EU launches space debate
Weißbuch zur Europäischen Raumfahrtpolitik
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin called for greater political will and cooperation between stakeholders in the field of space as he presented a Green Paper on European Space policy in Brussels on 21 January. Space has become a crucial component for implementing European objectives and policies, notably sustainable development, environmental protect, transport and mobility and the information society. The Green Paper outlines the shared thoughts of the European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA) on Europe's current position in the space sector with a view to launching a debate with national and international organisations, the EU space industry and users, scientific community and citizens.
“Becoming a real space power is not only a question of technological excellence, it is also a question of political will,” said Mr Busquin. One of the key issues addressed in the Green Paper is the EU's political ambition in gaining and maintaining independent access to space by developing its own launch vehicles. Thanks to space research and ESA participation, Europe has achieved great self-sufficiency in space technology and it plays a leading role in innovative satellite monitoring applications.
According to the Green Paper, in order to remain competitive, European industry needs a broad and efficient technological base, maintained through research and demonstration programmes. Mr Busquin reiterated this, in particular emphasising the need for close cooperation between the space industry, service providers and public research bodies. This is currently illustrated by the Galileo project and GMES (Global monitoring for the environment and security). “Proposing the best options to promote and reinforce European space policy is the most important objective of the Green Paper and the consultation with participating partners,” claimed Mr Busquin. The Commissioner also referred to the paper's call for closer international cooperation, in particular, “deeper cooperation between Europe and Russia,” saying that a closer partnership and joint instruments “may be of mutual interest.”
On the relationship between space and society, the paper explores the conditions for the emergence of economically viable and competitive applications and space services for citizens and industries. Current developments show the value of such space applications. Citizens benefit from satellite based technologies in all areas of their life: The Commission has also contributed to the development of satellite-based environmental monitoring systems, to detect and help prevent offshore oil spills and other hazards.
To foster the debate further, a series of seminars, workshops and hearings will take place across Europe. A White Paper will be drafted by the Commission and published later in 2003, putting forward concrete proposals in an action plan
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Eurocopter is No.1 worldwide
Gutes Jahr für Eurocopter
In keeping with its targets, Eurocopter has increased its turnover by 12%, and secured its position as the world's top helicopter manufacturer by capturing 60% by value of the worldwide civil and parapublic market. With orders for 301 new helicopters, the Eurocopter Group has strengthened its leading position in the world, by capturing 47% of the market for the number of new civil and military helicopters, equivalent to 29% by value. These orders are made up of: 38 EC 120 B Colibris, 108 single-engine Ecureuil/Fennecs, 24 EC 130 B4s, 4 twin-engine Ecureuil/Fennecs, 48 EC 135s, 3 BK 117s, 2 EC 145s, 7 Dauphin/Panthers, 5 EC 155 B/B1s, 26 Super Puma/EC 225 & Cougar/EC 725s, 14 NH 90s, and 22 Tigers. The total number of new and pre-owned helicopters ordered (51 pre-owned machines have been sold by Eurocopter and its subsidiaries), along with the R & D activities, customer support services and miscellaneous activities, are together valued at 2,730 million euros. The breakdown of the orders is 51% for the civil sector and 49% for the military sector. The consolidated orders for production helicopters are worth 1,430 million euros.
In the traditional ceremony to present the season's greetings to the press, Jean-François Bigay noted that "these orders reflect the tremendous market popularity of the Ecureuil and Super Puma/Cougar, including the EC 225/EC 725, the latest addition to the family. He added: "These results also confirm we have a market winner in the EC 135." Thanks to its new helicopter range, Eurocopter has once again enjoyed an excellent year on the civil and parapublic markets, while maintaining its position on the open part of the military market.
In 2002, Eurocopter's consolidated turnover reached 2510 million euros, up by 12% over 2001. The amount mainly covers customer support services, R & D activities, and the delivery of 367 helicopters.
The civil and parapublic sector accounts for 58% of the turnover, and the military sector for 42%.
The export share was 60%. Eurocopter boosted its market shares compared to 2001. Civil and Parapublic: Eurocopter delivered 320 helicopters, equivalent to 60% of the market by value, as against 51% in 2001. The company has therefore strengthened its hold on the No. 1 position. The key to this success is, in part, the renewal of the Eurocopter helicopter range, which has once again placed the company well ahead of Bell. Military: This year as last year, the worldwide military market generated around 300 orders for new helicopters, of which 70% were for heavy and attack helicopters.
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Rosetta needs new target
Kometensonde um ein Jahr verzögert
After the initial disappointment of postponing the Rosetta mission, ESA's Director of Science David Southwood expressed his firm determination to accept the delay and take it on as a galvanizing challenge. Speaking about the scientists, engineers, and industrial teams attached to the mission, David Southwood says, "If one is going to be stuck anywhere, these are the guys to be with. They have the pioneering spirit and dedication that is worthy of space explorers." Rosetta is and stays one of the most challenging interplanetary missions ever undertaken. It is the major space mission to a comet worldwide, and the only lander and orbiter of its kind. The decision to postpone the launch of Rosetta which was ready well in time for the expected launch window - was taken jointly by ESA and Arianespace. The Rosetta launch is not expected for at least one year at the earliest. The Ariane-5 program is now under thorough re-examination. ESA expects Arianespace to provide the necessary guarantees regarding the Ariane-5 system qualification procedures and review process.
Rosetta can no longer reach its original target, Comet Wirtanen. However, the Rosetta team is now at work finding alternative target comets for the spaceprobe to explore. The team will identify several comets as targets that Rosetta could reach, within the timeframe for launch of the next two-and-a-half-years. It will select new targets on the basis of three main criteria: striving for the maximum scientific return possible, minimizing the technical risks to the spacecraft, and carefully estimating the extra funding needed. For the time being, the costs of grounding the mission are likely to be somewhere between 50 and 100 million Euros. The comet shortlist will be presented to the Science Programme Committee (SPC) at their meeting on 25-26 February 2003. The SPC will discuss their suitability and viability. A final decision on the new target and mission profile is expected for May 2003 at the latest. So, the Rosetta mission takes a new direction. Rosetta's Project Scientist, Gerhard Schwehm, is undaunted by this new twist in the spacecraft's story. He says, "During the decade it has taken us to develop and build Rosetta, we have faced many challenges and overcome them all. This new challenge will be met with the same energy, enthusiasm and, ultimately, success."
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First Eurofighter training devices delivered
Cockpittrainer bei der Luftwaffe
While the first production aircraft are still glued to the ground waiting for their certification by NETMA, Eurofighter GmbH announced the formal handover of the first major training and simulation support system for the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System. The Crew Escape and Safety Systems Trainer (CESST) is the first major training equipment to enter service with the Eurofighter Partner Air Forces and has been in operation at the German Air Force Technical School, Kaufbeuren, since commissioning in December 2002. CESST is a major component of the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System Ground Training Aids (GTA) suite.
Eurofighter GmbH is the Prime Contractor for all weapon system training support and maintenance activities. The CESST sub-contractors on behalf of Eurofighter are BAE SYSTEMS and EDM Ltd. Alenia Aeronautica manage the CESST programme within the framework of the GTA programme for which they have System Design Responsibility. The Crew Escape and Safety Systems Trainer (CESST) is a key training element in preparing maintenance personnel employed on the escape and canopy jettison systems. The CESST allows trainees to work exactly as if they were working on the aircraft, but without the risks from explosives associated to canopy and ejector seat systems.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Officials from Boeing and Finmeccanica, the Italian aerospace corporation, in a joint ceremony in Rome and at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C., signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their industrial and commercial cooperation in aerospace and defense. The goal of the agreement is to explore joint initiatives and pursue growth business opportunities in the areas of aerostructures and commercial aircraft, aircraft modification, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite systems, navigation, launch services, missile defense, space infrastructure and avionics. “This agreement extends the scope of our long-standing business relationship and both companies believe that it represents a crucial step for growth in the United States and in Europe,” said Jim Albaugh, executive vice president of The Boeing Company. “Boeing looks around the world for the best in technology and has found in Finmeccanica the technology and the skills that will bring value to Boeing customers worldwide.”
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The European consortium ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) with headquarters in Toulouse (France) announced that despite a difficult year, its 2002 results are in line with the objectives set for 2002. On the new aircraft market ATR has logged a total of 16 orders (2 ATR 42-500s and 14 ATR 72-500s). ATR was able to finalize 6 additional sales at the end of the year. One ATR 42-500 has been sold to the French Polynesian government whilst 5 ATR 72-500s have been contracted by an airline which remains undisclosed at this time. In 2002 ATR has delivered a total of 19 aircraft (5 ATR 42-500s and 14 ATR 72-500s) to 11 airlines. No deliveries have been cancelled nor delayed in 2002. Since the beginning of the program, ATR has delivered 652 aircraft (369 ATR 42s and 283 ATR 72s). On the second hand aircraft market, ATR has achieved an exceptional year with 53 aircraft transactions (45 ATR 42s and 8 ATR 72s) including 16 cash sales. On the cargo conversion program, the Large Cargo Door, developed by outfitter Aeronavali has been certified.
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The weakness in the economy worldwide and the persisting substantial effects on the business travel market, have prompted Lufthansa's Group Executive Board to take immediate action. The Group Executive Board has, therefore, decided to reduce the capacity in continental traffic by a further nine aircraft and thus adjust the route offer in line with the persisting weakness in demand. This reduction in the offer will mean that as of 1 April 2003, a total of 21 aircraft at Lufthansa and 15 at its regional partners in the inner-European and German traffic will be out of service. The adjustment announced will affect aircraft from the short and medium-haul fleet of Lufthansa AG, three Canadair Jets of Lufthansa CityLine and three turbo-prop aircraft of Lufthansa regional partners. In addition, further measures will be necessary in order to align the Lufthansa group with the unchanged difficult market conditions. In the first weeks of the new year it was confirmed that, due to the weakness of demand in Germany and the world economic situation, business travel and the freight business are continuing to decline. At the same time, due to a possible Iraq war and as a result of the tax plans of the German Federal Government there is every indication of new burdens on a considerable scale. Therefore, it is planned to examine comprehensive measures aimed at safeguarding the result by mid-February 2003.
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The second test flight of the Me 262 rebuild in Renton on Friday, 17 January was complicated by the collapse of the left main landing gear. Test pilot Wolf Czaia was uninjured during this sequence, and currently the team is assessing what repairs may be required to resume testing. The exact cause was unclear at the time of this update.
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Space Imaging announced that it has been awarded a multi-year satellite imagery capacity contract by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). Under terms of the contract, NIMA would acquire imagery worldwide from Space Imaging's IKONOS satellite - the world's first commercial high-resolution commercial imaging satellite. IKONOS satellite imagery provides access to any location on the earth's surface every one to two days and collects up to 200,000 square kilometers of imagery per day. As of January there are more than 40 million square kilometers of imagery in the IKONOS digital archive. For the first three years, the contract has a minimum value of $120 million with a five-year ceiling of $500 million. The contract performance period is five years.
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Rockwell Collins has completed FAA Supplemental Type Certification for the FPI-920 Electronic Attitude Director Indicator/Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EADI/EHSI) on DC-10 and Boeing 747 Classic aircraft. The Collins FPI-900 series of configurable, flat panel displays provides an economical and effective method of adding electronic flight instrument system functionality to the flight decks of standard and classic aircraft. The system's advanced display features, including terrain awareness and warning system, weather radar and flight management system map capability, meet evolving navigation, safety and regulatory requirements. The full-color, active-matrix liquid crystal displays feature proprietary compensation techniques providing the pilot wide viewing angles and clear viewability under all cockpit lighting conditions.
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Northwest Airlines will become the first U.S. carrier to operate the new Airbus A330-200 widebody airliner, following the conversion of ten of its order for 24 A330-300s, placed in 2001, into A330-200s. This is part of its plan to upgrade its transatlantic fleet with the two new, highly fuel efficient A330 models which are scheduled to replace Northwest's DC-10s on those routes later this year. Northwest will receive its first A330-300 this summer with the remainder due over the next five years, while the first A330-200 is to be delivered in early summer 2004. Both versions of the Northwest A330s are to be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines.
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The Spanish Air Force and the Israeli Company IAI signed a contract for the upgrade of all F-5B twin-seater aircraft, of which EADS CASA Military Aircraft is the main sub-contractor. The total value is more than 31.000.000 Euros. The contract will last two years and during this period of time 18 aircraft, used to instruct the Spanish combat pilots, will pass through EADS CASA Military Aircraft facilities at Getafe, where the upgrade will be carried out. The first F-5B aircraft, registration number AE9-029, has already been delivered to EADS CASA Military Aircraft. “This upgrade is particularly important for the Spanish Air Force and it will allow them to be ahead in training systems, until the entry into service of a new generation trainer” said Fernando Plaza, EADS CASA Military Aircraft, Programme Director.
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Total sales for air-to-air missiles (AAM) over the next 10 years will reach $12 billion, according to Forecast International's “The Market for Air-to-Air Missiles.” Some 50,455 missiles will be produced, the lion's share by American and European firms. “Unlike other defense markets, air-to-air missiles will see a steady increase in value over the next decade,” said Forecast International missile analyst Larry Dickerson. “Raytheon is expected to be the dominant provider of air-to-air missiles with a 27 percent share of the market,” said Dickerson. “But Europe's missile megacorps - MBDA - is not that far behind,” he said. MBDA was formed in December 2001 through the combination of Matra BAe Dynamics, EADS Aerospatiale Matra Missiles and Alenia Marconi Systems. MBDA is hoping to win a greater share of the medium-range air-to-air missile market through sales of the Meteor. “This joint development program has gotten off to a rocky start, but eventually could provide a formidable challenger to Raytheon's AIM-120 AMRAAM,” said Dickerson. “Still, the late introduction of the Meteor will mean Raytheon will have years to build a secure customer base,” he added. Over 6,000 AIM-120 AMRAAMs are expected to be produced through 2012, compared with just over 1,000 Meteors. Raytheon will also provide the market's dominant short-range air-to-air missile - the AIM-9X Sidewinder. “The AIM-9X has entered production and already won its first export orders, more of which are expected to follow in 2003,” said Dickerson. “Although MBDA is offering the ASRAAM and MICA-IR, sales of these missiles are expected to be much lower than those of the AIM-9X,” he said.
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EADS will replace a part of the UK's national radar surveillance system that has been in service since 1980. As reported by EADS, this order, with a total volume of more than 10 million Euros, has been awarded to EADS Defence Systems & Electronics (UK) Ltd. in Milton Keynes by the National Air Traffic Services (NATS UK Ltd.). Supply of the replacement radars will be carried out in Ulm, Germany by EADS Systems & Defence Electronics (S&DE). Dr. Stefan Zoller, President and CEO of EADS Systems & Defence Electronics: “This order opens up new business opportunities and will enable us to bring our technological skills into this special field of civil air traffic control radar systems“. The EADS long-range radar systems of the type SRE-M5 provide continuous monitoring of the international air traffic over the United Kingdom (UK). The antenna systems will be modernized electronically and mechanically during the overhaul activities. These systems operating reliably up to day were built in the period from 1980 to 1982 and are spread all over the UK. The first radar upgrades will be installed and commissioned in September 2004.
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In what was an extremely challenging year for all the aviation industry around the world, the Austrian Airlines Group – Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean Airways and Lauda Air – succeeded in setting a new record for the number of passengers carried in 2002. Thanks to its optimised route programme, high service quality standards, innovative marketing and highly creative range of ticket prices, last year's result was exceeded by 3.3 percent. A total of 8,831,666 passengers flew Austrian Airlines Group in 2002. A total of 7,266,245 passengers were carried on scheduled flights (+ 1.2%), while the figure for charter traffic was 1,565,421 people (+ 14.0%). Despite the generally contracting air travel scenario and increased market presence of so-called 'no-frills' carriers, the Austrian Airlines Group made gains in market share compared to other European airlines where defined as the members of the AEA (Association of European Airlines). Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen summed up the situation: “With this result, we have shown our ability to act highly successfully and to develop further market potential on the basis of our business model as a network carrier.” Availability of scheduled traffic was reduced, while it was increased in the charter sector. In total, the number of available seat kilometers was up by 2.7 percent on the previous year, while revenue passenger kilometers rose by 6.3 %. This enabled the company to raise its total load factor by 2.4 percentage points to 72.6 % (70.5 % for scheduled flights only).
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The Greek Ministry of Defence today awarded Alenia Aeronautica, part of the Finmeccanica group, and the US company Lockheed Martin, a 297 million euro contract for the supply of 12 C-27J new-generation tactical transport aircraft. The C-27J forms part of the invitation to tender launched by the Greek government for its MRTA (Medium Range Tactical Aircraft) programme, for which other international companies including EADS-CASA also presented bids. The Greek air force will receive the first C-27J 18 months after the contract enters into effect. The planes will then be delivered at a rate of one a month until completion of the project. The C-27J has already been ordered by the Italian air force, which last June signed a contract for five of the planes as part of a wider order for a total of 12.
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Osprey No. 10's initial approach to the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) demonstrated how the V-22 differs from the platforms it's designed to replace: With the nacelles fully forward, the Osprey flew up the starboard side of the ship at 220 knots before rolling left and performing a 180-degree, three-G level turn. From there any resemblance between a fixed-wing "break" maneuver and the V-22's approach ended as test pilot Lt. Col. Kevin Gross, a Marine who logged combat hours in the AV-8B Harrier during the Gulf War, tilted the engines from airplane to helicopter mode. Seconds later Osprey No. 10 hovered over Spot Nine and, with the LSE's signal, smoothly touched down on the non-skid. With that, the Osprey was back at sea, the environment where the MV-22, the Marine Corps variant of the rotorcraft, will spend much of its operational life. "It felt very good," Lt. Col. Gross said after logging his fifth landing for the day. "We didn't have any surprises. Even with a lot of wind across the deck the airplane handled with ease."
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The Department of Defense announced that the fiscal year 2002 report of "100 Companies Receiving the Largest Dollar Volume of Prime Contract Awards (Top 100)" is now available. According to the new report, the top 10 Defense contractors for fiscal 2002 were: Lockheed Martin Corp. ($17.0 billion), The Boeing Co. (16.6 billion Dollars), Northrop Grumman Corp. (8.7 billion), Raytheon Co. (7.0 billion), General Dynamics Corp. (7.0 billion), United Technologies Corp. (3.6 billion), Science Applications International Corp. (2.1 billion), TRW Inc. (2.0 billion), Health Net Inc. (1.7 billion), L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (1.7 billion). In fiscal 2002, DoD prime contract awards totaled $170.8 billion, $26.2 billion more than in fiscal 2001.
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The SWISS Administrative Board has approved a new organisational structure for its Operations and Sales Divisions. It enables both the operational and commercial Managing Directors to participate more directly in the decisions affecting their respective Divisions. In addition, the Board decided that, in future, the charter business will operate under the name Swiss Sun with Airbus A320s flown by the OC2 pilot corps. The SWISS Administrative Board, at its meeting on January 20, approved the following proposals submitted by the Management: Back in August 2002, the Technical and Flight Operations Divisions were more closely linked, following the appointment of Karel Ledeboer as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Now, the two staff posts of Security and Safety are also to be directly subordinate to Ledeboer, because their areas of responsibility expand beyond those of pure flight operations. Under the new arrangements, the responsible managers for Maintenance, Ground Handling and Training will report directly to the COO. Within the Technical branch, new departments are being set up for Line Maintenance and Contracts, in order to increase the efficiency of the internal technical services of the regional fleet in Basel and of the external partners. With the arrival of William L. Meaney as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), the Strategy & Network, Sales & Marketing, Product & Services and Cargo Divisions, which are all subordinate to him, will be redefined. The objective is to improve the coordination within the organisation and to bring it closer to the clients. The changes principally affect the former Sales & Marketing Division. The Sales Managers for the Swiss and overseas markets are now directly subordinated to the CCO. By means of these changes, the further expansion of SWISS can be focussed and accelerated over the next two years. At its meeting, the Board approved the reorganisation of the SWISS charter business. Also approved was the detailed Business Plan. This foresees, thanks to the synergies amongst the pilots and a more favourable cost structure, the ability to effectively compete in the difficult charter field. As announced, the charter business will be performed by four Airbus A320s under the designation Swiss Sun. These are more economical to operate, less damaging to the environment and considerably more comfortable for the charter passengers than the MD-83s which have been in service until now. (The last aircraft of this type will be withdrawn in 2004). The Board has decided that the four new Airbus A320s will be flown by the OC2 pilot corps, which already flies 25 aircraft of this type. This means that the seasonal Summer peak can be more cost-effectively catered for by the strong force of Airbus pilots (the A320 family and also the A330), than if it was operated as a separate seasonal Airbus operation by OC1, which would have had to be set up with only four aircraft. The two pilot corps unions are now invited to jointly develop a career plan in order to enable the seamless transfer from OC1 to OC2 of the approximately 40 pilots required for the charter Airbus fleet SWISS will also use surplus capacity from the remainder of the fleet for charter contracts Suitable aircraft will be offered, according to the requirements of the clients and the availability of aircraft from the scheduled fleet.
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The State Commission investigating the failure of a Proton/Block DM launch vehicle, which left the Astra 1K satellite in a lower-than-planned orbit, has submitted its final report to the Russian government, International Launch Services (ILS) announced. The commission also provided a report to the ILS Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB), which begins its review of the findings this week in Moscow. The State Commission and the FROB were formed shortly after the Nov. 26 launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The State Commission exonerated the Khrunichev-built, three-stage Proton launch vehicle early in its investigation. "No fault has been found with the implementation of the mission profile during the powered flight of Proton's Stages 1 through 3," the final report states. The commission identified the Block DM upper stage as the source of the failure. RSC Energia builds the Block DM. The commission noted that the anomaly occurred at the start of the second Block DM main engine burn, as did three other Block DM failures since 1996. In the final report, the commission was unable to pinpoint a single root cause for the failure. There was excessive fuel in the main engine when it was ignited for the second burn, which led to extraordinarily high temperatures that destroyed the engine, the commission found. It identified two possible scenarios for the fuel build-up, both attributed to "stray particles" that clogged the engine components. "The failure ... to perform the second burn was caused by an abnormal development of the start-up process in the course of which ignition took place in the gas duct due to the excessive amount of the fuel ... present at the ignition time during the attempted second burn," the report states. "This in turn was caused by either 1) stray particles clogging the manifolds through which (the fuel) is drained from the starting-fluid feed line after the first burn or 2) loss of air-tightness, due to stray particles, of the valve designed to supply the fuel to the gas generator injector." Energia is developing a corrective action plan to submit to the commission. The commission in turn will review the plan to determine the validity and sufficiency of the proposed remedies. The commission recommended seven areas to review for corrective action, including Block DM testing and inspection, and processing of propellants, all to be addressed by Energia. ILS established the Failure Review Oversight Board to provide an independent assessment of the State Commission findings and to ensure that a robust corrective action plan is in place before commercial flights are resumed. FROB Chairman Eric Laursen, ILS vice president and chief engineer, and other members arrived in Moscow to begin their review this week. The FROB process includes meeting with representatives from the State Commission and from hardware subcontractors.
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BAE Systems has been awarded a contract worth over £150 million from the UK MOD for the continuation of the Harrier GR9 sustainment and upgrade programme. The total value of the programme is expected to exceed £500m through a series of further incremental contracts anticipated over the next two years. The full GR9 upgrade will give the existing UK GR7 Harriers updated digital systems. Integration and clearance of digital weapons will allow the RAF to hit a wider range of targets harder, at longer range and with less risk to aircrew. This initial upgrade will introduce a baseline aircraft system capability that will allow the aircraft to carry and integrate smart weapons such as Brimstone and precision guided bombs, and support an enhanced integration of legacy weapons such as Maverick and Sidewinder AIM9L. The programme will also include an upgrade to the two-seater TMk10 training aircraft to TMk12, the equivalent of the GR9 standard.
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Orbital Sciences Corporation recently received firm orders for four small space launch vehicles from the U.S. Government, the company announced. At the end of 2002, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracted with the company to launch its Spectroscopy and Photometry of the Intergalactic Medium's Diffuse Radiation (SPIDR) satellite aboard the company's Pegasus rocket in a mission that will take place in 2005. Separately, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contracted with the company for three Minotaur space launch vehicles under the U.S. Air Force's Orbital/Suborbital (OSP)-1 program. One of the Minotaur vehicles will be used for the Department of Defense's Near-Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) mission and the other two vehicles will be used for missions to be announced by the DoD at a later date. Together, the four firm orders total approximately $60 million in value. The missions will be executed by Orbital beginning in 2003 and will be completed over the next several years. The company did not disclose the financial terms of the individual missions.
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Air Force officials recently announced that the service was canceling the B-1B Lancer's Defensive System Upgrade Program because of cost overruns and schedule slips, but remains committed to improving the aircraft's combat capability. The DSUP was intended to replace the B-1's current defensive suite with new integrated defensive electronic countermeasure systems and add a fiber optic towed decoy to provide a more capable and upgradeable system, according to an Air Force report. "The tough decision to terminate DSUP was made because we can really no longer sacrifice capability in pursuit of a post-2010 defensive system plagued by escalating problems with cost and schedule," said Maj. Gen. John D.W. Corley, director of Air Force global power programs at the Pentagon. According to Corley, to continue with DSUP would have required a significant engineering, manufacturing and development program restructure that would have added 17 months and an additional $175 million to program costs. Despite this decision by the Air Force, airmen who fly and maintain the B-1 need not worry about their aircraft's future, the general said. "Last year during Operation Enduring Freedom, the airmen and aircraft performed brilliantly," he said. "They aptly demonstrated the key air and space superiority, global attack and precision engagement role the B-1 brings to the fight. We remain firmly committed to keeping the B-1 viable today and in the future."
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Sea Launch Company, LLC, has negotiated an agreement with Intelsat to reassign an earlier launch contract to a future payload requirement. Following a decision last November to terminate the Intelsat 10-01 mission, and a more recent decision to launch the Intelsat 10-02 payload on a Proton vehicle, Intelsat elected to negotiate with Sea Launch for a firm future launch service. The original contract, signed Dec. 12, 2001, called for a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket to place an Intelsat spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit in 2003. “We are delighted that we have been successful in negotiating a continuation of this contract,” said Ramu Potarazu, president of Intelsat Global Service Corporation, in signing the new agreement. “Sea Launch is one of the world's leading launch service providers and we would not want to lose an opportunity to fly with them. We are now looking forward to our future mission on Sea Launch.”The Sea Launch team had progressed well into its mission planning on the Intelsat 10-01 launch, when Intelsat determined it would assign the remaining payload to the Proton vehicle. While disappointed with the outcome of the decision, the team will now work toward this next assignment.
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India and Russia agreed to jointly develop next generation fighter jets and set up defence projects under a "landmark" protocol signed by the two countries but appeared to have made no progress on the sale of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov to New Delhi. "The protocol, a landmark document in our relations, covers all the areas of our defence ties," Defence Minister George Fernandes said after an hour-long meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov here. The protocol, signed after the two-day meeting of Indo-Russian Inter-governmental Commission (IRIGC) on Military-Technical Cooperation, provides for joint development of a fifth generation fighter for the Air Forces of the two countries, he told reporters. It also envisages setting up several hi-tech joint ventures similar to the "BrahMos" cruise missile, development and production of futuristic weapons and weapon platforms, the Defence Minister said. He, however, did not say whether the two sides have made a breakthrough with regard to the sale of Admiral Gorshkov to India.
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Frankfurt Airport's (FRA) 2002 traffic growth in all segments clearly exceeded annual forecasts by aviation industry experts. For example, in mid-2002 Fraport AG still expected about a three-percent decline in passenger traffic for the year. With 48.5 million passengers in 2002, FRA's actual results indicate only a slight 0.2 percent decline over 2001. Fraport AG's executive board chairman, Dr. Wilhelm Bender, emphasized that the figures show "just how well our company has been able to cope in difficult times and to handle a crisis-prone environment. If someone had said a year ago that Frankfurt Airport would reach the same passenger level in 2002 as in 2001, we would have considered this wishful thinking. Following the 9/11 events and the ensuing strong traffic decline, FRA's passenger figures in 2002 even clearly exceeded optimistic expectations." December also contributed significantly to the unexpected positive traffic results for the year 2002. Growing to 3.4 million in December 2002, passenger traffic saw a strong eight-percent increase over the comparable month of 2001. During the last two weeks of 2002, some 11.1 percent more passengers used Frankfurt Airport than in the same period of the previous year. In terms of passenger volume, Fraport AG performed much better in 2002 than many airlines on a worldwide level. This proves that Frankfurt Airport is benefiting from the airlines' policy to concentrate traffic at the so-called hub airports in difficult times. Thus, FRA showed noticeably higher traffic growth than other German airports. With over 1.5 million metric tons handled, airfreight activity at Europe's most important cargo airport was up by 1.4 percent in 2002. This positive figure is also noteworthy in view of the weak global economy. In December, cargo throughput at FRA grew 2.2 percent to about 126,300 metric tons over the same month in 2001. The major growth factors were strong increases in cargo tonnage carried on Far East and Atlantic routes. With 141,000 metric tons handled in 2002 - a slight 0.1 percent decrease - FRA's airmail tonnage was almost back to the previous year's level. The total number of aircraft movements last year increased by 0.4 percent to 458,359 take-offs and landings. These figures also demonstrate that expansion of Frankfurt Airport is indispensable. Maximum Take-off Weights (MTOWs) dropped 2.5 percent to about 24.9 million metric tons. Since November 2002, the negative gap between aircraft movements and corresponding MTOWs has gradually been narrowing. This positive trend continued in December, when Fraport AG registered about 36,000 aircraft movements at FRA, 6.5 percent more than in the same month of 2001. MTOWs grew even stronger during this period, up 6.4 percent to about two million metric tons. Whether the airlines will again deploy larger aircraft over the long term depends on market demand in the coming months.
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On January 27, 2003, FedEx Express, a FedEx Corp. operating company, expects to receive the first of eight ATR 42-320 aircraft acquired under a definitive purchase agreement with Continental Airlines. FedEx Express will use the ATR 42s within its U.S. domestic feeder operations to support, supplement and enhance the FedEx Express trunk aircraft system. The FedEx Express feeder network helps serve customers in geographic areas where surface transportation is not expedient enough to provide the service level desired. In addition, feeder aircraft are also utilized internationally on scheduled routes and to fulfill various other special aircraft lift requirements. "With its proven technology, maximum payload of over 12,000 pounds and environmentally friendly Stage 3 noise certification, the ATR 42 is expected to meet operational requirements of the FedEx Express feeder network in the coming decade," said Mark Blair, vice president of supplemental air operations, FedEx Express. "Since being introduced in1985, the ATR has proven to have the lowest operating costs of any aircraft in its category."
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More than 500 airmen and numerous F-16CJ Fighting Falcons left Spangdahlem Jan. 12 and 16 for a forward-deployed locations to support the unified command as part of a secretary of defense-issued order. The 52nd Fighter Wing was part of the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's Dec. 24 deployment order, which directed additional forces to support Operation Enduring Freedom and possible future contingencies. Maj. Geoffrey Bacon, 52nd Consolidated Maintenance Squadron commander, was on hand to say farewell to his troops before they loaded up in the buses and headed to the deployment departure area. "These are a great bunch of (people)," said Bacon, watching as his troops gathered their bags and loaded onto the waiting bus. "For a lot of our folks, this is their first time out."
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Lauda Air – the holiday flight specialist - is focusing on Portugal this coming summer season. Four great holiday flight destinations - the capital Lisbon, Porto on the Costa Verde, Faro on the Algarve and Funchal on Madeira - offer something for absolutely everyone. Whether you're interested in a beach holiday, city tour, golfing break or cultural programme, variety is guaranteed. Lauda Air will be flying to Lisbon three times a week from 30 March 2003 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), two of which will depart direct from Vienna. The flights to Faro on the Algarve will operate every Wednesday throughout high season, from 18 June to 17 September. The service to Portugal's second city of Porto will operate in the periods directly before and after summer season, i.e. from 2 April to 11 June and from 24 September through to 22. The new Portuguese programme is completed by our once-weekly flight to Funchal (Madeira), a service due to be launched in just a few weeks at the beginning of February.
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The "Combined 2 Phase Loop Experiment" (COM2PLEX) was developed by OHB System AG under contract to the European Space Agency ESA and its German counterpart DLR. The experiment is currently tested on the US Shuttle Mission STS 107 which started on January 16th, 2003. The three capillary driven fluid loops were separately manufactured by ASTRIUM (France), SABCA/EHP (Belgium) and by OHB's partner Lavochkin/Tais, Moscow and delivered to OHB-System for integration. OHB has the overall responsibility for experiment control and data evaluation during the mission. All loops perform nominally. Based on the received data the experiment can be called highly successful only after five of the 16 mission days. The purpose of the tested fluid loops is to efficiently cool electronic equipment of future communications satellites. The present in-orbit test will qualify the technology for use in the harsh space environment.
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German airframer Extra Flugzeugbau of Hunxe is the process of entering into insolvency which is, similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. While the company seeks investors, said Kenneth Weaver, president of Extra North America, “The trustee appointed to administer Extra in the interim has stated that operations would continue with a skeleton crew.” Some 240 people had been employed in the production of Extra's EA-200 and EA-300 aerobatic airplanes and the six-place EA-400 piston single, as well as development of the $1.6 million EA-500 turboprop derivative of the EA-400. Just one week before the news of insolvency became public on Tuesday, Weaver had told AIN that certification of the EA-500 was expected this summer. Now the project is on hold until the insolvency is resolved. Exactly how much money is needed has yet to be determined, he said. Weaver had been in the process of revising Extra's distributor network in the U.S.,and had moved the office of Extra North America from Orlando, Fla., to Lancaster, Pa.
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The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to using Northrop Grumman Corporation's AN/ALQ-162 electronic countermeasures system to protect its fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft. The RDAF has signed a foreign military sales contract with the U.S. Navy for 20 Pulse Doppler/Power Plus retrofit kits as an initial upgrade to the 82 AN/ALQ-162 V(1) configurations currently installed on its F-16s. "For many years, since the days of the original program, the Danish Air Force has relied on Northrop Grumman's AN/ALQ-162 countermeasures system as the sole electronic warfare suite to protect its fighters," said Ev Pratt, vice president of Electronic Warfare programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) and Astrium will sign, on Tuesday 28 January, at ESA HQ at 02:00 p.m., a contract for the design and development of Venus Express, the first European spacecraft to visit the planet Venus. Venus Express is scheduled for launch from the Baïkonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan during November 2005. It will be carried into space by a Soyuz-Fregat rocket and placed immediately in its transfer orbit to Venus. Its journey through space will last about 5 months for a mission duration around Venus of nearly 2 venusian years.
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Imagine an aircraft of 4,700 pounds Maximum Takeoff Weight, able to carry five people up to 25,000 feet, with a cabin altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 315 kts. Its short field performance allows operations from 2,000 feet runways and it reaches cruising altitude in about eight minutes. The powerplant will be selected on the basis of proven technology and demonstrated reliability. The pilot will be provided with flight information from a state of the art glass cockpit. This aircraft impresses with low fuel consumption (34 gph) and low noise level. Diamond Aircraft Industries has decided to build this aircraft. The D-JET will perform its maiden flight in mid-2004 with initial deliveries planned for early 2006. Projected price will be well under US$ 1 Million. Further details, including ordering information, will be released in the near future.
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