+++ Airbus sees loss for 2006 +++ A330-200 freighter gets industrial go-ahead +++ 3000 th A320 delivered +++ French Gendarmerie orders up to 37 EC135s +++ GE to Acquire Smiths Aerospace +++ Northrop Grumman tests Guardian commercial Anti-Missile System +++ NetJets orders more Hawker 750 and 900XP +++ News in brief +++
Airbus sees loss for 2006
Airbus-Verlust erwartet
While work on the completion of the financial results is still ongoing, it is estimated that Airbus will probably deliver a negative EBIT contribution for the full year of 2006, as EADS announced. Nevertheless, in 2006, Airbus continued to increase its deliveries to the highest level ever, while achieving its second best year ever in terms of sales numbers. Airbus delivered 434 aircraft, leading to a turnover estimated at approx. 26 billion Euros. The 2006 deliveries include 339 Single Aisle Family aircraft, nine A300 Freighters and 86 wide-body long range airliners. Total deliveries now stand at 4,564 aircraft.
With 824 new gross orders, Airbus achieved its second best year in terms of sales. These orders make up for 44 per cent of the market, and include 673 Single Aisles, 134 A330s, A340s and A350s as well as 17 A380s. Net order intake stand at 790, making a 43 per cent share. Valued at US $ 75.1 billion at catalogue prices, the gross orders make for 40 percent of the total transaction values. At the end of 2006, Airbus has a total of 2,533 aircraft on order still to be delivered, making for 51per cent of the backlog of aircraft above 100 seats. This is 17 per cent above the record backlog of last year and represents, at current very high production rates, five years of production. This is the highest backlog in the entire history of Airbus and of the aviation industry.
“Our financial estimate is a consequence of our 2006 turbulences – in particular reflecting the effect of the A380 delay. We are also taking into account the launch of the A350 XWB and the financial impact of Power 8, which we originally expected for 2007,” says Airbus President and CEO Louis Gallois. “Clearly we are cleaning the grounds and preparing for a new Airbus.” The turbulences of 2006 and in particular the ever weaker US dollar require Airbus to make a major effort. Airbus will now begin implementing the new competitiveness programme called Power 8. This programme looks at all aspects of the company to make it leaner, more integrated, more efficient and more productive. “Power8 is the condition to ensure our success and profitability in the future, and that we shall be able to serve our customers even better”, he added.
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A330-200 freighter gets industrial go-ahead
Erste Kunden für A330-Frachter
Airbus was given the go-ahead from the Board of Directors of its parent company EADS for the industrial launch of its wide-body A330-200 Freighter aircraft. Following its commercial launch last summer, the decision for the industrial launch of the A330-200F is based on a strong market demand for over 400 freighters in the 60 plus tonne category over the next 20 years. The A330-200 freighter is the only mid-size, long-haul all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 64 tonnes over 4,000nm / 7,400 km, or 69 tonnes up to 3,200nm / 5,930 km in payload mode configuration. Entry into service of the first A330 freighter is planned for the second half of 2009. Airbus President and CEO, and co-CEO of EADS Louis Gallois welcomed the industrial launch of the A330 freighter: ”With the A330-200F, Airbus is well placed to satisfy a large percentage of the market demand by offering superior main- and lower-deck hold flexibility than the competition, while providing more range and 21 per cent more lift. Moreover, this freighter flies 20 per cent further and has a cost per tonne 13 per cent lower that its direct competitor. We are convinced it will be a best “seller”,“ he said.
Following the authorization to offer the A330 Freighter last summer, Guggenheim Aviation Partners, LLC (GAP), the US-based aviation investment firm, acting on behalf of one of its investment funds, is the first customer to sign a contract for the A330-200F. With this order for six aircraft, converting a Letter of Intent signed last October, GAP becomes a launch customer for the new Airbus freighter with deliveries expected to commence in early 2010.
Flyington Freighters Ltd, based in Hyderabad, India, have signed for six A330-200F aircraft, the newest freighter from Airbus. Flyington Freighters Ltd is the first cargo airline to order the A330-200F, and the first aircraft will join the fleet in the second half of 2009. "We are happy to be the first cargo airline to order the A330-200 Freighter. We ordered it because it offers us significant operational benefits and suits our business model. The aircraft offers economic advantages which make the A330-200F the best choice for us", said Mr. T Venkattram Reddy, Chairman, Flyington Freighters Ltd.
Following the authorization to offer the A330 Freighter last summer, Airbus has secured a commitment for the newest member of the A330/A340 Family - the A330-200F. U. S.-based Intrepid Aviation Group has signed a Letter of Intent for the purchase of 20 A330-200Fs, the newest freighter to join the Airbus fleet. First delivery to Intrepid is expected in early 2010.
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3000 th A320 delivered
Airbus liefert 3000. Schmalrumpfflugzeug
Airbus has delivered A320 manufacturing serial number 3000 (MSN3000) to Asia's largest low cost carrier, AirAsia. The official handover to Dato' Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia by Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO, and co-CEO of EADS, took place at a ceremony held at Airbus' new Henri Ziegler delivery centre in Toulouse, France. The delivery is part of AirAsia's original order for 60 A320s in March 2005 and follows the airline's recent announcement for a firm order for an additional 50 A320s and a further 50 on option; making AirAsia a leading Airbus A320 customer with a total order of 150 A320 aircraft, plus 50 options.
"Reaching MSN3000 is a significant milestone in the A320 Family production cycle and tangible proof of the immense popularity of Airbus' A320 Family", said Louis Gallois. "With 30 million flight cycles and 50 million flight hours already completed, the global A320 Family has set the standard for fly-by-wire aircraft across the air transport industry. Moreover, with its unbeatable economics and enormous passenger appeal, it has an outstanding backlog of some 1,966 aircraft. This confirms that the A320 Family will be in demand for many years to come," he added. In order to keep up with the tremendous demand, Airbus plans to introduce a steady production ramp up from 30 to 32 aircraft per month and plans progressively to increase this to a rate of 36 by the end of 2008 - the highest production rate ever for any commercial airliner. With more than 4,900 aircraft ordered and with 187 operators, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 make up the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320 entered airline service in April 1988 and rapidly established itself as the industry standard for passenger comfort and economy on short and medium-haul routes.
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French Gendarmerie orders up to 37 EC135s
EC135 für Frankreichs Polizei
Eurocopter signed a significant contract with the French Gendarmerie for the acquisition of 37 EC135 (12 firm orders and 25 options) valued at Euro233 million. These EC135, which will be used for police missions, will replace the single-engine Ecureuil B, BA and B1 that the French Gendarmerie has been operating since 1980. The first helicopters will be delivered during the last quarter of 2008. At the same time, the French Gendarmerie confirmed an option for three EC145. With this option, the EC145 fleet of the Gendarmerie will include fifteen aircraft, mainly used for missions in high altitude and in inhospitable environment. The EC145 will replace the fleet of Alouette III. The French Customs also confirmed an option for 2 EC135. A first order for three EC135 took place in December 2005 including this option for two additional aircraft. The French Customs are currently operating eight twin-engine Ecureuil. Their helicopters are used for missions fighting against custom and tax evasion, protection of the environment and fishing police.
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GE to Acquire Smiths Aerospace
General Electric expandiert im Luftfahrtbereich
General Electric Company announced that it agreed to purchase Smiths Aerospace, a U.K.-based supplier of integrated systems for aircraft manufacturers and components for engine builders, for $4.8 billion in cash. The deal is subject to approval by Smiths Group shareowners as well as customary regulatory reviews. The acquisition will broaden GE's offerings for aviation customers by adding Smiths innovative flight management systems, electrical power management, mechanical actuation systems and airborne platform computing systems to GE Aviation's commercial and military aircraft engines and related services.
GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said, “Smiths Aerospace is a world-class business and a great extension of our Aviation business. Like GE, Smiths has built its business by investing in technology and innovative products and services. GE and Smiths fit together well because our product offerings are complementary, and because we have similar customers and deep domain expertise in this industry. “This acquisition is consistent with our strategy to invest in high-technology infrastructure businesses that deliver strong growth, earnings expansion and higher margins,” Immelt said. “GE Aviation is growing about 10% a year and this acquisition gives us a technology growth platform that will be accretive to our net income and will deliver immediate and future value for our investors.”
Smiths Aerospace, which is part of Smiths Group, has more than 11,000 employees and had $2.4 billion in revenues in 2006. Smiths has a significant presence on most commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, as well as many military aircraft. More importantly, Smiths has a major presence on new aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A380 and the Joint Strike Fighter. Smiths products include flight management systems, airborne platform computing systems, power generation, conversion and distribution products, actuation products and systems for flight control, thrust reversers and landing gear applications, various engine components and a global customer services organization.
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Northrop Grumman tests Guardian commercial Anti-Missile System
Selbstschutzsystem für Verkehrsflugzeuge im Test
An MD-10 aircraft in commercial revenue service with the Northrop Grumman Corporation Guardian system installation departed Los Angeles International Airport, marking the beginning of the operational test and evaluation portion of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Counter-Man Portable Air Defense Systems (C-MANPADS) program. As part of Phase III of the DHS-sponsored program, a Northrop Grumman-led industry team will complete production of Guardian(tm) missile defense systems for installation on MD-10 aircraft. During the test and evaluation effort, which concludes in March 2008, nine MD-10 aircraft equipped with the Guardian(tm) system will be in continual revenue service operation.
The Guardian system is a defensive aid utilizing proven military technology to defend against the threat posed by anti-aircraft, shoulder-fired missiles. Once launched, the missile is detected by the Guardian(tm) system, which then directs a non-visible, eye-safe laser to the seeker head of the incoming missile, disrupting its guidance signals. To date, Northrop Grumman has completed a 16-month flight test program in commercial test operational environments that included the use of a ground-based electronic missile surrogate to simulate the launch of a shoulder-fired missile toward aircraft during takeoff and landing. The tests were performed on an MD-11, an MD-10 and a B-747 aircraft. In each test, the Guardian(tm) system functioned as designed, automatically detecting the simulated launch and mock missile. Had the threats been real, an invisible laser beam safe to humans would have disrupted the missile guidance system and protected the aircraft.
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NetJets orders more Hawker 750 and 900XP
Neue Aufträge von NetJets
Raytheon Aircraft has signed additional orders with NetJets® Aviation and NetJets Europe -- valued at more than $500 million -- for the purchase of 48 additional Hawker aircraft for their European and U.S. operations. Combined with the NetJets order for 48 aircraft announced at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention in October, 2006, these two orders are now worth more than $1 billion. Deliveries under the initial order for the Hawker 900XP will begin in 2007 and continue through 2009; deliveries under the new follow-on order will run from 2009 through 2012. Deliveries under the initial order for the Hawker 750 will begin in 2008 and continue through 2009, while deliveries under the new follow-on order will run from 2010 through 2011. The Hawker 750 and Hawker 900XP were formally launched in October at NBAA. Both aircraft will be derived from the Hawker 800-series airframe, well known for its cabin, extended range, exceptional payload capabilities, reliability and comforts unique to the Hawker brand.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Textron announced that Richard J. Millman has been named president and CEO of its Bell Helicopter unit and head of the company's Bell segment. He replaces Michael Redenbaugh, who has resigned from the company. In turn, Frank Tempesta has been named president of Textron Systems, succeeding Millman. "With the tremendous growth trajectory anticipated for Bell Helicopter, we are putting a strong operations executive in place to ensure we meet the current and future needs of our customers. There are wonderful growth opportunities ahead, and we are accelerating our focus on execution to ensure we make the most of them," said Textron Chairman, President and CEO Lewis B. Campbell. Commenting on Redenbaugh's departure, Campbell said, "Under Mike's leadership, Bell achieved many significant program and product milestones and reinvigorated its growth prospects. We appreciate Mike's efforts and wish him the best in his future endeavors."
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Pakistan has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of 500 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) – generating the largest single international AMRAAM purchase -- and 200 AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. This is also the first AMRAAM missile procurement between Raytheon Company and Pakistan. Delivery of the AMRAAM missiles will start in 2008 and continue through 2011. The combined $284 million procurement augments Pakistan's established inventory and will provide the bulk of the air-to-air fire power of the Pakistan Air Force. AMRAAM is a joint U.S. Air Force and Navy program and sets the global beyond-visual-range standard. It incorporates the latest digital technology and microminiaturized solid-state electronics, making this remarkable weapon more reliable and maintainable, resulting in the highest dependability at the lowest cost of ownership.
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Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems have successfully completed the Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (SLIRBM) Booster System Demonstration for the U.S. Navy. The team successfully met all technical, cost and schedule objectives, demonstrating the availability of this near-term, affordable solution for prompt global strike. The team has delivered the final missile system trade study to the Navy, completing the booster system demonstration contract, the first phase in a low-risk research and development path toward a deployable system. Potential follow-on phases could include flight test demonstrations with launcher integration and underwater launch tests. In the booster system demonstration, Lockheed Martin and ATK demonstrated cost-effective, reliable and producible solid-propellant rocket motor technologies for a proposed conventional missile that would travel at supersonic speed to reach intermediate-range targets within 15 minutes. The proposed missile would be deployed on Ohio-class SSGN guided-missile submarines, offering the war fighter an extremely accurate, no-notice prompt global strike capability from an undetectable, highly mobile platform that is on station around the clock.
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Lockheed Martin has received a $3 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue the Air-Launched Hit-to-Kill (ALHTK) initiative, which would enable fighter aircraft to carry and launch Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles to intercept hostile ballistic and cruise missiles. Envisioned to protect the homeland from missile threats, ALHTK could also defend deployed forces. A risk assessment contract that concluded in April 2006 identified the feasibility of pursuing this high-payoff concept. The new Risk Reduction/Concept Definition Program will refine the risk, and further define the concept and expected system performance. "This study matures the concept of operations for launching the hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile from tactical fighter aircraft and prepares us for the next phase, a proposed system demonstration of the capability," said Mike Trotsky, vice president - Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Equipping fighter jets with PAC-3 Missiles would provide Combat Air Patrols or scrambled aircraft the ability to defeat cruise missiles and intercept ballistic missiles in asymmetric defense and boost phase applications. Although cruise missile defense capabilities are inherent with this concept, this MDA contract will focus on ALHTK capabilities against ballistic missiles."
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The first German reconnaissance satellite in the SAR-Lupe system has been orbiting the earth for exactly one month now. Over the past few days, it has repeatedly generated high-resolution radar images, thus proving its full operability. “We are very proud of the superb results which we have achieved with this, the first SAR-Lupe satellite,” says Prof. Manfred Fuchs, CEO of OHB-System AG. The Bremen-based space technology company is the main contractor for the SAR-Lupe system. The first of a total of five radar satellites was launched on board a Russian COSMOS 3M on December 19, 2006 and placed in a low-earth orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers. “Everything from the launch to the generation of the radar images has gone off without a hitch,” adds Fuchs. Shortly after being launched, the satellite started transmitting via the Kerguelen ground station in the Southern Indian Ocean. After merely an hour it was clear that the satellite was stable in its planned orbit and ready and able to receive commands. This was followed by comprehensive testing of the individual satellite subsystems. One of the initial highlights was the successful maneuver to fold out the antenna boom, being the only movable element of the satellite which must be positioned correctly. This maneuver was completed successfully two days after the launch. A further milestone in activating the satellite entailed the initial attitude control maneuvers shortly before the end of the year to prepare for the first imaging activities. On January 8, 2007, the satellite control was handed over from DLR-GSOC to the military ground station, which then proceeded to activate the radar system for generating SAR images. Only the German Federal Armed Forces' ground station in Gelsdorf is able to task the satellite and receive the resultant images. The first SAR-Lupe radar image was received from the orbiting satellite last Friday. As of yesterday evening, images in all the planned modes and resolutions had been generated.
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Embraer delivered 37 jets for the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, and Defense and Government segment in the fourth-quarter 2006, totaling 130 aircraft deliveries last year. Considering the delivery of five aircraft by the end of January 2007, which were originally scheduled for 2006, the Company is increasing its delivery forecast to 165/170 aircraft for 2007. ERJ 145: 12; EMBRAER 170 32; EMBRAER 175 11; EMBRAER 190: 40; EMBRAER 195 3; Legacy 600: 26; Legacy Shuttle: 1: In the last quarter of 2006, alone, 67 new firm orders were announced for the Commercial Aviation segment. Thus, Embraer's firm order backlog increased 11.3% over the previous quarter, reaching US$ 14.8 billion by December 31, 2006, the highest in the Company's history.
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For 2007 Kamov has signed contracts on the supply of a total of 23 multi-purpose helicopters Ka -32 and Ka-226 built at aircraft building plants in Kumertau and Orenburg,' said a company's representative. According to him, 9 helicopters Ka-32 made in Kumertau are to be supplied for export, including 6 helicopters to Portugal, 2 to Spain and 1 to Japan. The helicopter for export is Ka-32A11VS certified in the West (Canada).
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The United States is one step closer to introducing an important new tool for the protection of its borders and the monitoring of international waters with the arrival of the first EADS CASA HC-144A maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft at the U.S. Coast Guard aviation facility in North Carolina. The no. 1 HC-144A was formally transferred to Coast Guard ownership last month, and was flown by one of the services' crews from the EADS CASA production center in Seville, Spain to the Coast Guard's Aircraft Repair and Supply Center (AR&SC) at Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The HC-144A is a derivative of EADS CASA's CN-235/C-295 airlifter family, and is the first all-new aircraft developed for the Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater Systemmodernization program. EADS CASA is supplying the aircraft under contract to the Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, with three HC-144As currently under contract. The Deepwater implementation plan calls for production and system integration of 36 aircraft through 2017. When the HC-144A enters Coast Guard operational service later this year, it will be utilized for search and rescue missions, illegal drug and immigrant interdiction, for marine environmental protection, military readiness operations and international ice patrol missions – as well as for cargo and personnel transport.
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The Austrian Airlines Group welcomed a record number of passengers onto its scheduled and charter flights from January to December 2006 – at 10,834,747 passengers, the figure was 7.1% up on 2005. The Austrian Airlines Group achieved a traffic result which, when measured in revenue passenger kilometers on scheduled services (RPK) was 5.6% above the figure for the preceding year, while scheduled availability (ASK) grew by 5.3% compared to 2005. Viewed cumulatively, the resultant passenger load factor on scheduled services was 74.0%, or 0.2 percentage points above the preceding year's figure. With approximately 9 million scheduled passengers, the total level of passenger growth was 9.4%. The Group also achieved an historic record when it increased its overall load factor on scheduled and charter services by 0.4 percentage points to 74.5%. The number of passenger kilometers sold and therefore defined as generating revenue on scheduled services (RPK) fell slightly by 0.8% in December 2006 compared to December 2005, while available seat kilometers (ASK) increased by 1.4%. Around 679,000 passengers were carried on scheduled services in December, the equivalent of an increase of 5.5% compared to 2005. With a total passenger increase of 4.3% compared to December 2005, the Austrian Airlines Group succeeded in reporting further growth, and carried a total of 723,261 passengers on scheduled and charter flights combined. Austrian Chief Executive Officer Alfred Ötsch made the following comment on the all-time high figures experienced in 2006: 'Compared to other renowned European network carriers, our passenger growth enabled us to position ourselves amongst the top 5 airlines in 2006. The growth drivers for our passenger record, once again, were our core geographical segments in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and our targeted price and marketing campaigns in all markets. In 2007 we will reinforce our market position in the Focus East markets further still, especially in Russia through the cooperation with AiRUnion, and consistently expand the successful secondary market strategy. The long-haul programme will be consolidated to a total of ten destinations with a high share of direct traffic. The reorientation will see us incorporate Chicago into our network from the end of May, and increase capacities through the use of the Boeing 777 to Washington, Tokyo, Bangkok and Delhi. Due to the growth in our core markets, the long-haul consolidation will result in a reduced overall production, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), of only 15%.'
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The 1718th flight of a Soyuz launch vehicle was performed Thursday, January 18, 2007 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:12 a.m. Baikonur time (3:12 a.m., in Paris). Starsem, Arianespace and their Russian partners report that the Progress cargo spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station. This was the first Soyuz family mission in 2007. It came after the successful Starsem's launch of the Corot, the astrophysics pioneer mission in the discovery of telluric extrasolar planets, using the next generation evolved Soyuz 2-1b launch vehicle. With the introduction of the Soyuz at the Guiana Space Center (CSG), this famed Russian launch vehicle becomes an integral part of the European launcher fleet, together with the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the lightweight Vega. To be offered exclusively by Arianespace to the commercial market, the Soyuz at CSG is Europe's reference medium-class launch vehicle for governmental and commercial missions.
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On 29 December 2006, Poland formally joined 15 other NATO countries that contribute to and manage NATO's fleet of NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) radar aircraft, also known as AWACS. Poland is the second of NATO's 'new' member countries to accede to the AWACS programme (the first being Hungary in 2005). The accession is a result of the joint efforts of the Programme Management Organisation (NAPMO) and its member countries, the Polish Ministry of Defence and the Polish Delegation to NATO.
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AeroSME and the Industry Management Groups – ASD-IMG4, have organised their fourth AeroSME workshop “Springboard into FP7 for Civil Aeronautics”. The workshop presented first hand information on the six large collaborative research proposals to be submitted in the 1st Aeronautics call of the 7th Framework Programme and provided a unique In order to ensure maximum SME participation in the research proposals, the organisers stressed interactivity. In practise, this meant that nearly 50 individual meetings were organised between the proposal coordinators and SMEs presenting their technical contribution as potential partners. This is the fourth edition of this type of event, AeroSME and IMG4 having organised a workshop prior each call of the 6th Framework Programme, with approximately 130 participants at each workshop. The vast majority of participants are European SME's, also coming from the new The Aeronautics SMEs are a vibrant community. During 2005, the employment rose and now constitutes 9% of the European aerospace industry. European aeronautical SMEs are also conscious of the fact that research and development is paramount for their future survival. Of their total - The fact that we attract such a high number of participants shows that there is a real need and interest amongst European aeronautical SMEs to participate in the EU funded research and development projects. This springboard workshop also ensures that SMEs and larger companies as well as research institutions complement
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Insitu, a pioneer developer of long-endurance, unmanned autonomous aircraft, announced today that it flew a heavy-fuel-engine equipped ScanEagle for 28 hours and 44 minutes using JP5. Heavy fuel refers to the kerosene-based fuel used in diesel and/or jet aircraft engines such as JP5 and JP8. Military planners have put the development of a heavy-fuel capability for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) as a high-priority to satisfy the safety concerns of naval operations and to streamline logistics challenges for remote deployments. The previous longest flight on a ScanEagle was 22 hours and 10 minutes using gasoline. Insitu Project Manager Jeff Ratcliffe commented, "Endurance testing is a critical part of our development program. Initially there were concerns that we would lose endurance switching to heavy fuel. However, the team continues to develop new technologies and advancements which make milestones such as this possible. We have more than 500 hours of ground testing and 50 hours of flight testing, and we are on track to release this capability in 2007."
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Marking the first time the Republic of Kazakhstan acquired a foreign-manufactured helicopter for law enforcement use, the Internal Affairs Ministry deployed on December 14, 2006 a new Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter to support its police force in the capital city of Astana. In a ceremony, Astana Mayor Askar Mamin presented Major General Dozumov, head of the Internal Affairs Department of Astana, with the keys to the blue-trimmed white helicopter. Previously, the R44 Raven II's full capabilities were demonstrated for the country's parliament.
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Saab Bofors Dynamics has signed a contract for the RBS 70 air defence missile system with the Finnish army. The contract is valued at 600 MSEK. The contract covers the complete system, including missiles and maintenance equipment. The first delivery is at the end of 2008. The order secures production of the RBS 70 until 2010.
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Virgin America responded to the U.S. Department of Transportation with a comprehensive reply that revealed sweeping changes designed to address concerns about its ownership and control. Despite the fact that the company and its shareholders firmly believe that its application complies with U.S. law, changes outlined today in its filing should remove any doubt that the airline is, and will remain, a U.S.-owned and controlled company that meets all U.S. citizenship requirements. In its detailed response, Virgin America notified DOT that the company and its investors were making substantive changes directly in response to the Department's tentative negative show-cause order of Dec. 27, 2006.
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Southwest Airlines reported its 2006 results. For the full year 2006, net income was $499 million, or $.61 per diluted share, compared to $484 million, or $.60 per diluted share, for 2005. Excluding special items, 2006 net income was $587 million, or $.71 per diluted share, compared to $425 million, or $.53 per diluted share for 2005. Full Year 2006 Financial Highlights: Record revenues of $9.1 billion, up 20 percent; net income, excluding special items, of $587 million, up 38 percent; repurchased 49 million shares of common stock for a total of $800 million. Gary C. Kelly, CEO, stated: "We are delighted with our 2006 earnings performance, which represented our 34th consecutive year of profitability. Our earnings, excluding special items, increased 38 percent from 2005, far exceeding our goal. With almost 50 percent higher jet fuel costs per gallon, and the security related challenges we faced during the latter part of the year, our Employees had to put forth a tremendous effort to achieve these outstanding results. And, they did. As a result of our People's hard work, innovation, and Warrior Spirit, we continued to improve our efficiency and solidify our position as the Low Cost Leader. As a great place to work with the best Employees, and the Low Cost/Low Fare Leader for the last 35 years, Southwest has democratized the skies with low fares and high quality service to our Customers. As a result of this unwavering commitment, Southwest Airlines now carries the most passengers of any U.S. airline, according to the most recently published monthly figures released by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. At the same time, our Employees are more productive than they have been in three decades. These are remarkable accomplishments, and I am extremely proud of our Employees and also grateful to our 84 million Customers served in 2006.
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Lockheed Martin has received a $36.5 million contract from Inmarsat to develop technology that will enable Inmarsat to expand its market reach into the commercial handheld mobile satellite service market. Under the two-year contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver and install three Network Control Center/Gateways that provide connectivity to public terrestrial networks. Inmarsat's fully modernized, global network to be implemented in 2008 will operate via satellite and will provide Inmarsat's customers with cellular service in even the most challenging locations. The network will rely on the existing Inmarsat I-4 Satellites and dual-mode Global System for Mobile Communications/Satellite handheld terminals. "Our work on this contract leverages Lockheed Martin's expertise in systems integration of satellite and cellular communication systems adding a new capability that will enhance Inmarsat's time to market and service goals," said Gordon McElroy, vice president, Commercial and Federal Networks Division.
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Consolidation of operations by oneworld member airlines at Tokyo Narita, the main international hub of alliance member elect Japan Airlines, began with the transfer of American Airlines from the airport's Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, where JAL and Qantas are already housed. Cathay Pacific will move across a few days later, on Sunday (21 January), with Finnair following on Thursday, 1 March. Their co-location will enable these oneworld airlines almost to halve minimum connections times between their flights at the airport to as little as 60 minutes, and make the overall transfer process smoother and easier. The move is the culmination of oneworld's most significant airport consolidation project to date in the Asia-Pacific region. Between them, the alliance's five airlines that will be housed in Terminal 2 operate more than a thousand arrivals and departures a week connecting Narita with around 50 destinations worldwide. Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) is currently investing JPY19 billion (US$170 million) in improvements in a five-year programme starting last year to ensure Terminal 2 can boast state-of-the-art facilities.
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Boeing has begun the delivery process for 12 new AH-64DHA Apache Longbow helicopters being produced for the Hellenic Army in Greece. The aircraft are part of a combined Foreign Military Sales agreement with the U.S. Army and direct commercial agreement with Boeing. All of Greece's next-generation Apaches will be delivered this year. In addition to its new Apache Longbows, the Hellenic Army operates a fleet of AH-64A Apaches, which have been in service in Greece for the past decade. Boeing is producing the new AH-64DHAs for Greece at its Mesa, Ariz., rotorcraft facility. Eleven nations, including the United States, operate or have selected Apache helicopters for their defense needs. More than 1,600 Apaches have been delivered.
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The first finished fan case has been delivered from Aero-Craft, Volvo Aero's company in Newington, Connecticut, in the US. The fan case is mounted in the world's largest aircraft engine, the GE90, and has a diameter of nearly 3.5 meters. Through the acquisition of Aero-Craft outside Hartford, Connecticut in the US in December 2004, Volvo Aero was able to add yet another specialized component to its product portfolio: fan cases. The fan case, which houses the forward section of an aircraft engine, is the largest engine component. At the same time, Volvo Aero entered a strategic alliance with Carlton Forge, which among other aspects means that Volvo Aero and Carlton Forge can deliver fan cases to a number of engine types, including General Electric's GE90, for which Volvo Aero has a contract with Carlton Forge. The component is manufactured in aluminum and weighs 2.7 tons when the cast blank is delivered. After machining, the component weighs about 600 kilograms.
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Innovative Solutions & Support announced the Company has entered into an agreement with Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company, to provide Flat Panel Display Systems on legacy Cessna Citation aircraft. Flat Panel Display Systems will replace existing round dials and displays and will be distributed and installed through thirty-four Service Centers world wide.
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Boeing unveiled a life-size sales display of the interior for the new 747-8 Intercontinental. The two-story display showcases the dramatic interior architecture of the 747-8. The 747-8 applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. The interior architecture is accentuated by new lighting technology that creates a perception of airy brightness and provides smooth lighting transitions to offer a more restful environment. In addition, the 747-8 integrates features from the 777, including windows that equal those on the 777 (15.3 inches/38.8 centimeters tall and 10.76 inches/27.3 centimeters wide), and are larger than those on the 747-400.
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The Army successfully beamed video from unmanned aerial vehicles to an Apache AH-64 Block III attack helicopter in a demonstration, service officials said. In recent tests at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, an Apache pilot in flight watched video beamed from a UAV that was 75 kilometers away. The UAV was the Future Combat Systems Class I Micro Air Vehicle, a small 50-pound, 3-foot UAV being developed for the Army's Future Combat Systems. The test checked the software, logistics and communications systems. The video demonstration was part of a broader effort called FCS 1.1, which includes experiments with high bandwidth networking with vehicles, helicopters and UAVs. Today, the AH-64D has the ability to digitally send target information to ground vehicles; the idea with FCS 1.1 is to demonstrate how an Apache could share information with all sorts of forces.
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Aerojet-General, Sacramento, Calif. is being awarded a $109,773,816 cost plus fixed fee/cost plus incentive fee completion contract. This action for the Hydrocarbon Boost Technology Demonstration (HBTD) program supports the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) program in the Boost and Orbit Transfer mission area. The Hydrocarbon (HC) Boost engine and the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) goals combined create the HC Boost goals.
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Alcatel Alenia Space enjoyed an exceptional year in 2006, signing contracts for the construction of 57 communications and observation satellites, including three for defense applications. With this new record, Alcatel Alenia Space becomes the world's leading satellite company in terms of orders. Alcatel Alenia Space signed contracts for eight geostationary (GEO) communications satellites, giving it 30% of the market: Turksat 3A for Turksat AS, AMC-21 and Ciel-2 pour SES Americom, two Satcom BW satellites for the German Ministry of Defense, W2A and W7 for Eutelsat, and SICRAL-1B for the Italian Ministry of Defense. The company also signed a 661 million euro contract with Globalstar to supply a constellation of 48 second-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. In the payload market, Alcatel Alenia Space signed the BADR-6 contract as well as contracts for Express MD-1 and MD-2, to be built by Krunichev for Russian operator RSCC, giving it one-third of the commercial market.
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The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation have selected a Pratt & Whitney team to provide replacement jet engines on the U.S. Air Force's Joint STARS aircraft fleet. The Pratt & Whitney/Seven Q Seven team has been selected to supply the integrated Propulsion Pod System (PPS), including the JT8D-219 engine, for the Joint STARS system, based on a best-value analysis. “We are looking forward to getting this critical program started which will improve the operational efficiency of the Joint STARS fleet,'' said Dave Nagy, Northrop Grumman vice president for Joint STARS. “This competition was a win-win for the entire Joint STARS community and the military men and women they serve.'' Air Force officials are working to begin program activities as soon as possible. The 2006 Defense Budget provides $12.5 million to begin the non-recurring engineering activities associated with replacing the Joint STARS engines.
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Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering (MAE), a US facility of its aerospace arm Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd, has signed a Passenger-to-Freighter (PTF) conversion contract with FedEx Express for its Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Commencing in 2007, the contract is for 87 aircraft, implementable in three blocks stretching over seven years. This contract is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year. Under the agreement, MAE will convert the passenger aircraft to a freighter configuration and perform maintenance. The PTF conversion would be done on a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) developed and owned by ST Aerospace based on data licensed from Boeing. This includes the installation of a side cargo door, strengthening of the main deck floor, and installation of a rigid cargo barrier and cargo loading system.
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South Korea has decided to choose a foreign contractor through open bidding to supply 20 "next-generation" fighter jets in the coming years, a project to cost around 2.3 trillion won ($2.4 billion), defense officials said Wednesday (Jan. 17). The project follows Seoul's contract with the U.S. company Boeing Co. in 2002 to buy 40 F-15K jets for $4.6 billion. Eighteen jets have been delivered so far, with the remainder to be introduced by next year. "We plan to draw up a detailed plan for the procurement project next month and distribute the proposal in March, with the aim of signing a contract by February next year," said Major General Kim Deuk-hwan, director-general for aircraft programs at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The decision was made at a defense procurement project committee meeting presided over by Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo at the Defense Ministry building in central Seoul. Korea has pushed for the purchase of 120 next-generation fighter jets as part of its blueprint for overhauling the military's structure and drastically increasing combat capability by 2020.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Air One, the first privately owned Italian airline company, has signed a contract to acquire an additional four 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets. The transaction represents the conversion to firm orders of four options taken when Air One placed its initial order for six CRJ900 aircraft in 2006. The value of the contract based on CRJ900 aircraft list prices is approximately $142 million US.
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Northrop Grumman has received a $56.2 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide an Enhanced Land/Maritime Mode (ELMM) mobile target precision tracking and engagement capability for the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft fleet. This contract is an outgrowth of the successful DARPA Affordable Moving Surface Target Engagement (AMSTE) program demonstrated in recent exercises and includes an Advanced Radar Mode (ARM) upgrade to the Joint STARS sensor. The E-8C Joint STARS is the world's most advanced wide-area airborne ground-surveillance, targeting and battle-management system. It detects, locates, classifies, tracks and targets hostile ground movements, communicating real-time information through secure data links with joint and component command and control elements. “The ELMM/AMSTE/ARM upgrade is a significant operational enhancement that will improve overall battlefield response and tactical decision-making,'' said Dave Nagy, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance programs. “We've successfully demonstrated this targeting capability for the service's global positioning system (GPS)-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) during live drops at the Eglin and China Lake ranges in 2003 and during the Resultant Fury demonstration in the Pacific in 2004. Now this capability is being installed throughout the whole Joint STARS fleet.''
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Flight LX 1934 from Basel to Barcelona, operated by aircraft HB-IXN, took off on time at 09:55 as the first of SWISS's six new services from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg which are introduced today. The new connections raise to ten the number of destinations with non-stop service to and from Basel. The six new routes, along with attractive round-trip fares of as little as CHF 99 (including all taxes and fees), will help SWISS further strengthen its position in the trinational Basel region market. In addition to Barcelona (which receives five weekly services), SWISS will introduce service this week between Basel and Nice (four times weekly), Prague (four times weekly), Budapest (four times weekly), Manchester (three times weekly) and Warsaw (three times weekly). SWISS passengers will benefit from the new non-stop services in pricing terms, too: the fares on the new routes of as little as CHF 99 (EUR 63) offer excellent value for money. The new frequencies will also make day trips to these destinations a far more attractive proposition, eliminating the need to change planes in Zurich for either the outward or the return journey. SWISS continues to serve its established Basel destinations of London City and Brussels (which each receive two daily services) and Amsterdam and Zurich (which each have one daily flight). SWISS's Basel-based network also extends to Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Vienna, which are served under codeshare arrangements with Star Alliance partners Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines. So a total of 14 destinations can now be reached non-stop from the EuroAirport on LX-numbered flights.
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Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced Jan. 16, the selection of Gerald R. Ford as the name of the first aircraft carrier in what will be the Gerald R. Ford class of carriers. The selection honors the 38th President of the United States and pays tribute to his lifetime of service in the Navy, in the U.S. government and to the nation. "President Gerald R. Ford provided the United States great leadership at a time of constitutional crisis," said Winter. "I am honored to have the opportunity to name the first ship in the new class of aircraft carriers after this great Sailor, this great leader, this great man."
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Kaman Aerospace announced that Central Copters, Inc. of Belgrade, Mont., has purchased a K-MAX “aerial truck” helicopter for oil and gas exploration. Central Copters is a multi-service helicopter company providing construction, fire suppression, personnel transport, and natural resource exploration services. Mark Duffy, owner and president of Central Copters said, “The K-MAX lift performance offers a unique capability that Central needs. We are pleased and excited to be adding it to our fleet.”
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