It came as no surprise to CFM International that prospective customers of next-generation single-aisle aircraft rank reduced fuel consumption as their highest priority. But they also are awakening to a broadening of the clean planet debate that is likely to lead to a series of new regulations, such as carbon trading, from governments eager to respond to the growing clamor to do something about global warming.
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Irkut Corp. has reached an agreement with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) on a cooperative venture if the Greek government selects the Be-200 as its future fire-fighting aircraft. HAI could be involved in maintenance and even take part in the manufacturing end. Vladimir Sautov, Irkut vice president, notes that the memorandum of understanding could open the door for further industrial/technological cooperation.
Ryanair once again has upped its order for Boeing 737-800s, buying 27 more of the single-aisle aircraft in a deal worth $1.9 billion. Ryanair is on track to have a fleet of 262 of the -800s by 2012. Firm orders for the type by Europe's leading low-fare carrier now total 308, but some of the -800s will have been retired by 2012.
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin puts his own touch on the Bush administration's we-don't-have-enough-information approach to global warming. In a National Public Radio (NPR) interview, Griffin allows that the Earth has warmed by 1C during the past century, give or take 20%, and that much of this change is manmade. But he's not sure whether this is a long-term concern or a "problem we must wrestle with"--it's "rather arrogant" for anyone to decide for everyone else what Earth's temperature should be.
David A. Fulghum & Douglas Barrie (Washington & London)
The U.S. Navy is considering how it might defeat a foe that fields an arsenal of submarines, advanced strike aircraft and conventional ballistic and cruise missiles that could keep American carrier strike forces at bay—perhaps 600-1,000 naut. mi. from a critical area such as the Taiwan Strait.
French armaments agency DGA announced that on Apr. 23 it carried out the first complete firing of the Sagem AASM precision standoff weapon (see photo) on the new Rafale fighter. The mission involved several standoff firings--including one 90-deg. off-boresight, and a three-weapon salvo--from an undisclosed standoff range. Sagem notes that all targets were hit with required precision. The Rafale OSF forward-looking IR tracking system provided real-time observation and video debrief of the strikes.
Japan's All Nippon Airways is requesting government approval to increase the fuel surcharge on international ticketing $2-9 beginning July 10. When jet fuel prices decreased in late 2006, ANA lowered its surcharge, but the rising price of jet fuel is driving ANA to ask customers to "share the increased cost burden." For example, the current $91 surcharge for flights from Japan to Europe, North America and the Middle East would increase to $100; the surcharge to South Korea would increase by $2, to $14. The new charges will remain in force until Sept. 30.
After a near-death experience last December, when it lost two of its reaction control wheels, the Goddard Space Flight Center/Johns Hopkins University's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite has come roaring back to life. In April, its five-year mission was extended, and it recently returned spectacular images from the Large Magellanic Cloud, including this one of what astronomers call an "O" star--the hottest, most luminous and massive of normal stars.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has launched a $34-million customer service program in preparation for summer traffic. Some 30 million travelers are expected to pass through its major airports, John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia. The authority's plan includes increasing its customer service staff 50% to 200, replacing ground transportation counters with welcome centers and opening about 70 new concessions. In 2006, the three airports combined handled 104.1 million passengers.
South Africa's Denel Optronics has been awarded a 200-million-rand ($28-million) contract to supply 450 pilot head tracking systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon. BAE Systems is letting the contract as part of a defense industrial participation program resulting from South Africa's purchase of the BAE Systems Hawk jet trainer and Saab Gripen fighter.
Air Force Undersecretary Ronald Sega's office says he doesn't plan to leave his post any time soon, though rumor to the contrary has been circulating here. As undersecretary, Sega is responsible for oversight of the Air Force's space portfolio and heads the service's executive agency for space-systems acquisition. When his predecessor, Peter Teets, left the job in March 2005, Pentagon acquisition chief Kenneth Krieg assumed oversight of the Air Force's top space programs, reversing a decision made only a few years earlier to give USAF acquisition authority.
Some advanced technology for long-term human space exploration is already getting on-orbit checkout as NASA targets about $350 million from its tight exploration budget this year on the long-lead items that may enable a return to the Moon en route to Mars.
The U.S. Navy wants to upgrade its F/A-18E/Fs with an infrared search-and-track system out of concern that increasingly sophisticated electronic jamming systems could thwart the fighter's radar system, leaving pilots "blinded" in air-to-air combat.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency thinks robotic technologies already used in factories, humanoids and micro-robots could be adapted for space missions, including satellites, rovers and equipment for supporting human life in space. Robotics is deemed essential in space particularly because of the time limits on astronauts working outside of spacecraft. One goal is to support establishment of an international Moon base by 2025. JAXA is considering construction robots and radio-controlled humanoids for the project.
The inflight breakup of a Grumman Turbo Mallard G-73T operated by Chalk's Ocean Airways may lead to closer scrutiny of aging aircraft, maintenance program criteria and FAA oversight procedures.
The Italian air force will start taking delivery of AleniaAermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers in 2009, now that Rome has finally agreed to formally become the launch customer. But the defense ministry doesn't have the money to buy the 14 aircraft being discussed as a first batch, and it is turning to the economic development ministry to foot the bill. Discussions between the two departments are underway, says defense undersecretary Lorenzo Forcieri.
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Researchers are analyzing data from the first “hands-off” live-fly operations around an aircraft carrier—information that could lead to a specially modified F/A-18F Super Hornet landing on a ship without a pilot touching the controls in as little as two years.
Australia has decided to persevere with its oft-delayed program to field 11 Kaman Super Seasprite naval helicopters with updated avionics. The program's most recent problem is the realization that the aircraft, ordered in 1997, did not have a flight-control system that complies with the FAA rules adopted by the Australian defense forces. Australia has committed A$1 billion ($830 million) under a fixed-price contract. The government says the decision to continue the program is subject to contractual negotiations.
Dan Greenfield, the director of investor relations at Allegheny Technologies (ATI), keeps a Wall Street Journal clipping from December 2003 on his desk. The news item noted that the company's stock, which bottomed out at $2.10 a share earlier that year, had jumped 19% in a single day after an upgrade from a Merrill Lynch analyst who was impressed by new CEO L. Patrick Hassey.
Business aviation leaders worry that prospects for uniform security regulations may be receding just as progress is being made in harmonizing operating rules.
Kathleen Petrowsky has been appointed federal security director for Chicago O'Hare International Airport. She has been acting FSD and was deputy FSD there.
