|
|
+++ 737 orders climb over 6000 +++ Meteosat launch success +++ Typhoon choosen by Saudi Arabia +++ A318 with PW6000 certified +++ News in brief +++
737 orders climb over 6000
Jetzt über 6000 Bestellungen für Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 just set a new milestone likely to remain in the books for a long while. With an order for 10 737-800s from Xiamen Airlines, total orders for the all-time, best-selling 737 surpassed the 6,000 mark. “This is an amazing milestone that reflects how much our customers appreciate the 737's technology, efficiency, safety and profit-making capability,” said Alan Mulally, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer. “We are especially pleased to have Xiamen as the customer for this historic order, which also is a testament to our approach to designing and building the airplanes airlines want and that will deliver value to them for many, many years.”
The order from Xiamen Airlines and subsequent orders from unidentified customers bring the 737's exact sales total to 6,025. No other jet airplane in commercial aviation history has achieved the sales success of the 737. To date, 3,132 models of the “Initial” (-100 and -200) and “Classic” (-300 through -500) families, and 2,893 of the newer, redesigned Next-Generation 737 series (-600 through -900ER) have been sold. Xiamen Airlines will take delivery of its 737-800s beginning mid-2006. The airplanes will be equipped with performance-boosting Blended Winglets. Since entering commercial revenue service in 1968, the 737 fleet has carried more than 12 billion passengers and flown more than 75 billion miles – the equivalent of approximately 403 round trips from the Earth to the sun. The newer, technologically advanced Next-Generation 737 series entered service in 1998, making the model ten years younger than competing single-aisle models. Today, 737s have scheduled service into 115 countries and into more than 750 cities around the world. Its industry-leading reliability, fuel efficiency and low operating costs enable operators to serve both longer trans-Atlantic routes and shorter-range routes profitably. Its versatile design also serves as the platform for military and long-range business jet derivatives
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Meteosat launch success
Arinae bringt MSG 2 ins All
The second member of Europe's new generation of weather satellites has successfully been lifted onto orbit, continuing an uninterrupted series of launch successes since 1977. This ninth Meteosat satellite, developed on behalf of EUMETSAT under the aegis of the European Space Agency, will reinforce EUMETSAT's capacity to monitor the Earth atmosphere above Europe, Africa, the Middle-East and the Atlantic Ocean. MSG-2 (2nd flight model of Meteosat Second Generation) was one of the two payloads of Ariane 5's latest launch. The European launch vehicle lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport, in Kourou, French Guiana, at 19:33 local time on 21 December (23:33 CET). The Ariane 5GS vehicle successfully delivered its two passenger payloads onto a near perfect geostationary transfer orbit. The MSG-2 satellite is now under control of ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, under a contract with EUMETSAT. In the coming days, it will perform a series of orbital manoeuvres using its onboard propulsion system in order to circularize its orbit at geostationary altitude.
Two further MSG satellites, planned to be launched, will guarantee continuity of services until around 2018. MSG- 2 improves today the provision of essential data and information for operational weather forecast and sustainable development". MSG-2 is the first of three satellites based on the same design and procured by ESA on behalf of EUMETSAT, the European weather satellite organization, founded in 1986 and now encompassing all 17 ESA member states plus Turkey. Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Slovakia and Slovenia are also contributing states to the organisation. The MSG satellites are designed to observe the Earth in twelve spectral bands and to deliver pictures every 15 minutes in visible light, infrared and at water vapour wavelength, with a ground resolution of 1 km. In all, they are able to return 10 times more data than the satellites of the original series. Weighing about 2 metric tons at launch, the MSGs are twice and half heavier than their predecessors, but about half of this mass is propellant for reaching the operational orbit and station-keeping for about 7 years. They keep the same drum-shaped design but at a larger scale, with a 3.22-m diameter and a height of 3.74 m.
Also on board the Ariane 5 was Insat 4A, weighing about 3,200 kg. at launch, was designed, assembled and integrated by ISRO in Bangalore, southern India. Insat 4A is a dedicated telecommunications satellite, with 12 Ku-band transponders and 12 C-band transponders. Its footprint will primarily cover all of the Indian sub-continent.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Typhoon choosen by Saudi Arabia
Saudia Arabien will Eurofighter kaufen
The Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have signed an Understanding Document. Under the terms of the signed document EJ200-powered Typhoon aircraft will replace Tornado Air Defence Variant aircraft and others currently in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force.
In addition, the United Kingdom Government recognises the need to support the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts further to develop a regional defence industrial centre of excellence. In this regard, BAE SYSTEMS will invest in local Saudi companies, develop an industrial technology transfer plan, and provide suitable training for thousands of Saudi nationals providing through life support for key in service equipments. The details of these arrangements are confidential between the two Governments.
UK defence secretary Reid said: "I welcome this Understanding as the latest practical example of the close relationship that exists between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It offers opportunities for forging closer links between our armed forces and industries, which will benefit both nations.This Understanding is good news for both UK and Saudi industry. BAE SYSTEMS, as Prime Contractor, and its many UK sub-contractors will benefit from the work envisaged under this Understanding, which will help sustain several thousand UK jobs over the next ten years. In addition, the associated technology transfer, training and inward investment packages will generate many skilled jobs in Saudi Arabia." Sources close to the talks have said a deal is likely to involve Saudi Arabia buying at least 48 Eurofighter Typhoon, with an option to raise that to 72. Analysts said the deal could be worth more than £6 billion ($10.6 billion). Shares in BAE Systems hit a three-year high on Wednesday, up 22.25 pence to 370p.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
A318 with PW6000 certified
Zulassung für A318 mit PW6000
The Airbus A318 powered by the new Pratt & Whitney PW6000 engine has been granted its type certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This follows an extensive flight test period, which started in December 2004 and comprised some 540 flight test hours in around 240 flights. This type certificate is also the first issued by the new integrated European Agency, which covers all European Community Countries. The document was issued by Dr Norbert Lohl, EASA Director Certification Directorate during a ceremony held at Airbus site in Hamburg/Germany. The A318, initially powered by CFM International CFM56-5B engines, performed its maiden flight on 15 January 2002 and received its type certificate on 23 May 2003. The new PW6000 engine ranges from 22,000 to 24,000 lbs of thrust. It provides aircraft performance that typical A318 operators expect on short haul high frequent routes, while meeting Stage 4 aircraft noise requirements and CAEP 4 engine emissions requirements with margins.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Since December 2005 Cirrus Aviation has been operating a Global Express XRS from the Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. This means Cirrus Aviation is the first Global XRS operator in Europe. The Global Express XRS is the successor to the Global Express and is considered as one of the most modern, largest and most comfortable ultra-long range business jets in its class. The luxury jet not only sets standards industry-wide with a maximised range of 6,100 nautical miles (11,300 km) non-stop and a max speed of Mach 0.89 (513 kts / 950 km/h). The innovative "Bombardier Enhanced Vision System" that is installed as standard in the XRS assists pilots especially in case of poor visibility with a sophisticated infrared system, and thus minimises flight risks. 14 passengers also entirely get their money's worth: the roomy and very luxurious cabin is equipped with a premium infotainment system as well as LAN Internet access, among other things, and leaves practically no wishes unsatisfied. The aviation group with headquarters in Saarbruecken now operates a total of 12 business jets and is still expanding. According to the managing director Gerd Brandecker Cirrus Aviation is expecting 1 Global 5000, 2 Challengers 300, 1 Legacy and another Learjet 40 over the next 12 months.
+++
Delta joins its SkyTeam partners Northwest, Air France-KLM, Alitalia and CSA Czech in expressing disappointment with the tentative determination by the U.S. Department of Transportation not to grant antitrust immunity (ATI) for a combined alliance among the six air carriers. Delta believes the decision by the DOT is inconsistent with current U.S. policy that has repeatedly recognized the benefits of ATI in international markets.“The decision, if finalized, would be a step backwards in terms of U.S. efforts to liberalize the international aviation marketplace,” said Jorge Fernandez, Delta's Vice President, International and Alliances. “This ruling undermines the administration's effort to expand Open Skies with Europe.” Delta notes that the Department of Justice has determined that “the requested immunity is not likely to lessen competition on the transatlantic routes.” “A number of major U.S. corporations and local communities have weighed-in to support this application, citing the significant benefits to consumers of ATI and alliances, from improved flight schedules, to reduced travel times and new service with lower fares,” according to Fernandez. “Some of these benefits are simply not available through code-sharing arrangements alone.” “Despite the ruling, Delta will continue to work alongside its SkyTeam alliance partners to continue to improve upon the wide range of benefits our passengers enjoy today,” said Fernandez. “Delta will undertake a full review of the DOT decision published today and file a response within the 21 day comment period.”
+++
The European Commission has given the green light on the proposed agreement on voting rights between Lufthansa and Eurowings. Lufthansa and Eurowings owner Dr. Albrecht are to conclude a voting rights linkage agreement under which Lufthansa will acquire a majority of the voting rights in Eurowings. The accord does not effect any change in the ownership structure of the regional carrier. Lufthansa's stake in Eurowings will remain at 49 per cent. The voting rights agreement will strengthen at shareholder level the proven cooperation between Lufthansa and Eurowings since 2001 and underpin the ongoing development of company value in the interest of both stakeholders. In agreement with the European Commission, Lufthansa and Eurowings are to make slots on the Cologne-Vienna, Stuttgart-Vienna and Stuttgart-Dresden routes available for any new competitor, which is willing to fly any one of those routes but is unable to acquire the necessary slots under normal slot allocation practice.
+++
A joint U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin team announced that the first modernized Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite has been declared fully operational for GPS users around the globe following extensive on-orbit testing of the spacecraft's new military and civilian signals. Launched on Sept. 25 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. the GPS IIR-14 (M) satellite is the most technologically advanced GPS satellite ever developed. The spacecraft features a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency. The satellite was declared operational on Dec. 16 by Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., which manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.
+++
Telematics Solutions S.p.A., Milan, a subsidiary of OHB Technology AG, has been awarded a contract worth EUR 8 million from Italian company Vitrociset S.p.A., Rome. In signing the contract, Telematics Solutions has assumed a leading role in the development and implementation of the complex telecommunications network and security system for the launch pad for the VEGA launcher in Kourou, French Guiana. The VEGA, the new European carrier rocket, has been designed for transporting small to mid-size low-earth orbit satellites used for scientific and earth observation missions in particular. As the development phase for the launch pad infrastructure has very largely been completed, construction work in Kourou will commence by the end of 2007, after which the first VEGA launcher will take off from the European launch pad in South America. “This contract will further reinforce our leading role in telecommunications and security management for complex and sensitive sites,” says Lanfranco Zucconi, managing director of Telematic Solutions S.p.A.
+++
NASA announced the agency's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will be the takeoff site for an attempt to set the record for the longest flight of an aircraft or balloon. NASA and Virgin Atlantic Airways' agreement to use Kennedy's Space Shuttle Landing Facility is the result of a pilot program to expand access to the shuttle's runway for non-NASA activities. An exact takeoff date for Virgin Atlantic's GlobalFlyer aircraft has not been determined and is contingent on weather. The flight is expected to take place in February. Steve Fossett will attempt to fly solo around the world, non-stop without refueling, in the aircraft designed by Burt Rutan. It is scheduled to arrive at Kennedy for preflight preparations on Jan. 6, 2006. "We're thrilled that Steve Fossett and Virgin Atlantic selected the Shuttle Landing Facility as the take-off point for this world record attempt," said Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy. "The project will further enhance our efforts to expand the facility's use."
+++
China Eastern Airlines and Pratt & Whitney have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a major aircraft engine overhaul joint venture in Shanghai. The joint venture will establish a world-class engine overhaul shop for CFM56 engines, which power the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. The overhaul shop's in-depth repair capabilities, test cell and state of the art information technology system will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services to airline customers in China and the Asia Pacific region, starting in 2007. "We are excited about working with Pratt & Whitney on such a strategic venture for both of our companies," said President Luo Chaogeng of China Eastern Airlines. "As an airline our utmost priorities are reducing maintenance costs and supporting our fleet operation. I am confident that this joint venture will significantly help China Eastern Airlines and other airlines in the region achieve these objectives."
+++
Elbit Systems reported that its subsidiary, Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. ("ELOP") has been selected by the Korean Air Force to supply Real Time EO/IR Long Range Oblique Imagery Systems for the ROKAF's F-16 Aircraft. The signed contract, valued at approximately US$50M, is expected to become effective shortly, upon approval by the Korean Ministry of Defense. The contract will be performed over a multi-year period. The selection of ELOP's EO/IR systems follows a competition in which ELOP was selected after demonstrating its system's performance during flight and meeting the requirements to the full satisfaction of the Korean Air Force. ELOP's General Manager, Haim Rousso, said: "We are proud to be selected for such an important and prestigious program that reinforces our strong relations with the Korean Ministry of Defense. This selection establishes our position as a leader in the area of oblique photography in particular, and in Imagery Intelligence Systems in general, and it is testimony to our customers' trust in the operational maturity and technological quality of our systems."
+++
Boeing and Cathay Pacific Airways celebrated completion and certification of the first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter at a redelivery ceremony held in Xiamen, People's Republic of China, Dec. 19. Cathay Pacific launched the Boeing passenger-to-freighter conversion program in January 2004 with its order for six firm conversions and options for a further six. “Cathay Pacific has an impressive record of being the first airline to operate new aircraft types,” said Derek Cridland, Cathay Pacific Engineering director. “We were the world's first airline to fly the Boeing 777-300 and the Rolls Royce-powered Boeing 747-400, the type from which this new freighter has been converted. Our involvement in its certification underscores Hong Kong's position as a center of global aviation excellence. The addition of further 747-400BCF aircraft to our fleet will allow us to expand our services and further strengthen Hong Kong as the world's busiest international air cargo hub.”
+++
The Swedish Government has decided to participate in the European UCAV-demonstrator program, Neuron. Saab's participation in the program is thereby secured. “This is a crucial decision for both Saab and Sweden, which secures our participation in one of the most advanced high technology development program in Europe today”, says Saab CEO Åke Svensson. The decision means that Saab, through FMV (the Swedish Defense Material Administration) finances the Swedish participation with MSEK 600 of a total of MSEK 750. At the same time Swedish Government secures that MSEK 600 will be reinvested in the long-term development of the Gripen program. “Today's decision does not only embrace Swedish Aerospace participation in the advanced Neuron program, but also secures the development of the Saab Gripen fighter program”, says Saabs CEO Åke Svensson.
+++
The Armed Forces will be able to rely on a third British-built communications satellite as part of the SKYNET 5 PFI contract, Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson announced. The change will see the placing of three high-tech satellites in orbit instead of the original two, with the additional satellite providing 'back-up' for the system. The contract period for the Skynet 5 programme, which will deliver the next generation of military satellite communications to our forces across the globe, will be extended from 2018 to at least 2020, providing better value for money. The revamped contract will ensure around 300 high tech jobs in the UK are safeguarded with costs for the extended capability essentially being met by savings from insurance costs and deferring the introduction of any subsequent systems.
+++
Supplies and holiday gifts are on the way to the International Space Station following today's Progress spacecraft launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The 20th supply ship to visit the station lifted off at 1:38 p.m. EST on December 21. Less than 10 minutes later, the spacecraft reached orbit and successfully deployed its solar arrays and navigational antennas for the two-day trip. Two pre-programmed firings of the craft's main engine later today will fine-tune the ship's path to the station. Additional rendezvous maneuvers are planned Thursday and Friday. At launch time, Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev were flying 220 miles over the south Pacific, west of Chile. Flight controllers informed them of the launch as the Progress reached orbit. The craft is carrying nearly three tons of food, water, fuel, oxygen, air, spare parts and holiday presents. It is scheduled to automatically dock to the station's Pirs Docking Compartment at 2:54 p.m. EST, Friday. NASA TV live coverage of the docking begins at 2 p.m. EST, Friday.
+++
Cessna's Citation Mustang received Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a significant step toward certification and first customer delivery in late 2006. TIA signals the FAA's approval for the Mustang prototype to begin accumulating flight hours that will apply toward official certification. "The Mustang prototype and serial number one have made more than 290 flights, accruing more than 490 hours. In addition, the fatigue test article has completed two lifetimes (30,000 hours) of testing with no damage to the aircraft structure," said Russ Meyer III, Mustang Program Manager. "This is recognized by the FAA as the baseline to prove the durability of an airplane, and we will continue testing to five lifetimes (75,000 hours)."
Because of the availability of on-site testing facilities, Cessna's testing programs are known for accumulating more hours on its airplanes and test articles prior to certification than any other aircraft manufacturer.
+++
IBM and Dassault Systèmes announced Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has implemented their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions for the United States' and United Kingdom's fifth-generation advanced military aircraft, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). This marks a milestone in the strategic relationship between the three companies. IBM and Dassault Systèmes will offer Lockheed Martin advanced PLM solutions to drive innovation, develop new production techniques, and ultimately transform its aircraft business model by delivering new levels of performance at every phase of the JSF program, the largest defense contract ever awarded to date by the Pentagon. CATIA V5, an IBM PLM solution developed by Dassault Systèmes, will bring a number of benefits to the F-35 team including improved design design-cycle efficiencies, enhanced confidence in the design with embedded manufacturing and design knowledge, and long-term supplier and IT compatibility. "The native compatibility of V5 PLM products such as CATIA and DELMIA, unburdened by papered-over integrations between disparate design and manufacturing solutions, are critical to achieving the reduced costs and improved overall quality envisioned by the market," said Marcelo Lemos, president, Dassault Systèmes of America. "Lockheed Martin has long been using DELMIA V5 to realize its goals for manufacturing simulation and this new commitment to CATIA V5 as the preferred design solution for the JSF, along with their longstanding commitment to DELMIA, will offer Lockheed unparalleled PLM integration."
+++
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH has established a new subsidiary, "The Tower Company", which will offe air trafic control services at regional airports.
+++
Boeing has delivered the first AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-role combat helicopter for the Japanese government to Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the Japanese aerospace company teamed with Boeing to produce the Apache Longbow in Japan. The milestone aircraft, delivered Dec. 15 in Mesa, Ariz., and designated the AH-64DJP Apache Longbow, is the first production Apache to be delivered with air-to-air Stinger missile launcher capabilities. Two AH-64DJP Apaches will be delivered to the Japanese government by FHI in March 2006. "The Apache will be one of the first weapons platforms with 21 st-century joint and interoperable capabilities deployed with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force," said Patricia Carson, program manager of the Japanese Apache program for Boeing. "Delivery of the new Apache Longbow for Japan ahead of schedule confirms the dedication and cooperation experienced between the Boeing and FHI teams in fulfilling Japan Ground Self Defense Force's fielding of its first two aircraft next year." Boeing and FHI have been working closely for the last year to conclude qualification testing of the unique configuration for Japan that includes incorporation of an air-to-air Stinger launcher. Following the initial aircraft qualification, FHI will produce the Apache Longbow aircraft under a licensed production agreement with Boeing.
+++
Ryanair announced a number of changes to its flying programme during January, February and March 2006 to accommodate the late delivery of new aircraft from Boeing, and Ryanair's decision to retire the existing fleet of 737-200's on schedule at the end of December. These cancellations will reduce Ryanair's passenger traffic by approximately 100,000 passengers per month during January, February and March and will reduce the overall passenger traffic in the current fiscal year to just under 35 million passengers. As a result of a strike in Boeing during September and October, all of Ryanair's aircraft deliveries this Winter are being delivered approximately 1 month after their scheduled date. Ryanair has been able to meet this 4 aircraft shortfall during October, November and December by extending the flying programme on a number of older 737-200 series aircraft due for retirement. It is not possible to extend the use of these aircraft beyond the end of December 2005, as the aircraft have been sold and the pilots have been retrained on the 737-800's. The airline has therefore decided to trim its schedule temporarily through January, February and March 2006. Planned capacity will return to normal with the delivery of the last 4 aircraft from Boeing during the month of April 2006.
+++
Ryanair announced the last of its new route announcements for Summer 2006 by selecting Dublin Airport as effectively its 16th European base. Ryanair which is now Ireland's largest airline has until today largely confined its operations at Dublin Airport to UK routes. However, from April 2006 the airline will base 5 new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft in Dublin. These new aircraft will generate over 250 direct Ryanair jobs at Dublin Airport, they will allow Ryanair to open up 18 new routes from Dublin to Continental Europe, frequencies will also increase on 8 existing Dublin-Europe routes and this additional capacity will allow Ryanair's traffic at Dublin to grow from 5½m to 7m passengers annually as Ryanair moves next year from 35m to over 40m passengers per annum. These new routes and frequencies at Dublin Airport will see Ryanair's traffic into/out of Ireland rise to over 9m passengers annually over the coming year, almost 30% more than Aer Lingus in terms of passengers carried to/from the island of Ireland. These new routes will also afford Irish consumers and visitors the opportunity of travelling between Ireland and Europe at low fares which are half the price of Aer Lingus's tickets and with frequencies that are in most cases greater than the frequencies offered by Aer Lingus.
+++
With the installation of horizontal tails on the first F-35, the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) team has completed assembly of the aircraft's major structural components. The next milestone in the aircraft's march to first flight is engine installation, planned for early 2006. "The speed and precision of assembly on this airplane continues to impress even the most experienced aerospace veterans among us and far exceeds any program that has gone before it," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 JSF program general manager. "The ease with which this aircraft has come together, along with the quality of the fit and finish, is simply unprecedented in a first-off-the-line aircraft. It puts us down the path toward meeting our affordability goals." The horizontal tails installed on Dec. 8 and the vertical tails installed on Nov. 28 were designed and manufactured by BAE Systems in Samlesbury, England. Assemblers installed the aircraft's weapons-bay doors on Dec. 7. Final assembly began in May, when workers mated the Northrop Grumman-produced center fuselage to the Lockheed Martin-built wing at the F-35's final assembly operation in Fort Worth. The BAE Systems-produced aft fuselage and the Lockheed Martin forward fuselage were also joined to the overall aircraft assembly earlier in the year. Technicians switched on electrical power to the aircraft for the first time on Sept. 7.
+++
Flames, smoke and a deafening noise accompanied the first firing test of Vega's Zefiro 9 third-stage solid rocket motor. A first examination of the data indicates that everything went well at the test carried out at Salto de Quirra in southeast Sardinia. The Zefiro 9 motor, with an overall height of 3.17 meters and a diameter of 1.92 metres, contains a propellant mass of 10 tonnes and provides a maximum thrust of 305 kN (in vacuum). For yesterday's test the nozzle was adapted for sea-level conditions by reducing its expansion ratio from 58 to 16, thus lowering the thrust to 280 kN.
At the Salto de Quirra test site, the powerful motor was placed in a cage-like structure and fixed to the bench bastion. Safety devices were put in place to destroy the motor in case of anomalous behaviour. Fortunately these precautions were not needed as the testing proceeded flawlessly. Francesco Iasenzaniro of Avio S.p.A., the Italian company responsible for the development, production, integration and testing of Zefiro 9, reported after the test: “two minutes of adrenaline, but everything operated perfectly”. To prepare for the test, the Zefiro 9 motor had been sent by ship on 20 November to Sardinia from the production site in Colleferro, Italy. After checking to ensure the motor suffered no damage during transit, the Zefiro 9 was installed on the test stand, equipped with the ignition and destruction pyrochains, and fitted with some 417 sensors to monitor the motor's behaviour during the firing. Thermal protection was placed between the motor's propellant and its composite case to enable the motor's Carbon-Epoxy envelope to withstand the extremely high temperatures of combustion gases.
+++
The news that Beagle 2 may have been spotted on the surface of Mars in the immediate vicinity of where it was expected to land was welcomed by the European Space Agency. ESA's Mars Express spacecraft had delivered the Beagle 2 lander to Mars on 25 December 2003. ESA's Director of Science David Southwood said, "If this turns out to be a definitive sighting then we can feel very pleased not only for the Beagle 2 team but also for everyone else involved in getting the probe to Mars and accurately into its descent." ESA received the go-ahead for a new European lander mission to Mars, Exomars, with the subscription by Member States for a new exploration programme, Aurora, just a few weeks ago at the ESA Council of Ministers in Berlin on 5-6 December 2005.
+++
UK-based low-cost carrier easyJet has signed a firm contract with Airbus for 20 more Airbus A319s, taking its total firm orders for the type to 140 and consolidating its role as the largest European customer for the A320 Family. Like the rest of easyJet's Airbus A319 fleet, the new aircraft will seat 156 passengers in an all-economy layout, and be powered by CFM International CFM56-5s. "Our original agreement with Airbus for up to 240 A319s was a great deal for our shareholders and customers which underpins our low cost base and our continued ability to offer low fares to our 30 million customers," says easyJet Chief Executive Andrew Harrison. "Today's announcement for a further tranche of 20 aircraft marks another step in easyJet's continuing development as Europe's best low-fares airline." easyJet flies 59 Airbus A319s on services throughout Europe, achieving an excellent operational reliability of 99.8 per cent in the third quarter of this year, plus an enviable daily utilisation of nine and a half hours per aircraft - an average of 6.5 sectors a day.
+++
The Steering Board of the European Defence Agency, responding to orientations considered by leaders of the European Union at this week's Brussels summit, today endorsed plans to make 2006 a year of particular focus on promoting European defence Research & Technology. At their informal meeting at Hampton Court on 1 November, the EU leaders had asked Javier Solana – High Representative for European Security and Defence Policy and Head of the EDA – to report to the summit on how to improve defence capabilities by increasing levels of research spending, finding opportunities for research collaboration and tackling capability gaps. “The Steering Board is fully behind this agenda and intends to take it forward with vigour,” said Dirk Ellinger, Research & Technology Director in the German Defence Ministry, who chaired the meeting on behalf of Solana. The Steering Board, the principal decision-making body of the EDA which was meeting in the formation of R&T Directors of its 24 participating Member States, discussed how to achieve a comprehensive strategy for defence R&T in Europe. Historically, European defence R&T cooperation has worked by looking for common ground between approaches and priorities which are set nationally. The Steering Board agreed that, as a further dimension, such cooperation required a top-down, jointly-developed view of where Member States collectively should be going, and which technologies had to be preserved or developed in Europe. The Steering Board also highlighted a number of technology areas which will be critical for helping the European Union to develop the capabilities it needs for future peace-keeping and crisis-management operations under the European Security and Defence Policy. These cover areas such as robotics, information fusion, fuel cells and unmanned land, sea and air vehicles.
+++
Airbus inaugurated its new state-of-the-art AIRTAC (Airbus Technical Aircraft-on-ground Centre) support centre. The aim of the AIRTAC team is to minimise on-the-ground-time for aircraft for trouble shooting and repairs. The new AIRTAC facilities are fitted with the most innovative technology and leading-edge solutions. These enhancements represent a multi million Euro investment that will enable Airbus to provide its customers worldwide with improved technical support and an even wider range of engineering services. AIRTAC is a 365-day a year, 24-hour centre where specialist engineers are always available to help get aircraft operational again. On-site technical help comes from resident customer support managers based in many locations around the world, backed up by further dedicated support from teams based in Europe. The new state-of-the-art AIRTAC centre, which works closely with the Spares Support Customer Order Desk based in Hamburg, has been designed to incorporate a growing number of engineers required to cope with the increasing workload of 2006 linked with the Airbus fleet growth and with the entry into service of the A380. As well as moving into new facilities, located with all other Airbus Customer Services, a hotline has also been created for Customer Services Flight and Ground Information Services division. This hotline is dedicated to the software products delivered by Airbus Customer Services and is part of a new support strategy for Airbus software products.
+++
As part of its commitment to broaden industrial co-operation with Russia, Airbus is placing additional large work packages for aircraft of the A320, A330/A340 and A380 Families with two Russian companies - IRKUT Scientific Production Corporation and Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO). The work packages will be worth $200 million over ten years to Russia, which means doubling the already contracted volume. IRKUT's new work comprises wall panels for the A320 Family auxiliary centre tank, A330/A340 Family wing ribs and flap-track roller beams, plus other major components for the A320, A330/A340, and A380 aircraft. VASO will manufacture engine-pylon components for A320 Family and various components for the A380 aircraft, becoming a new Airbus co-operation partner in Russia. The first deliveries of the sub-assemblies and components from IRKUT and VASO to Airbus sites will begin, end 2006/ beginning 2007.
+++
Major Brazilian carrier TAM has signed a firm contract for ten A350-900s plus five options. TAM's intention to buy the A350 was initially announced at the Paris Air Show in June, when it announced a commitment for eight aircraft Deliveries of the all-new A350s are scheduled to start at the end of 2012. The aircraft will be fitted with a 3-class cabin configuration and will be put into service on TAM's international network. TAM currently has a fleet of 59 Airbus aircraft including 36 A320s, 13 A319s and 10 A330-200s and is the largest Airbus operator in Latin America.
+++
Sales of the Airbus A318 Elite have reached double-figures with a further five firm orders from an undisclosed multinational corporation. The deal takes A318 Elite sales to 13 aircraft plus eight options, and those of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family to more than 60. All five A318 Elites will be outfitted by Lufthansa Technik, and be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines. Launched at the NBAA show in November, when Swiss-based VIP charter company Comlux ordered three plus three options, the Airbus A318 Elite quickly won a further five orders and five options from NAS, the largest provider of VVIP and executive air transport in the Middle East. It now has three customers to its credit. The newest member of the modern Airbus ACJ Family, the Airbus A318 Elite makes "big cabin" space and comfort more affordable. It offers a range of up to 4,000 nm/7,400 km - allowing it to fly non-stop from London to New York or between Europe and the Middle East with 18 passengers.
+++
2005 has been a record-breaking year of sales for GE's newest large commercial engines, the GE90 and GEnx, with more than 750 engines ordered. The GE90 engine family has sold more than 240 engines in 2005, including a record 225 of the higher thrust GE90-115B engines. Boeing selected the GE90-115B engines as the exclusive power for the fast-selling 777-300ER, 777-200LR and the 777 freighter. The value of the GE90 engines sold this year exceeds $4.5 billion. In its first year on the market, more than 525 GEnx engines have been selected to power the Boeing 787 and 747-8 as well as the Airbus A350. The GEnx engine is the best selling engine on the 787 and A350 aircraft and was selected by Boeing as the sole power-plant for the recently launched 747-8 aircraft. The value of the GEnx engines sold now exceeds $6 billion. In 1995, GE introduced the GE90 series of engines into airlines service, and the engines have logged more than 6.5 million flight hours. The GE90-94B engine, in particular, has an outstanding in-flight shutdown rate of 0.003 per 1000 engine flight-hours, well below the current 180-minute ETOPS requirement of 0.020 per 1000 engine flight-hours.
+++
Two defence equipment programmes to provide the Royal Navy with a key capability identified by the 1998 Strategic Defence Review may be falling seriously behind schedule. This could leave the Navy without the 'carrier strike' capability it needs and force it to continue operating outdated equipment at substantial additional cost, says the Commons Defence Committee in a report released on 21 December. Providing the Navy with the 'carrier strike' capability is expected to cost some £31 billion (whole life costs), including some £12 billion of procurement costs. The key programmes are the two new aircraft carriers and up to 150 new carrier borne aircraft – the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).. It is possible that neither the carriers nor the aircraft will be delivered on time, or, crucially, at the same time, and the Committee says MoD and the Royal Navy must make plans for bridging any gap that may emerge. On the carrier programme, the main investment decision, known as 'Main Gate', has been delayed. Further delays may impact upon the dates when the two carriers had been due to enter service – 2012 and 2015. MoD announced last week that it was committing £300 million to the 'Demonstration' phase of the programme, a key step before contracting for the manufacture of the two ships. It also announced that it is to allocate some 60 per cent of the carriers to be built at four UK shipyards. However, MoD has still to finalise the programme budget, set a construction timetable and establish in-service dates – key issues to be resolved before the main investment decision can be taken. Production of the JSF is being led by the US and has experienced problems which must be monitored closely: the Committee is concerned that the UK should get all the information and access to technology from the US that it requires to have 'sovereign capability' - the ability to maintain the JSF aircraft and undertake future upgrades independently. If not, the UK might need to look at other aircraft to operate from the carriers. The Chairman of the Defence Committee, Rt Hon James Arbuthnot MP, said: “The procurement of two new aircraft carriers, and the Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft to operate from them, will provide the Royal Navy with a key capability for the future. These are two huge programmes, both it terms of their cost and their importance to the UK defence industry. The MoD's announcements last week should address some of the uncertainty within the UK naval shipbuilding industry about the carrier programme and allow the yards to invest for the future. However, unfortunately, as with many other defence equipment programmes, our Armed Forces are likely to receive the equipment they need, and the capability they require to undertake their roles, later than originally planned. The Royal Navy may well be forced to run on less capable equipment, beyond the date when it was due to be withdrawn from service. The procurement of the Joint Strike Fighter raises other crucial issues. The UK needs cast iron assurances from the US, its closest ally, that it will get all the information and technology it requires to maintain and upgrade the aircraft independently. If such assurances are not obtained, the UK might have to consider whether to continue in the programme.”
+++
Eurojet Turbo GmbH signed a contract with NETMA worth about 300 Million Euros for the EJ200 engine powering the Eurofighter aircraft. This contract will assure full-scale in-service support for the engine including all IT systems (Electronic Data Processing for service support) across Europe. The contract phase runs up to 2009 and to be extended further.
+++
EPI Europrop International GmbH has successfully completed the first series of tests of the TP400-D6 turboprop engine at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg in Ludwigsfelde (Germany). The tests mark the latest significant milestone for the partnership between ITP, MTU, Rolls-Royce and Snecma in the development of the new turboprop engine for the A400M. During the tests, the TP400-D6 engine reached full power and completed more than 35 hours of testing. On October 28, 2005, EPI celebrated the successful first run of the TP400-D6 at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg. This instrumented development engine has been installed on a new test-bed with a water-brake in front of the output shaft of the power gearbox. One thousand measurements, including strain gauges and dynamic probes, are in place for monitoring detailed performance of this first engine at ground level. Based on Rolls-Royce performance test analysis, the engine has shown satisfactory behavior, in line with the design predictions.
+++
Boeing is pleased that CR Airways has selected the 787 Dreamliner and Next-Generation 737, and we look forward to working closely with CR Airways as its expands its operations and serves its passengers with airplanes that combine superior operating economics and passenger appeal. This preliminary agreement includes 10 787 Dreamliners and 30 Next-Generation 737-800s. The order is expected to be completed in 2006.
+++
The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant shipped the final lot of Mi-171SH helicopters to the Czech Republic. The helicopters are supplied under the contract signed by Rosoboronexport with the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic. Twenty six helicopters have been supplied to the Czech Republic to settle the Russian debt, including sixteen Mi-171SH helicopters produced by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant and ten Mi-35 helicopters produced by Rostvertol. The contract total value is 184 million USD.
+++
On December 20, the so-called second package of the Czech Air Force L159A aircraft [upgrade] was successfully finished, flying the No. 6062 L159 from Vodochody airfield back to Èáslav Base. AERO Vodochody a.s. handed the last aircraft out of the whole package to the customer on December 16, 2005, and due to unfavorable weather conditions it has taken off today. The order in the number of 24 units, which was launched in May, included circa 21 bulletins, i.e. modifications and upgrades of the aircraft systems on the basis of the customer's operational experience, on each of the aircraft.
+++
BAE Systems' digital electronic warfare system (EW) has successfully completed the first phase of developmental flight tests on the U.S. Air Force's F -22A Raptor. The tests of the digital EW system were conducted aboard Raptor "4009" at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., over the past four months. The flight tests are part of BAE Systems' F-22A Product Improvement Program. In 2004, Lockheed Martin - the F-22A prime contractor - selected BAE Systems' digital receiver technology as the baseline EW system for future production lots on the new Air Force fighter. The digital EW system exploits breakthroughs in commercial analog-to-digital (ADC) technology and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). It replaces older analog receiver technology with reconfigurable digital receivers - providing cost, power, and weight savings for the F-22A. "BAE Systems has met all of the digital EW program commitments and is delivering enabling technology to help the F-22A meet future war fighter mission needs," said John Paquet, director of Missions Systems and Software at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
+++
A Raytheon Company Precision Attack Air-to-Surface Missile (PAASM) was successfully launched Dec. 13 from a rotary-winged, unmanned aerial vehicle (UH-1) at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The missile was fired from a standard M299 digital launcher and met planned test objectives. Upon receiving the launch command, the PAASM missile successfully ignited and separated from the M299 launcher and transitioned into stable flight. The demonstration validated the capability of the Raytheon team to configure and integrate the missile system onto a standard, digital single rail M299 launcher and satisfy standoff range and environmental requirements for a helicopter/UAV extended-range, precision air-to-surface missile.
+++
Alcatel Alenia Space announced the acceptance by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) of the Syracuse 3 spaceborne military communications system. Alenia Alenia Space has qualified the Syracuse 3 system two months after the Syracuse 3A satellite launch. Initial operation of the satellite telecommunications capabilities began mid-November. The full-scale system tests used the Syracuse 3A satellite, the control and management center at Maisons Laffitte, the France South ground station in Bram, and other armed forces ground stations in France. System performance tests, carried out by DGA's technical experts and coordinated by CELAR (electronic warfare engineering center), met all specifications. The qualification system review was successfully held on December 7, 2005, enabling DGA to deliver the Syracuse 3 system to the French armed forces by the end of the year, as committed.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Previous UPDATES are still available:
18 December 2005
11 December 2005
4 December 2005
27 November 2005
20 November 2005
13 November 2005
6 November 2005
30 October 2005
23 October 2005
16 October 2005
9 October 2005
25 September 2005
18 September 2005
11 September 2005
4 September 2005
28 August 2005
21 August 2005
14 August 2005
7 August 2005
31 July 2005
24 July 2005
10 July 2005
3 July 2005
January - June 2005
January - December 2004
January - December 2003
January - December 2002
January - December 2001
January to December 2000
January to December 1999
January to December 1998
January to December 1997
September to December 1996
|
|
