NICE SYSTEMS LTD. OF TEL AVIV IS APPLYING military technology and commercial off-the-shelf hardware to supply digital voice logging systems for Hong Kong's new Chek Lap Kok airport and a number of others including the U.S.' FAA. The Hong Kong system has 1,280 channels to record 640 channels with full redundancy.
As the U.S. and Western Europe seek the right formula for broadening NATO membership to Eastern Europe, talk of increased armaments cooperation with these aspiring nations is highlighting cracks in old transatlantic ties. An increasingly competitive undercurrent was evident as senior defense and industry officials from more than a dozen European nations and the U.S. gathered for a conference on armaments cooperation and NATO expansion during the Berlin air show last month.
U.S. GPS RECEIVER MANUFACTURER, ASHTECH, expects to have its newly developed GPS/Glonass satellite-navigation receiver available for volume shipments in late July. The company believes it has the first receiver that tightly integrates GPS and the Russian Glonass on a single-board. With 24 GPS and 24 Glonass satellites operational, the 24-channel receiver should have more than six satellites in view even when the viewing angle is restricted by terrain or buildings.
Gathering electronic intelligence and attacking enemy air defenses are the most likely ancillary roles for Lockheed Martin/Boeing's F-22, according to an extensive study just completed by U.S. Air Force and aerospace industry analysts. Top Pentagon officials are just now being briefed on the findings of the ``F-22 Derivatives Study,'' which was completed by the contractors and Air Force in May. The review also reaffirmed the fighter's currently planned primary roles of air superiority and long-range, precision attack.
THE STANDARD LOCKHEED MARTIN C-130J made its first flight last week, a 6-hr. 14-min. leg from Dobbins ARB, Ga. The aircraft will be one of two C-130Js operated by the U.S. Air Force. On Apr. 5, a stretched C-130J-30 for the Royal Air Force made its first flight.
Gen. Jose I. De La Fuente (Chilean AF, Ret.) has become executive vice president-marketing for Latin America for Washington-based Avitas Inc. He was director-general of civil aeronautics for Chile.
Vice Adm. Thomas F. Connolly, former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, died May 24, at the age of 86, in Holland, Michigan. As a naval aviator he commanded Patrol Squadron 13 during World War 2, was a test pilot and subsequently C.O. of the aircraft carriers Corregidor and Hornet. He was so influential in the development of the F-14 as DCNO that--continuing the Grumman tradition of feline names--the aircraft was named Tomcat after him.
U.S. AND JAPANESE aviation officials last week agreed to continue until July 8 limited airline services by United Airlines and Japan Airlines that were scheduled to end this month. The two groups will meet in Washington June 27-28 in an effort to break an impasse preventing work toward a new bilateral agreement. Major differences remain about existing rights of U.S. air carriers to operate flights to and beyond Japan. The Japanese are withholding approval of these services.
Bryan M. Burns has been named general manager of Washington National Airport flight support operations for Signature Flight Support. He succeeds Robert Mitchell, who has retired. Burns was director of operations in St. Louis for Midcoast Aviation.
Korean Air will expand its Airbus A330 family with the introduction of two extended-range -200 models in August/September, 1998. The airline ordered seven A330-300s in January with deliveries starting next year, and it holds 10 options that can be exercised for either model. The new order is in addition to those ordered in January. As with the -300s, the new aircraft will be powered by Pratt&Whitney PW4000-series engines. They will seat 267 passengers in a three-class layout.
FAIRCHILD AIRCRAFT has completed its acquisition of 80% of Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH. Dornier's parent company, Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG, will retain a 20% stake. The transaction provides Fairchild with a stable of regional airline aircraft ranging in capacity from 19-to-30 seats including the Dornier 228 and 328 series.
The U.S. Air Force is rapidly transitioning its Airborne Laser (ABL) program from a concept design effort to the first concrete step of a major defense acquisition. Contractor proposals for a 74-month, $1.1-billion demonstration and validation phase are due July 9.
Scott B. Harris has joined the Washington law firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher as a partner. He was chief of the Federal Communications Commission's International Bureau.
AIRBUS INDUSTRIE is entering into ``a decisive prelaunch phase'' of the envisioned 550-seat A3XX long-range transport, according to Juergen Thomas, senior vice president of the Large Aircraft Div. Preliminary design is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 1997; development is scheduled for 1997-98, paving the way for a late 1999 go-ahead, Thomas said late last week. Planned entry into service date is mid-2003. Program cost will be about $8 billion, including up to 40% funded by additional partners and associates.
Crew error is being considered as a possible cause of the unexplained loss of cabin pressurization that incapacitated the captain of an American Trans Air Boeing 727 on May 12. The 727-290 was operating as Flight 406 and departed Chicago's Midway Airport at 8 p.m. CDT en route to St. Petersburg, Fla., with 104 passengers and a crew of eight. Indianapolis-based American Trans Air is a scheduled Part 121 air carrier. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the incident.
William H. Lawler has been appointed vice president/deputy general manager of the Northrop Grumman Military Aircraft Systems Div. He was vice president/deputy general manager of the B-2 Div. Lawler was succeeded by Scott J. Seymour, who has been vice president-Palmdale (Calif.) operations.
IET-Intelligent Electronics Ltd. has developed ``expert system'' software to support and speed the diagnosis, maintenance and repair of complex aerospace equipment. Also known as expert decision support software, the technology helps maintenance and repair organizations increase efficiency while minimizing dependence on the skills, knowledge and experience of the individual technician, according to Moshe Ben-Bassat, founder and president of Tel Aviv-based IET. The system also grows ``smarter'' with use.
Boeing and United Parcel Service have teamed to provide a more economical parts delivery service for airlines. The program, Boeing Direct, offers 10-40% discounts compared with existing shipping rates to most U.S. and international destinations. It also frees airlines from making their own arrangements for parts pick-up/delivery, according to Boeing. Airlines can replace substantial parts inventory with reliable ``just-in-time'' supply direct from Boeing's spares distribution center in Seattle and a branch in Atlanta.
Tethered Satellite System-1R snapped free of the Space Shuttle Columbia shortly before it was fully deployed because a breach in the thin tether's insulation triggered an electrical arc that burned through it, investigators have concluded. The break in the insulation surrounding the 11.06-naut.-mi. (20.7 km.) tether provided a path for the current in the tether conductor's copper wires to arc--or jump--to a nearby electrical ground, burning the tether and causing it to snap, an independent review panel said in an extensive report released last week.
Boeing has wrapped up final wind-tunnel and aeropropulsion tests of its Joint Strike Fighter candidate. Although earlier test results were satisfactory, this latest round of testing will help the company optimize low-speed aeroperformance and the hover capability of the Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) version, according to M. O. Michellich, Boeing JSF program manager.
Indonesia will get a bargain on nine F-16A/Bs paid for by Pakistan but not delivered because of the latter's reluctance to ban nuclear weapons development. If the U.S. Congress agrees, Indonesia will pay $8-9 million each for F-16s that cost Pakistan $18 million. Most of the sale money will go to Pakistan, although the U.S. will receive some of the money for modifications requested by Indonesia. The deal appears complete. ``We're in very good shape on that,'' said Winston Lord.
THE U.S. HOUSE Transportation Committee approved three separate bills last week that would require airlines to share pilot records, prohibit pilots under the age of 17 from attempting record flights, and restore FAA funding for three years. The FAA bill also reinstates the airline passenger ticket tax and authorizes the agency to impose a fee on foreign airlines flying within U.S. airspace. The bills must be approved by the full House. Similar measures are under consideration in the Senate.
The board room dispute that has impaired the alliance between Northwest Airlines and KLM will not deter the Twin Cities-based carrier from pursuing new alliances abroad. At a conference here focusing on Northwest's three-year rebound from near bankruptcy, the carrier's ranking officers placed trust in the powerful Northwest hub network, the KLM alliance and other airline partnerships as the assets on which they are building a future.
Following is a commentary on equity alliances with European carriers, by Geoffrey C. Murray and Patrick Meynial, Chicago-based members of the airline practice of A.T. Kearney Inc., a global management consulting firm. At a time when alliances are flourishing across the [airline] industry, only a handful of intercontinental equity alliances exists, and most involve a European interest in a foreign carrier. Examples include KLM/Northwest and British Airways/USAir.
