+++ Typhoon: Block 5 standard approved +++ Boeing KC-767 offered for KC-X +++ Lufthansa: Exclusive Airbus A380 route-proving partner +++ Countries fight for Airbus jobs +++ News in brief +++
Typhoon: Block 5 standard approved
Eurofighter: Neuer Standard genehmigt
The Eurofighter Typhoon weapon system has received Type Acceptance from the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency NETMA for the final Tranche 1 standard, known as Block 5. These aircraft represent the last build standard in Tranche 1 and, with the R2 Retrofit programme ongoing across the four Partner Air Forces, will be the standard to which all earlier Eurofighter Typhoons are brought up to. This will also be the capability standard of the 18 aircraft on order to the Austrian Air Force. The first Block 5 aircraft (Spanish Single-seater SS011) took off for its first flight already on 21 December 2006 from Getafe near Madrid.
Eurofighter GmbH CEO, Aloysius Rauen, comments: "This Type Acceptance is the last step, before we close the first chapter of Eurofighter Typhoon development with achieving the final results of the Main Development Contract by the end of the year. As the aircraft will be facing continuous upgrades throughout its service life, developing Eurofighter Typhoon capabilities will be a major task for industry. The next steps are already in the planning stages, with the integration of a Laser Designator Pod into Tranche 1 aircraft of paramount importance to the Royal Air Force in 2008. In addition, discussions on the future capabilities, to be defined by the customer for the near and the long term, are drawing to a close."
The Block 5 capabilities can be described as full air-to-air and initial air-to-ground capability with full carefree handling. The aircraft is cleared for the 9g envelope as intended, with additional features such as sensor fusion, the full Direct Voice Input, enhanced GPS, the DASS (Defensive Aids Sub-System) countermeasures including automatic Chaff and Flare dispensers, radar air-to-surface modes including ground mapping, and initial FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red).
In terms of weapons, the Block 5 Eurofighter Typhoon will be equipped with AMRAAM, ASRAAM, IRIS-T and the proven AIM-9L air-to-air missiles, plus the laser-guided bombs Paveway II and GBU-16. External fuel tanks are certified for supersonic flight, while air-to-air refueling is cleared for all customer specified tanker types.
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Boeing KC-767 offered for KC-X
Tanker-Wettbewerb: Boeing bietet 767 an
Boeing announced that it will offer the KC-767 Advanced Tanker for the U.S. Air Force's KC-X Tanker competition. "The Air Force has made it clear -- the mission is refueling aircraft, often in tight, hostile locations. The Boeing KC-767 Advanced Tanker is made for this mission," said Ron Marcotte, vice president and general manager of Boeing Global Mobility Systems. "It is the ideal fit for the requirements set forth in the Air Force's Request for Proposals. Highly energy efficient, agile and with exceptional takeoff performance, the KC-767 puts more fuel closer to the fight -- with access to more than 1,000 additional bases worldwide than the KC-135."
The tanker will be an advanced derivative of the future 767-200 Long Range Freighter and will be produced at Boeing's facilities in Everett, Wash., on the existing commercial line where more than 950 of the 767s have been built. Installation of military refueling systems and flight test activities will take place at the company's finishing center in Wichita, Kan.
Boeing's Global Tanker Team producing the KC-767 Advanced Tanker includes Smiths Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Vought Aircraft Industries, Honeywell and the newest member -- Spirit AeroSystems. The team has proven expertise in aerial refueling systems, network centric operations, integrated avionics solutions and lean manufacturing concepts. "This KC-767 Advanced Tanker will support more than 44,000 American jobs and 300 suppliers," said Mark McGraw, vice president, Boeing Tanker Programs.
Meanwhile, a KC-767 Tanker reached another major milestone when its aircrew successfully extended and retracted the refueling hose from the centerline Hose Drum Unit (HDU) during a test flight over Kansas. Over the next several months, about two dozen flights -- at various speeds and altitudes -- will be conducted while trailing the hose to ensure the system's stability. When using the HDU, a tanker extends a hose with a basket attached to the end that connects to a probe on the aircraft receiving fuel. "Obviously we see trailing the Hose Drum Unit as a significant step forward since most of our country's military aircraft utilize this system when refueling," said Lt. Col. Roberto Poni, Italian Air Force Tanker program liaison.
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Lufthansa: Exclusive Airbus A380 route-proving partner
A380-Streckenerprobung mit Lufthansa
The Airbus A380 will demonstrate its quality and operational maturity under realistic conditions for the first time on a number of scheduled flights at the end of March 2007. As innovation partners, Lufthansa and Airbus will be subjecting the megaliner, certified last December, to over a week of practical testing as part of its so-called Commercial Route Proving. A real premiere en-route is the first landing of the A380 in the USA.
On Saturday, 17 March, the super jumbo, serial number 007, will arrive in Frankfurt from Toulouse and take off with a first contingent of about 500 guests on board from Frankfurt for New York on the following Monday. Up to Wednesday, 28 March, further stops on its flight plan will be Hong Kong and Washington. At the close of its route-proving, the A380 will also make a stopover in Munich.
With this progamme, Lufthansa is the first and exclusive Airbus route-proving partner. “We are delighted at being alongside Airbus and supporting with our know-how and experience both the development and practice-proving exercise of this new aircraft type. The Airbus A380 as the new Lufthansa flagship will set new standards in economy and ecological efficiency”, said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
On board the Airbus A380 will be mostly Lufthansa and Airbus employees, whose job is to test the in-flight systems and equipment – from the air conditioning, the lighting, and acoustics, through to the galleys and new-generation in-flight entertainment systems. The flight deck will be manned by both Airbus test pilots and experienced Lufthansa pilots, while cabin service will be in the hands of Lufthansa flight attendants.
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Countries fight for Airbus jobs
Deutschland will Arbeitsplätze sichern
Germany's Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos met with Economic Ministers from the individual Länder in Germany that are home to Airbus activities. The meeting with Economics Senator Jörg Kastendiek (Bremen), Economics Minister Walter Hirche (Lower Saxony), Senator Gunnar Uldall (Hamburg), and Economics Minister Ernst Pfister (Baden-Württemberg) was held to exchange views and information on ensuring the continued competitiveness of Germany's Airbus locations and on the upcoming decision by EADS on restructuring and cost reductions.
Federal Minister Glos [said]: "Today's meeting again showed me that we have excellent Airbus production sites in Germany with cutting edge technological performance, committed workers, and high productivity. We will now work together to make sure that our strategic competencies and technologies are preserved and further developed in Germany. We therefore expect the EADS management to arrive at decisions that, while safeguarding the overall competitiveness of Airbus in the long term, also sustain the opportunities for further development, technological know-how, and high-grade jobs at the German locations."
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
SAS Group has agreed to sell its holding in SAS Flight Academy Holding AB to STAR Capital Partners. The transaction value and positive effect on net debt for the SAS Group amount to MSEK 750. The capital gain amounts to approximately MSEK 380. In conjunction with the transaction, SAS has entered into a service agreement with Flight Academy regarding aviation training. The transaction is expected to close in February 2007. In addition to Flight Academy, STAR Capital Partners has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in General Electric Commercial Aviation Training ("GECAT"). Flight Academy offers a broad range of aviation training services, including aircraft and helicopter pilot, cabin crew and human factors training. Flight Academy's services are offered at its four training centres in Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen and Riga. In 2006, Flight Academy's revenues and EBITDA amounted to MSEK 441 and MSEK 88, respectively.
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In the reporting month of January 2007, passenger and cargo traffic at Frankfurt Airport clearly exceeded the previous year's level. With a total of 3,818,349 passengers using Germany's international air transportation hub last month - three percent more than in January 2006 - Frankfurt Airport exceeded the previous January record of 2005 by about 93,400 passengers. The major growth factors were European and intercontinental traffic. Growth dynamics of the North American and Middle East markets, which previously rose at only modest rates, gained noticeably. However, the Far East region, with its boom destinations of China and India, continued to be the primary growth engine. FRA also achieved a new monthly airfreight record, handling 149,221 metric tons during the reporting month. This represented a 2.6 percent increase compared to the previous peak figure of January 2006, when 145,395 metric tons of airfreight were handled. Major growth drivers continued to be volume-intensive markets in Asia (up four percent) and North America (up six percent).
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ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts of France has been assigned to fly onboard the International Space Station for the delivery and commissioning of the European Columbus laboratory currently planned for this autumn. He will be a member of the Expedition 16 crew to the ISS. He is set to fly there on Space Shuttle (Discovery) mission STS-122 and will return home with the (Endeavour) STS-123 crew some two months later.En route to the ISS, Eyharts will be accompanied by five NASA crewmates and ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel of Germany, who was assigned to STS-122 last July.While Eyharts will remain onboard the Station to oversee activation and check-out of the Columbus laboratory, Schegel will take a Shuttle return trip home 14 days after launch.
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Volga-Dnepr's new generation IL-76TD-90VD freighter aircraft has successfully completed its first flight to and from the United States, the first IL-76 commercial flights in the US market since old versions of the aircraft were banned under ICAO noise restrictions in 2000. The flight from Detroit underlines the return of the unique IL-76 cargo aircraft to the world's major cargo markets. The ban on old IL-76s restricted the aircraft from operating to its former prime markets in Western Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. Volga-Dnepr took delivery of its first new IL-76TD-90VD in June 2006 and a second aircraft of the same type will join its fleet later this year.
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For his fifth presentation as CEO of MBDA, Marwan Lahoud reported another strong performance for an international defence group now fully integrated. Speaking in Paris on 12 February, Lahoud announced MBDA's fifth year of business success including higher sales of Euro3.3 billion for 2006 compared with the previous year and further growth in the company's operating performance. The turnover was underpinned by the delivery of over 4,000 missile systems in the year, with the Storm Shadow/SCALP, Mica and Brimstone airborne weapons, Exocet and Seawolf naval systems, and Taurus airborne missile from the newly-acquired MBDA Deutschland, leading production deliveries. Lahoud also announced another record year for orders with Euro2.65 billion worth of orders taken in the year, 25% higher than in 2005. Export orders swelled by 140% to €1 billion, representing almost 40% of the total orders for the year : “Now with an order book exceeding €13 billion and representing more than four years of work, we have a secure business base upon which to build the future of the company”, said Lahoud.
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General John G. Castellaw, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, presided over Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s official dedication of its CH-53K program's new Heavy Lift Development Center, as a ribbon-cutting ceremony formally opened the 106,000-square-foot office building. The Heavy Lift Development Center houses the CH-53K Program and Engineering staff, co-locating 500 team members consisting of Sikorsky, Naval Air Systems Command, Defense Contracting Management Agency personnel and subcontractors. These members work in Integrated Product Teams to design, develop, test and manufacture major systems and subsystems within the CH-53K aircraft. “The CH-53K Heavy Lift Development Center creates an integrated environment that will coordinate our efforts across functions as we develop this program to its full potential,” said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino.
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Saab AB and Heli-One AS in Norway have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the international helicopter support market. The possible future Norwegian procurement of the Gripen fighter aircraft has paved the way for a co-operation between Heli-One and Saab to capture future contracts for helicopter support in the Nordic countries. This MoU is the latest example of an increased collaboration between Swedish and Norwegian industry. The two companies, Saab and Heli-One have already begun to explore mutual business opportunities. One possible approach is to promote the Heli-One Stavanger facilities in Norway as the preferred center for training, maintenance and logistic support of the NH90 helicopters for the Swedish Defense Forces.
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An unexpected circuit breaker trip caused a power outage on the International Space Station. All systems were back up by Monday morning with no impact to operations on board. The safety of the Expedition 14 crew and the complex was never an issue. The first indications of a problem came with the loss of communications between the station and mission control just after 12:00 a.m. CST Sunday when an electrical switching unit experienced a brief malfunction that appropriately caused a breaker to trip, protecting the electrical system of the station much like a circuit breaker protects electrical systems and equipment in a home. Expedition 14 Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineers Mikhail Tyurin and Suni Williams - awake since mid-evening Saturday - took immediate action and followed procedures on board to recover the communications link with mission control, Houston, at about 1:35 a.m. During the remainder of Sunday and through early Monday, restoration of systems continued. The systems affected included:
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Thuringia is modernising its police helicopters. To achieve this, the state will use the Advanced Integrated Mission Station (AIMS), a system developed by the Munich-based company ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH. Thuringia plans to install the AIMS system into the BO 105 helicopters that are currently in use and the new EC145 police helicopters that will be used starting next year. ESG's system integrates a variety of individual devices used by police into a common system with a standardised user interface. The motivation behind this is the growing complexity of helicopter operations – during operations, the crew must work with many different devices, gather and process information and pass it on to colleagues on the ground. In addition, operations often also involve other units of the police force, which makes these operations even more complex. AIMS allows for a clear overview of the work being carried out in helicopters, and that even though it also offers an increased range of functions. Various individual devices such as a thermographic camera, a video recorder and transmitter and data processing systems are integrated into a unified human-machine interface. This allows for easy operation of all devices using only a control stick and a touch screen. New devices are a digital TV transmitter and the AUTOPOL object recognition system from EADS. This allows the police to spot people from the air more reliably than before – even under conditions of limited visibility.
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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is loaning a Lockheed Martin WindTracer Doppler lidar system to the European Commission's CREDOS project (Crosswind Reduced Separations for Departure Operations) for research on wake turbulence created by departing aircraft. Developed and produced by Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies, a Lockheed Martin center of excellence for laser radar, the WindTracer has been installed at the Frankfurt International Airport in Germany and will collect wind and wake vortex research data for approximately six months. Collected in an unattended mode, the data from the lidar system may enhance both the safety and number of aircraft taking off in crosswinds. In addition, the WindTracer is providing new high-resolution crosswind profiles. "The WindTracer will detect wake vortices during departures to predict movement and persistence," said Andrew Harvey, CREDOS project coordinator. "The use of the WindTracer lidar for data collection at Frankfurt will support the safety case for reducing minimum separations for departure traffic under appropriate crosswind conditions." The WindTracer works by sending out pulses of eye-safe infrared laser light that reflect off of naturally-occurring particulates in the wind and wake flow field. The movement of these particulates alters the frequency of the light that is scattered back to the sensor. By properly processing the return signal, the WindTracer is able to detect the wind shift and isolate it from the unique flow patterns produced by the wake vortices.
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The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a $186.5 million Foreign Military Sale contract to continue providing mission system upgrades and sustainment work for seven P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Lockheed Martin will continue to support the Pakistan Navy's P-3C Upgrade Program, which began in March 2006. Lockheed Martin has delivered one upgraded surveillance aircraft, which was inducted into the Pakistan Navy in January. A second aircraft is expected to join the fleet in March. The modified P-3Cs will further enhance the Pakistan Navy's capabilities to conduct maritime surveillance in littoral and deep water environments, supporting anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare operations.
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Dassault has released the results for 2006, reporting consolidated orders of 5.29 billion euros owing particularly to the sales of 158 FALCON, which sets an historical record. Consolidated 2006 sales amount to 3.30 billion euros. The FALCON business accounts for 62% of total consolidated sales. Consolidated operating profit is 372 billion euros. It accounts for 11.3% of consolidated sales. Consolidated net profit (total Group and net attributable Group profit) accounts to 281 million euros. It accounts for 8.578% of consolidated sales. The net consolidated earnings per share is 27.8 euros.
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BAA has unveiled plans to re-develop Heathrow's Terminal 3 and modernise the terminal's forecourt as part of its investment programme to transform the central terminal area at the airport. This work will significantly improve the passenger experience, reduce traffic congestion, develop better pedestrian routes and improve security in the area in front of Terminal 3. The opening of a new multistorey car park and the demolition of the old car park 3 has made way for the re-development of Terminal 3's forecourt and an extension to the south east side of the terminal building. There will also be a new Drive Thru check in facility for Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class passengers and a dedicated back of house area for consolidated retail deliveries to reduce the number of delivery vehicles and their journeys to and from the terminal. Tony Douglas, CEO, BAA Heathrow said: "This re-development of Terminal 3 is an important step towards transforming Heathrow into a modern gateway for the UK. The new forecourt will provide a lighter, more spacious environment for our passengers and airlines. The re-development will take place this year and we expect to have the terminal's improvements and forecourt ready by the end of 2007. The changes will significantly improve our passengers' experience of Terminal 3 as we prepare for the terminal being occupied by different airlines from 2008."
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EADS sold its 2.12 percent stake in Embraer. Before taxes and bank fees EADS generated a total proceed of Euro 124 million. Following changes in the shareholder structure of Embraer the participation had become a pure financial investment and was earmarked for sale as EADS is now focussing its attention on core matters and projects that will provide future growth opportunities. “We remain fully committed to our partnership with Embraer, which has matured over many years,” said EADS CEOs Tom Enders and Louis Gallois. “Brazil and Latin America are important markets and we will continue to strengthen our industrial presence in the region.” While EADS invested last year in the Brazilian space company Equatorial, Eurocopter pursues efforts to develop new industrial and MRO service activities within its local subsidiary Helibras. Additionally, the newly created company Secure Network Brazil has started its digital telecom solution activities in 2006. The financial divestment from Embraer will not prevent EADS from further exploring areas of industrial cooperation with Embraer in the future.
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Virgin America announced $30 million in additional equity and debt investment from its majority U.S. investors. Cyrus Capital Partners and Black Canyon Capital will provide an additional $10 million, $7.5 million and $2.5 million respectively, in voting equity investment in Virgin America. In addition, Cyrus Capital provided the Department of Transportation (DOT) details of its previously announced $20 million loan, which will be available following DOT certification. "We felt it was important to ensure that Virgin America has the best financial resources possible when it launches," said Cyrus Capital COO and partner Robert Nisi. "We are confident that once certified, Virgin America will be the best airline in the U.S. marketplace, bringing competition and quality unlike anything today's passengers have experienced." "We're very pleased to confirm this sizeable new U.S. citizen investment in our airline--one that is not subject to any guarantee. It is a real vote of confidence, which we plan to repay with long-term dividends for U.S. consumers and investors," said CEO Fred Reid. "We are ready to fly, and can't wait to bring competition, lower fares, jobs, and economic benefits to the communities we will serve."
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The first Boeing Next-Generation 737-700ER (Extended Range) airplane took off from Boeing's Seattle Delivery Center, bound for Japan and service with ANA (All Nippon Airways). ANA launched the 737-700ER program in January 2006, when it exercised rights to substitute 737-700s with two 737-700ERs. ANA plans to begin using the airplane March 25 when it launches ANA BusinessJet, to serve international business travelers with 24 business class and 24 premium economy class seats, both in four-across configuration. With the airplane, ANA will open its fifth international route from Nagoya's Centrair Airport to Guangzhou, China, providing service on a daily basis. This will bring the number of China routes plied by ANA to a total of 20, with 147 flights per week. The 737-700ER is inspired by the Boeing Business Jet and is designed for long-range commercial applications. Cabin configuration is flexible, and may range from a 48-person, all-business-class cabin, as an example, to a more traditional 126-seat count to suit the airline's needs. The high-performance derivative can fly up to 2,145 nautical miles further than the current 737-700. With up to nine auxiliary fuel tanks and optional Blended Winglets, the Next-Generation 737-700ER is capable of flying 5,510 nautical miles.
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SR Technics has commenced its first operations in mainland Spain with its new line maintenance station at Madrid Barajas International Airport. The new station's first customer is easyJet, which operates from the airport with its Airbus A319 fleet. The official opening ceremony for the new station was held at the airport today. SR Technics is providing technical services for Airbus A320 Family, A330, A340 aircraft at its new Madrid Airport Line Maintenance Station. The operation, which is established under the legal entity of SR Technics Switzerland, has received the required approvals from the Swiss authorities last month. The range of services offered will extend to on-call Maintenance, Pre-flight, Daily, Weekly and Extended Twin-engine Operations (ETOPS) Checks and Repairs, including component replacements and borescope inspections. In opening its new Line Maintenance Station at Madrid Airport, SR Technics is taking another step in its strategy of international growth. The new facility further strengthens SR Technics' existing Line Station network, which currently extends to 20 airports in Europe and Asia.
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Dragon Aviation Leasing Company Limited, the new aircraft operating lease venture based in Beijing, announced that it arranged for AerDragon Aviation Partners, the acquisition of a new Airbus A320-200. Following delivery of the aircraft at the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France on February 9, the aircraft was immediately leased to JuneYao Airlines, a privately owned carrier headquartered in Shanghai, China where it was put in commercial operation, the following day. "The acquisition of a brand-new A320 as our first aircraft is an important milestone for our newly established venture and a significant point for building up our activity. We aim to establish a fleet of $1 billion worth of aircraft in the next few years with an initial focus on narrowbody aircraft," said Jean-Louis Chevrot, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Dragon Aviation Leasing. "The Dragon Aviation management team looks forward to serving the airline industry by providing state-of-the-art aircraft and by establishing the company as an important player in the development of the aircraft leasing market in China for the benefit of all of our stakeholders."
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Boeing confirmed an order by UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, for 27 Boeing 767-300 Freighters -- an order, when all are delivered, that will nearly double the UPS 767 Freighter fleet. In addition, the new order pushes the total number of 767s ordered to date to 1,005 airplanes, 77 of which are freighters. With more than 1,000 total orders, the 767 joins an elite group of airplanes that includes Boeing's 707, 727, 737, 747, 757 and MD-80 models. The 27 new airplanes are slated for delivery beginning in 2009, extending into 2012. This is the third order by UPS for 767 Freighters, the first coming in 1993 with the model's launch order for 30 airplanes, and the second in late 2000 for two airplanes. UPS introduced the 767 Freighter into service in 1995. In 2005, UPS also ordered eight 747-400 Freighters, the first of which will be delivered about midyear 2007. In addition, UPS is a customer for the 747-400 BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter).
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The first cargo door for the new A400M military transport aircraft has left production at the EADS Augsburg site. On 26 January 2007, the component was delivered to Airbus in Bremen for assembly into the rear fuselage section. This geometrically complex structural component is located in the pressurized section of the fuselage and therefore exposed to high physical loads. It was manufactured from carbon fibre composites (CFC) and must meet the highest demands. With dimensions of roughly 7 m x 4 m, the cargo door is the world's largest aircraft component to be manufactured using VAP technology, VAP standing for Vacuum Assisted Process. Through VAP, an infiltration process developed by the EADS Military Air Systems Business Unit, resin is infused into the carbon fabric with the assistance of vacuum technology. Through the resin, which penetrates uniformly into all the individual components, these are bonded together seamlessly and without the need for further binding elements. A further advantage of this new technology is that there is also no need for expensive special ovens (autoclaves): the resin can simply be cured in a temperature-controlled oven. Along with the cost and weight advantages it brings, in comparison with traditional methods this patented technology also convinces through the shorter times required to manufacture the structural components. And, finally, the process provides for increased flexibility in production.
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Spirit AeroSystems has begun production on the first all-composite forward section of the Boeing 787. The section, which measures 21 feet in diameter and 42 feet long, follows production of three developmental units produced at Spirit over the past two years. Spirit recently successfully completed nondestructive inspection (NDI) on the first production article. The nondestructive inspection process uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasonic) to scan for imperfections or voids in the composite skin material. Tests conducted on the first production 787 forward section confirmed the structural integrity of the unit, building on success from earlier test articles. "The proof of concept on our developmental sections went very well, and set the stage for production of the first 787 forward section for our Boeing customer," said John Pilla, Spirit's Vice President-General Manager - 787. "We're pioneering new technology and processes on this program, and it's all been possible because of the expertise and dedication of our people." Using state-of-the-art fiber placement equipment that applies composite plies over the barrel's complex, compound contours, Spirit wrapped the forward section and then prepared it for curing it in a new specially built giant autoclave. At 70 feet in length and 30 feet in diameter, the autoclave is one of the largest in the world. By volume it can hold about 36,755 basketballs. Its heater has the power to warm 600 households.
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Representatives from Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) today presented testimony on the Integrated Deepwater System program before the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. Mr. Philip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, and Dr. Leo Mackay, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Coast Guard Systems, highlighted ICGS' commitment to the Coast Guard and its continued support of the service's evolving post-9/11 mission requirements. "We are making good progress and are delivering significant new and upgraded capabilities in the face of a new mission needs statement and re- baselined program," said Mackay.
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ESA mission controllers have confirmed Rosetta is on track for a critical 250-km Mars swingby on 25 February. Engineers have started final preparations for the delicate operation, which includes an eclipse, a signal blackout, precise navigation and complex ground tracking. Rosetta is scheduled to make its closest approach to Mars at 02:57 CET on Sunday, 25 February, using the Red Planet as a gravitational brake to reduce speed and alter trajectory as part of the spacecraft's complex, 10-year, 7.1-thousand-million-kilometre journey to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. "Last Friday's engine firing went well. On Tuesday, we confirmed the spacecraft is on nominal track for the swingby. There is currently no need for additional engine burns, so the next manoeuvre slot, planned for the weekend, has been cancelled," said Paolo Ferri, Rosetta Flight Director, speaking at ESOC, ESA's Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
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On February 16, 1967, the BO105 took off for its maiden flight in Ottobrunn (near Munich), Germany. At the controls was Wilfried von Engelhardt, test pilot at MBB (Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm), the German predecessor company of Eurocopter. The BO105 was the world's first light twin-engine helicopter and the world's first to feature a hingeless titanium main rotor without flap and lag hinges, and composite rotor blades. Trademarked “Rotor System Bölkow”, this innovative four-blade system gave unparalleled manoeuverability to the BO105, which laid the foundation to the German helicopter industry after World War II and was to become an aviation legend. Over the years, license agreements for the BO105 CB/CBS versions with the Philippines, Indonesia and Spain were concluded, and for the BO105 LS, a cooperation agreement with Canada. Until production ended in 2001, as the BO105 was superseded by Eurocopter's EC135, a total of 1,406 BO105s had been delivered to 55 customer nations – a remarkable commercial success considering that two engines for a light helicopter were a novelty at the time, and the use of composites for the rotor blades and some structural parts was a pioneering feat. Production preparations for the BO105 began in 1969, and type certification for the BO 105 Amodel, equipped with two Allison 250-C18 turbines, was granted by the German LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) on October 13, 1970. Deliveries of Germany's first production helicopter began, with the first customers being ADAC Air Rescue and the Bavarian Police. MBB's production line soon gathered momentum. In April 1972, the A-model was certified by the FAA, resulting in first exports to the United States. The A-version was superseded by the BO105 C, featuring two Allison 250-C20 engines and a take-off weight of 2,100 kg. In the course of 1972, take-off weight was upped to 2,300 kg and certifications obtained from the LBA, FAA and the British CAA.
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CIT Group signed a firm contract with Airbus in December 2006 for five long range A330 widebodies, as well as ten A320 Family aircraft. The repeat order by this leading provider of commercial and consumer financing solutions underlines strong demand for the Airbus wide-body long-range aircraft A330/A340 Family, as well as the A320 Family in the international leasing market. To date CIT has placed firm orders for a total of 142 Airbus aircraft, including 112 A320 Family aircraft, 25 A330s and five A350s. Of these, 73 have been delivered so far.
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Airbus forecasts that the Chinese Mainland will need more than 3,000 passenger aircraft and freighters from 2006 to 2025, including some 2,050 single aisle aircraft, nearly 600 small twin-aisle aircraft, over 200 intermediate twin-aisle aircraft and 180 very large aircraft. Some 2,650 passenger aircraft will be required on the Chinese Mainland with a total value of US$ 289 billion. The Chinese mainland passenger fleet will triple in the next 20 years, from 760 at the end of 2005, to 2,700 in 2025. Freighter traffic in China is expected to grow six-fold and will need close to 400 freighter aircraft over the next 20 years. China's freighter traffic demand will remain at a high level with an average domestic market growth rate of 10.9 per cent p.a. and an average international market growth rate of 8.9 per cent p.a. “In terms of in-service aircraft, Airbus' market share on the Chinese Mainland has already increased from seven per cent in 1995 to the current 35 per cent. Our aim is to reach 50 per cent in 2011,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. ”In next 20 years, the greatest demand for passenger aircraft will come from the Chinese Mainland just after the United States,” he added.
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Boeing signed a direct commercial sales agreement with the Defence Materiel Organization of the Dutch Ministry of Defense for six new-build CH-47F (NL) Chinook helicopters. The agreement, which marks the first international sale of the CH-47F, provides for non-recurring development, production and post-delivery aircraft support. The Netherlands-unique version of the U.S. Army CH-47F will include a next-generation Honeywell Avionics Control and Management System (ACMS) cockpit avionics suite, an integrated forward-looking infrared capability and several other newly developed multi-mission features.
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International Launch Services (ILS) has signed a contract for the launch of the Ciel-2 satellite on a Proton Breeze M vehicle in late 2008. Financial details were not disclosed. The Ciel-2 satellite will be the inaugural launch undertaken by the Ciel Satellite Group, Canada's newest satellite operator. SES AMERICOM Inc., a minority partner in Ciel, was the contracting agent for the launch. Ciel 2 is a Spacebus 4000 C4 model satellite, the largest Spacebus class satellite built by Alcatel Alenia, with a mass of 5,575 kg. From its assigned orbital position of 129 degrees West longitude, the high-powered Ku-band spacecraft will deliver a variety of communications services throughout Canada and the larger North American market.
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Four Russian launch vehicle and spacecraft component manufacturers were consolidated under the control of Khrunichev Space Center this month by presidential decree. On Feb. 3, 2007, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed Decree #127, on the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "The M.V. Khrunichev Space Research & Production Center." Under the decree, four state-run rocket and space enterprises will become branches of the Khrunichev Space Center. These are the Voronezh Mechanical Plant, A.M. Isaev Chemical Engineering Design Bureau (also known as "Khimmash," in Korolev, Moscow Region), Moscow Enterprise for Equipment Configuration "Dlina" and Production Association "Polyot" (in Omsk). Russia is consolidating its major industries into a few vertically integrated corporations to ensure quality control and to make the products more competitive in the global market. The rocket and space industry is a major pillar of the economy and Russia's international status. Therefore the shaping of a new industry image is clearly an important government action with far-reaching prospects. In July 2006, the Russian Government reviewed and approved a strategy for the rocket and space industry through the year 2015. The strategy calls for the establishment of 10 integrated entities in the Russian rocket and space industry. By 2015 those entities will be further consolidated into three or four large corporations that will encompass the entire industry. Khrunichev was chosen to be one of these core entities of the industry. Under the federal program, it is responsible for the development, production and operation of small and heavy-lift launch vehicles, as well as development and manufacturing of space systems for remote sensing and telecommunications, and modules for manned space stations. +++
MTU Maintenance has signed a contract with Cathay Pacific for the maintenance of CF6 engines. The open-ended contract includes 15 CF6-50E2 engines powering Boeing 747-200Fs operated by the airline. The maintenance work will be performed at MTU Maintenance Hannover at Langenhagen. MTU Aero Engines president and CEO commercial maintenance Bernd Kessler noted during the contract signing ceremony: "Cathay Pacific is a proud name in the global airline industry. We're delighted to add this new customer to our customer list and hope to further expand the new partnership." The contract is likely to have a ripple effect also on other airlines, considering that the Hong Kong-based carrier has an enviable reputation worldwide for the quality and reliability of its service. Says Kessler: "We would be happy to see our high service standards help bolster the fine respect the carrier is enjoying."
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The second Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter completed its first flight in Taipei. The Dreamlifter is a specially modified 747-400 used to transport the major composite structures of the all-new 787 Dreamliner. Piloted by Boeing Flight Test Pilots Jerry Whites and Gary Meiser, the Dreamlifter took off from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 10:34 a.m. and flew for three hours and eight minutes. The airplane -- already wearing the distinctive white and blue livery of the Dreamlifter fleet -- handled well during the routine flight. This Dreamlifter is expected in Washington State within the next few weeks. The first of the unique fleet arrived in September 2006.
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Two companies that are receiving NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services funds achieved significant milestones this month in their efforts to develop and demonstrate space cargo launch and delivery systems. Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed a preliminary design review for its first orbital demonstration mission. Rocketplane Kistler completed a system requirements review for its cargo services system. The two companies want to offer commercial delivery services for cargo, and possibly crews, to the International Space Station in the future. In August 2006, NASA and the companies signed Space Act Agreements that established a series of milestones and criteria for assessing progress toward their individual goals. On Feb. 8 SpaceX, of El Segundo, Calif., received NASA approval of a preliminary design review for the first orbital demonstration of its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon reusable spacecraft. That flight, planned for September 2008, will be the first of three outlined in NASA's agreement with SpaceX. The company completed a project management review for the mission in September 2006 and a system requirements review in November 2006. SpaceX delivered its preliminary design review data to NASA Jan. 22. The critical design review is set for this summer. On Feb. 6, Rocketplane Kistler of Oklahoma City established the requirements for interfaces between its two-stage K-1 reusable cargo transportation system and the International Space Station. The requirements review was the third of numerous milestones NASA will use to measure the company's progress toward a full demonstration of its launch capability. Both the first and second stages completed critical design reviews before Rocketplane Kistler joined the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Project. Those vehicle components are being transported to NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to begin the assembly phase.
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