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+++ First Tiger for Germany handed over +++ AvCraft Aerospace seeks new investors +++ Citation CJ2+ flies +++ Space Shuttle rolls to pad +++ German aerospace turnover rises +++ CSA purchases Airbus A319/A320 +++ News in brief +++
First Tiger for Germany handed over
Kampfhubschrauber Tiger für die Heeresflieger
The first production support helicopter UH-TIGER has been delivered on April 6 to German Army Aviation. The helicopter will start operations in the Franco-German Army Aviation Training Centre at Le Luc in the south of France. With UH-TIGER the German Army receives the most modern support helicopter available at present. Due to a versatile armament and most recent technology sensorics UH-TIGER can be operated in a broad mission spectrum, reaching from reconnaissance and armed escort to combat support roles. With the delivery of the first UH-TIGER to the Bundeswehr, a milestone in the course of the continued build-up of the German Army's airmechanized forces has been achieved. To date, 206 Tigers have been ordered by four countries. Germany and France have ordered 80 helicopters each, Australia 22 and Spain 24.
AvCraft Aerospace seeks new investors
328Jet-Hersteller insolvent
The preliminary administrator of AvCraft Aerospace GmbH, Dr Martin Prager, from law firm PLUTA, believes there is a "realistic chance" that the company can survive intact and continue aircraft production. After close evaluation on site at its Operphaffenhofen, near Munich facility, Dr Prager observes:- "The Dornier 328Jet is a good aircraft for growing niche markets and has attracted orders accordingly. Early discussions with potential investors are very encouraging." Dr Prager is working closely with AvCraft Managing Director Wolfgang Walter and is hopeful to secure a buyer by June 1, 2005. Dr Prager suggests that an investor is just as likely to come from the industrial sector as the private equity sector. "The barriers into the market of the aviation industry are high because the development costs are enormous. However, we have a readily developed product, which has an outstanding reputation in the marketplace and one, with its excellent economics, is going to be extremely competitive in the next 10 to 15 years." In addition, there is an experienced management team in Germany and a company which functions well, he added. This has been borne out by the German aviation authority LBA confirming AvCraft status as production licence holder.
The insolvency of AvCraft Aerospace is the result of a series of unfortunate circumstances. The full production restart of the 328Jet in May 2004 was beset with enormous financial operating expenses and cash flow suffered as the delivery of four aircraft (three of them destined for Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines) was delayed for several months. "The financial standing of AvCraft in the US was simply not strong enough," acknowledges Dr Prager. The Dornier 328Jet was bought out of the insolvency of Fairchild Dornier by Leesburg, Virginia-based AvCraft in February 2003. Owing to problems with liquidity, the insolvency proceeding was instigated by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH on March 10, 2005. Presently, the company has 345 employees. Currently, there is a confirmed orderbook of four aircraft, plus 21 options. Hainan Airlines and other customers have reiterated their interest to both Dr Prager and Managing Director Wolfgang Walter of their interest in the aircraft. In addition, there have been new expressions of interest, including one for a special variant of the 328 from a Northern European Government. "At just 14 aircraft, our production is at full capacity for one year," says Walter. "If just a part of the options were exercised, we will have already reached our present capacity limit."
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Citation CJ2+ flies
Erstflug des neuen Cessna-Geschäftsreisejets
Cessna marked a major milestone for its new Citation CJ2+ as the company celebrated the aircraft's first flight on Saturday, April 2, 2005. Piloted by Cessna Engineering Test Pilots Don Alexander and Jon Cooper, the conformed CJ2+ prototype took to the air from Mid-Continent Airport at 10:03 AM (CST). During the two-hour and six-minute test flight, the pilots flew an aggressive flight profile to test basic stability, flap and landing gear extension and retraction, controllability, trim actuation, engine operating characteristics and basic autopilot operation. A crowd of excited Cessna team members greeted the airplane when it landed at 12:09 PM (CST). Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton congratulated the pilots as they disembarked.
"Compared to the CJ2, the CJ2+ offers customers enhanced performance and the most advanced avionics suite for this class of airplane," said Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. "Orders for the CJ2+ have been strong, and we're confident they'll continue to increase as we near certification." Cessna anticipates certification for the Citation CJ2+ in the fourth quarter of this year, and first customer deliveries in the second quarter of 2006. The next Citation CJ2+ available for sale will be delivered in the second quarter of 2007. The Citation CJ2+ was announced at the 2004 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and is the successor to the Citation CJ2. It is powered by Williams' FJ44-3A-24 dual-channel FADEC engine, which offer the advantage of better thrust specific fuel consumption and FADECS compared to the CJ2's current engine. The Citation CJ2+ is equipped with the Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite. It is designated as a model 525A, and will serve single pilot operators.
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Space Shuttle rolls to pad
Nächster Shuttle-Flug wird vorbereitet
The Space Shuttle Discovery is at the launch pad. Following more than two years of safety modifications and vehicle upgrades, Discovery arrived at Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., around 12:30 a.m. EDT on April 7. "This is a big milestone," said William Readdy, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations, "and what a welcome sight to see Discovery at the pad, especially knowing the work we're doing to make it a stronger vehicle. But we're not finished yet. There are still some important milestones we're working toward before we're ready to fly," he added. Launch of Discovery for its Return to Flight mission, designated STS-114, is targeted for May 15, with a launch window that extends until June 3. During their 12-day mission, Commander Eileen Collins and the rest of Discovery's seven-person crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies to the International Space Station. "Having Discovery on the pad puts us one step closer to resuming the Space Shuttle's important mission of supplying and assembling the International Space Station," said Michael Kostelnik, NASA deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Space Shuttle Programs.
Discovery's journey to the launch pad from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) was a slow and careful one. The fully assembled Space Shuttle Vehicle "stack" that includes the Orbiter, the External Tank and the twin Solid Rocket Boosters, was mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform. The whole assembly was carried to the launch pad on a vehicle known as a crawler transporter. The crawler's maximum speed during the four-mile journey was less than one mile per hour.
Discovery's rollout was not without its challenges. Shortly before it moved out of the VAB, when Discovery and its propulsion elements were thoroughly inspected, engineers spotted a tiny, hairline crack in the External Tank's insulating foam. After reviewing the data, engineers determined the crack, on the opposite side of the tank from the Orbiter, was not in a location where it could become hazardous. The "go" was then given for roll.
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German aerospace turnover rises
Gute Aussichten für Deutsche Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie
The German aerospace industry remains in the climb. Turnover rose by 1,9 per cent to 16 billion euro in the past year. That is 300 million euro more than in 203, when 15.7 billion euro were recorded. With the research expenditure the industry achieved a new record mark. The BDLI (Federal association of German air and space industry) assumes that turnover will continue to grow, BDLI President Rainer Hertrich said at the presentation of the numbers in Berlin: "The development of the German air and space industry is altogether pleasing. We are one of the few lastingly growing industries altogether. The prospects for the industry are very good. Their successes contribute to the fact that Germany is seen world-wide to be a country of the high technology and the innovations."
The positive development is carried by a substantial increase of the expenditures for research and development. The expenditures rose by 11,1 per cent to 3.001 billion euro. That corresponds to 18.8 per cent of the industry turnover The industry had 69,300 employees. That means a decrease of 1,3 per cent. Above all the space sector is responsible for the loss with a slide of no less than 12,1 per cent.
The individual sectors developed differently. Very pleasing is particularly the civilian aviation: Their turnover rose by 4,7 per cent and the number of employees by 5,8 per cent. That corresponds more to than 2000 new jobs. Engine of this development is the development with Airbus. The portion of military aviation of the industry turnover sank in the year 2004 slightly to 29,3 per cent. The number of the employees was reduced by around 4,3 per cent to 17.369 jobs. The Spaceflight sector is the problem child of the industry. An exception is the satellite navigation system Galileo, which promises to become a big success. Altogether however the future of Germany as a major player in the space industry is in danger.
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CSA purchases Airbus A319/A320
Airbus-Auftrag von CSA
The Czech national carrier CSA Czech Airlines has signed a firm contract for the purchase of twelve Airbus single aisle aircraft. The signature follows a preliminary announcement made last year that CSA Czech Airlines had selected the A319 and the A320 to replace the older generation aircraft in its core European fleet, after an exhaustive evaluation of both the A320 Family and competing types. This agreement renews the partnership between CSA Czech Airlines and Airbus that began in 1991, when the A310 became the first Airbus aircraft to be operated by the Prague-based airline. Today CSA Czech Airlines has chosen to move forward with the modern and efficient Airbus family products, by acquiring six A319s and six A320s. With deliveries scheduled from March 2006 to September 2008, the airline plans to use these new aircraft on longer range routes in Europe and to open up new markets. CSA Czech Airlines has selected the CFM 56-5B6/P engines for the A319 and the CFM 56-5B4/P for the A320. In terms of cabin configuration, the airline has chosen a two-class configuration for all aircraft, offering not only a comfortable business class but also the advantages of a wider cabin and therefore more personal space in economy class.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Pilatus sold a total of 83 aircraft over the past financial year. Sales rose by 6.4% to CHF 463.7 million and operating profit climbed from CHF 5 to 7 million. The PC-21 was certified on schedule ahead of series production. In spite of the weak dollar, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd increased consolidated sales for the second time in succession during financial 2004, reporting a turnover of CHF 463.7 million and profit of over CHF 7 million after investment in research and development. The USA accounted for almost half of total sales (48.7%), followed by Europe (36.7%), Asia, Australia and Africa with around 5% each. The weak dollar impacted heavily on profit margins, causing substantial erosion of the 2004 bottom line results. A sharp increase in the prices of aluminium sheet material and carbon fibre prepeg also put pressure on operating profit. These higher prices are a direct consequence of the welcome upturn in the fortunes of the global aviation industry. Ten years after the launch of the PC-12 business aircraft, we noted with satisfaction the sale of the 500th model of this type and the one millionth PC-12 flying hour during the year under review. The General Aviation business unit increased its PC-12 turnover to CHF 274.7 million. Pilatus ended 2004 well ahead of its global competitors, having sold 71 PC-12s and captured a 22% share of the relevant market segment. The 122 orders received during financial 2004 represent a new record, and will keep our production capacity occupied for more than a year. Worldwide sales of the PC-12 are supported by an extensive network of sales and after-sales centres. The PC-21, the most recent Pilatus development, went through another very exhaustive round of tests in 2004, demonstrating the reliability of its operating systems at extreme temperatures and the stability of its handling in a variety of manoeuvres. The hard-earned type certificate was awarded on 23 December 2004. In spite of the tragic accident on 13 January 2005, which cost the life of our senior test pilot and completely destroyed the second prototype, series production of this trainer aircraft is now set to go ahead. There is a high degree of international interest in the PC-12, which has been designed to provide a training platform for military pilots. The market launch is planned for 2006/2007.
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The first Royal Air Force Typhoon squadron left BAE Systems Warton site, bound for RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, their first RAF base in the UK. The squadron, which has been based at Warton for the past fifteen months under the ' Case White ' Entry Into Service programme, is responsible for the Operational Test and Evaluation of the RAF ' s newest combat aircraft. 17 Sqn is led by Wg Cdr Jon Hitchcock, who flew the aircraft this morning - which also happens to be the first production standard single-seat aircraft to be delivered to the RAF. Case White, the partnered programme which sees Typhoon delivered to the RAF at Warton in order to ease the aircraft ' s entry to service, has been a resounding success. The first squadron are heading off to Coningsby on schedule, and Typhoon has outperformed the highest expectations of reliability and serviceability, with the team outflying even the stretch target by as much as 15%, and more than 1300 flying hours completed. The Case White programme continues, with 29 Sqn due to move to Coningsby in the summer. Further pilots will begin flying training next week, and RAF ground crew will progressively take over operations in preparation for the move.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the largest Defence PSU declared its physical and financial performance for the year 2004-05. During the FY 04-05, the Company achieved a sales turnover of Rs 4425 crores (Provisional), recording a growth of 16.4 % over last year. While the profit of the company soared to Rs 630 crores (Provisional), which is an increase of 5.1 % over its last year performance. The company proved its strength and commitment to its customers and achieved many milestones. HAL handed over the first batch of indigenously produced Su-30 MKI to IAF and also completed supplies against the Twin Seater Jaguar Project with indigenously upgraded avionics & mission computer. A number of Dhruv were also produced for domestic customers. HAL is moving ahead with weapon system integration for Dhruv in a rapid pace. Comprehensive maintenance facilities for Sea King helicopter and UAVs have been established to extend in-country support to the customer. HAL has emerged as a reliable partner and supplier of aerospace products and many renowned international aerospace companies have come forward to join hand with HAL in the areas of sourcing, co-production and co-development. Airbus Industries, France, reaffirmed their confidence in HAL by placing a repeat order for 1000 shipsets of A320 forward passenger doors. In addition, HAL signed contracts with Eurocopter (for supply of major assemblies and components for their Fennec Helicopter), Bell Helicopters (for supply of Tail Rotor Blade assemblies) and RAC-MiG (for supply of avionics of MiG-29 aircraft).
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Rockwell Collins has completed its previously announced acquisition of TELDIX GmbH from Northrop Grumman Corporation. "We expect TELDIX's major European program positions, strong customer relationships and locally-based engineering and manufacturing capability will enhance Rockwell Collins' business opportunities throughout Europe," said Rockwell Collins Government Systems Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Churchill. With more than 40 years of engineering and manufacturing experience, TELDIX supplies a broad portfolio of complex military aircraft computer products and advanced mechanical space mechanisms to major prime contractors throughout Europe. TELDIX has leading positions on major European programs such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the multi-role combat fighter Tornado, and the NH90 and Tiger helicopters.
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Northrop Grumman and Boeing, who are teaming to design and build NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), unveiled the major companies that will support their efforts to fulfill the US Vision for Space Exploration. The companies include: Alenia Spazio; ARES Corporation; Draper Laboratory; United Space Alliance. CEV is the first crewed element in NASA's new Constellation Systems, a collection of human and robotic space systems that will allow astronauts to travel safely and cost-effectively to the Moon, Mars and beyond beginning in the middle of the next decade. NASA plans to award one or more CEV system development and demonstration contracts in Sept 2005. Following a flight demonstration in 2008, the space agency is expected to select a single contractor team to begin full-scale development of the CEV.
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"The high price of fuel is robbing our profitability," said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association at the opening of the AirFinance conference in New York. "The fuel bill has risen from US$44 billion in 2003, US$63 billion last year. If oil averages at US$43 per barrel (Brent) for 2005, the bill will be US$76 billion. And that would leave us with an industry loss of US$5.5 billion for 2005 and over US$40 billion for the period 2001-2005," said Bisignani. "We cannot live with the half-measures and contradictions of the past. Governments intensified airline competition without effective regulation of monopoly suppliers that account for 10% of operating costs. The cost of labour as a percentage of operating costs ranges from 18% in Asia to 38% in the US. And it has been stubbornly difficult to reduce. So it is result of tremendous hard work at restructuring and re-engineering their businesses that airlines have reduced non-fuel unit costs by 2-3% annually," said Bisignani. "Everybody has a role to play. Airlines must Simplify the Business by eliminating complex processes that are expensive but add no value to our customer. Industry-wide e-ticketing alone will save US$3 billion in costs each year. Our monopoly partnersairports and air navigation service providerscost us US$40 billion a year. They must understand the need for gains in cost efficiency and deliver measurable results," said Bisignani. "Deregulation was meant to foster competition and lower the cost of air travel. But governments continue to milk the industry for taxes and charges that are at the levels of alcohol and tobacco. In the US, the average tax charged on a US$200 ticket has increased from 7% in 1972 to 26% in 2004or US$ 15.8 billion. Moreover, we cannot accept the US$ 5.6 billion global cost burden for security that governments are passing annually to the industry. Governments must take responsibility and pay for national security," said Bisignani. "We have nationalistic rules for businesses that compete globally. And, in place of a strong vision and leadership for our industry's future, governments micro-manage and mis-regulate. In Europe alone, mis-regulation and micro-management cost the industry EUR 5.9 billion each year. We need modern rules that will allow us the same freedoms that other global businesses take for granted. Ownership and control rules that restrict access to global capital are of a different age. We need to run our businesses like real businesses. Markets and competition must shape the future of our industry, not the 60 year-old bilateral system," said Bisignani.
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The New Piper Aircraft, delivered its 200 th Malibu Meridian in a ceremony highlighting the sale of Serial Number 200 to Don and Jane Lockhard of Ontario, Canada. This is the second Meridian and the fifth PA-46 for the Lockhards, who have also owned two Piper Mirages and a Piper Malibu. The Malibu Meridian, Piper's top-of-the-line aircraft, is a single-engine turboprop, with a 500 SHP engine, Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) approval, and an all-glass cockpit. Certified by the FAA in 2000, the Piper Meridian's uniquely stylized turbine inlets and exhaust stacks, four-bladed propeller and sleek fuselage make it instantly recognizable and speak to the aircraft's stellar performance characteristics, including maximum cruise power of 262 kts and maximum altitude of 30,000 feet.
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk reached 4,000 combat hours on March 23 during an operational mission in support of the war on terrorism. Performing nearly continuous combat service with the U.S. Air Force since 2001, the high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned reconnaissance system achieved the milestone largely through the exceptional performance of one air vehicle operating in theater. Overall, the system has achieved more than 6,500 total flight hours accumulated by multiple aircraft. "Reaching 4,000 combat hours is continued proof of the system's reliability and its value to our men and women in combat," said George Guerra, director of Northrop Grumman's Air Force Global Hawk program. "Early on, the Air Force placed a great deal of confidence in Global Hawk by pressing it into service supporting combat operations well ahead of schedule. Since its debut in theater, the system has provided unprecedented support to our fighting forces on the ground, at sea and in the air."
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Preston Aviation Solutions, a subsidiary of Boeing, will provide its Total Airspace and Airport Modeler (TAAM) software to ENAV S.p.A., Italy's air-navigation service provider. TAAM, a sophisticated airspace and airport simulation system, will allow ENAV to perform unlimited "what-if" air traffic control (ATC) scenarios using multiple airports and en-route airspace. The simulation tool can create realistic three-dimensional, multi-colored models of the airspace controlled by ENAV, facilitating decision support, planning and analysis. ENAV, which manages about 5,200 flights per day, will use TAAM to study such subjects as increased traffic flow and airspace utilization, the impact of redesign and reclassification of its airspace, and implications of introducing new en-route and terminal procedures. ENAV joins a global list of TAAM users, which include civil aviation authorities, airspace planners and air navigation service providers, major air carriers, leading airports, as well as aviation research establishments, system integrators and universities.
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Boeing has been awarded a $134 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to begin the first phase of a program to modify 10 C-130 aircraft into the MC-130H Combat Talon II configuration. The MC-130H Combat Talon II provides Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) the capability to insert, extract and re-supply special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory, and the ability to provide air-to-air refueling of other special operations forces aircraft. "United States special operations forces play a vital role in the war on terror," said Pat Finneran, vice president and general manager of Aerospace Support, part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "Modifying these aircraft ensures AFSOC's highly trained and rapidly deployable forces can continue to meet their world-wide commitments. Boeing has a proud history of supporting our special operations forces and is committed to providing them most technologically advanced aircraft available." The Combat Talon II features an integrated glass flight deck which improves crew coordination and terrain-following/terrain-avoidance radars capable of operations as low as 250 feet in adverse weather conditions. An extensive electronic warfare suite enables the aircrew to detect and avoid potential threats. If engaged, the system can protect the aircraft from both radar and infrared-guided threats.
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SkyWest Airlines announced that it has placed a firm order with Bombardier for an additional 20 CRJ700 regional jet aircraft. It is anticipated that the aircraft will begin delivering in the third quarter of 2005 and be completed by the first quarter of 2006. The order is valued at approximately $637 million. SkyWest has previously ordered 32 CRJ700 regional jet aircraft that are currently being delivered by Bombardier. As a result of this new order, SkyWest will operate 52 CRJ700 regional jet aircraft by early 2006. All of the aircraft are being flown in behalf of United Airlines in the company's United Express operations in cites such as Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additionally, the aircraft have a 66-seat configuration with six First Class seats. SkyWest currently operates as United Express, Delta Connection and Continental Connection carriers under contractual agreements with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and under a marketing agreement with Continental Airlines. System-wide, SkyWest serves a total of 120 cities in 32 states and three Canadian provinces with over 1,500 daily departures.
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XTAR announced that XTAR-EUR, the world's first satellite developed for commercial X-band services, has completed its in-orbit testing and is now fully operational. "The in-service of XTAR-EUR marks a new era in satellite communications for government and military users around the world," said Dr. Denis Curtin, chief operating officer, XTAR. "The satellite's coverage and transmission capabilities, confirmed during in-orbit testing, have intensified the US and other allied governments' desire to use the system, with planned demonstrations for the US Army and Air Force scheduled in the coming weeks." The Spanish Ministry of Defense (SMOD), XTAR's first customer, will soon begin operations on its 238 MHz of X-band capacity on XTAR-EUR. The SMOD will continue to use XTAR-EUR until its primary satellite, SPAINSAT, enters service. In addition, XTAR will lease eight 72 MHz X-band transponders on SPAINSAT, to be designated XTAR-LANT, in order to provide additional X-band services and greater flexibility. Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), XTAR-EUR was launched February 12, 2005 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket. Located at 29 degrees East longitude, the satellite provides X-band coverage from Eastern Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, across all of Europe, Africa and the Middle East to as far east as Singapore.
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Raytheon Company celebrated the delivery of the 1,000th AIM-9X to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force March 29. The event highlighted a production milestone to provide warfighters with unprecedented capability and air dominance in the battlespace. "I am extremely proud of the AIM-9X team's accomplishments in the production and delivery of 1,000 AIM-9X next generation Sidewinder Missiles to the U.S. warfighter," said Capt. Scott Stewart, the Navy's program manager for Air-to-Air Missiles.
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Munich Airport has formed a new subsidiary, "MUC Ground Services Flughafen München GmbH." With a staff initially numbering 40 employees, MUC Ground will start with ground handling operations at Munich Airport before the end of the 2005 summer timetable period. MUC Ground will initially recruit employees through temping agencies, and will hire them after a collective agreement is signed. With the launch of this new subsidiary, Munich Airport is responding to the difficult competitive environment for ground services. Since 1999, Munich Airport has had to compete with an external service provider. This company is exempt from public-sector wage agreements, which means that it has lower operating costs. The rapid decline in prices for handling services in recent years has led to major losses for Munich Airport in this area. MUC Ground will provide back-up for Munich Airport's ground handling services at peak periods and cover the expected growth in demand for these services. Parallel to the launch of the new subsidiary, Munich Airport will continue with its efforts to boost the efficiency and productivity of its existing ground services. A project group has been set up with representatives from the employer and employee side. Its mission is to boost the long-term profitability and competitiveness of the airport's ground handling services, for instance by optimizing operational processes, implementing innovative working time models and adjusting qualifications and hierarchies.
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The United States Coast Guard will upgrade and modernize its current Sikorsky HH-60J JAYHAWK helicopter fleet to meet its expanded Homeland Defense responsibilities, according to the revised Deepwater Implementation Plan recently presented to Congress. Deepwater outlines the USCG´s long-range acquisition strategy across its entire inventory of cutters and aircraft to provide improved systems for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and innovative logistics support. An earlier version of Deepwater called for the purchase of a new and smaller aircraft to replace the JAYHAWK as the Coast Guard?s Medium Range Recovery (MMR) Helicopter. In light of the USCG´s post 9-11 requirements, Deepwater now forgoes the new aircraft and calls for upgrading the current HH-60J JAYHAWK. The newly-designated MH-60T will be fitted with a new state-of-the-art cockpit, new search /weather radar and Electro-Optics/IR units, upgraded engines and airframe, and an Airborne Use of Force Package to provide more firepower and protection from small arms fire. The JAYHAWK is a variant of the Sikorsky H-60 product line currently used by all five branches of the US military along with 25 governments across the world. Sikorsky Aircraft delivered 42 HH-60Js to the Coast Guard for search and rescue (SAR), offshore law enforcement, drug interdiction, aids to navigation and environmental protection.
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Goodrich unveiled the world's largest aircraft landing gear test facility at its site in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Goodrich, one of the world's largest suppliers of landing systems for commercial and military aircraft, is providing the body and wing landing gear for the Airbus A380 -- the world's largest commercial airliner. The Oakville test facility was built to accommodate the A380 landing gear. The facility encompasses 2,100 square meters (22,604 square feet) of floor space. It houses a Super Rig for structural testing which includes strength and fatigue testing of the A380 body and wing landing gears. The test rig rests in a cavity 55 meters long (180.5 feet) and stands approximately 8 meters high (26 feet). In addition to the Super Rig, the facility accommodates rigs for endurance testing.
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A small ceremony took place on 4 April at the site of Snecma Moteurs in Vernon, France, to mark the beginning of industrial production of the Vulcain 2 engine, designed for the new Ariane 5 ECA and Ariane 5 ES ATV launchers. Present at the ceremony was Patrick Devedjian, the French Minister for Industry and Jean-Paul Béchat, Chairman of the Executive Board of Sagem-Snecma. ESA was represented by Antonio Fabrizi, Director of Launchers and Robert Lainé, Head of the Ariane Department. "As the 12 February Ariane 5 ECA qualification flight was a complete success; we can now go into full production of the Vulcain 2 engine," said Jean-Paul Béchat. The Vulcain 2 is used for the main stage of the Ariane 5 ECA that can place payloads of up to 10 tonnes into geostationary orbit, and by the Ariane 5 ES ATV, designed to deliver ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) to the International Space Station (ISS). Ariane 5 ES ATV's maiden flight is planned for 2006. It will place the ATV into a 300 km circular low Earth orbit, inclined to 51.6 degrees, from where the ATV will use its own propulsion system to reach and dock with the ISS.
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NASA has approved up to 18 more months of operations for Spirit and Opportunity, the twin Mars rovers that have already surprised engineers and scientists by continuing active exploration for more than 14 months. "The rovers have proven their value with major discoveries about ancient watery environments on Mars that might have harbored life," said Dr. Ghassem Asrar, deputy associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "We are extending their mission through September 2006 to take advantage of having such capable resources still healthy and in excellent position to continue their adventures." The rovers have already completed 11 months of extensions on top of their successful three-month prime missions. "We now have to make long-term plans for the vehicles because they may be around for quite a while," said Jim Erickson, rover project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Erickson cautioned though, "Either mission could end tomorrow with a random part failure. With the rovers already performing well beyond their original design lifetimes, having a part wear out and disable a rover is a distinct possibility at any time. But right now, both rovers are in amazingly good shape. We're going to work them hard to get as much benefit from them as we can, for as long as they are capable of producing worthwhile science results."
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European Union claims that the U.S. government provides "indirect" domestic airliner manufacturing subsidies are based on errors of calculation, according to a report issued by the Commerce Department. The report, prepared for the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, concluded the EU argument suffers from "factual and methodological errors" in its position claiming Boeing receives subsidies. AIA President and CEO John W. Douglass said the report lends credence to the U.S. position that the Europeans cannot defend their arguments in the trade dispute involving Boeing and Airbus. "This report shows the EU position is simply incorrect," Douglass said. "Hopefully this report will convince the Europeans to begin negotiating in good faith as the April 11 deadline to settle the case looms." The U.S. and EU are battling over the billions of dollars in launch European governments give Airbus to prop up its commercial airliner manufacturing business. The two sides agreed to negotiate the issue until April 11, after which the U.S. will be forced to take the case to the World Trade Organization. The report also concluded the EU research and development program is another form of subsidy that develops specific aircraft components or systems for Airbus to gain a competitive advantage over Boeing. U.S. research and development is a longer-term, more basic effort that produces public results open to everyone, including Airbus. European research and development funding is increasing while the U.S. efforts have seen budget cuts. The report shows the indirect subsidy claim -- the cornerstone of the European case -- is simply untrue, Douglass said. Airbus' parent companies receive defense revenues comparable to Boeing, undermining another EU claim.
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Boeing announced the completion of the final Radar System Improvement Program, or RSIP, kit installation on the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 32 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. Production and delivery of the RSIP kits began in 1998 and the retrofit was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. The contract was issued by Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. "With the RSIP improvement, AWACS crews can now detect and track smaller targets," said Nigel Lo, Boeing RSIP Program manager.
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Quebec-based Bell Helicopter Textron Canada has been awarded a $4.5-million federal contract for two Bell 407 helicopters, Transport Minister Jean Lapierre announced Thursday. Transport Canada's helicopter fleet is used by civil aviation inspectors for low-level airport surveillance and to travel when conducting inspections and safety audits on commercial operations, the ministry said. "These helicopters feature new onboard technology that will increase our inspectors' ability to safely access remote areas,'' Lapierre said in a statement. "They will also allow Transport Canada pilots to stay up-to-date with current technology.''
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Bell Helicopter of Fort Worth, Texas was awarded a $104 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the second low-rate initial production lot of H-1 Upgrade aircraft. Work on the four UH-1Y and three AH-1Z aircraft will begin immediately at Fort Worth and the new Bell plant in Amarillo, Texas. The finished aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2007. "This is a major hurdle to clear in getting to full-rate production," explained Maj. David Thompson, the H-1 program's deputy program manager for Production here. "And it moves us closer to getting this needed capability out to the Fleet Marine Force." Initially producing limited numbers of aircraft, or LRIP lots, helps new weapons system programs complete development of the manufacturing plan, establishes an initial production base for the system and permits an orderly increase in the production rate of the system using input from operational testing.
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The Pentagon's Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) has authorized the Army's UH-60M BLACK HAWK program to proceed with Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of 22 new UH-60M's with authorization to build up to 40 new helicopters through fiscal year 2006. LRIP is the last phase in a defense procurement program before a full-rate production decision is made. The Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) issued March 31, also authorized advanced procurement for the first lot of full rate production UH-60Ms, beginning in FY07. The decision reflects the Army's effort to lower fleet operating and support costs. A full-rate production decision to authorize more than 1,200 UH-60M aircraft is scheduled for 2007. Exact procurement numbers year-to-year and across the life of the program will be determined by budget authorizations and specific contract awards. The UH-60M is designed to replace the UH-60A and is the centerpiece of the long-term effort to modernize the service's medium-lift helicopter fleet. Sikorsky Aircraft has manufactured the Army BLACK HAWK since 1978. The UH-60M provides additional payload and range, advanced digital avionics, better handling qualities and situational awareness, active vibration control, improved survivability, and improved producibility using high speed machined parts.
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The tactical military transport aircraft C-27J, jointly developed by Alenia Aeronautica - a Finmeccanica Company - and the U.S. Lockheed Martin, has been chosen by the Bulgarian Defence Ministry within a selection process for the supply of eight units aimed at replacing the current fleet of Antonov An-26 airlifters. Contract negotiations are due to start shortly. The Italian-U.S. aircraft will be used for troops and material transport in and out of the national boundaries, within the operations scenario ruled by NATO agreements (Bulgaria is a NATO member since April 2004). The C-27J will allow the Bulgarian Armed Forces, engaged in a modernisation campaign, to use aircraft able to fully respect the interoperability standards, requested to the Atlantic Alliance Countries.
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Rockwell Collins announced that it has been awarded a 10-year contract by NetJets Europe, a subsidiary of NetJets Services, Inc., to provide avionics maintenance repair and technical support for its fleet of Hawker 400 XP aircraft. Under the terms of the agreement, Rockwell Collins Aviation Services' (CAS) Reading, United Kingdom, facility will provide NetJets Europe with forward exchange service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the Dutch aerospace industry have signed a multi-year partnership agreement in the field of research and technology development. The agreement expresses the intention that it will also lead to a further extension of the involvement of Dutch companies in the Airbus aircraft programmes. The agreement was signed today in Toulouse by Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard, by Maarten Schönfeld, CFO of Stork and by Jan Muller, Chairman of the Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG). The signing took place during a visit to Airbus by the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Laurens Jan Brinkhorst and the French delegated Minister of Industry Patrick Devedjian. Underlining its political significance, the agreement was also signed by both ministers. The agreement is laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding, with the common aim of a long-term strategic partnership. This will be implemented in the form of a joint programme for knowledge and technology development with the express objective of leading to commercial applications in Airbus aircraft programmes such as the A380 and the A350.
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After two months of review, Secretary of the Army Dr. Francis J. Harvey announced a restructuring of the business aspects of the Future Combat Systems program. The changes are comprehensive and include contractual, programmatic and managerial improvements. The improvements will formally link the FCS program to the Army Modular Force Initiative through a Future Combat Force Strategy that establishes a framework for the continuous progression of the current modular force into the future one. The Future Combat Force Strategy provides for the spiraling of FCS-based technologies into the current modular force, integration of current combat lessons in areas of doctrine, organization, equipment and other key elements and into the force, and eventual incorporation of advanced manned combat platforms developed in the FCS program. Secretary Harvey directed that the current FCS Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the lead system integrator (The Boeing Co./SAIC) be changed from an OTA to a Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contract that would include the Truth in Negotiations Act, the Procurement Integrity Act; Cost Accountability Standards, and an Organizational Conflicts of Interest clause.
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Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, nearing the end of a 14-nation European tour, discussed some of the most contentious issues in U.S.-European relations April 4 with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Union (EU) commissioner for external relations. Those issues included the trade dispute over launch subsidies accorded Airbus, the EU arms embargo on China, and the changes legislated by the U.S. congress in the Visa Waiver Program. Regarding the trade dispute over Airbus, Zoellick reiterated that the United States is willing to extend the three-month standstill beyond its April 11 deadline. On January 11, the United States and the European Commission set out a framework for moving ahead on the dispute that involved a pledge to freeze both aid and litigation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for three months. The United States, Zoellick has said repeatedly, views that framework's goal as the elimination of subsidies as defined by the WTO, including launch subsidies. "European constituencies may not be comfortable moving to the elimination of launch aid," said Zoellick, who until recently was U.S. trade representative. If the European Union cannot "follow through on the core principles that we agreed in January," he said, "that's what the multilateral system [the WTO] is for." Zoellick dismissed suggestions that litigating the Airbus issue through the WTO would interfere with the Doha trade agenda. "This talk that it would interfere with the Doha agenda is not talk that I subscribe to," he said.
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An accident investigation board determined that a flight control system deficiency caused an F/A-22 Raptor aircraft mishap Sept. 28 near Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The flight control system allowed the aircraft to exceed set angles of attack and G-force limits. The resulting aircraft damage is estimated at more than $3 million.
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Due to a reduced workload at the development unit at Saab Bofors Dynamics, notice has been given to the County Employment Boards in Örebro and Östergötland. The move affects 140 people in Karlskoga and 110 people in Linköping. The operations in Järfälla and Gothenburg will also be affected to some extent. "This is an extremely tough decision to have to make, but we need to make sure the company is always correctly proportioned. We have successfully completed a number of major development programs, but have to realize that we have not managed to bring in new development orders to the necessary extent to fully utilize all our current high-tech resources," says Tomas Samuelsson, President of Saab Bofors Dynamics AB.
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Some 118 dedicated military satellites worth $41 billion are earmarked for production over the next 10 years, according to Forecast International's "Western Military Satellites: 2005-2014" report. These systems range in size and price from the small and affordable French Spirale spacecraft to the large and expensive U.S. Wideband Gapfiller and Advanced EHF satellites. The United States enjoys an asymmetrical advantage in the military space arena that either eliminates or promises to remove any tactical advantage an adversary might attempt to employ. This lack of balance in the world military satellite inventory and in military space capabilities in general will drive the international military satellite market in the years to come. "Military satellite contracts are the lifeblood of manufacturers, as the commercial satellite industry continues to stagger through the land of no demand," said John Edwards, Forecast International Space Systems Analyst. This symbiotic relationship is especially powerful in the United States, where military space programs enjoy strong and steady streams of funding. Even Pentagon programs that have experienced substantial cuts over the past few years are still robustly funded in comparison to European programs. In the United States alone, military contracts scheduled for the next 10 years but not yet awarded total more than $6 billion. In addition, the massive GPS and Transformational Communications programs currently under way in the U.S. will provide a comparatively cushy fiscal pillow for local manufacturers like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to fall back on during this prolonged commercial downturn.
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In the 2004 financial year, Lufthansa Cargo AG, a Deutsche Lufthansa AG subsidiary, generated an operating result of Euro 34 million to close out in the black for the year. The general recovery of the world economy boosted air cargo volumes. Lufthansa Cargo succeeded in 2004 in riding this growth and boosting its revenues 14.2 percent compared to 2003. 2004 revenues stood at Euro 2.47 billion (2003: Euro 2.16 billion). All told, Lufthansa Cargo transported some 1.75 million metric tons of cargo and mail (2003: 1.58 million metric tons). The load factor rose to 67 % (2003: 65.6 %). "Nonetheless, the general conditions for profitable growth were and are difficult," added Jean-Peter Jansen this morning at the company´s annual press conference in Frankfurt/Main. "They include record fuel prices, an aggressive competitive environment, and the strong euro - while Lufthansa Cargo takes in two-thirds of its revenues in foreign currencies, two-thirds of its costs are in euros." In 2004, Lufthansa Cargo boosted its freight ton kilometres offered (FTKO) to 11,880 million - an increase of almost 10 %. Its freight ton kilometres transported (FTKT) also rose 12.3 % year-to-year to 7,961 million. That puts the company slightly above the market average, as based on the companies organised in the Association of European Airlines (AEA). Also, Lufthansa Cargo posted double-digit growth in FTKT for all traffic regions. Investment picked up in 2004 as well. The main driver is Lufthansa Cargo´s fleet rollover in which the freighter fleet was switched over to MD-11F models. Now, 19 of the machines are MD-11F aircraft. The euro 165.1 million in investments include acquisition costs, down payments and conversion costs for five new airplanes. Furthermore, the expansion in Frankfurt was completed, making the site a security hub. The economic environment will remain challenging for Lufthansa Cargo. "There are no signs of improvement, especially with respect to capacity trends in the market. The unfavourable exchange rates, astronomical fuel prices and imbalanced traffic flows will continue to significantly affect the bottom lines of international cargo carriers - and Lufthansa Cargo is no exception," explained Jansen. "In 2005, we will focus on implementing 'Excellence + Growths', our medium-term optimisation programme," said Stephan Gemkow, Executive Director in charge of Finances and Personnel. As a result, Lufthansa Cargo is expecting to turn an improved profit in the 2005 financial year.
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In a first for the air travel industry, ARINC Incorporated is delivering Inmarsat's high-speed Swift64 satellite service for passenger communications on a commercial airline. Iberia Airlines of Spain has completed successful flight trials of high speed E-mail and Instant Messaging (IM) aboard Airbus A340-600 aircraft with Swift64 avionics. The service is expected to be operational during the second quarter of 2005 and will be offered to passengers in Iberia's new Business Plus Class on long-haul routes. Swift64 satellite connectivity offers greater bandwidth than earlier Inmarsat services, enabling more powerful communications both for passengers and the flight deck. Swift64 offers airlines with classic Inmarsat equipment a cost-effective upgrade path for inflight communications.
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In connection with the privatisation of the airports at Varna and Bourgas, Copenhagen Airports A/S has been selected by the Bulgarian State as preferred concessionaire for the two Bulgarian airports. Negotiations have now commenced between Copenhagen Airports A/S and the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport with a view to fixing the final terms and conditions for a 35-year concession contract. The Bulgarian State and Copenhagen Airports expect to sign a final agreement on the terms of the concession contract in late May 2005. Varna and Bourgas are the third and fourth largest cities of Bulgaria with 340,000 and 200,000 inhabitants, respectively. The two cities are located on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast about 120 km apart. In 2004, the airport at Varna had 1.3 million passengers and recorded a growth rate of 14%, whilst the airport at Bourgas had 1.4 million passengers and growth at the rate of 30%.
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Gulfstream Aerospace received validation by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Wednesday, March 30, for its new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 business jet aircraft. This validation adds to the EASA Type Certificate issued for the G450 last year and enables the G350 to be registered in any of the 25 European Union countries. The G350 received its Federal Aviation Administration Type Certificate Nov. 1, 2004. The first G350 business jet is scheduled to enter service in the third quarter of this year. Introduced in February 2004, the G350 builds on the success of the GIV/GIV-SP - the best-selling long-range business jet ever produced. Like its sister ship, the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G450, the G350 features the exclusive PlaneView cockpit. With its four large flight displays and Honeywell's Primus Epic Avionics, this advanced cockpit was developed to improve safety of flight by reducing pilot workload.
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Gulfstream Aerospace has received a third Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), enabling the installation of its new ultra-high-speed Broad Band Multi-Link (BBML) data system in the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 and G500 business-jet aircraft. Coupled with the recent service license issued by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to ARINC, supplier of the SKYLinkSM by ARINC Direct broadband satellite service that is used in Gulfstream's BBML system, the FAA certification opens the door for Gulfstream to begin unlimited installation of BBML systems on customer aircraft. Last October, Gulfstream received its first BBML-related STC for a GIV, enabling the business-jet manufacturer to conduct an in-service evaluation. A month later, Gulfstream received a multiple-aircraft STC for the GV, which enabled any GV aircraft to have BBML installed. During the second quarter of this year, Gulfstream expects to receive another multiple STC for the G350/G450 models.
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Thai Airways International has taken delivery of the first of four A340-500s, with the aircraft also being the first in the entire fleet to be painted in the airline's striking new livery. This event marks the start of a major Airbus widebody fleet expansion programme, which will also see six A340-600s entering service between 2005- 08 and six A380-800s entering service between 2008-09. The A340-500s will bring 'Smooth as Silk' levels of service to a completely new network of ultra long-haul services from Bangkok to North America, whilst the A340-600s will replace older aircraft currently operated to secondary cities in Europe. Thai Airways International's A380s are destined to operate on major trunk routes from Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi airport to major destinations in Europe.
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DGA, the French defense procurement agency, has handed over the Helios 2A reconnaissance satellite to the military staff of the three participating countries (Belgium, France and Spain). This entry into operational service follows the successful conclusion of the system's in-flight acceptance. Only a few days after its launch on December 18, 2004, the first images generated by Helios 2A were processed and submitted to France's government authorities. This initial milestone was followed by the three-month acceptance phase, coordinated by the French space center (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES) on behalf of DGA, during which various instruments were calibrated and this new-generation satellite demonstrated its full performance. Helios 2A was developed by EADS Astrium.
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The Austrian Airlines Group has become the first customer for the latest version of Guideline. In the course of this year the system will be retrofitted into fifteen Fokker 100 jetliners of the Austrian regional carrier Austrian arrows. Lufthansa Technik will be presenting the latest version of that photoluminescent emergency-floorpath marking system for the first time at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
Guideline will henceforth be available in as many as nine additional colors and with its strips only half as wide yet with the same luminous intensity. The additional colors are ocean tint, glacier blue, dark yellow, special amber, silver grey, emerald green, indigo, turquoise and spring green. They are offered as supplements to the existing color "natural" and fit in optimally with the color of the carpeting and with the color scheme of the cabin interior. Only when the cabin is in darkness, do the strips emit their usual yellow light. This world premiere will not only give airlines an additional tool for individualized configuration of their aircraft cabins but will also afford interior designers many new creative possibilities.
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Gulf Air, the national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sultanate of Oman and Lufthansa Technik, the leading provider for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of airplanes, their components and engines, today signed a Total Component Support TCS contract in Hamburg, valued more than 100 million US Dollars. The agreement includes a sale & lease-back of components as well as their MRO and the participation in Lufthansa Technik's vast component pool. It's the first time that Lufthansa Technik will provide total component support and man-agement to an airline in the Gulf Region. Over the next five years Lufthansa Technik will support Gulf Air's fleet of nine Boeing 767, six Airbus A330, nine Airbus A340 and ten Airbus A320 with services for more than 1,400 different part numbers. In Abu Dhabi Lufthansa Technik will ensure a reli-able fleet provisioning together with GAMCO (Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company) - more than 20 line maintenance stations like Manama (Bahrain) or Muscat (Oman) will be connected.
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