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Week ending November 10, 2002
+++ ESA's Venus Express gets go +++ EADS CASA wins two tenders in Brazil +++ EU wants common “Open Skies” +++ Lufthansa's Internet world premier in the sky +++ Helicopter market outlook +++ Lufthansa profits up, but outlook dull +++ China regional jet with GE engines +++ News in brief +++
ESA's Venus Express gets go
Grünes Licht für Venus Express
On November 5, ESA's Science Programme Committee (SPC) gave the final go-ahead for the Venus Express mission. The SPC, which met on 4 and 5 November 2002, unanimously confirmed its strong will to bring the mission to realization. Furthermore, the Committee endorsed and agreed on a solution to the financial issues that had still cast serious doubts on the mission. On 11 July 2002, Europe took a step closer to Venus. At that time, the ESA Science Programme Committee had agreed unanimously to start work on Venus Express. Venus Express would have reused the Mars Express spacecraft design and needed to be ready for launch in 2005. Since then, ESA invested 7 million Euros to start the first mission design phase. However, the mission's fate was not yet final because one nation, Italy, still had not confirmed its participation in the payload. Italy was given until October 2002 to provide its final commitment. At the deadline, Italy could not completely commit to the financial support required for the payload under their responsibility. To rescue the mission, however, the ESA Science Management in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) came to several financial proposals, one of which was eventually endorsed by SPC. The Italian contribution to Venus Express will consist of the spare parts of the VIRTIS and PFS experiments and to the ASPERA instrument. ESA will financially contribute to the rest, for an amount of 8.5 million Euros. This amount also covers the integration and testing of the parts of the instruments Italy has taken on and anything else needed to fill other possible gaps to allow the Italian instruments to fly. In exchange for ESA's support, the VIRTIS Science team will be further Europeanized.
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EADS CASA wins two tenders in Brazil
Lieferung von C-295 und P-3-Modernisierung
EADS CASA has been selected by the National Defence Council of Brazil in two important tenders. Firstly the company will modernise nine P-3 Orion aircraft that the Brazilian Air Force purchased from the US Navy. Secondly, Brazil will purchase twelve C-295 aircraft to replace the C-115 Buffalo transport aircraft that have been operating since the 70s. One programme regarding a maritime patrol aircraft, named PX, consists in the purchase of twelve P-3 aircraft in the US, of which nine (9) will be brought to Spain for their modernisation. A last generation Thales integrated cockpit avionics would be installed, as well as an EADS CASA FITS mission system. Work would be carried out at EADS CASA facilities by the company's specialists, with the participation of personnel from the Brazilian industry and the Brazilian Air Force. The other three aircraft would be delivered straight to Brazil to be disassembled and stored as spare parts. These aircraft will be used for maritime patrol missions, to control the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), borders and Air Rescue Services, along an area assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (OACI), that reaches almost African territorial waters.
The objective of other programme, the CL-X, is to equip the Brazilian Air Force with medium transport aircraft to support activities related to the Amazon Protection System (SIPAM) and to the Calha Norte Programme which mean gaining access to remote regions to aid the population. The twelve EADS CASA C-295 aircraft would replace the obsolete C-115 Buffalo. They would also support the C-130 Hercules of the Brazilian Air Force. EADS CASA has been selected, competing with two groups of companies that presented their own respective offers: the Ital-American Lockheed Martin / Alenia with the C-27J and the Russian-Ukrainian Rosoboronexport with the AN-32. This contract would amount to 270 million U.S. dollars, approximately.
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EU wants common “Open Skies”
Luftverkehrsverhandlungen sind Sache der EU
The EU Commission welcomed the ruling of the European Court of Justice in the so-called "open skies" cases, which address the legality of bilateral agreements concluded between eight EC Member States and the United States. "Today's judgement is a major step towards developing a new coherent and dynamic European policy for international aviation. In most sectors of the economy, Europe speaks with one voice in international negotiations and takes a leading role in shaping events. Until now, aviation has been excluded from this approach as Member States have pursued their own individual agendas. From now on, it is clear from the Court's ruling that we will all have to work together in Europe to identify and pursue our objectives jointly. The Commission stands ready to play its part" said Loyola de Palacio, Vice-President in charge of transport and energy. Of particular interest is the Court's finding that the nationality clauses in the agreements, which restrict international traffic rights to the national flag carriers of the countries concerned, are contrary to the Treaty. The Commission had argued that these clauses undermine the fundamental right of establishment laid down in the Treaty, under which Community nationals are free to establish businesses throughout the Community free from any discrimination. The Court confirms that the clauses concerned discriminate between Community companies on the basis of the nationality of their owners.
The Commission believes that this discrimination has limited the benefits of the Single Market liberalisation undertaken in 1992, since Community carriers with international route networks have been unable to engage freely in investment and consolidation activity within the Community's borders. Under the terms of most bilateral agreements, including those covered by the judgement today, European carriers must keep over fifty percent of their shares in the hands of the nationals of their home country, or risk losing their international traffic rights.
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Lufthansa's Internet world premier in the sky
Conexion by Boeing von Lufthansa erprobt
Adding a new definition to the term "air mail," Lufthansa and Boeing have announced that the first e-mail sent via a broadband Internet connection from onboard a scheduled commercial airliner, successfully reached its recipient. On Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 aboard the Lufthansa 747-400, "Sachsen-Anhalt," members of the Lufthansa and Connexion by Boeing project team simultaneously activated the onboard system and the satellite network for the first time and sent the historic transmission. The long-haul aircraft with the registration D-ABTE was cruising over the North Atlantic south of Greenland at an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters). With a speed of 910 km/h, flight LH 418 was on its regular route from Frankfurt to Washington, DC. During the flight, a standard laptop computer was connected to the system via a secure, firewall-protected Internet connection, a virtual private network or VPN, to the Lufthansa corporate intranet. With this connection, the flying online offices of Lufthansa and Connexion by Boeing took a huge step closer to reality. Boeing and Lufthansa personnel have since analyzed the system data to ensure the accuracy of the results. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Helicopter market outlook
Marktprognose sieht 8642 Hubschrauberverkäufe
Demand for commercial helicopters remains depressed in a sluggish economy, but military orders are on the upswing as a new modernization and re-equipment round gets underway. Post-September 11 flight restrictions and sharply rising insurance premiums have become major concerns for operators, as have new security issues. Some of the latter, though, may ultimately prove to be a boon of sorts according to a new Forecast International study, ”The World Rotorcraft Market, 2002-2011.” Virtually all the manufacturers have reported increased interest from the law enforcement sector following September 11; the U.S. Border Patrol is increasing its fleet; and the industry is hoping for orders from the new Homeland Security Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Forecast International is projecting deliveries of 8,642 commercial helicopters, worth approximately $16.27 billion, during the 2002-2011 period. Several important military competitions were decided recently, including contests in Australia, Japan, Portugal, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Other significant military rotorcraft purchases are planned by Canada, Poland, South Korea, Spain, and the UK, among others. In the United States, Boeing is teamed with Sikorsky on the RAH-66 Comanche reconnaissance helicopter. Sikorsky has several other new programs, including the S/H-92 medium-lift helicopter, the MH-60S vertical replenishment helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk, and two retrofit programs: a major US Army UH-60 upgrade and a CH-53E upgrade for the US Marine Corps. These programs considerably enhance Sikorsky's market outlook and help solidify the company's position as the projected military market leader through this decade. Military rotorcraft production is projected to total 5,153, including several major modification/remanufacturing projects. The value of forecast production is approximately $75.3 billion.
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Lufthansa profits up, but outlook dull
Gute Ergebnisse bei Lufthansa
Full-year profit target already far surpassed after the first nine months Lufthansa continued the successful performance shown in the first half of this year and at the three-quarter stage lifted its operating result by Euro 500m to Euro 790m (+172.4 per cent). The Group has thus already far surpassed its previous full-year profit expectation of at least Euro 500m. "In the deepest crisis of the aviation industry Deutsche Lufthansa succeeded in protecting its group of companies against a serious threat to its very existence, maintaining the quality of its offerings at a high level, remaining profitable and as a result securing jobs and even creating perspectives for the creation of new jobs," Lufthansa's Chairman and CEO Jürgen Weber said when presenting the figures for the first nine months. "We can all be very proud of this result. It is evidence of our vigilance, speed and flexibility." The profit after taxes also climbed steeply vis-à-vis last year by Euro 279m to Euro 344m. Concurrently, the Group's indebtedness was virtually halved. The Group has thus developed better then scheduled, although it faces greater risks in the final three months of this year. The stagnating economy, political instability and a decline in business travel require increased vigilance and strict cost discipline. The Group's airlines will therefore keep a critical eye on their capacities and will adjust them if necessary. The large pay claims that the trade unions have submitted during the present round of negotiations likewise represent a risk to the Company.
Given these difficult underlying conditions, Lufthansa currently anticipates an operating result for the full year of between Euro 700m and Euro 750m, excluding the special effects of the present wage negotiations. The net profit for the year should lie between Euro 600m and Euro 650m.
Lufthansa's CEO expressed concern at the German government's tax plans. "They neither fit into the macroeconomic context nor do they strengthen Germany as an industrial location. A whole wave of discriminations will hit German airlines if these plans are faithfully implemented," Mr Weber argued. Based on initial estimates, implementation of the government's tax plans would impose an additional cost burden of well over Euro 130m on the Lufthansa Group – not counting the effects of a possible change in the VAT regime and the implications for ancillary labour costs. "Aviation is not a superfluous luxury item; aviation is the catalyst of economic growth. Our wish is that this wasn't called into question again and again."
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China regional jet with GE engines
ARJ21 soll CF34-Triebwerke erhalten
AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd. (ACAC) of China signed a cooperative Letter of Intent with GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) selecting GE's CF34-10A engine to power the ARJ21 regional jet now in development. ACAC and GEAE see a potential market for 500 ARJ21s over the next 20 years, representing a potential value to GE of $3 billion. Development of the ARJ21 represents the next phase in China's rapid expansion of its aviation market. Fueled by the country's tremendous economic growth over the past decade, revenue passenger miles have increased significantly. There are currently 50 new airports scheduled for construction within China over the next five years to meet the higher demand. As a result, feeder traffic - the segment serviced by regional jets - could grow 12% annually over the next 20 years. The CF34-10A engine, which has been selected to power both the 79-passenger and the 99-passenger ARJ21 aircraft, is part of GE's best-selling CF34 family for regional jets. To date, GEAE has received firm and option orders for more than 5,600 CF34 engines, of which about 1,400 have been delivered. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The bankruptcy managers of Fairchild Dornier have met with creditors on November 5 and decided to follow up a combined deal with US investors and Swiss RUAG for large parts of the company. Contract negotiatins could take four to six weeks, it was said, as complicated US laws have to be taken into account. At the same time as pressing ahead with a deal which would secury the company like it was before the ”728 adventure”, further negotiations will take place with interested parties that would take the whole company, i.e. with Russion consortium Basic Elements, as well as Alliance Aircraft and maybe a third party. They must now put binding financial commitments on the table. The aim is to come to a solution by year end.+++
After having obtained the Final Operational Clearance Recommendation (FOCR) for the F-4E Avionic Upgrade Program (AUP) from EADS Military Aircraft October 31, the Hellenic Air Force will now receive the first kit-proof aircraft first half of November 2002. The hand-over of the FOCR documents marks the successful completion of both the second test phase in Greece, and the development, prototype modification and validation elements of the AUP contract No. 4/97 signed between the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and EADS. Three more modernised F-4E aircraft out of the AUP production at the national industrial partner Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) Ltd., Tanagra, are scheduled for delivery in 2002. The program to enhance the F-4E Phantom II combat effectiveness is also known under the name ”Peace Icarus” and calls for the modification of a total of 36 aircraft. The average output will be two aircraft per month, reports EADS Military Aircraft. To prepare for the Final Operational Clearance and first AUP aircraft deliveries, the relevant F-4E kit-proof aircraft performed its first flight end of March 2002 from HAI Tanagra. Prior to this, the first phase of test flight activities had successfully been completed with the EADS-assembled AUP prototype at the EADS Flight Test Center Manching in November 2001 with the Initial Operational Clearance certified by the German authorities (Federal Procurement Agency BWB/Official Armed Forces Test Center WTD-61). In early June 2002 the kit-proof aircraft was transferred to the 117th Combat Wing at HAF Andravida Air Force Base to perform the residual air-to-ground and air-to-air gun and air-to-surface weapon validation flights.
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The first firing of an Aster 15 Naval anti-missile missile by a combat vessel was successfully carried out on 30th October 2002. The missile was fired from the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, off the L'île du Levant, near Toulon, France. At 15.23 hrs, the Aster 15 missile was fired from one of the Sylver vertical launch modules located on the front right-hand side of the aircraft carrier at a target simulating an attacking anti-ship missile. Interception by direct frontal hit was effected at a distance of 6.1 kilometres from the aircraft carrier and after 8.8 seconds of flight, resulting in the total destruction of the target. The statistical success rate of direct hits achieved by the Aster missile to date now exceeds 80%, due largely to its extremely efficient terminal self-guidance function.
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The 10-day US west coast ports stoppage enabled Antonov to experience a record month with flights booked into and out of North America. Cargoes originated from Japan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Commodities carried ranged from car parts, printers and shoes to oil-field equipment and engines, and made up the 3,975 tonnes (3,975,000kgs) of cargo transported during October 2002 alone. Commented Michael Goodisman, Commercial Executive at Air Foyle HeavyLift; "The far-east network of GSAs has proved itself beyond question. They are able to bring our expertise up to the door step of their respective countries. They are winning the confidence of their forwarder communities and are instrumental in increasing the number of flights we perform in each market."
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The declared SWISS objective is to achieve break-even in the year 2003. In order to achieve this aim, the Management rejected the first budget proposal for the year 2003. Until such time as the budget situation has been clarified an immediate stop has been placed on new hirings and an intensive control of all expenditures has been ordered. SWISS is performing better than the Business Plan and is pleased with the steadily increasing load factors. Nevertheless, the ambitious objective is that there should be no loss next year, despite the current depressed economic climate, which is affecting the airline business in particular. Due to the fact that SWISS will not be operating additional aircraft next year, the costs and the personnel strength and the costs should not be allowed to increase, in the opinion of André Dosé, the SWISS CEO. It is against this background that the SWISS Management has decided to freeze the personnel strength at its current level and to carry out a close examination of the costs.
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German research agency DLR has taken delivery of the EC 135 ACT-FHS helicopter from Eurocopter. It will be operated at Braunschweig. The flying simulator is fitted with a fly-by-light system and will be used for a lot of research programmes.
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Ryanair, Europe's low fares airline released financial results for the half year ended 30 Sept showing record traffic and profit growth. Passenger traffic for the six months grew by 37% to 7.84m. Load factors increased by 6 points to a new high of 88%. Average fares declined by 2%, however costs per passenger fell at a faster rate with the result that margins increased 6 points to 32% during the half year. After tax profits have risen in the period by 71% to a new record of EUR150.9m. Traffic and revenue growth has been remarkably strong across all markets. The fleet rose to 44 aircraft, enabling us to operate ten routes from our new Frankfurt Hahn base, as well as seven new routes from London Stansted. Two new routes were added to our Brussels base and one each at Glasgow, Shannon and Dublin. We also increased frequencies on some existing routes which resulted in substantial market share gains.
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The first model of the newest Boeing cargo jet, the 747-400ER (extended range) freighter, now is in service with Paris-based Air France. Air France has committed to take five of the new freighters, which will go into service in the next four years. The first of the freighters to be delivered by Boeing was leased from International Lease Finance Corporation. "The 747-400ER will allow us to fly freight non-stop on routes to North and South America and Asia that have previously required refueling stops," said Marc Boudier, Air France Cargo executive vice president. "We plan to use the airplane to reach such destinations as Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Mexico City and Houston."
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The Bremen-based space company OHB-System AG has delivered the two centrifuges for the biological research laboratory EMCS to the Astrium GmbH, Friedrichshafen, which builds the experimental facility for the European Space Agency ESA. EMCS stands for European Modular Cultivation System and will be part of the American module of the International Space Station ISS as of 2004. In this bio laboratory the behavior of plants and little animals can be analyzed under the influence of different levels of gravity from the doubled force of gravity up to weightlessness. More profound insights in biological processes such as the examination of models of fluid transportation in plants or alterations in the cyto-growth under changed gravity conditions are being expected. With the two centrifuges OHB has developed and manufactured the core of EMCS since 1999. The rotors simulate the different levels of gravity and furthermore provide the Life-Support-System for the animals and plants such as the water flow, humidity regulation, and the control of the light conditions. Moreover the centrifuges are equipped with cameras for monitoring the experiments. The tests at OHB has been unobjectionable so that the centrifuges have been delivered last Tuesday to Astrium on schedule.
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The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a one-year, $98.5 million contract for Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) fleet. The contract announced today is the third year of the six-year TSSR program. Awarded two years ago, the original TSSR contract has a total value of more than $500 million and includes options that could extend Northrop Grumman's participation on this program to more than 20 years.
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Schweizer Aircraft recently delivered the first new 300CBi to Canada. The helicopter, purchased by Great Slave Helicopters based out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, was sold by Millennia Helicopters Ltd., Schweizer's Sales Center located in Alberta. Great Slave pilot, John Kettles, who took delivery of the new helicopter at the Schweizer factory, became the first pilot to fly Schweizer's new 300CBi in Canada when he crossed over the U.S./Canada border.
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"Ready, reliable and relevant." Those were the priorities Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) Director, announced at the recent Air Force Association National Convention in Washington D.C. These words also characterize the $19.3 million contract recently awarded to Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Systems sector for 16 LITENING Extended Range (ER) targeting and navigation pods, spares and support for ANG F-16 fighter aircraft. "With this latest contract, the Air National Guard has reaffirmed its commitment to outfitting its warfighters with the finest targeting and navigation capabilities available," said Michael Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance Programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division in Rolling Meadows. "In all respects, the LITENING pod satisfies Gen. James' requirement to be 'ready, reliable and relevant.' It is combat proven, incorporates state-of-the-art technology and is in production and ready to be delivered." While the contract does not call for completion of LITENING ER pod deliveries until next September, Northrop Grumman has already delivered the first eight pods from its inventories and expects all deliveries to be completed by Nov. 15, 2002. LITENING ER is a self-contained, multisensor laser target designating and navigation system that enables fighter pilots to detect and identify ground targets for highly accurate delivery of both conventional and precision-guided weapons. LITENING ER features include a 640 x 512 pixel forward-looking infrared camera; charge-coupled device televisions; laser spot tracker/range finder; IR marker; and a laser designa
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Goodrich Corporation has signed a multi-year agreement with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) to become an approved service center for the installation of APB Boeing 737 Blended Winglets. Installations will be performed at Goodrich's Everett, WA-based, Aviation Technical Services' facility. "With guaranteed turn times and their existing winglet installation experience, we are confident that Goodrich will provide our customers with quality installations," stated Kevin Bartelson, Chief Operating Officer, of Aviation Partners Boeing. "Our winglet kits combined with Goodrich's 30 years of experience and quality installation process ensures owners and operators of a cost-effective approach to capture all the benefits of our Blended Winglet Performance Enhancement Systems for 737-700/800 fleets."
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Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. has delivered the first of 60 advanced F-16s ordered by the Hellenic Republic. The aircraft was accepted by the U.S. government on Oct. 31, on schedule. "Delivery of this aircraft on schedule is a major achievement for the entire Peace Xenia III team, which includes the General Directorate of Armaments of Greece, the Hellenic Air Force, the U.S. government, the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and our many industrial partners," said Kevin R. Dwyer, director of F-16 International Programs. "This is a major addition to the F-16 family, incorporating significant new capabilities. "The program involves substantial development effort, and is being accomplished on a very compressed schedule to meet customer requirements. Accomplishing this only 31 months after signature of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance, and only 28 months after contract award, is unprecedented." Fifty advanced Block 52 F-16s were placed on contract for the Hellenic Air Force in June 2000 in the Peace Xenia III Foreign Military Sales program. An optional 10 aircraft were added in September 2001. Greece has ordered a total of 140 > F-16s in the three programs.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Rainbow Jet Co. Ltd – a key member of Bombardier's increasingly popular Flexjet Asia-Pacific program – has signed a block charter agreement with global energy company Shell. Rainbow Jet – a division of Shandong Airlines of China – will use its two new Bombardier Challenger 604 widebody business jet aircraft to provide call-out charter service to Shell representatives and their guests. The agreement was signed after Rainbow Jet passed a technical audit conducted by Shell Aircraft International, based in London.
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Scientists and engineers investigating accidents are working much more effectively and efficiently, thanks to a new software tool developed by NASA called the InvestigationOrganizer. Developed at NASA Ames Research Center, located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, InvestigationOrganizer is a Web-based tool that provides information storage, management, and analysis capabilities to accident investigation teams. "Mishap investigation reports used to be all over the map," said Yuri Gawdiak, manager of the Engineering for Complex Systems Program, which is developing the Investigation-Organizer. "It was a real problem getting access to them and doing any significant system-wide analysis."
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Following the issuance by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of aircraft type certificate for the Embraer ERJ 145 XR, deliveries began immediately to Houston-based ExpressJet Airlines. The FAA decision came shortly after CTA (Centro Técnico Aeroespacial, the Brazilian certification authority) granted a similar approval. With extra-long range capability indicated by the acronym XR and fitted with winglets, the new aircraft joins the ERJ family as the latest model of the 145 line. It is equipped with the enhanced 8,110lb-thrust AE 3007A1E turbofan that offers a 7 percent increase in takeoff thrust and up to a 14 percent increase in climb thrust over existing AE 3007A1 models, allowing up to a 29 percent increase in range over current ERJ 145 aircraft. The auxiliary fuel tank allows a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles (3,600 km) and a maximum cruise speed of .8 Mach (460 knots or 852 km/h.) The increased range of the ERJ 145 XR will allow ExpressJet to fly new routes such as Oklahoma City to Newark (the only non-stop service from that city to the New York area) and Houston to Villahermosa, Mexico. Other new routes with the XR will be Omaha to Newark and Richmond (Virginia) to Houston. Service between Houston and Palm Springs (California) and also from Newark to Daytona Beach are scheduled for the new ERJ 145 XRs.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Ogilvy Brand Relations in Brussels, Belgium, to help it develop a branding and communications strategy for the International Space Station (ISS). ESA's objective is to raise commercial demand for use of the European assets on the International Space Station. The International Space Station is one of the world's most sophisticated research laboratories. It offers facilities and manpower for organisations and companies to carry out cutting-edge research in such fields, among others, as biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, materials science, physics, astronomy and environmental science. It is also a unique platform for marketing, sponsorship and other less conventional space activities. And yet, outside the aerospace community, many companies are still unaware of this potential. Mr Antonio Rodotà, ESA's Director General, said: "In the ISS, ESA is offering a platform for new activities. We are convinced that through the ISS, we can help European companies convey compelling messages to their markets and increase their competitive advantage around the world."
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The U.S. Army's seventh AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter battalion has been certified combat-ready after completing extensive training at Fort Hood, Texas, where the battalion will also be based. The unit completed eight months of training in AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters, built by Boeing in Mesa, Ariz. To qualify, the men and women of the battalion completed a series of comprehensive classroom, flight and field exercises. Soldiers underwent a rigorous field examination, three live-fire exercises and completed about 3,200 flight hours during the training program.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation employees rolled out the first Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar antenna for Australia's Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system this week and installed it on a test range for integration and pattern testing. Designed under contract to The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the MESA will be integrated into a modified Boeing 737-700 aircraft, the first of which rolled off the factory line Oct. 31 at the company's Renton, Wash., facility. The ADF has purchased a total of four aircraft. The MESA antenna is an innovative aperture that provides a 360-degree azimuth scan with no mechanical rotation. Attached to the top aft section of the fuselage, it consists of an advanced composite structure that supports side-emitting electronic manifold arrays and a "top hat" end-fire array. Its ultralight foam composite sandwich construction enables state-of-the-art performance at a fraction of current system weights, thereby allowing additional time on station for the aircraft. MESA will provide multiple surveillance applications, using pulse doppler radar forms for air search and pulse forms for maritime surface search.
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Sikorsky held a two-day show-and-tell with its prototype H-92 medium helicopter at Helicopter Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 last week, giving the NAVAIR rotary wing community a chance to weigh in on the new design. Arranged by HX-21 with assistance from the NAVAIR Science and Technology Office, the visit also gave planners here a chance to assess the latest offerings in helicopter technology. When doing strategic planning, it's critical to understand where the state of the art is," said Dr. John Fischer, director of NAVSTO. "It prevents reinventing the wheel." The NAVSTO develops policy and strategy for naval aviation technology development, working with program executive offices to prioritize S&T programs, and mapping investment strategies with the Office of Naval Research.
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China is to play an important role in the A380 programme by supplying a massive ship to transport elements of the super-jumbo airliner from production sites in Europe to the final assembly line in France. "We are extremely pleased that China will play a very visible role in the A380 programme," McLeod said. "We are very keen to have Chinese industry be part of the continuing Airbus success story." The vessel will measure 154 meters long, 24 meters wide and 19 meters deep, and is to be equipped with the largest door ever installed on a Ro-Ro ship. Keel-laying is scheduled for next February, and the ship will be launched in August 2003. Delivery of the completed vessel is planned in March 2004.
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The Federal Council has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. This agreement covers the organisation of mountain flight training for Royal Air Force helicopter pilots. The training, code-named ”White Hart,” will take place from 11th November to 7th December 2002 at Sion military air base. The goal of the exercise is to allow British pilots to become acquainted with flying in mountainous regions, in an environment that is unusual for them. For this mission, the Royal Air Force will deploy two of its Puma helicopters as well as flight crews and ground support personnel. The Swiss aviation forces will provide logistic support in the form of lodging, food, base infrastructure, fuel etc. Switzerland will be paid for these services by the Royal Air Force. The flight training proper will be placed under the authority and control of British flight instructors.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has been awarded a $34.2 million contract by the U.S. Air Force for the first phase of the B-2 radar Pathfinder program, a multiyear effort to design and integrate a new radar antenna on the B-2 stealth bomber. The total program value for Northrop Grumman, prime contractor for the B-2 program, is estimated at more than $900 million. Installation of the radar antenna on the B-2 fleet is scheduled to be completed by the end of this decade. The modification consists of an active electronically scanned array antenna that will resolve a Ku Band spectrum compliance issue with the radar operating frequency. This technology allows for substantial performance improvement in range and resolution for the future. Work during the first phase, which ends in June 2003, will consist of system engineering leading to the establishment of performance requirements. Northrop Grumman's work will be performed at its Integrated Systems facility in Palmdale.
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BAE Systems will supply digital flight control computer equipment for the integrated flight control system on India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The contract was awarded by India's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE). BAE Systems Controls, which performed development work on the aircraft's flight control system during the 1990s, will supply six sets of actuators and sensors, each consisting of 28 line-replaceable units. The company also has been contracted to complete qualification testing on actuator hardware being flown on two LCA development aircraft. The work is valued at about $20 million.
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China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced that they have signed an agreement for the installation of the PW150B engine on the Y8F600 aircraft program. The aircraft development program has been launched and aircraft certification is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2005. The Y8 is a four-engine medium transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Shaanxi Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of AVIC II. It has a maximum take-off weight of 61 tonnes and maximum payload of 20 tonnes. The Y-8 series includes 16 successfully developed versions, with a total of 90 aircraft produced and sold. It is mainly used in general transport and postal aviation. AVIC II has chosen the PW150B in their strategy to widen the Y-8 market, further improve operational performance and reduce direct operating costs. The PW150B engine will power AVIC II's new Y8F600 model. The PW150 is a latest-technology engine developed based on the PW100 engine family's 74 million hours of flight experience.
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The M53 engine has now logged over a million hours a flight, a milestone that confirms the high reliability and operational qualities of this engine. The M53 engine powers all versions of the Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000. There are now 620 M53 engines in service, deployed by the armed forces of Egypt, France, Greece, India, Peru, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan. The M53 is a powerful, reliable and combat-proven military aircraft engine, with excellent controllability and a vast flight envelope. It is also known for its low maintenance costs.
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On Thursday, November 7, 2002, during the Zhuhai Air Show in China, Mr. Pu Jian, President of Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd (COHC), Mr. Bruno Boulnois, head of Eurocopter's Customer Service in the Asia Pacific region, Mr. Li Jiang Nan, President of Samwell Aviation and Mr. Allan Brown, International Commercial Director of Bristow Helicopters Ltd have signed the agreement confirming the Eurocopter 21% participation to the capital of COHC GAMEC (COHC General Aviation Maintenance & Engineering Co.).
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The Air Force currently enjoys a command and control advantage on the battlefield thanks to its E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft and E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft. However, as future success increasingly depends upon an ability to rapidly engage fleeting or emerging targets and to counter the enemy's growing technological developments, the service is developing the next generation system -- the multi-sensor command and control aircraft -- to maintain its decisive advantage on the battlefield. The service envisions moving the air and ground surveillance, battle management, command and control and targeting capabilities of the AWACS and Joint STARS on to the same or separate Boeing 767 MC2A aircraft, Air Force officials at the Pentagon said. The Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va., analyzed a variety of aircraft from different manufacturers before deciding upon one that met all desired requirements. "In the end, (they) determined that the only aircraft with the power, space, range and load-carrying capability to meet the requirements of the MC2A was Boeing's 767-400 extended-range aircraft," said Lt. Col. Tracy Tynan, chief of the Air Force's command, control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance future capabilities division at the Pentagon.
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As the undoubted highlight in the 2002/03 winter season Lauda Air will become the only European scheduled airline to fly to Yangon, capital city of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Non-stop flights from Vienna to Yangon will operate every Tuesday, while the return flight will operate via Phuket to Vienna. This 'triangular' flight will give passengers the opportunity to effortlessly combine cultural and beach holidays. The flight will be served by a Lauda Air Boeing 767-300 ER, equipped with the most modern information technologies such as online shopping, SMS, e-mail, fax service on board and much more. In addition to Casablanca in Morocco and Nairobi in Kenya, Yangon is the third new destination in the Austrian carrier's winter holiday schedule.
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Rolls-Royce announced the 24th customer for its Trent 700 engine after holiday charter airline Lauda Air Italia specified the Trent for three Airbus A330-200 twinjets. The in-service care of the engines will be covered by a ten-year Total Care contract agreed by Rolls-Royce and Lauda Air Italia. Such agreements allow operators to choose from a menu of aftermarket services, with costs set at a dollar rate per flying hour. The first of the aircraft, all leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) of the United States, will be delivered in November 2003, with the remaining two entering service in July and October 2004. The A330s will be used primarily for holiday flights to the Caribbean and Far East.
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The F/A-18E Super Hornet participated in its first-ever combat action Nov. 6 when aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired on Iraqi targets. In response to hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, Operation Southern Watch aircraft, including the Super Hornets from the Abraham Lincoln, used precision-guided weapons to target two surface-to-air missile systems (SAM), and a command and control communications facility. The SAM systems were near Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. The command and control facility was near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at about 6:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday.
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Air Education and Training Command's first T-38C Talon with modified ejectors, engines and inlets will be delivered to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., the week of Nov. 4th by pilots from the 415th Flight Test Flight here. Following on the heels of the recent avionics upgrade program, these new upgrades, known as the propulsion modernization program, are designed to extend the life of the T-38 through the year 2020. More than 500 aircraft and 1,200 engines will be modified under the program with the 479th Flying Training Group at Moody AFB being the first AETC unit to receive the upgraded models. "AETC has constantly sought out improvements in flying operations," said Milan Michalec, AETC program manager for the propulsion program. "PMP was developed to correct airframe and engine deficiencies related to safety, performance, reliability and maintainability. PMP modifications update the 40-year-old T-38 propulsion system and will extend the life of the T-38 to meet future pilot production needs."
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