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+++ EADS: Forgeard and Humbert resign +++ EADS wins LUH competition in USA +++ Rafale enters Armée de l´Air service +++ F-35 rolls out +++ Shuttle flies to ISS +++ OHB-System to launch six ORBCOMM Satellites +++ MilSat Services gets SatComBW Step2 +++ PARS 3 LR order signed +++ News in brief +++
EADS crisis: Forgeard and Humbert resign
A380-Verspätung: Köpfe rollen
The EADS Chairmen, Manfred Bischoff and Arnaud Lagardère announced that the Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Noël Forgeard (59) as EADS Chief Executive Officer, as a member of the EADS Board, and as Chairman of the Airbus Shareholder Committee as well as the resignation of Gustav Humbert (56) as Airbus Chief Executive Officer and member of the EADS Executive Committee effective immediately. The Board has appointed Louis Gallois (62) as EADS' Chief Executive Officer. He will join CEO Tom Enders (47) in leading EADS and the EADS Executive Committee with immediate effect. Gallois, to date President of the French railway company SNCF, has broad experience in industrial and especially aerospace businesses. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2000. From 1989 to 1992, Gallois was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the French aero engine manufacturer SNECMA, today Safran. Subsequently, from 1992 to 1996, Gallois served as Chief Executive Officer of Aerospatiale, an EADS predecessor company.
Christian Streiff (51) has been nominated as Airbus Chief Executive Officer and appointed as member of the EADS Executive Committee with immediate effect. Streiff brings 26 years of all-round top management experience with Saint-Gobain, a diversified multinational company. Before becoming Deputy CEO of the Saint-Gobain Group in 2004, Streiff has managed various industry and technology businesses of the Group in France, Germany, Italy and the US. Streiff, who is well known to the three EADS core shareholders, will report to Enders, who has been nominated as Chairman of the Airbus Shareholder Committee subject to confirmation by the Airbus Shareholder committee.
In addition, the Board resolved to closely integrate the Airbus Division into the organisational structure of EADS after finalisation of the acquisition of BAE Systems' 20 percent stake in Airbus. Furthermore the Board resolved new responsibilities and reporting lines at the top management level: Christian Streiff (CEO of Airbus), Jean-Paul Gut (COO for Marketing, Strategy and Global Development), Ralph Crosby (Chairman and CEO of EADS North America), and Francisco Fernández Sáinz (Head of Military Transport Aircraft Divison) will report to Tom Enders. Hans Peter Ring (CFO - Chief Financial Officer), François Auque (Head of Space Division), Fabrice Brégier (Head of Eurocopter Division), and Stefan Zoller (Head of Defence and Security Systems Division) will report to Louis Gallois. Jean Botti (Chief Technical Officer) and Jussi Itävuori (Head of Human Resources) will report to both CEOs.
Commenting on his decision, Gustav Humbert said: “The recently announced delay on the A380 production and delivery programme has been a major disappointment for our customers, our shareholders and our employees. As President and CEO of Airbus, I must take responsibility for this setback and feel the right course of action is to offer my resignation to our shareholders. Airbus has been through many years of great success to which I am proud to have contributed. Now the time has come to give way to a new management team able to restore the company's image quickly and to lead Airbus into the future. A new leadership can only be formed with a new Chairman and a new President and CEO. The new management must then be empowered to drive forward those issues which we have started to address over the last twelve months: Airbus' renewed customer focus, its product and internationalisation strategy and the urgent need for change in key industrial processes. Airbus' industry leadership, capabilities and values remain strong foundations to build for the future. The Company, its products, both present and future, and above all its talented and committed employees, have an excellent outlook ahead, and I will watch their progress with great pride.”
The two CEOs of EADS – Tom Enders and the newly-appointed Louis Gallois – are refocusing the company on its operational business. “Due to the management difficulties of recent weeks and the A380 crisis EADS' reputation is at stake. We'll have to regain the trust of our customers, investors and – not least – our employees in the management, the strategy and the products of EADS”, said the two CEOs. “We'll work hard and we'll work jointly to bring EADS back on course.” “Our immediate priority is Airbus. We need to stabilize the A380 and we need to move ahead with our product strategy, our resources, our processes and the industrial set up. Christian Streiff, our new Airbus CEO, will drive this agenda, with our full corporate support and attention,“ underlined the two CEOs and added, that further changes in the way of managing Airbus and EADS are under review and will be decided as soon as possible. “This is a tall agenda”, the CEOs acknowledged, “but we believe in the great potential of the company, its employees, products, and technologies. The most recent market successes, particularly the important win of the LUH program in the U.S. this weekend, serve as a reminder of what an EADS going fully global can accomplish.”
According to Enders and Gallois, the recent crisis has shown that EADS has to overcome national boundaries, if the Group's future success shall not be endangered. “The principle 'the best man for the job' has lead us to the appointment of Christian Streiff as new Airbus CEO. We will make sure, that performance and leadership are the decisive principles for all management levels within EADS”, the CEOs said.
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EADS wins LUH competition in USA
EC145 new helicopter for US Army
EADS North America announced that the UH-145 military helicopter has been selected by the U.S. Army as its next-generation Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The LUH requirement is for up to 352 aircraft with a potential total program life-cycle value of $3 billion. The LUH award is a continuation of EADS' 20-year heritage as a helicopter supplier to U.S. national and homeland security agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, DEA and the FBI. The decision, announced today by the U.S. Army, marks EADS North America's first major system win as a prime contractor for the U.S. military.
EADS North America leads a UH-145 team of companies that includes four primary partners: its American Eurocopter business unit, which will handle the helicopter's production, assembly and delivery; Sikorsky Aircraft, responsible for contractor logistics support (CLS); WestWind Technologies, for systems integration and engineering support; and CAE, the supplier of UH-145 cockpit procedural trainers.
UH-145 program management will be located in Huntsville, Alabama and led by the EADS North America Defense business unit of EADS North America. A network of leading U.S. subcontractors has been created for the Light Utility Helicopter, bringing together companies such as Aerolite, Armor Holdings, the NORDAM Group, Keith Products, Thales USA, Turbomeca USA and Wulfsberg Electronics.
The UH-145's industrial activity will be centered at American Eurocopter's Columbus, Mississippi facility, which is to undergo a major expansion to accommodate the Light Utility Helicopter program. The Production line of the UH-145 - a version of Eurocopter's EC145 multi-mission helicopter, currently built in Germany - will be duplicated in Columbus through a series of steps that begins with partial assembly, followed by full assembly and the subsequent U.S. manufacture of major subsystems.
"The addition of this important new manufacturing program to American Eurocopter's existing Columbus operation is a great complement to our burgeoning defense industry, and we welcome production of the Army's new Light Utility Helicopter in Mississippi," said Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi. "Our state's partnerships with outstanding companies such as EADS North America and American Eurocopter to provide high-tech, high-quality military systems to our men and women in uniform continue to strengthen, and that's a testament to our highly-skilled workforce."
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Rafale enters Armée de l´Air service
Neuer Fighter bei Einsatzstaffel
The first French Air Force squadron to operate the Dassault Rafale omnirole fighter attained full operational capability in St. Dizier on June 27, during a ceremony attended by French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, Defence Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie and other senior government officials. This largely symbolic event took place the day after two of the squadron's deployed aircraft effectively stood up for their first operational air defence mission at Mont de Marsan air base, in southern France.
The unit based here, n° 1/7 “Provence” squadron, previously operated Jaguar fighter-bombers in the ground attack role. It has now taken delivery of ten Rafales, and will receive another ten by the end of the year, when it will attain its full operational strength. A second Rafale squadron, this time tasked with the nuclear strike role, will stand up in 2008 with another 20 aircraft. In all, the French Air Force will receive 234 Rafales, split between Rafale B two-seat and Rafale C single-seat versions, while the French Navy will operate 60 Rafale M single-seaters. To date, 120 Rafales have been ordered for both services, and 34 have been delivered. The Air Force order covers a total of 82 aircraft (44 single-seaters and 38 two-seaters) with an additional 38 Rafale Ms – all single-seaters - for the Navy. Under current plans, production is to continue until 2023.
Dassault is now working to finalize the improved F3 standard, which will be available from June 2008 and will add additional weapons, including the ASMPA nuclear stand-off missile, the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile and the Thales Reco NG reconnaissance pod. All navy and air force aircraft already in service will be retrofitted to F3 standard by uploading a new software package, which will become standard fit for all subsequent production aircraft. Further improvements are planned as part of the program's “R&D feeding policy,” although not all have been approved or funded to date. These will ultimately include uprated Snecma M-88 engines each delivering 9 tonnes of thrust (compared to today's 7.5 tonnes), a new radar with advanced electronically-scanned antenna replacing the current RBE-2 radar with shaped-beam antenna, a new missile warning receiver, an improved Front Sector Optronics system and, beginning in 2012, the Meteor beyond-visual range missile being developed by a European industry team led by MBDA. If approved, these improvements will become standard beginning with the 120th production aircraft, says DGA's Dufour.
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F-35 rolls out
JSF jetzt Lightning II
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was officially named Lightning II, in a ceremony held in Fort Worth, Texas. The name echoes those of two formidable fighters from the past: the World War II-era Lockheed P-38 Lightning and the mid-1950s Lightning supersonic jet, built by English Electric. "The F-35 Lightning II will carry on the legacy of two of the greatest and most capable fighter aircraft of all time," said Ralph D. Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. "Just as the P-38 and the British Lightning were at the top of their class during their day, the F-35 will redefine multi- role fighter capability in the 21st century."
"The F-35 Lightning II will be the centerpiece of airpower in the 21st century for America and our allies," Secretary England said. "Congratulations to the talented team of aerospace workers both in the United States and from our many international partners on reaching this important milestone." Gen. Moseley added, "This aircraft represents the fruits of lessons learned over a hundred years of flight and aerial combat. We're excited about bringing it into our inventory, and warfighters around the globe are excited about flying it in defense of freedom."
The inaugural flight of the first F-35, a preproduction conventional takeoff and landing variant, is planned for later this year. Fifteen F-35s will undergo flight test, seven will be used for static testing and another will validate the aircraft's radar signature.
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Shuttle flies to ISS
ESA-Astronaut Reiter auf der Raumstation
On the nation's 230th birthday, Discovery rocketed into the Florida sky on 4 July, returning the shuttle fleet to space after almost a year. The first human spacecraft to launch on an Independence Day holiday, Discovery has begun a journey to resupply and service the International Space Station. Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter, a European Space Agency astronaut, lifted off at 1:38 p.m. CDT. The launch followed a flawless countdown.
During the 12 day mission, Discovery's crew will demonstrate techniques for inspecting and protecting the shuttle's thermal protection system, restore the station to a three-person crew for the first time since May 2003, and replace critical hardware needed for future station assembly. The crew is planned to conduct two spacewalks during the mission. If supplies allow, managers may extend Discovery's flight by an additional day, a day that will be used by the crew to conduct a third spacewalk.
There is a crew of three aboard the International Space Station on 6 July for the first time in more than three years, and for the first time ever that crew includes an American, a Russian and a European. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter of Germany was delivered as the newest member of ISS Expedition 13 just hours after Space Shuttle Discovery docked at the station's Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 at 9:52 a.m. CDT, as the two ships flew above the south Pacific Ocean south of Pitcairn Island. Commander Steve Lindsey piloted Discovery's approach to ISS, halting 600 feet directly below the station to perform the rendezvous pitch maneuver: the shuttle was commanded to do a nose-over-tail somersault so ISS Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Jeff Williams could photograph the thermal protection system tiles on the orbiter's underside. Imagery experts on the ground will study the high-resolution still pictures for evidence of any damage to the insulating tiles. Lindsey and his crew—Pilot Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Reiter—greeted the station crewmembers when the hatches between the vehicles were opened at 11:30 a.m. CDT.
Astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Discovery gathered valuable new data during the third spacewalk as part of an ongoing evaluation of repairing a damaged orbiter. Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum began the spacewalk at 6:20 a.m. CDT and prepared a foot restraint on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2. Sellers rode the arm, commanded by Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Stephanie Wilson, to the starboard wing of Discovery where he used an infrared camera to shoot 20 seconds of video of selected reinforced carbon carbon panels on the wing's leading edge. Infrared imagery may aid in identifying damage on the inside of those panels. Fossum translated to the aft of Discovery's payload bay to join Sellers and help prepare a box containing 12 RCC sample panels for the EVA's primary task of testing a repair material known as NOAX. Non-oxide adhesive experimental is a pre-ceramic polymer sealant containing carbon-silicon carbide powder, and is being evaluated for repairing damage to RCC panels.
Data gathered from tests on mission STS-114 last year indicated NOAX is most effective when applied while the temperature of an RCC panel is falling between 120° F and 30° F, so today's spacewalkers were directed to apply NOAX to the pre-damaged RCC panels based on the temperatures of the panels. Over the course of almost two and a half hours, Sellers and Fossum completed three gouge repairs and two crack repairs with NOAX, and provided Mission Control a running dialogue describing the repair activity and how the NOAX responded. They also imaged four of the samples with the infrared camera, which Fossum also used to gather video of an area of Discovery's port wing while riding Canadarm2 back to the airlock.
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OHB-System to launch six ORBCOMM Satellites
Startauftrag für OHB
Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG has been awarded a contract for the construction of six satellite buses as well as the integration and launch of the six communications satellites by US satellite operator ORBCOMM Inc. The contract was announced by Jerry Eisenberg, CEO of ORBCOMM Inc., and Marco R. Fuchs, CEO of OHB Technology A.G., at the ORBCOMM Global Solutions Conference in Leesburg, Virginia. The contract includes options for the construction of two additional satellite buses. ORBCOMM awarded OHB-System the contract after an international competitive bidding process. OHB-System will be performing integration and function-testing of the satellites in Bremen. They are being constructed in conjunction with the COSMOS Space Systems AG joint venture. Omsk, Russia-based partner Polyot will be supplying the satellite buses and handling the launching procedures. ORBCOMM has contracted with Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Virginia for the development and production of six communications payloads. In early 2005, OHB-System received a contract for the integration, testing and launching of ORBCOMM's U.S. Coast Guard concept validation satellite, which is expected to be launched in 2006. In addition to performing the same communications tasks as ORBCOMM's existing satellites, the new satellites, like the U.S. Coast Guard concept validation satellite, will be able to receive the Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals for global maritime monitoring.
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MilSat Services gets SatComBW Step2
Bundeswehr-Kommunikationssatelliten beauftragt
MilSat Services GmbH, a company set up by EADS SPACE Services and ND SatCom, will provide the German Bundeswehr's satellite communications system SatcomBW Step 2. The Federal Office for Information Management and Information Technology of the Bundeswehr (IT-AmtBw) and MilSat Services signed a contract in Koblenz, Germany on Wednesday. The contract will be valid after the German budget 2006 will have been enacted. With the SATCOMBw programme, the German Armed Forces will have a secure information network for use by units on deployed missions. This will allow voice and fax as well as advanced data, video and multimedia applications. For the first time the Bundeswehr will have a secure communications system with dedicated military communications satellites. The entire system is due to start regular operation in the year 2009 and will constitute an important step in the implementation of the Bundeswehr concept for network-centric operations.
The contract runs for ten years and there is an option to extend it for a further 7.5 years. The customer is the Federal Office for Information Management and Information Technology of the Bundeswehr (IT-AmtBw). The contractor is MilSat Services GmbH based in Bremen, which is owned by EADS SPACE Services (74.9%) and the Friedrichshafen satellite network specialist ND SatCom (25.1%). Further important subcontractors are EADS Astrium, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the satellite operator Intelsat. Along with the in-orbit delivery of two communications satellites for operations in military frequencies (SHF/UHF), the SatcomBw Stage 2 contract includes their operation, the delivery of a comprehensive ground user terminal segment and upgrading the network management centre already installed with the Bundeswehr. MilSat Services GmbH will also provide the Bundeswehr with commercial transmission capacities using Intelsat satellites and anchoring services thanks to new large ground stations.
EADS Astrium is prime contractor of the space segment, which is composed of two satellites delivered by Alcatel Alenia Space and based on a Spacebus platform. EADS Astrium is Europe's leading supplier of civil and military communications satellites and is already a system leader for the British military satellites Skynet and for the NATO 4 satellites. The launch services company Arianespace is responsible for launching the satellites from the European space centre in Kourou, French Guyana. Both SATCOMBw satellites will be positioned in geostationary orbit and will provide communication services over an area stretching from America to eastern Asia, during their operational life of 15 years. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) will assume responsibility for operating the two satellites using various of its locations. In addition to that DLR will channel important parts of the user traffic via its ground installations.
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PARS 3 LR order signed
Neue Lenkwaffe für den Tiger
On 30th June 2006, the procurement contract for the PARS 3 Long Range precision fire-and-forget weapon system was signed in Koblenz by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB), LFK-MBDA Deutschland and Diehl BGT Defence. PARS 3 LR (third generation missile/long-range) is the main armament for the Tiger helicopter ordered by the German Army. The contract for industrialisation and series production of the PARS 3 LR missiles will be managed by PARSYS, a joint venture between LFK GmbH (50%), now part of MBDA, and Diehl BGT Defence (50%). The contract, valued at EUR 380 million, covers industrialization and delivery of 680 missiles for the German Army by the year 2014.
PARS 3 LR was developed for the Tiger support helicopter for defeating hardened high-value targets from a distance of up to 6,000 meters. The new fire-and-forget missile allows the helicopter to quit its position immediately after firing, thereby increasing the survivability of the platform and crew. The precision of the state-of-the-art missile is assured by the passive infrared seeker combined with the optical system, enabling unambiguous target identification and target designation over the entire range spectrum. The warhead has been proven against a variety of targets and has the growth potential to fulfil future requirements. Development of the overall PARS 3 LR system was formally completed in mid-2004. However, LFK GmbH has been manufacturing key components of the PARS 3 LR system which have then been integrated by Eurocopter into the platform since the series production contract for the 80 Tiger helicopters was signed in 1998.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The 108-to 118-seat Embraer 195 airliner, the largest of the Embraer 170/190 family, received type certification from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the newly created airworthiness authority that is now replacing the Centro Técnico Aeroespacial (CTA) as the official Brazilian certification body. Embraer and ANAC officials have gathered at Embraer to mark the event. Certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is shortly to follow, paving the way for the first deliveries to low-cost airline Flybe of the U.K., which ordered 14 Embraer 195s. Other customers with firm orders for the Embraer 195 are GECAS, Royal Jordanian and Swiss. This aircraft's certification campaign confirmed the premises of function similarity and parts commonality with the Embraer 190, resulting in lean and swift systems and performance validation tests. Only 475 flight hours on two Embraer 195s were necessary to complete the campaign, including development and certification flight tests.
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The Management of EADS Sogerma Services will be submitting to the Central Works Council for approval a lasting solution for the take-over of its industrial activity for the site of Mérignac. The Group TAT, which already runs successfully aircraft maintenance operations has been chosen at this stage, on the basis of an industrially and financially sound project, whereby the Sogerma staff concerned could continue working and using their skills at the Mérignac site. In this project, TAT would take over the maintenance activities while the EADS Group would keep the aerostructure activities under the responsibility of EADS Sogerma Services. The EADS Group would therefore remain on the site of Mérignac where part of the head office of Sogerma would continue to be located. In this project, the Group TAT has committed to keep approximately 500 members of staff working in maintenance on the site of Mérignac. ATR wing activities run by EADS Sogerma Services will concern eventually 150 employees. In addition to this solution, the mobility initiative proposed and the early retirement plan will enable to offer the staff of Sogerma Mérignac concerned solutions within the EADS Group. “We have chosen the best possible solution for the staff and the industrial future of the Sogerma Mérignac site. This solution enables EADS to go beyond its commitments and to safeguard approximately 650 jobs on the site,” said EADS CEO Tom Enders and Louis Gallois.
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The Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) instrument, designed and built by Lockheed Martin at its Space Systems Advanced Technology Center (ATC) has produced its first image. Built for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., SXI was launched on May 24 on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-N spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. GOES-N was renamed GOES 13 when it successfully reached its proper orbit. SXI is one of a suite of instruments that resides on the current generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). "The first image is magnificent! There is enormous satisfaction in seeing that our years of effort have borne fruit," said Mons Morrison, SXI program manager at the ATC. "While the other GOES instruments provide near-constant viewing of the Earth, SXI will watch the Sun and provide vital information regarding solar activity."
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Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG today received funding for its “Mona Lisa” lunar exploration program from the German Space Agency DLR. The project has a total value of around EUR 500,000, half of which will be funded by DLR. Over a period of ten months, OHB will be compiling a carefully structured and inherently consistent program proposal for a lunar exploration program taking special account of German interests as part of space research activities. “At the moment, the International Space Station is mankind's most remote outpost. With “Mona Lisa”, Germany will be positioning itself for the next logical step in space exploration. In this connection, it will be possible to use the moon as a research and testing field for scientific purposes and for demonstrating the technologies required for exploration,” explains Dr. Rolf Janovsky, who is in charge of the “Mona Lisa” program at OHB-System.
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The African maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) markets are set to grow rapidly over the next six years, as a result of ongoing liberalisation efforts in many countries and the subsequent emergence of new airlines aimed at meeting latent demand. The ability of regional and international MROs to cater for the anticipated MRO demand levels will depend on the presence of a valued portfolio of services and a deeper understanding of the unique needs and requirements of African airlines. Frost & Sullivan finds that the African Airframe and Engine MRO Markets earned revenues of US$1.44 billion in 2005 and estimates this to reach US$2.05 billion in 2012. "Attractive air traffic growth rates and the expected domestic and regional air transport liberalisation initiatives will drive growth in the African MRO market", notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Diogenis Papiomytis. "Although African MRO suppliers cannot yet compete against their international rivals, their installed base is sufficient to allow them to effectively commercialise their business over time to meet the requirements of African airlines." Air traffic growth will be primarily driven by a liberalised air transport industry, keen to offer opportunities to new market entrants willing to take advantage of latent demand. The largest African markets, such as Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria have already implemented domestic liberalisation packages, allowing free competition amongst airlines. Such trends are, in turn, set to influence aircraft utilisation rates, as well as the number of new aircraft deliveries, and subsequently the level of demand for MRO services.
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Munich Airport continues to soar. In the first half of 2006, the dynamic passenger growth continued unabated. During the first six months of the year, commercial flights carried nearly 14.5 million passengers – a jump of approximately one million over the same period in 2005. "With a growth rate of 7.7 percent we are well above the industry average currently being achieved at German and European airports.“ explained Dr. Michael Kerkloh, the CEO of FMG, the Munich Airport operating company, at the press conference held at the Munich press club to announce the half-year figures. The number of take-offs and landings was up approximately 3 percent to a new record level of nearly 194,000 aircraft movements. The cargo segment also achieved increases again in the first half of the year: the 106,000 metric tons of airfreight flown represent a year-on-year gain of about 10 percent. A particularly strong increase was posted in the intercontinental segment. During the first half of 2005, the number of passengers flying on long-haul routes was up about 11 percent on the first half of the previous year. Particularly strong growth was reported on the routes to India (approx. 100 percent) and to China (35 percent). "These figures show that intercontinental traffic, which we generate thanks to Munich Airport's hub function, remains the most important growth driver for overall growth," summed up airport CEO Kerkloh. Intercontinental traffic at Munich has increased to a total of 196 flights a week to 46 long-haul destinations in 25 countries. These excellent connections to the worldwide air transportation network yield a long-term competitive advantage for southern Germany in the global competition among economic regions.
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Goodrich is the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner system supplier to ship production components. On June 14, 2006 Goodrich shipped proximity sensors from its fuel & utility systems facility in Vergennes, VT. The proximity sensors will provide nose landing gear door position information used by the aircraft's landing gear actuation system. The complete Goodrich proximity sensing system consists of four proximity sensor data concentrators and 138 advanced, lightweight proximity sensors that will be installed on the landing gear, passenger doors, cargo doors, thrust reversers and various other access doors and panels. Tony Kinson, Vice President, Goodrich Fuel & Utility Systems commented, "This major milestone is the result of the efforts of many dedicated professionals working in a collaborative team environment with Boeing and its partners. It is exciting to see the technology mature from design to production hardware demonstrating the effectiveness of our program planning and coordination processes."
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The New York Air National Guard (NYANG) is relying on the Iridium satellite network for voice and data communications with its aircraft supporting the National Science Foundation (NSF) Operation Deep Freeze research projects in Antarctica. The NYANG has installed Iridium handsets, as well as communications interfaces from Flightcell, an Iridium value-added manufacturer, on its fleet of ski-equipped C130 aircraft. This will help to ensure reliable communications when flying missions in Antarctica. The Flightcell technology enables the handsets to be used in the high noise environment inside the aircraft. Calls are connected through to crew members' headsets, leaving their hands free for operational requirements. The NYANG flies 560 missions per year to provide personnel, food and supplies for the NSF scientists involved in the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP).
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Sikorsky Aircraft announced that it has selected Rockwell Collins to provide the avionics management system (AMS) for the new CH-53K heavy lift helicopter under development for the United States Marine Corps. Sikorsky selected Rockwell Collins, which is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after soliciting and evaluating multiple bids over a six-month competition. This subcontract award marks the first major sub-system supplier selected by Sikorsky for the Marine Corps CH-53K development program. The CH-53K's new joint interoperable "glass" cockpit will provide additional capabilities and situational awareness for the pilots coupled with reduced logistics and operating costs. The CH-53K AMS consists of five fully integrated active matrix liquid crystal multifunction displays (MFD), dual integrated processing cabinets (IPC), dual control display units (CDU), and dual data transfer units (DTU).
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Schweizer Aircraft has made a significant investment in a new dedicated overhaul and repair facility, expanding its support capabilities and dramatically improving turn times and spares availability. “The Schweizer commitment to our customers is clear,” said company President Paul Schweizer. “We are investing in support and spares, and our customers are seeing tangible improvements.” The 1,600-square foot facility and its experienced staff are dedicated exclusively to overhaul and repair activities. In the five months since overhaul and repair work transitioned to the new facility, turn times are down 66 percent and parts availability is up 30 percent.
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BAE Systems announces that, in accordance with the terms of the shareholders' agreement dated 11 July 2001 between BAE Systems, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. and Airbus S.A.S., BAE Systems today served notice on Airbus of its intention to undertake an audit of the Airbus Group. On 13 June 2006, Airbus announced that the delivery schedule for the A380 programme would undergo a delay of six or seven months due to production ramp-up issues and EADS announced an anticipated annual EBIT shortfall from 2007 to 2010 as a result of this delay of approximately EUR 500 million. On 14 June 2006, BAE Systems announced that it did not believe any credible or serious assessment of the likely financial impact of the delay in A380 deliveries could be made at that time. On 2 July 2006, an independent expert determined the price payable by EADS in relation to the proposed disposal of BAE Systems' interest in Airbus. BAE Systems expects that the Audit will assist its Board in assessing whether or not to recommend that its shareholders vote in favour of the Proposed Disposal. BAE Systems is required to give Airbus two weeks notice of its intention to undertake an audit. The Audit is not anticipated to be completed before the end of August 2006. A circular setting out the Board's recommendation to shareholders and further details regarding the Proposed Disposal will be sent to shareholders after the Board has had the opportunity to review the outcome of the Audit.
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Bremen-based space and high technology company OHB-System AG has received a contract from the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB), Koblenz, under the terms of which it is to continue and further extend its convincing work on radio transmission of high-resolution aerial reconnaissance images. Under the terms of a contract worth around EUR 3 million, OHB-System is to continue testing the D-WERDAS system, which allows image data to be transmitted between airborne aircraft over wide distances, and to implement it in trial flights. D-WERDAS is based on the successful ARDS (Aerial Reconnaissance Data System), with which OHB-System has been developing a revolutionary system for the transmission of high-resolution aerial reconnaissance data between aircraft and ground stations over the past few years. D-WERDAS uses aircraft as relay stations to ensure transmissions of data over greater distances. In addition, OHB is developing plane antennas, which will be used in the future in connection with ARDS. Further additions to the system are already being planned.
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MT Aerospace AG, Augsburg, a subsidiary of OHB Technology AG, has received another order for the production of ARIANE 5 components. Awarded by Cyrospace GIE, Les Mureaux, France, the contract is valued at EUR 55 million and entails essential components of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks in the upper stage of the ARIANE 5 launcher. “The contract, which runs into 2009, will assure long-term utilization of aerospace production capacity”, says Walter Köppel, CTO of MT Aerospace AG. This order is an essential part of the total contract for 30 launchers ordered from the European industry by marketing enterprise ARIANESPACE. MT Aerospace AG holds an 8% share in ARIANESPACE.
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Alenia Aermacchi has signed a contract with Nigeria's Ministry of Defence for the maintenance and enhancement of the avionic suite of twelve MB-339A aircraft, in service with Nigeria since mid '80s. The contract is worth 84 million dollars and covers the refurbishment of the aircraft and the upgrading of the avionic suite in addition to the supply of spares, technical assistance and training of pilots and ground crew. The MB-339A, currently deployed at Kano, an airbase of the N.A.F., will be returned to Alenia Aermacchi for the modernization programme, in two batches of 6 aircrafts each.
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Euro Telematik, manufacturer of fleet tracking and communication solutions for road and aerospace applications, has completed the first installation of an Iridium-based aircraft tracking and communication system for the Luxembourg Air Rescue (LAR) service. The Euro Telematik AeroFleet system allows LAR operations to monitor its fleet of jet ambulance aircraft and primary rescue helicopters, generating automatic position reports from the aircraft through Iridium's network of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. The same system also provides two-way voice and data exchange between ground operations and the flight crew. Two aircraft have been fitted with Euro Telematik's CDTI-2000 multi-function display. The AeroFleet installation at the operations center is based on a client/server architecture that allows for multiple ground stations and working positions, connected via Web-based interfaces.
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Boeing successfully tested its Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) weapon system June 30 against a moving target. "Laser JDAM's performance continues to exceed our highest expectations," said Boeing LJDAM Program Manager Scott Van Dyke. "LJDAM has the flexibility to engage both fixed and moving targets. This weapon will fill a significant gap in capability currently encountered by our warfighting customers." During the test at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., a U.S. Air Force F-16 flying at 20,000 feet scored a direct hit on an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) moving at 25 mph. Using its onboard targeting pod, the F-16 laser-designated the APC and released the 500-pound LJDAM approximately four miles from the target.
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Satellite solutions can make all the difference to the efficiency of telemedicine. With this in mind, ESA is preparing a European telemedicine via satellite programme which will be of direct benefit to the healthcare community. In this area of satellite telecommunications, where a user driven approach is required, another step was taken this week with the signature in Paris of a contract for 'SAtellites For Epidemiology- SAFE'. This contract for health early warning was signed between ESA and the French Institut de Médecine et de Physiologie Spatiales (MEDES), representing a consortium of nine partners. The total contract value is Euro 800 000. This project, developed in close partnership with experts from the World Health Organisation, will identify and describe scenarios for health early warning and set up a pre-operational demonstration which may request specific satellite telecommunications services. This will enable the demonstration of satellite applications in situations varying from epidemiological crisis management to biological threats, radiological risks, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. In all these cases it is intended to develop a full demonstration system for outbreak management and to implement several example instances, either for post disaster monitoring or as an on-demand showcase. For example, a mobile unit providing 'epidemiological intelligence' will be deployed in remote areas, or in locations where the communications infrastructure has been destroyed. It will consist of a mobile communications facility, restoring high bandwidth communications using satellites, linked to a field laboratory, enabling in situ analyses. The demonstration systems will include elements that can be marketed separately, with the intention of offering a bundle of services for healthcare, which will reinforce the economical sustainability of the satellite telecommunication services. Within this project it has been decided to focus on two particular situations: an earthquake and a terrorist attack scenario. It has also been decided to study diseases like the recent avian flu issues.
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Welcoming 4,824,415 passengers in the reporting month, Frankfurt Airport recorded four percent growth and the busiest June in the airport's history. Airfreight even jumped by 9.1 percent to 169,122 metric tons. Aircraft movements also climbed by 0.5 percent to 42,380 takeoffs and landings in June 2006. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) improved by 0.6 percent over the previous year to 2,420,128 metric tons. Only airmail traffic declined by a slight 0.6 percent to 7,386 metric tons. Compared to the previous months of the year, June was marked by a noticeable pickup in the forces driving growth. The football World Cup and the statutory June 2006 holidays - which many people used for taking short vacation trips - boosted European traffic in particular (up 7.4 percent). Intercontinental traffic also picked up by 3.6 percent. In addition to the World Cup, an increase in flight services to the Far East stimulated this segment.
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On July 14, the first of the EC120s ordered for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was delivered at a ceremony at the American Eurocopter Mississippi plant. Local business leaders, government officials, representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Customs & Border Protection and industry leaders will be present with American Eurocopter staff members, who will host the event. The Department of Homeland Security had ordered ten of the EC120 helicopters. The goal is to deliver six more by the end of the year. According to Roberts, “The helicopters will be completed, test flown and delivered by our American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Mississippi.”
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Raytheon has won an initial $38 million contract from the Global Positioning System (GPS) Joint Program Office at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to design next-generation global positioning receivers. An additional award to complete development and fabricate pre-production receiver cards for test and integration in host systems could follow. Under the Modernized User Equipment (MUE) program, the circuit card technology will connect military users with new GPS navigation signals that will be compatible with the enhanced NAVSTAR GPS satellites. The receivers, which will employ the robust new M-code military signal, also will work effectively with legacy signal systems.
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The Government in Stockholm has decided that Sweden will join the multinational Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) programme in order to increase its capability to participate in peace-support operations. "Membership of SALIS means that Sweden will increase its opportunities to participate in peace-support operations over long distances. It is an important step in being able to address the current lack of strategic air transport capability. This is a shortcoming we share with other European countries and it is positive that we can cooperate in finding solutions," says Minister for Defence Leni Björklund. SALIS is a multinational arrangement between sixteen countries. The arrangement aims at providing the member states with access to strategic air transport capability in connection with peace-support and humanitarian operations. The term strategic transport refers to transport of heavy loads over long distances. The Government took a decision to sign the SALIS Partnership Cooperation Agreement at a cabinet meeting on 29 June.
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Employees at Northrop Grumman Corporation's newest production facility in Moss Point, Miss., are adding RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle fuselage subassemblies to their manufacturing portfolio. Just two years after breaking ground on its Unmanned Systems Center, Northrop Grumman installed Global Hawk tooling just in time for the facility's grand opening in April this year. Despite destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, construction remained on schedule and on June 6, the Unmanned Systems Center crew began loading parts into the assembly jig for the 17th Global Hawk to enter production since the program began in 1995.
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The consolidated results of the ITP group in 2005 rose above 40 million euros, showing a 12% increase over the previous year. As a result, net profitability against sales stood at 11% compared with a figure of 10% for 2004. The group's net value of turnover rose to 377 million euros compared with 379 million for the previous year. When considered in homogenous terms, this turnover figure represents a 4% rise over that of 2004, once adjustments are made for the variations in the consolidation perimeter which arose this year. Divided up by markets, sales within the civil sector along with that of maintenance prevailed over the defence market by a ratio of two thirds to one. As for sales according to area of activity, the trend of previous years continued, with the combined areas of Manufacture and Assembly achieving turnover which pushed their share up to over 50%, the Maintenance area accounting for 30.5%, and the remaining 19.5% provided by Engineering activities.
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As part of its upcoming ambitious fleet renewal and expansion program for the next 3 years, Satcom operator Arabsat has selected Arianespace for the launch of its recently ordered BADR-6 satellite in 2008. Khalid Balkheyour, President & CEO, and Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, have signed yesterday in Paris the according launch contracts. This is the 10th contract signed by Arianespace with customers from the Middle East. BADR-6 (technically, Arabsat-4AR) will be launched by an Ariane 5 during the first half of 2008, from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
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Bell Helicopter and FLIR Systems jointly announced that Bell Helicopter has selected FLIR's BRITE Star II airborne stabilized multi-sensor system as the Target Acquisition Sensor Suite (TASS) for the US Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH-70A) Program. FLIR was selected following a Dual Path Development Program designed to reduce program risk. The BRITE Star II is a commercially developed, military-qualified multi-sensor system that incorporates an advanced third-generation thermal imager, a CCD-TV camera, a laser designator and a laser rangefinder. The predecessor to the BRITE Star II is currently fielded on the US Marine Corps' fleet of UH-1N "Huey" helicopters, many of which are in theater in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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During the “Union Shield 2006” Russian-Byelorussian large-scale headquarters exercises the Mi-28N helicopter, for the first time accomplishing tasks in military maneuvers, proved its full readiness to be used in real battlefield environment. For participation in the exercises two Mi-28N helicopters, the experimental and first serial ones, were suspend from the final stage of the state joint tests. Helicopters including the Mi-28N were used at the final phase of the exercises for close fire support of tank columns. Due to helicopter's high piloting characteristics only two preliminary flights were performed by the helicopters crews during preparation for the exercises in order to practice group flying and master the tactics of operation in pair. During the exercises the Mi-28N helicopter crews demonstrated nap-of-the-earth flight; steep climb followed by a fire attack from diving and approach for a repeated attack. Unguided missiles were launched at assumed enemy's targets followed by firing the airborne gun.
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The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a sole-source award for its Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) to protect Army fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft from heat-seeking missiles. BAE Systems in Nashua, N.H., received a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) award with a maximum ceiling of $1.4 billion on May 19. The Army ordered 80 CMWS systems for $23.2 million under the IDIQ. An IDIQ affords the Army the flexibility to order at various times any number of systems up to the maximum quantity specified in the contract. CMWS was deployed to support the global war on terrorism ahead of schedule and is currently flying on multiple Army and allied helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. CMWS is credited with saving multiple aircraft and crews from man-portable air defense missiles.
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Embraer announced that Mandarin Airlines has chosen the EMBRAER 190 and EMBRAER 195 E-Jets as the core aircraft for their future fleet requirements. Mandarin has elected to initially acquire a fleet of eight aircraft under operating leases and has signed a contract with GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease three EMBRAER 190s and five EMBRAER 195 aircraft. These orders will come from the existing GECAS backlog.
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that researchers have, for the first time, produced a synthetic aperture image from an airborne laser radar (also known as “ladar”). Up until this time, only radar has been able to generate a synthetic aperture image. Synthetic apertures use digital signal processing and aircraft motion to generate very high-resolution imagery from relatively small physical apertures. The achievement is the culmination of the first phase of DARPA's Synthetic Aperture Ladar for Tactical Imaging (SALTI) program, which is aimed at applying radar image collection and processing technology to optical wavelengths. “Synthetic aperture laser radar technology satisfies the critical need for reliable, long-range battlefield awareness. An image that takes radar tens of seconds to produce can be produced in a few thousandths of a second at optical frequencies,” explained Dr. Jennifer Ricklin, DARPA program manager for SALTI. “While radar waves respond to macroscopic features such as corners, edges, and facets, laser waves interact with microscopic surface characteristics, which results in imagery that appears more familiar and is more easily interpreted.”
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Boeing, working with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, successfully conducted an Airborne Laser (ABL) ground test June 6, demonstrating the weapon's ability to track and target a ballistic missile. During the test at Boeing facilities in Wichita, Kan., the ABL, which operates aboard a modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft, located a simulated boosting ballistic missile target created by a target simulator. After using simulated returns from a surrogate target illuminator laser to track the target, the Airborne Laser used simulated returns from a surrogate beacon illuminator laser to compensate for atmospheric turbulence that ABL's high-energy laser would encounter in its path to a target. The equipment used in the test is part of the beam control/fire control system, designed and integrated by Lockheed Martin, and the battle management system, developed by Boeing.
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MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that its recently acquired Montreal operation has booked two advanced technology contracts totaling over $17 million. Under these contracts, MDA will provide data reception and transmission subsystems used in advanced solutions to provide regional satellite services in North America and Europe. The customers are Orbital Sciences Corporation and EADS Astrium. "These contracts demonstrate the strength of our Montreal operation in providing advanced technology solutions to a variety of customers in different geographic markets." said Mag Iskander, MDA's Executive Vice President of Space Missions.
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Boeing has been awarded a $138 million option by the U.S. Air Force to build three additional Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites under the GPS Block IIF contract. The exercised option brings to 12 the number of Block IIF satellites Boeing is building under contract to the military's NAVSTAR GPS joint program office. Boeing expects that the first GPS Block IIF satellite, known as SV-1, will be ready for delivery in 2007.
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North African airline Tunisair has made a firm order for an A319 Extended-Range for non-stop, scheduled, international services on its Middle East and African routes, and is hence to become the first operator for this configuration in Africa. This aircraft features an additional centre tank compared to the standard A319, increasing fuel capacity to boost range. In addition, Tunisair will retrofit up to three of its A319 already in operation to the Extended Range version. The A319 Extended-Range allows Tunisair to operate a long-range aircraft, with a high level of customer comfort and unbeatable operational costs compared to other aircraft in the same category. Each A319 Extended-Range will offer 16 business class seats and 90 economy class seats, allowing Tunisair to offer a premium product. These aircraft will be powered by CFM-56-5B6 engines and will have a range of 3700 Nm corresponding to 8.5 flight hours
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BAE Systems has started assembling the aft fuselage of the first short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Assembly started on time with the loading of the first three parts of the left hand aft fuselage into an assembly jig at the company's state-of-the-art F-35 JSF facility at Samlesbury, England. “The start of assembly of the first STOVL aircraft is a major step forward for the F-35 JSF programme,” explains Tom Fillingham, BAE Systems' JSF vice president and deputy programme manager. “By the end of 2006, BAE Systems will deliver the first STOVL aft fuselage to our programme partner Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. We will also start the assembly of four more STOVL aircraft in Samlesbury.”
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Saab, as a partner in the Swedish Industry Group JAS, has received a 1 billion SEK order from FMV (the Swedish Defence Material Administration) covering continued development of the Gripen System. The current order is a regular part of the Gripen program's overall continuous development and upgrade process. The order covers various software upgrades as well as other development activities supporting the long term development of the Gripen system. Work will be performed at Saab Aerosystems and Saab Aerotech in Linköping, Sweden as well as at Saab Avitronics in Järfälla and Kista, Sweden. The order will not require an increase in existing manpower levels.
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ESA's Vega small satellite launch vehicle has made a new step toward its maiden flight, late next year, with the success of the first firing test on its second stage motor, the Zefiro 23. The static firing was performed on 26 June, at the Italian Ministry of Defence test centre in Salto di Quirra, Sardinia. The 7.5m tall, 2m diameter motor, featuring a carbon epoxy filament wound casing, delivered more than 100 metric tons of thrust (1,070 kN), burning some 24 metric tons of solid propellant in 75 seconds. Numerous data were gathered during the test and are now under analysis to improve technical knowledge of the motor's behaviour and refine the launcher's future performance. Also tested during the firing were various subsystems, including a thrust vector control system that will steer the motor's nozzle to provide flight control. After this success, the motor will proceed with its critical design review, at which stage its technical characteristics will be finalised.
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Canadian Minister of National Defence Gordon O'Connor and Minister of Public Works and Government Services Michael Fortier, along with Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier and Chief of the Defence Staff General Rick Hillier announced the plan to acquire four new strategic lift aircraft and 17 new tactical lift aircraft at an estimated total cost of $8.3 billion. This investment addresses the need to revitalize the Canadian Forces' airlift capabilities and is the most significant military investment in over a decade. “The procurement process will be fair, open, transparent and in line with this government's Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan,” said Minister Fortier. “A rigorous procurement process has been put in place to ensure that the equipment meets the needs of the men and women of the Canadian Forces while making sure that Canadian taxpayers get the best value for their hard earned money.” The estimated total project cost for this strategic lift aircraft acquisition is $1.8 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $1.6 billion for 20 years of in-service support - a contract that will be dependant on the outcome of the ACAN process. “The procurement of the tactical lift aircraft fleet will be conducted through a solicitation of interest and qualification, which invites all potential suppliers to indicate their interest and demonstrate their ability to meet mandatory requirements,” said Minister Fortier. The estimated total project cost for the tactical airlift component is $3.2 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $1.7 billion for 20 years of in-service support to be carried out by Canadian industry. Tactical airlift, the lifeline of deployed Canadian Forces members, will transport equipment, troops and supplies within Canada and on overseas operations.
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Boeing has logged 10 more orders for its popular Next-Generation 737-800 from Ryanair, Europe's largest and most profitable low-cost carrier. The order, valued at $705 million at list prices, stems from options contained in a previous purchase contract. Deliveries for this order begin in 2008. The order was previously accounted for on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website and attributed to an unidentified customer.
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Acoustic testing of Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), has successfully been completed at ESA's test facilities in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. The 11-tonne test configuration of the ATV Flight Model (the actual flight launch mass is 20.5 tonnes) was transferred to the Large European Acoustic Facility (LEAF) with the help of an air cushion transfer pad. The ATV, an unmanned vehicle that will deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), will be put into orbit by the European Ariane-5 launcher. Acoustic testing is vital to ensure the ATV can withstand the vibrations caused by the extreme noise levels generated during launch.
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TAM S.A., Brazil's largest airline company, has just signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to acquire 37 additional Airbus aircraft. The order includes 15 Airbus A319, 16 A320 and 6 A330 to be delivered until 2010. The new MOU comes in addition to last year's signed contract of 29 A320 to be delivered during the same period and the option of another 20 aircraft of the same models. With this agreement, TAM expands its fleet plan until 2010 in order to match the growth in demand in the domestic market and maintains its strategy of selective profitable growth in the international segment.
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Rolls-Royce launched a multi-year agreement with Japan's National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) to undertake research programmes into the development of high-temperature superalloys for use in gas turbine engines. The agreement brings into being the Rolls-Royce Centre of Excellence for Aerospace Materials, which is based at NIMS' Sengen site in Tsukuba, north of Tokyo. It was celebrated by an opening at Tsukuba, followed by a reception in Tokyo. It is the first scientific research programme the company has directly funded in Japan, although Rolls-Royce has significant and long-standing links with Japan in terms of product development, supply arrangements, as a market for products in the company's aerospace, marine and energy sectors, and as a participant in previous JAXA research programmes.
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The Boeing KC-767A Tanker reached another significant milestone this week when it logged its 100th test flight. The accomplishment occurred while performing U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification stall and climb testing in Seattle, Wash. To date, the tanker has accumulated about 330 flight hours in its extensive flight test program."Completing 100 test flights shows great progress toward delivering the world's most advanced aerial refueling tanker," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president of Tanker Programs. "The milestones we are achieving and the challenges that we are overcoming in this program will go a long way to helping reduce the risk for future customers."
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In a move to unite their efforts to combat corruption and enhance business ethics a number of Europe's major players in the aerospace & defence industry have founded an “Ethics & Anti-Corruption Working Group”. Acknowledging the achievements to date at both individual company level and at the national level in developing programmes and processes to comply with applicable legal requirements, these companies have decided to establish a business sector network dedicated to spread, implement and use EU-wide best practices based on the 1997 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, applicable national laws, and on other European and international instruments dealing with the fight against corruption. As a next step, it is intended to widen this European effort to include international partner companies, in order to achieve a global united front against corruption. The Ethics & Anti-Corruption Working Group is co-ordinated through the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (“ASD”). The Working Group will benefit from the support of experts of international repute in the field of anti-corruption and business ethics, including the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) which has significant expertise and experience in formulating self-regulatory rules in this field.
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The defense segment of San Diego-based Cubic Corporation announced it has received orders totaling $98 million from the U.S. military for its next-generation air combat training system. Cubic Defense Applications and its principal subcontractor, DRS Technologies, Inc., are providing the P5 Combat Training System/Tactical Combat Training System (P5 CTS/TCTS) to the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines and Air National Guard under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract awarded in 2003. The ID/IQ contract, valued at $525 million, calls for the delivery of the P5 system to potentially 30 sites over a 10-year period. "The P5 system will dramatically improve air combat training missions for U.S. and coalition forces. It features a common approach for joint, multi-service and coalition training - allowing fighter pilots to train together as a coordinated team in any available airspace," said Don Jacobs, Cubic's vice president of Air Combat Training Systems. "Cubic is extremely proud to provide this important capability to our forces."
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In order to strengthen quality, market and customer views and to create uniform, streamlined group processes, the Austrian Airlines Group will implement an organisational change on September 1, 2006. This new structure is part and starting point of a package of measures which will continue increasing the levels of productivity. In future, any activities influencing the design of customer contact, including Cabin Services, will be centred on the new “Product Management & Customer Services division”. This will affect both ground- and cabin -based services, as well as scheduled, charter and cargo. The precise details of the structure of the new division, in particular the definition of the interfaces with other departments, will be decided within a Board of Management project in coming weeks. Mr. Peter Baumgartner, until now Manager Corporate Communications Central and Eastern Europe for Siemens AG Österreich, is to be appointed as new Vice President of Product Management & Customer Services from 1 September 2006 onwards.
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The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter (AH-64D) Squadron was inaugurated at a ceremony in Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) this afternoon by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean. This completes the transformation of 120 Sqn from a utility to an attack squadron. The Apache will enhance the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) capability to undertake a wider spectrum of missions, notably in air-land integrated operations. The Apache is a key feature of the SAF's transformation to its 3rd Generation. With its advance avionics and weapons systems, the Apache is one of the most technologically advanced attack helicopters in the world. Its Longbow Fire Control Radar provides an enhanced radar target detection range and tracking ability, and can detect more than 200 targets. With its Hellfire missiles, the Apache can conduct precision strikes under all weather conditions.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center, RTI International, Applied EM, Inc., International Communications Group, Unitech, Sierra Nevada Corporation (Sierra Nevada), and Techsphere Systems International, Inc. (Techsphere), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cyber Defense Systems, Inc., announced today that the test flights of the new generation "paint-on" antenna technology on board the SA-60 Spherical Airship were successful June 21, 2006 in the Nevada desert. This was a worldwide exclusive to test the lightweight "paint-on antenna" technology on Sierra Nevada and Techsphere airship technology for communications and other applications. As part of an effort to develop new high-altitude communications and surveillance platforms, Applied EM, Inc. and Unitech, LLC are developing conformal "paint-on" antenna technology under an Air Force Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program (Air Force Research Laboratory, Hanscom AFB). "Paint-on" antenna designs were used in the Airship flight test for Iridium Global satellite communications from several locations on the airship. These antennas transmitted and received voice and data links via the global Iridium satellite system and overall radio frequency performance was outstanding. Iridium bit error rate data transmission and receptions were tested and voice communications to and from the Airship with teleconferencing were tested successfully.
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Lufthansa is sustaining its upward trend. Never before have so many passengers flown with the airline in the first six months of a year. Lufthansa Cargo is also still on course with increased transported tonnage and utilisation. In the six-month January through June term, Lufthansa carried 25.5 million passengers, an increase of 3.3 per cent on the year-ago period. Since capacity, up by 1.5 per cent, rose marginally more than revenue passenger-kilometres (+0.9 per cent), the seat load factor fell slightly to 74.0 per cent. Lufthansa Cargo lifted transported tonnage and mail by 0.7 per cent to 853,000 tonnes. Sales also rose by 2.0 per cent despite a slight reduction in capacity. The cargo load factor was consequently up sharply by 2.4 percentage points to 67.2 per cent. Overall capacity utilisation on passenger and cargo aircraft improved year-on-year in the first half-year by 0.8 percentage points to 71.1 per cent.
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Eurocopter's subsidiary, Australian Aerospace, and the Australian Defence Material Organisation (DMO) today signed the contract to provide 34 additional MRH-90 medium-lift helicopters to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the associated support for a period of ten years. The signing ceremony, which took place in Canberra, follows the announcement last week by Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Brendan Nelson that the ADF was ordering the extra MRH-90s, the most advanced helicopter of its size in the world. Australia now has ordered 46 MRH-90s as part of the modernization and rationalization of its helicopter fleet, which will develop a hardened and networked defence force. This decision comes indeed less than two years after the Federal Government ordered the first 12 MRH-90s as additional troop lift helicopters. Already in December 2001, Eurocopter was selected to provide 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) to the Australian Army.
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The beginning of an era for Robins Air Force Base and the warfighters of Air Force Special Operations Command was marked June 28 as the first-of-its-kind MC-130W was presented to Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, AFSOC commander, in a ceremony here. "A lot of work went into this aircraft," said Maj. Gen. Michael A. Collings, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander. "Sweat, hard work and brains brought about this large initiative in support of the global war on terror. My challenge is that the need for these aircraft is today, and I challenge our own people to turn out these aircraft in 150 days or less." General Wooley praised the effort. "I want to focus on the folks who have grease under their fingernails," he said. "You are the warriors. The speed at which this was put together is indicative of the people here at Robins. Yours is truly a warrior attitude in taking airplanes, keeping flow days down, and giving us the aircraft we so desperately need." General Wooley said that this aircraft and the ones that follow will be put to good use. The highly modified C-130, the first of a dozen such modified aircraft, will replace combat losses experienced over time by special operations aviators. Four MC-130H aircraft and one MC-130P have been lost in the war on terrorism.
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The Australian Minister of Defence has met with Boeing senior management in Washington, D.C., to discuss the timeframe for the delivery of the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. I was joined in the discussions by Lieutenant General David Hurley, Chief Capability Development Group. During our talks, Boeing CEO Jim Albaugh confirmed the Wedgetail project has slipped behind schedule. Until recently, Boeing was advising that this project had been running well and achieving significant success for one of such complexity. I made it clear to Mr Albaugh that the Government is very disappointed the project will not be delivered on schedule. The extent of the delay will be determined by intense project reviews over the next two months. Boeing has accepted responsibility for this situation. I have also received a full commitment by the company that it will do whatever is necessary to bring this project to a successful conclusion. The contract between the ADF and Boeing does include a provision for liquidated damages. The government is reserving its contractual rights in this regard. (ends)
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Boeing announced that SkyEurope Airlines, the multi-based Central European low-cost airline, has converted purchase rights for five Next-Generation 737-700s into orders. The airline now has a total order commitment for 21 Next-Generation 737 airplanes, through lease and direct purchase agreements, of which five have been delivered and are operating in the airline's all-Boeing fleet. The newly ordered airplanes, to be delivered in 2008, have an estimated value of US$ 295 million. All of SkyEurope's new airplanes are equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets.
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The Lithuanian Republic's Armed Force and Alenia Aeronautica have signed a EUR 75 million contract for the supply of three units of the new-generation tactical transport aircraft C-27J. The selection has been made within a bid for the renewal of the current fleet of Soviet-made twin-engine An-26s in service with the Lithuanian Air Force. The C-27Js will be used for troops and cargo transport, in and out of the national boundaries, within the operational scenarios ruled by NATO, of which Lithuania has been member from 2004. The delivery of the first C-27J is planned for the end of 2006 while the next ones will be supplied in the 2008 / 2009. The C-27J represents the most advanced new-generation medium tactical military airlifter and will allow the Lithuanian Air Force, engaged in a modernisation campaign, to fully respect the interoperability standards required by the NATO countries.
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Boeing completed the first flight of a Delta IV rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., today with the successful launch of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite, NROL-22. The launch is the first West Coast mission completed for the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Liftoff of the Delta IV Medium+ (4, 2) configuration vehicle occurred at 8:33 p.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 6. The payload was successfully deployed approximately 54 minutes later. "This first Delta IV launch from Vandenberg is an important achievement for Boeing and our NRO and Air Force customers," said Dan Collins, vice president of Boeing Launch Systems. "Today we successfully validated launching the Delta IV from SLC-6, providing the Air Force and the nation with the first operational West Coast launch site for the EELV program. With this launch, the Delta team has fulfilled all the EELV requirements outlined by the Air Force. We have a full family of launch vehicles, including a flight-proven, heavy-lift vehicle, a domestically produced first stage engine and now fully operational launch sites on both coasts."
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Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 cased their colors and stood down during a ceremony June 16 on the flightline. The ceremony represented the beginning of the squadron's transition to the new MV-22 “Osprey,” and “signifies the end of CH-46E operations for the squadron,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Joseph E. George, commanding officer for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266. “It's a great day for the Marine Corps and Marine Corps aviation,” he added. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 will be renamed Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, and will stand back up next year as the third operational “Osprey” squadron in the Marine Corps, writing a new chapter in aviation history, said George, who received a Bronze Star Medal during the ceremony for his work during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Boeing will be taking a series of near-term actions as the company accelerates the evaluation of options for the future of its Connexion by Boeing high-speed broadband communications business. Boeing has pursued the business vigorously, developing technology that has worked well and evolved into a useful product. However, the market for the service has not developed satisfactorily. Therefore, the company will be working in conjunction with customers to thoroughly evaluate the Connexion marketplace and business model to determine next steps. Meetings are being scheduled with customers across all Connexion business channels--including airline, defense, maritime, corporate aircraft and general aviation--to assess the current state of the market and develop plans that address market conditions. In the meantime, Boeing will limit further commercial expansion of the service.
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Gulfstream Aerospace delivered its 100 th large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 business jet today. Following a ceremony to mark the milestone at Gulfstream's Brunswick , Ga. , completion facility, NetJets International accepted the aircraft, which they will offer to their customers as a fractional ownership alternative to total aircraft ownership. NetJets International is a subsidiary of NetJets Inc., a Berkshire-Hathaway company and the pioneer and worldwide leader in fractional aircraft ownership. “We are especially pleased to deliver our 100 th production G550 to NetJets, our largest customer with 78 Gulfstream aircraft now in its fleet,” said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. “Since the first G550 entered service less than three years ago, it has proven itself with an excellent performance record. The G550 currently holds more than 25 city-pair speed records.”
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Cessna Aircraft delivered the 500th Citation XL/XLS model to European Flight Service AB, the largest jet charter operation in Sweden. Since the first Cessna Citation XL was delivered in 1998, more Citation XL and XLS aircraft have been delivered than any other corporate business jet in the world. “European Flight Service was the first commercial company in Europe to put an XL into service in 2003,” said Cessna Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Whyte. “There have been many others that have followed suit. We took orders for 36 XLS aircraft in Europe for 2005 alone.” European Flight Service's fleet includes a Citation XL, Citation VII and Citation Sovereign. They have an additional XLS and Sovereign aircraft on order. The XL/XLS worldwide fleet will near 1 million operating hours in October. The 560 series began with the Citation XL, which was granted Federal Aviation Administration type certification in April 1998. The XL received a block point change in 2004 and became the XLS. Together, the XL and XLS have been the best-selling mid-size jets in history.
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SWISS and the Aeropers pilots' union have been unable to conclude a new forward-looking Collective Labour Agreement after 17 months of intensive negotiations. Aeropers has declared that the negotiations have failed. The existing Collective Labour Agreement with the Airbus pilots expires on June 30. The negotiated offer SWISS made to Aeropers accommodates the concerns of employees to the greatest possible degree, continues to provide attractive conditions of employment and is geared toward growth. With respect to key points on working conditions, SWISS expects Airbus pilots to work an average maximum of 19 days per month, take six (rather than 7.5) weeks of vacation annually, and to make reasonable concessions on overall remuneration. All other employee groups at SWISS have already made a contribution in recent months toward lowering costs and increasing productivity. In the interests of its customers, of all its employee groups and of the economy of Switzerland as a whole, SWISS wants to create the foundation for sustained growth.
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Raytheon's ground-breaking APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet has been cleared to enter the U.S. Navy's operational evaluation (OPEVAL) program. “This powerhouse of a program remains solidly on track to meet our commitment to the customer,” Erv Grau, vice president for the Air Combat Avionics Group of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, said. “The radar continues to deliver high performance and solid reliability that will truly provide aircrews a new transformational capability in the fleet. We're excited about the beginning of operational evaluation and very confident the system will exceed the rigorous expectations of our customer.”
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Bombardier Aerospace announced the appointment of Pierre Gabriel Côté as President, Bombardier Business Aircraft effective July 10, 2006. Mr. Côté will head the Business Aircraft leadership team responsible for profit, cost, quality and customer management from order to delivery of Bombardier business aircraft.
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Rockwell Collins and Sandia National Laboratories have formed a strategic alliance to develop, manufacture and offer service and support for a small form-factor Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The miniature SAR system, developed by Sandia, provides broad-area imaging at fine resolutions for environmental monitoring, earth-resource mapping and military systems at a more affordable price. “The miniature SAR product is targeted for use on both manned and unmanned vehicle platforms, to provide small, persistent surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance capability to the military and could enable the use of additional communication systems and integrated systems products and services,” said Ron Hornish, vice president and general manager of Sensor Systems for Rockwell Collins Government Systems.
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Eurocopter and Servigistics, the leading strategic service management solution provider, announced that Eurocopter has selected Servigistics to enhance its global Service Parts Management operations. Servigistics will support Eurocopter in its drive to maximize availability and capability for its extensive civil and defense customer base, while continuing to reduce costs overall. Additionally, the Servigistics solution will provide Eurocopter with global visibility of service parts and provide advanced intelligence into the management of Performance Based Logistics (PBL) and Power by the Hour (PBH) service contracts. "As Eurocopter advances its service network, the ability to meet our critical service level agreements on time is imperative to our reputation as well as our bottom line," said Jean Pierre Dedieu, Support and Services, Eurocopter. "Choosing a system which provides global visibility was of paramount importance to us and supports the EADS 3-i Policy for Innovation, Internationalization and Improvement."
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Bristow Helicopters (Eastern Hemisphere) is pleased to announce a significant achievement: it has just exceeded a total of 4 million flying hours for its fleet of helicopters since the Company began flying back in 1953. The statistics are: Total flying hours : 4 003 223, total number of passengers carried : 7,216,541, total amount of freight carried : 2,060,310,255 lb (934,592 tonnes), total number of flights : 8,835,827. Bristow Helicopters Eastern Hemisphere is a part of the Bristow Group. The Bristow Group employs 3,400 staff across the world and, with its affiliated companies, has a fleet of over 460 helicopters making the Group one of the largest providers of helicopter transportation services.
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