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+++ Airbus order boom reaches $33.5 billion +++ Sikorsky records largest civil order +++ MBDA takes EADS/LFK +++ Grob unveils new business jet +++ Bombardier unveils CSeries cabin mockup +++ NASA selects CEV contractors +++ Neuron UCAV demonstrator unveiled +++ Development of Alphabus started +++ ILFC orders 28 Boeing 777s and 737s +++ AgustaWestland Grand achieves EASA certification +++ Norway ups budget for Eurofighter funding +++ News in brief +++
Airbus order boom reaches $33.5 billion
Auftragsflut für Airbus
Airbus announced orders and commitments for 280 airliners, which does not include undisclosed orders and commitments finalised during Le Bourget for 40 additional aircraft. The 280 orders and commitments are worth around $33.5 billion. They reaffirm Airbus' leadership of the airliner business and reflect an increasingly strong market recovery. The deals take commitments for Airbus' new A350 airliner to 125 - easily surpassing the company's prediction that it would have triple-digit sales during the show - with more expected in the coming days. They also included a new customer for the double-deck Airbus A380, Kingfisher Airlines of India. Customers in the Middle East and India made up the bulk of the orders and commitments, with Qatar Airways announcing it would acquire 60 Airbus A350s and start-up Indian carrier IndiGo accounting for the largest single deal, for 100 Airbus A320 Family aircraft.
The full breakdown of announcements comprises ABC Aerolineas of Mexico for ten A320s, Air Cairo for six A318s, Air Caraïbes for two A330s, Leasing company ALAFCO for 12 A350s, leasing company GECAS for ten A350s, German Wings for 18 A319s, IndiGo for 100 A320 Family aircraft, Jet Airways for ten A330s, Kingfisher Airlines for five A330s, five A350s and five A380s, Qatar Airways for 60 A350s, TAM of Brazil for 20 A320 Family aircraft and eight A350s, Tiger Airways for eight A320s and an unannounced VIP customer for one A340-600, plus the 40 unannounced A320 Family aircraft. Details for some of the deals are as follows:
InterGlobe Enterprises Limited announced its plans to launch IndiGo, its nation-wide low-cost airline venture. IndiGo has committed for 100 firm A320 family aircraft with Airbus - world renowned for the customer friendly features and comfort of its airliners. The venture is being jointly promoted by InterGlobe Enterprises Limited and Rakesh Gangwal, globally recognized for his management skills and expertise in the airline industry. "IndiGo is the result of extensive analysis and planning by very experienced airline executives and we are convinced it will be a successful new player in a market that is both large and fast growing," says Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard. "Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been chosen by many of the world's new and successful low-cost carriers, and we like to think that our products are making a valuable contribution to their prosperity."
Kingfisher Airlines has become the first Indian carrier to sign a firm contract with Airbus for the A350 and A380 - the company's newest and largest aircraft, respectively - as well as for the A330. The order is for five A350-800s plus five A380s for intercontinental services, and five A330-200s for regional routes. Deliveries of Kingfisher's Airbus A330s are due to begin in the third quarter of 2007, those of the double-deck A380s in 2010, and those of the A350s in 2012. Engine selections have yet to be announced. Kingfisher will use its A330s on regional routes, including flights to Europe, while the A350 and A380 are destined for longer nonstop flights - such as to the USA.
Germanwings, the rapidly-expanding Cologne-based low-cost carrier (LCC), has announced at this year's Le Bourget Airshow near Paris, France, that it will increase its all-Airbus fleet with an additional 18 A319s, to be purchased directly from Airbus. In addition to the 18 A319s that will be on firm order, the agreement also covers 12 options. This is the first time that the airline, which already operates a fleet of 15 A319s and 5 A320s, has acquired aircraft directly from Airbus. The new A319s for Germanwings will feature a comfortable single-class cabin layout for a maximum of 156 passengers. Deliveries are scheduled from 2006 onwards. Germanwings will fly the aircraft from its bases in Berlin, Stuttgart and from the main hub in Cologne to more than 39 destinations all over Europe. The airline has announced to open an additional hub in Germany already later on this year.
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Sikorsky records largest civil order
OLOG bestellt 35 Sikorsky S-76
On June 14 Sikorsky Aircraft announced a contract to deliver 35 new S-76 helicopters to Offshore Logistics, Inc., the world's largest provider of helicopter transportation services to the oil and gas industry. The contract, one of the largest single civil helicopter orders in Sikorsky's history, includes options for an additional 24 S-76 aircraft. The aircraft will be used to support Offshore Logistics' customers across the world through its various strategic business units. The first aircraft is set for delivery in late 2005. Another twenty deliveries are scheduled for 2006 and 2007 and the balance between 2008 and 2012. The contract was announced at the Paris Air Show at a signing ceremony attended by William E. Chiles, President and Chief Executive Officer for Offshore Logistics, and Steve Finger, Sikorsky president. This order is in addition to a previously announced purchase by Offshore Logistics for 12 new S-76s in 2003.
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MBDA takes EADS/LFK
Übernahme von EADS/LFK endlich unterschrieben
EADS and MBDA announced at the Paris Air Show that the Master Understanding defining the terms and conditions for the German missile systems house EADS/LFK to become part of MBDA has been agreed and formal signature of the agreement has taken place at the show. The Master Understanding was signed by MBDA Chief Executive Officer, Marwan Lahoud and Tom Enders, CEO of EADS Defence & Security Systems Division and member of the Board of MBDA, and is the decisive step towards integrating Germany's No. 1 guided weapons company. Germany is the third largest missile market in Europe. Subject to the respective Board and regulatory authority approvals, the transaction is due to be completed later this year. The transaction will be effective from 1st January 2005. Integrating LFK is a further step in the integration of the European missile industry, a process initiated by the creation of MBDA in 2001 by the missile group's three shareholders, BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica. Under the terms of the Understanding, there will be no change to the current MBDA shareholder agreements and LFK will continue to operate as a legal entity. The company will become, however, fully integrated into MBDA post completion.
After the signing ceremony, Marwan Lahoud said: "This Master Understanding is the fundamental first step towards completing the consolidation of the European missile industry and to developing a more comprehensive strategy for ensuring Germany's guided weapons needs are met for the long term. Integrating LFK not only reinforces MBDA's leading position in the guided weapons sector but also underpins our strategy to further develop our cooperation with the USA." Tom Enders said: "I am delighted that we have now achieved this significant step to integrate Germany's number one missile system group within the largest and most successful missile house worldwide. This is good news for LFK, for MBDA and, not least, our German customer."
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Grob unveils new business jet
Geschäftsreisejet von Grob enthüllt
GROB Aerospace announced the launch of the GROB SPn Utility Jet at the Paris Air Show. Combining the performance and passenger comfort of a light business jet with the operational versatility of a turboprop, GROB has created a new class of "Utility Jet" aircraft. The GROB SPn Utility Jet offers a superior range payload capability, excellent short field performance, a large cabin as well as cargo conversion capability never seen before in an aircraft of this size. The first prototype is at the show and will fly for the first time in July. GROB also announced today that, Swiss based, ExecuJet Aviation Group is appointed the exclusive world-wide sales distributor and maintenance provider. Full certification and first customer deliveries for GROB SPn Utility Jet is slated for the second quarter of 2007, and it will sell for EUR 5.8 million. With six passengers, the aircraft will fly an unbeatable 1,800 nm (3334 km). It holds a maximum payload of 2,491 lbs (1130 kg) exceeding any similar jet. Its carbon-fibre fuselage and wing combined with large wheels and reinforced landing gear permit regular operation on gravel or grass runways.
The aircraft has both a large cabin holding eight passenger seats. A large door and modular interior makes it suited for quick conversion for cargo or ambulance stretchers. The aircraft has Honeywell avionics and Williams engines, and is the largest private jet to be certified for single-pilot operation. Superior Performance, Superb Payload, Single Pilot capability are all attributes abbreviated to the letters SP symbolizing "exponential possibilities".
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Bombardier unveils CSeries cabin mockup
Kabinenmodell der CSeries vorgestellt
On the eve of the opening day of the Paris Airshow, Bombardier unveiled the full-scale mockup of its next-generation CSeries family of aircraft and provided attendees with the first-ever opportunity to experience first hand the most spacious cabin of any airliner in its class. Bombardier also took the opportunity to announce it had selected its Mirabel facility as the final assembly site for the CSeries aircraft and confirmed it was in serious discussions with Pratt & Whitney Canada for a new centreline engine for the aircraft. "Today is about more than the unveiling of a cabin mockup, it's an opportunity to experience the future," said Mr. Scott. "The CSeries family of airliners is the perfect blend of proven systems, materials and leading-edge technology, optimized for the lower end of the 90- to 149-seat market. With its widebody feel, the CSeries cross-section will provide enhanced seating comfort for passengers, with features like broader seats and armrests for the middle passenger and larger windows at every seat to give every passenger the physical and psychological advantages of ample natural light."
As part of its rigorous selection process, Bombardier assessed its Mirabel facility against an exhaustive list of economic, technical and strategic criteria and determined that the site was the best environment for the final assembly and major work packages for the aircraft. Discussions with Pratt & Whitney Canada on a new centreline engine for the CSeries aircraft have been progressing well. The new engine is expected to meet the performance targets established by Bombardier. A decision on the launch of the CSeries program is expected this fall.
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NASA selects CEV contractors
Aufträge für neues Raumfahrzeug erteilt
NASA announced the selection of Lockheed Martin Corp. and the team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and Boeing that will lead to an award to build the agency's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The selection is part of NASA's plan to have two contractors compete in the design and production process for the Space Shuttle's replacement. NASA's Vision for Space Exploration calls for the CEV to carry up to six astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit soon after the Space Shuttle is retired in 2010, and then on to the moon as early as 2015. The CEV acquisition strategy is a multi-phased project. Phase 1 called for industry to mature their crewed vehicle designs and demonstrate their ability to manage the cost, schedule, and risk of human-rated spacecraft development. Phase 2, covering final CEV design and production, was scheduled to start with a down-selection to a single industry team in 2008. To reduce or eliminate the gap between the Shuttle's retirement in 2010 and an operational CEV, the Phase 2 down-selection is planned for 2006. Results of NASA Administrator Michael Griffin's Exploration Systems Architectural Study will be incorporated into a Call For Improvements later this year to invite Phase 2 proposals from the Phase 1 contractors.
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Neuron UCAV demonstrator unveiled
Modell von Neuron enthüllt
As French President Jacques Chirac visited the Dassault Aviation static display at the Paris Air Show, nEUROn -- Europe's UCAV demonstrator real-size model -- was unveiled to the public in presence of all the program's partners. The nEUROn program has been launched by the French Defense Minister at the 2003 Paris Air Show. nEUROn, Europe's UCAV demonstrator, is a Technological Demonstrator: it will not answer to military operational requirements or needs, but it will allow application, integration and validation of technologies already existing or to be developed for unmanned flying vectors. Its aim is not to perform military missions, but to demonstrate maturity and effectiveness of technical solutions. Ever since the beginning of the program, the French authorities have clearly stated their will that the UCAV technological Demonstrator project should contribute to the build-up of a European defense identity by fully opening it to co-operation. As such, half of the tasks will be entrusted to non-French industrial partners. After consultation with many European countries, both at Government and at industrial levels, the resulting industrial team answers these criteria and offers the best guarantees for success of the project. It includes (in the chronological order in which the agreements have been signed): SAAB (Sweden) which is entrusted with the general design, the equipped fuselage, the avionics, the fuel system and part of the flight testing; Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) is responsible for the rear fuselage, the exhaust pipe and the test rig; EADS (Spain) will bring its experience for the wings, the ground station, and the data link integration; RUAG (Switzerland) is taking care of the wind tunnel tests, and the weapon interface; Alenia (Italy) will, among others, contribute with a new concept of internal weapon bay (Smart Weapon Bay), as well as by the design and development of the electrical power system, the air data system and the flight tests. In addition to being the design authority, Dassault Aviation takes care of the general design and architecture of the system, the flight control system, the final assembly and the ground tests as well as the flight tests.
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Development of Alphabus started
Auftrag für neuen Satellitenbus
On 16 June at the Paris Air Show/Le Bourget, the contract was signed for the development of Alphabus, the new European platform for the next generation of telecommunications satellites. The contract was signed by the European Space Agency (ESA), the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), EADS Astrium and Alcatel Space. It marks the start of the Alphabus development programme with a view to production of the first flight model around 2009. Alphabus, which was given the go-ahead by ESA's Member States at the Edinburgh ministerial conference in November 2001, is the work of an integrated team - ESA/CNES and EADS Astrium/Alcatel Space - which has designed a product targeted at the upper segment of the telecom satellite market. ESA, CNES, EADS Astrium and Alcatel Space have thus pooled their technical and financial resources for a joint development programme. Alphabus will offer Europe reliable solutions matching world demand for very high-power satellites and will be commercialised jointly by EADS Astrium and Alcatel Space as from 2007. The Alphabus platform was designed for telecom satellites delivering payload power of 12 to 18 kW.
Alphabus will contribute to the replacement of the major operators' satellites, by offering a lower cost per transponder and the capability to fly reconfigurable missions. Alphabus will make new applications possible. These include the new generation of mobile and broadband services, digital radio broadcasting and high-definition TV. Satellites based on Alphabus will have a lift-off mass of 6 to 8 tonnes and be optimised for the new generation of launchers with a fairing diameter of 5 m. The platform will accommodate near 200 high-power transponders and numerous antennas and have a high growth potential. The joint prime contractor for the Alphabus platform is EADS Astrium and Alcatel Space. The industrial structure includes other European firms, providing all the equipment making up this innovative product, which should enable Europe to retain its competitive edge on the world satellite market.
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ILFC orders 28 Boeing 777s and 737s
Boeing-Auftragseingang in Le Bourget
As part of its order intake of around 150 aircraft at Le Bourget, Boeing announced a firm order for 20 Next-Generation 737-700s/-800s, six 777-300ERs (Extended Range) and two 777-200Ers from ILFC, together valued at nearly $2.9 billion at list prices. The 777 deliveries begin late next year and extend into 2008. The 737s will be delivered in 2008. ILFC continues to experience sustained and robust leasing demand from our airline customers worldwide for new Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplanes and 777-200ER and 777-300ER intercontinental long-range jets," said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, chairman and chief executive officer - ILFC. "This transaction reinforces our nearly 30-year partnership with Boeing as the largest lessor of Boeing airliners." #
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AgustaWestland Grand achieves EASA certification
Zulassung für Grand
AgustaWestland marked the handover of the first Grand ordered by a British customer, Mr. Graham Roach, and celebrated the award of EASA Certification for IFR single pilot operation on 1st June. The ceremony took place in the Finmeccanica static display area during this week's Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. Unveiled at Farnborough 2004, the Grand is a new top-of-the-range light twin helicopter developed to meet a wide range of roles, providing the cabin space and payload that until now could only be met by larger more expensive helicopters. AgustaWestland is committed to provide the marketplace with a modern, comprehensive commercial product line, ranging from single-engine to heavy multi-engine helicopters. This new intermediate size helicopter with light twin economics fits as a natural addition to the product line, at the upper end of the light twin FAR/JAR 27 segment. The Grand has a maximum take-off weight of 3,175 Kg./7,000 lb. The combination of 815 shp new generation Pratt & Whitney PW207C turbo shaft engines with electronic control (FADEC) and an uprated transmission ensure outstanding performance, in both hovering and forward flight, including Full Class 1 operation. The resulting payload/range capability and the very high cruise speed make the Grand an unrivalled helicopter in its category.
AgustaWestland also announced that the South African company Baxter Air has ordered one "Grand" helicopter in VIP configuration. This is the second "Grand" helicopter sold in South Africa, with more than 50 orders placed since its launch at Farnborough Air Show in July 2004.
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Norway ups budget for Eurofighter funding
Größere norwegische Beteiligung am Eurofighter
The Government of Norway is to increase funding levels for its Eurofighter Industrial participation programme by a further 12.5 million Euros. The current Industrial Participation Agreement (IPA) signed between industry, Eurofighter GmbH and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence is worth EUR 23.2 Million. This covers six ongoing contracts with various Norwegian companies carrying out systems enhancement work on the Eurofighter programme. One of the industrial beneficiaries of the new funding is Ericsson Norway. Vice President Eldar Hauge said: "We have a positive and open relationship with the Eurofighter team and the additional support from the government allows us to develop that even further. Our contract with Eurofighter involves developments in next generation functionality of radar systems and is essential for bringing the technologies and skills necessary for our capabilities to develop in this area. "Through our relationship with Eurofighter we get access to state of the art knowledge and experience and we are given the chance to bring best value to the long term programme. "This access to weapon system technology is vital for our ability to support the Royal Norwegian armed forces in the future. Without access to such technology national industries are unable to provide the levels of support that their armed forces deserve."
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Aermacchi and the TAI, Turkish Aerospace Industry signed a Letter of Intent for an industrial cooperation for the new M-311 turbofan basic trainer programme. Key points of the agreement are the creation of a joint engineering team between the two industries, the identification of development and possible work-sharing of TAI in the M-311 programme. TAI will also be the exclusive partners for development and production of some selected parts of the M-311 and a joint commercial approach will allow to exploit the promising opportunities in the basic trainer segment. Aermacchi can offer the new trainer M-311 at the same cost of a high power turboprop, thus providing the customers with true jet performance since the Phase 2 of the syllabus.
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Aermacchi and Galileo Avionica - a Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems company - with the contribution of BVR presented today, at Le Bourget Air Show in Paris, the new Embedded Training Simulation (ETS) system for military pilots training. The system, under development for the Aermacchi M-346 and M-311 trainers, provides a realistic simulation of the operational scenario through tactical symbology on the Multi Function Displays and HUDs. The aim of this function, embedded in dedicated software of the on-board mission control computer, is to enhance and maintain the pilot skill proficiency at a reasonable low cost for the following training tasks:
Management of sensors and mission systems of the aircraft The pilot tactical response as a reaction to the surrounding real and virtual environment Simulated deployment of different weapons, with no need of firing range.
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Austrian Airlines and Connexion by Boeing announced the signing of an agreement for the installation of real-time, high-speed Internet service on the air carrier's long-haul fleet. The agreement calls for the initial installation of the Connexion by Boeing service aboard seven of Austrian Airline's Boeing 777 (3) and Boeing 767 (4) aircraft, with an undisclosed number of additional options. Installations will begin in early 2006 and, as they are completed, the Connexion by Boeing service will be introduced on select long-haul routes. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed and launch routes will be announced at a future date. "Austrian Airlines is proud to be among the first Europe-based airlines to provide its passengers with high-speed in-flight Internet service," said Austrian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen. "Our agreement with Connexion by Boeing ensures our passengers will have the latest technology at their fingertips, allowing them to connect to the world in-flight beginning in the very near future."
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On June 15 Alaska Airlines announced an order for 35 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with an option to acquire up to 15 more. The order also includes purchase rights for an additional 50 737-800s. The value of the firm order, based on the manufacturer's list price, is about $2.3 billion. "While we still have work to do on our operational performance, we are beginning to have visibility into a cost structure that will allow us to be profitable in this changed environment," Alaska's CEO Bill Ayer said. "This order positions us for growth opportunities ahead." Delivery of the 35 new aircraft will be phased over the next six years, with the first new airplane slated to enter Alaska's fleet in January 2006. The delivery plan gives Alaska flexibility to expand its fleet by approximately 60 aircraft through 2011 or replace older airplanes with new aircraft without increasing fleet size. The order includes three 737-800s the airline already planned to acquire in 2006. The 737-800 is a twin-jet, with future deliveries to be configured in two classes with a total of 157 seats and a third lavatory in the main cabin. Equipped with fuel-saving winglets, the aircraft will feature leather seats and roomier overhead storage bins.
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On June 15 Air France Industries joined Aero Maintenance Group at the Paris Air Show to announce a partnership to provide comprehensive repair, overhaul and inventory support for Airbus, Boeing and regional jet operators in North America. The agreement, signed on May 28, 2005, includes a strategic investment by Air France Industries in Aero Maintenance Group and allies AMG's experience with Airbus and Boeing products and the North American marketplace with AFI's extensive repair capabilities and expertise with Airbus aircraft and European manufacturers of aviation components. "The combination of AFI and AMG expertise on a broad scale of products and services for both Airbus and Boeing families will provide US and North American operators with innovative and customized component support solutions on a highly demanding market," said Alain Bassil, president of AFI. The partnership builds upon a cooperation agreement previously signed by AFI and AMG in July 2004 to support Airbus and regional jet components in North America. That agreement included the exchange of technical services and marketing capabilities as well as the installation of new technologies such as an ATEK 5000 test bench at AMG repair facilities in Miami, Florida. This new alliance will enable AFI and AMG to work more closely to develop local component repair and inventory support capabilities and provide the latest technologies for Boeing and Airbus operators in the Americas, including the planned location of an ATEK 6000 test system at AMG facilities in 2006.
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The first of eleven AgustaWestland A109 LOH helicopters ordered by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence performed a successful first flight on 14th June at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant in Italy. The A109 LOH, a version of the well known A109 LUH, was selected in October 2003 as the most cost effective and capable machine after a rigorous competition and evaluation process run by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence. The main roles and missions of the LOH are observation, reconnaissance, tactical transport and area suppression. The selection of the A109 helicopter by Malaysian Army Aviation followed the aircraft's success in South Africa and Sweden. A total of 61 A109LUHs have now been ordered, making it the most successful helicopter in its class in the military market.
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EASA and FAA certification for an increased internal gross weight of 3,000 kg has now been obtained for PW206C powered version of the AgustaWestland A109 Power, giving nearly 150 kg of extra payload. Existing A109 Power aircraft can also benefit from the increased internal gross weight by incorporation of minor modifications that include landing gear strengthening. At the end of May 2005 AgustaWestland issued a new maintenance program for the A109 Power helicopter based on the extensive operational and maintenance experience accrued to date. The new maintenance programme has extended service intervals and deleted many existing requirements, thereby reducing the maintenance requirements and operating costs of the aircraft. Existing operators of the A109 Power can easily transition to the new maintenance programme while new aircraft are already benefiting from the new programme.
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Work on the volleyball-sized Miniature Autonomous Extravehicular Robotic Camera (Mini AERCam) moved forward with successful initial tests on its docking system. The Mini AERCam is designed to help astronauts and ground crews see outside the spacecraft during a mission. During ground-based testing, the device was able to work with the docking system that serves as an exterior home base for housing and refueling the nanosatellite. Since early 2000, NASA engineers have been working to create a miniaturized spacecraft that can be deployed from a parent vehicle to inspect the exterior or provide remote-controlled views during space operations. Early development is funded by the Space Shuttle Program Office, which is considering using Mini AERCam to inspect the Shuttle's heat shield in space. The nanosatellite will not be used on the Return to Flight mission (STS-114), but holds long-term promise for future space operations. The Mini AERCam could provide beneficial on-orbit views that cannot be obtained from fixed cameras, cameras on robotic manipulators, or cameras carried by space-walking crewmembers. For Shuttle or International Space Station missions, Mini AERCam could support external robotic operations by supplying situational awareness views to operators, supplying views of spacewalk operations to flight and/or ground crews, and carrying out independent visual inspections.
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Boeing during a briefing at the Paris Air Show reported strong progress on many aspects of the all-new 787 Dreamliner that make the airplane more appealing to passengers and airlines. 787 Vice President and General Manager Mike Bair highlighted the airplane's new air purification system, which will provide cleaner air during flights, as one advance passengers will truly appreciate. "We've built four development composite barrel sections at this point and are entirely convinced that we have our manufacturing solutions in place," Bair said. Most recently the team in Wichita, Kan., built a nose section as part of the development effort. In Everett, the 787 team is building part of a full-scale wing box to demonstrate the manufacturing techniques and support certification of the new airplane. He credited the innovative and integrated Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) toolset developed by Paris-based Dassault Systemes with providing a real competitive advantage.
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With new safety modifications, the Space Shuttle Discovery is back at Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Carried by a giant Crawler Transporter, Discovery arrived at the pad at 12:17 p.m. EDT June 15 in preparation for its historic Return to Flight mission (STS-114) planned for July. "We've addressed some additional concerns about ice formation on the external fuel tank," said NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for International Space Station and Space Shuttle Programs Michael Kostelnik. "This is an even safer vehicle for Commander Eileen Collins and her crew, and the new modifications will ensure this important mission to the International Space Station is successful." Discovery's journey took a little longer than expected. It left the Vehicle Assembly Building about 2:00 a.m. EDT for its four-mile journey. The Crawler Transporter, which has a top speed of about one mph, traveled even slower than normal today. It stopped frequently, so engineers could address overheating bearings. But when Discovery finally rolled up to the pad around lunchtime, it was a satisfying sight for those who have been working more than two years to get the Shuttle back to space.
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On 14 June, the Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace MSP launched the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) new Scottish office at the Paris Air Show. The new SBAC Scotland will help represent and support the 140 local companies and the 30,000 employees in the aerospace and defence industries in Scotland. The Deputy First Minister said, "Scotland was the only part of the UK which did not have a representative body for the aerospace and defence industries. SBAC Scotland will fill this gap and working alongside Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service will give a significant boost to this important domestic sector." "I am particularly pleased to welcome Ian Watson as the first Director of SBAC Scotland. His experience and knowledge of the global aerospace and defence markets will be a major benefit to companies looking to expand their horizons." SBAC Scotland will work with the industry base, the Centre of Excellence, Scottish Enterprise and other stakeholders to develop a range of services and programmes geared to business development, industrial transformation and raising the visibility of Scottish aerospace capability on a global scale.
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BAE Systems has achieved fully autonomous flight of its second-generation ducted-fan unmanned aerial vehicle. The vertical takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft took off and landed automatically in two flight tests, each time completing a course of 10 waypoints at Southern California's Hansen Field. The autonomous tests followed more than 100 flights conducted with assisted takeoff and landing over the past several months. BAE Systems has developed a family of ducted-fan UAVs in which mission requirements for payload weight, altitude, and endurance will determine the size of the platform. The ducted-fan design shrouds the fan, making it ideally suited for company- and platoon-level operations in which takeoffs and landings occur in close proximity to troops.
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SUN-AIR of Billund Denmark, a Bristish Airways Franchise carrier, has signed a purchase agreement with AvCraft Aerospace of Germany for a Dornier 328 JET. The aircraft (Serial Number 3219) will be delivered in the last week of June. The jet will complement SUN-AIR's fleet of Dornier 328 turboprops and operate on its existing 328 turboprop operations. SUN-AIR has also optioned for a second jet with AvCraft. AvCraft Managing Director Wolfgang Walter commented: "We are delighted to see SUN-AIR expand into 328Jet operations. Just under a year ago the airline signed for two 328 turboprops and it will soon have 12 of the type in service. This really demonstrates customer confidence in both the aircraft and also in the support that AvCraft can offer."
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Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a significant technical milestone for its maritime Global Hawk program May 20 when the unmanned air vehicle, operating at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., streamed real-time electronic information to analysts at its future operating base, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md. Through use of on-board sensors, Global Hawk, designated N1, collected the data and transferred it via satellite to the Navy ground control station in San Diego. From San Diego, the data was flowed to NAS Patuxent River through the Navy's information network. Analysts at NAS Patuxent River viewed the data in real time as the Global Hawk successfully completed its sensor ground tests at Edwards Air Force Base. The company conducted the test as part of its Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration program for the U.S. Navy. Northrop Grumman currently produces Global Hawk for the U.S. Air Force.
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Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is introducing in 2005 the most advanced form of high-speed data link communications for the U.S. Navy's Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) targeting pod. This state-of-the-art technology is linked to the Navy's road map and vision of ensuring the F/A-18 operates as a critical node of the network in the battlespace of today and for the future. Currently the most common communications systems in targeting pods rely on the C-band frequency, which in computer terms is the equivalent speed of using a dial-up connection. ATFLIR's new data link system will offer a Ku band capability, which provides DSL-like speed, and growth for full duplex (two way communications) functionality along with a sophisticated encryption system to protect the flow of information. ATFLIR's high- speed "full duplex" two way secure communications will allow near instantaneous communications between the aircrews and ground forces as well as providing enhanced communications with shipboard command and control systems.
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Alaska Airlines announced that it has removed eight daily round trips from its summer schedule to improve the airline's on-time performance and schedule reliability. Flights eliminated from the summer schedule ending Sept. 10 include one Anchorage-Los Angeles round trip, one Anchorage-Phoenix round trip, one Seattle-Anchorage round trip, one Las Vegas-Seattle round trip and one Orlando-Seattle round trip. The airline's single daily round-trip service between Miami and Seattle will be temporarily suspended until Oct. 30. The airline also postponed the start of twice-daily nonstop service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Seattle until Sept. 12. "This is a temporary measure to get our operation back on track after record load factors and increased summer flying, coupled with ongoing company transitions, caused delays and cancellations to rise," Alaska's CEO Bill Ayer said.
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The NORDAM Group announced it will move its European headquarters from the Netherlands to Toulouse, France. The announcement was made at the 46th International Paris Air Show, currently underway at Le Bourget Airport, June 13 - 19. “Moving our European headquarters to Toulouse was a very strategic decision," said Ken Lackey, chief executive officer and president of The NORDAM Group. "We will be closer to our European aerospace original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, allowing us to better align our strategies. And being located in the aerospace center of Europe will allow us to better focus on an expanded presence in the region and on our commercial airline customers as well." Alain Poupin, vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa for The NORDAM Group, will head the office, which will focus on sales, marketing, and strategic services and initiatives. In addition to Toulouse, Poupin will continue to manage staff in Paris; London and Nothingham, England; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Hamburg and Leipzig, Germany.
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Boeing is the first company to deploy the latest updates to the V5 Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software suite by Dassault Systèmes, including CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA. The introduction included Boeing sites as well as members of the global 787 team. The update, known as Release 15 (R15), provides the global 787 Dreamliner team with improved integration between its ENOVIA collaboration backbone and DELMIA manufacturing definition tool. The team can better access and manipulate critical product information in real time. The V5R15 software also better integrates updates between designs and assembly information -- eliminating the need for 2D installation drawings. "Our global team started using the software updates only two days after Dassault Systèmes made it available," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program for Boeing. "The improvements to the software are helping us reduce the time necessary to make design changes and virtually modify and test parts."
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Boeing pilots flew the first Italian Air Force KC-767A advanced aerial refueling tanker on its first flight across the Atlantic Ocean today, for display at the Paris Air Show 2005. The tanker, called Italy #1, lifted off from McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kan., June 9, for the12-hour flight to Le Bourget Airport in Paris. It is the first of four new aerial refueling tankers destined for the Italian Air Force. "We are extremely proud of the KC-767A," 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 three months ago. The flight to Paris is incorporated into a rigorous flight test and aerial refueling certification program that will total about 900 flight hours on completion. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the aircraft to the Italian Air Force in Spring 2006. The second Boeing 767 scheduled for modification into a KC-767A tanker has been delivered to the Aeronavali modification center near Naples, Italy.
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EADS Defence & Security Systems is leading the EuroMALE project as the first initiative by industry and government towards a comprehensive European approach. At Paris Air Show, EADS is presenting its first Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) solution (Eagle 1) as a full-scale model at the outdoor display and EuroMALE mock-up at the stand. Eagle 1 will be formally delivered to the French Air Force by the end of 2005. Chosen by the French Defence Minister in June 2004 as the main contractor for the EuroMALE demonstrator, EADS will follow a step-by-step approach leading to the full programme, through the roll-out of a demonstrator by 2008. This unique European solution has also been recently proposed as one of the first programmes to be managed by the European Defence Agency or by OCCAR which is also a candidate to manage the programme. The demonstrator programme will be financed by the French government and industry, with the possibility of further nations participating. Spain has indicated its clear interest to participate. Discussions are currently ongoing with the Netherlands, Italy and other European countries. On track for delivery of an operational demonstrator by the end of 2008, the next step could be to offer the EuroMALE as a European operational standard. The next milestones consist of developing a European mission system in time to meet the full operational capability timeline of 2011.
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SkyEurope, with bases in Bratislava, Slovakia; Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw and Krakow, Poland; has ordered 16 Boeing 737-700 Blended Winglet Systems with 16 options. The patented Performance Enhancing Blended Winglets will be purchased by GECAS and installed by Boeing as Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) beginning in February 2006. Advantages of Blended Winglet Technology for SkyEurope include fuel savings, high-tech visual appeal, environmental benefits derived as a result of lower engine emissions and quieter takeoffs. Additionally, because of improved takeoff performance with Blended Winglets, SkyEurope is able to order lower-thrust, lower-cost engines for some of its 737-700s.
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Goodrich has achieved a major F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program milestone. It has shipped the first Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) nose gear, and is soon to ship the main gear as well, to the Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to the landing system for the Air Force's CTOL variant of the aircraft, as the landing systems integrator, Goodrich is responsible for the design, manufacture and test of unique landing systems, for the Short Take- Off, Vertical Landing (STOVL) and the Carrier Variant (CV) of the aircraft. The landing system for the F-35 is truly a multi-national effort. The CTOL landing gear system ships out of Goodrich's Cleveland, Ohio facility where it was assembled. The gear was designed by Goodrich landing gear engineers in both Fort Worth, Texas and Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, Goodrich's Actuation Systems team, in Wolverhampton, U.K., provides the downlock and retract actuators for the landing gear system, and the wiring harnesses are provided by Goodrich's Lighting Systems team in Oldsmar, Fla.
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Sagem Défense Securité (SAFRAN Group) and Thales have decided to combined their strengths to propose complete upgrade solutions for Dassault combat aircraft, excluding Mirage 2000 and Rafale. Thales will provide expertise in onboard radars, electronic warfare, communications and laser designation pods. Sagem Défense Securité will add its know-how in navigation and mission planning systems, mission computers, mission software and integration, and new-generation weapon deployment. With this combination, it will be possible to offer solutions that draw on all the best technologies available to upgrade the operational capabilities of the world's combat aircraft to the state of the art. Under a preliminary agreement, the two companies have agreed to form a 50-50 joint venture by the end of 2005 to provide the armed forces with a single point of contact for the programmes involved. The jointly controlled company will draw on both partners' resources and capabilities to optimise the benefits of existing technical skills and technologies for customers. It will have access to the equipment already developed by both partners for other programmes as well as system integration experience on upgrade programmes involving more than 400 aircraft.
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The Avionics Alliance comprising SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, a Finmeccanica Company and Thales UK signed a contract with AgustaWestland for the Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) programme, which revolutionises technical support and spares for rotary aircraft with AgustaWestland. AgustaWestland is the prime contractor for the SKIOS programme, a new industrial partnering arrangement for the future maintenance of the UK MoD's vitally important fleet of Sea King Helicopters. SKIOS will provide the MOD with a more integrated support service based upon guaranteed availability of equipment and technical services. SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems (SELEX S&AS) and Thales UK have established the Avionics Alliance for rotary aircraft and within SKIOS will provide AgustaWestland , as the prime contractor, with a reliable 'avionics arm' to deliver a total platform support capability.
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When it takes place on the southern section of Berlin-Schönefeld Airport next year (16-21 May 2006) the International Aerospace Exhibition will feature a revised and improved concept. One of the main changes to the Berlin Air Show will be a reduction in its length by one day, with three days reserved for trade visitors and three days for the general public, thereby providing a more compact programme. There will be a greater emphasis on specific segments of the market, to reflect their increased diversification. In addition to commercial aviation, represented by a large number of aircraft, including the A380, the next ILA will devote more space to "Space Flight", "Military Aviation and Defence Systems", "Equipment and Aero Engines", "General Aviation" and "Helicopters". There will be an even greater emphasis on space flight, which is being developed into a major component of the exhibition, and the traditional presentations by the European space sector will be augmented by other international displays. With this arrangement the ILA 2006 combines the benefits of a trade fair featuring specialist sections and all the synergy of an international aerospace fair. One of the features that make the ILA such a unique event is its extensive range of conferences. This enables the ILA to offer a forum for a dialogue between experts in the aerospace sector, especially on issues concerning East/West security policy, military aviation and defence systems, and on means of combating terrorism. Together with the Aviation Week group the ILA2006 will be presenting "MRO Military" for the first time, an international conference on maintenance and enhanced combat ability. The "International Workshop", a conference that will be attended by ministers, the military and experts, will also deal with security policy matters. In all more than 60 international conferences and workshops are being prepared on subjects such as "Current Developments in Commercial Aviation", "Unmanned Aircraft (UAVs)", "Military Flight Training", the "Future of Space Flight", "New Technologies for Aero Engines and Materials" and "Business Aviation".
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The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F-17 Block 5D-3 spacecraft, built under contract for the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been delivered to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in preparation for a December 2005 launch. The Block 5D-3 series accommodates larger sensor payloads than earlier generations. They also feature a larger capability power subsystem; a more powerful on-board computer with increased memory -- allowing greater spacecraft autonomy -- and increased battery capacity that extends the mean mission duration.
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In a recent passenger survey conducted by Skytrax, the specialist air transport research organization, Star Alliance, has been named the world's best airline alliance. This honour for Star Alliance comes as part of the 2005 World Airline Awards and is also the second time in three years that the alliance has been given this accolade. Star Alliance's vision is to be the leading global airline alliance for the high value international traveller. In order to achieve this, the alliance has in the eight years since its inception been working at better meeting the requirements of the international traveller. One such need is global reach. With its 16 member carriers presently serving 795 destinations in 139 countries, Star Alliance offers the most comprehensive network of any airline alliance. In order to provide optimal connections, the alliance has been working on improving facilities at its key hubs.
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Jeppesen continues to build momentum in the digital aeronautical chart and data market, especially in Europe and the eastern hemisphere, where Jeppesen is helping more and more of its airline customers in the region make a phased, logical transition from paper to electronic services. Recently Jeppesen signed contracts with long-time customers like Cathay Pacific, Air Nostrum, Meridiana, and Regional for its e-Link Internet chart and data delivery service. Jeppesen is still the only aeronautical chart and data provider that is able to offer a comprehensive global solution for standard and tailored aeronautical data, be it in paper, electronic, or both. Many of Jeppesen's airline customers are choosing to operate with both paper and digital charts as they make a deliberate transition away from paper in favor of the convenience and efficiency afforded by electronic information. Cost reduction is also driving the transition. As Jeppesen's customers phase out the use of paper in their operations, so too can they remove a portion of the paper related costs. e-Link gives airlines access to charts, NOTAMs and data electronically via the Internet, allowing them to shed much of the paper once needed in the operations environment. e-Link was first operational in mid-2002; the initial adoption rate has been strong, and is expected to accelerate in the coming years. In most cases, e-Link is a natural first step for Jeppesen's airline customers to begin transitioning into the world of digital information while setting the stage for EFB adoption and a true paperless flight deck.
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"The Lockheed Martin F-16 continues as a modern, highly capable, affordable and supportable fighter. The program is healthy and full of activity, with firm production through 2008 and a strong likelihood of new orders that will extend the line for several more years," said June Shrewsbury, vice president for F-16 programs, in remarks to reporters at the Paris Air Show. Shrewsbury said there are current backorders for 191 F-16 aircraft, plus a strong possibility Lockheed Martin will gain 100-200 further orders during the next few years. Recent F-16 program milestones have included a rollout ceremony for the first aircraft for Chile at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas; the arrival of the first group of 10 "Block 60" F-16 aircraft in the United Arab Emirates; and Turkey's agreement for a major capabilities upgrade for its fleet of F-16s. Aircraft now being produced for Chile, Oman, Poland and Israel are in the Advanced Block 50/52 F-16C/D configuration. The UAE is the launch customer for the Block 60 version, which has a new type designation -- F-16E/F -- and is the most sophisticated configuration of the F-16 produced to date.
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On June 14, Embraer announced that Indian start-up airline Paramount Airways will become the first customer for E-Jets in India after signing preliminary agreements to lease two EMBRAER 170s and three EMBRAER 175s for operations set to begin later this year. Paramount will take the two EMBRAER 170s directly from Embraer and operate them in a single, all business class configuration with 70 seats. The EMBRAER 175s will be leased from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) and will be configured in a dual-class arrangement of 11 first class seats with full leg rests and 64 business class seats. The GECAS aircraft are conversions from an original order for EMBRAER 170s. Both agreements are in the process of final documentation.
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Norsk Helikopter achieved an industry milestone June 9 when it became the first S-92 operator in the world to reach 1,000 fleet hours, transporting more than 20,000 passengers to and from North Sea oil fields in the process. Norsk's two S-92s began revenue service in February and April, 2005. Through June 9 the two S-92s logged 543 and 462 hours, carrying 10,855 and 9,620 passengers, respectively. Sikorsky and Norsk marked the achievement with a ceremony today at the Paris Air Show. The two S-92s are being used by Statoil for crew change missions from Bergen, Norway, throughout the North Sea area. They replace two AS332 Super Pumas. Norsk Helikopter AS has agreed to purchase three new S-92 helicopters to fulfill two recently awarded contracts for North Sea offshore oil transport services. Sikorsky and Norsk celebrated the agreement with a signing ceremony at the Paris Air Show. With the three additional aircraft, Norsk will have five S-92s in the company fleet, all operating out of Norway. Deliveries are scheduled for 2006.
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Korean Air has selected the Engine Alliance GP7200 to power the airline's new fleet of Airbus A380 super jumbo aircraft. Korean Air ordered 23 engines for the five firm A380s on order and 13 engines for the three option aircraft. The value of the firm orders is approximately $300 million. If the options are exercised, they would be worth an additional $170 million. This order gives the Engine Alliance a 58 percent order share on the A380s for which engines have been selected; the total 320 engines on firm order have a value of $4.1 billion. The Engine Alliance's GP7200 engine will be certified at an initial thrust rating of 76,500 pounds. Plans call for increasing that certification rating to 81,500 pounds to accommodate A380 growth. The GP7200 has demonstrated the capability of reaching up to 84,000 pounds of thrust.
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Dutch firm Stork Aerospace has signed a $148.4 million, long-term agreement with Northrop Grumman to produce composite parts and subassemblies for limited-rate initial production of in-flight operable doors and inboard weapons-bay doors for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter center fuselage, a major section of the aircraft being developed by Northrop Grumman.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that FlyBE of Exeter, England has converted four options on the Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners to firm orders. Delivery of the aircraft, coupled with the order for 20 Q400 aircraft announced on January 27, 2005, will increase the FlyBE Q400 fleet to 45 aircraft. The transaction is valued at approximately $100 million US. "The Bombardier Q400 aircraft has played a huge part in the financial turnaround that we have accomplished in the last few years," said Jim French, Chairman and Managing Director of FlyBE. "This aircraft has allowed us to significantly reduce our unit costs and help us become one of Europe's premier low-cost, low-fare airlines in a very competitive marketplace. We are making money with the Q400 turboprop."
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Etihad Airways announced it has selected Connexion by Boeingas its provider of high-speed in-flight Internet and live global TV service. The agreement calls for both in-line and retrofit installation of the Connexion by Boeing service on the airline's fleet of 25 aircraft, including Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and Airbus A330, A340 and A380 aircraft. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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The second 20-metre antenna boom of the MARSIS instrument on board Mars Express was successfully - and smoothly - deployed, confirmed June 16 by the ground team at ESA's European Space Operations Centre. The command to deploy the second MARSIS boom was given to the spacecraft at 13:30 CEST on 13 June 2005. Shortly before the deployment started, Mars Express was set into a slow rotation to last 30 minutes during and after the boom extension. This rotation allowed all the boom's hinges to be properly heated by the Sun. Just after, an autonomous manoeuvre oriented the spacecraft towards the Sun, to have the spacecraft recharge its batteries and for a further heating of the hinges. A first positive sign reached ground in the afternoon of 14 June, at 16:20 CEST, when Mars Express was able to properly re-orient itself and point towards Earth to transmit data. The data received in the following hours confirmed that the initial spacecraft behaviour was consistent with two fully and correctly deployed booms and that the deployment had not induced disturbance frequencies that may have been dangerous for the spacecraft. A series of tests during the following 48 hours was necessary to verify that the long boom was successfully locked and that the deployment did not affect the integrity of the spacecraft systems.
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The U.S. Navy has announced that Northrop Grumman's airborne-laser mine-detection system has reached Milestone C - signifying the end of system development and demonstration - and is now poised to enter its production phase. The airborne-laser mine-detection system uses light-detection and ranging technology to detect, classify and localize floating and near-surface moored sea mines so that ships can maneuver through clear sea lanes. Contained in external equipment pods mounted on a Navy MH-60S helicopter, the mine-detection system also provides accurate mine-location information for follow-on neutralization by other systems such as Northrop Grumman's rapid airborne mine-clearance system.
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The re-entry module of the Foton-M2 spacecraft, which has been in low-Earth orbit for the last 16 days made a successful landing on June 16 in an uninhabited area 140 km south-east of the town of Kostanay in Kazakhstan, close to the Russian border at 09:37 Central European Time, 13:37 local time. The unmanned Foton-M spacecraft, which was launched on 31 May from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carried a European payload of 385 kg covering 39 experiments in fluid physics, biology, crystal growth, meteoritics, radiation dosimetry and exobiology. All de-orbit to landing procedures went according to plan beginning with the jettison of the Foton-M2 battery module three hours prior to landing. At an altitude of about 300 kilometres, travelling at 7.8 km/s and 30 minutes prior to landing, the retro-rocket situated on the Foton service module was fired for 45 seconds slowing the spacecraft down to reduce its altitude. The Foton-M2 service module was hereafter separated from the re-entry module and, as planned, burnt up in Earth's atmosphere.
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Boeing completed the sale of its Commercial Airplanes operations in Kansas and Oklahoma to Onex Corporation. The transaction includes facilities and assets in Wichita, Kansas, and Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems operations in Wichita and Oklahoma are not included in the sale."We thank our Wichita team for their many contributions to Boeing over the years, and we look forward to working with them to grow our businesses together," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Boeing and Onex announced the planned sale in February of 2005. The value of the transaction to Boeing includes approximately $900 million cash, transfer of certain liabilities and long-term supply agreements that provide ongoing savings to Boeing.
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The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Thunderbirds, have announced their new pilots for the 2006 demonstration season which includes the first female demonstration pilot in the 52-year history of the Thunderbirds. Leading the team as Thunderbird no. 1, commander/leader, will be Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, currently assigned to Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Joining the Thunderbirds in the no. 3 right wing position will be Capt. Nicole Malachowski, currently assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Captain Malachowski will turn a new page in history as the first female demonstration pilot on a U.S. military high performance jet team.
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AgustaWestland and DEF TECH of Malaysia have signed a commercial agreement today at the Paris Air Show. Under the agreement, which follows a MoU signed in late 2003 and witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, DEF TECH will build a facility to customise, maintain and repair the commercial range of AgustaWestland helicopters. The agreement consolidates further the presence of AgustaWestland in Malaysia. AgustaWestland and DEF TECH will co-operate for the success of future programmes such as the Coast Guard, Army tactical transport and Air Force combat SAR helicopter requirements. Recent successes in Malaysia include the sale of A109 Power helicopters to the Fire Brigade and the Super Lynx 300 and A109LUH sales to the armed forces of Malaysia.
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With the soundtrack of an historic musical journey, the setting of a world-class display of newly commissioned art and the drama of a high-flying cirque performance, DFW International Airport dedicated its long-awaited International Terminal D. More than 1600 guests attended the "Symphony of Flight" black-tie gala celebrating aviation, architecture and the arts. International Terminal D is the first new terminal built at DFW International Airport since it opened 31 years ago. The terminal will welcome all of DFW's international visitors with soaring ceilings, wide-open spaces, and its $6 million art program comprised of a stunning collection of paintings, sculptures and floor medallions. The international terminal will be the largest, most secure airline terminal built since 9/11, and also features an integrated Grand Hyatt Hotel and 8,100-space parking garage. The terminal is scheduled to open for flights in July. "This dedication event reminds us that International Terminal D itself is a magnificent achievement, in terms of architecture, engineering, design, construction and art," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport. "We owe a great debt of gratitude to the thousands who worked to make this building a reality, and worked through some very tough times to design and build this marvelous place. Tonight is a tribute to the spirit of perseverance and accomplishment that so many have contributed for more than five years."
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Smiths Aerospace received a $5 million U.S. Army contract to install and demonstrate the value of a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) on UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters. Smiths facilities in Southampton, UK and Michigan, USA will design, manufacture and install the equipment, as well as provide on site training and support. The Health and Usage Monitoring System will provide the capability to acquire, store and process aircraft structural, engine, drive train, electrical and voice data. A crash survivable cockpit voice and flight data recorder will further aide aircraft incident prevention and investigation.
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Japanese and French companies have signed an agreement to develop a supersonic aircraft to succeed the disused Concorde jetliner, according to Japanese media reports. The three-year agreement to study a next-generation supersonic jet was signed at the Paris Air Show, Kyodo news agency reported, citing a statement released by Japan's trade ministry. The Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies and the French Aerospace Industries Association will lead the initiative, it said. Under the deal, the various parties will conduct research into composite materials, technology for reducing engine noise and other difficulties unique to supersonic flight. According to the Nihon Keizai newspaper, a number of companies and agencies will work with the two industry bodies.
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Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) and Lockheed Martin will jointly study and evaluate the advanced jet training needs of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and the potential contribution each could make if the T-50 Training System should be selected. The agreement provides for a one-year study, but could be extended if all parties concur. Executives from the three companies signed a memorandum of understanding at the Paris Air Show. Signing the document were H.J. Chung, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of KAI; Tassos Philippakos, CEO of HAI; and Ralph Heath, Lockheed Martin executive vice president-Aeronautics.
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NASA researchers will conduct experiments later this year on two near-weightless flights operated by the Zero Gravity (Zero-G) Corporation of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Under a contract NASA signed with Zero-G, the company will supply two demonstration flights. The flights will allow NASA to evaluate the ability of this new commercial provider to augment the agency's parabolic research flight services. Zero-G will conduct the flights with NASA researchers in mid-September. Much like NASA's own specially-equipped microgravity research airplane, the Zero-G aircraft will fly a series of parabolas to simulate weightless or reduced-gravity conditions for the passengers and payloads. NASA retired its own "Weightless Wonder" KC-135 research aircraft in October 2004. The agency will begin operating a new research jet aircraft, a C-9 acquired from the U.S. Navy, later this year.
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On 13 June, the cargo for the Space Shuttle Discovery's historic Return to Flight mission (STS-114) arrived at Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Discovery's payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier (LMC), and the External Stowage Platform-2 (ESP-2). NASA's Italian-built Raffaello will carry 12 large racks filled with food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the International Space Station. Included in the cargo is the Human Research Facility-2 that will expand the Station's capability to support human life sciences research. The LMC will deliver a Control Moment Gyroscope to replace an inoperable one that failed in August 2002. Gyroscopes provide attitude control for the Station keeping it properly oriented without use of rocket fuel.
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In a new study entitled "The World Market for Large Commercial Jet Transports," Forecast International projects that a total of 6,075 large commercial jet transports will be produced in the 10-year period from 2005 through 2014. Measured in constant 2005 U.S. dollars, the value of this production is estimated at some $599 billion. Accounting for most of this forecast production are Airbus and Boeing. Boeing production for the forecast period is estimated at 3,151 aircraft, while Airbus output is predicted to total 2,757 aircraft. The airline industry is presently undergoing a shake-out, as hub-and-spoke network airlines (also known as the majors) continue to be challenged by low-cost carriers (LCCs) that operate under a much more streamlined and simplified business model. Meanwhile, at the margins, the world of private business aviation continues to lure some high-yield first-class and business-class customers away from the scheduled carriers. Overall net profitability has been elusive for the world airline industry since 2000, but it should be noted that the world's airlines do not present a uniform picture in this regard. For instance, carriers in the Asia/Pacific region are doing relatively well, while European airlines show a mixed bag of results. North American majors are generally suffering, although LCCs in North America are mostly profitable.
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Forecast International's "The World Market for Business Jet Aircraft" predicts that nearly 10,900 business jets worth $141 billion will be manufactured between 2005 and 2014. Following a two-year decline in 2002-2003, business jet production increased by nearly 16 percent in 2004, and early indications are that 2005 should also see a double-digit increase. Forecast International expects annual business jet output will continue rising beyond 2005 until at least 2014. "Between 2005 and 2014, Cessna, Bombardier, and Eclipse Aviation will lead the market in unit production," said Raymond Jaworowski, Forecast International senior aerospace analyst. "Market leaders in value of production are expected to be Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault." Despite the generally optimistic outlook for the business jet industry, Forecast International notes that several challenges remain for business aviation to tackle in the years ahead. These include such items as tax and regulatory issues, potential new environmental requirements, and limitations on airport access. Two of the most dynamic segments within the business jet market are expected to be the Very Light Jet (VLJ) class and the long-range business jet class. Forecast International projects that 3,476 VLJs will be produced between 2005 and 2014. The VLJ category includes a number of new aircraft that typically seat about six people, including crew, and cost from less than $1.0 million to about $2.75 million. Examples include the Cessna Mustang and the Eclipse 500.
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Forecast International's "The World Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles" reports that nearly 755 ELVs of various types worth some $46 billion are slated to roll off production lines. These boosters will launch the more than 800 commercial, civil, military and science satellites earmarked for production worldwide during the forecast period of 2005-2014. Following two consecutive years of decreasing launch activity, the prevailing thought going into 2004 was that it couldn't get much worse, but it did. With only 55 orbital launches conducted globally in 2004, down from 63 in 2003, the launch industry reached a low not seen since the dawn of spaceflight. Commercial launches in 2004 dropped by almost 40 percent compared to 2002, and lucrative government launches, the key to survival in the ELV industry, dropped by more than 13 percent from 2003. Also, in 2004 only 16 new commercial GEO satellites were ordered, down from 17 in 2003, but this is still a veritable windfall compared to 2002, when only three were ordered. A positive note for the launch industry in 2004 was that, despite the slipping number of launches, prices began to show signs of firming up. "Over the past few years, the heightened competition and the number of debut missions had forced pricing down to a bare minimum," said John Edwards, Forecast International space systems analyst. "A balance now exists between supply and demand and therefore prices are starting to rise." Based on approximations of winning bids, Forecast International estimates that pricing went up between 15 and 20 percent in 2004.
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Raytheon announced a new, affordable ground-based airport protection system that uses high power microwave technology to protect commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles. Known as Vigilant Eagle, the airfield-based directed electromagnetic energy system protects the flying public against the threat of surface-to-air missiles including MANPADS (Manportable Air Defense System). "Raytheon is in the process of rolling out its Vigilant Eagle technology that defeats the most important classes of man-portable missiles in seconds without any alteration to or involvement by the aircraft using the airport," said Mike Booen, vice president of Directed Energy Weapons at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. "Not only has our Vigilant Eagle system been proven effective, but it looks to be at least 10 times less costly than the current aircraft-based countermeasure programs now in development. A prototype system has been field tested and proven effective against important MANPADS threats. Perhaps most importantly, it can be made ready for trial installations in the U.S. or at Baghdad International Airport years ahead of current development programs." Vigilant Eagle is installed at airports, rather than on individual aircraft. It consists of three interconnected primary components: a distributed Missile Warning System (MWS), a command and control computer, and the High-power Amplifier-Transmitter (HAT), which consists of a billboard- sized electronically steered array of highly efficient antennas linked to solid state amplifiers.
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Northrop Grumman will work with a multi-national group of companies to design and develop training-system courseware products that will train future pilots and maintainers of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The group -- comprising companies in the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Australia, Norway and the United States -- is the result of an 18-month selection process that included more than 120 world-wide training suppliers. "Northrop Grumman has assembled an international team that possesses military training design and technology expertise like no other and represents best value for the program," said Janis Pamiljans, Northrop Grumman vice president and F-35 program manager. Initially the supplier team will participate in the design and development of courseware methodologies and tools to be used in the production of training lessons and associated materials for F-35 pilots and maintainers. This Phase I effort, valued at $680,000, extends through September 2006. Following U.S. State Department approval, the courseware suppliers will enter Phase II, which is worth nearly $20 million and includes actual production development of lessons and training material. Phase II concludes at the end of the program's system design and development phase. The selected suppliers will also have an opportunity to participate in the follow-on low-rate, initial-production phase of the program.
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ARINC Incorporated and Jeppesen have announced an alliance that will integrate "best of class" EFB components from each company to produce the industry's most advanced electronic flight bag system. "ARINC's eFlightDeck technology combined with Jeppesen's EFB software, applications and data will provide the market with a single advanced system that is future friendly-a one-stop solution capable of addressing all of their operational needs today and well into the future," stated Ed Montgomery, Vice President, ARINC Aviation Solutions. ARINC will provide the system's airborne data communications and document-viewer technology, along with EFB integration and hardware support. Jeppesen will provide its industry-leading software, data and applications, including digital terminal charts, and content administration tools. Jeppesen will also deliver its ground-breaking enroute moving map and airport moving map technologies, which provide unmatched situational awareness and increased safety during all phases of flight and ground operations. ARINC and Jeppesen are researching EFB customer needs and plan to announce full system details in the next few months. Among the system's main features are an intuitive user interface, seamless support for electronic documents, and integrated VHF ACARS communications. The system is designed to be scalable and upgradable at a practical cost, and provides an open platform to host more functionality in the future.
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The Bell 210, which made its first flight Dec. 18, 2004, is expected to receive its FAA Certification later this month following a rigorous flight testing regimen at Bell affiliate company Edwards & Associates, Bristol, Tenn. "This has been a terrific flight test program and I want to congratulate everyone on the Bell 210 team for making this such a success," stated Bell's Senior Vice President of US Government and International Military Business, John L. Bean. The Bell 210 is a civil certified version of the U.S. Army UH-1H. "The Bell 210 is also the perfect solution for the many agencies that use the UH-1H in utility, Homeland Security, law enforcement or firefighting capacities," declared Bell CEO Mike Redenbaugh.
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Sikorsky announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Turkey for 12 new S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters plus an option for five additional helicopters. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2008. Sikorsky previously delivered eight S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters to Turkey and its Land Forces also operate more than 100 S-70A BLACK HAWK helicopters. "We are delighted that Turkey has selected the SEAHAWK for this vital mission," said Joseph Gigantelli, Sikorsky Regional Vice President of Worldwide Sales. "The SEAHAWK is the most modern and capable anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface unit warfare (ASuW) helicopter in the world."
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Boeing and Ryanair, Europe's largest low-fare carrier, announced that the airline has exercised five order options for Next-Generation 737s in support of its continuing growth. Ryanair now has 230 Boeing 737s on firm order; delivery of these latest airplanes begins in the spring of 2007. The options are part of an order Ryanair placed in 2002 and extended in 2005. The new 737-800s will be fitted with Blended Winglets, which will improve fuel efficiency by up to three percent on Ryanair's network, increase range and reduce takeoff noise.
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Airbus has selected Rockwell Collins to integrate the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) router in the Air Traffic Services Unit (ATSU) of its single aisle and long-range aircraft. Implementing the ATN in the ATSU represents the next-generation of air-ground communications providing more throughput and better quality of service than the existing Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS). The contract also calls for the development of the dual stack management of ATN and ACARS. The ATN router will be fully interoperable with international standards, including the Link2000+ implementation. The ATN router provides ATN communications services to native applications through different subnetworks such as VHF Data Link 2 or Satcom. The work will be performed by Rockwell Collins France, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rockwell Collins.
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The NORDAM Group and the 3M Aerospace and Aircraft Maintenance Division announced they would collaborate to serve the needs of the aerospace industry worldwide. The companies announced their agreement during the 46th International Paris Air Show, currently underway at Le Bourget Airport, June 13 - 19. NORDAM is an industry leader in the manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft bonded-honeycomb and composite components; fan/thrust reversers; nacelles engine components; interiors; and aircraft transparencies. 3M Aerospace and Aircraft Maintenance Division enables manufacturers and maintenance professionals to work faster, more effectively and at lower cost by providing technology, expertise and innovative products across the industry.
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Sikorsky announced that they have reached a preliminary agreement with Boeing Air Force Systems to provide mission systems integration for its proposed HH-92 personnel recovery system for the U.S. Air Force. "We are proud to have Boeing Air Force Systems as our exclusive partner on the HH-92 team. Our goal and strategy is to create a total value solution for the customer by building a total program system to operate, maintain and sustain the weapons system from both operational and cost perspectives, providing total life support for the product," said Paul Martin, Sikorsky Senior Vice President of Government and Advanced Programs. In mid-May, the Air Force launched a multibillion-dollar competition aimed at buying up to 146 Personnel Recovery Vehicle (PRV) weapons systems to replace its current combat search-and-rescue helicopter, Sikorsky´s HH-60G Pave Hawk. The Air Force's draft request for proposals for the PRV systems calls for five test helicopters and up to 141 production aircraft, with development to begin in fiscal year 2006 and production in 2008.
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Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) and MiG Russian Aircraft Corporation signed an agreement protocol at the 46th Paris Air Show. It lays out possible areas of joint development in avionics modernization for future MIG export aircraft. Over the past years, Sagem Défense Sécurité has become the benchmark for gyrolaser inertial navigation systems used in the different versions of the MiG 29 that are exported. Both parties now aim to expand this cooperation to cover equipment such as optronic search and track and latest-technology systems as the guided armament AASM and the SAMIR anti-missile warning, for perspective fighter planes, providing them with state-of-the-art aeronautic electronics.
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The Arabian flag carrier Qatar Airways has signed two MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with Lufthansa Technik valued more than 100 million USD. Following the initial agreement the German provider of maintenance, repair & overhaul services (MRO) will take over the engine maintenance and overhaul of the airline's Airbus A320 fleet for the next ten years. Lufthansa Technik's Engine Services in Hamburg will be servicing the different IAE V2500 engine variants of Qatar Airways' 17 Airbus A320 family airplanes under a Total Engine Support TES contract. The second agreement will have Lufthansa Technik installing Rockwell Collins´ Tailwind 560 for onboard live satellite television. Qatar Airways will become the first international airline offering its passengers live TV in the sky. Engineers and technicians will equip the fleet of 15 Airbus A330 with antennas and corresponding systems and integrate the TV function into the existing IFE (in-flight entertainment) system.
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Thales announced that Sukhoi Civil Aircraft has selected its avionics suite to equip its new RRJ aircraft. With this partnership, Thales will be the full integrator and avionics supplier of the flight deck aboard the Sukhoi regional jet program family. Sukhoi and Thales announced in December 2004 the signature of a protocol to provide the development and integration of Thales' full avionics suite on board the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) airplane. Equipped with the latest and most advanced architecture, the new RRJ program will offer pilots a much simplified working environment, based on a similar design that equips the new Airbus A380. The avionics suite provided by Thales, including the cockpit display, communication, navigation and surveillance systems, will boost the capacity and performance of the RRJ aircraft.
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Thales has been selected by Dassault Aviation, prime contractor for the Neuron programme, to develop the datalink system for the European unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) technology demonstrator. The Neuron programme is a cooperative project involving France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The system proposed by Thales will connect the ground-based control station with the UCAV using high-rate and low-rate datalinks: The high-rate datalink will be compliant with the NATO interoperable datalink standard STANAG 7085 and will enable secure transmission of large volumes of application data, including video, imagery and radar, as well as air vehicle command and control data. The low-rate datalink will incorporate transmission security technologies to guarantee a high level of data integrity. It will operate in a different frequency band to the high-rate link, further enhancing the integrity of the overall transmission system.
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Volvo Aero and Snecma have signed a partnership agreement to develop a turbo pump for next-generation rocket engines. The TPX demonstration program that is now starting will result in a full scale test in 2007. The TPX activities are performed under contracts from the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB) and its French counterpart Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Volvo Aero's contract for the initial design phase of the turbine is valued at more than EUR 2 M. Volvo Aero will be responsible for development of the turbine, while Snecma, the turbopump integrator, will handle development of the pump as well as testing of the entire TPX turbo pump. "The contract means that we can retain and enhance our expertise and technology within our specialty area turbines", says Ulf Palmnäs, Director Space Marketing and Sales Manager at Volvo Aero.
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Galileo Avionica, a Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems company, has obtained the Permit to Fly from ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, acting on behalf of EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) for two unmanned air vehicles called "Falco demo." These two UAVs will have the civil identification number (I-RAIE, I-RAIF) for research and development tasks. It is the first time that an Aviation Authority has given a UAV system the same type of authorization usually given to manned aircraft. The "Falco demo" Permit to Fly is the first step towards obtaining the full civil certification for the Falco UAV. When the Civil Certification is obtained, the Falco UAV will be used for airborne surveillance. It will perform low cost 24/7 surveillance missions as well as environmental patrolling and security control.
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Embraer announced that GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), a unit of GE Commercial Finance, has signed a contract to purchase 20 EMBRAER 190 aircraft, with conversion rights to EMBRAER195s. The commercial aircraft leasing company will take delivery of the aircraft beginning in mid-2006. The value of the order totals US$ 650 million, at aircraft list price. "GECAS was one of our first E-Jet customers and has had great success placing our aircraft in the Americas, Asia and Europe," said Maurício Botelho, Embraer President and CEO. "This order further strengthens the position of our E-Jet family in the commercial aviation market worldwide." "The Embraer family of 70- to -110-seat jets is a popular choice among airlines around the world," said Henry Hubschman, President of GECAS. "This order enables GECAS to better serve our airline customers with flexible leasing solutions to meet their fleet management needs." Including this order, GECAS has firm commitments for a total of 70 E-Jets.
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Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall announced at the Paris Air Show that Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems has selected Arianespace to launch the BSAT-3a spacecraft for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan. BSAT-3a will be launched on an Ariane 5 in the second quarter of 2007 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. BSAT-3a will be the 6th satellite entrusted by the B-SAT Corporation to the European Ariane launcher and the 38th Lockheed Martin platform to be lofted by Arianespace. This is the 22nd satellite payload that Arianespace has won in Japan out of the 30 that have been open to commercial launch services competition.
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The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is lending US$ 35 million from its own account, with a final maturity of twelve years (A Loan), and US$ 145 million from the account of participants (B Loan) in an IFC financing, to complete the end-stage launch program of the EMBRAER 190 and EMBRAER 195 aircraft. The B Loan is composed of a US$ 60 million tranche (B1) with a precedent-setting tenyear final maturity, and an US$ 85 million tranche (B2) with a final maturity of eight years. The IFC loan will provide Embraer with a new, reliable source of funding while addressing the need for long-term finance in a capital intensive industry, where the cycle from initial market research and R&D to full-scale production is about ten years, longer than in almost any other industry. This is the first time Embraer is borrowing from IFC. "There are five main pillars in the aeronautical industry. Being capital intensiveness one of the most important, Embraer with much satisfaction welcomes this loan, which will integrate the current financial structures that support our growth," said Maurício Botelho, Embraer President and CEO.
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Jet Airways (India) Limited announced an agreement with Boeing for twenty Boeing airplanes, including six 777-200LR Worldliners, four 777 300ERs and ten Next-Generation 737-800s. This agreement marks the introduction of the 777 aircraft into the Jet Airways fleet with options for 10 additional B777 airplanes. The 777s which will be delivered beginning late 2006, will be used to operate non-stop flights between India and the U.S., making the first operator to provide such service. The 737's will be delivered in early 2006.
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Speaking about the new A350, Noël Forgeard stressed the huge interest the airlines are showing for the new aircraft. "I am confident that by the end of the year, we will reach the 200 commitments announced by John Leahy," he said. Noël Forgeard confirmed the increase in deliveries and production ramp-up with more than 360 deliveries planned for the year and a further 10 per cent increase planned for next year. "We will reach a production rate of 30 single-aisle aircraft and eight long range aircraft per month by the end of this year," he declared.
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CCM Airlines has signed a contract for 6 new ATR 72-500 aircraft. With this order unveiled on the occasion of a press conference held today at the Paris Air Show, the Corsican regional airline will renew its fleet of ATR 72-200s with new-generation ATR aircraft. The total value of the contract is over US $100M.
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Hawk Mk65 aircraft in use with the Royal Saudi Air Force were supplied to the Royal Saudi Air Force by BAE Systems, with the first aircraft going into service in the 1980s. The Royal Saudi Air Force is one of the most experienced users of the aircraft in the world. A ceremony to mark the 100,000 hours at King Faisal Air Base in Tabuk was attended by His Highness Lt General Prince Abdul Rahman bin Fahd Al Faisal, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force.
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EADS/LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH is presenting the Taurus product family to the general public for the first time at the Paris Air Show. The various derivatives of the stand-off guided missile system are capable of interservice deployment in a broad bandwidth of joint-service and operation-specific applications. They offer greater range, high precision and economy combined with unsurpassed power against a wide range of targets. "Our baseline system, Taurus KEPD 350, already offers a variety of deployment options that is hitherto unknown," said Dr. Wolfgang Blaschke, Managing Director of TAURUS Systems GmbH. "And KEPD 350 is just the start of a promising family of products that will establish itself over the next few years." Taurus KEPD 350 is in serial production for the German Air Force, which has ordered 600 systems.
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Finnish Commuter Airlines (Finncomm Airlines) has signed a contract for 8 firm new ATR 42-500 aircraft plus an option for 8 ATR-500 Series aircraft. With this order, Fincomm Airlines becomes a new ATR customer. This order was unveiled on the occasion of a press conference held today at the Paris Air Show. With the 8 firm orders, Finncomm Airlines will replace the Golden Air's current fleet of Saab-340s produced by Finncomm Airlines on Finnish routes. The options are planned to meet the expected traffic growth. The total value of the contract, including options, is approximately US $250M. The 8 ATR 42-500 aircraft will feed the Finnair Helsinki hub and will be also operated on the Finncomm Airlines regional network.
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A significant Hawk jet trainer structure and modification project has come to an end at Patria Aviation. The last aircraft that has been modified will be delivered to the customer in June 2005. The project was started in 1996 when some noticeable signs of fatigue were detected in the Finnish Air Force's Hawks. The customer decided to rely on a domestic solution and therefore certain repairs and preventive measures were taken. In this way it is possible to gain remarkable long-term savings with rather small investments concerning the maintenance of aircraft which are scheduled to serve some 30-40 years. The Finnish Air Force, Patria, the Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Helsinki University of Technology together created an analysis environment for structure monitoring. The necessary information was gathered from the Hawks that were equipped with special measurement equipment, structural fatigue tests as well as with strength and aerodynamic analyses.
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EADS and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) announced a further expansion of their business relationship. This was confirmed in an Agreement which was signed recently by Rainer Hertrich, former EADS Co-CEO, and Tassos Philippakos, HAI Chief Executive Officer, and covers a broad-scale cooperation between the two parties. As a result, the cooperation between EADS and HAI could bring a business volume to HAI of up to 300 million Euros focusing on subcontracting. Areas of joint work are embracing a great variety of opportunities including upgrades of various military aircraft, manufacture of aerostructures for both military and civil aircraft, and participation in defence and space programs. The work areas also include subcontracting and cooperation on the Eurofighter aircraft. On the occasion of an international conference about "Security and Stability in the South-Eastern Mediterranean" held in Athens, Johann Heitzmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of EADS Military Aircraft, said: "Our mutual intention to intensify the cooperation between the most powerful European industrial aerospace and defence group and the leading Greek aerospace company will be of great benefit to both sides. A potential procurement of the Eurofighter multi-role combat aircraft in Greece would represent a unique opportunity for cooperation perspectives over the decades to come and could comprise a wide range of business topics". Tassos Philippakos stated that "our closer partnership with EADS, one of the aerospace industry giants, satisfies our key strategic goal of moving from dependence primarily on offsets to standalone into global business partnerships. Furthermore, this apparently broadens HAI' s prospects for participation into the European industrial collaboration
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Rolls-Royce is converting a Boeing 747-200 to serve as a flying test bed for future engine development programmes. The first engine to be tested on the aircraft, in mid 2007, will be the Trent 1000, currently being developed as launch engine for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The RB211-524C2-powered aircraft, acquired by Rolls-Royce from Air Atlanta Icelandic, is now in Texas, where it will be adapted by airframe integration specialists, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, and will be based at the company's Waco facilities. It is currently being re-registered by Rolls-Royce as N787RR.
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At the 46th International Paris Air Show in June 2005, Eurocopter and Hélicoptères Guimbal signed an agreement for the creation of the company VERTIVISION. This new company's mission is to develop, industrialize, market, and support drone helicopters. The drone developed by Vertivision (Eurocopter and Hélicoptères Guimbal), in conjunction with EADS DCS, will be a derivative of the CABRI helicopter (two-seat civil aircraft with piston engines, originally designed by the company Guimbal, which performed its maiden flight on 31 March 2005). The forecast weight of the aircraft will exceed 700 kg with a payload greater than 150 kg. The drone will be able to perform the majority of the most demanding naval and land missions thanks to its range and speed. This drone will have military applications. Its navy version will provide naval security for a fleet by performing intelligence, surveillance, detection, target designation, communication relay, and signal intelligence functions. Its army version will perform intelligence, target acquisition and designation, communication relay, and NRBC (Nuclear, Radiological, Bacteriological, and Chemical) detection work.
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The Kazakh Operator EUROASIA AIR orders two AS365 N3 Dauphins for its Offshore Missions During the 46th Paris Air Show, Mr. Aibol Bekmukhambetov President of the Kazakh company EUROASIA AIR and Mr. Thierry Mauvais, Head of the Oil & Gas Industry Sales & Marketing of Eurocopter signed a contract for the acquisition of two AS365 N3 Dauphins in offshore configuration. These two aircraft will be delivered during the summer of 2006 and will be operated by EUROASIA AIR from its base in Atyrau, near the Caspian Sea. EUROASIA AIR is a subsidiary of KazMunaiGaz, Kazakhstan's national oil company.
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