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+++ Airbus presents A350XWB +++ Order for Nimrod MRA4 at last +++ Bell ARH-70A flies +++ Bell 417 first flight announced +++ Lockheed Martin Polecat UAV unveiled +++ SaM146 engine begins tests +++ Seven European companies sign for Clean Sky initiative +++ Space Shuttle lands safely +++ News in brief +++
Airbus presents A350XWB
Überarbeitet Version des Zweistrahlers vorgestellt
Airbus' new President and CEO, Christian Streiff presented a whole new family of aircraft, the A350 XWB, for Extra Wide Body, Extra Comfort, Extra Efficiency. The new family will consist of four passenger versions and one freighter, completing the Airbus long-range product for the 21st century with the most modern and technologically advanced products. Increased range, increased speed, enhanced passenger comfort and the best economics will make the A350 XWB a reference for the future.
“I want this company to get back to its basics: Airbus' success has been based on the enormous courage it took to introduce the latest technologies, and on strong customer orientation with a spirit of always delivering more than expected. I want to keep this Airbus way of working, but on top be focussed 100 percent on orderly execution and reliability”, said Airbus' President and CEO Christian Streiff. He added: “Based on previous lessons learnt, the A350 XWB brings Airbus fully back into the game and will be a success. A success for customers, shareholders and all other stakeholders in Airbus.”
The A350-800 seats 270 passengers in a spacious three-class configuration, the A350-900 can accommodate 314 and the A350-1000 is designed for a capacity of 350. These three versions will have a range of 8500 nm and a cruise speed of Mach 0.85. Entry into service for the A350-900 is foreseen for 2012. Beyond this, the A350-900R will take the range even further as an ultra long-range aircraft. A freighter version, the A350-900F will complete the family. Passengers on board the A350 XWB will benefit from a wider cross section, allowing for wider seats, wider aisles and more head and shoulder clearance. 20 percent cabin humidity and wider panoramic windows will further enhance the passenger experience. Taking advantage of the most modern technology developed for the A380, the A350 XWB will offer the most advanced interactive cockpit with a head-up display, a dual integrated standby instrument system, a vertical display, on board information, airport navigation system and the brake to vacate function.
Singapore Airlines has selected a large fleet of Airbus airliners to meet its future wide-body fleet requirements. The Letter of Intent (LOI) covers an order of nine firm A380-800s, and six new options, utilising delivery positions protected by options in the Airline's initial order for ten aircraft in 2001. The LOI also includes 20 orders and 20 options for the all new A350 XWB-900. Singapore Airlines is already a launch customer for the A380 with ten firm orders placed in 2001. Singapore Airlines' first A350 XWB will be delivered in 2012 and operated on the airline's medium to long range routes across the Asia-Pacific region. The all-new A350 XWB will offer Singapore Airlines unrivalled operating performance and economics, whilst passengers will enjoy outstanding comfort and amenities in a highly advanced and spacious cabin environment. Singapore Airlines will also lease 19 A330-300s with deliveries scheduled in 2009 and 2010.
Rolls-Royce has concluded a preliminary agreement to supply a next-generation Trent engine for the new A350 XWB twinjet being offered by Airbus. The engine, the sixth variant in the Trent series, would be capable of powering all versions of the aircraft currently proposed. Mike Terrett, President – Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said: “As a result of positive discussions with Airbus, we have concluded a preliminary framework agreement to make a new member of the Trent family available on the A350 XWB. Engine design would again be based around the three-shaft architecture unique to all Rolls-Royce large engines, used throughout the Trent family as well as the earlier RB211 series.
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Order for Nimrod MRA4 at last
Seeaufklärer für RAF endlich bestellt
The RAF is to get 12 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft under a £1.1bn contract announced by UK Defence Secretary, Des Browne. The Nimrod MRA4 is a highly advanced aircraft fitted with the latest navigation and reconnaissance systems. It will be used for search and rescue operations and long range anti-surface and submarine hunting missions. It has a range of over 6,000 miles and patrol endurance of 15 hours. Operational environments have changed since the existing MR2 aircraft were designed and the MRA4 offers more flexibility for the RAF for a variety of different roles. Des Browne said "I am very pleased to announce this contract for 12 aircraft, which will help secure over 1,000 high-tech UK jobs. These aircraft are fitted with highly advanced technology and will give our Armed Forces an exceptional patrol aircraft and far greater flexibility. The Nimrod MRA4's will be able to operate a wider surveillance role over land and sea as well as continuing to fulfil the vital search and rescue role that the aircraft is already so well known for."
The revised contracting arrangements offer greater transparency, and an essential part in turning the project around was the development of an effective partnering relationship between MoD, BAE Systems and its supply chain. These are key elements of the recently published Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). Delivery of the first production aircraft to RAF Kinloss is planned for 2009.
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Bell ARH-70A flies
Erstflug des neuen Beobachtungshubschraubers
Bell Helicopter announced that the Bell ARH-70A completed its first two flights Thursday, July 20, 2006. The aircraft took off from Bell XworX in Arlington, Texas and flew multiple handling maneuvers, flew in a hover for both in and out of ground effect, and flew in a traffic pattern reaching 80 knots, 500 ft. altitude, with banks up to 30 degrees for a little more than 1.5 hours of flight. The flights delineate the ARH program as one of the fastest 'contract to flight' programs ever completed and set a new standard for such acquisitions. The first flight also demonstrated the unique ARH teaming relationship between Bell and the U.S. Army with both a Bell and Army pilot conducting the operations. Bell test pilot Jim McCollough and Army pilot CW5 Alan Davis performed pilot and co-pilot operations, proving that the Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) platform approach can be successfully applied to military applications.
The ARH-70A is a complete weapons system designed to meet aerial reconnaissance capabilities to operate with the current and future force. Equipped with lethal weapons capability, net-centric connectivity and is equipped for day and night operations. Taken together the equipped aircraft enables the air-ground maneuver commander to "see-understand-act first." "Today's first flight marks a major milestone for the ARH-70A as the program transitions into the flight test phase," stated Bell's ARH-70A program manager Bill Leonard. "Our Team's focus continues to be towards the completion of the build and functional test of the remaining three test aircraft, clearing the path towards a successful Limited Users Test (LUT), and finishing the production design." The program schedule has LUT beginning late 2006 to early 2007, in order to complete the production award criteria required to accomplish the first unit equipped in fourth quarter FY 2008 and Full-Rate production in FY 2009.
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Bell 417 first flight announced
Neues Zivilmodell fliegt seit Juni
Bell Helicopter announced at Farnborough that the Bell 417 completed its first flight Thursday, June 1, 2006. The aircraft took off from Bell XworX in Arlington, Texas and flew in a traffic pattern at 70 knots – about 80 mph – for a little more than half an hour at about 1,000 feet. The pilot's comments were that the aircraft handled great. Basically, it was a flawless first flight. The aircraft and engine performed as expected. The Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada are expected to certify the new Bell 417 in 2008 with European Aviation Safety Agency validation expected in late 2008. The 417 features new main and tail rotors to provide additional performance and directional control margin.
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Lockheed Martin Polecat UAV unveiled
Neue Drohne von Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin unveiled the existence of a new high altitude, unmanned aerial demonstrator to reporters attending the Farnborough International Air Show. The announcement was part of a review of several Skunk Works projects highlighting technologies the company is exploring to enable technology for the future. P-175 'Polecat' high altitude unmanned aerial demonstrator in flight over a remote desert location. "This UAV is an effort to better understand the flight dynamics of a tailless unmanned air system in support of our ongoing research and development work for the U.S. Air Force's future Long Range Strike Program as well as to field the next generation of structural composite concepts," explained Frank Cappuccio, executive vice president and general manager of Advanced Development Programs and Strategic Planning.
Developed in only 18 months, using internal funding, unmanned system P-175, nicknamed 'Polecat' - aligned with the well-known Skunk Works name - represents the key tenets for which the Skunk Works is known. "It was specifically designed to verify three things: new, cost effective rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques of composite materials; projected aerodynamic performance required for sustained high altitude operations; and flight autonomy attributes," said Cappuccio. "In addition, the company investment and the resulting successful flights are proof positive of our commitment to developing the next inflection point in unmanned systems."
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SaM146 engine begins tests
Erstlauf des Triebwerks für den Superjet 100
PowerJet announced that the first test of the SaM146 engine (FETT – First Engine To Test) on July 9, 2006 at the NPO Saturn test facility in Rybinsk was successfully completed. The SaM146, developing 14,000 to 17,500 pounds of thrust, is a new engine dedicated to the regional aircraft market. It is being developed jointly by Snecma and NPO Saturn, through the PowerJet joint-venture. Certification of the SaM146 is scheduled for March 2008. A total of nine SaM146 engines will be used for certification testing, logging more than 4,500 accelerated mission cycles during the process.
The SaM146 was selected in April 2003 by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company as a launch application for the SUPERJET 100 regional aircraft. The SUPERJET 100 is due to enter revenue service in late 2008. “The FETT marks a major milestone in the development of this engine dedicated to the regional jet market,” said Michel Dechelotte, CEO of PowerJet. “We are convinced that the SaM146 engine will offer unprecedented efficiency in this aircraft market segment, in terms of reliability and cost of ownership.”
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Seven European companies sign for Clean Sky initiative
Umweltforschung in Europa
Seven major European aerospace manufacturers – Airbus SAS, Dassault Aviation, Eurocopter SAS, Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, Rolls-Royce plc, Safran and Thales - have signed a letter of intent in a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) that works on the preparation of an innovative “Clean Sky” policy. The Clean Sky JTI will be the largest research project ever set up jointly with the European Commission and would run over a seven year period with a total budget estimated at around 1,7 billion euros.
The “Clean Sky” JTI is an innovative, large technological research programme that will radically improve the impact of Air Transport on the environment and will deliver innovative technologies and solutions enabling step changes in the reduction of noise, emissions and consumption for the next generation of aircraft and associated components and operations. Its purpose is to demonstrate and validate the technological breakthroughs that are necessary to reach the environmental goals set by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe. (ACARE). ACARE goals to be met by 2020 include a 50 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions through drastic reduction of fuel consumption, an 80 per cent reduction of NOx emissions and a 50 per cent reduction of external noise. It also aims for green product life cycle design including manufacturing, maintenance and disposal.
The Clean Sky JTI is based on a 50 per cent funding by the European Commission, whilst the other 50 per cent are supported by the companies signing the LoI as well as other partners joining the initiative. This research project will be a flagship for Europe, enabling the industry to network with universities, research centres, SMEs, which work together to minimise environmental impact in the future. A final agreement is expected to be reached by the beginning of next year.
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Space Shuttle lands safely
Raumtransporter wieder in Florida
The Space Shuttle Discovery and its crew are home after a 13-day, five million-mile journey in space. The mission, STS-121, succeeded in testing shuttle safety improvements, repairing a rail car on the International Space Station and producing never-before-seen, high-resolution images of the shuttle during and after its July 4th launch.
Discovery's Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly and mission specialists Mike Fossum, Piers Sellers, Lisa Nowak and Stephanie Wilson landed Monday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 9:14 a.m. EDT on July 17..Following landing, Lindsey and his crew did the traditional walk around, post-landing inspection of the shuttle. "I have been on four flights, and this is the cleanest vehicle I've ever seen," said Lindsey. "We had two major objectives and we accomplished both of those, and we're ready to assemble the space station."
NASA's Space Shuttle Program managers also were pleased with Discovery's performance. The flight verified the safety of the biggest aerodynamic change to the external fuel tank in shuttle history. The protuberance air load ramps were removed after a piece of foam came off this area during Discovery's flight last year. STS-121 is the most photographed shuttle mission ever, with more than 100 high definition, digital, video and film cameras documenting the launch and climb to orbit. Data from these images helped assess whether the orbiter sustained any damage and whether that damage posed any risk to Discovery's return to Earth.
The STS-121 mission also bolstered the International Space Station. Fossum and Sellers, with the help of crewmates, completed three spacewalks. The third spacewalk was confirmed after mission managers determined there was enough electrical power to add another day to the flight. The astronauts tested the shuttle's 50-foot robotic arm boom extension as a work platform. They removed and replaced a cable that provides power, command and data and video connections to the station's mobile transporter rail car. The transporter is used to move a platform containing the station's robotic arm along the truss of the complex. During the third spacewalk, the astronauts tested techniques for inspecting and repairing the reinforced carbon-carbon segments that protect the shuttle's nose cone and leading edge of the wings.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The new European technology program Newac (New Aero Engine Core Concepts) was launched recently under the lead of MTU Aero Engines. This new research program is backed by the EU under its 6th Research Framework Program and commands an overall budget of Euro 71 million. Newac will run for four years and aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 6 per cent and NOx emissions by 17 per cent through improvements to the engine core. Beside MTU Aero Engines, 40 different partners including Rolls-Royce, Snecma and Avio among the major players are jointly developing intelligent compressors, improving the combustor and integrating heat exchangers. The approach is to identify the potentials of the new technologies and bring the most promising among them to maturity. In the 20 years ahead, air traffic is predicted to grow by about five percent per year. Dr. Günter Wilfert, head of the Newac program, noted: "Emerging innovative core engines like the Active Core, Intercooled Core, Flow Controlled Core and Intercooled Recuperative Core will be able to appreciably reduce emissions and fuel consumption." In the course of the program new components for these core engines will be built and tested. Newac draws on the lessons learned from the now-complete Clean and Antle programs. It also complements Vital, another technology program under the EU's 6th Research Framework Program, which attempts to optimize the engine's low-pressure components. The findings of Vital and Newac together will provide the European engine industry with a complete inventory of available and meaningful technologies to use in the development of future engines.
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The Eurofighter Typhoon development programme took a major step forward at the Farnborough International Airshow with Eurofighter GmbH and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) signing a contract for the integration of a Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and the Enhanced Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb on Royal Air Force Typhoons. Aloysius Rauen, CEO of Eurofighter GmbH and Peter Worrall, NETMA General Manager, signed the contract at the Show where Typhoon has been delighting the crowds with a daily display of its agility and power in the air, carrying a full swing role weapons load. Both signatories agreed that the deal takes the programme to its next level in terms of operational capability. Aloysius Rauen said: "With this new contract we will boost Eurofighter Typhoon's capabilities beyond the contracted Tranche 1 performance. It will definitely make the aircraft even more attractive to potential export customers. Already in Tranche 1 the integration of Paveway II, GBU-10 and GBU-16 is proving Eurofighter Typhoon's outstanding swing role performance. 13 hard points for weapons and fuel tanks, including a standard configuration of four medium range and two short range air-to-air missiles, plus the gun, with possibilities for up to six LGBs and external fuel tanks make Eurofighter Typhoon superior to other competitors claiming to be next generation fighter aircraft." The "Austere" capability will be available to the Royal Air Force for entry into service in the first half of 2008. Initially the necessary hardware and software will be integrated into Block 5 aircraft and the Royal Air Force intends to retrofit the full Block 5 capability to other Tranche 1 aircraft. The Laser Designator Pod will be carried on the centre fuselage station, so all four under-fuselage missile stations will be available for the full air-to-air fit.
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced its successful participation in the recent U.S. Navy Experiment Trident Warrior 2006 (TW06) off the coast of Southern California. Featuring live play of operational ships and aircraft, TW06 is the U.S. Navy's primary FORCEnet Sea Trial experiment series and is designed to evaluate emerging technologies and network-centric toolsets to enhance situational awareness at all levels of the naval decision-making chain of command. Over the course of its participation from June 13 to16, GA-ASI, in partnership with Lockheed Martin (LM), operated a Predator B unmanned aircraft system (UAS) configured for maritime surveillance in support of fleet and homeland security objectives. The Predator B UAS was called “Mariner Demonstrator II” during the exercise. “The GA-ASI/LM team was assigned several tasks during TW06 requiring intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance [ISR]. We felt these tasks were completed with great success,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. “Our primary accomplishment was the integration of the ELTA 2022 Seawatch maritime radar with a digital output compatible with the digital satellite data link. The ELTA radar provided excellent performance in the execution of the maritime mission. Predator B's performance was outstanding and demonstrated the performance versatility for success in maritime surveillance by operating from 2,000 ft to above 40,000 ft.”
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Boeing and Futura International Airways, a charter airline headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, announced an order for three Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s and three purchase rights. The order for three airplanes is valued at approximately $210 million at list prices. The new airplanes, scheduled for delivery in 2009 and 2010, are for fleet growth.
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With summer here, many people are thinking about their holiday destination. At the European Space Agency, this means thinking about a holiday in space! ESA is planning to help up to three private companies develop business plans to get their space tourism ventures off the ground. The new initiative is called 'The Survey of European Privately-funded Vehicles for Commercial Human Spaceflight', and is part of ESA's General Studies Programme (GSP), whose role is to assess the feasibility of mission concepts. Under this initiative, private companies across Europe already involved in planning activities for space tourism are invited to submit their space tourism plans. ESA's General Studies Programme will select up to three of the proposals for further study. Each selected company will receive 150,000 Euro to further develop their plans. A team of experts from ESA's Launchers Directorate, who are involved in the development of the technologies for the next generation launcher, will manage the selected studies and share their expertise with the companies. The aim of the study will be to critically review the spacecraft design and mission profiles, ensuring they are technically feasible, and develop sound business plans in order to allow companies to approach potential investors. An interesting aspect of the study will be to define the experiences the space tourists can expect, such as how much time they will spend in weightlessness, how much training they will need and how fit they need to be.
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Details of the new generation AgustaWestland AW149 7-8 ton multi-role battlefield helicopter have been announced at the Farnborough International Airshow. The AW149 is AgustaWestland's answer to growing military and government customer demand for a new generation, affordable, multi-purpose, medium class military helicopter. The AW149 will widen the AgustaWestland product range offering customers a larger helicopter than the best selling 6.4 ton AW139 helicopter. The AW149 will be optimised for military operations and will be able to carry up to 15 troops in crashworthy seats. The aircraft features a 5-blade main rotor for low vibration and noise levels and will have a cruise speed of 160 knots. The large cabin for up to 15 troops also features large sliding doors allowing easy access for troops and the loading of large bulky equipment. The fully integrated, open-system avionics architecture, will allow a wide range of customer specific and future mission systems to be integrated. The cockpit display system will utilize large area active matrix liquid crystal displays. In addition to a comprehensive communications and navigation systems the AW149 will be equipped with a fully digital, 4-axis AFCS and an integrated Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).
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Japan's R & D Institute of Metal and Composites for Future Industries (RIMCOF) and the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus have agreed to conduct a cooperative study for development of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technology. It is the first time for RIMCOF to conduct a joint study with non-Japanese organization. The SHM system checks damages to carbon fibre reinforced composite structure that are increasingly used in aircraft, and evaluates its robustness. The SHM detects invisible strain or cracks through optical fibre used as sensor embedded in or bonded on the surface of composite structure of aircraft. The SHM system is similar to human nerve system in which the brain senses pain or uneasiness in human body. When applied, this SHM technology would immediately detect faults or abnormal transformations caused in the aircraft structure even during flight, thereby offering advantages such as improved safety and reliability or more efficient aircraft maintainability. RIMCOF Chairman Kazuo Tsukuda said, “We are extremely happy to start cooperative study with the Europe's leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus. By this cooperative activity, we look forward to seeing our SHM technology being put into practical use and contributing aircraft safety”.
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Sikorsky Aircraft announced plans to develop two new Black Hawk helicopter offerings for global market that will provide additional firepower and mission flexibility while building upon the combat-proven heritage of the world's most successful medium lift utility rotorcraft. Sikorsky Aircraft, based in Stratford, Conn., is a business unit of United Technologies Corp. Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino outlined the new Black Hawks during a media briefing at the Farnborough International Air Show. An International Black Hawk helicopter produced with global partners and delivered from outside the United States. The International Black Hawk will provide multi-mission, 10-ton utility lift capability at a price comparable to helicopters in the 6-to-8 ton class. An Armed Battlehawk helicopter with an integrated electronics warfare suite and full compliment of armaments either as a new build aircraft or as a kit that can be retrofitted onto existing Black Hawk platforms. Battlehawk will provide a combination of medium lift capability and firepower that cannot be duplicated by current dedicated utility or attack platforms "The International Black Hawk and Armed Battlehawk will incorporate new technologies, state-of-the-art systems and modern manufacturing techniques," Pino said. "These new models build upon the legacy of excellence and continuous improvement that has characterized the Black Hawk throughout its history. As technology has changed and improved, the Black Hawk platform has evolved so that it continues to set the standard for versatile multi-mission medium lift utility helicopters."
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Continental Airlines released the following statement from Jeff Smisek, president of the company, in response to the Senate Appropriations Committee vote on the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for FY 2007: "Continental welcomes the Senate Appropriations Committee's action to block the Department of Transportation from implementing its flawed rulemaking on foreign control of U.S. airlines. Today the Senate Appropriations Committee voted three to one to prohibit the Department of Transportation from using appropriated funds to finalize or implement its proposed rulemaking on foreign control, just as the House did, voting two to one, in June.Both the Senate and the House have expressed strong bipartisan opposition to DOT's rulemaking proposal, which would unlawfully give foreign investors the right to control U.S. airlines. The message has never been clearer that Congress will stop the Department of Transportation from implementing its foreign control rulemaking."
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Saab Aerotech and the Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV) have signed an agreement for the upgrade of two S100D (Saab 340AEW-200) aircraft currently operated by the Swedish Armed Forces to a new international inter-operational standard. The order is valued at 105 Million Swedish Kronor. The AEW aircraft, modified under the System ASC 890 program, will be used for territorial integrity monitoring within Sweden as well as for air and sea surveillance in support of international operations. The ASC 890 system will be a NATO compatible C2 platform and can perform airborne command and control functions for Saab's Gripen fighter as well as other airborne platforms. Saab will designate the new aircraft as Saab 340 AEW-300. The formal start of the project is September 2006. Work will be performed at Saab Aerotech's maintenance facilities in Linköping Sweden and is expected to be completed within 20 months.
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EADS Defence & Security Systems (DS) UK has announced the award of a £250,000 study contract by the Ministry of Defence to study and define a MASC Enhanced Manned Rotary-Wing Solution for use on the two Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF). EADS DS UK will be required to detail the latest technology developments and capabilities for use in airborne surveillance support to these vessels. The contract forms part of the MoD's Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control (MASC) programme. The MASC programme is undertaking several studies commissioned by the MoD to industry to assess current equipment and capabilities and to identify potential new technology offerings for MASC. The MASC programme aims to deliver optimum network enabled capabilities to provide airborne surveillance and control for Carrier Strike. EADS DS UK has been selected to complete the study given its Eurocopter capability and its expertise in the communications link between the sensors, the crew and command and control. This study will examine the helicopter platform and the sensor suite including radar technology.
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Spirit AeroSystems marked the completion of the first test pylon for the Boeing 787 airplane with a ceremony attended by Boeing officials and hundreds of employees. "This is an important milestone for our company," said John Pilla, Spirit Vice President/General Manager - 787. "Today we get to see the result of everyone's hard work and contribution to getting the 787 program underway." Spirit is part of an international team of aerospace companies led by Boeing that is developing the airplane. Boeing has selected General Electric and Rolls-Royce to develop engines for the new airplane. In addition to the pylons, Spirit's Wichita facility is developing the forward section of the airplane. Its Tulsa operation is responsible for the fixed and movable leading edges of the wings.
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General Electric Company (GE) and Samsung Techwin have signed a contract to develop the T700 turboshaft engine for the Korean Helicopter Program (KHP). The Republic of Korea (ROK) selected the GE T700/701K to power 245 new indigenous helicopters. "The T700 offers proven experience and reliability, is well matched for the mission requirements of Korea, and offers high commonality with the existing support infrastructure," said Ed Birtwell, general manager of GE-Aviation's Turboshaft/Turboprop engine programs. The 701K is the first rear-drive variant of the T700 engine, enabling easy installation into the KHP helicopter while providing opportunities to power other rear-drive applications. A modified derivative of the T700/701C (1,900 shaft horsepower class), the 701K is designed to provide power for hot-high requirements and also offers substantial growth margin to meet emerging Korean mission needs. T700/701C engines power Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks in Korea.
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Bell Helicopter recently noted that in an H-1 program update several milestones were being met. Last month the Navy Acquisition Board authorized Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot III for 7 UH-1Ys. The H-1 program consists of both the AH-1Z attack helicopter and the UH-1Y utility helicopter. Currently there are 12 aircraft on the assembly line at Bell's Amarillo facility with 2 Cobra's (AH-1Z) and 3 Yankee's (UH-1Y) in final assembly. The Navy is scheduled to receive 4 aircraft in 2006 with the numbers increasing progressively through 2009 when 15 will be delivered. Michael Redenbaugh, CEO of Bell stated, “We are pleased with the progress on the H-1 program and the value it provides for the war fighter. The unique benefits of the highly integrated Attack and Utility Aircraft, with a substantial increased performance will validate the Marines vision with this weapons system.” With the EMD phase 99% completed and 4 helicopters in OPEVAL, Bell sees the positive results from the manufacturing focus it has placed on this program. Redenbaugh says, “Our focus remains on supporting a successful Operational Evaluation, increasing the rate of production and driving down costs.”
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BAE Systems announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the newly named F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production of empennage and tooling services with key Canadian, Australian and Danish tooling and airframe suppliers. Key representatives from Magellan, Avcorp, Broens, Marand, Metaltec and Terma signed individual letters of intent during a press conference held at the Farnborough International Show in Farnborough, England. Hawker de Havilland signed a separate Letter of Intent in June 2006. BAE Systems, a principal partner in the F-35 Lightning II team, is responsible for designing, engineering and manufacturing the aft fuselage and empennage (vertical and horizontal tails) for each F-35 aircraft. “BAE Systems is committed to growing international participation in the F-35 programme by identifying best-value sourcing opportunities in F-35 partner nations," explains Tom Fillingham, Vice President and Deputy Programme Manager. “These Letters of Intent are the culmination of a six-month evaluation process that ultimately found these companies to be the best value suppliers for these services.”
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BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin announced that they have signed an agreement that defines how F-35 support services will be provided in the UK through the life of the F-35 Lightning II program. Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Mike Turner, BAE Systems chief executive officer, ratified an extension to their existing Teaming Agreement during the Farnborough International Air Show in Farnborough, England. In the UK, Team JSF will draw on all of the resources of the F-35 industrial team. BAE Systems, as a principal team member, will take the lead in providing sustainment activities there for the life of the F-35 program, which is expected to extend through the next 40 years. "This agreement takes our teaming agreement to a new level," said Stevens. "It strengthens our relationship and outlines more specifically how the aircraft will be sustained in the UK for the life of the program. Enhancing how the Lightning II will be sustained, maintained and upgraded further increases the ability of our two nations to operate together jointly as we face real world contingencies."
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Emirates has signed an agreement to purchase 10 Boeing 747-8 freighters, powered by the new GEnx engine. The agreement for 45 GEnx engines is valued at more than $600 million (USD). Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2010. The GEnx, based on the highly successful GE90, will succeed GE's CF6 engine. Under development, GEnx is a best-selling engine for new wide-body aircraft, with orders exceeding 600 engines.
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Afriqiyah Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of six A320s and three A319s plus an option on five, as well as for three A330-200s, plus three options. This acquisition is part of the long-term expansion strategy of this young and dynamic Libyan airline, who began activities in December 2001. The new A320s and A319s will be put into service on Afriqiyah's growing international network, covering routes from its base at Tripoli to 17 destinations in North-, West- and Central Africa and the Middle East, as well as to European destinations such as Paris, Brussels, Geneva, London, Rome and Amsterdam. Afriqiyah's A319s will carry 124 passengers, while the A320 will seat 150 in comfortable two class configurations. The A330s will serve the long haul operations on routes to Southern Africa, Asia and Europe and will have a three-class configuration with 253 seats.
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The European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty's rules on state aid (Article 87), EUR 67 million (£47 million) of public funding for a research and development project led by Rolls-Royce. The project aims to develop new innovative technologies designed to meet the needs of improved environmental performance of aero-engines. As all the requirements of the EU framework for state aid for research and development are satisfied, the Commission considers that the aid does not threaten to distort competition in the Single Market and is therefore compatible with the EC Treaty. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said: “I am pleased to approve aid which promotes research, especially if it helps to improve the environmental performance of aircraft engines”. The project will carry out industrial research in aircraft engines, in order to develop technologies that would enable meeting stricter environmental standards and reduce ownership costs. In particular, the project aims at contributing to the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe's (ACARE) goals of reducing the perceived noise level and the weight of the engine, and cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per passenger kilometre (which means a cut in fuel consumption) as well as cutting nitrogen dioxide (NOx) emissions.
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Wizz Air of Hungary has signed a firm contract with Airbus for 20 additional A320s. This rapidly expanding Central and Eastern European low-fare, low-cost airline is herewith increasing its all-Airbus fleet, following its initial order of 12 A320 aircraft a year ago. All the aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500 and be configured in a comfortable single-class layout, seating up to 180 passengers.
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CIT Group Inc., a leading provider of commercial and consumer financing solutions, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for five medium capacity long range A330-200 widebodies, as well as four A320 Family aircraft. The transaction underlines the continuing success of both the Airbus long-range aircraft Family, consisting of the A330, A340 and A350, and the leading role of the A320 Family in the marketplace. Including the aircraft announced today, CIT has placed firm orders for a total of 117 Airbus products, including 97 A320 Family aircraft, 15 A330s and five A350s. Of these, 65 have been delivered so far. This repeat order by CIT is the result of the anticipated high demand for Airbus A330s and A320 Family aircraft on the leasing market.
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CFM International logged orders for its CFM56 product line valued at more than $850 million at list price. CFM International (CFM) is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma and General Electric Company and is the industry's leading supplier of aircraft engines for commercial and military transport aircraft with order for more than 19,000 orders from more than 450 customers worldwide.
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CAE has won a contract from Federal Express (FedEx) to provide two Airbus A380 full-flight simulators and a suite of CAE Simfinity training devices. The contract brings the total full-flight simulator sales that CAE has announced in fiscal 2007 to ten. Along with the two A380 full-flight simulators, FedEx will receive a suite of CAE Simfinity A380 Virtual Simulators (VSIMs) for use in classroom and deployable training. In addition, CAE will provide a hardware-based A380 Window and Door training device to be used for training the flight crew on how to handle emergency evacuation procedures in the double-decker aircraft.
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Boeing was awarded on July 14, 2006, a $41,000,000 increment as part of $613,000,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the system demonstration and development phase I for the Apache AH-64D block III configuration. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole-source contract initiated on May 17, 2005.
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AirAsia, the region's fastest growing low cost carrier, has signed a contract for 40 more A320 Family aircraft, and taken another 30 on option. This brings their total orders for the Airbus Single Aisle Family to 100. A total of seven A320s are currently in service with AirAsia. Over time they will completely replace the Boeing 737-300 fleet currently operated by the AirAsia Group, which comprises AirAsia in Malaysia, Thai AirAsia in Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia. All A320 aircraft will be configured with 180 seats.
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Grupo Marsans, the largest tourism and transport group in Spain, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus in Farnborough for the purchase of 12 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, plus 10 options. The aircraft will be delivered between 2008 and 2009. The new A330 aircraft will be used for the Grupo Marsans' subsidiaries to replace their ageing fleet of 747-200s and expand their long-haul networks. An engine selection has not yet been made.
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The fast-growing Greek airline, Aegean Airlines, has ordered three more A320s. In total - including three additional A320s leased from ILFC - the airline has committed to 14 A320 Family aircraft and has a further nine options, according to the initial agreement signed in December 2005. Delivery is scheduled to take place between January 2007 and April 2009. The new A320s will replace older aircraft in Aegean's fleet, and also be used for expansion from its Athens and Thessaloniki main bases. The airline is placing emphasis on expanding its network to the Balkans as well as further developing its six routes to Germany and Italy. Aegean's scheduled European operations include code-share flights with Lufthansa.
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International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), the world's largest commercial leasing company and a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc, has signed a contract with Airbus for six additional A320 Family aircraft. The deal takes ILFC's orders for the Airbus A320 Family to more than 430, and its total orders for all Airbus types to over 600, including more than 120 A330/A340s, 16 A350s and 10 A380s. "Worldwide demand for airliners, and especially the Airbus A320 Family, remains strong, so it makes sense to top up our orders from time to time so as to maintain aircraft availability for our customers," said ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy. "The Airbus A320 Family has been a real winner for us and, with improvements such as the new and improved cabin, it continues to get better and better." ILFC is Airbus' largest single customer worldwide.
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AgustaWestland announced that Synergy Aerospace, a division of Synergy Group, has signed a multi-year contract and distribution agreement, which includes the acquisition of A119 Koala, A109 Power, Grand and AW139 helicopters to be delivered over three years. The helicopters will be used, sold and leased by OceanAir Táxi Aéreo, a subsidiary of Synergy Aerospace, primarily for VIP/Corporate and offshore transport. The helicopters will be produced at AgustaWestland's production facilities in Philadelphia, USA and Vergiate, Italy.
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Boeing issued the following statement: The Boeing Company is pleased to have signed a purchase agreement with Flyington Freighters, which will be the first India-based cargo airline to operate widebody freighters. Flyington Freighters will purchase four Boeing 777 Freighters, subject to the airline obtaining the necessary statutory clearances.
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Boeing and International Lease Finance (ILFC) announced an order for six 737-800s, two 777-300ERs and two 787 Dreamliners. The aircraft covered in today's announcement are option exercises by ILFC valued at approximately $1.2 billion at list prices. Deliveries of the 737s and the 777s begin in the first quarter of 2009 and the 787 deliveries begin in early 2012. ILFC was the first leasing company to be announced as a 787 customer. Including ILFC, 25 customers have announced 362 orders for the 787 since its launch in April 2004.
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On the 12th of July 2006 Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation - Sergey Ivanov having visited Rostvertol plc (Russia, Rostov-on-Don) said that the country will always support the defence enterprises manufacturing competitive products. “The Ministry of Defence finally staked on the Mi-28N helicopter which will be the basic combat helicopter for our Armed Forces”, - said Sergey Ivanov. He informed as well that the Ministry of Defence till the end of 2006 shall buy from Rostvertol plc 7 new Mi-28N helicopters - the Night Hunters. “Due to helicopters high efficiency in fighting against terrorists” - the Minister added, - “the MoD within 9 years shall buy from the Rostov enterprise 67 Night Hunters.
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EADS and Libya Africa Portfolio for Investment (LAP) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Tuesday at Farnborough International Airshow. The agreement covers the establishment of an aeronautical maintenance centre, an air academy and a calibration and meteorology centre in Tripoli. The aim of this cooperation is to service the fleet of Libyan and other African Airlines as well as to train regional specialists for aviation such as pilots, technicians and commercial staff. The MoA was signed by Jean-Paul Gut, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EADS for Marketing, Strategy and Global Development, and Mr. Beshir Saleh, Chairman of LAP.
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Stork operating company Fokker Services of The Netherlands and Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A. of Italy have - in presence of both the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Italian Air Force - signed an agreement for support of the F-35 Lockheed Martin fighting aircraft, formerly known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and recently named "Lightning II". Both companies have agreed to cooperate in establishing best value solutions for the F-35 airframe maintenance as an integral part of the Lockheed Martin/F-35 Team Global Sustainment solution. The agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Netherlands and Italian Ministers of Defence in March 2006 and indicates that both companies will cooperate on F-35 sustainment activities as they have a common interest to establish and build up the relevant capabilities to a European footprint for the F-35 program.
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The Fighter Engine Team (FET) comprised of GE and Rolls-Royce have signed Business Agreements respectively with Avio SpA to supply eleven parts during the System Development and Demonstration Phase (SDD) of the F136 Engine Program. The Purchase Orders (POs) for parts, tooling and Non-Recurring Engineering will be valued approximately at $10 million. As part of the agreements, Avio SpA will be involved in design engineering and manufacturing efforts in the F136 SDD Phase. The Agreements also address opportunities for a follow-on supplier relationship for the Low Rate Initial Production Phase of the F136 Program as well as Revenue Sharing Participant Agreement for the Fixed Price Production and Sustainment Phases of the F136 Program.
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The Airbus A380 fatigue-test reached an important milestone this week by passing 15,000 simulated flights. This is three times the 5,000 flights needed for certification. In total 47,500 flights will be simulated to test the fatigue strength of the A380 structure, which corresponds to two-and-a-half times the aircraft designed service goal.
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The Bell/Agusta BA609 a/c 60002 performed its first ground run on July 13th at AgustaWestland's facility in Cameri, Italy. The first ground run was completed successfully at 17.05. Mr. Pietro Venanzi, Pilot and Mr. Herb Moran, Co-pilot were on board. Further ground running activities will take place during the next few days in accordance with the test plan. First flight of BA609 a/c 60002 is expected in the third quarter of this year. BA609 a/c 60003 is already at the AgustaWestland facility in Cameri and a/c 60004 is on assembly line at Fort Worth. Bell/Agusta will produce a total of four prototype tiltrotor aircraft for flight-testing in the US and Italy to obtain Transport Category IFR certification status.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully delivered its first F-35 Lightning II integrated communications, navigation and identification (CNI) system ahead of schedule. When fully developed, Northrop Grumman's integrated CNI system will provide more than 40 functions to the pilots of the F-35, one of two 5th Generation fighters in the world. By utilizing software-defined radios (SDRs), Northrop Grumman's revolutionary design enables simultaneous support for dozens of critical capabilities while greatly minimizing size and weight, which are valuable commodities for an advanced fighter.
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Sikorsky Aircraft's S-92 helicopter continues to perform at an impressive operational tempo with the fleet recently passing 20,000 total flight hours. The first production S-92 aircraft was delivered in late 2004. Twelve of the S-92s currently in service fly an estimated 130-160 hours per month; two of the aircraft have more than 2,200 flight hours to date.
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Northrop Grumman formally proposed a ground-based, high-energy laser system, Skyguard, as part of a layered airport defense against the man-portable air defense systems (MANPADs) threat to commercial aviation. The company submitted its proposal to the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Counter-MANPADs System Program Office, which is conducting an assessment program to evaluate and demonstrate emerging technology solutions that prove to be the most mature and promising in defeating the MANPAD threats to commercial aviation. Skyguard uses a high-energy laser to physically destroy a wide range of anti-aircraft threats in the airport region, even with very short launch ranges, according to Mike McVey, vice president of Directed Energy Systems for Northrop Grumman. He noted that Skyguard technology is the only proven and tested non-DIRCM solution and is available in less than two years once a contract is received at approximately $30 million for each system. Congress has funded the Department of Homeland Security to assess alternative approaches to the current onboard DIRCM system demonstration currently underway, which the agency said is going very well.
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Galileo Avionica, a Finmeccanica company, together with EuroFirst partners Thales–UK and Tecnobit -Spain has been awarded a contract to supply the PIRATE Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) for the second tranche of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the UK, Spain and Italy. Galileo Avionica is the Prime Contractor for the EuroFirst consortium. The contract to supply a further 200 PIRATE systems for the second tranche of Eurofighter follows the first contract signed in December 2003 with EADS to supply the tranche 1 aircraft with this Electro Optical sensor. The PIRATE (Passive Infra-Red Airborne Tracking Equipment) delivers substantial tactical advantages in air intercept and air-ground operations. It is mounted on the port side of the fuselage, forward of the windscreen. When it operates in air to air mode it functions as an Search and Track system (IRST), providing passive target detection and tracking. In an air-to-ground mode, it performs multiple target acquisition and identification, as well as providing a navigation and landing aid. The value of the contract amounts to over MEUR120.
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Boeing and Aviation Capital Group (ACG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific LifeCorp, announced that the lessor has placed an order for 14 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s worth approximately $987 million at list prices. Subject to market demand, ACG has the right at a future date to substitute 737-700s for the 737-800s announced today. The aircraft announced today were included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries Web site earlier this year, attributed to an unidentified customer.
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Boeing is making solid progress on the all-new 787 Dreamliner. Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, today told reporters at the Farnborough Air Show that development efforts are wrapping up and production of the super-efficient jetliner is under way at sites around the world. "All of our partners are well along the path of finishing designs, installing and qualifying tooling and testing prototypes," Bair said. "And for our long-lead items, we've started production of the first pieces. "Just three weeks ago in Japan, I was honored to participate in the start of major assembly at Fuji Heavy Industries' new 787 factory. Our first production systems elements have already been delivered."
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AgustaWestland announced that the Italian Civil Protection has signed a contract for an AW139 medium-twin helicopter. The AW139 will act as an airborne command post to support and supplement disaster relief efforts at national, regional and local levels. The large cabin of the AW139 helicopter will be equipped with a comprehensive communications suite to allow Italian Civil Protection command staff to coordinate all the necessary emergency service activities performed by other government agencies rotary and fixed wing aircraft and ground element. The AW139 will add to an A109 Power already in service with the agency.
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GoAir, 'The Fly Smart Airline' based in Mumbai, signed a purchase agreement for 10 Airbus A320 family aircraft with an option for a further ten at Farnborough air show on Monday 17th July 2006. The aircraft will be powered by CFM International engines. GoAir launched services with two leased A320's in November 2005, with a further five leased A320's scheduled to enter the fleet during 2006. All of the A320 aircraft on firm order will seat 180 passengers in an all-economy layout. In bringing these aircraft into service GoAir will expand services to major business and leisure destinations across the country.
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Boeing added another leasing company to its customer base for the 787 Dreamliner by signing an order for six 787-8s from Pegasus Aviation Finance Company of San Francisco, Calif. Pegasus becomes the third leasing company to order the all-new advanced-technology airplane. The order is the result of a close teaming effort and agreement among Boeing, Pegasus and Blue Panorama of Italy, which sought an alternate financing tool for the 787s it ordered in July 2004. As part of the agreement, Blue Panorama has transferred its orders for the four 787s to Pegasus and in return will lease the airplanes from Pegasus.
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Direct employment in the UK aerospace industry has increased by 9 per cent to 124,237 says the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC). Its 2006 Annual Aerospace Survey published today (10 July), shows that 9,900 new jobs have been generated in the last year on the back of record high levels of new orders and a 25 per cent increase in sales. Highlights from the 2006 survey include: record levels of new orders increasing by 33 per cent to £30.7 billion; productivity increasing by 15 per cent, ahead of the 5 per cent per annum long-term trend; aerospace defence sales up 30 per cent to £12.2 billion, civil aerospace up 18 per cent at £10.5 billion and the space sector up 38 per cent to £603 million
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L-3 Communications announced that BAE Systems has been selected to join L-3's Project HELIX team. BAE Systems joins QinetiQ (UK) and LogicaCMG (UK) as partners with L-3's Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) subsidiary to develop a reconnaissance upgrade to the Royal Air Force's (RAF) fleet of Nimrod R1 aircraft. The UK's Nimrod R1 provides electronic support to military commanders and is viewed as a critical component of the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability. L-3 is exhibiting at the 2006 Farnborough International Airshow, from July 17-23, in Hall 4 at Stand A-14.
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Northrop Grumman has mated the major subassemblies of the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye test aircraft at its St. Augustine, Fla., manufacturing center into a single fuselage structure, taking the E-2D program another milestone closer to the scheduled first flight in the summer of 2007. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will be the U.S. Navy's new airborne early warning and battle management system and a key node in the service's architecture for 21st century operations: Sea Power 21.
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AgustaWestland announced that the Mexican Government has placed a contract for three Grand and five A119 Koala helicopters for a range of roles including civil protection and EMS. Deliveries of the aircraft will start immediately and will be completed by mid-2007 replacing various Bell helicopters. The aircraft will be delivered by AgustaWestland Philadelphia in the United States, where the A119 Koala production line is located and where completions of aircraft for North and South American markets are carried out for AgustaWestland commercial products, including the Grand and A109 Power.
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The world-renowned Red Arrows have helped BAE Systems deliver the first of six new-generation Hawk advanced jet trainers to the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) at a ceremony held during the Farnborough International Air Show. Piloted by BAE Systems test pilot Nat Makepeace and Lt Col Omar Ebrahim Mohamed Al Mahmood, F-16 pilot instructor for the RBAF, the aircraft flew into Farnborough formation with the world famous Red Arrows aerobatic team before being handed over to His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, and Commander in Chief of the Bahraini Defence Force, Colonel Hamad bin Abdullah Hamad Al Khalifa, the Commander of the RBAF was also in attendance. BAE Systems is supplying six Hawk advanced jet trainers along with a package of equipment, support and training as part of an integrated flying training system which will enable the RBAF to improve the number and quality of its frontline pilots by developing an indigenous aviation training capability.
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LoadAir Cargo, a recently-launched air freight operation based in Kuwait, has signed an order with Boeing for the delivery of two 747-400 Extended Range Freighters. The announcement was made jointly at Boeing's chalet during the Farnborough Air Show. The airplane deal is valued at $494 million at list prices with both deliveries scheduled for early 2009. "This major investment demonstrates our commitment to build a world-class cargo airline business based in Kuwait," said LoadAir's Chairman, Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Sabah. "The 747-400ERF has demonstrated the ability to perform unmatched cargo operations across the globe, and we look forward to employing our new freighters to offer a competitive solution to customers worldwide.”
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Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd. (COHC) and Eurocopter announce the signing of a contract for the supply of two EC225 helicopters at the Farnborough International Airshow. COHC is the largest offshore helicopter operator in Asia. These aircraft will be delivered at the end of 2007, and will be the first EC225s to be equipped with auxiliary pod tanks offering a radius of action greater than 250 NM for public passenger transport missions (including the regulatory fuel reserves) while maintaining the 19-passenger nominal capacity.
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Northrop Grumman and Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems (S&AS), a Finmeccanica company, have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to further strengthen their collaboration in the manufacture and sale of Northrop Grumman Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems, including the AN/AAQ-24(V) NEMESIS and the GUARDIAN system. The deal has been celebrated at the 45th Farnborough International Air Show this week. The Northrop Grumman NEMESIS DIRCM is a combat-proven, laser-based countermeasure system that protects crews of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft from the threat of heat-seeking missiles. The system works automatically by detecting a missile launch, plotting its spatial location and activating one or more transmitters which track its approach and direct a modulated beam of laser energy to defeat it.
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Cessna Aircraft received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the Citation CJ1+ March 13, the Citation CJ2+ July 10 and the Citation CJ3 June 16, allowing all of the CJ series aircraft to be certified and registered within the 25 European countries adhering to EASA regulations. EASA certification also allows operators to obtain European registrations. There are more than 900 airplanes in the CJ fleet with more than 1.3 million flight hours. Because of the combination of range, cabin amenities, and short-field performance, as well as Cessna's unrivaled customer support, Europe, the Middle East and Africa are the largest markets for the CJ series, after the United States.
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The U.S. Air Force and BAE Systems have completed design, development, and testing of a conceptual deployment and retrieval mechanism for BAE Systems' AN/ALE-55 fiber-optic towed decoy for use on the U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. The testing was performed at the Naval Research Laboratory at facilities in Newport News, Va., under an Air Force prototype risk reduction program. Tests involved multiple decoy deployments and retrievals from a Lear Jet at a variety of flight profiles. "The testing was fully successful," said Brandon Greene, BAE Systems program manager for the retrievable decoy at Nashua, N.H. "The decoy maintained both electrical and fiber-optic continuity throughout the flight test, demonstrating a capability far beyond that originally specified in the program." The decoy's reel-out/reel-in mechanism replaces a dual-canister launcher, and provides the F-15 fighter with another option for deploying fiber-optic towed decoys. Use of a retrievable decoy will reduce life-cycle costs by allowing multiple uses of one decoy.
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Boeing has conducted a successful first test flight of an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft upgraded under the Block 40/45 program, the largest enhancement in the history of the U.S. Air Force E-3 AWACS fleet. During the three-hour flight on July 15, pilots performed a series of compatibility tests between the upgrades and the aircraft's systems and structures. The airworthiness flight test program is scheduled for 24 flights over the next few months. Phase two of the program will include flight testing the Block 40/45 mission system. Under the Block 40/45 program, Boeing outfitted the Test System 3 (TS-3) AWACS test aircraft with new mission computing hardware and software, upgraded radar equipment, and navigation and communications systems. These enhancements are designed to increase the aircraft's capability through improved automation and human computer interface, reliability and lowered lifecycle costs. These upgrades make AWACS a prime catalyst for network-enabled capability and an extraordinary force multiplier across the entire operational theater.
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Rolls-Royce expects continuing, strong growth throughout Asia Pacific to underpin global demand for 51,000 new commercial aircraft, ranging from business jets to high-capacity airliners, over the next 20 years. Unveiling its updated civil market forecast on the opening day of the UK's Farnborough International Airshow, Rolls-Royce said the 114,000 jet engines required to power the global fleet's growth would have a potential value of $600 billion. The company believes that high fuel prices will drive airlines to focus even harder on operating cost benefits of highly efficient, new-generation jetliners. Rolls-Royce, which produces an independent forecast using a wide range of industry sources, expects air traffic demand in Asia Pacific to grow at an average of 6.6 per cent year-on-year throughout the forecast period. Within this estimate, growth in China over the next 20 years is anticipated to be around 8 per cent per annum. Since the Outlook was last updated in March 2005, over 150 passenger jets have been delivered to Chinese operators. Demand from China is expected to total 6,500 engines valued at $65 billion through to 2026. India continues to be recognised as a major, emerging force in commercial aviation. India is included within the Asia Pacific forecast total, but is expected to provide a potential market in its own right for at least 1,600 engines in the next two decades. The North American market, although growing more slowly than other regions, remains the largest market for single-aisle aircraft and business jets. Much of the demand is underpinned by the need to replace existing aircraft, giving a market for around 20,000 engines for mainline and regional aircraft, and 30,000 engines for business jets – worth a total of $160 billion. Rolls-Royce re-iterates its view that fleets in the CIS and Russia will produce significant growth, creating a 20-year demand for 3,000 engines. Although used aircraft are expected to feature widely in the business mix, the growth will nevertheless have the effect of generating liquidity in the wider market.
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Snecma (SAFRAN Group), represented by Jean-Pierre Cojan, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Engine Division, and Avio, represented by Franco Rodi, head of Avio's aero-engine business, finalized their partnership agreement on the SaM146 engine. This agreement strengthens the collaboration between Avio and Snecma in combustor design and technology. Avio confirmed its involvement, taking a stake of approximately 10% in the program, as a risk-sharing partner through Snecma. Avio is responsible for the design, development and production of the combustor and the mechanical power transmission. The combustor plays a pivotal role in reducing emissions and improving engine efficiency.
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Snecma and Avio signed a Letter of Agreement providing for Avio to join Snecma in the design and construction of a core demonstrator. This core will pave the way for the new SM-X business jet engine now under consideration by Snecma. Avio's contribution will focus on the combustor and combustor case for the HP core. Avio will participate in the design and manufacture of parts, then carry out preliminary tests before delivering the combustor module to Snecma in June 2007. The ground test of the core is scheduled for the second half of 2007. The demonstrator will lay the foundations for a new generation of engines designed to meet the requirements of long-range business jets, with thrust ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 lbs. It will incorporate innovative solutions resulting in simplified engine architecture, with fewer constituent parts, for lower maintenance costs. It will also deliver superior performance during climb and high altitude cruise, with fuel consumption 5 to 15% better than current engines, as well as reduced emissions and noise. The technologies incorporated on this engine mean that it will also meet requirements for the future generation of regional aircraft seating 40 to 60 passengers.
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Boeing and Jakarta-based Lion Air announced that the airline exercised its purchase rights and ordered an additional 30 737-900ERs (Extended Range). Valued at more than $2.2 billion at list prices, deliveries of these additional 737-900ERs are scheduled to begin in early 2010 and continue through 2012. The agreement was announced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally and Lion Air President Director Rusdi Kirana at the Farnborough Air Show. Lion Air, the launch customer for the 737-900ER, announced its first order for 30 737-900ERs and 30 purchase rights in July 2005. These two orders combined total 60 airplanes. Deliveries of the first order are scheduled to begin in 2007.
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Boeing and its partners have completed construction and will soon begin structural testing of a full-scale 787 Dreamliner composite wing box as part of the certification process of the all-new jetliner. The test piece measures approximately 17 feet front spar to rear spar and 50 feet from airplane centerline to the tip of the composite structure. It is 4 feet deep at the thickest section. It will weigh 55,000 pounds, including a great deal of test-only hardware and instrumentation. It was designed and built by a joint team of Boeing, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries. While it is full-scale, the piece represents a portion of the wing section, beginning at about the center of the airplane and stopping at approximately two-thirds of the span of the wing. "We analyze the wing for how much load the structure can bear and when and where it will break," Bair said. "The failure loads are equivalent to more than 150 percent of the maximum load we ever expect these wings to see in service, even in the event of an extreme emergency." In addition to testing the strength of the wing, Boeing will use the test structure to validate the repair methods that have been developed for the materials being used on the 787. The upper and lower surface panels and the spars of the wing are made entirely of the same composite material being used on the fuselage. The wing ribs are monolithic aluminum structures, each machined from a single piece of aluminum plate. "Because the design is all-new, we feel it is important to get early test results," said Bair. "This test article will help us to refine our final designs and ensure we minimize the chance for surprises during the full-scale testing." It took approximately 18 months to build the test fixture and all of the associated structure. Testing begins in August.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada has seen PW100 turboprop engine deliveries jump nearly three-fold in the past two years amid soaring airline orders for turboprop aircraft. “Turboprops are enjoying a strong resurgence thanks to their excellent operating economics in these times of escalating fuel prices,” said Keyvan Fard, vice president - Regional Airline & Turboshaft Engines, P&WC. “More than 160 aircraft powered by members of our PW100 engine family were ordered in 2005. We are enjoying a strong surge in engine deliveries as a result and expect this to continue for several years.” “PW100 turboprops consume 25 to 40 percent less fuel and produce up to 50 percent lower exhaust emissions than any RJ,” said Fard. “But we are not standing still. We are constantly injecting new engine technologies to further enhance the PW100's leadership in operating economics. We are also continuously working with the airlines to optimize their individual maintenance programs, enhanced with cutting-edge engine monitoring systems. Turboprops have an exciting future and we are proud to be playing a major part in their worldwide resurgence.”
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The Boeing Persistent Munition Technology Demonstrator (PMTD), a test bed for future unmanned aerial vehicles, flew autonomously for the first time during a test in April at Vandalia Municipal Airport, Ill. Boeing developed the 60-pound PMTD to demonstrate emerging technologies through incremental upgrades and flight demonstration phases. With a wingspan of 12 feet, the vehicle's airframe is designed for extended loiter times, air or surface launch and other potential capabilities. During the test, the PMTD navigated to 14 programmed locations flawlessly, changed altitudes at four different points and achieved pre-planned speeds. "The PMTD is intended to serve as a test bed for future small unmanned aerial vehicles and persistent weapon technologies," said Carl Avila, director, Advanced Weapons and Missile Systems for Boeing. "We're looking forward to working with our U.S. Air Force customer to define a PMTD demonstration plan to enable development of future warfighter capabilities."
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The German airline Blue Wings, based in Düsseldorf, has decided to expand its operations with Airbus A320 Family aircraft and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European manufacturer for the acquisition of 20 aircraft. Cabin configuration and engine selection are still to be decided. Blue Wings, in which Swiss investment holding Alpstream AG, based in Zurich, has a substantial shareholding, will increase its operations by starting new routes from Germany to destinations in Turkey and the CIS, primarily on behalf of tour operators. Alpstream AG is an affiliate of the Russian National Reserve Corporation. “Blue Wings has already more than three years' experience of A320 and A321 operations. We are pleased with the Airbus products and believe that the aircraft are perfectly suited for us and our requirements,” said Jörn Hellwig, CEO of Blue Wings.
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EADS will equip the German Armed Forces with a new kind of ground surveillance radar (BÜR – Bodenüberwachungsradar) for reliably detecting movements both on the ground and in the air close to the ground. The BÜR is specially designed for recognising asymmetric threats. As the company announced on Wednesday, the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement BWB has placed an order in the double digit million range with EADS for the delivery of initially two system demonstrators by the end of 2009. The delivery of 78 BÜR systems from the series production is planned as of 2012. They are intended to close the gap in capabilities of the German Armed Forces in the area of ground surveillance for the 25 years to follow. In addition to the order from the German Armed Forces, other nations have also already signalled interest in this innovative, powerful radar system. The radar is based on the latest electronic scan control technology AESA (Active Electronically Scanning Array) which opens up new possibilities for detection and surveillance. Thanks to the real-time electronic beam scanning, the radar can handle several reconnaissance tasks in parallel and in doing so achieves a much higher level of reconnaissance efficiency and reliability in comparison with mechanically scanned radars. This means each BÜR system can replace three conventional radars. The same technology is also used in major forward-looking projects, such as the MEADS air defence system, NATO's AGS reconnaissance system and the F124 frigate.
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Gulfstream Aerospace is exploring the potential applicability of “fly-by-wire” technology with its Advanced Flight Controls (AFC) proof-of-concept research program. Gulfstream's current offering of six business-jet aircraft – G150, G200, G350, G450, G500 and G550 – all feature conventional mechanical linkages to hydro-mechanical-powered actuators that control movement of the spoilers, ailerons and flaps on the wings and the rudder and elevators on the tail. Fly-by-wire technology uses electronically controlled actuators to move the same flight control surfaces. "Now that fly-by-wire is a mature technology and understood by customers, we believe this is the right time to examine its specific benefits in terms of our aircraft design with particular emphasis on safety, reliability, weight, performance and other design enhancements,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. Gulfstream initiated the AFC research program in 2004 to examine the feasibility of the lighter and smaller electronically driven flight controls, focusing on the aircraft spoiler and elevator systems. By September 2005, Gulfstream completed a critical design review. By year-end 2005, Gulfstream integrated new AFC hardware and software components with existing aircraft systems in an integration test facility to conduct verification testing. By May of this year, Gulfstream had installed the hardware and software components on an actual static aircraft and succeeded in controlling the plane's outboard, mid-board and inboard spoilers electronically. Gulfstream currently is modifying a GV test aircraft, replacing the traditional cable-controlled, hydro-mechanical spoiler components with electro-mechanical actuators. Flight testing of the modified GV will begin in August. Elevator testing will be carried out later in the year.
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Gulfstream Aerospace this summer will test the structural integrity of its patented telescopic Quiet Spike sonic boom mitigator on a NASA F-15 flight test bed. The company designed and developed the Quiet Spike as a means of controlling and reducing the sonic boom caused by an aircraft 'breaking' the sound barrier. A series of flights, to be conducted in late July and early August at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in the California Mojave Desert, will validate the structural integrity of the multi-segmented, articulating Quiet Spike. Made of advanced composite materials, the Quiet Spike weighs some 470 pounds and extends from 14 feet in subsonic flight to 24 feet in supersonic flight. Since March 2004, when Gulfstream was awarded a patent for the Quiet Spike, the device has been through extensive ground testing, including wind-tunnel testing, to arrive at the point where it could be installed on an F-15B aircraft and flown. The F-15B is capable of flying at speeds in excess of Mach 2.0, or two times the speed of sound. "From the outset it has been understood that the sonic boom must be reduced to acceptable levels before consideration could be given to developing a prototype quiet supersonic jet," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream Aerospace. “These tests are just a few in a series of activities which must be undertaken to prove to numerous regulatory agencies and environmental groups, both at home and abroad, that supersonic flight over land is achievable in a way that will significantly reduce the impact of the sonic boom on people and on the environment. It is only one step, but a very important step, for all of us.”
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Gulfstream Aerospace will be the first business-jet manufacturer to offer synthetic vision technology for new production and in-service aircraft. Gulfstream will offer its Synthetic Vision – Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD) as an optional upgrade to current operators of PlaneView ®-equipped Gulfstream G550, G500, G450 and G350 business jet models. Following certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2007, Gulfstream also will begin offering the optional upgrade to future customers and current customers awaiting completion of their new PlaneView-equipped aircraft. "With its real-time, pilot's view of the world beyond the cockpit windshield, SV-PFD increases a pilot's ability to accurately interpret the depth and texture of terrain, obstacles, runways and approaches,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “It is the next logical step in display technology, resulting in faster and more accurate tactical flight decisions by pilots and ultimately increased safety of flight.”
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that VistaJet has placed a firm order for three next-generation Bombardier Challenger 605 business jets, and has signed an option for two additional aircraft. It is the first and largest multiple aircraft order placed by a European company for the new jet. VistaJet will also take delivery of one additional Global Express XRS ultra long-range aircraft and two Challenger 604 business jets.
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Bombardier Aerospace released its aircraft market forecasts for the commercial and business aircraft markets. In the 20-year period from 2006 to 2025, Bombardier's commercial aircraft market forecast predicts a demand for 11,000 aircraft deliveries in the 20- to 149-seat market valued at $370 billion US. The 20- to 149-seat aircraft market is comprised of three distinct segments: the 20- to 59-passenger aircraft segment, which includes the aircraft that powered the development of the regional airline industry, is a base for continued deliveries. This segment could represent a demand for 1,100 aircraft; the 60- to 99-seat aircraft segment, the current growth phase for regional airlines, is characterized by a focus on seat-mile costs and fleet specialization. This segment could represent a demand for 4,100 aircraft; the 100- to 149-passenger airliner market segment is today primarily comprised of mainline carriers and low fare airlines. This segment will grow significantly as demand is driven by the replacement of aging aircraft with new-generation, more fuel-efficient airliners. This segment could represent a demand for 5,800 aircraft. According to Bombardier's first-ever public annual business aircraft market forecast, deliveries of all business jets is expected to grow significantly. For the 2006-2010 period, corporate aircraft manufacturers could deliver an average of 600 to 700 business jets annually, excluding the very light segment, a significant increase from the 540 units delivered during the 2001-2005 period. The forecast indicates that most primary market drivers are currently stable or positive. These include: an installed base of 13,000 business jets which, on average, require replacement every six years; the U.S. gross domestic product forecasted growth of three per cent next year; a surge of concept buyers in international markets; a healthy balance in the pre-owned aircraft segment; and a strong rate of new aircraft introductions.
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The Austrian Airlines Group has increased its traffic statistics by a dynamic 14.6% in the first half-year of 2006 where measured in revenue passenger kilometres on scheduled services (RPK). Available seat kilometres (ASK) rose by 11.3% compared to the same period the previous year. From January to June, the Austrian Airlines Group carried approximately 4.3 million passengers on its scheduled services, an increase of 13% compared to last year. The passenger load factor on scheduled services improved by 2.1 percentage points compared to 2005, reaching 72.1%. Almost 5 million passengers were transported on scheduled and charter services, a 10.8% increase on 2005. The Austrian share of passenger growth at its Vienna hub in the first six months of 2006 was a considerable 70%. This means that, of the 580,000 extra passengers who flew either from or via Vienna, around 410,000 were generated in the international route network of the Austrian Airlines Group.
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An innovative and ambitious building is opening its doors in Frankfurt. The Lufthansa Aviation Center is ready for occupation and to be filled with life as the new home for 1,800 staff in the Lufthansa workforce. At the opening ceremony, attended by the State Prime Minister in Hesse Roland Koch and the governing Mayoress of Frankfurt, Petra Roth, the architect, Christoph Ingenhoven, is today handing over a symbolic door key to Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber and Executive Board Member Stefan Lauer. “The new edifice is very special for Lufthansa, since nowhere else do so many Lufthansa employees work under one roof. Its transparent and open design gives free rein to communications and creativity, Mayrhuber observed. The Center's exposed position at Frankfurt Airport will make it a landmark for the Rhine-Main region and “signal Lufthansa's commitment to the Frankfurt base.“ Light-bathed, open-plan offices, bright furniture and the courtyard greenery make for a pleasant working atmosphere in the transparent building.
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Lufthansa customers profit from more flights to South America as the long haul offer is further expanding from Munich. From 13 September 2006 the German flag carrier will fly daily to São Paulo from Munich in response to numerous requests from passengers to offer this service now from Munich besides the one already operated from Frankfurt. “Growth in Munich is focused on our long-haul routes, and we are steadily pursuing this strategy with São Paulo. This move is also in response to the strong demand from our customers for flights to Brazil,” says Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Lufthansa Group Representative and Head of Hub Management at Munich.
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Trim panel speaker (TPS) technology for series-production business aircraft is the latest development arising out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between QinetiQ and Lufthansa Technik, it was revealed at Farnborough Airshow today. The two companies have announced that, following their successful installation onboard two Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) and the upper deck of a VIP Boeing 747, trim panel speaker kits will be available for installation on series-production business jets, thus opening a new and expanded market for the Lufthansa Technik and QinetiQ partnership to serve. QinetiQ's TPS technology uses existing aircraft fittings to produce significantly higher audio quality than conventional speakers. The technology is used as the surround sound speakers as part of Lufthansa Technik's networked integrated cabin equipment (nice™) and blends indistinguishably with the cabin lining as either flat or curved panels.
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Chinese cargo start-up Jade Cargo International and Lufthansa Technik, the leading provider for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of airplanes, components and engines, signed two new contracts on Total Component Support TCS and Total Engine Support TES for their new fleet of six Boeing 747-400ER freighters to be delivered through January 2008. The contracts are valued at more than 100 million US dollars. Under the Total Engine Support TES contract Lufthansa Technik covers the complete service portfolio for the General Electric CF6-80C2 engines of the Boeing 747-400ERF airplanes. The engines will be exclusively served on power-by-the-hour terms over the next twelve years. On request Lufthansa Technik will complement Jade Cargo's own spare engines with an additional spare engine support.
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ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel of Germany has been named to fly on the Space Shuttle mission that will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station in September/October 2007. ESA's Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain announced the assignment on the occasion of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's official visit to ESA's Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. Veteran NASA space flier Navy Cmdr. Stephen Frick will command the STS-122 Shuttle mission (orbiter Discovery), while Navy Cmdr. Alan Poindexter will serve as pilot. Mission Specialists include Air Force Col. Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and Leland Melvin. For Poindexter, Love and Melvin, this will be their first spaceflight. Schlegel, a member of the European Astronaut Corps since 1998, first flew on Shuttle mission STS-55 (Spacelab D-2) from 26 April to 6 May 1993.
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German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel spoke with ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, from Germany, via live link on board the International Space Station (ISS). The call was placed from ESA's Space Operations Centre (ESOC), in Darmstadt, Germany. During this first "space-to-Earth" discussion between Mrs. Merkel and Reiter, the German head of government asked about Reiter's scientific programme while on board the ISS and his reaction to sleeping under zero gravity. She also took the opportunity to wish the three ISS crew members good luck in English, German and Russian. Prime Minister Roland Koch of Germany's Hessen region, host region of the ESOC facility, and ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain also participated in the call, which began at 12:30 CEST and lasted about 20 minutes. "Space exerts not only a great fascination but also provides via scientific experiments great value, in particular for research in the health and medical sector," said Chancellor Merkel.
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Bell Helicopter has begun testing a highly instrumented 20% scale, semi-span Quad TiltRotor (QTR) model at the NASA Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) in Langley, VA. Installation of the model began on June 27, 2006, and testing will continue through mid-August. The 20% scale model consists of powered forward and aft rotors, pylons, nacelles, and dynamically-representative wings as shown in Figures 1 & 2 below, and represents a configuration that would support a flying QTR demonstrator. This complex test will investigate the interference effects of the forward wing and rotor on the rear wing and rotor, along with substantiating the aeroelastic stability of a rear wing having a 63% greater span than a V-22 wing. The current effort follows similar testing in the TDT last summer of only the QTR model's rear wing, rotor, pylon and nacelle to record baseline responses in the absence of the forward wing. Results from both sets of testing will be correlated to similar wind tunnel and flight tests of the V-22.
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BAE Systems announced today that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the newly named F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production of empennage and tooling services with key Canadian, Australian and Danish tooling and airframe suppliers. Key representatives from Magellan, Avcorp, Broens, Marand, Metaltec and Terma signed individual letters of intent during a press conference held at the Farnborough International Show in Farnborough, England. Hawker de Havilland signed a separate Letter of Intent in June 2006. BAE Systems, a principal partner in the F-35 Lightning II team, is responsible for designing, engineering and manufacturing the aft fuselage and empennage (vertical and horizontal tails) for each F-35 aircraft.
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The divestment supports refocus of Thales' portfolio and provides a compelling investment opportunity for Shah Capital Partners. Thales and an investor group led by Shah Capital Partners have signed an agreement regarding the divestment from Thales of most of its navigation business. Under the agreement, Shah Capital Partners will fully acquire Thales Navigation for 170M$ and rename the company to Magellan Navigation, Inc.
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After a lengthy downtime for a major overhaul, NASA 806, one of NASA's two high-flying ER-2 Earth resources aircraft, took to the skies recently from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on its first science mission in over two years. The flight checked out the functionality of sensitive instruments that will calibrate and validate data from sensors installed on the recently launched CALIPSO and CloudSat weather, climate and air quality monitoring satellites during a series of missions led by NASA's Langley Research Center with support from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in late July and August. CALIPSO an acronym for Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations –combines an active lidar instrument with passive infrared and visible-light imagers to probe the vertical structure and properties of thin clouds and aerosols (airborne particles). The complimentary CloudSat satellite carries a cloud profiling radar system that uses microwave energy to observe cloud particles and determine the mass of water and ice within clouds. The mission will provide the first global survey of cloud properties that are critical for understanding their effects on both weather and climate.
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Lockheed Martin announced the Hong Kong Observatory has purchased a second WindTracer Doppler lidar system which will be used at the Hong Kong International Airport. Developed and produced by Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies, WindTracer provides air traffic control personnel with advanced warning of wind hazards such as wind shear, microbursts, gust fronts, turbulence and crosswinds which enables them to offer precise, timely direction to pilots during takeoff and landing. The lidar system uses an eye-safe laser with precision pointing and scanning capabilities to reflect off aerosols 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair, collecting wind data over a broad volumetric area. The first WindTracer at Hong Kong International Airport was installed in 2002.
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Goodrich, with support from the European Commission, is continuing to work on the development of the more electric aircraft. As part of "Project MOET" (More Open Electrical Technologies), led by Airbus, the Goodrich Actuation Systems team in France will be leading the actuation research activities. The actuation work package is one of nine across the MOET project; the goal of the project is to develop the technologies required for the more electric aircraft. Benefits of an electric architecture include improvements in environmental impact and reliability as well as reduced maintenance costs. Goodrich's research and development teams have produced many significant technologies that have, and will continue to allow, aircraft to evolve. Over the past 35 years, Goodrich's Actuation Systems team has transformed actuation from mechanical input actuators to Fly-By-Wire to the current Power-By-Wire actuation. According to Goodrich's Eric Schulz, President, Actuation Systems, "Goodrich is committed to new technology projects that will lead to the development of the all electric aircraft. All electric platforms are the future. We are preparing for the next generation of aircraft."
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Goodrich recently completed the first test assembly of the GP7200 engine in its preparation to support production activity for the Airbus A380 program. Engine Alliance, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney, selected Goodrich's Toulouse team to perform the final assembly and engine build-up of its GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380 in 2004. The Engine Alliance ships the engine to Toulouse in a split ship configuration -- fan case and propulsor separated. The test assembly, conducted at the company's Toulouse, France Aerostructures facility included rejoining the fan case section of the engine to the engine core/propulsor. Fully assembled, a single engine measures 12.8 feet in diameter. In addition, Goodrich installs engine build-up kits consisting of the: pneumatics and starter systems; hydraulic and fuel systems; pylon drain; fire extinguisher; and several electrical harnesses are also installed, including the Variable Frequency Generator (VFG) harness. Finally, Goodrich installs a package of Airbus Buyer-Furnished Equipment on the bare engine which includes: engine mounts; thrust links; hydraulic pumps; fuel and hydraulic lines; pressure valves; and VFG. The VFG itself has Goodrich origins. It is manufactured by Aerolec, a joint venture between Goodrich and Thales. While compact in size at 19.7 inches by 11.8 inches and 143 pounds, the VFG plays a key role on board the A380, producing electricity for the entire aircraft.
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Goodrich has signed an agreement with Stork SP Aerospace to supply Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC) for use in landing gear system applications. According to Mike Brand, President, Goodrich Landing Gear, "Composites are a key component of future landing gear designs as they help us to meet two critical demands in the marketplace -- reduction of overall aircraft weight and improved efficiency. Stork has refined its design and manufacturing process to the point that application and certification for a wide range of commercial transport and military platforms are now readily possible. Furthermore, composite manufacturing site flexibility enables us to have a Stork presence on-site at any of our world-wide Goodrich Landing Gear facilities allowing us to manage just-in-time delivery and incorporation of the composite technology into our landing gear."
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Trainee test pilots at ETPS (Empire Test Pilots' School), Britain's world-class flight test training school, which is operated by QinetiQ in partnership with the UK MOD, will gain even greater access to flying Sweden's new generation Gripen fighter under a new agreement with Saab Aerosystems. The planned 2006 training campaigns will mirror the structured approach of the highly successful 2005 campaigns, but will see a 30% increase in student numbers, a 20% increase in flights per student, the training of a third ETPS Instructor Pilot (IP) and the inclusion of Flight Test Engineer students within a refined syllabus. Since 1999, ETPS has included Gripen in its test pilot training courses,working in conjunction with Saab. Groups of trainees and their instructor pilots (IP's) have gone to Sweden to experience Gripen's advanced cockpit technology and flight characteristics.
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The Falcon 7X completed 16 months of static and fatigue testing at CEAT in Toulouse, France. Testing began in March 2005 two months prior to the first flight of the Falcon 7X. Both the static and fatigue testing was accomplished using just one test article marking a first for Dassault civil aircraft. It was subjected to two times the design life of the airframe or 40,000 simulated cycles (2 x 20,000 flights). The test article reached 150% of design limit load on the wings, cabin and fuel tank as specified by the FAA and EASA. The aircraft wings bent 8 ft. 2 in. (2.50 meters) as measured at the wing tips at 150% design limit load. To date, 20 wing sets have been fully assembled with over 40 airframes in various stages of production.
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Boeing has announced plans to consolidate company facilities in Southern California over the next four years. The Boeing facility in Anaheim, with about 3,700 employees, will relocate to the Huntington Beach facility. "This plan provides a strong foundation for long-term stability and competitiveness," said Gary Toyama, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) vice president, Southern California region. "Our vision is to integrate and optimize our capabilities to meet customer requirements." Nearly all of the moves will occur within a 25-mile radius. Design and construction in Huntington Beach will start immediately, with minor employee moves. Significant employee relocations are anticipated to start early in 2007 and will continue through 2010.
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The value of technology innovation in the UK aerospace industry has been recognised with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Airbus and QinetiQ at Farnborough International. The two companies have worked together for many years, producing leading edge developments in such critical areas as advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD), composite material based structural design and development, and the development of a creep age forming process that has helped to make the Airbus A380's huge wings a reality. The agreement promises to further advance the relationship with research and technology development (R&T) in such areas as fluid mechanics, chemical fuel modelling, health monitoring systems and advanced landing gear developments. The results of these activities would find natural application into the whole aircraft.
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Cuts to NASA's aeronautics budgets are undermining critical research for the Next Generation Air Transportation Dr. Michael Romanowski said Tuesday. In testimony before the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, Romanowski, AIA's vice president of civil aviation, said that the estimated $200-300 million annual unfunded NGATS transitional research will result in delays in the program's implementation and have a negative effect on our nation's economy and competitiveness. "If NASA is to remain at the forefront of aeronautics research, it is critical that significant changes are made to the proposed aeronautics funding levels and research plans," Romanowski said. NASA aeronautics funding has decreased more than 50 percent since fiscal 1994. The recently marked-up appropriations bill cuts almost $88 million in aeronautics funding from last year's enacted level. Romanowski said that additional budget cuts should not be considered before the National Aerospace Policy is completed in November 2006.
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