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+++ BA609 flies in airplane mode +++ Air China signs for A330s +++ Watchkeeper gets green light +++ A400M for Chile +++ NH90 progress +++ Boeing launches 737-900ER +++ News in brief +++
BA609 testing full airplane mode for the first time
Kipprotormuster fliegt erstmals im Flugzeugmodus
On 22 July, the Bell/Agusta 609 tiltrotor streaked over the skies of Central Texas with its outboard nacelles rotating forward to full airplane mode for the first time. Roy Hopkins, 609 project pilot and Bell pilot Jim Lindsey were at the controls when the BA609 reached full airplane mode at 9:23 am CDT. Both are highly experienced tiltrotor pilots with flight time logged in both the V-22 Osprey as well as the XV-15. When making its first transition to airplane mode this morning the BA609 today flew at 190 knots (219 mph). “Jim and I thought the aircraft flew as expected and the vibration level was very low. This was the culmination of months of dedicated effort from engineering and manufacturing personnel and everyone should certainly be proud!” Mr. Hopkins stated.
The aircraft returned to flight status June 3, 2005, at Bell's XworX research and development facility here following an 18-month programmed pause in flight-testing for developmental engineering configuration. “This is truly a momentous point in aviation history because we have finally achieved the full range of flight on the BA609, the world's first civil tiltrotor,” declared Bell/Agusta Programs Executive Director Jack Gallagher, adding, “this changes everything in vertical lift and general aviation.” BA609 Aircraft #02 is at Agusta's assembly and flight-testing facility in Italy, where tests are progressing in support of Aircraft #01. Aircraft #02 is scheduled to make its first flight during the 4th Quarter of this year.
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Air China signs for A330s
Großbestellung von Air China
Air China signed a contract with Airbus on July 21, 2005 for the purchase of 20 Airbus A330-200s, scheduled for delivery from May 2006, becoming a new customer of the aircraft in China. China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group (CASC) was also involved in this deal by signing a GTA with Airbus. Air China President Li Jiaxiang, CASC President Li Hai and Airbus President & CEO Gustav Humbert signed the contract and GTA at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero witnessed the signing ceremony.
Air China operates 16 A319s, five A320s and six A340s. The selection of 20 A330-200s will further diversify its Airbus fleet. Today's signature once again shows both Air China and CASC's new vote of confidence to Airbus aircraft. “Today's A330 contract is the first one that I am signing since I took over my new responsibilities last month. I am very happy this happens to be with Air China, the flagship carrier of China,” said Gustav Humbert, Airbus new President and CEO, “Airbus also enjoys a good and long lasting relationship with CASC, and we highly appreciate the confidence CASC has shown to Airbus over the years.”
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Watchkeeper gets green light
Grünes Licht für Drohnensystem
On 20 July, UK Defence Secretary John Reid gave the green light to the Watchkeeper UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Programme, the UK Armed Forces' new 'spy in the sky'. He said: "Watchkeeper is the key to battlefield surveillance of the future. The new UAVs will be able to stay in the air for much longer than conventional aircraft, and will provide all-weather coverage by day and by night. UAVs are a key part of the future vision for our Armed Forces. They allow high-quality imagery of the battlefield to be passed to commanders quickly, enabling them to deliver more precise and decisive effect with greater accuracy. In addition, they improve operational effectiveness through their contribution to Network Enabled Capability."
"The contract with Thales UK will be worth around £700 million and is expected to create or sustain up to 2000 high-quality manufacturing jobs in the UK. With export success this could rise further. The aim is to bring Watchkeeper into service from 2010." Four companies (Thales UK, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin) were invited to undertake the first stage of the Assessment Phase. Northrop Grumman ISS International and Thales UK were selected in February 2003 to continue through to the second stage and to make bids for the Demonstration and Manufacture Phase. Thales UK were selected in July 2004 as preferred bidders for this final phase.
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A400M for Chile
Chile neuer Kunde für Militärtransporter
The Fuerza Aerea de Chile has signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military under which it indicates its intention to purchase up to three A400M military transport aircraft. The DOI, signed on July 15th at the Chilean Ministry of Defence in Santiago by General Osvaldo Sarabia Vilches, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force, and Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military, is a further commitment for the A400M from a customer outside the group of seven European launch nations. Subject to a detailed contract to be signed by December 2005, the declaration provides for Chile to take delivery of A400M aircraft between 2018 and 2022 and for Chilean industry to benefit from aerospace related industrial participation.
“I very much welcome this declaration by the Chilean Air Force,” said Francisco Fernández-Sáinz during the signature ceremony, “which strengthens our relationship with this important Latin American customer and demonstrates the growing confidence around the world in our new aircraft.” The signature took place in the presence of the Chilean Minister of Defence, Snr.Jaime Ravinet De la Fuente, and the ambassadors of France, Germany, Spain and the UK. The A400M will enable Chile to upgrade its airlift capability for military, humanitarian and peace-keeping activities and assist the country in strengthening its aerospace industry.
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NH90 progress
Erstflüge des NH90 für Finnland und Griechenland
The first Patria assembled NH90 helicopter, KH-202, has made its successful maiden flight in Halli, Jämsä in the morning on July 13. The flight time was 1 hour and 5 minutes. The maiden flight was performed by Eurocopter's flight test crew. Chief Test Pilot Didier Guerin was satisfied of the flight results: “We have flown this first Patria assembled NH90 up to 4000ft and to its maximum speed. We have checked the main system of the aircraft and everything was compliance to our expectations. There were no specific problems and we were even able to enjoy the nice scenery of a flight above the lake area in summer time”. Michel Lombardo, Production Director from Eurocopter says: “This phase of the programme shows in practise that cooperation with Patria Aviation has been successful and the decisions made in 2001 to create assembly line to Patria have been correct. This event has shown the ability of Patria to perform the assembly and tests for the complex helicopters and Eurocopter's mastery command relevant to the external assembly line fitting out.
Meanwhile, at the Eurocopter Marignane facility that the first Hellenic serial production NH90 successfully took to the air today for a 95 minutes flight. The aircraft was flown by Boniface Jean-Pierre Roldan, experimental test pilot, Dominique Fournier, flight test engineer and Jean-Claude Rabany flight engineer. This is the sixth serial production NH90 leaving the ground, following NH90s for Germany, Finland, Italy and Sweden. On 29 August 2003, Greece ordered 20 NH90 firm for a contract total amount of EUR 657 million, including a consistent offset agreement involving Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI). Hellenic NH90s will be operated by the Army, 16 NH90 Tactical Transport in service with the Army Aviation and 4 NH90 with the Special Operation Forces (SOF); both configurations being equipped with Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 engines. Also to be noted is that all NH90 can be converted into Medevac variant thanks to 4 ordered roll change medical kits. 14 optional NH90 are also to be taken into account, concerning up to 12 Tactical Transport and 2 Special Operation variants.
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Boeing launches 737-900ER
Lion Air erster Kunde für neue Boeing
Boeing officially launched the 737-900ER (Extended Range) -- the newest member of the world's best-selling Next-Generation 737 family -- following the completion of a sales agreement for up to 60 of the airplanes from Lion Air. The 737-900ER, formerly known as the 737-900X, will carry more passengers and fly farther, increasing the capability of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. Lion Air, Indonesia's first low-cost carrier, originally announced its intent to order up to 60 737s earlier this year. The firm order is for 30 of the new derivative airplane, with purchase rights for 30 additional models. The order is worth $3.9 billion at list prices. The first 737-900ER is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2007.
The 737-900ER is the same size as today's 737-900, but, with the addition of a pair of exit doors and a flat rear pressure bulkhead, will carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class layout. Aerodynamic and structural design changes, including strengthened wings, a two-position tailskid, enhancements to the leading and trailing edge flap systems, and optional Blended Winglets and auxiliary fuel tanks, will allow the 737-900ER to accommodate higher takeoff weights and increase its range to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km), making it comparable to the 737-800's range. Powered by the CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines, the new derivative will have substantial economic advantages over competing models including 9 percent lower operating costs per trip and 7 percent lower operating costs per seat than the A321, which is more than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) heavier than the 737-900ER.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
On 20 July, the World Trade Organisation agreed to rule on the dispute between the United States and the European Union over billions of dollars in public aid for aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus. The WTO's member states accepted a US request to set up a panel of experts to examine its complaint against aid by the governments of four European countries -- Britain, France, Germany and Spain -- for Airbus at a meeting in Geneva, sources close to the WTO and diplomats said. The 148 members gathered in the Geneva-based WTO's Disputes Settlement Body also accepted a similar but separate EU challenge to US state and local subsidies or indirect assistance for Boeing, they added. Wednesday's moves, which were largely a formality, came about a month after the world's two top trade titans had blocked each other's initial attempts to seek the intervention of the WTO, the referee of global commerce.
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NASA has authorized two eight-month contracts, each worth approximately $28 million, one to Lockheed Martin Corp. and the other to the team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and The Boeing Co. to support a July 2006 review of the engineering systems for the agency's new Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). During this contract period, in addition to performing sustained engineering in support of the CEV review, the contractors will continue to develop designs for NASA's next-generation vehicle for human space flight and demonstrate ability to manage cost, schedule and risk. Results of NASA's Exploration Systems Architectural Study, which defines parameters for the new vehicle to replace the Space Shuttle, will be incorporated into a "call for improvements" to be released later this year, inviting proposals from the selected contractors. These proposals will be evaluated for the final selection of a single CEV contractor. Originally, the selection of a single industry team was planned for 2008, but to reduce or eliminate the time between the Shuttle's retirement in 2010 and the first CEV flight, the selection is planned for early 2006.
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In 2004, the Diehl Group increased its sales by 3% to 1,595 million Euro. This was due to the rise in sales achieved in the "Metall" and "Controls" corporate divisions. Advances in productivity led to gratifying improvements in income which were, however, reduced above all by advance expenditures for avionics development. The net operating income therefore rose only slightly from 43.5 to 49.4 million Euro. Following the good participation of the two Diehl avionics companies, DAv and DLE, in the Airbus A380 project, they also succeeded in entering the Boeing Dreamliner 787 project: as partner of the US system supplier Honeywell, DAv is in charge of development, manufacture and delivery of system portions of electronic flight control whereas DLE will deliver its in-house-developed cabin lighting system based on semiconductor lighting technology. Thus, Diehl participates with major work packages in the two new large aircraft programs of Airbus and Boeing. With the merger of BGT Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik and Diehl Munitionssysteme to form Diehl BGT Defence GmbH, an important step has been made toward national consolidation of the German missile capacities. Diehl is in negotiation with MBDA on foundation of a joint German Missile Company under the managerial direction of Diehl. The new company, including LFK GmbH (MBDA), will have strong strategic links to Europe and simultaneously a distinct transatlantic orientation.
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Rockwell Collins' SE-Vision program has reached a new milestone by successfully completing military and commercial test flights in New Mexico and New Jersey in June. SE-Vision flight deck technology, which integrates synthetic vision generated scenes with real-time enhanced vision imagery, is being developed by Rockwell Collins in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), NASA Langley Research Center and Max-Viz. The SE-Vision program flight tests demonstrated concepts for sensor and synthetic imagery for use by the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) mobility operations in a low altitude tactical environment. The flights were conducted through June on the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center's Boeing 727-100 which was equipped with Rockwell Collins HGS-4000 Heads-Up Guidance System (HGSTM), Max-Viz Dual Band Infrared Sensors, Rockwell Collins MultiScan Hazard Weather Detection System and an LCD head-down display (HDD). SE-Vision display and guidance concepts were shown on both the HUD and the HDD. "SE-Vision provides a visualization solution for pilots who are required to fly in low visibility conditions and unfamiliar territory," said Tim Etherington, principal systems engineer at Rockwell Collins Advanced Technology Center. "This technology can have a major impact on the success of special operations missions in the military, and provide promising opportunities for civil aviation as well." "The combination of synthetic vision and sensor technologies will allow USAF mobility operations to operate independently of visibility with improved situation awareness and safety," said Guy French, SE-Vision Government Program Manager, AFRL
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With the smooth touchdown of a Mexicana Airlines flight, DFW International Airport on 23 July opened the doors of its long-anticipated International Terminal D, ushering in a new era of world-class travel options and amenities for North Texas and its millions of international visitors. Mexicana Flight #178, an Airbus A319, arrived from Zacatecas, Mexico at 6:46 a.m. greeted by a DFW Department of Public Safety "shower of affection" on the taxiway and a DPS color guard on the tarmac. The flight's 120 passengers enjoyed an inaugural reception inside the International Arrivals Hall, featuring Mariachi music and a Chinese Lion Dance performed for good luck. The new terminal will be the home of all of DFW's international flights to a record 38 global destinations, and selected domestic flights. "The opening of International Terminal D places DFW on the short list of the world's top airports, in terms of its security, technology, architecture, engineering, design, construction and art," said Jeff Fegan, Chief Executive Officer of DFW International Airport. "We've come a long way to get to this momentous day. Now International Terminal D begins serving our Airport and passengers with new elegance and efficiency and gives us a new front door to the world." International Terminal D will welcome all of DFW's international visitors with soaring ceilings, wide-open spaces, and a $6 million art program comprised of a stunning collection of paintings, sculptures and floor medallions. At two million square feet, the international terminal is the world's largest terminal built since 9/11, and features a Grand Hyatt Hotel and an 8,100-space garage with "Smart Parking" technology. At a final cost of $1.2 billion, International Terminal D represents the crowning achievement of DFW's $2.7 billion Capital Development Program. The five-year effort has produced not only the terminal complex but also Skylink, the world's largest airport train, along with runway and infrastructure improvements at the Airport.
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The Federal Government will invest $25 million in an expansion of the Australian Aerospace helicopter production facility in Brisbane which is currently producing the new 'Tiger' Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. Defence Minister Robert Hill made the announcement today coinciding with the delivery and acceptance of the first Australian-made Tiger Helicopter by the Australian Defence Force giving a major boost to Army's capability. Australian Aerospace has successfully delivered the first of the new generation Tiger Helicopter on time and on budget, and the $25 million expansion of the Brisbane facility will allow the ADF's new MRH 90 Troop Lift Helicopter to also be produced at the Brisbane facility. Senator Hill said the expansion will also open up opportunities for the production of variants of the NH 90 Helicopter for other regional nations, such as the production of New Zealand's version of the NH 90.
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Engineers at BAE Systems production facility in Samlesbury, North West England have produced one of the world's most advanced aircraft structures. The structure, based on a 4:5 scale Dassault Falcon business jet front fuselage, has been made from carbon fibre, in one piece – a significant engineering and manufacturing challenge. The fuselage, designed by Dassault Aviation in conjunction with BAE Systems, was manufactured using a technology called 'fibre placement' which sees individual strips of carbon fibre 'placed' onto a mould, rather than the traditional method of carbon fibre plies being laid by hand. The fuselage, measuring 4.5m long by 2m (at its widest point) was produced as part of the ongoing €10.3m (approx £6.95m) 'full barrel composites' (FUBACOMP) programme which aims to develop European capability in fibre placement. Simon Baxter, a manufacturing development engineer, who worked on the programme for BAE Systems said, “Traditionally a small civil aircraft fuselage would comprise of many individual components and thousands of fasteners, which would be used to attach external panels to the sub-structure. We have now managed to manufacture a single piece fuselage structure predominantly using carbon fibre and honeycomb, with foam or carbon inserts in appropriate areas for additional strength.”
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Iberia has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A320 Family aircraft and taken another 49 options, hereby confirming the commitment signed in January this year. The contract covers the acquisition of 10 Airbus A318s, 10 A320s, seven A319s and three A321s. These aircraft will be delivered as from the second quarter of 2006. The aircraft will be powered by CFM56-5B engines from CFM International. Iberia currently operates a fleet of 107 Airbus aircraft, including seven A319, 60 A320, 13 A321, 18 A340-300 and nine A340-600. By replacing older generation narrow body aircraft with the successful Airbus single aisle family, Iberia will fully benefit from the advantages of the Airbus fly-by-wire family and operational commonality, with different sizes to adapt to each market. This will allow maximum flexibility and improved aircraft and crew productivity.
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Some SWISS Saab 2000 pilots wrote an open letter to the Management Board and Board of Directors in which they sought to make these bodies aware of the difficult situation the pilots face regarding their future with the company. In their letter the pilots raised the issue of problems regarding cockpit safety. While SWISS takes the statements made in the letter seriously, the safety of its Saab 2000 operations out of Basel is guaranteed at all times. Following a thorough analysis of various statements made over the weekend, both internally and to the media, SWISS has decided to have experts review the flying ability of those pilots who signed the letter. As a consequence of this decision, 52 of the airline's 72 Saab 2000 pilots have been temporarily suspended from duty with immediate effect. Following a positive assessment of their flying skills, these pilots will be re-integrated into flight operations. At the same time SWISS is taking disciplinary action against the pilots involved. A delegation from the Management Board will continue to engage in dialogue with these pilots.
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The M-V Launch Vehicle No. 6 (M-V-6) with the 23rd scientific satellite (ASTRO-EII) onboard was launched at 12:30 p.m. on July 10, 2005 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC). The launcher was set to a vertical angle of 80.2 degrees, and the flight azimuth was 87.6 degrees. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and the third stage motor was ignited at 205 seconds after liftoff. The third stage flight was also smooth, and after its motor burnout, it was confirmed to be safely injected into its scheduled orbit of an apogee altitude of approximately 247 km and a perigee altitude of approximately 560 km with an inclination of approximately 31.4 degrees. JAXA received signals from the ASTRO-EII at the Santiago tracking station and the USC, and from those signals we verified that the ASTRO-EII had successfully separated. The in-orbit ASTRO-EII was given the International Designator of 2005-025A and a nickname of "Suzaku." We would like to express our appreciation for the cooperation and support from all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch of the M-V-6.
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Lockheed Martin received a long-lead contract, valued at approximately $67.7 million, from the U.S. Air Force to begin development of a major systems upgrade of Turkish Air Force F-16 aircraft. The total contract is valued at approximately $800 million and is expected to be issued in mid-2006. The upgrade program will create a robust, common avionics configuration for the Turkish Air Force's F-16 Block 40 and Block 50 aircraft, plus a modest modification to their Block 30 aircraft. “We have long-term relationships with the Government of Turkey, the Turkish Air Force and Turkish industry, and we are pleased to be expanding those relationships,” said June Shrewsbury, vice president, F-16 programs. “The Turkish Air Force is taking advantage of a cost-effective upgrade program to their F-16s. This program is based on a similar approach by the U.S. Air Force; therefore, much of the design and development effort has already been accomplished, and our task will be to address unique aspects of the Turkish configuration. Other countries have expressed interest in a similar upgrade package for their F-16s.” The Turkish configuration being integrated consists of the APG-68(V)9 multimode radar (currently being installed on new Advanced Block 50/52 F-16s), color cockpit displays and recorders, new core avionics processors, the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System, Link 16 data link, advanced interrogator/transponder, integrated precision navigation, an upgraded version of the Self-Protection Electronic Warfare System (SPEWS II) and compatibility with a number of new weapons and targeting systems.
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NASA began the countdown for the second Return to Flight launch attempt of Space Shuttle Discovery at noon EDT, July 23, 70 hours before the targeted liftoff. On mission STS-114, Discovery's seven-member crew will test new equipment and procedures to increase the safety of the Space Shuttle and deliver supplies to the International Space Station. NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch team will conduct the countdown from Firing Room 3 of the Launch Control Center. The countdown includes nearly 28 hours of built-in hold time, leading to a preferred launch time at about 10:39 a.m. EDT July 26. The launch opportunity lasts for about five minutes.
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America West Holdings Corporation and US Airways Group, Inc. announced that they have received approval for their planned merger from the Air Transportation Stabilization Board (ATSB). Both America West Airlines and US Airways hold loans backed by a federal guarantee from the ATSB. The carriers have been in negotiations on the treatment of those loans under their proposed merger. Pending final bankruptcy court and US Airways board approval and upon close of the merger, the two airlines' outstanding ATSB loan guarantees will be consolidated with payments beginning September 2005 through September 2010. Final terms are still being negotiated. America West Chairman and CEO Doug Parker stated, "We are grateful for the Board's unanimous endorsement of our proposed merger with US Airways. Today's announcement continues the positive momentum for our planned merger and brings us one step closer to building a stable future for our airlines."
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NASA, in collaboration with the Volanz Aerospace Inc./Spaceflight America (Volanz), announced a new Centennial Challenges prize competition. The Astronaut Glove Challenge award will go to the team that can design and manufacture the best performing glove within competition parameters. The $250,000 purse will be awarded at a competition scheduled for November 2006, when competing teams test their glove designs against each other. For the Challenge, teams must develop the bladder-restraint portion of an astronaut glove that is strong, easy on the hands, and gives the operator a high degree of dexterity. "Reducing space suit glove fatigue is a critical technological goal that, if successful, would have an important impact on astronaut performance and mission planning," said NASA's acting Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, Douglas Cooke.
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Swiss International Air Lines and SR Technics Switzerland have reached an out-of-court settlement in their dispute over the interpretation of their maintenance contract, thus ending the arbitration process they were engaged in. Established on a new basis, their revised co-operation agreement enables SWISS to significantly reduce maintenance costs for its Airbus fleet. At the same time, the two parties have extended their current contract, which is valid until 2009, by a further three years. In an effort to resolve conflicting interpretation of commercial aspects of their aircraft maintenance services contract, SWISS and SR Technics submitted their dispute to arbitration last October. The two companies have now reached an out-of-court agreement resolving these differences. The arbitration process has therefore been set aside. The new agreement enables SWISS to save considerable costs for the maintenance of its Airbus fleet, which will make a significant contribution to its efforts to achieve a financial turnaround. In a related development, the two companies have also extended their contract maintenance services contract by three years. Tim Talaat, CEO of SR Technics Switzerland, is pleased by the agreement with SWISS: "With this solution we have established a firm basis for a long-term partnership that will benefit both companies. We are proud that our services will continue to contribute to the success of our biggest customer and national airline. In this way our two companies help to secure the future of air transport in Switzerland."
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The European defence industry is marked by market fragmentation at national level. This is an important sector which is a catalyst for growth and innovation in other industries ranging from high-tech (e.g. aerospace, IT) to more traditional industries (e.g. steel, shipbuilding). The absence of a functioning single market constitutes a major obstacle to the consolidation, competitiveness and sustainability of this sector. For these reasons the Commission has made proposals for measures which would encourage industrial restructuring, promote an EU defence equipment market and enhance the competitiveness of the industry. These proposals were discussed at a Defence Conference organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Defence Agency in Brussels. Vice-President Günter Verheugen responsible for enterprise and industry policy said: “The dismantling of barriers between industries and markets inside the Union holds the promise of benefits for all operators be they large or small. A dynamic defence sector can boost economic growth and make an important contribution to the Lisbon goals for jobs and growth.” “We have to make better use of the 160 billion euros that Europe spends on defence each year,” said Nick Witney, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency.
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Following a procurement procedure, the Swedish government has chosen Scandinavian Airlines Sweden as the supplier for all 52 domestic routes for which SAS submitted a tender. "The Government's purchase confirms our success in the Swedish domestic market," says Anders Ehrling, president of Scandinavian Airlines Sweden. "We fly to the greatest number of destinations and have the most departures. In addition, we have made it easier and less expensive to fly domestically with us and more and more people are choosing SAS."
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Turkey has confirmed its choice to renew the Navy's aircraft fleet with ATRs, in the version of maritime patrol and anti-submarine surveillance missions. At the end of the negotiation process started last January with the selection of the aircraft by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries of Turkey, Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, and Turkey's Government have in fact signed the contract, of the value of $219 million (equal to EUR 180 million) which envisages the supply of ten ATR 72 ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare). The agreement, envisaging deliveries to start in 2010, will pave the way to an intense industrial collaboration in the field of defence and security technologies with the main Turkish companies of this sector, both for project design and manufacturing activities. The ATR 72 ASW aircraft for Turkey, provided with a mission system by the Thales company, are a special version, developed by Alenia Aeronautica, of the commercial transport ATR 72/500 aircraft. The ASW version, conceived for a cost-competitive medium range aircraft, is capable of carrying out anti-submarine missions, with the integration of the maritime patrol functions already implemented by the ATR 42 MP, the Maritime Patrol version currently in force within the Italian Guardia di Finanza (Customs Police) and Coast Guard.
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Germany joined the Preparatory Phase of the European Space Exploration Programme Aurora. It thus becomes the twelfth country participating in the programme, which allows scientists and industrial companies from Germany to participate in the Aurora Programme. Other participants are Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This decision has been warmly welcomed by ESA and unanimously endorsed by the eleven other Aurora Participating States at the 18th Aurora Board of Participants meeting held in Paris on 12 July 2005. “After the recent decisions of France, Switzerland and Canada to increase their contributions, this decision further strengthens the Aurora Programme and creates a positive momentum for the upcoming decisions at ministerial level”, said Daniel Sacotte, ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration. “With researchers from other countries currently not yet participating in Aurora, such as Denmark, Finland and Norway having also shown interest to take part in ExoMars related scientific teams, there are good chances that the number of ESA member states finally joining Aurora will increase even further”. The Preparatory Phase of the European Space Exploration Programme Aurora started in 2001. It aims at defining a European framework for the exploration of Moon and Mars and to prepare a robust and sustainable European Space Exploration Programme. The ExoMars mission, scheduled to be launched in 2011, features a Mars lander and a rover that will carry out exobiology and geophysical analysis of the Martian environment. The mission is being defined and designed during the Preparatory Phase along with the preparation of the European contribution to a possible international Mars sample return mission and other studies and technology developments to prepare for further exploration missions of the Solar system.
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The U.S. Navy has successfully demonstrated the extended range capability of a Raytheon Company dual-mode precision guided weapon that offers flexibility not found in other weapons systems being produced. Six Enhanced Paveway IIs were dropped at the U.S. Navy's China Lake Test Range, Calif. All weapons successfully hit the target. Four of those drops from a U.S. Navy F/A-18 aircraft were released outside the launch envelope of both existing inventory GPS-only and laser-only guided bombs. The longest flight was from 20,000 feet altitude over a distance of 12 nautical miles. The Enhanced Paveway II provides extended range over existing GPS weapons without the need for expensive range kits. It allows the U.S. Navy and Air Force to upgrade their existing laser guided bomb inventories with expanded GPS (Global Positioning System) capabilities, offering one weapon providing both all weather mission success and precision accuracy in any conditions.
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EADS-Astrium has awarded Indra the turnkey project to develop the in-orbit test system for the Skynet V military communications satellite, ordered from Eads-Astrium by Paradigm. The project, valued at half a million euros, was won by the Spanish company against four other international tenders from companies in the aerospace sector and is a considerable boost for Indra's in-orbit satellite testing technology. The main purpose of the Spanish company's system will be to carry out all the tests to guarantee the perfect operation of all parts of the satellite during its lifetime once it has reached its final position in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometres above the Earth.
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Mr. Ashok K. Baweja, Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a Public Sector Undertaking of Government of India and Mr. Marc Ventre, Chairman & CEO of Snecma, a Safran Group company, France, signed the Shareholders Agreement of a new JV Company at Bangalore. At this signature ceremony Mr. Jean-Paul Herteman, Executive Vice-President, Propulsion, Safran represented the Group. The JVC will start its operations in early 2006 at Bangalore. The objective of the JV Company is to become a Centre of Excellence for the manufacture of key components and assemblies of aero-engines. HAL will bring its experience of manufacturing in India and Snecma will transfer technology to the JVC, providing HAL additional export avenues and greater access to civil aerospace industry. More specifically, the JVC will produce critical components for Snecma as well as for Turbomeca, another company of Safran Group, world leader for helicopter engines. In the beginning, JVC will start with manufacturing of critical components for engines such as CFM56, world's most popular engine which powers Boeing & Airbus aircraft.
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Lockheed Martin has delivered to the U.S. Navy the first Update II.5 P-3C aircraft modified under the Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP). Under contracts received in 2004 and 2005, Lockheed Martin will install the AIP upgrade kits on five of the service's Update II.5 aircraft. Update II.5 aircraft are older P-3C models which, in many cases, have seen less operational use than subsequent production aircraft. The AIP update program first concentrated on the Update III model P-3C aircraft, and is now focusing on the earlier aircraft. This Update II.5 P-3C aircraft initially will be an additional asset for the U.S. Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) and will be the sea trial demonstration aircraft. In addition to the AIP modifications, this aircraft will receive various networked communication upgrades and planned Anti-Submarine Warfare Maritime Improvement Program (AMIP) enhancements that satisfy Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet constructs. The first sea trial demonstration is planned for November 2005 during the Trident Warrior exercise.
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Boeing and Spanish airline Air Europa have finalized an agreement for the acquisition of 18 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. Air Europa first announced its intention to order the airplanes, plus purchase rights for an additional 16, last month at the Paris Air Show. The order is valued at approximately $1.2 billion at list prices. Deliveries begin in 2007, with three new airplanes to be delivered annually. This order was previously accounted for on the Boeing orders and deliveries website, attributed to an unidentified customer. Air Europa, headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, will use the additional 737s for renewal and growth of its short-to-medium-range fleet. The carrier currently operates 27 737-800s, two 737-400s and five 767-300s.
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GKN Aerospace expects to deliver the first fully functional flight part to Lockheed Martin in August 2005. With the 1st full-scale, full-specification optical coating trials successfully completed on the Integrated Transparency Systems (ITS) for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, GKN Aerospace expects to deliver the first fully functional flight part to Lockheed Martin in August 2005. The F-35 canopy systems incorporate key features never before applied in an aircraft transparency. These have required new manufacturing processes to be developed and advanced new facilities to be installed by GKN Aerospace at its Transparency Systems base in Garden Grove, CA, USA. The new equipment will manufacture the large and unique shape of the F-35 transparencies, carrying out the advanced coating, laminating, and 5-axis NC machining processes.
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On 19 July, the Greek government decided to procure 30 fighter aircraft of the U.S. type F-16, which is already in the Hellenic Air Force's (HAF) inventory. Such a procurement plus an option for ten more aircraft calls for filling the gap in the HAF jet fighter fleet due to attrition and to satisfy an interim need of third-generation aircraft. At the same meeting, the Greek government decided to bring the even more important acquisition of 30 plus ten combat aircraft of the latest-generation type on the agenda of one of the next National Security Council (KYSEA) meetings, which are expected to take place later this year. EADS is convinced that on one of the forthcoming KYSEA meeting the most modern combat aircraft Eurofighter will be the number one for the HAF, as this aircraft is seen as the perfect weapon system to increase the defence capabilities for Greece. Johann Heitzmann, President and CEO of EADS Military Aircraft, stated that - in contradiction to misleading news agency reports - the decision of the Greek government does not pre-empt anything in terms of an Eurofighter procurement in this country. “In contrary, we and our partners within the programme feel ourselves to be in a very good position, as the European product Eurofighter not only offers unique operational capabilities for the Hellenic Air Force, but also is the key for numerous political and industrial advantages for Greece.” Heitzmann said that the Eurofighter procurement will also strengthen the close link between Athens and its European partners.
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The Airbus Shareholder Committee, chaired by Noël Forgeard, approved the new Airbus Executive Committee members. The team, led by Gustav Humbert, who was appointed Airbus President and CEO in June, will have to ensure the continuing success of Airbus in the years to come. The following EC members have been approved by the EADS Board of Directors and BAE Systems. Charles Champion (50) is appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) while retaining his role as Head of the A380 Programme. As such, Mr Champion becomes Airbus' “number two” and Deputy to the CEO, while continuing to head the programme which is the most decisive for Airbus' future. John Leahy (55) is appointed COO - Customers. In this role he continues to be in charge of all commercial activities, including sales, marketing, contracts, business transactions control, asset management, and leasing business development. He is also in charge of Airbus North America, Airbus China, Airbus Japan and Airbus Russia, as well as the regional sales offices. Andreas Sperl (58) remains Chief Financial Officer, and Erik Pillet (48) continues as Executive Vice President Human Resources. Tom Williams (53), previously Executive Vice President Procurement is appointed Executive Vice President Programmes (both civil and military), and as such is now in charge of ensuring their profitability, of leading the development of new products, as well as ensuring proper delivery and support to customers and operators. Juan Carlos Martinez Saiz (44), formerly Senior Vice President, Head of Development A400M Programme, becomes Executive Vice President Military Programmes, reporting to Mr Williams. Mr Martinez Saiz will be in charge of the A400M as well as all Airbus military derivative aircraft.
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According to Army General Raul Isaias Baduel, the Venezuelan Armed Forces will receive 15 new Russian helicopters in the first trimester of 2006, as part of the first stage of the Army Aviation Commando Enhancement Project, which seeks to improve Army land operations. The shipment includes MI-17 light transport helicopters, MI-26 heavy transport helicopters and MI-35 combat aircraft. Once the financial paperwork for the purchase of these helicopters is finished, the General Aviation Commando units will receive a total shipment of 33 helicopters that will progressively arrive in the country during 2006.
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Rolls-Royce awarded contracts to DutchAero, the AVIO and Philips joint venture company based in Eindhoven, for the manufacture of components for the F136 engine which is being developed in partnership with General Electric to power the Joint Strike Fighter. The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team (FET) comprises: GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Rolls-Royce plc in Bristol, England; and Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. DutchAero will be responsible for producing a huge 1.1m diameter component known as a bladed disk or “blisk”. This first stage compressor blisk will be machined from a large solid titanium forging and is one of the largest ever used in a military engine. The blisk will be fitted into an F136 engine (number 002/2), which is due to run next year as part of the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program.
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NASA and industry teams are studying how to design and build an airplane that could demonstrate technology to lessen the noise and window-rattling effects of supersonic flight. Each team was awarded approximately $1 million for a five-month study. NASA will use the results to define technology and design requirements for a low sonic boom demonstration aircraft. The research will determine whether it's feasible to modify an existing aircraft or to design a new one as the quiet boom demonstrator. "NASA plans to develop a request for proposals to design and build a low sonic boom demonstrator using the information provided by the teams," said Sonic Boom Mitigation Demonstration Project manager Bob Meyer at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. NASA awarded a grant to American Technology Alliances to fund these studies. They will be conducted by four industry teams. The teams include solo endeavors by Boeing Phantom Works, Long Beach, Calif. and Raytheon Aircraft, Wichita, Kan. Northrop Grumman, El Segundo, Calif. is working with Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga., and Lockheed Martin, Palmdale, Calif. teamed with Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kan.
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The UK aerospace industry order books are at the highest level since 1998, says the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC). Its 2005 Annual Aerospace Survey published today, shows that orders have increased by 28 per cent to £22.6 billion and that industry productivity has increased by 7.8 per cent. The UK aerospace industry is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. Highlights from the 2005 survey include: New orders increasing by 28 per cent to £22.6 billion; productivity increasing by 7.8 per cent, ahead of the 5 per cent per annum long-term trend; aerospace defence sales up 3 per cent to £8.94 billion, civil aerospace sector flat at £8.35 billion and the space sector up 11 per cent rise to £427 million; direct employment down by 6 per cent to 114,345 jobs, with the sector supporting a total of 255,000 jobs in the UK; abroad - UK aerospace companies employ 45,000 people and generate £4.9 billion of turnover outside the UK. Commenting on the 2005 survey Kevin Smith CBE, SBAC President said, "The UK aerospace industry is a truly global competitor and has a major presence in all of the major civil and defence programmes. The 2005 UK Aerospace Survey confirms this important position, but also reminds us of the need to meet new challenges. The latest data shows that UK industry's overseas activity is now equivalent to the world's sixth largest aerospace producer and represents a huge endorsement of the skills and expertise of UK companies and their management."
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Boeing started installing satellite communications and air traffic management upgrades on the first of 32 U.S. Air Force AWACS aircraft. Enhanced satellite communications will boost the fleet's capability by providing crews with multiple channels for voice and data,” said Ed Froese, vice president of Boeing Airborne Warning Systems. “This improves the AWACS system's ability to communicate with other AWACS aircraft, platforms and ground stations.” Retrofit of the first AWACS is scheduled to be completed in January 2006. The entire fleet will be completed by the end of 2010.
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Ignacio Mataix, the general manager of Industria de Turbo Propulsores, S. A. (ITP), and Charles Cuddington, general manager of the commercial engines area of Rolls-Royce Plc, have signed a contract which makes the former the partner for the supply of the Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) for the Trent 1000, the engine which will power Boeing's star aircraft, the 787 "Dreamliner". The contract will be worth 1,500 million euros over the next 25 years. The signing of this agreement consolidates ITP's position as a key supplier of low pressure turbines for Rolls-Royce engines of more than 35,000lb of thrust. The company's participation in this RRSP contract has been established at close to 12%. ITP will take responsibility for the assembly of the completed module and for the majority of the manufacture and design work. At the same time it is included rights for participation in further applications for this or any other RR engine in aircraft such as the A350.
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Boeing an additional $175 million to continue the X-45C portion of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) Capability Demonstration Program. This new award continues the demonstration program and adds a full demonstration of a new Autonomous Aerial Refueling technology. The autonomous refueling effort will continue ongoing Air Force Research Laboratory and Boeing development activities and culminate in an in-flight X-45C refueling by a KC-135 tanker in 2010.
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Two missiles have been successfully fired from an F-111 aircraft at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced. "The firings are the first for an AGM-142E missile in the region and form a key milestone in the test and evaluation program that will lead to acceptance of the missile into service," Senator Hill said. "The F-111/AGM-142E combination will ensure that the Air Force maintains an effective precision, long-range strike capability until the arrival of the upgraded F/A-18 and new longer range weapons. "It will provide a capability to strike non-hardened and semi-hardened fixed targets while providing greater stand-off range than can be achieved with free-fall munitions, improving the survivability of the F-111C aircraft.
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xwave will supply Airbus Deutschland with the hardware and software for the Air-to-Air Re-fuelling (AAR) mission management system for airborne use on German and Canadian air force Airbus A310 Multi-role Transport Tanker (MRTT) aircraft. "xwave, as a very competitive and experienced developer of defence and aerospace technology, has been chosen by Airbus and its customers as result of an Industrial Selection Process that considered all technical and commercial aspects being part of the offers of the participating bidding companies," said Rolf Luedemann, Vice President, Military Derivatives, Airbus Deutschland GmbH. "xwave's experience in this sector is of major importance in helping Airbus Deutschland deliver an efficient and cost-effective AAR Mission Management System - thus providing clients with the tactical advantages of extended flying time and flight range of their fighter aircraft." The AAR Mission Management System will be installed in the Fuel Operating Station (FOS) and will be used for mission planning; in-flight mission management, fuel off-load management, and providing improved Operator situational awareness by interfacing with the on-board video monitoring system. Refueling is carried out through two pods located at each of the MRTT wingtips, enabling two fighter aircraft, such as the Tornado or F-18 Hornet, to re-fuel at the same time.
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Team GoldenEye announced that it has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue into phase two of the Organic Air Vehicle - II (OAV-II) competition. Team GoldenEye, an industry team led by Aurora Flight Sciences and including General Dynamics Robotic Systems and Northrop Grumman, will develop a Class-II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype for the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS). A cornerstone of Team GoldenEye's OAV-II effort is the GoldenEye-50, an 18-pound ducted fan UAV and the technology point of departure for Team GoldenEye's OAV-II offering. "When Team GoldenEye was named to OAV-II phase one, we had an outstanding technical concept," said Aurora President Dr. John S. Langford. "Our aggressive flight test program over the past several months has validated the GoldenEye concept, and we are now focused on the further design, development, and risk reduction capabilities that will help win Phase III of the OAV-II program."
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Galileo Industries and the European Space Agency (ESA), both in charge of the global architecture of the future European satellite navigation system, have chosen Thales' advanced security expertise to specify and design the security policy for Galileo. Intended for civilian and commercial users as well as government applications, Galileo must ensure optimum security at all levels to achieve complete and reliable service. Security requirements include communications security, which entails protecting networks and signals; authentication and access control for each level of service; data confidentiality and integrity control; and attack prevention. Thales operates on each Galileo segment whether it be space, control, mission or user terminals. A multi-domestic organisation integrating French, German and UK Thales subsidiaries provides cutting-edge expertise for each of these segments.
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The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built prototype of the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance system reached its 7,000th total flight hour on June 22 during a combat mission supporting the global war on terrorism. The U.S. Air Force's fleet of Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has now flown more than 4,300 hours in combat. The currently deployed Global Hawk UAV is a prototype system from the advanced-concept technology-demonstration phase of the program. It was originally built to prove the viability of a high-altitude, long-endurance autonomous UAV, not to sustain the rigorous flight schedule of an operational deployment. That plan changed, however, after Sept. 11, 2001 when the Air Force requested that Global Hawk deploy immediately to provide image-based information for Operation Enduring Freedom.
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Boeing and China Cargo Airlines confirmed they have finalized an agreement for the acquisition of two Boeing 747-400ER Freighters. The order is valued at approximately $430 million at list prices. China Cargo Airlines, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, will receive its new 747-400ER Freighters in July 2006 and August 2007. The two freighters will be used to further expand the operating capacity of China Cargo Airline's routes.
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The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) today renewed its offer to reduce the Bank's exposure fee by one-third on asset-backed financings of new U.S.-manufactured large commercial aircraft for buyers in countries that sign, ratify and implement the Cape Town Treaty and the related aircraft protocol. The offer now covers approvals issued through September 30, 2006. In addition, Ex-Im Bank's Board of Directors voted to invite its counterpart European export credit agencies (ECAs) to work with Ex-Im Bank to develop a common approach to offering improved financing terms to airlines based in countries that ratify and implement the Cape Town Treaty, and offered to consider transitioning to that common approach prior to the September 30, 2006 expiration of Ex-Im Bank's current improved terms. "Ex-Im Bank strongly believes that the Cape Town Treaty will reduce certain risks associated with cross-border, asset-backed financings and leases of aircraft and aircraft engines," said Ex-Im Bank President and Chairman Philip Merrill, "and we hope to see more countries quickly adopt and implement the Treaty and realize its benefits." Besides the United States, five other nations to date have ratified the Cape Town Treaty. They are Ethiopia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, and Panama.
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Lufthansa set new records in the first six months of 2005: passenger numbers and the capacity utilisation of the Group's passenger aircraft reached their highest half-year level in the company's 50-year history. From January to June 2005, 24.7 million passengers flew with the Group airlines – 0.2 per cent more than in the first half of 2004. Available capacity rose by 2.9 per cent, sales by 4.0 per cent. Accordingly, the passenger load factor improved by 0.8 percentage points to 74.3 per cent. Lufthansa Cargo also performed well in the first six months of the year. The Group's logistics services provider transported about 847,100 tonnes of freight and mail, which represents a year-on-year increase of 0.9 per cent. The cargo load factor dropped 1.9 percentage points to 64.8 per cent due to the additional belly capacity available on Lufthansa's passenger aircraft. The overall load factor of the Lufthansa Group's passenger and cargo aircraft slipped 0.7 percentage points to 70.1 per cent.
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Pratt & Whitney has chosen Norway's Volvo Aero Norge to manufacture critical hardware for the F135 engine that will power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the companies announced this week. Volvo Aero Norge will produce the intermediate case, a major structural component of the F135 propulsion system. The agreement is in addition to work awarded by Pratt & Whitney in 2002 when Volvo Aero Norge won a contract to provide the F135's low pressure turbine (LPT) shafts in what was the first Joint Strike Fighter work awarded to a Norwegian company.
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Boeing and Central European low-cost carrier SkyEurope Airlines have finalized the previously announced order for four Boeing Next-Generation 737-700s worth US$220 million at list prices. The order includes purchase rights for up to 16 additional airplanes. Earlier this year, SkyEurope also placed an order with leasing company GECAS for 12 Boeing Next-Generation 737s. These 16 airplanes, equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, will be delivered from 2006 onward. Headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, and founded in 2001, SkyEurope now serves 25 destinations in 14 countries from its bases in Vienna-Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow and Warsaw. It currently operates a fleet of 15 aircraft, including eleven Boeing 737 Classics.
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Aero Vodochody signed two new military contracts with Tunisian Ministry of National Defence on providing overhauls of Aero L-59 military jet training aircraft and other after-guarantee services. The contracts strengthen Aero's position on the market and confirm the strategy adopted by the management – return to the market of services for Aero L-39/L-59 customers as soon as possible, which the company left in the past, and offer a full service and product portfolio, from providing overhauls, spare parts delivery, upgrades, to marketing the latest generation of training aircraft L159. This year, the company awaits several civil and military contracts.
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Boeing and TAAG Angola Airlines said they've reached a definitive agreement for the purchase of two 777-200ER and four 737-700QC (Quick Change) airplanes. The firm airplane order has a catalogue list value of $649.6 million and is valued at approximately $990 million with options. The first 777-200ER is scheduled for delivery in July of 2006, when the first new 737-700 will also join the fleet. The remaining airplanes on order will be delivered in 2006.
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The U.S. Army awarded Boeing a $41.5 million contract for the refurbishment of 70 Apache AH-64 Helicopters under the Reset program. This is a follow-on to a contract awarded in 2004 for the reset of 15 Apaches. Work for this program is performed at the Boeing Logistics Support Systems Williams Gateway site in Mesa, Ariz., and is designed to quickly return heavily used Apaches and Apache Longbows to active service following their return from operational deployments. The aircraft, which are extensively used in desert and other extremely harsh environmental conditions, are rapidly restored to pre-deployment condition. “The Army needs rapid turnaround of the Apache to accomplish its mission,” said Mark Bass, vice president, Army Support Programs for Logistics Support Systems, part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. “Excellent performance on the first contract gave the Army confidence they could count on Boeing to assume a larger role in the Reset program. This is a win for the customer and a win for Boeing.”
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BAE Systems employees are celebrating delivery of the first production standard F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) vertical tails, representing another major milestone for the company's involvement in the F-35 Program. The delivery of the vertical tails, which were designed, manufactured and assembled by BAE Systems in the UK, marks the beginning of the final stages of F-35 structural component delivery to Lockheed Martin at Fort. Worth, Texas. It represents further progress towards 'power on' of the first production standard F-35 in Autumn 2005 and first flight in 2006. The vertical tails will be mated to the BAE Systems-produced F-35 aft fuselage, as the first production standard aircraft takes shape with the front, centre and aft fuselages and wing now in place.
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Thales Services has been awarded a contract by the training arm of Boeing, Alteon, to provide training equipment for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Thales will initially supply six training suites by 2007, to be used at key Boeing locations across the globe. Each of these suites consists of a full flight simulator (FFS), two brief/debrief stations, one virtual flight training device (FTD) and a complete suite of classroom training equipment for flight and maintenance training. The Boeing contract follows Thales UK's receipt for its first orders of Airbus A380 FFSs by Singapore and Malaysian airlines. Thales is the world's second largest manufacture of flight simulators and currently the only supplier with FFS orders for both the A380 and B787. The development of the A380 and B787 FFSs will continue the firm's civil market sales split of approximately 50/50 between Airbus and Boeing. The UK simulation business has been operating at its Crawley location for more than 50 years and its pedigree dates back to some of Britain's first flight simulators, which were supplied from a factory in south London.
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Dick Olver, chairman of BAE Systems, the UK's biggest engineering and manufacturing company and a major defence equipment supplier to both the UK and US governments, has called for improvements in the sharing of design and engineering data between project teams on both sides of the Atlantic. Speaking to an audience at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Washington, DC, Dick Olver, highlighted concerns over US export controls that apply to unclassified, as well as classified, technology used for defence purposes. They can prevent engineers working on the same project, even those who work for the same company, from sharing technology details. He said: “There are many areas in which the UK has not been able to make its most effective contribution because of US control mechanisms such as the need to gain export licences and arrange Technical Assistance Agreements. “These hinder technology-sharing among the US and its closest allies by requiring lengthy approval processes, even for unclassified technology. In the context of the close and multi-faceted US-UK partnership, such controls are particularly burdensome. For example, they can prevent US colleagues sharing technology details that are required if the UK team is to make its contribution. To put it simply, we can't provide a solution if we don't know what the problem is.” Mr Olver said: “Failure to share technology has potentially far-reaching consequences because it threatens interoperability between UK and US forces. This increases the dangers of blue-on-blue incidents and diminishes our collective national security capabilities.
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Due to the rising demand for flights to Scandinavia the Austrian Airlines Group is introducing additional new frequencies on its route to the Swedish city of Gothenburg. Following the addition of one new flight a day on each of the company's routes to Stockholm and Oslo at the beginning of this year's summer schedule, extra services will now be provided to Sweden's second largest city from 26 September 2005 onwards. The Austrian Airlines Group now operates up to 150 flights a week from and to Scandinavia, including up to four flights a day to Stockholm, three daily flights to Copenhagen, up to two daily frequencies to Oslo and Gothenburg and (during the summer season) two flights a week to Reykjavik.
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New services, more ways in which to earn miles and redeem them for awards, and reciprocal lounge access are the first benefits available to customers of Lufthansa and SWISS as of July 20. Only two weeks after the airlines received cartel clearance, members of Miles & More and Swiss TravelClub can already benefit from the advantages of the new partnership. Swiss TravelClub members will be able to earn Club Miles on all Lufthansa-operated scheduled flights. They can also redeem previously earned miles for Lufthansa Free Tickets. Conversely, members of Miles & More can earn award and status miles on SWISS-operated flights and book award flights with SWISS. Reciprocal lounge access begins on July 20, too. Members of Swiss Circle and Swiss Travel-Club Gold may use Lufthansa Senator Lounges when flying with Lufthansa. In return, HON Circle members and Senators of the Miles & More programme have access to Swiss First and Swiss Business Class lounges respectively whenever they fly SWISS. These customers continue to enjoy extra baggage allowance, priority baggage handling and accelerated boarding on SWISS and Lufthansa flights. Services will be further harmonised when SWISS joins the Star Alliance (foreseen for summer 2006).
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With two new destinations in Ukraine and a new connection between Düsseldorf and Kiev, Lufthansa is further extending its network of flights to the growth market Ukraine, bringing this dynamic region closer to Europe. As of 29th August 2005, Lufthansa passengers will already have a choice of six flights a week to the Ukrainian capital Kiev. As of 9th September, Donetsk, a city with over a million inhabitants, will supplement the Lufthansa route network in Eastern Ukraine. With six weekly flights from Munich, Lufthansa will be the first western airline to provide a service to the industrial heart of Ukraine. The extended offer will be rounded off by the addition of services between Frankfurt and Dnipropetrovsk: right on schedule for the start of the winter timetable on 30th October, Lufthansa will provide flights on this route six times per week. Dnipropetrovsk is an important traffic junction and one of the most important industrial cities in the Ukraine.
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SWISS increased its seat load factor for the first six months of 2005 by 3.5 percentage points, compared to the same period last year. Average systemwide seat load factor amounted to 76.9%. Seat load factor on intercontinental services was increased by 4.1 percentage points to 83.2%. And seat load factor on SWISS's European network totalled 63.8%, a 3.5-percentage-point improvement on the prior-year period. SWISS carried a total of 4.69 million passengers in the first half of 2005, a 2.7% increase on the same period last year. Systemwide seat load factor for the month of June 2005 amounted to 81.5%, a 5.0-percentage-point improvement on the same month last year. Intercontinental seat load factor for the month was 5.7 percentage points up at 87.2%, while European seat load factor rose 4.6 percentage points to 70.0%. June seat load factor on intercontinental services amounted to 87.2%, compared to 81.5% for the same month last year. Available seat kilometre (ASK) capacity was 4.4% below prior-year levels; but revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) traffic was a 2.2% improvement on June 2004. Most traffic regions contributed to the increase in intercontinental seat load factor levels. North Atlantic services posted a very high seat load factor of 94.0%, up 2.3 percentage points, while seat load factor on Far East routes rose 7.4 percentage points to 86.9%. As it had in May, seat load factor on Middle East services posted a strong increase – up 18.3 percentage points – to stand at 79.7%. The surge in traffic to and from the region is due partly to a general rise in demand but also to the withdrawal of a competitor from the London-Riyadh route, with SWISS benefiting from the resulting reduction in capacity. Services to Africa posted a seat load factor of 75.6%, up 7.4 percentage points. Seat load factor on South America services showed a slight 0.8-percentage-point decline to 83.5%.
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The Boeing aircraft fleet operated by Venezuela's new national airline Conviasa, will be serviced by Lufthansa Technik AG. Founded in June 2004, the South American state-owned airline has entrusted Lufthansa Technik with the complete maintenance, repair and overhaul of its Boeing aircraft for the next five years. The contract includes maintenance and overhaul services for aircraft and engines for the expanding fleet, plus spare part supply and logistic support. By the end of 2005 Conviasa will operate four short-haul Boeing 737-300 plus two long-haul Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The airline plans to operate up to 17 aircraft by the end of 2006.
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