U P D A T E
Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles
UPDATE
Week ending June 22, 1997
This week, we have doubled the size of our UPDATE to bring you all the important news from the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. After a dull start, the event produced a bunch of major announcements, like the signing of the Tiger production-investment contract, British Aerospaces decision to join Lockheed Martin on JSF or the lauch of the Airbus A319 business jets and launch orders for the Fairchild Dornier 328JET. A full report and lots of pictures will be in the August issue of FLUG REVUE, due out on July 14. Don't miss it! In the meantime, follow these links:
Civil Aviation +++ Bell/Boeing 609 sales take off +++ Airbus Industrie to launch A340-500/-600 and A319 corporate jet +++ Boeing outlines product development +++ Eurocopter sees bullish business at Le Bourget +++ Fairchild Dornier 328JET gets launch orders +++ Dasa pressing for stronger European competitiveness +++ American Eagle takes both EMB-145 and CRJ-700 +++ BMW Rolls-Royce signs collaboration agreement with Tupolew +++ Pratt takes the initiative in engine maintenaince +++ News in brief+++
Military Aviation +++ Tiger production-investment contract signed +++ BAe joins Lockheed Martin on JSF +++ Eurocopter sees bullish business at Le Bourget +++ FLA gets shaky approval +++ C-27J launched by Lockheed Martin/Alenia +++ Dasa pressing for stronger European competitiveness +++ Lockheed looks at international partnerships +++ News in brief +++
Spaceflight +++ Continuity and Change: ESA's new Director General +++ Lockheed orders 101 RD-180 for Atlas IIAR and EELV +++ ESA revises scientific programs +++ Honeywell in space +++ News in brief +++
Tiger production-investment contract signed
Serienvorbereitungsvertrag für den Tiger
On June 20, the production-investment contract for the Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter was signed by the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (German procurement agency) and the manufacturer. The defence ministers of France and Germany, Alain Richard and Volker Rühe, were present at the ceremony at Le Bourget. This new contract has a volume of 733,6 million DM an is an important step towards first deliveries of the Tiger in 2001. Current plans call for first batches of 80 helicopters each for the French and German armies, out of a total requirement of 215 and 212 respectively. According to Eurocopter, production preparation work will secure 1000n jobs in each country, and a timely go-ahead for production will doulbe this figures after the year 2000.Since start of development in 1989, five Tiger prototypes have flown 1700 hours. Recent tests successes include the firing of Hot missiles from PT5 at the Meppen range in Germany and new Mistral firings at Cazaux (France).
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Bell/Boeing 609 sales take off
Erste Kunden für Bell/Boeing 609 bekanntgegeben
Sales of the new Bell/Boeing 609 civil tiltrotor are surprisingly brisk, with 21 customers having signed up for 29 aircraft, it was announced on June 15. Among the "visionaries", as Bell-chairman Webb Joiner called them, are reputable operators like Petroleum Helicopters, Canadian Helicopter and Helicopter Services, as well as Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. 100000 US-Dollars or more buys them a good position on the production line which will start rolling in 2001. First flight is scheduled for 1999. In the 609, Bell and Boeing can apply all the lessons learned with the V-22 Osprey, which recently got its production ok from the Pentagon. Testing is going well, the manufacturers say.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Airbus Industrie to launch A340-500/-600 and A319 corporate jet
Neue Airbus-Modelle gegen die Herausforderung von Boeing
At Le Bourget, Airbus Industry announced the commercial launch of the four-engined A340-500 and -600, the higher capacity and extended range versions of the A340-300 currently available. Selected as the initial engine to power the new aircraft is the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 (smaller fan, same core as Trent 700). Powered by the 56000 lbs turbofans the -500 will be of same size as the -300 (313 Passengers) but with a 1000 nm longer total range of 8300 nm/15400 km. The -600 will have the same range as the -300 (7300 nm/13500 km) but be able to carry 80 additional travellers, bringing the capacity up to 400. After appropriate orders have been obtained, the industrial launch is scheduled for September. Entry into service would be in late 2001/early 2002.In early 1999 Airbus wants to have a corporate version of the twin engine A319 on the market. In competition to Boeing's business jet-version of the next generation 737, the "A319CJ" shall, according to the european manufacturer, offer the widest and most flexible interior on the market. In his corporate version Airbus' smallest family member is posed to fly 8 to 50 passengers over distances of up to 6300 nm (11600 m). At a pricing structure needed in the category of the Gulfstream GV the A319CJ will be available for approximately $ 35 million.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Boeing outlines product development
Die Produkpläne bei Boeing
As Ron Woodard, President of the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group stated in Paris, the worlds leading airplane manufacturer is focussing on three new versions of existing models:- the 737-900X as a stretch of the new 737-800, the largest member of the the next generation 737-Family, would offer up to 11 percent more seats in a two-class configuration and up to 6 percent lower seat-mile costs.
- as a longer-range version of the 777, the 777-200X would fly up to 8500 nm. As a higher-capacity modell the -300X would grow into the category of the 747-200, still flying more than 6500 nm.
- in an increased gross weight ersion, the 747-400X would be designed to carry up to 30000 lbs more revenue payload than the current -400 model, or fly up to 8000 nm. The stretch version would have about 16 percent more capacity, up to 10 percent lower seat-mile costs and a range slightly less than the -400.
British Aerospace joins Lockheed Martin on JSF
JSF: BAe beteiligt sich bei Lockheed Martin
After more than six months of carefull deliberations, British Aerospace has joined Lockheed Martins Joint Strike Fighter team in the world's largest ever military aircraft development competition. The announcement came on June 18, after earlier during the Show the British company had denied plans for revealing its choice at Paris. The final agreement was worked out over the weekend, it was said at the press conference. BAe now hopes to be on the winning side, after it lost out with McDonnell Douglas in an earlier round of JSF studies. According to Chief Executive Sir Richard Evans, the contribution will be in areas of systems integration, low-cost design and manufacture and short take-off and vertical landing technologies. Details will be finalised in due course. A selection between the Lockheed Martin and Boeing JSF designs will be made by 2001.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Eurocopter sees bullish business at Le Bourget
Gute Verkäufe für Eurocopter
In the "total war" between the helicpter manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic, Eurocpter was scoring well during the Paris Air Show with a whole bunch of new orders and the unveiling of new models. - The AS 365 N4 "widebody" Dauphin will fly soon. It will now seat twelfe people in an enlarged cabin. Also, it will get better performance through Turbomeca Arriel 2Cs and a new rotor. First customer is the Helicopter Services Troup, which takes six from November 1998.
- The AS 532 UB/AB will be a simpler, cheaper variant of the Cougar 10-ton military transport helicopter.After a first flight in May, deliveries will start by the end of the year.
- Norsk Luftambulanse has signed for six EC 135s at Le Bourget, pushing sales of this light twin well over 60 examples
- Helicopter Service announced an order for four additional AS 332 L2 Super Pumas.
- On June 18, the French civil aviation authority DGAC has offered the VFR type certification for the new EC 120B Colibri. According to Eurocopter, the Colibri is the first single-engine helicopter to satisfy the new JAR 27 safety regulations concerning the structural strength of pilot and passenger seats and of the fuel system in particular. Since the marketing launch in February, 50 Colibries have been ordered by customers in 13 countries.
Fairchild Dornier 328JET gets launch orders
Erste Bestellungen für neuen Regionaljet
Proteus Airlines of France has become the official launch customer for the new Fairchild Dornier 328JET aircraft. In a deal worth some 70 million US-Dollars, the airline signed a purchase contract for six aircraft, to be delivered from the spring of 1999. Aspen Mountain Air has also placed an order for four 328JETs plus four options, worth 50 million US-Dollars. Roll-out of the 32-seat regional jet is expected for December, and first flight for January 1998. The definition of a stretched, 50seat variant will be defined by July, the manufacturer said at Le Bourget.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
FLA gets shaky approval
Vorphase für neuen Transporter könnte im Herbst beginnen
The troubled European military transport FLA made a small step forward in Le Bourget with the announcement by the so-called "Policy Group" of the participating nations that "France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey are now ready to officially release a request for proposals". But it is understood that this will only happen after some further negotiations over details of the RFP, maybe in September. "UK consideration on participation is expexted during this summer", it was added by the Government officials, while Belgium and Portugal have reverted to observer status for the time being. "Industry has been asked to take immediately the necessary steps to start the pre-launch acitivities and to prepare to establish the industrial organization", the statement concluded. FLA will be developed by Airbus Military Company, which has Alain Floures as its new President. After the one-year pre-launch phase, definite offers will be made to the potential customers who then have to put the real money on the table. Any participating nation can try to find its solution for the "single phase commercial offer" who will spell out the final price for the aircraft.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
C-27J launched by Lockheed Martin/Alenia
Lockheed Martin/Alenia starten C-27J-Programm
On June 17, Lockheed Martin and Alenia announced the go-ahead for the C-27J programme, with the intention of being able to deliver the new military transport by the year 2000. Customers are missing yet, but chances in Australia, Brazil and other countries are good, the two companies believe. The C-27J is an G222 with new Allison AE2100 engines and modern systems mostly identical to the C-130J. This will ease logistics in mixed fleets and is one of the main marketing arguments by the new joint-venture company LMATTS (Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems).
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
European restructuring urgent, says Dasa
Dasa drängt auf rasche Restrukturierung in Europa
Daimler-Benz Aerospace will actively press ahead with the reorganisation of the European aerospace industry and shape ist future. In Le Bourget, Dasa-CEO Dr. Manfred Bischoff appealed to the European partner countries to set aside national egoism in the interest of sharpening the industrie's competitiveness in the face of powerful US competition."A partnership based on equality is the only key to success," Bischoff said. "The very future of high technology in Europe is at stake. We therefore have no time to indulge in the favorite game of Eruopeans wich is summed up by the question: Who dominates whom? We must not content ourselves with cooperations and program companies. What we need are true European joint ventures."
As a step in the right direction, Bischoff cited Eurocopter, the helicopter joint venture between Dasa and french Aérospatiale, as well as the agreement Dasa signed with the private french Matra-Lagardère group and british partners. "We are taking action. And we would like to see our example followed in other sectors of the industry. The conversions of the GIE Airbus Industry into a single corporate entity will inevitably occur. The company will be equipped with everything neccessary to meet the future challenges of the global civil aircraft market."
According to Bischoff, the Airbus Partners are in the process of jointly defining the path to a successful future. The fact that discussions are necessary, owing to different starting positions, in no way detract from the common goal, as defined at the beginning of the year in a Memorandum of Understanding between all the partners, the CEO pointed out.
Bischoff also expressed his confidence, that a financial solution for procuring the Eurofighter in Germany will be found before the summer break of german parliament. According to the Dasa-Chief, discussion with policymakers are making good headway. "The Eurofighter is the adequate aircraft for Germanie's as well as other nations defense-needs. More than that it is an important factor for determining our nation's suitability as an alliance partner", he stressed out.
But at the same time Bischoff left no doubt about the consequences of a further delay of the overdue decision: "If there is no final Cabinet-Decision towards the complete and I underline complete production of the aircraft by July, we will inevitably stop the preproduction process."
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
American Eagle takes both EMB-145 and CRJ-700
Embraer und Bombardier Jets für American Eagle
Feeder airline American Eagle will invest 2.4 billion US-Dollars in the expansion of ist regional jet fleet. The company surprised at Le Bourget with the announcement to order both the EMB-145 and the CRJ-700. It thus became the launch customer for the stretched Bombardier Regional Jet by taking 25 firm and 25 on option. The tally for the smaller Brazilian rival was 42 firm with 25 options. Also at Paris, Continental Express exercised 25 of ist 175 options for the 50seat EMB-145.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Continuity and Change: ESA's new Director General
Rodotá übernimmt ESA-Leitung von Luton
The designated Director General of the European Space Agency ESA, Antonio Rodotá, called for continuity and change within the agency: "I come from industry and because work in industry is totally different from work in the agency I must change my attitude." His major objectives for the future will be dictated by the financial situation of the partner countries and the resulting tightness of the ESA budget: "The same has to be done with less money." Especially the scientific programmes of ESA are at stake, when the ESA minister council meets next year and the ESA management present the new strategy for European space activities. Rodotá wants more cooperation within ESA to make work in the agency more efficient. ESA therefore should follow the path the European industry has turned onto: cost reduction, programs for more efficiency and higher competitiveness. Rodotá: "Space will play a more and more important role in the future, mainly in applications. Therefore money in space is not just spent, it is invested."
But looking at the different initiatives in the small launcher business Rodotá warns industry: "We must not duplicate our efforts. With Ariane 4 we were only sucessful, because we all concentrated on this single programme." The overall objective of ESA and the European space industry must be to keep the leading position, Europe has acquired over the past.
Rodotá shall take over from Jean-Marie Luton, if Luton follows Charles Bigot as President of Arianespace in summer this year. The supervisory board of Arianespace was to appoint Luton on June 16th, but postponed this decision to June 30th, because of the new French government currently shaping up its industrial and econonomy strategy.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
BMW Rolls-Royce signs collaboration agreement with Tupolew
BR710 soll Tupolew Tu-334-120 antreiben
During the Paris Airshow, German-British engine manufacturer BMW Rolls-Royce (BRR) and the Russian aircraft manufacturer Tupolew signed a collaboration agreement to power the Tupolev Tu-334-120 regional aircraft with BR710-48 engines. The first step, between July and October this year, will be to investigate ways of installing the engine on the aircraft, concentrating particularly on mechanical, electrical and hydraulic interfacing. BRR plans to deliver two 15000 lbs thrust BR710-48 engines to Tupolev at the beginning of 1998 for the mechanical adaption. Flight tests are scheduled to commence later that year. Certification, in line with western and russian requirements, would then follow in September 1999 with entry into service by the end of 1999.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Lockheed orders 101 RD-180 for Atlas IIAR and EELV
Russische Motoren für Lockheed-Startraketen
A total of 101 RD-180 have been ordered by Lockheed Martin to equip the new Atlas version IIAR and to test the company's EELV contribution. The contract worth one billion US-Dollars was signed recently with Energomash in Russia. Pratt has already begun construction of a new production facility in Clearwater, Florida, where the company will center its liquid propulsion space business and also will put up a coproduction facility for the RD-180. Beginning April 1st next year Pratt will be able to use this facility with the first delivery planned in June 1998. The deal with Energomash leaves the production of the RD-180 to the Russian manufacturer for the commercial launches of Atlas IIAR and eventually after 2000 Lockheed's EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle). A decision whether Lockheed Martin or Boeing McDonnell Douglas will build the US Air Force's new launcher is due for June 1998.
The RD-180 for government launches will have to be built in the USA and Energomash will get a financial contribution out of any one of them. Doug North of Pratt & Whitney characterized the benefits of the RD-180 in Paris as follows. The experience of Russian engineers in space propulsion as unique in the world with approximately 50 different types havin been developed in Russian labs. As these engines are oxygen rich driven and are operated at lower temperatures than western engines less cooling is required. That allows the use of less expensive materials and increases reliability as well as lifetime.
Pratt has learnt the Russian production techniques and has built up own expertise and documentation for manufacturing the RD-180 in a western environment.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Lockheed looks at international partnerships
Norman Augustine: Europäische Partner sind willkommen
Norman Augustine, retiring Chairman of Lockheed Martin, draws a positive balance two and a half after years after the merger: "Business, profit and share prices have gone unexpectedly well." Also culturally the merger obviously was remarkably easy. Augustine now expects the fourth and last phase of the consolidation and merger process of the US Aerospace industry to happen. After companies like GE or IBM have stepped out of the defence business, and companies like Lockheed and Martin Marietta grew to achieve "critical mass" (Lockheed having acquired the aerospace business of General Dynamics and Martin Marietta integrating GE Aerospace) the super mergers like Lockheed Martin and Boeing McDonnell Douglas set the scale for the global action. Now Augustine expects the "shaping of a global aerospace industry". There is still the question whether Europe develops a fortress or transatlantic partnership will be possible. Augustine wants the latter to happen, but stressed his firm opinion that this should only be done with privatized companies. The objectives of the two types of ownership are to different. A government owned company primarily is focussed on keeping jobs, then it has to help reelect the politicians in office and finally often manages programs of national prestige. A privately owned company on the contrary focusses on profits for owners and shareholders. Especially France should follow the strategy of privatising its companies before international mergers are possible. Augustine does not rule out partnership in singular and specific projects.
He also emphasized that managing an aerospace company in the States is easier than in Europe. Obvioulsy politicians stand aside in the US and allow free development of industry according to the market needs. In Europe though politicians play a much more active role. And running business across boarders and against much stronger unions he thinks as a challenge.
Talking about Boeing and Airbus Industrie he said reporters "we would want to work together with one or both them." From his point of view there still is room for another big supplier in the commercial airplane business. It could therefore very well be that Lockheed Martin will be more active in commercial activities. He though ruled out a role of systems company in civil airliner development and production, as there always only was room for two big airliner manufacturers, and at the moment there already are two.
Any merger or major joint venture has to go fast: "It took 27 days from the first meeting to the signature for the merger of Lockheed and General Dynamics and for Lockheed Martin we also needed only one month."
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Pratt takes the initiative in engine maintenaince
Neue Wartungsinitiativen von Pratt & Whitney
Karl Krapek, President of Pratt & Whitney, expects another downturn in the civil airliner industry after 2000. Orders already start to slow down, he said at a press conference at Le Boruget. Still he expects a steady growth in turnover for his company of about four to five percent per year. All four segments of his company are very prosepctive and have promsing business in the future. The small engine business of Pratt & Whitney Canada has 67 per cent market share in the general aviation, business jets and the helicopter market. For the new joint venture with Snecma for an engine for AI(R)'s 70 seater he sees good perspectives. Though the military business has fallen from 1000 engines per year to now 150 units per annum Pratt is exclusive supplier in all important US military programmes like the C-17, the F-22 or the JSF. He also sees a good future in space applications. The joint venture RD-180 with Energomash is coming along very well. It will be the motor for the US Air Force's new launcher, the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), if Lockheed Martin wins the order. In 1998 a US based production line will be opened in Clearwater, Florida.
Krapek sees more growth in space business than in gas turbines, though the Large Commercial Engines are very strong in Pratt & Whitney. Pratt will concentrate on the aftermarket and invest considerably into this business. Currently Pratt is holding a market share of 54 per cent in this engine area, but only 15 per cent in the maintenance business for large engines. This share has to go up to 30 per cent, Krapek said. Pratt will achive this objective by further reducing overcapacities especially in infrastructure and processes. Today a 50000 lbs engine needs 150000 lbs of materials. That has to be drastically reduced by using new manufacturing techniques and processes.
Talking about new programs Krapek has high hopes for the PW 6000, to be launched next year as successor to the proven JT8D. Pratt has missed the Boeing 737 business but is well introduced in Airbus. For the small Airbus aircraft the PW6000 would be the ideal engine, Krapek said.
At the same time the engine alliance with GE is to be continued on a much smaller scale after Boeing has stopped work on new 747s. Only four million US-Dollars per year will be spent by each partner to further study new processes and technologies. For the new Airbus A340 versions Pratt had insisted on exclusive contratcts but stepped out when Airbus didn't follow this strategy. We must have a guaranteed return of investment: "We will not get along with the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330, but also the others will not be successful."
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
ESA revises scientific programs
Wissenschaftsprogramme der ESA mit weniger Geld
ESA's director for scientific programs, R. Bonnet, presented the new program and time schedule for the agency's scientific projects. After the last session of the ESA's Minister Council in Toulouse the agency has prepared a revised Horizon 2000 implementation plan. The agency's budget for these projects was reduced by the ministers by a rate of three per cent per annum. If the ministers in 1999 don't decide otherwise, this reduction rate will be kept active for the following five years until 2003. Highest priority is reserved for the cornerstone programs, and the last of them, FIRST, will even begin earlier according to the current plans. But the ESA managers now evaluate if the Planck mission and FIRST could be on the same Ariane 5 flight. As they are both using the same bus system, enormous cost savings can be made possible. These and other savings, i. e. XMM and Integral use the same type of platform, will also be used for other missions like Cluster II in 2000 or Mars Express in 2002. Also F2 and F3, two European contributions to NASA's new space telescope, could be possible. Cornerstone 5 is still undisputed, but not yet defined. Bonnet hopes that the ministers agree to the agency's plans. He emphasized that NASA has reduced the mission characteristics. 25 per cent of the NASA missions now deal with new technologies. That equals a financial effort of US-Dollar 2.1 billion per year. Europe has to pay attention to this development and while working together with NASA the European agency should focus more on future applications.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Honeywell in space
Neue Raumfahrtsysteme von Honeywell
Honeywell Space Systems had three highlights to report at Le Bourget. For NASA's Johnson Space Center the company develops a Space Integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System called SIGI for use in the space shuttle as well as on the International Space Station and a wide variety of other spacecraft. The contract is worth US-Dollars 7.2 million. SIGI flew for the first time with NASA's STS-84 mission as a palletized experiment. For SIGI Honeywell adapted the proven and highly successful H764G Embedded GPS/INS, 600 of which have been delivered with an order backlog of more than 8000 units.For the US Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System Honeywell will develop and provide processors for five geosynchronous satellites for the High Component of the system, work valued more than US-Dollars 100 million. For Lockheed Martin the company will deliver the RD32 Single Board Computer for onboard processing, also for the Aerojet part in the SBIRS program Honeywell provides the RH32 including signal processing architecture and subsystems. The overall system shall detect and track strategic as well as tactical ballistic missiles through powered flight.
Also Honeywell recently completed qualification its faulf tolerant inertial guidance and navigation system for Boeing's Inertial Upper Stage, shipment of production units will begin later this year. Honeywell's space activities employ 3000 people and are worth around US-Dollar 330 million per year.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
To keep pace with the competition, Rolls-Royce Turboméca has announced a new version of the Adour turbofan. To enhance reliability and ease of maintenance, the new Adour 900 will get a new high pressure compressor drum, a longer-life combustion chanber and the very latest single crystal blading technology in the turbines. Also, a FADEC will be fitted.+++
Eurowings has signed a contract for five new ATR 42-500s and taken an option on five more. This will be the first step in the modernisation of the turboprop fleet, it was said at Le Bourget, where Reinhard Sandtner signed the deal. Eurowings is a long-time user of ATR aircraft. Also at Paris, Air Dolomiti has signed for one ATR 42-500 and three ATR 72-210As.
+++
On June 18, Jean Pierson and Giorgio Zappa signed the official documents for the creation of Airbus Industrie Asia (AIA). This "Societe par Actions Simplifiée" will be operating under French law, with Airbus Industrie holding 62 per cent and Finmeccanica-Alenia 38 per cent. AIA is the European partner in the development of the new 95-135 seat AE316 and AE317 airliners, which will be realized together with AVIC in China and Singapore Technologies.
+++
The first production EH101 civil utility helicopter successfully made its first flight on 17 June at the Verigate assembly plant in Italy. Agusta chief test pilot Fabio Frisi and Bruno Bellucci were at the controls for the 28 minute mission. The EH 101 utility is available for passenger and/or cargo transport, ant two are in production at Agusta. GKN Westland in the UK is the other partner in the EH101 programme.
+++
Moldavian Airlines has become the first airline in the CIS to use a modern western turboprop, Saab has announced. The Saab 340B was put in service recently to develop routes from Kishinau. Saab had obtained CIS Aviation Register certification for the 340 in December 1995.
+++
Aerospatiale and Thomson-CSF signed an agreement at the Paris Air Show for the cration of a joint venture (50-50) for the prome contracting and engineering activities in the field of theater surveilance and ground surveillance.
+++
Agusta will now offer its A 109 Power helicopter not only with Pratt & Whitney PW206Cs but with Turbomeca Arrius 2K1s as well. A deal was concluded between the two companies on June 16., and the French engine manufacturer will deliver the first Arrius in October. First flight of an A 109 with the new powerplants will be in January 1998, on the way to Italian certification next summer.
+++
Diehl and Aerospatiale want to strengthen their cooperation, it was announced at Le Bourget on June 19. A working group has been set up in order to survey the possible synergies in future programs. Already, the missile and guided projectile warhead sector has been identified as the first area where research and development work can be jointly carried out.
+++
Russia is interested to participate in the Airbus A3XX programme by making parts like landing gear and wing in plants at Ulyanovsk, and Nizny Novgorod. To this end, a special consortium may be set up.
+++
The largest-ever single purchase of business jets was confirmed at Le Bourget by Executive Jet Aviation. EJA runs the NetJet fractional ownership programme and will take 50 Cessna Citation Excels for use by its customers.
+++
Eurojet revealed a full-scale mock-up of a thrust vectoring nozzle for the EJ200 engine at Le Bourget. The very simple design by Spanish partner ITP will start ground tests next year, possibly in Germany. Further funding needs to be secured before flight evaluations can be made in an Eurofighter, possibly in 2001.
+++
Kazan Helicopter showed a full-scale mock-up of its Ansat light-twin, designed to carry up to nine passengers. Power comes from two Pratt & Whintey PW209Cs. A first flight is expected early in 1998, and initial marketing efforts will concentrate on the CIS states. Price is quoted as a very attractive 1,7 million US-Dollars.
+++
Indonesias IPTN N250 regional turboprop made its Paris Air Show debut this year. The Allison AE2100C-powered airliner may be certified in 1999. In Europe, the N250 will be promoted and maybe assembled by Euro Regional Aircraft Industry of Germany. The company will be based at Lahr. It is owned by private investors, the state of Baden Wurttemberg and IPTN.
+++
Ilyushin has signed a deal with Pratt & Whitney Canada for the use of the PW127-F on the Il-114 turpoprop regional airliner. Development and certification work will take two years.
+++
Omega Air, a charter airline based in Dublin, is offering flight-refuelling services on a commercial basis. Its appropriately equipped Boeing 707 was on display at Le bourget with Tracor-designed tow-reel refueling system.
+++
AlliedSignal Aerospace has teamed up with Caterpillar logistics services to improve its spares distribution worldwide. Build up will start in Europe later this year, and then be implemented step-by-step in other regions.
+++
Alcatel, US company Oracle and other operators will join forces to operate the Skybridge multimedia stellite constellation that will be capable of reaching 20 million users in 2000. To achieve this coverage, 64 Ku-band satellites will have to be launched into low earth orbit.
+++
Lufthansa Flight Training is to buy seven Piper Seneca V twins, with options on a furhter four. Deliveries will start in January 1998. The aircraft will be based in Arizona.
+++
Boeing will supply 12 new 737-300s to EasyJet, a UK-based no-frills carrier, with deliveries to start in 1998. This will allow the airline to triple its passenger numbers to six million by the year 2000.
+++
The MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft fitted to the Tiger attack helicopter has noch achieved civil certification as well. Some 15000 hrs of engine running has been accrued, of which 4500 hrs were in the Panther and Tiger.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
See also our Paris Special with statements by top industry leaders and an overview of the main market areas! Just klick here.
Previous updates are still available:
June 15, 1997
June 8, 1997
June 1, 1997
May 25, 1997
May 18, 1997
May 11, 1997
May 4, 1997
March 23, 1997
March 16, 1997
March 9, 1997
March 2, 1997
February 23, 1997
February 16, 1997
January 26, 1997
January 19, 1997
January 12, 1997
January 5, 1997
Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles
Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated June 20, 1997
FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany