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+++ Fossett completes longest flight ever +++ Neuron programme launched +++ EU clears acquisition of LFK by MBDA +++ SOFIA future unclear +++ EADS Military to focus on Manching +++ Pratt and MTU team on new compressor +++ BDLI wants more political support +++ News in brief +++
Fossett completes longest flight ever
Neuer Dauerrekord von Steve Fossett mit GlobalFlyer
Steve Fossett has broken the world record for the longest ever flight in history and made a dramatic landing through the sunset - at Bournemouth Airport, on Saturday, 11 February. He travelled 26,389.3 miles and had a flight duration of 76 hours 45 minutes. Just miles from his destination at Kent International Airport, Steve's generator failed, which meant a total electrical breakdown. He was forced to make an emergency Mayday call through to Bournemouth Airport, and was given a short window through which to land. Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, Steve Ridgeway said: "If we didn't get him down in fifteen minutes, he would have had to have ditched the plane." The major problem occurred just after Richard had called Steve to congratulate him on his world record, which he actually broke when be flew over Shannon after covering the 26,000 miles required. On landing, Steve burst two tyres, and his windscreen was iced up so much that he couldn't see even metres in front of him. Not only all that, but he had only 200lbs of fuel left; which if he had continued may well have turned into another emergency! Steve said: "It was too exciting of a finish. There were many obstacles to overcome from the moment I took off from Kennedy Space Centre, from the challenging takeoff, difficult cockpit conditions for the early part of the flight, severe turbulence over India and constant concerns over the weakness of the jet streams due to the less than favourable weather patterns around the world. "But never during all of this would I have believed that 45mins out of Kent I would be in an emergency situation the like of which I have rarely experienced before."
Steve Fossett's Ultimate Flight was nearly 77 hours of excitement and drama. From the moment he took off millions have been captivated by his progress and amazed by his endurance skills as he braved unfavourable and extreme conditions. The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer is a remarkable aircraft that has allowed Steve to break two extraordinary records. Although the generator failure and burst tyres mean that the aircraft will have to undergo some inspection, modification and repair, Bournemouth is certainly not its final resting place and the aircraft will be moved to another location to be fixed and placed on view.
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EU clears acquisition of LFK by MBDA
Grünes Licht für Übernahme von LFK
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of EADS Deutschland's guided weapons activities by MBDA, a joint venture between defence contractors EADS (France/Germany), BAE Systems (UK) and Finmeccanica (Italy). As overlaps are limited and other large and capable players compete to supply military equipment, the Commission has concluded that the operation will not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. EADS, BAE Systems (“BAES”) and Finmeccanica (“FNM”) are international manufacturers of defence and commercial aerospace systems. Their joint venture MBDA is a supplier of guided weapons and guided weapons systems (“GW/GWS”). The transaction consists of the acquisition of joint control by EADS, BAES and FNM, through the joint venture MBDA and its subsidiary LFK, over some businesses currently solely controlled by EADS through its wholly owned subsidiary EADS Deutschland. EADS Deutschland is transferring its VM and TDW businesses – in essence its German GW/GWS activities - to the joint venture MBDA.
There are few competitive overlaps between VM, TDW and MBDA for GW/GWS and related sub-systems. Whilst MBDA is a leading missile producer, the Commission's market investigation confirmed that a sufficient number of viable competitors will continue to operate after the acquisition, both in the German market and worldwide. Moreover, the buyers on the market - defence ministries - are considered sufficiently powerful to counterbalance any attempted anti-competitive behaviour by the new entity and to maintain a procurement policy based on open competition between suppliers.
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Neuron programme launched
Frankreich verkündet Start für UCAV-Entwicklung
The Neuron-program is now officially launched, the French ministry of defence has announced. The program is being headed by Dassault Aviation and involves only the best aviation corporations in Europe. The Neuron-partnership sees six European countries jointly developing a European UCAV, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, demonstrator. Neuron will be a demonstrator measuring 10 meters long by 12 wide and weighing in at 5 tons. It will also be completely autonomous and undetectable by radar. The maiden flight is planned for 2011. In developing the demonstrator the companies involved will be developing cutting-edge technology for future UAVs. These technologies include advanced aeronautics, autonomous decision-making, stealth technology for avoiding detection, as well as adaptation to network based defense.
In addition to Sweden and France, the program also involves Italy, Spain, Greece and Switzerland. The six-nation collaboration has now started up in earnest, and every day sees around 50 development engineers from the companies involved gathering in offices at Dassault Aviation in Paris. At most some 1,000 people will be working on Neuron in a virtual environment, from Paris and other locations in Europe. About 100 people from Saab will be involved in the project and at most 15 people stationed in Paris. The project is characterized by experience and excellency. All the participating companies have had to undergo a qualifying stage to prove that they are the best in their field. Chief project manager Thierry Prunier comes from Dassault Aviation, and the deputy project managers are Mats Ohlson of Saab and Ermanno Bertolina of Alenia. Saab is participating in the overall design alongside Dassault. “Saab is performing well in international competition, and our extensive involvement in Neuron is further proof of this,” says Mats Ohlson.
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SOFIA future unclear
Keine weiteren Gelder für SOFIA?
Budget troubles at NASA have put the future of the SOFIA project in doubt, after Germany has invested huge sums in the venture. Meanwhile, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) announced that its teammate L-3 Communications Integrated Systems has completed all major physical modifications required for initial flight-testing of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is a Boeing 747 extensively modified to carry a 50,000-pound, 2.5- meter infrared telescope provided by Germany. SOFIA will fly at altitudes up to 45,000 feet -- above 99% of the Earth's water vapor -- to capture infrared images not possible by even the largest ground-based telescopes. NASA selected USRA in 1996 to develop and operate SOFIA to replace the .91-meter Kuiper Airborne Observatory, a C-141 that flew successfully for over 20 years. Since then, SOFIA has progressed steadily through key milestones: delivery of the German-built telescope in 2002; installation of the telescope into the aircraft in 2003; structural testing of the aircraft and initial ground-based testing of the telescope in 2004; and completion of the first- flight configuration of the NASA telescope cavity door in 2005. The announcement moves SOFIA into the final phase of the Heavy Maintenance Visit, final ground testing and FAA verifications. Initial flight tests are scheduled for the latter part of 2006, depending on funding. After flight testing and functional testing of the telescope and cavity door, SOFIA will be operated at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA.
Germany has been substantially involved in the SOFIA program for over 20 years. The German Aerospace Center -- or DLR -- funded and oversaw design and development of the SOFIA telescope by a team of German companies. In 2004, the DLR funded the University of Stuttgart to establish the German SOFIA Institute, which coordinates German participation in the program. SOFIA's science staff already includes German researchers helping to move the program to its first science observations. In return for Germany's considerable investment in SOFIA, 20% of SOFIA's observing time will be for German astronomers.
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EADS Military to focus on Manching
Militärflugzeugabteilung zieht um
EADS intends to move all departments of its Military Air Systems Business Unit, which are currently based in Ottobrunn near Munich, to the Manching site close to Ingolstadt, Upper Bavaria. This move, to be concluded by the end of 2008, was announced in Munich by Dr Stefan Zoller, Member of the EADS Executive Board and CEO of the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division, as a decisive step towards securing high-value jobs for the future. “EADS will focus its German military air systems activities at Manching as its central location. With this decision, we pave the way both for strengthening this high-technology sector to meet international competition and for further intensifying the close cooperation with the German Armed Forces, one of our most important national customers.” Zoller continued: “The concentration of expertise on one site would be a prime prerequisite for future business and the acquisition of new projects. With such a step the chance to position Manching as center for the maintenance, overhaul and repair of the future A400M military transport aircraft will be significantly increased”, he said.
Following this decision, the currently around 2,500 employees of the Ottobrunn site will gradually relocate over the coming years, as the new infrastructure becomes available in Manching. It is planned that the last remaining Military Air Systems departments will arrive in their new offices and labs in 2008. As Johann Heitzmann, CEO of EADS Military Air Systems, stated, this step was the logical consequence of a development which started some years ago: For more than three years, EADS and the German Air Force have already been successfully running co-operative models, e.g., the Systems Support Center for the joint in-service support of Eurofighter. “For both the customer and industry those cooperations are important instruments for reducing costs and jointly exploiting common resources, and this is the right way to tackle today's and tomorrow's challenges," Heitzmann said. “Both sides are absolutely determined to also extend this extremely encouraging type of cooperation in the very near future to further joint ventures such as the Tornado programme, the Transall military transport aircraft and its successor A400M.”
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Pratt and MTU team on new compressor
Hochdruckverdichterforschung: MTU und Pratt kooperieren
Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company, and MTU of Germany are launching a technology readiness program to develop a new generation of high-pressure compressors for jet engines. The program helps assure that high performance mid-thrust engines will be ready for new single aisle commercial aircraft. "Development of a whole new generation of single aisle, medium-range aircraft will depend to a large degree on the availability of extremely efficient new engines," said Paul Adams, senior vice president of engineering, Pratt & Whitney. "This program will help validate the technologies we and MTU believe are required. It also supports our effort to develop a mid-thrust geared turbofan engine."
Ground rig testing of the new compressor is set for the autumn of this year at MTU in Munich. The eight-stage, 17-to-1 pressure ratio module provides optimum system efficiency. It will have Integrally Bladed Rotors (IBRs) in which compressor blades are actually part of each compressor disk as opposed to attaching them one by one. The design increases strength and reduces weight. "IBR technology, coupled with a new rotor design, materials and aerodynamic concepts, will make for a very lightweight and efficient compressor. This will be a great advantage on conventional turbofans or on the advanced geared turbofans Pratt & Whitney is developing," said Adams.
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BDLI wants more political support
Politische Unterstützung für Luft- und Raumfahrt gefordert
In the view of the BDLI (German Aerospace Industries Association), the German defense industry faces enormous challenges. “The political framework needs to be amended. Moreover, the industry also has plenty to do – for example in improving cooperation between small and medium-sized companies and system manufacturers,” said Dr. Stefan Zoller, chairman of the BDLI's Defense and Security Forum. Dr. Zoller was speaking at the BDLI's 3rd Defense Forum in Bonn – a symposium on the prospects of the defense industry in Germany. About 200 guests from politics, business and the Bundeswehr are taking part, including Jörg Schönbohm, Brandenburg's Minister of the Interior, Christian Schmidt, Parliamentary Undersecretary in the Ministry of Defense, and Air Marshal Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, Air Force Chief of Staff. “The financial resources are doubtless not going to be vast,” declared Christian Schmidt speaking about the defense budget. “Therefore, the industry needs to seek out synergies at the European level – but we must also retain our national core abilities,” he added, citing the example of the communications sector.
One item on the agenda is 'homeland security' – the link between external and internal security. “Given the new risks, no longer can a clear distinction be drawn between internal and external threats,” Dr. Zoller continued. “New strategies are hence expected from government and industry to protect our societies from terrorist and other asymmetrical dangers.” Dr. Zoller, CEO of the Defence and Security Systems Division at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, appealed for procurements to be Europeanized. “We can only succeed if the European Defence Agency is furnished with extensive authority and above all sufficient funding for research and technology as well as equipment and procurement.” This would enable individual states' limited financial resources to be concentrated and used efficiently in European programs.
In Germany, SMEs and system companies need to work more closely together. “By acting together we can be very successful because we can jointly integrate our abilities into national and European programs,” stated Stefan Zoller. The BDLI expects the situation to be improved by the German government. It calls for the share of the defense budget devoted to investment to be raised to 30 per cent in the not-too-distant future. Funding for research and technology also needs to be stepped up and a long-term research strategy developed.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
In 2005, the TEAM DRF pilots, emergency physicians and paramedics started on 34,408 missions on board of their helicopters and ambulance aircrafts – 1,564 missions more than in year 2004 (total missions in 2004: 32,844). In 24,358 emergency cases, the TEAM DRF air rescuers brought fast medical help. On board of specially equipped helicopters, the TEAM DRF transported 9,165 intensive care patients between clinics. On board of its ambulance aircrafts the TEAM DRF managed to repatriate 885 patients from 100 countries to their home countries for further medical treatment (5774 flight hours/block time). In the case of Germany, the TEAM DRF transported 3,303 patients suffering from heart attacks, which were considered life-threatening according to the emergency physicians' diagnosis. In addition, the TEAM DRF medical teams treated 2,852 stroke patients and transported them as fast as possible to special clinics for further treatment. Due to accidents, whether in private households, at work or traffic, 3,122 patients with head injuries had to be cared for by an emergency physician and transported to suitable hospitals via helicopter.
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The Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for NASA is $16.8 billion, which represents a 3.2 percent increase over the 2006 budget appropriated for NASA, not counting our emergency supplemental needed to recover from Hurricane Katrina. This budget, with an increase over last year's appropriation, demonstrates the President's commitment to carrying out the Vision for Space Exploration, which he articulated from this stage just over two years ago, and especially so in view o the other pressures on the government in the wake of the greatest natural disaster our nation has faced and the war on terrorism, declared NASA chief. However, let me put our budget in overall perspective. NASA's budget is roughly 0.7 percent of the overall federal budget. This is a modest investment to extend the frontiers of space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. With it, we enhance American leadership, our safety and security, and our global economic competitiveness through the technological innovations stemming from our space and aeronautics research programs. As we look forward to the events that will define this century and beyond, I have no doubt that the expansion of human presence into the solar system will be among the greatest of our achievements. I am proud that America, through NASA, leads the way. But leadership means setting priorities of time, energy, and resources, and leadership means making difficult decisions based on the best facts and analysis available. One plain fact is NASA simply cannot afford to do everything that our many constituencies would like us to do. We must set priorities, and we must adjust our spending to match those priorities. NASA is implementing the priorities set by the President and the Congress within the resources provided. This budget demonstrates our national commitment to implementing the Vision for Exploration. It balances NASA's mission to complete the assembly of the International Space Station and fulfill our international partner commitments, while using the minimum number of Shuttle flights to do so. It supports our goal of bringing the Crew Exploration Vehicle online no later than 2014, and potentially much sooner. It provides over $5.3 billion in funding for NASA's science missions and over $724 million for aeronautics research. The FY07 budget also provides almost $500 million for cross-agency support programs, such as science and math education, innovative partnerships for NASA to leverage commercial industry, and development of the unified agency-wide management systems to get NASA's finances in better order. NASA must be a good steward of the taxpayer's money, and we must change the way we have done business in the past in order to achieve this goal.
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In a new study titled “The World Market for Military Rotorcraft,” Forecast International is projecting that 6,253 military rotorcraft, with an estimated value of $96 billion, will be produced during the next 10 years. In stark contrast to the relatively stagnant civil rotorcraft market, the military side of the segment is expected to be quite dynamic during the forecast timeframe. Forecast International projections indicate that annual production of military rotorcraft will steadily increase through the year 2013, and then drop off beginning in 2014. The monetary value of yearly production is expected to show a similar trend, increasing as well through 2013. The forecast production totals include both new-build rotorcraft and significant or extensive modifications of existing rotorcraft. The latter, constituting an important part of the overall market, number some 1,370 units (worth about $18 billion) within the overall production forecast. Market share projections for the period indicate that Sikorsky will lead the market in both unit production and production value, despite the company's highly publicized loss in the VXX presidential transport competition. According to Forecast International senior aerospace analyst Raymond Jaworowski, “The loss in the VXX competition hurts Sikorsky's prestige more than its overall bottom line.”
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On February 6, Adam Aircraft announced the first flight of the A700 AdamJet, Serial Number 002, which is the first of three aircraft slated for conforming FAA flight-testing. The airplane, piloted by Bill Watters, Vice President of Flight Operations, and Ken Sasine, Senior Turbine Test Pilot, achieved a smooth takeoff as it flew the pattern for its intended 34-minute maiden flight at Centennial Airport (KAPA), Englewood, Colorado. "The aircraft handled very well, stability was excellent, and the flight controls were very responsive and predictable," commented Sasine. "The throttle response was smooth and strong, and the climb performance was strong and steady. The airplane handled just as we expected." "We're exceptionally pleased with the progress of the A700 jet program, and this first flight accelerates our A700 certification effort," said CEO Rick Adam. "The A700 Williams FJ-33 engines are already FAA-certified, and the 65% commonality from our FAA-Certified twin-engine piston will significantly reduce the A700 time-to-certification."
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The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $225 million contract for 27 months to continue the full-rate production phase of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Propulsion Replacement Program (PRP). The program will replace aging solid-rocket motor sets, for stages 1, 2, and 3, in the Minuteman III missile arsenal with remanufactured motors to maintain alert-readiness status through 2020.
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The United States Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) has received an airworthiness release (AWR) from the Army's Aviation Engineering Directorate for its MH-47G upgraded with the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) developed by Rockwell Collins. This is the first of several rotary wing platforms being upgraded with CAAS to receive a production AWR. "The system we are delivering provides pilots with a significantly enhanced level of situational awareness," said Woody Hogle, vice president and general manager of Integrated Systems for Rockwell Collins. "The Army's Special Operations Forces (SOF) are at the forefront of bringing a common, open architecture, avionics system into the Department of Defense for rotary wing platforms." The CAAS solution incorporates common, reusable processing elements in each piece of hardware and incorporates an open systems architecture based on commercial standards. The commonality of hardware components is designed to provide lower total lifecycle cost and lower costs for technology insertion and supportability.
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Officials from Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu took delivery of the first U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to be based outside the continental United States. Saying the C-17 ushers in a "new era of airlift in the Pacific," the Air Force named the aircraft "Spirit of Hawai'i - Ke Aloha."Gen. Paul Hester, commander, Pacific Air Forces, accepted the C-17 in a ceremony at the Boeing Long Beach, Calif., assembly facility. "The C-17 gives our nation the flexibility and dexterity to excel across the entire spectrum of military operations -- it can provide humanitarian aid one day and support full-scale combat the next," said Hester, who will fly the new aircraft to Hawaii. "I'm confident that these new aircraft will help bring this vast and diverse region a bit closer together."
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In response to the unprecedented global demand for Turbomeca engines, Turbomeca is allocating approximately $50 million dollars for facilities, equipment and parts procurement in the United States to expand production and product support activities at Turbomeca USA (TMUSA). The allocation includes approximately $10 million dollars to fund a 67,000 sq. ft. expansion which began last June. Today, the expansion project remains on schedule and will be fully operational by May. Upon completion this year, TMUSA will have increased the number of jobs and square footage at its current facility in Grand Prairie, Texas from 180 employees and 70,000 sq. ft. to approximately 330 employees and 137,000 sq. ft. The expansion allows TMUSA to continue to grow its maintenance, repair and overhaul activities, as well as the assembly and tests.
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Japan Airlines (JAL)and oneworld have exchanged a memorandum of understanding, completing the Asian carrier's first step towards joining the world's leading quality global airline alliance. The agreement was signed just three months after JAL first indicated its intention to seek oneworld membership. It sets out a framework for the remaining steps to be taken before the alliance can formally invite the airline to join. All parties have committed to reach this stage in the next few months – and then to bring the new recruit on board oneworld on a fast track programme.
Assuming all remaining agreements can be reached, this should see JAL flying as a fully fledged member of the alliance in around a year. American Airlines will be supporting JAL through these tasks, as its prime oneworld sponsor, assisted by Cathay Pacific.
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AERO Vodochody a.s. has launched works on service life extension of a total of 12 Bulgarian L-39ZA aircraft, together with spare parts delivery. „Our new contract, signed at the end of 2005, represents successful comeback to one of the traditional AERO markets, after 15 years. This contract should be followed in close cooperation with local maintenance company by a further project concerning Bulgarian L-39s. Also this project should be launched this year,” said Alois Benetka, AERO Commercial Director. AERO delivered 36 L-39ZA aircraft to the Bulgarian Republic in 1987 – 1990.
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Rockwell Collins has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the simulation assets of Evans & Sutherland, a leading provider of visual simulation solutions for military and commercial customers. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and Evans & Sutherland shareholder approval, and is expected to close during the third quarter of Rockwell Collins' 2006 fiscal year (second calendar quarter). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Rockwell Collins will acquire Evans & Sutherland's military and commercial simulation assets and certain liabilities, including simulation facilities in Salt Lake City, Orlando and the United Kingdom, in a $71.5 million cash transaction. As part of this transaction, Rockwell Collins will have exclusive rights to the Evans & Sutherland laser projector for simulation. Approximately 200 Evans & Sutherland employees will join Rockwell Collins. Evans & Sutherland will retain ownership of its planetarium and other laser projector market offerings and will continue to maintain its headquarters in Salt Lake City. The acquisition will not materially affect Rockwell Collins' earnings for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. "Simulation and training offers a significant growth opportunity for our company," said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clay Jones. "The acquisition of these valuable assets from Evans & Sutherland will further enhance our simulation and training capabilities and provide more robust solutions for our customers."
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Sasemar, the Spanish Marine Safety Agency, has awarded a contract for three AB139 medium-twin helicopters in Search and Rescue (SAR) configuration. The Sasemar is the fifth government customer to choose the AB139 for SAR applications, following previous orders by UAE, Oman and Ireland and more recently Estonia. The Sasemar's AB139 will be used for SAR and water pollution detection missions and it will be equipped with rescue hoist, Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), Search/Weather radar, flotation and a 4 axis autopilot with SAR modes. Orders for almost 150 AB139s have been placed by customers around world for a wide range of roles including, search and rescue, law enforcement and medical evacuation, offshore transport corporate and VIP transport.
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The U.S. Air Force has taken the next step toward its vision of a Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) capability as Boeing opens the newest F-15C Mission Training Center at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath, England. With DMO Air Force pilots in flight simulators at one location are able to train with pilots at other locations hundreds, even thousands of miles away. This innovative training concept will give the Air Force enhanced simulator training as a realistic supplement to flight training. The new Lakenheath facility joins four other Boeing-operated F-15C Mission training centers, located at Eglin AFB, Fla.; Langley AFB, Va.; Elmendorf AFB, Ak.; and Kadena Air Base in Japan.
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The final Boeing 717 began production this week on the moving assembly line in Long Beach, Calif. This milestone marks the final phase of assembly before the airplane delivers to airline customer AirTran Airways in May. The airplane is the 156th 717 produced by Boeing. The 717 program helped shape Boeing business practices through its supplier partnerships and applying principles of lean manufacturing. The 717 model is the last commercial airplane produced in the Southern California factory. More than 15,000 airplanes have been produced in Long Beach since the plant opened in 1941.
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Four destinations join oneworld's network, in North America and Turkey: Another three destinations in North America are to join the oneworld network with regional affiliate American Eagle opening service to two new gateways in the USA and one in the Caribbean, while fellow affiliate BMED launches the first non-stops between London and the Turkish capital Ankara. American Eagle will start flights from 3 April between its Dallas/Fort Worth hub and Charleston, South Carolina, with an initial two daily Embraer 145 regional jets. With the three-letter IATA code CHS, the historic coastal city is a leading tourist destination, with some of the world's finest golf courses on its doorstep.
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Income of the SAS Group before capital gains and nonrecurring items amounted to MSEK 114 in 2005, an earnings improvement of MSEK 1 815. The Group's total operating revenue rose 6.5% to MSEK 61 887 for 2005. The Group transported a total of 34.9 million passengers, an increase of 8% compared with 2004. Earnings of MSEK 114 are in line or slightly better than market expectations (SME Direkt MSEK 120 and Reuters MSEK 20). Jørgen Lindegaard, President and CEO of the SAS Group, comments: Turnaround 2005 comprising savings of SEK 14 billion was completed as planned. The unit cost has fallen by over 30% since 2002. After five years of sweeping changes, the SAS Group posts positive earnings before capital gains and nonrecurring items, an earnings improvement of SEK 1.8 billion compared with 2004. Scandinavian Airlines' new business models have strengthened competitiveness with improved cabin factors but weaker yield. Despite powerful measures, further cost savings must be made to ensure long-term competitiveness in several of the Group's units. The SAS Group has, as communicated earlier, initiated new cost-cutting measures corresponding to SEK 2 billion.
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The French Defense Procurement Agency's (DGA/SPART) has contracted Sagem Défense Sécurité to develop a helicopter crew mission planning module (MPME). By 2008 the system will be used by all French Army Aviation Branch (ALAT) flight crews. It will enable the army to cooperatively plan, carry out and debrief missions. This system is part of the Battlefield Digitization (NEB) effort. It is designed to provide crews with mission planning tools adapted to the technical and operational needs of ALAT's helicopters. In the current operational context, the goal is to provide adequate conditions for mission planning that is cooperative and focused on the tactical objective in order to optimize the efficiency of onboard systems.
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AgustaWestland reported today that their US139 aircraft, recently offered to fulfill the US Army¹s requirement for a new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), has arrived at Cairns Army Airfield in Fort Rucker, Alabama for the LUH Source Selection Performance Demonstration (SSPD). The US139 flew from AgustaWestland facilities in Philadelphia, PA to Cairns Army Airfield, a 780 nautical mile flight. The US139 flew at an average cruise speed of 140 knots, with a total time in route of five hours and fifty minutes. At take off in Philadelphia the US139 was at maximum gross weight of 14,110 lbs. The US139 flew at 6,500 feet and had a 10 knot headwind. Based on fuel consumption it could have flown 3.5 hours on one fuel load at maximum gross weight.
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Global HeavyLift Holdings, LLC (GHH) a Florida-based Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) listed air cargo strategic solutions entity founded in 2002 initially involved in developing the intellectual resources supporting the crafting of architecture for infrastructure of an American-controlled HEAVYLIFT industry (the movement via air of heavy and outsized goods) has announced its intent to pursue a 1.4 billion dollar private placement. This strategy covers the acquisition of 10 prior use commercial application C-17 Globemaster III airlift aircraft, designated by Boeing as the BC-17. "Over a decade ago, Boeing, in collaboration with logistics data development partners, identified the potential for an emergent heavylift industry, that is, the movement of heavy and outsized goods too large to fit in any door of any 747 freighter," says Myron Stokes, a principal in the firm who has been involved with data development and project strategy and who is Publisher of eMOTION! REPORTS.com (http://www.emotionreports.com/ ) an aerospace/automotive industry research and analysis site as well as a former Newsweek, Newsweek Japan and Newsweek International industry correspondent. "Russia quickly seized the initiative through the commercial application of the world's largest production aircraft, the Antonov AN-124 military airlift, which can not only carry up to 150 tons in heavy goods such as oil rigs, aircraft fuselages, satellites and sections of assembly lines, but can operate from underdeveloped or battle damaged airfields. It right now controls this industry with an international customer base including Boeing and the U.S. Air Force.
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Delta Air Lines announced that it is seeking the necessary government approvals to become the only U.S. airline to operate scheduled service between the United States and Africa. In a filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Delta is requesting government approvals to begin the first ever Delta-operated service between the world's largest airline hub in Atlanta and the burgeoning South African city of Johannesburg, with an intermediate stop in Dakar, Senegal, effective in December 2006.
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Lockheed Martin recently delivered its 50,000th Laser Guided Training Round (LGTR) to the U.S. Navy, meeting its commitment to provide a low-cost, effective training tool for the warfighter. The total estimated value of the contract over the life of the program is $150 million. "We started this program as a congressional plus-up, where Congress gave us a minimal amount of funding, so we only produced about 2,000 units a year for the first four years, and now we're up to 15,000 per year," said Jim Elliott, U.S. Navy LGTR program manager at the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD. "It has shown its utility -- it's become a great training tool and we now have the opportunity to continue to improve the system and show just how much better it can get."
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Ryanair, announced increased third quarter profits of Euro 37m. Traffic grew by 26% to 8.6m passengers, whilst yields were almost flat, as expected, as total revenues rose by 27% to Euro370.7m. Unit costs increased by 3% (excluding fuel they fell by 6%) as fuel costs rose by 59% to Euro114.9m. As a result of these significantly higher fuel costs, Ryanair's after tax margin, on an adjusted basis for the third quarter fell by 2 points to 10% as adjusted net profit increased by 6% to Euro37m. Announcing these results Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, said: “Ryanair's lowest fare model, yet again, delivered increased profits and passenger growth for the quarter despite the intense competition and the drag on profitability of very high fuel prices. Underlying profit growth was strong at 22% as the comparative included the once off release of maintenance provisions related to the return of leased aircraft in November 2004. The Ryanair model has proven that during difficult trading conditions that it can increase profitability and generate significant passenger growth while many of our competitors are reporting falling profits or losing money. As anticipated, yields were flat during the quarter despite a 27% increase in seat capacity and continued intense price competition across the route network. The multiple fuel surcharges imposed by European flag carriers remain, and have maintained the wide gap between their high prices and Ryanair's low fares. Our “no fuel surcharges” guarantee to our passengers has enabled us to launch more new routes, deliver significant traffic growth and higher profits. Load factors, as expected, were 1 point lower driven by the 27% increase in seat capacity as we launched 34 new routes( total routes 303) and announced a significant expansion at our Dublin base, ( total bases 15). Ancillary revenues grew by 31% significantly faster than the growth in passenger volumes and we expect that they will continue to outpace traffic growth this year. Unit costs increased by 3% primarily due to higher fuel costs. Excluding fuel, unit costs were reduced by 6% thanks to the addition of lower cost and efficient Boeing 737-800's (we retired the last older Boeing 737-200 in December 2005), new lower cost airport and base agreements and continuing tight control over all other cost lines. We continue to focus aggressively on costs and anticipate that the cost reductions will continue to partially offset the significantly higher oil prices.”
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The president's fiscal 2007 budget proposal shows a commitment to national defense and space exploration, but dramatically under-funds aeronautics research within NASA, AIA President and CEO John Douglass said. "The aerospace industry strongly supports the proposed funding levels for defense and space systems modernization," Douglass said. The budget proposal released Monday includes increases for weapons procurement and research and development in the Defense Department as well as full funding for NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. It also includes the president's American Competitiveness Initiative, which will help aerospace and defense industry efforts to promote science education. Douglass said the budget includes increased funding for defense procurement ($84 billion) and research ($73 billion), levels that are critical to the nation's ability to deploy the precision mobile forces required to meet the new international security challenges of the war on terror. The American Competitiveness Initiative enhances several science, mathematics, and engineering education programs and proposes the permanent establishment of the research and development tax credit. Expanded math and science education, as well as a permanent R & D tax credit, Douglass said, can ensure that the aerospace industry will have an innovative and highly skilled workforce.
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Professional Pilot Magazine announced the results of their annual Pro Pilot Helicopter Product Support Survey, and for the 12th straight year, Bell Helicopter has outshined the competition being named number one in the industry. "We are tremendously proud of this recognition," said Bell Helicopter chief executive officer Michael Redenbaugh. "The fact that the ranking is the result of the customer's voice makes it that much more meaningful. Every single one of our existing and potential customers from corporate to EMS and law enforcement to the United States Army can rest assured that when they buy Bell Helicopters, not only are they getting proven and reliable aircraft, they are also getting the best customer support in the industry." Bell's Customer Support and Service Center is located in Fort Worth, Texas in the Alliance Airport Corridor and includes a 228,000 square foot facility designed to provide efficient receiving, tracking and shipping of customer orders.
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US Airways Group and Embraer -- Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA announced they have reached an agreement to amend their original aircraft order. Under this agreement, the previous 57 undelivered EMBRAER 170s will be converted into 25 firm EMBRAER 190 aircraft and 32 additional firm EMBRAER 190 aircraft that are subject to reconfirmation by US Airways. The Amendment also includes up to 50 options to other aircraft in the Embraer 170/190 family. Deliveries will resume in November 2006. The new aircraft will be configured with 11 first-class and 88 coach seats and will be powered by GE CF34-10E aircraft engines. The new agreement is subject to bankruptcy court approval.
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AAI Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation (NYSE:UIC) , has received an order from Honeywell Aerospace for 55 Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) airframes for use in the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Valued at $1.7 million, this funded order extends AAI's current contract with Honeywell for MAV support until November 2006. In this funding phase, AAI will incorporate new design innovations into the airframe and build and deliver 55 of the advanced prototype vehicles for final system integration. AAI is a leading designer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned aircraft systems (TUAS), including the highly-regarded Shadow(R) 200 TUAS deployed with U.S. Army units in Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003.
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Enstrom Helicopter and the Estonian Environmental Inspectorate have signed a contract to build an Enstrom 480B to serve as a surveillance helicopter for the Republic of Estonia's Ministry of Environment. Enstrom was selected in October 2005 via a competitive public tender process. The 480B helicopter will be outfitted with the capability to mount a surveillance camera and recording equipment, along with a searchlight and emergency floats. The helicopter will be based in Tallinn and will be operated throughout Estonia. The Environmental Inspectorate's mission is to protect Estonian natural resources, such as wildlife, fisheries and forests while also monitoring inland, coastal and territorial waterways. The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in April.
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Leaders of government and industry put their weight behind calls to boost EU spending on defence Research & Technology and to increase collaboration because of the scale of the challenges Europe faces to transform its military capabilities. Speaking at the opening of the first EDA R&T conference in Brussels, Javier Solana noted that EU leaders had asked him at Hampton Court last October to report by June with proposals for strengthening European defence R&T. “R&T…is the key to the transformation of our armed forces. As we move into the 21st century, we face a radically changed strategic environment – new threats and challenges, requiring new roles and new missions of our armed forces,” said Solana, the Head of the European Defence Agency and High Representative for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. “We must spend more together. This is a fundamental issue and the main raison d'être of the Agency,” he said. This could be done through a substantial R&T budget for the EDA itself or using other mechanisms, such as a joint European Defence R&T Fund, managed within the Agency but controlled directly by its contributors, he added. “I think the principle of a joint fund matters more than the mechanism. And what matters even more is that we address the issue with urgency, and decide our way ahead,” Solana said. The call for increased spending and more collaboration was echoed in other speeches at the opening of the conference, which the Agency plans to make an annual event.
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The EADS Defence & Security Systems (DS) Division has been reorganised in order to further promote integration and increase efficiency. The Division will focus more intensively on its national customers and markets. This is being reflected in the new organisation. "We need to become more profitable and DS must generate more growth. At the same time, we are confronted with stagnant budgets in EADS' home markets, and the pressure from competitors in our export markets has risen sharply. In future, we intend to grow in a profitable manner, both organisationally and by actively participating in the consolidation process of our industry. DS will thus be better prepared to make a significant contribution to EADS` results in future", stated Dr. Stefan Zoller, member of the Executive Committee of EADS and CEO of Defence & Security Systems. By relocating the "System Design Centre" to division level, it will be more accessible for all the DS and EADS Business Units. The organizational structures in the Business Units "Defence and Communications Systems" and " Defence Electronics" are being streamlined. The “Military Aircraft” Business Unit had already considerably expanded its portfolio in 2005 and is now being supplemented by an optimized structure and the new name "Military Air Systems". In the field of missiles, LFK will be integrated into MBDA in which EADS, together with BAE Systems and Finmeccanica, continues to be a shareholder – as also in Eurofighter GmbH. Additionally, each Business Unit will lead operative parts of the Services business, thus further developing the activities in this area. Additionally, a centre of competence for Services is being created. In this way, the capacities for future cooperative models with the customers will be strengthened.
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Bombardier announced that it would restart production of the Bombardier CRJ200/Challenger 850 aircraft platform. The production is scheduled to start in mid-April 2006 and will take place at Bombardier's Dorval facility to primarily meet present and anticipated demand for Challenger 850 business jets. On October 2005, Bombardier had announced the temporary suspension of the production of the CRJ200 aircraft platform. The impact on the level of employment from this new production will result in the recall of approximately 50 employees at the Dorval facility.
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Icelandair, part of FL Group, has selected the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine to power its new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The order, potentially worth up to US$650 million at list prices, is for engines to power two firm aircraft, plus up to five purchase rights, and includes a lifetime TotalCare maintenance agreement. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010. Jón Karl Ólafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Icelandair, said: "Rolls-Royce has provided a solution which is clearly the best option for Icelandair. We are confident the Trent 1000 will deliver competitive cost of ownership with strong reliability levels and, through TotalCare, will be supported by the most comprehensive maintenance service available in the industry today.”
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JSAT Corporation of Japan has contracted with International Launch Services (ILS) for launch of its JCSAT-11 satellite on a Proton Breeze M vehicle in 2007. The companies announced the deal at the Satellite 2006 conference in Washington, D.C. Financial terms were not disclosed. This will be JSAT's fourth mission with ILS, and its first on a Proton, which launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Previous flights, all successful, were on ILS Atlas vehicles from Cape Canaveral, Fla. ILS, a Lockheed Martin joint venture, markets launch services on the Proton, built by Khrunichev of Russia, and the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas, to satellite operators worldwide. "ILS has been a launch partner with JSAT since 1995," said ILS President Mark Albrecht. "We appreciate JSAT's confidence that the Proton Breeze M will be as reliable as the Atlas vehicles that launched the JCSAT 3, 4 and 6 satellites."
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A major expansion of Frankfurt Airport's Perishables Center is scheduled to start in April and to be completed in phases by autumn 2007. Serving as a European interim storage and trans-shipment facility, the specially equipped Perishables Center is expanding to meet increasing demand from shippers around the globe. Plans call for adding about 2,500 square meters of storage area and 400 square meters of office space. Approximately 160,000 metric tons of fresh and frozen produce were handled in 2005 at FRA's perishables port. This included 100,000 metric tons arriving by airfreight and 60,000 metric tons arriving by truck. Total handling volumes are expected to jump by five percent this year – with particularly strong growth in pharmaceuticals shipments. Located at FRA's CargoCity North near Airport Entrance 26 and immediately abutting the apron, the Perishables Center is open round-the-clock and features excellent "airside" and "landside" access. Inaugurated in mid-1995, the center is designated as an official European Union (EU) border inspection post. Advantages of this facility include the concentration of all inspection authorities under one roof: including the Animal Health Office, Plant Protection Office, and German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.
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Effective immediately, MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg is free to repair General Electric CF34-8 engines. On Monday, January 30, 2006, the German Federal Office of Civil Aeronautics granted EASA approval and also FAA approval. This adds a new dimension to operations at the Ludwigsfelde company. There are over 750 CF34-8 engines in revenue service. 1,500 more have been ordered or orders are expected to be firmed up - by 2014, the total order will be around 2,700. This makes this version of the CF34 the fastest growing of the CF34 family. The repair work will be worth about one billion euros globally over the next eight years. The CF34-8 primarily powers 70- to 90-seat Bombardier and Embraer regional jets and the larger business jets. The CF34-family engines are among the most popular in their class. MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg is already providing support for the CF34-3. The newcomer, the CF34-8, has been rolling off the production line since 2001. The repair work on it is expected to significantly contribute to profitable growth at Ludwigsfelde.
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CFM International has completed an extensive 63-hour flight test program on the company's CFM56-5B/CFM56-7B Tech Insertion package, paving the way for engine certification in June 2006 and entry into service in 2007. CFM International (CFM) is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma and General Electric Company. It is the world's leading aircraft engine manufacturer, with more than 15,500 engines delivered to date. To date, CFM has completed certification high-pressure compressor performance tests, emissions tests, and icing tests. The first full Tech Insertion engine was installed on GE's modified 747 flying test bed in Victorville, California, in November 2005 and completed extensive performance and operability tests. Results of all tests to date have been outstanding, with the engine meeting or exceeding requirements. The engine is currently undergoing a 150-hour block test at Snecma facilities in Villaroche, France and will complete hail ingestion testing in the first quarter of this year. Flight tests on the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 are scheduled for late 2006. The CFM56 Tech Insertion program incorporates technologies developed and validated as part of Project TECH56 and includes improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high- and low-pressure turbines. The package will provide operators with longer time on wing, about 5 percent lower maintenance costs, 15 - 20 percent lower oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, and better fuel burn. Tech Insertion will become the new production configuration for both the CFM56-7B and CFM56-5B. CFM is also defining potential upgrade kits that could be made available to operators by late 2007. There are more than 6,000 CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines currently in service.
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On 6 February, the A380 left Toulouse for Iqaluit in northern Canada where it will undergo a series of cold-weather tests. It is the first time the A380 travels to North America. A crew of about 45 engineers will take part in the tests, which will be carried out in temperatures between -25 deg. C and -40 deg. C. The tests are part of the campaign to validate the full functionality of the aircraft's engines, systems and materials under extreme conditions. Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, is approximately 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) north of Toronto.
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In a joint statement, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd and ExecuJet Aviation Group have announced the decision to end their relationship with respect to the representation of the Pilatus PC-12 product line. The decision was taken jointly based on strategic reasons, and future plans of the two companies. In order to act in the best interests of Pilatus PC-12 owners, Pilatus and ExecuJet will agree to a transition plan that will ensure continuity of support in the regions where the current co-operation exists.
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After an almost six-hour spacewalk last week, the ISS crew began the week with a little time off; then returned to science investigations, routine maintenance and equipment tests. Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev spent the weekend restoring the station to its normal layout after the spacewalk. They dried their spacesuits to be ready for future spacewalks and reconfigured station systems. The crew had off-duty time on Monday and Tuesday, and they completed post-spacewalk conferences with flight controllers and engineers. Other work included standard ground communications' checks with sites at White Sands, N.M., and Wallops Island, Va. Tuesday, McArthur transmitted a narrated video tour of the station, offering viewers a look at the interior, equipment and stowed supplies.
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Sir Freddie Laker has passed away on 9 February in Hollywood, Florida. He'll be remembered long into the future for his contributions to aviation and his effect on the low cost carrier world as we know it, but he'll be remembered so much more fondly by those who knew him personally. Sir Freddie, even in his eighties, commanded the room from the moment he entered with an effortless charm, a quick and clever wit, and a childlike grin and laugh that made you smile before a joke was even told. He was surrounded by love and well wishes up to the moment of his passing.
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Aéroports de Paris and the oneworld alliance airlines operating from Terminals 2 A, B and D at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport have signed today a service level agreement (SLA) which outlines the bases of their future partnership. It establishes a baseline of measurements of quality of service with the aim of improving the working partnership between the airport operator and the airlines, in line with Aéroports de Paris' key strategic priority to improve the quality of its services to airlines and passengers. The agreement covers two main areas: operational support and passenger satisfaction. Key performance indicators, identified and selected by the oneworld carriers and Aéroports de Paris, will be jointly evaluated on a monthly basis. They include availability of electro-mechanical equipment, such as elevators, plus jetways and baggage systems. Passenger satisfaction will also be assessed based on quarterly interviews of passengers, covering such aspects as the cleanliness of airport environment, availability of flight information, signage and serviceability of baggage trolleys. Six of the alliance's member airlines currently serve CDG - Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and Iberia - carrying between them a total of six million passengers a year out of France on more than 1,000 flights a week to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to some 25 destinations worldwide. Currently, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific operate from Terminal 2A, British Airways at Terminal 2B, Finnair and Iberia from Terminal 2D and Aer Lingus from Terminal 1.
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