U 
P 
D 
A 
T 
E
Home | UPDATE | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles

UPDATE 
Week ending March 29, 1998
+++ Airbus partners report on restructuring plans +++ Three Latin American airlines sign large Airbus order +++ Kohl, Cirac, Jelzin push An-70 +++ Germany calls on EU to double aid for aerospace +++ ESA: Europe to set up a single astronaut corps +++ Pars 3-LR anti-tank-tests succeed +++ Luftwaffe Eurofighters lack equipment +++ Spot 4 launched by Ariane +++ New diesel engine flies for the first time +++ News in brief +++

Airbus partners report on restructuring plans
Nichts Neues zur europäischen Restrukturierung

On 27 March, the four major European Airbus partners in France, Germany, Britain and Spain submitted a report to the governments of France, Germany, Spain and the UK on the restructuring of the European aerospace and related defence induustry. Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, Daimler-Benz Aerspace and CASA announced that they had reached "an agreement in principle on the objectives, scope and operational structure of a possible merger of the partners' businesses into a single, unified European Aerospace and Defence Company (EADC)". The four partners of Airbus, as well as their respective governments, have a strategic interest in the construction of a strong aerospace industry, but the confidential report, ordered by Chancellor Kohl, Prime Minister Blair and President Chirac last December, "also recognises that significant further work remains to be done to establish the feasibility of and basis for any transaction. It therefore sets no timetable for an eventual merger. The partners consider that the report represents a first step on the road to restructuring. Their studies will therefore continue". The report, which thus signals no progress at all, at least "recognises the importance of other European aerospace companies - in in particular Finmeccanice, Saab, Dassault Aviation and Lagardere/Matra - in the restructuring process".

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Three Latin American airlines sign large Airbus order
Airbus: Mega-Auftrag aus Lateinamerika

Three Latin American airlines have signed a contract with Airbus Industrie for the joint purchase of up to 179 Airbus Industrie single-aisle A319 and A320 aircraft, including 90 firm orders and 89 options.
Under the terms of the contract, Chilean flag carrier LanChile (Linea Aerea Nacional Chile S.A.) orders 40 aircraft from the A320 line, including 20 firm and 20 options, becoming a new Airbus Industrie customer. This order - the largest transaction ever concluded by a Chilean airline - is part of LanChile's modernization effort, which will gradually phase out the older generation fleet of short-haul Boeing 737-200 aircraft operated on its regional network.
The TACA Group, assembling five Central American airlines - TACA in El Salvador, AVIATECA in Guatemala, LACSA in Costa Rica, NICA in Nicaragua and TACA in Honduras - purchases 64 A320 family airliners, including 32 firm and 32 options. These 64 additional aircraft will join the ten TACA A320s already in operation on its regional and international network.
Brazilian TAM (Transportes Aereos Meridionais) acquires 75 aircraft, including 38 firm and 37 options. This makes TAM the largest single Airbus Industrie customer in Latin America. TAM previously placed a contract for five firm A330-200s plus five options.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Kohl, Cirac, Jelzin push An-70
Gipfeltreffen beschließt formale Studie zur An-70

Though talks are already under way since late last year on the possible incorporation of Russian and Ukrainian companies into a team developing a new European military airlifter, these studies got additional impetus at the recent Kohl-Chirac-Jelzin summit in Moscow. The three leaders implemented a working group which will report by the summer how a cooperation could be arranged. A final decision whether the Antonow An-70 could be the basis should be taken this year, it is reported. This could be difficult, as the Airbus partners insist that their FLA approach, to be structured along commercial practices, will yield the best deal for the customers.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Germany calls on EU to double aid for aerospace
Rüttgers verlangt mehr Luftfahrtförderung in Europa

On March 24, German research and technology minister Juergen Ruettgers called on the European Union (EU) to double its financial aid for aerospace research to 700 million ecu (about 770 million U.S. dollars) annually in order to improve its position in competition with the U.S. aerospace industry. Speaking at a news conference in Bonn, he also called for a better coordination in aerospace research among EU members. "Only by pooling efforts together can the European aerospace industry survive the hard competition with the United States," Ruettgers said. The German minister also stressed the need to complete the process of restructuring the European Airbus Industrie consortium into a share company as soon as possible. "Every delay will be a competition advantage for the Boeing Corp.," he warned. Russia, France, Germany to study An-70 cooperation

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


ESA: Europe to set up a single astronaut corps
Einheitliche europäische Astronautenmannschaft gefragt

The European Space Agency (ESA) will set up a single European astronaut corps by merging existing national astronaut programmes with the ESA programme. The ESA Council approved this move at its meeting held in Paris Astronauts from national agencies, such as in France (CNES), Germany (DLR) and Italy (ASI), will join ESA's astronauts J.F. Clervoy (France), P. Duque (Spain), C. Fuglesang (Sweden) and C. Nicollier (Switzerland) to form one corps that will prepare for the mission opportunities available to ESA as the European partner in the International Space Station and for missions agreed between the national agencies and the United States or Russia. Moreover, a number of new astronauts will be selected from current candidates in order to maintain an appropriate representation of ESA Member States.
Integration of astronauts from the various national corps into ESA will begin this year and is to be completed by mid-2000, with a total of 16 active astronauts by that time. After 2000, the normal ESA procedure for selection will be reinstated, with recruitment occurring about every two years to make up for normal attrition and enable ESA to continue to support its planned missions. All the astronauts will be involved in assembly of the Space Station or in future operations on board. Their home base will be ESA's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, where all new ESA astronauts will first undergo introductory training.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Pars 3-LR anti-tank-tests succeed
Erster gelenkter Schuß Pars 3-LR erfolgreich

The Pars 3-LR anti-tank weapon, under development for use on the Tiger helicopter, has successfully completed its first fully steered airborne test. The missile was launched from a Eurocopter Panther trials helicopter, which is fitted with the weapons racks and the Osiris sight as used by Tiger. After being fired from a height of 75 m at the French Capiteux test area, Pars 3-LR steered itself to a dead-center hit on the target, which was 2650 m away.
According to EMDG (Euromissile Dynamics Group), which has responsibility for the Pars 3-LR, this test was a significant milestone in the development contract. At the same time, it fulfilled contractual preconditions for the forthcoming series preparation contract for the missile as well as the MoU covering the first batch of Tiger production, which may be signed at ILA 98. Pars 3-LR is fitted with a passive IRCCD-seeker to enable advanced picture processing. A tandem-hollow-charge warhead should be effective against all known armour types, the manufacturer claims.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Luftwaffe Eurofighters lack equipment
EF2000 der Luftwaffe ohne EloKa-Ausrüstung

According to Luftwaffe documents, the Eurofighter EF2000 as ordered recently will lack important equipment items, which makes them unsuitable for actual operations other than basic training flights. Besides the missing FLIR-sensor for passive target detection, the most serious deficiency is the absence of ECM equipment. Here, additional money for a Defensive Aids Subsystem is earmarked in future defence department plans, but approval seems at least some way off. Even if systems can be bought, only 68 kits with the decisive ESM/ECM and Towed Decoy modules are to be procured, leaving more than half of the fleet with just a basic fit of missile warner, chaff and flare dispenser.
It is also revealed that the first 16 aircraft which the Luftwaffe expects to receive from the first production batch will not conform with the final operational clearance standard. They will be limited to 8 gs, have restricted stores capabilities and incomplente sensor fits - necessitating an upgrade later on. Still the Luftwaffe thinks that it is necessary to get the EF2000 into service as soon as practical.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Spot 4 launched by Ariane
Ariane bringt Spot 4 ins All

During the night of March 23 to 24, 1998, Arianespace successfully launched the SPOT 4 Earth observation satellite for the French Space Agency CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales). Flight 107 was carried out by an Ariane 40, the version of the launcher without strap-on boosters. It used the 77th out of 116 Ariane 4 launchers ordered to date from the European space industry. This launch was the 35th successful Ariane 4 launch in a row, and SPOT 4 is the eighth Earth observation satellite lofted to date by Ariane. Liftoff from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, took place at: 10:46pm, local time in Kourou, Monday 23 March 1998
SPOT 4, developed by CNES in conjunction with Belgium and Sweden, is the fourth satellite in this family to be launched by Arianespace, following SPOT 1 in February 1986, SPOT 2 in January 1990 and SPOT 3 in September 1993. SPOT 4 weighed 2,755 kg (6,061 lb) at liftoff. Built by prime contractor Matra Marconi Space, it will ensure the continuity of high-resolution optical Earth observation services. The "Vegetation" payload will enable daily observation of all land masses with 1 km resolution. The SPOT 4 system also comprises two HRVIR (high resolution visible and infrared) instruments, as well as the "technology passengers" Doris, Pastec, Poam III, a radar transponder, Silex/Pastel and the ESBT transponder.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


New diesel engine flies for the first time
Neuer Dieselmotor absolviert Erstflug

SMA's four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine MR250 accomplished its first flight on 3 March. Societe de Motorisations Aéronautique is a joint venture between French light aircraft manufacturer Socata and engine manufacturer Renault Sport. SMA is developing a whole family of new diesel engines. The engines, which can burn jet fuel, will be available with 135 kW (180 hp), 185 kW (250 hp) and 225 kW (300 hp). The recent first flight of the 135 kW prototype lasted for approximately 50 minutes and was accomplished from Socata's airfield in Tarbes. The engine was installed in a TB 20 Trinidad. The new diesel engines will power Socata's new family of light aircraft.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On 27. March, Stuttgart airport announced the winner of its competition for the design of a third terminal. The Hamburg-based bureau of architects Gerkan, Marg und Partner was awarded a price of 225000 DM. The company in the past also won the Terminal 1 design, and the new part will be a variation of that building. The new Terminal 3 will cost around 240 million DM and should be in operation in 2004.
+++
The US Government seems to be determined in its rejection of the Lockheed Martin - Northrop merger. On March 23, the Justice Department filed a complaint in a district court, claiming that the two companies are the only suppliers of airborne early warning radar, directed infrared countermeasures and an antisubmarine warfare combat system. "The proposed acquisition would result in an unprecedented vertical and horizontal concentration in the defense industry that would substantially lessen, and in several cases eliminate, competition in major product markets critical to the national defence", it says.
+++
BMW Rolls-Royce has delivered the 100th BR710 turbofan from the series production plant at Dahlewitz near Berlin. Before that, 20 powerplants were used for test and certification work. The BR710 is used on the Gulfream V and the Bombardier Global Express.
+++
We maintenance arm of the Lufthansa Flight Training school at Bremen is putting the final touches on the restauration work of the Junkers W33 "Bremen", the first aircraft that crossed the Atlantic from East to West. The fully restored low-wing single-engined aircraft will be on display on June 19, the 70th anniversary of the flight.
+++
The US Joint Strike fighter Programme Office has awarded a 1,5 million US-Dollar contract to the NLR (National Aerospace Laboratory) of the Netherlands. The contract covers tests in the 6 m to 8 m German-Dutch wind tunnels large low-speed facility (DNW-LLF) with a model of the Lockheed Martin JSF Concept Demonstrator Aircraft, including tests in the Preferred Weapons System Configuration. the contract is the first result ot the Netherlands attempting to position its national industries and institutes for the F-16 replacement. The Netherland is a "limited cooperative partner" in the JSF.
+++
French engine manufacturer Snecma generated a consolidated net income of 750 million francs in 1997, driven by the strong recovery in the civil aviation market and the group's own continuous competiteveness improvement measures. In 1996, Snecma had losses of 280 million francs. Consolidated sales jumped 23 per cent to 23,05 billion francs. Exports amounted to 69 per cent of sales and the civil sector was 77 per cent of the total.
+++
Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG improved turnover by 13 per cent ot 3,9 billion Austrian shillings in 1997, but profits dropped one third to 45,5 million öS.
+++
Like other German airports, Dusseldorf will get a high-speed train station right at its doorsteps. A Bundesbahn track is already running under the east end of the runways, and a station there will be connected by automatic passenger cabins to the main terminal.
+++
In what is believed to be the first extended offshore airship flight in more than 40 years, an American blimp Corporation A-60+ Lightship, serieal no. 11, recently completed a transit from Florida to Puerto Rico. The trip was made from North Perry to San Juan, a total of 921 nautical miles, in 35,9 flight hours. Overnight stops were made at Nassau, Exuma, Proidenciales and Punta Cana.
+++
An Ariana Airlines Boeing 727 crashed into a mountain near Kabul on March 19th, killing all 45 people on board. Rescue workers found the wreckage near the summit of Sharki Baratayi and have so far recovered 42 bodies. Efforts to locate the flight recorders have been hampered by the existence of mines left over from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The aircraft crashed in bad weather although the precise cause has not yet been discovered.
+++
According to a study by German consumer institute Stiftung Warentest, European airports get very bad points for their fire prevention and evacuation facilities. Only Dusseldorf, Munich and Stockholm were rated as "good", while all airports in Greece and Portugal were either rated as deficient or very deficient.
+++
U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines will sever ties with All Nippon Airways (ANA) of Japan in response to ANA's recent decision to form a partnership with United Airlines, Delta officials said. Delta, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and ANA, Japan's second largest airline, have had a business relationship since 1995. ANA decided to annul a contract with Delta in the wake of the Japan-U.S. framework agreement for a new civil aviation pact in January.
+++
The Inmarsat council has reached an agreement on the restructuring of Inmarsat from an intergovernmental organization to a privatized company. The target date for the restructuring is January 1, 1999. According to Inmarsat, a package including amendments to Inmarsat's convention and operating agreement along with other documentation on the structure and the implementation schedule for the transition will be presented to the Inmarsat assembly of parties in April for review and adoption.
+++
NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft is short of beginning a months-long period of scientific observations of the red planet. The spacecraft is scheduled to turn on its payload of science instruments on March 27, about twelve hours after it suspends aerobraking to lower the spacecraft's orbit. According to NASA, aerobraking will resume in September and continue until March 1999 when Global Surveyor has reached its final circular orbit for its primary mapping mission.
+++
The UK needs a globally competitive aerospace and defence industry, with our contribution given appropriate recognition in terms of a continuing high level of capability in the UK, earning a commercial return, President of the Board of Trade, Margaret Beckett, stressed at the Society of British Aerospace Companies annual open day.
+++
On March 25, Triumph Group Inc. announced its Triumph Air Repair division, Phoenix, has signed five year contracts with United Parcel Services (UPS) and Lufthansa Technik AG for repair and overhaul services to the two companies' aircraft. The Lufthansa contract, a first for Triumph, calls for Triumph to provide repair service for Lufthansa's 737 APU's and LRU's.
+++
Ericsson Saab Avionics has in severe international competition been appointed main contractor of an advanced Electronic Warfare Suite for the export version of the Saab British Aerospace Gripen multi-role fighter. An agreement has been signed between Saab AB and Ericsson Saab Avionics AB concerning development and manufacturing of the system designated EWS 39. The system includes functions for discovering threats from hostile radars, for instance, analyze the signals, evaluate them against known data, present the threat to the pilot and activate effective counteractions comprising; electronic jamming against radar and radar-guided missiles, flares against IR-guided missiles, and chaff against radar and radar-guided missiles.
+++
Boeing, citing its merger with McDonnell Douglas and its purchase of Rockwell's aerospace operations, said it will streamline its facilities and cut approximately 8,200 jobs. Boeing said today the layoffs do not include 12,000 cuts it previously announced in its commercial airplane business beginning in the second half of 1998. Condit said, "We will concentrate investments in facilities, technology and people, in keeping with our core competencies."
+++
Lufthansa CityLine recently placed a firm order with Bombardier Aerospace for three 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet Series 100 aircraft to increase its CRJ fleet to 34 aircraft. The transaction represents the conversion of three existing options for the CRJ. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 1999. As of March 11, 1998, the airline's Canadair Regional Jet fleet had carried about 4.7 million passengers to 82 destinations throughout Europe, logging about 220,500 flight hours.
+++
On March 25, Armenian Airlines has decided to acquire an A310 on operating lease with an option to purchase. When delivered this summer the A310 widebody twin will become the first Western-built aircraft to join the carrier's fleet. This is an important step in Armenian Airlines' modernisation and expansion programme, which plans to grow its Airbus Industrie fleet to ten aircraft by 2005.
+++
Russian and U.S. aviation specialists have successfully completed 19 joint test flights of the supersonic flying laboratory Tu- 144LL. Igor Shevchuk, director general of Russia's Tupolev plane design bureau, told a news conference that "we are satisfied that we have participated in the unique research programme in collaboration with (U.S. space agency) NASA and the companies Boeing and IBP." The tests were aimed at working out a concept of a second generation supersonic jet. According to designers, such a plane will be able to carry 300 passengers and fly at 2,400 km/h.
+++
Lockheed Martin topped the U.S. Defense Department's list of its biggest suppliers for 1997, with $11.6 billion during the last fiscal year. Boeing Corp. was second with $9.6 billion. The two companies were far and away the biggest winners in the defense industry. Northrop Grumman Corp. placed third with $3.5 billion in 1997 sales to the Pentagon, followed by General Dynamics Corp. with $3 billion and Raytheon Corp. with $2.9 billion. The Defense Department said it issued more than $116.7 billion in contracts valued at $25,000 or more during 1997. That was a $2.9 billion decrease from 1996, according to the Pentagon.
+++
Continental Airlines announced that it will purchase 15 Next-Generation Boeing 737-900 aircraft from Boeing. With the purchase, Continental becomes the largest carrier to add the aircraft to its fleet. The airline will do this by converting 15 current 737 options into firm orders that will be delivered between May 2001 and July 2002. In addition, Continental and Boeing agreed to an additional 25 options that could be exercised between 2001 and 2004.
+++

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen ist nach wie vor abrufbar:

*March 22, 1998 *March 15, 1998 *March 8, 1998

*February 22, 1998 *February 15, 1998 *February 8, 1998 *February 1, 1998

*January 25, 1998 *January 18, 1998 *January 11, 1998

*January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

Home | UPDATE | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles
Copyright 1998 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated March 27, 1998
FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany