Italian space agency ASI has awarded Thales Alenia Space of Rome and Compagnia Generale per lo Spazio (CGS) of Milan a contract to build the Multi-Element Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy (Metis) instrument, slated to fly on the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter mission in 2017.
Critics and supporters of annual, automatic and widespread U.S. budget cuts known as sequestration are being handed a new arena and opportunity in which to reach a potentially decisive conclusion over its fate. The $1 trillion question for federal agencies and defense and budget hawks, of course, is whether to solidify or jettison sequestration for this fiscal year and beyond. Regardless of the outcome, it should be decided by the end of 2014.
As the U.S. Navy gets ready for the christening of the of the next-generation aircraft carrier CVN-78 Gerald R. Ford, the service is now diverting its programmatic attention to the next ship of the class, the CVN-79 John F. Kennedy. “The Ford is in the yard and in the testers’ hands,” says Rear Adm. Thomas Moore, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. “The principal focus now is: what can I do to get the 79 under contract?”
OMAN RISING: Oman is increasing its naval capabilities, with the recent acceptance of an ocean patrol vessel and live-fire test of the naval VL MICA missile. The Al Shamikh will be the first of three Khareef-class corvettes produced by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy of Oman. MBDA’s VL MICA missile intercepted and destroyed a sea-skimming anti-ship missile during the recent test at a French range in the Mediterranean.
Aviation Week 2013 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast! The MRO Fleet, Forecasts and Data you need to accurately plan and strategize for the future. See for yourself with a free demonstration: AviationWeek.com/FleetMRO Aviation Week Intelligence Network Click here to view the pdf
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded EADS-Astrium three contracts valued at a combined €414 million ($560 million) through 2014 for continued work on a midlife upgrade of the Ariane 5 rocket and to begin designing its successor, the Ariane 6. The first two contracts cover the continued development of the Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution (€106 million) and the sub-assemblies common to it and Ariane 6 (€278 million).
The U.S. Air National Guard has narrowed its search for an electronic flight bag solution for its fleet down from 24 commercially available touch-screen devices to two tablet computers, say officials with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
NEW DELHI — Indian space officials say the country’s first Mars orbiter is still on track for launch on Oct. 28 and will not be affected by the U.S. government shutdown, which has forced mission partner NASA to halt most of its operations. “We are going ahead with the Mars Orbiter Mission as planned. There is no delay,” D.P. Karnik of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) tells Aviation Week. “The launch window will remain open till Nov. 19.”
With the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (Emals) slated to be used on the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford CVN-78 tested and proven, and the ship’s dual-band radar (DBR) being put through its own paces, the spotlight of concern is now squarely on the carrier’s proposed new aircraft-landing arresting gear, says U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Thomas Moore, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. “The arresting gear now has most of my attention,” Moore tells the Aviation Week Intelligence Network.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and SES have signed a contract to design Europe’s first all-electric satellite platform, the Luxembourg-based fleet operator announced Oct. 15. Under the terms of the agreement, SES will serve as prime contractor for ESA’s Electra project, working with satellite builder OHB System AG of Bremen, Germany, to develop the small- to medium-sized spacecraft bus.
EXPORT RULES: The massive overhaul of the government’s export control system took effect Oct. 15, shifting items in key aerospace categories for aircraft and gas turbine engines to a new list of munitions controlled by the Commerce Department. The change is aimed at easing trade between the U.S. and its closest allies. These two categories alone represent $20 billion in annual exports, according to the State Department.
Avincis Group has formally launched its new Australian subsidiary, Bond Helicopters Australia, as an entrant in the highly competitive oil and gas market.
Top officials of China’s human spaceflight organization met counterparts from Europe, Russia and Canada during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Beijing last month, pushing their agenda of international cooperation and receiving at least friendly hearings from some of the major space powers.
BEIJING — Japan has permitted Kawasaki Heavy Industries to supply Rolls-Royce with engine parts for the Royal Navy, providing another indication that Tokyo is relaxing its stance against military exports.
Aviation Week 2013 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast! The MRO Fleet, Forecasts and Data you need to accurately plan and strategize for the future. See for yourself with a free demonstration: AviationWeek.com/FleetMRO Aviation Week Intelligence Network Click here to view the pdf
LONDON — The British Army Air Corps (AAC) has withdrawn its last helicopters from Germany as the U.K. continues pulling forces out of the country. The final flight took place on Oct. 8, when 1 Regiment, AAC left their base at Gutersloh, Lower Saxony. The unit had been based at Gutersloh since 1993 flying the Westland Lynx and Gazelle helicopters. The Gazelle has since been withdrawn from Germany, leaving only the Lynx to carry out the last sorties in country.
U.S. Army, Navy and Other Procurements: Outyear Funding Decreases 2014-2017. Compares outyear funding estimates from fiscal 2013 request with fiscal 2014 request (then-year dollars in millions, ascending sort on outyear % change, cuts of 20% or greater). Click here to view the pdf
LONDON — Norway wants to purchase an extra six Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) in bid to speed the introduction of the aircraft into the country’s air arm. In its budget proposals for 2014, the Norwegian defense ministry is asking the country’s parliament for the funds to purchase an extra six F-35s for delivery in 2018, in addition to the 10-aircraft buy already approved. Four were ordered back in 2011 and the other six earlier this year. The new order would bring Norway’s purchases so far to 16 aircraft.
