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Week ending September 26, 1999
+++ Austrian to become a member in the Star Alliance +++ Boeing delivers first 717 +++ NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter is believed to be lost +++ Dasa claims interest for Taurus +++ Foton-12 launched by Sojus +++ New Lufthansa overhaul company being established in Budapest +++ South Africa cuts arms purchases but signs deals +++ Germany buys more Short Term Conflict Alert Systems +++ Major Airlines and Airports are ready for the millenium +++ News in brief +++
Austrian to become a member in the Star Alliance
Austrian Airlines wird Mitglied der Star Alliance
With the approval of the supervisory board of the Austrian Airlines AG in its meeting on September 21, 1999, the future alliance policy of Austrian Airlines for the beginning of the new millennium was determined. Austrian Airlines and thereby also Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways, will join Star Alliance as of the 2000 summer timetable.The global Star Alliance Network presently comprises eight well-known airlines - Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. In October 1999, All Nippon Airways and in 2000, Austrian Airlines and Mexicana Airlines will join Star Alliance. Based on the contract of Austrian Airlines - Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways will also be members of the global network of airlines. Then, the eleven distinguished partners of Star Alliance, with a total fleet of almost 2000 aircraft, will serve around 800 destinations in more than 112 countries worldwide and transport more than a quarter of a billion passengers annually.
The detailed evaluation of all alliance options yielded a clear preference for membership in the Star Alliance. For this decision, the greatest long term benefit for the customer on a global basis, future expansion opportunities within an established world spanning alliance, positive effects on long-term profitability, further expansion of the Vienna hub, general strengthening of the competitive position and value of the company as well as maintaining independence were the determining factors. A joint statement by both Austrian Airlines presidents, Dr. Herbert Bammer and Mario Rehulka: "We made today a very important decision for the future and further development of Austrian aviation. This decision will enable us to extend our route network worldwide for the benefit of our customers - from the South Seas to South America!"
The SAirGroup, Swissair and their partners in the Qualiflyer Group will continue to pursue their successful strategy of developing and cultivating a European alliance of quality air carriers. This was emphasised today by SAirGroup CEO Philippe Bruggisser in the wake of Austrian Airlines' decision to leave the Qualiflyer Group and join the Star Alliance. "We are sorry to see Austrian go," Bruggisser said. "But we will continue to pursue our objective of creating and operating a customer-friendly multi-hub system in Europe together with other small and medium-sized airlines. In doing so, we will ensure that we remain attractive to our American and Asian partners and retain our independence." Bruggisser sees the departure of Austrian Airlines, with whom Swissair can look back on a collaboration spanning 44 years, from two separate perspectives. "It's an emotional loss primarily," he commented. "Our partnership was the oldest of any two airlines today. The commercial consequences of Austrian's departure are manageable, and shouldn't pose too much of a problem for the Qualiflyer Group." In concrete terms, Austrian Airlines' decision will entail finding adequate compensatory arrangements for the 15 of the Qualiflyer Group's 346 destinations which are currently served only by Austrian Airlines or its partners Tyrolean Airways and Lauda Air, many of which are in Eastern Europe; and finding a suitable alternative to the present "governor/administrator" arrangement under which Qualiflyer Group members look after each other's commercial interests in their respective home markets. Negotiations to expand the Qualiflyer Group in Eastern Europe are already under way.
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Boeing delivers first 717-200
Erste 717-200 an AirTran ausgeliefert
On September 23, Boeing delivered its first 717-200, the world's newest 100-seat passenger jet, to launch customer AirTran Airways. The 717-200, assembled at the Boeing Long Beach Division, was launched in 1995 as the MD-95 and renamed after the merger of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas in 1997. AirTran has 50 firm orders and 50 options for the airplane. AirTran, a regional carrier based in Orlando, Fla., is scheduled to take delivery of seven more 717s in 1999. Its first two airplanes enter revenue service in October. All of AirTran's 717-200s will be configured with 12 seats in business class and 105 seats in coach. The day before, Hawaiian Airlines announced an intent to order 13 Boeing 717-200 regional jets, with rights to purchase an additional seven 717-200s. The value of the13 airplanes is approximately $430 million. Delivery of the first Hawaiian 717-200 will be in February 2001, with the remainder scheduled for delivery in the same year. When delivered, the 717s will replace Hawaiian Airlines' 15 DC-9s, and will join 12 DC-10s, thus maintaining Hawaiian Airlines' commitment to flying an all-Boeing fleet. To date, there are 115 orders and 110 options for the 717-200. The Hawaiian Airlines orders will be added to the Boeing order book when a definitive agreement is signed.
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NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter is believed to be lost
NASAs Mars Climate Orbiter wahrscheinlich verloren
NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter is believed to be lost due to a suspected navigation error. At the early morning of 23 September, NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter fired its main engine to go into orbit around the planet. All the information coming from the spacecraft leading up to that point looked normal. The engine burn began as planned five minutes before the spacecraft passed behind the planet as seen from Earth. Flight controllers did not detect a signal when the spacecraft was expected to come out from behind the planet. "We had planned to approach the planet at an altitude of about 150 kilometers (93 miles). We thought we were doing that, but upon review of the last six to eight hours of data leading up to arrival, we saw indications that the actual approach altitude had been much lower. It appears that the actual altitude was about 60 kilometers (37 miles). We are still trying to figure out why that happened," said Richard Cook, project manager for the Mars Surveyor Operations Project at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "We believe that the minimum survivable altitude for the spacecraft would have been 85 kilometers (53 miles)." "If in fact we have lost the spacecraft it is very serious, but it is not devastating to the Mars Surveyor Program as a whole. The program is flexible enough to allow us to recover the science return of Mars Climate Orbiter on a future mission. This is not necessarily science lost; it is science delayed," said Dr. Carl Pilcher, science director for Solar System Exploration at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. "We have a robust program to explore Mars that involves launching on average one mission per year for at least a decade. It began with the launch of Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor in 1996, continued with Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander and will be followed by more missions in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In fact, Mars Polar Lander will arrive in just over two months and its mission is completely independent of the Mars Climate Orbiter. The science return of that mission won't be affected."Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Dasa claims interest for Taurus
Taurus-Exportchancen?
In a bid to deflect negative reports on the viability of its Taurus standoff missile, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich) has claimed that it is negotiating with several western states about the procurement of the recision guided missile. For Taurus Systems GmbH, a subsidiary of Dasa and the Swedishcompany Bofors, the project represents a billion-DM-sales potential, it is claimed. Taurus Systems GmbH, located at Schrobenhausen, is currently developing a stand-off weapon for the Tornado and Eurofighter designated "MAW Taurus", which allows preventing collateral damage through maximum guidance accuracy and manoeuverability and provides maximum protection for the pilots. The systems will be supplied to theGerman Armed Forces beginning with the year 2002, further The president and chief executive officer of Taurus Systems GmbH, Manfred Küsters, emphasised the "the development work is progressing in full compliance with time and cost schedules". He pointed out that the German Ministry of Defence was still continuing to pursue the project due to its high performance potential. Küsters dismissed reports according to which Italy has abandoned the procurement of the Taurus in favour of an Anglo-French missile. "There is nobinding agreement between the British and Italian governments", Küsters said, and consequently he does not consider as final declarations of intent from Italy in favour of the competing product. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Foton-12 launched by Sojus
Foton-12 mit Sojus gestartet
A Russian Soyuz launcher lifted off from Plesetsk in Northern Russia at 20:00 hours Central European Time, yesterday, Thursday 9 September carrying the Foton-12 capsule loaded with 240 kg of European scientific experiments designed to study biological and physical processes under weightlessness. Nine minutes later, Foton-12 separated from Soyuz, heading for a 16-day mission in low Earth orbit, before returning and landing on the Kazakhstan steppe. The first experiments were activated 32 minutes after lift-off. Scientists carry out research in space because gravity, which is one of the four basic physical forces, strongly affects all organisms and systems on Earth, is practically "switched-off" onboard a spacecraft, making it possible to observe the behaviour of those same organisms or systems without any disturbance caused by gravity, such as convection, pressure or sedimentation. One way to remove these gravity effects is using capsules such as the unmanned Foton-12. ESA has been using Foton and the earlier Bion capsules since 1987 to conduct biological investigations. On this mission, the sixth in which ESA has taken part, European fluid physics and material science experiments have been added to the research programme. Researchers from institutes and universities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and the United Kingdom will monitor their experiments from two locations: a telescience centre at ESRANGE in Kiruna, Sweden, and the Foton User Centre at the Soyuz and Foton manufacturer TsSKB in Samara, Russia, with experiment data being transmitted directly and regularly to Kiruna. Foton-12 is expected to reenter the atmosphere on 25 September and land in an uninhabitated area near the Russian-Kazakh border. The capsule and the experiments will be recovered within a few hours of the landing. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
New Lufthansa overhaul company being established in Budapest
Lufthansa Technik baut fünften Auslandsstandort in Budapest auf
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is adding a new member to its international production alliance. Together with the Hungarian national carrier, Malev Hungarian Airlines, it will establish a joint venture specializing in the provision of commercial airframe overhaul services. Lufthansa Technik will be the majority shareholder. The new company, to be named Lufthansa Technik Budapest, will occupy part of an existing hangar facility at Budapest's Ferihegy airport and will commence overhauling Boeing 737 aircraft in the autumn of next year. "The internationalizing of our production operations is a key factor in our remaining competitive and in the overall success of our company," declared Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman of LHT's Executive Board, after the decision by its supervisory board. "This gives us crucial flexibility with respect to costs and capacity." The company plans to employ over 300 employees within two years with training and start-up support to be provided by Lufthansa Technik and its Irish joint venture, Shannon Aerospace. They will all be thoroughly trained to enable them to play their part in the LHT alliance. Joining Shannon, Dublin, Brussels and Beijing, the Hungarian capital thus becomes LHT's fifth production site outside Germany. As the world's leading provider of MRO services for commercial aircraft, Lufthansa Technik further ensures its proximity to regional markets through a global network of local representatives. Add to this the branches and joint ventures of its subsidiaries. This past year, with sales of 3.2 billion marks, the company had some 10,000 employees in Germany alone.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
South Africa cuts arms purchases but signs deals
Südafrika kürzt Waffenpläne
Nearly a year after the selection of "preffered suppliers" for a host of weapon systems, the South African cabinet has now decided on the final purchase plans, including:- nine Grippen and 12 Hawk aircraft from British Aerospace/Saab, to replace the current Cheetah and Impala aircraft, with a further option to buy another 12 Hawks and 19 Grippens;
- four patrol corvettes from the German Frigate Consortium, to replace the present aging strike crafts;
- 30 light utility helicopters from Italy's Augusta company, to replace the Alouette helicopters
It was said that should the South African government decide not to buy the outstanding equipment, it would not face any cancellation penalties or costs. The option has to be exercised by 2004. If this is the case, the total equipment cost would increase by 8.5 billion rands to 29.9 billion rands (5 billion U.S. dollars), over 12 years. The arms negotiations have long been dogged by controversy, with many opponents arguing the new equipment was unnecessary and others that it was unaffordable.
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Germany buys more Short Term Conflict Alert Systems
DFS kauft weitere Flugsicherungssysteme von Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management, a business unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, announced contract awards from the Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS)-German Civil Aviation Authority to provide additional Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA) systems and to enhance systems already installed at air traffic control facilities. The first contract, with a potential value of $7.6 million, calls for Lockheed Martin to provide four STCA systems, to be installed at ATC facilities in Munich, Langen, and Bremen. The contract also includes an option to purchase three additional systems. The second contract for various system enhancements has a preliminary value of $2 million with a potential value in excess of $7 million. STCA predicts potential aircraft-to-aircraft and aircraft-to-airspace hazard conditions in a crowded terminal environment and provides alerts of pending conflicts for air traffic controllers.Lockheed Martin's association with DFS for STCA began in 1991, when the company won a contract to install 13 systems in ATC facilities. These systems have been successfully performing aircraft conflict detection and avoidance since 1994. Three years later, in 1997, DFS approached Lockheed Martin to provide three advanced conflict alert systems for their new air traffic modernization program, known as P1. The last of those systems was accepted in March of this year. The latest contracts, signed last month, will extend the association through the year 2002.
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Major Airlines and Airports are ready for the millenium
Größere Airlines und Flughäfen sind nach ICAO-Standards fit für die Jahrtausendwende
On Tuesday Assad Kotaite, president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), announced that major players in world aviation are ready for any impact from the millennium computer bug (Y2K) but some small outfits appear unprepared. Kotaite told he was confident that at midnight on Dec. 31 planes would keep flying, airports would keep operating and navigation and air traffic control systems would function normally. "There is an important percentage of ICAO member states who reported that ATS (Air Traffic Service) providers are Y2K ready, or expect to be ready before the Y2K changeover,'' he said.Kotaite said the findings would be available in ICAO's first major Y2K status report, entitled "Aviation Year 2000 Readiness,'' and due to be published next week. The Y2K glitch is expected to cause malfunctions because older computer software only allocated two digits to specify the year in a date, and 2000 may be read as 1900. A majority of the 1,320 international airports and 1,030 air transport operators under the 185-nation ICAO umbrella had responded with Y2K information, as Kotaite said. Moreover, the top 50 air transport operators, accounting for 85 percent of all international passenger kilometers in 1998, were Y2K-ready, as were airports which handled 84 percent of international aircraft movement in the same year. According to Kotaite some 35 ICAO members have yet to provide Y2K preparedness information, which had been due on July 1, adding that with the exception of Russia, most of these were small countries with limited aviation networks. "There are definitely areas and regions which are better prepared than others,'' he said.
"Once the 35 states see the report and see the (Y2K) status I'll be surprised if they do not provide information to ICAO,'' he added, saying he expected details soon from Russia on air traffic control, airlines and airports.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority has listed the 35 countries as: Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Burundi, Cambodia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Congo, Fiji, Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgystan, Lesotho, Libya, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Naura, Nicaragua, Palau, New Guinea, Qatar, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Tonga and Vanuatu.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The orbiter Columbia, veteran of 26 Space Shuttle flights, is slated to depart Kennedy Space Center, FL, on Friday, Sept. 24, headed for Palmdale, CA. The oldest of four orbiters in NASA's fleet will undergo extensive inspections and modifications in Boeing's Orbiter Assembly Facility during a nine-month orbiter maintenance down period (OMDP). This is Columbia's second OMDP, an action that periodically removes each ofNASA's orbiters from flight operations. Though Columbia has undergone other major modifications in Palmdale, CA, its first OMDP was in 1994. While in California, workers will perform more than 100 modifications on the vehicle. Columbia will be the second orbiter outfitted with the multi-functional electronic display system (MEDS) or "glass cockpit". The new system improves crew interaction with the orbiter during flight and reduces the high cost of maintaining the outdated electromechanical cockpit displays currently onboard.+++
Pratt & Whitney's PW6000 engine has achieved its full rating of 24,000 pounds of thrust in initial full-power test runs. The engine hit its maximum thrust after only 12 hours of sea-level testing designed to measure stress and component performance. The engine carries more than 1,500 pieces of instrumentation to give Pratt & Whitney engineers a complete picture of its performance characteristics. In April 2000 the engine will fly for the first time aboard a flying test bed aircraft. First flight on the Airbus Industrie A318 will be in autumn 2001 with entry into service a year later. The PW6000 is the launch engine for the A318 100-passenger aircraft. The 24,000 pound thrust level is about 10 percent above the baseline takeoff requirement for the A318 of 22,000 pounds. The extra margin is intended for heavier gross weight versions of the aircraft and for airlines that fly out of high altitude, high temperature airports.
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On September 14, Bombardier Aerospace announced that Surveillance Australia of Adelaide, Australia, a wholly owned division of National Jet Systems Pty. Ltd., has acquired two additional special-mission Dash 8 Q200 turboprop aircraft for the COASTWATCH program the company operates on behalf of the Australian Customs Service Coastwatch Program. The contract covering the aircraft is valued at approximately US $25 million (Cdn $37 million). The aircraft will be subsequently modified by Field Aviation Inc. of Toronto in May and June 2000 to the COASTWATCH mission configuration. They will be equipped with long range fuel tanks, enlarged windows, a Raytheon SV1022 search radar, a Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR), and a daytime television camera at two sensor consoles. A comprehensive electronics suite including satellite communications will allow communications with ships at sea and Defence and Customs resources.
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Hamilton Sundstrand, a unit of the United Technologies company, has announced that it will cut 1,500 jobs, or 8.3 percent of its worldwide workforce, by the end of next year. The reductions -- including 12 percent in Connecticut and 15 percent in Illinois -- follow Hamilton Standard's merger with Sundstrand Corp. earlier this year, and come as the aerospace industry suffers a downturn, the company said. The job cuts are the latest move in a broad restructuring by United Technologies that was announced on July 20, when it said it would take a $650-million aftertax charge against third-quarter profits.
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Orbital Imaging Corporation (ORBIMAGE), an affiliate of Orbital Sciences Corporation, and SPOT IMAGE S.A. of Toulouse, France, announced a five-year agreement under which SPOT IMAGE will become the exclusive European distributor of high-resolution panchromatic and multispectral imagery from ORBIMAGE's planned OrbView-3 and OrbView-4 satellites. SPOT IMAGE will also become a non- exclusive distributor of OrbView data in selected countries through its extensive worldwide distribution network, in particular its four subsidiaries. In addition, ORBIMAGE will become a non-exclusive distributor of imagery from the SPOT satellites in the United States. ORBIMAGE and SPOT IMAGE also announced their intent to pursue joint product development opportunities.
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The governments of Israel and the United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) on Sept. 10 providing for Israel's purchase of 50 new Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft. The agreement follows Israel's July selection of the advanced F-16I as its new fighter. The total program, including the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package, is worth about $2.5 billion to Lockheed Martin and various suppliers. The agreement provides Israel an option to purchase 60 additional aircraft that would bring the total program value to $4.5 billion, if exercised for the full 110 aircraft. Israel is acquiring an advanced version of the aircraft designated as the F-16I. The configuration includes updated avionics, color displays and a helmet-mounted display all manufactured by Elbit; an advanced electronic warfare suite manufactured by Elisra; advanced weapons and sensors manufactured by Rafael; and other improved systems. Israel Aircraft Industries, Cyclone and other Israeli companies will continue their long tradition of producing F-16 airframe components. All of the 50 F-16Is will be two-seat versions powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine.
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EchoStar Communications Corporation announced that its EchoStar V satellite was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla.. The satellite was put into geosynchronous transfer orbit after a 2:02 a.m. EDT liftoff by a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS launch vehicle, designated AC-155 for the EchoStar V mission. The launch was originally scheduled for Sept. 10 but was delayed by Hurricane Floyd and Tropical Storm Harvey.
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Northrop Grummans Integrated Systems and Aerostructures (ISA) Sector has released technical renderings of advanced concepts it is exploring for a future strike aircraft (FSA) that could replace the current U.S. long-range bomber fleet. Northrop Grumman is working under a 12-month U.S. Air Force study contract to help refine requirements for the type of aircraft platform, weapons and technologies as part of a cost-effective system to achieve future strike capability. The Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, wants the study to address threat and technology growth in the 2030-35 time frame, while considering acceleration pressures for earlier replacement of older aircraft. The goals of the study are to present a credible, compelling vision of the FSA concept and to begin laying out a technology development roadmap. he Air Force selected Northrop Grumman ISA to be a major study participant because of its experience in building the world's most advanced bomber, the B-2 Spirit, as well as its expertise in integration, stealth technology, composites manufacturing, fighter aircraft and airframe manufacturing, electronics and unmanned vehicles.
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Rolls-Royce has stopped work on the giant engine it wanted to build for the proposed Boeing 777X, the company said. By ceasing work on the mighty Trent 8115 engine, Rolls seems to have accepted that General Electric Co, already armed with an exclusivity deal with Boeing, is increasingly likely to become the sole power supplier for the big twin-jet. The Trent 8115 was to have been derived from the existing Trent 800 group of engines that compete with GE and Pratt & Whitney to power current-model 777s. All three firms had proposed monster engines with the required thrust of 510 kilonewtons (115,000 pounds). Boeing said in July that GE alone had been selected, because not enough 777Xs would be built to justify more than one powerplant type.
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Specifying its long-term investment plans, Lufthansa has ordered 11 additional aircraft from Airbus Industrie. The contract, signed on September 17, covers eight ultra long-range A340-300s and three single-aisle A320s, plus an option for six A340-300s. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2001. This is the eighth repeat order Lufthansa has placed for the A340 and also the eighth for the A320 Family, demonstrating the German airline's satisfaction with the types which have become the backbone of its fleet in their respective market segments. With a total of 175 firm orders, Lufthansa remains the largest single Airbus Industrie airline customer. It is also the largest A340 operator, with 20 aircraft in service, and with 73 A320 Family aircraft in its fleet, it is amongst the five largest operators of the types.
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British Airways presented its first Airbus Industrie A319 single-aisle jetliner to the public during a recent ceremony at Birmingham International airport. Ahead of next month's delivery to subsidiary company British Airways Regional, Airbus Industrie operated a special preview flight to showcase the airline's new Club Europe cabin configuration.
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On September 20, GATX Flightlease has signed a firm contract for 38 Airbus Industrie aircraft, including 12 A318s, 10 A320s, 10 A321s, and six A330s. The newly formed joint-venture company has chosen to place its first firm forward order with Airbus Industrie. The joint venture, which brings two important leasing customers for Airbus Industrie together into one order, indicates the eagerness of leasing companies to capitalize on strong market demand for Airbus Industrie products by finding new ways of providing aircraft to operators, via leases.
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On September 14, a Boeing 767-300ER (extended range) airplane owned and operated by Lauda Air of Austria has completed an around-the-world flight, which began Aug. 30 in Frankfurt, Germany. According to the airline, the airplane performed flawlessly during the five flights that took the passengers to five major cities on four continents. Airline President Niki Lauda was at the controls on every flight. Altogether, he piloted the Boeing 767 22,028 nautical miles in 46.1 hours, besting the 47-hour estimate provided by the airline prior to the flight. Lauda Air's newest 767 is configured for 244 passengers in two classes; however, only 130 passengers were on board for the around-the-world flight. One-hundred of the passengers were winners of a contest sponsored by Bild Zeitung, a German newspaper. Almost all of the contest winners were from Germany or Austria, and about half said they had never flown before.
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On September 13, new three-year contract between the Boeing Company in Philadelphia and Local 1069 of the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture Workers was ratified. "The contract calls for a teaming arrangement between the company and the union to secure jobs, and grow the business to ensure Boeing Philadelphia's future," said Chuck Vehlow, vice president and general manager of Boeing in Philadelphia. The contract contains a 3 percent general wage increase in each contract year.
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British Aerospace has welcomed the decision by the UK's Secretary of State for Trade and Industry not to refer to the Competition Commission its proposed merger with GEC's Marconi Electronic Systems: he has requested the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss with British Aerospace the terms of appropriate undertakings relating to certain areas of concern that the enquiry into the proposed transaction has raised. Both companies are confident the undertakings will be agreed such that the transaction can becompleted in this calendar year. Subject to regulatory approval from the US State Department the approval of BAe and GEC shareholders will be sought. Conditional on shareholders approval it is anticipated that the transaction will be completed later this year.
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British Aerospace announced a profit before tax, exceptional items and goodwill amortisation of 358 million Pounds (1998 349 m) for the first half of the year. Earnings per share were up 2.1% to 14.8p (1998 14.5p), and the order book stood at 27.9bn Pounds. Chairman Sir Richard Evans said, "We see performance of the business continuing to strengthen into the second half and, with our confidence in the outlook, the net interim dividend per share has increased 27.7% to 3.0p. "In addition to pursuing the maximum value from current business operations, significant progress is being made in the strategic development of the Company."
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A joint venture company to provide end-to-end broadband connectivity via space-based and terrestrial distribution networks has been formed by the Pacific Century Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, and Munich-based DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa). The new company is called Pacific Century Matrix Limited (PC Matrix). The Pacific Century Group holds 70 percent and Dasa 30 percent of the shares. PC Matrix will locate its operations centre in Hong Kong. The company's primary objective is to provide and operate end-to-end connectivity networks. It is envisaged that PC Matrix will also offer a complete range of seamless broadband connectivity solutions and services, and thus provide terrestrial and space-based data links enabling high-speed digital interactivity for business and residential end-users.
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Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. has ordered 25 firm and 30 optional Fairchild Aerospace regional jets. The firm order is for 328JETs, with the options for 328JETs and/or 428JETs. This contract has a potential value of $730 million if all options are exercised, and brings the total value of ACAI's potential business with Fairchild to more than $2 billion. The firm order is valued at $324 million, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the spring of 2000. The aircraft will be used to support Atlantic Coast's new affiliation with Delta Air Lines under a new operating subsidiary.
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Lockheed Martin is implementing recommendations of an independent panel commissioned in May to assess program management, engineering and manufacturing processes, and quality control procedures within its Space & Strategic Missiles Sector. The panel was asked to provide its recommendations to Lockheed Martin by September 1 and met that deadline by briefing the corporation's senior management August 30. The Independent Assessment Team on Mission Success recommended that Lockheed Martin develop a fly out plan for Titan IV's remaining missions, improve quality control processes and better manage its suppliers and subcontractors. Additionally, the review team called for Lockheed Martin to strengthen functional and program management accountability for critical processes, improve senior management oversight and strengthen the accountability of engineers for the hardware and software in their areas of responsibility. Other panel recommendations included enhanced training, mentoring, succession planning and theutilization of skills of qualified retirees to support critical events. The team also advised Lockheed Martin to formulate and communicate a policy on proper implementation of the better-faster-cheaper concept.
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The first Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules ordered in late 1995, has arrived at its new home at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales, at least two years late. The Commanding Officer of No 37 Squadron, Wing Commander Greg Evans, admits his unit is facing a busy time. After its official welcome the first aircraft will go into a three month Operational Test and Evaluation phase.
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A joint UK-Korea aerospace materials research centre at Rolls-Royce in Derby has been extended until 2006 by an agreement signed today at a ceremony witnessed by the scienceministers of both countries. Lord Sainsbury, UK Minister for Science, and Jung Uck Seo, KoreanMinister of Science and Technology, were present as Richard Turner, Group Marketing Director for Rolls-Royce plc, and Dr HaeUng Hwang, President of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Metals (KIMM), at the Department of Trade and Industry in London, launched the second phase of the Korea-UK Research Centre. The centre, based in the Rolls-Royce Materials Research Centre in Derby, and is funded, staffed and equipped jointly by KIMM and Rolls-Royce. The second phase of its work will cover more research and development programmes, including materials, manufacturing and design-related research.
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The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded Sikorsky a $5.46 million contract to build two CYPHER II prototype aircraft and ground control stations. The CYPHER II unmanned air vehicle (UAV), with its unique removable wing design, can hover like a helicopter or be flown as a fixed wing aircraft to 125 knots. The Marine Corps will call the aircraft Dragon Warrior. It marks the first time a customer has given Sikorsky a contract to develop a prototype UAV. The CYPHER II's contract is further evidence of the company's commitment to expanding the product line.
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Gate Gourmet, the world's second-biggest airline caterer, is further expanding its presence and activities in the Australian market: the Swiss-based global foodservice group will take over seven flight kitchens from Ansett, the Australian airline, on November 15. The seven facilities, which are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Cairns, produce some 14 million meals a year.
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Lauda Air and Lufthansa Technik have signed a 15-year contract under which the latter will be overhauling engines of type CFM56-7 made by CFM International. The Austrian carrier has selected this latest model of the successful powerplant for its Next Generation Boeing 737NGs. It is currently flying two B737-800s. It will be placing another six aircraft into service by March of the year 2002. A second item covered by the contract is a maintenance event involving a Lauda Air Boeing 777. This very month of September 1999 Lufthansa Technik is beginning its first C check of that aircraft. In parallel to the regular check, the aircraft's cabin is to be overhauled in order to bring its interior up to the high standard for which Lauda Air is famed. In addition, the Enhanced Ground-Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) is to be installed, and the cabin's entertainment system upgraded.
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On September 24, two Tornado combat aircraft of the German Luftwaffo collided in mid air and crashed near Carlsbad in California. All four crew members were able to eject and survived with minor injuries. Both aircraft were on a training mission from Holloman AFB in New Mexico, where the Luftwaffe is operating a training squadron.
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Reinhard Praus, commander of the German border guard flying unit (BGS Fliegergruppe) has retired. His successor at the Hangelar headquarters is Gerd Schäfer, his deputy for 16 years.
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In its first financial statement since completing the merger in the summer, Aerospatiale Matra has declared a 110 million US-dollar interim loss. This mainly was induced by exceptional items and hedging arrangements against the US-Dollar which badly misfired. Operating income was also halved, with problems in the missile sector.
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Virgin Express has announced services to Germany, starting in November. Ultra cheap flights will be offered from Berlin to Brussels and London-Stansted, using 737s.
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General Electric and Pratt & Whitney have been cleared in their joint venture to develop an engine for the A3XX by the European commission in Brussel. The deal is restricting competition, bu would lead to a high-tech engine in shorter time, it was said about the Engine Alliance. The approval is for 15 years, but subject to some conditions.
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Eurowings will stop its services between Frankfurt and Berlin, saying that they were not viable in the long-term. Lufthansa thus regains its monopoly after two and a half years. Eurwings had tried both to offer low fares and later to increase frequencies and service. Its market share was around ten per cent.
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