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“Volvo Aero’s sandwich is the result of a concerted effort to develop the nozzle technology of the future. The focus has been on developing a cost-efficient production process that ensures the high reliability of the end-product,” says Ulf Palmnäs, Director Space Marketing and Sales at Volvo Aero. “The program was started in 1996 and the new technology was quickly identified as the most promising compared with the current state of the art.” The technology is characterized by a high degree of automation, robust processes and few components, which increases reliability. It makes it easier to use materials available on the market. During the entire development period, Volvos Aero had strong support from the Swedish National Space Board. Volvos Aero designed, built and delivered the first RL60 demonstration nozzle in the record time of 18 months. “We now hope that the obvious advantages of our sandwich technology will result in its being used in trips towards the moon and Mars,” says Ulf Palmnäs. For more information, contact:
14 September 2005 - Rolls-Royce announced today that it has achieved more than 3,000 hours of testing of its modules that enable vertical flight for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Rolls-Royce is developing the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem® under a contract awarded by Pratt & Whitney for its F135 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) programme.
Chris Cholerton, JSF STOVL Programme Director for Rolls-Royce said: "The demands on the LiftSystem in service operation will be unprecedented and the test programme is essential in ensuring that the LiftSystem is on track to qualification, first flight and service readiness. The programme continues to meet its goals: validating predictions and demonstrating the capability and reliability of this unique hardware." Since the beginning of the F135 SDD phase in 2001, testing has been focussed on the Rolls-Royce LiftFan®. Testing of fan, shaft, lubrication system, clutch and gearbox components, the Variable Area Vane Box Nozzle, as well as full LiftFans, has been completed. For example, over 8,000 LiftFan clutch engagements have been achieved, including 1,500 engagements on a single clutch. The clutch is a new rugged design, after the clutch used in the earlier phase of the programme experienced a high degree of vibration and wear. The most heavily instrumented test unit is a fan rig, which measures nearly 1,100 different parameters to determine the impact on performance and operability of the unique airflow patterns that will enter the LiftFan in flight. The other modules of the LiftSystem – the 3 Bearing Swivel Module and roll posts – have recently completed test objectives, with the 3 Bearing Swivel Module achieving over 5,800 operations. Much of the testing has been carried out at the Rolls-Royce facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, where a dedicated facility has been built to support the demanding test schedule. More than 450 hours of testing have been undertaken in that test cell. Further testing of the LiftSystem has been accomplished with the F135 engine at the Pratt & Whitney facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem consists of the Rolls-Royce LiftFan, the 3 Bearing Swivel Module (3BSM), and the roll posts.Rolls-Royce is teamed with Pratt & Whitney to develop the F135 STOVL Propulsion System and ensure interchangeability with the Fighter Engine Team’s F136 engine. The contract signed with Pratt & Whitney in December 2001, which covers the design and development work of the STOVL elements during the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the program, is worth $1 billion to Rolls-Royce over 10 years. Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products. Annual sales total nearly £6 billion, of which 55 per cent are services revenues. The order book is more than £21 billion, which, together with demand for services, provides visibility as to future activity levels. For further information contact:
BAE Systems has been selected by the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team (FET) to develop a full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The propulsion system design, which uses two FADECs per engine, resulted from a joint study between BAE Systems and GE Transportation-Aircraft Engines, located in Evendale, Ohio. The FADEC governs engine fuel flow, controls variable engine geometries, and incorporates a lift fan engine and nozzle controls.
"We're really pleased to be part of the GE team developing the F136 engine for the JSF," said Hank McGlynn, vice president of Power Systems for BAE Systems. "Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, the engine control meets or exceeds all specifications for weight, volume, power, reliability, and throughput." The first three production lots of the F-35 will use the F135 engine produced by Pratt & Whitney. As the interchangeable engine, the FET’s F136 is slated to be incorporated in Lots 4 and 5. Beginning with Lot 6, and for all production needs thereafter, the FET will compete for the opportunity to supply F-35 engines. The F136 and F135 engines will be interchangeable across all variants of the JSF. The FET plans to deliver the first production F136 engine in 2012. Orders for the BAE Systems FADEC could total as many as 5,000 units through 2030. The F-35 is a next-generation, supersonic, multi-role stealth aircraft designed to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16, F/A-18 Hornet and the United Kingdom’s Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier. The first F-35, a conventional-takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) variant, is scheduled for completion at year’s end. Three versions of the F-35 are planned: a CTOL, a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV). Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 meets the performance needs of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defense forces worldwide, while staying within strict affordability targets. BAE Systems is a key industry partner on the F-35 responsible for the design, development and production of the aft fuselage, empennage and CV wing tips for each aircraft. The company is providing critical components for the vehicle and weapon systems, in particular the fuel system, crew escape, life support system and Prognostics Health Management integration. BAE Systems has significant work share in Autonomic Logistics, primarily on the support system side, and is involved in the Integrated Test Force, including the systems flight test and mission systems. The company is also responsible for the F-35’s Electronic Warfare (EW) systems suite and is providing advanced affordable low observable apertures and advanced countermeasure systems. Additionally, BAE Systems is supplying the Vehicle Management Computer, the Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) modules, the active stick and throttle and the EOTS Laser subsystem. About BAE SYSTEMS For further information, please contact: Issued by:
QinetiQ carried out the essential centrifuge training and a medical assessment that has enabled Dr Greg Olsen, a multi millionaire US scientist and businessman, to become only the third 'space tourist' when he hopefully blasts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on a Russian Soyuz craft and visits the international space station on 01 October.
QinetiQ experts evaluated Greg Olsen's fitness to withstand the G-forces associated with spacecraft launch / re-entry and familiarised him with the high-G environment. After an initial examination by Dr Henry Lupa, QinetiQ's leading aerospace medical consultant, Olsen carried out four separate 'runs' on the centrifuge. During the training, Greg Olsen was exposed to Gx ('front to back' acceleration) forces of +3Gx, +5Gx and +7Gx, each held for 15 seconds at peak G. A final run to simulate typical Soyuz launch and re-entry forces was then carried out, reaching a maximum of +8Gx and lasting approximately a minute. During all of the Gx exposures, Dr Lupa studied Greg Olsen's ECG (heart electrical activity) traces and monitored his general well being. Based on evidence gained during the rigorous centrifuge training, Dr Lupa declared Greg Olsen as fit to withstand the G-forces that he will face during his spaceflight mission, thereby enabling him to progress to further astronaut training in Russia. Olsen began training more than a year ago, but Russian doctors disqualified him shortly after he started because 'something turned up*' but after follow-up tests he persuaded the Russian medical team to let him resume training in May 2005. He has trained for only six months at Star City but when asked why he was taking such a big risk on spaceflight with such limited training at a recent press conference and reported by MSNBC-online, Olsen replied, "I don't view it as a risk at all. It's a very exciting experience. I've got one of the best crews there ever were. It's been a privilege for me to train with them." * Included in the MSNBC-online report of the recent press conference. For further information, lease contact: http://www.qinetiq.com
Thales has been awarded a contract by the National Air Navigation Services Company (NANSC) to supply Egypt’s busiest airport with Thales’ Terminal Coordination (TECOS) and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems. The TECOS system, is a flight data system that provides air controllers with a quicker and more efficient way of communicating and coordinating flight information in the terminal area. This system combined with the CCTV system for video surveillance will provide Cairo air traffic controllers with a “big picture” view of ground operations, from landing to parking and parking to take off. TECOS will enable controllers to manage a volume of traffic on the airport’s surface more safely and efficiently.
This airport tower modernization process is part of the facilities improvements and expansion programmes of the Cairo International Airport already launched by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. Under previous contracts, Thales has supplied Egypt with an air traffic management system (Eurocat, TXM voice control communications), primary and secondary surveillance radars, and navaids equipment. About Thales’ TECOS system About Thales About NANSC
. Ankara, IDEF 27 September 2005 – Further to the order of an ATEC Series 6 test station and test programmes for the Turkish Army’s Cougar helicopters, the acceptance process of the test system has been completed in Toulouse last week. Delivery to the Turkish Land Forces’ maintenance facilities will take place in Ankara during October and will be followed by immediate entry into service. This ATEC Series 6 will be used for testing 14 different avionics units of the Turkish Cougar helicopters. It is the first military application of the ATEC Series 6 in Turkey. The order was placed in September 2004 by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries of the Republic of Turkey (SSM) with GATE Elektronik, the Turkish partner of EADS Test & Services. World leader in the test of civil avionics, EADS Test & Services is also the leader in test equipment for French weapon systems. Already established in Europe, the company intends to develop its presence on the international military test market. EADS Test & Services’ test systems, the ATEC and the SESAR 3000, have already been chosen for major military programmes such as the Rafale aircraft, the Tiger, Super Puma and CH47 helicopters and the ASTER missile. In total, more than 790 test stations and 4,000 test programmes are in operation with armed forces, maintenance organizations, airlines and equipment manufacturers throughout the world. Based in Toulouse and in Vélizy-Villacoublay (Paris), EADS Test & Services is attached to the Business Unit EADS Services within the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS). DS, with revenues of about € 5.4 billion in 2004 and roughly 23,000 employees across ten nations, forms the defence and security pillar within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. Your contact at IDEF:
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (September 29, 2005) - Rockwell Collins has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to provide avionics, simulators, training and support on its S-92 platform for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program. The program has a potential value of more than $100 million to Rockwell Collins over the 20-year life of the program.
"This agreement demonstrates that Rockwell Collins provides a complete rotary wing cockpit solution to our customers," said Woody Hogle Jr., vice president and general manager of Integrated Systems for Rockwell Collins Government Systems. "Our solution includes equipment, development and integration, as well as training and support throughout the duration of the program." Equipment selected for the program includes Rockwell Collins' integrated cockpit solution for the S-92, as well as the new Rockwell Collins EyeHUD™ helmet mounted display, two (2) Level D equivalent full-flight simulators and communications products. The concurrent development of the simulator and aircraft systems will allow Rockwell Collins to integrate the simulation hooks into the avionics development to provide the end user an integrated training system that will maintain currency between the aircraft systems and full flight simulators. Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a worldwide leader in the design, production, and support of communication and aviation electronics for commercial and government customers. The company's 17,000 employees in 27 countries deliver industry-leading communication, navigation, surveillance, display, flight control, in-flight entertainment, information management, and maintenance, training and simulation solutions.
Amsterdam, 7 September 2005 – EADS has joined Northrop Grumman as team mate and principal subcontractor on the Northrop Grumman KC-30 advanced tanker bid for the United States Air Force’s next generation aerial refuelling aircraft. “We are pleased to join Northrop Grumman in offering the U.S. Air Force the most advanced aerial refuelling capability,” said EADS CEOs Tom Enders and Noel Forgeard. “The combination of Northrop Grumman’s prime system integration experience and EADS’ demonstrated aerial refuelling platform excellence place us in a very strong competitive position for success in this major U.S. military modernization programme.” EADS will bring its significant in-flight refuelling experience to the Northrop Grumman KC-30 solution through EADS North America. The full capabilities of EADS have been demonstrated in providing tanker aircraft for Canada and Germany, and in competitive wins for tankers for the United Kingdom and Australia, and will be leveraged on the KC-30 team. EADS has consistently stated its intent to participate in a U.S. tanker competition. The company funded development of the state of the art, fly by wire refuelling boom, combined with the modern A330 airframe provide the most advanced platform capabilities. EADS North America recently announced plans to establish a U.S. production site in Mobile, Alabama, which will begin operation in 2006 with the opening of a new Airbus engineering centre. “Joining together with Northrop Grumman on the KC-30 tanker programme is a significant milestone in our strategy to successfully participate in the U.S military market,” said Ralph Crosby, EADS North America Chairman and CEO. “We are pleased to work as a teammate and principal subcontractor under the leadership of Northrop Grumman, whose prime system integration capabilities are world class.” EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo. For further information, please visit: http://www.eads.com
19 September 2005 - The Executive Committee of EADS has appointed Christian Duhain (55) as the new Head of EADS International, the corporate marketing organisation of EADS. Duhain succeeds Jean-Paul Gut who was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) for marketing, international and strategy last June. Christian Duhain will be responsible for capturing new markets and ensuring the EADS commercial presence throughout the world. He will support EADS Divisions and Business Units in their international campaigns by defining their marketing objectives with them and by implementing the corresponding strategy. Christian Duhain will report to Jean-Paul Gut. “The aerospace and defence market has evolved very rapidly over the last few years. To continue our successful growth, we have to become more global. Our strongest arm to bring business and leadership to international markets is and will continue to be EADS International.” said Jean-Paul Gut. “I’m very confident that Christian is the right man to face this challenge.” Christian Duhain has been the Senior Vice President for South Asia & Pacific within EADS International since 2000. He contributed to remarkable successes: the breakthrough of Tanker aircraft in Australia, helicopters (NH 90 and Tiger), the penetration of Airbus among local traditional airlines (Thailand, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam) and low-cost carriers as well as winning campaigns for other Divisions and Business units of the Group (Theos observation satellite in Thailand among others). He also played an active role in the region in identifying potential future markets such as India and in defining the right strategy to position EADS as a local player on those markets. Between 1993 and 1999, he was Senior Vice President for South Asia and Advisor to Jean-Paul Gut within Aerospatiale Matra Lagardère International. Christian Duhain joined Matra Défense in 1989 as Export Vice President and became Senior Vice President, International Operations, at the Lagardere Group in 1993. During this period, Duhain has achieved a strong experience in worldwide export markets especially in Greece, Korea and the Middle East region. EADS International is the corporate entity in charge of the international development of EADS. It is a business-oriented organization and operates in close cooperation with the Business Units by providing them with a large range of high-level services in the field of exports. With more than 30 foreign offices, EADS International has developed one of the largest international networks of the aerospace industry. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system For further information, please visit: http://www.eads.com
Increased safety and reliability for military aviation The German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB*) has awarded Thales a contract for the wide-ranging provision of ground-based precision landing systems within a comprehensive modernisation programme to increase safety, reliability and the efficiency of military aviation in Germany.
Thales will supply seven Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and an optional eighth system of the type ILS 420 with remote control systems enabling monitoring and control from distant sites as well as training support. The existing Instrument Landing Systems operated by the air transport units in Penzing**, Wunstorf** and Hohn**, the air transport group in Holzdorf** and the naval flying unit in Nordholz** as well as by the office for military technology in Manching** will be replaced with most advanced systems of the type 420 from Thales. The airport of the weapons training school for military pilots at Bückeburg** will be equipped with ILS for the first time. This programme which will be carried out over a period of two years and includes as an option the replacement of the ILS at the NATO Air Base in Geilenkirchen** used by E-3A Airborne Warning Aircraft (AWACS). This contract confirms the Federal Armed Forces’ continued confidence in Thales building on a partnership that dates back many years. About Thales ILS 420 About Thales
For further information, please visit: http://www.thalesgroup.com Thales’ air traffic management success in Lithuania: advanced technologies enhancing flight safety Thales has recently been selected for the modernisation of the Lithuanian Air Traffic Management system.
About Thales
Copperchase install ATC Data System at London Ashford Airport (Lydd) 16th September 2005 - London Ashford Airport at Lydd, on the South East Coast of the UK, has embarked on a development programme aimed to increase passenger capability to 2million a year. As part of the major development plans, a new Air Traffic Control Tower has been constructed to manage the increased level of traffic. Copperchase Limited, a UK leading provider of Aviation Data Management systems and ATC Engineering services, recently completed the installation of a state-of-the-art ATC Data System. The supplied solution includes AFTN (AFGATE and AFTERM) and MET (METSYS) which have been deployed as the first phase of a complete system installation. This will provide Lydd, London Ashford ATC with a number of facilities. These include, the ability to;
SATCO at London Ashford (Lydd) Airport, Tim Maskens, said, “I am very pleased with both the system we have installed and the way in which it was installed. Already, after just a few days, the benefits are enormous and we’re looking forward to moving to the next stage with Copperchase. The system capabilities are well beyond my expectations” Ben Griffin from Copperchase added, “It’s been a pleasure creating the partnership with London Ashford (Lydd) Airport and we also look forward to extending the relationship with the next phase. It’s great to see the Copperchase equipment being integrated as well as this – yet another success story for our total Data Systems Solution.” This solution has been implemented by highly experienced professionals to an exceptional standard of quality, safety and suitability. For further information regarding deployment of the Copperchase ATC Data Systems
Announcing the deal, Andrew Rogoyski, Managing Director of QinetiQ's Space Division, said: "With this deal QinetiQ and Verhaert have created a company that is well placed to bridge the gap that currently exists in the European space industry between the two biggest players and a multitude of smaller suppliers. By combining QinetiQ's expertise in space missions and technology with Verhaert's complementary capabilities in small satellites, spacecraft system integration, payloads and instrumentation we believe we can establish ourselves as the leading European mid-tier space company." He continued: "Verhaert has a great pedigree in delivering programmes for the European Space Agency and other major customers. We already have a good working relationship with Verhaert through the recently announced near-space UAV programme, Mercator, undertaken for a Flemish government customer. Our acquisition of a 90% stake in Verhaert opens up new opportunities for what is already a successful and profitable space business for QinetiQ. We believe both organisations will see significant benefits from the considerable synergies in our skills and market knowledge." "The deal with QinetiQ represents a huge opportunity for our customers, our employees and our company," said Paul Verhaert, CEO of the Verhaert Group. "By partnering with QinetiQ we can better exploit the market trend towards the provision of smaller, low cost, fast-to-launch satellites for government and commercial customers. Through QinetiQ we can also gain access to leading edge technologies that can deliver product innovations to Verhaert's client base." VDD will continue to operate autonomously under its existing management team, and will trade as Verhaert Space operating out of its premises in Antwerp. Three QinetiQ directors, John Braddell (Chief Operating Officer, Security & Dual Use), Mark Palethorpe (Financial Director, Security & Dual Use) and Andrew Rogoyski (Managing Director, Space Division) will join its board. QinetiQ has a pedigree of space research, development and operations that goes back to the late 1950s. With a workforce of nearly 200 scientists and engineers QinetiQ's work on space programmes calls on the many related areas of technology across QinetiQ including robotics, sensors and electronics, materials and communications. Current programmes include TopSat, the latest of QinetiQ's micro-satellites, due for launch in September, which provides high-resolution imaging capability at very low cost, together with GOCE and Alphabus, where QinetiQ is providing its world-class ion engines for use on these satellites.
For further information, lease contact: http://www.qinetiq.com and http://www.verhaertspace.com/
Enterprise Committee of 8 September 2005
On the other hand, demand in passenger air traffic has deeply changed and has consequently hastened the rather expected slowdown in the 35 to 50-seat regional aircraft market, whereas it has strongly increased the higher capacity aircraft market. Therefore, in terms of delivery rates, the AIRBUS A320 and A330/340 programmes show together a rise by 30%, while the EMBRAER 135/145 programme will decrease by more than 50% as soon as the 4th quarter of 2005 compared with the first 9 months of the year. SONACA will thus record a significant drop in its workload as soon as September of this year. Consequently, the company is now facing a triple challenge:
To face the difficulties and meet these new opportunities, it is imperative that SONACA adapts quickly in order to ensure its financial stability and durability by 2007. These are the essentials of the message detailed by the Executive Management to the Enterprise Committee extraordinarily assembled on 8 September 2005, thus clarifying the decision made by the Board of Directors which had approved the company plan on previous 5 September. The company plan, called DEFI 2007, is comprised of a series of measures deemed essential by both the Board of Directors and the executive Management and to be implemented as soon as possible in order to take up the three challenges mentioned above. DEFI 2007 plans to make concurrently significant savings in the company operation, additional productivity and performance improvements and organization optimization in order to adapt to this new situation. As far as operating costs are concerned, SONACA has identified more than 80 cost saving projects for a total amount of about 54 million Euros and the majority of them are already being carried out. As for the adjustment in personnel, the Management has announced its intention to perform the following downsize over 4 years: These departures will take place in the scope of the "Renault" procedure finalized and frozen in 2003 to be updated and resumed now, as motivations that prevailed in 2003 are of the same nature in 2005, though stronger. The number of people employed at SONACA, with the exception of several specific recruitments, will go from 1,779 to 1,500 by the end of 2008, or a clearly higher level than that of 1996. Beyond these workforce reductions, it is also planned to implement economic unemployment measures over 2006 and 2007. Additional efforts will be made to train personnel because it is planned as well that distribution among the various occupational skills will be modified. As for specific measures enabling work cost reductions, SONACA's executive management recommends the extension of working time so as to maintain the personnel's purchasing power. Therefore an increase by 8,57 % of the working time was proposed, making the weekly working time go from 35 to 38 hours. This increase would be supplemented by the withdrawal of 3.5 extralegal holidays paid by the company. If no agreement can be made upon these bases, a 10% reduction of the remunerations would be required. These measures shall have to be accompanied with salary adjustment restraint for the years to come. In accordance with the ongoing procedures, SONACA's Management wishes to quickly start discussing with the workers' representatives about the Company plan so that it can be implemented within the best time frame, considering the commitments to be fulfilled toward the customers and with a view to keeping the core and the essential of the company activities in Gosselies. For further information on SONACA, please visit the website: www.sonaca.com Boeing, Thales Sign First 787 Dreamliner Wireless IFE Agreement EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 30, 2005 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has selected Thales as the first recommended in-flight entertainment provider for the all-new 787 Dreamliner. The new Thales system, called the TopSeries i-8000, uses a wireless network to deliver DVD-quality video to each seat on the airplane. The Thales product interfaces with the Connexion by Boeing SM system that provides broadband connectivity for the 787 and allows passengers to access the Internet and e-mail systems. Thales, based in Paris, France, will open a new engineering laboratory in California to support the testing of the new system. "By working with our airline customers to understand their in-flight entertainment needs, we clearly identified many tangible benefits of a wireless system," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "Customers will be more comfortable as we are eliminating much of the equipment that typically is housed under their seats. In addition, we are saving weight and cost while providing a very high quality of service." The wireless concept will also allow airlines to more quickly reconfigure their airplanes to meet changing demands, reducing the amount of time it takes to change seating arrangements from hours to minutes. "We anticipate that the 787 will be a strong-selling aircraft and the TopSeries will be a perfect complement," said Brad Foreman, vice president and general manager for Thales' in-flight entertainment business. More Information Boeing 787 Dreamliner Thales It's Showtime for Qatar Airways and Rockwell Collins' Tailwind 560
The system allows passengers traveling in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to watch a variety of popular TV channels live on the ground and at 30,000 feet. Available channels secured by Showtime will include CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC World, Bloomberg, Sky News, EuroNews, MTV, VH1, CNBC Arabiya, MBC, LBC International, Rotana Music, TV 5, and others for a variety of live news, sports, children's, music, general entertainment, and financial information content. Fully independent, personalized television viewing will allow each individual passenger to select from this suite of premium English and Arabic-language channels. The system's multi-directional antenna will enable passengers to enjoy uninterrupted entertainment as their flights pass from Middle Eastern into European airspace. Peter Einstein, Showtime President & CEO, stated, "We are pleased to have been appointed by Rockwell Collins to bring the best combination of Arabic and English-language TV content to the skies. Now, Showtime's reputation as the leading regional pay TV platform is no longer limited to viewers on the ground." Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Officer, further stated, "By offering a variety of entertainment options, we are able to differentiate our passenger service through live entertainment programming while also setting new standards of comfort to ensure we are the airline of choice." Matt Smith, Senior Director, Rockwell Collins Airshow systems, stated, "Rockwell Collins is pleased to strengthen our established relationship with a recognized brand name and the Middle East's leading programming provider - Showtime. This relationship allows our customer, Qatar Airways, to offer superior satellite programming to their passengers." Qatar Airways will install onboard satellite television on its new Airbus A330 and A340 fleet to service flights both within and between the Middle East and long-haul routes covering Europe, Asia and South Africa from its operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.
About Rockwell Collins Picture provided and copyrighted by Rockwell Collins
Thales has signed a contract with Barco to provide and install fifteen high-resolution dome projection systems in the Tiger full-flight mission simulators. The contact is worth several million euro and has a 6 year duration. The helicopter simulators will be used to train the Tiger aircrews for a full range of operational missions at the École Franco-Allemande (EFA) – the joint training center for French and German Tiger Pilots in Le Luc (south of France) and in the operational regiments in Germany and France This contract is a continuation of the successful initial delivery and installation of the full-dome Barco visualization systems for four full-mission Tiger simulators. Two systems are currently installed and in active use at the EFA based in Le Luc. Two further full-mission Tiger simulators will be delivered to the Australian Army. The visualization systems for the full motion simulator configurations will each consist of nine full-option ultra-high resolution Barco SIM6 Ultra II LCD projectors, and will be driven by Barco’s xRACU projector control system to operate, calibrate and configure multiple projectors with one single, hand-held controller. The SIM6 Ultra II projector features UXGA resolution and provides longer and more stable light output, reducing dramatically cost of ownership thanks to an improved optical performance, faster alignment and easier maintenance. Around 60 French and German Tiger pilots will train each year at EFA before being assigned to their operational units, where they will continue to benefit from the contribution of simulation in their ongoing training. Thales states that the Tiger combat helicopter simulators are the most advanced in the world, making it possible to perform up to 75 percent of the training flight hours using simulators. First deliveries and installation will take place beginning of 2006, and subsequent deliveries will continue over a period of six years. About Barco For further information, please visit: http://www.barco.com
Syria’s national carrier, Syrian Arab Airlines (Syrian Air), has signed up for the FASTRAC revenue accounting system from Mercator, the IT division of the Emirates Group.The deal strengthens Mercator’s customer base amongst member airlines of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO), with Syrian Arab Airlines becoming the seventh AACO airline to become a Mercator customer. Syrian Air has selected the passenger version of FASTRAC, which analyses the data printed on air tickets and converts it into the critical financial and management information that an airline needs to compete effectively. Nibal Ismail, Director Information Technology and Communication for Syrian Air, said: “FASTRAC will give us everything we need to automate and streamline our revenue accounting operation. The system will help us speed up cash flow, cut costs, prevent fraud and boost our revenues. “This is a critical project for us, and once FASTRAC has been implemented we will have made another significant step towards the transformation of Syrian Air into a major regional player.” FASTRAC is specifically designed for small and medium sized airlines, offering all the functionality needed for top class revenue accounting such as sales, uplifts, proration and interline billing. It is set to bring Syrian Air major business benefits by supporting its growth plans, strengthening its income, raising productivity and boosting commercial confidence. Syrian Arab Airlines operates scheduled services to more than 42 destinations in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North Africa with a fleet of 16 aircraft. 2004 saw more than one million international passengers flying across the airline’s network. Frank Zenke, Mercator’s Vice President Sales and Market Development, said: “FASTRAC’s already impressive track record combined with our unrivalled expertise, makes it an extremely attractive proposition for small to medium sized airlines. Once implementation has been completed, Syrian Air will have a strong financial foundation from which they can take their business to greater heights.” Mercator’s customer base includes major world carriers such as Emirates, SriLankan, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Varig. Many Arab Air Carrier Organisation (AACO) member airlines are also Mercator customers, including Air Algerie, Kuwait Airways, MEA, Royal Air Maroc and Yemenia.-ends For further informaton, please visit: http://www.mercator.com
September 12, 2005 - Chicago, IL USA - navAero Inc., manufacturers of the navAero t-Bag C2² Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), has moved its US Headquarters operation to new facilities. The company has just completed renovation of a historical building in downtown Chicago that will provide for a facility custom-built to meet its needs. "With more than 8,000 square feet of space, we will have dedicated areas for sales, marketing, customer technical support, production, conformancy inspection and testing. This new facility will provide us with ample space for our immediate requirements and will also give us space for future growth," said Dean K. Matt, COO, navAero Inc. "And, as an additional service to our aviation customers, with this new space, we plan to be an approved PMA facility in early 2006". navAero, Inc. is one of the world leaders in developing and commercializing cost effective electronic flight bag (EFB) products for commercial and general aviation.
TOULOUSE, France September 29, 2005 - The Engine Alliance (EA) has reached a major milestone in the development of its GP7200 engine with delivery of the first four compliance/flight test engines for the Airbus A380.
As the first flight test engines arrived in Toulouse, Federal Aviation Administration FAR33 engine certification testing continues at Pratt & Whitney and GE facilities. Earlier this week the test program passed the 5,000-cycle milestone and is progressing well toward certification later this year. The GP7200 has a 58 percent market share among customers who have made an engine selection for their A380s. EA customers include Emirates, Air France, FedEx, ILFC and Korean Air. The Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Transportation-Aircraft Engines (NYSE:GE) and Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company (NYSE:UTX). For further information, please visit: http://www.pw.utc.com
21 September 2005 - Rolls-Royce said today at the Aviation Expo China event in Beijing that more than half of the predicted orders to meet increasing demand for passenger aircraft in China will be in the twin-aisle aircraft sector. Over the next 20 years, airline traffic in China will grow by nine per cent per annum, creating a requirement for a total of 2,300 new aircraft. Fifty two per cent of these are forecast to be widebody aircraft, which would be almost twice the global average. The Rolls-Royce Market Outlook also forecasts that passenger air traffic market in the Asia Pacific region will exceed Europe in 2008 and subsequently overtake the USA in 2022 to become the largest segment in the world. Steve Miller, Vice President, Customer Business – China, Rolls-Royce, commented: “In the last five years, passenger traffic in China has witnessed an unprecedented rise of 95 per cent, and looks like it will continue to be the fastest growing market over the next 20 years. “This increased demand for new aircraft fleets will drive an engine market worth $34 billion by value in China alone, which is almost 10 per cent of the global market. The Rolls-Royce Trent family of engines is well-placed in China and offers the best engine performance levels for the country’s most demanding airports. China is already a significant region in the civil aviation industry, and will grow in importance over the next two decades.” The figures are taken from the latest 20-year Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace Market Outlook, which covers forecast aircraft and engine demand for mainline and regional airlines, and corporate jets, for the period 2005-2024. The forecast covers aircraft ranging in size from small business jets up to the largest airliners. Strong demand is seen across the aircraft spectrum, with increasing airline and airport liberalisation driving growth in many international and domestic markets.
For further information contact: Helen Hao
Zurich/London/Dublin, September 5, 2005 - SR Technics has concluded an agreement with Malaysian based cargo carrier, Transmile to provide fleet technical management, component and engine management services for the next three years. The contract is valued at approximately CHF 30 million and reinforces SR Technics’ position as a leading provider of Total Care solutions for airlines worldwide . Transmile, a new customer for SR Technics, is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and operates a number of short-haul aircraft for intra-Asian routes and four MD-11s on services between Malaysia, China and the USA. Under the new agreement, SR Technics will provide support for the management of the Transmile MD-11 fleet, and will also assume responsibility for component and powerplant management for these longhaul jets. Overhaul has already been completed on two of Transmile’s MD-11 engines at SR Technics maintenance base at Zurich airport. For further information please contact: http://www.srtechnics.ch/
Terma releases a completely new headset targeted at commercial pilots. The unique design is a result of more than five years of innovative development in close cooperation with pilots from several major airlines. The new and innovative tbone AviationTM Headset is an ultra-light and comfortable headset for pilots. Weighing less than 10 grams and custom molded to fit the individual user, the tbone AviationTM Headset offers perfect comfort, effective reduction of ambient noise, and allows clear communication with crew members, while never compromising situational awareness. The tbone AviationTM Headset is based on Terma's patented bone-conducting technology, a microphone principle that picks up the voice from the jawbone inside the user's ear. It works like a throat microphone, only it is tucked away in the user's ear canal, where it is always situated in the correct position. This concept eliminates the microphone boom completely, providing an extremely compact design with focus on safety and comfort. The headset design has a number of advantages when compared with traditional headsets:
The tbone AviationTM Headset is fully compatible with the oxygen mask. There is no need for removing and re-applying the headset and switching to mask microphone. Just slip on the mask and stay in continuous communication. As the microphone picks up speech sounds from the user’s head only, the usual breathing noises from within the mask are eliminated.
Additional information about tbone AviationTM Headset is available at www.tboneaviation.com and about Terma at www.terma.com. For further information, please contact: or Kasper Rasmussen,
Terma and Austro Control - the Austrian Air Navigation Service Provider - are expanding their business relations as Austro Control is upgrading the airports of Linz, Graz, and Salzburg with three new Automatic Terminal Information Systems (Terma ATIS). Austro Control has already installed Terma ATIS/VOLMET systems in Klagenfurt and Innsbruck connected with a data link response system in Vienna. The D-ATIS system (D=data link) gives pilots the option of accessing the required weather information via radio channels or data link. This data link service itself is originally provided by ARINC, with Austro Control as the local maintenance and support partner, and fed with data from Terma’s ATIS/VOLMET servers. With the data link facility, the pilots do not need to manually copy long ATIS messages, but can print them in the cockpit, thus reducing workload of both pilots and controllers. Other benefits by receiving ATIS messages via data link are increased operational efficiency, reduced channel load, and minimized risk of communication errors. Automated voice broadcast is available at all times. Data from external sources are automatically decoded and converted into a high quality voice broadcast typically without any human involvement. Data entering the system are automatically validated, and if required, presented to the user visually or audibly in case of syntax errors, out of range data, or when user acknowledgement is required. Manual input of data is provided via a user-friendly Human Machine Interface (HMI). The interface has been developed in close cooperation with operational staff from Terma Air Traffic Management’s (ATM) international customer base to support the functionalities required by the end users. The systems are fully redundant with backup server at each site. The backup server is constantly kept up-to-date with the main server so that it can fully function as a main server when an immediate take-over is required, thus securing an uninterrupted operation. Terma ATM is the major global supplier of ATIS/VOLMET (data-link and voice) systems with an installation base covering Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Terma Air Traffic Management Further information about Terma ATM and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.terma.com/atm. Austro Control About Terma The business activities of Terma include products and systems for a number of civil and military applications, including S/X-band radars and radar systems, naval command and control systems, air defense systems, communication systems, applications and services for space purposes, and air traffic management. Terma A/S is headquartered in Lystrup, Denmark, and maintains subsidiary facilities and operations in a number of European countries and in the U.S., including the wholly owned subsidiary, Terma North America Inc. The company employs approximately 1,100 people worldwide, and realized 2004 revenues of approximately USD 200 million. Read more about Terma at www.terma.com. For further information, please contact: orKasper Rasmussen, Director, Corporate Communication
At the Helitech Exhibition, Turbomeca announces that Heliportugal have recently
Turbomeca (SAFRAN Group) is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer, and has produced over 50 000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. With more than 2 000 customers in over 140 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity service thanks to its 14 sites, 3 subsidiaries, 25 TurboSupport Centers, 32 repair centers and 90 Field representatives and Field technicians. The Head Office is based in Bordes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (south-west France). Microturbo, a subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, drones and auxiliary power units. |
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