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UPDATE 
Week ending July 15, 2001
+++ Ariane 5 delivers satellites in wrong orbit +++ EADS and BAE complete Airbus integration +++ Swissair rescue path outlined +++ DFS presents annual results +++ MEADS International signs Risk Reduction Effort contract +++ APA Aero Propulsion Alliance GmbH founded +++ "Sky and Space" Intergroup founded +++ Alenia/Boeing to work on 767 tanker +++ X-35B converts to STOVL, goes supersonic +++ News in Brief +++

Ariane 5 delivers satellites in wrong orbit
Satelliten von Ariane 5 zu niedrig ausgesetzt

The first data analysis from the Ariane 510 launcher (Flight 142) indicates that the targeted orbit for the ARTEMIS and BSAT-2 B satellites was not reached. Both satellites have been separated on an orbit of 17,528 km. apogee, 592 km. perigee and 2.9 degree inclination for a targeted orbit of 35,853 km. apogee, 858 km. perigee and 2 degree inclination. A propulsion anomaly of the storable propellant second stage (EPS) that occurred in the beginning of its propulsive phase has caused this lower than expected orbit. The first stages EAP-EPC performed under nominal conditions. The two customers have confirmed that they had taken control over their satellites which were put in a safe mode. The telemetry data recorded during the flight are currently being analyzed.
The next launch, Flight 143, is slated during the night of August 23 to 24 , from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport: an Ariane 44L will boost into orbit the telecommunications satellite Intelsat 902.
ESA's Artemis telecommunications satellite, launched by an Ariane 5 on Thursday 12 July 2001 at 18:58 local time (23:58 CEST) in Kourou, French Guiana, was left stranded in a lower than expected orbit due to a malfunction in the launcher's upper stage. The spacecraft was put into safe sun pointing conditions by ground controllers approximately two hours after launch. The solar panels were partially deployed, as planned for the nominal mission, and are powering the satellite correctly. Artemis is fully under control and is being monitored via different ground stations all over the world through the Fucino ground station in Italy. Artemis can remain in this safe condition for as long as is needed to allow ground controllers to elaborate alternative scenarios to bring the mission back on track.

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EADS and BAE complete Airbus integration
Airbus SAS offiziell gegründet

EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and BAE Systems completed the legal and tax procedures on Wednesday to make the fully integrated Airbus company a formal legal entity. The new entity is named Airbus. It is incorporated under French law as an SAS (Société par Action Simplifiée) and based in Toulouse. Airbus has operations in France, Germany, Great Britain and Spain as well as subsidiaries in China, Japan and North America. Airbus has been operating as a fully integrated company since January of this year. Its two shareholders, EADS and BAE Systems, announced at that time that all contractual conditions required for the integration of the Airbus activities of both partners were fulfilled and agreement on common decisions had been reached, including the future Airbus business plan. EADS and BAE Systems have been working closely together in the last months developing solutions to the challenging issues that came with such a unique trans-European move. More than 30 years of successful cooperation has now lead to the full integration of industrial structures in four European countries.

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Swissair rescue path outlined
Corti: Pläne für die Swissair-Rettung

On July 12, Swissair Group has announced details of its restructuring plan. A full statement by Chairman and Chief Executive Mario A Corti includes the following information: Since assuming the role of Chairman and Chief Executive of Swissair Group in April this year, I have instigated a thorough evaluation of the Group's financial position, which has been carried out by our future auditors KPMG. The full results of this process will become available on 30 August when we will report audited figures for the six months to 30 June. This audit will include a full verification of the 31 December 2000 balance sheet. The Group has sufficient cash resources and banking facilities to support its business going forward. But the initial findings of this exercise have also revealed that the financial position of the Group remains tight. During the first three months of the year, net debt rose from CHF 6.8bn to CHF 8.3bn, then dropped to CHF 7.8bn at the end of June.
The principal reasons for this situation lie in Swissair Group's previous airline participation strategy, which at the time involved the Group assuming minority stakes in a number of loss-making airlines. In addition, the fragmentation of the Group created a difficult to manage structure, often at the expense of the customer and causing dilution of the core Swissair brand.
During the last three months, we have accomplished the following: A CHF 1bn bridge financing facility signed with three of our principal banks (Credit Suisse First Boston, Deutsche Bank and Citibank. An exit, with no on-going responsibilities or liabilities, has been secured from Air Littoral in France, stemming CHF 160m of annual funding. Bankruptcy proceedings opened on 19 June and operational funding (CHF 800m annualised) to AOM / Air Liberté has been halted and the Administrateur Judiciaire is looking for a solution. In addition, Change 2001, a Group-wide cost reduction programme, is being implemented together with a capital expenditure reduction programme. Although this initiative was only launched four weeks ago, the initial response has been very encouraging with 2000 ideas already having been generated by employees. Savings of more than CHF 215m have been identified by the business units. Group-wide initiatives are expected to deliver significant further savings. Ongoing discussions with the Belgian Government regarding the future of Sabena. A solution has been found to stop the losses at the Group charter airline, Balair. Hotelplan has agreed in principle to have short haul operated by Crossair while for long haul a Swissair solution is favoured. A letter of intent has been signed with Lufthansa regarding the future of Atraxis. Lufthansa and the Swissair Group will evaluate the possibility of integrating their systems operations, thus creating a leading force in the fast growing market for airline IT solutions. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Compass Plc to swap the assets of Rail Gourmet, Restorama and Gourmet Nova for Compass' Eurest airline catering business on a non-cash like-for-like basis. This will further strengthen Gate Gourmet's solid position in the airline catering market.
The above actions have helped to stabilise the Group's short-term financial position. But much more needs to be done to achieve our key objectives of dealing with the legacy problems relating to the participation issues, ensuring financial stabilisation and substantially improving the operational performance of our core businesses.
Looking forward, the future Group strategy will revolve around the core airline businesses of Swissair and Crossair and the market leading businesses of Gate Gourmet and Nuance. A key focus will involve maintaining the two brands of Swissair and Crossair as two companies, but operating them within one system. This means that management decisions will be based on combined bottom line profitability. During the last three months, we have taken the first steps in our overall restructuring plan in extremely challenging circumstances. However, much more still needs to be done to put the Group on secure footing - and still more needs to be done if Swissair is to regain its rightful title as one of the world's leading aviation groups. In particular, radical action is required to firstly resolve the Group's outstanding airline participation issues, and secondly to change fundamentally a number of the Group's operating and management practices to improve efficiency and profitability.

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DFS presents annual results
Deutsche Flugsicherung mit Problemen

In the past fifteen months, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH has successfully implemented one of the most comprehensive re-structuring measures in its history and introduced a new airspace structure which is designed to meet the requirements of a great increase in air traffic. During the press briefing on annual results in Langen, the CEO of DFS, Dieter Kaden, acknowledged that this important step towards re-structuring the airspace, which was taken on 19 April 2001, had given rise to much controversy among customers and the public alike, particularly in the area around Frankfurt.
The re-structuring of arrival and departure routes at Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt has again fuelled public dispute over the pros and cons of large international airports in densely-populated areas and a growing air transport industry. Those residents affected by increased aircraft noise due to the introduction of the new routes on 19 April refuse to accept the strains which are in their opinion unduly imposed on them by aircraft noise. DFS takes all complaints raised by the local population very seriously and is examining together with the Noise Abatement Commission the extent to which possibilities to optimise flight routes exist in order to make the situation more tolerable for the local population. However, changes in this context are not expected to be introduced before 2002.
While the air navigation services organisations have repeatedly been attacked during the last two years because of delayed flights, they are now increasingly being blamed for aircraft noise. Thanks to the active participation of airlines, the re-structuring of the route network on 19 April did not cause any major problems as far as operations were concerned. Mr Kaden also thanked all DFS employees for their commitment reflected by the smooth introduction of the new route system, which often entailed an increased workload for them. However, Mr Kaden admitted that the delay situation remains unacceptable from the customers' perspective. Ralph Riedle, Managing Director Operations, pointed out that it had taken longer for both air traffic controllers and pilots to become familiar with the new structure than originally planned. He explained that one of the basic problems not only facing DFS was the acute shortage of air traffic controllers. At the moment, there is a shortfall of approximately 1,600 controllers in Europe.

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MEADS International signs Risk Reduction Effort contract
Vertrag für MEADS unterzeichnet

The NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Agency (NAMEADSMA) today awarded a Risk Reduction Effort (RRE) contract to MEADS International, a multinational joint venture of Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS) from Italy, European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) and LFK - Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH from Germany, and Lockheed Martin from the United States. The MEADS program is expected to be a case model for future transatlantic cooperation. Under the $216.35 million 32-1/2 month RRE program, MEADS International will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies that have been developed over the past years, and demonstration of the validity of the system design incorporating the PAC-3 missile. Critical technology areas will be assessed taking into account evolving national air defense concepts. In addition, the RRE program will generate detailed specifications, statements of work, schedules, and cost to prepare for the decision by the nations for a follow-on Design and Development Phase.

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APA Aero Propulsion Alliance GmbH founded
Neue Triebwerksfirma für TP400 gegründet

APA Aero Propulsion Alliance GmbH (APA) has been registered in Munich. The joint venture will manage the design, development, certification, manufacture, marketing and support of the TP400 turboprop engine selected by Airbus Military to power the A400M military transport aircraft. The companies comprising the new joint venture APA are FiatAvio (Italy), ITP (Spain), MTU Aero Engines Germany), Rolls-Royce (UK and Germany) Snecma Moteurs (France) and Techspace-Aero (Belgium). Headquartered in Munich, Germany APA will act as a single point of contact for the customers, the European nations -- through the procurement agency OCCAR - and Airbus Military Company (AMC). APA has an operating office in Paris and a liaison office in Toulouse. The share-holding in the company is equal to the workshare percentages based on the six participating nations provisional aircraft orders as referenced in the collaboration agreement that has been signed on Tuesday, July 10th: MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce and Snecma each hold 24,8 per cent, ITP 13.6 per cent, FiatAvio 8 per cent and Techspace-Aero 4 per cent. Dependent upon discussions with potential new customers and participating companies, further partners could join APA in the future.

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"Sky and Space" Intergroup founded
EU-Parlament: Neue Gruppe für Luft- und Raumfahrt

On 4 July, Members of the European Parliament have set up fficially the Intergroup "Sky and Space" at the Parliament in Strasbourg. Co-ordination of the Intergroup's activities will be done through the AECMA Secretariat. The Intergroup's two main objectives are to establish a comprehensive transverse dialogue about aerospace topics between the various political groups represented in the Parliament, and to provide interested Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) with complete and open information about aerospace topics. It will be a forum which is open to MEPs, members of the European Commission, representatives from EU institutions and from industry. The creation of the Intergroup reflects the great interest which exists amongst MEPs for aerospace issues, which very often have both a political and an industrial dimension. A closer dialogue across the borders of the political groups in the Parliament and a better access to first hand information will support MEPs and other members of the Intergroup in following the development of important current aerospace issues. Gilles Savary (PSE, France) has been elected as Chairman, Giles Chichester (PPE, UK) as First Vice Chairman of the Intergroup. For 2001 the Intergroup has put three informative meetings with subjects of high importance for the aerospace community on its agenda: 6th Framework Programme for Research - 5 September 2001; Galileo, Europe's global positioning system - 24 October 2001; The European Single Sky - 12 December 2001.

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Alenia/Boeing to work on 767 tanker
Tanker-Abkommen zwischen Boeing und Alenia

On July 9, Alenia Aerospazio and Aeronavali, both Finmeccanica companies, have signed a memorandum of agreement with Boeing to become partners in the development, production and support of a tanker/transport version of the Boeing 767 commercial aircraft. The Alenia and Aeronavali memorandum of agreement with Boeing has been triggered by a requirement from the Italian Defense Administration for new tanker/transport aircraft, which recently resulted in the selection of the Boeing 767 as the tanker system of choice. Through the agreement, the Italian companies will invest in the widely expanding international market for air-refueling tanker/transport aircraft. Alenia Aerospazio and Aeronavali will take part in all program phases, including design, development, production and logistics support. Additionally, they will support the marketing effort in selected areas of expertise. The agreement demonstrates the commitment of both parties to this program, according to Carmelo Cosentino, senior vice president of Alenia Aerospazio, and David Spong, president of Military Aerospace Support for Boeing. "The partnership will provide a most capable solution for the Italian Air Force, as well as for international market, and a very high level of industrial return for Italy," they said jointly. The Italian participation can reach a value of 2,500 billion Lira (1,300 million Euros, or 1.2 billion USD).

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X-35B converts to STOVL, goes supersonic
Fortschritte bei den X-35B-Tests

The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter X-35B engaged its short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) system and made a supersonic dash in the same flight on Monday, July 9, near Edwards Air Force Base. Pilot Simon Hargreaves took off, climbed to 9,000 feet and successfully engaged the shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system at 180 knots. He then accelerated to an indicated Mach 1.08, marking the first time a JSF demonstrator has achieved a STOVL mode conversion and sustained supersonic flight in a single sortie. The test marked the X-35B's first in-flight conversion to STOVL mode. Late last month, the aircraft completed 17 vertical takeoffs, hovers and vertical landings at the Lockheed Martin plant in Palmdale, Calif. Hargreaves flew the aircraft to Edwards on July 3 to begin the in-flight STOVL and conventional-flight testing series for the X-35B. "By performing these missions that combine both STOVL and high-speed up-and-away objectives, we are demonstrating that the system we have designed, built and certified for flight can easily execute both flight modes in a single sortie," said Tom Burbage, executive vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin JSF program. "Our team will continue to expand the in-flight STOVL envelope in an aircraft that is essentially identical to the JSF we intend to produce for the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom. The X-35B is in the same configuration it was when we performed our hover tests, and its configuration will remain unchanged throughout the flight-test program."

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Following the successful firing test of 31 May, 2001 (direct hit of an Aster 30 on a target moving under severe electronic jamming conditions), a qualification firing test was performed on 29 June, 2001 on the naval version of the SAAM/FR self-defense system. The test was performed from the "Ile d'Oléron" test platform, off the coasts of Toulon. All the system components were used to perform this firing operation. The fire control using the Arabel radar detected the target, leading to the engagement by an Aster 15 missile that was fired from the Sylver vertical launch module. The Aster missile - self-guided in the terminal phase - intercepted the target that simulated a sea-skimming missile flying just a few meters above the water in less than 2500 m and in just a bit more than 4 seconds. The direct impact on the target is another proof of the high agility of the terminal missile which, just a few tenths of seconds before interception, enabled the direct force control (PIF), thus inducing the ultimate trajectory corrections, and leading here again to the structural destruction of the target. Interception at a short distance also demonstrates the short range capability (SHORAD) of the system.
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Messier-Dowty, the world leader in landing gear, announced that it plans to invest C$70 million to create a second plant in Québec and its fifth facility in North America. Construction will begin this October with completion scheduled for August 2002. The new plant in Mirabel will employ 70 people initially and make structural components for landing gear used on the highly successful Airbus A320 family, relieving pressure on Messier-Dowty's existing facility 15km away which serves both the A320 and A340 families. The news was announced on June 29th during the tenth anniversary celebration of the company's first Mirabel plant. Over 300 attendees marked the occasion including industry and political dignitaries such as Snecma Group Chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Bechat, Messier-Dowty Chairman and CEO Louis Le Portz, local elected officials, as well as representatives from the Canadian ministries of Economy & Finance and Transport.
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The US Defense Department announced its approval of an Air Force initiative to reduce its B-1 bomber inventory from 93 to 60 aircraft. After the reduction, the remaining fleet from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Robins AFB, Ga.; and McConnell AFB, Kan., will be consolidated at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and Dyess AFB, Texas. This consolidation will enable the Air Force to enhance and maintain the combat capability of the remaining 60 aircraft. To better understand the unit-level perspective of the reduction and consolidation of its B-1 Lancer fleet, the Air Force has established a team led by Lt. Gen. Joseph H. Wehrle Jr., the deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. Other team members come from Air Force headquarters, Air Combat Command and the Air National Guard. The team plans to visit Air Force installations affected by the B-1 plan. The Air Force's B-1 fleet reduction and consolidation efforts will be a phased plan taking much of fiscal 2002 to complete.
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The Mexican government has decided on Ericsson's ERIEYE surveillance radar for monitoring illegal air traffic. Ericsson has signed a contract with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for the delivery of an ERIEYE system to Mexico. The total system is expected to be delivered to the Mexican Air Force in three years. The ERIEYE radar system shall be integrated on an aircraft of the type Embraer EMB 145. The ERIEYE system will be utilized as a detector in comprehensive monitoring of the country's air space and territorial waters so that illegal air traffic and drug smuggling can be localized and identified. Mexico's choice of ERIEYE represents the third export success for the system and indicates its breadth when used in civilian missions. Countries that have previously obtained the ERIEYE system are Sweden, with six systems; Brazil, with five systems; and Greece, with four systems.
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A new phase in ESA-China scientific collaboration was officially given the green light at ESA Headquarters in Paris with an historic agreement between ESA and the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) to develop a joint project known as "Double Star". ESA Director General Antonio Rodotà and Luan Enjie, Administrator of the CNSA, signed an official agreement that will enable European experiments to be flown on Chinese satellites for the first time. "This agreement marks a significant advance for international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful use of outer space," said Mr. Rodotà. "It is one of the most important landmarks in scientific collaboration since ESA and the People's Republic of China first agreed to exchange scientific information more than 20 years ago." "The Double Star programme will be just the first step in substantial cooperation between the Chinese National Space Administration and ESA" said Mr Luan Enjie. "The signing of today's agreement paves the way not only for reciprocal cooperation between scientists, but for the establishment of comprehensive cooperation between the two agencies". Double Star will follow in the footsteps of ESA's groundbreaking Cluster mission by studying the effects of the Sun on the Earth's environment. Conducting joint studies with Cluster and Double Star should increase the overall scientific return from both missions.
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The 5th Plenary meeting of the Satellite Action Plan in Brussels on July 9-10 gathers representatives of the satellite communications sector to discuss the present state and the perspective of satellite communications. Commissioner Erkki Liikanen underlined in his address to the meeting the role played by satellite communications in the development of the Information Society. Chief Executive Officers (CEO's) of some of the most important satellite operators in Europe exposed their views about the future of this sector. This high ranking panel discussed with Commissioner Liikanen the efforts made by the European Community and the European Space Agency (ESA) to establish a coherent European Strategy for Space. The event was also the occasion for the launch of the "European Satellite Operators Association" by key European satellite operators with the objective to articulate the needs and positions of satellite communications, representing strategic service industry. The Satellite Action Plan was launched in March 1997, as a tool for the implementation of a set of actions put forward by the Commission in its Communication on the EU Action Plan: Satellite communications in the Information Society. This Communication received support by the Council and the European Parliament.
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The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition by Alcatel of the whole of French satellites company Alcatel Space, previously a joint venture between Alcatel. The deal does not present any competition problems since Alcatel already jointly controls the venture with a stake slightly above 50 percent and there will be sufficient competition in the satellite batteries market including from world leader Eagle Picher. Alcatel is principally active in telecommunications, equipment and satellite equipment, especially batteries. Alcatel Space resulted from the merger in 1998 of the satellites businesses of Thales, Aerospatiale and Alcatel and was a joint venture between Alcatel and Thales, active in the conception and development of satellites. Alcatel is buying Thales's share of 48.83 percent. The transaction therefore represents a change from joint to sole control. The markets concerned by the operation are mainly conception of satellites and batteries for satellite application. The Commission's review revealed not overlap. There is a vertical link between Alcatel's activities in satellite batteries and Alcatel Space's downstream satellite conception activities, but it appeared that the notified transaction would have no adverse effect on the level of competition for those products. It should be noted that : a) Alcatel already controlled Alcatel Space before the transaction; b) there is no indication that, before the transaction, Alcatel's interests in Alcatel Space conflicted with those of Thales and ; c) Alcatel will remain subject to significant competition from other satellite battery manufacturers such as world leader Eagle Picher and Boeing.
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Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company has received a $21 million contract conduct design risk reduction studies to define the most cost-effective solutions set of reliability enhancements for the Air Force's C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). "This contract is an important step for the C-5 RERP," says Joe Dupcak, C-5 RERP Program Manager. "We will lay out all the cornerstone requirements and prepare for the next big step into System Development and Demonstration (SDD). We're excited about our close partnership with the Air Force to bring these much needed improvements to the C-5 fleet." The C-5 RERP is the second phase of the Air Force's comprehensive modernization plan for the C-5 fleet aimed at increasing fleet availability and reducing total cost of ownership. The program will focus on upgrading the aircraft with modern commercial engines and systems and making minor structural enhancements to ensure the aircraft is operationally viable until at least 2040.
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Selection of the SAAB-BAE SYSTEMS Gripen new-generation, swing-role fighter to meet the national, NATO and European defense needs of Poland, would substantially boost the country's industrial base through a USD3 billion program of industrial co-operation and investment, the Anglo-Swedish partnership announced in Warsaw. Targeted to meet specific business sector and regional priorities in line with Polish Government economic strategy, a compensatory trade agreement, which would accompany the sale of Gripen, will represent 100 per cent of the total contract value, the company confirmed. It will create jobs and long-term growth in both the defense and commercial sectors, maximizing economic benefits for Poland through inward investment, export promotion and technology transfer among others. This innovative offset proposal would help make Gripen the most capable and affordable solution for the Polish Air Force, national industry and the country's economy. "The compensatory trade program that would accompany the sale of Gripen to Poland would generate immediate and sustainable economic benefits through long-term industrial partnerships that others simply can not match," comments Ray Lomas, who leads the Gripen marketing team in Poland. "The economic and industrial benefits would far exceed those offered by any of our competitors and more 'traditional' offset." "Our proposal will be fully supported by the Governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden - with the United Kingdom being a founder member of NATO. Both countries are members of the European Union - partners for security and prosperity."
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An advanced X-38 prototype International Space Station "lifeboat" floated to a successful touchdown at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time under the world's largest parafoil at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif. This is the seventh free flight test for the X-38 project, ultimately intended to produce a vehicle capable of evacuating a seven-person crew from the station in an emergency. The landing test, begun at an altitude of about 37,500 feet when the X-38 was released at 10:47 a.m. from NASA's B-52 aircraft, verified recent enhancements made to the X-38's flight control software. The flight also checked advances in the two-stage repositioning deployment of a drogue parachute that initially slows the vehicle from 600 miles an hour to about 60 miles an hour and sets the stage for deployment of the 7,500-square-foot-parafoil wing. The surface area of the parafoil is more than one and a half times that of the wings of a 747 jumbo jet.
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A deployable, inflatable wing technology demonstrator experiment has flown at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The inflatable wing project represents a basic flight research effort by Dryden personnel. Recalling Hugh Dryden's vision for the purpose of flight research, Jeff Bauer, manager of Dryden's inflatable aircraft project, noted "With these tests we have put some reality behind the many imagined applications for inflatable winged aircraft." Three successful flights of the I2000 inflatable wing aircraft occurred. During the flights, the team air-launched the radio-controlled (R/C) I2000 from an R/C utility airplane at an altitude of 800-1000 feet. As the I2000 separated from the carrier aircraft, its inflatable wings "popped-out," deploying rapidly from pressure provided by an onboard nitrogen bottle. The aircraft remained stable as it transitioned from wingless to winged flight. The unpowered I2000 glided down to a smooth landing under complete control. As a result, flight data now verifies and validates computer models of inflatable wings for the future. The I2000 was equipped with a miniature flight data recorder designed by engineer Jim Murray. That data, in addition to video and the photographic record, provide valuable insights into the aircraft's flight dynamics.
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Manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.), ALTUS, a single-turbo charged, high altitude remotely operated aircraft, has been conducting signal intelligence and surveillance missions at Camp Pendleton in support of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Using various sensors including a new payload comprised of several elements including an ESM component and digital data link, the objectives of the mission were for ALTUS to fly at 15,000 feet and identify signals on the ground such as threat emitters.The information was then passed through a ground control unit, analyzed and passed back to ALTUS for optical confirmation of the coordinates. The operational capability demonstrated by ALTUS verified the ability to use remotely operated aircraft as intelligence gatherers.
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BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group announced that British European, the UK's largest independent regional carrier, has signed a definitive contract for up to 20 AVRO RJX-100 airliners worth over $600m, reconfirming a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed by the airline in March 2001. The aircraft will be assembled in Woodford, near Manchester, UK. Deliveries of the new Honeywell AS977-powered regional jet, which will be configured for 112 seats to British European's specifications, will commence in April 2002 and continue into March 2006. Some of these aircraft will fly in 100-seat configuration on behalf of Air France for whom British European is a codeshare and franchise partner. The airline has also reached agreement with BAE Systems to extend its JetSpares aircraft support programme (currently in place on its BAe 146 fleet) for a further 10 years, in a deal worth in excess of $70m. As part of the RJX contract, British European will be one of the launch customers for BAE Systems' new Internet service EFDMS (Electronic Fleet Data Management System). EFDMS supplies dynamic operational data through a series of user friendly web enabled screens. The system has currently over 100 screens, of which 70 use dynamic charts to display output.
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Atlantis Commander Steve Lindsey smoothly docked the space shuttle with the International Space Station late Friday about 240 statute miles above the northeastern coast of South America. With both spacecraft moving at about 17,500 mph, Lindsey moved Atlantis to the station at a relative speed of about a tenth of a foot per second. Docking occurred at 10:08 p.m. CDT. Atlantis brings a new airlock to the station. It will enable station crewmembers to conduct spacewalks from the station, using either Russian or U.S. spacesuits. The hatch separating the Atlantis crew, Lindsey, Pilot Charles Hobaugh, and mission specialists Mike Gernhardt, Janet Kavandi and James Reilly, from Expedition Two crewmembers Yury Usachev, Jim Voss and Susan Helms was opened at midnight. After a safety briefing by Expedition Two Commander Usachev, both crews began an hour-long review of procedures for the first of three spacewalks of the STS-104 mission. The Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off on time this on July 12 at 4:04 a.m. Central from the Kennedy Space Center, FL, and, after a smooth climb to orbit, is now en route to deliver a new doorway to space to the International Space Station later this week.
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The HOPE mine detector has now been under test, near Sarajevo in Bosnia, for the past three weeks by an important local mine clearing non-governmental organisation, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA). This mine detector has been developed under the Handheld Operational Demining System (HOPE) project, financed primarily by the European Union, to support humanitarian demining operations. ESA is providing assistance for the ground penetration radar (GPR) segment of the mine detector under its Technology Transfer Programme, which encourages industry to use technology developed for space in other fields. HOPE is a three-sensor system mine detector. It first uses a classical metal detector to locate potential mines and then, once a possible landmine is located, HOPE's two additional sensors come into operation: the ground penetration radar (GPR) and the radiometer. The radiometer 'looks' into the first 3 cm of earth while the GPR can penetrate up to 30 cm of earth to enable the data processing section of the radiometer and the GPR to produce a three-dimensional image of what has been found. This enables mine clearers to assess accurately and quickly whether what has been located is a land mine or just a harmless piece of metal.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced on July 9 that it has signed a purchase agreement with Northwest Airlines for the sale of 75 firm Bombardier CRJ440 aircraft. The Bombardier CRJ440 is a 44-passenger variant of the best-selling 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 Series regional jet. The airline has also taken options and purchase rights on an additional 175 CRJ440 aircraft. The agreement also provides Northwest with the flexibility to substitute 50-seat CRJ aircraft for the 44-seat variant. The value of the firm order is $1.68 billion U.S. ($2.6 billion Cdn.). Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2002 and extend to 2005. Bombardier has worked with Northwest Airlines to design a 44-passenger variant of the very successful 50-passenger CRJ200 Series aircraft. Incorporating customer driven modifications, this CRJ model matches Northwest's route network and market needs. In February 1999, Northwest Airlines placed firm orders for 54 Bombardier CRJ200 Series aircraft. To date, 20 aircraft have been delivered with the remaining 34 aircraft to be delivered over the next three years. "The mix of 50- and 44-seat aircraft in a highly common Bombardier CRJ fleet offers us enormous flexibility to tailor passenger demand with capacity on our route system," said Mickey Foret, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Northwest Airlines. "The Bombardier CRJ200 has proven its value many times over and we anticipate the same results from the Bombardier CRJ440. It will give us one more competitive edge."
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LandSea Systems proudly announced the signing of an agreement with Thales Airborne Systems, for rights to distribute the Thales INMARSAT Aero-I Satellite Communication System. Under this agreement, LandSea will exclusively market and support the JetSat Aero-I to military and government agencies in the United States. "The addition of the Thales JetSat 5-channel Aero-I Satcom to our product line will accommodate those customers who require the increased flexibility of a 5-channel system,'' said Ken Ravenna, Vice President of LandSea's Aeronautical Division. "The JetSat allows for voice, fax and data (email) transmissions as well as meeting Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) under the CNS/ATM communication requirement,'' added Ravenna.
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The Boeing Joint Strike Fighter program has successfully accomplished all of its government-defined flight-test requirements. The program reached the final milestone July 8, making a series of short takeoffs here. The X-32B concept demonstrator has validated the Boeing solution to the program's short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing requirements. Having met all the defined requirements, including a flight in which the aircraft took off in less than 550 feet of roll, Boeing will continue performing a series of short takeoffs at successively shorter runway lengths later this month. "In 58 flights to date, the X-32B has been outstanding," said Frank Statkus, Boeing vice president and JSF general manager. Underscoring the commonality of its JSF design, Boeing is using only two aircraft to demonstrate requirements for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Air Force
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On July 12, Swissair Group announced that its subsidiary Atraxis Group is in advanced merger talks with Lufthansa Systems Group. Atraxis Group, a leading international provider of comprehensive IT solutions for the aviation industry, serving some 60 airlines and 40 airport authorities, and Lufthansa Systems Group, a premier information technology service provider, have initiated talks. The talks have the full support of both the Swissair Group and Lufthansa boards. Atraxis and Lufthansa Systems Group are both leaders within their own sectors. A merger would strengthen their product and service range further and enable the new company to provide an even more comprehensive offering to its worldwide client base.
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On July 12, Swissair Group announced that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Compass Group on an exchange of assets enabling Swissair Group to acquire Eurest In-flight, Compass's in flight catering business, and dispose of its Restorama, Rail Gourmet and Gourmet Nova divisions. Eurest In-flight with key operations in Spain and Greece is complimentary to the business of Gate Gourmet, Swissair Group's airline catering company. Restorama provides foodservice for clients in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Hong Kong. Rail Gourmet is a leading provider of quality on-board foodservice to customers travelling by rail in Europe - with operations in Spain, Switzerland, UK, Belgium and Scandinavia. Gourmet Nova is an airport restaurant and rail station foodservice company with activities in the UK & Finland.
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The Technical School of the Austrian Airlines Group recently received the certification known as JAR-147 from the Austrian Aviation Authority, Austro Control. As a result, the School has become the first centre of technical aviation learning in Austria entitled to train on-board airline staff according to European guideline JAR-66. Joint Aviation Requirements (JARs) are implemented with binding effect within the member states of the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) organisation. A total of 20 European states have signed up to the JAA, including all 15 members of the EU. To date, the JAA has awarded a total of 15 schools the status of "JAR-147 approved". The new JAR-147 and JAR-66 guidelines came into force on 1st June this year. They regulate the first cross-border qualification and entitlement of aviation technicians within the JAA member states - and therefore all Europe. The certification means that the training and qualifications of these aviation staff are recognised across Europe.
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The first U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopter equipped with initial enhancements that will be introduced during the second multiyear production program completed its first flight Thursday at The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz. The pre-production Apache Longbow, which flew for 23 minutes, was equipped with numerous system updates that incorporate commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce costs and allow for future growth while extending product operational life. The enhancements also will provide a foundation to support the Army's emerging digitized battlefield requirements. "This first flight is a significant milestone for the program," said Al Winn, vice president for Apache programs. "It not only marks the start of the second multiyear production effort for the U.S. Army for 269 aircraft, but it also drives home our belief that Apache will remain a potent and relevant weapon for our customers for decades to come."
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The Boeing Company has named Heiner Wilkens vice president of Sales for Europe and Russia, effective Aug. 1, 2001. Heiner will report to Seddik Belyamani, executive vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Heiner succeeds Toby Bright, who has been appointed vice president of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, reporting to Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Based in the Boeing European head office in Brussels, Wilkens will lead the team responsible for sales and marketing of all commercial airplanes and aircraft services throughout Europe and Russia. "The next logical step after having moved European Sales to Brussels was to select a European national to lead our Sales activities there," said Seddik Belyamani. In addition, Heiner Wilkens has the extensive airline and industry experience we value. He will help us continue to enhance our relationships with our European customers." Wilkens joins Boeing from Cargolux Airlines International of Luxemburg, where he has been president and chief executive officer since 1995. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the Pratt & Whitney unit of United Technologies, and held a series of senior executive positions at the German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
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The Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), the PAVE PAWS Early Warning Radar (EWR) and the Ground Based Radar-Prototype (GBR-P), designed and built by Raytheon Company , were key components of a successful integrated system test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Segment (GMDS -- formerly National Missile Defense) program conducted July 14. This test, designated IFT-6, resulted in the second successful intercept of a ballistic missile target by the EKV and was the third integrated flight test to use the PAVE PAWS EWR and GBR-P in operational modes. The participating PAVE PAWS EWR is one of five EWRs that will be upgraded to improve track accuracy, search capability, and object classification. The GBR- P, located at Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, is the test bed radar for the X-Band Radar (XBR) currently under development by Raytheon for the GMDS program. "IFT-6, a truly integrated technical accomplishment, was a spectacular achievement for the entire team," said William H. Swanson, president of Raytheon Company's Electronic Systems business. "An incredible amount of coordination among the Boeing-led contractor team members resulted in a seamless system integration and yet-another successful intercept. We are extremely pleased with the performance of the PAVE PAWS, GBR-P and EKV and are proud of the many Raytheon employees whose professional contributions led to this success."
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A ceremonial ribbon cutting and the landing of a B-1 Lancer and a KC-135 Stratofortress marked the completion of the first section of a $120 million NATO-funded airfield restoration project at Fairford recently. Gen. John Jumper, commander of Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va., got project plans under way in 1998 when he was commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Construction on the three-section airfield redevelopment here started in May 2000 when the runway was closed to air traffic. Mission requirements and annual exercises have been relocated or postponed until the entire project is complete. The completed first section includes the 1.6-mile main runway, northern taxiway and associated ground lighting and drainage. After more than a year without an operational runway and despite a wet winter season, the project was completed on schedule June 15. The location was designated a deployment operating base by NATO. During the Kosovo crisis, 48 percent of the bombers operated from here, said Lt. Col. Jan Rosko, 424th Air Base Squadron commander here.
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On July 12, UAL Corporation, the company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines today issued the following statement on its proposed merger with US Airways Group, Inc: "In March, UAL Corporation and US Airways Group, Inc agreed to give the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) 21 days advance notice before the department would be required to make a final decision on the proposed merger between the two companies. Yesterday, US Airways requested that UAL Corporation join with it in giving that notice to the DOJ and UAL Corporation has agreed to that request. As a result of its many discussions with DOJ since May of 2000, UAL Corporation recently proposed to US Airways that the merger agreement be mutually terminated. US Airways has rejected this proposal and would like a formal response from the DOJ. In keeping with its obligations under the merger agreement, UAL Corporation will continue to pursue the transaction during this period and stands ready to address additional questions DOJ and the state attorneys general might have."
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