Management consultant Accenture of Reston, Va., has completed upgrading NASA's financial system, which supports the operations of the agency's $16.5-billion budget and 18,000-strong workforce. The upgrade provides NASA with an enhanced technical architecture and improved financial management data tracking and reporting. The improved system also streamlines the space agency's funds distribution, control and year-end processing. The upgrade builds on a core financial implementation, affecting more than 10,000 end users across NASA.
USAF Brig. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers has become commander of the Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools of the Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala. He was director of the Center for Force Structure, Resources and Strategic Assessments at headquarters of the U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla. Brig. Gen. (select) Mark F. Ramsay has been appointed chief of the Program Integration Div./deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs at USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon.
The world's lowest-cost short-haul airline, Malaysia's AirAsia, is buying 100 more A320s as its founders move to set up a long-haul affiliate that they say will deliver the lowest seat-kilometer costs in the world. AirAsia has also taken options on another 30 aircraft in its A320 deal, which will feed the existing short-haul business as the new no-frills long-haul operation, AirAsia X, introduces wide-body twinjets.
Iceland's FL Group has taken an increased share of Finnair, giving it more than 22% of the voting rights in the carrier. The move comes as the group unloaded its share in Danish low-fare carrier Sterling, and has taken an almost 6% stake in American Airlines parent AMR. The Finnair shares were acquired from Straumur-Burdaras Investment Bank, which, with the sale, decreased its holdings in Finnair to below 10%.
Improved airborne reconnaissance is a top priority for the German air force as it seeks to bolster its ability to support international commitments, although severe budget constraints will limit whatever efforts eventually emerge.
A miniature synthetic aperture radar (MiniSAR) developed by Sandia National Laboratories has demonstrated high-resolution, broad-area imaging on board a Lockheed Martin "SkySpirit" unmanned aerial system (UAS) during a field exercise at the Minnesota National Guard's test facility. Flying about 3,000 ft. above the ground, the system transmitted 4-in.-resolution imagery in two operational modes--focused area circle-mapping and broad-area strip-mapping.
Steven R. Chealander has been sworn in as a member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. He comes from American Airlines, where he had worked since 1991 as pilot and captain and chief pilot in Los Angeles. At American, he was also flight safety manager, and as such participated in investigations. Chealander is a retired USAF lieutenant colonel.
ViaSat and Skylogic, the broadband affiliate of satellite operator Eutelsat, say a new teaming arrangement to provide two-way inflight broadband communications to European business jet operators already is showing signs of taking off.
Telesat Canada has selected Space Systems/Loral to build its Nimiq 5 high-power direct-broadcast satellite, which will provide digital television services to Canada through that country's Bell ExpressVu direct-to-home service provider. Based on SS/L's 1300 spacecraft bus, the satellite will be equipped with 32 active K u-band transponders. Launch to its orbital slot at 72.7 deg. W. Long. will follow the spacecraft's planned completion in 2009, with an expected service life of 15 years.
QUEST AIRCRAFT CO. HAS RECEIVED FAA Type Inspection Authorization for its single-engine, turboprop-powered Kodiak transport and has entered into final stages of the flight test program, says Paul D. Schaller, CEO of the Sandpoint, Idaho-based startup company. The production prototype has accumulated about 600 hr. in the air, and structural testing of the airframe is complete. Final tests of the electrical, environmental and avionic systems are underway. Schaller expects FAA certification in the first quarter of this year.
Plans for how Airbus will restructure its operations under the Power8 cost-cutting program should crystallize in the coming weeks. Airbus labor representatives in France expect the first round of talks with management to begin this week, with concrete details on potential site divestitures or other changes expected soon afterward. Airbus has said only that the announcements would be made early this year.
Intelsat plans to redeem $1 billion in outstanding floating rate senior notes that will come due in 2012. The notes will be redeemed on Feb. 2 at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Robert Lafontan, who is senior vice president-engineering for the Airbus A380 program, has received the Prix de l'Aeronautique et de l'Astronautique of the French Aeronautical and Astronautical Assn. He was cited for his contribution to the conception and development of the A380.
Escalating air traffic levels are heightening concerns about air safety in India and prompting reviews of its Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system for replacement or upgrades. Raytheon and Thales have set up bases in the country, which has a market as large as China's.
Pegasus Aviation Finance has placed orders for two A350XWBs, the first for that type since Airbus formally launched the program. The leasing company has not decided which of the three models it will buy. Pegasus also signed a deal for six A330-200s.
THE CESSNA CITATION ENCORE+ HAS GAINED FAA type certification after more than 600 hr. of flight testing. The upgraded Encore bizjet version features increased payload, Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics and new interior styling. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535B engines, each rated at 3,400 lb. static thrust, power the aircraft.
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The Italian government is trying to rein in what it views as out-of-control development of its air transport sector, proposing rules that would severely curtail the growth of airports, airport authorities and slot allocations. A recently passed draft law sets the stage for a year-long process to detail the regulations to gain control over the current situation, which is saddled with a multitude of uncoordinated projects.
Kathleen Karelis has been named senior vice president/general counsel/ corporate secretary for New York-based L-3 Communications. She was a senior partner in the Washington law firm of Jenner and Block.
Regarding Virgin Atlantic's plan to tow its Boeing 747-400s to runways to reduce CO 2 emissions (AW&ST Dec. 11, p. 15), it will be interesting to hear how the landing gear tolerates the stop and go forces required on about 800,000 lb. of aircraft. Are we to visualize that the tractor drivers are taking ground control taxi instructions while watching wing clearance and crossing active runways? The mind boggles picturing a line of jumbos, trunk-to-tail with their minders awaiting their turns to perform.
France has released a request for proposals to evaluate the ability of vertical-takeoff-or-landing and fixed-wing vehicles to meet unmanned aerial vehicle operational requirements. The evaluation will follow recent contracts aimed at determining the feasibility of using a common VTOL UAV design to meet common army and navy requirements (AW&ST Nov. 20, 2006, p. 18).
Robert Wall and Michael A. Taverna (St. Cloud, France)
A French-led effort to develop a stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle is set to move into high gear as engineers begin to prepare detailed definition of the Neuron demonstrator.
Defense officials from Germany and Italy apparently have managed to curb cuts to their cooperative development of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads), which includes the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor and sensor systems for a theater defense capability. During the Pentagon's Fiscal 2008 budget talks, the Army was considering a $250-million Meads cut from Fiscal 2008-13, which would delay deliveries of the system.
