Stephen Wolff, Joseph S. Kraemer and Gordon J. Comerford have been named to the board of directors of Exigent International Inc., Melbourne, Fla. Wolff is executive director for advanced Internet initiatives in the Office of Technology Initiatives of Cisco Systems. Kraemer is senior vice president of PHB Hagler Bailly Inc., and Comerford is a retired senior vice president of Motorola.
Gerard P. Burke, Jr., has been appointed vice president-satellites of the Aerospace Div. of ACE USA of Philadelphia. He was managing vice president-international reinsurance and special risks for Reliance National.
The Administration is signaling that it is less than enthralled by airline merger mania. White House economic adviser Dorothy Robyn told an International Aviation Club luncheon the supposed efficiency gains from integrating fleets, unions and assets are ``questionable.'' While vowing that replacing the U.S.-U.K. Bermuda II bilateral aviation agreement is a top priority for the Administration, she warned that a British Airways-KLM merger would not be allowed ``backdoor'' access to the U.S. market via the open skies accord with the Netherlands.
FedEx is planning to reinforce connections between its principal international hubs at Paris and Subic Bay in the Philippines to take advantage of expected strong economic growth in Europe and Asia. The plan's main element will be two new daily services linking the carrier's EuroOne network, based at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport, and AsiaOne, centered at Subic Bay. One service, using MD-11s, will be nonstop; the other, with A310s, will be via Dubai, Mumbai and Bangkok.
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has secured another potential customer for its RJX family with British Airways subsidiary CitiFlyer Express, placing options for six of the new RJX100s along with an order for six current-generation RJ100s. The firm order for six RJ100s is valued at $180 million, with deliveries starting in November. The six RJX100 options would bring the total to $360 million. Druk Air ordered two RJX85s in April. The Honeywell AS977-powered RJX is scheduled to enter service in September 2001.
Fokker Control Systems has received a contract from EADS Germany's Airbus unit to design and manufacture a six-degree motion system for A3XX cabin systems and interiors.
An experimental study of 65 air traffic controllers employed by the FAA and U.S. Army suggests scheduled naps during night shifts could help offset performance declines due to the sleepiness that results when a controller's circadian rhythms are day-oriented. Air traffic controller work rotations often are aimed at minimizing employee's exposure to night shifts, scheduling them for only one or two per workweek.
Big Safari has assembled an impressive collection of technology and flying firsts as they installed, flight-tested and operationally deployed a long line of sensors and electronic collection equipment. Program officials acknowledge participation in most of the following projects: -- December 1952 Project Pie Face--largest aerial camera (240-in. focal length) in the Pentagon's inventory goes on board a C-97 for observations of East Germany and Czechoslovakia.
Defense spending in the U.K. is set for a modest rise after more than a decade of decline. In the new three-year budget plan, the Ministry of Defense is in line for an additional 400 million pounds ($600 million) in 2001-02. That represents a real increase (after inflation) of 0.1% rather than a planned reduction. The government is also counting on an additional 250 million pounds from the proposed partial privatization of the Defense Evaluation and Research Agency.
Australia's Qantas Airways is holding discussions with Malaysia Airlines to obtain a 13% stake in the carrier, according to Singapore-based analysts. Naluri Holdings is the largest shareholder in Malaysia with 29%, and part of that stake is on the market for $1.98 per share to pay Naluri's debt. Qantas has not denied its interest, and this move follows the airline's recent attempt to get Malaysia into the Oneworld alliance.
Europe's aerospace and defense industry is forging ahead with consolidation at a frenetic pace that would have been unthinkable three or four years ago just as the U.S. is finally taking the first concrete steps to ease the way for transatlantic industrial links. But will the pressure of these two forces serve to pull the allies closer together or push them farther apart? The answer is crucial for the NATO alliance and transatlantic relations.
Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin, became a permanent fixture in Big Safari's world in 1964 with the establishment of Detachment 4 in the company's aircraft service division specifically to oversee modification of aircraft for special missions in Southeast Asia.
ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO. DELIVERED 88 NEW AIRCRAFT in the first quarter of this year, including 51 four-place R44s. Of these, 38 were exported and 13 delivered to U.S. customers. The balance of first-quarter deliveries were of two-place R22s. According to company President Frank Robinson, Australia, the U.K. and Brazil were the largest export markets for the R44. To meet demand, R44 production has increased to six units per week but the order backlog is nearly five months.
Eastman Kodak Co. has reached agreement with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency and RSC Energia to give live still and video images from a camera mounted on the Russian Service Module as it docks on July 25 to the International Space Station. The views will be available on EyeOnSpace.com. However, the module's camera angle is limited, and the docking maneuvers are basic. Two upcoming missions promise more action. STS-106, now set for a Sept.
The stage is now set. European industrial consolidation is in full bloom, with the prospect of stronger, more efficient companies ready to deal on equal terms with their U.S. counterparts. The U.S. government is finally reining back technology transfer restrictions, which should open the doors to greater industrial cooperation and enhanced allied interoperability.
Raytheon has won a $34.7-million work order as a subcontractor from Kongs- berg (Norway) Defense&Aerospace (KDA) to supply AN/MPQ-64 3D radars and missile interface electronic kits for four surface-launched Amraam fire units for the Spanish air force. KDA is prime contractor for an 86.6-million-euro ($82.3-million) award to supply four distribution centers and eight launchers based on the Norwegian advanced SAM defense system.
Indrek (Andy) Ott has been appointed Los Angeles-based vice president-strategic programs for L-3 Storm Control Systems, Herndon, Va. He was manager of the space segment for Hughes' Geomobile programs.
Total inPHorm software has a media compativity section and custom-sizing capabilities that allow users to design application-specific glands and seals. It cross-references thousands of part numbers and recommends materials based on Mil, SAE and other requirements. In addition to O-ring design and material selection software, Total inPHorm has four stand-alone packages for hydraulic and pneumatic applications, static face sealing, standard Opseal products and EMI shielding and thermal management.
Next year's appropriation for the Joint Strike Fighter will total $688.6 million, a reduced level approved by lawmakers in response to a minimum three-month delay in the aircraft's shift from its demonstration/validation phase to engineering and manufacturing development (EMD).
A new standard line of carbide thread milling cutters has been introduced by Harvey Tool Co. The precision-ground 60-deg. thread milling tools are single-thread cutters made from submicron carbide. This form mill cuts both righthand and lefthand threads and is an alternative to expensive multiple thread mill cutters. Thread mills are available in seven sizes from 4-0.5 in. and are stocked in both uncoated and TiN coatings. Other coatings are available. Specials can be ordered in H.S.S., cobalt steel, or carbide.
It has been apparent since, at least, the end of the Cold War that there were too many space and missile propulsion companies for the size of the market. So it came as no surprise last week when Pratt&Whitney and Aerojet announced they intend to merge their space propulsion businesses. ``There are six players today. There's business for probably three,'' Bob Wolfe, the CEO of Aerojet parent GenCorp Inc., had remarked several times before the merger was announced.
Thailand has signed a letter of intent to buy 16 Block 15 F-16A/B fighters from the U.S. Air Force inventory. The aircraft will supplement 36 F-16A/Bs already in service with Thailand. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2002. The aircraft are powered by Pratt&Whitney F-100-PW-220E engines.
