For “a couple of billion dollars” more, NASA might be able to cut the gap in its human spaceflight capability by almost two years—or eliminate it altogether in a longshot scheme to keep one shuttle flying every six months or so.
Worldwide commercial jet transport MRO spending is expected to jump to $45.13 billion in 2008 because of rising wage rates and other inflationary pressures, but that figure could shrink modestly if U.S. carriers follow through with plans to park older, more-maintenance intensive aircraft as a way to limit capacity growth.
Are you familiar with Latecoere? Perhaps not, unless you are intrigued by French aviation’s roots or are monitoring Airbus’s divestment scheme. But in a new growth initiative, Latecoere is acquiring two Airbus facilities that build aircraft nose and fuselage barrels. Looking beyond this domestic move, the Toulouse-based company is implementing a genuine globalization model while expanding at an unprecedented pace. It’s doing so to elude the expensive euro and Europe’s high labor costs, a strategy that’s setting new standards.
The British High Court ruled Apr. 10 that the Serious Fraud Office acted “unlawfully” when it halted an investigation into elements of the U.K.-Saudi Arabian Al Yamamah arms program involving corruption allegations related to BAE Systems. The inquiry was halted in December 2006, amid sensitive discussions to secure the sale of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to Saudi Arabia.
Raytheon has launched Information Security Solutions (ISS). Under the wing of the company’s Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) business, the new entity, based along with its parent group in Garland, Tex., will focus on advanced development in information security systems to protect customers’ critical information and infrastructures from the most complex cyber threats. Company veteran Steve Hawkins will head the endeavor.
When Embraer mounted a head-on challenge to regional jet powerhouse Bombardier in the 1990s, it received a swat from the World Trade Organization (WTO) for taking unfair subsidies from the Brazilian government. Now that it leads that market, Embraer is warning that similar behavior won’t be tolerated from another emerging aircraft builder, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Kevin McDonough has become vice president of sales and marketing for Sunburst Electronics , Erie, Pa. He succeeds Dennis Cantoni, who has retired. McDonough was vice president-business development for ACT Electronics Inc., San Jose, Calif.
Development of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MRJ regional jet will cost about ¥180 billion ($1.8 billion), the company says, revealing the latest in a steady stream of rising cost estimates. First flight is expected in 2011 and first delivery, in 2013 or 2014. In December, President Kazuo Tsukuda said that MRJ’s development cost would be roughly ¥150 billion, already higher than the initial estimate. The figure quoted earlier in 2007 was ¥120 billion, which may now be exceeded by 50%.
A European Commission move to streamline the process of approving the use of mobile communications devices on aircraft should spur growth for the business, but concerns remain about implementation.
The U.S. Transportation Dept. tentatively decided Apr. 9 to provide antitrust immunity that would let SkyTeam alliance partners Delta, Northwest, Air France, Alitalia, Czech and KLM coordinate their operations, planning, pricing, capacity and marketing for transatlantic services—in effect acting as a single carrier for U.S.-Europe services.
The 8200 Rubidium Oscillator is designed for ground tactical, shipboard and airborne applications where frequency stability under diverse environmental conditions is required. It is designed around proven rubidium and OCXO technology that has been deployed in numerous airborne and ground tactical platforms for more than 30 years, according to the company. Available as a small, low-profile package, the oscillator provides 5- or 10-MHz. output, and multiple, high-performance, low-phase noise outputs support varied time and frequency applications.
Advanced flight control software from Lockheed Martin Space Systems for the Space-Based Infrared System passed an Apr. 2 integrated design review (IDR), after Lockheed Martin provided more robust command and data-handling, fault management and safe-hold capabilities for the geostationary, early warning missile defense system. The Pentagon decided to add fixes to Sbirs’s safe-hold system after a similar system failed on a National Reconnaissance Office satellite in orbit.
Michael Bissonette has been promoted to vice president/general manager of AeroVironment Inc. ’s Energy Technology Center, Monrovia, Calif., from assistant general manager. He succeeds Joseph Edwards, who will be retiring.
Liam Connolly has been appointed manager of industry and regulatory affairs for the Washington-based Regional Airline Assn. He was national accounts manager for Blackboard Inc.
A Pair of New Embraer Business Jets for seven and 12 passengers, respectively, will use Rockwell Collins’ new Pro Line Fusion avionics system. The cockpit will feature synthetic vision as a standard feature, with enhanced vision as an option, along with a Rockwell Collins MultiScan automatic weather radar—a business aviation version of one used on the Boeing 787. The cockpit will also have four large-format, 15-in. diagonal liquid crystal displays and extensive automated systems providing a wide range of advanced navigation capability.
NASA plans to send a low-cost spacecraft to the Moon in 2011 to study dust in the lunar “atmosphere” and help scientists get a better handle on how it could affect future lunar explorers. The $80-million Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer spacecraft is expected to gather detailed information about conditions near the surface and environmental influences on lunar dust, NASA says.
China is nearing launch of a Long March 3B carrying a communications satellite designed and built by China for Venezuela and Uruguay under a $241-million contract. The mission is set for liftoff from the Xichang Space Center between September and November. The satellite will be designated Venesat 1, since 90% of the funding was provided by Venezuela. It is to have a 15-year service life in geosynchronous orbit.
Scores of airports around the world are now using multilateration surveillance systems to track aircraft and vehicles on the surface and even in flight near the airport, and some are even using the equipment in lieu of radar for wide-area surveillance of airspace in the terminal area and beyond.
Vietnam Airlines and Virgin Blue will put their codes on each other’s flights, connecting Vietnam with 22 Australian destinations. Jet Airways and All Nippon Airways will begin the first-ever Indian-Japanese code-share flight on May 21, subject to regulatory approval. Jet Airways will put its flight code on the All Nippon Airways daily 737-700ER all-business-class flight between Mumbai and Narita.
Boeing has a clear path forward and a long list of manufacturing accomplishments for final assembly of commercial aviation’s first large-hull composite transport. Its problem is that the whole enterprise is running about 15 months late.
The second phase of ground tests of the geared turbofan has begun at Pratt & Whitney’s West Palm Beach, Fla., facility. The PW6000 demonstrator will focus on engine performance and acoustic characteristics with a flight-capable nacelle system prior to flight testing this summer.
Mike Shih has been named Shanghai-based director of China operations for the Cessna Aircraft Co. He was director of aircraft structural integrity for all Cessna models.
