The U.S. Air Force and industry representatives plan to spend the next two years refining requirements for highly secure satellite communications in the polar region. The Advanced Polar system would augment Milstar and Advanced EHF satellites and is primarily intended to provide submarines with highly secure communications options. The first in a series of meetings between the government and contractors is slated for July 10.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is conducting flight tests of an enhanced vision system (EVS) for the company's Gulfstream business jet product line. A Gulfstream V is being used for FAA certification flights, which include 35-40 approaches in day/night visual and instrument meteorological conditions. The system uses a camera that projects a forward-looking infrared image on the pilot's head-up display. Company officials expect the EVS to be approved for operations by the third quarter of 2001.
An erroneous firing of Vulcan 20-mm. cannon on a Boeing/Mitsubishi F-4EJ fighter off Hokkaido island on June 25 prompted the Japanese air force and army to suspend use of the cannon pending an investigation. The suspension affects F-15Js, F-4EJs, F-1s, T-2s and AH-1s. The unexpected discharge happened over a firing/bombing range near Sapporo when a pilot rolled to the right for a turn, discharging 188 rounds out of 200 loaded in his cannon. They hit a bus and medical facility but caused no casualties.
Boeing has completed the first flight of its improved CH-47F Chinook. The first of two prototypes flew June 25 at Boeing's Ridley Park, Pa., facility. The helicopter flew for 5 min. to complete basic system checkout. ``All the functional checks were good,'' one Boeing official said. The second prototype is slated to fly this fall. Both aircraft will be used for company-run flight testing through the fall before being handed to the Army for operational test and evaluation.
Andrea L. Amram (see photo) has been promoted to principal director of the Architecture and Design Subdivision of the Systems Engineering Div. from director of the Electrical and Electronic Systems Dept. of The Aerospace Corp. of Los Angeles.
After ripping through the government-required portion of the short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing test schedule in record time, Boeing's X-32B demonstrator aircraft has run into a couple of delays in finishing its last series of 10-15 company-sponsored flights.
Astrium GmbH. is ready to begin final integration work on Europe's two main contributions to the International Space Station, the Columbus laboratory module and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).
Under its newly appointed top management, SAS Scandinavian Airlines has ambitious expansion plans as it looks to redefine its role as a major European carrier. The airline's strategy builds on a significantly strengthened market presence in Northern Europe and Scandinavia, more long-haul operations and the renewal of its short-haul and long-haul fleets. And with the introduction of a single stock share instead of three traded separately in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, SAS hopes to increase its market capitalization.
The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration ordered 20 A109s from Agusta SpA., a subsidiary of AgustaWestland. The twin-engine, light-utility helicopter, to be designated the HKP15, will be used for training, antisubmarine warfare, medevac and search-and-rescue missions.
Longbow International, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp., has partnered with Bell Helicopter to develop the radar system for the AH-1Z Cobra helicopter.
The U.S. Air Force is taking the next step to try to get freight airlines interested in a commercial version of the C-17 transport. The service is releasing a draft request for proposal spelling out their initial plans for how the government would support an airline's purchase of up to 10 commercial C-17s, dubbed the BC-17. As an incentive, USAF is offering ``guaranteed revenue for each aircraft'' and other market-development assistance. Furthermore, they are considering buying back the aircraft if commercial ventures fail.
Alcatel Space and Astrium are planning a project to jointly develop a large new satellite bus for telecom applications, and proposing that it be funded largely with public money.
Sick and tired of having its weapons programs criticized for high costs, Air Force officials are promoting a new financial yardstick. ``We need to move from `cost per system' to `cost per target engaged,''' said Maj. Gen. David Deptula, who oversees the service's Quadrennial Defense Review efforts. The idea is that, for instance, flying a B-2 from the U.S. with two refuelings is cheaper than deploying large amounts of forces overseas to strike the same target.
The Bush Administration giveth and the Bush Administration taketh away. First, the White House made clear that it would appoint a Presidential Emergency Board to avoid a flight attendant strike at American Airlines. But then the Justice Dept. said it will appeal the dismissal in April of a 1999 antitrust suit that accused American of using predatory tactics to drive out competition at its Dallas-Fort Worth hub.
John F. Yardley, a key engineer and manager in the development of U.S. manned space flight from Project Mercury through the shuttle, died June 26 at home in Chesterfield, Mo., due to complications from cancer. He was 76.
U.S. airline delays in May, to be reported this week, nearly match the 36,570 delays in May 2000. The data would have continued the spring's happy trend--April 2001 delays were down 14.4% versus April 2000, from 35,332 to 30,260--except for a stretch of bad weather during the third week of the month.
The newly elected Italian government signaled its approval last week of a possible alliance between Alitalia and Skyteam member Air France. Cabinet ministers endorsed discussions between Alitalia--53% owned by the Italian government--and Air France, which are at an advanced stage. Observers say the two carriers are looking to sign an agreement before the end of July, setting a period of exclusive negotiations. Alitalia is seeking a code-sharing deal with Air France which would ultimately be extended to other Skyteam members, including Delta Air Lines.
Both Joint Strike Fighter candidates proved last week that they have enough thrust to hover and that their control systems give smooth handling early in the vertical flight test program.
Jim Christiansen has been elected chairman of the Alexandria, Va.-based National Air Transportation Assn. He is executive vice president/chief operating officer of TAG Aviation. Other officers elected were: vice chairman, Gary Driggers, executive vice president of Midcoast Aviation; and treasurer, Don Campion, president of Banyon Air Services.
Fairchild Dornier announced at the Paris air show that it is evaluating its 728/328/928JET regional aircraft family for possible special mission applications. The manufacturer said it is in talks with Northrop Grumman about developing the 728JET as an Airborne Early Warning Platform (with Hawkeye radar system) for countries seeking an affordable AEW system option. According to the manufacturer, the 728JET in AEW configuration would allow installation of up to six surveillance workstations plus crew rest and command workstation areas. Its 128 X 82.2-in.
Delta Air Lines last week opened the only downtown reservation center in its network--a $17.3-million, 59,602-sq.-ft. facility in Cincinnati. The facility represents the carrier's commitment to Cincinnati and its hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, according to officials. The city provided tax breaks valued at $250,000 a year and the state of Ohio granted a $3-million loan at low interest rates to cover construction costs.
A RAYTHEON CONTRACT to enhance ATC infrastructure will allow the Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) to consolidate facilities by integrating the Dusseldorf area control center into the Langen facility, which already includes the Frankfurt ACC. Among the operational enhancements called for in the upgrades to the German P1 ATC Automation System (Atcas) are specialized hand-off capabilities, display of multiple airfield weather information at individual controller workstations and enhanced processing of aircraft flight level data.
Embraer and the China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Corp. are establishing an aircraft spare parts facility in Beijing, which is to begin operations in the second half of this year. Some of China's airlines, including Sichuan Airlines, China Southern and Wuhan, have recently become ERJ-145 customers. Meanwhile, Fairchild Dornier Chairman Charles P. Pieper said at the Paris air show that his company is in discussions with China to build further industrial cooperation with China's AVIC I and AVIC II, including a joint venture for future airliner projects.
Two Russian aircraft, the Su-30MK multirole fighter and MiG-AT advanced trainer, were forced to leave the Paris air show prematurely on May 22 in order to avoid a court order to impound them. A French Justice Ministry bailiff attempted to enforce a recent Paris court of appeals decision in favor of Swiss trading firm Noga, which claims the Russian government owes it more than $63 million from oil-for-food barter deals signed in 1991 and 1992. Noga went after the aircraft, claiming they were government-owned assets.
George K. Muellner (see photo) has been appointed president of Boeing Phantom Works, Seal Beach, Calif. He was vice president/general manager. Muellner succeeds David Swain, who will be chief technology officer for the Boeing Co. full-time.
