Militaries are spending money to upgrade existing fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters while waiting for new technology to arrive, or until they can afford to acquire new aircraft. Here's a glance at overall military expenditures from around the world. Russia possesses 5,432 airplanes and 1,870 helicopters, while China has 3,398 airplanes and 478 helicopters. It's important to note that aircraft numbers do not demonstrate equal capabilities or weaponry; they simply enumerate various militaries' fleet size and their upgrade potential.
SMARTSIGNAL RELEASED EQUIPMENT CONDITION MONITORING VERSION 3.0, which features real-time functionality to assist operators in improving performance and asset uptime by delivering need-based maintenance information quickly, throughout fleets. The latest version of this health monitoring software also includes more comprehensive reporting capabilities.
FlightSafety Services Corp. received a $20 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide student throughput, fixed operations and maintenance support for the KC-135 aircraft training system.
Advanced Products, in conjunction with McKechnie Aerospace Aftermarket Group and Airbus, engineered new, PMA seals for ducting on pneumatic, anti-ice and air conditioning systems on Airbus aircraft built before 2002. The new seals are designed to correct early seal degradation in pylon and ECS pack inlet ducting, and in other bleed air ducting locations that operators reported. As an Airbus executive wrote in an Operator Information Telex on Jan.
Pratt & Whitney's Military Aftermarket Services received a follow-up contract from Tinker Air Force Base to provide engine repair and overhaul services to its fleet of F100-PW-229 engines. The contract has four one-year options, that if exercised, would increase its value to $336 million.
Rockwell Collins Aviation Services also received a five-year contract from Skyway Airlines, doing business as Midwest Connect, to provide avionics repairs on a price per flight hour basis for the operator's Beech 1900D aircraft.
President George W. Bush signed the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act on Nov. 24, 2003, that funded the department through Sept. 30 with $401.3 billion. The biggest changes in the budget over 2003 related to personnel issues, including a revised hiring system, introduction of pay-for performance bonuses and authorization of an average 4.15% pay increase. Getting down to aviation-specific facts, the Air Force's aircraft depot maintenance budget of $2.3 billion includes organic, contract and interservice depot-level maintenance.
Air New Zealand unveiled a Boeing 747-400 decorated to commemorate the final installment of ``The Lord of the Rings'' movie trilogy. This is the third aircraft to which the airline adhered a giant decal of figures from the movie to boost tourism to New Zealand. A fourth aircraft, an A320, will be unveiled shortly.
Lufthansa Consulting worked with Air Atlanta Icelandic on cost reduction programs for the aircraft leasing services company. The project's objective was to identify cost savings in maintenance. Target areas including new management techniques, improved risk assessment and efficient use of economies of scale.
Crane Aerospace & Electronics named Michael Brady vice president and CFO of its aerospace group, which includes ELDEC, Hydro-Aire, Lear Romec and Resistoflex. Crane also named Rick Jones senior vice president of operations and Kevin Wright vice president of strategic new ventures for the aerospace group.
Air Transport Association (ATA) appointed Basil Barimo vice president of operations and safety. He previously was vice president at Avborne and before that, he held a variety of maintenance and engineering posts at US Airways.
Operators are incorporating engine improvements to gain better performance and cut costs, and that trend may be increasing this year as the financial condition of airlines improves. As Bob Barton, general manager of marketing for the CFM56 platform, said, ``2003 was a good year for upgrade deliveries, however, new orders were sparse.
Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA), U.K., announced that Archie Hughes has succeeded Steve Hill as chief executive. Hughes previously held senior positions at Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Vickers.
EDO received a $9.9 million contract from Lockheed Martin to develop enhanced Electronic Support Measures sensor capability for the U.S. Navy's P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft.
Modern Brandt Aviation's custom and standard-size galley convection aircraft ovens are designed to include 20% to 30% less weight, Even FlowT hot air distribution and an auto-tuning digital controller. ``Our oven's low-temperature exterior allows for zero-clearance fit installation without any special venting, insulation or other fixes,'' said company founder Michael Brandt. The even heating feature is designed to eliminate the need to rotate dishes and racks. The MBA ovens are capable of heating 100F to 450F (38C to 230C).
Lockheed Martin received two large contracts at the beginning of January: a five year, $423 million contract from the U.S. Navy for common cockpits and a $48.7 million contract for C-5 avionics upgrades.
Rockwell Collins completed acquiring NLX, which provides training systems, upgrades, modifications, engineering and technical services for military and commercial platforms.
Alaska Airlines elected Frederick Mohr to the position of vice president of maintenance and engineering. He most recently was managing director of heavy maintenance for United Airlines.
Honeywell received a 15-year contract from AirTran Airways to provide maintenance on all Honeywell equipment installed on the airline's 73 Boeing 717s. Another contract calls for Honeywell to supply cockpit avionics and maintenance on 50 firm and 50 optional new Boeing 737s the airline has ordered. The contracts combined are worth $300 million.
DaimlerChrysler sold MTU Aero Engines to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., a U.S. financial investor. MTU said it plans to continue its programs and cooperative alliances.
