Northrop Grumman received the first delivery order of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) U.S. Air Force contract worth a potential $49.5 million, to deliver Large Aircraft Infra-Red Counter-Measures (LAIRCM) system hardware, and support U.S. Air Force C-17 and C-130 transport aircraft. The five-year IDIQ contract has an eventual expected $3.2 billion ceiling, for systems engineering, program management, logistics and spares, plus installation and field service support for C-17s and C-130s.
Kingfisher Airlines signed an exclusive $60 million, five-year agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada that covers hot section inspections, overhauls and basic unscheduled removals for the airline's fleet of 70 PW127F engines that power its ATR 72-500s.
Jet-Care signed contracts with a number of law enforcement agencies to provide oil and debris analysis for their respective fleets. The Baltimore Police Department's Eurocopter EC120B engines, the Port of New York and New Jersey's Sikorsky 76A and Sikorsky 76C engines, and the U.S. Coast Guard's Turbomeca Arriel 2C2CG engines will be serviced. In addition, The Anaheim California Police Department's fleet of MD500s and the Austin Texas Police Department's EC120s also will receive oil and debris analysis.
Shannon Engine Support (SES) ordered 40 Tech Insertion configuration CFM56-7B spare engines. The Tech Insertion qualities are designed to improve the high-pressure compressor, combustor and high- and low-pressure turbines. This $240 million order brings SES -7B engine totals to more than 80. The engines are scheduled for delivery between late 2006 and 2010.
Boeing named Hamilton Sundstrand, Smiths Aerospace and SR Technics as partners in GoldCare, its service solution for Boeing 787 operators. Under the GoldCare program, Boeing leads and integrates maintenance, engineering and spares logistics on a flight-hour cost basis. Hamilton Sundstrand, the biggest 787 systems supplier, and Smiths will guarantee spare parts availability, will manage maintenance of removed parts and will optimze parts reliability. SR Technics will perform line and base maintenance.
Czech Airlines (CSA) signed a three-year support per hour contract with Snecma Services covering line replaceable units in its CFM56-5B engines. This agreement includes electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems, as well as fuel and lubrication systems.
S7 (Siberia) Airlines signed an exclusive 10-year engine service per hour contract with Snecma Services for maintenance, repair and overhaul of its CFM56-5A engines. Snecma Services will perform MRO services on about 20 engines in the S7 fleet.
Boeing launched a new program of upgrades to extend the service lives of C-130s by up to 30 years. Boeing's C-130 Total Life Extension (TLE) program, which was announced at Farnborough on July 19, addresses several aircraft modernization needs, including avionics, wiring, structures and systems. Key benefits include a patent-pending Center Wing Box solution, comprehensive avionics modifications and compliance with 21st century civil aviation standards.
Gradient Lens' new line of Hawkeye Pro Precision borescopes includes a new relay lens system, a multi-coated objective lens, and a SuperNova rechargeable light source, all of which are designed to make visuals clearer and colors brighter. The borescopes allows aviation maintenance professionals to inspect valves, valve seats, cylinder walls and piston crowns for imperfections. They come in varying sizes. Gradient Lens, 207 Tremont St., Rochester, NY 14608. Reader Service #507
L-3 Communications Vertex Aero- space received a $48 million contract to provide specialized technical services in support of depot-level maintenance on aircraft and rework of associated components and materials. Work should be completed in August 2008.
The old saying that old airplanes never die, they just fly freight, may be stretching a cliché a bit -- but not by much. Boeing's latest Commercial Market Outlook projects that by 2025, some 2,983 aircraft will be added to the worldwide freighter fleet, and 75 percent of them will be modified passenger or combi aircraft. If Boeing's predictions are true, the world freighter fleet will double, to 3,563 aircraft, which represents a slight increase from the company's forecast last year.
JetBlue Airways awarded Honeywell a 10-year component flight-hour service agreement for its Airbus A320s. The $38 million contract calls for Honeywell to maintain the suite of Honeywell avionics and mechanical components for JetBlue's entire fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.
Egypt's AMC Airlines signed a 10-year OnPoint Solutions service agreement with GE-Aviation's Engine Services operation for the overhaul and maintenance of the airline's fleet of CFM56-7B engines. The deal is worth $40 million.
KLM Engineering & Maintenance signed a five-year, €5 million with Canadian leisure carrier Zoom Airlines to perform C checks on the airline's Boeing 767 fleet. The carrier has four 767s and plans to expand to six in the coming year.
The Nordam Group in July signed an agreement to acquire the CF6 thrust reverser MRO assets of GE subsidiary Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS). As part of the agreement, MRAS will appoint Nordam the "exclusive authorized" CF6 OEM MRO service provider for CF6 thrust reversers on a worldwide basis. MRAS plans to phase out all CF6 MRO services but will continue to provide OEM technical support to Nordam. Nordam will assume management of the supply chain for out-of-production parts for the CF6-6, -50 and -80A thrust reversers.
Hainan Airlines Group selected Rolls-Royce's Trent 700 to power a fleet of five Airbus A330s in a $250 million deal, which includes a long-term TotalCare services agreement. The aircraft will be leased from International Lease Finance Corp. Engine deliveries will begin November 2007.
ExpressJet Airlines extended its asset management agreement for aftermarket services with Goodrich in support of the airline's Embraer ERJ 135/145 fleet. The additions will provide exchange pools of sensing products and related systems, as well as maintenance services.
Jade Cargo International signed Total Component Support and Total Engine Support contracts with Lufthansa Technik. The Total Component Support contract covers Shenzhen-based freighters for 10 years. The Total Engine Support contract covers GE CF6-80C2 engines on six Boeing 747-400ER freighters for 12 years. The contracts are worth $100 million and the freighters are set for delivery in January 2008.
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Virgin Blue Airlines awarded SR Technics a $40 million, three-year component management service agreement. It covers repair, overhaul and modification services for about 600 component part numbers for the airline's fleet of 53 Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft.
Bombardier appointed TAG Farn- borough Engineering as an aircraft-on-ground/line maintenance facility for Bombardier Challenger and Global business jets and Gold Air International as an AOG/LMF for Bombardier Learjet aircraft. These appointments increase the number of Bombardier business aircraft service facilities in Europe to 11.
EgyptAir awarded Goodrich a 10-year agreement to provide total aftermarket support for its Airbus A320 family aircraft. The contract, which covers 17 aircraft, is expected to generate up to $40 million in revenue over the next 10 years for Goodrich.
Pratt & Whitney WSK PZL-Rzeszow now has the capability to assemble and test F100-PW-229 engines, which are installed in the Polish Air Force's 36 new advanced Block 52+ F-16C and 12 F-16D multi-role combat aircraft. A recent inauguration ceremony at the Rzeszow facility was attended by Polish national and local government leaders, U.S. government, Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin representatives, and WSK PZL-Rzeszow employees who have contributed to development and implementation of this new capability.
Finmeccanica's Alenia Aermacchi in July signed a contract with the Defense Ministry in Lagos for maintenance and avionics upgrades in 12 MB-339A advanced trainers, operated by the Nigerian Air Force since the mid-1980s. The $84 million contract also includes refurbishing the aircraft, supplying spares, providing technical assistance and training pilots and ground crew.