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+++ 5000th Boeing 737 handed over +++ LTU acquires new majority shareholder +++ New investor for dba +++ Hamburg International buys A319s +++ Trent 1000 runs on schedule ++ German supreme court forbids airliner shootdowns +++ News in brief +++
5000th Boeing 737 handed over
Boeing 737: Nr. 5000 ausgeliefert
On 13 February, Boeing and Southwest Airlines celebrated the 5,000 th 737 to come off the production line as thousands of Boeing employees and special guests attended an historic delivery ceremony at the company's Renton, Wash., manufacturing facility. Guinness World Records has acknowledged the 737 as the most-produced large commercial jet airplane in aviation history. "The 737 is an icon of efficiency in air travel and one of commercial aviation's greatest success stories," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are absolutely thrilled that the world's largest 737 operator -- Southwest Airlines -- is the owner of this historic airplane. Our partnership with Southwest and hundreds of other 737 customers has resulted in continuous improvements to the 737 and its ability to help our customers be successful." The 5,000th 737, a 737-700 painted in Southwest Airlines colors, is the 447th 737 to join the carrier's fleet. Southwest has helped launch three Boeing 737 models -- the 737-300, -500 and the -700.
The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time, with total orders now exceeding 6,000 airplanes. The 737 family includes the initial -100 and -200 models, which entered service in 1968; the Classic -300, -400 and -500 models, which entered service in 1984; and the newest members -- the Next-Generation 737-600, -700, -800 and -900ER models, which entered service in 1998. As of January 31, 2006, 95 customers have placed orders for more than 3,000 Next-Generation 737s; the program has 1,154 undelivered units in its order backlog with a value of more than $73 billion at current list prices.
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LTU acquires new majority shareholder
Wöhrl steigt bei LTU ein
Intro Verwaltungs GmbH (which is headquartered in Reichenschwand (near Nuremberg)) has acquired a majority share in the Dusseldorf-based airline LTU by buying a 60 percent share in Loma GmbH. As the largest shareholder in Munich-based dba Luftfahrtgesellschaft mbH, Intro Verwaltung is pursuing its strategy of building an independent German air transport network. "Unlike dba's takeover of GEXX Fluggesellschaft's route network a year ago, we are not planning a merger with LTU. Inasmuch as both companies have an outstanding infrastructure for their differing business models, it would be pointless to change anything," noted Intro CEO Peter Oncken.
According to Mr. Oncken, the purpose of the acquisition is to harmonize the two companies' networks, which dovetail ideally with each other, so as to provide passengers with a worldwide network. Intro partner Hans Rudolf Wohrl noted in this regard that the acquisition of LTU is completely different from the 2003 takeover of the former Deutsche BA. "Deutsche BA was a company whose need for capital reconstruction had brought it to its knees, and whose cost structure and product portfolio left a great deal to be desired. With LTU the situation is somewhat different. Although the company has suffered serious losses in recent years, these losses are attributable to anemic value creation rather than faulty strategy," Mr. Wohrl noted.
Intro and its various subsidiaries have the expertise and ideas needed to optimize a broad range of processes at LTU. "If LTU's personnel supports the required restructuring measures in a proactive and flexible manner, we will experience such rapid growth that no layoffs will be necessary," said Mr. Wohrl, who noted that the first priority will be to increase LTU's productivity and sales. "We plan to generate new sales potential by harmonizing the two airlines' schedules," said LTU CEO Jurgen Marbach.
Mr. Marbach will take on the position of spokesperson for LTU senior management, and Peter Oncken will join the company's executive team. According to Mr. Wohrl, "We see no reason for a changing of the guard. What we want to do is strengthen our corporate governance capacities so that we can achieve our strategic objectives. We also plan to implement a cross-checking system at LTU."
LTU supervisory board chairman Wolfgang van Betteray, who acquired the 49.9 percent share of LTU that had formerly been held by SR Group (which went bankrupt in 2001) via his VBE Beteiligungsgesellschaft, expressed pleasure at the deal: "Dba is the ideal partner for LTU." The parties to the transaction have agreed to keep its scope and the purchase price confidential. Intro now holds a 60 percent share of LTU, and REWE Group owns 40 percent.
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New investor for dba
Dr. med. Ltz Helmig kauft 25 % von dba
dba gets an additional, financially strong partner: Dr. med. Lutz Helmig has taken 25.1 percent of the company shares through its Aton GmbH. The founder of the Helios clinics GmbH, which he sold this in the autumn 2005 for 1.5 billion Euros to the Fresenius CORP., involves itself from immediately as a finance investor in the dba. Simultaneously the capital of dba Luftfahrtgesellschaft mbH is considerably increased - from approximately 10,225 million Euro to 20 million Euros. Details of the purchase price are kept confidential. With the enlargement of the ownership base as well as the increase in capital, the dba has a better base to act in the competition with other German airlines; moreover the order of 40 new Boeing 737-700 with additional financial power is accommodated.
Through the enlarged company basis and capital basis, the independence of dba is secured as the second largest german domestic lines airline. Also the further growth of the airline in the German and European market is facilitated. The company structure of dba forms itself now as follows: the Intro gmbh (Hans Rudolf Wöhrl) holds 59.9 percent, the Aton GmbH (Dr. med. Lutz Helmig) 25.1 percent, both dba-managers Martin Gauss and Peter Wojahn respectively 7.5 percent. In the current fiscal year (1.4.2005 until 31.3.2006) dba massively grew its route network from 17 to 32. The business increased revenue and passenger numbers approximately 40 percent, almost doubled the airplane fleet of 15 to 29 machines today. dba reckons the amount for the current fiscal year with a revenue in of 400 million Euros and 4.3 million passengers.
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Hamburg International buys A319s
Neuer Airbus-Kunde in Deutschland
Hamburg International has become a new customer for the Airbus A319 with an order for 14 aircraft of the type, plus another six on option. Ten of those aircraft will replace the airline's current fleet of previous-generation single-aisle aircraft. Airbus will deliver the aircraft configured in a comfortable single-class layout, seating up to 150 passengers. The contract, announced today by Hamburg International, had already been signed in December 2005. Established in 1998, the Hamburg-based airline operates on behalf of renowned tour operators as well as charter flights and addressing other substantial niche markets like executive charters and corporate flight operations. The airline will operate ten of the A319s on its European charter routes as well as on dedicated international flights to Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
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Trent 1000 runs on schedule
Erstlauf des Trent 1000
Rolls-Royce has successfully completed the first test-bed run of its Trent 1000 engine, being developed for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The engine ran exactly to schedule against the date of 14 February set almost three years earlier. As launch engine on the Boeing 787, the Trent 1000 is the first of the aircraft's powerplants to run, and will also be the first in the air when it takes to the skies on a Rolls-Royce Boeing 747 flying test bed in the first quarter of 2007. Following certification by the airworthiness authorities next summer, it will power the 787 Dreamliner's first flight and will begin commercial operations with launch customer ANA (All Nippon Airways) in mid 2008. Dominic Horwood, Director of Boeing Programmes at Rolls-Royce, said: “Initial testing is proceeding very smoothly, and everything we've seen is in line with expectations. We have delivered on our promise to our customers to run the Trent 1000 on time, and that's really important to us. It's just a great start to our programme.
The engine started electrically, first time, using a new design feature called IP Power Offtake. This involves dual use starter-generators which act as both electrical starters on the ground, and power generators while airborne. In flight, power is created by mechanically driving the generators using the engine's intermediate pressure compressor, including power for the cabin Environmental Conditioning System (ECS) rather than taking conventional bleed air. Each Trent 1000 is capable of generating around 0.5MW of electrical energy to power the increased number of electrical systems used in the Boeing 787. The first engine is one of seven to be used in ground testing, while a further nine are earmarked for the flight test programme. With a range of thrust from 53,200lb to 75,000lb, the Trent 1000 is capable of powering all versions of the 787 Dreamliner.
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German court forbids airliner shootdowns
Verfassungsgericht kippt Luftsicherheitsgesetz
Paragraph 14.3 of the German Aviation Security Act (Luftsicherheitsgesetz – LuftSiG), which authorises the armed forces to shoot down aircraft that are intended to be used as weapons in crimes against human lives, is incompatible with the Basic Law and hence void. This was decided by the First Senate of the Federal Constitutional Court in its judgment of 15 February 2006. The Federal Constitutional Court held that the Federation lacks legislative competence to issue such regulation in the first place. According to the Court, Article 35.2 sentence 2 and 35.3 sentence 1 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz – GG), which regulates the employment of the armed forces for the control of natural disasters or in the case of especially grave accidents, does not permit the Federation to order missions of the armed forces with specifically military weapons. Moreover, § 14.3 of the Aviation Security Act is incompatible with the fundamental right to life and with the guarantee of human dignity to the extent that the use of armed force affects persons on board the aircraft who are not participants in the crime. By the state's using their killing as a means to save others, they are treated as mere objects, which denies them the value that is due to a human being for his or her own sake. Thus, the constitutional complaint lodged by four lawyers, a patent attorney and a flight captain, who had directly challenged § 14.3 of the Aviation Security Act, was successful.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, and Anatoly Perminov, Director General of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, signed the supply contract for the first four Soyuz launch vehicles to be launched from the Guiana Space Center (Kourou, French Guiana) starting in 2008. The ceremony in Moscow was attended by the French and Russian prime ministers. Coming less than a year after the go-ahead for the development of the Soyuz/Guiana Space Center project, this latest step consolidates the European-Russian partnership on Soyuz, now organized in a two-pronged approach. First, launches from Baikonur under the responsibility of Starsem, a joint subsidiary of EADS/Arianespace (50%) and their Russian partners (50%). To date, Starsem has carried out 15 launches from Baikonur, all successful, for scientific, communications and Galileo spacecraft. Three launches are planned in 2006 and three more in 2007. Secondly, launches from the Guiana Space Center, under the responsibility of Arianespace. A Soyuz launch pad is now being built in French Guiana. The European Space Agency and Arianespace are co-financing this work, worth a total of 344 million euros, with French space agency CNES as prime contractor, assisted by Arianespace.
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Since the 13th of February 2006, CIRRUS Aviation, one of Europe's leading operators of corporate jets, has taken delivery of a further two brand new jets. They are first of type registrations in Germany and are technologically the most advanced, as well as leading edge regarding passenger comfort. 'These fleet additions enhance the CIRRUS Aviation fleet perfectly', adds Stefan Buschle, Director of CIRRUS Aviation. 'The roominess and useable cabin space of the Legacy is class leading, whilst the Challenger 300 closes the gap between the 7-seater Learjet 60 and the 10-seater Challenger 604 long range jet. The Saarbruecken (Germany) based aviation group currently operates 14 executive jets and continues to expand. According to president and founder Gerd Brandecker, CIRRUS Aviation is expecting to operate an additional Global 5000, a second Challenger 300 as well as a third Learjet 40 within the next 12 months.
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Bombardier announced that it had delivered 337 aircraft for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2006. This compares to 329 aircraft deliveries in the previous fiscal year 2004/05 (year ending January 31, 2005). In the business aircraft segment, an impressive 186 units were delivered compared to 128 for the same period last year, an increase of 45 per cent. Ninety of the business aircraft delivered this fiscal year were of the latest Bombardier business jets: the Global Express XRS, Bombardier Global 5000, Challenger 300 and Learjet 40 XR. Deliveries in the regional aircraft segment totalled 149 aircraft compared to 200 for the same period last year due largely to a significant reduction in CRJ200 aircraft deliveries. However, despite the continuing challenges facing the North American airline industry, Bombardier delivered approximately the same number of larger regional jets this fiscal year compared to the previous year.
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For 2005, Delta's net loss was $3.8 billion. Excluding reorganization and special items, the full year 2005 net loss was $2.2 billion. Despite significant losses, Delta achieved important milestones in its reorganization during the fourth quarter of 2005, including strengthening its route network, making progress in restructuring its aircraft fleet and reducing its employment costs. As of December 31, 2005, Delta had $2.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $2.0 billion was unrestricted. For the full year 2005, Delta recorded a net loss of $3.8 billion, compared to 2004's full year net loss of $5.2 billion. Excluding reorganization and special items, the net loss was $2.2 billion in 2005. Excluding the special items described below, the net loss was $2.3 billion in 2004. “Losses of the magnitude that Delta recorded in 2005 are not sustainable,” said Edward H. Bastian, Delta's executive vice president and chief financial officer. “These losses emphasize the need for the urgency with which we have to pursue route network and revenue improvements and the use of the bankruptcy process to reduce the cost and complexity of our business.”
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In 2005, Thales Group revenues totalled Euro 10,263m, nearly the same figure as in 2004 (Euro 10,282m). On a like-for-like basis and excluding billings for the hull of the third and last Sawari 2 frigate in December 2004 (Euro 375m), revenues increased by 3.8% compared to 2004. Exchange rate fluctuations had a very limited overall effect, increasing revenues by Euro 15m. Changes in the scope of consolidation (mainly due to the deconsolidation of Thales Electronic Solutions, which was divested on 30 November 2004) resulted in a net reduction in revenues of Euro 37m. In the fourth quarter alone, revenues increased by 3.6% compared to the same quarter of 2004, excluding billings of the Sawari 2 hull, an increase which is in line with the trend observed over the first nine months of 2005. In 2005, excluding the Naval division, all Group divisions have seen a growth in revenue. Aerospace division revenues grew by 9% over 2005, on a like-for-like basis, and benefited from a highly favourable environment in avionics, where sales increased by more than 20%. This upward trend was boosted by new orders from commercial airlines and by development of the customer support business. In the defence domain, trends in revenues were more varied with, on the one hand, the reduction in export sales from Mirage aircraft programmes currently under completion and, on the other hand, higher billings on the NH90 and Tiger helicopter programmes as well as the first billings on the UK Watchkeeper UAV-based tactical surveillance programme, in the second half of the year. Over the last quarter alone, growth in revenues amounted to 11%. Revenues from the Air Systems division declined by 6% in the last quarter compared to a particularly high level in the fourth quarter of 2004. Full year revenues for 2005 saw a 7% increase for this division, sustained by the vitality of air defence activities: solid growth in missile electronics (particularly for the MICA, Storm Shadow/Scalp and Seawolf missiles), in weapon systems businesses (with the KSAM programme for Korea, the Crotale NG programme for Greece and the major FSAF programme for the development of a medium-range air defence system for France & Italy), as well as a favourable trend recorded by Thales Raytheon Systems, the JV with Raytheon in air operations control. Revenues from air traffic management activities remained at the level reached in 2004, when several major contracts had reached completion.
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Airbus' A380 MSN004 has returned from Iqaluit, Canada, where it successfully completed the cold weather test campaign, and is now preparing to head for Asian Aerospace '06 in Singapore. The aircraft will perform daily flying displays during the show which is due to begin on 21st February. MSN004, the second A380 to fly, spent five days in conditions of up to minus 30 degrees Celsius to prove full functionality of the systems under extreme weather conditions. Such trials included powering up the aircraft, the engines and hydraulic systems after a full 12-hour period at such low temperatures. The batteries were taken away overnight and kept in a warm area. The next morning, batteries were reinstalled onboard the aircraft for the tests. On the way back from Iqaluit, the A380 also carried out polar navigation tests. Earlier this month, the high altitude campaign successfully took place in Medellin, Columbia, an airport at an altitude of 5,000 feet. MSN004 spent a week there carrying out engine behaviour tests at high altitude airfields.
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) served about 3.7 million passengers in January. In the typically lean travel month of January, this represents only about 20,000 or 0.5 percent fewer passengers than in the same month last year - when yet another record level was reached. A large number of weather-related flight cancellations caused this moderate decline, the first in passenger figures since September 2003. Furthermore, labor strikes in other European countries precipitated flight cancellations, which also slowed down passenger growth at FRA. Domestic traffic was particularly affected, dropping by 4.8 percent. European traffic also slipped slightly by 0.5 percent. Tourist traffic, in particular, fell short of expectations. Intercontinental traffic grew slightly by 0.4 percent. Climbing by 5.7 percent, Asia was the only traffic region outside of Europe to show notable growth in January.
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ARINC Incorporated announced its customer Finnair has joined Link2000+, the Eurocontrol program co-coordinating the implementation of Controller Pilot Data link Communications (CPDLC) in Europe. A long-time user of ARINC's GLOBALink service, Finnair plans to equip 29 of its A320 family aircraft with new VDLM2 avionics for use in the Link 2000+ ATC program by the end of 2006. “We already enjoy major operational benefits from ARINC's GLOBALink data link service,” stated Markku Lemmetty, Finnair's Data link Flight Operations Avionics Manager. “We expect the benefits of improved ATC communications in the Link2000+ program to be even greater. We are very enthusiastic about joining.” Finnair plans to install a new generation of Airbus ATSU avionics to take advantage of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) messaging. ARINC is supporting Airbus in the development of its new avionics through a connection to ARINC's ATN/VDLM2 network, which ARINC deployed in 2004.
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Sikorsky has selected BAE Systems to develop the active pilot inceptor system for the U.S. Army's UH-60M Black Hawk program. The system will replace the mechanical pilot controls on the current UH-60 with active technology that saves weight and provides pilots with intuitive tactile cues for easier handling and reduced workload. The Black Hawk will be the world's first production helicopter to combine active inceptor technology with a fly-by-wire system. Sikorsky intends to install the controls on production UH-60Ms beginning with the 150 th aircraft.
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Raytheon has released AutoTrac III, the next evolutionary step in Air Traffic Management (ATM) technology. The new release, built solely by Raytheon, builds on the successes of AutoTrac 1 and 2 and features a new generation of flight data and surveillance data processing systems. AutoTrac III also bridges the old and the new by allowing users to integrate the new release with either their legacy or next- generation products. This existing system, with its modern open architecture design and high performance characteristics, is fully adaptable and scaleable to any ATM environment, ranging from a simple tower automation application to a fully integrated national multi-center system. The system provides a low-cost and low-risk solution for the complete spectrum of ATM domain automation needs worldwide. AutoTrac III incorporates in a single system a unique set of features such as multi-sensor tracking, safety nets, flight data and clearance processing, and an advanced flexible 'stripless' human machine interface that customers have already begun incorporating into their strategic technology planning. These advances will provide higher levels of safety, greater capacity and improved efficiency for years to come -- seamlessly integrated within a single system.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that it is restarting its CL-215T conversion kits program. Nine orders for the turbine conversion kits to be installed on CL-215 amphibious aircraft were placed by the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, AeroFlite – a private U.S. operator, and Buffalo Airways Ltd of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The total value of the nine orders is approximately $85 million US. The turbine conversion kits include the proven PW123AF Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, which will enhance the CL-215 aircraft's reliability and efficiency. The converted aircraft will also feature improvements such as the modernization of structural components, electrical distribution system & engine fuel system, in addition to the replacement of manual flight controls by powered systems to benefit from added engine power and reduced pilot workload. Once modified, the aircraft will perform similarly to the renowned Bombardier 415 firefighting aircraft.
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Testing is under way by engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., to lay the foundation for developing the Crew Launch Vehicle, the agency's future launch vehicle system. Sixty-six wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 16.5-inch scale model of the vehicle. The tunnel is 48 inches long with a 14-inch by 14-inch cross section. Wind tunnel "flights" are used to assess new geometric configurations before designs are incorporated into space vehicles. In the tube-like, tunnel structure, giant fans or high-pressure air generate artificial wind to flow over vehicles, engines, rockets or scale-model hardware, helping scientists determine flight performance characteristics of new concepts. The first, two-week entry in the test series began in December and was performed at Marshall's Aerodynamic Research Facility. The facility is used for concept validation of space launch vehicles. Additional testing continues this month. The initial test data are the foundation for more detailed testing this spring and summer. Bigger vehicle models will be used in larger wind tunnel facilities at NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., and Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
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Acting on a decision by the EU Commission, an unannounced inspection was carried out at a number of air-cargo carriers in Europe, including SAS Cargo in Copenhagen. According to the Commission, the background is that it wants to investigate whether any form of prohibited cooperation has occurred in the air-cargo industry for the purpose of restricting competition. According to the EU Commission, cooperation has involved routes within Europe as well as to countries outside the European Union. The alleged competition limiting cooperation has supposedly been carried out since 2000 and mainly involved agreements regarding certain surcharges to offset external cost increases, such as fuel surcharges, costs for additional security measures (after the attack in the US in September 2001) and surcharges for war-risk insurance premiums (applied in conjunction with the outbreak of war in Iraq in 2003). Currently, SAS Cargo sees no reason to suspect any violations. Group Management at SAS views any form of competition violation very seriously and will ensure open and full cooperation with the EU Commission to determine if SAS Cargo has had any involvement in this context.
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EADS North America and its subsidiary American Eurocopter have expanded the UH-145 team with the addition of three new U.S. suppliers, broadening the American industrial footprint for this rotary-wing aircraft offered in the Army's Light Utility Helicopter competition. Joining the UH-145 program are Turbomeca USA of Grand Prairie, Texas; Keith Products of Addison, Texas and Aerolite of Everett, Washington. "Brought together under the leadership of our American Eurocopter subsidiary, these new program partners bring significant expertise in critical military helicopter systems and hardware, adding even more value to our Light Utility Helicopter solution for the U.S. Army," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO of EADS North America. "The commitment of these key suppliers to manufacture major UH-145 subsystems and components in the U.S. reflects the EADS strategy of insourcing jobs and technology to the U.S. that will significantly contribute to the nation's defense." The three companies join UH-145 team founding members EADS North America, American Eurocopter, Sikorsky, WestWind Technologies and CAE USA.
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Aerovironment is being awarded a $9,792,039 firm-fixed-price order under a previously awarded contract for 303 Dragon Eye Air Vehicles, 101 ground control stations, 101 field support kits, and all required materials, services, personnel, facilities, and support for use in the Marine Corps. The Dragon Eye unmanned aerial system provides commanders with real-time tactical and reconnaissance/surveillance information.
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China Eastern Airlines and EADS EFW have signed a contract for the conversion of three A300-600 passenger aircraft, formerly operated by the Chinese airline itself, to freighters. The first A300-600 is expected to enter EADS EFWs Dresden facility for conversion in December 2006. The other two conversions will take place during 2007. As of today, EADS has delivered a total of 122 converted freighter aircraft to over 20 customers worldwide. EFW, headquartered in Dresden, Germany, is the centre of competence for Airbus passenger to freighter conversion within EADS.
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Airbus has created a subsidiary called "Airbus Middle East". Headquartered at the Dubai Airport Free Zone, it will be in charge of all commercial activities, including marketing, sales, contracts and customer relations, as well as all customer service activities, such as spare parts, training, and technical support. Habib Fekih, currently CEO of Dubai based Total Airline Services Company (TASC), has been appointed President of Airbus Middle East. Airbus Middle East will cover GCC countries, as well as Yemen, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It is the fourth such subsidiary Airbus has established, following those based in the United States, China and Japan, and its creation underlines the region's global importance to Airbus as an aviation market. Airbus is also establishing a new spare parts centre for the Middle East, adding to its worldwide network of spares, training and technical-support teams.
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On 15 February, Sea Launch successfully delivered the EchoStar X communications satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Early data indicate the spacecraft is in excellent condition. A Zenit-3SL vehicle lifted off at 3:35pm PT (23:35 GMT), from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude. All systems performed nominally throughout the flight. The Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 4,333 kg (9,553 lb.) EchoStar X satellite to GTO, on its way to a final orbital position of 110 degrees West Longitude. A ground station in Uralla, Australia, acquired the first signal from the satellite, as planned. The EchoStar X satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems in Pennsylvania and then assembled in Sunnyvale, California. The high-power Ku band A2100-AX spacecraft is designed to deliver direct-to-home broadcast services to DISH Network customers throughout the United States. This direct broadcast system is optimized to provide additional bandwidth and, used in conjunction with other EchoStar satellites, EchoStar X will enable the DISH Network to expand its customer services and channel offerings. EchoStar X now joins EchoStar's current fleet of nine satellites that provide DISH Network customers with hundreds of all-digital television channels, including interactive TV services, sports programming, high definition television and international programming. EchoStar Communications Corporation, based in Englewood, Colorado, serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the past five yea
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The Board of Directors of Dassault, which met on February 15th, 2006, chaired by Mr Charles Edelstenne, approved the accounts for the past year. The pro forma shareholders' equity as of December 31st, 2004 increases by 69.6 million euros, i.e. + 3.3% of the shareholders' equity under French accounting principles. The pro forma shareholders' equity as of January 1st, 2005 increases by 862.2 million euros, i.e. + 39.7% of the shareholders' equity under same principles as of December 31st, 2004. Consolidated 2005 net profit in IFRS increases by 4.2 million euros, i.e. 1.4% of the consolidated net profit under French accounting principles. Consolidated orders amount to 4.53 billion euros owing particularly to the sales of 123 FALCON, which sets an historical record. Consolidated 2005 sales amount to 3.43 billion euros. The FALCON business accounts for 48% of total consolidated sales. Consolidated operating profit is 412 million euros. It accounts for 12.0% of consolidated sales. Consolidated net profit (total Group and net attributable Group profit) accounts to 305 million euros. It accounts for 8.9% of consolidated sales.
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Goodrich has been awarded a research and development contract to apply its advanced friction material expertise to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), Short Take-off, Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant's LiftFan clutch by Rolls-Royce. According to Paul Walsh, Vice President of Goodrich's high temperature composites team, "We're honored to have been selected by Rolls-Royce to provide additional technology for this high-profile program. The F-35's clutch transmits power from the engine drive shaft, which Goodrich produces, to power the LiftFan which helps the plane perform short take-offs and vertical landings. Tremendous heat is generated during the short clutch engagement which is where our expertise comes into play. Our special high temperature composite materials function well in the extremes of this environment." Goodrich has been supplying clutch friction material since the inception of the F-35 JSF program. This new research and development contract will involve Goodrich's high temperature composite team in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., its Aircraft Wheel & Brake team in Troy, OH as well as its Materials and Simulation Technical Center in Brecksville, OH, in the development of a longer life, higher performance clutch material. In addition to this new research and development contract, Goodrich is providing the landing system for the Air Force's Conventional Take-off and Landing (CTOL) variant of the aircraft. As the landing systems integrator, Goodrich is responsible for the design, manufacturing and testing of unique landing systems for the STOVL and the Carrier Variant (CV) of the aircraft. Goodrich's Actuation Systems team provides the downlock and retract actuators for the landing gear system, and the wiring harnesses are also provided by Goodrich.
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Pratt & Whitney launched Global Material Solutions, a new business that will offer CFM56 engine operators a competitive, lower-priced choice in new parts. The company also announced that United Airlines has signed on as the new business's launch customer, with a long-term parts agreement for its fleet of 98 CFM56-powered Boeing 737s. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "We are now able to offer customers a dependable choice for 100 percent of their CFM56-3 materials at a competitive price," stated Louis R. Chenevert, President of Pratt & Whitney. "We're delighted that United Airlines, one of our oldest and most valued partners, has signed on as our launch customer." "United's focus is on continuous improvement and this is an innovative step in that direction," said Rick Poulton, United's Senior Vice President of Business Development. "Pratt & Whitney's scope, scale and familiarity with aircraft part manufacturing make them an excellent partner to help further reduce United's maintenance costs while maintaining the highest standards of safety." Pratt &Whitney Global Material Solutions is a natural extension of the company's extensive portfolio of CFM56 engine services; which include fleet management programs for total engine care and material management programs for new spare parts, parts repair and commercial serviceable material.
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Boeing and Avio-Diepen recently signed a long-term agreement as part of Boeing's Integrated Materials Management (IMM) initiative. Through this program, Boeing and selected suppliers such as Avio-Diepen maintain an airline's inventory of maintenance supplies, including spare parts, and provide items only as needed. By reducing the airline's own inventory, IMM reduces an airline's cost of doing business. "Boeing is excited to add Avio-Diepen to the Integrated Materials Management family of customers and network suppliers. Avio-Diepen has extensive knowledge and experience in providing innovative distribution and material management solutions to their customers. The IMM service network and airline customers will greatly benefit from this new agreement as we further expand the scope of IMM," said Joe Brummitt, director of Integrated Materials Management for Boeing.
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Northrop Grumman concluded a series of flights Jan. 5 that demonstrated the weapons-capable MQ-5B Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle's (UAV) ability to fly more than 21 hours, which is almost a ten-hour increase over the original RQ-5A Hunter UAV. "The MQ-5B increases our gross take-off weight to 1,950 pounds, providing our forces the capability to perform intelligence-gathering missions exceeding 21 hours using a single unmanned aircraft; or carry significantly more payload weight," said Lt. Col. Jeff Gabbert, program manager of medium altitude endurance programs for the Army. "The fact that the MQ-5B is integrated into the Army's One System ground control station offers us interoperability and decreases our training time, enabling us to train our first unit very rapidly as they deploy this greatly improved system in the near future." Northrop Grumman accomplished the endurance increase by adding fuel capacity to the Hunter's center wing area and increasing the efficiency of the air vehicle's heavy fuel engine.
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Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to define their future collaboration on the F135 propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The agreement, signed at Pratt & Whitney's headquarters in East Hartford, Conn., covers work on the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the F135 through the production and sustainment phase of the JSF program. "The Pratt & Whitney / Rolls-Royce collaboration on the F135 program has been extremely successful," said Tom Farmer, President of Military Engines for Pratt & Whitney. "Rolls-Royce brings decades of STOVL experience to this program and the performance of the lift system components on the F135 has been remarkable." Under the agreement, Rolls-Royce will maintain its current lift system component responsibilities beyond System Development and Demonstration into production and sustainment. The work has the potential to bring billions of dollars in new production and spare parts sales to Rolls-Royce over the life of the program. Rolls-Royce produces the LiftFan, Three Bearing Swivel Module and Roll Posts as a subcontractor to Pratt & Whitney.
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A chapter in naval aviation history drew to a close Feb. 8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with the last recovery of an F-14 Tomcat from a combat mission. Piloted by Capt. William G. Sizemore II, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Fighter Squadron (VF) 213's aircraft 204 was trapped at 12:35 a.m. and marked one of the final stages of the Navy's transition from the F-14 to F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. “It's the end of an era and it just kind of worked out that I was the last trap,” said Sizemore. “This is one of the best airplanes ever built, and it's sad to see it go away. It's just a beautiful airplane. It's powerful, it has presence, and it just looks like the ultimate fighter.” Lt. Bill Frank, a VF-31 pilot, also took part in the last mission, and is credited with being the last pilot to ever drop a bomb from an F-14 Tomcat. “We were called on to drop, and that's what we did,” said Frank. “It's special and it's something I can say I did, but what's more important is the work of the Sailors who made it possible. They have worked so hard during this cruise to make every Tomcat operational.”
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BAE Systems recently demonstrated its vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial system (UAS) at Fort Benning, Ga., for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and U.S. Army representatives. The unmanned system is designed to fly for more than one hour, and deploy a signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload, known as "WolfPack." As part of DARPA's Network Centric Experiment VIP Demonstration in January, BAE Systems integrated WolfPack with its UAS to demonstrate the deployment and relocation of the sensors. "This demonstration shows that unattended battlefield sensors can not only operate autonomously, but that they can be made to be self-deploying, self-relocating and, if needed, self-recovering," said DARPA Program Manager Preston Marshall. WolfPack consists of unattended sensors designed to detect and disrupt enemy radio transmissions while avoiding disruption of friendly military and protected commercial communications and radars. BAE Systems unmanned aerial system is one of a number of options being explored to insert the WolfPack sensors in urban and remote battle space.
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An image of Mt. Fuji is the first data to be acquired by Japan's recently launched Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) on 24 January 2006. ESA is supporting ALOS as a 'Third Party Mission', which means the Agency will utilise its multi-mission ground systems of existing national and industrial facilities and expertise to acquire, process and distribute data from the satellite to users. The image data was acquired as part of the initial functional verification test since the satellite's launch. One of ALOS' three onboard instruments, the Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM), observed the mountain at 02:00 CET (10:30 Japan time) on 14 February 2006. The PRISM is an optical sensor which has three independent optical systems for acquiring terrain and altitude data simultaneously, allowing for three-dimensional images with a high accuracy and frequency.
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Raytheon's Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (SLAMRAAM) program received the go-ahead to proceed with manufacturing, assembly and test of the Integrated Fire Control Station (IFCS) after conducting a successful product baseline design review (PBDR) and a successful IFCS critical design review. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) SLAMRAAM system of systems provides the warfighter a tailorable, state of the art air defense system that can defeat current and emerging cruise missile threats as well as a wide range of air breathing threats.
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An F-15K, built by Boeing for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), simultaneously dropped three Mk-82 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) during testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., scoring three direct hits. "These were the first guided releases of JDAM from an F-15K and they all went extremely well," said John Heilmann, F-15K program manager. "Whether it's air-to-air, air-to-sea, or in this case air-to-ground, the F-15K is living up to its billing as the world's most capable multi-role fighter." The Mk-82 JDAM releases are part of an integration program that will certify the F-15K to carry up to 12 Mk-82 (500 lb.) JDAMs on the aircraft's conformal fuel tank pylon stations. The F-15K will be the first F-15 variant anywhere to have this capability.
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NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter team recently passed its Preliminary Design Review heralding the start of the mission confirmation process. The first in a series of robotic missions to the moon, the lunar orbiter is scheduled for launch in October 2008. It will carry six science instruments and a technology demonstration. The mission goal is to develop new approaches and technologies to support human space exploration to Mars and other destinations. The preliminary design review concluded Feb. 9. The results of the review, on-going assessments of project cost and schedule will support a confirmation review this spring. The confirmation review represents NASA's formal decision for authorizing additional work and will set the project's cost estimate. The mission's Critical Design Review is scheduled for fall. It will represent the completion of detailed system design, the transition to assembly and integration of the mission elements.
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Airbus is studying the value of new wing tip devices for its Single Aisle Family as part of its commitment of continuous improvement. Airbus seeks to apply innovations to its products whenever it makes sense and brings real benefits to operators. Wing tip devices are designed to improve wing aerodynamics and thus reduce fuel burn. Two different new wing tip device types will be flight-tested on Airbus's A320 development aircraft in March. In addition, JetBlue Airways Corporation, the New York-based low-cost carrier, will also provide an aircraft for part of the flight test programme. Winglet Technology LLC, located in Wichita, Kansas, will provide one of the winglet designs for testing. With the advent of more sophisticated analysis techniques, in particular in the context of A380 development, Airbus recently reviewed the application of more advanced methodologies to the A320 Family wing. This allows Airbus today to consider the application of new wing tip devices.
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The WTO Appellate Body has backed EU condemnation of US federal tax subsidies for exporters in the FSC dispute. A WTO Panel had previously found in favour of the EU by concluding that despite some changes to its domestic legislation the US has yet to abide by earlier rulings and recommendations of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on its payments of export tax subsidies preserved in the “transition” and “grand-fathering” provisions of the revised Jobs Act that have been judged to violate WTO rules. Once the Appellate Body report has been adopted by the WTO in thirty days time the US will have 60 days to bring its legislation into line with its WTO obligations. After that time EU retaliatory measures will be re-imposed, unless the US has complied in the meantime. EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said, “The US now has three months to act to avoid the re-imposition of retaliatory measures in this case. The tax benefits preserved by the Jobs Act have been repeatedly declared in violation of WTO rules. The responsibility now lies squarely with the US. I stand ready to work closely with the US toward finding a solution to this dispute. But the EU will not accept a system of tax benefits which give US exporters including Boeing an unfair advantage against their European competitors. We are seeking nothing more than the reestablishment of a level playing field.” Biggest beneficiaries of illegal tax subsidies include Boeing and GE.
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Saab Avitronics have received an order from Flight Refuelling Ltd to provide BOL 510 Countermeasures Dispensers for the Eurofighter Tranche 2 program. The order value is approximately 190 MSEK. "This is strategically a very important order for Saab Avitronics, it further consolidates our position on the Eurofighter from Tranche 1. Furthermore, it highlights our position as a leading supplier of Electronic Warfare equipment to high profile platforms", says Björn Erman, President and Managing Director of Saab Avitronics. The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 2 contract will supply 236 aircraft to the Air forces of United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain, a further 18 aircraft will be delivered to the Austrian Air force. The Saab BOL system is an advanced countermeasures dispensing system with proven superior performance. Each BOL holds five times more chaff packages than conventional dispensers. Production will take place at Saab Avitronics in Järfälla, Sweden and deliveries of the units will start in April 2006 through to November 2011.
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The police of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW police) sign a flight-hour contract, the SBH Mission Police, for their ten Arriel engines. This is the first SBH Mission Police contract signed in Germany. The NRW police operate two EC 155 B and three BK117's powered by Turbomeca engines. Falko Berner, Inspector of the NRW police, explains the advantages which the SBH Mission contract brings, notably the availability of parts and therefore of the aircraft: ''Receiving complete engines and not modules when the engine has to be removed allows us to reduce aircraft down time. In addition, a stock of accessories corresponding to our annual needs is available to us on site.''
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Under two new contracts Lufthansa Technik has strengthened its position as the leading supplier of components outside North America for Regional Jets manufactured by Bombardier. Lufthansa Technik has signed its first Total Component Support TCS contract for a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ900 aircraft. The first contract covers the complete supply of components for the fleet of seven CRJ200 aircraft operated by Danish regional airline Cimber Air. Under the two-year TCS contract Lufthansa Technik will handle all aspects of component supply, including overhaul, documentation and engineering. Cimber Air was founded at Sønderborg in 1950 and flies CRJ- and ATR aircraft. It is also a code-share partner for Lufthansa and SAS.
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Space Adventures announced its plans to develop a commercial spaceport in Ras Al-Khaimah (the UAE), with plans to expand globally. Other potential spaceport locations include Asia, specifically Singapore, and North America. The total estimated cost of the global spaceport development project is at least $265 million (USD) and will be funded by various parties, along with shared investments by Space Adventures and the government of Ras Al-Khaimah. The company, which organized orbital flights for all of the world's private space explorers, also announces that His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al-Khaimah, along with the UAE Department of Civilian Aviation, have granted clearance to operate suborbital spaceflights in their air space. The UAE spaceport, planned to be located less than an hour drive from Dubai, already has commitments for $30 million (USD). "I am proud to announce Ras Al-Khaimah as the site where suborbital commercial space travel will begin and flourish. Space Adventures is the pioneer of space tourism, which is why we signed an agreement with them nearly a year ago and began this project. After we initiate operations here, we look forward to expanding operations outside of the United Arab Emirates. In this regard, I would also like to announce that we have committed an additional $30 million (USD) of funding for global spaceport development. We are most excited about spearheading this multi-billion dollar industry," said His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince of Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
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Despite the rupture of a wing during ground tests, the Airbus A380 will enter service later this year as scheduled, the European aircraftmaker said Friday. Airbus spokeswoman Barbara Kracht said the wings of the 555-seater may require "refinements at certain points" as a result of the fracture, which happened Tuesday during ground testing in Toulouse. "It should have no impact on the certification and delivery," Kracht added. The A380 wing had been bent upward by 24.3 feet at the tip, reaching 1.45 times its limit load -- or 3.3 percent short of target -- when the rupture appeared in a section between the two engines, Kracht said. Airbus engineers and officials from the European Aviation Safety Agency and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will decide what, if any, modifications are required, she said.
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