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+++ Bombardier Challenger 605 flies +++ ESG flies UH-1D as avionics testbed +++ Eagle Eye UAV takes off +++ United secures Chapter 11 exit +++ News in brief +++
Bombardier Challenger 605 flies
Erstflug für neuen Geschäftsreisejet
On January 22, 2006, Bombardier's next-generation Challenger 605 widebody business jet successfully completed its first flight, marking a significant program milestone and next major step in the evolution of the industry-leading Challenger business jet family. The three-hour, 23-minute flight occurred on schedule as originally announced at the official launch in November 2005. Challenger 605 aircraft serial number 5701 departed from Bombardier's Montreal-Trudeau International Airport facility under clear conditions at 12:40 p.m. and returned at 16:03 p.m. EST. It reached a maximum first flight altitude of 41,000 feet (12,496 m), and a maximum true airspeed of 420 knots (483 mph; 778 km/h). Loaded with 12,500 pounds (5,670 kg) of fuel, takeoff weight for the first flight was 38,734 pounds (17,569 kg). The flight was conducted as a stage climb to 41,000 feet (12,496 m). "It was a great flight. We spent over three hours in the air and the aircraft performed superbly," commented captain Frank Magnusson, a 20-year career pilot joined by co-pilot Jacques Thibaudeau and project flight test engineer Mick Mansfield. "The new flight deck is fantastic. Pilots will truly appreciate the large LCD screens, their multi-function flexibility and the immediate access to critical flight information," said Mr. Magnusson.
Following several flights in Montreal, the aircraft will relocate to Bombardier's Flight Test Center in Wichita, Kansas, for a 200-hour flight test and certification program. Transport Canada certification is expected in the fourth quarter of 2006, and the aircraft is scheduled to enter service in the third quarter of 2007. The Challenger 605 aircraft features the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, which is fully configurable and offers pilots instant, intuitive access to critical flight information. The integrated avionics package includes four 10 by 12-inch (25.4 by 30.5-cm) vertically aligned next generation LCD screens, increasing the display area by 55 per cent over the current flight deck.
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ESG flies UH-1D as avionics testbed
Avionik-Versuchträger vonESG fliegt
Following a development period of over two years, the mission equipment carrier (MAT), which ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH developed at the request of the Federal Ministry for Armaments Technology and Procurement (BWB), successfully completed its first test flight. The helicopter is used to try out mission avionics. The Federal Army and industry can use the MAT to test how equipment components behave when used in devices during flight.
The MAT is based on a fully re-designed UH-1D. With the helicopter, individual components or entire systems, such as aircraft guidance systems, sensor systems, mapping modules, integrated helmet systems or the operator-machine interface, can now be tested under operational conditions. Sensors weighing up to 140 kilograms can be attached to two equipment racks on the nose. The key advantage is that because the test equipment has been clearly separated from the basic helicopter, the individual test parts do not need to be approved for use in flight. The MAT can therefore already be used to conduct tests while the systems are being developed.
As early as 1999, the BWB approached ESG to conduct the first studies for the follow-up system to the “equipment test carrier” (AVT), which was used between 1991 and 1998. As a specialist in complex electronics systems, ESG was then able to design the entire avionics. ESG has also provided the measuring equipment for the verification and coordination of the use of the MAT. The mechanical and electrical conversion of the UH-1D was completed by RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH in Oberpfaffenhofen, and it was on their premises that the test flight was also conducted. The holder of the MAT is armaments technology service department (Wehrtechnische Dienststelle) no. 61 in Manching.
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Eagle Eye UAV takes off
Unbemannter Kipprotor im Flugtest
Bell Helicopter has announced that its TR918 Eagle Eye Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) lifted off the ground for the first time today when it achieved the first flight milestone in this ground breaking, vertical-lift unmanned aircraft program. On 26 January at 8:54 a.m. (CST) the vehicle lifted vertically off the ground hovered for nine minutes, executed yaw and translation maneuvers and then landed safely on the ground. The vehicle flew a second flight within 30 minutes of the maiden flight's landing. According to Bob Ellithorpe, executive director of Bell's Unmanned Aircraft Systems, reaching this milestone was worth all the hard work and then some. "Eagle Eye offers a capability never seen in the UAS industry," Ellithorpe explained. "In the hands of our Coast Guard Homeland Defenders and all other potential users, Eagle Eye will successfully accomplish a number of critical missions including the most important mission, saving lives. Reaching this first flight milestone puts us one step closer to getting this unmatched capability in the field," Ellithorpe said.
First flight of the TR918 comes on the heels of recently receiving a certificate of airworthiness for experimental flight-testing from the Federal Aviation Administration. The TR918 test program will continue advancing the tilt rotor nacelles to full airplane mode and increasing speed and payload capabilities. "There is a lot of hard work ahead for the Eagle Eye development and testing team," Ellithorpe said. "But, today we are going to celebrate this first flight achievement."
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United secures Chapter 11 exit
Neue Gelder für United
On 20 January UAL Corporation, the holding company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines, announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois has confirmed the Company's Plan of Reorganization (POR), setting the stage for United to emerge from Chapter 11 in early February. In confirming the plan, the court determined that it provided fair and equitable treatment of creditors and otherwise satisfied the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. The company's creditors previously voted overwhelmingly in support of the plan. Further, the Creditors' Committee withdrew all objections to the Plan, an important accomplishment as the company concludes its very complex restructuring.
"The confirmation of our plan validates more than three years of work to make United a sustainable enterprise, ready to compete successfully with the strongest carriers," said Glenn Tilton, United's President, Chairman and CEO. "The tremendous work of our employees during the most difficult times is an indication of what we are capable of moving forward. We will build on our momentum as we continue to differentiate United in the marketplace and focus fully on our customers for a stronger future." "Throughout this process, we worked with our stakeholders to consensually resolve issues and put forward a reorganization plan that maximizes the value of United for all, and that provides a solid foundation on which United can compete," said Jake Brace, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We appreciate the work of our Creditor's Committee and all our stakeholders for resolving issues cooperatively with us and now, with strong relationships in place, look forward to working with our business partners going forward for our mutual benefit."
Pursuant to the confirmed plan of reorganization, current UAL common stock, preferred stock and ToPRS will be canceled on the emergence date, and no distribution will be made to holders of those securities.
The company said that creditor distributions would likely begin shortly after its emergence. As previously announced, United has secured $3 billion in exit financing to be provided by JPMorgan, Citigroup and GE Capital. Exit financing will be used by United to repay the Debtor-In-Possession (DIP) facility, to make other payments required upon exit from bankruptcy, and to ensure strong cash balances to conduct post-reorganization operations. Both Standard & Poors and Moody's credit ratings agencies have given United's business better ratings than any other network carrier.
On Wednesday, the company announced the composition of its Board of Directors that will begin service upon United's emergence from Chapter 11.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Elbit Systems reported that it will supply the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) the avionics simulation system for the Israel Air Force F-16I Sufa aircrew flight and system trainer. Elbit's share in the development of the trainer amounts to $10 million. Elbit-developed avionics systems will use the actual F-16 avionics boxes for the trainers. BVR Systems, acting as a sub-contractor for Elbit, will supply the visual display and cockpit simulators. The avionics, displays and cockpit will then be provided to U.S. tactical aircraft simulation and training systems specialist Lockheed Martin for final overall trainer integration and testing prior to installation in Israel. Lockheed Martin has received a separate IMOD contract for their work on the F-16I flight and systems trainer. Elbit Systems has previously been selected to supply the core avionic systems for the Israeli Air Force's F-16I aircraft. These systems include the Display and Sight Helmet (DASH), mission computer systems, head-up display systems, display processors and digital maps as well as stores management systems.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that low-cost airline Atlasjet of Istanbul, Turkey has signed a firm order for three 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet airliners and has taken options on two additional CRJ900 aircraft. he firm order contract is valued at approximately $107 million US. Atlasjet has been operating two previously owned 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft since May 2005 on domestic Turkish routes. The addition of the CRJ900 aircraft will allow Atlasjet to stimulate growth on these routes.
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WSI Corporation welcomed The Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) of EUROCONTROL as the newest customer of Internet delivered decision support tool WSI Pilotbrief International. WSI and EUROCONTROL have finalized an agreement covering the supply of graphic forecasts and displays of current weather for European airspace. "We are very happy to add EUROCONTROL to our growing client portfolio," says WSI Aviation Account Manager, Colin Pollard. "We are experiencing a growing demand for decision support tools, such as WSI Pilotbrief International, as the industry increasingly focuses on the benefits that can accrue from Collaborative Decision Making. The CFMU uses WSI Pilotbrief International to inform its planning and tactical decision making as well as during regular web conferences with other agencies. WSI currently supports over 80 commercial aviation customers in Europe. EUROCONTROL prides itself on the contribution that CFMU has made and continues to make to airline punctuality in European airspace. Over the last ten years EUROCONTROL's CFMU has made a significant contribution, along with the Air Navigation Service Providers and airline operators, towards improving the optimization of the airspace capacity. In the last five years this has resulted in a reduction of delays by over 40%. Collaborative decision making has been a cornerstone of this success story and tools like Pilotbrief enable the development of such strategies even further.
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NASA's Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite recently ceased operations, bringing to a close a successful six-year mission. IMAGE was the premier producer of new discoveries on the structure and dynamics of the Earth's external magnetic field (magnetosphere) and its contents. "The IMAGE mission showed us space around the Earth is anything but empty, and that plasma clouds can be imaged and tracked just as we do from space for Earth's surface weather," said Barbara Giles, IMAGE Program Scientist at NASA headquarters. Prior to the launch of IMAGE, the energetic particles and electrically charged gas (plasma) surrounding the Earth were completely invisible to human observers. IMAGE enabled researchers to study the global structure and dynamics of the Earth's inner magnetosphere as it responded to energy from solar winds. "Nearly six years of imagery by the pioneering cameras on IMAGE revolutionized our understanding of geospace and our knowledge of its space weather," said James Burch, IMAGE principal investigator at the Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio.
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The Northrop Grumman and Raytheon team for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program successfully completed the first in a series of static test firings of the missile's second-stage rocket motor on Jan. 17 at teammate Alliant Techsystem's facility in Elkton, Md. The event marked a critical knowledge point for the program that will lead up to the program's first booster flight test in 2008. Built by ATK, the second-stage rocket motor burned successfully to completion, demonstrating proof-of-concept for this high-acceleration, high-velocity and highly maneuverable missile. Initial results from the test matched expectations for rocket-motor performance and integrity. Using the detailed data collected from this first of five Stage 2 ground tests, the team will continue to make adjustments to the motor to optimize final-design performance. The burnout velocity, acceleration and high-performance thrust vector control provided by these rocket motors give KEI the unique capability to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in multiple phases of flight.
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Pratt & Whitney signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus to offer the PW6000 engine on the Airbus A318 Elite. "We're excited with this new opportunity for the PW6000 engine," said Commercial Engines President Steve Heath. "This MOU represents a new market for PW6000. We are confident that corporate jet customers will appreciate the many advantages that this engine provides." The Airbus A318 Elite is a corporate jet version of the A318 airliner and the latest member of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) family. The PW6000 engine offers a thrust range of 18,000 to 24,000 pounds and Pratt & Whitney to Power Airbus A318 Elite features a number of new technologies and design characteristics enabling low cost of operation. Reliability, maintainability and lower maintenance costs are key attributes of this engine.
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Boeing Missile Defense Systems (MDS) has taken delivery of the aircraft for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) program, achieving the first of several key milestones in the laser gunship effort. The C-130H transport, which belongs to the U.S. Air Force's 46th Test Wing, was handed over to Boeing on Jan. 18 in Crestview, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. Boeing is modifying the aircraft to enable it to carry a high-energy chemical laser and battle management and beam control subsystems. Boeing will begin flight testing the aircraft this summer with all subsystems on board except the high-energy laser. A low-power surrogate laser will stand in for the kilowatt-class, high-energy laser. The high-energy laser is being built in Albuquerque, N.M., and is scheduled to achieve "first light" in ground tests this summer. By 2007, Boeing will install the device on the aircraft and fire it in-flight at mission-representative ground targets to demonstrate the military utility of high-energy lasers. The laser will be fired through an existing 50-inch-diameter hole in the aircraft's belly.
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Three Mi-35 helicopters, manufactured by Rostvertol Plc, were dispatched to the Czech Republic via an An-124 transport aircraft on Jan. 17. These helicopters are to be handed over to the Czech Army in February. Under the terms and conditions of a contract between FSUE Rosoboronexport and LOM PRAHA s.p., Rostvertol Plc has now delivered 10 Mi-35 helicopters to the Czech Republic. Seven of them were dispatched to the customer over the course of 2005. In all, the Czech Army is being provided with 26 Russian-made helicopters for repayment of Russia's public debt: 10 attack Mi-35 attack helicopters and 16 Mi-171Sh transport helicopters.
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ALOS, Japan's latest Earth Observation satellite, was successfully launched at 02:33 CET (10:33 Japan time) on 24 January. Environmental data and imagery from ALOS will be provided to European and African users through a cooperative agreement between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) is a four-tonne satellite dedicated to land-based Earth Observation. It was lifted-off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on an H-IIA launch vehicle, which will deliver ALOS into a 700-km polar orbit.
ESA is supporting ALOS as a 'Third Party Mission', which means the Agency will utilise its multi-mission ground systems of existing national and industrial facilities and expertise to acquire, process and distribute data from the satellite. Based on a Memorandum of Understanding with JAXA, approved at ESA Council in December and now ready for signature, ESA will host the ALOS European Data Node (ADEN), delivering near-real time and offline data to scientific and operational users across Europe as well as Africa. ALOS has multiple objectives: to support improved cartography, especially within the Asia-Pacific region, to gather environmental observations in support of sustainable development efforts, to survey natural resources, to develop technologies for further Earth Observation missions and to monitor disasters on a worldwide basis – JAXA having signed the International Charter on Major Disasters in February 2005.
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The SAS Group has become aware of errors in the Spanair accounts that relates primarily to the years 2002-2004. The SAS Groups internal and external auditors have evaluated the identified errors, which imply that certain revenues and costs not have been accounted correctly. The SAS Group has not suffered any economical loss/damage as a result of the accounting errors. According to the new IFRS rules these differences must be corrected retroactively in the accounts if considered material. The deviations for 2002-2004 amounts to a total of approx MSEK- 340 and will be corrected through restatement of earlier published results and group equity. Errors for 2005 have also been noted and these have been corrected in the 4th Quarter. The impact for 4th Quarter is MSEK -80. It is still expected that Spanair will reach a positive result in 2005. The corrections do not affect the SAS Group's full year outlook for 2005.
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The development and production of leading EW systems will represent a $28 billion market over the next 10 years, according to Forecast International's “The Market for Electronic Warfare Systems.” Included among these systems are the jammers, radar warning receivers (RWRs), electronic support measure (ESM) systems, and missile countermeasure systems that are in high demand by military forces worldwide. “BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman are among the top producers of the EW technology covered in this analysis, being major developers of key jammers, RWRs and ESM systems for new aircraft such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the F-22A Raptor, and the replacement for the U.S. Navy's EA-6B Prowler, the EA-18G Growler,” said Andrew Dardine, Forecast International Defense Electronics Analyst. EW systems produced by top-ranked BAE Systems are also being installed, or are about to be installed, on a significant number of helicopters and military transport aircraft. The company's involvement in these critical areas as well as development of important countermeasure systems gives it a projected 10-year market share of 24.7 percent, representing an estimated value of $6.9 billion. Like BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman retains a high ranking in this analysis because of its involvement in some of the most important missile countermeasures systems in the development pipeline. The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System (LAIRCM) is currently intended for C-17, C-130, C-5, KC-135, and Boeing 737 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, and is in consideration for an even wider selection of aircraft. Based on current plans, the system represents a potential 10-year value of some $412.5 million for the company. Likewise, an estimated 186 units of the company's ALQ-218, an important RWR system – and the heart of the EA-18G Growler – are expected to be produced during the forecast period, at a projected value of $979.6 million.
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L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) of Greenville, Texas, has awarded BAE Systems a subcontract worth approximately $6 million to provide digital autopilot systems for Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy P-3 Orion antisubmarine patrol aircraft. The program team, headed by Korea Aerospace Industries and including L-3 IS, is providing complete mission system modernizations and service life extensions for eight ROK Navy P-3 aircraft. BAE Systems' P-3 digital autopilot is a dual-redundant system that offers enhanced safety, high system reliability, and lower operating costs. It is lighter, more capable, and more reliable than the legacy analog systems, providing pilots with enhanced modes of operation that include control-wheel steering, navigation steering, a broad range of hold modes, and automatic approach to CAT-I landings.
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Boeing marks an engineering milestone today as company engineers complete 90 percent of the drawings for the newest 737 family member, the 737-900ER. The milestone means that nearly all of the engineering work necessary to build parts and tools for assembly has been completed and released to manufacturing. "This is a critical milestone for the airplane as we make the transition from the development phase to the production phase," said Mike Delaney, 737 chief project engineer. "With most of the drawings complete, our suppliers and fabrication plants can begin manufacturing detailed parts." The design milestone was reached right on the target date, as Boeing works to begin final assembly of the first 737-900ER this spring at the company's Renton, Wash., manufacturing facility.
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SAS completely rejects the Swedish Ministry of Finance's memorandum Fi 2005/6480 on an environment tax on air travel. The airline's objections include: Inadequate analysis by the Ministry of the tax's effects, an unclear legal basis for the tax and an obvious risk of distortion in the competition between various modes of transport. Instead, SAS recommends that air travel be included in the EU's trading system for emission rights to reduce the airlines' environmental impact. In a petition to the Ministry of Finance, SAS writes: "The memorandum lacks any form of analysis regarding the effects of the proposed tax. This applies to environmental effects and other effects on society. Instead, each statement in the memorandum demonstrates that earlier attempts at taxation have been abandoned because the form of taxation did not generate a positive environmental effect or that the structure of the taxation was directly unlawful."
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On the occasion of the ATR annual press conference, which took place today in Paris, Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer, announced a turnover for 2005 of $542 million, an increase of 15% compared to 2004 ($469 million revenues, based on IAS standard). ATR has logged firm orders for 90 new aircraft plus 26 options. “This commercial success is evidence of the strong revival of the turboprop aircraft in the regional aviation market”, said Filippo Bagnato. “We have to go back more than 15 years to register this high of a level of sales. 2005 is ATR's one of the best years with a level of sales equivalent to 1988”, he added. From the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 778 aircraft (398 ATR 42s and 380 ATR 72s), through 31 December 2005; Among the 11 customers who ordered new ATR aircraft in 2005, five are new. ATR portfolio is now composed of 121 operators. In 2005, ATR delivered 15 aircraft to 7 airlines, in line with the objectives. From the beginning of the programme, ATR has delivered 689 aircraft (382 ATR 42s and 307 ATR 72s) through 31 December 2005. On 1st January 2006, ATR has a backlog of 89 aircraft. On the second hand aircraft market, ATR registered once again a strong activity in 2005, exceeding its target. ATR posted 43 aircraft transactions (19 ATR 42s and 24 ATR 72s) including 12 cash sales. ATR delivered 48 aircraft. The objective is to deliver 25 new aircraft in 2006 with an increase to about 40 aircraft in 2007. Accordingly, the revenues for ATR will more than double between 2004 and 2007 to around $1 billion. In the regional sector, the new aircraft market remains strong in Western Europe. Asia and the Indian Sub-continent represent significant market potential. Developing markets for turboprop aircraft such as in Russia, China and Latin America also show strong potential for growth. North America also has the possibility to develop for additional sales opportunities.
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At the latest Offset Committee meeting, the Hungarian Ministry of Economy and Transport approved Gripen's latest offset claim. According to the decision, the offset value approved is worth 342 MSEK (36 MEUR). Of this amount, the export value equates to 74 MSEK and the investments value to 268 MSEK. The current status of the Hungarian Gripen Program now shows that over 62% of the total obligation has been fulfilled, making a total value of 4604 MSEK (488 MEUR) for the offset activity performed by Gripen International in Hungary since December 2001. The Gripen Offset program continues full speed ahead and is currently expanding into new industry sectors, such as the wood industry and the glass sector, involving Hungarian small medium enterprises (SME) generating further net export value and investments for the Hungarian economy.
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BAE Systems Regional Aircraft reported that it had secured lease business across all its portfolios and new 'spares by the hour' and modifications business worth $320 million during 2005. Announcing this figure today, Alan Fraser, Managing Director of Regional Aircraft stated: “Despite a difficult and highly competitive regional aircraft marketplace we have done well to bring in new business in these key sectors worth over $320 million. We are continuing to keep our products flying with most of our existing customers, as well as finding new customers for our aircraft. Equally important is the high level of integrated support packages that we are now bringing to the table and which is helping us to secure new business. “Of course we have challenges ahead, but we recognise them and are developing plans to manage these. We will continue to invest in the business, to put in a high level of energy and commitment to serve our existing and new customers well, to reduce costs for our operators, as well as to develop new applications for our products and to seek new markets for our capabilities.” During 2005 Regional Aircraft secured lease transactions on its BAe 146/Avro RJ, and ATP portfolios involving 68 aircraft, business worth around $230 million.
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Cessna Aircraft Company Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton today reported that the company made "remarkable gains and significant achievements" in 2005. He attributed the year's success to "a world class Cessna team, award winning customer support, a broad product line that is responsive to the marketplace, emerging global markets, and implementation of lean manufacturing processes." During the year, Cessna delivered 249 Citation jets, 822 single engine pistons, and 86 Caravan single-engine turboprops; won FAA certification for two new jets -- the CJ1+ and CJ2+; and built its order book up to 788 jets and 1,198 single engine aircraft with a total value of $6.3 billion. The company also achieved significant refinement of its processes through implementation of the Textron Six Sigma Lean program, resulting in a more efficient, leaner company.
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A stand up ceremony to recognize the formation of the 452nd Flight Test Squadron's, Detachment 1, took place Jan. 12 at the Gray Buttes-El Mirage test facility located about 20 miles southeast of here. Detachment 1, under the command of Maj. Fred Bivetto, will provide Development Test and Evaluation for the Predator “A” and “B” weapons system for delivery to the warfighter. Detachment 1, in operation since June 2005 and officially activated on Nov. 9, is a Combined Test Force comprised of seven permanently assigned personnel as well as personnel, from the Predator Systems Squadron at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's, Detachment 5, the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron and contractors from General Atomics' Rancho Bernardo facility. “Det one's DT&E is a new expansion of the 452nds' (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flight test mission,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Jaquish, 452nd FLTS commander. Predator is a Remotely Operated Vehicle, flown by a pilot and sensor operator who can be hundreds of miles away.
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Alcatel Alenia Space announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a leading research and development, technology and innovation institution in South Africa, to consolidate global cooperation in the space market and to leverage their respective competencies and knowledge. Under the terms of this agreement, Alcatel Alenia Space and the CSIR will join their forces to develop space science skills initially in South Africa and then contribute to the national Human Resource Development objectives. Furthermore, Alcatel Alenia Space and the CSIR will combine their respective skills and contribute to improving the quality of life in South Africa and throughout Africa. Many areas of cooperation have been identified which include landcover mapping, broadband solutions via satellite dedicated to tele-epidemiology, satellite navigation and transport applications, development in astronomy related initiatives and spatial data infrastructure.
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The F-22A Raptor showed another of its capabilities when it flew its first two operational sorties over the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle Jan. 21 and 22. The Raptor mission came one week after the 27th Fighter Squadron -- the first unit to fly the jet -- converted to the Air Force's fifth-generation stealth fighter. The jet just reached its initial operational capability in December. "Since becoming IOC, we have the ability to deploy," squadron commander Lt. Col. James Hecker said. "This is our first operational mission, the first mission where we've carried live ordnance.” Operation Noble Eagle provides air defense over the United States and Canada. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the nation, North American Aerospace Defense Command fighters have responded to more than 2,000 air events over the two countries. Aircraft have flown more than 40,000 sorties supporting Noble Eagle .
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Air Europa has announced today that it firmed up its order for 10 A350-800s and two further options, for deliveries between 2010 and 2012. The contract was signed at the end of December. Air Europa will also lease three A350s from the leasing company GECAS. The Spanish scheduled airline became the first to commit to Airbus' new 250-300 seat long range airliner in December 2004. Since then, total orders and commitments for the new aircraft have risen to 172 from 13 customers. As part of its fleet modernisation, Air Europa has already added a leased A340-200, and has signed an agreement to lease a further four A330-200s the first of which will be delivered in March 2006. Air Europa's A350s will be powered by Genx-1A engines, and will be fitted with a two class configuration that highlights the high level of passenger comfort in the new aircraft's cabin. In Air Europa's configuration, the A350-800 will fly up to 253 passengers on ranges up to 8,600 nm/15,900 km. The rapidly growing airline will use the A350 for its transatlantic flights from Spain to North and South America.
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The US Department of Defense announced the fiscal 2005 report of “100 Companies Receiving the Largest Dollar Volume of Prime Contract Awards (Top 100)” According to the new report, the top 10 Defense contractors for fiscal 2005 were: 1. Lockheed Martin Corp. $19.4 billion Dollars; 2. The Boeing Co. 18.3; 3. Northrop Grumman Corp. 13.5; 4. General Dynamics Corp. 10.6; 5. Raytheon Co. 9.1; 6. Halliburton Co. 5.8; 7. BAE Systems PLC 5.6; 8. United Technologies Corp. 5.0; 9. L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. 4.7; 10. Computer Sciences Corp. 2.8 billion Dollars.
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L-3 Communications announced that its Link Simulation and Training (Link) division has been awarded a $33.4 million follow-on production contract to build four additional U.S. Army Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) suites. Under this award Link will be building the twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth AVCATT suites ordered by the U.S. Army to date. These four AVCATT suites will be delivered during 2007. The U.S. Army currently has plans to acquire 23 AVCATT trainer suites. Link has been prime contractor on AVCATT since the program's award in 1999 and is providing both the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard with helicopter training systems that support realistic, high-intensity virtual combat training.
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Boeing engineers, working closely with United Space Alliance [USA] and NASA, have found a way to prevent gap fillers, thin spacers between the Space Shuttle's heat resistant tiles, from protruding from the belly of the Orbiter. On the last Shuttle mission, two gap fillers were protruding about an inch between the tiles and had to be removed during a spacewalk when analysis showed it could cause increased heating on the Thermal Protection System (TPS) during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. Determining what caused the gap fillers to come out took a little detective work by an integrated team of Boeing, NASA and USA engineers. "The first thing we looked at was the installation process," said Dan Bell, Boeing TPS subsystem manager. There were multiple possible contributing causes why some of the gap fillers were found with various protrusions after the last flight. The cause was narrowed down to the installation process and a new method was developed. Work is underway on the vehicles to remove those gap fillers. NASA expects to have them removed and replaced on both Atlantis and Discovery in the priority one region (subjected to higher heating) before the next shuttle flight. "We ended up saving about 15 percent of those gap fillers that were installed with the old process, while all others in our first priority region were replaced," said Bell. About 3,000 gap fillers will be replaced in the priority one area. Bell says all gap fillers will be eventually checked and replaced if needed.
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Boeing announced plans for a new 737 signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft that can be used for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and also advanced network centric communications. Boeing's new SIGINT aircraft concept is a variant of its 737-based P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft which is currently being developed for the U.S. Navy. "We think this affordable variant not only provides the U.S. Defense Department with options for current and future airborne ISR requirements, but also is adaptable to any International SIGINT mission sets," said Tony Parasida, Boeing vice president for Maritime Systems. "A key advantage of this new program is that the 737 SIGINT aircraft will leverage the P-8A's advanced mission system architecture, mature design, and contractor logistics support and training systems approach. For customers that means reduced operating and maintenance costs over the entire life cycle of the system."
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European aviation giant Airbus is likely to establish a final assembly line for single-aisle aircraft in China this year, Airbus said. It is working with China's government departments and companies to conduct a feasibility study, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Gustav Humbert said in a release. "If everything goes well, the company is expected to make the decision on building the assembly line plant in China in the middle of this year," Humbert said. The result would be an Airbus-dominated joint venture with a planned production capacity of four single-aisle A320 series each month. The A320 family, comprising A319s, A320s and A321s, are medium-range, single-aisle, twin-engine jets capable of carrying up to about 180 passengers. The aircraft have been the European company's most popular models since they entered service in 1988. China has stated its ambitions to build large passenger jets by 2020 although it is still struggling to develop a market for domestically built jets of 70 to 90 seats.
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Sukhoï Civil Aircraft, represented by Viktor Soubbotin, Chief Executive Officer, and PowerJet, represented by Michel Déchelotte, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, signed the definitive agreement for the supply of the SaM146 Propulsion System designed for the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ). This agreement defines the cooperation between Sukhoi Civil Aircraft and PowerJet in various fields of the project covering in particular, development, production and commercial matters. “This contract summarizes the results of the great job done by both parties. We are pleased that SaM146 propulsion system will power the RRJ airplanes. It accumulates the latest technical solutions which fully meet the outmost requirements of our airline customers”, said Viktor Soubbotin, Chief Executive Officer of Sukhoï Civil Aircraft.
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All Nippon Airways (ANA) of Japan placed an order with Airbus last year for the purchase of three of Airbus' popular single-aisle A320s. The Japanese carrier is also to lease two additional A320 aircraft. These A320s are configured for ANA's international routes. With the introduction of a further five A320s to its fleet, ANA is planning to expand its network to destinations in China.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada received Transport Canada type certification December 30, 2005, for its new PW615F engine, selected to power Cessna Aircraft Company's Citation Mustang business jet. "We are very pleased to have achieved certification of the PW615F engine, the first in the new generation PW600 family of high bypass turbofans," said Andrew Tanner, Vice President, Business Aviation, P&WC. Similar approvals from US and European airworthiness authorities will be forthcoming. The PW615F is rated at 1,350 lbs of thrust and features a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC). The PW615F offers optimum value and performance with significantly reduced ownership costs and was selected to power the Citation Mustang in January 2003.
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