockwell Collins announced that Southwest Airlines has selected the Flight Dynamics Head-up Guidance System (HGS) 4000 for installation on new Boeing 737-700 aircraft. Southwest Airlines will take delivery of the first HGS-4000 equipped airplane today at Boeing Field in Seattle.
The HGS-4000 system installed on the Southwest airplane is the 2000 th shipset of HGS equipment delivered by Rockwell Collins. “We've had many years of good service from the Flight Dynamics HGS-2300 and 2350 systems. These systems are flying on more than 400 Southwest Airlines airplanes. We have chosen to upgrade to the HGS-4000 on all our future deliveries to take advantage of its new features and capabilities,” says Mark Clayton, director, flight operations for Southwest Airlines.
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The first NATO-interoperable Hungarian Gripen fighter has made its maiden flight today in Sweden. The maiden flight of the first Gripen aircraft – destined for Hungary - took place today 16 February 2005 at Saab's facility in Linköping, Sweden. The aircraft, which was flown by a test pilot from Saab, was painted in grey with Hungary's national insignia on the tail before its first flight. “This flight is a very important milestone for the Hungarian program and shows that the production of Gripen aircraft for Hungary is on schedule” says Mats Hansson, FMV Program Director Gripen for the Hungary program. Following this maiden flight, the aircraft now enters a period of ground and flight-testing to verify that all systems are operating in accordance with the Hungarian Gripen configuration plan.
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177 destinations in 73 countries, from A for Abu Dhabi to Z for Zurich, are being offered to Lufthansa passengers on its 2005 summer timetable. That means a total of 12,700 flights a week. New services include three flights a week from Frankfurt to India's Hyderabad, three weekly flights from Frankfurt to Port Harcourt (Nigeria) and a daily flight from Munich to Washington. Passengers bound for Canton can fly nonstop from Frankfurt in future, with the new connection, the previous journey time will be reduced by five hours. Together with the code-share partners, almost 24,500 flights will be offered worldwide to 375 destinations in 93 countries. In comparison with the previous year, the capacity will thus be increased by 1.5 percent. In long-haul traffic 2.4 percent more seat-kilometres will be offered, in continental traffic the figure is 0.9 percent lower than in the previous year. The summer timetable will be valid from 27th March to 29th October 2005. Lufthansa is strengthening its position as the leading European airline in the growth market Asia and will already offer three new weekly flights from Frankfurt to Hyderabad in Southern India as of 17th February. Right on time for the opening of a new airport in Nagoya, Japan, on 19th February, the previous five weekly flights from Frankfurt will be increased to seven. In line with the summer travel period, Lufthansa is increasing its offer of flights on important Atlantic routes. From Munich, passengers will have the pleasure of a new non-stop connection: as of 2nd May, a Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 equipped with the new Business Class will fly daily from Munich to Washington. As of 7th April, Lufthansa will be offering even more connections to the important West African oil and gas markets and will fly three times a week from Frankfurt to Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Nigeria is regarded as the most important oil-producing country in Africa, numerous oil fields are located close to the airport in Port Harcourt in the Southeast of the country. After its stop in Port Harcourt, the flight will continue to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
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The Snecma Board of Directors met on February 16, 2005, with Chairman Jean-Paul Béchat presiding, to approve the 2004 financial statements which will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, called for May 10, 2005. With both air traffic and the aviation industry showing a gradual recovery, the Snecma group recorded good business volumes in 2004, and results in line with objectives. The CFM56 engine maintained its leadership as it won a number of major contracts in 2004 from airlines including Air Berlin, Niki Luftfahrt, Virgin America, Gol Transportes Aereos and China Southern. These and other contracts consolidated the CFM56's share of the mainline jet market (over 100 seats). Military business was sustained as well. France's defense procurement agency DGA announced orders for the M51 ballistic missile, for which Snecma supplies the propulsion systems, and for 59 Rafale fighters, requiring 118 Snecma M88-2 engines, plus spares, and a wide variety of systems and equipment. Snecma booked consolidated orders worth 7,650 million euros in 2004 (including MRO), up 23 percent over the previous year's total of 6,240 million euros. At December 31, 2004, the order book stood at 13,800 million euros, 9.5 percent higher than at December 31, 2003 (12,600 million euros). Snecma posted consolidated sales of 6,812 million euros, a 5.9 percent rise over 2003 (6,431 million euros). At constant size and exchange rates, the increase was 6.3 percent. The civil sector accounted for 77 percent of sales and the military sector 23 percent. Consolidated net income excluding minority interests came to 234 million euros in 2004, 28.6 percent higher than in 2003 (182 million euros). This strong growth was due to the increase in operating income, lower financial expenses, and the favorable impact of the research tax credit.
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Boeing has selected Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT) to convert three 747-400 passenger jets into cargo freighters that will be used to transport major assemblies for the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. EGAT is a joint venture of EVA Air and General Electric. It's part of Taiwan's Evergreen Group. Boeing 787 Vice President of Manufacturing and Quality Scott Strode joined EGAT Chairman David Wang and EVA President K.W. Chang in Taipei today to formally sign the modification services agreement. Financial terms aren't being disclosed. "The Large Cargo Freighter is a critical component of our 787 manufacturing plan," Strode said. "We're proud to partner with EGAT on what is truly a one-of-a-kind Boeing airplane." Initially Boeing will rely on two Large Cargo Freighters, with a third to follow later. Boeing purchased the first two airplanes last year. Modification of the first will begin at about mid-year. The Large Cargo Freighter will be certified during 2006 and return to service to support the final assembly of the first Dreamliners in 2007.Boeing is also adding Gamesa Aeronautica of Vitoria, Spain, to its team designing the structure of the 747 Large Cargo Freighter, a specially modified 747-400 passenger jet that will be used to transport major assemblies for the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
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The U.S. Air Force's fleet of E-8C aircraft will receive updated air-traffic management systems under a $103 million, three-year system design and development contract recently awarded by the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to Northrop Grumman Corporation. The avionics of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft are being upgraded to satisfy new international air-traffic management specifications governing access to airspace. Under the Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) program, Northrop Grumman will install hardware and software that will allow the aircraft to operate in increasingly restrictive domestic and international airspace.
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El Al Israel Airlines and Connexion by Boeing announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the installation of the Connexion by BoeingSM real-time, high-speed Internet service on the air carrier's long-haul fleet. The agreement calls for installation of the Connexion by Boeing service to begin in the second half of 2005 on El Al's long-haul fleet, which includes Boeing 747-400s and Boeing 777 aircraft. Installations are expected to be complete by 2007, and service will be available on the carrier's long-range flights.
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Following its successful acquisition of a majority holding of 62 % in the Slovak national carrier, Slovak Airlines, the Austrian Airlines Group has now announced its plans to revitalise flight schedules from Bratislava over the next decade. From 27 March 2005, the Slovak Airlines connection to Moscow will be raised from its present value of four flights per week to six direct connections every week. Every day other than Saturday, passengers travelling from Slovakia will be provided with a comfortable, non-stop service to the Russian capital. In addition to this expansion of services to the East, the Austrian Airlines Group and its partner Slovak Airlines will be increasing availability from Bratislava to the West and Brussels. From 27 March until 30 June and 1 September to 23 October, 10 flights a week will operate from Bratislava to Brussels: early morning departures will be available from Monday to Friday, with evening flights provided from Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays. In July and August, the schedule will temporarily be reduced to eight frequencies. Until now, the Austrian Airlines Group had provided six weekly direct flights from Bratislava to the European and Belgian capital. This schedule was recently increased to a total of nine flights per week.
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Swiss International Air Lines (Group) achieved earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of minus CHF 122 million for the 2004 business year. The result compares to an EBIT of minus CHF 498 million (before restructuring costs) for the previous year. SWISS reported earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of minus CHF 122 million for 2004 on consolidated total income from operating activities of CHF 3 642 million. For the previous year, SWISS recorded an EBIT of minus CHF 498 million (minus CHF 703 million after restructuring costs) on consolidated total income from operating activities of CHF 4 126 million. The EBIT result for 2004 was affected by both impairments and non-recurring income amounts. Impairments to regional aircraft and buildings reduced the EBIT for 2004 by a total of CHF 174 million. The result also includes non-recurring income of CHF 163 million. This consists of book gains of CHF 68 million related to the agreement reached in the legal dispute with HOLCO in the second quarter, and of CHF 95 million in non-recurring income in the fourth quarter deriving largely from a one-off gain connected with the surrender of slots at London Heathrow, for which British Airways made a part-payment in the fourth quarter, and from provision adjustments. The consolidated net loss for 2004 amounted to CHF 140 million, which compares to a consolidated net loss of CHF 687 million for the previous year. Cash and cash equivalents totalled CHF 481 million on December 31, 2004.
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The Korean government will launch a multi-billion-dollar procurement project to build utility helicopters in December in partnership with foreign bidders, the Defense Ministry said on Feb. 18. The ministry said a total of five trillion won (some $4.5 billion) will be used for the so-called Korean Helicopter Program (KHP), including the cost for research and development. The project is aimed at producing hundreds of helicopters to replace the country's aging fleet. The arms procurement program, formerly dubbed the Korean Multi-Role Helicopter (KMH), called for the development of some 500 military aircraft, including 200 attack helicopters, by 2012. But the government has downscaled the project, saying last September it would be re-examined after civic organizations and an audit board raised questions over its economic feasibility. “The military currently has enough attack helicopters for operation until 2018,” said Park Sung-gook, a retired brigadier general in charge of the procurement project. “We will determine whether to build attack helicopters later depending on the success of the project for utility helicopters.”
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At the 'Winning through co-operation: sharing the benefits of space' conference in Brussels, over 40 nations and around 20 international organisations have come together to discuss international cooperation in space. Space is already an international endeavour, as demonstrated by a large variety of science projects. The conference has provided a forum between those States capable of providing space technology – the supply side – and those willing to make use of it – the demand side. European space industry has become a key actor in the world-wide commercial market of satellite manufacturing, launch services, and satellite operators. Sustaining a competitive industry (including manufacturers, service providers and operators) requires new research and technologies. European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen called for an increase the transparency between all actors involved. “The European Union (EU), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Member States should optimise their relations and respective resources. The Commission is currently working on a proposal for a genuine European Space Policy”. “Reaching for the stars brings very 'down to earth' benefits to our citizens and industry, from radio navigation, communication by satellite or early warning from natural disasters. We need to step up co-operation, on an EU level and internationally. Nobody can go it alone. The Commission also wants to substantially increase R&D efforts for space under the new R&D Framework Programme and we are assessing how to combine this with investment in appropriate public-private partnerships.”
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Volvo Aero is playing a major role in the newly started EU development project, VITAL. VITAL is a four-year programme with 53 partners and a total budget of EUR 90 M (slightly more than SEK 800 M), including EUR 50 M (SEK 450 M) in funding from the EU. Volvo Aero is investing about SEK 85 M in the project. VITAL, an acronym for Environmentally Friendly Aero Engine, shall deliver the technological breakthroughs required for the industry to meet the goals of lower fuel consumption and lower noise set by the European aerospace industry for 2020. These goals are a 50% reduction in noise and carbon dioxide emissions as well as an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx). Lower noise levels (reduction by 5 to 8 dB) will be achieved and a 7% reduction in CO2 emissions as a result of lowers fuel consumption. The reduced fuel consumption is a result of increased propulsion efficiency due to the larger fans. Simply stated, a lower amount of air will be accelerated to unnecessarily higher speeds in the flow through the engine. Lower fuel consumption is achieved both as a result of the enhanced efficiency of the engine as well as by developing components in lightweight materials.
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Arianespace announced that it has signed the Star One C2 satellite launch contract for Brazilian operator Star One. The satellite will be orbited in 2007 by an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Star One C2 is the eighth Brazilian satellite to be booked for launch on Ariane, following six Brasilsat satellites and Star One C1 - which is slated for launch in 2006. Star One is the largest regional satellite service operator in Latin America. The Star One C2 satellite is being built by Alcatel Space at its Cannes and Toulouse facilities using a Spacebus 3000B3 platform. Weighing about 4,100 kg. at liftoff, it will be placed in geostationary orbit at 65 degrees West. It will be fitted with 45 C-, Ku- and X-band transponders to handle both direct TV broadcasts for South America and international and domestic long-distance telephony for Brazil and Mexico.
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CAE reported financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2004, and announced a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at restoring the Company's profitability, cash flow and return on investment. CAE recorded a net loss for the quarter of $347.0 million, or $1.40 per share. This includes a non-cash charge of $443.3 million ($354.5 million net after-tax) for impairment in the value of goodwill, intangible and tangible assets. Excluding this charge, earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter were $8.8 million (or $0.04 per share) compared to $14.5 million (or $0.05 per share) last year. It should be noted that restructuring costs of approximately $3.8 million pre-tax ($0.01 per share) have already been charged to operating earnings in the third quarter. During the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2005, the Company will record a $30-million charge for workforce reduction and related expenses. An additional restructuring cost in the range of $25 to $35 million will be incurred over the course of fiscal year 2006. The third-quarter financial results do not include the estimated after-tax gain of $110 million from the sale of the Marine Controls unit, which will be recorded in the quarter ending March 31, 2005. All financial information is in Canadian dollars. Immediately following his arrival as President and Chief Executive Officer last August, Mr. Robert E. Brown initiated an extensive six-month strategic review of CAE's markets, customers and other external stakeholders as well as its internal resources and capabilities. Following this review, the Company has reconfirmed its strategic direction. In doing so, it has adopted a plan that will protect its technological leadership while at the same time fostering synergies between its various operating units and implementing sound business practices. The plan maintains a Civil Training Group and a Military Group, both of which will be devoted to training, simulation, modeling and sales for their specific markets. A new Simulation Products Group will consolidate all manufacturing activities and include engineering, program management and global procurement. These functions had previously existed in the other two groups, resulting in duplication. The reorganization, which will be effective April 1, 2005, is expected to result in significant savings to the Company and will position it well to face new market realities.
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More and more the Low Cost carriers are encroaching the markets of holiday airlines on intra-European markets, by enticing leisure travelers with favourable prices and direct selling over the Internet. The traditional airlines thus are facing financial problems. On stage lengths of 3 hours or more, the holidays fliers however are retaining their customers: Here the classical package tour has still a chance, because with co-operation with tour operators the holidays airlines have access to the important hotel capacities. The traveler will book classical city journeys and short vacation in the future almost exclusively without organizers and without consultation in the travel agency directly in the Internet. These are the highlights of over 250 scientists and high-level personnel of the air traffic economy on the 8. Hamburg aviation Conference, which took place from 16 to 18 February. The international aviation experts were united in their view that the package tour must redefine itself in order to offer the traveler an increase in value in relation to the individual reservation from flight and hotel to be offered the consumers.
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