FLUG REVUE update: Week ending March 7, 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 7 March 2004

+++ Rosetta launched at last +++ First Eurofighter single-seater flies +++ Starsem to launch Galileo satellites +++ Austrian expands with Fokker 100s +++ NASA rover confirms Mars water +++ News in brief +++

Rosetta launched at last
Start der Kometensonde geglückt

Europe's Rosetta cometary probe has been successfully launched into an orbit around the Sun, which will allow it to reach the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014 after three flybys of the Earth and one of Mars. During this 10-year journey, the probe will pass close to at least one asteroid. Rosetta is the first probe ever designed to enter orbit around a comet's nucleus and release a lander onto its surface. For over a year it will conduct a thorough study of this remnant of the primitive nebula which gave birth to our Solar System about 5 billion years ago.
Rosetta's mission began at 08h17 CET (07h17 GMT) on 2 March when a European Ariane 5 launch vehicle liftered off from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The launcher successfully placed its upper stage and payload into an eccentric coast orbit (200 x 4000 km). About two hours later, at 10h14 CET (09h14 GMT) the upper stage ignited its own engine to reach an escape velocity in order to leave the Earth's gravity field and enter heliocentric orbit. The Rosetta probe was released about 18 minutes later.
“After the recent success of Mars Express, Europe is now heading to deep space with another fantastic mission. We will have to be patient, as the rendezvous with the comet will not take place until ten years from now, but I think it's worth the wait” said ESA's Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain witnessing the launch from Kourou.
ESA's Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, has established contact with the probe as it flies away from Earth at a relative speed of about 3.4 km/s. ESOC will be in charge of Rosetta operations and orbit determination throughout the mission. During the next eight months, the spacecraft's onboard systems will be checked and its science payload will be commissioned. Rosetta will be reactivated for planetary flybys, which will be used to modify its trajectory through gravity assist manoeuvres. During the trip, the probe could also observe one or more asteroids, observation of asteroids being one of the mission's secondary objectives. The first planetary encounter will be in March 2005, as Rosetta flies by the Earth for the first time. The gravity assist will boost Rosetta into an orbit that will take it to Mars two years later.

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First Eurofighter single-seater flies
Erster Einsitzer aus der Produktion fliegt in Spanien

PS001, the fourth Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA 4), successfully carried out its first flight on 26 February. This new Eurofighter production test aircraft, assembled and operated by EADS CASA Defence and Security Systems - Military Aircraft, features the most advanced technology of the programme. IPA4 is the first single seat production aircraft to roll off the final assembly line. IPA4 offers the highest standard of hardware / software integration, which represents a technical and functional evolution of the weapon system. The aircraft also incorporates an enhanced standard EJ200 engine that was tested in the air for the first time during the IPA4 maiden flight. As well as other aircraft destined for flight tests, the main role of IPA 4 is to continue with the certification of the design and functionality of the systems under EADS CASA Defence and Security Systems - Military Aircraft responsibility. This is a critical role in demonstrating the operational specification of the weapon system to the customer nations. The test plans involve flights directed towards verifying new audio and MIDS communications functions. Testing of air-to-surface armaments is also planned.
A special series of tests will be dedicated to environmental flight testing. EADS CASA Defence and Security Systems - Military Aircraft, leader of the environment control systems, is responsible for demonstrating the complete functionality of the aircraft in extreme temperature conditions. To fulfil these objectives the aircraft will move to Sweden next winter to carry out flight testing in extremely cold weather. In the summer of 2005, IPA 4 will go to Arizona to perform flight testing in an extremely hot climate. Pablo de Bergia, President and CEO of the division in Spain, described his satisfaction at the launch of the flight test: "Although we have started delivering the first production units to the national customers, our duty is far from finished. With IPA 4 we will continue to develop technology and demonstrate the continuous growth of the Eurofighter weapon system." The communications system has been enhanced with the implementation of the Direct Voice Input (DVI), the navigation and fuel systems oral information (DVO) and a voice order system (VOS) that can be configured to be used with several helmets and radios interoperable between Eurofighter and other platforms. Another new system is the MIDS (Multifunction Information Distribution System) that allows the integration of information in operational networks to define targets and new missions. MIDS permits secure exchange of air and ground data.

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Starsem to launch Galileo satellites
Galileo-Startvertrag mit Starsem

While the Mars Express mission launched by Starsem last June 2 is successfully on its way, Starsem and Arianespace announce today at Satellite 2004 the signing with the European Space Agency (ESA) of the GSTB contract (Galileo System Test Bed) for the launches of two experimental Galileo satellites by two Soyuz launch vehicles. The first of the two launches will be performed from the Baikonur cosmodrome by the end of 2005. This marks the first step in the in-orbit validation of the Galileo system, in particular ensuring the frequencies allocated to this European satellite navigation program. The contract reflects the complementary capabilities of Soyuz and Ariane 5 in meeting the strategic challenges of European space policy, as exemplified by the Galileo program. The decision by ESA's Council on February 4 to install a Soyuz launch pad at the Guiana Space Center further confirms the synergies between the Ariane 5 and Soyuz launch systems.
Galileo is the first complete civil satellite navigation system which will provide accurate and secure positioning services. Galileo is a joint initiative from the European Union and the European Space Agency. The fully deployed Galileo system consists of 30 satellites (27 operational + 3 active spares), positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planes at 23616 km altitude above the Earth, and at an inclination to the orbital planes of 56 degrees with reference to the equatorial plane

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Austrian expands with Fokker 100s
Fokker 100 für Austrian

In order to prepare itself for continued growth in coming years, the Austrian Airlines Group has agreed to purchase nine medium-haul Fokker 100 jets and taken an option on a further six aircraft of the same type. Austrian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen made the following comment on the strategy: “The overall pick-up in business activity, combined with our innovative marketing offensives, has begun to produce returns in recent months in the shape of significantly greater passenger numbers. The purchase of the jets, all of which will be available within a short time, will enable us to take real advantage of new market opportunities in the larger European Union and throughout Central and Eastern Europe, driving forward our expansion as a result. The larger fleet base will also allow us to stabilise production further. The Fokker 100 is a tried-and-tested short- and medium-haul jet with a high level of passenger comfort, and by making this purchase, we are taking an important step at the right time.”
The purchase of the Fokker 100 jets represents another stage in the ongoing harmonisation of the Austrian Airlines Group fleet. To balance out the effects of the move, four MD 87 aircraft will be taken out of service in the coming months, while delivery of the Airbus A319 jets has already taken place (two out of a total of seven jets are currently in service with Austrian). The company's Chief Financial Officer, Mr Thomas Kleibl, made the following statement on the technological and economic aspects of the purchase: “The Fokker jets are distinguished by their use of modern technology and their greater economic efficiency compared to the MD 80. The retirement of the MD fleet will produce a range of synergies in the area of maintenance. Overall, we are certain that this investment will have a positive effect on the Cash Value Added (CVA) of the company.”
The Fokker 100 aircraft were previously in use with American Airlines, and will be deployed by regional flight specialist Austrian arrows from early summer 2004 onwards following a complete overhaul and adjustment to meet Austrian Airlines Group standards. Before entering service, the aircraft will also be fitted out with new on-board kitchen facilities and seats by Austrian Technics. Delivery will continue on a stepped basis until the end of 2004.

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NASA rover confirms Mars water
Es war Wasser auf dem Mars

Scientists have concluded the part of Mars NASA's Opportunity rover is exploring was soaking wet in the past. Evidence the rover found in a rock outcrop led scientists to the conclusion. Clues from the rocks' composition, such as the presence of sulfates and the rocks' physical appearance, such as niches where crystals grew, helped make the case for a watery history. "Liquid water once flowed through these rocks. It changed their texture, and it changed their chemistry," said Dr. Steve Squyres of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., principal investigator for the science instruments on Opportunity and its twin, Spirit. "We've been able to read the tell-tale clues the water left behind, giving us confidence in that conclusion," he said. Dr. James Garvin, lead scientist for Mars and lunar exploration at NASA Headquarters, Washington, said, "NASA launched the Mars Exploration Rover mission specifically to check whether at least one part of Mars ever had a persistently wet environment that could possibly have been hospitable to life. Today we have strong evidence for an exciting answer: Yes."
Opportunity has more work ahead. It will try to determine whether, besides being exposed to water after they formed, the rocks may have originally been laid down by minerals precipitating out of solution at the bottom of a salty lake or sea. The first views Opportunity sent of its landing site in Mars' Meridiani Planum region five weeks ago delighted researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif., because of the good fortune to have the spacecraft arrive next to an exposed slice of bedrock on the inner slope of a small crater.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

EADS CEO Rainer Hertrich will lead the EADS Aeronautics Division in the future. The EADS Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Dietrich Russell (62), who has decided to retire for personal reasons. In addition to his current position as EADS CEO, Rainer Hertrich (54) will take up the responsibility with effect from 1 April 2004. The Aeronautics Division groups together a portfolio of civil and military aviation-related businesses including helicopters (Eurocopter), regional aircraft (ATR), general aviation aircraft (Socata) as well as aircraft maintenance and conversion, repair and overhaul and aerostructures (Sogerma/EADS EFW). The CEOs of EADS, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, expressed their appreciation of Dietrich Russell's contribution to the success of EADS and Airbus and their predecessor companies in the past nine years.
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MEADS International (MI) has received a contract modification, valued at nearly $41 million, allowing the MEADS industry team to continue to work on the next-generation international air and missile defense system. The contract extends the program's Risk Reduction Effort (RRE) contract for an additional seven months and bridges the time until the design and development contract is in place for the program's next phase. The original RRE contract will be completed with all contractual requirements fulfilled - in time and on budget - after the final system demonstration later this month. The new contract enables the MI team to continue risk mitigation activities and to plan for design and development of the transformational Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). MEADS, under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, includes a lightweight launcher, 360-degree fire control and surveillance radars and plug-and-fight battle management command and control abilities not found in current systems. With its enhanced mobility and advanced technologies, MEADS will offer warfighters significant improvements over existing systems. +++
Boeing selected Smiths Aerospace of the United Kingdom to provide the 7E7 Dreamliner's common core system, an integrated avionics platform that's key to the commercial airplane's open-systems architecture. The common core system replaces the traditional dedicated signal wiring with remote data concentrators. The concentrators link sensors and effectors of each system to a shared modular computing resource through an advanced communications network, reducing the airplane's weight by thousands of pounds. "By reducing wiring and consolidating computing resources, the common core system helps the 7E7 achieve a 20 percent reduction in fuel use," said Boeing 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair. "This leads to the 7E7 being a better airplane for the environment and a less expensive airplane to operate."
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Lockheed Martin was awarded a $79 million development contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue development of an extended-range (ER) version of the deployed Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). The contract initiates Phase II development of JASSM-ER, which includes design and verification testing and culminates with flight testing. The flight test plan, which starts in mid-2006, includes five development and operational tests. The JASSM program will begin production of extended range missiles in 2008. The JASSM-ER will have a range significantly greater than 500 nautical miles by using a new engine and increased fuel load. Both of these changes occur without affecting the missile's outer mold line. These low-risk modifications dramatically reduce cost and time of missile development.
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NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe expressed his appreciation to the President for signing into law a new act giving NASA greater flexibility to restructure and revitalize its work force. President George W. Bush yesterday signed the NASA Flexibility Act of 2004. "I am very excited about this human capital legislation," said Administrator O'Keefe. "With fewer students entering math and science studies, there's greater competition to attract those graduates who do make science and technology a career. This law now gives us additional tools to address the 21st century challenges we face in recruiting and retaining the exceptional talent required to carry out NASA's mission of exploration and discovery." NASA created a Human Capital Legislation Implementation Team in August to begin work on the many tasks that must be accomplished before using the new authorities provided in the act. The team also is leading the change-management initiatives underway to ensure effective communication with the entire NASA work force regarding the human capital legislation.
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International Launch Services (ILS) will provide a Russian Proton rocket to launch the WORLDSAT 3 communications satellite, under a contract with Alcatel Space of Paris announced. The launch is targeted for late 2005 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Alcatel Space is building the satellite using its Spacebus 4000 model, and delivering it in orbit for WORLDSAT, a subsidiary of SES AMERICOM. This is ILS' second launch contract directly with Alcatel Space. "We're pleased in the continued confidence that Alcatel Space has shown in ILS," said Mark Albrecht, ILS president. "We successfully launched AMC-9 last year on Proton for Alcatel Space and SES AMERICOM, and we're teaming again this summer to launch WORLDSAT 2. WORLDSAT 3 will be the fourth Alcatel Space-built satellite we will have launched on Proton."
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An international team of scientists from NASA and other research institutions has embarked on a three-week expedition of discovery that will take them from the lush, dense rain forests of Central America to the frigid isolation of Antarctica. Armed with a unique radar instrument, the team will survey selected sites in Central America to help unearth archaeological secrets and preserve resources, biological and cultural diversity. Then the scientists are off to South America's Patagonian ice fields and Antarctica to conduct topographic surveys to better gauge the effect of climate change in that region. The team's savvy tour guide is an all-weather imaging tool, the Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AirSAR), developed and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Carried aboard a NASA DC-8 Airborne Science laboratory, AirSAR can penetrate clouds and also collect data at night. Its high-resolution sensors operate at multiple wavelengths, polarizations and in interferometric modes. This means AirSAR "sees" beneath treetops, through thin sand, and dry snow pack. The sensors can produce topographic models. The highly-modified aircraft departed NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards March 1, bound for southern Mexico and Central America.
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The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter team successfully launched the first phase of the F-35 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EO DAS) early risk-reduction flight-test program, with recently conducted flights near Patuxent River Naval Air Warfare Center in Maryland. The next-generation EO DAS, developed by a Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems-led team, provides the F-35 with key capabilities that include missile warning; navigation forward-looking infrared (FLIR), which provides imagery to the pilot's helmet-mounted display day or night; and infrared search and track (IRST) capability. DAS sensors also will be flown in a centerline pod on an F-16 to record data in a dynamic fighter environment. On production F-35s, the DAS sensor array will be flush-mounted at various points along the fuselage.
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A new report has been published by the UK think tank Demos, which argues that the EU and the US have fundamentally different approaches to space, but that Europe should stick to its unique path. “If you glance through the glossy brochures produced by ESA [the European Space Agency] and NASA [the US' National Aeronautics and Space Administration] you could be forgiven for thinking that Europe and the US have identical approaches to space,” states the report, entitled “Masters of the Universe.” “They both feature the same shots of gleaming satellites, astronauts talking to children and images of distant planets. They both repeat the mantra of exploration, education, inspiration, industry and collaboration. But probe a little deeper and the differences become sharper,” the report continues. The different approaches are described in an interview with ESA Director-General, Jean-Jacques Dordain: “For the US, space is an instrument of domination - information domination and leadership. But space enables the opposite kind of leadership [...] it is the best way to distribute information, closing the gap between the information-rich North and the information-poor South [...]. Europe should be proposing a different model: space as a public good.” Echoing the argument of US commentator Robert Kagan, the report's authors, Melissa Mean and James Wilsdon, claim that “America is from Mars and Europe is from Venus.”
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International Launch Services (ILS), a Lockheed Martin joint venture, has been given the green light for what will be the first Atlas V launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch will be from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 3-East, which is being refurbished to support a late 2005 launch for this national security mission. The launch is for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), as one of 18 missions assigned to ILS and the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas V rocket under the U.S. Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. This is the formal contract for one of those previously assigned missions, and is fourth of those assignments to be turned into a signed contract.
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In a total of nine experiments with speeds of up to 40 meters per second, the roll behavior of Phoenix, the 1:7 model of a possible future European space transporter, has been tested in Lemwerder, Germany, over the past few days. EADS Space Transportation, Bremen, is the prime contractor responsible for developing, constructing and testing Phoenix. Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG is primarily involved in developing and integrating the on-board navigation system and implementing the sensory system for taking measurements during the testing phase. A total of 130 sensors are used to collect a wide range of valuable data. The testing team is very satisfied with the results. Says Dr. Rolf Janovsky, OHB project manager for Phoenix: "The test was very successful, with all targets achieved without exception." After the successful completion of these experiments, preparations for what is known as "Captive Flight" are commencing. Planned for the end of March in Sweden, this will be followed by the first real test flight in May.
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Lockheed Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vance Coffman announced that he will retire after 37 years with the company, including seven years as CEO. Lockheed Martin's Board of Directors has named President and Chief Operating Officer Robert J. Stevens as Coffman's successor. Effective August 6, 2004, Stevens, 52, will assume his new duties as CEO, retaining his position as President. Coffman, 59, plans to continue to serve as the board's non-employee Chairman until April 2005. On behalf of the board, Presiding Director James Ukropina said: "We are pleased that Vance Coffman will serve as our CEO through July and then continue as our Chairman until the 2005 annual meeting. This will ensure an orderly transition of leadership. Under Vance Coffman's capable stewardship, which began in the midst of the defense industry consolidation, Lockheed Martin has achieved steady, disciplined growth and strong performance in critical programs, including F/A-22 and the Joint Strike Fighter. He also strengthened the corporation's role in launch vehicles, missile defense and network-centric programs. He has helped to position the company for continued success and, as he transitions to retirement, we extend our deep thanks for a job well done. We are also extremely pleased by the selection of Bob Stevens as the corporation's next CEO and have full confidence in his leadership."
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AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company, is pleased to announce that the Zhengzhou Police has awarded a contract to Agusta to purchase one A119 Koala helicopter. The helicopter will be equipped with specialized police equipment and will be utilized by the Zhengzhou Police for various law enforcement missions. The purchase of the Koala will improve the Police operational capabilities and will translate into an enhanced ability to provide critical emergency services.
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AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company, today announced it will expand the manufacturing facility of U.S. subsidiary Agusta Aerospace Corporation (AAC) located in Philadelphia, PA. The new facility will open by the end of summer and provide additional space for the manufacturing and final assembly of the Agusta A119 Koala helicopter, presently manufactured in Italy. “We are committed to expanding our presence in the United States and take great pride in this expansion of AgustaWestland's Philadelphia facility,” said Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica. “With our large Union Switch and Signal facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania houses more Finmeccanica high tech jobs than any other state in the U.S.”. “This investment is the latest step in the continued expansion of AgustaWestland's 15 year history working closely with law enforcement, the Pentagon, the Coast Guard and the department of Homeland Security. We are providing superior and technologically advanced aircrafts for their missions, whether those be emergency response, law enforcement, executive transport or fighting the war on terror,” said Giuseppe Orsi, Managing Director of Agusta SpA. “AgustaWestland's continuing investment in bringing more high-skill jobs to this community is a testament to both the company's level of corporate citizenship and to the continued desirability of Pennsylvania as a hub for global business” said Governor Edward G. Rendell. This expansion comes at a time when the company is competing for a contract to build the new helicopters that will make up the “Marine One” fleet of the President of the United States. AgustaWestland is part of a team comprised of more than 100 companies from around the United States that includes Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, and General Electric who have teamed to offer the US101 medium lift helicopter as the next Marine One.
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BAE Systems welcomed the announcement of its selection, by Poland, as avionics systems integrator for the production of two NATO-interoperable Mi-24 helicopter prototypes. Jim Field, BAE Systems Avionics Group Head of Battlefield Systems said: “This important decision realises the Polish government's plan to provide its allies with a highly capable, NATO-compatible, troop carrying attack helicopter and recognises our capabilities in the area of systems integration. Poland is one of the first countries to make a sophisticated Russian platform NATO interoperable and we look forward to partnering with them to deliver the Mi-24 upgrade.” The Avionics integration includes a state of the art open architectures mission system including the only in service fully integrated helicopter Electronic Warfare system.
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Messier-Dowty confirmed that it has been selected by Boeing to enter contract negotiations to supply the main and nose landing gear structure for the new 7E7 “Dreamliner” commercial jet. Building on extensive landing gear experience across a range of existing commercial aircraft, Messier-Dowty will be responsible for the design, development, testing, manufacture and integration of the main and nose landing gear structure. Louis Le Portz, chairman and CEO of Messier-Dowty International, said, “Messier-Dowty is delighted to have been selected by Boeing to supply the landing gear for this exciting new program. This will be our first prime contract with Boeing for a commercial aircraft and is the culmination of some 12 years of teamwork, working closely with Boeing in support of their product development studies. It is of great significance to both Messier-Dowty and our parent company Snecma and we are proud to be supplying major equipment for this aircraft.”
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Star Alliance welcomed South African Airways' decision to pursue membership in Star Alliance. "We are always interested in adding quality airlines to our alliance, particularly those which already have long-standing and successful relationships with our member carriers," said Jaan Albrecht, CEO, Star Alliance. "South African Airways is the most prestigious carrier in Africa and will significantly enhance our network across the continent and beyond. It's good for customers, good for South African Airways and it's good for Star Alliance." Albrecht said Star Alliance member carriers will be looking forward to making an official announcement at the next Star Alliance Chief Executive Board meeting in June.
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General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) has selected Goodrich Corporation to supply nacelle systems to support development of a new Japanese military cargo aircraft, the C-X. The contract is expected to generate in excess of $100 million over the life of the program, including sales of spare components.
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Boeing has selected Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation, as the baseline engine source for 767 Global Tanker Transport Aircraft Programs. As a result, Pratt & Whitney's PW4062 engine will be the standard production engine offering for all future 767 Tanker Programs, both domestic and international. Pratt & Whitney's engine, qualified for the 767 commercial series aircraft, was selected based on a best-value evaluation criteria, including engine performance, pricing considerations, management, and quality and schedule history. Pratt & Whitney has also been selected as the 767 Tanker engine provider based on their investment in the core tanker development program.
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Delta Connection announced the acquisition of 32 CRJ200s from Bombardier Aerospace. Delivery will begin in 2005. Atlantic Southeast Airlines will receive 25 of the aircraft, and SkyWest Airlines will receive seven. Chautauqua Airlines will receive an additional 13 Embraer regional jet (ERJ) aircraft for 2004 and 2005, bringing Chautauqua's total Delta Connection flying to 47 regional jet aircraft.
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SWISS will continue to guarantee reliable air services to and from Canton Ticino. But, in view of the new stricter regulations on approaches to Lugano Airport, SWISS is now obliged to have these flights performed by another air carrier. Thus, from April 1 onwards, all SWISS services between Zurich and Lugano will be operated by German regional carrier Cirrus Airlines. The flights will be performed by a Dash 8-300 aircraft, a type which is certificated for the steep approaches required. SWISS's own Avro RJ and Saab 2000 aircraft which have been used on the route to date do not comply with the new approach requirements. SWISS's schedules to and from Lugano remain unchanged. Lugano remains firmly within the SWISS route network, with four daily services offered in each direction between Lugano and Zurich. The Dash 8-300 aircraft operated by regional carrier Cirrus Airlines feature both Business Class and Economy Class seating and will fly the well-established schedules between the two cities. Cirrus Airlines will operate these services under a “wet lease” agreement, i.e. providing both the aircraft and the cockpit and cabin crews. The 50-seat Dash 8-300 is certificated to perform the steep approaches required for Lugano Airport, and is able to perform instrument approaches and landings. The new equipment will thus provide a firmer guarantee that services can be operated even during fog or other adverse weather.
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With this LM2500 turbine, the Ludwigsfelde gas turbine specialists have landed their first order from the U.S. Navy, this time not just repairing individual parts but the entire turbine. The U.S. Navy is the single largest user of LM2500 engines worldwide, with a total population of 435 engines. The contract was awarded competitively with MTU Maintenance providing the best value. Burkhard Schulz, Vice President Industrial Gas Turbines, commented: "This contract constitutes a milestone in our corporate history. We hope to establish a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Navy."
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Lockheed Martin's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile successfully intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile (TBM) in a test today at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The battle-proven PAC-3 Missile is the world's only fielded hit-to-kill, kinetic energy air defense missile. In the early morning test, two PAC-3 Missiles were "ripple-fired" at an incoming TBM that was simulating the flight characteristics of a Scud-type missile. The target for the mission was a Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT), a Patriot legacy missile modified to represent a short-range TBM.
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The Japan air self-defense force flew its first humanitarian mission into Iraq as part of coalition air forces, landing at Tallil Air Base on March 3. While self defense forces have previously conducted humanitarian deployments to other locations in the world, this is the first time Japanese airmen have deployed to a conflict zone since the end of World War II. Flying from an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia, the Japanese C-130 carried 5,000 pounds of supplies for the Iraqi people. This first shipment consisted of medical materials, +++
A member of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) since November 2002, Bosnia and Herzegovina plays a strategically important role in the European air traffic management system, situated as it is at the crossroads of western and eastern Europe. “Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession could not have come at a better time given the developments in the Central European Air Traffic Services Programme and our expectation to see it implemented by around 2007,” stated Victor M. Aguado, Director General of EUROCONTROL. Since the signature of the Agreement for the Central European Air Traffic Services Programme (CEATS) on 14 September 2001, Bosnia and Herzegovina has played an important role in the programme, actively participating in the various CEATS deliberating bodies and fora. Following a successful restructuring of its Civil Aviation Authority, the country is now working on a strategic plan fully integrating the CEATS activities. Bosnia and Herzegovina, too, expressed its satisfaction at joining the Organisation. ”I am certain that Bosnia and Herzegovina will spare no effort in making a substantial contribution to the resolution of European air traffic management problems,” said Branko Dokic, Minister of Communications and Transport.
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The Austrian Airlines Group, which has offered the Egyptian capital Cairo as an integral part of its route network since 1959 and collaborated with EgyptAir since the late seventies, is now strengthening that cooperation further still. This is the result of intensive negotiations now being presented in Vienna. From the summer schedule 2004, Austrian will operate daily flights to Cairo except Sunday, while Egypt Air will provide services to the Egyptian capital on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As a result, the partners will operate a total of ten codeshare flights a week between Cairo and Vienna. In addition to that also a codeshare agreement was concluded offering EgyptAir connections to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo through Vienna and guaranteeing Austrian seats on routes to Africa, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in return.
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The German airline Air Berlin will be the launch customer of AirTrack- a new standard for in-flight entertainment moving map systems established by Lufthansa Technik AG and TEAC Aerospace. Following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the first airplane will be equipped in summer this year with the new system to undergo route proving flights while the complete fleet roll out on all of Air Berlin's Boeing 737 airplanes is planned for autumn. Since the AirTrac moving map system is based on satellite imagery, recreating the world's surface and presenting it to passengers, it goes beyond the simple maps that follow and trace the flight path. It provides 2D and 3D detailed topographical maps and satellite imagery, as well as new aerial scenes of views from the outside. AirTrack offers a worldwide terrain image database with 30 meters per pixel as standard. Resolutions of 10 meters or 1 meter per pixel can be provided, with the latter providing unsurpassed detail even for city street views.
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HEICO corporation, in whose subsidiary, HEICO Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik holds a 20 percent interest, reported that net income for the first quarter of 2004 that ended on January 31st, increased 14 percent to US-Dollar 3.2m. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were up 10 percent to US-Dollar 46.2m. For the first quarter of fiscal 2004, sales of the Company's Flight Support Group (FSG) increased seven percent to US-Dollar 34.3m. The increase in revenues within the FSG for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 resulted primarily from improved demand for the Company's aftermarket replacement parts and repair and overhaul services, which reflects some recovery within the commercial airline industry, as well as increased sales of new products.
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TÜV Pfalz (the technical inspection agency of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) criticized the recent report of the SFK Accident Commission as not being verifiable in parts. The SFK found that the planned new landing runway at Frankfurt Airport is allegedly incompatible with the nearby Ticona chemical plant. “The SFK's opinion on the expansion of Frankfurt Airport contains statements and assessments which were not substantiated by verifiable arguments or alternative calculations, and not even by any references to such calculations,” said TÜV Pfalz in its report commissioned by the Hesse Ministry of Economics, Transportation and State Development (HMWVL). For example, TÜV Pfalz criticizes the SKF's allegation that an airplane crashing on the Ticona site “would inevitably result in a major hazard.” According to TÜV Pfalz, “a statement in this general form cannot be substantiated.” Rather, the technical inspection agency believes that “removing potential dangers such as hazardous materials from the Ticona site (ethylene condenser station, methanol storage tanks) will totally eliminate any potential hazard.”
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Boeing announced it has selected Kevin Brown to head its Air Traffic Management (ATM) business, effective April 1. Brown currently is ATM's vice president for strategy, and deputy to ATM President John Hayhurst, who is retiring. Boeing also announced that ATM will become part of Phantom Works, Boeing's advanced research and development unit, effective the same date. Brown, whose new title will be vice president, Air Traffic Management, will report to Robert Krieger, president of Phantom Works. “Boeing will continue to pursue advances in air traffic management that will enhance efficiency, capacity and security,” said Boeing President and CEO Harry Stonecipher. “However, in an effort to be more efficient, we are scaling down our investment and making an organizational change to meet current demand. When governments are ready to build an advanced air traffic management system, we will be ready to respond quickly.
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