Lufthansa Technik's plans to create a global fixed-base operator network to serve the business aviation industry are gelling with the addition of operations at the bottom end of the bizjet market. Last month, the company (LHT) signed up a Berlin-based joint venture, Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS), as the newest member of its Platinet FBO (fixed base operator) network. LBAS supports Learjet and Raytheon Beechcraft models as well as bigger jets such as Challenger 300, 604, Global Express and Global 5000.
The roar of afterburners and market bluster, noticeably muted at the Paris air show in 2003 amid savage economic and political headwinds, returned in a big way to the biennial marketing and technology extravaganza last week. So did attendance, which set a record.
L-3 Communications' Link Simulation and Training division will upgrade the U.S. Army Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (Avcatt) reconfigurable manned simulator suite for the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter. The upgrade includes development and integration of the Longbow's latest core avionics capability into each Avcatt suite. The suites are housed in two mobile trailers with six simulators, a battle master control room and briefing facility. In addition to the AH-64A and AH-64D, the suites are used to train pilots flying the OH-58D, UH-60L and CH-47D.
Dennis Jones has become vice president-U.S. government and North American sales for Denver-based Space Imaging. He rejoins Space Imaging after having been director of the National Information Solution Center of DigitalGlobe.
It's not easy to serve in airline management this season. Alaska Airlines offers a prime example, with its messages a mix of the good, bad and unknown.
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Consolidation in the military radar sector continues apace on both sides of the Atlantic as companies home in on the potential in the active-antenna environment. British diversified engineering company Cobham is bolstering its position in the U.S. radar component sector, while elsewhere in Europe, Swedish and Italian industries are exploring link opportunities. COBHAM CONTINUES to build its portfolio in niche defense aerospace markets, with its largest purchase to date, the $260-million acquisition of Remec Defense, now complete.
Directed and produced by Stephen Low Imax movie; running time: 45 min. www.fighterpilotfilm.com It's not exactly the U.S. Air Force version of the Navy blockbuster, Top Gun, but Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag gives moviegoers a realistic, in-the-cockpit feeling of what it's like to fly a modern fighter in combat.
It will take about a month for Orbital Sciences Corp. to open up the Telkom 2 satellite, fix a power supply problem, retest the satellite and ship it back to French Guiana for launch on an Ariane 5, according to the head of the company's satellite business. Ali Atia, president of Orbital Communications International, says it still isn't clear why the power distribution assembly on the Indonesian spacecraft failed to activate during preflight tests in Kourou, after it had passed rigorous pre-shipping tests at Orbital's plant in Dulles, Va.
Technical Directions Inc.'s small turbojet engine, which is a non-line-of-sight launch system candidate for the Army's Loitering Attack Missile, has won a $1.6-million commitment from the House Appropriations Committee. TDI is a subcontractor for the launch system under a Raytheon/Lockheed Martin partnership. The TDI powerplant employs automotive turbocharger components and uses fuel to lubricate and cool bearings. TDI's J45 engine, a 30-lb.-thrust turbojet, has been tested for the USAF/ Lockheed Martin Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System program.
Bombardier has taken a step forward in making its proposed C-Series aircraft a reality. But even as the company aims to formalize development of its largest and longest-range jet, chief competitor Embraer continues to score orders for its regional jets.
During an ongoing world tour, Boeing is displaying the 777-200LR business-class interior with a "gullwing" design, which calls for eliminating the center storage bins in favor of a starry night ceiling. To make up for the lost carry-on luggage space, three elevators have been installed to carry up to 30 roll-on bags to a storage area above the cabin. The feature, which also will be available on the 777-300ER, positions the elevators at the cross aisles at Door 2 and at the door by the No. 3 galley.
The British Defense Ministry is attempting to be the first export customer for the Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle, with delivery possible in the first half of 2006. Ministry officials are trying to secure funding for the program, which almost certainly would have to be drawn from existing resources, rather than from additional cash.
Yang Yuanyuan, who is minister of the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), has received the Global Aviation Leadership Award from the International Air Transport Assn. He was cited for leading "the development of aviation in China with a great vision. His commitment to progressively liberalize the Chinese aviation market and work to harmonize Chinese air traffic control with global standards demonstrate the leadership" that the award was intended to recognize.
Lockheed Martin and EADS are teaming to provide additional Automated Transfer Vehicles to supplement or replace space shuttle supply missions to the International Space Station. The deal covers ATV flights beyond the single mission per year already covered in agreements with the European Space Agency. ESA officials confirmed that EADS has complete freedom to supply such additional missions. Separately, ESA officials said the flight of the first ATV is now likely to slip from February to May, and that "even this date will be tight."
Russia sent the unmanned Progress 18 spacecraft toward a June 18 docking with the International Space Station, after a nominal launch at 7:09 p.m. EDT on June 16. The vehicle's cargo included oxygen supplies that would be critical for the space shuttle Discovery's planned flight in mid-July. The station's Elektron oxygen-generation system remains inoperative and in need of repair, forcing cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev and astronaut John Phillips to use oxygen candles and bottled oxygen to replenish the atmosphere. Without the 242 lb.
As for the unlimited support from U.S. Rep. John Mica in his Commentary regarding the arming of pilots and his statement that it had improved security, I disagree.
Scientists on the Cassini mission to Saturn plan to use the spacecraft's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) next year for nighttime imaging of a mysterious bright spot on the surface of Titan in an effort to learn more about its cause. In March and April, the VIMS detected the 483-km.-(300-mi.) wide spot near the Xanadu region of the cloudy moon, where visible light measurements on earlier flybys found a bright semicircle of comparable size.
M7 Aerospace has delivered the 20th ATR 42 regional airliner converted from passenger to freight configuration at its San Antonio MRO facilities, according to the specifications of the company's proprietary Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). M7 is currently developing an additional STC to likewise convert ATR 72s and expects FAA approval for ATR 72 certification in the coming weeks.
In another consolidation move, European missile consortium MBDA finally closed a deal to buy EADS guided weapons unit LFK. The move gives MBDA a foothold in the German defense market.
Don't look for NASA to follow all the recommendations of the presidential commission set up under former Defense Undersecretary Edward C. (Pete) Aldridge to guide implementation of President Bush's exploration policy. After touring the agency's field centers, Administrator Griffin is decidedly lukewarm on the commission recommendation that some centers might better operate as Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (AW&ST May 10, 2004, p. 24).
A series of flight tests was recently completed on Danish F-16 fighters fitted with EADS' AAR-60 Missile Launch Detection System (Milds). The ultra-violet-light missile warner was first developed for helicopters, but modified into the AAR-60(V)2 Milds-F for fighter applications. The four flights included testing at supersonic, afterburner operations and flying at high altitude. Recorded data from the test is now being analyzed to prepare the system for proper flight trials in about a year.
