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+++ A380 faces further delays +++ B-52 tests alternative jet engine fuel +++ First woman space tourist on her way to the ISS +++ Robinson delivers the 3000th R44 +++ F-16 for Poland rolls out +++ Cessna Citation Mustang wins Full FAA certification +++ C-130AMP flies +++ A400M progresses +++ Barracuda ditches on second flight +++ News in brief +++
A380 faces further delays
Weitere Verzögerungen beim A380
EADS does not confirm nor deny specific information reported by various media relating to the A380 program because the review of the program is not completed yet. Although Company's assessment is still under way, continuing industrialization challenges with the wiring of production aircraft have been identified and are being tackled. Consequently, from what is known today, there will be further delays. The current status is that we have not finalized the schedule of deliveries nor the financial impact of any delays. All appropriate resources are focused on bringing the ongoing assessment to maturity. EADS and Airbus will provide more detailed information within 4 weeks as Airbus is currently working on developing action plans and a solid delivery schedule to its customers. In the meantime flight testing milestones of the A380 are progressing as planned.
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B-52 tests alternative jet engine fuel
Neuer Kraftstoff mit Stratofortress im Test
Another aviation first was accomplished when a B-52 flew here using an alternative fuel. The flight test ran two of a B-52's engines on a synthetic fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude-oil based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from natural gas, while the remaining six engines ran on traditional JP-8 jet fuel. Undersecretary of the Air Force Dr. Ronald M. Sega personally observed the mission as a crewmember and said the test was a step in the right direction toward conservation. "This test sets the stage for a more comprehensive plan the Air Force has toward conservation," he said. "This test fits into this overall vision and is the first step in a long process for looking at the viability of alternative fuels." "This is just one of many alternative fuels the Air Force is looking into," said Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke, Air Force Flight Test Center commander. "This test is aiding in creating options and alternatives to our current fuel."
From what Dr. Sega said he could see during the flight, the synthetic fuel engine performed as well as the other engines running traditional fuel. But he said he is still waiting for final test results, which will be reported after all the test points are acquired and analyzed. If this alternative fuel test proves to be a success, the next step will be to perform an eight-engine test using the fuel in a few months, General Bedke said. Before manned flight was attempted here, the fuel was tested to see how it reacted to aircraft parts. The fuel was placed into a T-63 engine where it underwent 130 hours of fuel tests. One of the engines was then taken off of the B-52 and sent to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., where it went through a 50-hour continuous alternative fuel run. The engine was reinstalled into the B-52 and ground tests were performed before Tuesday's flight. After going through its needed testing here, the alternative fuel housed in the fuel tanks of the B-52 is scheduled to undergo cold-weather testing in January or February. Although the Fischer-Tropsch fuel demonstration flight was successfully completed, it was cut short due to a mechanical issue with the left wing-tip landing gear unrelated to the alternative fuel test. The aircraft landed safely without incident.
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First woman space tourist on her way to the ISS
Anousheh Ansari im All
At 06:10 CEST on 18 September, a Soyuz TMA-9 successfully lifted off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan. On board the flight to the International Space Station are Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and the first woman space tourist, Iranian-born Anousheh Ansari. The Soyuz spacecraft is now in target orbit at an altitude of over 200 km and is expected to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, 20 September at 07:28 CEST . “All the space vehicle's systems have been functioning smoothly,” said Mission Control spokesman Valery Lyndin. During her 10-day stay on the ISS, 40-year-old Ms Ansari, who is now a US citizen, will conduct four experiments for ESA.
The four ESA experiments are: Chromosome-2, to investigate the effects of space radiation on crew members; SAMPLE, to examine the effects of bacteria on the health of space crews and the technical equipment on board; NEOCYTOLYSIS, and experiment to study the effects of weightlessness on the hemopoietic system the system responsible for the formation of blood cells in the body; the Low-Back Pain experiment, to improve understanding of the correlation between muscle use/disuse and back pain, and aid in developoing countermeasures to assist astronauts and also sufferers on Earth.
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Robinson delivers the 3000th R44
Neuer Produktionsrekord für leichten Helikopter
Thirteen years after the first production model R44 helicopter rolled off the assembly line, Robinson Helicopters' Terry Hane presented the key for the 3000th model R44 to Frank Leon of Segrave Aviation. Located in North Carolina, Segrave Aviation has now been an authorized Robinson R22 and R44 dealer for over 5 years. The 3000th R44 was sold by Segrave to real estate developer Chris Bond, who plans to use the red helicopter for showing properties to clients. Developed in the mid-1980s to fill the void between two-seat helicopters and expensive multi-passenger turbine aircraft, the four-place R44 helicopter received FAA certification in late 1992. Production deliveries began in February 1993. Since then the R44 has become the best selling helicopter in the world. The R44 is offered in two models: The Raven I and the more powerful Raven II. The Raven II is available in four specialty configurations: Police Helicopter, Newscopter, Clipper, and IFR Trainer.
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F-16 for Poland rolls out
Polnische F-16 in Fort Worth vorgestellt
Ceremonies were held on 15 September at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, to commemorate the Polish F-16 Peace Sky program. The ceremony marks an important production milestone, demonstrating that the program is on schedule and on budget. When delivered, the Polish F-16 will be the most advanced fighter aircraft in NATO. Dignitaries attending the commemorative ceremony included Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland; Anna Fotyga, minister of foreign affairs; Radoslaw Sikorski, minister of national defense; Lt. Gen. Stanislaw Targosz, commander of the Poland Air Force; and other senior Polish officials. Representing the U.S. Government were U.S. ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe; Gen. T. Michael Moseley, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force; and Bruce Lemkin, deputy undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force for International Affairs. Hosting the ceremony were Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin and president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and June R. Shrewsbury, vice president of F-16 Programs.
The Poland Peace Sky Program began in April 2003. Today's rollout commemorates the 48 F-16s that Lockheed Martin is producing for Poland. The aircraft joins a fleet of more than 4,300 F-16s operated by 24 air forces around the world. The F-16 for Poland includes enhanced capabilities, modern technologies and growth potential that will establish a foundation for the Poland Air Force in the 21st century. "We have been on or ahead of schedule in all key events," said Lockheed Martin's Shrewsbury. "We will take every measure to ensure the Poland Air Force achieves and maintains its highest levels of capability and readiness while flying the F-16." The Poland Peace Sky program includes 36 F-16Cs and 12 F-16Ds, all powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. This first aircraft - a single-seat F-16C model - was accepted by the U.S. government (as agent for Poland in the Foreign Military Sales process) on March 30, one month ahead of schedule. The U.S. government accepted the first two-seat F-16D version in June. The first four aircraft will be ferried to Poland in November with the remainder following in 2007 and 2008.
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Cessna Citation Mustang wins Full FAA certification
Zulassung für neuen Leichtjet erteilt
Cessna reported the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted type certification (TC) to Cessna's Citation Mustang, making it the world's first fully certified, new-generation entry level business jet. “This is an immense achievement, marking another point in history where Cessna has led the aviation industry into new territory,” said Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Pelton. “The Citation Mustang will bring the benefits of jet ownership to more people than ever before, and I cannot say enough about the team that made this happen,” Pelton continued. “I'd like to extend my deepest congratulations and appreciation to the talented Cessna employees, our world-class suppliers, and the dedicated FAA certification team who took on this mission as passionately and personally as any program I've seen. The Citation Mustang has met or exceeded every performance objective established when we announced the program in 2002. We accomplished what we said we were going to accomplish, and we beat the schedule doing it. I think everyone will agree the final product our team created – in its polished fit, finish and performance – sets the highest standard for what this new generation of aircraft will be. FAA type certification for the Mustang includes single-pilot operation, day/night operations, visual and instrument flight rules (VFR/IFR), and operations in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace. Cessna currently has 250 orders for the Mustang, selling out production well into 2009. With TC now in hand, Cessna plans to enhance its sales and marketing efforts by increasing its domestic and international sales force, conducting intensive demonstration tours with multiple aircraft on a worldwide basis, and stepping up its marketing campaign in response to the very high level of interest in the Citation Mustang expressed by customers globally.
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C-130AMP flies
Erstflug für modernisierte Hercules
On 20 September, Boeing announced the successful first flight of the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) aircraft. The flight took place on Sept. 19 as part of the most comprehensive C-130 avionics modification ever conducted. The first C-130 AMP aircraft, designated H2, successfully completed its maiden flight from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Boeing test pilot Mike Leone and U.S. Air Force pilot Maj. Frank Delsing conducted the flight, which lasted approximately three hours. The aircraft is the first C-130 to undergo trial installations. Boeing inducted the aircraft in January 2005, after accepting it from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. Boeing also has inducted the second aircraft, H2.5, and has initiated the modification process. The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays and the 737 commercial airliner's proven flight management system, which provide navigation, safety and communication improvements to meet Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) requirements. The CNS/ATM upgrade will allow the C-130 fleet to be deployed worldwide. The C-130 AMP provides enhanced digital avionics that increase situational awareness for the warfighter tenfold over old analog cockpits, dramatically increasing information available to aircrews at a glance, simplifying tasks and decreasing workload. Upgrade commonality brought by the AMP offers additional flexibility in assigning aircrews regardless of the model design type.
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A400M progresses
Flügelmontage des A400M hat begonnen
The wing assembly centre for A400M military transports was officially opened at Airbus' Filton plant by Lord Drayson, the U.K. Minister for Defence Procurement. Work on the initial set of A400M wing components already is underway in one of the 8,000 square metre manufacturing centre's two sets of assembly jigs. A third set of assembly jigs will be installed as the production rate builds up to three pairs of wings per month. The A400M - the world's most modern military transport aircraft - represents a major step in Airbus wing technology, as it features the first-ever carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite wing-box for an Airbus-built aircraft. It is also believed to be the largest composite wing ever made. The £70 million (100 million euro) wing centre, located near Bristol, is equipped with new, state-of-the-art, jigs and tools - and utilises automated machinery that includes high-precision automated wing drilling equipment. Wing-box construction consists of pre-assembled leading and trailing edges made of composite spars, metallic ribs and 20 metre-long composite wing skins that incorporate integrated stringers (longitudinal stiffeners). After assembly, the A400M wings will be fully equipped with hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel and electrical systems and fitted with the flight control surfaces. They will undergo full testing before being flown by Airbus A300-600ST Beluga transport aircraft to the A400M aircraft final assembly line in Seville, Spain. The first set of wings will be delivered ready for the A400M's final assembly start-up in March 2007. The initial six sets of aircraft wings, along with those destined for fatigue and static testing, will be equipped with additional instrumentation and other equipment for flight test and ground testing the new-generation Airbus military airlifter.
Meanwhile, Airbus Military has successfully achieved the sixth contractual milestone of the A400M programme. “Milestone Six”, which involves the acceptance by the customer of the Class Two A400M Cockpit Mock-up is particularly significant since it is designated as one of the six “Critical Milestones” whereby the programme as a whole may be rejected by the customer on the grounds of non-compliance. Other critical milestones include the start of final production, the first flight and certification and delivery of the first aircraft to a customer. The Class Two Mock-up is an exact replica of the aircraft's operational cockpit and is, essentially, a full-scale laboratory designed to test and verify a number of important parameters in the overall cockpit environment. Using the new facility, a comprehensive programme will be undertaken to validate the detailed design and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the man-machine interface, ensuring that vital information is correctly perceived by the flight crew and that vital actions can be efficiently carried out by them.
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Barracuda ditches on second flight
EADS-Drohne abgestürzt
An EADS-owned Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has ditched into the sea on Saturday morning upon approach for landing at San Javier Air Force Base (Murcia / Spain) after a test flight. The test was part of the current flight trials and is one element of the broad field of UAV activities within EADS. There were neither people injured nor was third-party property damaged. The reasons for the accident are unknown. EADS is in the process of investigating the circumstances in close cooperation with the relevant authorities in Germany and Spain. As these investigations are ongoing, EADS is not in the position to release further details for the time being.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
NASA has selected Boeing, Huntington Beach, Calif., to support the design and development of a lunar direct return-capable heat shield for the Orion crew exploration vehicle. The hybrid firm fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract has a 16-month period of performance, with a maximum value of approximately $14 million, including all priced options. The heat shield will protect the spacecraft and crew during atmospheric reentry following missions to the moon or the International Space Station. The heat shield attached at the base of the spacecraft will reject the majority of the heat generated during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Returning from missions to the station, Orion will re-enter at speeds similar to those experienced by the space shuttle - 16,700 miles an hour. Returning from the moon, Orion will reenter the atmosphere at speeds of about 25,000 miles an hour and experience heating about five times as extreme as missions returning from the station.
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South Africa and Airbus will cooperate in a new aerospace research and technology initiative which aims to identify and develop new advanced applications for the global aerospace industry. The partnership, signed between South Africa's Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Airbus, the world's leading aircraft manufacturer, is a direct outcome of the country's decision last year to join the Airbus A400M airlifter programme as a partner. Pilot projects already identified in the global Airbus co-operation strategy with South Africa include research into the development and application of synthetic fuels, natural fibres and light alloys component technologies. Speaking at the biennial African Aerospace & Defence show in Cape Town, DST Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, described the agreement as "vital in safeguarding and developing South Africa's competence in the various fields associated with aerospace and aeronautics. We believe that Airbus, a company whose success is built on its innovative use of pioneering technology, is the best partner to support South Africa in the rejuvenation of its aerospace capabilities, including the all-important arena of research and development into new technologies, techniques and solutions."
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Sikorsky has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the aircraft maker PZL Mielec to negotiate agreements that would establish the company as the assembly center for International BLACK HAWK helicopters and key helicopter components, the Polish Ministry of Treasury announced. PZL Mielec is wholly owned by the Industrial Development Agency (known by the Polish acronym ARP), which is a government holding company under the Ministry of Treasury. Under the MOU signed at a public ceremony here, Sikorsky's strategic investment in PZL Mielec would provide funding for factory improvements and tooling to support assembly of the International BLACK HAWK helicopter and other helicopter component production. Financial terms of the MOU were not disclosed. Sikorsky and ARP have agreed to work toward finalizing the terms outlined in the MOU before the end of 2006. The MOU anticipates initial component deliveries in 2008 and International BLACK HAWK deliveries beginning in 2010. This agreement with PZL Mielec will allow Sikorsky to focus domestic operations on expanding U.S. military helicopter production while ensuring that the company has the necessary capacity and competitive cost structure to manufacture the International BLACK HAWK for the global market.
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Gulfstream Aerospace delivered its first Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) special-mission aircraft to the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD). In 2003, the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 aircraft was chosen as the platform for IMOD's Airborne Early Warning surveillance system because of the aircraft's overall performance, safety, reliability and low operating cost. “The G550's exceptionally long range enables it to remain on station for extended periods – a critical requirement for military surveillance missions,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “Also, compared to earlier surveillance aircraft, the G550 offers considerably greater operating efficiencies, yielding exceptional capabilities at much lower total cost.” Following the aircraft's delivery to IMOD in Tel Aviv, Israel, ELTA Systems will provide and install state-of-the-art electronic equipment. ELTA Systems Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
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At its meeting on 20 September, the Lufthansa Supervisory Board approved an order for 35 new aircraft. From 2007, Lufthansa will take delivery of a total of 30 new short- and medium-range aircraft: five Airbus A319s, ten Airbus A320s and 15 Airbus A321s. Lufthansa has also taken options on a further 30 aircraft of the A320 family. In addition, the Supervisory Board gave the goahead for Lufthansa to order five long-range Airbus A330s. The decision will allow Lufthansa to continue expanding and modernising its fleet. The Airbus jets on order are highly fuel-efficient, low-emission and quiet aircraft. "This order underlines our commitment to growth. Our customers will benefit from the wider range of flight options. We are achieving profitable growth and are thus opening up new perspectives for our employees and shareholders," said Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber. Deliveries of the 30 short-and medium-range aircraft will start in 2007. The order will enable Lufthansa to boost capacity, as planned, over the next few years and also to steadily pursue its policy of fleet renewal. Lufthansa's European fleet currently comprises 153 aircraft, 80 of which belong to the Airbus family. A further 145 smaller aircraft operate regional services on behalf of Lufthansa. The order for five long-range Airbus A330s will underpin Lufthansa's plans for growth in the long-haul sector. The aircraft, which will be delivered over the next two years, will also compensate for the delayed entry into service of the Airbus A380 and permit further expansion on long-haul routes. At present, Lufthansa's long-haul fleet consists of 83 aircraft, including ten Airbus A330s.
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The Royal Norwegian Navy has successfully fired its first Raytheon Company-built Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM). The Sept. 12 flight test occurred off the coast of Norway near the Arctic Circle. A new class of Norwegian frigate, Fridtjof Nansen (F310), fired the missile that intercepted the subsonic Banshee target. "We are pleased that Norway has joined the growing family of allied nations that have now successfully flight tested ESSM," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president. "ESSM provides the best local area and ship self-defense solution for navies around the world." Norway is the seventh NATO SEASPARROW Consortium nation to fire ESSM. The missile is being produced for the U.S. Navy and nine of the other 11 member nations of the consortium. The ESSM tested by Norway featured an upgraded, dual-band antenna that was designed and developed under Raytheon's Value Engineering Change Proposal (VECP). VECPs are industry investments designed to reduce the cost of ESSM.
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Cessna and Textron Inc. dedicated a new aerospace production facility, Textron Aerospace Mexico, in Chihuahua, Mexico. Since March of 2006, the 138 Textron Aerospace Mexico employees have participated in Cessna-specific training to assemble electrical wire bundles for Cessna jet aircraft. The 62,000-square-foot facility will free up space at Cessna's manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kan. This space is needed as new airplane models are added to the Cessna line up in the next few years. As Textron Aerospace Mexico reaches full production rates, it is anticipated about 200 more employees will be added at the facility before the end of 2007.
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Boeing successfully completed its Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) weapon system flight test program on Sept. 15 with engagement of a target moving at 40 mph. "Laser JDAM continues to prove its effectiveness against moving targets," said Boeing JDAM Program Manager John Harnagel. "We continue to hear from warfighters worldwide that LJDAM's capabilities would fill an immediate need." During the test at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., a U.S. Air Force F-16 flying at 20,000 feet released a 500-pound LJDAM and hit within lethal range of a Humvee moving at 40 mph. Using its onboard targeting pod, a second F-16 laser-designated the roof of the Humvee and guided the weapon to impact. On June 30, Boeing successfully tested LJDAM against an Armored Personnel Carrier moving at 25 mph. The Laser JDAM sensor is a modular kit that is easily installed in the field to the front of existing JDAM weapons. The laser sensor further enhances the highly capable Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System JDAM into one of the most mission flexible, low-cost weapons available in the world today.
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South Africa's first Gripen new generation fighter aircraft made its public debut, on the eve of the African Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2006 exhibition being held at Air Force Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town this week. This two-seat version of the Gripen fighter aircraft (SA01), wearing South African Air Force (SAAF) livery and bearing the South African flag, arrived in South Africa in July 2006, and has been based at the Test Flight Development Centre (TFDC) near Bredasdorp in the Southern Cape, where it has been prepared for a thorough and intensive South African flight test programme. A team of technical experts from Gripen's manufacturer, Saab, has been seconded from Sweden to TFDC for two years, to work alongside their South African counterparts from the SAAF, Armscor and Denel on the flight test programme. When completed, this programme will lead directly to the delivery of the first Gripen to South Africa in early 2008.
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Fraport AG's executive board wants to develop the airport along side the flight operations area. Explaining today's new real estate strategy, Fraport executive board chairman Dr. Wilhelm Bender said: "In practical terms, Fraport has already been working like a real estate company with flight operations." Thus, along with the marketing of existing sites, new real estate resources like the Monchhof area, Gateway Gardens, and Airrail Center Frankfurt will make a targeted contribution to the development of Frankfurt Airport City in the future. Another milestone will be the planned Terminal 3, construction of which will decisively increase the quality rating of the areas at the southern side of the airport. Furthermore, CargoCity North and CargoCity South will also grow because of the increasing volumes of airfreight at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Fraport's new real estate strategy encompasses three steps: more efficient management of existing areas, development and realization of new land-use concepts as part of real estate project development and, finally, an increase in entrepreneurial flexibility by using a portfolio management approach for controlling real estate assets. Future plans also call for concentrating all functions that allow for efficient management and ongoing development of existing real estate assets in the Retail and Properties business division, which is responsible for Fraport AG's real estate development and marketing. This also includes real-estate master planning, commercial project development, and building management. The goal of the restructuring is to create an internal unit that operates like an independent real estate company. According to Bender, this will open up strategic options to spin off eventually the entire real estate business into an independent company or to operate it as an independent business segment. A further step would be the possible involvement of financial investors, either by creating a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or an Immobilien AG (joint-stock real estate company).
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Goodrich officially opened its new state-of-the-art nacelle integration facility, Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services, Inc., in Everett, Wash. The 140,000-square foot building will be used for engine integration and final assembly of the nacelle inlet cowl for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services is located at 2615 94th Street SW in Everett, adjacent to the company's Landing Gear facility, on property leased from the Snohomish County Airport. Goodrich owns the building. Staffing for the new facility has already begun, with employment expected to total 35 by mid 2007. Employment levels will parallel 787 production and will increase in 2008 to about 80, mainly in production roles, adding to a substantial existing Goodrich presence in Snohomish County. Goodrich was chosen by Boeing in April 2004 to provide the nacelles and thrust reversers for both the General Electric and Rolls-Royce engine options on the 787. The new building will incorporate the Lean design and manufacturing processes that Goodrich uses to produce world-class nacelle systems.
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The Space Shuttle Atlantis and its crew are home after a 12-day journey of more than 4.9 million miles in space. The mission, STS-115, succeeded in restarting assembly of the International Space Station. The crew delivered and installed the massive P3/P4 truss, an integral part of the station's backbone, and two sets of solar arrays that will eventually provide one quarter of the station's power. Atlantis' Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Chris Ferguson and mission specialists Joe Tanner, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Dan Burbank, and Steve MacLean, a Canadian astronaut, landed Thursday, Sept. 21, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 6:21 a.m. EDT. After landing, Jett told Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center, "Thanks, Houston. It's nice to be back. It was a great team effort, so I think assembly's off to a good start." The flight was the first in a series of missions that will be among the most complex in space history. Atlantis delivered the first major new component to the station since 2002 and laid the groundwork for upcoming station assembly missions. STS-115 is one of the most photographed shuttle missions ever, with more than 100 high-definition, digital, video and film cameras documenting the launch and climb to orbit. Data from these images, as well as station and shuttle crew inspection, helped to clear Atlantis' thermal protection system for return only two and a half days after launch. Tanner, Piper, Burbank and MacLean, with the help of crewmates, made three spacewalks that completed truss installation, enabled solar arrays to be deployed and prepared an important radiator for later activation. They also installed a signal processor and transponder that transmits voice and data to the ground and performed other tasks to upgrade and protect the station's systems. A new procedure called a "camp out" was implemented, in which astronauts slept in the Quest airlock prior to their spacewalks. The process shortens the "prebreathe" time during which nitrogen is purged from the astronauts' systems and air pressure is lowered so the spacewalkers avoid the condition known as the bends. On each of the three spacewalks, the astronauts were able to perform more than the number of scheduled activities.
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Lufthansa is continuing to invest in Frankfurt and the surrounding Rhine-Main region. At the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the A380 maintenance hangar, which was attended by the Minister of Economics, Transport and Regional Development of the State of Hesse, Dr. Alois Riehl, and the Mayor of Frankfurt, Petra Roth, the company underscored its role as the biggest employer in Hesse. “With the new runway and the stationing of our A380 fleet here in Frankfurt, we will create several thousand new jobs,” said Stefan Lauer, Lufthansa Executive Board member and Chief Officer Aviation Services and Human Resources. “Innovations form the foundation for our future and also for this location. The new maintenance hangar for the A380 is the visible proof,” he added. Professor Manfred Schölch, Vice Chairman of Fraport AG, the company that owns and operates the airport, commented: “We are delighted that this hangar for the A380 fleet has found its home here in Frankfurt.” Work on the first phase of construction, including parking positions, taxiways and the development of transport links to the area, will now proceed apace. The entire hangar system is scheduled for completion in 2015 in order to meet the growing demand for maintenance capacity for Lufthansa's long-haul fleet. Lufthansa is investing about 150 million euros in its A380 maintenance base. “Lufthansa will invest about 150 million euros in what will then become Europe's largest aircraft maintenance hangar, the A380 base,” stressed August Wilhelm Henningsen, Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik AG.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Production Certificate to Adam Aircraft, giving the company approval to manufacture and deliver its A500 aircraft under an FAA-approved type design. This allows Adam Aircraft to accelerate production of the A500 by being able to inspect and apply standard airworthiness certificates under a system approved by the FAA. The FAA Production Certificate substantiates that Adam Aircraft's Quality System and manufacturing procedures meet the Federal Aviation Regulations. Obtaining type and production certificates for manufacturing new products is a fundamental concept in the FAA regulatory framework. Inherent in this concept is the privilege for a PC holder to obtain a standard airworthiness certificate without further showing to the FAA. "An FAA Production Certificate represents a major step toward the Adam Aircraft goal of delivering six A500 aircraft every month," said Rick Adam, Founder and CEO. "Issuing a Production Certificate means the FAA accepts the Adam Aircraft Quality System as one that will reliably produce A500 aircraft that conform to the approved type design."
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ANA (All Nippon Airways) has selected Goodrich to supply wheels and electrically actuated brakes for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft under a long-term agreement. ANA, the launch customer for the Dreamliner, has 50 aircraft on order and is scheduled to start taking deliveries of the new aircraft in 2008. According to Jack Carmola, President of Goodrich's Airframe Systems Segment, "We anticipated demand for an alternative to traditional, hydraulically actuated braking, and began the pursuit of electrically actuated braking technology more than a decade ago. The selection of our system, by an airline such as ANA, is an endorsement of the innovative technology we've introduced to the industry. We're honored to once again be part of an aviation milestone and look forward to working with ANA in support of the first application of an electrically actuated braking system on a commercial aircraft."
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Rockwell Collins' Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capable GPS-4000S was launched today. The new capability will be available in early 2007. "Rockwell Collins' WAAS-enabled GPS-4000S will allow pilots to utilize GPS as primary means navigation," said Denny Helgeson, vice president and general manager of Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. "Just like the GPS-4000A, the GPS-4000S is fully integrated with the Flight Management Systems (FMS) in Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 systems to provide simple and intuitive operation." The GPS-4000S sensor and associated WAAS antenna will allow operators to utilize the GPS system without reliance on other navigation equipment for en route operations and approach procedures authorized for WAAS, such as RNAV (GPS) charts. A WAAS receiver also streamlines preflight preparation by removing the requirement to run a computer-based prediction of Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) availability along the intended routes for U.S. area navigation (RNAV) routes, Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs), and Standard Terminal Arrivals (STARs).
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Rockwell Collins introduced its new TSS-4100 Traffic Surveillance System for business jet operators. This highly integrated system combines the Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II) and Mode S transponder functions, as well as emerging ADS-B applications, into a single Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) that is the same size as the existing 4 Modular Concept Unit (MCU) TCAS unit. The TSS-4100 utilizes a combined TCAS / Mode S antenna which allows for overall reduction of antenna count and the associated cable weight. "The introduction of the TSS-4100 reflects our commitment to lead the way addressing the needs of a changing airspace environment." said Denny Helgeson, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. "Operators using this system will benefit from reduced size, weight, power consumption, wiring, and improved situational awareness as traffic computer applications become available." As the platform to provide cooperative surveillance functions, the TSS-4100 supports improved situational awareness for both airspace users and ground-based system managers. It provides the platform for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) applications such as Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI), Traffic Information Service - Broadcast (TIS-B), and decision support applications such as merging and sequencing, separation assurance, and surface operations. The system will support the Federal Aviation Administration's vision for the next generation air transportation system (NGATS) as well as global initiatives, including those already under way in Europe and Australia.
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Embraer announced that EgyptAir Holding Company has placed a firm order for six EMBRAER 170s, with options for another six aircraft of the same type. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for April 2007, when EgyptAir celebrates its 75th anniversary. The EMBRAER 170 will operate under EgyptAir's newly created subsidiary, EgyptAir Express, and the aircraft will be the launch airliner in EgyptAir Express' newest fleet. The aircraft will be configured in a single class layout, comfortably seating 76 passengers with leather seats.
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CIT Aerospace, a unit of CIT Group Inc., a leading global provider of commercial and consumer finance solutions, announced that Qatar Airways has entered into contracts to lease six new Airbus aircraft. The order includes (1) A320 and (5) A321-200s which will be delivered in 2007 and 2008. CIT Aerospace is one of the world's largest aerospace financing and leasing companies. Akbar Al Baker, chief executive officer of Qatar Airways said, "Qatar Airways is growing at a phenomenal rate and in order to meet our expansion plans, we have looked carefully at ways to boost our fleet size. This significant transaction with CIT Aerospace represents an important increase in Qatar Airways' narrow-body fleet, geared to further improving connectivity and convenience for our customers over our Doha hub. We are very pleased indeed to welcome CIT Aerospace as another key partner to help facilitate our growth."
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BAE Systems is to work with the Royal Air Force's Air Warfare Centre on a project to integrate the company's HERTI Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) System into UK military exercises. This will be the first time a fully-autonomous UAV has been introduced into military exercises in the UK. Called 'Project Morrigan', this programme is initially intended to run for two years. It will enable the introduction of BAE Systems' fully-autonomous HERTI System into progressively more complex military exercises, in order to better understand the contribution autonomous UAV systems can make in the joint battlespace. The agreement between the Air Warfare Centre's Unmanned Air Vehicle Battlelab (AUB), the Ministry of Defence, and BAE Systems was signed by Mark Kane, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Autonomous Systems & Future Capability (Air) and Air Commodore Tim Anderson, Commandant of the Air Warfare Centre (AWC). It marks a significant step forward in the development of UAV capabilities within the UK. Established earlier this year, the AUB's Mission Directive is to test, evaluate and develop the potential for UAVs to be integrated into the Joint Operational air environment and deliver effective operational capabilities.
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Two businesses of Raytheon are part of a multinational team selected as the preferred bidder to support the integration of the NATO Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD). The estimated value of the work is $95 million. Most of the work will be performed in the Netherlands with the participation of Raytheon Missile Systems and ThalesRaytheonSystems. NATO is working to network existing and future national weapon systems, sensors, battle management and command, control and communications systems into an integrated defense for the protection of alliance military forces and critical assets. The team, lead by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), will assist in this effort by developing and verifying proposed ALTBMD architectures using an integration test bed that it will design and operate under the contract. Through the application of advanced architectures, modeling, simulation and extensive prototyping, Team SAIC will help the ALTBMD Program Office use NATO's existing capability to create an effective and efficient air and missile defense system.
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International business aviation organisation Executive Jet Investments (EJI) has acquired the majority, controlling share in the business of German aircraft manufacturer, Grob Aerospace. Swiss based EJI already owns a 50% stake in Grob's new 'spn' versatile business aircraft, Europe's newest light jet, which was launched at the Paris Airshow in 2005. EJI will be renamed Grob Aerospace AG, and remain as head office and holding company of the Grob Aerospace business. Niall Olver, who has headed up EJI since its inception two years ago will be Chief Executive Officer of the new Grob Aerospace group. “EJI's existing partnership with Grob Aerospace on the spn project has demonstrated that the company's business philosophies and objectives are perfectly aligned with those of EJI,” says Olver. “This fact, combined with an outstanding product potential, motivated us to invest into the Grob Aerospace business.” Niall Olver also represents the consortium of Swiss investors in the new Grob Aerospace AG, which is primarily active in the business aviation industry. The company was formed principally to bring the Grob spn business jet concept to the market. The aircraft is well advanced in its flight certification progamme. European EASA and US FAA certification is on course for the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2007, respectively.
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Chelton Flight Systems, a Cobham Avionics and Surveillance company, has been chosen to supply the Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) for MD Helicopters' light singles program. MD light helicopters will be available from the factory in late 2007 with 2 Chelton EFIS displays, a solid-state strap-down gyro AHRS (Attitude/Heading Reference Systems), an air data computer and a GPS/WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) receiver. The system also features a synthetic vision primary flight display, dual integrated head-up FMS, Class-B or -A helicopter TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System), a master caution voice warning system, HITS (Highway-In-The-Sky navigation), a digital flight recorder, and Chelton's unique hover vector display. The system is NVG (Night Vision Goggle) friendly.
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On 7th September 2006, the new Schiebel production plant in Wiener Neustadt, south of Vienna, was officially opened by Hans Georg Schiebel, President Schiebel Industries AG, Dr. Veit Sorger, President of the Federation of Austrian Industry, and Dr. Erwin Pröll, Governor of Lower Austria. Schiebel, world market leader for mine detection equipment and producer of the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAV System, continue their company expansion. “Due to the worldwide great interest in our CAMCOPTER S-100, a new production facility became absolutely necessary,” Hans Georg Schiebel explained in his opening speech. In addition to the current annual production of 50 helicopters in Abu Dhabi, UAE, another 120 unmanned high-tech helicopters will leave the new Austrian plant each year. Schiebel's latest CAMCOPTER S-100 UAV System has been developed to carry various sensors for both military and civilian applications. The Aerial Vehicle is launched automatically via Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL), eliminating the need for a pre-prepared area or additional launch and recovery equipment. It navigates via pre-programmed GPS waypoints, or can be operated manually through a simple, yet highly stable, flight control system. The S-100 like its predecessor, it is capable of landing on helicopter deck-equipped ships without the use of additional landing equipment. Its AV fuselage is a carbon-fibre monocoque providing maximum capacity for a wide range of payload/endurance combinations. In a standard configuration, the AV is capable of carrying a 55 lbs payload for up to 6 hours.
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Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTCL) celebrated its 20th anniversary at its Mirabel facility. Held in a totally new 3,700-m(2) hangar, the event unfolded in the presence of Messrs. Jacques St-Laurent, President, BHTCL; Jean Charest, Premier of Québec; the Hon. Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada; Mike Redenbaugh, Bell Helicopter CEO, as well as 2,000 company employees and various aerospace sector partners. In the 20 years of operations at its Mirabel facility, BHTCL boasts an impressive track record with the more than 3,200 aircraft it has designed, assembled and delivered at Mirabel. The BHTCL team has always attached a great deal of importance to its role as a corporate citizen.
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the Nigerian Government for four AW139 helicopters configured for corporate transport and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. The helicopters will be operated by the Nigerian State House, the Government of River States and the Nigerian Navy. This contract brings the number of firm orders for the AW139 to almost 200, making it the best selling medium twin helicopter today.
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the South African National Port Authority (NPA) has selected the A109 Power for its Harbour Pilot Shuttle (HPS) service in Richards Bay. The NPA has since 1998 been operating AgustaWestland A109K2 helicopters. The NPA's A109 Power HPS will perform marine pilot service operations, search and rescue missions, emergency medical evacuation and general support to international shipping.
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Munich Airport was once again selected as this year's winner of the "Airport Marketing Award 2006" at “Routes 2006” in Dubai. The more than 2,000 delegates – including 300 airlines and 650 airports from five continents – set a new attendance record at the 12th edition of “Routes.” Munich Airport, which was competing for the second time in the category for airports handling over 25 million passengers annually, again prevailed against tough competition to take first prize alongside Amsterdam´s Schiphol for its marketing activities.
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Boeing and General Electric successfully completed airplane engine ground testing on noise-reduction improvements being incorporated into the new Boeing 747-8. The test conducted by Boeing and GE indicates the 747-8 will meet its targets for noise reduction. The three-week ground test on a GE90-115B engine conducted at GE's test facility in Peebles, Ohio, focused on noise-reduction technologies planned for incorporation into the engine case and nacelle of GE's GEnx-2B, which will power the 747-8. An elaborate array of monitoring equipment and microphones recorded engine operating conditions and noise levels at multiple locations in and around the engine. The test results, combined with other noise-reduction technology applied to the 747-8, show projected reduction in noise levels on the order of 10 decibels (dB) relative to the 747-400. This noise reduction puts the 747-8 10 dB below International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Chapter 4 standards.
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The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II completed its first series of engine runs on Monday afternoon, culminating in a full-afterburner test that unleashed 40,000 pounds of thrust – the most ever from a jet-fighter engine. The testing began on Friday, Sept. 15, when Chief Pilot Jon Beesley moved a cockpit switch to the “run” position and brought the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine to life. While F135 engines already have logged thousands of successful hours on test stands, Friday's engine start marked the first time the engine had run in the F-35 aircraft. The milestone kicked off a final series of ground tests that will lead to the jet's first flight later this year. "This is an exciting time for Pratt & Whitney and the entire F-35 team," said Bill Gostic, vice president of F135 engine programs for Pratt & Whitney. "Running this engine in the aircraft puts us one step closer to watching the F-35 fly. We are proud that the Lightning II will be powered by Pratt & Whitney." The engine runs mark the first time that the F-35 has been completely functional on its own power systems. As the tests proceeded, Beesley incrementally advanced the throttle until the engine achieved military power (full power without afterburner) on Sunday night, and full afterburner on Monday.
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Embraer announced that on August 31 the EMBRAER 175 aircraft received type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This paves the way for deliveries of the model to begin in the United States. The U.S. certification was based on the original type certificate issued by the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). The EMBRAER 175 has already been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). In a single class configuration, the EMBRAER 175 can accommodate 78 passengers at 32- inch (81 cm) pitch or up to 88 passengers in its maximum capacity. The EMBRAER 175, along with the three other EJets types - the EMBRAER 170, the EMBRAER 190 and the EMBRAER 195 - enjoys the highest level of pilots training commonality, providing unprecedented flexibility to airlines who operate aircraft of its size.
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Industria de Turbo Propulsores, S. A. (ITP) began tests on the TP400D6 engine at the test beds in its centre in Ajalvir (Madrid). This is the engine which will power the Airbus A400M European military transport aircraft. At 9.35pm yesterday in Cell 5 of the test beds at ITP's factory in Ajalvir, the TP400D6 (TP3/1/3) engine started up for the first time ever in Spain. ITP is responsible for 40% of the development tests, and for the certification and qualification of the engine. A second phase of tests with propellers will take place in the OATB (Open Air Test Beds) Cell which ITP is building in the Morón de La Frontera Air Base (Sevilla).The official opening of this cell is scheduled for the first trimester of 2007.
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Northrop Grumman has received a delivery order from the U.S. Navy to produce spares for the Improved Capability (ICAP) III Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) system on the EA-6B Prowler. This $22 million firm-fixed-price order is in addition to a previous $73 million purchase earlier this year for four complete systems plus another partial system and spares. Both orders are part of a sole-source, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract awarded in March 2006. Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector is the prime contractor for the EA-6B Prowler ICAP III system and it will perform services under this new contract at its Bethpage facility. Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector in Baltimore, which manufactures the ICAP III ALQ-218 receiver subsystem will perform much of the production work which will be complete in December 2009.
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An important step was taken in the manufacture of the freighter version of the Airbus A380 when the first mid and outer leading edge was installed in the final assembly jig at Saab, exactly on schedule. “This shows that we are following the time schedule, which is very important to us. It has been possible because of the great commitment that all parties within the project have shown,” said Bo Rönnmark, Project Manager for Airbus projects at Saab Aerostructures. That the MOLE is installed in the final assembly jig means that it will be assembled with ribs and engine pylon brackets and then delivered to Airbus UK in Broughton. The first shipset of MOLEs for the A380F is planned for delivery to Broughton in the middle of November. In Broughton the complete wing is assembled and then sent to Toulouse for final assembly on the aircraft.
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Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (19 th Sept) announced its 17 th base in Bremen. Ryanair will start flights from Bremen (its second German base) in April 2007 with an investment of $210M in three Boeing 737 800 aircraft, 9 new European routes and the purchase of a low cost terminal facility at the airport for $10M following an EU tender in which Ryanair was the successful bidder. From April 2007 Ryanair will base two Boeing 737 aircraft in Bremen followed by a third in September 2007, creating 150 direct jobs and delivering over 1M passengers p.a. by 2009. Destinations will be London, Oslo, Barcelona, Murcia, Tampere, Venice, Pisa, Riga, Verona. Ryanair's new base in Bremen is great news for business and tourism in the region which will benefit from 9 year round low fare routes and up to 1 M passengers p.a. This will result in a 50% increase in Bremen's international passenger numbers and will create and sustain 1000 jobs in the region while allowing consumers to enjoy savings of Euro100M compared to the high fares of Lufthansa. Announcing Ryanair's 17 th European base in Bremen, Michael O'Leary said: “The 13M German consumers living in the Bremen catchment area will now enjoy a real low fares airline and unbeatable customer service with fares for less than half the price of Lufthansa to 9 exciting European destinations and a guarantee of no fuel surcharges as well. “Our message to the German high fare airlines is simple - You can't match Ryanair's low fares and you can't match Ryanair's punctuality and customer service either. Ryanair's base in Bremen will now replicate the enormous success of our Frankfurt Hahn base where Ryanair has grown to 4M passengers p.a. within 6 years and will double again to 8M passengers in the next 6 years as a result of German consumers and visitors voting with their feet for the lowest fares and best punctuality in Germany.
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As of the end of October, travelling in regional traffic with Lufthansa will be even more comfortable. With the start of the winter flight timetable, on all flights with the Lufthansa Regional fleet the neighbouring seat in the Business Class will remain free. Thus, passengers will have considerably more freedom of movement and additional space which can be used for working and relaxing. The service now to be offered on all German domestic and European routes with respect to seat comfort is unique in Europe. Lufthansa will thus retain its leading role with respect to quality and innovation. With its Lufthansa Regional service, Lufthansa offers its customers a comprehensive and high-quality programme of direct flights between many regional airports and optimal transfer connections to its Frankfurt and Munich hubs. In the course of its quality offensive, Lufthansa has already been leaving the middle seats free on numerous short and medium-range aircraft in the Business Class since 2004. The guests thus enjoy additional space and greater privacy. With the current expansion of the Regional fleet by 12 Bombardier CRJ900s, Lufthansa CityLine will additionally be operating new aircraft with a contemporary, more modern cabin design and more comfortable seats with increased leg-room.
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The first of five SAR Lupe satellites has been completed by the Bremen aerospace company OHB-System AG. At the Flight Readiness Review held on September 19 and 20, 2006, the principal – the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) – gave the go-ahead for the continuation of the project and also confirmed its announced launch date. The first SAR Lupe satellite is scheduled for launch into orbit from the Russian spaceport in Plesetsk on board a COSMOS 3M rocket on December 19, 2006. The other four satellites are due to follow at intervals of four to six months. To demonstrate the capabilities of the satellite even before its launch, vari-ous inverse tests were carried out again last week. In a test procedure that is unique to date, the satellites on the ground were aligned so as to target the International Space Station ISS and then took high-resolution radar im-ages of the space station in orbit. This is the inverse of the procedure that will be performed once the satellite becomes operational. This test has been carried out successfully several times at the Bremen site. The anticipated resolution of the images was achieved in every test. To allow a meaningful comparison, the Forschungsgesellschaft für Angewandte Naturwissenschaften (Research Institute for Applied Natural Sciences, FGAN), provided radar images that were taken at the same time.
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Bombardier Aerospace premiered the first Challenger 850 executive business jet at the Jet Expo 2006 international business aviation exhibition. “This first Challenger 850 executive aircraft highlights the ongoing confidence business jet customers have demonstrated in the Challenger widebody aircraft family,” said Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vice-president, new aircraft sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Market interest worldwide is solid for both the executive and shuttle variants of the Challenger 850, particularly in Russia, where there is continued strong demand for executive aircraft. “The first Challenger 850 executive aircraft completion marks a new era for Lufthansa Technik, which has now entered the promising business jet completion segment. Working closely with Bombardier on many projects during the last years, we have established an excellent base for integrating state-of-the-art interiors that achieve unmatched levels of business jet traveller comfort,“ said Bernhard Conrad, senior vice-pesident completion center and head of approved design organization, Lufthansa Technik.
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Aeroflot-Don, a 51% subsidiary of Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, and Lufthansa Technik, the leading provider for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of airplanes, components and engines, signed a technical support agreement for the new Boeing 737-500 fleet. The initial two Boeing aircraft joined Aeroflot-Don´s fleet in August and will be complemented by an additional four 737s in 2007. Over the next six years Lufthansa Technik will serve the fleet of all together six Boeing 737-500 airplanes via a Total Component Support TCS contract with the provision of components at the carrier's hub Rostov-on-Don. The contract enables Aeroflot-Don to participate in one of the world's largest pools for aircraft components whereof more than 500 different part numbers of LRUs (Line Replaceable Unit) have been pre-selected. The contract comprises as well of Lufthansa Technik's MRO services for APUs (Auxiliary Power Units) and personal assignment during the start-up phase. On request Airframe Related Component ARC services, which cover repairs for composite materials like thrust reversers, engine support and C-checks are provided.
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Scott Air Force Base, Ill. - Headquarters Air Mobility Command (AMC) is announcing the award of its annual indefinite-delivery-indefinite quantity (IDIQ) International Airlift Services contracts, which support the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) Program. Civilian airlines contractually commit to the CRAF to support Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift exceeds the capability of military aircraft. To provide incentives for civil carriers to commit aircraft to the CRAF program and to assure the United States of adequate airlift reserves, AMC annually awards peacetime airlift business to civilian airlines that offer aircraft to the CRAF. The Defense Department offers business through the International Airlift Services contract. Airlines may contract as teams to optimize their resources for commitment. The following airlines and teams were awarded contracts for fiscal year 2007. The minimum guaranteed value of the contract is listed first, followed by the estimated contract value.
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Boeing has delivered the first EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft to the U.S. Navy test site at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The first EA-18G, known as aircraft EA-1, made the two-hour flight from St. Louis to Maryland with U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Matt Doyle and weapons system operator U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jamie Engdahl on board. EA-1 is the first of two test aircraft built under a System Development and Demonstration contract Boeing signed with the Navy on Dec. 29, 2003. "Delivering this aircraft today continues a promise we made to our customer," said Kevin Fogarty, Boeing EA-18G chief engineer. "We're delivering new capability ahead of schedule, and we look forward to the next step in flight test, where we can prove the advanced concepts and technologies the Growler brings to the AEA community and the Navy."
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Solar-B -- an international mission to study the sun -- launched Friday, Sept. 22 from Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima, Japan. Because of time differences, the launch took place Saturday, Sept. 23, in Japan. The mission will shed new light on the sun's magnetic field and how it impacts life on Earth. NASA helped in the development, funding and assembly of the spacecraft's three science instruments. Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Solar-B is collaboration among the space agencies of Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. Solar-B is an international mission to study our nearest star, the sun. To accomplish this, the Solar-B mission includes a suite of three science instruments -- the Solar Optical Telescope, X-ray Telescope and Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer. Together, these instruments will study the generation, transport, and dissipation of magnetic energy from the photosphere to the corona and will record how energy stored in the sun's magnetic field is released, either gradually or violently, as the field rises into the sun's outer atmosphere. By studying the sun's magnetic field, scientists hope to shed new light on explosive solar activity that can interfere with satellite communications and electric power transmission grids on Earth and threaten astronauts on the way to or working on the surface of the moon. In particular they want to learn if they can identify the magnetic field configurations that lead to these explosive energy releases and use this information to predict when these events may occur. Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Solar-B mission is a collaboration between the space agencies of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. NASA helped in the development, funding and assembly of the spacecraft's three science instruments. Solar-B is part of the Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) Program within the Heliophysics Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Solar Terrestrial Probes Program is managed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., managed the development of instrument components provided by NASA, with additional support by academia and industry.
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