Announcing a firm $3-billion order for 100 Embraer 190 aircraft, New York-based JetBlue Airways launched an aggressive market expansion, leaving a few aircraft manufacturers slipping off the competitive edge. The buy by the steadfast-and-true Airbus customer does not signal a change in the low-cost carrier's philosophy or a change in the target customer, insists CEO David Neeleman. "We are plane-constrained, but we know that there are a lot of markets that couldn't have participated in the 'JetBlue effect.' Now they can."
Of the aerospace/defense industry's most promising business opportunities for the next 3-5 years, federal government information technology (IT) services may be the proverbial mother lode--which helps explain why General Dynamics Corp. is so intent on purchasing Veridian Corp.
The company has expanded its line of PCBN (polycrystalline cubic boron nitride) grades and inserts for high-precision hard turning and milling applications in both PCBN-tipped and PVD- (physical vapor deposition) coated solid PCBN styles. The PVD-coated solid PCBN inserts can be used for the machining of pearlitic gray cast iron and roughing and finishing of hardened steels and irons. Benefits of the new coating include enhanced wear detection, detriment-effect-free surfaces and improved tool life performance in certain applications.
EADS will develop an upgraded fire control computer for the MARS/MLRS rocket system for German, French and Italian armed forces. The $48.5- million program will be led by EADS' systems and defense electronics business unit.
It's sad to see our nation's wind tunnels no longer being used to advance the science of flight (AW&ST May 26, p. 40). At one time, the Experimental Aircraft Assn. (EAA) fostered the advance of aviation through the homebuilt movement. Much progress took place in general aviation aircraft as a result. Look at Burt Rutan's round-the-world Voyager and his EZEs; the certified outgrowth of Cirrus, Lancair and the like; the incredible numbers of vans and RVs; and the amazing 385- mph. pressurized turboprop Lancair IVP.
Smiths Aerospace is counting on rapidly expanding detection sales, a strong position in existing and future military aircraft programs, and a growing presence in the commercial aircraft sector to remain buoyant in the down market.
Donald W. Vanlandingham, retired chairman of the Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., has been named to the board of directors of UQM Technologies Inc., Frederick, Colo.
IATA LOOKS TO 'BOLD CHANGES' Airline executives last week pried the lid off industry's Pandora's box of crises and painstakingly examined the chances, and the conditions, for future survival.
Philadelphia International Airport has added four gates to Terminal D in a $20-million expansion that includes a larger baggage claim area and concession space. Air Tran Airways, based at Terminal D, has increased services at Philadelphia, adding daily nonstop flights to Boston in late May.
In a move with far-reaching implications, European transport ministers last week cleared the European Commission to negotiate a multilateral open skies agreement with Washington. The European Union (EU) transport ministers council, meeting on June 5, gave the go-ahead for the commission to enter into discussions with the U.S. with the aim of creating an Open Aviation Area. The agreement eventually would supplant existing bilaterals between the U.S. and individual EU states.
Japan's Satellite Information Center has begun image reception tests of the country's first two of four optical/radar reconnaissance satellites that were launched in late March (AW&ST Apr. 7, p. 32). North Korean ballistic missile tests prompted development of the satellites, but the initial image tests were of domestic targets to confirm resolution and filming/transmission capabilities. From mid-month, they will begin reconnaissance over North Korea and other areas.
IMMUNE DEFICIENCY The government should enact rules to indemnify industry against lawsuits in case homeland security technologies fail, argues Northrop Grumman chief Ron Sugar. Defense contractors already enjoy such protection, and Sugar maintains that unless similar exemptions from litigation are afforded on the home front, the introduction of technologies could be stifled. "No company is in a position to expose itself to unreasonable liability and the risk of litigation," the company exec says.
Australia is reacting strongly to a May 29 incident involving a passenger wielding two 6-in. sharpened wooden stakes who tried to break into the locked cockpit of a Boeing 717. Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison wants Qantas to place sky marshals on board and to conduct full-body searches of domestic passengers, but the airline's CEO, Geoff Dixon, reckons that a raft of new security measures could do more harm than good. The incident occurred on Qantas Fight 1737 on May29 from Melbourne to Launceston, Tasmania.
William B. Scott (Colorado Springs), Craig Covault (Cape Canaveral)
HIGH GROUND OVER IRAQ As U.S. officials assess how military and commercial space resources contributed to combat successes in Iraq and Afghanistan, it appears that a long-sought goal of integrating "space" with air, ground and maritime operations is being realized.
Code Shares Advance From something old to something new and a few points in between, code sharing is inching forward as one of few areas of U.S. commercial aviation growth. Something old: The U.S. Transportation Dept. made final on May 30 its approval of code sharing by American Airlines and British Airways, to which it gave a tentative go-ahead seven weeks earlier (AW&ST Apr. 14, p. 59).
MUSES-C'S NEXT STEP Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science reports the start of individual tests of the four ion electric engines that will power Muses-C. Full operation of all four engines is set for mid-month. The Muses-C explorer is to touch down on asteroid 1998 SF36 in two years and return samples to Earth in 2007 (AW&ST May19, p. 40).
TSA Hiring Jumble Lawmakers honed in last week on the "convoluted and confusing" process of background checks for Transportation Security Administration job applicants that allowed some to be hired as passenger and baggage screeners even though they had criminal records.
Mars or Bust Europe has successfully embarked on its first mission to Mars, leading a renewed international effort that will see a record six spacecraft on or above the red planet by early next year.
SORCERERS' APPRENTICE? The U.S. aerospace and defense industry is dealing with an aging workforce, just as the Defense Dept. is with its civilian workers. Accenture, a consultancy that counts some of the largest aerospace-defense companies as its clients, is taking initiatives with technology to help fill in when expertise walks out the door for retirement. It is no longer possible to develop aircraft, ships and other weapon systems by following the apprenticeship model of having a young engineer work closely with an older mentor.
Further to the plea for more rigorous testing on the Airbus A300-600, I believe it is essential for the National Transportation Safety Board to include investigation of the tail assembly of American Airlines Flight 587 (AW&ST Apr. 14, p. 6).
The tax bill that President Bush recently signed into law boosting the bonus depreciation to 50% from 30% for property acquired after May 5 but before Jan. 1, 2005, could jump-start sluggish business jet aircraft sales, according to JSA Research analyst Peter Arment. The increase in the first-year depreciation allowance is a significant financial incentive to order aircraft now, he said.
THURAYA-2 UNDERWAY The Sea Launch Commander vessel and its companion Odyssey Launch Platform left their Long Beach, Calif., homeport for the equatorial Pacific in advance of the planned June 10 floating launch of the Thuraya-2 telecommunications satellite. The mission was scheduled to begin after a 72-hr. countdown at the launch site, located on the equator at 154 deg. W. Long. Built by Boeing Satellite Systems on its big 702 bus, Thuraya-2 will deliver mobile voice and data services across a region centered on the Middle East.
Ronald G. Sabbagh has been promoted to vice president from director of software development and special projects for New York-based L-3 Communications. Claude R. Canizares, who is associate provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bruno Rossi professor of experimental physics--overseeing the Lincoln Laboratory--has been appointed to the board of directors. He succeeds John E. Montague, who has resigned.
Power-by-the-Hour he U.S. Navy is negotiating a power-by-the-hour service agreement with Rolls-Royce in the hope of boosting engine reliability for both the E-2C airborne early warning aircraft and the T-45C trainers.
