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UPDATE 
Week ending November 7, 1999
+++ Eurofighter forms new marketing company +++ New BAe organization revealed +++ Airborne observatory's telescope weight reduced +++ Lockheed Martin president Teets to retire +++ News in brief +++

Eurofighter forms new marketing company
Neue Eurofighter-Firma gegründet

On November 4, the four Eurofighter partners Alenia, BAe, CASA and Dasa have set up a dedicated export sales organisation, called Eurofighter International. The new company will focus on capturing 50 per cent of teh estimated available market of 800 combat aircraft over the next 30 years, worth in excess of 57 billion US Dollars. Eurofighter International will be the sole responsibel for all export sales activities, providing a single contractual interface for all export customers. It will be based in London. Cesare Gianni from Alenia has been appointed President. He will be supported by three Vice Presidents: Manfred Wolff (Campaigns), Andy Lewis (Sales Support) and Rob New (Contracts/Finance). The current relationship between Eurofighter GmbH, NETMA and the four partner customers will not be changed, it was said.
Meanwhile, Eurofighter partner Dasa deployed an aircraft to Tanagra Air Force Base in support of the HAF open day on 8 November. The aircraft was DA5, flown by Dasa test pilot Chris Worning. DA5 was going to Greece via Decimomanu in Sardinia, and arrived in Tanagra on Thursday 4 November, returning to Germany on Tuesday 9 November. An F-4 chase aircraft of the German Armed Forces Flight Test Centre at Manching accompanied it. This is only the second time that Eurofighter has deployed an aircraft outside the four partner nations, (excluding visits to the Paris Airshow). The previous occasion was when DA5 visited Norway in 1998.

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New BAe organization revealed
British Aerospace: Neue Mangementstruktur

On November 4, British Aerospace (BAe) and Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) announced a strong programmes-led organisation designed to provide real focus on the customer and to deliver significant synergy savings for the new merged company. It reflects the predicted defence business growth in the area of systems, systems integration, service and service-related areas. And it will create a single, seamless company philosophy through ownership of common processes by function leaders. Sir Richard Evans will head the new organisation as chairman with John Weston as chief executive. The new organisation will become effective from the date of the merger completion, which is targeted for 30 November 1999. George Rose will be group finance director with Sir Charles Masefield group marketing director and Michael Lester group legal director. Two chief operating officers, Mike Turner and Peter Gershon, will be responsible for the business operations of the new company reporting to Mr Weston. Peter Gershon will have responsibility for managing programmes and the company's worldwide customer support operations. To underline the importance placed on customer support, which is seen as a key business growth area, Robin Southwell will be appointed group managingdirector - customer support. As group managing director - programmes, Steve Mogford will support Peter Gershon in driving the company's focus on major programmes. Some 11 programme managing directors will be appointed with responsibility for the operational and profit performance of their individual programmes.

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Airborne observatory's telescope weight reduced
Gewicht des SOFIA-Teleskops verringert

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) project team has achieved a major milestone toward completing the world's largest airborne observatory. French engineers reconfigured the 2.7-meter primary mirror of the telescope to be light enough to meet the stringent weight requirements of an airborne telescope, yet strong enough to withstand the open-cavity environment it will experience mounted in a highly modified Boeing 747SP flying at nearly 41,000 feet. "This is the largest telescope mirror ever to be lightweighted using a mechanical cutting process," said SOFIA Chief Scientist Eric Becklin of the Universities Space Research Association. "There were definitely some technical challenges and some risk of damaging the mirror. However, the mirror came through in excellent condition, and we can now move on to the more conventional figuring process." The painstaking lightweighting process required removing over 3,600 kilograms (approximately 7,900 pounds) from the back of the SOFIA primary mirror. During the nearly 18-month process, the mirror's weight was reduced by over 80% from 4,500 kilograms (9,922 pounds) to 880 kg (1,940 pounds). The lightweighting procedure, that used a huge, high-precision milling machine, resulted in a strong, lighter-weight mirror with a honeycomb back. Schott Glasswerke of Mainz, Germany cast the mirror blank. The SOFIA mirror will be figured to a focal ratio of f:1.28. The complete telescope system, a Cassegrain with Nasmyth focus, will have a focal ratio of f:19.6. It will operate primarily in the infrared and submillimeter region of the spectrum, from .8 to 1,600 microns, but will also be used in visible wavelengths. The entire telescope assembly is expected to weigh about 20,000 kilograms (approximately 44,000 pounds). Under an international agreement between the United States and the German government, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is responsible for the design and construction of the SOFIA telescope. SOFIA, with its 2.7-meter (106-inch) telescope, is NASA's next generation airborne observatory, replacing the now-retired Kuiper Airborne Observatory that had a .9-meter (36-inch) telescope. SOFIA will be based at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA, and is expected to become operational in 2002.

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Lockheed Martin president Teets to retire
Probleme bei Lockheed Martin gehen weiter

Peter B. Teets, Lockheed Martin President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) has announced he will retire from the company and resign from its Board of Directors. Effective immediately, Chairman and CEO Vance Coffman will also assume COO duties. The news comes after the company has revealed another set of dismal financial performance predicition, warning that profits will be lower than expected next year. After the announcement, Lockheed shares dropped. The company said it expects earnings in 2000 to be about $1 per diluted share, excluding the effects of non-recurring and unusual items. In early June, Lockheed Martin had estimated 2000 earnings of at least $2.15 per share and free cash flow of $900 million.Now it cited softness in the commercial space business, increased investments in new advanced launch vehicles, programme delays in its system integration unit, a failure to win contracts in areas such as future imagery architecture, and some satellite and launch delays for its worsened outlook.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

In a speech before the International Space Business Assembly, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin outlined the challenges facing the space industry. Top among them, according to Goldin, is international adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime. Other obstacles for the global space industry are interoperability, yuality of service and reduced cost. Goldin offered in his final words, "Will we give up on the dreams we had a decade ago? Or will we work together to achieve our dreams and take the space industry to new heights? The time is now. And the decision is ours."
+++
On 3 November NATO appointed General Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, to succeed General Wesley K. Clark as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.The appointment will become effective in May 2000. In addition to the NATO position, General Ralston will be assigned as Commander in Chief, United States European Command.
+++
The Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Advanced Technology Center (ATC) will provide the scientific instrument for NASA's Full-sky Astrometric Mapping Explorer (FAME) spacecraft, to be launched in 2004. FAME is an astrometric satellite designed to determine, with unprecedented accuracy, the positions, distances, and proper motions of 40 million stars within 6,500 light years of the Sun. The value of the Lockheed Martin contract for FAME is $37 million. The ATC is part of a team headed by the U.S. Naval Observatory - and including the Naval Research Laboratory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory -- that submitted a proposal to NASA to build and fly the FAME mission.
+++
The world's first hypersonic air-breathing free-flight vehicle is no longer just a paper airplane. The first of three experimental vehicles, designated X-43A, recently arrived at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, to prepare for flight in May 2000. Flight of the X-43 vehicles will be the culmination of over 20 years of scramjet (supersonic combustible ramjet) research and the first time a non-rocket engine has powered vehicles at hypersonic speeds. Built by Micro Craft, Inc., Tullahoma, TN, for NASA's Hyper-X program, the 12-foot-long, unpiloted X-43 vehicles will significantly expand the boundaries of air-breathing aircraft. Three flights are planned -- two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10. The flight tests will be conducted within the Western Test Range off the coast of southern California.
+++
The first jet-powered regional airliner to be operated in China was delivered on November 3 to Hainan Airlines in a ceremony at Fairchild Aerospace's facility at Oberpfaffenhofen. The 32-seat, twin-engine 328JET is the first of 19 firm and 20 optional aircraft ordered by Hainan. The potential value of the contract, if all options are exercised, is $464 million. Hainan began its relationship with Fairchild Aerospace in 1994 with the operation of two Metroliners. "With its move to regional jets, Hainan is leading the way in China's regional airline development," said Fairchild Aerospace President Jim Robinson. "We are extremely pleased that the 328JET is part of this evolutionary movement," he added. Robinson also credited the Airworthiness team from CAAC, under the leadership of Acting Director General Wang Zhong, for the outstanding 328JET certification program.
+++
After Goodyears airship "Spirit of Akron" received severe damage in an accident close to its base at Wingfoot Lake in Suffield, Ohio, a replacement already is under construction. The new 192-foot airship will be ready to fly within weeks with full operations expected in late January. In announcing the new blimp, Samir G. Gibara, Goodyear chairman, president and CEO, said: "The Goodyear blimp is one of the world's best known corporate icons. The outpouring of concern we have received from all corners of the world underlines the deep personal affection that people have for the blimp.
+++
According to statements by Energia, the pre-launch preparation of the third element of the International Space Station, Russia's service modue Zvezda, will be finished this year. The tests will involve the service module, the International Space Stations two elements that are already in orbit, or the Russian-made functional cargo module Zarya and the US' node Unity, and mission control centers in Moscow and in Houston, Texas. Earlier tests yielded positive resuls, but warranted "some rectification", Energia said.
+++
On November 2, British Airways has signed a firm contract with Airbus Industrie for 12 A318s plus 12 options, following an earlier announcement that the airline has selected the newly launched aircraft to meet its future 100-seater requirements. The contract also follows a 1998 order for up to 188 A320 Family aircraft, and extends the strong Airbus Industrie brand across the entire British Airways single-aisle fleet, which already includes 11 in-service A319s and A320s.
+++
The Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey has entered a critical Operational Evaluation test period that will evaluate its suitability and effectiveness for operational use. The MV-22's OPEVAL began this month and will continue through the spring of 2000. The Multi-Service Operational Test Team, comprised of U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force pilots, aircrew, maintenance personnel, operations analysts and flight engineers, will evaluate the MV-22's readiness to join the fleet against established requirements for this evaluation period. This squadron of independent testers will use the first four low rate initial production aircraft for about 700 flight hours during 350 sorties to conduct extensive operationally representative missions from air capable ships, airfields, remote sites, confined areas, and major range and test facilities. OPEVAL of the V-22 will take place at Marine Corps Air Stations in North Carolina and Arizona, Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., and air capable ships located on each coast.
+++
Boeing successfully completed a major milestone when a team representing the U.S. Defense Department and the U.K. Ministry of Defence met with Boeing to review the status of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Other JSF partner countries represented were Canada, Denmark, Italy, Norway and The Netherlands. Over a three-day period, the government's JSF Program Office conducted the final phase of its review of the Boeing design for the operational JSF and the company's progress in building two X-32 demonstrator aircraft, as well as design, build and support processes. The government also reviewed company progress in other risk-reducing flight and ground demonstrations in support of JSF development. As part of the design review, Boeing presented its configuration update, referred to as -374.
+++
In a time of bad publicity for Boeing, the company also had to admit that it has discovered recently that there are non-conforming flight deck drip shield parts on some the 747s, 757s, 767s and 777s. The FAA was notified immediately. These drip shields are used to manage condensation in the airplanes. Action was taken to correct the situation in production and Boeing hoped that there will be minimal impact on the deliveries of new airplanes.
+++
On November 2, Boeing celebrated the rollout of the first Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, or CALCMs, to beconverted at the company's Weapons Programs facility inSt. Charles, Mo. Boeing is on contract with the Air Force to convert 322 nuclearAir-Launched Cruise Missiles to non-nuclear CALCMs. Previous conversions were completed at company facilities in Kent, Wash., and Oak Ridge, Tenn. Although the CALCM milestone was celebrated today, the first six missiles to roll out of the St. Charles factory were shipped last month to a supplier, Aerojet, for warhead installation and refueling prior to delivery to the Air Force later this month. The last of the 322 missiles will be delivered in mid-2001.
+++
Boeing has announced it has sold its ACES II ejection seat product line to The BFGoodrich Company. The terms of the sale were not disclosed. The sale of the ACES II product line supports the Boeing strategic vision to focus company resources on core competencies. The ACES II program was part of the Boeing Aerospace Support business. About 25 Boeing employees supported the ACES II program at a company facility in Titusville, Fla. More than 7,000 ACES II ejection seats have been produced for the U.S. Air Force and international defense customers. The seats are used on F-15, F-16, F-22,
+++
The British Aerospace Jetstream 41 has been certificated by the UK CAA for London City Airport's 5.5 degree steep approach, enabling the start of scheduled operations by British Regional Airlines from London City Airport to Sheffield City Airport today, 1 November. British Airways' largest franchise partner is flying the 29-seater three times daily on the route. Also on 1 November, London City Airport welcomes more British Aerospace jet services. Aer Lingus starts scheduled services at London City Airport for the first time, with five daily services to Dublin using the British Aerospace 146; Sabena goes all jet on Brussels, flying five services a day with the Avro RJ85; Crossair of Switzerland is upgrading its flights to Basel to the RJ100, complementing its Avro 'Jumbolino' jet services to Zurich, Lugano and Geneva and Jersey European launches three daily flights to Edinburgh, flying BAe 146-200s.
+++
TNT, Europe's market leader in global express distribution, logistics and international mail has taken delivery of its first A300B4 Freighter aircraft. This first aircraft was supplied by C-S Aviation Services Inc of New York, USA. The conversion, from passenger to freighter aircraft, was carried out by British Aerospace Aviation Services (BAeAS) based at Filton, Bristol, UK. TNT has contracted with C-S Aviation Services Inc and BAeAS to convert up to a total of 14 aircraft. Simultaneously with the conversion, the contract includes heavy maintenance together with a full strip and repaint. The deliveries of the remaining converted A300B4 Freighters are planned to be completed by November 2002. The delivery marks an important milestone for both TNT and BAeAS. This A300B4F is TNT's first widebody aircraft to enter their fleet. The aircraft will be operated from Edinburgh through TNT's new European Express Centre based at Liege Airport, Belgium.
+++
The Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH (DSS) was certified with the international standard of quality ISO 9001 at the beginning of October. DSS, a company of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich), now meets the market demand for an internationally recognised quality management system. The international standard ISO 9001 gives the standards required for a quality management system in companieswhich deal with product design, development, production, assembly and maintenance. Up to now there were internal quality standards in the field of astronautics, but these will now spread over all branches and become internationallystandardised. The quality of every process at Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH will be fully confirmed with the certification.
+++

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Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen sind weiter abrufbar:

*October 31, 1999 *October 24, 1999 *October 17, 1999 *October 10, 1999 *October 3, 1999

*September 26, 1999 *September 12, 1999 *September 5, 1999

*August 29, 1999 *August 15, 1999 *August 8, 1999 *August 1, 1999

*July 18, 1999 *July 11, 1999 *July 4, 1999

*January to June 1999 *January to December 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

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