Interavia Business & Technology back issues from January 2003:
Lessons from the crisis.(terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, effects on US airlines)(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2003; ... The US transport industry has been hit ore than any other activity by the terrorist attacks of 11 September. It has lost about 69 million passengers over the last two years, mainly on domestic routes. With 525 million passengers carried in 2002, US airlines are back at the 1996 level. They ...
The DGA procurement executive of the French Ministry of Defence has confirmed the first phase of a 2.85-billion [euro] multiyear contract far continued development of the M51 strategic ballistic missile by EADS-LV, Snecma and SNPE. (Dateline Paris).(Direction Generale de L'Armement)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003; ... * The DGA procurement executive of the French Ministry of Defence has confirmed the first phase of a 2.85-billion [euro] multiyear contract far continued development of the M51 strategic ballistic missile by EADS-LV, Snecma and SNPE. The M51, which will offer increased payload and accuracy ...
Alcatel Space. (Dateline Paris).(signs contract with Russian Satellite Communications Company)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003; ... * The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and Alcatel Space have signed a contract to develop and deliver the payloads for the Express AM2 and AM3 communications satellites. The two payloads will be manufactured in Alcatel Space's Toulouse ...
Astrium. (Dateline Paris).(European Space Agency contract)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003; ... * Astrium has signed a 82.4 million [euro] contract with the European Space Agency to design and develop the ...
Sagem. (Dateline Paris).(successful initial trial flights of its SDTI interrim tactical unmanned aerial vehicle)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003; ... * Sagem has reported the successful initial trial flights of its SDTI interrim tactical UAV. The system--a derivative of the Sperwer family--is designed to ...
Thales Avionics. (Dateline Paris).(sight and display system pre-production units delivered)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003; ... * Thales Avionics has delivered the first four pre-production units of its TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and ...
A DARPA for Europe? Industry wants to stop "technological disarmament". (Dateline Paris).(Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
Jan 01, 2003; ... Recent years have seen great strides in reshaping Europe's aerospace/ defence industry, and the first tentative steps towards common European procurement have been taken. What is now urgently needed is a centralised defence research agency--a kind of European Darpa. That, at ...
Marwan Lahoud: new CEO of MBDA. (Dateline Paris).(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003; ... It's like a miniature version of musical chairs inside the EADS group--when the music stops, Fabrice Bregier has moved on after four years at missile-maker MBDA to helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, while Marwan Lahoud (36) has taken his place at the head of MBDA. After a spell at the ...
GAMA. (Business Briefing).(US General Aviation Manufacturers Association 2002 aircraft shipments data)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * The US General Aviation Manufacturers Association GAMA reports that shipments of GA aircraft totalled 2,539 in 2002, down 15%, with the US industry contributing 2,214 aircraft. Total industry billings fell from an all-time high of $13.9 billion to $11.9 billion in 2002. The US portion of ...
Ariane-4. (Business Briefing).(ends career on February 15, 2003)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * Europe's Ariane-4 launcher ended its 15-year career on February 15 by successfully placing a communications satellite into orbit. Ariane-4, which has made a total of 113 successful launches and placed 182 satellites into orbit, will be replaced by generic Ariane-5 ...
Lockheed Martin. (Business Briefing).(realignment continues)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * Following an analysis of strategic options in response to continuing overcapacity in the commercial satellite-manufacturing marketplace, Lockheed Martin is to advance its realignment initiative to consolidate and streamline ...
Cessna Aircraft. (Business Briefing).(chooses new Pratt and Whitney engine for Citation Mustang business jet)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * Cessna Aircraft has selected the new generation P&WC PW615F engine to power the Citation Mustang, its new introductory-level business jet. The PW615F is flat rated at 1,350 pounds of thrust at sea level to ISA + 10C and controlled by a dual-channel FADEC. The PW600 family, spanning the ...
Columbia break-up turns focus on new-generation RLV. (Business Briefing).(reusable launch vehicle)
Jan 01, 2003; ... The loss of the Columbia space shuttle during reentry on January 31 (photo) has grounded the remaining shuttle fleet and left the International Space Station entirely dependent on smaller Russian vehicles for an indeterminate period. Columbia disintegrated at an altitude of 60km ...
Finmeccanica takes control of Aermacchi. (Business Briefing).( Aeronautica Macchi SpA)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... Finmeccanica is to acquire a 66.6% stake in Aeronautica Macchi SpA, previously held by the Foresio family. The move means that Finmeccanica will now gain control of Aermacchi, given that it already owns 27.4% of the company's capital through Alenia Aeronautica. The purchase price is 160 ...
PW307A makes first run. (Business Briefing).(Pratt & Whitney Canada jet engine)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... Pratt & Whitney Canada has completed its first run of the new PW307A engine, selected for the Dassault Falcon 7X business jet. P&WC has selected MHD, a joint venture between Hurel-Hispano and Aermacchi, as the supplier of the nacelle aerostructure and thrust reverser for the Falcon 7X, ...
Takeoff for series production Eurofighters. (Business Briefing).(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... Eurofighter has announced the maiden flights of the first four Series Production Aircraft (SPA) in the four Eurofighter partner nations--Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. First into the air was Germain Trainer 001 (GT001) from Manching on 13 February, followed the next day by the Italian ...
QinetiQ. (Business Briefing).(acquisition by Carlyle Group cleared by European Commission)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of the British defence and technical advisory organisation QinetiQ by the Carlyle Group, a US investment firm. QinetiQ is currently ...
Lisi Aerospace. (Business Briefing).(signs memorandum of understanding with EADS)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * EADS and Lisi Aerospace have signed an MoU in the sourcing area. Lisi is a developer of assembly solutions for the Aerospace, Automotive and Cosmetics business ...
In connection with disputes relating to Terrain Awareness Warning System patents owned respectively by Honeywell and Thales Group, Honeywell, Thales and Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems ("ACSS") have agreed to a non-binding arbitration in an effort to resolve the respective disputes. (Business Briefing).(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * In connection with disputes relating to Terrain Awareness Warning System patents owned respectively by Honeywell and Thales Group, Honeywell, Thales and Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems ("ACSS") have agreed to a non-binding arbitration in an effort to resolve the ...
Pilatus. (Business Briefing).(Pilatus Aircraft gains PC-9 trainer aircraft contract from Ireland)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * Pilatus Aircraft Ltd has been awarded a contract by. the MoD of the Republic of Ireland for the supply of eight PC-9 M Turbo Trainer aircraft, ground-based training ...
easyJet. (Business Briefing).(chooses CFM56-5B aircraft engine)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * easy Jet has chosen the CFM56-5B to power the 120 A320 family aircraft ordered from Airbus, along with ...
Thales and Northrop Grumman have been down-selected for the next phase of the UK Watchkeeper tactical UAV programme, in preference to Lockheed and BAE Systems. (Business Briefing).(unmanned aerial vehicle)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * Thales and Northrop Grumman have been down-selected for the next phase of the UK Watchkeeper tactical UAV programme, in ...
Roxel. (Business Briefing).(jointly owned by SNPE, MBDA)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * EADS, SNPE and BAE Systems have finalised the creation of Roxel, which brings together the tactical missile propulsion activities of SNPE/EADS joint venture Celerg and BAEs Royal Ordnance ...
CASA. (Business Briefing).(EADS CASA gets contract from Jordan to supply two C-295 military transports)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * EADS CASA has a $45 million contract with Jordan to supply two C-295 military transports, to be delivered in 2003. The RJAF will be the third operator of C-295s, after the Spanish Air Force ...
ATR. (Business Briefing).(Statistics on orders for Avions de Transport Regional)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... * ATR's 2002 results are in line with objectives. On the new aircraft market ATR logged 16 orders (2 ATR 42-500s and 14 ATR 72-500s) and finalized 6 additional sales at the end of the year. In 2002 ATR delivered 19 new aircraft (5 ATR 42-500s and 14 ATR 72-500s) to 11 airlines. No ...
BA609 completes ground runs, taxi tests. (Business Briefing).(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... The Bell/Agusta 609 commercial tiltrotor, developed by Textron's Bell Helicopter and Agusta, an Agusta-Westland company, has completed ground run and taxi testing in preparation for ...
Industrial Alliance proposed for RN's new carriers. (Business Briefing).(It is suggested that BAE Systems and hales UK work together to build Royal Navy aircraft carriers)
Jan 01, 2003 ... The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon MP, has proposed that BAE Systems and hales UK work in partnership with the MoD to design and build the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers, planned to enter service in 2012 and 2015. In what may be seen as a surprising move, the ...
EADS takes full control of Astrium, Paradigm. (Business Briefing).(Buys BAE Systems' 25% share in Astrium; buys Paradigm Secure Communications)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2003 ... EADS is to acquire BAE Systems' 25 percent interest (27.5 percent economic share) in Astrium, subject to regulatory clearances. In a parallel move, full control of Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd, formerly held by BAE Systems and EADS, has been transferred to EADS. Prior to completion, ...
New challenges for Germany's security policy and the Bundeswehr: Dr Peter Struck, Germany's minister of defence, explains how the country is adapting to a changing international environment. (Finance, Markets & Industry).
Jan 01, 2003; ... New challenges for Germany and the Bundeswehr have arisen in the international environment in recent years. The security situation has become more complex than it was in earlier times. Our attention is now focused not on the strong but on the weak states, non-state actors and asymmetric ...
Up-cyclic in the crisis: shrugging off the general downturn in the aerospace sector, Eurocopter turned in another impressive set of figures in 2002. (Company of the month: Eurocopter).
Jan 01, 2003; ... Outgoing Eurocopter CEO Jean-Francois Bigay made good on his prediction this time last year that his company would be largely unaffected by the post-Sept 11 crisis. The Franco-German rotorcraft manufacturer chalked up another solid year in 2002, exceeding its target of 10% sales growth, at ...
Russo-Chinese aerospace cooperation on the up: over 100 joint defence programmes are believed to be in progress; joint development of a commercial transport could be on the way. (Finance, Markets & Industry).
Jan 01, 2003; ... The issue of Russo-Chinese aerospace industry cooperation demands careful and painstaking research. Even then there can be massive differences between rhetorical statements and practical implementations. Chinese officials do not care to reveal details about cooperation, while Russian ...
Skunk Works comes out fighting: Boeing and Nothrop Grumman have pulled ahead in the unmanned vehicle arena, but Lockheed Martin is determined to catch up. (Finance, Markets & Industry).(Skunk Works: Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs)(Industry Overview)
Jan 01, 2003; ... It is not every day that Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs (ADP), better known as the Skunk Works, briefs on its activities, but in September 2002, at the Air Force Association in Washington, the secretive technology front-end of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company did ...
FiatAvio looks for boost from Vega: the company--bolstered by Italy's leading role on Europe's future Vega small launcher--is being eyed by eager suitors. (Finance, Markets & Industry).(Company Profile)
Jan 01, 2003; ... Italy's FiatAvio is looking to the arrival of the small Vega launcher alongside Ariane 5 in the middle of the decade to boost its space business, while also pursuing research into liquid oxygen/hydrocarbon propulsion systems with a view to establishing itself as a leader in Europe in the ...
Power struggle: the Heli-Expo show puts the spotlight on new helicopter engine developments currently under way in anticipation of brighter times ahead. (Special report: turboshafts for helicopters).(Industry Overview)
Jan 01, 2003; ... Looking beyond the doom and gloom currently pervading the aviation sector, the major helicopter turboshaft builders are developing new models or seeking to upgrade existing designs in a bid to satisfy future market requirements. Development efforts are primarily targeted at increased ...
Capacity well contained. (Europe).(European airline traffic figures for August 2002)
Jan 01, 2003 ... Traffic was down by an overall 8.8% compared to August 2001, but capacity was down by 10.5% so the seat factor rose 1.5 points, to 78.4%, a figure exceeded only twice, in July and August 2000. The intra-European load factor was 71.6%, the highest on record. In the 12 months since September ...
USAirways feeling the pain. (USA).(US airline traffic figures for August 2002)
Jan 01, 2003 ... Domestic RPMs were 40 billion, down 8.5% on SMLY, while ASMs were 52.8 billion, down by a practically identical amount. The seat factor, as a consequence, remained virtually unchanged, at 76.2%. Struggling USAirways and United reported their now-usual horror figures, but capacity cuts kept ...
Seat factor slips. (Asia Pacific).(August 2002 traffic figures for Asian airlines)
Jan 01, 2003 ... AAPA international scheduled traffic RPKs grew 1.6% this month, and the number of passengers increased 3.9%, to 10.2 million. Countering the trend, capacity was up 2.5%, to 46 billion APKs, so the load factor was actually down by over half a point on SMLY to 78.3%. Cathay reported very ...
Two new members. (Europe).(Sept. 2002 traffic figures for major European airlines)
Jan 01, 2003 ... The AEA recalls that this is the first-time comparison with 11 September 2001, so the results must be treated with caution. Overall traffic was 0.8% higher than SMLY, but 10.2% down from two years ago. The North Atlantic, hardest hit in SMLY, was 9.3% up, but a massive 22.3% down on 2000 ....
One year on. (USA).(September 2002 traffic on major US airlines)
Jan 01, 2003 ... The ATA reported that systemwide traffic increased 26.7% in September, versus the same month in 2001 (-12.8% vs September 2000). Domestic ASMs were 48 billion (+13.4%) against domestic RPMs of 30 billion (+27.9%). The load factor was 63.1%, a full seven points up on SMLY, indicating just ...
Strong rebound; Asia has its own dynamic. (Asia Pacific).(Asian airline traffic in Sept. 2002)
Jan 01, 2003 ... AAPA international scheduled traffic RPKs rose 13.2%, to 31.2 billion, against capacity of 42 billion ASKs (+5.2%). As a result, there was an encouraging 5.2 point gain in seat factor to 73.8%. Total passengers carried were 9.1 million (+11.3%). Thai International took the fullest-air ...
What goes up ... Aircraft orders and deliveries slid dramatically in 2002, but 2003 will be even tougher. (Air Transport & General Aviation).
Jan 01, 2003; ... The calamitous state of the air transport industry was clearly reflected in the final tallies for sales and deliveries by Airbus and Boeing in 2002 (see table). Boeing delivered 381 aircraft (vs 525 in 2001), while Airbus handed over 303 aircraft (vs 325 in 2001). Adding Boeing and Airbus ...
US UCAV strategy looks for focus: Boeing's X-45 is flying and the Northrop Grumman X-47 is set to join it, but demonstrations of the new vehicles seem to be running ahead of agreement on the definition of a concept of operations. (Defence).(unmanned air vehicle development)
Jan 01, 2003; ... At a recent London conference, Dyke Weatherington, the Pentagon's senior planner for unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems, remarked that the idea of a "joint" unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) office was being discussed in the upper levels of the Pentagon. "You'll hear more," he promised ....
Space plans in turmoil: after a catastrophic few weeks, marked by the loss of the first Ariane 5 ESC-A and the Columbia disaster, the year ahead will see the Red Planet come to the fore. (Space).
Jan 01, 2003; ... After a slow 2002 on the international launch market, 2003 got off to a disastrous start with the loss of Columbia and its crew during re-entry on January 31, raising questions over the future of the entire US shuttle programme (see page XX). With the commercial launch market in ...
Post-Columbia: what next? On both sides of the Atlantic, programmes to develop reusable launch vehicles are in disarray, but the loss of Columbia adds a new sense of urgency to these efforts. (Space).
Jan 01, 2003; ... For decades, space agencies and industries worldwide have been ploughing money into studies to pave the way for reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) that would rewrite the rules for gaining access to space. The question did not appear to have immediate urgency, as long as the US Space Shuttle ...
Overhaul ahead for European space sector: Ariane 5 difficulties accelerate reviews under way at French and European level. (Space).
Jan 01, 2003; ... A few weeks after the ill-fated maiden flight of Ariane 5 ESC-A, the cornerstones of the European space sector--France's Cnes space agency, Arianespace and the European space industry--are heading towards a major overhaul as the experts review the state of Europe's space institutions and ...
Calendar.(aerospace industry conferences, fairs and seminars)(Calendar)
Jan 01, 2003 ... <Pre> DATE EVENTCONTACT MARCH3-4Creating Airport Cities, Dubai simone@insightgrp.co.uk 12-13 A Global Aviation, Aeronautics & www.AviationNow.com Space Symposium, Toulouse 12-13 ERA Regional ...