FLUG REVUE update: Week ending November 30, 2003

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UPDATE
Week ending 30 November 2003

+++ Boeing hit by ethics problems +++ IRIS-T completes demonstration campaign +++ ESA and EC signed Framework Agreement +++ OHB studies geostationary multimedia satellites +++ Stork opens Glare factory +++ Last BAE 146 delivered +++ News in brief +++

Boeing hit by ethics problems
Neue Probleme für Boeing

On Nov. 24, Boeing Executive Vice President and CFO Mike Sears was dismissed for cause effective immediately as the result of circumstances surrounding the hiring of Darleen Druyun, a former U.S. government official. Druyun, who has been vice president and deputy general manager of Missile Defense Systems, also has been dismissed for cause. Sears was dismissed for violating company policies by communicating directly and indirectly with Druyun about future employment when she had not disqualified herself from acting in her official government capacity on matters involving Boeing. In addition, an internally initiated review found both attempted to conceal their misconduct. “Compelling evidence of this misconduct by Mr. Sears and Ms. Druyun came to light over the last two weeks,” said Boeing Chairman and CEO Phil Condit. “Upon review of the facts, our board of directors determined that immediate dismissal of both individuals for cause was the appropriate course of action.”
Over the past several months Boeing has made a concentrated effort to enhance its programs and policies to ensure understanding that ethical breaches will not be tolerated. “The board of directors retained former Sen. Warren Rudman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to review Boeing's ethics programs,” Condit said. “One of the first actions we took as a result was to create the Office of Internal Governance, with its leader reporting directly to me. The board and I have asked Senator Rudman to extend his review and examine Boeing's procedures and practices on hiring government employees to ensure this type of incident never happens again,” said Condit. “Boeing must and will live by the highest standards of ethical conduct in every aspect of our business,” Condit said. “When we determine there have been violations of our standards, we will act swiftly to address them, just as we have today. “The action taken today reflects in no way on the financial condition of the company, which remains excellent,” Condit added.

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IRIS-T completes demonstration campaign
Tests mit neuer Luft-Luft-Lenkwaffe erfolgreich

The performance demonstration firings carried out within the context of IRIS-T development were completed on November 18, 2003 with excellent results: in a total of seven firings, seven direct hits were scored against maneuvering target drones taking countermeasures. During the extensive demonstration campaign, the missile and its assemblies surpassed the high performance requirements. Aside from the large number of functional and load tests, the campaign also comprised explosive tests of the warhead as well as firing with 20mm ammunition at the warhead and motor as part of the IM tests. IM stands for "Insensitive Munition". BGT had to prove that the missile represents no risk for the aircraft, the crews or the area around the missile when it is hit, in case of an accident, or fire. These statements also apply to the missile's storage and transportation. Missile performance tests also demonstrated resistance to numerous IR decoys and electromagnetic radiation. In ground trials, the seeker's resistance to laser jamming was impressively demonstrated.
The seven direct hits were achieved in highly demanding scenarios. Encounter situations with little displacement of trials aircraft and target drone at maximum seeker look angle were mastered successfully while the target drones continuously performed aggressive escape maneuvers with simultaneous massive employment of flares. Such a successful performance demonstration with seven direct hits out of seven firings is unique in the trials history of IR guided missiles. This performance is all the more remarkable as IRIS-T allows unprecedented engagement scenarios thus revolutionizing air combat. 360° engagements are no longer a dream.
Work on integration of IRIS-T into a number of aircraft already started during the development phase. Meanwhile the method of achieving full compatibility of IRIS-T with the widely used Sidewinder missile turned out to be very prudent and forward-looking. This enables easy utilization of the IRIS-T missile on both analog and the latest digital interfaces. As a result, the integration effort is reduced drastically for all aircraft manufacturers. Integration of IRIS-T into the tranche 1 Eurofighter is successfully under way. Hence,
IRIS-T can be used as planned upon delivery of the first Eurofighter aircraft. Three Eurofighter countries have chosen IRIS-T as their standard IR air-to-air armament. Integration of IRIS-T into the F-16 in close cooperation with the aircraft maker Lockheed-Martin is near completion. The test staff of the Edwards Air Force Base involved in the flight trials was very impressed by the excellent seeker performance. The Spanish Air Force will integrate IRIS-T also into their F/A-18, thus providing another modern fighter aircraft with the outstanding capabilities of this missile. Sweden will integrate IRIS-T into the JAS 39 Gripen for which it can build on the IRIS-T integration work successfully carried out during missile development.

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ESA and EC signed Framework Agreement
Raumfahrt: Engere Kooperation in Europa

On the heels of the launch of the White Paper on Space, European space policy took another leap forward as the European Community (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have successfully completed negotiations on a new Framework Agreement. The Agreement was signed in Brussels by European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, ESA Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Letizia Moratti, Italian Minister for Education, University and Research. Fields of co-operation include science and technology, earth observation, navigation, communication by satellite, human space flight and micro-gravity, launchers, and spectrum policy related to space. The EC and ESA will launch and fund joint projects, participate in each other's schemes, create common management agencies, carry out studies and jointly organise conferences and training of scientists, exchange and share experts, equipment and materials, and access to facilities.
“This Agreement represents a milestone for Europe as it opens the way to a new era for Europe as a true space power,” said Commissioner Busquin. “We are now ready to work on closer terms with ESA, a world-class organisation. Our two institutions are committed to a common future with common goals and this can only mean a better future for European citizens. The agreement also resolves some key questions raised during the recent consultation on European space policy. We can now tie the knot at the EU level and achieve a true critical mass to speed up change and the launch of the European space sector.” The Agreement is a key instrument that will support the implementation of the first phase of the White Paper. It recognises the need for the EC and ESA to join forces to make the most of space technology. This enables the Union to address and achieve a large number of policy goals, notably in the areas of the information society, transport and environmental protection.

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OHB studies geostationary multimedia satellites
ESA-Studienauftrag für OHB

The European Space Agency ESA has awarded Bremen-based space-technology company OHB-System AG a contract providing for the completion of a study concerning the establishment of a commercial satellite communications system for multimedia applications. Together with partners SES-Astra, Betzdorf, Luxembourg, ND-Satcom, Immenstaad, and Tesat Spacecom, Backnang, OHB-System as the prime contractor will be developing geostationary small-satellite technology as part of the SkyKit study by mid 2004. SkyKit essentially comprises a large and powerful satellite known as the “IP Booster” and an intelligent and inexpensive small satellite known as the “Sky Router”. Both satellites will be positioned in close proximity to each other in a geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km and will be connected via an inter-satellite link for data transmission purposes. The “IP Booster” is responsible for transmitting data to and from Internet users on the ground, while the innovative Sky Router, whose newly designed configuration is largely being developed by OHB as the system manager, will handle inter-user networking tasks. In contrast to conventional communications satellites, which have long life spans, it will be possible to launch or replace the Sky Router quickly and flexibly to keep pace with the swift progress being made in processor and computer technology. The SkyKit project reflects the considerable progress which OHB is making in the area of small geostationary communications satellites (Little Geos) and forms a key thrust of the Company's strategy aimed at achieving a leading role with Little Geos in the future as well.

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Stork opens Glare factory
Glare-Fabrik eingeweiht

Netherlands Minister Brinkhorst of Economic Affairs today opened the new Stork Aerospace factory in Papendrecht (The Netherlands) for series production of fuselage panels made from the new material Glare for the Airbus A380. Glare ('Glass Reinforced Aluminum') consists of alternating layers of thin aluminum alloy sheets and prepreg made of strong glass fibers and epoxy adhesive. The material was developed jointly with the Delft University of Technology and the National Aerospace Laboratory in the Netherlands. Thanks to its unique combination of the best properties of metals and composites the material is lighter (by up to 25%) and stronger than aluminum, and offers higher resistance to corrosion and metal fatigue.
After 20 years of research in the Netherlands, Stork has made the material ready for production on an industrial scale. The real breakthrough for Glare came when Airbus selected it in 2001 for the upper fuselage section of the Airbus double-deck airliner A380, which with a capacity of 550 passengers will be the largest series-produced aircraft ever built. The application in the fuselage of the A380 requires a production capacity for 27 fuselage panels (up to 11 meters long), with a total area of 470 square meters of material per aircraft. The production facilities required for this complex process represent an investment of Euro 40 million. A 750 meters track system has been built for the transport and sorting of the aluminum sheets, using 4,000 hooks and pulleys. The material is hardened at high temperature and pressure in an autoclave, which with a length of 23 meters and a diameter of 5.5 meters is one of the largest ovens in the world. The quality of the internal bonding of the laminates is checked by means of C-scan technology, in which ultrasonic signals are passed through the material.

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Last BAE 146 delivered
BAE Systems liefert seinen letzten Airliner aus

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has delivered the final Avro RJ to Blue 1 (formerly Air Botnia) of Finland, bringing to a close 22 years of BAe 146/ Avro RJ production. The aircraft was the last of a recent contract for four aircraft, (two Avro RJ100s and two RJ85s), all of which have been delivered on schedule to the airline. A total of 390 Avro RJs and BAe 146s have been delivered ensuring that the program has been Britain's most successful jet airliner.
The final aircraft – an Avro RJ85 (E2394) – was flown from FlyBE Aviation Services at Exeter where it had been customized, to Helsinki via four Regional Aircraft facilities in the UK. It overflew Weybridge, Surrey (European Spares Logistics Centre) and Hatfield (Asset Management), where previously many of the BAe 146s had been built. It then landed at Woodford, near Manchester (Customer Training and Engineering and the former assembly line), followed by Prestwick, Scotland (headquarters of Regional Aircraft and center for Customer Support and Engineering). Blue 1 is a member of the SAS Group, operating more than 80 daily flights to/from five cities in Finland to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, Copenhagen, Brussels and Dusseldorf, and the new aircraft have been deployed on to these routes, augmenting the airline's existing five Avro RJ85s that have been operated since November 2001.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Austrian Space Agency (ASA), on behalf of the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) of the Federal Republic of Austria, have founded the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in Vienna. The Institute, whose creation was recommended to the ESA Director General in 1999, is to become the focal point for promoting European space policy in the world. It will identify and develop research themes relevant to European space policy, which will be used to initiate, support and promote political and societal debate to raise the public awareness of the importance of space-based infrastructures and services. The European Space Policy Institute will create a virtual network of think tanks that will federate their know-how and skills in order to conduct comprehensive space policy research. The tasks of the Institute are multidisciplinary, building up know-how and knowledge to provide comprehensive and independent policy research to space players in Europe. The ceremony at which the ESPI Statutes were signed was held in the presence of the Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Austria, Hubert Gorbach, the ESA Director of Strategy and External Relations, Jean-Pol Poncelet, and the Managing Director of ASA, Klaus Pseiner.
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Eurofighter GmbH announced a first successful jettison/launch of an AMRAAM BVR missile from the outboard underwing wing-station during a test flight at the Air Weapons Range in Decimomannu, Sardinia. The test was undertaken by Eurofighter Typhoon Development Aircraft 7 (DA7) based at Alenia Aeronautica. The trial took place at 1630h CET 21 November. The aircraft was flown by Enrico Scarabotto, Alenia Aeronautica Test Pilot. Conditions: 19600ft at a speed of M1.3 at 3g. This latest test is the third major milestone in the AMRAAM test firing programme for Eurofighter Typhoon. Previously testing has included a live, guided launch against a MIRACH target drone that resulted in a kill.
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On November 25, Orbital Recovery Ltd. signed a strategic teaming agreement with Dutch Space of Leiden Holland to develop a space tug for use in rescuing satellites stranded in orbit and extending the operational lifetimes of other telecommunications spacecraft. Dutch Space was selected by Orbital Recovery Ltd. to develop and build its ConeXpress ORS (Orbital Recovery System) vehicle, based on hardware already produced for the European Ariane 5 launcher. When operational, ConeXpress ORS will serve as an orbital “tugboat” supplying the propulsion, navigation and guidance to maintain a telecommunications satellite in its proper orbit for years beyond normal fuel depletion. The primary mission of ConeXpress ORS will be to prolong the in-service life of expensive geostationary orbit telecommunications satellites, which today are junked when their on-board fuel supply runs out. ConeXpress ORS also can be used to rescue spacecraft that have become stranded during orbital positioning maneuvers. Orbital Recovery Ltd. selected Dutch Space to produce the ConeXpress ORS after performing an international survey of space hardware manufacturers.
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The US Marine Corps' newest utility helicopter, the UH-1Y, completed testing of its Special Warfare Kit today at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The 10-day long event tested the helicopter's ability to insert Marines into special warfare situations where landing the helicopter is not possible. Static line hung jumper evaluation, SPIE rig, rappelling, fast rope, and free-fall parachute operations from heights including 10,000 feet comprised the evaluations of the new helicopter's abilities. Marine Majors Pat Lindauer, William Sloan and Eldon Metzger flew the UH-1Y with Marine Gunnery Sgt. Richard Ralich, Staff Sgt. Eric Jazak and Sgt. Skylar Panter acting as crew chiefs for the test flights. Reconnaissance Marines assigned to Quantico also participated in the testing.
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Eglin Air Force Base's Air Armament Center conducted a successful live test of the largest conventional bomb in the U.S. inventory at approximately 2:30 p.m. EST Nov. 21. Designated the GBU-43/B, and popularly known as MOAB -- Massive Ordnance Air Blast -- the 21,700-pound bomb was launched from an MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft flown by a crew assigned to Eglin's 46th Test Wing. The bomb separated cleanly from the aircraft at 20,000 feet and with its Global Positioning System and navigation system glided to its target area on Eglin's test range. The weapon successfully detonated as planned and created a plume that rose more than 10,000 feet over the Florida Panhandle. "This developmental test by the Air Armament Center was designed to prove the effectiveness and suitability of the assets and components we have developed to date," said Lynda Rutledge, MOAB program manager with Eglin's Precision Strike Systems program office. "It was planned from the beginning of the program. We preceded it with some wind tunnel tests to validate our algorithms and prove out the system's capabilities."
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The Sikorsky Aircraft Company has awarded GKN Aerospace Services a contract to develop and manufacture advanced, lightweight, high strength side panel skins for the RAH-66 Comanche reconnaissance and attack helicopter. Initially, this contract covers the production of 42 material qualification test panels and three Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Forward Side Panels. There is an option for Sikorsky to extend the contract to cover a total of 73 production units, bringing the total value to some $1.5m. The RAH-66 side panel skins measure 3 feet by 4 feet and will be manufactured from a combination of advanced materials, giving the skins the low weight and high strength required in today's high tech reconnaissance/attack helicopters.
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The US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft completed its latest series of sea trials Nov. 23, using the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) as a testing platform. “This was the final flight deck stability test before the V-22 goes into production,” said Bataan's Commanding Officer, Capt. Earle Yerger. “Since the V-22 will be operating off LHDs and LHAs, that's what types of ships were needed for the testing. We were available and we volunteered.” The V-22 tilt-rotor is a hybrid of helicopter and airplane and was designed jointly by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. and Boeing Company. It combines standard aircraft cruise flight with vertical take-off and landing, and short takeoff and landing capabilities. Its mission is to support amphibious assaults by transporting personnel and equipment to a battlefield using high speed and high altitude to bypass enemy troops and terrain.
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Northrop Grumman will help the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Air Force develop a concept for a high-speed, unmanned aircraft and related "glide weapons" that could deliver conventional, non-nuclear weapons from the U.S. to anywhere on the globe in about two hours. This hypersonic cruise weapon system would allow the U.S. to conduct effective, time-critical strike missions on a global basis without relying on overseas military bases. Northrop Grumman's six-month cost-sharing study contract will support the system definition phase (Phase I) of the joint DARPA/Air Force Application and Launch from the Continental United States (FALCON) technology demonstration program. "This project continues the investments that Northrop Grumman has made in recent years to help the U.S. government reach its goal of affordable, reusable access to space," said Doug Young, director of space access programs for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "The company's heritage of innovative, advanced technology strike systems and its global leadership in unmanned air vehicle systems will provide critical momentum to the nation's efforts to define, develop and deploy a military space plane." The DARPA/Air Force vision for FALCON is to develop, by 2025, a reusable hypersonic cruise vehicle that could take off from a conventional military runway and strike targets 9,000 nautical miles away in less than two hours. Flying at speeds up to eight times the speed of sound (Mach 8), the hypersonic cruise vehicle would carry a 12,000-pound payload comprising several unpowered, maneuverable, hypersonic glide vehicles called common aero vehicles; cruise missiles; small diameter bombs or other munitions. Each common aero vehicle would carry approximately 1,000 pounds in munitions.
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Boeing delivered new 737-700 and 767-300ER (extended range) airplanes to Ethiopian Airlines, the first two of 12 new airplanes the flag carrier will acquire over the next four years. Ethiopian Airlines will introduce six 737-700s and six 767-300ER airplanes to modernize its fleet to meet expected growth. "Our decision to acquire the Boeing airplanes was based on an integrated and rigorous assessment of technical, performance, economic and financial parameters," said Bisrat Nigatu, chief executive officer for Ethiopian Airlines. "We look forward to operating a fleet of the most modern airplanes in the industry." Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines signed a definitive agreement in November of 2002 for the new airplanes. The airline plans to introduce the new 737-700s and 767-300ERs through July 2005 to replace its 737-200s and 767-200s.
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Saab Ericsson Space AB has received an authorization by EADS Astrium GmbH in Germany to start work on the world's first satellite to measure global winds using satellite instrumentation. “This authorization confirms our position as a leading supplier of Data Handling Systems and antennas for spacecraft. We offer our customers reliable products that have a strong heritage combined with state-of-the-art performance” says Bengt Mörtberg, president and CEO of Saab Ericsson Space. The Aeolus satellite carries one major instrument, the ALADIN (Atmospheric LAser Doppler lidar Instrument). This instrument will measure global winds and give three-dimensional maps over wind speed and wind direction. The data will enhance the Numerical Weather Prediction models meteorologists use and thereby enable better precision and longer term predictions. The instrument will also give information on clouds and aerosols. The satellite, built under contract of ESA with EADS Astrium Ltd. in Great Britain, will be launched in October 2007 and will travel in a 400 km orbit. The satellite is designed to have a three-year life in orbit and is expected to be followed by more spacecraft in the future for operational use. The ALADIN instrument will be built by EADS Astrium SAS in Toulouse, France.
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Aeroflot Russian Airlines are currently in the process of replacing their entire Boeing 737 fleet with new Airbus narrow-body aircraft. As part of this fleet replacement programme, Shannon Aerospace, a 100-percent subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, has entered into an agreement with Aeroflot to carry out required maintenance work and assist with the redelivery of all ten Boeing 737 aircraft. Shannon Aerospace is working closely with Aeroflot, GECAS and with Lufthansa Technik's Component Services to ensure a series of smooth deliveries to the next operator of the ten aircraft, Garuda Indonesia Airlines. Two 737 have already been successfully redelivered to Garuda Indonesia Airlines. It is anticipated that a further two will be delivered before Christmas, with the remaining six scheduled to be exported to Indonesia by June 2004, at a rate of one per month.
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Lufthansa Technik Composite Tulsa (LTC) is rated as Gold in the Boeing Supplier Performance Measurement Report. Gold represents the highest level attainable in the Boeing report that facilitates performance improvement. To achieve this supplier rating LTC maintained the standards set forth by Boeing for over a 12-month period. For Lufthansa Technik Composite Tulsa to be rated as Gold, the 85-employee company was measured by on-time delivery and overall quality. LTC contracts with Boeing are managed with an outstanding on-time delivery performance of 100% and a quality performance rating of 100% for a total of 178 components delivered. LTC's commitment with Boeing has been ongoing for many years. LTC's incorporation of Lean Manufacturing processes enhances the commitment to Boeing by providing quick turnaround time, lower costs, higher product reliability and improved quality.
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Turbomeca has signed an agreement making Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (hereafter called "IHI") the first non-Turbomeca-owned organization authorized to repair and overhaul the Arriel 2 engine. The agreement signals Turbomeca's strong commitment to the Japanese market, where the company is the leading supplier of helicopter engines, as well as Turbomeca's high level of confidence in the capabilities of IHI. To this date, IHI has repaired total of 845 Turbomeca engines, with its Arriel 1 being the major repair product. The addition of Arriel 2 will allow IHI to have another major repair product to its present capability. IHI, which ensures the support of a large range of engines for civilian and military engines, has entrusted Techspace Aero , a Snecma group company, with the task of adapting one of its test beds to carry out tests on Arriel 2 engines. This test bed will firstly be configured to carry out tests on the Arriel 2S1. IHI is considering later configuring this test bed so that it can be used for testing all Arriel 2 variants, as well as Arriel 1 engines.
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In November 2003, Eurocopter obtained the ISO 9001:2000 and EN9100:2002 certification for all its sites in France and Germany. The 'Association Française pour l'Assurance de la Qualité' (French Quality Assurance Association) performed the audit in France and the certification organization AEROCERT performed the audit in Germany. The quality system of the Franco-German helicopter manufacturer is now harmonized in both countries, through standardized procedures. Each auditor hailed the excellence of the Group's organization, while remarking that in many areas the reference standards were even surpassed. An important stage has now been reached in Eurocopter's customer focused approach. The ISO 9001:2000 certification is required by numerous customers and is stipulated in commercial contracts.
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For the past four months Air Atlanta Icelandic, market leader of ACMI (Aircraft Crew Maintenance Insurance) aircraft leasing services and Lufthansa Consulting (LCG) have jointly worked on a cost reduction program for the company. On the occasion of the recent opening of Air Atlanta Icelandic's new headquarters in Reykjavik the final presentation of the project for the management and the board of directors was completed. The objective of the project was to identify structural and sustainable cost saving potential in the maintenance area. LCG's consulting services focused mainly on the application of new management techniques, improved risk assessment and efficient use of newly developed scale of economy. The contract was directly linked to the budgets of Air Atlanta Icelandic and included clear guarantees for a minimum result to be achieved by Lufthansa Consulting. Hafthor Hafsteinsson, CEO of Air Atlanta Icelandic, is delighted about the project:
“We selected Lufthansa Consulting because they have a solid reputation in the market and they were willing to guarantee an attractive result and they actually exceeded our expectations by pointing out additional longer term savings”.
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On November 24, Delta Air Lines announced that Leo F. Mullin, Delta's chairman and chief executive officer, has decided to retire on May 1, 2004. Mullin will step down as CEO on Jan. 1, 2004, and he will remain chairman until Delta's Annual Meeting of Shareowners on April 23, 2004. The Delta Board has named two highly regarded former chief executive officers, who have been integrally involved with Delta, to succeed Mullin. Gerald Grinstein has been named Delta's CEO effective Jan. 1, 2004. He is a 16-year member of Delta's Board and has chaired the Board's executive sessions since 1999. He served as non-executive chairman of Delta from August 1997 to October 1999. He is a former CEO of Western Airlines and Burlington Northern railroad, and a former non-executive chairman of Agilent Technologies. Mullin's decision follows discussions he initiated with the Board of Directors earlier this year regarding his desire to retire. After careful consideration of all alternatives, Mullin and the Board finalized the succession plans and date of retirement at a Board meeting on Nov. 23.
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Three more contracts have been awarded to Australian companies under the Joint Strike Fighter program, Defence Minister Robert Hill and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane announced. This brings to nine the number of JSF contracts won by seven small-to-medium Australian companies since the Government joined the decade-long System Development and Demonstration phase of the JSF program a year ago. Senator Hill and Mr. Macfarlane said the wins demonstrated that Australia's aerospace industry – and small businesses – continued to be competitive against their international rivals.
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The Irish low fare airline Aer Lingus signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of seven Airbus A320s to implement its European fleet simplification strategy. In addition to the purchased aircraft Aer Lingus has contracted to lease ten new A320s from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). All seventeen aircraft are due to be delivered by the end of 2005 and will be powered by CFM 56-5 engines from CFM international. The new A320s will join the airline's current Airbus fleet comprising four A320s, six A321s and seven wide-body A330s. In operating only Airbus aircraft, the Dublin based carrier will increase the benefits derived from Airbus' unique operational commonality. All members of the family, from the 107-seat A318 right through to the 380-seat A340-600, share the highest possible degree of commonality in airframes, on-board systems, flight decks and handling characteristics, which delivers key advantages to operators through significantly reduced operating costs.
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Pratt & Whitney's (P&W) first F135 production configuration test engine (FX631) has completed its first test run with the use of its thrust augmenting afterburner. On November 8th the afterburner lit and ran in zone one of its three-zone afterburning configuration. The next step in the testing program will be further tests of the afterburner performance envelope into the remaining two zones as well as fan performance mapping. To date FX631 has accumulated 55 hours of run time, all tests have been successful and during each test the engine has run well. The F135 Propulsion System Team consists of P&W, the prime contractor with responsibility for the propulsion system and system integration for all variants; Hamilton Sundstrand, provider of the F135's control system, external accessories and gearbox; and Rolls-Royce, providing the Rolls-Royce LiftFanTM, 3 Bearing Swivel Module and Roll Posts to the STOVL (Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing) F-35B.
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Air Force have selected teams for the first phase of the Force Application and Launch from the Continental U.S. (FALCON) program. Nine contractors were selected for negotiations for Task 1 (Small Launch Vehicle) and three contractors were selected for negotiations for Task 2 (Hypersonic Weapon Systems). Subject to successful negotiations, each contractor will conduct a six-month system definition study within its respective task. At the conclusion of Phase I, DARPA and the Air Force will decide whether to proceed with Phase II, which would be a 36-month design and development effort. FALCON Phase I, Task 1 contractors will receive between $350,000 and $540,000 each for their Phase I effort.
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GKN Aerospace Services (GKNAS) has now delivered the first of the three major composite assemblies that the Company is contracted to supply to Airbus for the A380. GKN Aerospace Services employs leading edge manufacturing techniques and innovative materials to produce an assembly four times larger than that required for the A340. GKN Aerospace Services (GKNAS) has now delivered the first of the three major composite assemblies that the Company is contracted to supply to Airbus for the A380. Manufacture of the tip falsework and other composite assemblies for the A380 has presented new challenges to GKNAS. At 3.5meters x 4meters the tip falsework is over 4 times the size of the more traditional piece GKNAS supplies for the A340. Initial plans saw this assembly being manufactured in aluminum; however the final assembly is an entirely composite structure bringing weight savings of some 20% over a traditional optimized metallic assembly.
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The latest General Meeting of the Association of European Airlines (AEA), held in London, has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Airlines, Vagn Soerensen, to be Chairman of the prestigious organisation. Soerensen takes over the presidency from the CEO of British Airways, Rod Eddington, on 1 January 2004 for a period of one year – in what is the 50th anniversary year of the founding of the AEA. In an initial statement on the appointment, Vagn Soerensen said: “The aviation industry continues to find itself in an extremely difficult situation. We must do absolutely everything possible to represent the justified interests of the network carriers and their customers at the European level also. I consider this nomination to be a recognition of Austrian civil aviation in general, and the Austrian Airlines Group in particular.” The Association of European Airlines, which has its headquarters in Brussels, counts the 31 most important European airlines amongst its members. Together, these companies operate a fleet consisting of over 2,500 aircraft, transport over 300 million passengers every year and employ some 350,000 people.
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In only the second month since its introduction, the new “SWISS in Europe” product is already delivering figures that confirm the concept's success. The higher booking volumes generated by the new lower fares are offsetting the smaller yields – a development that had not been expected until next year. Internet bookings are making a major contribution, having more than doubled since SWISS in Europe was launched. SWISS in Europe is faring even better than planned. As early as two months since its launch, the programme has lifted revenue per available seat-kilometre to 3.2 per cent higher than the same month last year. A year-on-year improvement had not been expected here until 2004. The lower fares offered prompted yield (revenue per revenue seat-kilometre) to fall 11 per cent in October. But the increased traffic volume – seat load factor was up 16 per cent – is already sufficient to offset the decline.
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Adjourning the 4th Annual Meeting of Analysts and Investors held for the past two days at its headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Embraer presented its forecast of world demand for 30- to 120-seat jets over the next 20 years, along with its corporate market outlook and the company's delivery schedule for 2004 and 2005. Embraer foresees a total global demand for 8,450 jets in the 30- to 120-seat capacity range over the next 20 years. Between 2004 and 2013, the company sees a demand for 3,700 aircraft, with the remaining 4,750 to be bought during the following decade, from 2014 to 2023. The total market value is estimated at US$ 180 billion.
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