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+++ Lufthansa takes Swiss +++ High-Cabin NH90 flies +++ ESA to cooperate on Indian lunar mission +++ Air Asia signs for 60 A320s +++ Lufthansa net profit of 404 million Euros +++ UK selects Future Lynx +++ USAF gets its last F-16 +++ Skynet 5 in service +++ News in brief +++
Lufthansa takes Swiss
Swiss geht an Lufthansa
On 22 March the supervisory board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the board of directors of Swiss International Air Lines AG today approved the business model jointly developed by both companies for the takeover and integration of SWISS into the Lufthansa Group. The Swiss Confederation, the Canton Zurich, and other large shareholders support the transaction. So far, a corresponding approval has been obtained from more than 80% of the SWISS share capital. Lufthansa's Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber and SWISS President and CEO Christoph Franz will signed the Integration Agreement at 8:00 p.m. in Zurich.
Lufthansa's Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber emphasized the benefits of the integration for both airlines: “Lufthansa and SWISS, two world renowned airlines with a strong sense of quality and service are joining forces. The most important aspect of the integration is that it will produce clear benefits for our customers. More destinations, better connections, comprehensive frequent-flyer programs and mutual lounge access enhance the attractiveness of both companies. The merger is not only good for Switzerland and Germany; it is also beneficial for our Star Alliance partners and strengthens the European aviation sector.”
Christoph Franz, President and CEO of SWISS commented on the successful conclusion of negotiations with Lufthansa: “As a member of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS will be able to permanently fulfill its task even better of connecting Switzerland with the world. SWISS will become even more attractive for its customers with expanded services through integration into this leading network, coordinated flight plans, and access to the lounges of Lufthansa and its partners. The creation of a competitive cost structure will, however, continue to provide the basis for a positive development of SWISS.”
SWISS will therefore continue to pursue the restructuring program announced in January 2005. The company still intends to conclude the negotiations on new general labor agreements rapidly, on the lines of the pay accord reached at the weekend with three ground worker unions. Christoph Franz: “The Integration Agreement ensures fair development of the Zurich hub, the size of our long-haul fleet, the quality brand SWISS, and the continued existence of SWISS as an operating airline based in Switzerland.” In order to preserve the Swiss air traffic infrastructure for the long term, an independent foundation will be established under Swiss law for a period of ten years, which will be able to propose a member to the Lufthansa supervisory board and two members to the SWISS board of directors.
Lufthansa will further expand its position as an internationally leading network carrier by integrating SWISS. Through its access to an attractive market with great economic strength and by harmonizing traffic between the neighboring countries, Lufthansa will strengthen its competitive position permanently. Already from the 2005/06 winter flight schedule onwards, the customers of both companies will be offered an expanded global service.
The takeover creates significant synergies both on the revenue and on the cost side, which will gradually increase and amount to about EUR 160 million (approximately CHF 250 million) per year from 2007 onwards.
According to the jointly developed business model, SWISS is to remain a mostly independent airline with its management and seat in Switzerland, its own fleet and crew, managed within the Lufthansa system as a profit center. SWISS will keep its own brand appearance, continue to develop its strengths, und expand its locational advantage on the Swiss market. This includes a demand-driven international network of routes as well as an intercontinental hub at its base in Zurich, which is to be developed on an equitable basis with the Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa will expand the long-haul fleet of SWISS with two additional intercontinental jets, provided competitive cost structures are in place. Long-term prospects are opening up for SWISS and its employees.
The ultimate goal is the complete takeover of SWISS. Due to the requirements of antitrust law and in order to secure the traffic rights, the acquisition is broken down into several steps. The shares of SWISS will be held by a newly-established Swiss company (AirTrust). During a first step, Lufthansa will acquire 11% in AirTrust. After receiving antitrust clearance, the share will be increased to 49%. At the same time, negotiations will be conducted in order to secure the air traffic rights. When the relevant agreements are obtained, Lufthansa will take over 100% of SWISS.
Via AirTrust, Lufthansa will submit a takeover offer to the free-float shareholders of SWISS probably in May. The amount will be calculated on the base of the average price of the SWISS share during the last 30 trading days prior to the day of filing with the Takeover Commission in Switzerland (probably March 23, 2005). Lufthansa will pay about EUR 45 million (about CHF 70 million) for about 15% of the SWISS equity.
The large SWISS shareholders will receive an out-performance option (earn-out) in exchange for their shares, the payout of which in 2008 will depend on the performance of Lufthansa's share price compared with competitors' shares. If the price of the Lufthansa share outperforms by 50%, the maximum payout will amount to about EUR 250 million (about CHF 390 million). Overall, the purchase price for the complete acquisition of SWISS ranges between approximately EUR 45 million and EUR 300 million (between CHF 70 million and 460 million).
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High-Cabin NH90 flies
Erstflug des NH90 mit hoher Kabine
Eurocopter announced that the first production NH90 helicopter in the high cabin version for the Swedish Armed Forces has performed its maiden flight at Eurocopter's plant in Marignane, France, on March 18. The maiden flight lasted 55 minutes and was performed by a Eurocopter flight test crew consisting of Philippe Boutry (pilot), Denis Trivier (flight engineer), and Jean-Claude Rabany (flight technician). At the end of the flight, the crew declared that it was completely satisfied with the behavior of the aircraft. To date, a gross total of 443 NH90s have been ordered, including 86 existing options, and the 12 aircraft selected by Australia.
Sweden has ordered a total of 18 NH90s, all of which are in the high cabin version: thirteen will perform troop tactical transport (TTT) and search and rescue (SAR) missions, and the other five anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties. The Swedish high cabin version of the NH90 increases the usable cabin height by 24 centimeters, from 1.58 meters in the standard version to 1.82 meters. The high cabin NH90 also offers an increase in volume of 2.5 cubic meters, providing a total volume of 17.5 cubic meters. The increased cabin height means that missions requiring on-board operations, such as SAR work, can be performed in a more comfortable environment.
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ESA to cooperate on Indian lunar mission
Mondmission mit ESA-Beteiligung
On 17 March the ESA Council, at its meeting in Paris, unanimously approved a cooperation agreement between ESA and the Indian Space Research Organisation for India's first moon mission – Chandrayaan-1. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), founded in 1969, launched its first satellite in 1975. Since then it has developed a number of launch vehicles as well as satellites for Earth observation, remote sensing, telecommunications and weather forecasting. India has its own launch site at Sriharikota but has also used Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana to launch its satellites. Chandrayaan-1 marks its first venture into planetary space science.
Under the agreement Europe will coordinate and support the provision of three instruments: CIXS-2, the Chandrayaan-1 Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer; SARA, a Sub-keV Atom Relecting Analyzer; and SIR-2, a Near-Infrared Spectrometer. It will also support the hardware for the High-Energy X-ray Spectrometer (HEX). Direct ESA in-kind contributions are also foreseen under this historical agreement. In return, all data resulting from the instruments will be made immediately available to ESA Member States through ESA. The instruments requested are identical to those on ESA's SMART-1. Launched in 2003, SMART-1, having demonstrated a new solar electric propulsion motor and tested other technologies on its way to the moon, has just started its science phase. It will make the first comprehensive inventory of key chemical elements in the lunar surface.
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Air Asia signs for 60 A320s
Großauftrag von Air Asia
AirAsia, the leading low fare, no frills airline in Southeast Asia, has signed a purchase contract for 60 A320s plus a further 40 options. This is an increase of an additional 20 aircraft on top of the original purchase agreement for 40 A320s order plus 40 options under the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 17th December 2004. In making this order and option commitment for the A320, AirAsia has become the single largest customer for the aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. Deliveries of the first A320s will commence in late 2005 and continue through until 2011. The A320s will completely replace the single aisle, 148 seat configuration Boeing 737-300s currently operated by the AirAsia Group (comprising AirAsia in Malaysia, Thai AirAsia in Thailand and AWAIR in Indonesia). AirAsia would operate a mixed fleet during this transition period.
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Lufthansa net profit of 404 million Euros
2004 mit Gewinn für Lufthansa
Lufthansa looks back on a year with a substantially higher result: The operating profit was raised to 383 million euros, the net result reached 404 million euros. Lufthansa's shareholders will also profit from the good results: the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will submit a motion to the Annual General Meeting on 25 May to pay a dividend of 0.30 euros per share. For the year 2005 - taking into account the integration of SWISS - Lufthansa anticipates an operating result on a par with the 2004 figure.
In 2004 the Lufthansa Group generated revenue of 17.0 billion euros, which was 6.3 per cent more than in 2003. The Group's airlines generated 12.9 billion euros thereof, a year-on-year increase of 10.3 per cent. Other operating income showed a marginal rise over twelve months of 1.4 per cent to just under 1.8 billion euros. It contains book profits totalling 402 million euros. 292 million euros of this came from the sale of a 13.2 per cent stake in Amadeus Global Travel Distribution SA and 113 million euros from the combined disposals of Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding, the Lufthansa Gebäudemanagement group and other companies.
Operating expenses were lowered last year by 0.3 per cent. They totalled 17.8 billion euros. The cost of materials went up by 14.4 per cent to 8.2 billion euros. This was due mainly to the higher fuel prices. In 2004 the Group had to spend 1.8 billion euros on fuel, which was 34.5 per cent or 467 million euros more than in 2003. Without the fuel price hedging measures the fuel bill would have been 232 million euros higher still. For the year 2004 Lufthansa posted a profit after taxes of 404 million euros. In 2003 it had sustained a loss of 984 million euros owing to unscheduled impairment charges. The operating result likewise improved significantly, growing by 347 million euros to 383 million euros. Capital expenditure climbed by 54.4 per cent to 1.8 billion euros, mainly owing to the modernisation and expansion of the fleet, and as in previous years was fully funded out of the cash flow. At the end of 2004 the Group's liquid assets exceeded its financial liabilities by 418 million euros. At end-2003 the Group had carried net debt of 591 million euros.
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UK selects Future Lynx
Neue Lynx-Version für Großbritannien
The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that it intends to develop a long-term partnering and business transformation arrangement with Agusta Westland, which has been outlined in a 'Heads of Agreement'. The MoD has also indicated that Agusta Westland's Future Lynx is its preferred option for meeting the Land Find and Maritime (Surface) Attack elements of the Future Rotorcraft Capability requirement. These decisions are subject to continuing negotiations with the company and, in the case of Future Lynx, to agreeing acceptable contract conditions and prices. The MoD and Agusta Westland have committed to work toward a partnering and business transformation agreement that builds on the new integrated operational support arrangements agreed for the Sea King fleet. This support will be further developed to optimise more aspects of managing and sustaining the current and future helicopter fleets. The Future Lynx decision builds on previous extensive assessment and de-risking work, as well as analysis conducted into future rotorcraft requirements. Competition remains the cornerstone of MoD procurement policy. This applies to the Future Rotorcraft Capability requirements as elsewhere, in particular for the Land Lift (Medium) element.
AgustaWestland welcomed the UK Ministry of Defence's announcement to proceed with the Future Lynx programme as its preferred option for meeting the Land (Find) and Maritime (Surface) Attack elements of its helicopter requirement. The estimated value of this programme is in the region of £1 billion.
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USAF gets its last F-16
Letzte neue Fighting Falcon für USAF
The general who was the F-16 System Program Office director when the contract for the aircraft was awarded delivered the Air Force's last F-16 Fighting Falcon on March 18. While the Lockheed Martin Aero plant in Fort Worth, Texas, will continue to produce F-16s for international coalition partners, this aircraft is the last of 2,231 F-16s produced for the Air Force, officials said. The first delivery was in 1978. Brig. Gen. Jeff Riemer, now the director of operations at the Air Force Materiel Command headquarters here, flew the jet from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. “It seemed fitting for General Riemer to make this historic flight, and we were pleased that he was able to accept the invitation,” said Col. Scott Jansson, Aeronautical Systems Center Fighter Attack Systems Wing's F-16 Systems Group commander. For his part, General Riemer said that having flown the very first F-16B while stationed at Edwards AFB, Calif., he is delighted to have had the opportunity to fly the last F-16 produced for the Air Force. “(This F-16) is not your father's F-16,” said Dan Mahrer, F-16 production program manager. “Originally designed as a lightweight, daytime interceptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been transformed over the last 20 years into a multi-role, all weather, air-to-air and air-to-ground attack weapon system.
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Skynet 5 in service
Neuer Satellit im Dienst
The groundbreaking Skynet 5 PFI programme, which will deliver the next generation of military satellite communications services to support UK peacekeeping and military operations, has entered service on schedule with the armed forces, Lord Bach, the Defence Procurement Minister announced. Skynet 5, which is on time and budget, has identified substantial savings as a result of the PFI approach and is employing around 1900 people across the UK. In overall value for money terms, it saves around 4% - around £100 million - of the whole life costs of a conventional acquisition, while providing the same capability and greater flexibility. Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement said: "Skynet 5 is an excellent example of service delivery and innovative, 'smart' acquisition. We are providing our military personnel with the very best communication services and have delivered the capability on time and made substantial savings in cost. "The deal has been built on effective partnering and demonstrates how well the MoD and industry can work together under the Private Finance Initiative to deliver the best services for the Armed Forces. I am also delighted to note the substantial amount of work being carried out on the ground breaking programme by British industry with some 1900 jobs being created or supported by the project." Paradigm Secure Communications, which provides the service to the MoD, will be responsible for maintaining capacity and is expected to launch at least two new satellites later this decade. Skynet 5 will provide continuity of Satcom provision to the UK forces to meet both the high capacity long haul communications needs and the expected growth in traffic from 2005 to 2018. The satellites will be controlled from the UK and the service management will take place from a MoD site in Wiltshire.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Fraport AG's supervisory board approved contract extensions for the company's executive board chairman and vice chairman. Dr. Wilhelm Bender's term as chairman of the executive board will be extended from January 1, 2006, through to August 31, 2009. Likewise, Prof. Manfred Scholch's contract as vice chairman of the executive board and executive board member responsible for infrastructure and legal affairs has been renewed for the period from January 1, 2006, to June 20, 2007.
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Actel Corporation announced that TELDIX, the European market leader in airborne data processing for tactical military aircraft and a top-eight supplier to the Eurofighter Typhoon weapon system, has selected Actel's flash-based, single-chip ProASIC Plus field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for use in common processor modules for the Eurofighter Typhoon, a swing-role combat aircraft co-developed by Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. TELDIX's common processor module was especially developed for the Eurofighter Typhoon project for use in the attack computer, navigation computer and other flight-critical multiprocessing equipment. The processor module contains two Actel ProASIC Plus APA150 FPGAs with identical functionality that are used to implement various functions, including built-in self-test, watchdog and interrupt control functions, as well as security functions for external flash memories and custom system timers for synchronizing the various system boards. The ProASIC Plus parts also integrate parallel I/Os, an I(2)C-interface and special reset functions.
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The Boeing C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) reached another milestone March 15, when a pre-Development, Test and Evaluation (DT&E) U.S. Air Force MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft achieved first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. "The flight-test program will reduce development risk associated with the C-130 AMP terrain following system which allows the C-130 to fly low over various types of terrain," said Dave Koopersmith, Boeing AMP program manager. "This pre development activity will allow the most efficient delivery of the weapon system to the warfighter." This first flight verified operation of the newly installed components, providing an overall check of the MC-130E aircraft systems. The Combat Talon was modified with a Northrop Grumman APN-241 radar and a prototype mission processor from Smiths Industries. Additionally, flight software provided by Northrop Grumman, Boeing Aerospace Support and the Warner Robins Extendable Integrated Support Environment lab at Robins AFB, Ga., have been installed in the pre-DT&E aircraft.
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Lockheed Martin's first West Coast Atlas V rocket has successfully completed "booster on stand" (BOS) operations with the flight vehicle that will launch a national security payload next year. The successful BOS operation involved vertically stacking the rocket's booster stage, Centaur upper stage, and connecting segments at the newly refurbished Space Launch Complex 3 East. "We are ushering in a new era of Atlas operations here on the West Coast," said James V. Sponnick, Lockheed Martin Atlas Program vice president. "Seeing a new Atlas V on the pad caps a period of sustained construction, test and validation, and signifies a major milestone accomplishment by a very dedicated team." The first Atlas V to fly from Vandenberg is an Atlas V 411 vehicle, designated AV-006. At a total height of 191.2 feet (58.3 meters) tall, the 400 series Atlas V is equal in height to a 19-story building. The liftoff thrust for this vehicle will be 1,075,700 pounds, 70% more than the liftoff thrust of the Atlas IIAS, which previously flew three missions from SLC-3E before its retirement and final flight from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in August 2004.
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In Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3, final processing work continues on Discovery in preparation for its rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and attaching to its Solid Rocket Boosters and External Tank. The rollover milestone is moving to March 27 (previously March 22), due to additional work needed on wiring in the payload bay and on the main and nose landing gear doors. Because work is scheduled to end late that day, rollover could take place the morning of March 28. If the work is completed safely and correctly, the orbiter could be moved to the VAB earlier than March 27. On orbiter Endeavour, wiring was found in a cable tray in the payload bay which showed fasteners were causing minor chafing on the tubing surrounding the wires. Boroscope inspections of wire trays on Discovery are complete, and some wires will require additional work. The wire tray covers will be removed and chafe protection will be added. Work on seal installations and cycle checks on the main and nose landing gear doors are almost complete.
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Honeywell announced that it has received regulatory approval under a new Europe-wide certification process for two multi-function displays (MFDs) and a portable global positioning system (GPS) and display for light aircraft. Authorities have granted European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) certification for Honeywell's Bendix/King KMD 250 and KMD 150 MFDs and Skymap IIIC GPS with moving map display. "The new ETSO process has made it easy to certify these systems for use throughout Europe, a process that was impractical when we needed to obtain separate approval from each nation," said Dan Barks, Director of Customer Marketing for Honeywell's Commercial Electronic Systems business. "The certifications ensure ease of installation throughout Europe for all three products."
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Since Saturday, 19 March, the study entitled Women International Space Simulation for Exploration (WISE) has been fully under way. All participants in the first of two campaigns have been lying in bed, tilted head down at an angle of 6º below horizontal, so that their heads are slightly lower than their feet. This position results in physiological changes that also occur in astronauts during space flight. The study will assess the roles of nutrition and combined physical exercise in countering the adverse effects of prolonged gravitational unloading by bed-rest. The first volunteers arrived at the MEDES Space Clinic in Toulouse on 22 February for the start of the collection of physiological data, which will serve as the baseline data throughout the whole study. This preliminary period lasted 20 days, after which the first two volunteers went to bed; the last two, who arrived on 27 February, did so on 19 March. More than 1600 women responded to the ESA call for candidates, which closed in January. As planned, twelve women were selected for this first campaign. They come from France, Great Britain, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands, Poland, and the Czech Republic, so that the WISE study also attracted great interest in the new member countries of the European Union.
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With the launch of the new summer timetable, which takes effect on March 27, 2005, Munich Airport's long-haul network will gain some attractive new destinations. On May 2, Lufthansa will launch a daily connection to Washington. Lufthansa's Star Alliance partner United Airlines will begin flying daily to its Chicago hub on June 8. With the existing services of Lufthansa to Chicago and United Airlines to Washington, each of these US cities will have two daily connections from Munich. Sun worshippers can take off for the fairy-tale beaches of Mauritius and the Seychelles once a week with LTU and Condor, respectively. Air China has added another weekly departure to Beijing, bringing the total to four. Air Transat will start up a new weekly service to Vancouver via Calgary on June 17th to complement its two weekly flights to Halifax and Toronto. For the summer timetable period, which will continue through until October 29, 2005, the airlines have scheduled a total of 252,000 commercial movements in Munich: a 5-percent gain on the number of take-offs and landings in the previous year. This increase further develops Munich's tightly-woven domestic and international route network and boosts the airport's hub function. Lufthansa accounts for a large share of the new flights. For a total of 20 European cities –from Bari to Brussels, Marseille, Prague, Toulouse and Verona – Lufthansa is enhancing its service frequency by adding 124 additional weekly connections. A new destination served by Lufthansa from Munich is the Mediterranean island of Malta, with three weekly departures.
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Subsurface and surface warfare systems developed for the U.S. Navy's MH-60R helicopter by prime systems integrator Lockheed Martin have successfully completed Technical Evaluation, clearing the way for Operational Evaluation and fleet introduction later this year. The next-generation helicopter weapons system will help protect U.S. Navy fleets from submarines and surface vessels well into the 21st century. The aircraft entered Technical Evaluation (TECHEVAL) two months ahead of schedule in August 2004, with U.S. Navy test teams completing their evaluation February 15. The MH-60R program will now begin the final milestone - Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) - in May. Delivery of the first four helicopters to the fleet is scheduled for December.
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Boeing started assembly on the first of eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs for Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. When delivered in January 2006, the aircraft will be the U.S. Air Force's 146 th C-17, and its first C-17 to be based outside the Continental United States. Along with Air Force, National Guard and civic leaders from the Rainbow State, including Hawaii 's Lieutenant Governor, James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr., Boeing celebrated the occasion in a colorful ceremony sprinkled with Hawaiian tradition.
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On 22 March, Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) announced that it will purchase up to 40 Next-Generation 737 aircraft from Boeing. The deal covers 20 firm orders and 20 purchase rights, with deliveries of the aircraft scheduled between the fourth quarter of 2006 and the end of 2009. SALE has specified the 737-800 as the baseline aircraft for its order. Under the terms of its agreement with Boeing, SALE has the flexibility to convert orders and purchase rights to the smaller 737-700 or proposed higher capacity 737-900X. As with all Next-Generation 737 aircraft, SALE's new Boeing fleet will be powered by engines from CFM International. The deal represents SALE's first direct order with Boeing for the Next-Generation 737 product line, although the company has previously acquired eight aircraft from airlines on a purchase and leaseback basis.
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NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope captured the light, for the first time, from two known planets orbiting stars other than our sun. The findings mark the beginning of a new age in planetary science, in which extrasolar planets can be directly measured and compared. All confirmed extrasolar planets, including the two recently observed by Spitzer, have been indirectly discovered. They were discovered mainly by the "wobble" technique and more recently, the "transit" technique. In the first method, a planet is detected by the gravitational tug it exerts on its parent star, which makes the star wobble. In the second, a planet's presence is inferred when it passes in front of its star, causing the star to dim, or blink. Both strategies use visible-light telescopes and reveal the mass and size of planets. "Spitzer has provided us with a powerful new tool for learning about the temperatures, atmospheres and orbits of planets hundreds of light-years from Earth," said Dr. Drake Deming of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, Md. Deming is lead author of a new study on one of the planets.
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Following its ratification of the ESA Convention, Greece has now become ESA's 16th Member State. The official announcement was made to the ESA Council on 16 March by Per Tegnér, Chairman of the ESA Council. Cooperation between ESA and the Hellenic National Space Committee began in the early 1990s and in 1994 Greece signed its first cooperation agreement with ESA. This led to regular exchange of information, the award of fellowships, joint symposia, mutual access to databases and laboratories, and studies on joint projects in fields of mutual interest.
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The global security environment has undergone dramatic, fundamental and profound change in recent years. Space technologies can make a significant contribution to how we face a wide range of threats, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. These are the main findings of a report by the Space and Security Panel of Experts on the security issues on European Space Policy the Commission published today.. It recommends setting up a coherent European framework to contribute to the space-based elements of a global situation awareness system Vice President Verheugen said “It is time for the EU to play a much greater role in international security. Space is a unique tool to help achieve this strategic goal and this report points the way to ensure that it makes that contribution”. This unique Panel, grouping 150 experts coming from a wide range of backgrounds, both from the civil and military communities, assessed the European security needs from space and considered issues relating to civil and military security, response to terrorism, natural disasters and industrial accidents. Key sources of threat identified in the Security Strategy of Mr Solana are: terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure and organised crime. The report establishes a comprehensive list of priority needs in this field. The report shows that space technologies can play a key role in assisting the police, emergency response services, armed forces and agencies undertaking humanitarian relief efforts to respond more effectively to, for example, natural disasters, especially those which occur rapidly such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and terrorist attacks. Space assets have for example played an important role in Darfur by providing detailed maps to the NGOs working in that region. Integrated monitoring and communications systems, combining satellite and terrestrial technologies, have the potential to reduce loss of life, assets, and natural resources arising from such events in the future. The European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative will offer capabilities in that respect.
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Boeing and Science Applications International (SAIC), as the Lead Systems Integrator team for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, recently released separate Requests for Proposals for development of FCS Class II and III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems. Industry participants will have 30 days in which to respond with contract awards anticipated in early August. A phased acquisition approach will be implemented for Class II and III development efforts, working collaboratively with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Multiple contracts will be awarded in early August 2005 for Phase I, involving technology and risk reduction demonstrations. Phase II will include flight, logistics and training demonstrations of both industry- and DARPA-developed systems. Candidates will be evaluated for their suitability to meet FCS requirements during a 24-month concept maturation phase, which will result in down-selects for the final phase of System Design and Development when the LSI and Army will select the best-value solution for Class II and III systems.
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Welcom, a global leader in project portfolio management solutions, today announced that Smiths Aerospace has chosen WelcomRisk, Welcom's formalized risk management tool, to use on a major next-generation commercial aircraft program. Smiths Aerospace is a leading integrator and developer of airborne computing systems. Smiths is using WelcomRisk to enhance their project management processes on this program and to assist in the evaluation of alternative paths in the development of cutting-edge aircraft technology. WelcomRisk is being used to identify risks and plan mitigation strategies, as well as to provide reports to upper management on risk exposure.
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On 18 March the SAGEM SA Supervisory Board met under the Chairmanship of Mario COLAIACOVO and noted the success of the public offer initiated by SAGEM over SNECMA shares. The number of SNECMA shares involved represents more than 83% of the capital and 94.4% of the shares which could be tendered. SAFRAN is the new name proposed by the Supervisory Board to the General Meeting of shareholders, which will be convened on 11 May 2005 to approve the merger between Sagem and Snecma. The name SAFRAN has been chosen following a process of reflection, creation and validation. The employees of both Snecma and Sagem played an active role in the entire process. The new name was selected from among a total of 4,250 names submitted, including 1,750 proposed by employees.
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Customers will now have more access to Russia thanks to Delta Air Lines' new, non-stop service from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport starting June 1. Delta is the only U.S. carrier that operates service to Russia, where it has operated since 1991, and currently flies nonstop to Moscow daily from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The new flight, recently approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Russian government, will operate using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, which carries up to 204 passengers in a two-class configuration, and features Delta's award-winning BusinessElite service.
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Cessna commenced engine testing and basic taxi evaluations on the Citation Mustang prototype on Tuesday, March 22, 2005. This is one of the remaining system tests to be completed before the first flight, which is scheduled for this summer. Cessna installed the Citation Mustang's engines and FADECs to the prototype airframe in February 2005. Cessna has already accumulated over 210 hours of flight time on its engine test bed since April 2004. Flight-testing on the Citation Mustang's Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW615F engine continues on Cessna's engine test bed as well as on P&WC's flying test bed in Canada. In addition to being the first 600 series engine P&WC ever delivered to any manufacturer, the PW615F also marks the first time a P&WC engine flew on an aircraft manufacturer's engine test bed prior to being flown on P&WC's Boeing 720 engine test bed.
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Ten years ago, following the commissioning of two new Airbus A340-200, scheduled flights from Austria to Tokyo switched to non-stop connections, while the Chinese capital of Beijing – another direct service – was integrated into the route network of the Austrian airline for the first time. This was a highly significant step in the development and expansion of flights to the Asia-Pacific region,' stated Austrian Airlines Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Josef E. Burger, on the occasion of the anniversary to mark the inception of the two Asian services. 'Over the past decade, our existing programme of long-haul services heading towards Asia and Australia has been expanded to include a number of other important cities for both business and tourist travel destinations. Today, we are able to provide services to no fewer than 16 destinations in this dynamically growing economic region.'The company's scheduled programme has been steadily expanded with the addition of the Airbus A340/A330 and Boeing 777 and 767 to the long-haul fleet. After the capital Tokyo, the second Japanese city to be incorporated into the route network was Osaka in 1996, while a regular service to Shanghai was relaunched last year. This connection will be increased to five flights a week this year. The company has also expanded the frequency of its services to Australia and South-East Asia: the programme currently includes six flights a week to Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, alongside three frequencies to Singapore and Melbourne. Daily flights are provided to Bangkok in Thailand and Delhi in India. Meanwhile, Austrian offers one flight per week to the centres of Kathmandu, Colombo and Male. During the winter season, services operate to Yangon in Myanmar and Phuket in Thailand. From September 2005, India's second city Mumbai (Bombay) will be served by five weekly flights on the Austrian Airlines Group schedule. With its Focus East strategy, the Austrian Airlines Group is not merely focusing on Central and East European destinations but also developing its services to the Far East at an exponential rate.
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SWISS has made further substantial improvements at Zurich Airport in collaboration with the airport operator. The new products and services will be introduced with the start of the 2005 summer schedules on Sunday, March 27. In making the enhancements, Switzerland's national airline and the operator of its Zurich hub are striving to further improve the product for the customer, making SWISS at Zurich Airport a swift, smooth and comfortable air travel experience. In introducing its series of innovations with the start of the 2005 summer schedules, SWISS aims to make travel from, to or via Zurich Airport even pleasanter than before. SWISS and Zurich Airport announced last December that they would be reorganising their services and infrastructural arrangements. The result of these endeavours is a fast and efficient hub system that all passengers should benefit from. And these measures are only the first major step towards a substantially-improved ground service product. One of the cornerstones of the new arrangements at Zurich Airport is a clearer assignment of flights to the airport's various areas. All SWISS's European services will now use Dock A, while all the company's long-haul services will be handled at Dock E. The greater plannability that the new arrangement will provide will shorten both check-in and connecting times. SWISS passengers will also feel the benefit of the clearer and easier-to-understand overall concept, shorter journeys to and from the gate, quicker connections and fewer problems with connecting flights. The changes will make Zurich one of the most attractive transfer airports for travellers within Europe, too.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the 17th and final production E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. Like all Joint STARS, the aircraft will be assigned to the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing (ACW), a “total force blended wing,” based at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Ga., made up of both active duty Air Force, Army and Air National Guard personnel. “Joint STARS will be in the Defense Department's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance constellation for many years to come,” said Dave Nagy, the company's Joint STARS program vice president. “The next step now is to increase its value with connectivity enhancements to existing and future systems while simultaneously enriching the on-board support to the warfighter.”
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Saturday 19 March saw the arrival of a South African Air Force (SAAF) Boeing 707 re-fuelling tanker aircraft, at Saab's facility in Linköping, Sweden. After a 15 hour flight from South Africa, the tanker and its team of 20 SAAF aircrew and ground crew landed at 13.00 where they were welcomed by Ola Rignell, Mikael Seidl and Mats Lundberg from Saab's Flight Test organization. The team were also greeted by Chris Skinner, Charl Coetzee and Mike Edwards from the SAAF/Armscor Gripen Joint Project Team based in Linköping. The SAAF tanker will be based in Linköping for the next few weeks, where it will be taking part in a series of ground and air-to-air (AAR) re-fuelling trials with the Gripen new generation fighter.
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Harbin Embraer, a joint venture between Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) and AVIC II, announced the sale of five ERJ 145s to China Eastern Airlines Jiangsu Ltd. The contract marks the second order placed by a Chinese airline with Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. (HEAI). Deliveries are scheduled to start in the second half of 2005 and continue in 2006. This deal will increase the ERJ 145 fleet in China to 16 aircraft, joining five airplanes operated by Sichuan Airlines and six operated by China Southern Airlines.
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CJ Systems, one of North America's leading Air Medical Services (AMS) providers, ordered 10 EC 135T2, for delivery in 2005. CJ Systems already operates a fleet of 14 EC 135T1. With the additional aircraft, CJ Systems will increase its Arrius-equipped EC 135 fleet to 24 helicopters, thereby becoming the largest Arrius 2B engine operator in North America. This purchase confirms CJ Systems' plans for aggressive EC 135 fleet growth and commitment to the Arrius program.
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Lockheed Martin announced at the Satellite 2005 conference that it has been awarded a contract for an A2100 geosynchronous satellite by SES GLOBAL, to be built for and operated by SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company. The satellite, designated AMC-18, will be located at orbital location 105 degrees West and will provide distribution of premium cable programming across North America. Contract terms were not disclosed “AMC-18, which is based on our A2100A platform, marks Lockheed Martin's 11th satellite ordered in the 1- to 4-kW small-class satellite range. It is a testament to the A2100's versatile power capability and competitiveness for small GEO-class missions,” said Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) President Ted Gavrilis. “We are extremely gratified with the continuing support from a world-class organization such as SES entrusting its critical business requirements to Lockheed Martin and the A2100 platform.”
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Arianespace announced that it will launch the AMC-18 telecommunications satellite. AMC-18 is the 25th satellite entrusted to the European launch service company by the SES GLOBAL family of companies (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) the world's largest private satellite operator. The launch of AMC-18 is planned for the second half of 2006 on an Ariane 5 vehicle from Europe's Spaceport at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.
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General Electric Company has surpassed a key milestone in the GEnx engine development program in committing to a final architectural design. Called "Tollgate 6" in GE nomenclature, completing this stage in the development process launches the detailed design phase. Also, fabrication of components is underway, leading to assembly of the first full engine in October. The first engine goes to test in 2006. "In a nut shell, we have frozen the GEnx design," said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. "We've completed the maturation of key technologies and the engine's fundamental architecture. We've determined the fan diameter, the compressor and turbine stages, and the location of bearings. Now, we enter the detailed design phase where each component is further refined." The GEnx, selected for both Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft, is the next-generation of engine technology to succeed GE's highly successful CF6 series, the best-selling engine family for wide-body aircraft. It will produce 55,000 to 75,000 pounds of thrust.
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Rolls-Royce highlighted China as a key area for growth as the commercial airline market continues to expand. Airline passenger traffic grew by 47 per cent in China in 2004, and this is expected to be the fastest growing region over the next 20 years. Airline traffic will grow by 9 per cent per annum, creating a requirement for 2,300 aircraft. North America is expected to grow at 3 per cent each year, creating demand for over 7,000 new commercial aircraft for the replacement of existing fleets and growth. In total, over the next 20 years, Rolls-Royce predicts a worldwide market for 96,000 new civil aircraft engines, worth US$550 billion, with a similar figure forecast for potential aftermarket service opportunities. Around 63,000 engines, worth US$495 billion, are expected to be delivered to commercial airlines over the period, with a further 33,000 engines, worth US$55 billion, required for corporate jet markets. The figures were released today in the latest 20-year Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace Market Outlook, presented at the Speednews Conference in Los Angeles. This report covers forecast aircraft and engine demand for mainline and regional airlines, and corporate jets, for the period 2005-2024.
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The European Investment Bank (EIB) announces a EUR 121 million loan to Arianespace SA for part-financing a project comprising the construction of a new launch pad at the Guyane Space Centre (GSC) for the launch of Soyuz ST rockets, adaptation of Soyuz ST to the specific conditions of GSC and development of an improved version of that type of space launch vehicle. The financing agreements were concluded in Paris on 21 March 2005 in the presence of the Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The finance contract was signed by the Managing Director of Arianespace, Jean-Yves Le Gall, and EIB Vice-President Philippe de Fontaine Vive, along with Arianespace's Chairman Jean-Marie Luton. The contract for the French State's guarantee of Arianespace's commitments was signed by Finance Minister Thierry Breton, Research Minister François d'Aubert and Philippe de Fontaine Vive. This project will be cofinanced by European Space Agency and European Union grants. It will be implemented by the European Space Agency. The new facilities will be operational and ready for the first Soyuz launch from Kourou in 2008.
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The first solo flight by a Hungarian Air Force pilot took place at the Swedish Air Force base F 7 at Såtenäs today 23 March 2005. “It was a fantastic first flight. Gripen was an exceptionally powerful and agile aircraft to fly and with the good weather and perfect preparations, it was an extraordinary combination for my first solo flight" - said Major Fekete Tamás, in a comment after his flight.
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The South Korean government plans to join the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) project that the European Union (EU) aims to put into service by 2008, the Ministry of Science and Technology said. The GNSS, or Galileo project, is the world's largest commercial space program aimed at providing precise time and location service based on a group of 30 satellites and ground stations, countering the ground positioning system (GPS), which is being operated by the United States. The Office of Science and Technology Renovation at the ministry said that it will submit a letter of intent to the EU and begin negotiations to conclude an agreement in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The office plans to seek funds needed for the project from the budget. To prepare for the project, the office will form a policy consultation council composed of deputy ministers of 10 ministries under the chairmanship of the vice minister for science and technology renovation, which will deliberate major policies involved in the satellite navigation system and coordinate business segments among ministries. The office will also set up a working-level panel composed of lower officials from the ministries for efficient handling.
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The US Air Force chief of staff added to his 5,000-plus flying hours with familiarization flights in both the F/A-22 Raptor and the Eurofighter aircraft. Gen. John P. Jumper said the Eurofighter is both agile and sophisticated, but is still difficult to compare to the F/A-22 Raptor. He is the only person to have flown both aircraft. "They are different kinds of airplanes to start with," the general said. "It's like asking us to compare a NASCAR car with a Formula 1 car. They are both exciting in different ways, but they are designed for different levels of performance." The Raptor is the latest addition to the Air Force combat aircraft inventory. The Eurofighter is a combat fighter aircraft designed and produced as a joint effort by several European countries. Despite being designed for different missions, General Jumper said the Eurofighter and the Raptor are equally high-tech aircraft. "The Eurofighter is certainly, as far as smoothness of controls and the ability to pull (and sustain high G forces), very impressive," he said. "That is what it was designed to do, especially the version I flew, with the avionics, the color moving map displays, etc. -- all absolutely top notch. The maneuverability of the airplane in close-in combat was also very impressive." The F/A-22 performs in much the same way as the Eurofighter, General Jumper said. But it has additional capabilities that allow it to perform the Air Force's unique missions. "The F/A-22 Raptor has stealth and supercruise," he said. "It has the ability to penetrate virtually undetected because of (those) capabilities. It is designed to be a penetrating airplane. It can maneuver with the best of them if it has to, but what you want to be able to do is get into contested airspace no matter where it is."
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NOAA announced its acquisition management strategy for the upcoming Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) Program. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA will be responsible for the GOES-R mission and will partner with NASA to achieve mission objectives. NASA, at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., will be responsible for supervising the GOES-R flight project, including the development of the command and control system, supporting advanced technology developments for instruments and spacecraft subsystems on GOES-R and future NOAA geostationary programs. NASA will place greater emphasis on research and development activities, providing a basis for NOAA's operational investments in geostationary orbit in the future. The GSFC is the project implementation center.
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Pratt & Whitney's F135 program has surpassed 2,500 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) test hours, underscoring the engine's unmatched maturity and reliability. This significant milestone, achieved during engine runs at the company's advanced test facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., represents the cumulative hours of F135 SDD testing, including both Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL)/Carrier Variant (CV), and Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) configuration tests. The 2,500 SDD test hours are in addition to the more than 3,500 test hours the F135 accumulated during the Concept Demonstration Aircraft (CDA) phase of the F-35 development program.
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As part of the cooperation agreements with Russia, a contract was signed in Rome between Alenia Spazio and RSC-Energia for the supply of components of the ATV logistical module for the International Space Station. The ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) is a logistical vehicle produced by ESA for the supply of propellant, air and water to the Space Station. Alenia Spazio, a Finmeccanica company, recently signed a contract with EADS Space Transportation involving the production by the Italian company of 6 ATV vehicles, one per year, starting in 2006. The first flying example, called Jules Verne, has already been delivered and is in the advanced integration phase, in view of launching, which is planned for the first half of next year. The contract signed today with RSC-Energia, worth approximately 40 million Euro, provides for the supply by the Russian aerospace company of the RDS docking system (Russian Docking System), the RFS propellant refuelling system (Refuel System) and all the electronic systems for controlling the two elements, RECS (Russian Equipment Control System). Collaboration between RSC-Energia and Alenia Spazio in the ATV programme began in 1999 and has been successful, leading to the design and subsequent delivery of two sets of elements, the first already perfectly integrated in the Jules Verne module and the second produced as a reserve.
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Elbit Systems Ltd.announced, further to its announcement dated January 4, 2004, that its wholly-owned subsidiary Cyclone Aviation Products Ltd. ("Cyclone") completed today the acquisition of the assets of Israel Military Industries Ltd. ("IMI") Aircraft Systems Division (the "Aircraft Division") in Tirat Hacarmel, Israel for the price of approximately $7 million, a portion of which will be paid in cash and the balance through assumption of obligations of the Aircraft Division. The final purchase price is subject to adjustments. The transaction will be made through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cyclone. The transaction was made possible following the signature of an agreement among the Israel Treasury Ministry, representatives of the employees, IMI and Cyclone, relating to the severance conditions of the Aircraft Division's employees.
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Sino Swearingen Aircraft announced that it recently made the first flight of the third and final FAA conformed flight test aircraft for FAA certification. Company and customer excitement and enthusiasm rose another huge level as S/N 0005 joined flight test aircraft S/N0003 and S/N0004. All three aircraft are flying aggressive FAA testing sequences as often as seven days a week. One test aircraft is used for systems tests, performing certification requirements on electrical, hydraulic, bleed air systems, etc. The second aircraft is the aerodynamics and performance test aircraft, flying tests to determine minimum flight speeds, handling qualities, measuring climb performance, and determining high Mach number cruise capabilities. The third aircraft is used to test function and reliability, avionics, systems, interior, and various other FAA requirements. On several occasions, all three aircraft are launched within minutes of each other showing the aggressive flight test program and its rapid progress.
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Mrs Gala Goncalves, aged 36, has been appointed General Manager of NHIndustries since 23 March 2005. Formerly General Secretary and President's Cabinet Manager in Marignane Headquarters of Eurocopter she replaces Gérard Maitrepierre, moving to new duty in Eurocopter.
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Airbus announces the deployment of the first Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Network – an initiative designed to ensure availability of competitive maintenance services and solutions to Airbus customers worldwide. With a growing trend towards the outsourcing of maintenance, MRO providers play an increasingly important role in the support of the Airbus fleet. “After talking with customers, we identified a real need for Airbus to find ways to establish a partnership with MROs to work together in optimising the cost-effectiveness and the quality of their services to our mutual customers”, said Patrick Gavin, Executive Vice President Customer Services of Airbus. After a successful pilot-phase, Airbus has signed Network Agreements with 11 of the world's leading MRO companies: Air Canada Technical Services, Air New Zealand Engineering Services, EADS SOGERMA Services, Iberia Maintenance & Engineering, Sabena Technics, SIA Engineering Company, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, SR Technics Switzerland, TACA Aeroman, TAP Maintenance & Engineering and TIMCO Aviation Services.
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Riding the momentum of three successful launches from three locations in 17 days, the Launch Services Alliance announced a new contract employing Alliance launch systems to deliver satellites to orbit on time. The three heavy lift vehicles of the Launch Services Alliance have demonstrated in less than one month an unrivaled capability to provide mission assurance to commercial satellite operators and governments around the world. This new contract will provide back-up service for one of Paradigm Secure Communication's critical satellites. The Ariane 5 ECA and Zenit-3SL launchers will provide mission assurance for this satellite, scheduled to launch in the second half of 2006. This is the fourth example in less than two years where the Launch Services Alliance provided back-up services for its customers. The pillars of the Alliance, heavy-lift versions of the Ariane 5, the Zenit-3SL, and the H-IIA, guarantee mission assurance for customers. Together, the Alliance trio can provide back-up services for payloads ranging from 1 to 6 metric tons, making for a seamless transition from one launch service's manifest to another, should the need arise.
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