|
|
+++ Airbus has excellend Dubai show +++ Emirates orders 42 Boeing 777s +++ Boeing offers new Business Jet +++ EU to encourage defence competition +++ NH90 completes altitude tests +++ Saab Filur UAV flies +++ Bell and AgustaWestland restructure partnership ++ News in brief +++
Airbus has excellend Dubai show
157 Aufträge und Absichtserklärungen unterzeichnet
Airbus announced orders and commitments (excluding options) for 157 airliners worth around $14 billion during the Dubai air show. The deals reaffirm Airbus' leading role in the airliner business and reflect an increasingly strong market recovery. They also take commitments for Airbus' new A350 airliner to 155 - a total that is expected to rise to around 200 by the end of the year. The sales came from America, Europe and India - as well as the Middle East - highlighting the global success of the modern Airbus aircraft family.
The full breakdown of announcements comprises AerCap for 70 A320 Family aircraft, ALAFCO of Kuwait for twelve A350s, International Lease Finance Corporation of America for 12 A350s, Jazeera Airways of Kuwait for six A320s, Kingfisher Airlines of India for 30 A320 Family aircraft, National Air Service (NAS) of Saudi Arabia for five A318 Elites, TAP Air Portugal for ten A350s and seven A330s, and an undisclosed private customer for five A320 Family aircraft.
With a record number of orders, a record number of deliveries and a record backlog, Airbus CEO faces the future confidently.
“In the first 10 months of the year, Airbus has won some 500 orders . By comparison, in 2004 we sold 370 aircraft so this is already a very good year and will be a record year,” said Gustav Humbert. Discussing market share, Gustav Humbert expressed his belief that competition was healthy. “We don't want to dominate the market, nor do we want to be dominated. What really matters to me as CEO of Airbus is profitability for our shareholders and customer satisfaction.” Another very important positive feature of this year is the level of backlog, which at the end of October reached a record figure of nearly 1,700 aircraft. The number of deliveries also contributes to Airbus' positive outlook. “For the third year in a row, we are going to deliver more aircraft than our competitor with 370 this year and more than 400 next year,” he said. This leads to a considerable increase in production which is slated to go up to 30 A320 Family aircraft per month next year and 32 in 2007 between Toulouse and Hamburg, “the highest rate ever for any civil airliner programme in history, he concluded”.
TAP Portugal, an all-Airbus operator, has announced the decision to acquire 10 Airbus A350s and seven Airbus A330-200s to modernise and reinforce its long-haul fleet. TAP's decision confirms herewith the number of sales for the A350 of 143 aircraft from 10 customers. TAP will cover its long-haul route network with its A330s and A350s. It will add the new A330-200 aircraft starting from 2007, in response to the increased demand for its destinations in South America, Africa and North America. A350 deliveries will begin in 2013. Both the A330s and the A350s will be fitted with a comfortable two-class layout. The TAP A330-200 will accommodate 268 passengers.
Kingfisher Airlines is to acquire 30 more Airbus A320 Family aircraft, continuing its major fleet expansion. Deliveries of the aircraft, which will comprise a mix of A319s and A320s, are due to begin in early 2008. Kingfisher already flies seven Airbus A320s on routes among Indian cities, and also has three A319s on order which are due for delivery by December 05. Its new aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500s, like its existing fleet.
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), the world's largest commercial leasing company and a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc, has signed a contract with Airbus for 12 new A350 aircraft. "The Airbus A350 is the natural choice for a global lessor like us," said ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy. "The A350's innovative features combined with operational commonality with existing Airbus fleets, give it a winning performance with our customers, as well as making it an attractive asset to invest in for the future. It complements our portfolio of Airbus aircraft in which the A330 and its singe-aisle Family are the cornerstones."
ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international aircraft leasing company, has signed a contract for 12 Airbus A350s with options on six more, reaffirming the commitment that it announced in June. It is the first leasing company to select the new jetliner. Deliveries of ALAFCO's A350-800s are due to begin in the third quarter of 2012. “We believe in investing for the future, and the Airbus A350 is a great way to do that,” says ALAFCO Chairman and CEO Ahmed Al Zabin. “Our customers in the Middle East and around the world will want the improved economy and range that the Airbus A350 offers and, when they do, we will be ready to supply it.”
National Air Services (NAS), the largest provider of VVIP and executive air transport services in the Middle East, has made a firm commitment to purchase five A318 Elites and has taken an option for five additional aircraft, becoming the launch customer in the Middle East for this new member of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family. Jeddah-based NAS plans to use the aircraft to support VIP customers throughout the Middle East, including routes from Saudi Arabia to Europe, introducing new standards of comfort and style in this market. Deliveries of these new aircraft will commence in the final quarter of 2006. Derived from the Airbus A318 airliner, the Elite has seating for 14-18 passengers in a spacious and luxurious layout that allows them to socialize and move around. Its cabin features settees as well as seats clustered around tables, both of which can be converted into full-length beds for maximum sleeping comfort.
Jazeera Airways, the new, privately owned airline of Kuwait, has signed a contract with Airbus for six more Airbus A320s, taking its total orders for the model to ten. Jazeera Airways inaugurated airline services last month with its first two aircraft. It will use the additional A320s to increase services on existing routes within the Middle East, as well as to begin routes to new destinations. Each of Jazeera's A320s will seat 165 passengers in a single-class layout, and be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Emirates orders 42 Boeing 777s
777: Großbestellung von Emirates
On 20 November,. Boeing and Emirates announced they have concluded contract negotiations for a firm order for 42 Boeing 777 airplanes with purchase rights for 20 additional airplanes. The deal was announced by Emirates Chairman H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum at the Dubai Air Show and is valued at $9.7 billion at list prices. Emirates' order is for 24 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LR Worldliners and 8 777 Freighters, with the first airplanes scheduled for delivery in 2007.
When current orders are delivered by late 2007, Emirates fleet will include 51 Boeing 777s, already making it one of the world's largest 777 fleets. This new order for 42 Boeing 777s will see the airline becoming the largest Boeing 777 operator in the world. "We have had very positive results with the Boeing 777s already in our fleet," said Emirates Chairman H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. "These new airplanes are perfectly suited to our business model for continued growth, both in cargo and passenger traffic, while maintaining the high level of comfort and exceptional service our passengers expect." Emirates will use the 777 Family to extend routes to key European and Asian cities, and fly to emerging markets. The 777-200LR, which recently broke the world distance record for a commercial airliner, will allow Emirates to open new direct service to destinations across the globe, including direct flights to the U.S. West Coast. The airline currently serves over 75 destinations and continues to grow, including a 27% volume increase in cargo through its subsidiary Sky Cargo. The airline is credited with the 777th order for a Boeing 777, bringing the total number of 777s ordered by 43 airlines around the world to 779 airplanes.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Boeing offers new Business Jet
737-900 als Geschäftsreisejet
On 21 November, Boeing Business Jets announced it is offering a new, more spacious Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The new product offering is a business jet version of Boeing's Next-Generation 737-900ER commercial jetliner. It offers 35 percent more cabin space than the BBJ and 11 percent more cabin space than the BBJ 2. "BBJ customers value long-range capability and cabin size and this product offering enhances both attributes of the BBJ family," Boeing Business Jets President Steven Hill said during a media briefing at the Dubai Air Show. "It is fitting that we announce our intention to offer this airplane at the Dubai Air Show, because we believe the airplane will have wide appeal in this region."
Twenty-six percent of the BBJ worldwide fleet is based in the Middle East. The majority of BBJ 2s has been ordered from this region and they make up almost half of the area's BBJ fleet.
With a launch order, the airplane would be named the BBJ 3. It will offer 1,120 square feet (104 square meters) of cabin space. With up to five auxiliary fuel tanks, the jet will have a maximum range of 4,765 nautical miles (8,825 km). The BBJ 3 would join the BBJ and BBJ 2 family of business jets, which are based on the commercially popular Next-Generation 737-700 and 737-800, respectively. Providing unsurpassed levels of space, comfort and utility, the BBJ cabin offers 807 square feet (75 square meters) of space, nearly three times the interior space of competing models with similar range capability. The BBJ 2 offers 25 percent more cabin space and twice as much cargo capacity as the BBJ. To date, 102 BBJs have been sold since program launch in 1996. There are currently 83 BBJs in service around the world.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
EU to encourage defence competition
Mehr Wettbewerb in der Rüstungsindustrie
European Union Defence Ministers agreed a voluntary code of conduct for defence procurement in order to encourage competition in the European defence equipment market, where contracts are currently exempt from normal EU internal market rules. At a meeting of the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency, Ministers decided that the new regime would cover contracts worth more than one million Euros and would take effect from 1 July, 2006. “This is a landmark decision” said Javier Solana, the Head of the Agency, who chaired the meeting. “It will mean a better deal for European taxpayers, and for their armed forces. And it is a vital step for ensuring that our defence industries remain globally competitive.” “The need for this breakthrough has been recognised for years – decades, even. I am delighted that we have got there in the EDA's first year of operation,” he added. An EDA study earlier this year established that the majority of defence procurement by EU governments was done outside the framework of internal market rules on public procurement because of the exemption allowed under Article 296 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Member States who subscribe to the new voluntary, inter-governmental regime will commit to maximising fair and equal opportunities for all suppliers based in other subscribing Member States by publicising procurement opportunities through a single online portal and setting transparent and objective criteria for selecting bidders and awarding contracts.
The key principles underlying the code are transparency and mutual accountability: regular EDA data-collecting and reporting will allow all participants to satisfy themselves that the regime is working as intended and that all are moving forward together. Special attention will be given to small and medium sized enterprises. Assessing the first year of the Agency's operations, Ministers expressed satisfaction to see it up and running so quickly and starting to make a real difference. They noted that important advances have been achieved, such as today's decision on defence procurement -- one of the EDA's flagship projects for 2005 -- and an initiative to address Europe's capability shortfall in air-to-air refuelling. On another flagship – Command, Control and Communications (C3) – an important step forward was taken when Ministers agreed that the Agency should test the viability of a collective European approach to developing a next-generation Software Defined Radio (SDR) as a joint civil/military endeavour.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NH90 completes altitude tests
Höhenversuche in Ekuador abgeschlossen
The NH90 came through its high altitude tests in Ecuador from 13 September to 5 October 2005 with flying colors. The goal was to extend the takeoff and landing envelope of the helicopter to level 130 (approximately 4000 m). The tests were conducted by the Eurocopter product team made up of experimental test pilot Philippe Boutry, flight test engineer Denis Trivier, and flight test technician Jean-Claude Rabany. The 9,191 ft (2,801 m) high airfield at Latacunga was chosen because of its facilities, safety equipment, 3,700 m long runway, and other advantages. The 21 flights representing 20 hours 35 minutes of testing were mainly devoted to performance (hover, level flight, climb, Cat B, Cat A), engine operation (transients, one engine inoperative power), simulated autorotations, maneuverability in and out of ground effect, altitude-speed envelope, and fly-away characteristics. At the end of the test campaign, Philippe Boutry said: "Once again the helicopter has given proof of its inherent qualities and reliability in this case, in severe conditions." A test crew from CEV (Flight Test Center) also took part in the trials. To date, 357 orders with 88 options have been placed for the NH90, and two countries have selected 45 machines.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Saab Filur UAV flies
Neues unbemanntes Fluggerät aus Schweden
Saab and FMV's technology demonstrator program FILUR has made its first flight. It was a successful flight and the test results are now being evaluated in order to be able to optimize flight performance for future flights. On the 10th of October the low-signature demonstrator FILUR made its first flight. "The ten minute flight went really well, and we are now looking forward to a second flight test campaign during 2006", says Mikael Franzén, UAV program Manager at Saab. FILUR's main objective is to show the tactical importance of stealth technology applied on aerial vehicles, to gain experience and to set a foundation for stealth requirements for future aerial systems and air-surveillance systems. The focus with the FILUR program is on low signature, for both radar and IR-signature. "Static measurements of radar cross section (RCS) made late 2004 showed really good performance and corresponded with calculated data. In-flight measurements of stealth performance will be done as a next step", says Jan Boström FILUR Project Manager, Saab Aerosystems. The technology developed in FILUR will be used for future Saab UAV systems. This could be one important feature for the next generation tactical UAVs. FILUR is mainly financed by FMV research funding, and the total program is valued to about 80 million SEK. The FILUR program and Sweden's competence within the area of low signature management/stealth technology is a result of many years of research and development in Sweden, as this type of projects has been conducted since the 1970's. The FILUR program started in 2001 as a technology program for verifying the Swedish competence within the area of stealth technology.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Bell and AgustaWestland restructure partnership
AB139 wieder voll in der Hand von Agusta
Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland announced a realignment of their joint venture Bell Agusta Aerospace Company LLC (BAAC). Effective upon regulatory and other necessary approvals, Bell is selling its 25 percent interest in the AB139 medium twin helicopter program to AgustaWestland. AgustaWestland will assume 100% ownership of all aspects of the AB139 program going forward. In return for its 25% interest, Bell will receive payments to reflect its value in the program. Specific terms of this transaction are undisclosed. In addition, the realignment allows AgustaWestland to confirm the ability to increase its economic interests in the BA609 civil tiltrotor aircraft, which will remain within BAAC, from the original 25 percent to a maximum of 40 percent by increasing its investments during the development phase. "Consolidating ownership of the AB139 will provide a single face to the customer, leading to increased sales and greater customer satisfaction related to follow-on support services," said AgustaWestland Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Orsi. Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer Michael Redenbaugh commented, "Bell and Agusta have been partners on numerous programs since 1952, and indeed this partnership continues today on the BA609. In addition, we remain partnered on other exciting programs such as the 412 helicopter and the U.S. Presidential fleet of US101s."
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
ATR has been selected by Kingfisher Airlines to provide 20 firm ATR 72-500 aircraft, plus an option for 15 additional aircraft. This was announced on the occasion of a joint press conference held today in Dubai between ATR and India's first Full Service True Value carrier, Kingfisher Airlines. The value of the contract, excluding options, is US $350M. The 20 firm aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between March 2006 and August 2008. Equipped with the “Elegance” cabin, incorporating all the latest developments in passenger comfort and amenities, the ATR 72-500 aircraft will also be fitted with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools, and IFE (in-flight entertainment). The ATR 72-500s will be used as feeder aircraft on smaller domestic routes to link Kingfisher Airlines' four hubs that are Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Bangalore.
+++
The last U.S. Navy Sea King helicopter to be delivered was received by a Naval Air Systems Command team lead by Bob Kelly, H-3 Sea King Deputy Program Manager, on Wednesday, November 2, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The helicopter, a search and rescue variant, will be based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. “I'm honored to be here on behalf of NAVAIR and the Sea King program,” Kelly said. “IMP Aerospace did an outstanding job in refurbishing not only this Sea King but also the other 24 Sea Kings refurbished under this contract. The helicopter delivered today is virtually brand new, which is quite a challenge considering how long it's been in service. When it comes to top quality craftsmanship, the artisans at IMP Aerospace have made a name for yourselves as the experts when it comes to the Sea King, and the U.S. Navy recognizes that,” Kelly said.
+++
Boeing and International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) today announced a firm order for 20 787 Dreamliners with four additional options. The order is valued at approximately $2.7 billion at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2010. ILFC is the first leasing company to be announced as a 787 customer. The airplanes were previously acknowledged on the Boeing Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer. ILFC has ordered 698 Boeing jets since 1977.
+++
An Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) long-term loan guarantee will support the export by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga., of three G350 business jet aircraft to National Air Services (NAS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ex-Im Bank announced its approval of the financing in conjunction with the Dubai Air Show being held in Dubai November 20-24, 2005. Gulfstream has more than 7,200 employees at seven major locations in the United States. The G350 aircraft will be manufactured in Savannah. The planes include components produced by numerous U.S. sub-suppliers including Aerostructures Corp., Nashville, Tenn.; Goodrich Avionics Systems Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.; Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.; and Parker Hannifin Corp., Ogden, Utah."This transaction will create and sustain U.S. jobs, while continuing Ex- Im Bank's strong support of U.S. aircraft exports to the Middle East," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman (Acting) James H. Lambright. "Recently, we have supported aircraft exports to Dubai, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The current transaction will enable NAS to further implement and expand its business model."
+++
During the 6th Embraer Day held November 17 and 18 at its headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, Embraer presented its forecast for the world demand of 30 to 120-seat commercial jets as well as for the business jet market. At the same event, Embraer announced its airline and business jet delivery forecast for 2006 and 2007. Embraer foresees a global demand for 7,950 jets in the 30- to 120-seat capacity segment over the next 20 years. The Company estimates that 3,350 aircraft will be delivered between 2006 and 2015, with the remaining 4,600 units to be delivered between 2016 and 2025. The total market value is estimated at US$ 180 billion. Our forecast indicates that the 30- to 60-seat market segment has reached maturity, but will continue to play an important role in the air transport industry. There is an increased market demand for 61- to 120-seat aircraft as a result of regional airlines natural growth, replacement of ageing aircraft, right-sizing requirements from network airlines and low cost carriers expansion to mid-sized markets. Embraer estimates an overall demand for 9,680 business jets over the next 10 years, which is in line with the figures reported by the industry. The current forecast includes the expected worldwide demand for the very light jet segment and does not take into consideration potential demand for the new air taxi market. The very light jet segment is expected to reach 2,500 aircraft over the next 10 years, accounting for approximately 26 percent of total market deliveries. Compared to other industry forecasts, this number is considered to be conservative. Demand for the light jet segment is forecasted at 1,750 units. Embraer recently entered the very light and light jet segments with the launch of the Phenom family. First deliveries of the very light jet, the Phenom 100, and the light jet, the Phenom 300, are expected in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Demand for the super mid-size jet segment is expected to reach 1,415 units, and for the large jet segment it is estimated at 950 aircraft over the next decade. Embraer maintains its forecast to deliver 145 aircraft in 2006 and expects to deliver 150 aircraft in the airline segment, business jet segment and authorities transportation portion of the defense segment in 2007. This estimate takes into consideration airlines filing for bankruptcy protection, cancellations in the 50-seat segment and the growth trend of 70-to 110-seat jets.
+++
On Friday 18 November, Sun Laiyan, Administrator of the China National Space Administration, and ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain signed an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement for space cooperation for peaceful purposes. The signing ceremony took place in the Diao Yu Tai Guest House, Beijing, in the presence of the Chinese State Councillor, Mrs Chen Lizhi, and representatives of the diplomatic community. This is the first Framework Agreement that China has signed with ESA and it will facilitate cooperation between ESA and China in a number of areas including space science, Earth observation, telecommunications, navigation and microgravity research. China is not a newcomer to space. It has had a rocket programme since the 1950s and has been launching satellites for more than 30 years. In October this year it made its second successful human spaceflight mission when two Chinese astronauts onboard Shenzhou VI orbited the Earth for five days carrying out experiments. During the signing ceremony Jean-Jacques Dordain told the Chinese representatives that he was very impressed with China's space capacities and in particular with the recent successful Shenzhou launch. China and ESA are already cooperating on a number of space projects, one of which is the Double Star Programme with CNSA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, providing complementary data to the Cluster programme. Another important project is the Dragon Programme set up by ESA and the National Remote Sensing Centre of China.
+++
Two Citation Bravos were delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force last month, and two more will be delivered in the first half of 2006, according to Cessna Aircraft Company. The Bravos, stationed at Riyadh Air Base, will replace two Bombardier Learjet 35s. "The Bravos were selected for their excellent hot and high performance, stable platform and ease of piloting, coupled with ease of maintenance and support," said Trevor Esling, Cessna vice president of international sales. "We are proud to see these four Bravos supporting the important missions performed by the Royal Saudi Air Force. Cessna hopes to provide an increasing number of jets in a variety of capacities for civilian and military purposes in the region."
+++
Boeing and LCAL (Low-Cost Aircraft Leasing) announced at the Dubai Air Show an order for six 787-8 Dreamliners, Boeing's all-new advanced-technology airplane. The order was placed last May, thereby making LCAL the first leasing company to commit to the 787. LCAL was not identified as the customer for that order until today. The order is valued at approximately $780 million at list prices. Deliveries are to begin in September 2009. LCAL, registered last year as a corporation, will base its leasing business entirely around the 787. "Boeing has worked very hard to make this a 'banker-friendly' airplane," said LCAL Chief Executive Officer Clive Joy. "We aim to take these advantages and translate them into a leasing-friendly product, which combined with the new technology will deliver the maximum benefit to airlines."
+++
The Engine Alliance GP7200 engine, selected to power Emirates' new fleet of Airbus A380s, has completed all the required engine tests for certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, opening the way for first flight on the A380 in 2006. The Engine Alliance completed all required engine certification tests in November and FAA certification is anticipated in December. "The GP7200 has been put through as tough a development and certification program as any engine has undergone, meeting both new FAA requirements and Airbus requirements for maturity at entry into service," said Bruce Hughes, president of the EA. "This engine, even though it will fly on the four-engine A380, meets all the demanding requirements for extended range operations on a twin-engine airliner. This is a rock-solid engine that will be a great performer for our customers." During its test program the GP7200 ran at more than 94,000 pounds of thrust, significantly higher than initial service requirements of 70,000 pounds of thrust. In many tests the engine was run under conditions it would never see in actual airline service to demonstrate its ruggedness and reliability. Thus far the GP7200 has accumulated nearly 3000 hours and 7000 cycles of testing (a cycle is the equivalent of one takeoff and landing). The Engine Alliance delivered the first four GP7200 flight-test engines to Airbus in September. All GP7200 engines that have been through production- acceptance testing to date have demonstrated performance levels at or better than the Airbus fuel burn specification.
+++
Aircelle is expanding the scope of activity for its subsidiary specialized in the production of aerostructures - the Société Lorraine de Construction Aéronautique (SLCA) - which will be given additional responsibilities for concurrent engineering, total quality and continuous improvement, as well business and program management. The personnel responsible for these functions have been working in the aerostructures center of excellence at Aircelle, and are now assigned to SLCA. These changes are made with the goal of strengthening the company's capabilities by: Consolidating its aerostructures business activity, strengthening and focusing SLCA's presence in key markets, providing a coherent identity for better visibility with customers, and providing autonomy, as well as creating an organization that is on par with the rest of the profession. SLCA's new company structure now totals approximately 200 salaried employees, who work at its two facilities located in the Lorraine region of France and in the Paris area.
+++
The China Aviation Supplies Import& Export Group Corporation (CASGC) signed a general purchase agreement with Boeing to buy 70 B737-700/800 aircraft in Beijing, according to a CASGC source. The catalog price of the aircraft was about US$4 billion and the planes will be delivered to eight leading Chinese airline companies between 2006 and 2008, said the source. The Chinese airline companies are Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. The source also revealed to Xinhua that the CASGC will soon sign another purchase agreement with Boeing for 80 more B737 aircraft.
+++
The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation-led team's E-10A multi-sensor command-and-control aircraft program successfully completed its critical platform design review last week. The review was intended to ensure all platform design requirements have been completely identified, and that the initial design by the customer/contractor team reflects those requirements. Northrop Grumman, which leads the industry E-10A weapon system integration team, hosted a series of meetings at its Melbourne facility leading up to the one-week review. "Through a series of incremental design reviews culminating in this event, the team has confirmed the platform initial designs and analyses meet the requirements," said Wayne Stratford, program director for Northrop Grumman's E-10A Platform integrated product team. "We can now move forward into detail design activities to support a final design review and begin the aircraft modification effort."
+++
Lockheed Martin will open a new outer wing production line at its Marietta, Ga. facility supporting service life extension of the P-3 and CP-140 aircraft around the world. "Interest in extending the service life of the world's P-3 and CP-140 fleet has increased as a result of the P-3 Structural Life Assessment Program (SLAP)," said Rick Kirkland, head of Lockheed Martin's Maritime Surveillance Enterprise. The SLAP program, a full scale fatigue test, equivalent to two additional lifetimes, benchmarked the P-3 airframe and revealed that the P-3 was accumulating fatigue damage faster than had been previously believed. "With many of the P-3 aircraft in operation now reaching their service life limits sooner than expected, and with no affordable replacement maritime patrol aircraft available, a service life extension is the only way for nations to maintain this vital operational capability," said Kirkland. "There are numerous international and U.S. P-3 customers that will require P-3 life extension kits to sustain their aircraft," said Kirkland. "The production of the outer wing is a critical part of life extension that will provide an additional 20 years of service life. The kit also includes the center wing lower surface, horizontal stabilizer, wing and horizontal stabilizer leading edges, and filet fairings. The kit incorporates design enhancements and new materials with increased corrosion resistance that will provide P-3 operators an additional 15,000 hours of service life with significantly reduced maintenance costs, reduced down time and increased aircraft availability."
+++
Malév is set to join oneworld, the world's leading quality airline alliance, after formally accepting an invitation to join the grouping at a ceremony today conducted in the presence of Hungary's Minister of Finance János Veres and Minister of Economy and Transport János Kóka. It follows a memorandum of understanding reached between oneworld and Malév in May this year. Since then, the Hungarian airline has satisfied audits by the alliance of its quality and safety standards and a review to ensure it can deliver oneworld's full range of customer services and benefits. The formal invitation to join the alliance is subject to a number of conditions, including satisfactory progress in its turnaround plan towards profitability. The airline must also conclude bilateral agreements with interested existing partners. Work will now begin on connecting its IT systems to those of its new partners, bringing key internal processes into line with oneworld requirements, training its employees to deliver oneworld products, customer benefits and support, and completing the other tasks needed before it can become a fully-fledged member of the alliance. Finnair will act as Malév's sponsor into oneworld, working with it on these activities. Until the joining process is completed, expected within the next 15 months, it is business and service as usual for both Malév and oneworld.
+++
The DRF (Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht e.V./German Air Rescue) has been saving lives on its air rescue missions, both with helicopters and ambulance aircraft for over 30 years. On November 17 th, the non-profit air rescue organization flew its 325,000th mission. The emergency dispatching center in Suhl alerted the DRF rescue helicopter for an emergency in the region of Sonneberg. A woman had fallen down the stairs sustaining serious head injuries. ”Christoph 60“ started at 7:22 a.m. and landed shortly after at the scene of the accident some 45 km away. After providing for the patient's needs, the crew flew the patient to Meiningen. At Meiningen hospital, the DRF emergency physician and the paramedic handed the patient over to neurosurgeons. The DRF helicopter stationed at the Suhl Central Clinic flies daily rescue missions from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. The rescue helicopter with the call sign ”Christoph 60“ is alerted to fly emergency missions in order to transport the emergency physician to the scene of the accident. In addition, it is used to transport intensive care patients between clinics. It is staffed with one pilot, one emergency physician and one paramedic. The helicopter can reach accident scenes within a radius of 60 kilometers, in 15 minutes at most. Approximately 700 emergency physicians, 500 paramedics, 180 pilots and 80 engineers are on duty for the TEAM DRF. The DRF and its TEAM DRF partners operate over 42 HEMS bases with more than 50 helicopters for emergency rescue and intensive care transports between clinics. Four ambulance aircraft are used for the worldwide repatriation of patients.
+++
The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), in collaboration with industrial partners, demonstrated an unmanned aerial system (UAS) flight solely powered by fuel cell technology. The flight of the 5.6-pound 'Spider-Lion" lasted 3 hours, 19 minutes and consumed 15-grams of compressed hydrogen gas. The project is a joint venture between NRL's Chemistry and Tactical Electronic Warfare Divisions and Protonex Technology Corporation. The flight was conducted with L-3 - BAI Aerosystems at their Ragged Island facility on Maryland's Eastern Shore under weather conditions of 65 degrees F, moderate winds, and light rain at takeoff. The 100-watt fuel cell system was designed and constructed at NRL largely using commercially available hardware and a fuel cell stack and components developed by Protonex. The "Spider-Lion" UAS was developed by NRL as a high-impact research platform for testing fuel cell technology. Research and development continues aimed at developing a fuel cell system capable of powering small military platforms currently in the field or in advanced development stages requiring extended operation that is not achievable using current battery technology.
+++
The SAS Group has signed and closed an agreement to sell its 100% stake in European Aeronautical Group (EAG) to Navtech Inc. based in Waterloo, ON, Canada. The shares are sold at a total price of approximately MSEK 162 for the equity plus an additional amount estimated to MSEK 30 based on future revenues. The capital gain in the SAS Group is approximately MSEK 50 and the positive effect on cash and net debt is approximately the same excluding the additional amount. "Today's announcement fits with our strategy to focus mainly on our core business said Mr. Jörgen Lindegaard, President and CEO of the SAS Group."We have been impressed with Navtech and are looking forward to building a long-term, customer relationship with them and at the same time reduce our costs."
+++
The $27 million competitively awarded contract is between Orbital and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif. JPL manages New Millennium for NASA. The Space Technology 8 satellite will validate four advanced technologies in space for possible use in future NASA science missions. The satellite consists of four payload experiments: a large flexible solar array; a 40-meter deployable boom; a high radiation environment electronics; and a spacecraft thermal control device. The satellite is based on a lightweight, multi-role spacecraft similar to others in orbit performing communications, Earth and space science missions. It will weigh approximately 385 pounds. Orbital Sciences also will provide the mission's Pegasus launch vehicle under a separate contract with NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2009.
+++
Volvo Aero coordinates the newly started EU project, VERDI, in which 16 leading European engine manufacturers, institutes and universities collaborate on the virtual simulation of the manufacturing process. “We will be able to test all stages of the development in a virtual environment,” says Torbjörn Kvist, VERDI Project Manager at Volvo Aero. The four-year programme has total budget of EUR 6.4 M, including EUR 4.5 M in funding from the EU. Virtual simulation means that it, with the help of computers at an early stage, will be possible to see how the components are affected during manufacture. This means that the engine manufacturers will save precious development time enabling them to manufacture engines cheaper for their customers. “We will also become more sensitive to customers' needs when we can develop new products more quickly. It will also become easier and less expensive for us to make any necessary changes,” says Volvo Aero's Torbjörn Kvist, coordinator for the European Union's VERDI project, in which 16 leading European engine manufacturers, institutes and universities will develop skills for manufacturing simulation.
+++
The Government of Canada announced it will move forward with the competitive procurement of a new tactical airlift fleet for the Canadian Forces. The tactical airlift project will see the purchase of at least 16 new aircraft valued at between $4-5 billion, including a 20-year in-service support contract. “The Defence Policy Statement identifies airlift as a priority for the Canadian Forces and a new tactical airlift fleet, to replace the aging Hercules, is the first step in delivering on the promises of this policy,” said Bill Graham, Minister of National Defence. “I am confident in the procurement strategy. We intend to buy military equipment faster and more efficiently than in the past by basing the competition on performance requirements such as range, speed and the ability to operate in remote and hostile environments.” "My department is committed to supporting National Defence in its program to replace its Hercules fleet. We will ensure the acquisition of replacement aircraft is carried out in a timely fashion while ensuring that the procurement process remains fair, open and transparent,” said the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. “This new fleet will provide the men and women our forces with the right tools to do their job,” said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. “The new aircraft will provide an essential airlift lifeline service to Canadians in distress and deployed forces, both at home and abroad.”
+++
I seems that the Japan space probe Hayabusa has successfully touched down on an asteroid 180 million miles from Earth despite an earlier announcement that it had failed. On Sunday, JAXA officials had said the Hayabusa probe, on a mission to land on the asteroid named Itokawa, collect material, then bring it back to Earth, failed to touch down after maneuvering within yards of the surface. However, the agency said Wednesday that data confirmed that Hayabusa had landed on the surface Sunday for a half-hour, although it failed to collect material. JAXA officials had said earlier that Hayabusa dropped a small object as a touchdown target from 130 feet above the asteroid and then descended to 56 feet from the surface, at which point ground control lost contact with the probe for about three hours.
+++
In a first for the U.S. Navy, an underwater glider was launched with the aid of Navy divers from the Dry Deck Shelter aboard USS Buffalo (SSN 715) Nov. 14. The glider is a uniquely mobile network component capable of moving to specific locations and depths and gathering various information, which is transmitted on a predetermined interval when it surfaces to computers via a built-in satellite phone. “Our interest in the submarine force has been to use these to characterize the ocean,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cross, Pacific Submarine Force oceanographer. “They're equipped with sensors that can give us [readings on] salinity and temperature versus depth, and from that we can get sound speeds (the localized rate at which sound from a source travels through water). We can feed that data into our MODAS (Modular Ocean Data Assimilation System), run by the Naval Oceanographic Office, and that provides a picture that we provide to our submarines,” said Cross. The battery-powered device paints a picture for assets below and above the ocean that can be used to their advantage, according to Cross.
+++
Pilots at NetJets overwhelmingly ratified a five-year contract by more than a 5-1 margin in favor of the new agreement that increases wages, offers job security and improves the quality of life for pilots at Berkshire Hathaway's fractional airline company. "This contract marks an outstanding victory for our pilots," said Bill Olsen, President of Teamsters Local 1108 in Columbus, Ohio. "This sets the standard for business jet pilots in the jet industry. It was a long, hard fight, but our members stayed the course." In contract talks with NetJets since October 2001, the union leadership sought fair wages and benefits along with a decent quality of life for its members. The membership rejected by 82 percent a tentative agreement presented in August 2004, but union officials feel this agreement addressees many of the issues. "This is an unprecedented contract," said Don Treichler, Teamsters Airline Division Director. "This takes the workers up to the level of the legacy carriers in terms of wages, working conditions and benefits."
+++
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, Brazil's low-cost, low-fare airline, announced that it has signed a contract with Boeing to exercise options for the purchase of five additional Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft. In July of 2005, GOL increased its contract with Boeing for the purchase of up to 101 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, the largest agreement between Boeing and a Latin American company. By exercising an additional five purchase options, the Company increases its firm orders to a total of 65 aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2006 and 2012. GOL currently operates 40 Boeing 737 aircraft.
+++
Lufthansa Technik AG, the leading provider for maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) services of Hamburg, Germany and The Mexmil Company of Santa Ana, CA USA (Mexmil) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to license to Mexmil Lufthansa Technik's patented enhanced cabin acoustic insulation system that provides significant noise reduction within the cabin of commercial and VIP aircraft. The enhanced insulation system provides a dramatically improved environment and flying experience for passengers. Interest in providing a quieter cabin has been fuelled by the significant investment of airlines, specifically in a premium cabin, in advance In-Flight Entertainment systems and 'living space' seating products. Additionally, the product has been certified to the most advanced fire worthiness standard, FAR 25.856(a), providing extraordinary value beyond the original intent of the noise reduction for the cabin.
+++
Kuwaiti private carrier Jazeera Airways has selected Lufthansa Technik AG to support its growing fleet of Airbus A320 airplanes. Over the next ten years the German maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) provider will offer its Total Technical Support TTS services to a minimum of four airplanes. Two Airbus A320 have been already delivered and two more will follow next summer. The agreement will also cover any additional airplane joining Jazeera´s fleet in the future. As part of the agreement Lufthansa Technik will provide encompassing engineering services and maintenance support at Jazeera´s hub in Kuwait. In addition a complete component support covering all related parts and including a participation in Lufthansa Technik's component pool rounds off the new cooperation. During the upcoming months the MRO specialist will assist Jazeera Airways in setting up and own EASA Part 145 certified line maintenance base.
+++
Several airmen here joined the 22nd Maintenance Squadron's equipment excellence section in a Refurb Rollout ceremony Nov. 21, which celebrated the end of McConnell's first complete KC-135 Stratotanker refurbishment. “The result was a 40-year-old aircraft that looked brand new in approximately 30 days,” said 1st Lt. Kai Thompson of the 22nd MXS. This is the first aircraft completely refurbished here in more than four years. “After Sept. 11, 2001, Air Mobility Command stopped aircraft refurbishments to ensure our nation had enough tankers to support the (war on terrorism),” Lieutenant Thompson said. “As a result of many trips to the desert and various other places around the world, the aircraft began to suffer from wear and tear and harsh climates.”
+++
EADS CASA has awarded Indra the contract to develop the identification system for the A400M Airbus Military European transport aircraft following an international tender which included the main companies in the sector. During the final phase of the tender, Indra had to compete against the French group, Thales. This programme must be added to the programme Indra recently won to develop the electronic defence systems for the A400M.
+++
EADS Astrium has won a major contract for payload equipment from Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a major satellite manufacturer in the USA. The contract demonstrates EADS Astrium's ability to succeed in a competitive satellite payload manufacturing market by supplying leading-edge technologies and components. This is a key contract with Europe's leading satellite specialist, EADS Astrium, supplying payload equipment to a US satellite prime contractor in the commercial satcom market. The contract is to supply payload equipment to SS/L, based in Palo Alto, California, for TerreStar Networks Inc, an emerging provider of advanced mobile satellite services based in Reston, Virginia, U.S. Under the contract, EADS Astrium will supply 8 flight upconverter assemblies for the TerreStar satellite, with delivery by September 2006. Upconverter assemblies are comprised of sets of switching, amplification and signal mixing components to change the frequencies of satellite signals. In addition, EADS Astrium will supply an engineering qualification model as part of the design and development process.
+++
In 2004, the Czech Republic ordered a PETRA system, Saab's new tactical support and training system for Gripen. Friday the 18th of November, a complete system was successfully delivere/Ú¢.^92ý³j䑻ؤÇ/¢
2RDy)>IÆ&è¡É
'Á”r8¢Kh¤bˆ½¬i2•’š7îTˆéû%§kÆ=2© ÿ ”ý
c¦(Ž,K#^ȸ¢[[Àôñ‘ÇÉ ¶¨§É´¤ŠM”e"ÐéùCV°gÈ®,þKŠI#ù<#OIG¤ÞÔ9tì•Ëƒ³¹ HÛ \
¨Žä‡äÜš¡à„SD´í ‰ ±ž—‹LQ¼Šp6Ñä”IFÌù05d4äÞÁD{÷}tÕVÈÜXò(Ñ+6ªÈÑ´§CɵÉàQ¤$—ä¼–ÎD9$Œ¢-6VE„Q³6šzy¡®²q9àŠ}$¤³ÒÑ'ë£6¡c…tµÕ«6’Ó•‹\#–Ñ1ÆÓŽ—ÒQ³ƒõ#49¡»ÁÞtw ]‘Õ„ž £qk¥›Ñk} |Ü ŠùI6(!Å·Ñ/d•Ž ˆêNy4=Ed%bOËe ФºcåE’×é,rVaHoM
¦ÄÜXåäî_$e’†Š2}7›×Æú×]Âiôl|õzûÄècÚÄ¢Å*Á¤m¡MQÜLî3öÛféz;Œîѹnû7KÙÜ‘¼Þogsèßôa‰(›ÍÃyºN
†Ÿ’8cŠfb?c~¹é.9< ›Šl¢Ú%Á G “JÅRV-in their Gripen pilots with a highly sophisticated and advanced flight-training simulator,” says Magnus Gustafsson, Project Manager for PETRA at FMV.
+++
Approximately 70 German soldiers are presently providing aid in Pakistan in the use. With its four cargo helicopters of the type CH-53G, they were able to announce proudly the 100th German relief flight. Therewith the Federal Armed Forces were able to distribute altogether approximately 280 tons of auxiliary goods in the catastrophes region.
+++
Representatives of the European Aviation Safety Agency have granted no less than 13 certificates to Polish aircraft manufacturers and design organisations. Design Organisation Approval (DOA) Certificates, demonstrating design capability according to EASA's Part 21 requirements, have been obtained by the following organisations: PZL Swidnik, PZL Mielec, PZL Rzeszów, EADS Okecie. Statements related to alternative procedures to DOA have been issued to Allstar, ZL "Jezów", AERO, ZL "Marganski" and PZL Kalisz. Type Certificates (TC) have been issued to PZL M18 Dromader, PZL M26 Iskierka, PZL M28 Skytruck. All three aircraft are manufactured in Mielec by the Polish Aviation Factory Mielec (PZL Mielec). A Type Certificate has also been issued to the PZL 104 Wilga manufactured in Warsaw by EADS PZL-Okecie. These Type Certificates immediately open the entire European market to Polish aviation products, while DOA certificates will enable the design and development of further aviation products, including their Type Certification, supplemental type certification and approval of changes and repairs.
+++
The administration court Berlin-Brandenburg rejected the complaints of five aviation businesses against the revocation of the operating permit for the airport Berlin-Tegel. The revocation should become effective after Berlin Brandenburg BBI international airport starts operations.
+++
In the frame of a comprehensive refinancing, LTU will get approximately 200 Million Euros to further secure liquidity and own capital resources of the airline. The financing model is supported through the LTU owner REWE and the Deutsche Bank AG, London. "The refinancing draft", so LTU manager Jürgen Marbach, "consists essentially of two pillars: a loan from REWE with equity character, that LTU already got on the 29 September 2005, and a structured financing with three loans of Deutsche Bank." A further essential essential point of the refinancing is that LTU is now able to repay the remaining 70 millions of Euro of the altogether 100 million Euros out of the restructuring aid, that LTU received in 2001 after the insolvency of the SAir Group. This will be done on Monday. Originally the aid, that had been given to usual interest rates and had been approved by the EU-commission, should be repayed to the year 2008 in different tranches. "Therewith", so LTU finance director Dr. Klaus Weirich "LTU can now eliminte the restrictions, that Brussels had imposed in the connection with this restructuring aid ." Also the State of Northrhine-Westphalia engages itself further at the LTU group. After the state already in 2001 had given a loan guarantee, that is removed now, and replaced with a guarantee for the loan of Deutsche Bank.
+++
Swiss International Air Lines has been named Europe's Leading Airline and Europe's Leading Business Airline at the World Travel Awards in London. This is the third time SWISS has won the award as Europe's leading airline. A gala event marking the twelfth edition of the World Travel Awards took place at the Royal Opera House in London on November 13. SWISS was named winner of the World Travel Award in two categories: Europe's Leading Airline and Europe's Leading Business Airline.The World Travel Awards were created in 1993 to acknowledge outstanding performance in the travel and tourism industry. This year's rankings were determined on the basis of Internet voting by 176,000 travel agents around the world.
+++
The UK National Audit Office's annual report on the top 20 defence equipment projects shows that, in the last year, the forecast cost has actually decreased by £700 million but on average each project has been delayed by two and a half months. The delays are mainly due to technical problems in three projects: CIP (which covers a number of software and hardware systems building on the Bowman communications project), Nimrod, and ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar). Timescales on 14 of the projects have not changed in the last year. The decrease in the forecast cost is mainly due to changing requirements or reducing the quantity or capability of the equipment. The most significant decreases of this kind are for Future Joint Combat Aircraft where the MOD has removed provisions for extra capabilities such as for weapons that were due to be added later. It also found a more cost-effective Helmet Mounted Display System and the combination of these and other measures led to a reduction of £428 million. The other two projects having significant decreases in forecast costs are Sting Ray Torpedo Life Extension and Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Previous UPDATES are still available:
20 November 2005
13 November 2005
6 November 2005
30 October 2005
23 October 2005
16 October 2005
9 October 2005
25 September 2005
18 September 2005
11 September 2005
4 September 2005
28 August 2005
21 August 2005
14 August 2005
7 August 2005
31 July 2005
24 July 2005
10 July 2005
3 July 2005
January - June 2005
January - December 2004
January - December 2003
January - December 2002
January - December 2001
January to December 2000
January to December 1999
January to December 1998
January to December 1997
September to December 1996
|
|
