The Air France Flight 447 case seems even more fascinating than Michael Crichton’s best-selling thriller Airframe, but unfortunately, Air France’s troubles are very real and the crash that precipitated them took 228 lives. French investigators are working hard to determine causes for the Airbus A330-200’s June 1 plunge into the South Atlantic, a difficult assignment in the absence of wreckage, flight recorders and air traffic control imagery.
The case for an alternate Joint Strike Fighter engine seems likely to be decided by the Pentagon alone. However, the JSF program involves nine countries. The wishes of the eight JSF partners are sorely absent. The alternate F136 is being built by General Electric and Rolls-Royce, with support from Italy and the Netherlands. The JSF will not only dominate the export market for a fifth-generation fighter, but will probably have a monopoly post-2020, when the current competitors will no longer be in production.
Singapore’s Tiger Airways is kicking off that country’s first use of multi-crew pilot license (MPL) training this month with six cadets in an Airbus A320 program. The two-year trial, which relies heavily on computer-based training rather than an extensive ground-school approach, will be provided by Singapore Technologies Aviation Training Academy (Stata) working in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Ground school will be in Singapore, but flight training will be held in Ballarat, Australia.
France will take delivery of its first four NH90 NFH frigate helicopters next year under a draft 2010 defense spending bill presented last week (see story below). The NFH is running several years behind the TTH transport version and is not scheduled to see its first delivery, to the Netherlands, until the end of this year. The French also anticipate delivery of seven Tiger attack helicopters in the “I” operational standard in 2010.
Even though low-fare airlines are defying predictions that the near-global economic downturn would drive the weakest players out of business, the sector is abandoning time-honored rules generally considered sacred to growing revenues and surviving long-term. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are exploring adaptations of code-share agreements, interlining, the use of global distribution systems and transfer traffic that were “no-nos” to the disciples of the pure Southwest Airlines business model in the past.
The Aerospace Industries Assn. of America and AeroSpace and Defense Industries Assn. of Europe have agreed on a set of industry business ethics. The jointly developed Global Principles of Business Ethics include zero tolerance of corruption, and insist on compliance with anti-bribery laws and elimination of “facilitation” payments. The document also calls for companies not to solicit or accept proprietary information unless the owner of the data has approved.
In a parade reminiscent of the Soviet Union in its heyday, the Chinese military on Oct. 1 displayed a raft of systems—both tactical and strategic—in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the People’s Republic of China.
David A. Fulghum (China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, Calif.)
Researchers here have to weave through political, technological and financial obstacle courses to design and field what many know will be necessary for success in warfare but few want to fund—such as the complicated integration demanded by “system of systems.” Some of those who slash budgets have justified their efforts by saying that cheap equals simple and simple equals efficient. But that reveals ignorance of the realities of today’s digital battlefields and the increasing complexities of future ones.
With flights beginning next January, Japan Airlines (JAL) will further blur the lines of what used to be the distinction between Haneda as Tokyo’s domestic airport and Narita as its international gateway. The carrier will include a daily direct connection from Narita to Okinawa starting Jan. 5, which will facilitate international-domestic transfers. JAL also will expand Narita services to Nagoya and Fukuoka as of Nov. 1.
The French government aims to maintain overall defense spending in 2010 at €39.18 billion ($57.2 billion)—a smidgeon below this year’s budget—despite the economic crisis. Under a draft spending bill presented last week, procurement would dip slightly to €17 billion from €18 billion in 2009. But Defense Minister Herve Morin notes that this year’s budget reflects a temporary spending peak and the proposed sum for 2010 is in line with the multiyear spending plan approved by parliament at the end of July.
Lufthansa has taken over SAS Group’s 20% stake in the airline BMI amid indications SAS could soon dispose of its British subsidiary. The cost of the transaction was €41.6 million ($60.7 million) plus a possible additional payment that is due when certain confidential conditions are met in an onward sale. Meanwhile, British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh says BA will make a “very credible offer” for BMI. The move would increase BA’s slot holding at London Heathrow Airport to more than 50%.from around 40%.
China Southern Airlines will sell its 50% share of engine overhaul shop MTU Maintenance Zhuhai to its state parent, shoring up its balance sheet with the proceeds, 1.61 billion yuan ($23.5 million). Hong Kong rival Cathay Pacific Airways last month said it would sell part of its stake in its maintenance business Haeco for the same reason.
Over the last few years, there has been a lot of talk about the Next-Generation Air Transportation System. Most of it has been focused on how NextGen will allow aviation to transition to a satellite-based navigation system and help the airlines operate more efficiently. But decision-makers in Congress and the FAA must understand that NextGen begins and ends at airports.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force’s new Block 50 F-16 fleet will carry Lockheed Martin’s Sniper advanced targeting pods. The Sniper capability, part of a $30-million contract, will be delivered over the next two years. Morocco also will benefit from a $37-million foreign military sales contract to Hawker Beechcraft Corp. for 24 T-6C Texan trainer aircraft, spares and flight trainers.
Matthew Perra has been appointed manager of external communications for Pratt & Whitney Canada , Longueil, Quebec. He was communications manager for Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines, East Hartford, Conn.
David A. Fulghum (China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center)
The test ranges here will be home or at least the nursery for advanced weapons that boast ammunition DNA from exotic reaches of the electromagnetic spectrum.
As U.S. lawmakers and the Obama administration debate whether and how to add U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the ongoing build-up of Afghan security forces by western powers increasingly has to make the best of Soviet-era equipment such as the Mi-35 attack helicopter photographed by Aviation Week editor Paul McLeary at Bagram Air Base this month.
This single-turboprop-powered utility/passenger aircraft first flew in December 1982. To date, Cessna has produced 1,822 Caravans of all types. Designed with the small-package delivery segment in mind, the two models in production, the Caravan 675 and 208B Grand Caravan, have maximum useful loads of 1,898 kg. (4,175 lb.) and 2,041 kg., respectively. Power for both aircraft is provided by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A engine rated at 675 shp. Cessna is forecast to deliver 842 Caravans in the 2009-18 period.
Malissia R. Clinton (see photo) has been appointed vice president/associate general counsel of The Aerospace Corp. , El Segundo, Calif. She succeeds Gordon J. Louttit. Clinton was senior counsel for special projects for the Northrop Grumman Corp.
The global downturn has struck the airline industry at a critical time in its drive to liberalize the aviation market. But while economic woes threaten to stall some efforts to eliminate cross-border restrictions, they could also spur action where airlines need it most.
While the global downturn threatens the overall pace of liberalization, dramatic advances are still occurring—with some of the biggest changes in regions that have traditionally been among the most restricted. In both Latin America and Southeast Asia, airlines are entering new markets by pushing the limits of existing restrictions. And many governments in these areas are moving to either relax their own rules in response to airline pressure or negotiate new agreements with their neighbors.
The 777 is a twin-engine, wide-body commercial transport. First flight occurred in June 1994, followed by FAA/JAA certification in April 1995 (Pratt & Whitney-powered version). Deliveries began in June 1995. The 777-200, seating 305-440 passengers, is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4077, Rolls-Royce Trent 877 or GE GE90-77B turbofans rated 76,000-77,000-lb.-thrust each. The 777‑200ER extended-range version seats 301-440 passengers and is powered by two PW4090, Trent 895 or GE90‑94B turbofans rated 90,000-93,700-lb.-thrust each.
The new 787 Dreamliner series is a family of twin-engine, wide-body airliners. Three versions are envisioned. The 787-8 will carry 210-250 passengers and have a range of 7,650-8,200 naut. mi. The 787-3, a version of the 787-8 optimized for shorter flights, will carry 290-330 passengers and have a range of 2,500-3,050 naut. mi. The 787-9, a stretch version of the 787-8, will carry 250-290 passengers and have a range of 8,000-8,500 naut. mi. A fourth possible version, the 787-10, would be a further stretch version of the 787-9.
Several members of the Senate Armed Services Committee complain of their surprise over the Obama administration’s recent changes to European missile defense (AW&ST Sept. 21, p. 22), but only one member, the second-ranking Republican on the panel, Jim Inhofe (R‑Okla.), declares he will seek to overturn it. John McCain (Ariz.), the ranking Republican on the panel, calls the announcement “amateurish and ham-handed.” But the change has the explicit backing of committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), among others.
