The European Commission is opening a full investigation into the anticipated creation of Astrium, a new space contractor that is expected to begin operations early next year as a result of the merger of Aerospatiale Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems. Astrium would succeed an existing Aerospatiale Matra-DASA joint venture, Matra Marconi Space.
Launch vehicles from China, India and Japan could fulfill an important role in the 21st century as alternatives to the better known systems from Europe, Russia and the U.S. But for now, the emergence of a new set of Asian tigers to challenge the commercial launcher establishment remains unfulfilled, and tinged with irony.
United Technologies' Pratt&Whitney unit has formed a new business that will provide small-turbine-engine R&D, manufacturing and after-market support for the Defense Dept. It will support a full range of technology and development activities, focusing on military applications for turboshaft engines, turboprop engines and small turbofans.
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court has granted final approval to a $500-million rescue package developed by a group of international investors and intended to enable ICO Global Communications to emerge from Chapter 11 protection.
Aerospace Industries Assn. honcho John W. Douglass is ``moderately optimistic'' that this week's U.S./European Union presidential summit at the White House will produce a settlement of the transatlantic hushkit dispute. ``I do sense the EU is willing to compromise,'' Douglass tells us. ``I've been assured by the top people in our Cabinet that it's on the agenda, and I spoke to several U.S.
The European Commission was expected late last week to award $60 million in contracts for definition of the Galileo global satellite navigation system. Alcatel-led teams will study system architecture ($27 million) and integration with the Egnos wide area augmentation system, while consortia led by Sextant Avionique will define system standards and Racal, services. Last week, ESA awarded a team led by Alenia a $20-million contract for space segment definition.
The Model C-90 BNE uses the latest high-tech noise absorbing material to help reduce the harmful low-frequency engine noises that can cause flying fatigue and discomfort, while delivering important sounds clearly. The headset is cellular-telephone-ready and will accommodate most new cellular phones by using the 2.5-mm. detachable cable jack which is included with the headset. At 18.9 oz., this is the lightest electronic headset available to date. This model may be ordered with an amplified dynamic microphone for helicopter use. Softcomm Products Inc., 2310 S.
Russian industry is engaged in the most ambitious heavy booster development it has undertaken since the mid-1980s. The efforts are to modernize and increase the capabilities of the Proton while also developing the Russian Angara common core vehicle which is analogous to the U.S. Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The Russian SL-4 Soyuz medium booster is also undergoing modernization.
Raytheon reports that four T-6A Texan II trainer engines have experienced a drop in oil pressure readings during the last eight months of testing. The oil pressure drop occurred following aggressive aircraft maneuvering. The fault has been traced to a first-stage oil transfer sleeve in the rear of the gearbox of the Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engine. The fix is to raise the sleeve tolerance closer to the higher end of the tolerance range. The change is expected to delay the completion of testing, but not the overall program, of the joint U.S.
French defense officials hope a preliminary lease agreement with Germany for France's new Syracuse III satellite will translate into full-fledged cooperation on next-generation military satcom systems. German Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping agreed at a Franco-German summit on Nov. 30 to study the lease of SHF transponders on two dedicated Syracuse III military communications satellites. The lease would cover at least two-ninths of capacity on the first satellite, to be launched in 2003.
The WarriorVision-18 lightweight, 18-in. flat panel display has an active matrix liquid crystal display system for 1280 X 1024 resolution, a 160-deg. viewing angle and 19-in. rack mountable case with onscreen text overlay capabilities. The MTBF is rated greater than 13,000 hr. and the unit meets COTS system requirements. Because of its small size, low weight and power consumption and ability to withstand harsh environments including shock, vibration and dust, it can be used in many military applications. Interstate Electronics Corp., 602 E. Vermont, P.O.
There is an array of launch vehicle programs being developed in response to a wide range of planned and operational satellite systems. Whether or not all the new launchers become operationally successful remains to be seen. Much will depend on the direction of the cyclical and evolving commercial satellite market. Many boosters now in development promise improved performance to meet increasing payload size and weight requirements, as well as operational flexibility and lower acquisition costs to succeed in a complex and competitive industry.
Ibis Aerospace's Ae-270 single-engine, multimission turboprop is scheduled to make its first flight next February. The joint venture between Aero Vodochody of the Czech Republic and Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) was set to roll out the first of five Ae-70 prototypes at the Czech manufacturer's facility on Dec. 10. The company had initially expected first flight late this fall (AW&ST Mar. 22, p. 64).
Hartzell Propeller Inc. announced the results of noise testing in Germany of its Cessna Caravan STC. A noise level of 76.9 dB(A) was achieved--more than 8 dB(A) below the ICAO Chapter X limit, making it the quietest Caravan propeller available.The Hartzell Top Prop tm STC kit allows installation of the 96-in., 4-blade propeller on the Cessna 208, 208A and 208B Caravan aircraft. The reduced diameter provides an additional 5 in. of ground clearance. The propeller has a recommended TBO of 4,000 hr. or six years, and has a warranty of three years or 1,000 hr.
Boeing this week plans to add more than 100 transports to its 1999 orderbook. The sales consist of previously unsigned orders and a block representing new transports purchased by customers who wish to remain unidentified.
The Tapmatic family of hand-applied cutting fluids has been expanded. Nine products specifically formulated for specialty metalworking needs are available. These include products for: low-speed high-pressure uses; ultra-fine finishes and precise tolerance needs; aluminum; and stainless steel. Tapmatic Natural is a nontoxic, nonhazardous, biodegradable cutting fluid that is safe on all metals. AquaCut offers end-users a water-based formula that features corrosion inhibitors to prevent flash rusting.
The new TSO approved Model 28-44-xxx is interchangeable with units maufactured as early as 1984 under the Terra, AIM and CIA names. The 7.5-lb. EPU provides an output of 24 VDC at 2.5 AH for emergency operation of essential nav/com equipment and instrumentation lighting after full loss of aircraft power. The design provides for automatic internal switching of the emergency lighting bus and is fully charged from the aircraft electrical system during normal operation. CAT DO-160D and TSO-C4c certified. Castleberry Instruments&Avionics, 817 West Howard Lane, Austin, Tex.
Reports of advances in semiconductor technology coming out of the International Electron Devices Society provide insight into which countries are innovators. At the society's meeting here last week, of the 206 scheduled papers, 43% were presented by the U.S. Another 29% were from Japan; 13% from Europe, 5% from South Korea and 3% from Taiwan.
The European Commission's competition directorate has approved the German federal government's and State of Bavaria's joint plan to guarantee up to $350 million in refundable loans to Dornier Luftfahrt, the Munich-based unit of Fairchild Aerospace. The arrangement is scheduled to support the 70-seat 728JET regional twinjet, the stretched-fuselage 928JET and additional aircraft currently in the development phase such as the 528JET.
Last week's conviction of SabreTech on criminal charges stemming from the 1996 ValuJet crash and similar post-accident pursuits of transportation companies are forcing industry and government officials to confront the threats that criminal prosecutions can pose to safety investigations.
Michael A. Smith has been appointed president/CEO of Honeywell Aerospace ElectronicSystems of Phoenix, which was created from the AlliedSignal avionics business that became part of Honeywell in the companies' merger on Dec. 1. Francis W. Daly has been named president of Honeywell Commercial Aviation Electronic Systems and Dean M. Flatt president of Honeywell Aerospace Defense and Space Systems. The following AlliedSignal Aerospace executives will hold similar positions at Honeywell: Steven R. Loranger, president of Honeywell Engines and Systems; James D.
