Shards of carbon graphite material up to 2 in. long were discovered at the launch site after the Feb. 10 loss of Japan's M-5 booster (AW&ST Feb. 21, p. 123). Investigators are now focusing on the prospect that the carbon graphite lining of the Nissan first-stage nozzle had an invisible crack that was quickly expanded by vibration and the motor's 3000C exhaust temperature. The failure was first apparent 25 sec. after ignition and led to a nozzle burn-through and loss of the mission.
Israel's Elbit will begin to actively seek acquisitions overseas once it has consummated its merger with Elop. Shareholders are expected to approve the deal soon. One top Elbit official said acquisition opportunities would be sought in Asia and America, where the company owns Fort Worth-based EFW.
Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin have renamed the KTX-2 trainer they are codeveloping the T-50 Golden Eagle. The light combat version would be the A-50. First flight for the aircraft is scheduled for June 2002. The international marketing activity still hasn't fully taken off, although Spain is being named as a possible early customer. KAI officials said they would team with European companies if required to sell T/A-50s in Europe. So far, only South Korea is a purchaser with an intended buy of 94 aircraft.
Eurofighter officials hope to add 80-90 aircraft to their order books this year and fill production through about 2007. That number would include the Greek order, which is in final negotiation, and a win in Norway. But the Norwegian competition, in which Eurofighter is pitted against the F-16, is on hold as Oslo reviews its budget.
NASA's X-43A hypersonic air-breathing vehicle has completed controlled radio frequency testing in an anechoic chamber at Edwards AFB, Calif., to determine antenna patterns (see photo). The tests measured the S-band telemetry transmitter and C-band transponder antennas to evaluate their performance. The data will be used to help define the unmanned vehicle's flight track during missions over the Western Test Range off the Southern California coast. Information obtained during the tests will also be used to help determine the positioning of U.S.
Meanwhile, Boeing's tardiness in figuring cost overruns in the space station program could mean some cash will come out of the drawer and go back into the U.S. treasury. NASA Inspector General (IG) Roberta L. Gross says in a new report that the station prime contractor's tardiness in adjusting cost estimates means it ``received incentive fees totaling $16 million that it had not earned.'' As things stand now, Boeing is only entitled to $75.4 million of the $203 million it could have received in incentive fees were the station program meeting its cost bogey.
Rick Stumpf has become marketing director of engines for Parker Aerospace, Palm City, Fla. He was a regional manager and engineer for Parker's Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Div.
Mike DiFrisco has been named executive editor for publications and Roger Jaynes vice president-corporate communications of the Experimental Aircraft Assn., Oshkosh, Wis.
Aerobotics Industries has acquired the former Lockheed Martin manufacturing and assembly facility in Abilene, Tex. Aerobotics--a supplier of aerospace engineering, tooling, prototyping and machined components based in Dallas/Fort Worth--will pay $6 million for the two buildings. The company plans to use the 400,000-sq.-ft. complex to expand its business base, including chemical processing, and sheet metal and composite component assembly. Lockheed Martin had used the factory to produce machined components and assemblies for the F-16 production line at Fort Worth.
Bob Haslam, formerly director of European programs at BAE Systems, has been appointed managing director of Eurofighter GmbH. He succeeds Brian Phillipson, who has rejoined BAE to head the Type 45 frigate program.
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.
