Matra BAe Dynamics has been awarded a 378-million-pound ($604.8-million) contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defense to provide a final batch of Seawolf short-range air defense missiles for Royal Navy frigates. Deliveries are to begin in 2004.
As a result of lessons learned from recent air campaigns conducted by the U.S. and its allies, China's air force is embracing a more active role even as tensions with neighboring Taiwan are once again escalating. The perceived effectiveness of these air wars is something Chinese military (PLA) leaders believe will be typical of future conflicts. ``Air power will become the main fighting force in local wars and have increasing influence on the progress and outcome of war,'' said Lt. Gen. Liu Shunyao, commander of the Chinese air force.
Singapore Technologies Aerospace is offering an upgrade package for F-16s. It will include a radar choice of the Northrop Grumman APG-66(V)2 and Alenia's Grifo system with a spot synthetic aperture radar mode. The project is supported by Lockheed Martin and includes a cockpit enhancement with three color 5X7 displays, a wide angle head-up display and a helmet-mounted display.
The Romanian government has agreed to sell its 69.99% stake in aerospace manufacturer Aerostar to Industria Aeronautica Romana and a consortium comprising the company's management and employees. With a private investment group holding a further 12% of Aerostar's stock and another 18% traded on the Bucharest stock exchange, the move effectively privatizes the company. The government will retain a ``golden share,'' giving it veto rights in matters affecting Aerostar's defense production capabilities.
Lufthansa and the German post office (Deutsche Post) are reportedly discussing a linkup of their freight and package express activities, either through a holding company or an outright merger. The deal would involve Lufthansa Cargo; Brussels-based DHL, in which Lufthansa and Deutsche Post each own 25%; and Air Express International, a U.S. parcel express company acquired by Deutsche Post last year. The combined entity would generate annual revenues of more than $8.7 billion, making it the world's foremost cargo carrier, ahead of Federal Express.
SolAir, which is being formed in Naples by local investors, plans to inaugurate its first European and domestic routes in early 2001. The Italian startup carrier will initially operate two 32-seat Fairchild Dornier 328JETs to destinations such as Paris, Barcelona and Tunis. If the demand meets the carrier's expectations, the aircraft will be replaced in 2003 by 70-seat 728JETs (AW&ST Feb. 7, p. 15).
Continental Express' announcement of the conversion of options into firm orders for 75 Embraer ERJ-145s and 25 ERJ-135s serves as an exclamation point for how strong the regional jet market has become in the past four years. The Houston-based carrier was a launch customer for the 50-seat ERJ-145 and 37-seat ERJ-135 programs and held more than 100 options.
In a move typical of savvy navigators who have kept their ship on course through many storms at sea, Serge Dassault and Dassault Aviation's executive team are betting that the company can both devise close links with the proposed European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. while retaining independence as a stand-alone aircraft manufacturer.
Socata expects a newly introduced model line to rejuvenate its general aviation business and and ensure that the single engine turboprop manufacturer will not be spun off when parent company Aerospatiale Matra is transformed into the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS) later this year. The French press has been rife with reports that Socata does not figure in the future plans of EADS and will be sold. The prospective buyer, according to the reports, is Latecoere, a manufacturer that, like Socata, has a large aerostructures business.
Although defense critics claim that Western military institutions are not changing radically enough to cope with 21st century technology and threats, a new Brookings Institution book challenges Washington's conventional wisdom about the revolution in military affairs (AW&ST Dec. 6, 1999, p. 61). Author Michael O'Hanlon, a Brookings senior fellow, argues in Technological Change and the Future of Warfare that the computer/electronics revolution masks far slower advances in propulsion systems and basic aerodynamics. Excerpts from his book follow:
After gaining control of ICO Global Communications, a group of investors led by Eagle River Investments, which is owned by Craig McCaw of Teledesic, is now poised to make an offer for Iridium LLC.
Joseph W. Brown and James W. Brown, 3rd, have been promoted to co-president-operations and co-president-engineering and customer services, respectively, of Hartzell Propeller Inc., Piqua, Ohio. They were vice president-manufacturing and vice president-parts and service, respectively.
The murder of an All Nippon Airways captain by a hijacker who forced his way into a 747 cockpit last July has prompted Japan's Ministry of Transport to write a new anti-hijacking manual. Details have been kept secret, but officials say updated standards include stepped-up anti-hijacking training for aircrews, which would be scheduled more often than once a year. Japan's previous policy focused on those hijacking for political or monetary reasons, but in the ANA case the hijacker was judged insane.
Matra BAe Dynamics unveiled a new short-range air-defense system that uses a Mica air-to-air missile for ground- or ship-launch from a vertical launcher. Designed to engage targets at a range of about 10 km. (6.2 mi.), it is seen as a direct competitor with Raytheon's ground-launched Amraam for a market that is estimated to be worth $1 billion over the next 5-6 years. The vertical-launched Mica could use either an imaging infrared or radar seeker. Up to eight missiles could be fired within 12 sec. to deal with multiple threats at once.
Pratt&Whitney and Snecma have agreed to jointly develop an upper-stage cryogenic motor for launcher applications. Under the preliminary agreement--which remains subject to government approval--the partners will share development and production of the motor, dubbed the SPW2000. But each firm will remain responsible for final assembly and testing within its respective market; the U.S. for Pratt and Europe for Snecma.
Bombardier Aerospace has sold 12 CRJ200 regional jets and 11 Q Series Dash 8 turboprops in Asia Pacific during the past 13 months, including its most recent CRJ sale to Shanghai Airlines. The company expects the region to sustain the third largest demand for 50-, 70- and 90-seat regional jets in the world, accounting for a total market of about 60 aircraft per year for the foreseeable future. There are nine new CRJ200 regional jet operators in the region, including four in Japan and three in China.
India's embrace of a provocative military doctrine is compounding the risks of another Indian/Pakistani war over Kashmir, security experts warn. South Asia specialists believe a new Indian accent on conventional military power is a recipe for disaster in view of the pickup in border clashes since last year's mini-war over Kargil on the Kashmiri Line of Control.
Bengt Mortberg is scheduled to become president/CEO of Saab Ericsson Space AB, succeeding Ivan Ofverholm, who will retire on Apr. 1. Mortberg was general manager of the Swedish joint venture's mechanical systems division. Ofverholm will continue as chairman of the company's Austrian Aerospace subsidiary in Vienna and as an adviser to the board of directors.
William Gibson has been promoted to assistant vice president from executive director of the Southwest Research Institute Space Research Div., San Antonio, Tex.
