An attempt by Russia to parlay a stock purchase in EADS into minority control could hinder plans to integrate the Russian and European aerospace and defense industries.
A FedEx MD-10 freighter, equipped with Northrop Grumman's Guardian infrared laser jammer, is slated to become the first wide-body commercial aircraft in scheduled service flying with technology to counter terrorist missile attacks. Eventually, FedEx plans to fly 11 MD-10s with the directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) technology over the next 18 months, testing whether the equipment--developed for the military--is cost-effective and reliable for commercial aircraft operations.
The Australian government is reviewing the schedule and risk to bring the ALR2002 radar warning receiver (RWR) to the field for F/A-18s. BAE Systems has been working on the project since February 2005. The RWR has been installed and tested on C-130 Hercules and Caribous, as well as Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, but the fighter installation is having problems. The defense ministry is evaluating options, with a work stoppage to the F/A-18 effort possible.
A recent high-level meeting to end French infighting over a major Indian Mirage 2000 upgrade does not appear to have settled the dispute (AW&ST July 31, p. 36). Last week, Safran Chairman/CEO Jean-Paul Bechat said he still sees no reason why a joint venture with Thales to modernize older Mirages cannot be expanded to include the newer 2000. Bechat reiterated the company's desire to use the venture, which was created to rebuild Mirage F1s for Morocco, to meet the Indian requirement.
Boeing's first Large Cargo Freighter, a converted 747-400 passenger aircraft that will transport major fuselage and wing assemblies for the 787, was expected in Everett, Wash., on Sept. 16 following its first flight in Taiwan.
The U.S. Transportation Dept. tentatively approved transfer of out-of-business Independence Air's interstate scheduled passenger certificate to Northwest Airlines subsidiary Compass Airlines. Compass plans to launch service in October between Washington Dulles International Airport and Northwest's hub at Minneapolis/St. Paul, initially using a single 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. It will operate under a fee-for-service agreement with Northwest.
The French military is exploring fitting endurance unmanned aircraft with infrared sensors, with the goal of enhancing active missile defense systems' abilities to detect incoming ballistic missiles and cue countermeaures.
Robert L. Sumwalt, 3rd, was sworn in as vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board on Sept. 14, where he will serve until Dec. 31, 2011. He brings to the board experi-ence gained in a 24-year career as an airline pilot. Sumwalt also was group chairman for human factors and training with the Air Line Pilots Assn.
Lufthansa's CEO, Wolfgang Mayr-huber, says he likes what he has heard about the redesigned Airbus A350XWB, although he hasn't received a formal program brief. He also notes that Lufthansa has no plans to swap its A380 delivery slots, which call for the first aircraft to arrive in mid-2008. Lufthansa is expected to make a fleet purchase decision of long-range aircraft soon, with the Boeing 747-8 seen as a candidate.
Kevin Kerins has been promoted to vice president/general manager from Eastern U.S. vice president for Houston-based Oceaneering International Inc.'s remotely operated vehicles sector.
The Swedish military rolled out its AgustaWestland A109 Power light utility helicopter last week. The armed forces are buying 20, 12 to be used for land- and the rest for ship-based operations. The first ship-based helicopter is to enter service next year. Full operational service is planned for 2009.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization hopes to sort out the purchase details for its fleet of 3-4 Boeing C-17s by early November, with the goal of fielding the first of the aircraft next year to help alleviate chronic shortages in strategic lift.
World-wide economic activity will continue to drive strong demand for airfreight services over the next two decades, despite the jet fuel shock that rocked the industry last year, says Boeing's 2006-07 Air Cargo Forecast.
Kirk Schiebelhut has been named general manager of the Wichita (Kan.) Service Center of Bombardier Business Aircraft. He was the center's program manager. Schiebelhut succeeds Mick Harrison, who has retired.
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Russia and China are ready to sign a major new lunar-exploration agreement that will bring the two nations into "close cooperation," says Anatoly Perminov, head of the Russian space agency. "This is a serious and quite promising field of cooperation," he states on his agency's web site.
NASA Langley Research Center has completed wind tunnel testing of the Bell Boeing Quad Tilt-rotor model--representing a C-130-sized aircraft--at its transonic dynamics tunnel. A 1/ 5th scale model (213-in. fuselage and 91-in.-dia. rotors) began its joint Bell, NASA, U.S. Army research laboratory program June 27. The model has powered forward and aft rotors, pylons, nacelles and dynamic wings. The testing investigated the effects of interference from the forward wing and rotor on the rear wing and rotor.
Pentagon imagery experts are comparing output from the high-altitude U-2 reconnaissance aircraft with that of satellites in low Earth orbit. The review will help officials determine whether the Pentagon can retire the U-2 in the coming years--as now proposed--or whether the aircraft must remain in the field to provide high-fidelity imagery. Experts are uncertain whether orbiting satellites can provide the necessary look angles and surprise to collect the images commanders need. If the Defense Dept.
The FAA has certified AmSafe Aviation's Cares (Child Aviation Restraint System) device, designed specifically for use on airplanes (AW&ST Sept. 11, p. 16). Up to now, FAA-approved car seats were the only type of device allowed to restrain children during taxiing, takeoff, flight turbulence and landing. Cares is designed for children who are at least two years old, weigh 22-44 lb., and can sit upright alone in their own seat in a forward-facing position. The 1-lb.
The stellar growth of Europe's low-cost carriers is challenged on two fronts, claim senior airline executives. Airports management and environmental legislation are the two culprits. Andrew Harrison, EasyJet CEO, warns that these two "boundaries are closing in" on Europe's low-cost airlines. Unchallenged, the impact of the two could curtail further growth in the low-cost sector, he argues.
Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s will power Air China's 15 Boeing 787s, and marks the first sale of this engine to a Chinese carrier. The deal, including a long-term maintenance package is worth $800 million. Hainan Airlines chose GE Aviation's GEnx to power its eight 787s. The carrier also reached agreement on a maintenance program. GEnx sales now exceed 600 engines. Aircraft deliveries for both airlines will begin in 2008.
Privately owned Air Italy has launched a charter operation, Euromediterranean Airline, which is scheduled to begin operations by Nov. 1 with one Boeing 757. The new carrier will be based in Egypt at a location to be determined. Air Italy controls 75% of the capital, with the rest held by an Egyptian tour operator. Air Italy is still in its infancy, having started services in June 2005. It has a fleet of three Boeing 757s and one 767. A second is scheduled to be delivered soon.
China Cargo Airlines has taken delivery of the first of two Boeing 747-400ER Freighters ordered in July 2005. A subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines and China Ocean Shipping, China Cargo also operates six MD-11s and a leased 747 freighter. Its network includes intra-Asia, North American and European routes. The freighters will be the first in China to use Boeing's Customer Operation Support program for managing rotable and other spare parts.
Airbus booked 22 additional orders in August, bringing its total to 222 aircraft through the first eight months--deliveries for the period stand at 283 aircraft. Several key contracts, including Singapore's purchase of A350s and additional A380s, have not yet hit the books. U.S. Airways' purchase of seven A321s was the largest transaction in August, with CIT Leasing's buy of five A330-200s standing out as the largest wide-body deal. Airbus still is waiting for its first sale of an A340-500/-600 for the year.
Conrad F. Newberry, professor emeritus at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, and at Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, Calif., has been selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Reston, Va.-based American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is being recognized for "ceaseless efforts to enhance aerospace system design education, and for five decades of leadership in aerospace engineering technology, education and career development.
