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+++ Boeing KC-767 tanker flies +++ AS350 B3 lands on the top of the world +++ Boeing launches 777 Freigther +++ Bombardier delivers first CRJ705 Regional Jets +++ 787: Japan on board +++ EU outlines space priorities +++ News in brief +++
Boeing KC-767 tanker flies
Erstflug des 767-Tankers
On May 21, Boeing test pilots took the first Italian Air Force KC-767A advanced aerial refueling tanker on its maiden flight. Named Italy KC-767A#1, the aircraft lifted off from McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kan., and flew for more than one hour, officially beginning its flying and aerial refueling certification test program. "We are extremely proud of the KC-767A's maiden flight," said Lt Col Roberto Poni, the on-site Italian Air Force liaison officer to the tanker program. "Together we have managed some significant challenges and, together, we will perfect this much needed asset." The new Italian tanker, which has an open architecture cockpit and advanced aerial refueling boom with a remote aerial refueling operator station, was unveiled publicly only two months ago and will undergo a rigorous flight test and aerial refueling certification program. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the aircraft to the Italian Air Force in Spring 2006.
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AS350 B3 lands on the top of the world
Ecureuil landet auf dem Mount Everest
On May 14th, 2005 at 7h08 (local time), a serial Ecureuil/AStar AS 350 B3 piloted by the Eurocopter X-test pilot Didier Delsalle, landed at 8,850 meters (29,035ft) on the top of the Mount Everest (Kingdom of Nepal).This tremendous achievement breaks the World Record for the highest altitude landing and take-off ever, which sets an ultimate milestone in the History of Aviation. After taking off from its base camp Lukla on May 14th, 2005 at 2,866 meters (9,403ft) Didier Delsalle onboard his Ecureuil AS350B3 reached the top of Mount Everest. As required by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI - International Aeronautical Federation), the aircraft remained landed on ground more than 2 minutes on the top of the world before flying back to Lukla. This feat was renewed the day after.
Achieved with a serial helicopter, this absolute World Record once more contributes to underline the unique qualities of the Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 as a multipurpose, reliable, quick and comfortable helicopter which emerges as the most performing aircraft in the world in the most extreme conditions. During the trial period, Didier Delsalle and his Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 flew some rescue missions on behalf of the Nepalese authorities demonstrating the operational capabilities of the aircraft used to set the altitude landing and take-off World Record.
This feat has been achieved further to various flight tests begun one year ago with the Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 among which: Experimental flight up to 8,992 meters (29,500 ft) in April 2004 in Istres (France), "Time to climb" records to the heights of 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 meters performed on April 14th, 2005 in respectively 2 minutes 21 seconds, 5 minutes 6 seconds and 9 minutes 26 seconds. These records smash the previous ones held by an Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B1 with respectively 2 minutes 59 seconds, 6 minutes 55 seconds and 13 minutes 52 seconds, Experimental flight up to 10.211 meters (33.500 ft) on April 14, 2005, Landing at the South Pass of Mount Everest at 7,925 meters (26,000 ft) on May 12th, 2005, establishing a new altitude landing and take-off record, previously held by a Cheetah helicopter - variant of the Lama - at 7,670 meters (25,150 ft). With this landing on the top of the world, Eurocopter demonstrates that its technological innovations provide its products a length - height - ahead, set at the disposal of its worldwide customers.
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Boeing launches 777 Freigther
777-Frachtversion: Programm gestartet
On 24 May, Boeing officially launched the Boeing 777 Freighter, the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter, following the completion of a launch order from Air France. Air France ordered five 777 Freighters, with options for three additional airplanes, to replace its 747-200F fleet. The first 777 Freighter is scheduled for delivery to Air France in the fourth quarter of 2008. Air Canada also announced in April the inclusion of the 777 Freighter as part of its selection of 777s and 787s to renew its long-haul fleet. Upon completion of that agreement, Air Canada will join the 777 Freighter launch team. "The world wants the 777 Freighter and we're going to build it," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Air cargo is the fastest-growing segment of commercial aviation and a critical enabler in our global economy. The 777 Freighter will deliver tremendous value to owners and operators, and we are delighted to have Air France and Air Canada leading our launch team." Launch of the new freighter brings Boeing's 777 family to six models. Working with cargo operators worldwide, Boeing selected the 777-200LR Worldliner as the platform for the 777 Freighter because it offers the range and payload capability operators want. The first 777-200LR Worldliner will enter passenger service in January 2006. The 777 Freighter will be powered exclusively by the world's most powerful commercial jet engine, General Electric's GE90-110B1L. The 777 Freighter will meet QC2 noise standards for maximum accessibility to noise-sensitive airports.
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Bombardier delivers first CRJ705 Regional Jets
Neue CRJ-Version ausgeliefert
On 27 May, Bombardier Aerospace delivered the first of its new regional jet variant, the 75-seat Bombardier CRJ705, to Air Canada Jazz at the Bombardier Dorval facility, in Quebec. The firm order, valued at $821.2 million US and covering 15 CRJ705 and 15 CRJ200 aircraft, was announced on September 27, 2004. The aircraft was accepted by Joseph D. Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada Jazz who said: "It is a privilege to be the launch customer for the Bombardier CRJ705 airliner. This new aircraft will join our already expanded fleet of 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 jets and Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft. By the middle of 2006, Jazz will operate close to 130 Canadian-built regional aircraft. We will have the right mix of aircraft to effectively serve the markets to which we fly, and to provide connections onward with Air Canada and the other Star Alliance members."
Air Canada Jazz Bombardier CRJ705 aircraft have 10 Executive Class seats at 37-inch (94 cm) pitch and 65 Hospitality Class seats at a very comfortable 34-inch (86.5 cm) pitch. The Bombardier CRJ705 LR model has a maximum take-off weight of 84,500 pounds (38,330 kg) and is powered by two General Electric CF34-8C5 turbofan engines of 13,360 pounds (59.4 kN) thrust at take-off. It has a range of 2,344 miles (3,773 km) with 75 passengers and their baggage. It can fly at 547 miles per hour (Mach 0.83).
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Boeing 787: Japan on board
Japan bei der Boeing 787 dabei
Boeing and Japan Aircraft Development Corporation (JADC), representing its three Japanese 787 structure partners -- Fuji Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -- have signed formal contracts detailing their work agreements for the all-new 787 Dreamliner. The companies have been working together on the project through memorandums of understanding since November 2003. "These agreements detail how our companies will work on the 787 for many years to come," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "It has been important that we get the details correct so that we're clear on the arrangements and comfortable that we have created contracts that will allow us all to be successful."
As previously announced, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will design and build the airplane's wing boxes -- the largest structural elements of the wings. The boxes will be flown to Everett, Wash., on specially modified 747 Large Cargo Freighters for completion, including the installation of systems, fixed leading and trailing edges, and control surfaces.
Fuji Heavy Industries will handle detailed design and assembly of the center wing box and integration of the center wing box with the main landing gear wheel well. Kawasaki Heavy Industries will provide part of the forward fuselage, the main landing gear wheel well and the main wing fixed trailing edge. Specific terms of the agreement are not being discussed. Twenty-one airlines have already announced orders and commitments for 261 Dreamliners. Japan's ANA (All Nippon Airways) will take first delivery of the super-efficient jetliner in 2008. ANA and Japan Airlines (JAL) have ordered a total of 80 787 Dreamliners.
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EU outlines space priorities
Raumfahrtpläne der EU-Kommission
Environmental monitoring, navigation systems, weather forecasting, toll collection, early flood warnings... - the role that space plays in our daily lives is increasing. Taking the full economic impact of space applications into account, the European Commission has now outlined the first elements for a European Space Policy, which is expected to be devised and approved before the end of 2005. The communication identifies the roles and responsibilities in space policy of the EU, Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other stakeholders and the relevant funding sources and instruments. The Commission also specifies priorities, funding principles and an approach to developing a broad industry policy for Europe as a whole. Vice-President Günter Verheugen said "This is the next concrete step toward a genuine European space policy. An enlarged and enlarging Europe has to have the tools available to deliver on its needs." An effective industrial policy will need to recognize the strategic nature of the space industry. This comprises the setting-up of the necessary institutional and regulatory framework and reaching a level-playing field with regard to the US, Russia and China where space industry benefits from important and protected institutional markets.
In particular, Galileo remains a priority for the EU and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) is proposed to become the second EU flagship. In the context of the "i2010" (European Information Society in 2010) initiative, long term research into satellite communications technologies will remain significant. ESA will focus on exploration of space and on the basic tools on which exploitation and exploration of space depend: access to space, scientific knowledge and space technologies. Member States in the 'Space Council' have been invited to introduce their national programme priorities in order to contribute to the preparation of the European Space Programme
The costs of these priorities for the EU, ESA and Member State national programmes will be identified in the coming months and be subject to normal budgetary and programmatic approval procedures. Europe should further build up its space partnership with Russia; maintain and develop its longstanding cooperation with the United States and continue cooperation actions in Eastern and Southern neighbour countries and developing countries. The EU will contribute to the financing of space-related activities through different sources: funding for Galileo primarily from the trans-European networks (TEN) programme; funding for GMES from the 7th Framework Programme (FP 7), particularly the Security and Space, theme but also the Information and Communication Technologies theme; the latter also will support satellite communications research, horizontal FP7 Specific Programmes and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme will be applicable in several areas, a range of user policies which require space-based services will make provision for operational budgets. The preliminary elements will be discussed at the Space Council planned for 7 June and the full space policy and space programme will be presented to Member States at the following Space Council meeting anticipated at the end of November.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The Supervisory Board of Thomas Cook AG appointed Thomas Holtrop (50) as the new Chairman and CEO of Thomas Cook AG. Thomas Holtrop will join the Executive Board of the leisure travel group with effect from 1 September 2005 and take over at the helm of the four-member Executive Board on 1 November 2005. The present Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Beeser will then move to the Supervisory Board to allow the group to continue profiting from his years of experience. The appointment of Thomas Holtrop is an early signal of the course to be taken by Thomas Cook AG in the future. "The group is on the right path. Its restructuring programme is well underway and must be firmly continued. The well-prepared transition from Wolfgang Beeser to Thomas Holtrop at the head of the group ensures continuity and is an important signal for our business partners and customers, for the staff and financial markets," said the Thomas Cook Supervisory Board Chairman, Jürgen Weber.
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Raytheon has been awarded a $16.5 million U.S. Army contract to provide the electro-optic/infrared/laser designator (EO/IR/LD) payload for use on the Army's Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is responsible for the ERMP multi-sensor payload, which will be manufactured and managed by its Precision Attack and Surveillance Systems (PASS) business area based in McKinney, Texas.
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Northrop Grumman's fire control radar for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has passed a key milestone in system integration testing by detecting airborne targets at the company's integration laboratory. Designated the AN/APG-81, the radar incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA). Its unmatched multi-mode capability will support air-to-air, air-to-surface and electronic warfare missions. The radar will also provide the pilot with precision all-weather targeting and advanced air-to-ground target cueing.
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With a musical fanfare befitting a state-of-the-art transit system, Skylink, the world's largest airport people mover began service to the traveling public at DFW International Airport, forever changing the way travelers use the world's third-busiest airport. The Skylink automated people mover system debuted today with the 40-member Fort Worth Carter-Riverside High School band marching off the train playing Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" and breaking through a commemorative banner. Airport Ambassadors tossed confetti and the Southlake Carroll High School Emerald Belles drill team cheered. In honor of Armed Forces Day, DFW also invited U.S. service men and women participating in the military's R&R program to join the festivities. Skylink will zip passengers in both directions at speeds up to 35 miles per hour on its elevated guideways. Skylink will initially be able to shuttle 5,000 passengers per hour per direction. When the system is expanded to capacity, Skylink will be capable of transporting 8,000 passengers per direction per hour.
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The 100th FedEx (Federal Express Inc.) Airbus entered the Dresden-based EADS EFW conversion facility. The 19 year old aircraft is the Airbus A310-300 prototype and was formerly owned by AIR NIUGINI before it was purchased by leasing company GATX CAPITAL CORPORATION. End of 2004 the airframe MSN 378 was sold to FedEx. It touched down in Dresden for a conversion from passenger to freighter aircraft, a weight upgrade and cockpit standardisation. This process will take about four months. The EADS EFW relationship with the US-based express carrier started in the early nineties. FedEx operates 36 Airbus A300-600F production freighter aircraft and 64 converted freighters including the one currently under conversion (49 A310-200, 8 A300-600 and 7 A310-300). Up to 14 midlife Airbus passenger aircraft touch down each year at EADS EFW to receive a conversion into a freighter. These aircraft carry a payload of between 38 to 50 tonnes. As of today EADS converted 112 Airbus aircraft.
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The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School graduated the first of hopefully be many Unmanned Air Vehicle flight test short courses May 20 during a ceremony in the school's main auditorium.
Seven lieutenants, all from Edwards, attended the ceremony. This course was a Team Edwards project with course development and instructor representation coming from the 412th Test Wing's Engineering Directorate Engineer Development Office and technical experts, as well as the 452nd flight test squadron and various TPS instructors, said John Minor, TPS technical director. "We called upon Air Force Flight Test Center expertise wherever it existed," Mr. Minor said. "I am pleased that all the organizations and personnel we tasked for support responded in such a positive manner - they really came through to produce an outstanding course." The UAV Flight Test Course is three intensive weeks of academics, labs, simulations and a final student flight test project, said Maj. Russ Adelgren, TPS Special Courses Division director.
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The UK and New Zealand initialled a ground-breaking new aviation agreement on air services. The new liberalising deal removes almost all restrictions on air services between and beyond the two countries. It opens access to each country's aviation market for the other country's airlines, and applies state aids rules to ensure a level playing field for competition. It also liberalises arrangements on a wide range of further issues including marketing arrangements, ground-handling and other operational matters. The previous arrangements meant that flights between the UK and New Zealand were in practice limited to seven per week for each side. This and a raft of other restrictions are removed, creating the most liberal agreement of its kind.
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The Expedition 11 crew entered its seventh week in space. The crew wrapped up a week highlighted by research, maintenance and training for photography tasks. Commander Sergei Krikalev and Flight Engineer John Phillips spent several days conducting examinations of each other. They used an ultrasound device that provides data about the ability of the crew to conduct detailed medical exams in space. The experiment could have future applications for telemedicine or rural healthcare. Phillips and Krikalev spent part of Tuesday practicing photography with digital cameras in the Zvezda Service Module. They will capture high resolution imagery of Discovery's heat shield, as the Shuttle approaches for docking on the third day of the Return to Flight mission (STS-114). The crew will use 400 and 800 millimeter lenses from two windows in Zvezda to focus on Discovery's thermal protection tiles and Reinforced Carbon-Carbon shield.
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Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract valued at approximately $212 million for Arrowhead, the Army's Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) program, for the United Kingdom's (UK) Apache AH Mk I helicopters. The contract was awarded by the UK Ministry of Defense (MOD) to prime contractor AgustaWestland and authorizes production of Arrowhead kits by subcontractor Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL. The Arrowhead kits include a new design called the TADS electronic and display control (TEDAC) unit for the United Kingdom's fleet of Apache helicopters. The first UK Arrowhead kit will be delivered in April 2007. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in late spring 2007. The integration of Arrowhead on the first four UK aircraft is scheduled for completion in January 2009, and retrofit of the entire fleet is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010.
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Lockheed Martin has delivered the U.S. Navy's 65th P-3C aircraft modified under the Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP). This aircraft represents the second of five P-3C aircraft Lockheed Martin will update in 2005. The AIP upgrades draw on the latest commercial-off-the-shelf and non-developmental technology to provide the U.S. Navy P-3C with the next generation of mission capability. Since 1994, Lockheed Martin has been the prime contractor and systems integrator for the aircraft's avionics, including non-acoustic sensors, communications, survivability and displays and controls.
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Lufthansa passengers now have an additional direct flight to North Africa. he airline will be offering five nonstop flights a week from Frankfurt to Algiers. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, a Boeing 737 with the flight number LH 4124 will depart from Frankfurt at 22.30 hrs, arriving in the Algerian capital at 0.10 hrs. The return flight will leave Algiers at 2.15 hrs and will land in Frankfurt at 6.00 hrs (all times are local times).
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The UK's first Apache Attack Helicopter regiment is fully operational, following the successful completion of Exercise Eagles Strike. 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, has been fully trained, tested and exercised as the lead Apache Helicopter Regiment and is now available for operations. Adam Ingram, Minister for the Armed Forces, said he was delighted the Regiment had achieved this important milestone: "The Apache Attack Helicopter is a formidable fighting platform that will improve the Army's ability to conduct the hard-hitting land operations of the future. "But the introduction of a full Apache Regiment means far more than the provision of a new weapons platform. The successful completion of this exercise, in which the Apache was integrated with infantry artillery and engineers within 16 Air Assault Brigade, represents the arrival of the Army's air manoeuvre capability."
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High profile guests from India attend Dhruv Helicopter Landing Ceremony at IAI facilities in Israel India's HAL and Israel's IAI are to market the Dhruv helicopter worldwide As part of the visit by the Indian Secretary for Defense Production, Mr. Shekhar Dutt SM, and the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mr. Ashok K. Baweja, to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)'s facilities at Ben-Gurion International Airport, the visitors were able to see for themselves the progress made in developing an international marketing plan for the Dhruv helicopter. HAL's chairman Mr. Ashok K. Baweja stated that the helicopter's unique capabilities are well received by the Indian Armed Forces. HAL looks forward to promote the DHRUV ("polestar") in new markets along with IAI. The Indian Defense Ministry has an option for the purchase of 200 helicopters, and the helicopter is already in serial production. As part of the examination of market potential in the US, efforts are underway to cooperate with US industries, so as to try and penetrate the important LUH Light Utility Helicopter program for the US Army.
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CHC Helikopter Service's first S-92 entered revenue service today under contract with Norsk Hydro, one of Norway's major oil companies. Prior to entering into service, the aircraft underwent modifications, including the installment of passenger entertainment systems, as well as additional communications equipment at the CHC maintenance facilities in Stavanger, Norway. This S-92 helicopter is part of an aircraft order that Sikorsky signed with CHC back in the spring of 2004. This is the first of two S-92 helicopters that will be owned by CHC and operated under contract with Norsk Hydro. The second S-92, also under contract with Norsk Hydro, was delivered in April and is scheduled to enter into revenue service later this month. CHC also has a contract with Statoil for one not yet delivered S-92 helicopter that will be operating out of Kristansund, Norway. This aircraft is scheduled to become operational this summer.
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Boeing and Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) today completed a sales agreement for 20 Boeing Next-Generation 737s, plus purchase rights for 20 additional airplanes. The agreement, valued at US$1.1 billion at list prices, represents SALE 's first direct order of 737s from Boeing. Deliveries are to begin in late 2006 and extend through late 2009. It also is the largest jetliner purchase announced by a leasing company since the Sept. 11, 2001 , events that severely affected the world's aviation industry.
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A healthy and profitable Group is the gist of the report presented to the Lufthansa Annual General Meeting in Cologne today by the Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO, Wolfgang Mayrhuber. "Despite Germany's weak economy and persistently rising oil prices, we have stayed on course and performed successfully in the market. We closed the 2004 business year with an operating profit of 383 million euros," he told shareholders. The Group's financial position is stronger than ever, customer satisfaction has never been higher and the fitness programme is producing results. "We are leaner, fitter and more efficient." A good base on which to embark on further improvements. On the back of our respectable results, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board are proposing payment of a per-share dividend of 0.30 euros, Mayrhuber said. "Commensurate dividends are to become the norm," he added. All the Group's business segments improved their results during the business year. The Chairman was positive about developments at the Thomas Cook leisure travel group, which returned an operating profit. Success in restructuring the LSG catering arm is beginning to emerge, although the situation in the North American market remains singularly difficult. "A long and stony path still lies ahead but the course is right. The LSG problem will be resolved," the Chairman emphasised. Concentration on core competencies and profitability are the key planks in the Group's overall strategy. Lufthansa has taken further successful steps in portfolio management, selling business interests such as Chef Solutions and its stake in the motorway service stations company Tank und Rast. "The focus of overall corporate development centres on the passenger business. We want to grow and forge ahead with consolidation," Mayrhuber remarked. Lufthansa's merger with SWISS makes sense for both sides: "The brands, the market and cultures fit together. Customers and shareholders alike will profit from that." Lufthansa is investing in Germany, creating jobs here and driving innovation forward. That must not be impeded by unnecessary bureaucracy, which in effect legally sanctions curbs on investment. "Lufthansa is committed to Germany as an economic and industrial base. Just as people can rely on us, so in the same vein do we expect reliability from politicians," Mayrhuber emphasised. The Lufthansa chief criticised the subsidising of regional airports. "Instead of expanding profit-generating infrastructure, superfluous and loss-making mini-airports are being upgraded with taxpayers' money. That is detrimental to the profitability of the airline business and jeopardises jobs."
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Raytheon unveiled its Next Generation Air Traffic Automation System at the Civil/Military Air Traffic Management Conference in Prague, Czech Republic. The system, with its modern open architecture design and high performance characteristics, is fully adaptable and scalable to any ATM (air traffic management) domain -- from a single tower automation application to a fully integrated civil/military multi-center, trans-national airspace system. The Next Generation ATM Automation system takes the "best of the best" from Raytheon's unequaled fifty-year heritage in the design, development, implementation and support of advanced air traffic management systems. The system provides the features, functions and performance that air navigation service providers require to successfully complete their mission. These features include multi-sensor tracking, safety nets, integrated automatic dependent surveillance and controller-pilot data link communications, flight data and clearance processing, medium-term conflict detection, and an advanced flexible "strip-less" human machine interface. At the heart of Raytheon's Next Generation ATM system are its highly accurate 4-D trajectories that support the system's advanced capabilities. The trajectories that are supported include filed, tactical, and planning. The system's component-based, object-oriented architecture incorporates Raytheon's advanced interface technology, greatly enhancing interoperability with other systems. This architecture will support legacy functions and future components. Development of the next generation system included a formal safety analysis and is compliant with the latest standards (CMM, CMMI and ISO 9001).
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Boeing is pleased that Lion Air, Indonesia's first low-cost carrier, has selected the Next-Generation 737. The airline's preliminary agreement with Boeing involves ordering up to 60 airplanes. The agreement includes a combination of 737-800s and the proposed 737-900X, pending finalization of the definitive agreement and a launch of the 737-900X. We look forward to continuing to work closely with this valued customer as it expands its operations and serves its passengers.
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Northrop Grumman has delivered a next-generation variant of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire-control radar for the U.S. Air Force's F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter. The new radar will undergo aircraft integration testing this summer at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Designated AN/APG-77(V)1, the radar variant will enable air-to-ground capability provided by a new software suite that is being developed under a separate modernization program. The company has captured advances made in AESA design for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Block 60 F-16 aircraft and incorporated them back into the APG-77. In addition, the (V)1 is more affordable than the current version, in part because the production line relies on a greater degree of automation.
"The (V)1's first flight on an F/A-22 will mark a key milestone for the combined Air Force/industry team," said John C. Johnson, vice president of Combat Avionic Systems at Northrop Grumman. "It paves the way for the integration of the new software suite, which will allow Raptor pilots to perform electronic warfare missions as well as attack fixed and moving targets on the ground in all-weather, day/night conditions."
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The Space Shuttle Discovery is back in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The Shuttle will get a new, modified external fuel tank to ensure a safe Return to Flight mission (STS-114). Discovery, carried by a Crawler Transporter, entered the VAB at 4:30 p.m. EDT. The 10-hour, 4.2 mile trip from Launch Pad 39B was briefly interrupted due to an over heated bearing on the Transporter. The rollback was the 15th in Space Shuttle Program history. "Rolling back Discovery was the right thing to do and demonstrates our commitment to a safe Return to Flight," said Shuttle Program Manager Bill Parsons. "We will continue to focus on the processing milestones and complete the additional analysis we determined was required, so that we continue to move toward a launch during the July window." Technicians will de-mate Discovery from its External Tank (ET-120) and Solid Rocket Boosters on May 31. Discovery will be attached to ET-121 on June 7. ET-121 was originally scheduled to fly with the Shuttle Atlantis on the second Return to Flight mission (STS-121). In the VAB, a new heater will be added to ET-121 on the feedline bellows. It is the part of the pipeline that carries liquid oxygen to the Shuttle's main engines, to minimize potential ice and frost buildup. The tank also has several safety improvements, including an improved bipod fitting that connects it to the Orbiter. In addition, NASA's second redesigned tank has been outfitted with temperature sensors and accelerometers, used to measure vibration. These sensors will gather information about the tank's performance during flight.
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easyJet, Europe's leading low cost airline announced it would add more capacity to its base at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg this summer and introduce an additional three new routes. The daily services from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg to Madrid and Hamburg commences on Thursday 11 August, whilst the daily service to Malaga commences on Friday 12 August. This expansion is a continuation of the development of EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg as easyJet's second Swiss base and will increase the total number of routes offered to 13, with four aircraft operating through the airport. These new routes are in addition to six announced last month to Alicante, Barcelona, Naples, Nice, Palma and Rome starting on the 17th June. Madrid and Malaga are currently served easyJet destinations that have proved to be very popular, whilst the Hamburg service adds a new city to the easyJet network taking the total number of destinations served to 62 and a total of 205 routes throughout Europe.
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On 22 May a Russian Proton Breeze M launcher placed the DIRECTV 8 satellite into orbit today, marking the fourth successful mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS). The Proton vehicle lifted off at 11:59 p.m. local time (1:59 p.m. EDT, 17:59 GMT). It continued its climb through space for nine hours and 15 minutes, after which time the satellite separated from the rocket into an elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit. Satellite controllers confirm that DIRECTV 8 is functioning properly. Over the next ten days the satellite will be maneuvered into a circular geosynchronous orbit, 22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the equator. "We're pleased that DIRECTV chose ILS and Proton to launch this important satellite, which will provide support for the expansion of new digital and high-definition services," said ILS President Mark Albrecht. The DIRECTV 8 satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, carries both Ku-band and Ka-band payloads. Its final operating position is 101 degrees West longitude.
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Nigel Wright, Onex Corporation managing director, today reaffirmed the company's intention to complete the purchase of Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Wichita/Oklahoma operations. "Onex expects to complete the transaction by mid-June," Wright said. "Onex is firmly committed to this business," said Wright. "The new company represents the only real option for new investment, new work, new jobs for those who choose to come with us, and greater job security for these communities and the families in them." "We are disappointed with the outcome of the IAM vote. We feel the IAM-represented workforce missed a real opportunity to have a contract in place. In light of this, we will evaluate our staffing needs and extend revised offer letters with new employment terms to that workforce over the next two weeks," Wright added. "We plan to continue discussions with the remaining bargaining units," Wright said. "For non-union employees, we'll be extending job offers within the next three weeks."
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QinetiQ has achieved the world's first automatic landing of a short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft on a ship. Funded by the US Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme and the UK MOD Joint Combat Aircraft Integrated Project Team (JCA IPT), this is a key milestone in an innovative risk reduction programme for the JSF STOVL aircraft. Andrew Sleigh, QinetiQ MD Defence said: "The achievement takes automatic landing technology to a new level and is the latest advance of a long line in research by QinetiQ and its British predecessors. Our work in the 1950s led to civil aircraft being able to land in all weathers at airports from the 1960s onwards. Today, QinetiQ has achieved a world first by successfully landing a STOVL aircraft automatically and with no pilot control onto the deck of HMS Invincible." This new pioneering development comes from the British company, QinetiQ, whose predecessors developed the jet engine, invented carbon fibre and have helped reduce aircraft noise and emissions. Flying QinetiQ's experimental aircraft, the VAAC (Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced Control) Harrier, its team of engineers successfully demonstrated that the technology it has developed could automatically bring a STOVL aircraft into land on HMS Invincible, as part of its work for the Joint Strike Fighter programme. The combined teamwork of JSF, QinetiQ, HMS Invincible and UK MoD has demonstrated how exploiting advanced technology can reduce programme risk and bring real benefits for the pilots.
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Northrop Grumman is helping the U.S. Air Force develop propulsion technologies that could enable aircraft to routinely fly more than 1,500 miles per hour -- more than twice the speed of sound -- without the traditional drawbacks of supersonic flight. Since the first supersonic flight nearly 60 years ago, aeronautical engineers have attempted to design an aircraft that could operate efficiently beyond the speed of sound. Barriers such as takeoff noise, sonic boom, engine wear and fuel consumption make supersonic aircraft expensive to operate and maintain. The Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) program will develop and demonstrate advanced, multi-use turbine engine technologies to address these problems. Participants include elements of the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy, NASA, and nine aerospace industry partners including Northrop Grumman.
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The South Korean Defense Ministry said on May 26 that it will launch a multi-trillion-won project for purchasing next-generation fighter jets starting from 2009, as part of its mid-term arms procurement plan. In a report on the policy programs between 2006 and 2010 to President Roh Moo-hyun, Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said his ministry will spend 5.6 trillion won ($5.6 billion) to buy next-generation fighter jets in the current fighter acquisition program, dubbed the "F-X Project," which will end in 2008. "We have not yet decided on the type of jet fighters to be introduced, but F-15Ks might be excluded due to financial burdens, said Nam Dong-kyun, director of the arms acquisition project. The ministry also plans to launch about 20 weapons acquisition projects, including the purchase of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft, SAM-X anti-aircraft missiles and satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) missiles, between 2006 and 2010.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) will invest an additional $250 million in research and development over the next three years, in the Montreal area, following the Quebec government's decision to provide the company with reimbursable support for R&D. Premier of Quebec Mr. Jean Charest and Quebec's Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export, Mr. Claude Bechard, announced today an investment of $75 million to support P&WC's R&D activities. The investment will be provided and monitored by Investissement Quebec and is repayable from royalties on sales. "I want to thank the Quebec government on behalf of our 5,000 employees in Quebec, our 1,000 suppliers in Quebec, the hundreds of students and the thousands of Quebec citizens who benefit from the positive spin-offs generated by our company," said Alain M. Bellemare, President of P&WC. "This reimbursable support, combined with our sustained activities in R&D, will further help to maintain high quality aerospace jobs in the Montreal region." P&WC's additional $250 million R&D investment will be aimed at design validation and integration, as well as improving engine performance, reducing weight, reducing the environmental impacts of both the engine and the manufacturing processes and reducing the cost of ownership.
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A pioneering flight from Dakar to Mombasa using the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the European satellite navigation system that corrects and improves GPS data, was a complete success. Africa was crossed at its widest part with a plane using this accurate and guaranteed positioning system provided by the EGNOS test bed signal, to navigate and make landings. This was an unprecedented mission carried out by the European Space Agency in collaboration with ASECNA (Agence pour la sécurité de la navigation aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar). ASECNA provided a test plane, an ATR 42. The Galileo Joint Undertaking financed the project.
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Venezuela's largest airline, Aeropostal, has chosen the aviation management consultants from Lufthansa Consulting (LCG) to support them in their restructuring efforts. The corresponding contract was recently signed in Caracas. The contract envisions the performance enhancement of South America's second-oldest airline. Lufthansa Consulting will primarily focus on the optimization of all operating areas such as route planning, flight scheduling, flight operations, engineering, sales, etc. Potential improvements are to be identified in all business areas and the aim is to reduce costs and increase revenue. With the support of Lufthansa Consulting, Aeropostal aspires to position itself as one of most successful carriers in the region's deregulated and highly competitive market. A team of consultants will launch the project in Caracas during May of 2005. Within the next five months they will evaluate the airline's present situation and deliver an implementation plan, which subsequently will be implemented in close cooperation with Aeropostal.
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Government handouts shield European airliner manufacturer Airbus from normal market risks, creating unfair trade practices that undermine the United States' competitiveness in aerospace products, AIA President and CEO John W. Douglass said. Testifying before the House Transportation Committee Subcommittee on Aviation, Douglass said European nations must stop doling out subsidized loans to Airbus that are clearly illegal under World Trade Organization codes. The jet transport industry must be an industry without government- provided launch aid," Douglass said. Douglass spoke during a hearing addressing the U.S. jet transportation industry. Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Florida) called the hearing to look at global market factors affecting U.S. jet producers. Four European governments have repeatedly given the loans, which do not have to be repaid unless the model is successful, Douglass said. In contrast Boeing must finance its new models on its own. Douglass said the U.S. and European Union should strive to come to a negotiated settlement over the issue to avoid damaging WTO litigation. But if the Europeans refuse to end the illegal aid the U.S. will have no choice but to pursue the WTO case, he said. Another concern to the jet transportation industry is an alarming trend of cutting aeronautics research in the United States while Europe and others steadily increase their investment. In the last 12 years the U.S. research budget has plummeted from $1.54 billion in 1994 to $852.3 million in the president's budget request this year.
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The European Commission sought Council approval for its recommendation to start negotiations on a cooperation agreement with South Korea on the development of a Civil Global Navigation Satellite system (GNSS). "Galileo attracts the interest from countries all over the world. Negotiations with South Korea, the fourth economic power in Asia, represents a new step forward in the international cooperation for Galileo", stated Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission in charge of Transport. The Commission intends to start the negotiations immediately after approval of the Council.
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"Passenger traffic growth of 8.7% shows that demand for travel is strong. Slower cargo growth of 4.7% reflects a general slowdown in global economic activity. The real story, however, is the bottom line. The continuing extra-ordinary price of oil and increasing pressure on yields means that a speedy transition to a low-cost industry is critical," said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA released traffic data to the end of April 2005. Capacity expansion in all regions for the first quarter was below traffic growth, maintaining load factors at 73.6% for the period. Freight expansion for the first four months was 4.7%. This reflects a rebound in April over weak results for February and March. Distortions due to holiday periods continue to make year on year comparisons difficult. "While there has been some relief in fuel prices in the last weeks, the current levels are considerably higher than the US$38 per barrel of last year. This is the single biggest factor impacting our profitability. Efficiency across the industry's value chain is the only solution," said Bisignani. Bisignani's remarks came as 700 top leaders of the airline industry prepare for the World Air Transport Summit and IATA's 61st Annual General Meeting to be held in Tokyo, Japan on 30-31 May 2005. The theme of the meeting is "En-route to a low cost industry". "The World Air Transport Summit is an opportunity take stock of our achievements and plan future directions. Efficiency improvements by airlines have been impressive with 2-3% gains in each of the last two years and even more expected for 2005. Airlines are transforming their businesses with great speed. And, at an industry level, the IATA Simplifying the Business initiative will be a revolution in the way that people ship and travelgreater convenience and lower costs," said Bisignani.
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Eurocopter welcomes the Spanish government's choice of the NH90 helicopter for the modernization of its Armed forces. Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of the Eurocopter Group said: "After the selection last year of the Eurocopter's Tiger Combat helicopter, this first batch of 45 NH90 helicopters for the Spanish Forces will definitely establish Spain as the third pillar of the Eurocopter group". As France, Germany and Australia did previously, Spain has now also selected the two most modern helicopter solutions in their category: the Tiger Combat helicopter and the NH90 Multipurpose helicopter. This operational choice will also increase and secure in the long term Eurocopter Espana's industrial presence in Albacete and Getafe as well as reinforce its Spanish partners. The NH90 helicopter has already been ordered or selected by 12 other countries for a total of more than 350 aircraft plus options. Spain will purchase a first batch of 45 NH90s.
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Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. announces that on May 13 their CyberScout UAV performed its first transition flight from hover flight to forward flight. The CyberScout, a gas powered VTOL type vehicle, is the first in a series of planned UAV's being developed to hover and/or fly horizontally for up to 60 minutes at speeds of 300 MPH plus. The successful test flight began with a stable hover followed by a vertical ascent to 200 feet above ground level then to forward flight. When ready for market, the CyberScout should weigh approximately 80 pounds with a camera, a standard flight autopilot with an autonomous flight system, and hold a five-pound payload pod, which can be rapidly field-configured with a wide array of cameras, sensors, weapons, and instruments.
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Boeing and Air France announced an agreement to turn three 747-400 airplanes into full freighter configuration as part of the Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter program. The value of the agreement isn't being released. Air France is one of seven 747-400 Special Freighter customers, and the first to announce plans to convert its former Combi airplanes, which are currently in all-passenger configuration. Air France will receive its first modified airplane in June, 2007. "These converted airplanes will accelerate the phasing out of the 747-200 Freighters in preparation of the entry in service of the 777 Freighters," said Pierre Vellay, Air France senior vice president, new aircraft and corporate fleet planning.
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BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has signed contracts with the Belgian major carrier SN Brussels Airlines for the sale and leaseback of 23 of the airline's fleet of 26 Avro RJ85/100 jetliners. The deal will see BAE Systems Regional Aircraft acquire the aircraft in stages over the next five years with long-term leases back to SN Brussels Airlines. The RJ fleet will remain a core part of the SN Brussels fleet into the next decade. A number of large airlines have taken the view that new regional jets offer only marginal improvement over modern used regional jets - and in some cases less operational capability - but entail significant risk in terms of financial exposure and commitment period - this at a time of considerable market uncertainty, especially in the regional sector with the ferocious competition from the low-cost carriers.
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After intensive negotiations, Fraport AG's works council agreed to the "Pact for the Future 2010" (Zukunftsvertrag). This pact is a key element of the company's "We're Making Fraport Fit" project launched in January. Thus, the company has moved considerably closer to the goals of the project: securing employment and international competitiveness by reducing staff and non-staff costs. In return, Fraport's executive board has already promised that there will not be any operationally determined job layoffs through 2010 and no cuts in the annual income of employees. Talks with the unions will immediately start, including on the extension of the standard weekly hours of work and on the adjustment of entry-level wages in operational areas of the company. Fraport AG's executive board chairman Dr. Wilhelm Bender said: ""The Pact for the Future" is an important contribution to ensuring the future prospects of our staff and the competitiveness of our company. This continues our tradition of making important decisions in consensus. Furthermore, the pact contains many elements underscoring that Fraport continues to be a socially responsible corporation." A decisive course was set with greater "working time flexibility." Both parties are in agreement that the existing competitive situation makes it necessary to adjust work schedules better to operational requirements than in the past. Agreement will be reached on the total number of work days per year, the beginning and end of work hours, the length of shifts, and floating shifts. Measures for consolidating fringe benefits are another important step achieved in the pact. The existing efficiency bonus plan for staff will be split into two components in the future: one based on individual performance, the other on corporate success. The success-based component will be contingent upon the company's business success (EBITDA). Simultaneously, through the year 2010, the budget for the efficiency bonus plan will be reduced to the same degree as pay rates are expected to rise - thus compensating for the reductions.
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SAS credit rating has been under review by Moody's Investor's Service since January 2005. As a result, SAS credit rating was today downgraded from B1 to B2 for the company's "Senior Implied Rating," corresponding to a one-step downgrade of the rating. The downgrade is mainly a result of the present overcapacity in the Scandinavian aviation market, a market where most of the airlines show negative results. Moody's acknowledges that the SAS Group has successfully reduced costs through Turnaround 2005 and that yields have stabilized the last months. Moody's still expects yield pressure in the short term. Moody's also has a positive view on the SAS Group's continued strong liquidity position and the ongoing program for capital releases.
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easyJet announced revenues up by 26% to £553m with the pre-tax margin before goodwill maintained in the first six months of its financial year. Seasonal pre-tax loss before goodwill of £22m (2004: £19m). Reported pre-tax loss of £31m (2004: £27m). Passenger numbers up 25% to 13.5 m. Slight improvement in load factor to 83.8%. Total revenue per passenger up "This performance is in line with expectations. Much has been achieved in the last six months - growing passengers by a quarter, launching 40 new routes and inaugurating service to 14 new airports. We have just taken delivery of our 100th operational aircraft and welcomed our 100 millionth passenger. Both are major achievements in our 10th anniversary year. "We have made steady progress on costs and, so far, mitigated the impact of a higher fuel price. But there is more to do as we seek balanced growth, extending our reach in Europe while protecting our margins. easyJet is a financially strong company and is in a good position to capitalise on the opportunities in the European airline market.
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Boeing successfully tested its 500-pound Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) for the first time today against a moving target at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "The U.S. Air Force and Navy are very interested in a near-term flexible weapon that can simultaneously be used against stationary targets in adverse weather and moving targets in clear weather, and this test shows that Laser JDAM can meet those requirements," said JDAM Program Manager Rick Heerdt. For the test, a Laser JDAM was released from a U.S Air Force F-16 flying at 20,000 feet approximately four miles from an unmanned truck moving at 15 miles per hour. A second F-16 trailing the test aircraft targeted the truck with a laser. The inert JDAM tracked the laser to the target and scored a direct hit on the truck.
The laser sensor is a modular kit that is easily installed in the field to the front of existing JDAM weapons. If a laser isn't needed for a given mission, a standard JDAM can be used. The laser-guided JDAM simply adds additional capability to the outstanding GPS/INS all-weather capability current JDAMs offer, turning the JDAM into one of the most versatile weapons available.
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