Anthony L. Velocci, Jr.'s article "In the Eye of the Storm" is the most honest, accurate and courageous analysis of the airline industry that I have read (AW&ST Mar. 1, p. 42). It should be required reading for every executive and board member of the Big Six. It does, however, omit specifics of real structural change, the movement that the "behemoths" must follow to survive.
Steven T. Schorer, who has been president of the Electronic Systems Group of DRS Technologies Inc., Parsippany, N.J., now heads its C4I Group. Fred L. Marion, who has been president of the Electro-Optical Systems Group, now heads the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. David W. Stapley, who was president of the Flight Safety and Communications Group, has been named senior vice president-international business development/government relations and president of DRS Technologies Canada Inc.
If the Air Force reopens competition for a new tanker, EADS North America will be ready with "an Americanized product [with] manufacturing, assembly and integration activities here in the United States," according to Ralph Crosby, chairman of the unit. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are among the companies EADS has considered for a teaming arrangement. "All the details will be rolled out as soon as the competition is announced," Crosby said, arguing that EADS' position is far stronger than two years ago.
The reality is becoming increasingly clear. The U.S. dollar/euro's unfavorable exchange rates are endangering European industry's long-term profitability, according to French executives.
Russian helicopter manufacturer Rostvertol intends to finance preproduction of the Mil Mi-28N Havoc all-weather attack helicopter from funds raised by a partial share sale. The move may also clear a path into a consolidated Russian helicopter enterprise. The company, which is privately owned, plans to sell a stake to the Russian Ministry of State Property in order to garner program funding.
Inspection and repairs to the rudder speed brake actuators on NASA's three remaining space shuttles may not have as severe an impact on return-to-flight planning as originally feared. William Parsons, the shuttle program manager, said Hamilton Sundstrand, which built the massive mechanisms that open the twin brakes on the shuttle tails to slow it before landing, believes it can inspect and refurbish the actuator gears in time to support a spring 2005 mission.
World airport traffic is rebounding, with passenger traffic back to 2000 levels, according to Airports Council International. Director General Robert J. Aaronson predicts the industry is poised for "robust recovery" next year. Preliminary statistics from 820 airports worldwide indicate passenger traffic increased to 3.4 billion in 2003, an increase of 2% compared with 2002. However, total aircraft movements of 62.8 million reflect a decrease of 1%. The Middle East showed the biggest growth, a 5% increase to 71.7 million passengers.
Despite the long-lasting airline industry slump, European economic concerns exacerbated by the resurgence of terrorism, and globalization of the aerospace supply chain, aviation-driven southwestern France remains optimistic about its future.
Boeing's X-45A unmanned combat aircraft dropped a bomb for the first time last week, releasing an inert, unguided Small Smart Bomb (SSB) near Edwards AFB, Calif. The demonstrator for the Joint Unmanned Combat System competition conducted the launch from 35,000 ft. and Mach 0.67. Around Apr. 1 the aircraft will drop a fully functional, precision-guided SSB to attack a vehicle on the Naval Air Warfare Center weapons range at China Lake, Calif. After the weapons tests, the Boeing program will demonstrate multiple vehicle coordinated flights using the two X-45As.
An Italian trade court has ratified Alitalia's proposal to acquire Gandalf Airlines, a bankrupt regional carrier, for 7.1 million euros ($8.6 million).
Several articles during the past few days have reported on an asteroid that passed the Earth on Mar. 18 at a distance of 26,500 mi. It is untrue that this was the closest known pass ever (AW&ST Mar. 22, p. 18).
The U.S. Transportation Dept. turned down American Airlines' request to switch its code-share authority between the U.S. and Kiev, Ukraine, from Swiss International via Zurich to British Airways via London Heathrow, and instead has opened up the opportunity for competition. The department will consider American-BA as an applicant, and United, which already serves Kiev with Lufthansa via Frankfurt, has applied for a second route, with Lufthansa CityLine via Munich.
After two years of little progress, the Pentagon is about to get some legislative help in its effort to invigorate multinational cooperation on missile defense. While administration officials are touting recent commitments by Japan and Australia to cooperate on ballistic missile defense, real progress has been slow, in large part due to obstacles on technology sharing. But that's not the only missile defense issue the Pentagon is wrestling with.
A proposed merger between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and domestic carrier Air Philippines, both controlled by businessman Lucio Tan, has been called off. Had it gone through, Air Philippines would have operated PAL's domestic routes and initiated a low-fare subsidiary to compete with rival Cebu Pacific.
Former American Airlines Chair- man/CEO Donald Carty would become chairman and a principal investor in bankrupt Hawaiian Airlines if a proposed reorganization plan is approved. In addition, Carty would be "the sole managing partner" of the partnership that would invest in the airline, but would not be involved directly in day-to-day management, according to Hawaiian Holdings.
Boeing said Hamilton Sundstrand will provide the primary power distribution system for the 7E7, a contract that builds on one that the company already has obtained. The latest award includes six power panels to control, protect and distribute electrical power.
The British Defense Ministry's ability to meet tight timetables on its future aircraft carrier is being cast into doubt as it considers backtracking on the intended procurement strategy. The ministry is on the brink of ditching its proposed route to procuring two 60,000-65,000-ton aircraft carriers by appointing a prime contractor, and instead is considering what some ministry insiders are calling "alliancing."
Honeywell has filed a protest with the U.S. Coast Guard on the award of the HH-65 Dolphin re-engine contract to Turbomeca for the Arriel 2C2. The HH-65 is currently powered by the Honeywell LTS-101, and the company claims the request for information that led to the selection of the Turbomeca powerplant was misleading and incomplete. Honeywell said its bid met all of the requirements, but key factors in the final decision were left out.
British-based Smiths aerospace engineering company is to acquire U.S. engine component specialist Dynamic Gunver Technologies for $102 million. A binding agreement covering the deal has already been inked. Payment will be in cash, with the proposed purchase still subject to regulatory approval.
Ifter two years of little progress, the Pentagon is about to get some legislative help in its effort to invigorate multinational cooperation on missile defense. While administration officials are touting recent commitments by Japan and Australia to cooperate on ballistic missile defense, real progress has been slow, in large part due to obstacles on technology sharing. But that's not the only missile defense issue the Pentagon is wrestling with.
The Space Activities Commission, an adviser to Japan's cabinet, sides with the leading theory of why the sixth H-IIA mission failed last November, but that apparent vote of confidence is unlikely to lead to a resumption of launches.
The Saras, India's first domestically produced aircraft with a push-prop turbojet engine, has entered ground tests at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment in Bangalore. The aircraft uses twin Pratt & Whitney PT6A-66 engines driving five-bladed propellers. First flight is expected in April. The aircraft is being designed as a replacement for the Dornier 228 license-produced by Hindustan Aeronautics. Its likely first customer will be the Indian air force. Commercial production is anticipated by early 2006.
Europe's SAAM naval air defense system has completed a successful test firing from a Saudi Sawari 2 frigate. The system, equipped with a vertically launched Aster 15 missile and Arabel radar, is in service on France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
The U.S. Transportation Dept. turned down American Airlines' request to switch its code-share authority between the U.S. and Kiev, Ukraine, from Swiss International via Zurich to British Airways via London Heathrow, and instead has opened up the opportunity for competition. The department will consider American-BA as an applicant, and United, which already serves Kiev with Lufthansa via Frankfurt, has applied for a second route, with Lufthansa CityLine via Munich.
