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UPDATE 
Week ending September 13, 1998
+++ Airbus offers A318 +++ Eurofighter successfully tested for three life cycles +++ Airbus Industrie announces order of 3,000th aircraft +++ First captive flight for Taurus KEPD 150 +++ Bombardier to develop new 90-seater +++ Boeing Business Jet makes successful first flight +++ Bell Helicopter announces Joint Venture with Agusta +++ Lufthansa orders AlliedSignal EGPWS +++ 12 Globalstars lost as Zenit-2 explodes +++ Boeing captures 6,7 billion Dollars in Jetliner sales at Farnborough +++ European ministers review Airbus restructuring progress +++ News in Brief +++

Airbus offers A318
Neuer 100-Sitzer von Airbus

Airbus Industrie's advisory board is ready to launch a 100-seat aircraft based on a shortened version of the A319, with a go ahead decision at the end of 1998 subject to establishment of an adequate customer base in terms of price and volume. "We are confident (this 100-seat new) version of our popular single-aisle family - which we have dubbed the A318 - will find its place on the market," Noel Forgeard told the press at the Farnborough Air Show.
The aircraft would be ready for service entry in the year 2002 and would be powered by new-generation PW6000 engines. A minimum-change approach from the A320 Family has been taken with the product development objective to minimize cost. The A318 will be 4.5 frames shorter than the smallest A320 Family member today -- A319. A small dorsal fin is added to the tail section, and the aircraft's cargo door size will be reduced from the current 71.5 inches. wide X 49 inches high to the new dimensions of 50.5 inches wide X 49 inches wide. Capacity in a standard two-class First/Economy cabin layout (with 38-inch seat pitch in First and 32-inch seat pitch in Economy) is 107 passengers. For a standard single-class Economy layout with 32-inch seat pitch, the aircraft would seat 117 passengers.

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Eurofighter successfully tested for three life cycles
Lebensdauertest des Eurofighter abgeschlossen

On September 4, 1998, the 18.000th simulated flight test hour on the major airframe fatigue test (MAFT) for the Eurofighter combat aircraft was successfully completed in Ottobrunn/Germany. The MAFT, conducted since March 1993 at IABG (lndustrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft) on behalf of the German program partner Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich), is one of the major milestones for program maturity. Complementing the flight test results with seven development aircraft in the four partner nations, MAFT's 8.000 hours represent three times of the specified in-service life of the advanced European fighter aircraft of 6.000 flying hours, corresponding an in-service time of three decades.
The Eurofighter structure was statically determinate fixed on six struts, whilst loads were applied by 66 hydraulic tension-compression actuators, four retraction actuators and four pneumatic systems. The MAFT program followed the 'flight-by-flight' loading principle. During the almost five-year test phase to achieve the 18.00O flying hours, three types of missions with 17 different flight profiles were simulated. The number of average load cases per flight was 193. The sophisticated MAFT installation, which will be maintained at IABG for potential further application, and the extraordinary length of the test period which would equal 90 (!) years of aircraft operation makes the Eurofighter to one of the thoroughly ground-tested aircraft in aviation history.

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Airbus Industrie announces order of 3,000th aircraft
Jetzt 3000 Airbusse bestellt

During the Farnborough Air Show, Airbus Industrie announced the sale of its 3,000th aircraft since the manufacturer's inception in 1970. The milestone was reached following the signature of Emirates and ILFC for a total of 22 A340 and A320 Family aircraft. This and other orders officially announced at Farnborough are listed in our News in Brief section below. The first order ever received by Airbus Industrie was for six A300s in November 1971. Since then, Airbus Industrie has expanded its aircraft family and simultaneously developed its reputation as a competitive and modern commercial aircraft manufacturer. In 1997, Airbus Industrie secured a total of 460 firm orders for aircraft valued at US$30 billion. So far in 1998, Airbus Industrie has announced a total of 352 firm orders for aircraft, excluding commitments such as British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and US Airways.

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First captive flight for Taurus KEPD 150
Neue Abstandswaffe an JAS 39 Gripen erprobt

The KEPD 150 has successfully performed its first captive flight test on a JAS 39 Gripen at the FMV Test Center in Linköping (Sweden). The test was part of the definition phase contracted by the Swedish Defence Material Administration. The KEPD 150 can be operational with the JAS 39 Gripen within five years. KEPD 150 is a member of the Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH Taurus family of advanced long range, high-precision stand-off weapons. It has a high degree of commonality with the MAW Taurus KEPD 350 now being in full scale development at Taurus Systems GmbH (LFK/Celsius) for the German Air Force Tornados.

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Bombardier to develop new 90-seater
Neue Regionaljet-Pläne bei Bombardier

On September 8, Bombardier chairman and chief executive officer Laurent Beaudoin announced his company's intention to develop a new series of regional jet aircraft in the 90-seat class. The new class of aircraft, the first five-abreast configuration for a Bombardier regional airliner, will be known as the BRJ-X Series. "We have begun the formal consultation process in the marketplace with the formation of an Airline Advisory Council to solicit airlines' input on their specific design requirements. Discussions with potential partners in the project have already started," said Mr. Beaudoin during a news conference held at the Farnborough Air Show. "The initial meeting of the Airline Advisory Council is scheduled for late October," he said. "At the end of our pre-launch development period in a year's time, we could announce a formal launch of the program leading to aircraft type certification and first delivery in 2003," Mr. Beaudoin said.

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Boeing Business Jet makes successful first flight
Erstflug des Boeing Business Jet

On September 4, Boeing Business Jets, took to the skies from Renton Municipal Airport in Renton, Wash., at 9:13 a.m. PDT, with Capts. Mike Hewett and Mike Carriker at the controls. After heading north over Lake Washington, the pilots flew west to the Olympic Peninsula to conduct a series of flight tests. After two hours and two minutes, the airplane landed at Boeing Field in Seattle. During the flight, Hewett and co-pilot Carriker conducted a series of tests on the airplane's systems and structures.
With the flight, the BBJ begins an eight-week flight-testing and certification program. Since it is a derivative of the Next-Generation 737-700 and -800 models, much of the flight testing and certification requirements will have been accomplished during the flight-test programs of each of those models. The BBJ is scheduled to conduct more than 70 hours of flight tests prior to certification.

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Bell Helicopter announces Joint Venture with Agusta
Bell und Agusta kooperieren

At Farnborough, Bell Helicopter and Agusta announced they have signed an agreement to establish a Joint Venture to manage two new aircraft in the 5 to 7 ton transport category.This agreement will create significant synergies in the design, development, production and marketing of the Bell BA609 civil tiltrotor, and the continuing enhancement of the medium twin engine helicopter line through the development of the new AB139. The agreement is subject to the approval of the Boards of Directors of Textron and Finmeccanica.
Agusta will invest and participate in the development of the BA609. It will manufacture parts of the aircraft as well as perform final assembly for the BA609's delivered in Europe and other parts of the world. Similarly, Bell will perform final assembly of the AB139 for deliveries in North America. Agusta will be responsible for development of the AB139 through certification and transition to production, with the participation of Bell. The Joint Venture will be responsible for the worldwide marketing and support of both aircraft. Bell will be the majority shareholder in the Joint Venture.
The new AB139 will be a high-powered aircraft featuring components based on proven technology. The 12-15 passenger aircraft, with a large unobstructed cabin, will be powered by two PT6C-67C engines, the same used on the BA609, each generating 1,850 SHP. It will cruise at 160 knots with the maximum range of 730 NM. Designed to the latest JAA/FAA Standards, the AB139 will be able to operate in Category A from helipads at Maximum Gross Weight at ISA +20 C at 3,100 feet (1,000 meters). It will feature a Honeywell Primus Epic cockpit. Certification and first delivery are planned for 2002.

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Lufthansa orders AlliedSignal EGPWS
Bodenwarnsystem für Lufthansa

AlliedSignal and Lufthansa have signed an agreement for the airline to purchase 175 to 400 Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS). The agreement creates a unique partnership between AlliedSignal and Lufthansa AG (Group) for 10 years in which the airline and its maintenance subsidiary, Lufthansa Technik, will purchase all of their EGPWS systems - for new aircraft and existing aircraft - from AlliedSignal. The agreement covers all primary aspects of EGPWS acquisition, including equipment purchase, installation/ certification engineering, warranty, system improvements, and terrain database updates. The Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System is an advanced version of the traditional ground proximity warning system (GPWS). The EGPWS incorporates a proprietary digital terrain map, providing a display of nearby terrain and sounding an audible alert a full minute before any terrain conflict. Traditional GPWS has no display and sounds an alert an average of about 10-15 seconds prior to a terrain encounter.

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12 Globalstars lost as Zenit-2 explodes
Fehlschlag beim ersten Globalstar-Start

A Russian Zenit-2 rocket has failed to place 12 Globalstar satellites into orbit, crashing down in an uninhabited region of the Khakassia Republic. According to reports, the rocket lifted off smoothly from the Baikonur cosmodrome at 00:29am local time on September 10. Failure occurred sometime after launch, according to a Russian Space Agency official, who said the launcher was already through the atmosphere when the nose cone broke off and caused the rocket to dive back into the earth's atmosphere.
For Globalstar, the failure represents the price it must pay for a high stakes gamble that didn't pay off. The company was attempting to get its satellite-based communications service up and running in as short a time possible by planning a series of satellite launches, each carrying an unprecedented 12 satellites, on the Russian Zenit-2 rocket which has suffered seven previous failures since 1995. Plans called for three Zenit-2 rockets to each launch 12 satellites, and a further 12 craft to be spread across three Soyuz-2 launches. Globalstar already has 8 satellites in orbit and the company planned to put an additional 48-craft into orbit to complete the network of 48 operational satellites and in-orbit spares.

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Boeing captures 6,7 billion Dollars in Jetliner sales at Farnborough
Neue Aufträge für Boeing in Farnborough

Through the first three days of the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group has announced a combined total of more than $6.7 billion in orders and options. The week started with orders from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines valued at $230 million and International Lease and Finance Corporation (ILFC) worth $1.2 billion. The order from KLM pushed the 737 Next-Generation order base above 1,000 -- the latest milestone for the 737 family. On Tuesday, Boeing confirmed a $2.7 billion order package from Varig Airlines, including $1.7 billion in orders and $1 billion in options. Additionally, Boeing Business Jets announced six orders at an estimated value of 205 million US-Dollars, bringing total announced orders of the ultra-long range executive jet to 35. Boeing on Wednesday confirmed order packages with five more airlines. Scandinavian Airline System (SAS) ordered 14 Next-Generation 737s worth $600 million. GATX, an aircraft-leasing company based in San Francisco, ordered five Next-Generation 737-800s valued at approximately 260 million US-Dollars. Cronus Airlines, based in Greece, announced one order and one option 737-700, worth approximately $90 million. GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) followed with an order for 12 767s -- a package valued at approximately 1.27 billion US-Dollars. In addition, PeaceAir of Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of a combi version of the 747-400, worth $180 million.

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European ministers review Airbus restructuring progress
Ministertreffen in Farnborough

Ministers responsible for civil aerospace in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain met during the Farnborough Air Show with the management of Airbus Industrie and its partner companies to review progress towards formation of an Airbus single corporate entity and the current status of the Airbus programmes.
Ministers congratulated Airbus Industrie on the excellent commercial results achieved in the first half of 1998. They reaffirmed the importance of creating a new structure for Airbus which would enable it to build on this success in the increasingly competitive future market for civil and military transport aircraft. They expressed again the importance of the present deliberations on the need for restructuring within Europe and invited the industry to make progress urgently. Airbus Industrie briefed ministers on their continuing studies of potential new programmes, and informed them of the latest developments on the A3XX large aircraft project. Ministers expressed their interest in this important proposal and were pleased with the satisfactory progress of work in preparation for the launch of this programme.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Aerodata Flugmeßtechnik GmbH has been selected as the systems architect for the planned acquisition of foor new helicopters for the Lower Saxony police forces. The company will now help in the formulation of specifications and issue an invitation for tenders for various equipments. Aerodata will then select the best offers and ensure compatibility of the systems right up to the certification.
+++
MTU München strengthens its position as the world's leading independent maintenance provider. In keeping with its ongoing MRO expansion it is about to launch a new affiliate with China Southern Airlines. MTU signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) preparing for the setup of a joint maintenance company in Guangzhou in the south of China. This joint venture will enable MTU to enter the high-growth Chinese market and offer many of its present customers a new maintenance base in Asia.
+++
International air forces have noticed that there is a flight line end-to-end EW tester available off the shelf today. Several delegations surveyed the in-field performance of the GAF standard inventory FAMASS 2000 flight-line EW end-to-end tester on bases in Germany and during GAF out-of-area-missions under most demanding climatic conditions. FAMASS flight-line EW end-to-end testers are developed, produced and serviced by the Ulm based Airborne Systems division of the Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG (Dasa/Munich) Defense and Civil Systems Business Unit.
+++
Four major players in the simulation industry have signed an agreement to form a joint venture company to produce a major part of the Eurofighter ASTA (Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids) training systems. Called Eurofighter Simulation Systems, the company is formed by Thomson Training & Simulation of the UK, Indra of Spain, Meteor of Italy and ARGE STN-Atlas/CAE Gmbh of Germany. It will be based in Munich where it can work in close collaboration with Daimler-Benz Aerospace, the prime contractor for the Eurofighter ASTA system. It marks a major step toward cooperation within the European simulation industry with the initial requirement that the company produce more than 30 training devices.
+++
AlliedSignal has announced the launch of full-scale development of its new turbofan engine series, the AS900. The new engine family is designed for a thrust range from 4,000 lbs. to 9,000 lbs. and will have potential applications for both regional aircraft and business aviation. The engine is designed for an on-condition maintenance program, which further reduces maintenance requirements and offers significant potential savings for operators. Operators may also choose fixed inspection intervals set at 3,500 hours for hot section and 7,000 hours for the compressor zone, at maturity. The AS900 is scheduled for FAA certification in the first quarter of 2001.
+++
AlliedSignal will supply the integrated environmental control systems (ECS) and auxiliary power units (APU) for Fairchild Aerospace's new family of jet aircraft. The first member of the new family to enter service will be the 728JET, with certification and initial deliveries expected in mid-2001. Under the terms of the agreement, AlliedSignal will provide its RE220FD APU. AlliedSignal's ECS consists of the bleed air system, air conditioning system, cabin pressure control system, and associated high-pressure ducting design with a bleed air leak detection. AlliedSignal is also responsible for the low-pressure cabin ducting and air distribution system and avionics cooling.
+++
Airbus Industrie has won a new Middle East customer for its Airbus Corporate Jetliner, taking total sales to ten. The ten sales are from the three different segments of the market - corporations, governments and individuals - and form four different parts of the world, North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
+++
debis AirFinance has announced a firm order for two A319s, which will increase their Airbus Industrie fleet to a total of 22 aircraft including committed orders. "debis AirFinance already has a very successful track record with the Airbus Industrie A320 family," said Frank Haspel, managing director and CEO of debis AirFinance, "We already have 11 A320 family aircraft on operating lease to ACES Colombia, British Midland, Air France, Air Jamaica, British Mediterranean Airways, Kyrghyzstan Airlines and Onur Air, and we see strong demand in this market in the years to come."
+++
On 9. September General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a unit of GE Capital, announced it has decided to order 40 Airbus Industrie aircraft, including 10 purchase options, boosting the number of existing and future Airbus Industrie single-aisle aircraft in the GECAS portfolio to 147. All of the A320 Family aircraft ordered today will be powered by the higher thrust versions of the CFM56 engine. GECAS will take delivery of the additional aircraft between Spring 2003 and 2006.
+++
United Parcel Service (UPS), the largest package delivery company in the world, has announced it is buying a fleet of aircraft from Airbus Industrie the first time it has selected planes from the consortium. UPS Vice President of Airline Operations Bob Lekites and Airbus Industrie Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard made the announcement at Farnborough International UPS has decided to place a firm order for 30 A300F4-600R aircraft, with options for an additional 30. Based on list prices, the value of the deal is about $5 billion. Deliveries will begin in 2000. UPS has yet to make its decision between GE CF6-80C2A5 or Pratt & Whitney PW4158 engines. The twin-engine A300F4-600R freighter aircraft is designed to maximize performance and economy for shipping companies like UPS. It differs from the passenger A300-600, on which it is based, by the addition of a large cargo door, reinforcement of the main deck floor and the deletion of other cabin doors, cabin windows and all passenger-associated systems and equipment. Unique features of the UPS Airbus aircraft will include a solid bulkhead, one additional container position and a larger aft lower cargo door to accommodate LD9 containers. Specifically, the UPS A300F4-600Rs will carry 22 A2H containers on the main deck, seven LD9 containers on the lower deck (four forward and three aft) and 926 cubic feet of bulk cargo space.
+++
Dubai-based Emirates has signed a contract with Airbus Industrie for six A340-500s and options on a further 10 in a deal worth US 2.4 billion based on catalog prices. It will use the A340-500 - the world's longest range airliner -- to inaugurate non-stop services from its base to North America and Australia. The Emirates deal means that nine customers have now placed commitments for some 120 A340-500s and -600s in business worth around $15 billion. Emirates is one of seven launch customers for the A340-500 and -600, which were launched as a joint program in December 1997. Airline deliveries of the A340-500 and -600 will begin in 2002.
+++
ILFC has placed firm orders with Airbus Industrie for up to 16 aircraft, including 10 A340-500/600 aircraft and six A320 Family aircraft. Deliveries of the newly-ordered A340 and A320 aircraft will take place between 2002 and 2006. The A340-500/600 aircraft will be powered by the new Rolls-Royce Trent 500 Series engines. The A320 family aircraft will be equipped with CFM56 or IAE V2500 series engines. According to John Plueger, ILFC's Chief Operating Officer, "This order recognizes ILFC's confidence in the A340-500/600 and allows us to continue offering complete product lines of new Airbus Industrie aircraft to our customers. In particular, it rounds out and strengthens our deliveries in the 2002 to 2006 time frame -- a period which we believe will be quite strong for the industry, including a strong recovery in Asia."
+++
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, which recently assumed sales, marketing and customer support responsibilities for the Avro RJ Regional Jet, has announced a new order for 3 Avro RJ100 aircraft from the SAir Group company Flightlease. The aircraft, due to be delivered in July, September and October 1999, will be purchased by Flightlease, subject to final approval by the SAir Group Supervisory Board, in a deal worth US$ 80 Million and leased to Sabena for operation on their European network by Delta Air Transport. This most recent order brings the total Avro RJ fleet to 150 ordered, of which 111 have been delivered. In addition, a total of 219 BAe 146s have been delivered worldwide.
+++
British Aerospace and Boeing have responded to a Ministry of Defence Contract Bulletin requirement by teaming to supply four Globemaster III C-17 strategic lift aircraft for the Royal Air Force, to meet the interim requirement for heavy lift outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. British Aerospace's role in this programme will aim to build on the growing partnership with the RAF to ensure the C-17's smooth introduction into service and will also provide a range of support services.
+++
British Aerospace Airbus is leading the Airbus Industrie team which will be proposing the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to meet the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) requirement for a new tanker aircraft for air-to-air refuelling. The MRTT will be based on the Airbus aircraft family. The recent UK Government Strategic Defence Review White Paper indicated that the MoD will be issuing a Request for Information to meet this requirement. It is expected that initial information will be released by the MoD Procurement Executive to the private sector in the near future
+++
On September 8, Bombardier Aerospace announced the sale of 10 additional Canadair Regional Jet Series 200ER aircraft to Dulles, Virginia-based Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA). The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million U.S., represents the conversion of existing options secured earlier by the airline. This agreement increases ACA's firm CRJ orders to 33 aircraft of which 11 have been delivered. The airline's remaining aircraft will be delivered by mid-2001.
+++
On September 4, Atlanta-based Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), a Delta Connection carrier, has executed agreements with Bombardier Inc. for the purchase of 27 Canadair Regional Jet Series 200 and Series 700 aircraft. The contract is the first order by the airline for the 70-passenger CRJ Series 700 and an early reorder for the 50-seat CRJ Series 200. The combined order is valued in excess of $575 million U.S. in 1998 dollars. Under the terms of today's agreement, 12 of the orders are for 70-passenger CRJ Series 700 aircraft while 15 of the aircraft will be the 50-seat CRJ Series 200 model. Deliveries for ASA's 15 additional Canadair Regional Jet Series 200s will begin in February 2000 and continue at a rate of one a month. Delivery of the 12 CRJ Series 700 aircraft will commence in the fourth quarter of 2001 and be completed in the first quarter of 2003.
+++
Boeing forecasts it will spend more than $14 billion over the next five years with European firms - a clear message that business for Boeing means jobs and opportunity for the suppliers and industrial partners it counts as part of its "extended enterprise." Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, works with nearly 500 firms in 21 European countries. Work placed within this extensive network supports about 90,000 jobs annually within the region - more than British Aerospace and Rolls Royce combined - which further contributes to the health and vitality of the European Community, national and local economies.
+++
On September 8, a Boeing Delta II rocket lifted off the launch pad at Vandenberg and successfully placed five Iridium system satellites into low-Earth orbit. Since May 1997, Boeing Delta II rockets have carried 50 Iridium telecommunications satellites into orbit. During that time, 10 of the 19 missions flown by Delta rockets were for the Iridium system.
Boeing builds the 125-foot-high Delta II 7920 rocket in Huntington Beach, Calif., while its Canoga Park, Calif., facility produces the Rocketdyne RS-27 first-stage main engine. Final assembly takes place at the Boeing facility in Pueblo, Colo.
+++
On September 9, Lockheed Martin's C-130J Hercules received final type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following one of the most comprehensive programs ever for an aircraft. The C-130J/C-130J-30 was certified under FAA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 25 covering transport aircraft. The company will begin deliveries of aircraft to customers requiring FAA certification as soon as final aircraft preparations are complete. Customer for these aircraft are the Royal Australian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force. The first aircraft was delivered August 24 to Britain's Royal Air Force, which did not require FAA certification. The company has a total order book of 83 aircraft to date - a mixture of C-130J and C-130J-30 aircraft - for four countries.
+++
Cimber Air has concluded a contract to purchase four new ATR 72-500s from ATR, of which two are firm and two on option. The deal is part of a fleet renewal programme which started in 1996 with the ATR 42-500. The first new aircraft will be delivered in February 1999. The ATR 72-500 has been configured for Cimber Air in a single business class seating for 64 passengers and providing large galley amenities. It will primarily be used on Copenhagen -Berlin, where Cimber has experienced a steady increase in traffic since it started to operate the route last spring in cooperation with Lufthansa and SAS.
+++
The Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche made its first air show appearance on static display at Farnborough. It was the second prototype, which will fly in 1999 at Sikorsky's West Palm Beach, Fla.,Development Flight Center. The newest RAH-66 will serve as the Mission Equipment Package validation aircraft. Meanwhile, the first prototype has logged 105 flying hours. The aircraft has flown at bank angles of 60 degrees. The aircraft has logged forward airspeeds of 204 knots in a dive, 175 knots in level flight sideward speeds of 75 knots, and rearward speeds of 70 knots. The U.S. Army RAH-66 is designed to outmaneuver every other combat helicopter now flying or under development, and its design incorporates reduced radar and infrared signatures.
+++
Continental Express has ordered an additional 25 Embraer ERJ-145 50-seat regional jets at a total cost of $375 million. The announcement brings the airline's total orders from Embraer to 100 firm aircraft, with options for an additional 175 ERJ-145 and ERJ-135 aircraft exercisable over the next 10 years. The Houston-based regional carrier for Continental Airlines has ordered a total of 75 ERJ-145 jets. In May, it also placed an order for 25 ERJ-135 jets, the 37-seat version of the ERJ-145. Continental Express President David Siegel says the latest order brings the regional airline closer to the goal of flying an all-jet fleet.
+++
American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will acquire 75 new 37-seat jets that will allow it to replace additional turboprops on existing routes and improve the competitive edge of the American Airlines network. The transaction involves the firm order of 75 ERJ-135 jets from Embraer, options for an additional 75 aircraft and spare parts and services. Although financial details are not being disclosed and the transaction is subject to the completion of definitive aircraft purchase and financing agreements, this deal may reach a total contractual value of $2 billion. At 37 seats, the ERJ-135 is a smaller version of the ERJ-145, a 50-seat jet American Eagle started flying in May. It offers 90 percent commonality with the ERJ-145, using the same cockpit, engines, main systems, wings and tail. Deliveries of the ERJ-135 will begin in July 1999 and extend through 2004. The high degree of commonality between the ERJ-135 and the ERJ-145 played a key role in the company's decision to acquire the smaller jet. "Obviously, that will help us realize a lot of efficiencies in training and maintenance costs," Garton said. American Eagle already has 12 ERJ-145s in service and will add eight more to its fleet by the end of the year. Another 22 ERJ-145s will be delivered by November 1999 for a total of 42 aircraft.
+++
Lucas Aerospace has won a major contract to supply the complete fly-by-wire flight control system on Fairchild Aerospace's new 728JET. The contract, worth 600 million pounds Sterling ($960 million) over the life of the program, will be the world's first application of a complete fly-by-wire flight control system with no mechanical reversion and will incorporate fully integrated electronic controls utilising Lucas Aerospace's expertise gained from more than 100 million flight hours of safety critical software on engine controls. The system, which comprises flaps, slats, stabiliser, aileron, spoiler, elevator and rudder, will be designed and manufactured in Europe with a strong team co-located at Fairchild Aerospace's operation in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.
+++
The Unity connecting module, the first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station, moved a step closer to orbit when Boeing, the manufacturer of Unity, officially handed over the module's "keys" to NASA. NASA officially accepted the module after review and certification of Unity's construction by NASA and Boeing station managers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL. Unity is scheduled for launch aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-88 mission on Dec. 3. Unity will be launched two weeks after the first station component, the U.S.-funded, Russian-built Zarya module, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Unity will be mated to Zarya by Endeavour's astronauts to begin the five-year orbital assembly of the International Space Station. Unity is a critical component of the International Space Station, a six-sided connector with a berthing port on each side. Along with Unity at Kennedy, more than a half-dozen major pieces of U.S. and foreign-built hardware are now being prepared for launch.
+++
Bombardier Services joined with the Government of Canada to welcome Denmark into the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Farnborough International Air Show today by Major-General Kurt E. Rosgaard, Commander Tactical Air Command of the Royal Danish Air Force, and Lieutenant-General David Kinsman, Chief of the Air Staff for Canada. Denmark is the first international customer to sign up for the NATO Flying Training in Canada program. It is expected to send some 120 students to NFTC, over a 20-year period. The value of their participation in the program is estimated at CA $250M.
+++
MAPO's exports will rely mostly on two new versions of MiGs - a one-seater MiG-29 SMT and a two-seater multi-mission MiG-29 UBT, company president Vladimir Kuzmin said at Farnborough.Both aircraft took off from Zhukovsky outside Moscow to travel 2,910 kilometres non-stop to come to Farnborough, with about 1,000 litres of fuel remaining in the tanks of each on arrival. This confirmed the 3,400 kilometre range of the two updated MiG versions. Kuzmin said MiG-29 SMT had been through the first series of flight tests and the Russian air force recommended manufacturing a small batch of these planes. Serial combat tests of MiG-29 SMT will be started after the Farnborough show. Several countries have shown interest in buyinng the plane and MAPO has sent commercial proposals at their request.
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