FLUG REVUE update: Week ending April 25, 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 25 April 2004

+++ NATO chooses TIPS for AGS +++ ESA DELTA mission at the ISS ++ Swiss chooses AIM-9X +++ C-130J in regular USAF service +++ Boeing X-45A drops bomb on target +++ AECMA, EDIG, EUROSPACE merge +++ Christoph Franz is new SWISS CEO +++ News in brief +++

NATO chooses TIPS for AGS
EADS für Überwachungsflugzeug gewählt

In an important decision for NATO, the Conference of National Armaments Directors endorsed an earlier decision of the Alliance Ground Surveillance Steering Committee to move forward expeditiously towards the signing of a contract, by Spring 2005, with the Transatlantic Industrial Proposed Solution (TIPS) consortium (made up of EADS, Galileo Avionica, General Dynamics Canada, Indra, Northrop Grumman and Thales) for the Design and Development of a NATO-owned and operated AGS core, based on the solution offered by TIPS for a mix of manned and unmanned air platforms, with their interoperable ground stations.
This NATO-owned and operated core, when fielded, will be an essential enabling capability for the NATO Response Force and will provide Alliance political decision-makers and military planners with an invaluable "Eye in the Sky" with which to gather critical information on what is happening on the ground during peacetime, crisis or war. The core will be supplemented by interoperable national assets as part of a broader Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system of system.
On behalf of the TIPS Team, Scott Seymour, Northrop Grumman vice president and president of the company's Integrated Systems sector, said, "We are proud and honoured by NATO's selection of the TIPS mixed fleet solution. We are especially pleased with the overwhelming vote of confidence from the Alliance. It shows nations appreciated that TIPS offered the best opportunity to quickly achieve a NATO core capability. The TIPS NATO AGS system will provide situational awareness through a shared common ground picture that will be available to NATO and national decision makers. TIPS will present the NATO Response Force (NRF) with a critical core capability by 2010 and will meet NATO's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and Command and Control (C2) requirements for the 21st century. The state-of-the-art radar technology provided by the Transatlantic Cooperative AGS Radar (TCAR) program, which will be integrated on both the manned and unmanned platforms, draws on the expertise of both U.S. and European radar industries, the majority of whom are also TIPS industry members.

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ESA DELTA mission at the ISS
Europäischer Astronaut auf der Raumstation

On 21 April, the DELTA mission, with European Space Agency astronaut André Kuipers from the Netherlands, and the ISS Expedition 9 crew, successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). Docking by Soyuz TMA-4 with the nadir port of the Russian Zarya module took place at 07:01 Central European Time (CET). Following the scheduled post-docking checks, the hatch between the spacecraft and the ISS was opened at 08:27 CET.
Soyuz TMA-4 lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan two days ago on Flight 8S. During the journey, Kuipers was the Soyuz Flight Engineer, taking an active role in piloting and docking the spacecraft alongside FKA cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, the Soyuz Commander who will become the ISS Expedition 9 Commander. The third crew member was NASA astronaut Edward Fincke, the ISS Expedition 9 Flight Engineer. Kuipers is the second Dutch citizen in space, following Wubbo Ockels in 1985. During his 11-day mission, nine of them on the ISS, Kuipers will carry out an extensive experiment programme in the fields of human physiology, biology, microbiology, physical science, Earth observation, education and technology. Part of this programme started in Soyuz TMA-4 on the flight to the ISS, with Kuipers carrying out procedures for two human physiology experiments (MOP, MUSCLE) and two biology experiments (FLOW, KAPPA).
On arrival at the ISS, one of the first tasks for Kuipers after hatch opening is to transfer the experiment equipment and samples from Soyuz TMA-4 to the ISS. Other experiment equipment for the mission was transported to the ISS on an unmanned Progress supply ship on flight 13P, launched on 29 January this year.

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Swiss choose AIM-9X
Luft-Luft-Lenkwaffe von Raytheon für die Schweiz

The government of Switzerland and the U.S. Navy have executed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) paving the way for the manufacture and delivery of Raytheon Company's AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile system to the Swiss air force. With the signing, Switzerland becomes the third country to purchase the next generation of the combat-proven AIM-9 Sidewinder missile family. The LOA was signed in January in Switzerland. South Korea and Poland have also agreed to purchase AIM-9X.
"We are delighted that our Swiss partners have elected to arm their F/A-18 Hornets with the AIM- 9X," said Capt. Scott Stewart, the Naval Air Systems Command program manager for Air-to-Air Missiles. "Equipping the Swiss air force with the world's finest short-range missile will provide dominant counterair capabilities while enhancing interoperability." AIM-9X is a fifth-generation short-range missile that achieved initial operational capability with the U.S. Air Force in November 2003. The missile employs a staring focal plane array seeker with an extremely high off- boresight acquisition capability that significantly increases target acquisition ranges against all forms of background clutter. AIM-9X is unparalleled in its ability to defeat targets employing infrared countermeasure techniques. An 18-year production run is planned to produce more than 10,000 missiles for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and an additional 5,000 missiles for the international market.

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C-130J in regular USAF service
Neue Hercules im Dienst

The U.S. Air Force formally accepted its first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules on 16 April, marking the beginning of a new generation of cargo and personnel transport for the active-duty Air Force. Little Rock is home to the Air Force's C-130 Center of Excellence, which provides C-130 aircrew and maintenance training for all U.S. military branches as well as for 27 allied nations. Last week, the base cut the ribbon on its new Lockheed Martin C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (JMATS) facility, a simulator-based schoolhouse which will support C-130J entry into the fleet.
The C-130J, the latest addition to the C-130 fleet, is capable of operating from rough dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The Super Hercules is a quantum leap in airlift technology bringing 40 percent greater performance over current Hercules. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the C-130's first flight. More than 2,260 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to more than 60 countries since the program began. Today, 67 countries, counting those that bought used aircraft, fly the Hercules. The C-130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.

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Boeing X-45A drops bomb on target
Drohne schafft Bombardierung

Target confirmation, arm and release consent. With those three commands from its human operator, a Boeing X-45A unmanned combat aircraft made aviation history by releasing an inert (non-explosive) Global Positioning System-guided Small Smart Bomb and hitting a ground target today at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Range, China Lake, Calif. “For the first time, an unmanned combat system has demonstrated that it can successfully deliver precision weapons on target,” said Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “Unmanned systems like the X-45 are well suited for high-risk missions like the suppression of enemy air defense and precision strike. Once fully developed, these systems will provide commanders with effective and affordable solutions that compliment and support warfighters on the ground, in the air, or at sea.”
During the test an operator authorized release, and when the aircraft determined it was within range the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) X-45A technology demonstrator dropped the guided 250-pound weapon from its internal weapons bay at 35,000 ft. and 0.67 Mach (approximately 442 mph). The aircraft autonomously performed all maneuvers, bay door operations, and weapon-away release sequences under human operator supervision.
The next major milestone for the X-45 J-UCAS program will be the demonstration of multiple-vehicle coordinated flight. That event will take place following a series of single-vehicle checkout operations and coordinated flights between an X-45A and a manned T-33.

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AECMA, EDIG, EUROSPACE merge
Fusion der Industrieverbände in Brüssel

The three major associations representing the aeronautic, space and defence industry in Europe – AECMA, the European Association of Aerospace Industries, EDIG, the European Defence Industries Group, and EUROSPACE, the Association of the European Space Industry – have announced their decision to merge and to form 'ASD, the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe'. Mike Turner (BAE Systems Chief Executive) is the ASD President. The ASD Secretariat in Brussels will be headed by Secretary General Roger W. Hawksworth. As an umbrella association, ASD will represent: 32 associations in 20 countries across Europe; in excess of 800 companies in its membership, which directly employ nearly 600,000 highly-qualified people; a turnover of around 100 billion Euros per year.
At the occasion of the merger announcement, ASD President Mike Turner explained the reasons behind the decision: “ASD will represent a number of different sectors from ships, through armoured vehicles to air systems in defence, aircraft and related systems in the civil sector and space contributing to both defence and civil. There are several links between these different interests. R&T for example, because being in the forefront of technology and innovation is common to these sectors. Furthermore, governments and other European institutions today are vital partners for industry and have to play a critical role in the range of activities. And last but not least many of our companies have interests in all three sectors”
The overall mission of ASD will be to enhance the competitive development of the aeronautic, space and defence industry in Europe. It will generate common industry positions on economic and technical topics, and it will provide a focal point for all matters of common interest of the industry, particularly in economic, political, legal, industrial, technical and structural topics. For its members, ASD will provide an infrastructure offering a broad variety of services. “ASD will offer a single point of contact and expertise to our partners in the institutions and organisations in Brussels, in Europe and worldwide”, said Mike Turner, “We will speak with one voice – a more coordinated and a more effective voice. Here in Brussels it is ASD's intention to work as a partner to the EU Institutions to help utilise our sector as effectively as possible for the economic and social development of Europe as a whole”.

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Christoph Franz is new SWISS CEO
SWISS mit neuem Chef

The SWISS Board of Directors named Christoph Franz (43) as the airline's new Chief Executive Officer. His appointment follows an extensive recruitment process. Holder of a doctorate in Business Administration, Christoph Franz spent the past nine years in top management positions with Deutsche Bahn AG (DB), the German national railway. His most recent position was as a member of executive management in charge of Passenger Sales. From 1990 to 1994 he was with Lufthansa. During his time with the German national carrier, he was part of the team that planned the airline's financial turnaround. Christoph Franz, a German citizen, will join SWISS on May 1 for a transitional period before officially assuming the role of CEO as of July 1.
The Board of Directors also announced a key decision regarding the future of the airline's charter activities. As of the 2004 winter timetable, Swiss International Air Lines will operate two of the three aircraft currently in service on charter routes. Commercial considerations and a market analysis prompted this decision. SWISS will tap all available operational and commercial synergies in order to succeed with a quality product in the hard-fought charter sector.
Chairman of the Board Pieter Bouw himself headed the thorough recruitment process in search of a new CEO for SWISS. Six candidates were shortlisted and invited for intensive interviews. In the end the recruitment committee unanimously recommended Frankfurt native Christoph Franz to the SWISS board. Born May 2, 1960, Franz is married to a French citizen and is the father of five children. After completing studies in Germany, France and the United States, graduating with a doctorate (Dr. rer. pol) at the Technische Universität Darmstadt, he joined Lufthansa, where he was involved in projects dealing with strategy, sales and controlling in Germany, France and Turkey. He later headed an IT project for the Passenger Sales division. From 1992 to 1994 he was part of the team that planned and implemented Lufthansa's post Gulf War turnaround, in which he reported directly to then CEO Jürgen Weber. Following the successful completion of this project, Franz joined Deutsche Bahn AG, holding a variety of key positions during a nine-year tenure with the German national railway. These included the role of turnaround manager for City Night Line. Most recently he was a member of executive management and responsible for Passenger Sales, a division consisting of 70,000 employees.
The two remaining aircraft designated for charter operations will be integrated into the regular Airbus fleet. The precise modalities for this are now being negotiated with the pilots' unions. The goal of this optimisation is to operate a competitive charter business also during the 2004/2005 winter timetable period. The two Airbus A320 charter aircraft are especially configured for this market segment. The product is already well established and appreciated by customers. All current contracts with external tour operators will be continued.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Pratt & Whitney Canada's (P&WC) Lethbridge, Alberta assembly plant marked an important milestone today with the delivery of its 5,000th engine, a PT6 Twin-Pac turboshaft, to Bell Helicopter Textron. The celebrated engine, a PT6T-3D produced for a Bell 412EP model, is a member of the PT6T-3 series that powers the Bell 212 and 412 helicopter family, one of the world's best-selling medium helicopters. "Pratt & Whitney Canada is proud to be a close partner of Bell Helicopter Textron on the Bell 412 program," said, Danny Di Perna, Vice President - Supply Chain, P&WC, during the ceremony. The facility, which opened in 1993 and employs close to 90 people, is P&WC's main assembly plant for PT6 engines and the only company facility that assembles and tests the PT6 Twin-Pac series. As of the beginning of 2004, the PT6 turboshaft engine fleet had logged over 36 million flight hours with 428 different operators worldwide. To date, P&WC has delivered a total of 3,020 Twin-Pac engines to Bell Helicopter Textron.
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Gravity Probe B, a NASA satellite that will validate two key aspects of Einstein's general theory of relativity, was launched on 20 April aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. The Delta II lifted off at 9:57:24 a.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Following a 75-minute flight, the two-stage rocket deployed the spacecraft to a circular-polar orbit, approximately 400 nautical miles above the Earth. A Delta II 7920-10 configuration launch vehicle was used for the mission and features the Boeing Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine, nine solid rocket boosters and a 10-foot diameter payload fairing. Gravity Probe B will test two predictions made by Albert Einstein in 1916 as part of his general theory of relativity. The two predictions are the Geodetic effect — the amount by which the Earth warps local space time in which it resides, and the frame-dragging effect — the amount by which the Earth drags local space time with it as it rotates. The spacecraft will send back data on changes in the spin axis direction of four onboard, ultra-precise gyroscopes in relation to the spacecraft's guide star, IM Pegasi, that will enable scientists to determine if space time is distorted by the Earth's presence and rotation. The mission will be conducted over a 16-month period, and scientists also hope to learn more about the structure of the universe in terms of the relationship between space and matter.
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The NATO E-3A component succeeded in proving its capability to support NATO operations recently, when it successfully completed an operational evaluation conducted by the Allied Air Forces North Tactical Evaluation Team, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This certification proves the component's readiness to conduct future missions across the full spectrum of NATO operations – including anti-terror missions. In the last three years, the E-3A component has deployed to support major anti-terror and airspace-defense missions over the United States during Operation Eagle Assist and over Turkey in Operation Crescent Guard. Additionally, the NATO AWACS has increasingly been called upon to provide its characteristic net of security at a wide variety of summits and special events, including the 2002 NATO summit in Prague, the 2003 European Union summit in Greece and this year's upcoming Olympic games. It is expected that this demanding operational pace will continue in the ongoing war against terror.
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Air Berlin reported an impressive 33,9 per cent passenger increase for teh first three months of the year, a rise from 1,696 million to 2,271 million. Regarding the City Shuttle services, passenger figures doubled to 546430. Turnover rose from 124 to 170 million Euro, while load factors remained at close to 75 per cent.
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The Lockheed Martin Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft (UCAR) development team is strengthening its technical diversity and sensor systems capabilities by adding Raytheon. Raytheon, based in Waltham, MA, will play a significant role in the development and deployment of sensors and related technologies for the UCAR system. The goal of UCAR, a program conducted with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of a system of unmanned rotorcraft capable of autonomous collaboration with manned and unmanned air and ground systems. The UCAR system is in development for the U.S. Army.
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Northrop Grumman has successfully applied a specially formulated coating developed to help improve the B-2 stealth bomber's combat readiness to an operational aircraft for the first time. The coating was applied at the company's Antelope Valley Manufacturing Center here using a robotic paint system.Known as alternate high-frequency material (AHFM), the radar-absorbing coating was developed by Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector, the B-2 prime contractor, for application to the aircraft surface in areas where regular maintenance is performed. The B-2's stealth characteristics require a smooth outer surface without any gaps that could reflect radar waves and reveal its position to the enemy. The original B-2 design called for specially formulated tapes and caulks to cover gaps on the surface such as those near maintenance access panels. Those special materials must be removed each time maintenance is performed, then reapplied and allowed to cure before the aircraft can be returned to service. AHFM replaces approximately 3,000 feet of tape, which helps reduce maintenance time in those areas from several days to several hours. "The development of AHFM is another example of how Northrop Grumman is working with the Air Force to ensure that the B-2 remains as effective in combat tomorrow as it is today," said Duke Dufresne, Northrop Grumman vice president and B-2 program manager. "It's one of several ways we're improving the weapon system with the latest technologies so it can continue to play an important role in the military's emerging integrated battlespace."
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A team led by Northrop Grumman has received a $220 million, 24-month contract to develop the first phase of the Space Based Radar (SBR) program, which is designed to provide integrated, global, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as real-time support, to U.S. military and intelligence community operations. Northrop Grumman, as one of two competing contractors, and systems integrator, will provide the concept development of ground-segment, user-segment and operations and support elements. The Boeing Company is responsible for the design, development and production of the SBR space segment, including launch vehicle integration. Raytheon Company will provide global mission and system management, and support to other ground-segment elements. General Dynamics Corporation will provide mission and ground-system analysis and mission data processing elements. BAE Systems will supply large-scale, information storage and retrieval technologies. The Air Force, in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office, National Geo-Spatial Agency and Electronic Systems Center will provide program leadership at the Joint Program Office, based at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
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The Irish Minister for Defence, Mr. Michael Smith, T.D., today welcomed the arrival at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel of three new training aircraft for the Air Corps. The new, turbo propeller aircraft is the PC-9M, manufactured by Pilatus Ltd of Switzerland. The Minister, the Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jim Sreenan, the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brigadier General Ralph James and senior representatives from Pilatus were present in Baldonnel as the aircraft landed. These three aircraft will be followed by a further five over the coming months. The cost of these aircraft is approximately 60 million euros. The eight aircraft will replace the Siai Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. In addition to the main training role, the aircraft have a light armament capability and as such can be used for security or defensive operations as necessary.
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International Launch Services (ILS) announced a contract with SES AMERICOM and SES ASTRA, both SES GLOBAL companies, to launch three satellites in 2005 and 2006. Financial terms were not disclosed. ILS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) of the United States, manufacturer of the Atlas rocket, and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Russia, builder of the Proton vehicle. ILS provides launch services on the Atlas and Proton vehicles to customers worldwide. The contract offers SES GLOBAL (Luxembourg and Frankfurt stock exchanges: SESG) schedule assurance with a mix of Atlas and Proton launch services. SES AMERICOM signed up for the launch of its AMC-14 satellite in early 2006 on an Atlas V rocket, and AMC-16 in early 2005 on a Proton vehicle. SES ASTRA will boost its ASTRA 1L satellite on a Proton vehicle in late 2006. All three spacecraft are A2100 models being built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Dean Phillips Inc. has taken delivery of a new Bombardier Challenger 300 super midsize business jet, marking the first delivery of the all-new jet to a “traditional operator”. The aircraft (s/n 20010) was delivered to Dean Phillips Inc. on April 15. It marks the fifth Challenger 300 to enter into service to date; the first four aircraft have been operating since January with Bombardier's Flexjet fractional ownership program. As of March 31, the Bombardier Flexjet Challenger 300 fleet had already logged over 1,000 flight hours in daily service across America. The in-service fleet, including the function and reliability test aircraft had already logged over 1,800 hours in daily service worldwide. The sensational jet has successfully criss-crossed over the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans and proven its reliability in extensive tours in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
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Lockheed Martin was awarded a $220 million contract by the U.S. Air Force for the concept development phase of the Space Based Radar (SBR) program. The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded the 24-month study contract to continue the definition of SBR system requirements and evaluate alternative design concepts for the SBR system architecture. Final selection of the prime contractor for the multi-billion dollar program will be made in 2006, with initial launch scheduled for 2012. "We are very pleased to be chosen by the Air Force and the SBR Joint Program Office for the next development phase of the program. This contract provides our team, comprised of the best in the industry, with the opportunity to bring forward the breadth of expertise and experience in large-scale systems integration, space and ground systems, remote sensing and intelligence systems, all of which are vital for a successful Space Based Radar system that is affordable, highly effective and low risk," said G. Thomas Marsh, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Executive Vice President.
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Irkut Corporation, the leading Russian aerospace group, has completed the acquisition of the Yakovlev Design Bureau. In result of this merger, Irkut's share in the registered capital of Yakovlev Design Bureau has come to 75.46%. Yakovlev's acquisition was financed by funds raised during Irkut's initial public offering (IPO) among Russian and foreign investors at the end of March 2004. "Yakovlev's acquisition is a logic step in Irkut strategy aimed to build a vertically integrated company providing design, manufacture and support of both military and civil aircraft", said Alexei Fedorov, Irkut President. "Irkut successful offering in the Russian stock market has shown a high level of trust from investors and financial community to perspectives of our company development. I am sure that the merger of the Yakovlev Design Bureau with Irkut as well as a success of the Yakovlev Yak-130 project will contribute to the increase of the company market capitalisation". Irkut Corporation and Yakovlev Design Bureau signed a letter of intent in spring 2003. An official announcement on acquisition was made in August 2003 at the Moscow Air Show MAKS-2003. Since last autumn, Irkut and Yakovlev were actively coordinating technical and legal issues of the merger that was logically completed with Yakovlev Design Bureau becoming an integral part of the Irkut Corporation.
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Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by JSAT Corporation of Japan to build its next geostationary telecommunications satellite, designated JCSAT-10, which will provide communications services throughout Japan and Asia following its scheduled launch in 2006. Financial terms were not disclosed. JCSAT-10 will be a hybrid satellite, equipped with Ku-band high-power transponders and C-band medium-power transponders and will be located at 128 degrees East longitude. The spacecraft is based on the award winning A2100AX platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa. LMCSS is currently building JCSAT-9, also an A2100AX satellite, which will serve Asia and Japan following its planned launch in 2005. Last year, LMCSS received orders for five A2100 spacecraft from customers worldwide, the most of any commercial satellite manufacturer.
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The GE - P&W Engine Alliance has completed the initial testing of the first GP7000 engine being developed for the Airbus A380 super-jumbo aircraft. During approximately one month of sea-level testing at P&W's facility in East Hartford, Connecticut, the engine ran 45 hours and achieved 86,500 pounds of thrust in the Airbus configuration (88,000 pounds measured in cell conditions), well above its intended entry into service level of 70,000 pounds of thrust. The First Engine To Test (FETT) program also surveyed mechanical stress levels in engine components and mapped the performance of the engine's advanced swept fan. “This is one of the most successful FETTs I have seen,” said Lloyd Thompson, president of the Engine Alliance. “We are well on our way to delivering an outstanding engine to Airbus and the world's airlines.” The first engine will next undergo altitude testing at the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee beginning in late May. The second development engine is being installed in GE's Peebles, Ohio, test facility to begin a series of performance, operability and endurance tests.
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Military fixed-wing trainer deliveries will rise steadily through this decade, according to a market overview issued by Forecast International, and will total 2,238 shipments worth $17.5 billion during the 2004-2013 timeframe. In light of the tactical aircraft re-equipment cycle now under way by many major air arms, the need to address some long-postponed trainer requirements is receiving new impetus. Quantitatively speaking, the U.S. Navy/Air Force Raytheon T-6A will be the most significant trainer during the next 10 years, with 693 deliveries projected for the U.S. services and export customers. No other type comes close – the EADS Mako and BAE Hawk, both advanced jet trainers, are expected to account for 260 and 250 shipments, respectively. The newest market entry is the EADS Mako, which has not yet flown. The Mako design will offer a supersonic capability, and as the aircraft is still in the development stage, it could be designed to dovetail with upcoming requirements. Forecast International has projected the Mako to win the anticipated Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) competition, despite stiff competition from Aermacchi's M-346. The AEJPT contest is aimed at developing a common trainer type for 12 nations which have been conducting joint studies intermittently for about 10 years. About 150 aircraft would be required should the AEJPT program go forward. As the Mako falls under the EADS umbrella, it may be a tough candidate to unseat, politically speaking. The Korea Aerospace KT-1 turboprop and the same company's T/A-50 jet are both being marketed outside Korea, thus far without success. The Sino-Pakistani HAIG/PAC team is another fairly recent newcomer, and is developing the K-8 jet trainer for both nations' air forces.
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Lockheed Martin announced it has completed factory testing of the optical benches for the Airborne Laser's Beam Control/Fire Control (BC/FC) system. The Airborne Laser (ABL) is the first megawatt-class laser weapon system to be carried on a specially configured 747-400F aircraft, designed to autonomously detect, track and destroy hostile ballistic missiles. The Beam Control/Fire Control system will accurately point, focus and fire the laser to provide sufficient energy to destroy the missile while it is still in the highly vulnerable boost phase of flight -- before separation of its warheads. The ABL program is managed by the Missile Defense Agency and is executed by the U.S. Air Force from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M.
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Through a pilot program at the 116th Air Control Wing of the USAF, 116th Maintenance Group workers are beginning to integrate a new wearable computer, which can be used across the maintenance spectrum. The small personal computers can be worn either on the chest or hip and are being tested as a possible replacement for printed manuals currently used. “With (the) integrated electronic technical manual, the flightline mechanic will have access to a wealth of information needed to perform (his or her) duties,” said Tech. Sgt. Matt Jones, the electronic manual's project manager. “Having these tools at the maintainers' fingertips is actually a virtual office on the flightline,” said Col. Terry Kinney, 116th MXG commander. “It will have much of the same desktop software that we currently use, like e-mail capabilities and the capabilities to identify, order, ship and pay for parts directly from the flightline.” The computers will also have an electronic copy of technical orders, which maintainers use to perform their jobs. Not only will maintainers have their TOs at their disposal, but they will also be able to send video of damages back to the shop and aircraft engineers through a wireless network.
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Thales has been selected by Airbus to project-manage the development of its Product Data Management (PDM) Centre. The contract should be worth more than Euro 20 million a year over a three-year period. This new system, based on Windchill softwsare for the A380 and A400M programmes, will allow Airbus to: Track the production of aeroplane structures based on the various configurations requested by customers, Provide interface with the design tools (CAD), Use a common tool at the different production sites (France, UK, Germany, Spain). Teams at Airbus sites in France, Germany and Great Britain will provide local services and act as the interface with the European PDM development centre in Toulouse. As part of its Information System Improvement Programme (ISIP), Airbus is adopting a trans-European approach to the development of its information systems, one that will be better adapted to market demand and that will rely on a long-term partner. To meet this objective, Airbus has decided to create a new centre in Toulouse that will serve as a focal point for all of its PDM projects.
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The UK Ministry of Defence has reached agreement with the United States Government, under the terms of a Foreign Military Sales case, to purchase 64 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM), Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement, announced. These conventionally armed land attack missiles are the new 'Block IV' TLAM (also known as TacTom), which have a higher specification than our existing - 'Block III' - missiles. As such, they will provide the added ability to retarget or abort mission in flight and will have a Battle Damage Indication capability. They will be capable of being fired from our current Trafalgar Class submarines as well as from the new Astute Class submarines when they enter service. The total value of the contract is £70,000,000
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Hawker Pacific Aerospace, a subsidiary of the German maintenance, repair & overhaul provider Lufthansa Technik AG, is the first licensed provider of the FAA and JAA approved Advanced Epoxy Coating Process INTERFILL, which will enable operators to salvage worn, corroded or eroded engine or aircraft accessories instead of scraping it out. With its focus on component and landing gear services the company is a leading provider with a broad range of repairs and overhauls of aircraft and helicopter landing gears and components, hydro-mechanical components, wheels, brakes and braking systems for a diverse international customer base, including major commercial airlines, air cargo operators, domestic government agencies, aircraft leasing companies, aircraft parts distributors and OEMs. Presently Hawker Pacific Aerospace is entering the engine parts and accessories market in the United States with its capability for main fuel pumps for General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, CFM International and IAE engines with support from the Lufthansa Technik – Powerplant Services.
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The U.S. Navy awarded The Boeing Company a $3.4 million contract to begin the process of modernizing its fleet of 48 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve C-130T and KC-130T aircraft. Building on Boeing's performance on the U.S. Air Force C-130 Avionics Modernization Program, the C-130 AMP program will standardize aircraft configurations within the Navy and Marine Corps and provide significant configuration commonality with the USAF C-130 fleet. The contract will result in the installation of a fully integrated, night vision goggle compatible, digital glass cockpit and provide for a reduction in total ownership costs throughout the remaining service life of the aircraft. The period of performance for this phase of the program will run through March 2005. “The C-130 AMP program is on schedule and on cost,” said Dave Koopersmith, Boeing AMP program manager. “We completed our first incremental preliminary design review with the Air Force in November 2003 and we will conduct the first incremental critical design review in June 2004. We're on track for first flight in early 2006.”
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Vought Aircraft Industries has reached a major milestone by completing the 500th set of upper wing panel assemblies for the Airbus A320 Family. Vought is one of the largest structures suppliers to Airbus, which is jointly owned by EADS and BAE Systems. The company's Nashville facility began working on the Airbus A320 Family in June 1997, making its first wing product delivery for that program in May 1998. The 500th shipset departed the Vought facility off Vultee Boulevard on April 10 by trailer truck to Portsmouth, Va. The wing components are assembled into the wing box and transported by ship to Airbus in the United Kingdom. The wing box is then sent by air via the A300-600ST “Beluga” Super Transporter, to the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, and assembled to the finished aircraft. +++
CAE has been awarded a one-year contract extension by the German Armed Forces valued at more than C$21 million to provide on-site maintenance and logistics support for flight simulation equipment. In addition, Eurofighter Simulation Systems (ESS) GmbH has issued the team of CAE and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) an “instruction to proceed” to provide on-site maintenance and support services for the initial delivery of Eurofighter training devices to the German Armed Forces. CAE's share of the award is valued at approximately C$21 million over the next five years. These awards bring CAE's military order book for fiscal year 2004 to more than $500 million, including more than 40 per cent from the U.S. Under the new Eurofighter support service program, CAE and RDE will provide maintenance and logistics support, repair services, and engineering support for the Eurofighter training devices at Laage Air Force Base. As part of the Eurofighter Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA) program, Germany is scheduled to receive four Eurofighter full-mission simulators and four Eurofighter cockpit trainer/interactive pilot stations at main operating bases in Laage, Neuburg, Norvenich, and Wittmund.
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Space Shuttle Discovery passed two important processing milestones this week, as progress continues in preparation for the Return to Flight mission, STS-114, to the International Space Station. The left-hand Orbital Maneuvering System pod was installed yesterday. The nose cap could be reinstalled as early as tomorrow. The nose cap was removed from the vehicle in the summer of 2003 and returned to the vendor, where it underwent numerous forms of Non-Destructive Evaluation. The tests included X-rays, ultrasound and eddy current to ensure structural integrity prior to installation on the vehicle. The nose cap was also recoated. When returned to KSC, new Thermal Protection System (TPS) blankets were assembled inside the nose cap and thermography was performed to document preflight conditions.
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The F135 STOVL propulsion system team of Pratt & Whitney (P&W), Rolls-Royce and Hamilton Sundstrand has begun testing of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) engine configuration for the F-35B variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. Test engine FX641 was delivered ahead of schedule and follows the continued successes of conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) engines FX631 and FX633. FX641 has run up to military power (full power without afterburner) in both vertical lift and up & away operating modes. STOVL mode involves engagement of the LiftFan and employment of the Roll Posts and 3 Bearing Swivel Module (3BSM). These initial tests will focus on the lift component effects on the main F135 engine and are expected to run through May. Said Major General Jack Hudson, Program Executive Officer and Program Director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, “The STOVL propulsion system represents a significant technical challenge, and getting FX641 to test is a major accomplishment for the F135 team and the F-35 program. We look forward to a successful test program in West Palm Beach.”
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MTU Maintenance Hannover, a subsidiary of MTU Aero Engines, the world's largest independent engine overhauler, will expand the company's Total Engine Care™ offering through a multi-year agreement using advanced predictive technology from SmartSignal Corporation, the leading provider of Equipment Condition Monitoring™ (eCM), an enterprise software solution for predictive technology. “This partnership will allow us to provide our customers with real-time monitoring on all their engines, regardless of OEM or model,” said Stefan Heinsohn, manager Total Engine Care, MTU Maintenance Hannover. “The superior fault detection ultimately increases operational efficiency and completes MTU's Total Engine Care solution.” MTU's Total Engine Care solution offers logistics and repair services, engine pool services and engine condition monitoring services to aircraft operators worldwide. SmartSignal's eCM solution provides advanced warning of costly equipment failure and performance degradation. Industry data has demonstrated that SmartSignal ECM users experience significant reductions in unplanned maintenance.
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Analysing the traffic statistics for March and the first quarter of 2004, the Austrian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Vagn Soerensen, made the following statement: “Both for the month of March and the first quarter of 2004, the Austrian Airlines Group has achieved double-digit growth rates in passenger figures. Our continuously expanded product range, combined with the attractive 'redticket' Austrian best price offers, have proven extremely popular with the travelling public. As a result, long-haul traffic recorded a particularly positive trend, with traffic growth levels rising by around 30 %.” In March 2004, a total of 704,426 passengers were carried on scheduled and charter services – no less than 15.1 % more than in the comparable month the previous year. Although March 2003 was characterised by lower levels of demand than usual, the double-digit increase this year would still seem to indicate a newly generated, independent growth impulse at the Group. While available seat kilometers on scheduled flights increased by 12.0 %, revenue passenger kilometers rose by more than twice that figure – 24.2 % – to create an overall increase in load factor of 6.9 % (!) to reach 70.7 %. With 1,931,838 passengers carried on scheduled and charter services, passenger volume for the first quarter of 2004 exceeded the figure for the comparable period last year by 10.8 %. Production on scheduled services, up by 9.0 %, was clearly outstripped by the 19.0 % increase in demand. As expected, the yield-situation was sensitive, due to generally falling yields in Western Europe and mixture-effects between long- and short haul traffic because of an enlarged long haul programme. This produced a passenger load factor of 70.6 % for the three-month period as a whole, a full 5.9 percentage points above the previous year's figure.
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The US Airways Group Board of Directors today announced the resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer David N. Siegel, effective immediately. Bruce R. Lakefield, chairman of the Board of Directors' Finance and Strategy, and Human Resources committees has been named the chief executive officer, effective immediately. Siegel said his decision to exercise his contractual rights to resign reflects a "belief that my leaving is in the best interests of the company, as management seeks to secure the necessary changes to make the airline competitive."
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Air Nippon Network (ANK) and Lufthansa A.E.R.O. GmbH, based in Alzey (Frankfurt), have signed a contract on maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) services for Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123B turboprop engines. Under the 10-year agreement, the Sapporo / Hokkaido based regional carrier has entrusted its entire fleet of PW123B engines to A.E.R.O., and will henceforth be benefiting from the vast experience A.E.R.O. has accumulated in its 15 years history as a premium PW100 maintenance provider. Being the largest Japanese PW100 Operator, ANK currently operates a fleet of five Bombardier DASH-8-Q300 as well as two DASH-8-Q400 aircraft, which conduct feeder services for parent company Air Nippon, in which StarAlliance member All Nippon Airways (ANA) holds a majority stake of 99.5%.
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Diamond Aircraft Industries herewith gladly announces the successful maiden flight of the DA42 Twin Star equipped with two 180HP Lycoming engines (type IO-360-M1A). During the maiden flight which took place for over 50 minutes flight, it was possible to test already some major configurations. A maximum crusing speed of over 180 kts at full power, 165 kts with a fuel consumption of only 14 USgal and 145 kts with a fuel consumption of only 10.5 USgal (always 10,000 ft) and a rate of climb of over 2,000 fpm (250 kg below MTOW). Single engine behaviour and performance was also possible to test. In single engine configuration at 6,000 ft a rate of climb of 900 fpm, with gear up and even with gear down a roc of still 400 fpm has been achieved. Appoach and landing also showed very satisfactory results.
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