NASA science managers are pondering yearly calls for proposed “missions of opportunity.” Under this concept, the agency would piggyback U.S. instruments on other spacecraft, or otherwise take advantage of space hardware that NASA doesn’t have to launch itself. The move comes as part of a larger effort to get as much as possible out of the money NASA spends on space science (see p. 38). NASA has just decided to recycle two deep-space comet probes—the mother ships for Deep Impact and Stardust—while they’re still functioning and use them to visit other comets.
A low-key, but so far uncompromising, campaign is underway in Japan to add stealth to the nation’s defense arsenal by acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-22. The rationale for buying the fighter—little talked about, but central to the debate—is missile defense. In its latest move—a decision to accelerate upgrades of its F-15J Eagles and operate them longer—Japan is buying more time for its campaign to get the Raptor.
Deliveries of the naval NH90 helicopter could slip once more, but program officials say they’re upbeat because the “cultural problems” that impeded development are fading away. The schedule for the NFH90s, which will be deployed on frigates, has been a long-time concern for customers and reached a crisis point earlier this year when new delays were revealed. There was particular frustration among Dutch, German and French governments that the NH Industries (NHI) consortium building the rotorcraft was not resolving problems quickly enough.
Service entry of SpaceShipTwo (SS2), the planned commercial space tourism vehicle being developed by the Scaled Composites/Virgin Group’s Spaceship Co., could be further delayed following the July 26 explosion that ripped apart rocket-engine components during a test at Scaled’s Mojave, Calif., headquarters.
TAP Portugal has narrowed its first-half loss, signaling that the carrier may be able to beat 2006’s narrow net profit of about €7.3 million ($10 million). The carrier recorded a €30-million net loss for the first half, which is €12 million less than last year when it ended in the black. TAP points out its second half is generally stronger, so last year’s turnaround was not an aberration. Revenue for the carrier rose 11.4%, with operating costs up 7.9% on a 13.8% increase in operations. The cargo division and MRO units also improved their financial performance.
The Italian air force is fielding the first Typhoon Block 5, which features the Pirate (Passive Infrared Airborne Tracking Equipment) IR search-and-track system. The aircraft will be utilized in air-to-air roles, although it has a rudimentary air-to-ground capability with the use of GBU-10, GBU-16 and Paveway 2 bombs. Four more of the Block 5 aircraft are to follow this year, completing the delivery of 29 Typhoons that Italy is buying in the first procurement batch. The aircraft are assigned to the 4th Wing in central Italy.
Alberto Moreira has been named to receive the 2007 Kiyo Tomiyasu Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for the development of synthetic aperture radar concepts. The award recognizes early- to mid-career contributions to technologies holding the promise of innovative applications. Moreira’s work has been credited with contributing to the design of high-resolution airborne and spaceborne imaging radar systems with enhanced capabilities for environmental and disaster monitoring and security applications.
Some Midwest Airlines shareholders continue to put pressure on management to consider AirTran’s $15-per-share offer for the company that expires Aug. 10. Midwest’s board has opted to form a committee to “review and evaluate strategic and financial alternatives.” Part of that review entails discussions with AirTran and “other strategic and financial parties that have recently expressed interest in pursuing a transaction with Midwest.” Former Dept.
Pratt & Whitney took home a $1.06-billion contract from the Air Force for installed F117W-100 engines, spares engines and data for the C-17 airlifter. Work is to be completed by the end of 2012. That was followed by a contract add-on of $1.283 billion to complete definition of the F-119 engine multi-year contract that will run through 2011.
Safran’s Sagem Security affiliate and Ingenico have concluded an agreement in principle to combine their secure electronic payment activities. Sagem Security would merge its electronic payment business, chiefly consisting of its Sagem Monetel and Sagem Denmark units, into Ingenico in return for a 25% stake.
Alliant Techsystems (ATK), now developing the main launch abort system (LAS) motor for NASA’s Orion crew launch vehicle, also will build the LAS’s attitude-control motor. Orbital Sciences Corp., the Lockheed Martin Orion team member responsible for LAS, awarded ATK a $70-million subcontract to develop and deliver the attitude-control motor. With partners Moog Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y., and Fiber Materials Inc.
Singapore Airlines has contracted with a European joint venture to provide A380-800 component support services. The OEM Services venture of Diehl Aerospace, Liebherr-Aerospace, Thales and Zodiac will be responsible for support and repair of more than 600 items for the A380. The initial contract is for 14 years of service and supports both Singapore Airline’s home base and overseas stations. Airbus expects to deliver the first A380 to Singapore in October.
Kuwait Airways will lease-to-own seven Airbus A320s and 12 Boeing 787s initiates fleet upgrade plan from Aviation Lease and Finance Company (Alafco). The arrangement is the first step in the airline’s plan to field 36 new aircraft by 2019. The first six A320s should arrive in 2009, followed by a seventh in 2012. The first six 787s are to be fielded in 2012, followed two years later by the rest.
Spain has ratified an agreement to study a European medium-altitude long-endurance UAV in collaboration with France and Germany. EADS, Indra and Thales will take part in a one-year risk-reduction effort approved by the three countries in late June (AW&ST July 2, p. 18). An Alenia-led consortium including Dassault Aviation and Saab and a Dassault-Israel Aircraft Industries team are pushing rival MALE designs.
Kenya Airways has opened a leadership and training facility, “The Pride Center,” that is modeled on Boeing’s training facility in St. Louis and Rolls-Royce’s in Derby, England. Kenya’s center will tackle flight-specific activities, such as evacuation procedures for flight attendants (Boeing 787 door and emergency slides will be installed next year) and pilot training, but not simulation training. The airline, among Africa’s fastest-growing carriers, is one of two in Africa that are 787 customers—the other is Ethiopian Airlines.
USAF Brig. Gen. Robert R. Allardice is among 13 officers who have been nominated for promotion to major general. He is commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team of the Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq. Others are: Herbert J. Carlisle, director of operational planning, policy and strategy/deputy chief of staff for air, space and information operations, plans and requirements in Washington; William A. Chambers, director of communications in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon; Kathleen D.
Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWA) gained its financial composure in the second quarter, posting a pre-tax profit of $273 million, while preparing to shrink capacity by year-end through a fleet renewal plan.
The Russian air force (VVS) last week received the first production standard Su-34 strike aircraft, manufactured at Sukhoi’s NAPO site. Two of the type were rolled out last year. The first aircraft is involved in state acceptance trials, while the second is the one handed over to the service’s combat training center in Lipetsk, where it will be used for pilot training, combat procedures and manuals development. The third production aircraft is due to be completed in November. Earlier plans called for NAPO to build six of the aircraft this year.
Aug. 20-23—National Defense Dept. Procurement Conference. Adelaide (Australia) Convention Center, North Terrace. Call + 61 (26) 266-7049 or see www.defenceandindustry.gov.au
The Pentagon has solidified contract details with Northrop Grumman to provide sensor work to extend flights 19 and 20 of the Defense Meterological Satellite Program (DMSP). Dates to launch these Pentagon-operated weather satellites have been extended to bridge a gap in coverage until the new Defense and Commerce Dept. National Polar Orbiting Operational Satellite System (Npoess) becomes operational. The $11-bilion Npoess program has experienced technical difficulties, leading to a launch delay of the first sensors until 2009.
Singapore Airlines isn’t happy with the performance of Virgin Atlantic Airways and is not ruling out getting rid of its 49% stake in the British carrier. “It [Virgin Atlantic] has not produced the sort of returns we had anticipated when going in,” Chief Executive Chew Choon Seng tells Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper, adding that the Sept. 11 attacks didn’t help. Before buying into Virgin Atlantic, the highly profitable Singaporean carrier made a bad investment in taking a stake in Air New Zealand, which later went bust.
Mike Terrett has been appointed executive director/chief operating officer of Rolls-Royce plc , effective Sept. 1. He will succeed John Cheffins, who will be retiring. Terrett has been president of the Civil Aerospace business and will be succeeded by Mark King, who has been the division’s chief commercial officer for large engines. Helen Alexander has been named a non-executive director, also effective Sept. 1. She is chief executive of the Economist Group. Rolls-Royce also has formed an International Advisory Board, chaired by Lord Powell of Bayswater.
BAE Systems’ fabrication facility here has been modernized with Pentagon funding to keep military spacecraft supplied with radiation-hardened chips that can withstand anything—including the effects of a nuclear blast.
The European Commission has given the green light for MBDA’s proposed purchase of missile rocket-motor maker Bayern-Chemie/Protac. No anti-trust issues were identified. The deal, under which the motor maker will be covered by MBDA’s German arm, is slated to be completed Aug. 31.
Bell Helicopter Textron garnered up a $162.3-million contract add-on for an option in Fiscal 2007 to produce nine UH-1Y and two AH-1Z helicopters for the Navy Air Systems Command.
