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News 2005-12-18
Web-News 12 – 18. Dezember 2005
+++ Qantas Chooses Boeing 787
+++ Eurocopter wins KHP
+++ AvCraft sold to Jet Services
Ltd +++ Belgium
selects NH90 +++ Raptor reaches
IOC +++ Meteor missile starts
flight tests +++ SES Global buys
New Skies +++ News in brief
+++
Qantas Chooses Boeing 787
Boeing siegt in Australien gegen A350
On 13 December, Boeing and Qantas announced that the airline has
selected the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and plans to buy up to 115 787s for
renewal and expansion of its long-haul fleet. Boeing and Qantas are
finalizing an agreement that will include orders for 45 Dreamliners,
with 20 options plus purchase rights for an additional 50 airplanes.
The announcement by Qantas is the largest to date for the Dreamliner in terms of the total package. The first four 787-8s will be delivered to
Qantas’ Jetstar subsidiary in 2008, with plans for a total of
28 to be in operation with Qantas and Jetstar by December 2011.
Qantas’ and Jetstar’s airplanes will be split
between the 787-8 (up to 300 seats in Jetstar’s low-cost
configuration) and 787-9 (up to 350 seats).
“Today, we continue the program that is setting the
airline’s course of the future," said Geoff Dixon, CEO of
Qantas Airways. "With our unique geographic challenges, we need all the
advantages we can take to compete effectively against some of the
industry’s toughest. The 787 family will help us provide
increased or new services by Qantas and Jetstar to 15 destinations and
to destinations which we cannot currently profitably serve.”
Boeing now has 354 orders and commitments from 26 customers for the 787.
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Eurocopter wins KHP
Gemeinsame Hubschrauberentwicklung mit
Südkorea
The Korean Government has just announced its choice of Eurocopter as
the primary partner of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in the KHP
program for the development of Korea's first military transport
helicopter. In this major 6-8 billion dollar defense program,
Eurocopter was competing against the Italian constructor Agusta
Westland and the US manufacturer Bell. "The Korean Government's
decision is proof of Eurocopter's expertise in major international
cooperative ventures and the company's technological lead in the
military helicopter sector," said Eurocopter President Fabrice Bregier.
The objective of the Korean Helicopter Program is to replace the aging
fleet of US transport and liaison helicopters operated by the Korean
army. The 6-year KHP development phase will run from 2006 to 2011; In
the following 10-year production phase, 245 helicopters are to be
manufactured. KAI is the prime contractor for the Korean Helicopter
Program. As the primary partner of KAI, Eurocopter will provide
technical assistance and supply the transmission and autopilot
subassemblies for the helicopter. Eurocopter has a stake of 30% in the
development phase and 20% in the production phase. The KHP helicopter
is in the 8 metric ton class and is capable of carrying 2 pilots and 11
troops with an endurance of well over two hours. The helicopter is
equipped with the very latest technological advances. Eurocopter and
KAI have agreed to set up a 50/50 subsidiary to market the export
version of the KHP helicopter. Forecasts needs for this utility
helicopter on the world market are set at 250 machines over 20 years.
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AvCraft sold to Jet Services Ltd
328-Programm nach Großbritannien verkauft
AvCraft Insolvency Administrator Dr Martin Prager announced on December
15 the signing of a contract with UK company Corporate Jet Services,
(parent company of executive jet services operator Club328) for the
sale of the principal businesses of AvCraft Aerospace GmbH The deal is
effective January 2, 2006. The contract covers engineering,
maintenance and refurbishment, product support, the spare parts
business and the type certificate for the Dornier 328 JET and 328
turboprop. AvCraft Aerospace GmbH will become 328 Support
Services GmbH, a new wholly owned German subsidiary of Corporate Jet
Services. Southampton-based, UK Corporate Jet Services is
entering negotiations to offer employment in the new entity to at least
two thirds of the remaining 140 employees at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport,
near Munich. "I am satisfied that Corporate Jet
Services/Club328 also takes over the maintenance and refurbishment
business which allows us to retain our expertise and know how in our
region. Club328 is already a Dornier 328 operator and has
strong expertise in both flying and maintaining this type of aircraft,"
said Dr Martin Prager. This new agreement replaces the LoI signed with
RUAG Aerospace in November this year.
Corporate Jet Services and Club328 Chief Executive Mike Farge
commented: "We are confident that we can make a success with this
business, working closely with the people of AvCraft, who have such
great expertise and knowledge. There are some 220 Dornier 328
aircraft flying around the world and we are committed to work with
operators and suppliers for the long term." The new 328 Support
Services GmbH will complement Club328´s sister company, Jet
Engineering Technical Support (JETS), the maintenance and support
organisation which holds EASA 145 approval to provide base and line
maintenance on the Dornier 328 JET and 328 turboprop.
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Belgium selects NH90
Neuer Kunde für NH Industries
NHIndustries is pleased to welcome Belgium as the 14th Country
to select the NH90. Ffollowing the proposition of the Belgian Ministry
of Defence Mr. André Flahaut, the Council Minister
authorised the launching of the procedure for the acquisition of 10
NH90 multirole helicopters by entering into the International Programme
Organisation NAHEMO. It is the intention of Belgium to acquire the
NH90s and relative support through the NATO Helicopter Management
Agency (NAHEMA), which represents the Governments that launched the
Design and Development of the NH90 Helicopters in 1991, namely France,
Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands, joined by Portugal in 2001. The
helicopters will have to provide Belgian Armed Forces with
comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime and transport
capabilities
The NH90 is a new generation military helicopter equipped with modern
technology and systems able to perform tactical transport, naval, SAR
and “Utility” missions by day/night and in adverse
weather conditions. This twin engine, medium/heavy class
helicopter features a corrosion free carbon fibre fuselage, fly-by-wire
controls, composite rotor and many other leading edge features. The
NH90 back-log totals today 357 firm orders, 120 options and now more
than 73 announced selections by 18 Armed Forces of 14 Countries
overseas.
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Raptor reaches IOC
F-22A jetzt im Einsatz
Lockheed Martin's F-22A Raptor, the world's only 5th
generation fighter aircraft, surpassed a monumental milestone
when the United States Air Force declared that the Raptor has reached
initial operational capability. General Ronald E. Keys, Commander of
Air Combat Command, made the historic announcement at Langley Air Force
Base, Va., from a Raptor hangar near his headquarters. "The F-22A
fulfills a long quest to bring 5th generation capabilities of stealth,
supercruise, and precision to the warfighter today and for decades to
come," said General Keys in an Air Force news release. "If we
go to war tomorrow, the Raptor will go with us." The Air Force is now
capable of deploying and supporting 12 F-22A Raptor aircraft anywhere
in the world to execute air-to-air and air-to-ground
missions. The Raptor is also qualified to perform homeland
defense missions when required. "It's another great day for our nation,
the Air Force and certainly for the Raptor industry team," said Larry
Lawson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president and F-22
general manager. "Thousands of workers in 42 states
throughout our nation can take great pride in the fact that we not only
met the customer's requirements, but we exceeded these expectations and
produced a revolutionary fighter aircraft for our country.
The Raptor is the very first supersonic, stealth fighter that
incorporates capabilities never before possible in one weapons system
and in the words of the Air Force, achieves 'overwhelming' performance."
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Meteor missile starts flight tests
Neue Luft-Luft-Lenkwaffe fliegt an Gripen, Rafale
und Eurofighter
International missile systems group, MBDA, launched a series
of flight trials of the new Meteor missile in an unprecedented test
programme involving Europe’s three new fighter aircraft
– Gripen, Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon. All
three fighters will be equipped with the new Meteor Beyond Visual Range
Air-to-Air Missile under the six-nation missile programme for which
MBDA is the Prime Contractor. Meteor took to the skies on the
French Navy’s Rafale M on Sunday 11th December for a
week-long series of flight trials from the French Navy’s
Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. These mark the first
carrier-launched flight trials of Meteor. On 13th December, a separate
campaign commenced in Sweden with flight trials of a Meteor Avionics
missile from the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen combat aircraft
while the first flight of a Eurofighter Typhoon carrying Meteor is
scheduled later this week from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, UK.
Marwan Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of MBDA, said: “This
week represents an important milestone in the Meteor development
programme. It is especially important that all three platforms destined
to be equipped with Meteor are flying in the same week as this
demonstrates the full significance of this international programme. Not
only are we looking at a weapon system that will significantly enhance
the air-to-air capabilities of the air forces of six nations, Meteor is
proving itself to be an excellent example of what can be achieved
through effective European collaboration. MBDA is also proving its
unique ability in understanding a range of national requirements and in
supporting the integration of a weapon system on three platforms
simultaneously”.
A joint MBDA / Dassault Aviation team managed the
trials of Meteor from the Rafale M, the single-seater carrier-based
version of the Rafale combat aircraft now in service with the French
Navy. Under these first carrier-based trials, around 20 catapult
launches are being undertaken, a number of
“touch-and-go” touch downs and around 20 full deck
arrests to provide a fully comprehensive handling test of the aircraft
armed with the missile. For this test, which is taking place in the
Mediterranean from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, an
Environmental Data Gathering (EDG) missile has been fitted to the
Rafale, alternatively to its rail (under-wing) and eject
(under-fuselage) stations. The EDG missile is an instrumented missile
possessing all the dynamic properties of an operational missile in
terms of size, weight and aerodynamic shape. With this missile, data on
shock and vibration levels linked to the specific environment created
by catapult launch and deck arrest will be gathered and analysed. This
test is the latest in the ongoing Rafale EDG programme designed to
gather data on the missile within its full operational envelope.
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SES Global buys New Skies
Großfusion in der Satellitenbranche
SES GLOBAL S.A. and New Skies Satellites Holdings Ltd.
(NYSE: NSE) announced that they have entered into a
binding agreement pursuant to which SES
GLOBAL will acquire 100% of New Skies by way of a merger under
Bermudian law (an amalgamation). SES GLOBAL will acquire New Skies for
US$ 22.52 per share in cash. Existing options will be
cancelled for a
payment equal to the difference between US$ 22.52 per share and the
exercise price. The total payment for the equity of New Skies will be
US$ 760 million. At closing, New Skies is expected to have
approximately US$ 400 million of net indebtedness under its credit
facility, Floating Rate Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes. SES
will re-finance the existing bank debt of New Skies and may leave the
Floating Rate Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes of New Skies
outstanding. The cash-only transaction thus values New Skies at an
enterprise value at closing of US$ 1.160 billion. As part of the
agreement, New Skies has agreed to terminate its quarterly dividend
program after the declaration and payment of its 2005 fourth quarter
dividend.
New Skies, a Bermudian company with its main operating
subsidiary headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, is the
world’s
fifth largest satellite operator based on transponder capacity, with
five spacecraft positioned at strategic orbital locations around the
globe and an additional satellite due for launch in 2006. For
the
twelve months ended September 30, 2005, New Skies generated revenues of
US$ 232.9 million.
With its complementary satellite fleet, New Skies
offers a compelling strategic fit to SES GLOBAL, whose ASTRA and
AMERICOM spacecraft are optimized to provide satellite services over
Europe and North America. The integration of New Skies’
satellite
assets will notably extend SES’ presence in India, the Middle
East and
Africa as well as in Latin America, allowing SES better to meet its
customers’ requirements for global service
offerings. In addition, New
Skies’ customers will benefit from the expansion capacity,
redundancy
and broad service offerings provided by the larger SES fleet and
organization.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
US aerospace sales hit a record level in 2005 as the industry's three
main sectors – civil aviation, defense, and space –
all showed strength convergence, AIA reported in its
state-of-the-industry analysis. Sales increased by
$14 billion to reach a record industry-wide level of $170 billion in
2005, an increase of 9.2 percent over 2004's final sales number. AIA
President and CEO John Douglass said the figure comes as all three
aerospace sectors showed strong growth in the same year. Douglass said
the statistics are reflections on positive developments over the past
year, with civil aviation gaining strength and airlines buying new
planes and the new Vision for Space Exploration driving space
technologies. The strong defense sales numbers show the
administration's dedication to keeping the nation secure. "This is good
news for our economy since aerospace provides a foreign trade surplus
and is adding jobs," Douglass said. "Our industry is also vitally
important to national security, and the strong defense sales are a
reflection of that fact." Douglass presented the statistics
to about 300 members of the media, industry, and government at the 41st
Annual Year-End Review and Forecast Luncheon Wednesday. The event
unveils numerous statistics about industry performance over the last
year and provides a look at what the industry may hold for the next 12
months. AIA Research Director David Napier, who compiled the
statistics, said the outlook for the next year is solid, calling for
8.2 percent growth to $184 billion. That would be another record year.
Aerospace remains one of the most important cogs in the U.S. economy,
registering a positive trade balance of $37 billion. That reflects an
increase of $6.4 billion over last year's surplus. Aerospace is one of
the few manufacturing sectors of the economy that consistently shows a
foreign trade surplus and posted the highest positive balance of all
industry categories in 2004. Civil aviation sales; including commercial
jets, general aviation aircraft, helicopters, engines, and parts; led
all sectors, increasing 20 percent to $39 billion. Orders increased 15
percent to $187 billion, and for the second year the number of
commercial jetliners delivered rose, an increase of seven to 290. The
backlog of commercial jetliners jumped 39 percent to $98 billion.
Military aircraft sales increased 7 percent to $50 billion, missile
sales rose 4 percent to $15.3 billion, and space sales grew 3.8 percent
to $37 billion. The sales for general aviation, helicopters, military
aircraft, space, and related products and services are all new records.
Aerospace employment continued its climb after hitting a 50-year low in
February 2004, adding a projected 30,900 jobs this year to reach
623,900. Aerospace accounted for 1/3 of all manufacturing jobs added
nationwide since that 50-year low.
+++
The first bi-directional optical link between KIRARI, the Japanese
satellite officially called OICETS (which stands for "Optical
Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite"), and ESA’s
Artemis was made on Friday 9 December at 02:05 UTC.
KIRARI (meaning “glitter” or
“twinkle” in Japanese) is the second optical data
relay satellite using Artemis, following the world premiere laser link
with SPOT-4 in November 2001 in the framework of the SILEX development,
an innovative payload which provides a laser beam as a data signal
carrier. This optical service has operated regularly since then and
accumulated more than 1100 links totalling 230 hours to date. The
KIRARI experiment is the result of a long standing agreement between
JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and ESA for cooperation
on data relay services, and builds upon the SILEX development. KIRARI
has, for the first time, used an optical link for both data and command
transmission. The quality of the link was excellent. The
optical link experiment between KIRARI and Aretemis will continue
through 2006, making several optical links under different
environmental conditions to completely qualify and characterise the
KIRARI technology. Optical technology has several advantages
for data relay applications, including the capability to provide high
data rates with low mass, low power terminals, combined with secure,
interference-free communications. Earth observation, telecommunications
services, science applications and space operations can truly benefit
from this new way of transmitting data around our planet.
+++
As a strategic partner in a European consortium, MT Aerospace,
Augsburg/Mainz, a subsidiary of OHB Technology AG , has
received an order from the French Space Agency CNES for the
engineering, production and assembly of parts of the ground facilities
for the Sojus launcher in Kourou, French Guyana. The contract, with a
value of 9.5 M Euro, includes the delivery of the steel structures,
cladding, large mechanical doors and cranes for the ground facilities'
spacecraft integration and adjoining buildings. The total contract
value from CNES awarded to the partipating European companies exceeds
300 M Euro. The signatures of CNES and the consortium "Infrastructure
Soyouz" representatives on this contract mark the beginning of a three
year project that will enable all requirements for successful Sojus
launches from Kourou. End of 2008 the first historic start of a Sojus
launcher outside of Baikonur and Plesetsk will take place. The decision
in favour of a concerted development and construction of the
infrastructure was made in the strategic interests of both Russia and
Europe. This augmentation further enriches the existing market
potential and flexibility of the ESA rocket palette. This order
continues MT Aerospace's successful collaboration with the ESA, CNES
and Arianespace in the field of ground facilities for the Ariane
launcher, and marks a continuation of over 30 years of successful
coorperation. The contract confirms MT Aerospace's position as an
important player in the construction, operation and maintenance of the
European spaceport facilities in Kourou.
+++
The new planning system developed by EADS for the Tiger
combat helicopter of the German Armed Forces combines for the first
time operational command and control with technical logistic support of
a weapon system. This means the system increases operational efficiency
and enhances the deployment capabilities of the helicopters at the same
time. As the company announced on Tuesday, the Federal Office of
Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has awarded EADS Defence
Electronics a contract worth Euro 10 m. With the Operations Support
System (OSS), the German Armed Forces will be in a position to
guarantee up-to-date command and control capability as well as a status
check both for the tactical operational deployment of the Tiger and in
the technical logistic area at all times. This includes mission
planning, briefing, debriefing and logistic workflow components. The
Operations Support System ensures that pilots and maintenance staff
have much more operational flexibility and as a result guarantees more
safety for both man and machine. This means that the German Armed
Forces now have a system for obtaining an up-to-date status report on
their Tiger helicopters at all times and for giving pilots support
during operations at the same time.
“The results we have from the soldiers dealing with the
prototype of the Operations Support System are extremely
promising”, said Bernhard Gerwert, Head of EADS Defence
Electronics. “This positive experience makes us feel
confident that the system can in future also be used for other flying
platforms.”
+++
On 13 December, Spirit AeroSystems marked a historic
milestone with a celebration marking the completion of the 5,000th
737 fuselage. The unit, a Boeing 737-700, is line unit 1,868
of the Next-Generation 737 family. The Wichita, Kan., plant also built
3,132 Classic 737s for Boeing beginning in the late 1960s. The last
Classic 737 rolled out of the Wichita factory in October 1999.
“Today we honor all the workers who designed and built the
fuselages for this magnificent airplane over the years,” said
Vice President - Fuselage Structures and Systems Business Unit Buck
Buchanan. “When we started this program I don’t
think anyone dreamed we would achieve this milestone. It’s
unparalleled in commercial aviation history. “Today, the 737
is the backbone of numerous airlines around the world that count on its
efficiency and unmatched reliability to make their operations
profitable. And you, the employees of Spirit AeroSystems, are part of
the reason for their success,” Buchanan said. The 5,000th
fuselage will be delivered to the Boeing factory in Renton, Wash., for
final assembly and delivery.
+++
The Boeing-led Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Team,
along with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, announced the
successful execution of a flight test, marking a critical milestone for
the program. During this Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program
test, designated Flight Test-1, a Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) was
launched from the Ronald Reagan Missile Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the
Marshall Islands, at 10:04 pm Eastern Standard Time. The interceptor
traveled over the Pacific Ocean and used a simulated target as the
basis for this flight test. In subsequent tests, the GBI will be flown
against a live target. This test validated the ability of the GMD
system to track, acquire and provide the interceptor with the data for
a hit-to-kill intercept of enemy ballistic missile warheads in the
midcourse phase of flight. Test objectives included the demonstration
of system component integration, engagement operations, sensor tracking
and operations, and other capabilities, to verify vehicle design and
performance. The successful flight test is a clear demonstration of
program performance. It is also a strong representation of the
collective abilities and efforts of the Missile Defense Agency and the
Boeing-led industry team, said Boeing Missile Defense Systems vice
president and general manager Pat Shanahan. I am confident we will
continue to build on this success and deliver increasing capability to
the nation.
+++
French defence procurement agency DGA has formally awarded DCN and
Thales a ‘relay contract’ to continue their work
on the design of the planned ‘PA2’ aircraft carrier.
This marks a major milestone in the design of this second carrier for
the French Navy. The PA2 design phase was officially launched by French
Minister for Defence Mme Michèle Alliot-Marie on 24 January
2005. The studies undertaken since early 2005 have focused on the
opportunities for cooperation between the French PA2 and the British
CVF programmes. These studies concluded, moreover, that the basic CVF
design could, with limited tailoring, meet the French Navy's
requirements. The new contract, worth Euro 20 million, will
enable the PA2 team to proceed with a detailed preliminary design of a
“tailored CVF”. These studies will be undertaken by
MOPA2, the integrated DCN/Thales prime contract office. The milestone
marking the end of the design phase and the start of the production
phase is scheduled for late 2006.
+++
Blue1, the fastest growing airline in Finland,
continues its expansion program in connection with the summer
traffic program starting March 2006. New aircraft will join
the fleet and the amount of destinations will grow from 14 to 25. Blue1
will go heavily in on Europe with daily connections to such
destinations as London, Zurich and Warsaw but also
with flights to tourist destinations in southern Europe such as Athens,
Rome , Nice and Barcelona.
+++
Delta Air Lines confirmed that it has
reached a tentative interim agreement with the Air Line Pilots
Association, International (ALPA), the collective bargaining
representative of the company’s more than 6,000 pilots.
Subject to pilot ratification by no later than December 28, 2005, the
tentative interim agreement provides for a 14 percent hourly wage
reduction and reductions in other pilot pay and cost items equivalent
to approximately an additional one percent hourly wage
reduction. The interim cost reductions would be effective
December 15, 2005 and would remain in effect while the parties seek to
reach a comprehensive agreement. The company and ALPA would
seek to negotiate a tentative comprehensive agreement by March 1, 2006,
with pilot membership ratification by March 22, 2006. “This
agreement reflects the resolve of Delta people to work together to help
save the company. We recognize and appreciate the additional
sacrifice this will represent,” said Ed Bastian,
Delta’s chief financial officer. Delta and ALPA will request
that the Bankruptcy Court suspend the hearing on the
company’s motion to reject the existing Delta-ALPA collective
bargaining agreement pursuant to section 1113 of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code, pending the ratification process for the tentative interim
agreement. Delta has said that achieving additional annual pilot labor
cost reductions is an important element of its restructuring plan. The
restructuring plan calls for an additional $3 billion in annual cost
reductions and revenue improvements to be realized by the end of
2007. The $3 billion improvement target is in addition to the
approximately $5 billion in annual financial benefits the company says
it is on track to deliver by the end of 2006, as compared to 2002.
+++
Air Berlin announced it will increase capacity on
its London Stansted-Hanover route from March 3rd 2006. The timing of
expansion is planned to take advantage of CeBit, the biggest computer
trade show in the world, which takes place in the German city. Hanover
is Air Berlin's fastest growing destination and the airline expects to
carry 850,000 passengers to and from the city, up from 630,000 in 2004.
The city attracts primarily business travellers. The move comes after
Air Berlin began flying UK domestic services - from Glasgow and
Manchester to the airline's Stansted hub - earlier this month. This has
opened up Hanover and Air Berlin's other European connections to the
Scottish and North West markets. Scheduling and baggage transfer
service at the airline's Stansted hub, ensure fast transfer times.
+++
At a press briefing in Copenhagen, “Gripen
DK”, the version of the successful Swedish fighter
offered to the Royal Danish Air Force
(“Flyvevåbnet”), was presented in detail.
The presentation was given by representatives from Gripen
International, the Saab entity responsible for marketing and selling
the aircraft to Denmark. The press briefing was a response to
continuous media requests for further information on the new enhanced
version of the fighter, revealed only last week when it was made
publicly known that Gripen International had responded “fully
compliant” to a Danish request for information on a F-16
replacement. “We are naturally very glad to see that
Flyvematerielkommandoen, the Royal Danish Air Force Air Materiel
Command, has opted to go for a broad and fully transparent procurement
process” Manne Koerfer, Gripen International Marketing
Director for Denmark, said when he described the Swedish alternative.
“We know that what we can offer is close to unique, as Gripen
can do what is requested by the Royal Danish Air Force, much earlier
and at a significantly lower cost than any contender, and this in a
business ill reputed for delays and cost overruns” Manne
Koerfer also stated. “Basically, we are talking common sense,
as we are responding in a cost-conscious way to actual operational
requirements!”
+++
Processing continues for the second Space Shuttle
mission in the Return to Flight sequence. Wire inspections and chafe
protection installation continue on the reaction jet driver. The nose
landing gear was cycled Thursday to support tile work on the shuttle's
heat shield. The Orbiter Boom Sensor System is in the transfer aisle of
the processing facility awaiting installation. The boom installation
was moved to next week to allow for final work on the pedestals and
latches. Technicians are removing and replacing approximately 100 gap
fillers daily in a main priority area. This work is being performed due
to two gap fillers that were protruding from the underside of Discovery
during the last mission, STS-114. New installation procedures are being
developed to ensure gap fillers stay in place and do not pose
any hazard during the shuttle's re-entry to the atmosphere.
+++
The Government of Singapore awarded Boeing a contract to
produce 12 F-15SG aircraft for the country's next
generation replacement fighter jet, and an option for eight additional
aircraft at a future date. The F-15SG is an advanced version of the
U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle. "We have been working toward this
moment for several years and are excited and honored to provide the
people of Singapore with the F-15SG, which will be equipped with the
most technologically advanced avionics and weapons systems available,"
said Joe Hoerter, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. "Boeing will
begin delivering the aircraft in 2008, which will allow the Republic of
Singapore Air Force to begin replacing its retired A-4SU Skyhawks. All
12 aircraft will be delivered in 2008 and 2009." The F-15SG will
greatly enhance the capabilities and operational readiness of the
Singapore Armed Forces.
+++
Lockheed Martin was recently awarded its second S-3
Prime Vendor Support (PVS) program contract by the U.S. Navy.
The contract is valued at $21.7 million with a ceiling of $28.5 million
which includes four years of fleet engineering support and two years of
depot maintenance and material support. If all options are exercised,
this latest contract will coincide with the decommissioning of the last
U.S. Navy S-3 Viking squadron in 2009. Under the PVS concept, Lockheed
Martin, along with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Defense
Logistics Agency (DLA), and Naval Aviation Inventory Control Point
(NAVICP) work in concert to provide engineering, logistics and material
services in support of S-3B Viking aircraft fleet
operations. Through the S-3 PVS program, turnaround time for
scheduled aircraft maintenance has been reduced by 25 percent; the
overall material condition and availability of deployed aircraft
improved; and the depth and range of technical support provided to
aircraft maintainers and operators has also improved markedly. Other
successes include a 50 percent reduction in depot level scheduled
maintenance costs and a 27 percent increase in aircraft availability to
the warfighter.
+++
American Airlines announced that it and its
regional affiliate, American Eagle, will begin service at Dallas Love
Field on March 2, 2006, with a total of 16 flights a day. American will
operate four flights a day between Love Field and St. Louis, and three
flights daily on the Love Field-Kansas City route, with 136-seat MD80
jets featuring first-class as well as coach service. American Eagle
will fly four times a day between Love Field and San Antonio, Tex., and
five times a day between Love and Austin, Tex., using 50-seat Embraer
145 Regional-Jet aircraft.
+++
Air Canada took delivery of its first of 45 EMBRAER
190s, becoming the first airline in North America to receive two
different E-Jet models. Air Canada currently operates 13 EMBRAER 175s,
fully benefiting from the advantages of E-Jet family commonality. Air
Canada's EMBRAER 190s are configured with nine seats in Executive Class
and 84 in Hospitality Class. Deliveries of these 93-seaters should be
concluded in the fourth quarter of 2007. The carrier's EMBRAER 175s are
configured with nine Executive Class and 64 Hospitality Class seats,
and deliveries of these 73-seaters will be concluded in January 2006.
+++
Sikorsky Aircraft has signed a contract to provide four S-92
helicopters to CHC Helicopter Corporation to perform commercial
search-and-rescue (SAR) missions for the United Kingdom
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) beginning July 1, 2007. Under the
five-year contract with the MCA, CHC will operate its S-92 fleet
around-the-clock from coastal bases in Sumburgh, and Stornoway. This
marks the first time that the S-92, the world's newest medium-lift
helicopter, has been selected for a dedicated SAR mission. "The S-92's
modern technology, performance, and industry-leading safety standards
make it superbly equipped for SAR," said Jeffrey Pino, Sikorsky's
senior vice president for corporate strategy, marketing, and commercial
programs.
+++
At press conferences in London and New Mexico, officials from Virgin
Galactic and from the State of New Mexico announced that they
had reached an historic agreement which will see the building of a
$200m spaceport in the southern part of the state on a 27 square mile
area of state land. Virgin Galactic has agreed to locate its world's
headquarters and Mission Control in New Mexico and strongly believes
that the new spaceport will offer fledgling astronauts an experience
that will be truly out of this world. "When Burt Rutan and SpaceShipOne
won the X PRIZE in October 2004, we knew the new space industry had
arrived," said Secretary Rick Homans. "And when Sir Richard Branson
announced that Virgin would use that same technology to fly paying
passengers into space, we realized that our most important job was to
convince Virgin Galactic to come to New Mexico and launch the personal
spaceflight industry. This announcement is a convergence of dreams and
we are proud that Virgin will be New Mexico's anchor tenant at the
world's most exciting space tourism location." "New Mexico has worked
hard to bring us to their exciting new spaceport facility," stated Will
Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic. "The State has several factors
that make it an ideal operations base: climate, free airspace, low
population density, high altitude, and stunning scenery. Our team was
highly impressed by the professionalism and the competitive pitch the
state and its advisors developed. We look forward to working together
to make the "Final Frontier" a reality for tens of thousands of
pioneering space tourists. Our activities will prove the commercial
viability and excellent safety technology behind private personal
spaceflight and give birth to a new industry in New Mexico."
+++
Boeing and El Al Airlines of Israel have
signed an agreement for the purchase of two Boeing 777-200ER (Extended
Range) jetliners. The airplanes, together valued at $362 million at
list prices, are scheduled for delivery in 2007. The new 777-200ERs
will help El Al expand service to meet growing demand for air travel in
the Israeli market. El Al already operates four 777s on routes to New
York and the Far East from Tel Aviv and will operate the new 777s to
destinations in the U.S. and the Far East.
+++
EADS Socata announced the newest member of its TBM family
– the six-seat TBM 850 pressurized single-engined turboprop.
The TBM 850 builds on the success of the TBM 700
business aircraft and offers owners and pilots a maximum cruise speed
of 320 KTAS at FL260 in ISA conditions. This will give TBM 850
operators the advantage of the cruising speeds typical of light jets,
with the economical direct operating costs of a single-engined
turboprop. The TBM 850 is already certified by EASA (the European
airworthiness authority), with FAA certification expected soon.
Deliveries will begin early in 2006. The new aircraft will be available
via EADS Socata’s existing direct sales and distribution
network, and will be supported by its extensive worldwide network of
service centers. Base price of the TBM 850 is set at $2,576,930 in
2006. A version with typical customer options and equipped for RVSM
(Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) operation will list at
$2,799,850. Hot and high performance, (often a weakness for
turboprops and light jets) is not an issue for the TBM 850. As an
example, at an altitude of FL310 in ISA +20°C conditions, the
TBM 850’s cruise performance increases by more than 55 knots
over the TBM 700 C2 (EADS Socata’s current flagship
aircraft). The TBM 850 offers jet performance and excellent short-field
characteristics without exposing owners and pilots to the huge leap in
direct operating costs, time-consuming transition training, and the
insurance premiums associated with the emerging category of light jets.
In addition, the TBM 850 benefits directly from the 15 years of proven
experience gained with the TBM 700. The powerplant of the TBM 850 is
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-66D, the latest
addition to the world’s most popular family of turboprop
engines (with over 33,000 engines produced to date). The PT6A-66D
delivers 1,825 eshp flat-rated to 850 shp for the TBM 850. Its
single-crystal compressor turbine blades enable higher operating
temperatures and, coupled with a new first-stage compressor design,
gives the TBM 850 its enhanced high-altitude performance
+++
Following a commitment announced in January 2005, Atlanta,
Georgia-based UPS has formally signed the contract for 10 Airbus
A380 freighter aircraft. Deliveries to UPS are scheduled
between 2009 and 2012. The company has not yet made its engine
selection. UPS is the third U.S.-based customer for the A380. Including
the UPS deal, there are 159 firm orders for A380s from 16 customers -
including 27 freighter orders. The first A380 freighter is slated for
delivery in 2008.
+++
The European Space Agency and the French company Arianespace signed a
contract for the provision of an Ariane 5 ECA
launcher for the Herschel and Planck spacecraft. Herschel
will study the birth of galaxies and stars and Planck the very early
history of the Universe. ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and
Mr Jean-Yves Le Gall for Arianespace signed the contract during a
ceremony that took place at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France.
The Ariane 5 ECA, an upgraded version of the previous Ariane 5 G
(‘generic’) launcher, successfully completed its
qualification after its demonstration flight on 12 February and a
commercial launch on 16 November this year. Herschel and
Planck will be launched on the so-called
‘long-fairing’ version of Ariane 5 ECA to
accommodate the two spacecraft, which are 7.5 metres and 4.2 metres
high, respectively, with a total launch mass of 5.3 tons. The launcher
will deliver both spacecraft on the transfer orbit towards their final
observation site – an orbit around the second Lagrangian
point (L2) situated at 1.5 million kilometres from Earth away from the
Sun. Ariane 5 ECA, featuring an enhanced thrust and control capability,
is perfectly suited to carry heavy loads like the Herschel and Planck
couple into this particular and highly energy-demanding trajectory to
destination. The Herschel and Planck launch is currently scheduled for
launch in late 2007/early 2008.
+++
At this year’s LIMA show in Malaysia, Bristow Helicopters
Ltd. announced an order for two more EC 225 helicopters
for oil and gas services. The company was launch customer for the
passenger transport version of this aircraft, to be employed in North
Sea offshore oil and gas operations. Two EC 225s were ordered in 2004
and delivered in the summer of 2005. Another two were ordered in May
2005 for 2006 delivery. This new order - an option under the May 2005
order, now confirmed - brings the total of EC 225s with Bristow
Helicopters Ltd. to six. The helicopters will initially be based in
Aberdeen, Scotland.
+++
The SAS Group has signed an agreement to sell an equity stake of 67% in
SAS Component Group A/S to Singapore based Singapore
Technologies Engineering Ltd for 80,4 MEUR (approximately
MSEK 750). SAS Group will retain a 33% holding in the company.
The SAS Group will release capital from its component
inventories (rotable components and spares) so that the total value of
the transaction is MEUR 260 or MSEK 2500. The positive effect
on cash and net debt is approx 2000 MSEK. The transaction was today
approved by the SAS Board of Directors and is part of SAS Group's plan
to release capital. The transaction is also subject to regulatory
approval and expected to close early 2006. "This cooperation
is a perfect industrial fit, says Mr. Jørgen Lindegaard,
President and CEO of the SAS Group. "We welcome ST Aerospace as our
partner. This transaction enables SAS Component to expand as
part of a global MRO group and is good for our employees as well as our
customers. It provides the SAS Group with assurance of continued
quality and cost efficient support for our aircraft fleet." he adds.
With about 1,100 employees, Scandinavia-based SAS Component
(including BTS Component) provides repair services and material supply
to SAS and other airline operators. It manages stocks of
aircraft components, enabling them to function with a minimum of
unscheduled maintenance and repair stops. For the six months ending 30
June 2005, SAS Component's revenue was MEUR 105 and Operating result
before depreciation (EBITDA) was MEUR18.6.
+++
Jeppesen and Airbus have finalized a cooperation
agreement that will bring Jeppesen's applications and data to the
flight decks of Airbus aircraft. Jeppesen's industry-leading EFB
applications and data will be offered on the A320, A330, A340 and A380
families of Airbus aircraft. Jeppesen and Airbus have been working
closely together for more than a year under a Memorandum of
Understanding to make Jeppesen's terminal charts and enroute moving map
applications available for EFBs aboard Airbus' family of aircraft. This
cooperation agreement is significant because Airbus operators will now
be able to select Jeppesen applications for the new Airbus EFB. The
agreement is also significant for mixed-fleet operators because they
can choose Jeppesen applications for certain new Airbus and Boeing
aircraft fitted with Class 3 EFBs, while third-party integrators offer
Jeppesen EFB applications in conjunction with Class 1 and 2 EFB
hardware platforms in the retrofit market. The first entry into service
of an Airbus EFB with Jeppesen applications is scheduled for Spring
2006, with the delivery of a FlySmart with Airbus-equipped A330.
Jeppesen's EFB applications feature user interface designs validated by
human factors professionals and flight testing. For example, Jeppesen's
terminal chart applications for EFBs incorporates a unique "Chart Clip"
functionality that makes organization and accessing charts quick and
easy, which is especially important in the event of a runway or airport
change. This application gives pilots easy and efficient access to a
worldwide terminal chart library, including airline tailored content.
Chart updates become a simple matter of uploading electronic data,
rather than hours filing sheets by hand.
Jeppesen is also developing an enroute moving map application that
gives pilots positional and referential awareness during the enroute
phase of flight, while incorporating all of the data required to
replace paper enroute charts. Aircraft crews will also benefit from the
display of terrain data for basic terrain awareness.
+++
Rolls-Royce and The Timken Company announced
an alliance to increase Timken's technology and service capabilities
for Model 250 helicopter turboshaft engine parts and component repair.
Timken's aerospace business will provide an expanded variety of parts
and services under license from Rolls-Royce Corporation for new engine
production and for the aftermarket. "Our Model 250 engine customers and
the Model 250 FIRST network of authorized service centers will benefit
from improved service and availability as we begin to utilize Timken
Aerospace's experience and expanded capacity," said Scott Crislip,
president of Helicopters and Small Gas Turbine Engines for Rolls-Royce.
+++
Boeing announced today that it has selected Evergreen
International Airlines, Inc. to operate the 747 Large Cargo
Freighter (LCF) fleet, comprising specially modified 747-400
jets that will transport major assemblies for the all-new Boeing 787
Dreamliner. Evergreen International Airlines, Inc. (EIA) is a
subsidiary of Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. and has performed
passenger and cargo services around the globe for more than 30
years. EIA has overall responsibility for the operation of
the LCF fleet. It will fly routes to and from the U.S. and
Japan. Evergreen has named Cargolux as a subcontractor to fly routes
from Europe. Cargolux currently operates a fleet of 14
747-400 freighters. Sojitz Corp. of America has been chosen
by Evergreen to coordinate logistics and other services for Japanese
routes. Sojitz will establish an overall plan for receiving
and transporting 787 components from Boeing’s Japanese
partners, and will be the interface between Centrair and Nagoya
airports.
+++
The governments of Greece and the United States have signed a Letter of
Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the sale of 30 additional
Lockheed Martin Advanced F-16 Block 52+ aircraft to Greece,
with an option for an additional 10 aircraft. The new aircraft will
supplement the existing fleet of Hellenic Air Force (HAF) F-16 aircraft
and continue the modernization of the HAF. The total program
value for the initial 30 aircraft is approximately $ 1.99 billion
U.S. Lockheed Martin's portion of the total program is
estimated at $1.2 billion U.S. Mr. Spilios Spiliotopoulos, Greece's
Minister of Defense, stated that the new procurement will meet the
defense capability needs of Greece and the near-term operational
requirements of the HAF. He stressed that the
government-to-government agreement ensures full transparency and that
the new buy is based on Hellenic and U.S. legal procedures for defense
acquisitions. The Hellenic Air Force will take delivery of the new
aircraft in 2009.
+++
On December 12, 2005, Ibis Aerospace achieved the most significant
major milestone in the Ae270 development program,
EASA Type Certification. The Type Certification was actually awarded to
Ibis Aerospace's manufacturing partner, Aero Vodochody A.S., by EASA,
based on a Technical Visa issued by the Czech CAA. The FAA, who has
been involved with the Czech CAA's efforts on the Ae270, will likely
award FAA Type Certification within a month.
Ibis and its partners are now involved in a redesign effort aimed at
further improving the Ae270's performance characteristics and intended
to provide a world-beating aircraft. Design teams from Aero Vodochody
and AIDC, among others, have examined the needed changes and have
evaluated the possible solutions. Ibis itself has established design
goals that reflect the expectations of the aircraft marketplace. This
redesign effort will be greatly aided by the recent certification of
the existing aircraft.
+++
The REAPS (Rotorcraft External Airbag Protection
System) developed by RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd.
successfully performed in a series of tests last month as part of Phase
II of the Concept and Technology Demonstration program contracted by
the US Navy. The REAPS, is a one-of-a kind external airbag
system, attached under the fuselage of passenger rotorcrafts, designed
to moderate the crash impact loadings with a surface (hard/soft ground
or water). Using a proximity sensor to measure the physical parameters
of ground approach, the system is able to deploy its airbags prior to
an imminent crash, thereby limiting passenger injuries and airframe
damage. The REAPS testing took place near Phoenix, AZ on Bell 206
rotorcrafts. Two drops were conducted at a maximum gross weight of 3300
lbs, at impact velocities of 27 and 34 ft/sec (1,600 and 2,000 ft/min).
The rotorcrafts were equipped with four ATD's (Anthropomorphic Test
Dummies), two 50% (medium size) males, one 95% (large size) male and
one 5% (small size) female. The "passengers" were in tact after each
drop, and the airframe experienced limited damage, proving outstanding
crash worthiness in helicopters that are known for their lack of it. In
addition the tests proved that due to the REAPS airbags, the passengers
were subjected to an impact of less than 25G with absolutely no rebound
and secondary impact.
+++
Petroleum Helicopters. (PHI) achieved an industry
milestone this month by surpassing 1,000 flight hours with just one of
its S-92 helicopters. PHI signed for two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters on
Feb. 7, 2005 at the Heli-Expo trade show in Anaheim, Calif. In total
the company flies six S-92 helicopters for use in the Gulf of Mexico
offshore oil market.
+++
Sikorsky Aircraft announced that it has completed the acquisition of Keystone
Ranger Holdings, Inc., which specializes in full-service
engineering, completion and technical support for commercial
helicopters, and air medical flight operations. Keystone, which had
been privately owned, will be renamed Keystone Helicopter Holdings,
Inc., and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Sikorsky. It will
continue to operate under the brand names of its subsidiaries, Keystone
Helicopter Corporation and Composite Technology U.S.A., Inc. (CTI).
Keystone Helicopter specializes in full-service engineering, completion
and technical support for commercial helicopters, and air medical
flight operations. The firm operates a large technical services depot
and completion center in Coatesville, Penn., and operates a large fleet
of turbine helicopters in numerous locations across several eastern
states, primarily in the air medical mission.
+++
Boeing has selected PPG Aerospace, a business unit
of PPG Industries, to provide electrochromic windows for the passenger
cabin of the all-new 787 Dreamliner. The 787 will be the first
commercial jetliner to feature this new technology, which will allow
passengers to electronically shade their windows, replacing the plastic
screens found on today’s airplanes.
+++
Boeing and Cathay Pacific Airways signed a
definitive agreement for the purchase of 12 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended
Range) jetliners and purchase rights for 20 additional 777-300ERs.
Cathay Pacific announced its intention to order the 12 aircraft, valued
at approximately US$2.85 billion at list prices, earlier this month in
Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific plans to take delivery of the new 777-300ERs
between September 2007 and July 2010. The 777-300ERs will be powered by
the General Electric GE 90-115BL2 engine, the world’s largest
and most powerful commercial jet engine. Separately, Cathay Pacific
plans to lease four more 777-300ERs from International Lease Finance
Corporation.
+++
The president of the Italian Region of Abruzzo, Ottaviano del Turco,
and Finmeccanica Chairman and CEO Pier Francesco
Guarguaglini today signed a framework agreement to promote industrial
growth and development in Abruzzo, and thereby increase production and
employment in the Abruzzo region. The agreement will lead to the
expansion of the Piero Fanti space centre in Fucino, owned and operated
by Telespazio, a Finmeccanica/Alcatel company. To this end, the
regional authority is ready to make all efforts to raise the financial
resources necessary to further develop the space centre, which is part
of the Galileo European satellite navigation programme. On 5 December,
Fucino was chosen as one of the two Constellation Mission Control
Stations for Galileo, which represents one of the most important
programmes for the whole country and a great development opportunity
for Abruzzo.
+++
Boeing announced that its board of
directors has elected Kenneth M. Duberstein lead director, replacing
Lew Platt who passed away earlier this year. Duberstein, 61, has served
on the Boeing board since 1997. "Ken has in-depth knowledge of this
company and has a proven ability to build consensus. His global
perspective and government experience will continue to benefit Boeing,
and I am very pleased that he has agreed to take on this role," said
Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO.
+++
Excel-Jet announced it reached a financial agreement
with the Guthrie, Oklahoma Industrial Development Authority. "Excel-Jet
will be relocating its facility to Guthrie within 90-120 days," said
company president and designer, Bob Bornhofen. Excel-Jet is presently
based at the Colorado Springs airport. Guthrie Economic Development
Director, Alba Weaver, said, "We've created a partnership with
Excel-Jet and have secured a first phase of funding." A $3-5 million
package from local and state resources will allow Sport-Jet to move
deeply into flight testing leading to the start of certification work
later in the year Glenn Hayes is City Manager for Guthrie. "Excel-Jet
will be located near two other world-class aviation organizations
(Zivko and Spirit Wing) which will make for good synergy," he stated,
adding that the cities of Guthrie and Edmond have joined forces to
develop the airport. "Guthrie Edmond Airport is home to Zivko's Edge
540 aerobatic aircraft and Spirit Wing Lear, which restores early
Learjets with new Williams FJ44 turbofan engines," reported Bornhofen.
Airframe modification work for the space tourism-oriented Rocketplane
was also done in Guthrie by Spirit Wing. "Everyone in the city and
airport share the same entrepreneurial attitude and business goals that
we have," said Bornhofen. He says Excel-Jet has been looking for a more
GA-compatible environment to support flight-testing and production.
Guthrie Edmond Oklahoma Airport, or GEOPORT, has grown more than 95% of
other airports in Oklahoma, Hayes said.
+++
The European Defence Agency signed a
contract with a consortium headed by Patria Oyj to carry out the first
Technology Study for the Agency’s work on Long Endurance
Unmanned Air Vehicles (LE UAVs), covering “Digital Line of
Sight & Beyond Line of Sight Data
Links”. LE UAVs, which are likely to play
an increasingly important role in surveillance and intelligence, are
one of the Agency’s four flagship programmes. A number of
different national initiatives on UAVs are under way in EU countries,
and the Agency has been tasked to encourage European collaboration in
this field. “Digital Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond
Line of Sight (BLOS) Data Links” were one of the two
technology areas selected from an initial listing of more than 10
critical technologies of interest to the participating Member States
for technology demonstration studies funded by the Agency.
+++
PlanetSpace is pleased to unveil to the public what
we expect to be our next step to orbit. Unknown to the world Canadian
Arrow has been collaborating with Prof Paul Czsyz, a well known
hypersonic glider expert, to evaluate and select a design that would
provide a solid foundation for an orbital fly back spacecraft. After 4
years of research Canadian Arrow has decided to base its next rocket
vehicle on a hypersonic glider developed in the early 60’s
known as the Flight Dynamics Laboratory #7 (FDL-7). The PlanetSpace
version of the FDL-7 is a 45 ft long 8 person hypersonic glider called
the Silver Dart. "The Silver Dart allows us to build on the work we are
now doing with our Canadian Arrow rocket. A cluster of 10 Canadian
Arrow rocket engines provide the 700,000 lbs of thrust required
to boost the Silver Dart to orbit. PlanetSpace is one of only
a handful of organizations that can provide this kind of thrust in a
booster vehicle." Said Geoff Sheerin president and CEO of PlanetSpace.
After the first manned flights of the Canadian Arrow rocket,
PlanetSpace will focus on development of the heavy lift booster to pave
the way for the first flights of the Silver Dart to orbit. Early tests
will include the completion of a suborbital version of the Silver Dart.
"The specifications for the Silver Dart were finished back in 2001 in
anticipation of a requirement for a space station transport vehicle for
use by NASA and other private initiatives. We can see in
NASA’s recent announcements this requirement is fast becoming
a reality." Said Sheerin "One of the most practical operational aspects
of the FDL-7 class of hypersonic gliders was that the lifting body
configuration forms an inherently stable hypersonic glider from Mach 22
to landing. This
design came out of work started in the 50’s by the Air Force
Flight Dynamics Laboratory. When the Government decided to exclude the
military from space developments the significance of this design was
lost". Said Paul Czysz president of HyperTech Concepts LLC. Paul Czysz,
who is also a part of the PlanetSpace board of advisors, will help
guide development of the Silver Dart at Canadian Arrow.
+++
John Reid, UK Secretary of State for Defence, launched the Defence
Industrial Strategy (DIS) in a statement to Parliament
today, 15 December 2005. The strategy is aimed at ensuring
that the UK's Armed Forces are provided with the equipment they need,
on time, and at best value for money. The Ministry of Defence
and the Armed Forces need to be assured that we can procure from a
sustainable industrial base, that retains within the UK those
industrial capabilities (including infrastructure, skills, intellectual
property and capacity) that are required, from a national security
perspective, to ensure our appropriate sovereignty. Launching
the Strategy, Mr Reid said: "The Defence Industrial Strategy
I am publishing today is as important for the defence industry as the
strategic defence review was for the Armed Forces.
"It is driven by our military imperative to give our Armed Forces the
battle winning kit they need. "In short today we are telling industry
what we think we will need, what will be strategic to the UK, where we
will be spending taxpayer's money and how we will engage with the
market. "This Strategy provides outstanding clarity for industry to
plan for a sustainable healthy future. This will enable
industry to deliver best value for money to us as a smart customer and
ensure taxpayer's money is wisely used. This strategy means we
will maintain the strategic skills we need for the nation and invest in
the future of defence in areas like Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles." New
UAV technology projects looking forward to the day when unmanned aerial
vehicles including combat versions, complement fast jets and help to
inform choices about the mix of manned and unmanned aircraft in our
future force. The award of an innovative contract worth some
£185 million for the support of its Turbo-Union RB199 engine
to Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace (RRDA). The engine powers
the MOD's fleet of Tornado aircraft, which are in service with the
Royal Air Force. Support work will be undertaken in the UK by
RRDA's traditional suppliers.
+++
Defence Secretary John Reid has announced a series of major
developments in MoD's multi-billion pound programme to build
a new class of aircraft carrier for Britain's Armed Forces today,
14 December 2005. The key developments - which together will provide
our Forces with the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed
in the UK - include: The current carrier Alliance team of MoD, BAE
Systems, Thales and KBR, is to be joined by VT Group and Babcock.
Plans for the construction and assembly of the ships at
Alliance members' yards have been agreed. MoD is to spend some
£300M to develop the design of the ships to the point at
which manufacturing can begin. Commitment to some long-lead items for
the ships will be made, where necessary, to maintain the programme. It
is also planned to explore, with the same companies, encompassing
in-service support for the new carriers and the existing carriers
through to their out of service dates.
+++
Lockheed Martin will build a prototype High Altitude
Airship (HAATM) under a $149.2 million contract awarded by
the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). This contract marks the beginning of
the program's third phase, leading to prototype delivery and flight in
2009. "The HAA delivers a persistent surveillance capability unmatched
by any other platform," said Ron Browning, Lockheed Martin business
development director responsible for the High Altitude Airship. "The
HAA combines a variety of advanced technologies to support air and
ground missile defense needs and provide a near-space, multi-mission
guardian in the sky that is easily relocatable and can be stationed
where needed most." Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will build an
airship prototype based on the design developed during the program's
second phase. Operating at 60,000 feet, the prototype will demonstrate
launch and recovery, station-keeping and flight-control capabilities
while carrying mission re-configurable payloads. It will be about 400
feet long and 140 feet in diameter, and will have a volume of 3.7
million cubic feet. It will be built in Lockheed Martin's facility in
Akron.
+++
Jet Aviation Basel has signed a new outfitting
contract with a customer based in the Middle East for an Airbus 320.
The aircraft was delivered to Basel in mid October with the delivery
scheduled for July 2006. The owner of this Airbus 320 is a first time
customer of Jet Aviation. His A320 will receive a full
VVIP-configuration which can accommodate a maximum of 25 passengers.
The interior will be completed without the use of wood in all faux
finishing. Other features will include audio/video on demand (AVOD),
special LED lighting as well as a humidification system for an enhanced
room climate. Furthermore, auxiliary fuel tanks will be installed. The
Jet Aviation facility in Basel will be responsible for the engineering
as well as for the EASA certification of the aircraft. The completion
work will be carried out according to the specifications set by The
National Aircraft Services (NAS) of Saudi Arabia, the same company who
will be supervising the entire outfitting process.
+++
The supervisory board of MTU Aero Engines Holding AG appointed
Dr. Rainer Martens to the board of management for three years,
effective as of July 1, 2006. Dr. Martens will take over the
engineering and production responsibilities of Dr. Michael
Süß, whose contract will expire in
2006. Likewise in today's meeting, the supervisory board
extended CFO Reiner Winkler's contract by another five years, until
2011. Dr. Martens (44) studied mechanical engineering at Hannover
University and has long-standing experience in the aviation as well as
the engine industry where he served in various technical management
positions. From 1997 to 2002 he headed up production at MTU. In 2002,
he transferred to Airbus where he has since been responsible for the
company's Bremen location (development, production and services, with a
staff of approx. 3,000).
+++
Alliant Techsystems, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) successfully
ground-launched and flew a hypersonic scramjet-powered vehicle
from the Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA in a
pre-dawn launch on Saturday Dec. 10th. This was the
first- ever freeflight of a scramjet-powered vehicle using conventional
liquid hydrocarbon jet fuel. The launch and flight test were part of
the Freeflight Atmospheric Scramjet Test Technique (FASTT) program
sponsored by DARPA and ONR. As the system integrator, ATK
designed and built the FASTT vehicle. This was the first time the
company had complete design authority over the hypersonic scramjet
propulsion system and the airframe. In addition, ATK served as the
mission manager for both the launch and the flight of the test vehicle
including development of test plans and coordination of all design and
mission readiness reviews. ATK previously built the hydrogen-fueled
X-43A Scramjet, the world-record holder for powered flight which
obtained a top speed of nearly Mach 10 in a November 2004 flight test.
"The successful FASTT flight test and ATK's record-setting X-43A
flight-tests clearly position ATK as a world-leader in the development
and test of hypersonic propulsion systems and airframes," said Blake
Larson, President ATK Advanced Propulsion and Space Systems. "One goal
of ATK's hypersonic flight program is to develop advanced hypersonic
weaponry and this flight test is a significant step in that direction,"
said Larson
+++
Avio, the Italian aerospace propulsion company, is
about to undertake a joint research project with Russia by signing an
important collaboration agreement with CIAM and VIAM, two Russian
Research Centres at the forefront in the field of design and
development of new materials for aero engines. The three-year
contract was signed in Saint Petersburg by Avio and the Russian
state-owned company Rosoboronexport that represents the two Research
Centres and governs trade relations with foreign partners. The
technological R&D activities to be carried out under the
agreement are aimed at gaining a better knowledge of aerodynamic and
thermal loads, and the life and mechanical properties of metals when
subjected to the extreme temperatures reached in aero engines. The
initial applications of this research will be available in 2007, and
are expected to achieve major improvements in terms of efficiency,
performance and environmental impact of next-generation engines.
+++
The first Ratier FH 386 propeller for the A400M was
formally handed over to Airbus Military on December 2nd 2005 in a
ceremony held at the propeller manufacturer's facility in Figeac,
south-west France. Ratier-Figeac, a division of Hamilton Standard, was
awarded the propeller contract by Airbus Military in June 2003, shortly
after the launch of the A400M programme. The eight-bladed,
composite propeller is one of the largest in the world, with a diametre
of 5,34 metres (17,5 feet). A state-of-the-art design specially
conceived to handle the high power output of the A400M's 11,000 shaft
horsepower engines. The A400M propeller was delivered on time and on
spec to the Head of Airbus Military's Power plant ACMT (Aircraft
Component Management Team) and will now be forwarded to the engine
manufacturer, Europrop International, for integration with the TP400-D6
engine prior to a full engine/propeller power plant run early in
2006.
+++
The Boeing Australia and Israel Aircraft Industries
(IAI) team will provide Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV)
capability to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for airborne
surveillance in land operations. “Boeing Australia
looks forward to providing the ADF with the first unmanned aerial
vehicle system to enter Australian service on a scale as large as
this” said Boeing Australia’s Managing Director,
David Gray. “The I-View system that Boeing
Australia and our partner, IAI/(MALAT Division), will deliver is among
the most advanced tactical unmanned aerial vehicles in the world
today.” The Boeing Australia /IAI solution for
Project 129, the I-View 250 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), sets the
standard for air vehicle technology, providing airborne surveillance,
reconnaissance, and target acquisition to support ADF land operations.
Key features of the I-View system include dual-redundant, fully
Automated, Take Off and Landing mechanisms (ATOL) including a unique
powered parafoil landing system that allows recovery in rough, confined
terrain with little or no surface preparation; multiple EO/IR payload
options with the option to fit a SAR; TCDL and EPLRS communications
systems to ensure joint and coalition interoperability and a highly
advanced ground control station fitted to standard Army
vehicles,
+++
From January Swiss border guards will use small
unmanned aircraft (drones) belonging to the army to monitor
borders. The drones are also being considered for
use during the Euro 2008 football championships, which Switzerland and
Austria are jointly hosting. After successful test flights,
Swiss border guards asked for permission to use the drones in the fight
against smuggling and illegal immigration. The defence ministry has now
approved this request. However, Federal Data Protection
Commissioner Hanspeter Thür criticised the lack of legal
basis. Thür said the defence ministry believed the
customs law permitted the use of drones, but he explained that this law
only applied to conventional surveillance techniques such as video
cameras at unmanned borders. Thür said the use of drones was a
"new kind of surveillance" which could monitor a wide area from a great
height and as such had nothing to do with watching
borders. "With this equipment you can also watch people inland
simply going about their daily business," he said.
+++
Within the framework of the bidding process for the sale of
Airest GmbH, the Board of Management of Austrian Airlines AG
has decided to enter into exclusive negotiations with the SAVE Group
from Italy. An extensive selection process was conducted together with
the investment bank CA-IB, from which the SAVE Group emerged as the
best bidder. The assessment of the numerous attractive bids
was conducted in accordance with financial and qualitative criteria, as
well as taking into account the potential for future development of
Airest. These exclusive negotiations to finalise the contractual
details are expected to result in the transaction reaching a conclusion
in the first quarter of 2006. Both companies have agreed that the
transaction shall remain confidential until that point.
+++
The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts is seeking
revolutionary ideas to advance the Vision for Space Exploration.
Interested parties from outside the agency are invited to submit 2006
Phase 1 proposals by February 13, 2006. The focus for solicitations is
on revolutionary, advanced concepts for architectures and systems that
meet NASA mission "grand visions." The institute's intention is to
discover ideas that may result in beneficial changes to NASA's
long-range plans. "The institute employs a team of experts in science
and technology to review proposals. Successful proposals are highly
imaginative but grounded in reality," said Dr. Robert Cassanova of the
Universities Space Research Association, the director of the NASA
Institute for Advanced Concepts. The Universities Space Research
Association runs the institute for NASA. Previous winning proposals
include systems or concepts for a spacecraft propelled by a magnetized
beam of electrified gas for rapid interplanetary transportation; an
electrostatic radiation shield for a lunar base; and the redesign of
living organisms to survive on Mars. The institute sponsors research in
two phases. Proposals selected for Phase 1 awards typically receive as
much as $75,000 for a six-month study that validates the viability of
the concept and identifies challenges that must be overcome.
+++
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