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UPDATE 
Week ending July 30, 2000
+++ Concorde crash inquiry focuses on tyres +++ Boeing 767-400ER certified +++ Zvezda docks to ISS +++ Defence ministers commit to A400M +++ Turkey chooses KingCobra +++ Boeing 737-900 rolls out +++ Agusta Westland helicopter joint venture finalised +++ Bombardier launches CRJ900 series +++ Northrop Grumman and EADS Sign MOU on HALE UAV's +++ Airbus announces 230 sales at Farnborough +++ Order boom for Boeing +++ News in brief +++

Concorde crash inquiry focuses on tyres
Absturz durch geplatzte Reifen?

The focus of the investigation into the Air France Concorde disaster which killed 114 people has turned to the burst tyre. The French Accident Investigation Bureau (BEA) has announced that it could have started a chain of events which led to a fire and the failure of an engine. All 109 on board and five people on the ground were killed when the supersonic jet crashed into a hotel in Gonesse shortly after take-off from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on Tuesday. The BEA says as many as two of the plane's tyres may have burst. The statement comes as air safety investigators in the United States reveal that they had warned about the dangers of tyre blowouts on Concordes following several near-fatal incidents some 20 years ago. Air France has suspended its Concorde flights pending the outcome of an inquiry which it is believed could take months. British Airways, the only other airline which operates Concordes, grounded its seven-strong fleet after the accident, but the planes resumed service the following day, after safety checks. An Air France statement said: "No debris from inside the engine has been identified. The fire appears to have started outside theengines but this remains to be determined." In Washington, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released details of four incidents in the US between 1979 and 1981 in which Air France Concordes blew tyres on take-off and produced a "potentially catastrophic" situation. The NTSB recommended at the time that each tyre and wheel be inspected before take-off, and that if a problem was suspected during take-off, the landing gear should not be retracted. The chief French accident investigator responded that it was already Air France procedure not to raise the landing gear, and in such a case, an immediate landing must take place. Citing information from the two flight recorders, investigators say: One of the engines failed outright, the other engine on the same wing lost power twice, the Concorde's landing gear jammed before it crashed.

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Boeing 767-400ER certified
Zulassung für gestreckte Boeing 767

On July 20, the newest member of the 767 family, the 767-400ER (extended range) received certification approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as type design approval for 180-minute ETOPS (extended-range, twin-engine operations). The certification and ETOPS approval, following an extensive flight test program, formally recognize that the 767-400ER has - as expected - passed all the stringent regulatory requirements and is ready to enter passenger service. The 767-400ER's type certification means the airplane is expected to share the same type rating as the existing 767-200 and 767-300 airplanes, and the common type rating with the 757-200 and 757-300. Final FAA flight crew qualification endorsement is expected in August.
The 767-400ER embarked on its eight-month flight test program when it flew for the first time on Oct. 9, 1999 - with 767 chief pilot Buzz Nelson at the controls. "This airplane has outstanding handling characteristics," Nelson said. "It is a dream to fly." Three flight test airplanes completed 1,150 flight- and 1,200 ground-test hours to validate the design. Launched in April 1997, the 767-400ER enters revenue service this summer with Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines.

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Zvezda docks to ISS
Russisches Modul an Raumstation gekoppelt

The newest component for the ever-growing International Space Station, the Russian Zvezda Service Module, successfully linked up with the fledgling complex this evening as the two craft flew high over the northeast portion of Kazakhstan marking the arrival of the first living quarters for the permanent human habitation of the new outpost. With the ISS' Zarya Control Module operating as the active vehicle, the two craft gently docked at 7:45 p.m. Central time (4:45 a.m. Moscow time on July 26), two weeks after Zvezda rocketed into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Zarya's jets controlled the final minutes of the approach for docking, as the ISS closed on Zvezda at a glacial rate of two-tenths of a meter per second. Within minutes, hooks and latches on both sides of the docking interface between Zvezda and Zarya began to engage one another to form a tight seal between the two vehicles. The ISS had become a far larger complex at the moment of docking, now spanning 119 feet in length, or the size of an 11-story building. The ISS now weighs almost 60 tons.
Immediately after docking, the solar arrays on Zvezda, which had been locked "edge on" to prevent any impingement from Zarya's jet thrusters, began articulating again to follow the sun and Zarya's Motion Control System was deactivated. Upon command from Russian flight controllers, a valve in Zvezda will be opened to pressurize the vestibule, or passageway, between the two modules. On Sunday, U.S. time, flight controllers in Korolev will begin the critical transfer of commanding and attitude control of the ISS from Zarya's computers to those on Zvezda, part of the command and telemetry system in the Service Module supplied by the European Space Agency.

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Defence ministers commit to A400M
Zusagen für Airbus-Transporter

UK Defence Secretary, Geoffrey Hoon, joined with Ministerial and other colleagues from six other European nations, at the Farnborough Air Show, in a joint declaration to buy a total of 225 European A400M military transport aircraft, being developed by Airbus Military. Geoffrey Hoon said: "Following my announcement, in May, of the UK's intention to buy 25 A400M aircraft, the commitment of our partners today allows the launch of this programme and underlines our shared commitment to enhancing European defence capability. It is a major opportunity for our industries. There are tough commercial negotiations ahead with industry, not least on price. But we hope to conclude these satisfactorily so as to be able to award a contract to Airbus Military early next year."
The nations intend to procure, in an initial order, aircraft in the following numbers which will be sufficient to launch the programme; Belgium 7 aircraft, France 50 aircraft, Germany 73 aircraft, Italy 16 aircraft, Luxembourg 1 aircraft in close co-operation with Belgium, Spain 27 aircraft, Turkey 26 aircraft and the United Kingdom 25 aircraft. The nations plan to manage the programme in an innovative way, in line with the commercial approach agreed by the nations and Airbus. For its part, Airbus will apply to the programme its proven methods and procedures for developing and producing civilian aircraft. Nations will, to the maximum extent possible, adopt civilian practice and requirements. For their part, the nations intend, once the necessary legal status and arrangements between nations are in place, to invite OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armaments Co-operation) to manage the programme through a single contract for development, production and initial support. This programme constitutes a demanding challenge for all involved parties, including industry. But, given the very significant benefits to be gained by all parties, nations are willing to make every necessary endeavour to meet this challenge.

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Turkey chooses KingCobra
Bell-Kampfhubschrauber für die Türkei

On July 21, Turkish Government officials announced that the Bell KingCobra has been selected as the winner to fulfill its attack helicopter requirements. Bell will now enter into negotiations as to specifics of the program and applicable agreements. The KingCobra is the Turkish variant of the AH-1Z being developed for the U.S. Marine Corps. Along with wheeled gear, the KingCobra incorporates significant mission equipment to be provided by Turkish defense industries. The newest version of the Cobra Attack Helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, power train and weapons systems. This combination of modern technology and Bell Helicopter reliability and ruggedness makes this third generation Cobra the most cost effective and modern attack helicopter available in the world today. The initial requirement calls for 50 aircraft at a cost of approximatly $1.5 billion (U.S.) with a possible build-up to 145 aircraft. Bell Helicopter Textron will be the primary sub-contractor on the program with Tusas Aerospace Industries Inc. of Ankara acting as prime contractor. Additionally, there will be numerous other sub-contractors that will provide the armament, avionics and engines.

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Boeing 737-900 rolls out
Roll-out der längsten 737-Version

On July 23, Boeing introduced its newest commercial jetliner, the Boeing Next-Generation 737-900, at the company's Renton, Wash., manufacturing facility. The 177-seat 737-900, the longest Boeing 737 model ever produced, was escorted out of the factory by three-time Iditarod sled dog race champion Doug Swingley and his team of dogs. The sled dogs are a symbol of the state of Alaska, from which launch customer Alaska Airlines takes its name. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines launched the 737-900 program in November 1997 with an order for 10 jetliners and has ordered one additional 737-900 since then. The carrier plans to take delivery of its first 737-900 in April 2001, after a comprehensive flight-test program. Three other airlines also will be flying Boeing 737-900s soon. Continental Airlines, based in Houston, Tex., has ordered 15; Korean Airlines 16; and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines four, making for a total of 46 737-900 orders. All three carriers are scheduled to take their first 737-900s in 2001.

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AgustaWestland helicopter joint venture finalised
Neuer Hubschrauber-Riese in Europa

Finmeccanica S.p.A. of Italy and GKN plc of the UK today announce that subject to regulatory approval, they have finalised their agreement to merge their helicopter businesses. The new company will be known as Agusta Westland. Finmeccanica and GKN will each own 50% of the joint venture post completion. In a joint statement Finmeccanica and GKN said: "This is a world-class alliance of equals united by the same strategic vision - to deliver outstanding products and services to our customers and to maximise value for our shareholders. With combined 1999 revenues of more than $2.1 billion and a civil and defence order book of $8 billion, it will be a powerful force in the world helicopter industry. It is a leader in a number of the world's most important helicopter programmes and has an impressive pipeline of new products and technologies. We are combining two of the world's most respected helicopter brands and management teams to create a business which can look forward to major growth opportunities. Agusta Westland faces and exciting future with confidence."
In consideration for its 50% interest in Agusta Westland, GKN will contribute its helicopter prime contractor, GKN Westland Helicopters, including its 50% share in the existing EHIndustries joint venture with Agusta, GKN's aerospace transmissions business and GKN's 50% interest in Aviation Training International Limited, the joint venture with Boeing of the US to provide training support for the British Army's Apache. In consideration for its 50% interest in Agusta Westland, Finmeccanica will contribute its Agusta helicopter business, including its transmissions and structures businesses and its 50% share in EHIndustries. It will also contribute Agusta's interests in the NH90 joint venture, NH Industries, whose other partners are Eurocopter and Fokker as well as Agusta's share of the joint venture with Bell Helicopter Textron of the US, which includes the new medium twin, the AB139 and the BA609 tilt rotor aircraft development.

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Bombardier launches CRJ900 series
CRJ900 Programm gestartet

Bombardier Aerospace has formally launched the newest member of its CRJ family of regional jet airliners, the 86-passenger CRJ900 Series.
Michael Graff, president and chief operating officer of Bombardier Aerospace said at the launch, "Like the original CRJ, and the 70-passenger CRJ700 Series which will enter service within a few months, the CRJ900 Series is right for the market, first to the market and the benchmark which others will seek to emulate.On its own, the CRJ900 will offer excellent operating economics. In combination with the established members of the CRJ product family, the CRJ900 capitalizes on extensive fleet commonality in crew qualification, spares and maintenance to deliver unmatched operational flexibility and a multi-million-dollar advantage over multiple-manufacturer fleets." Brit Air of France has ordered 4 and optioned 8 CRJ900 aircraft. Tyrolean Airways of Austria has signed a Letter of Agreement for 12 CRJ900, while Air Nostrum of Spain has signed a Letter of Agreement covering 8 aircraft. In addition, there is the previously announced order for 10 aircraft plus 20 options from GE Capital Aviation Services. Based on the list price of US$29 million, the firm orders value is almost US$1.0 billion.
The CRJ900 Series program schedule calls for first flight in the first half of 2001, leading to initial type certification during the third quarter of 2002 and first customer delivery in the fourth quarter of 2002. CRJ900 program represents an investment of about 200 million Cdn. The program will also produce about 1000 jobs in Montreal and about 400 jobs in Belfast. Montreal will build the wings, cockpit and fairings, and carry out final assembly. Belfast will build the remaining fuselage sections and the engine nacelles.

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Northrop Grumman and EADS Sign MOU on HALE UAV's
EADS und Northrop wollen bei Aufklärungsdrohnen zusammenarbeiten

Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (HALE UAV) system. Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems Sector (ISS) will work with EADS on a joint project team to evaluate a common unmanned system approach to meeting urgent European NATO countries' airborne standoff intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) requirements. The team will also address the issues of UAV operations in controlled airspace, system reliability and interoperability with NATO forces. This latest agreement is a further expansion of potential business alliances outlined in an MOU signed in April 2000, and expanded in June 2000. Under a separate MOU, signed on June 19, 2000, the two companies announced their intention to collaborate on the AN/APN-241 weather and navigation radar for the European A400M military transport aircraft. Northrop Grumman builds the Global Hawk HALE system for the U.S. Air
Force. The Global Hawk air vehicle operates up to 65,000 ft. altitude (almost 20 Km), and can remain on station for 24 hours at a radius of action of 1,200 nautical miles (2,200 Km) from its home base.

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Airbus announces 230 sales at Farnborough
Auftragsboom für Airbus

Airbus announced the lion's share of new business at this year's Farnborough air show, with 11 separate announcements for a total of 230 aircraft, valued at US$18 billion. The announcements included the first sales for the all-new 555 seat A3XX, with commitments for a total of 22 aircraft from three customers confirming the strong early market interest in the world's largest-ever civil aircraft. Dubai-based Emirates became the first airline in the world to commit to the aircraft, with an MOU covering firm orders for five aircraft and two freighters. This was followed by Air France, with an announcement for 10 aircraft. ILFC, the world's largest leasing company, became the first NorthAmerican customer for the new aircraft, with a commitment for five firm orders.
In addition to the 22 A3XX sales, a total of 37 orders were announced for the popular A330/A340 widebody family, reaffirming its position as the market leader in the medium capacity market. These included the first public expressions of interest, from leasing companies CIT Aerospace and ILFC, for the proposed 222 seat medium to long range A330-500. In the single aisle category, the best-selling A320 family continued to outsell all competing products combined, with a total of 171 new sales during the week.
Reflecting on-going strong demand for its existing product range, Airbus announced during the show that it will increase production rates for the A320 family from 22 to 30 aircraft per month by the end of 2002, while A330/A3440 production will rise from six to eight aircraft per month within two years.

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Order boom for Boeing
Boeing: Aufträge für 20 Milliarden Dollar in Farnborough

Led by strong interest in its new Longer-Range 777 models, Boeing and its airline customers wrapped up sales announcements at Farnborough International 2000 with cumulative order activity for 139 airplanes totaling $15 billion. When options and purchase rights are included, total activity rises to 208 airplanes valued at $20.7 billion. Included in this week's announcements were 63 777 twinjets (plus an additional 17 options/purchase rights), which dominated the medium-sized jet transport category. Airplane lessors GE Capital Aviation Services and International Lease Finance
Corporation placed Longer-Range 777 and Next-Generation 737 orders early in the week and joined other Longer-Range 777 customers EVA and Japan Airlines in welcoming a new customer, All Nippon Airlines, at a customer celebration Tuesday. Emirates and Singapore followed with 777-300s and 777-200s and -200ER commitments.
The Next-Generation 737 family continued to notch brisk sales, with customer announcements totaling 72 airplanes at Farnborough (plus an additional 52 options/purchase rights), while Turkmenistan Airways ordered three 717s and Korean Air ordered one 747-400F later in the week.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Bombardier and Delta Connection carriers Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) have now signed the largest regional aircraft order in history, which was announced some time ago. The two airlines, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Delta Air Lines, have placed firm orders for a total of 104 CRJ 100, CRJ200 and CRJ700 Series regional jets in a transaction valued in excess of $2.2 billion US ($3.1 billion Cdn.). The agreement also includes options on an additional 396 CRJ aircraft. The transaction was announced on March 29, 2000 when Bombardier, Comair and ASA signed letters of intent covering 94 firm CRJ aircraft plus 406 options. Comair and ASA will accept delivery of the 104 firm aircraft between December 2000 and November 2004. The order includes 25 70-seat CRJ700 aircraft and 79 CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft with a mix of 40, 44 and 50 seats. The airlines have option rights for a mix of CRJ100, CRJ200 and CRJ700 series aircraft with delivery dates stretching out to 2010.
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Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3) has received a $25 million contract from the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to supply LITENING II pods for its AV-8B Harrier aircraft. In addition to the USMC, the navies of Italy and Spain will also receive the system for their AV-8B's under the same contract. The award includes nine LITENING II pods for the USMC, four pods for the Italian Navy and two pods for the Spanish Navy. Additionally, the contract includes logistical support, spares and training.
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Boeing has expanded its annual market forecast to include the aviation services airlines need for efficient fleet operations. The total market - services plus future new airplane deliveries - is estimated to be worth more than $4 trillion over the next 20 years, according to the company's Current Market Outlook 2000, released at the Farnborough Air Show. The report's departure from its traditional format reflects the reality of a more competitive industry, and a growing - and to some extent - aging worldwide airplane fleet, a testimony to the long-term utility and value of today's jetliners. Boeing estimates that the commercial aviation support services market will be worth more than $2.6 trillion over the next 20 years, with annual revenues considerably more than that for the new airplane market. Airline operating expenses cover all activities to attract customers and deliver passengers and cargo to their destinations. These activities include a set of support services needed to operate airline fleets and eliminate surplus airplanes. In 1999 alone, airlines spent about $330 billion on operating expenses, with roughly $87 billion spent on support services. Boeing estimates the world fleet will be 31,755 jets by 2019 - more than double that of today - with two-thirds of the airplanes currently in service projected to be operating at the end of the forecast period. Additionally, the outlook estimates that 22,315 new airplanes will enter service to accommodate growth and replace airplanes that will be removed from service.
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CFM International has completed a 95-hour demonstration program to evaluate the potential for an upgrade kit including three dimensional high pressure compressor aerodynamics (3-D aero) and turbine upgrades for the CFM56-3 engine to give operators better fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and longer on-wing life. CFM56-3 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric of the United States. There are currently 3,975 CFM56-3 engines powering 1,987 Boeing Classic 737s worldwide. The demonstration tests showed that there are no technical limitations to this program and met all pre-test expectations. On average, CFM56-3 engines stay on wing 14,000 hours before requiring an initial shop visit and about 10,000 hours after overhaul. By incorporating 3-D aero in the engine's turbomachinery, the engine will achieve an additional 15 deg centigrade in EGT margin. This additional margin provides significantly more time on wing, thus reducing engine maintenance costs. In addition, the technology would provide as much as a 1 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption.
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At the Farnborough Air Show, Bombardier Aerospace announced 142 firm orders worth US$3.1 billion ($4.3 billion Cdn.) for its existing regional aircraft programs and an additional 34 orders and Letters of Agreement (LoA) for the newly launched CRJ900 worth US$1 billion ($1.4 billion Cdn.). Including previously announced orders since January 1, 2000, Bombardier Aerospace has obtained firm orders for 273 aircraft, worth approximately US$6.0 billion ($8.4 billion Cdn.) so far this year. These consist of 234 CRJs and 39 Q Series turboprops. In addition, 554 conditional orders and options worth approximately US$12.0 billion ($16.8 billion Cdn.) have also been achieved. These commitments have come from 18 different operators, seven of which are new customers.
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CFM International has reached an agreement with Airbus Industrie to develop an advanced version of the CFM56-5C4 engine to power the new Airbus A340-300 Enhanced. The CFM56-5C Enhanced will incorporate the 3-D aero compressor and high pressure turbine originally developed for the CFM56-5B/P core, which has logged more than six million hours in service, including more than 2.4 million hours powering the Airbus A320 family. A new stage one low pressure turbine nozzle is being developed to transition into the engine's current low pressure turbine. Design objectives for the engine include a 1 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption compared to the -5C4, in addition to a reduction of about 10 deg centigrade in exhaust gas temperature (EGT). This lower temperature is projected to result in maintenance cost reductions of up to 10 percent. The engine will maintain the current CFM56-5C noise signature, which is the quietest in its class. The current CFM56-5C-powered A340 meets all current noise regulations with a cumulative margin of 23 EPNdB (effective, perceived noise in decibels). CFM is scheduled to take the first engine to test by late 2001 with aircraft certification and entry into service by mid 2003.
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Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3) has announced plans to develop an avionics retrofit kit for existing Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D aircraft based on the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68(V)XM radar. The company said it is also planning to adapt portions of the new APG-68(V)XM radar technology to enable the addition of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability into earlier F-16 A/B aircraft. This latest version of the APG-68 radar takes advantage of recent technological advancements to increase performance, while reducing logistics and maintenance costs.
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Boeing recently received U.S. Navy approval for its Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System, or JHMCS, to proceed into low-rate initial production. "This milestone signifies the success of our engineering and manufacturing development efforts and represents the transition to production," said Boeing JHMCS Program Manager Stephen Winkler. "The system has been proven effective and safe in roughly 275 flight tests, improving air-to-air and air-to-ground mission effectiveness as well as a pilot's situational awareness." Boeing will deliver 36 low-rate initial production systems as part of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft that will be delivered in fiscal year 2002.
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In 2003, NASA plans to launch a relative of the now-famous 1997 Mars Pathfinder rover. Using drop, bounce, and roll technology, this larger cousin is expected to reach the surface of the Red Planet in January, 2004 and begin the longest journey of scientific exploration ever undertaken across the surface of that alien world. Dr. Edward Weiler, Associate Administrator, Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC., announced that the Mars Rover was his choice from two mission options which had been under study since March. "We are evaluating the implications of a two-rover option, Weiler added. "I intend to make a decision in the next few weeks so that, if the decision is to proceed with two rovers, we can meet the development schedule for a 2003 launch." With far greater mobility and scientific capability than the 1997 Mars Pathfinder Sojourner rover, this new robotic explorer will be able to trek up to110 yards (100 meters) across the surface ach Martian day, which is 24 hrs. 37 min.
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Boeing and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center have announced a cooperative planning effort to market a commercial space module (CSM) that could attach to the International Space Station (ISS). The CSM is a sister module to Zarya, which was launched in November 1998 as the first element of the ISS. The multi-purpose module can be used to deliver propellant and cargo to ISS, and when docked to the station, can provide on-orbit storage, interim crew quarters, accommodations for multimedia, scientific, and communications equipment, and waste management capabilities. External pallets can be used for Earth observation instrumentation, astrophysical research and additional external storage. Launched aboard Russia's Proton rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the CSM could be on orbit as early as mid-2002. Khrunichev is the developer and integrator for the Proton.
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Bombardier has signed a contract with the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) to supply two additional Challenger 604 widebody business jet aircraft, bringing to three the number of aircraft sold to the Government of Denmark in the past 2 years. Like the initial Challenger 604 which was delivered to the RDAF in November 1999, the two new aircraft will be used primarily in a multi-role capability, supporting maritime surveillance missions (fisheries protection and anti-pollution) as well as search and rescue operations throughout Danish coastal jurisdiction in Europe and Greenland.
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Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems Sector (ISS) has completed "Block 30" modifications on the B-2 stealth bomber under a low-rate initial production contract, giving the U.S. Air Force 20 aircraft at full capability for this long-range weapons system. Under a longstanding Air Force plan, B-2's have been upgraded to mission capabilities in three phases, or blocks (Blocks 10, 20 and 30). Each successive block increased the aircraft's capabilities in areas such as survivability, radar, navigation and weapons. For example, Block 20 had 11 radar modes, terrain-following capability and near-precision weapons; Block 30 has 19 radar modes as well as an enhanced terrain-following capability and additional advanced weapons. The 21st B-2 will complete its modifications to Block 30 under the engineering and manufacturing development contract by September 2002.
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At the Farnborough Air Show, UK Defence Secretary, Geoffrey Hoon and his colleagues from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden signed a Treaty that establishes practical measures to facilitate the restructuring and operation of the European Defence Industry. This paves the way for more effective defence equipment and industrial co-operation in Europe. This Treaty known as a Framework Agreement will establish practical and specific measures for improved co-operation on security of supply, export procedures, handling of classified information, treatment of technical information, research and technology and harmonisation of military requirements. Detailed implementation arrangements to further broaden and deepen co-operation will be the subject of further negotiation between the six countries.
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DHL AVIATION AFRICA headquartered in Harare (Zimbabwe) and the French-Italian consortium ATR have announced the signature of a contract for 2 freighter converted ATR 42-300s. DHL AVIATION AFRICA is the launch customer for the ATR cargo conversion programme. Deliveries of these aircraft will take place in September and December 2000. DHL AVIATION AFRICA has established an overnight delivery network specialising in express mail and parcel delivery services in 29 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. For the ATR cargo conversion programme, ATR has launched two programmes regarding the installation of a large cargo door and the ATR tube conversion. The ATR tube conversion consists in modifying the current cabin into an E class cargo compartment and removing all passenger associated systems and equipment such as galleys, toilets, partitions, attendant seat, overhead bins.
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Sea Launch, the multinational ocean-based launch services company, returned to flight operations on July 28 with a perfect launch of the PAS-9 satellite.From the equatorial launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude, the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off from the Odyssey Launch Platform at exactly 3:42 p.m. PDT and soared into space. All systems performed nominally during flight. The 8,067-pound PAS-9 satellite was successfully delivered to geostationary transfer orbit about one hour and 45 minutes after liftoff. Hughes Space and Communications built the 601-HP model spacecraft for PanAmSat. Following liftoff, the Russian and Ukrainian rocket rose from the Odyssey and headed downrange to the east, before disappearing from view on its ascent to geostationary transfer orbit. All systems onboard the three-stage rocket performed nominally. The Block DM upper stage separated the satellite over the Indian Ocean, one hour and 10 minutes into the flight. As planned, PanAmSat acquired the satellite 25 minutes later from a ground station in Sydney, Australia. PAS-9 will be located at 58 degrees West Longitude and will replace the PAS-5 satellite. It will provide PanAmSat customers with advanced video distribution, Internet and data services throughout the Americas, the Caribbean and western Europe.
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BAE SYSTEMS' Customer Solutions & Support Group and Paradigm announced that they have been selected as the preferred supplier for the Eurofighter IERS (Industrial Exchange and Repair Service) management system. This IT system will be an integral part of the four-nation Eurofighter support infrastructure when the aircraft comes into service in 2002. It will form the backbone of the Alternate Service Delivery (ASD) programme whereby suppliers will be paid for a 'rotable' exchange or repair service as opposed to the traditional method of aircraft operators (national air forces) ordering, receiving and stocking rotables. This ground-breaking system will be installed across all of the Eurofighter national air force operating bases, partner companies, suppliers and Eurofighter GmbH itself to provide an integrated means of ensuring availability of spares and management of supplier performance. The system, which will be the interface between industry and the Eurofighter air forces, will also manage all engineering data associated with equipment repair and will link up to each national air force IT system as well as the aircraft's own systems.
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BAE SYSTEMS has delivered the first Hawk Mk115 for the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) programme to the NFTC facilities at Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan. With its reputation for outstanding performance, ease of maintenance, reliability and flight line availability, the Hawk Mk115 has been selected to play a key role in the NFTC programme. It will be used for both the Advanced Jet Training and Tactical/Fighter Lead-in Training phases. Students will undertake basic flying training on the Raytheon Texan II T-6A (designated the Harvard II in Canada). BAE SYSTEMS will supply up to 21 Hawks to carry out the two phases. NFTC will act as a great shop window for Hawk, which has excellent handling and is fitted with state-of-the-art avionics just like the latest front line aircraft. Pilots training on Hawk in Canada will be readily equipped to go on and fly aircraft such as F-18, Jaguar, Tornado, F-16 and Eurofighter Typhoon.
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The Republic of Korea government signed a contract with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) today to produce 20 new Lockheed Martin Block 52 F-16 aircraft. The contract signature follows the agreement signed earlier this month between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. governments for the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) portion of the Korean Fighter Program. The 20 new production F-16s will be the same configuration as the original Korean Fighter Program. First delivery will occur 36 months after contract signature in July 2003. Total program value is $700 million, of which $300 million is FMS and $400 million is commercial.
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The F-22 test program met a major test milestone when Raptor 02 successfully launched an AIM-9 missile over test ranges at China Lake Naval Air Station, Calif. The test, which took place as the F-22 flew at 20,000 feet and a speed of Mach 0.7, evaluated the next-generation's fighter ability to successfully fire an air-to-air missile from an internal weapons bay. Today's assessment is the partial completion of a major milestone the F-22 Combined Test Force is tasked with meeting this year. An AIM-20 missile is scheduled to be fired in the fall. To date the F-22 has flown approximately 650 hours and completed some 5,000 test points.
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Raytheon, BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Commerce One have announced at they have signed a definitive agreement to form a web-based business-to-business (B2B) global aerospace and defense trading exchange called Exostar . The companies said they plan to launch the exchange by the end of September. The announcements were made during the Farnborough 2000 International Air Show. Exostar will be an independently incorporated and neutral electronic marketplace. The international headquarters for the exchange will be in the Washington, DC area, with a significant presence in Europe and Asia.
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The Polish Aviation Factory Company Limited (PZL) in Mielec, Poland, has started work on its first contract to manufacture sub assemblies for the Gripen fourth-generation multi-role fighter. Machined metal sub-assemblies produced in Mielec will form part of Gripen's tailcone and be shipped to Sweden ready for assembly of the rear fuselage structure. Polish-built tailcone assemblies will be produced for both Swedish domestic and international customers. Workers at PZL already manufacture center fuselage assemblies for the BAE SYSTEMS Hawk advanced jet trainer and wing parts for the BAE SYSTEMS Regional Jet series of airliners. The nearby Mielec tooling company has successfully manufactured tooling to be used in the production of Nimrod, Eurofighter and Airbus aircraft.
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SR Technics and Rolls-Royce are to co-establish a new company dedicated to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Rolls-Royce's Trent powerplant family. The new company, to be known as Temro, will offer its services primarily to customers in Europe and Africa. Both partners - SR Technics, the MRO company of the SAirGroup, and Rolls-Royce, which is active in the aviation engineering, marine engineering and energy fields - will hold a 50-per-cent stake in the company, which should commence operations in the course of 2001. A corresponding contractual agreement was signed at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK. Temro will be placing a particular business focus on the increasing number of Europe and Africa-based operators who have selected Trent powerplants for their Airbus A330, A340 and Boeing 777 fleets. These customers will include Swissair from 2002 onwards, when the carrier - SR Technics' sister company within the SAirGroup - takes delivery of its first Airbus A340-600s. Swissair has specified the Trent 500 for its new long-haul transport, for which it holds nine firm orders and ten options.
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Lufthansa attained one of its principal environmental aims last year by further reducing fuel burn per passenger. In its new Environmental Report "Balance 1999/2000", the Aviation Group gives account of a host of measures taken in its diverse business areas to protect nature and the earth's resources. Last year the 333 aircraft in the Group's fleet consumed only 4.8 litres to transport one passenger 100 kilometres. This lowered specific fuel consumption by a further 0.1 litres, again realising Lufthansa's goal of cutting the fuel burn by a yearly 0.1 litres. Fuel efficiency improved substantially. Traffic growth at the passenger airlines in the Group up by 12.7 per cent (to more than 105 billion passenger-kilometres) and in the cargo business up by 10.3 per cent (to 16.15 billion tonne-kilometres) outpaced the increase of 9.7 per cent (5.45 million tonnes) in fuel consumption. This positive trend has persisted for some time: In the last nine years, specific fuel consumption in the passenger fleets has been cut (in terms of litres per 100 kilometres) by 20 per cent.
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Two weeks ahead of the contractually agreed deadline, Lufthansa Technik AG (LHT) in Hamburg delivered its fifth Executive Jet - the second Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) that it has completed. On taking delivery of the aircraft on July 25th, Airbus Industrie expressed great satisfaction with LHT's workmanship and punctuality. Equipped in just under four months with conference compartments, state-of-the-art communications gear and ample seating for long-haul flights, this Airbus A319 is the second ACJ ordered by the Italian government. Lufthansa Technik had completed the first in February of this year.
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