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+++ Air Berlin launches UK domestic flights +++ ISS marks five years of occupancy +++ Third A380 flies +++ VSI delivers 1,000th Joint Helmet Mounted System +++ ANA launches 767-300 freighter conversion +++ CAE simulator facility in Bückeburg complete +++ News in brief +++
Air Berlin launches UK domestic flights
Neues Drehkreuz für Air Berlin
Air Berlin is to step up its competition in the UK marketplace by creating the first ever transfer hub at London Stansted, adding domestic UK routes to its schedule and expanding the number of international flights. In 2004 Air Berlin carried over 12 million passengers, making Air Berlin Germany's second-largest airline, Europe's third-largest low-cost carrier, and through its operations in its Majorca hub, Spain's third-largest airline. It is estimated the airline will carry 13.8 million passengers in 2005. Air Berlin managing partner, Joachim Hunold, in London to launch the plan, said: “Our UK customers already know and value our service so it makes sense for Air Berlin to increase our presence in the British market. In doing so, we become the first German airline to fly inside Britain. After all, our rivals are competing with us in the German market – so we will enjoy challenging them here.” On launch of the hub on December 16th, Air Berlin will introduce connecting flights from Manchester and Glasgow via Stansted to Germany.
This is the first time Stansted will be used by any airline as a transfer hub. Until now, Stansted has been used only for point-to-point flights - passengers could change planes and fly onto other destinations but were required to collect their luggage and check it in again for the new flight. With the Air Berlin hub, passengers from other UK airports who wish to travel to Germany via Stansted can do so easily while their luggage is automatically transported to the connecting plane. Average transfer times will be 45 to 60 minutes. The move signifies a further increase in customer service for Air Berlin, which already operates hubs in Majorca's Palma airport and in Nuremburg, Germany. From December 16th Air Berlin will fly twice daily from Stansted to airports in Berlin, Dusseldorf and Nuremberg once a day to Munster/Osnabruck, Paderborn and Nuremburg. Hannover will and Paderborn will be connected twice a day from May on. Air Berlin will also increase the number of London-Leipzig/Halle flights from three to seven per week.
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ISS marks five years of occupancy
Raumstation jetzt fünf Jahre bemannt
NASA and the international space station partners have celebrated a major milestone, as the unique orbiting laboratory marks the fifth anniversary of continuous, onboard human presence. Crews have lived and worked on the station more than 1,826 consecutive days. "This milestone for the station is really only the first leg in a much longer journey," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for space operations. "The experiences we're having on station with crews on long-duration missions are teaching us what it will take to send astronauts on longer missions to the moon and into the solar system." The station is an important step in international space exploration; 16 countries joined together on the largest, most complex peacetime multinational space program in history.
Since the first crew arrived Nov. 2, 2000, the station has grown from a room with a fantastic view into an unparalleled, state-of-the-art laboratory complex. The station's 12th resident crew, Commander William McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev, began a six-month stay aboard the complex Oct. 3. Since the first crew's arrival, the station's internal volume has increased from the size of an efficiency apartment to a conventional three-bedroom house. The station has a unique microgravity environment that cannot be duplicated on Earth, and it provides a home with 15,000 cubic feet of habitable space. It has living quarters, a galley and a weightless "weight room," where astronauts do aerobic and resistance exercises.
Crews have trained on and experimented with medical ultrasound equipment as a research and diagnostic tool. They use a telemedicine strategy that could have widespread applications in emergency and rural care situations on Earth. There have been 97 visitors onboard the station from 10 countries in the past five years. Twenty-nine have lived aboard as members of the 12 station expedition crews. Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev is the only one to serve as a member of two resident crews, Expedition 1 in November 2000 and Expedition 11 this year.
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Third A380 flies
Erstflug des dritten Airbus A380
Airbus' third A380, MSN 2, performed a successful first flight yesterday afternoon, 3rd November. The flight lasted three hours and took the aircraft over Southern France. During the flight, all systems were checked out and the whole flight envelope was cleared. The tests performed were similar to those of a serial production plane. The aircraft joins the first two A380s which, together, have already performed some 440 test flight hours in over 120 flights. These three development aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines The crew for this first flight comprised experimental test pilots Wolfgang Absmeier and Hugues van der Stichel, with Jean Piatek and Wolfgang Brueggemann as flight test engineers, and Bruno Bigand as test flight engineer.
While the first two A380s are equipped with heavy test instrumentation, this third A380 to take to the air only has a medium sized instrumentation. After complete checks, it will fly to Hamburg in the coming days, where it will be the first to be fitted with a full cabin. It will be used for cabin and cargo systems development and certification, for the Early Long range Flights to be performed with Airbus personnel, as well as for further airport compatibility trials. First airport trials were successfully performed on 29th October in Frankfurt. Two more A380s are to join the test programme, MSN 7 which will be equipped with a light test instrumentation and will be used for Route Proving flights, and MSN 9 which will be equipped with Engine Alliance GP7000 engines.
Test flights are progressing well towards type certification in the last quarter of 2006, in time for first delivery to initial operator Singapore Airlines. So far, Airbus has received 159 firm orders and commitments from 16 customers, reflecting the success of the all-new double-decker on the market.
At the request of Rolls-Royce, as a precautionary measure, two Trent 900 engines are being replaced on A380 number One. This follows a thorough review by the engine manufacturer of an earlier engine change, and leads to a slight shift in the A380 tour to Asia and Australia. The A380 is now due to arrive in Singapore on Friday 11th November, instead of Tuesday 8th. The subsequent tour to Australia remains unchanged. The aircraft will then visit Kuala Lumpur on Thursday 17th November.
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VSI delivers 1,000th Joint Helmet Mounted System
1000 Helmvisier geliefert
Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leading supplier of advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) systems, has delivered the 1,000th Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) two years ahead of schedule. "This accelerated delivery reflects the importance our customers place on expanded situational awareness provided by JHMCS," said Jim Wojtasek, president of VSI. "In fact, given today's advanced radar systems and electro-optical devices coupled with high off-boresight weapons, pilots with HMDs have a distinct advantage in the battlespace."
JHMCS provides pilots with a "first look, first shot" capability when employed with high off-boresight weapons under high-g conditions. The system allows pilots to lock-on and fire at enemy aircraft without having to maneuver their aircraft into position. The pilot needs only to point his head at the target and weapon systems are automatically cued to the target. JHMCS is also highly effective when used in air-to-ground target engagements and was used extensively in this manner in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In both air-to-air and air-to-ground modes, targeting cues and aircraft parameters are displayed on the pilot's visor. VSI is currently in full-rate production on the JHMCS and has delivered systems for the U.S military's F-15, F-16, and F-18 platforms, as well as a number of international platforms.
Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, announced the receipt of several new contracts with a total value of more than $100 million. The Boeing Company awarded VSI a contract for the delivery of more than 500 additional Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS). VSI also received direct contracts from the United States Navy and Air Force for spares and test equipments in support of the JHMCS program.
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ANA launches 767-300 freighter conversion
Neuer Frachtumbau für Boeing 767
Boeing and Tokyo-based All Nippon Airways (ANA) confirmed that ANA will launch the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) program, with a firm agreement for three passenger to freighter conversions with options for an additional four conversions. The three Boeing Converted Freighters will be redelivered to ANA between December 2007 and October 2008. The value of the agreement is not being released. Boeing will determine a modification site for the prototype airplane at a later date. "Our great experience with the Boeing 767 is very important in our selection of the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter," said Mineo Yamamoto, president and CEO – All Nippon Airways. "The projected growth of Asian cargo traffic provides an outstanding opportunity for us, and this new model will be very important in the development of our cargo operation and in our new joint venture with Japan Post."
"We are very pleased that ANA has chosen the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter and will be our first customer for this important new addition to our freighter family," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter is a wonderful solution for ANA's operation in the dynamic Asian cargo market." For the conversion to freighter configuration, a 767-300 passenger airplane receives major modifications on its main deck such as a side cargo door and surround structure, floor beams and struts, floor panels and freighter tracks as provisions for a buyer-furnished cargo handling system, and wall and ceiling liners. It is planned that the 767-300 ER-based freighter will have virtually the same cargo capability as the production freighter with up to 54 tonnes structural payload at a range of approximately 3200 nautical miles (5930 kilometers) at 412,000 pounds (187,270 kilograms) maximum takeoff weight. There are 24 pallet positions on the main deck.
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CAE simulator facility in Bückeburg complete
Deutsche Heeresflieger trainieren mit CAE-Simulatoren
CAE has recently delivered the last helicopter simulator destined for the German Army Aviation School's Hans E. Drebing centre in Bueckeburg, Germany, as part of a contract with the German Army. All twelve of the simulators that CAE has built and delivered have now been officially declared “ready for training”. CAE has also been awarded a one-year contract to provide maintenance and support services for these simulators.
CAE was prime contractor for the design and development of the helicopter simulators, which feature CAE's revolutionary roll-on, roll-off cockpit design. CAE delivered two UH-1D and two CH-53 full-mission simulators used primarily for night low-level flight training as well as for type-rating and combat training flight programs, including instrument flight rules. In addition, CAE delivered eight EC135 simulators used for basic helicopter pilot training, including emergency procedures and navigation training. All 12 simulators can be networked for mission training. “The German Army Aviation School at Bueckeburg now operates one of the world's largest and most advanced helicopter training centres, featuring state-of-the-art flight simulators,” said Col. Claus Koester, director of training and deputy of the German Army Aviation General. “The use of simulation will play an increasingly key role in our overall helicopter training program and will help our pilots maintain mission readiness.”
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Pentagon officials have called for a delay to the Corps' initial plans for replacing its aging heavy-lift helicopters. Ken Krieg, the Pentagon's top acquisition official, sent the proposal for the Sikorsky CH-53X aircraft back to the program office at Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., asking officials there to “take a look at a few more things,” according to the Defense Department. Naval Air Systems Command spokesman John Milliman said his command will make its pitch for an updated CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter again in December.
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A surrogate helicopter equipped with the new X2 Technology fly-by-wire system made its first flight, a key milestone in Sikorsky Aircraft's development of its X2 Technology demonstrator rotorcraft. The Schweizer 333 helicopter performed flawlessly while demonstrating basic capabilities of the X2 Technology fly-by-wire system during a one half hour flight at Schweizer Aircraft's facility. Sikorsky is building and plans to fly an X2 Technology demonstrator in 2006. "The X2 Technology demonstrator program continues to advance on plan toward first flight before the end of 2006. The Schweizer 333 fly-by-wire flight today provides just one indication of the excellent progress the team has made this year," said Carey Bond, Vice President Corporate Strategy and Advanced Programs.
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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) inked an agreement with ATR for the purchase of seven new ATR 42-500 aircraft on November 2, 2005 at PIA Head Office. The agreement was signed by Mr Tariq Kirmani, Chairman and CEO of PIA and Mr Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR in the presence of the General Consuls of France and Italy. The aircraft will replace PIA's aging F-27 aircraft fleet operated on socio-economic routes. The 7 firm 48-seat ATR 42-500 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2006 and 2007 with delivery of the first aircraft to PIA in May 2006. The total value of the contract is approximately US $100 million.
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Boeing and Ariana Afghan Airlines have finalized a fleet renewal plan that includes the lease of two 757-200s from Boeing Capital Corporation, as well as the direct purchase of four Next-Generation 737-700 airplanes that the airline will receive beginning in 2009. The ceremonial signing and celebration dinner was held last night at Dubai's Park Hyatt hotel. The agreement also includes an advanced training package for Ariana's flight and cabin crews and maintenance and engineering staff to begin training for the 757-200s that will be delivered later this month.
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The U.S. Navy's most advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS), the RQ-4A Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD), participated with the Air Force in a congressionally directed demonstration Oct. 26, to detect airborne targets. The 12.3 hour mission, flown in Navy Pacific Ocean test ranges off southern Calif., was a test of the effectiveness of the Global Hawk's radar to detect small aircraft in flight. The tests conducted will determine the capability of the radar to find and track airborne targets, and to pass sensor information in real time to ground facilities across the country. This flight illustrated the highly joint nature of the Global Hawk program. The air vehicle, RQ-4A, is a Navy aircraft flown by contractor operators working for the Navy - and was flown from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on an Air Force test program. Data from the sensors was passed to both Air Force and Navy ground facilities.
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Lufthansa German Airlines has announced that it has appointed Ms. Claudia M. Huegel to the position of Regional Director for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Announcing the new appointment, Mr. Thierry Antinori, Lufthansa's Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales and Member of the Executive Board, said: "We are pleased to welcome Ms. Huegel to the post of Regional Director. Her extensive international experience with Lufthansa will bring a further dimension to our activities in this key region."
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United Airlines announced it has reached a code-share and frequent flier agreement with Swiss International Air Lines, expanding international destination options and mileage opportunities for customers of both carriers. Under the agreement, beginning Nov. 9, 2005, United's code will appear on Swiss International's service between Zurich and Los Angeles, Zurich and Chicago O'Hare, and connecting beyond Zurich to Dubai and Muscat. Conversely, Swiss International's code will appear on United's Washington Dulles-Zurich service as well as between Los Angeles and Honolulu, with more routes to be announced -- pending regulatory approval. The code-share will enable each carrier's passengers to connect on to the other carrier's flights seamlessly. "We are pleased to partner with Swiss International to expand the international destination options that we offer our customers," says Graham Atkinson, United's senior vice president-Worldwide Sales & Alliances. "The agreement with Swiss supports our international growth strategy, and we look forward to further developing the relationship once Swiss is a full member of the Star Alliance."
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Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the investment of $1.3 million for the expansion of Keystone Helicopter's Coatesville facility, keeping 327 jobs in Chester County and creating 200 more over the next three years. In conjunction with the state's investment, Governor Rendell said Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, will acquire Keystone Helicopter. "With this commitment to new jobs in Chester County, we are making an investment in the future of our people, our communities and businesses," Governor Rendell said. "Sikorsky's decision to grow and invest in Pennsylvania is a tribute to our skilled and dedicated workforce and the business climate we have created." The Governor's Action Team (GAT), economic development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell, offered Keystone Helicopter a $1.3 million financial package for the $13 million expansion of its Coatesville facility, near the Chester County Airport. The company is merging its West Chester operations into the Coatesville facility. The offer included a $500,000 Opportunity Grant; $600,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits; and $206,000 through Customized Job Training credits. The project will create 200 jobs within three years.
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Curtiss-Wright Corporation through its Motion Control segment, Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc., renewed its long term agreement with Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The agreement extends the current contract from and gives Curtiss-Wright exclusive rights to manufacture products for Boeing production airplanes including 747 leading edge slat actuators; 737 and 767 trailing edge flap actuators; 777 flap position gearboxes; 767 and 777 cargo door actuators; 747, 767 and 777 cargo hold smoke detectors, and various flight control and position sensors. "Curtiss-Wright has a long standing relationship with Boeing which we are pleased to extend," said Martin R. Benante, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright. "This agreement solidifies Curtiss-Wright's on-going support to Boeing and the commercial aviation market."
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Evans & Sutherland announced that the company has been awarded a contract by HAVELSAN (Hava Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.) of Ankara, Turkey, to provide EPX(TM)-5000 and EPX-500 image generators and a database generation system for the Turkey HELSIM program. This program will establish two world-class military helicopter training centers for both the Blackhawk and Sea Hawk helicopters. The contract will include two Blackhawk and one Sea Hawk Flight Simulators (FSs), one Blackhawk and one Sea Hawk Flight Training Devices (FTDs) and Tactical Control Centers (TCCs). Evans & Sutherland will supply EPX-5000s for the FS devices and EPX-500s for the sensor requirements, as well as the FTDs and TCCs. The revolutionary Environment Creation Tool(TM) (ECT(TM)) will be provided for rapid database creation and update.
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Raytheon has delivered the first full production Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) for the Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial system used by the U.S. Air Force. The full production configuration includes both synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) high resolution imaging capability in a single integrated sensor system. Raytheon's ISS currently installed on the Global Hawk provides near real-time imagery and has been combat proven in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor on the Global Hawk high-altitude, long endurance unmanned aircraft. The recent ISS delivery is from Lot 2 of the Global Hawk low-rate initial production (LRIP) program. Raytheon is currently building Lot 3 LRIP systems for the Global Hawk program. Lot 3 consists of two basic ISS systems and one enhanced ISS. The enhanced ISS extends the range capabilities of both the SAR and EO sensors by 50 percent over the basic ISS. Along with the ISS, Raytheon also produces the Global Hawk ground element from its Intelligence and Information Systems operation in Falls Church, Va.
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Goodrich Corporation has been selected by Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems to supply an integrated fuel injection system, consisting of fuel atomizers and flexible manifolds, for the APS5000 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to be used onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. According to Bob Yancey, President of Goodrich's Turbine Fuel Technologies division, "This award is a great example of the breadth and depth of our fuel systems offerings for all sizes and classes of airframes and rotorcraft. We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue teaming with Hamilton Sundstrand and to add to the overall Goodrich presence onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner."
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Transport Canada has certified Sikorsky Aircraft's S-92 helicopter, equipped with a new Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS), for flight into known icing conditions. Transport Canada's certification comes on the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration's precedent-setting certification earlier this month. The S-92 is now certified to the newest and most stringent all-weather flight safety standards for both the United States and Canada. Transport Canada certification validates the S-92 type design and authorizes its use on aircraft flying under Canadian registry. Both Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) flew a RIPS equipped S- 92 in Alaska in October to test the new de-icing system immediately following the FAA flights. Any S-92 with the RIPS will now be allowed to launch in icy weather that might otherwise delay or cancel flight operations. The system determines the temperature and moisture content of the surrounding environment and applies heat to the main and tail rotor blades to remove any ice buildup.
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Development of an airborne radar that can search broadly for ground targets while transmitting data about them at Ka-band is the objective of the Affordable Adaptive Conformal ESA Radar (AACER) program awarded to Raytheon by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Raytheon was selected to proceed with Phase II of a planned three-phase, four-year program after a competitive down-select at the end of Phase I with Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems. The AACER system is a DARPA funded program being administered by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Md. "This is truly a multi-functional and multi-frequency system," Nick Uros, vice president for the Advanced Concepts and Technology unit of the company's Space and Airborne Systems business, said. "It'll scan electronically. No mechanical parts are involved. Therefore, it'll operate at the speed of light."
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Jeffrey Hanley has been appointed manager of NASA's Constellation Program. He will lead development of the nation's new spacecraft and launch system, which as part of the Vision for Space Exploration will take astronauts to the moon, Mars and beyond. Mark Geyer was appointed as deputy program manager. The Constellation Program will be based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. All of NASA's 10 field centers have program roles and responsibilities. The program will develop launch and transfer vehicles, landers and other systems. Initial missions will launch early in the next decade. Hanley was chief of Johnson's flight director's office since January 2005. Prior to that assignment, he was a flight director for space shuttle and international space station missions since 1996. He began his career with NASA in 1989 in the payload operations branch of Johnson's Mission Operations Directorate. He was a payload officer in mission control for 13 shuttle missions, including the first to service the Hubble Space Telescope.
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When it comes to buying new helicopters, U.S. AMS fleet operators choose American Eurocopter more often than all other manufacturers combined. With 371 helicopters flying for U.S. air medical services today, Eurocopter has 88% of the U.S. AMS market. “In 2004-2005, we've sold aircraft to Air Methods, Air Life of Oregon, CJ Systems/STAT Medevac, Eagle Air Med, Omniflight Helicopters, PHI, UMass Memorial Medical Center, and Vanderbilt LifeFlight,” says Larry Robert, American Eurocopter's Vice President of Commercial Affairs. “These sales and our 88% market share reflects the air medical industry's faith in our helicopters and their ability to fulfill the AMS mission efficiently, cost-effectively, and safely; backed by the best after-sales support available.” Air Methods Corporation is the largest provider of air medical services for hospitals, and a firm believer in Eurocopter products. This is why Air Methods bought six twin-engine EC-135 Eurocopters in 2005; having purchased 11 EC-135s the year before. To date, Air Methods has 90 helicopters and 13 fixed wing aircraft in its fleet, and has logged more than 316,000 AMS mission hours since 1980.
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A cueSim EC135 Flight Training Device (FTD), installed at Bond Air Services' training centre at Staverton in the UK, has become the world's first JAA approved FTD Level 3. The simulator had to comply with the stringent JAR-STD 2H Level 3 standard in order to achieve qualification. In addition to the instrument rating (IR) credits obtained by FNPT III dual qualification, Bond have had the device qualified to provide the major part of the following type checking credits: Type conversion; Type conversion Licence Skills Test (LST); Licence Proficiency Test; Operator Proficiency Test; Type Rating Instructor (TRI) course; Type Rating Examiner (TRE) course; MCC; PAOM Non IR Pilot recency type specific. The cueSim EC135 FTD has a replica cockpit, electric four channel control loading, on-board IOS, large field of view visual display, and includes a cueSim Maxcue 6-DoF electric motion platform; an option under the JAR-STD. One of the main differentiators for the Level 3 FTD is the helicopter flight model. cueSim gathered the necessary flight test data and validated the simulator's flight model against the real flight data to achieve matches within the narrow tolerances allowed by the JAR-STD 2H Level 3 standard. Due to the modular nature of cueSim's hardware and software solutions in its FTD product range a cueSim FTD can be supplied for almost all helicopter types. cueSim's managing director, Peter Birkett said, “This represents a highly significant milestone for cueSim. Although a world-leading achievement in its own right, FTD Level 3 Qualification is only half the battle. To have a customer achieve all the anticipated credits for this - the first FTD of its kind - puts cueSim at the forefront of affordable, high fidelity helicopter simulation. As Bond's Managing Director Trevor Larman said, 'the training credits are exactly what we hoped for -- if not more '.”
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Thales has signed a contract with Barco to provide and install fifteen high-resolution dome projection systems in the Tiger full-flight mission simulators. The contract is worth several million euros and has a 6 year duration. The helicopter simulators will be used to train the Tiger aircrews for a full range of operational missions at the École Franco-Allemande (EFA) – the joint training center for French and German Tiger Pilots in Le Luc (south of France) and in the operational regiments in Germany and France. This contract is a continuation of the successful initial delivery and installation of the full-dome Barco visualization systems for four full-mission Tiger simulators. Two systems are currently installed and in active use at the EFA based in Le Luc. Two further full-mission Tiger simulators will be delivered to the Australian Army.
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Boeing announced Germany's Lenkflugkorpersysteme GmbH (LFK) has joined the trans-Atlantic “Alliance Shield” team competing for NATO's upcoming Theater Missile Defense systems engineering and integration support contract. “Germany's LFK offers world-class tactical missile systems capabilities which complement the strengths of Alliance Shield's other European and U.S. members,” said Boeing Missile Defense Systems vice president and general manager Pat Shanahan. “The addition of LFK is a good example of our team's commitment to ensuring that the expertise gained from programs like Medium Extended Air Defence System becomes ingrained in NATO's theater missile defense future.” Alliance Shield is an international team comprised of companies with demonstrated experience in the design, development, integration and deployment of missile defense systems and systems of systems. In adding LFK to Alliance Shield, all of the companies responsible for the NATO Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS) program have now joined Alliance Shield. The announcement further underscores the team's comprehensive experience and ability to provide NATO with the theater missile defense solutions it is seeking.
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Northrop Grumman and its teammate Raytheon won a program definition and risk reduction contract for the nation's next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) system, GOES-R. The contract was awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The $10 million, six-month contract includes options for a potential additional $20 million and a 16-month extension. During the program definition and risk reduction phase, the team will produce trade studies comparing the performance and cost of alternative system architectures, develop system definition through allocating requirements and operational functions, initiate system and segment designs for products to be developed in the subsequent program phase, execute steps to reduce key risk areas and demonstrate the team's ability to meet the government's end-to-end system performance requirements for NOAA's missions.
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Since Friday (30 October) morning, the ground control station in Aalborg has not had any contact with SSETI Express. Thorough analysis over the weekend indicates that a failure in the electrical power system on board the spacecraft is preventing the batteries from charging, resulting in a shutdown of the satellite. There is a small but significant possibility of recovery, the likelihood of which is being ascertained by ongoing testing. "Naturally, the SSETI teams are disappointed that we lost contact, but the mission has still been a success from both an educational and a technical standpoint", says Project Manager Neil Melville. "The main goal of the mission was to educate students by having them involved hands-on in all the different aspects of a space mission, and now we really have experienced everything". On top of the educational purpose, several of the operational goals were met in the time the satellite operated. All evidence suggests that the three CubeSat passengers were successfully deployed into orbit by SSETI Express, and were hence able to begin their own independent missions. The CubeSats Xi-V and UWE-1 are alive and well, the status of NCube-2 has yet to be confirmed. Stable two-way communications between the groundstation and SSETI Express was established and both the Aalborg University as well as many radio amateurs all over the world downloaded a significant amount of housekeeping data.
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A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between L-3 Communications' subsidiary Integrated Systems, QinetiQ and QinetiQ Inc, to collaborate on technology development around Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and ISR programmes of mutual interest. "L-3's experience in technology planning, mission system integration and platform integration, combined with QinetiQ's expertise in developing advanced defence technology products represents a formidable team in the ISTAR and ISR marketplace," said Bob Drewes, president and chief operating officer of L-3 IS. "We look forward to our efforts bringing substantial capability benefits to our mutual customers in the critical ISTAR/ISR mission area." "QinetiQ brings planning and development of technology products for knowledge and information systems plus sensors to the partnership," added Steve Brittan, Managing Director of QinetiQ's Spectrum Solutions Division. "This MoU will enable both parties to offer customers significant value in advancing ISTAR and ISR capabilities for the defence departments of the United States, the United Kingdom and other close allies."
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Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $10 million, six-month contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) phase of the nation's next-generation environmental satellite system, GOES-R. The contract has two options priced at an additional $10 million each. NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program has a 30-year history of success in observing and predicting the intensity and track of severe storms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, providing data for daily and long-range weather forecasting, and climate studies. In addition to the Earth-observing instruments, the GOES satellites also carry solar instruments that provide advance warning of events on the Sun, such as solar flares, that can impact life on Earth.
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Goodrich Corporation announced that its Actuation Systems business has been awarded a contract by The French Ministry of Defence. Under the contract, Goodrich will perform Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), technical support and engineering. The contract covers servo control actuators, fuel systems, gearboxes, oxygen supply and hydraulic components as well as rescue hoists. More than 1,300 operational aircraft from fighters to transport aircraft to helicopters will be supported including: Mirage 2000; and Transall C160 aircraft; as well as Fennec; Puma; Super Puma; and Cougar helicopters. The contract is expected to generate approximately $141 million in sales for Goodrich through 2010. Three Goodrich Actuation Systems sites in France will be engaged in the work resulting from this single new contract -- Goodrich's Actuation Systems repair teams in Saint-Ouen l'Aumone and Vernon, its technical support staff in Buc as well as a Goodrich Hoists and Winches team also in Saint-Ouen l'Aumone.
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Team US101 announced that AgustaWestland, Inc. has chosen Air Methods Corporation of Denver, CO, to develop the multimission aeromedical interior for the US101 helicopter. Team US101 is offering the U.S. Air Force the US101 helicopter to meet its Combat Search and Rescue Replacement (CSAR-X) program needs. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego leads team US101, responsible for overall program management and final aircraft delivery to the Air Force. "Air Methods brings great experience and professionalism to the CSAR-X program," said Stephen C. Moss, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America. "We believe that Air Methods' experience and capabilities provide Team US101 with a competitive advantage."
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Boeing announced that Russia's AirBridge Cargo airline, a part of the Volga-Dnepr Group, has ordered two Boeing 747-400ER freighters. The airplanes, with a list price value of $450 million, are scheduled for delivery in October 2007 and February 2008 and will be powered by General Electric CF6-80C2B5F engines. "We are thrilled that Volga-Dnepr is moving up to the 747-400ER Freighter," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia - Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 747 freighter family revolutionized the air cargo industry and it will remain the industry standard for many years into the future. The superior capabilities and economics of the 747-400ER Freighter will allow Volga-Dnepr to achieve strong performance while providing a wide variety of service for its customers."
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Rockwell Collins and Honeywell announced the formation of a limited liability company that will offer customers a new series of integrated precision guidance solutions for precision guided weapons. The new entity, Integrated Guidance Systems LLC, is a Honeywell International/Rockwell Collins 50/50 joint venture. While offering a new integrated series of guidance products, both Honeywell and Rockwell Collins will continue to offer their existing Micro Electronic Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) products that are used on current precision weapons. Integrated Guidance Systems LLC combines the strengths of two defense industry leaders. The LLC will provide deeply integrated guidance and navigation solutions, enabling its customers to meet new and emerging enhanced performance requirements.
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Lockheed Martin technicians are replacing one of the solid-fuel boosters attached to the Atlas 5 rocket that will launch NASA's New Horizons spacecraft to Pluto because of damage the motor sustained during Hurricane Wilma. The Atlas 5 is being assembled inside the 30-story Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 in advance of the targeted January 11 liftoff that will send the five-ton New Horizons probe on its decade-long cosmic cruise to encounter the unexplored planet Pluto. Although the center of Wilma remained well south of the Cape, the large storm delivered heavy rain and hurricane-force winds to the Space Coast on October 24 as it sliced across Florida. A third of the 41-by-275-foot reinforced fabric "MegaDoor" on the assembly building's opening that faces the launch pad tore in the storm, causing some debris to fall inside the facility.
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The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) announced that the Cape Town Treaty, an international treaty to facilitate the cross-border financing and leasing of large commercial aircraft and aircraft engines, is now on track to enter into effect on March 1, 2006, following the accession to the treaty by Malaysia yesterday in Rome, Italy. Malaysia became the required eighth country to ratify or accede to the treaty and the related aircraft protocol. On Tuesday, November 2, 2005, the government of Malaysia deposited its instruments of accession to the Cape Town Treaty and the related aircraft equipment protocol with the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), the independent intergovernmental organization based in Rome, Italy, that serves as the depositary. Besides Malaysia, the other countries that have ratified or acceded to the Cape Town Treaty to date are Ethiopia, Ireland, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama and the United States. "Ex-Im Bank commends the actions of all nations that have enabled the Cape Town Treaty to move forward. We strongly believe 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 (acting) James H. Lambright. "Ex-Im Bank will continue to encourage more countries to ratify the treaty and realize its benefits."
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Continental Airlines has said that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposal to allow foreign control of U.S. airlines is a blatant attempt to circumvent the law that the DOT has been unable to convince Congress to change. Less than two years ago Congress made its statutory ban on foreign control even more restrictive by forbidding any "actual control" of U.S. airlines by foreign citizens. Nonetheless, DOT is attempting to gut the definition of "actual control" despite the clear Congressional intent to bolster it and to ensure only U.S. citizens can control U.S. airlines. This attempt to change the law outside the legislative process will not withstand judicial scrutiny, and the uncertainty over its legitimacy will discourage the very investment the DOT is trying to encourage. Continental believes that the foreign ownership restrictions should be reviewed and encourages a debate of all reasonable viewpoints on foreign control of U.S. airlines, but that debate should be heard in the chambers of Congress. "DOT proposes to unilaterally limit the application of the law to only certain aspects of airline management, while the statute requires that U.S. citizens have actual control over all aspects of airline operations," a Continental spokesman said. "This shows that either the DOT has misinterpreted the law or has ignored the realities of internal airline management and how airlines operate. Actual control over day-to-day operations, including scheduling, pricing, employment and labor decisions and financing, provides foreign citizens actual control of the very areas DOT is trying to carve out. Airline operations cannot be split in the manner DOT is suggesting." The foreign control proposed by DOT is also tantamount to allowing foreign airlines to operate domestic flights within the U.S., Continental said, which is clearly prohibited by U.S. aviation law. Any attempt to change this law is also the responsibility of Congress.
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Bombardier announced that Transport Canada (TC) the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have granted full operational approval for the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS). BEVS provides pilots with improved situational awareness and the ability to observe runway lights and the runway environment in difficult operating conditions. The system is a standard feature on the new ultra long-range Global Express XRS aircraft, scheduled for entry into customer service in the first quarter of 2006. It is also available as an option on the high-speed Bombardier Global 5000 jet and as a retrofit for Global Express aircraft currently in service. “This innovative technology is among the first certified to the latest TC and FAA standards for Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS),” said Jeff Petzke, engineering director for the Global product line. “Global operators will immediately benefit from the increased safety for flight crews and passengers. In low visibility conditions, BEVS can also enable pilots to descend below published minimums and use the system as a visual reference to the runway, making airports more accessible more often.” Both TC and the FAA provided system certification late this summer, while EASA provided its approval this autumn. TC and the FAA completed joint flight-testing on February 3, 2005; EASA finished its flight-testing on March 15, 2005.
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AirLaunch LLC announced that it has been selected for contract continuance by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under Phase 2B of the Falcon program. Valued at $17.8 million for a one-year effort, the Phase 2B contract activity enables AirLaunch and its team of contractors to continue development of the QuickReach small satellite booster. The Falcon program goal is to develop a booster that can launch a small satellite for less than $5 million with only 24 hours notice. AirLaunch's design achieves responsiveness by carrying its QuickReach booster to altitude inside the cargo bay of an unmodified C-17A or other large cargo aircraft. "We look forward to working with the DARPA/Air Force team to move the QuickReach booster development forward and bring the nation's first air-launched liquid rocket booster to fruition," said Gary Hudson, founder and Chairman of AirLaunch. "In Phase 2A, AirLaunch rapidly designed a prototype rocket, integrated a mock-up with an unmodified C-17 aircraft, and successfully executed a drop test of the hardware. Phase 2B will focus on additional risk reduction and maturing the launch vehicle design and concept of operations."
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Alcatel applauds the agreement of the European Space Agency's industrial policy and navigation program committees regarding the additional financing of Galileo's first industrial phase. This initial phase consists of placing 4 first satellites into orbit to validate the key technologies of this complex system. In its full deployment stage, the Galileo constellation will consist of 30 satellites, with the operational roll-out expected at the end of 2010. One of the first satellites, integrated by Alcatel Alenia Space in its Rome facility, will be launched early in 2006. Olivier Houssin, President of Alcatel's Private Communications and in charge of Alcatel's space activities says: "Thanks to this decision, the industrial teams in Europe - and notably Alcatel Alenia Space teams - will be able to work with the needed visibility to achieve this program within the time and financial frame. This green light will strengthen European technological competencies in satellite navigation and will encourage job creation in transport, telecommunications and safety domains." ESA's strategic decision demonstrates Europe's will in establishing the Galileo program, essential for European autonomy, and for the development of new localization-based services. Once this first industrial phase will be achieved, a private concessionaire will ensure the financing, building and exploiting of the whole satellite constellation.
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EADS/LFK has performed successful test firings with the new firing post Milan ADT. In October 2005, six firings were carried out with various missile versions (Milan 2, Milan 3) at stationary and moving targets at the ETBS test site at Bourges. At the same time, the guided missile system was also exposed to artificial jammers. These firings marked an important step towards qualification of the new Milan ADT firing post. Qualification is now expected to be formally announced at the beginning of 2006. The scenarios for the test firings had been planned by the French DGA (Directorate General of the French Armaments Ministry), which, on the basis of a Franco-German frame agreement, is overseeing the further development of the Milan guided missile system with the designation ADT/ER (Advanced Technology / Extended Response). The industrial work is being carried out by EADS/LFK (for the firing post) and MBDA (for the missile) under contract to Euromissile.
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In a commercial communications satellite market dominated by American manufacturers, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced it received an order for the Superbird 7 communication satellite from Space Communications Corporation (SCC), making Mitsubishi Electric the first Japanese company to enter the commercial communications satellite market. The companies concluded a contract to start its design and production, aiming for a launch of the satellite in the first quarter of 2008. Although currently promoting its Superbird C satellite in various cable television delivery, Satellite News Gathering (SNG), and intra-corporate, and mobile communications ventures, SCC issued a RFP in April of this year for procurement of the Superbird 7, the replacement to the Superbird C. After an international bid for the contract, Mitsubishi Electric received first contract negotiation rights with SCC on June 28th. On October 31st, both parties concluded a contract, agreeing to satellite specifications as well as other terms and conditions.
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Aircraft enthusiasts do not need to fret. While next year's Asian Aerospace (AA) will be the last airshow to be held at the eastern fringe of Changi Airport, come 2008, a new show will take its place, at a new site in Changi North. Changi International Airshow & Events Pte Ltd, a joint venture between the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), will organise the Changi International Airshow which is scheduled for Feb 2008. While no concrete plans can be revealed now, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB), Changi International Airshow & Events Pte Ltd will invest in and construct a new venue to host a world-class airshow. Mr Manohar Khiatani, EDB's Director of Logistics and Transport, said his agency recognises the value of a world-class airshow, and remains committed to hosting such a show in Singapore for the long term. The current site near Changi Village will be redeveloped for airport expansion after Asian Aerospace 2006.
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Aviation Technology Group reported the continuing progress of the Javelin prototype flight test program following the completion of the third flight. “We are very pleased with the progress of our test program.” said George Bye, Founder and Chairman of ATG. “The Javelin prototype is proving itself in an impressive manner.” Like the first flight, the second and third flights were conducted at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado. The Javelin prototype's landing gear remained down and flaps were deployed at ten degrees. During the last two 35 minute flights, speeds varied from 135 knots to 185 knots within a test altitude block of 10,000 feet to 14,000 feet. Bank angles have progressively increased to 45 degrees.
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The Saab 2000 era at Swiss International Air Lines drew to a close on Saturday, October 29 with the arrival in Basel of flight LX 2167 from Palma de Mallorca. The regional turboprop has been in service with SWISS and its predecessor Crossair for over eleven years, notching up more than 500 000 takeoffs and landings. The seven remaining Saab 2000s in the SWISS aircraft fleet are being withdrawn with the end of the 2005 summer schedules. It was back in August 1994 that Crossair, the predecessor to SWISS, took delivery of its first Saab 2000. Crossair was also the launch customer for the new aircraft type. For over eleven years since, the Saab 2000 has proved its high reliability in day-to-day flight operations. The 50-seater aircraft is especially renowned for its combination of engine and propeller technology, which enables this turboprop to reach almost jet-aircraft speeds. It is also the only regional aircraft in the world that offers a window view from its toilet facility. Crossair took delivery of its final Saab 2000 in 1999, when the fleet reached its maximum size of 34 aircraft. SWISS has continued to operate seven Saab 2000s to and from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg during the 2005 summer timetable period. But the company decided this August to operate an all-Avro-RJ regional fleet from the start of the 2006 summer schedules. In a first move towards this streamlined fleet structure, the remaining Saab 2000s are thus being withdrawn with the cutover to the 2005/06 winter timetable period.
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Now in formation, the new Japanese airline Star Flyer has contracted Lufthansa Technik to take on the major share of the maintenance program for its new Airbus A320 fleet. This is the first time that an Asian airline has entered into a Total Technical Support TTS agreement with the Lufthansa Technik Group. In addition to maintenance and engineering services, the contract also covers component services, plus regular airframe checks at Lufthansa Technik Philippines in Manila. Star Flyer begins its scheduled flight operations on March 16, 2006 together with the opening of the new Kitakyushu airport, which will be the home base of Star Flyer's fleet. The airline will provide a high-quality service to Tokyo's domestic Haneda airport and connect the two cities with twelve daily flights each way. The initial fleet of three Airbus A320-200 airplanes will have a one-class 144 seat configuration tailored for business passengers. At a later date further flights are planned to other destinations in Japan, plus flights to China and Korea.
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During the next three years Lufthansa Technik will continue to provide engineering services for cockpit systems to be installed in FedEx cargo aircraft conversions. The American company has the world's biggest fleet of cargo aircraft and the work will be undertaken by EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke of Dresden. Shortly after delivery of its 100th Airbus, an agreement was signed for the standardization, technical upgrades and certification, of uniform modern cockpit systems for additional Airbus A300 and A310 cargo aircraft, in conjunction with Lufthansa Technik engineers. Amongst the changes planned for the modified Airbus cockpits are a redesign of the aft center pedestal and installation of modern control systems. The work includes replacement of the aircraft condition monitoring system (ACMS) by a unit coupled to a new data communications system (ACARS). Together the two systems will collect data on the aircraft and its engines for download to ground engineering monitoring stations during flight. Navigational precision will be further enhanced by the installation of two GPS systems. One of the biggest improvements will be a pure data communications system between the cockpit and Air Traffic Control (ATC), now certified for use on the A310-300.
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CHC Helicopter Corporation announced it has been named by the United Kingdom Department for Transport ("DfT") as the 'preferred bidder' to provide commercial Search and Rescue helicopter services from four bases in the UK for a five-year period commencing July 1, 2007. DfT and CHC will now negotiate details of the operation with a view to finalizing a contract for the provision of search and rescue services from three dedicated civilian-operated bases at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Lee on Solent on a 24/7 basis, as well as Portland on a day-time only basis. The awarding of this contract is not assured and remains subject to the finalization of terms and conditions with the DfT.
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