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UPDATE 
Week ending December 5, 1999
+++ CASA joins EADS +++ No news from Mars Polar Lander +++ Franco-German summit pushes joint military airlift +++ 50th consecutive launch success for Ariane 4 +++ Joint proposal for European tiltrotor research +++ LTU starts cost cutting efforts +++ Zurich airport gets ok for privatisation +++ News in brief +++

CASA joins EADS
Spanische Luftfahrtfirma bei EADS dabei

Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A. (CASA) is joining the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) as a founding member. The Agreement to merge CASA, Aerospatiale Matra S.A. (Paris) and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich) was signed on December 2 in Madrid in the presence of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Prime Minister José María Aznar and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. With a workforce of 96,000 and combined revenues of approximately 21 billion Euros, EADS will be one of the three largest aerospace companies in the world and the Number 1 in Europe, with leading positions across all segments.
The Business Combination Agreement was signed by the two main industrial shareholders represented by Jürgen E. Schrempp, Chairman of DaimlerChrysler AG (Stuttgart), together with Dr. Manfred Bischoff, Dasa Chairman and Member of the Board of DaimlerChrysler AG, and Jean-Luc Lagardère, President of the French Lagardère Group as well as Philippe Pontet, Chairman and CEO of SOGEPA (Société Générale de Participations Aéronautiques), and Philippe Camus, CEO of Aerospatiale Matra and Co-CEO of the Lagardère group. The Spanish signature was set to the agreement by Pedro Ferreras, President of the Spanish state holding SEPI (Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales), which currently holds the majority stake in CASA.

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No news from Mars Polar Lander
Mars Polar Lander meldet sich nicht

After its supposed landing on December 3 (about 9 pm European time), NASA has not yet received any signal from the Mars Polar Lander. Fears are thus rising on another failure, after the loss of Mars Climate Orbiter. On November 4, NASA said that mission controllers will continue attempting to communicate with the lander and the probes throughout the weekend. The Deep Space 2 team will try to contact the probes approximately every two hours. "We're remaining upbeat," said Mars Polar Lander Project Manager Richard Cook at JPL. "We have prepared for various scenarios, and we're trying all the options." Cook pointed out that if the spacecraft entered a standby, or safe mode, about 20 minutes after landing at 12:15 p.m. PST on Fri., Dec. 3, it would not be able to receive any communications until it takes itself out of safe mode on Saturday evening. So far, mission controllers have been attempting to communicate with the lander by using its medium gainantenna. If contact has not been established by unday morning., Dec. 5, they will try to communicate with the lander by using NASA's currently-orbiting Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft as a relay system. In that scenario, the lander would automatically switch to its UHF radio. On Fri., Dec. 3, ground controllers attempted to "talk to" the lander at 6:27 p.m. PST. They tried to contact the Deep Space 2 microprobes at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. PST. The Deep Space 2 microprobes, which impacted Mars about 60 kilometers (about 35 miles) north of the lander, will transmit data through Mars Global Surveyor. Mars Polar Lander is part of a series of missions in a long- term program of Mars exploration managed by JPL for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. JPL's industrial partner is Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

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Franco-German summit pushes joint military airlift
Gemeinsame europäische Lufttransportorganisation vorgeschlgen

During the recent Franco-German summit at Paris, the defence minsters signed a declaration concerning their intent to form, in appropriate steps, a multinational European air transport command. This should help to better coordinate of all the available airlift means, both military and civil. Also, such a body would be a strong incentive to procure new aircraft together, as is currently discussed in the FLA programme where a decision on A400M versus other options (includeing An-7X) is eagerly awaited this month or early next year. "We underline our intent to come to a common decision on the development and procurement of a joint Eruopean transport, in the light of the technical reports alreade submittes", was the wording on this.
Also, the defence ministers signed an administative agreement concerning the French Syracuse III communications satellite. Germany will rent capacities on this system, which is due to be launched in 2003. This is just a sort of letter of intent, depending on technical and financial negotiations.

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50th consecutive launch success for Ariane 4
Ariane schafft 50. erfolgreichen Start in Folge

On December 3, Arianespace launched the Helios 1B military observation satellite from Kourou, French Guiana. Helios 1B was developed by France, in collaboration with Italy and Spain. This was the eighth successful mission of 1999, and the 50th consecutive success for Ariane 4 mission in an unbroken series that began in March 1995. Flight 124 used an Ariane 40 launch vehicle, the version of the Ariane 4 launcher family without strap-on boosters. It was the 92nd out of 116 Ariane 4s ordered from the European space industry. Liftoff took place on Friday, December 3, at 1:22 pm local time in Kourou (16:22 GMT; 5:22 pm in Paris). Following a flight of 18 minutes, 25 seconds, Helios was accurately injected into its sun-synchronous polar orbit.
Helios 1B is the second satellite in a defense/security space-based observation program involving France, Italy and Spain. The program is jointly managed by the French Ministry of Defense and the CNES French space agency. The satellite was built by a Matra Marconi Space-led team, and weighed 2,544 kg. (5,597 lb.) at liftoff. Flight 124 also lofted an auxiliary passenger, the 50-kg. (110 lb.) Clementine technology satellite. Built by Alcatel Space and Thomson-CSF for the French DGA defense procurement agency, Clementine is designed to measure and assess the terrestrial radio-electric environment.

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Joint proposal for European tiltrotor research
Europäische Firmen arbeiten an gemeinsamen Vorschlag für Kipprotor-Forschung

On November 30, Eurocopter, Agusta and GKN Westland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning work on a joint proposal to the EU to get research money from the 5th Framework Programme. The specialists from the three helicopter makers have now time until March 15 next year to trash out workshares and a common configuration for the research phase. It will be a tiltrotor in the ten-ton class, seating 20 to 25 passengers.
Earlier in 1999, consortia led be Eurocopter and Agusta submitted individual responses to the European Union. This approach was rejected as not being in the best interest of Europe, with tight budgets ruling out any duplication of work. The problem now is to reconcile the different approaches. Eurocopter was working on a model which only tilts its rotor, an not its engines, as the US V-22 does. This is said to be simpler. Agusta, on the other hand, was proposing a sort of tilt-wing, where the wingtips with the rotor are swivellen upwards. The engine is mounted further inboard, but also goes into the vertical.

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LTU starts cost cutting efforts
"Ergebnisverbesserungsprogramm" bei LTU

To reverse the flagging fortunes of LTU and LTU Touristik, the management has launched a new programme to boost profits. It is targeted to yield 200 million DM in the next two years. Actions include an adaptation of the fleet and better load factors. Also a reduction in investments is necessary. Personnel costs should be reduced, for example by cutting unnecessary structures and by mor flexibility in working arrangements. This of course will demand concessions from the LTU empleyees. It is hoped that reductions will be achieved through voluntary retirements etc.

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Zurich airport gets ok for privatisation
Teilprivatisierung des Flughafen Zürich genehmigt

Canton Zurich voters approved plans to partially privatise Zurich Airport. The proposal, which will create a new independent mixed-ownership airport company, was put to the canton's electorate on November 28. "This result sends an important signal for the future of Switzerland as a place to do business," says Hannes Goetz, Chairman of the Board of the SAirGroup. "In approving this proposal, the people of Canton Zurich are also accepting the key role they play in our nation's economy." With the approval of the electorate confirmed, work can now proceed on creating the organisational framework that will enable Zurich to compete effectively with its European airport competitors. As the airport's main user through its airlines Swissair, Crossair and Balair/CTA, the SAirGroup is more dependent than ever on having a competitive home hub. The SAirGroup is confident that the new airport company will provide efficient and customer-minded airport operations, and that the current Phase Five Expansion will be completed as swiftly and cost-consciously as possible.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

British Aerospac and Marconi Electronic Systems completed their merger on 30 November. At the same time, the company was renamed BAE SYSTEMS - the second largest wordl defence contractor and fourth aerospace and defence company. It has more than 100000 employees in nine countries. The annual turnover is said to be 12,3 billion Pound, with an order book of 37,5 billion Pounds and a strong net balance sheet. The new company will try to drive forward, focused on three areas, i.e. maximising the value of the existing portfolio, exploit key growth opportunities and grow new businesses as well as to further exploit the ongoing consolidation in the industry. It is hoped that stron synergies will boost operating performance.
+++
Aerojet and Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. were awarded a multimillion dollar contract by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to build the new Mars Micromission spacecraft, expected to launch in 2003. The contract is contingent upon NASA committing the funds required for the Mars Micromission. This decision is expected by February 2000. An industry partner with Ball Aerospace, Aerojet will design and manufacture the propulsion system, and provide support services through spacecraft integration and launch of the first Micromission spacecraft.
+++
On December 3, a trinational US/Nehterlands/German Extended Air Defence Task Force was officially inaugurated at the Burbach facility in Germany. Main task of the 34 strong staff will be planning and implementation of joint training and exercises. Also, interoperability of the Patriot SAM system should be increased.
+++
The Russian MAPO military-industrial complex is successfully fulfilling the contract to deliver MiG-29 fighters to Bangladesh. Two single-seater MiG-29 fighters were shipped to that country this month. They were assembled at the Lukhovitsy machine-building plant near Moscow. Two more combat-training MiG-29UBs, produced by the Nizhni-Novgorod aircraft-building plant "Sokol", will also be delivered to that country shortly. MAPO will complete the Bangladesh contract early next year by delivering four more MiG-29 fighters to that country. At present, sixty pilots and technicians from Bangladesh are receiving training in Krasnodar. They will fly and service the received Russian fighters after they return home.
+++
Bombardier has been selected to supply one ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express business jet aircraft to the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). Robert Gillespie, president, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft said: "We are proud to win this key sale with the JCAB as it underlines the special-mission superiority of the Global Express compared to competing aircraft." The Global Express aircraft will be deployed in a flight inspection and calibration role by the JCAB. It is scheduled for delivery from Bombardier's de Havilland facility in Toronto, Ont., to Aerodata Flugmesstechnik of Braunschwieg, Germany, in December 2000. Aerodata will outfit it with a special interior for final delivery to the JCAB in December 2001. Aerodata is responsible for the design, integration and certification of the special mission aircraft while ITOCHU Corporation, Bombardier's exclusive representative in Japan, is the prime contractor. The JCAB selection is the first contract for a Global Express in this configuration and is also the second sale in less than six months where a government agency has selected the Global Express for a special mission role.
+++
On December 1, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems (LMTAS) of Fort Worth, Texas, opened its new Product Support Center. The center is designed to enhance worldwide support of the company's products through the use of leading-edge information and communication technologies. The center initially will focus on the worldwide F-16 fleet, consisting of more than 3,000 aircraft operated by 19 air forces from 80 bases worldwide. Currently, LMTAS ties its customers together through a field information network that has evolved with the needs of the F-16 program. The Product Support Center will demonstrate new integrated information, communication and support business concepts to enhance F-16 program support, while breaking ground to address the emerging needs of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
+++
On December 1, AlliedSignal and Honeywell announced that they have received clearance from the European Commission to complete their merger. The companies said they plan to complete the merger immediately after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking the launch of a new $24-billion global technology company operating under the Honeywell name. The new company's stock commenced trading under the symbol HON on December 2 on the New York Stock Exchange. The merger will be immediately accretive to earnings, with earnings per share expected to grow by 20% in 2000 and at a compounded annual rate of at least 18% over the next three years. Annual operating margin is expected to grow at least one point per year from 14% in 1999, and free cash flow before dividends is expected to be $3 billion in 2002. Honeywell will have an annual revenue-growth goal of 8% to 10%. The European Commission did not ask the companies to make any divestitures beyond those called for in the companies' agreement in principle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
+++
UK-based Air 2000 will acquire eight additional Airbus Industrie A320 Family aircraft, including five A320s and three A321s. Air 2000, which in 1992 became the first A320 charter operator in the United Kingdom, has again opted for A320 Family aircraft as part of a fleet renewal plan. The deal includes new firm orders for two A320s to be leased from ILFC and two A320s to be leased from The CIT Group. With main bases in Gatwick and Manchester, Air 2000 will operate the new aircraft on charter flights to destinations around the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. The airline has selected the new 93-tonne MTOW version of the A321 which, combined with the A320, offers an unbeatable combination of seat-mile costs and commonality. Apart from a longer fuselage, the A321 is almost identical to the A320 in all respects, including cockpit, maintenance, and flight operational commonality.
+++
The first new production Block 52 F-16C/D aircraft to incorporate color cockpits has been delivered to the Republic of Singapore Air Force as part of the Peace Carvin III program. The aircraft, an F-16C, is the first of 12 new production F-16C/D aircraft for the Republic of Singapore Air Force, under an order that was announced in 1997. The delivery also marks the second batch of F-16s for the Singapore Air Force that was produced in 24 months, compressed from the typical span time of 36 months. The reduction in time span was achieved through commercial practices and lean manufacturing processes. The new state-of-the-art F-16s will be delivered to Singapore over the next six months. The Peace Carvin III program has an estimated value of $350 million, including the aircraft, support equipment, spare parts, training, mission equipment and other associated items.
+++
NASA managers have set Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, as the launch date for NASA's final Space Shuttle mission this century. The 96th Space Shuttle mission will be highlighted by four space walks to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Discovery is scheduled to lift off from Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL, at 12:13 a.m. EST, the opening of a 38-minute launch window. Discovery's planned 10-day flight, designated Shuttle mission STS-103, is scheduled to end with a night landing at Kennedy at about 9:21 p.m. EST on Dec. 20. Also dubbed Hubble Servicing Mission 3A, the flight will feature an international crew of seven astronauts who will replace the telescope's six gyroscopes, a fine-guidance sensor, a transmitter, a spare solid-state recorder and a high-voltage/temperature kit for protecting the batteries from overheating. In addition, the crew will install an advanced computer that is 20 times faster and has six times the memory of the current Hubble Space Telescope computer.
+++
Boeing has selected Lockheed Martin Electronics and Missiles, Orlando, Fla., to supply a new penetrating warhead for a follow-on configuration to the company's Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile.Lockheed Martin's Advanced Unitary Penetrator was selected following a series of full-scale sled tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The AUP3(M) is a 1,200-pound kinetic-energy warhead that relies on the speed of the cruise missile to punch through the target structure prior to detonation. Boeing currently is on contract with the U.S. Air Force to convert 322 nuclear Air-Launched Cruise Missiles to non-nuclear CALCM AGM-86C Block 1 and Block 1A configurations. Under the latest contract modification, the last 50 of those conversions will be to the new AGM-86D hard-target penetrating warhead configuration.
+++
South African officals on December 3 finally signed contracts for massive new arms purchases from Sweden, England, Germany and Italy that will make Africa the strongest military power in sub-Saharan Africa. It covers four naval Corvettes from a consortium that includes German, French and South African companies; nine dual-seat Gripen fighters from British Aerospace and Sweden's Saab, with an option for another 19 single seaters; 30 light utility helicopters from Italy's Agusta, with an option for another 10; three submarines from the German Submarine Consortium; and 12 Hawk trainer aircraft from British Aerospace, with the option of another 12.
+++
JetBlue Airways, the New York City-based, low-fare carrier, took delivery of its very first aircraft, an Airbus Industrie A320, at the aircraft manufacturer's headquarters in Toulouse, France. The A320 is the first member of an all-new, all-Airbus fleet the airline will operate out of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. To date, JetBlue has committed to up to 75 A320 Family aircraft, including placing firm orders for 25 A320s. In addition, JetBlue will lease seven new A320s, including two from S.A.L.E. (Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise), the first of which is the aircraft delivered today. The remaining five will come via ILFC (International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). All JetBlue A320s are equipped with IAE V2500 engines from International Aero Engines. The airline is scheduled to enter service in February 2000, but New Yorkers can get a sneak peak of the airline's first aircraft when it arrives at JFK on Saturday, December 4.
+++
The FAA has begun an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of several Boeing Commercial Airplanes facilities on Dec. 2. This audit is the result of a number of recent issues that gained media attention, including non-conforming drip shields and environmental control system ducts. Commercial Airplanes facilities in Washington and Oregon will be audited to assure compliance with FAA regulations. Boeing welcomes this audit because it's an opportunity to validate our processes and systems and make them even better. The team will spend the first few weeks in Everett, which is the initial site because they have a regularly scheduled audit in February. Follow-on activity will be in Renton and several Fabrication Division and Aircraft Systems & Interiors sites that include Frederickson, Portland and Spokane. The audit could take up to four months.
+++
Boeing has begun upgrading the first NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft as part of the NATO Mid-Term Modernization Program. Under the $450 million mid-term engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) contract, Boeing will integrate major system-related enhancements to computers, displays, communicationsnavigation and target identification. The upgrade will be performed in Wichita, Kan., and Seattle. Installation and checkout are scheduled to be completed by next summer, with qualification testing complete by spring of 2001. Retrofit of the entire fleet of 17 aircraft will be implemented during a follow-on contract. "These upgrades will significantly enhance the capability of the NATO AWACS system, allowing it to perform its current and future missions with greater effectiveness and efficiency," said Kathryn Whiting, Boeing NATO AWACS program manager.
+++
In a ceremony featuring its new stretched Common Centaur upper stage, Lockheed Martin Astronautics displayed the first built of its larger Centaur tanks that will fly atop the company's Atlas IIIB and Atlas V next-generation rockets. The first Atlas IIIB, designated AC-204, will be ready for launch in September 2000 and the Atlas V will be flight-ready in late 2001. Lockheed Martin developed its new, more powerful Atlas V launch vehicles to meet the needs of the U.S. Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program and the growing needs of commercial and government satellite customers worldwide. The longer Centaur tank design is based on the company's successful Centaur cryogenic upper stage, flight proven through 140 missions over a period of more than 30 years of launching satellites into space. With its increased length, the Common Centaur will provide greater performance capability to lift heavier satellites and multiple-satellite constellations. The Common Centaur tank design is 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) longer than the Centaur currently used on Atlas IIA and IIAS rockets. With one of the industry's longest running mission success strings, Atlas/Centaur rockets have flown a total of 45 consecutive successful missions - a string that began back in 1993.
+++

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

*November 28, 1999 *November 21, 1999 *November 14, 1999 *November 7, 1999

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

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

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