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+++ Diamond D-JET completes first flight +++ New variant of A340-600 certified +++ Pentagon launches tanker competition +++ Southwest Airlines orders 79 Boeing 737s +++ Astra-1KR launched +++ News in brief +++
Diamond D-JET completes first flight
Erstflug für den D-JET
After a series of high speed taxi and rotation tests, Diamond's D-JETS/N 001, lifted off at 17:08 on Tuesday April 18th, 2006.The test was conducted from the London International Airport, home of Diamond's North American operation. The 1 hour 6 minute test flight was conducted according to test plan with the evaluation of 19 distinct test points. After take off and climb to 12,000 ft, the evaluation of stability and control with flaps and landing gear extended and retracted was conducted successfully.The test speeds ranged from slow flight at 1.1 Vs to 160 kias. Engine and systems operational tests were successfully performed. Following roll rate and lateral directional stability tests and simulated landing at altitude, the D-JET,SN 001, flew in close formation with the chase aircraft for photo and video recording. A normal landing was performed with a 5 kt crosswind.
“We are absolutely delighted with this flight”, said Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft, who flew the chase aircraft.“The test flight went exactly as planned. What more could you ask for? Our crew did a fabulous job and we are very grateful for the support received from Williams, Garmin, Parker, Argotech and our other partners.” The D-JET is a 5 place luxury personal jet, powered by the FADEC controlled Williams FJ33 turbine and equipped with Garminall glass flight deck and autopilot.
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New variant of A340-600 certified
A340-600 mit höherer Abflugmasse zugelassen
Airbus has achieved certification for the latest version of the long range A340-600, the 380 tonne variant from The European Aviation and Safety Agency (EASA). The new aircraft brings extended range, greater passenger capacity and overall substantially enhanced productivity for airlines. This concludes a successful four month test campaign following the aircraft's first flight in November 2005. Qatar Airways is the first customer to take delivery of this new higher gross weight A340-600 with first deliveries due to begin in summer 2006, followed by deliveries to Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and Etihad Airways.
Benefiting from A380 technology, reduced maintenance costs, and the latest development of Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, the new 380 tonne A340-600, with typical seating of 380 passengers in three-class comfort, provides up to 18% higher compared to earlier variants and travels 250 nm (463 km) further, up to 7,900 nm (14,600 km). "Airbus is delighted to receive certification of this new version of our A340-600" said Airbus President and CEO Gustav Humbert. "The certification brings it closer to operation. This new A340-600 will allow our customers to fly further while maintaining the highest degree of passenger comfort and improved operating costs," Mr Humbert continued. Certification of the new variant of the ultra long-range A340-500 is due to take place in the beginning of 2007.
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Pentagon launches tanker competition
Wettbewerb für US-Tankflugzeug
The US Department of Defense announced that it has given the Air Force the authority to proceed with the tanker recapitalization program. With the completion of the Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) process for the KC-135, the process of getting additional tanker aircraft can now move forward. The AoA determined that there are a number of competitive, medium-to-large, commercial-derivative aircraft that can fulfill the Department's needs. The Air Force will now put out a request for information from industry, resuming the requirements and acquisition processes necessary for a traditional competitive acquisition program. Next steps include refinement of operational capability requirements, and development of an acquisition strategy. “We must ensure that this program models a traditional competitive acquisition program and that every step proceeds in a deliberate and transparent fashion,” said Michael Wynne, secretary of the Air Force. The request for information is expected to be issued by the end of April. A draft request for proposal is expected in fall 2006, with a final request for proposal to follow in January 2007. The award of the contract is expected in summer 2007.
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Southwest Airlines orders 79 Boeing 737s
Neuer 737-Großauftrag von Southwest
Boeing and Southwest Airlines said the airline converted options into orders for 79 Next-Generation 737-700s, bringing the airline's total past and future Boeing orders for 737-700s to 370 airplanes. Airplanes covered by the converted options will be delivered between 2007 and 2012 in a deal worth approximately $4.5 billion at list prices. Southwest now has 140 undelivered 737s on order from Boeing. Southwest, the first and one of the world's most successful low-cost carriers, operates an all-Boeing fleet of 452 737s, including seven airplanes delivered so far this year. "Southwest Airlines and the 737 are one of commercial aviation's greatest success stories," said Alan Mulally, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. "Southwest's continued choice of the 737 validates our shared view that passengers want affordable, comfortable nonstop service to where they want to go, when they want to go there. The 737 has contributed to Southwest's success through double-digit utilization rates, low fuel consumption, low maintenance costs and quick turnaround times," Mulally said. "This exercise of options will facilitate our growth plans into the next decade," said Laura Wright, Southwest's chief financial officer. "The 737 is an efficient airplane and it will help us bring more low fares to millions of customers."
With this order, sales of Next-Generation 737 airplanes (-600, -700, -800, -900, -900ER) have eclipsed sales of the Classic 737 airplane family. The number of Next-Generation 737s sold totals 3,162, compared with 3,132 Classic 737s sold. As of March 31, 2006, Boeing Commercial Airplanes had 1,177 unfilled orders for the 737 with a value of about $75 billion at list prices.
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Astra-1KR launched
Neuer Astra-Satellit im All
The ASTRA-1KR telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for SES ASTRA of Betzdorf, Luxembourg, was launched successfully on 20 April from Cape Canaveral, Fla., aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS), a Lockheed Martin joint venture. Lift-off occurred at 4:27 PM EDT and initial contact with the satellite, called acquisition of signal, was confirmed at 5:43 PM EDT from the Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) satellite tracking station in Uralla, Australia.
ASTRA-1KR is the 29th of Lockheed Martin's A2100 series of spacecraft delivered to satellite operators around the world and the first of two A2100 spacecraft to be delivered to SES ASTRA this year. ASTRA-1KR is a high-power Ku-band satellite that features 32 transponders that will provide distribution of direct-to-home broadcast services across Europe. Operating from 19.2 degrees east, ASTRA-1KR is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years. ASTRA 1KR will also provide continuity to the ASTRA fleet at that orbital location, replacing primarily ASTRA 1B and 1C. "We are very proud and satisfied that the ASTRA 1KR mission has been a success," said Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. "ASTRA 1KR will benefit our customers, further strengthen our unique inter-satellite back-up scheme and provide replacement capacity for our ASTRA 1B and ASTRA 1C satellites. The success of the ASTRA 1KR mission is a milestone in our company history and shows that we have strengthened the fruitful cooperation with our launch partners, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and International Launch Services."
The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1600 analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions for DTH services are 19.2° East and 28.2° East. Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital position of 23.5° East.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
From 1 May Spanair is linking the cities of Madrid and Barcelona with Swiss city Zurich and offering two return flights daily from Madrid (except Saturdays and Sundays, when there is only one) and a single return flight from Barcelona, with the time-tabling tailored to the needs of the business passenger (through departures first thing in the morning and return flights in the afternoon/evening), as well as holiday traffic at weekends. As part of its international strategy to offer connections using a broad network of flights run by the Star Alliance member airlines, Spanair is thus stepping up its presence in the European market and adding these routes to the flights which it has already been operating out of these two cities to a host of European cities.
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A Minotaur rocket was successfully launched at 6:40 p.m. April 14 from Space Launch Complex-8 on south Vandenberg. The rocket launched the COSMIC spacecraft, which consists of six low-earth orbiting, micro-satellites. COSMIC stands for Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate. While in orbit, the weather and climate-research satellites will form a globe-spanning constellation to collect data on atmospheric moisture. The first of its kind, the constellation will provide atmospheric data in real time. The five-year mission's intent is to improve weather forecasts and monitor climate change. The Minotaur rocket is a ground-based variant of the air-launched Pegasus rocket. It is capable of launching up to 3,000 pounds into a low-Earth orbit and up to 800 pounds into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
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Iridium Satellite, KDDI Network & Solutions (KNSL) and Pioneer Navicom jointly announce the completion of successful air trials and initial deployment of an automatic helicopter tracking system by the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA). The system, developed by Pioneer Navicom, Inc., automatically transmits GPS position coordinates to ground stations and uploads destination point, routes and text messages to the aircraft through the Iridium satellite network. It enables ground controllers to monitor the location and movement of the aircraft in real-time across a moving map display, with a similar picture also available to the pilot. “In many ways, Iridium is the ideal solution for this application because of its ubiquitous global coverage without blind spots, even when flying at low altitudes among mountainous terrain or over open water,” said Hiroaki Tamanaka, director of avionics sales and marketing, Pioneer Navicom. “The low-profile, low-drag Iridium antenna is much smaller and lighter than other satellite communication systems.” The Pioneer Navicom auto-tracking system includes an AirCell ST3100 Iridium satellite terminal integrated with an Airmap AMS 3000S moving map display. In addition to automatic flight following and messaging, the system can also provide two-way voice communication between air and ground.
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Boeing officials today announced a restructuring of the company's Wichita operations and approximately 900 additional layoffs during 2006 due to defense budget cuts, program delays and contract completions. Boeing Wichita will change its business to focus primarily on military 747 and wide-body aircraft modifications and upgrades, as well as continuing as an engineering center, said Derek McLuckey, general manager of the site, which is part of the company's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business. "There has been much speculation about the future of Boeing in Wichita in recent months," McLuckey said. "Today we are telling our employees that we must right-size our operations for available work performed in Wichita. And we are telling them that we now have to execute a revised business plan in order to ensure our future." McLuckey said that in addition to military modifications and upgrades for 747s and other wide-body aircraft, Boeing Wichita will focus its business on engineering for the B-52 Stratofortress and other defense and civil aviation related businesses.
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The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter team successfully completed structural- coupling testing five days ahead of schedule on the first F-35, and moved on to the next scheduled series of ground tests. The F-35's first flight is planned for this fall. "All of the test results were within the expected range -- an excellent indication we thoroughly understand the flight-control system and the aircraft's structural response to flight-control inputs," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and JSF program general manager. The testing concluded on April 2 and measured the aircraft's structural response to specific flight-control movements. "Flight controls can move very rapidly and generate very large forces that must be passed through the aircraft structure; for every action there is a reaction," said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. "Therefore, we need to know exactly how the aircraft structure reacts to a given dynamic flight-control input." During structural-coupling testing, a wide range of specific flight- control movements are initiated using the on-board aircraft flight-control system. Based on the data collected during the testing, engineers can "tune" the flight-control system to eliminate responses that could potentially damage the aircraft structure. The tuned flight-control system is transparent to the pilot and ensures that the system will be responsive to his or her demands. The test team evaluated eight different F-35 fuel- and weapons-load configurations. The aircraft's two internal weapons bays were fully loaded with inert bombs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) and air-to-air missiles for the first time, and the weapons-bay doors were opened and closed repeatedly. F-35 ground vibration testing started on April 11 and involves the use of shaking devices that place loads and movements on flight-control surfaces, and measure the aircraft's response. The first round of ground tests involved a thorough checkout of the F-35's fuel system during which time no leaks were detected -- a first for a modern fighter.
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The Grman Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs has established restricted areas for the FIFA 2006 World Cup between 9 June and 9 July 2006. In general, there will be a restricted area with a radius of 3 NM around each venue. The vertical restriction is from GND to 5000 ft MSL. The precise areas and times of the flight restrictions are outlined in the German-language publication NfL I 122/06. All VFR flights will be subject to the spatial and temporal restrictions. Exempt from flight restrictions will be police flights and mission flights by the German Bundeswehr, rescue flights and special FIFA OC flights which have obtained prior clearance from the competent police force of the relevant German State (Land). Only the police force of the State in question may grant further exemptions. Air traffic control units cannot issue transit clearances to aircraft. The flight restrictions will also apply to flights with a VFR portion (Y/Z flights) within the restricted area as well as to VFR night flights and C VFR flights. In addition, further restricted areas with a radius of 30 NM around the venue concerned may be activated at short notice, depending on the security situation. In any such case, the activation periods will be announced by DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH via NOTAM 24 hours in advance.
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ACROHELIPRO Global Services Inc., a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation is pleased to announce that it is making a significant financial and resource investment for tooling and test cell upgrades to accommodate assembly, inspection and testing (AIT) of the CT7-8A engines for the Canadian military. The CT7-8A powers the Military's newly purchased Sikorsky S92 (Cyclone) helicopters for their Maritime Helicopter Program (MHP). AIT for the engines will be done in Richmond, BC. In making the announcement Peter Tierney, President & CEO of ACROHELIPRO said: "The direction for growth in this marketplace has been recognized and we believe in the future of this business. A project team has been established and has already begun work to execute the strategy."
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Boeing has successfully demonstrated the capability of an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to provide targeting coordinates to other aircraft using the Raytheon APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system. During the test at the Naval Air Weapons Center at China Lake, Calif., an AESA-equipped F/A-18F created a long-range, high resolution synthetic aperture radar map and designated four closely-spaced stationary targets. The aircraft then data-linked two target designations to non-AESA equipped Super Hornets, which successfully delivered four 2,000-lb. Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). All four weapons impacted the targets within lethal distance. The targeting Super Hornet then used the AESA to provide highly detailed bomb damage assessments to confirm the hits. "This demonstration proves some of the capabilities of the Block II Super Hornet we have been talking about," said Capt. Donald "BD" Gaddis, F/A-18 program manager for the U.S. Navy. "This is just one element of the tremendous networking potential of the Block II Super Hornet for our warfighters." The AESA radar provides the warfighter with higher resolution at much longer ranges than traditional, mechanically scanned arrays. This information enables other aircraft crews to more precisely target weapons for greater accuracy. Additional demonstrations of the Super Hornet's future precision engagement capabilities are planned as part of tests leading to the program's Operational Evaluation later this year.
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NASA has authorized a contract action having a maximum value of $28.6 million with ATK Thiokol of Brigham City, Utah, to continue design and development of the first stage for the crew launch vehicle. The contract action maintains the design, development, tests and evaluation schedule; initiates procurement of long-lead items; adds the necessary design and engineering analysis leading to a Systems Requirements Review in September 2006; and provides the necessary support for first stage and vehicle-level design reviews identified in the work statement. The cost-plus-award-fee contract provides additional support through Sept. 30, 2006. The crew launch vehicle is an in-line, two-stage rocket being developed primarily to carry the crew exploration vehicle - the capsule that will take astronauts to the moon. Development of the crew launch vehicle is led by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., in partnership with the agency's Johnson Space Center, Houston; Kennedy Space Center, Fla; and Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss.
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Raytheon has been awarded a $144 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to conduct risk reduction work for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II. Raytheon will be competing for selection in 42 months as the prime contractor for the SDB II program, which has a potential value of more than $1.3 billion. As a netted weapon with an all-weather tri-mode seeker, SDB II provides warfighters with advanced capability to attack moving targets. This results in a very robust weapon system compatible with a wide variety of GPS-based targeting systems that can acquire and recognize moving targets. "SDB II is one of the first members of the next generation of network-capable weapons," said Louise Francesconi, president of Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson where the contract will be executed. "Raytheon is committed to bring this capability to the warfighter as quickly as possible."
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BAA notes the press speculation regarding an approach to it by Goldman Sachs. BAA confirms that it did receive a preliminary highly conditional and confidential approach on 30 March from a consortium including Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Group to make a cash offer at a price of 870p per share. The proposal also included a partial share alternative in the bid vehicle to be issued in certain circumstances. The proposal was conditional, inter alia, on final approval from the relevant investment committees of the individual members of the Consortium, due diligence by the Consortium, its advisers and financiers and a recommendation from BAA's Board. The Board of BAA rejected this approach because it clearly fails to reflect the true value of the Company. Since then, BAA has received no further communication from the Consortium.
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The first MetOp meteorological satellite arrived at its launch site, the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, following shipment from the industrial prime contractor, EADS Astrium in Toulouse, on board an Antonov-124 transport plane. MetOp-A is the first in a series of three EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) for EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. After undergoing a mechanical and environmental test campaign, the spacecraft passed the acceptance review last year and the recent compatibility test between satellite and ground segment cleared the way for shipment of the satellite to Baikonur. This shipment comprises a service module, a payload module and the solar array, including the electrical and mechanical ground support equipment needed for the launch campaign. The mission includes a total of 12 instruments developed in cooperation with French Space Agency, CNES, and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). MetOp is scheduled for launch on 17 July 2006 at 22.28 Baikonur time (18.28 CEST) with the latest Soyuz ST Fregat launcher operated by Starsem.
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Lockheed Martin announced that it has successfully completed a critical structural test of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) spacecraft. The Advanced EHF system will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for all warfighters serving under the U.S. Department of Defense. The test, known as a modal survey, is designed to validate the rigid characteristics of the spacecraft to ensure that launch and other sources of vibrations such as reaction wheels, solar arrays and various deployable and steerable mechanisms will not impact the critical mission of the communications payload. The successful test was performed by a team of engineers at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. and included 292 accelerometers, 508 accelerometer channels and six shakers mounted to the structure and surrounding ground surface.
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Northrop Grumman opened its Unmanned Systems Center production facility in Moss Point, Miss., where the MQ-8B Fire Scout, and portions of the RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be produced. The facility signifies Northrop Grumman's continued commitment to the Gulf Coast region, and marks southern Mississippi's entry into the aerospace manufacturing industry. Ground breaking on the $13 million, 101,000 square foot facility took place April 13, 2004. "The Unmanned Systems Center illustrates the company's commitment to our U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army customers by providing a dedicated unmanned systems production facility in a cost-effective location," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman's chairman, chief executive officer and president. "This also offers our Unmanned Systems business the flexibility to expand operations, as the demand for these systems increases over time." The Unmanned Systems Center's current workforce consists of 24 employees, which will grow to 60 by the end of 2006. The facility is designed to accommodate 250 employees, which may occur if production demands continue to rise.
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The Swiss foreign ministry has intervened with Turkey over a boycott of trainer aircraft from the Pilatus company of Stans in central Switzerland. The move follows a decision by Ankara barring Pilatus from putting in a bid to supply the PC-21 turbo trainer to the Turkish Air Force. A Pilatus spokesman confirmed to swissinfo earlier this month that the Turkish authorities had forbidden the company from tendering for a contract. "The foreign ministry is informed about this matter. We have addressed the Pilatus case at the diplomatic level both in Bern and Turkey," ministry spokeswoman Carine Carey told swissinfo. She added that the ministry would follow the matter closely. Economics Minister Joseph Deiss has offered to try to find a solution to the problem during a visit to Turkey, which has long been on the cards.
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Boeing has opened an Exploration Launch Systems office in Huntsville, Ala., to support the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's Constellation program and the human space transportation elements. "Our goal is to provide our NASA customer with the best technical solutions and management teams to help develop the launch systems required to return humans to the moon and beyond," said Brewster Shaw, Boeing Space Exploration vice president and general manager. "We are mobilizing the best of Boeing to help achieve the Vision for Space Exploration." Jim Chilton has been assigned as acting program manager for Boeing Exploration Launch Systems and leader of the Huntsville office. Previously, Chilton led the company's Check-out, Assembly and Payload Processing Services contract at The Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
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Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business recently delivered to the Air Force the first prototype of an Aircraft Self Protection Security System (ASPSS). Using near object detection sensor (NODS) technology, the system provides electronic perimeter security for aircraft parked on the tarmac of an airfield or in a field location. Raytheon also has developed a system -- the Vigilant Eagle Airport Protection System -- that protects airplanes from man-portable air defense systems threats during takeoffs and landings. The two systems are complementary: Vigilant Eagle provides security for active aircraft, and ASPSS protects parked aircraft. The four-sensor version of ASPSS is a low-cost, portable system the Air Force recently accepted after tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., under a $2.1 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract administered by the Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, Mass.
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GeoEye, the world's largest satellite remote-sensing imaging company, announced today its partner European Space Imaging (EUSI) received an additional contract from the European Commission to supply OrbView-3 high-resolution map-accurate imagery. The contract was awarded on April 5, 2006 and is valued at $2.15 million (EUR 1.8 million) over the next four years. The imagery will be collected by the company's OrbView-3 high-resolution earth-imaging satellite. Together with its recently renewed three-year contract to supply imagery from GeoEye's IKONOS high-resolution satellite, EUSI continues to be one of the largest suppliers of commercial satellite imagery to the European Commission. The imagery will be processed and delivered to the European Commission by EUSI located in Munich, Germany. The contract requires GeoEye to begin imagery collections over 24 specific European sites to support the European Commission's agricultural subsidy controls. The European Union is using satellite imagery as a tool to verify farmer's declarations and claims for subsidies. In addition, the European Commission will use OrbView-3 imagery in support of national security related projects.
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Boeing has received a $180 million contract to upgrade the fire control radar on the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 67 B-1B long-range bomber aircraft. Under a nine-year Reliability and Maintainability Improvement Program (RMIP), Boeing will deliver modification kits to replace the bombers' receiver and processor beginning in 2011. The RMIP kit, built principally by subcontractor Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Baltimore, Md., comprises a new radar transmitter/receiver, a radar processor computer and a translated, rehosted software package. "The RMIP kit will increase the radar system's reliability and substantially improve the B-1's combat readiness," said Kurt Eberhart, manager of Boeing's B-1 radar program in Long Beach, Calif. "Current and future missions depend heavily on the aircraft's ability to find and track targets, so this modification to the synthetic aperture radar is critical."
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The importance of GMES for European citizens was highlighted today at a press conference in Graz, Austria, marking the end of the symposium 'A Market for GMES in Europe and its regions - the Graz Dialogue'. The purpose of the symposium, attended by over 200 participants, was to discuss the applications of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and consider ways of increasing the involvement of the regions in the initiative, as well as the time frame, funding and governance. Previous workshops – held in Warsaw, Toulouse and Budapest – contributed to the dialogue on GMES and were taken into account for the final conclusions of the symposium. GMES is an EU-led initiative in partnership with ESA to combine ground- and space-based observations to develop an integrated environmental monitoring capability to benefit European citizens. The cost of the space infrastructure is around Euro2.3 billion, a part of which is covered by the EU's 7th Framework Research and Development Programme. ESA will also assume part of the costs.
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Alcatel Alenia Space has recently been awarded a contract, worth approximately 11 million dollars, by the Boeing Company for manufacturing 12 additional Second Stage Tank Assemblies for the Delta II rocket. The delivery of the new tanks, which will be manufactured in the Alcatel Alenia Space facilities in Turin, Italy, will occur between 2007 and 2009. "This is the second contract awarded by Boeing to our company for the manufacturing of these important components, following the contract received in 2001 for the construction of twenty-one similar modules" said Luigi Maria Quaglino, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the space infrastructures & transportation activities of Alcatel Alenia Space. "It underlines Alcatel Alenia Space's distinctive expertise and capabilities in developing and manufacturing a wide range of products for complex space applications."
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The Expedition 13 crew this week focused on experiments, maintenance and preparations for the arrival of two and a half tons of food, supplies and equipment. Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer and NASA Science Officer Jeff Williams also had time set aside each day to continue to become familiar with their orbiting home. In scientific work, Williams operated the Capillary Flow Experiment, which uses liquid silicone to study how fluids move in a microgravity environment. This portion of the experiment examined the interface between the liquid and the solid surface of the container. The results could be used by designers of systems for future spacecraft. Williams also set up and activated cameras that will be remotely operated by middle school students to take photos of Earth through the station window. Called the Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM) experiment, it allows students to study the Earth and then control a special digital camera mounted on the station. They photograph coastlines, mountain ranges and other geographic items of interest from the unique vantage point of space.
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Boeing will lead the U.S. industry team that will help a consortium of European companies and EUROCONTROL devise a new, streamlined air traffic management system for Europe. The project is known as the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) program. As part of a 24-month SESAR definition phase subcontract awarded by the Air Traffic Alliance (a grouping of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., Airbus and Thales), the Boeing Phantom Works Advanced Air Traffic Management team is working with U.S. companies Honeywell and Rockwell Collins to ensure that global system interoperability and standardization objectives are achieved, and to plan near-term development projects. "A significant focus of our work is on helping the new ATM system for Europe maintain interoperability with the current and next-generation air traffic control system being developed by the United States," said Kevin Brown, Boeing Phantom Works vice president and general manager of Advanced ATM. "Interoperability is essential for a globally seamless and efficient ATM system that can meet the tremendous demands of future growth safely." The Boeing-led team's efforts will contribute to four milestone deliverables of the SESAR program “ a market analysis of air transport value and the role of air traffic management, the setting of performance requirements and standards, the selection of target ATM concepts, and identification of a transition schedule to deploy a new ATM system in Europe. Work in the SESAR definition phase will result in a master plan through 2020 for the new European ATM system and a detailed organizational work program for 2008 to 2013. Since the 2003 Paris Air Show, Boeing and the Air Traffic Alliance have worked together on key issues that affect the interoperability of future air transport systems around the world. As well, Boeing has been a partner with EUROCONTROL and other European groups on projects critical to transatlantic collaboration on air traffic management.
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British Airways announced a radical shake-up of its short-haul air fares with one-way all-inclusive tickets starting at just £29 - less than the cost of a Premiership football ticket. All non-changeable economy tickets will be scrapped with air travellers able to change their flights, no matter what they have paid for the ticket, up to midnight the day before departure. British Airways' Commercial Director, Martin George, said: "We operate in a very competitive market and are determined to be the first choice for air travellers, who want low prices, flexibility, and a superb flying experience. "We have slashed our one-way fares by up to 50 per cent and will have over seven million plane seats a year, to more than 65 destinations, available at these new prices. "This is not a short-term gimmick, but a long term commitment to our millions of customers to offer irresistible low fares every day of the year. There are no hidden extras and air travellers will receive the same excellent standards of service that are the hallmark of British Airways. "Customers will now be able to easily compare prices for themselves between British Airways and the airlines offering lower standards of service and I can assure the public that it is our intent to offer the best value for money in the market." The airline has increased the flexibility of its lowest priced tickets in response to feedback from its customers who increasingly need to change their flight bookings at short notice due to altering schedules. The move increases the number of changeable tickets on sale by 15 million a year.
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The Austrian Airlines Group is launching a dynamic and extensive innovation offensive in three areas. In an effort to meet changed market and customer requirements, the company has completely redesigned its fare concept for short- and medium-haul flights. This change will also see the introduction of a new internet booking platform designed to reflect the fare structure in a transparent, user-friendly manner. The third innovation is the introduction of optimised traffic flow management. This will allow differentiated management of local and transfer traffic, as opposed to the former system, which only took individual routes into consideration. Austrian Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen, made the following comment on the innovation offensive: 'These measures will optimise and increase our revenues and significantly raise the level of customer-friendliness of our sales channels, enabling us to take on our low-cost competitors even more effectively.' With immediate effect, the new fare concept will make it possible for passengers to freely combine different fares and booking classes, so giving them far greater flexibility. Where it has only been possible to combine fares within the bounds of specified fare families until now, for example, booking Economy Class for an outbound flight and Business Class for the return will now become an option for passengers.In Business Class, a new type of fare, the 'Business Holiday', will be introduced for leisure travellers on routes with high tourist potential (Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, France, Benelux, Great Britain, Scandinavia, Hamburg, Berlin, Dubrovnik, Split, Amman, Cairo and Tel Aviv). In Economy Class, the fare structure has been completely adjusted and the price rises levelled off. The previous fares applicable to special customer segments (weekend, youth, senior fares, etc.) will now all be covered by the new fare concept. In the redticket best price field, an even more attractive new all-in price of EUR 159 has been introduced on selected routes in an effort to increase competitiveness.
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SWISS and Lufthansa are further intensifying their collaboration on the long-haul front. From April 21 onwards, SWISS customers are able to travel conveniently from Basel, Geneva and Zurich to Shanghai via Munich. The eastbound LX 4048 / LH 726 service leaves Munich at 21:15 and arrives at Shanghai's Pudong Airport at 14:55 the following day. The westbound LX 4049 / LH 727 flight departs from Shanghai at 22:15 and arrives in Munich at 05:30 the next morning. The service's Munich departure and arrival times offer excellent connections from and to Basel, Geneva and Zurich for the smoothest of trips to and from Shanghai for Swiss-based travellers.
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26 March 2006
19 March 2006
12 March 2006
5 March 2006
26 February 2006
19 February 2006
12 February 2006
5 February 2006
29 January 2006
22 January 2006
15 January 2006
8 January 2006
25 December 2005
18 December 2005
11 December 2005
4 December 2005
27 November 2005
20 November 2005
13 November 2005
6 November 2005
30 October 2005
23 October 2005
16 October 2005
9 October 2005
25 September 2005
18 September 2005
11 September 2005
4 September 2005
28 August 2005
21 August 2005
14 August 2005
7 August 2005
31 July 2005
24 July 2005
10 July 2005
3 July 2005
January - June 2005
January - December 2004
January - December 2003
January - December 2002
January - December 2001
January to December 2000
January to December 1999
January to December 1998
January to December 1997
September to December 1996
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