FLUG REVUE update: Week ending July 27, 2003

UPDATE
Week ending July 27, 2003

+++ A318 deliveries begin +++ SOSTAR-X design review complete +++ Boeing punished by USAF over EELV +++ Boeing realigns space business +++ New Piper Aircraft under new ownership +++ Learjet 40 wins certification +++ News in brief +++

A318 deliveries begin
Erste A318 geht an Frontier

On July 22, Airbus has delivered its first A318 to Frontier Airlines. The aircraft is the first of five A318s to be delivered to the Denver, Colorado (USA) based carrier by the end of 2004. All five Frontier A318s will be powered by CFM-56 engines from CFM International and can accommodate up to 114 passengers in a comfortable single-class configuration. Like all A319s and A321s, the A318s are delivered from Airbus' Single-Aisle Centre in Hamburg, Germany.
The A318 delivered to Frontier is also the 2000th aircraft of the A320 Family to be handed over to a customer, marking a new milestone in the Airbus history. The landmark of 1000 delivered A319s, A320s and A321s was reached in April 1999, little more than 11 years after the first delivery ever of an A320 aircraft.
Extending Frontier's unique series of North American wildlife livery on its aircraft, this first A318 ever delivered to an airline features a grizzly bear emblazoned on the tail fin. In addition to the five purchased A318s, Frontier will lease two A318s, scheduled for delivery in May 2004 and March 2005. Frontier currently operates 19 A319s in its fleet and is on its way to becoming an all-Airbus operator.

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SOSTAR-X design review complete
Fortschritte beim SOSTAR-X-Radar

The European company SOSTAR GmbH is pleased to be informed that the SOSTAR Steering Committee, the highest level body acting on behalf of the Ministries of Defence of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands has approved the completion of the Critical Design Review for SOSTAR-X. CDR is an important milestone in system development because performance requirements have to be achieved, interface definitions clarified and all specifications agreed. The airborne Stand-off-Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (SOSTAR) sensor is required for ISR applications, and was originally conceived as a pure European response to Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) needs. SOSTAR-X is a technology demonstrator designed for this task and will provide precise ground moving target information (GMTI), tracking and classification as well as high resolution Synthetic Aperture imagery to ground stations via data link.
The SOSTAR-X sensor system is a co-operative development effort of five multinational European Industries: Dutch Space, The Netherlands, EADS, Germany, Galileo Avionica, Italy, Indra, Spain, Thales Airborne Systems, France. Scalability and modularity are key design features of the Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) antenna enabling simultaneous GMTI/SAR modes of operations and electronic beam steering technique, for both in azimuth and elevation. One of the design criteria is to be flexible enough to be carried on manned and unmanned platforms. In SOSTAR-X the radar sensor, processing capability, operations and control and data link will be installed into a Fokker 100 test platform.

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Boeing punished by USAF over EELV
Strafen für Boeing wegen EELV-Affäre

The US Air Force has announced that it has determined that The Boeing Company has committed serious violations of federal law based on its review into allegations of wrongdoing by Boeing during the 1998 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) source selection. As a result, the Air Force will suspend three Boeing Integrated Defense System business units and three former Boeing employees from eligibility for new government contracts. The suspensions are issued against The Boeing Company's Launch Systems, Boeing Launch Services and Delta Program business units as they existed in the Boeing organizational structure as of July 21, 2003. This suspension will apply to these business units regardless of where they fall in any Boeing reorganization. The individuals suspended are William David Erskine, former ground operations lead on Boeing's EELV program; Kenneth V. Branch, former senior engineer/scientist on Boeing's EELV program; and Larry Dean Satchell, a former member of Boeing's EELV proposal team.
In addition, the Air Force will notify Boeing of its intent to reallocate launches under its existing EELV contract, which was awarded in October 1998 and is known as Buy I. Under this reallocation the Air Force will reduce the total number of Boeing Buy I Delta IV launches from 19 to 12. The Air Force will increase the total number of Lockheed Martin Buy I Atlas V launches from 7 to 14. Further, the Air Force will permit Lockheed Martin to develop a west coast launch capability at Vandenberg AFB by upgrading an existing launch facility. The Air Force also announced the results of its EELV Buy II decision. The Air Force disqualified Boeing from the award of three Buy II launches and plans to award Lockheed Martin three Buy II launches from Vandenberg AFB.
"Our inquiry into Boeing found that they were in possession of thousands of pages of Lockheed Martin proprietary EELV documents during the 1998 source selection," said Under Secretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets. "As a matter of policy we do not tolerate breaches of procurement integrity and we hold industry accountable for the actions of their employees. We believe the suspension is necessary and we hope all contractors will take note and strive to enforce the highest integrity standards in their organizations."

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Boeing realigns space business
Anpassungen bei Boeings-Weltraumaktivitäten

On July 22, Boeing officials announced the company is realigning its launch and satellite businesses to better serve the company's primary customers, ensure program execution and reduce infrastructure costs."The commercial space market has eroded to a point where it is no longer a driving factor in either our satellite or launch services business," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "The steps we are taking today are in keeping with our customer-facing business strategy." Boeing Satellite Systems will be consolidated into Space and Intelligence Systems. This will enable Boeing to weather the downturn in the commercial satellite market. Dave Ryan, vice president of Boeing Satellite Systems, will continue to lead the satellite manufacturing unit and now reports to Roger Roberts, senior vice president, Space and Intelligence Systems.
Expendable Launch Systems, which produces and operates the Delta family of launch vehicles, has become primarily a government supplier with the Air Force as a major customer. As such the launch systems business will be aligned with Air Force Systems. Will Trafton, vice president and general manager of Expendable Launch Systems, will continue to lead the launch business and now reports to George Muellner, senior vice president, Air Force Systems. Rocketdyne Power and Propulsion, the builders of the Space Shuttle Main Engine and power generation systems onboard the International Space Station will become part of NASA Systems. Byron Wood, vice president and general manager of Rocketdyne, will continue to lead the business and now reports to Mike Mott, vice president and general manager, NASA Systems. This will enable Boeing to better support its NASA customer on human space flight operations, exploration, and the emerging nuclear propulsion business.

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New Piper Aircraft under new ownership
Neue Eigentümer fü New Piper

On July 21, The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced that it is under new ownership after a buyout and recapitalization of the company sponsored by American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS), which now owns 94 percent of the aircraft manufacturer's voting equity. “American Capital's dedication, support and expertise bring to Piper the necessary resources to excel as we meet market demands with new products and innovations,” said Piper CEO Chuck Suma. “For our part, we have focused on building a committed and talented management team, a strong dealer network, a world-class customer service group and a knowledgeable workforce. We are now in a position to weather the periodic turbulence in our industry and to continue to develop innovative designs in a systematic fashion, focused on customer expectations.” “While Piper has reduced its new airplane production as a result of the downturn in general aviation after September 11, we believe Piper is an excellent, well-run company,” said American Capital Chief Operating Officer Ira Wagner. “With an iconic brand name in the general aviation industry, we are confident Piper will enjoy great success as the general aviation industry rebounds.”

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Learjet 40 wins certification
Zulassung für den Learjet 40

Bombardier Aerospace has marked the 40-year anniversary of the first flight of a Learjet aircraft by winning regulatory approval for the latest addition to its Bombardier Learjet family, appropriately designated the Bombardier Learjet 40. The aircraft, a derivative of the pioneering Learjet 45 super light jet, was awarded certification by the FAA on Friday, July 11, 2003, less than 11 months after the first flight of a Learjet 40 on August 30, 2002. The Learjet 40 outperforms its competitors in most significant categories. It offers fast cruise speeds, high altitude capabilities, superior payload/range, complete loading flexibility, among the largest cabin heights, widths and volumes, more technologically advanced avionics and systems, and the highest certification level in its class. “This aircraft continues our tradition in superior light jets and the superior performance, speed and flexibility it offers customers certainly makes the Learjet 40 an exciting addition to our product line,” he added. “It is simply one of the best light jets ever produced – and customers will begin experiencing these benefits early next year when the Learjet 40 enters service as scheduled.” The Learjet 40 will enter corporate service in the first quarter of 2004, with both traditional operators and also with Bombardier's Flexjet fractional ownership program, based in Dallas, Tex.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Rolls-Royce Turbomeca (RRTM) announced that qualification of the latest Mk250 variant of its class-leading RTM 322 helicopter engine has been achieved ahead of schedule. The 2,270 shp Mk250, the fifth derivative of the versatile RTM 322 family, has been developed to power military export versions of the AgustaWestland EH 101, and corresponds to the RTM 322-02/8 variant already in operation with the Royal Air Force EH 101 Merlin HC Mk.3 support helicopter. The RTM 322 has been selected for 75 per cent of EH 101 orders, and was recently selected by the Japan Defense Agency for a 14 aircraft program. Nine Mk250 engines have already been shipped to prime contractor AgustaWestland for aircraft destined for the Danish and Portuguese Navies, on time and on contract.
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The Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) version of the Sikorsky Aircraft MH-60S KNIGHTHAWK took to the skies this week, completing a successful first flight. The MH-60S and its counterpart, the Sikorsky MH-60R, form the basis for the Navy's Helicopter Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and will replace all other existing Navy helicopters by 2010. Together, the aircraft will provide a full array of maritime helicopter capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW), medevac, logistics, search and rescue, and Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM). The MH-60S is a baseline BLACK HAWK configuration with SEAHAWK engines, rotor system and dynamic components, including the SEAHAWK's automatic rotor blade folding system, folding tail pylon, improved durability gearbox, rotor brake and automatic flight control computer. This aircraft is the latest in the H-60 family of aircraft whose ruggedness, survivability and versatility have made the H-60 the world's standard utility helicopter. The AMCM derivative adds an operator's station to the cabin, additional internal fuel stores, and towing capability to the aircraft. The AMCM capable MH-60S will provide the Carrier Battle Groups (CVBG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG) with organic airborne mine countermeasures (OAMCM) capability. Initial Operational Capability is planned for calendar year 2005.
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The joint NASA-German Aerospace Center Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (Grace) mission has released its first science product, the most accurate map yet of Earth's gravity field. Grace is the newest tool for scientists working to unlock secrets of ocean circulation and its effects on climate. Created from 111 days of selected Grace data, to help calibrate and validate the mission's instruments, this preliminary model improves knowledge of the gravity field so much it is being released to oceanographers now, months in advance of the scheduled start of routine Grace science operations. The data are expected to significantly improve our ability to understand ocean circulation, which strongly influences weather and climate. Grace is accomplishing that goal by providing a more precise definition of Earth's geoid, an imaginary surface defined only by Earth's gravity field, upon which Earth's ocean surfaces would lie if not disturbed by other forces such as ocean currents, winds and tides. The geoid height varies around the world by up to 200 meters (650 feet).
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The Boeing Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) continued successful flight-testing this week with a release from an F-15E at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. “This was the most complete test of our entry in the SDB competition, demonstrating all of the elements of the system,” said Dan Jaspering, Boeing SDB program manager. “This test included a weapon with a live fuze, mission planning, our support equipment, and the four-place carriage system for the aircraft. The tests verify that we will have a low-risk transition of the Boeing SDB from this phase of the program into operational testing and production.” Boeing received a $47 million contract from the Air Force in September 2001 as one of two competitors for the Component Advanced Development phase of the SDB program. Air Force officials will select a single company to produce small diameter bombs and carriage systems in the fall of 2003.
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A NASA F/A-18 experienced a 29 percent fuel savings in late June while flying in the wingtip vortex of a DC-8. Both aircraft are based at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, located on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The June 27 DC-8/F-18 flight was an exploratory investigation of large aircraft vortex-induced performance benefits on a fighter-type aircraft. The aircraft flew at 25,000 feet with a separation of about 200 feet nose-to-tail. The F/A-18 slowly moved in laterally to explore the vortex effects. NASA Dryden's Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) project earlier studied fuel and drag savings of a trailing F/A-18 aircraft during formation flight. The 2001 experiment measured a maximum fuel savings of 18 percent for an F/A-18 flying in the vortex of another F/A-18. The performance benefits of formation flight have been used by migratory birds flying in the traditional "V" formation to reduce the energy required to fly long distances. The vortex created by a wing generating lift creates a wave that can be ridden in a manner similar to a surfer on an ocean wave.
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Two additional U.S. Army AH-64A Apache combat mission simulators (CMS) will be upgraded by CAE under a U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI) contract valued at more than C$13 million (US$9.5 million). The Apache simulators will be upgraded with CAE's Medallion-S™ visual system, and also get new instructor operator stations and other upgraded computer systems. The Apache CMS at the Western Army Aviation Training Site in Marana, Arizona, will be ready for training in September 2004, while the Apache CMS at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, will be ready for training in January 2005. As part of the Apache CMS upgrade program, CAE and Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS), the prime contractor on the program, have already upgraded two simulators, one in Hanau, Germany, and the other at Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
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CAE has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with JetBlue Airways on the terms and conditions under which the U.S.-based low-cost, low-fare passenger airline would take delivery of six CAE-built full-flight simulators, totalling an estimated C$85 million, at list prices. In addition, JetBlue would receive options for seven more full-flight simulators for a total of 13. Under the terms of the LOI, which is expected to be finalized in an agreement within 30 days, CAE would become JetBlue's exclusive provider of full-flight simulators for 10 years. The LOI contemplates that CAE would supply the airline with four Airbus A320 and two EMBRAER 190 simulators. JetBlue currently flies a fleet of 45 A320 aircraft and is scheduled to add another 108 new A320 aircraft by 2011. The low-fare carrier also recently placed an order for 100 EMBRAER 190 aircraft, with options for an additional 100. JetBlue, which is the launch customer for the EMBRAER 190, expects to take delivery of its first EMBRAER aircraft in mid-2005.
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The U.S. Air Force has authorized Rockwell Collins to begin the $32 million second phase of low-rate initial production as part of the C/KC-135 Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) program. The $55 million Phase 1 initial low-rate production option included delivery and installation of avionics for 50 of the 490 total C/KC-135 tanker/transport aircraft. If fully executed, the GATM program is worth a potential $600 million. The second phase calls for the building, delivery and installation of 25 additional R-model aircraft ship sets with deliveries beginning in April 2004.
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Boeing confirmed a previously unidentified Southwest Airlines order for 15 additional 737-700 airplanes, increasing the carrier's firm orders to 261 for that model. Deliveries are scheduled for 2004. Boeing had carried the order on its Web site as an unidentified customer since booking it during the second quarter. At list prices, the airplanes are valued at approximately $750 million.
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The contract covers repair and overhaul of 36 components for F404-400/-402 rotor and stator assemblies, plus designated controls and accessories. The PBL contract will provide the fleet with availability of major sub-assemblies at a level significantly higher than that offered by traditional support processes. GEAE will provide material, program management, warehousing and information technology, and the U.S. Navy Depot at Jacksonville, Florida, will provide labor and overhaul expertise.
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"The first time I saw the carrier, it was huge. And when I flew on it, it was small, very small,” said Capt. Reto Kunz of Willisau, Switzerland. Kunz recently became the first Swiss pilot to land on USS Harry S. Truman's (CVN 75) flight deck. Kuntz, a pilot for the Swiss air force for 11 years, boarded the ship July 9, just before the two-week underway. By July 12, he was flying an F/A-18 Hornet, taking off and landing on a carrier for the first time. Kunz came aboard Truman as part of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. His job on this underway is to instruct junior pilots on flying Hornets. Landing a plane on the flight deck of a carrier is a much different experience than landing ashore, said Kunz. “The safe landing area on the field is probably the total landing area you have on a carrier, so you have to be more precise,” he said. While pilots for the U.S. Navy are trained to take off and land on both land and carriers, Swiss pilots are trained only to fly on to land, said Kunz. Switzerland is also a neutral nation, so the Swiss air force serves only as a defense for the country. “We don't even have the possibility to attack,” said Kunz.
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The NASA mishap investigation board, charged to review the loss of the X-43A Hyper-X program research vehicle during its June 2, 2001 launch, concluded no single factor or potential contributing factor caused the mishap. The flight failed because the vehicle's control system design was deficient in several analytical modeling areas, which overestimated the system's margins. NASA's Hyper-X program is developing "air breathing" engine technologies that promise performance benefits for future hypersonic aircraft and reusable space launch vehicles. In the X-43A test program, three, 12-foot long, unpiloted vehicles were planned to fly up to 10 times the speed of sound to demonstrate scramjet, or supersonic-combustion ramjet, technologies. The mishap occurred on the first of three planned flights. For the launch, the X-43A was attached to the nose of a modified Pegasus launch vehicle, which was carried by NASA's modified B-52 bomber. Seventy-five minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 24,000 ft., the Pegasus was released. Its solid rocket motor ignited 5.2 seconds later sending the launch vehicle and research vehicle payload on its test flight. Eight seconds later, the vehicle began its planned pitch up maneuver, which was expected to take it to an altitude of approximately 95,000 ft. Shortly thereafter, the X-43A began to experience a control anomaly characterized by a roll oscillation. At 13.5 seconds after release and at an altitude of approximately 22,000 ft., structural overload of the starboard elevon occurred. The severe loss of control caused the X-43A to deviate significantly from its planned trajectory, and as a result, it was destroyed by range safety 48.6 seconds after release. The mishap board found the major contributors to the mishap were modeling inaccuracies in the fin actuation system, modeling inaccuracies in the aerodynamics, and insufficient variations of modeling parameters. The flight mishap could only be reproduced when all of the modeling inaccuracies with uncertainty variations were incorporated in the analysis.
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Scientists are celebrating the thousandth scientific publication from ESA's Infrared Space Observatory. ISO is fast becoming one of the world's most productive space missions, even though its operational life ended in 1998. ISO was the first space observatory able to see the sky in infrared light. Using its eyes, we have discovered many new phenomena that have radically changed our view of the Universe. Everybody knows that when something is heated it glows. However, things also glow with a light our eyes cannot detect at room temperature: infrared light. Infrared telescopes do not work well on the Earth's surface because such light is absorbed by the atmosphere.
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Cincinnati Machine has announced that it recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with European Aeronautic Defense Space Company (EADS) for production equipment and systems sourcing. This agreement is part of the global sourcing strategy that has been launched across EADS. This new sourcing strategy consists of supplier evaluation and proactive development of performance and business along procurement policy targets and principles. It aims to build a long-term relationship with suppliers that are willing to develop sustained, excellent performances to better meet market needs. The agreement applies to every Business Unit of EADS and facilitates the implementation of a deepened relationship between the company and its best suppliers, called the Competitive Partnership.
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EADS CASA has carried out in-flight refuelling trails with the Eurofighter Typhoon development aircraft DA1 and a B707 tanker aircraft of the Spanish Air Force. During more than an hour several approach manoeuvres were performed and the aircraft simulated different flight conditions. The docking manoeuvres were achieved perfectly in all cases and fulfilled the test requirements. The test was carried out in a specifically controlled area at 15.000 feet. Similar tests had been carried out last year using at that time another Air Force tanker aircraft, a Hercules KC130H. Within the development programme one of the objectives of the flight tests is to evaluate the aircraft's behaviour in this kind of manoeuvres and the correct performance of the Eurofighter during in-flight refuelling operations.
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Following the successful certification of the Autonomous Free-flight Dispenser System (AFDS) on the A-7E/H Corsair aircraft, EADS took an important step toward a new milestone. EADS Military Aircraft successfully conducted captive, jettison and launch tests of AFDS, developed and manufactured by EADS/LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH, on an upgraded F-4E between June 5 and July 2, 2003 at Andravida Air Force Base, Greece. Upon launch from the aircraft AFDS completed its autonomous free flight perfectly in accordance with the mission plan. Under the Avionics Upgrade Programme, called Peace Icarus Programme, EADS/LFK supports EADS Military Aircraft on the integration of AFDS in the upgraded F-4E Phantom aircraft.
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In line with Airbus's commitment to offer customers the highest quality aircraft in the shortest possible time, Airbus continues to invest in new equipment and facilities in its production lines. This is especially evident in the A330/A340 final assembly halls, which have seen new structures and equipment installed in recent years. The state of the art production facilities, inaugurated in 1990, were expanded with the completion of a new paint shop in 2003, complementing the two paint shops currently in use. In 2002, two cabin furnishing bays were completed, which, together with the four-bay general engineering hangar, provide the necessary facilities to handle the growing trend towards increasingly sophisticated and time-consuming cabin outfitting. Also, in an effort to streamline the process further, basic cabin furnishings, such as walls, toilets, galleys and overhead bins, are installed simultaneously with systems and testing on the main production floor. Investment into a second set of assembly jigs has allowed for the smooth introduction of the new A340-500 and -600 types and improved the ease of construction of the entire range of the A330/A340 Family. Also, a facility was installed in 2000 that allowed for the pre-positioning of the galleys prior to fuselage join, which eliminated the need to split these furnishings for installation via passenger doors of the aircraft.
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Boeing reported a net loss for the second quarter of 2003 of $192 million, or $0.24 per share, on revenues of $12.8 billion. This compares with net earnings of $779 million, or $0.96 per share, on revenues of $13.9 billion for the second quarter of 2002. On July 15, 2003, the company disclosed it would recognize charges related to its launch and satellite businesses. These charges decreased net earnings for the quarter by $693 million, or $0.87 per share. “We took strong actions this quarter to recognize and address the challenges in our commercial space businesses,” said Boeing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phil Condit. “Our strong defense portfolio again performed well, and Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Capital Corporation are successfully managing through the downturn for strong future returns.” As shown in Table 2, the company reported losses from operations totaling $293 million in the second quarter compared with earnings from operations of $1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2002. Previously announced charges related to the satellite and launch businesses reduced earnings from operations $1.1 billion. In addition, second quarter results reflect lower planned commercial airplane deliveries and pension income.
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NASA has chosen the Atlas V expendable launch vehicle provided by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc. as the launch system for the proposed Pluto New Horizons mission. The mission is scheduled for launch to Pluto in January 2006. As proposed, the Pluto New Horizons mission is a scientific investigation to obtain the first reconnaissance of Pluto-Charon, a binary planet system. This will be a firm fixed-price launch service task order awarded under the terms of the current NASA Launch Services contract. The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc.; a constituent company of International Launch Services and legal contracting entity for Atlas launch services, located in McLean, Va. New Horizons would seek to answer key scientific questions regarding the surfaces, atmospheres, interiors, and space environments of Pluto and Charon using imaging, visible and infrared spectral mapping, ultraviolet spectroscopy, radio science, and in-situ plasma sensors. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colo. The implementing institution is the Applied Physics Laboratory of The Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Md. The proposed mission would use a spacecraft supplied Star 48B based 3rd Stage, manufactured by The Boeing Company of Huntington Beach, Calif., to achieve the required mission performance.
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Following the start of operations in Terminal 2 and Lufthansa's move to the new facility, other airlines are now set to take over the prime locations vacated in Terminal 1 of Munich Airport. The reallocation of space in Terminal 1 now permits the airlines operating there to be optimally positioned and regrouped by product profile. The great airline switch-around will begin on July 24, 2003. As of that date, dba, Air Berlin, EAE and Germania Express will handle their passengers in Area A, and not in Area D as in the past. This applies not only to check-in desks and departure gates, but also to these airlines' arrivals. Passengers flying with these airlines and people coming to meet them on arrival will use the first access area in front of Terminal 1. Delta Airlines from the USA will also be at a new location as of July 24. Delta is moving from Area C to Area B.
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Munich Airport posts strongest growth among Europe's top ten airports Passenger figures jump by seven percent in first half of 2003 Despite the generally sluggish economy and the negative impact of the Iraq war and SARS warnings on air travel, Munich Airport posted significant growth during the first half of 2003. During the first six months of the year, Munich Airport handled nearly 11.6 million commercial passengers – a jump of approximately seven percent over the same period in 2002. The airport's upward trend in aircraft movements also continued: Aircraft movements in commercial traffic during the first half of the year, totaling nearly 176,000, were up almost six percent over the previous year.
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Newly-released documents reaffirm that U.S. space agency officials placed little importance on a flight incident that ultimately doomed the shuttle Columbia. NASA has issued recordings and transcripts of meetings that mission managers held during Columbia's flight. The documents show how unconcerned the officials were about the potential for catastrophic damage caused by hard insulating foam that smashed into Columbia's wing during liftoff. After a five month probe by outside investigators, we now know that the foam that flew off of Columbia's external fuel tank after launch punched a big hole in the left wing. We also know that hot atmospheric gases rushed through that hole during Columbia's searing re-entry in February and melted the wing. The orbiter disintegrated minutes later over Texas and all seven crewmembers perished. The foam strike was first noticed by engineers reviewing films of the launch on the second day of the mission. But the recordings and transcripts show that those controlling the flight did not discuss it among themselves until the sixth day of the flight. At that time, the NASA flight director running the meeting, Linda Ham, noted that a similar foam strike had occurred on a previous shuttle mission that had returned safely. She said the properties and density of the material would not have resulted in damage to the shuttle. Really, I don't think there is much we can do, so, you know, it's not really a factor during the flight because there isn't much we can do about it, she said. Three days later, a shuttle official who oversees flight engineering issues, Don McCormack, told the group that technicians who analyzed films of the foam strike did not believe it threatened Columbia's safety. They do show there's obviously potential for significant tile damage here, said Mr. McCormack, but they do not indicate, the thermal analysis does not indicate, that there is a potential for a burn through. I mean, there could be localized heating damage. Another shuttle official said he assured the Columbia astronauts that the team on the ground had no concerns about the foam impact to the wing.
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Alenia Aeronautica/Finmeccanica's Board of Directors has appointed Roberto Assereto as Chief Operating Officer. The manager, 55, comes from Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, leader in the field of the trainer aircraft, where he used to hold the same position. Alenia Aeronautica's Board of Directors has also appointed Carmelo Cosentino (until now Senior Vice President, Head of Business Development, Research, Advanced and Military Programmes) as Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Systems, Military and Advanced Programmes. Also set up the Unit for the Institutional Affairs, that will be led by Francesco Lalli, current responsible for the same sector.
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UK Competition Minister Gerry Sutcliffe today announced that he has decided not to refer the completed acquisition of sole control of Astrium N.V. by European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, EADS N.V. to the Competition Commission, provided EADS gives undertakings to remedy public security concerns arising in this case. Mr Sutcliffe's decision is in accordance with the advice of the Office of Fair Trading. Gerry Sutcliffe said: The OFT has advised that this merger raises public security concerns relating to confidentiality of sensitive information and to the maintenance of a UK capability to develop, operate and maintain military communications. I have decided that these concerns should be addressed by behavioural undertakings. If EADS agrees to this course of action there will be no reference to the Competition Commission. This is in line with the advice from the OFT.
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Raytheon announced that it has acquired the Honeywell Aerospace and Defence Services (HADS) business unit of Honeywell in Australia. With U.S. $20 million in revenue, HADS is a provider to the Australian Defence Forces of aviation life-cycle support operations in the form of avionics maintenance, logistics and depot operations for fixed wing platforms. "This acquisition establishes Raytheon as a principal provider of integrated aerospace support services to the Australian Defence Forces," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon chief executive officer and president. "It enhances our capabilities in two of our strategic business areas-Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Precision Engagement." The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. HADS has become part of Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd, and is aligned with Raytheon Technical Services Company in Reston, Va.
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Army have awarded funding to Lockheed Martin Systems Integration (Owego, N.Y.) teamed with Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas) ($9,430,000) and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. (San Diego, Calif.) ($8,700,000 awarded on July 16) to continue into the second phase of the Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft (UCAR) program. The goal of the joint DARPA/Army UCAR program is to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility, and operational value for a UCAR system to effectively and affordably perform armed reconnaissance and attack missions within the emerging Army Objective Force system-of-systems architecture. The enabling technologies are survivability, autonomous operations, command and control, and targeting/weapons delivery.
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Lufthansa is considerably increasing its offer of services to Asia as of the end of July and will then again reach the level prior to the outbreak of the SARS crisis on the routes from Frankfurt to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The number of the frequencies from Frankfurt to Beijing will already be increased by 40 percent as of 28 July. The Chinese capital will then once again be served with daily flights from Frankfurt. As of 12 September, instead of the smaller Airbus A340, the route will be served by a Boeing 747, so that the seat capacity of the aircraft will also increase. With three weekly flights from Munich to Shanghai, as of 2 September, Lufthansa will also extend another important part of its Asia program. Lufthansa passengers will thus also benefit from an even wider range of flights from the new modern Terminal 2 in Munich. "Asia is the most important future market for business and an attractive tourist destination. The demand in the Asian traffic is increasing again and Lufthansa is responding rapidly and flexibly to offer passengers an optimal range of flights from our hubs in Frankfurt and Munich ", said Lufthansa German Airlines Executive Vice President Thierry Antinori in Beijing on Monday.
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Following a detailed inquiry, the EC Commission has given its authorisation, subject to certain conditions, for a loan from the Basque Government to GAMESA for its participation in the development of two regional aircraft by the manufacturer EMBRAER. On 23 July 2003 the European Commission decided to authorise the Basque Government's plan for granting a subsidised loan to GAMESA for its participation in the development of two new regional aircraft by the Brazilian manufacturer EMBRAER: the ERJ-170 and ERJ-190. Authorisation is subject to the condition that the gross grant equivalent of the aid does not exceed 30% of eligible costs, i.e. 27.77 million euros. The Commission launched a detailed inquiry on 12 March 2002 to check that the planned loan notified by the Spanish authorities was compatible with the Community rules on state aid for research and development (RD). At the time the Commission had doubts about the incentive effect of the aid and the eligibility of certain certification activities and maintenance studies, which it considered too close to the market to be termed RD within the meaning of the Community framework for state aid for research and development.
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HEICO Corporation, based in America, in whose subsidiary, HEICO Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik holds a 20 percent interest, has announced semi-annual cash dividend for the 50th time in succession. One of the most important manufacturers of FAA approved aircraft and engine parts worldwide, HEICO reported sales of Dollar 83.4m and net income of Dollar 5.4m for the first half of the fiscal year (April 2003). This is a slight drop in comparison with the results from the same period last year. Laurans A. Mendelson, HEICO President and CEO, was especially satisfied with the development of the “Flight Support” Group, which was able to increase sales in the first half of the year by six percent, despite the weak world economy and an aviation industry which is suffering economically, despite the war in Iraq and SARS. Mendelson attributed the rise to new efforts in product development and to the strategic partnerships, including those with American Airlines, United, Delta, Air Canada and Lufthansa. He emphasized that there are plans to offer services increasingly to regional airlines as well.
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