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+++ Boeing 787 flightdeck unveiled +++ Northrop Grumman, EADS and Indra team to pursue NATO missile defense contract +++ Embraer 190 certified +++ A380 flight testing progresses +++ Intelsat to acquire PanAmSat +++ First BAE Hawk for Bahrain flies +++ News in brief +++
Boeing 787 flightdeck unveiled
Cockpitdesign der 787 vorgestellt
On31 August, Boeing revealed the flight deck for the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The flight deck features new technologies while retaining significant operational similarity with the popular Boeing 777 and other Boeing jets. The combination provides airlines with dual benefits -- operational improvements and cost-saving commonality. "We worked with airlines and their pilots from around the world to be sure that the changes we introduce with the 787 are improvements that help increase situational awareness and better manage pilot work load," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. The new flight deck features much larger display screens than previously seen in airplanes. The five 12-by-9.1-inch screens offer 546 square inches of display space -- twice that of the Boeing 777 -- allowing pilots access to more information.
Other key features of the new 787 flight deck are the dual head-up displays (HUDs) and dual electronic flight bag. Boeing has offered HUDs and electronic flight bags on other models but with the 787 they are standard features. HUDs display information on clear screens mounted at eye level so the pilots can see flight data while looking out the windows. Electronic flight bags are the digital equivalent of the pilot's flight bag and include maps, charts, manuals and other data. Another way that the 787 helps operators is by retaining a significant amount of commonality with the 777. Pilots who fly the 777 will need only five days of training to be ready to fly the 787. Airlines that use "mixed fleet flying," scheduling pilots to fly more than one kind of airplane, will find that the 777 and 787 are effectively configured for such operations.
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Northrop Grumman, EADS and Indra team to pursue NATO missile defense contract
Kooperation für Raketenabwehrprogramm
Northrop Grumman, EADS and Indra have announced that they have formed an international team to pursue a systems engineering and integration contract that is a key part of the new NATO active-layered theatre ballistic-missile defense program. This NATO ballistic-missile defense program will be the first to link the assets of member nations into a multi-layered system that will effectively protect deployed alliance forces against short- and medium-range ballistic-missile attack. The winning team for the NATO systems engineering and integration (SE&I) contract will design and operate an integration test bed in Europe that will help NATO prepare its member-nations' assets for inclusion into this unified theatre ballistic-missile defense system. Award of the contract is due in the second quarter of 2006.
If chosen, the team will use the integration test bed as a platform to integrate, test and verify the proposed architectures; develop and evaluate theatre missile-defense concepts of operation; and test and evaluate the different architectural capabilities as hardware and software become available. In addition, the team will ensure integration and interoperability among the various NATO components of the architecture from both a technical and operational perspective. The test bed will also be used for performance verification, using detailed modeling and simulation tools to ensure that the actual missile defense performance will meet the requirements.
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Embraer 190 certified
Zulassung für Embraer 1990
On 30 August, Embraer announced it has been granted type certification for the 100-seat EMBRAER 190 airliner on schedule from the Brazilian certification authority Centro, Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA). The type certificate was presented to Embraer in a ceremony held at its headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. CTA certification will shortly be followed by type certification for the EMBRAER 190 in the U.S. by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), paving the way for deliveries to begin to launch-customer JetBlue in North America. The certification campaign used five pre-series EMBRAER 190 jets, consumed approximately 1,800 test flight hours, and involved the production of more than 970 reports, as well as thousands of development and supporting documents. An additional 140 tests were conducted in laboratories and ground test simulators.
The EMBRAER 190 is the third in Embraer's new four-member jet family to receive type certification. The EMBRAER 195, last in the family, is expected to be certified in mid 2006. The EMBRAER 170/190 family logged 412 firm orders and 373 options as of June 30, 2005. Issuance of a type certificate by the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to follow shortly.
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A380 flight testing progresses
Fortschritte bei der Erprobung
By the end of July, Airbus' flagship, the A380, had completed 178 hours in the sky over 52 flights and had already moved into a more detailed phase of flight testing after an initial evaluation of the aircraft's flight behaviour and handling. This initial evaluation of the A380 in flight was successfully concluded on 1st July after 37 flights and involved four main activities: the opening of the flight envelope, preliminary cruise performance assessment, low speed performance for aerodynamic configuration optimisation and early systems' screening. This phase was achieved well within the anticipated timescale and provided a good indication of the maturity of the A380's flight characteristics and flight control system.
This maturity was particularly evident by its flight demonstrations at Le Bourget Air Show as well as the successful accomplishment of the A380's first autoland during flight 17, a mere 35 days after its maiden flight. This is the first time that an Airbus programme has undertaken this significant test at such an early stage of a flight test campaign. Equally important was the indication that the aircraft's cruise performance is on-target. Carried out during the preliminary performance tests three weeks after the first flight, the flight operations teams measured the A380's specific air range, a parameter that dictates the amount of fuel in kilogrammes necessary to cover a distance of one nautical mile (1.85 kilometres) and therefore governs the overall range of the aircraft. The flaps and slats configurations have already been frozen, to measure take-off and landing performances and continue the development of the systems depending on these configurations.
To prepare for more detailed flight tests, including the flutter campaign, the A380 returned to the flight-line hangar for the installation of certain systems' upgrades and a six-metre mini-cabin. The latter will allow A380 maintenance staff to accompany the aircraft when it undertakes external missions (e.g. for extreme temperature testing) as well as permitting preliminary checks of cabin systems such as the emergency oxygen supply. Less than a week after this upgrade, the A380 successfully undertook preliminary VMU (Vitesse Minimum Unstick) tests at Istres air base in Southern France after being fitted with its innovative tailbumper (see Airbus Letter, March edition) to prevent serious damage to its rear fuselage. Since then, the A380 has successfully begun flight vibration tests, known as the flutter campaign. This involves an analysis of the aircraft's structure and aerodynamics at velocities of up to 375Kts and 0.96 Mach while also being subjected to vibrations.
Fatigue testing on the A380 started two months ahead of schedule as part of the aircraft's certification programme. The tests are conducted by IABG at jointly owned IABG and IMA's test laboratory in Dresden. They will artificially recreate 47,500 flight cycles, which corresponds to 25 years of service life. It will help study how the aircraft responds to various stresses over a long period of time and during different stages of its operations, such as taxiing on the runway, take-off, cruising and landing. To obtain type certification, the A380 must attain 5,000 fatigue flight cycles. A full-scale A380 airframe is being used at a purpose-built hangar in Dresden, Germany for the 26 months the tests are expected to last, which is more than what is needed for certification. During these tests, the aircraft will be pushed to its limits, with required changes and adaptations - if any - made to its design while in production, so it is always improved. Fatigue testing will simulate about 900 test flights a week. This means that a 16-hour flight can be simulated in just 11 minutes.
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Intelsat to acquire PanAmSat
Größter Satellitenbetreiter der Welt entsteht
Intelsat, Ltd. and PanAmSat Holding Corporation announced that the two companies have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Intelsat will acquire PanAmSat for $25 per share in cash, or $3.2 billion. The transaction will create a premier satellite company that will be a leader in the digital delivery of video content, the transmission of corporate data and the provisioning of government communications solutions. The new company will offer its customers expanded coverage with additional back-up satellites, supporting fiber networks and enhanced operational capabilities for the provision of an unparalleled level of services. With an increased focus on developing advanced communications technologies, the company will meet the needs of cable TV programmers, broadcasters, businesses, governments and consumers worldwide.
Using a combined fleet of 53 satellites, the company will serve customers in more than 220 countries and territories. Driven by the core strengths of the two companies and their employees' commitment to quality in operations and customer service, Intelsat will have a portfolio of customers not only in the developed world, but also in emerging nations and remote areas where satellites are critical to providing communications infrastructure for economic development. "The combination of Intelsat and PanAmSat creates an industry leader with the ability to provide competitive communications and video services to consumers and businesses," said David McGlade, Chief Executive Officer of Intelsat. "The two companies are complementary in customer, geographic and product focus. Together, we will continue providing the highest level of service to existing customers while growing new business in rapidly expanding communications markets."
Following the transaction, the company will have enhanced financial strength and revenue and free cash flow growth opportunities. The company is expected to have pro forma annual revenues of more than $1.9 billion and to maintain significant free cash flow from operations, providing significant resources for capital expenditures and debt service. Under the agreement, which was approved unanimously by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Intelsat will acquire all outstanding common shares of PanAmSat, and additionally Intelsat will either refinance or assume approximately $3.2 billion in debt of PanAmSat Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries. Shareholders owning approximately 58% of PanAmSat's shares have agreed to vote in favor of the combination.
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First BAE Hawk for Bahrain flies
Erstflug des Hawk-Trainers für Bahrain
The first of six Hawk 129s destined for the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) made its first flight at Warton on Friday 26 August - some 9 months ahead of schedule. BT001, piloted by BAE Systems test pilot Pete Wilson, took off at 16.54 BST for a 73-minute flight over the Irish Sea. Wilson commented: “This is the very first productionised Hawk with BAE SYSTEMS' operational flight programme integrated with the new FADEC-equipped (full authority digital engine control) Mk951 Rolls Royce Adour engine and it flies beautifully. We ran through elements of the normal production air test and avionics shakedown, and it all went very smoothly.” The aircraft, BT001, is the first of 6 Hawk Mk129s being built by BAE Systems for the RBAF. The aircraft is an updated Mk127 standard, originally supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force. The first two aircraft will initially go to the Technical Academy at Warton, where they will be used as part of a six-month training course for Bahraini aircraft technicians, before being ferried to Bahrain. All six aircraft will be delivered by December 2006.
BAE Systems Air Systems is manufacturing the Hawks as part of a package of equipment and training to enable the RBAF to operate an Air Training Wing which will take in raw recruits and train them as pilots before progressing to its F16 aircraft. Some recruits will stream onto a separate helicopter training programme.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
SUN-AIR of Billund Denmark, a British Airways franchise carrier, has accepted its second Dornier 328 Jet from AvCraft Aerospace of Germany. The aircraft (Serial Number 3210) was delivered this week. The latest jet complements SUN-AIR's current fleet of one Dornier 328 Jet, delivered in June and eight 328 turboprops, and it will go to work on ad hoc charter flights and the airline's scheduled winter network. AvCraft Aerospace GmbH continues to talk with potential buyers for the Oberphaffenhofen facility and 328Jet line, having been forced to file for preliminary insolvency on March 10, owing to liquidity problems.
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Four Boeing Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) were released on Aug. 25 from two separate carriages on a U.S. Air Force F-15E, testing the full capabilities of the SDB guided-weapon system. The test at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was conducted at an altitude of 15,000 feet, approximately 20 nautical miles from four separate targets. After receiving target coordinates, the F-15E crew released the four bombs from two separate BRU-61 carriages. "Being able to hit more targets with fewer sorties is what the SDB was designed to do," said Boeing Weapons Enterprise Capability Center vice president, Mark McGraw. "This test not only proved it is possible, it also showed it can be done with great accuracy; a common theme for the SDB program, which has become one of the most successful weapons development programs ever." Three of the bombs targeted military trucks on the ground, while the fourth targeted a 40-ft. wall of shipping containers, and each SDB hit its intended target. In addition to accuracy, the test was designed to further demonstrate the optimal trajectory to the target and the terminal dive angle, heading and velocity of the weapons. With the final planned free-flight test in the development test program behind it, the Small Diameter Bomb team is scheduled to begin Operational testing this fall.
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ARINC Incorporated disclosed a patent for automated weight-and-balance technology to weigh passengers and their carry-on items unobtrusively before boarding. The system automatically performs precise weight-and-balance calculations in real time, allowing airlines to determine true weight and balance based on actual load conditions. This will allow operators to optimize fuel loads, cargo capacity—even the seating positions of passengers and bags—for safer and more efficient operation. Passenger weights and positions affect an aircraft's center of gravity and thus its attitude in flight. Attitude and weight also greatly affect fuel consumption. ARINC's system is an unobtrusive way of obtaining actual weights conveniently, before boarding, and linking the weights to seat positions. This data simplifies take-off performance calculations and helps maximize aircraft efficiency.
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BAE Systems recently achieved a successful first flight of its third-generation vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle at its Southern California flight test facility. The newly designed IAV2 air vehicle forms the basis of BAE Systems' latest reconnaissance and surveillance configuration air vehicle. BAE Systems is pursuing customers such as the U.S. Marine Corps, Special Forces, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Forestry Service to integrate sensor packages onto the air vehicle. The first flight of the IAV2 marked the start of BAE Systems' flight test program of the aerial vehicle. The flight test took place in 103-degree heat, equivalent to more than 6,000 feet of density altitude, and 5- to 10-knot winds. The flight was conducted with a simulated payload of approximately 20 pounds.
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Volga-Dnepr Group has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the AN-124-100 cargo aircraft from the Russian Air Register of Interstate Aviation Committee, allowing operations with 402 tonnes maximum take-off weight and 150 tonnes maximum payload. The STC was issued to Ukraine-based Antonov Design Bureau, the designer of the AN-124 freighter. Copies were subsequently presented to Aviastar-SP, the aircraft manufacturer, and Volga-Dnepr Group, the leading operator of the type. Issuance of the STC for the increased freight capacity marks the first step towards building the AN-124-100M-150 model of the aircraft, an enhanced version of the Ruslan freighter aircraft. During 2003, the first step towards the modernisation and renewed production of the AN124-100 aircraft was started at the MAKS-2003 show in Moscow. During the show the Volga-Dnepr Group and Antonov Design Bureau signed an agreement preparing the programme and received with the support of the aviation authorities of both Russia and the Ukraine. The new production AN124 will be equipped with new avionic systems, modern more powerful engines and will have a greater payload capacity and longer range.
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Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a contract modification to align the F135 engine System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter schedule plan. The modification extends the original SDD contract by 16 months at an additional value of up to $968 million depending upon the level of work required. In 2001, Pratt & Whitney was awarded a 10-year $4.8 billion contract for System Development and Demonstration to develop the F135 propulsion system through flight clearance, flight test, and qualification for Low Rate Initial Production. "This contract modification allows Pratt & Whitney's F135 to remain highly integrated with the Lockheed Martin F-35 as we move forward in the SDD program," said Bill Gostic, vice president, F135 engine programs for Pratt & Whitney. "We are very happy to remain in lock step with our teammates as we work together to bring the F-35 to first flight and beyond." The F135 SDD program is used to manage risk through rigorous ground and flight testing of development engines while maturing technology before production. To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered three Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) configuration and four Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) configuration engines to test. Those engines have logged more than 3,400 hours of SDD testing in addition to the more than 3,600 hours of pre-SDD testing the propulsion system accumulated while powering all JSF Concept Demonstration Aircraft ground and flight tests. Two additional CTOL qualification engines will be delivered to ground test in September. This month Pratt & Whitney began assembly of the first flight test F135 engine, which will be delivered to Lockheed Martin in December. The Pratt & Whitney F135 will be the exclusive power for the Joint Strike Fighter's first flights beginning in the third quarter of 2006. The first production F135 engines will be delivered in 2009, supporting the F-35's introduction into operational service in 2012.
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CryoSat, the ice research satellite, has arrived at the Russian Cosmodrome Plesetsk. A heavy Antonov An 124 transport aircraft left Munich Airport carrying not only the satellite but all the necessary handling equipment, test facilities, PCs, tools, office and communications kit – a total cargo of approximately 55 tonnes – to Archangelsk, White Sea. For the remaining 200 kilometres to Plesetsk (about 800 km north-east of Moscow) the carefully packed CryoSat traveled by train in an air-conditioned, nitrogen-pressurised special container. As of 1 September, the ice mission entered its "hot phase" with the start of launch preparations: The satellite built by EADS Astrium, Friedrichshafen, for the European Space Agency ESA is scheduled for launch on 7 October on board a Rockot launcher provided by Eurockot, an associate company of EADS. Ahead of the launch, EADS Astrium engineers have a full programme including intensive final testing of the spacecraft, preparation and installation of the batteries, and fuelling Cryosat prior to placing on the Breeze upperstage and then the launcher. The European environmental and climate satellite CryoSat will be placed in a polar orbit where it will measure changes in the thickness of ice sheets and polar ocean sea-ice cover with unprecedented accuracy. The satellite which is designed to operate for more than three years, will provide climate researchers with data previously unavailable from these uninhabited regions. The industrial contract is valued at approximately EUR 70 million.
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The air forces of Switzerland and Italy are to work closely to ensure the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics are safe from the threat of terrorist attack. The Swiss government is seeking parliamentary approval for a cross-border defence accord with Italy ahead of the games next February. It comes at a time when the terrorist threat is high, and amid fears that major events like the Olympics could be targeted by terrorists. "This type of event attracts the attention of the whole world and offers extremist groups the chance to realise their aims through terrorist attacks," the government said in a statement.
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The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $998,000 contract to study concepts that will assist the Navy in developing approaches to integrate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems in manned and unmanned aircraft. The results of the Persistent Unmanned Maritime Airborne Surveillance (PUMAS) study program may be used to facilitate the Navy's planning efforts concerning the development of a fully interoperable "family of systems" to improve aerial ISR mission performance at an optimal total ownership cost. "As U.S. Navy leaders guide the service toward the goals of commonality and interoperability, our new study program provides the opportunity to realize these vital objectives," said Richard F. Ambrose, vice-president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors' Tactical Systems line of business. "Our study program will be based on more than 40 years of experience in maritime ISR performance, sensor integration, open architecture implementation, and net-centric environments."
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The Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor team marked another milestone today toward operational fielding of the F/A-22 when the U.S. Air Force officially began Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada. For the next several weeks, seven Raptors will fly in a series of event-based operational battlespace scenarios. This phase of testing will further demonstrate the overwhelmingly effective performance of the aircraft, and its suitability and readiness for Initial Operational Capability later this year.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed training its first class of student air traffic controllers using its new Initial Academy Training System (IATS). The FAA, along with Lockheed Martin, built the IATS system to provide a high-fidelity training simulation lab for new students preparing to become en route air traffic controllers. The FAA started using the system at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City more than four months ahead of schedule. IATS uses actual air traffic controller display consoles driven by the standard National Airspace System software in use at the Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) to provide a realistic training environment for the students. Integrated with the consoles is a host simulation subsystem that not only allows presentation of realistic, identical training sectors and exercises to all students simultaneously, but also allows each student to independently control the sector airspace without interference from the other students. The system allows students and instructors to start a scenario, as well as record, pause, rewind and replay it for further reinforcement of the concepts they learn. The scenario simulator provides radar and inter-facility inputs, as well as "ghost pilot" stations that respond to student directives. A voice simulation system allows students to communicate with pilots and other controllers through standard headsets.
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Boeing and BAE Systems have combined their B-52 and electronic warfare expertise to offer the U.S. Air Force a highly qualified team to execute the B-52 Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) program. "It takes a highly experienced electronic warfare integrator, along with the B-52 platform expert to deliver the maximum benefits of an effects-based, electronic attack capability," said Pat Finneran, vice president and general manager of Boeing's Logistics Support Systems. "The Boeing/BAE Systems team provides both. We have the vision and capability to deliver multi-platform electronic combat battle management for the Air Force's Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) system of systems." "Our team will leverage experience from major development and integration responsibilities on all key AEA programs," said Mike Heffron, president of BAE Systems' Information Warfare line of business. The Air Force plans to make the B-52 an integral part of its AEA plan, by fitting the aircraft with simultaneous jamming, decoy and strike capabilities. The Air Force is expected to award the pre-System Development and Demonstration contract this fall. The B-52 SOJ program is estimated to be fully operational by 2012.
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NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) successfully tested its main engines by making a successful trajectory adjustment for reaching the red planet on March 10, 2006. The spacecraft fired all six main thrusters for 15 seconds on Saturday. The engine burn followed a 30-second burn of six smaller thrusters, which settled propellant in the craft's fuel tank for smoother flow. The spacecraft's orientation was adjusted prior to the burns to point the engines in the proper direction for the maneuver. The MRO returned to the regular cruise-phase attitude after the trajectory adjustment. "This maneuver accomplished two goals at once," said Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Deputy Mission Manager Dan Johnston of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif. "It adjusted our trajectory toward our Mars target point, and it gave us a valuable checkout of the orbit-insertion engines." The target point is 395 kilometers (245 miles) above the surface of Mars.
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Bremen-based space and high technology company OHB-System AG has received a contract from the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB), under the terms of which it is to continue and extend its convincing work on the radio transmission of high-resolution aerial reconnaissance images. Worth around EUR 4 million, the D-WERDAS project, as it is known, provides for OHB-System to develop a system enabling the long-distance transmission of aerial data between aircraft. D-WERDAS marks an extension to the work on the successful ARDS (Aerial Reconnaissance Data System), with which OHB-System has developed a revolutionary system for the radio transmission of high-resolution aerial reconnaissance data from aircraft to ground stations. Thanks to these two projects, it will be possible for high-resolution radar, infrared and optical images to be exchanged between flying systems securely and over large distances by radio in the future. At the same time ARDS is being extended to permit the exchange of data with latest-generation US radio systems implementing the secret NATO standard for use in international operations. Via this contract, OHB-System is creating the technological basis for data reduction and radio transmission of high-resolution images. As well as this, it is continuing its previous successful activities in the reconnaissance area. With ARDS and the radar satellite system SAR-Lupe, OHB in Bremen is working on two central German reconnaissance projects.
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Agusta Aerospace Corporation, an AgustaWestland company, announced that Airlift Northwest, located in Seattle Washington, has taken delivery of two A109 Power EMS helicopters with four Agusta Grands to follow. From coastal and island communities in Western Washington to high desert communities in Eastern Washington, Airlift Northwest provides medical transport to one of the largest and most geographically varied service areas in the world. The Power and Grand models were chosen by Airlift Northwest because the aircraft can successfully complete the multiple demands of this mission environment. AgustaWestland is proud to be associated with one of the leading air transport programs in the world.
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China has recovered an FSW satellite launched on August 2 from the Jiuquan launch center. State media reported the craft landed after its 27-day stint in orbit, marking the 20th successful recovery in the history of the series. "The satellite completed all its tasks including space surveying and scientific tests," China's People's Daily newspaper said. On the same afternoon, another FSW satellite was launched aboard a two-stage Long March 2D rocket from Jiuquan. According to state-run news sources, the launcher delivered its cargo to the planned orbit around Earth. This flight is the 22nd launch for the FSW program dating back to the mid-1970's, though the spacecraft design has undergone several updates to allow for additional capability and reliability.
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Global Aerial Surveillance, a developer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for both commercial and military applications, announced today that it is planning to develop a fully autonomous amphibious UAV designed for surveillance and search and rescue missions. Global's new design, named the 'Sea Wraith,' is a fallback on an old maritime surveillance vehicle that has been used for spotting submarines and ships in the past. During WW2, sea planes were used to spot enemy submarines that were encroaching on US coastal waters. These same planes were responsible for identifying and sinking enemy vessels off US shores from Florida to Maine. Global will be taking a page out of history, using what has historically proven effective in the design of its new airframe.
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One month ahead of schedule, the first Citation Mustang production aircraft (serial number 0001) took to the air Monday, Aug. 29. The Mustang flew exactly two hours, performing basic systems and avionics checks, including engaging the autopilot, testing the airplane's handling characteristics, performing operative gear and flap tests, activating the de-ice system, and evaluating engine response and performance. Three Mustang airplanes are dedicated to certification, the Mustang prototype and serial numbers 0001 and 0002. The Mustang prototype took its maiden flight April 23 and has logged more than 230 flight hours. To date, the prototype has completed envelope expansion and the initial development of aircraft systems and aerodynamic flight characteristics. Mustang serial number 0001 will be primarily used for avionics development and certification. "We expect to achieve FAA certification in the fourth quarter of 2006," Meyer said.
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CHC Helicopter Corporation announced anticipated net proceeds from the sale of its remaining interest in Canadian Helicopters Limited ("CHL") to be approximately $48 million. On this sale, CHC expects to record a combined pre-tax gain and dividend income of approximately $20 million, based on the value of CHC's investment in CHL as of July 31, 2005. CHC's interest in CHL is being acquired by the Canadian Helicopters Income Fund, which has been formed to indirectly purchase CHL through a public offering of trust units. The sale is subject to various conditions and approvals which will be obtained before the closing of the public offering, which is expected to occur on or about September 9, 2005. CHC's offshore oil and gas operations in Eastern Canada are not included in this sale. Proceeds of the sale will be applied to debt reductions and may be used to fund future capital expenditures.
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Boeing successfully conducted the first in-flight test of the Northrop Grumman Multi-mode Electronically Scanned Array radar aboard a 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft for Australia's Project Wedgetail. "The mission was flawless," said Jack DeLange, 737 AEW&C integration and test manager. "All of the first radar flight test objectives were achieved." The six-hour flight test over Washington state followed completion of three weeks of ground testing of the radar in Victorville, Calif. The ground testing verified the compatibility of the radar with other aircraft systems while operating and scanning through 360 degrees. The initial flight test aboard Wedgetail aircraft No. 1 collected data used to calibrate the radar for the effects of both the aircraft and the ground environment. Flight testing of the radar, integrated with the airborne mission system aboard Wedgetail aircraft No. 2, is scheduled to begin later this year. This follows several years of extensive stand-alone ground testing by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems Division in Baltimore, Md.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy completed the first flight of the BQM-74F subsonic aerial target Aug. 29 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division sea range at Point Mugu, Calif. The F model is the newest addition to the U.S. Navy's family of targets, providing increased speed, range, endurance and maneuverability, allowing the Navy to better simulate airborne threats against surface ships. Once the target was launched, it flew nearly an hour, meeting all of the test objectives, and was successfully recovered for reuse. The BQM-74F can fly 70 percent farther than the E model. It also is 15 percent faster and offers a 75 percent increase in endurance. The enhanced performance stems from an upgraded Williams turbo jet engine that provides 300 pounds of thrust, and a new swept wing and tail design. Increased endurance and speed, coupled with maneuvers up to 8G, means the target more accurately simulates current-day, high-speed aircraft or inbound missiles that may threaten Navy warships.The new target also employs advanced avionics that Northrop Grumman has developed on other UAV programs.
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Working atop a range of Martian hills, NASA's Spirit rover is rewarding researchers with tempting scenes filled with evidence of past planet environments. "When the images came down and we could see horizon all the way around, that was every bit as exhilarating as getting to the top of any mountain I've climbed on Earth," said Chris Leger, a rover planner at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif. The summit sits 82 meters (269 feet) above the edge of the surrounding plains. It is 106 meters (348 feet) higher than the site where Spirit landed nearly 20 months ago. Spirit and twin rover, Opportunity, successfully completed their three-month prime missions in April 2004. They have inspected dozens of rocks and soil targets since then, continuing their pursuit of geological evidence about formerly wet conditions on Mars. "Spirit has climbed to the hilltop and looked over the other side, but NASA did not do this just to say we can do it. The Mars rovers are addressing fundamental questions about Martian history and planetary environments," said NASA's Mars Exploration Program Director Doug McCuistion. The crest of "Husband Hill" offers Spirit's views of possible routes into a basin to the south with apparently layered outcrops. Shortly after Spirit landed, it observed a cluster of seven hills about 3 kilometers (2 miles) east of its landing site. NASA proposed naming the range "Columbia Hills" in tribute to the last crew of Space Shuttle Columbia. The tallest of the hills commemorates Rick Husband, Columbia's commander.
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced that it has been awarded a contract for the first Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unmanned aircraft system (UAS). “We are very pleased that Customs and Border Protection has awarded us the contract this first procurement contract for the use of unmanned aircraft systems to patrol our nation's borders,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. “The prop jet Predator B meets the over land reconnaissance solutions for the Department of Homeland Security. The performance of our combat proven aircraft systems, combined with our capability to respond rapidly to the emergent needs of our customers, were key to our success, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with CBP in support of the protection of our nation's borders.” The DHS/CBP UAS contract award will allow GA-ASI to provide a superior product to fulfill the nation's need for increased surveillance of its borders. The contract includes the delivery of one system, which will initially be comprised of a Predator B aircraft equipped with EO/IR and the Lynx synthetic aperture radar (SAR), ground control station, launch and recovery system, support equipment, engineering and logistics support. The Predator B system, which will be operated and maintained by GA-ASI personnel, will provide long-endurance surveillance, as well as communications relay for the CBP mission, and fully meets the agency's requirement for an off-the-shelf rapid delivery system that complies with DHS/CBP performance specifications.
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"Machinists Union members voted twice on September 1. Once to reject a contract offer by the Boeing Company that took away far more than it gave, and a second time to strike. Both votes were overwhelming," said Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "The Machinists showed Boeing what they could do with their reverse Robin Hood approach -- stealing from workers to give to the wealthy. They ripped the proposed contract in half and tossed it away. And tonight, at 12:01 a.m., they will put down their tools and pick up their picket signs. "Machinists' militancy rises in direct proportion to corporate greed and corruption. At Boeing, the only way to win a better life for our members is to strike. How long this strike lasts is anyone's guess. But unless and until the Boeing Company improves their last offer significantly, the Machinists will be pounding the pavement."
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North American Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of World Air Holdings, has been awarded a $7.34 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC) to provide fixed passenger flying in fiscal year 2006, which begins Oct. 1, 2005, and ends Sept. 30, 2006. North American's fixed-buy contract as an independent carrier for FY 2005 was $2.06 million. North American also will continue to support AMC's requirements for additional expansion flying to supplement the fixed passenger contract. "North American is in a much stronger position for FY 2006 because it is the only passenger carrier on the UPS Contractor Team," said Randy Martinez, World Air Holdings chief executive officer. "The airline flew as an independent carrier in FY 2005, without a team affiliation."
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Elbit Systems announced, further to its announcement dated April 18, 2005, the entering into effect of the contract to supply the Turkish Army with Unmanned Air Vehicle ("UAV") systems, signed in May 2005 by IUP, an equally-owned partnership between Elbit Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries. IUP will act as the major subcontractor to the TUSAS Aerospace Industry (TAI) for this program and will deliver the UAV systems to the Turkish MOD over a three-year period. IUP's contract is valued at $150 million and will be divided equally between Elbit Systems and IAI. The UAV systems will be operated by the Turkish Armed Forces.
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On 31 August, the final deliveries of the Czech Air Force Gripen aircraft were completed Two dual seat (39 D) Gripen multi-role fighters arrived at the Cáslav Air Base in the Czech Republic. These aircraft, the latest variant of the Gripen, were flown by pilots from the FMV, Swedish Defense Material Administration. The flight, which departed from FMV's facility outside Linköping, lasted for about one hour. On 18 April 2005, the first six Gripen aircraft were delivered followed by a further six aircraft on the 17 and 18 August. Today's delivery makes up the full quantity of Gripen – fourteen in totals- that the Czech Air Force will lease until 2015. Since the signing of the lease agreement in Prague in June 2004 Sweden has produced, tested and delivered all the Gripen aircraft to the Czech Air Force. In this fourteen month period Czech Air Force pilots and technicians have also been trained on the Gripen system by the Swedish Armed Forces. “I think that is quite an achievement for all concerned and proof of the good cooperation between Sweden and the Czech Republic,” says FMV's program director Per Nilsson.
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The first production T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft, an advanced, supersonic trainer being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with the assistance of Lockheed Martin, was rolled out in a ceremony in Korea on August 30, 2005. Korea's President Roh, Mu-hyun served as the principal speaker at the ceremony, which was held at the KAI facility in Sachon, Republic of Korea. “The roll out of the T-50 means the achievement of the long desire of Korean government to boost the high tech aerospace industries in Korea and to strengthen the basis of self-national defense through the development of the indigenous supersonic aircraft. The T-50 aircraft will be a corner stone of the superiority of ROKAF's air defense power and allow our Air Force the ability to change or improve the configuration of the aircraft which will ultimately allows us to develop indigenous fighter in the near future” The Republic of Korea Government authorized the go-ahead of the T-50 development program in October 1997. The 1st flight test was conducted on 1 August 2002 and the supersonic flight was made in February 2003. The 1,119 flight tests were conducted until the end of July 2005. This means almost 98 % of the FSD flight test (total 1,146 sorties) was already completed. Even after the 1,146 flight sorties, ROKAF and KAI will perform additional flight tests for expanding flight envelop and for checking additional weapon capability.
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Orbital Sciences Corporation announced that Horizons-2 Satellite, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between PanAmSat Corporation and JSAT Corporation, has ordered one geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite, which will be based on Orbital's industry-leading STAR small satellite platform. The spacecraft will carry the name Horizons-2 and will be launched into a PanAmSat-licensed orbital slot at 74 degrees West Longitude over the United States. The new order calls for a 22-month on-ground delivery schedule. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed. "Once again, our smaller-sized STAR GEO satellite platform has proved to be the ideal choice for satellite operators that seek an optimal balance between satellite capacity and customer demand," said Dr. Ali Atia, head of Orbital's commercial GEO satellite business unit. "We are delighted to add JSAT to the list of blue-chip customers who have adopted the 'STAR small satellite solution,' an industry trend of which PanAmSat has been the leading proponent."
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Air Calédonie and ATR signed the contract for 3 new aircraft: 1 ATR 42-500 and 2 ATR 72-500. This follows the intention announced on June 13, 2005 at Paris Air Show. Today's contract signing was unveiled on the occasion of a joint press conference held today at Maré (New Caledonia) between ATR and Air Calédonie. The contract is approximately $50 million based upon list price. The carrier Air Calédonie has selected the new-generation ATR aircraft to renew its fleet, in the frame of its restructuring programme.
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Swiss International Air Lines is to focus on its core business at Lugano Airport and entrust its ground handling to the City of Lugano. The parties concluded a Memorandum of Understanding specifying the overall parameters of the new arrangement. SWISS currently maintains its own ground handling organisation and a sales office at Lugano Airport. The company now intends to dispose of these activities to focus on its core business. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was concluded between SWISS and the City of Lugano today specifying the terms of their transfer. Under the MoU, the parties have agreed that the City of Lugano will take over SWISS's present ground handling activities at the beginning of 2006. The sales office will continue to be operated by SWISS until the end of next year. It should then be taken over by the new airport company in 2007.
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The third Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft, PA03, has successfully completed its first flight. It took off from BAE Systems' Woodford site, near Manchester at 1645hrs on Monday, 29 August, and landed at the company's Warton base, near Preston after a 75 minute sortie. PA03, the first development aircraft to test the whole of the mission system, joins the two other flight trials aircraft in a busy schedule that continues into 2007. Joe Harland, MD of the MRA4 programme for BAE Systems was on hand at Warton to greet PA03's flight crew, led by Nimrod MRA4's Chief Test Pilot Bill Ovel, and he congratulated them and the whole of the Nimrod community on a job well done.
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An Egyptian aircraft manufacture company was awarded on Monday a production certificate by a Chinese company, the largest cooperation project between China and Egypt. The Certificate of Recognition for Phase II of the K-8E aircraft co-production prow was awarded by China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) to Egypt's A.O.I Aircraft Factory in the latter's factory. On the awarding ceremony, CATIC President Fu Shula said the Egyptian factory has possessed the overall capability of production technology, quality control and production management of the K-8E aircraft. "It is definitely a remarkable achievement of Egypt's aviation industry, and it is also a significant success of joint efforts by both the countries," he said. Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Wu Sike, who attended the ceremony, said the two governments attach great importance to the K-8E aircraft project.
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The F/A-18 airframe design – which includes Hornet and Super Hornet generations – reached a milestone of having logged six million accumulated flight hours, Aug. 3. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots accumulated most of the flight hours, with help from aviators representing seven foreign nations that fly the Hornet. These include the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland and Malaysia. U.S. planes logged about 4,700,000 of the total flight hours. “I have flown this aircraft from Kosovo to Afghanistan to Iraq to Japan. It has been an awesome plane, and I look forward to many more hours flying it,” said Maj. Jeff Ertwine of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, “The Green Knights,” who flew the milestone during a local training hop from Iwakuni, Japan. The combat-proven F/A-18 Hornet is the first tactical aircraft designed from its inception to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. This versatility is a reason for its popularity among pilots.
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Many changes are in store for Army aviation, beginning with a contract for 368 new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters. “ARH is the next significant step in modernizing and transforming Army Aviation,” said Col. Mark Hayes, TRADOC system manager for reconnaissance and attack, located at Fort Rucker, Ala. The $2.2 billion contract with Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. -- awarded July 29 with a signing ceremony Aug. 29 -- calls for delivery of 38 of the new aircraft by fiscal year 2008, with the remainder delivered by fiscal year 2013. “The ARH will have a larger, enhanced engine,” said Col. Greg Gass, deputy director of the Army Aviation Task Force in the Pentagon. In addition, an upgraded tail rotor from the Bell 427 provides greater directional stability and control authority and the upgraded glass cockpit provides greater accuracy, has better display ergonomics, and is more user friendly than the current display, said Gass, comparing it to the current OH-58 Kiowa helicopter. The ARH will also incorporate an exhaust infrared suppressor. “This device suppresses heat from the helicopter so that it is less detectable by the enemy,” Gass said. “The Future Cargo Aircraft will replace the C-23 Sherpa,” said Gass. “It will provide tremendous capability in getting critical supplies to forward deployed forces, because it will be able to land on a very short runway – about 2,000 feet, which is a better capability than anything else we have out there.”
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded funding to two contractors for the first phase of the Walrus program. DARPA's Walrus program will develop and evaluate a very large airlift vehicle concept designed to control lift in all stages of air or ground operations including the ability to off-load payload without taking on-board ballast other than surrounding air. In distinct contrast to earlier generation airships, the Walrus aircraft will be a heavier-than-air vehicle and will generate lift through a combination of aerodynamics, thrust vectoring and gas buoyancy generation and management. The two contractors receiving Walrus phase I awards are: Lockheed Martin Corp., Advanced Development Programs, Palmdale,?-- Calif., $2,989,779; Aeros Aeronautical Systems Corp., Tarzana,?-- Calif., $3,267,000. The Walrus program will develop an operational vehicle concept design and required breakthrough technologies and will conduct risk reduction demonstrations of these new technologies. Demonstrations will include flight tests of a Walrus Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) scaled aircraft.
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Swiss International Air Lines has a new partner for its Zurich-Lugano route: the four daily services connecting Canton Ticino with SWISS's Zurich hub will be operated by Darwin Airline from the start of the 2005/06 winter schedules on October 30. SWISS's current collaboration with Cirrus Airlines will expire at the end of the present summer schedules. SWISS has a new partner – Darwin Airline – for its services between Zurich and Lugano. The Ticino-based carrier will assume operating responsibility for the route's four daily frequencies from current SWISS partner Cirrus Airlines with the start of the 2005/06 winter schedules on October 30. All departure and arrival times remain unchanged. The new wet-lease arrangement for SWISS's Zurich-Lugano services is a logical extension of an existing partnership: SWISS and Darwin Airline already collaborate on the technical maintenance of Darwin Airline's Saab 2000 aircraft.
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