Boeing Business Jets Unveils Interior Concepts for 787 VIP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 31, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets today unveiled concepts of luxury and comfort for the 787 VIP airplane. Concept renderings of custom interior designs for the advanced-technology widebody VIP jet were displayed at the Middle East Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Dubai. The renderings include a stateroom (K63836-08) and a private office (K3836-01). Boeing Business Jets has commissioned several design firms to develop preliminary concepts for 787 VIP interiors. A number of other airplane interior design firms and completion centers have developed a variety of innovative interior design concepts for the 787 VIP as well.

Eurocopter delivers the first pair of 16 EC135’s to German ministry of interior

The German Ministry of the Interior, one of Eurocopter’s largest civilian customers worldwide, took delivery of the first pair of a total of sixteen EC135 air rescue helicopters at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth plant on January 31, 2007. Over the next two years, twelve air rescue sites will be equipped with these top-quality aircraft. The EC135 will replace the BO105 helicopters that have been in service up to now. With the EC135, the Ministry of the Interior has opted for not only the internationally topselling, but also the most up-to-date rescue helicopter. Numerous guests attended the handover ceremony, including politicians, representatives of German and foreign authorities, other air rescue services and industry as well as the media.  In total, the German Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the German Federal Police, which belongs to the BMI, operates 84 Eurocopter helicopters — 10 Alouette II, 25 EC135, 15 EC155, 11 Puma and 7 Super Puma — for police operations and national security missions throughout Germany, as well as 16 BO 105 for air rescue operations. As the latest generation of civil defense helicopters, painted in bright orange livery, the EC135 will gradually replace the BO105. The handover of the first two EC135s for the “Orange Fleet” today marks the beginning of a new chapter in German air rescue. In addition to the 25 EC135 in service in the Police’s “Blue Fleet”, a harmonization of the helicopters used by the German Federal Police is also underway. 

Dr. Lutz Bertling, President and CEO of Eurocopter, expressed his thanks to the representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe, BKK) and the Federal Police flying corps present at the ceremony for the repeated vote of confidence and stated, “From a very early stage in our long history of cooperation over the past decades, the BMI has always demonstrated great farsightedness in opting for the latest models and state-of-the-art equipment for its varied mission scenarios. Time and time again it has chosen Eurocopter. As a professional partner with immense hands-on experience, the German Federal Police has often been the driving force behind numerous product improvements and the integration of progressive and forward-looking mission equipment such as the “HELLAS” obstacle warning system for helicopters for the new EC135 civil defense helicopters. During the evaluation phase of many international contracts the police has been very helpful to Eurocopter by acting as a neutral reference, as Police flying corps and air rescue services around the world look to their experience and choice of equipment.”  The EC135 air rescue helicopters operated by the BMI are designated EC135 T2i, with increased payload, increased take-off power and improved performance at high altitude and high temperatures. They are fitted with a night vision goggle compatible screen cockpit, GPS navigation system, rapid-change, lightweight medical equipment, double hook cargo system certified for transporting patients and – a world-first in air rescue – the “HELLAS” active obstacle warning system. The EC135 has become established in international air rescue as the most successful lightweight twin-engine helicopter of the new generation. About 250 EC135s are currently in service for SAR or EMS in 20 countries, which equates to a market share of around 80% in this class. Of these, about 150 are in used in Europe, being deployed on missions on land, at sea and in mountainous regions under all manner of weather conditions – flying under instrument flight conditions as well as visual flying conditions. A total of over 530 EC135s have been delivered worldwide since they were launched in 1996. Their great mission flexibility, exceptional maneuverability, and unchallenged 98 percent availability, customerfriendly maintenance schedules and environmental compatibility – the EC135’s noise emission is 7 dBA lower than the regulatory specification specified by the ICAO – make the EC135 the international benchmark in its class

Bombardier Updates Market on Status of its CSeries Commercial Aircraft Program

Montréal, January 31, 2007

• Development of CSeries aircraft family continues; discussions with limited number of international partners progressing
• Next update on status of the program to be provided in late March 2007

Bombardier confirmed today that it will continue to refine its CSeries business plan. The program’s team continues to optimize the aircraft configuration to meet customers’ requirements for a more economical, flexible and passenger-oriented airliner. The new target date for entry into service is now 2013.

“The decision process related to the launch of an aircraft program with more than a 20-year lifespan takes time and requires a well-defined business plan to ensure the program’s long-term success,” said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. “As we have previously confirmed, the CSeries plan includes international partnerships, and discussions are progressing. We continue to see the lower end of the 100- to 149-seat market as a segment with a solid potential. We will provide the next update on the status of our CSeries aircraft program in late March 2007.”

New developments under consideration include increased use of composite material for the wing and fuselage and the next-generation engine technology, which could yield up to 15 per cent better fuel burn than the existing technology on aircraft in production today.

Heightened customer and supplier interest confirm Bombardier’s belief in addressing the lower end of the 100- to 149-seat market segment, estimated at 5,800 aircraft over the next 20 years.

Comlux places repeat order for two A318 Elites

VVIP charter operator Comlux has placed a firm order for two more Elites, taking its total orders for the type to five and making it – together with an undisclosed client – the joint largest customers.

Comlux is a launch customer for the A318 Elite, and will be the first to take delivery of one. Its first A318 Elite is currently being outfitted by Lufthansa Technik, which is equipping the initial aircraft of the type, and will be delivered this spring.

All of Comlux’s A318 Elites are powered by CFM International CFM56-5s.

The A318 Elite is the smallest member of the Airbus corporate jetliner (ACJ) Family, but still offers the widest and most comfortable cabin of any corporate jet – all in an affordable package that is unique in its class.

Worldwide sales of the Airbus ACJ Family now total around 80, with the aircraft having been chosen by customers on every continent. Airbus ACJs have led the large top-of-the-line corporate jet market for the last three years, and won almost two-thirds of sales in 2006.

Airbus’ ACJ Family brings a new dimension to business jet travel, giving executives and VIPs a cabin that is twice as wide with three times the volume of older top-of-the-line business jets. It also features the most modern design of any corporate jet, yet remains as affordable as competing aircraft, delivering unmatched quality and value.

Customers have full cabin flexibility with their Airbus ACJ cabin, and can chose anything from a corporate shuttle with seating for almost 50 passengers, through a mixed arrangement with areas for VIP travellers and support staff, up to a full VIP configuration with different zones – including lounges, dining rooms, private offices, bedrooms, bathrooms and showers.

“In the Airbus A318 Elite you get four distinct cabin zones – two in the main cabin, a private office, and an area for entourage – all in an ultra-wide cabin that allows you to move around easily and freely,” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer customers John Leahy. “The A318 Elite really is above the clouds compared to traditional large business jets, and very much a new standard in business aviation.”

Sea Launch rocket carrying commercial satellite explodes during launch

A Sea Launch rocket exploded Tuesday during liftoff from an oceangoing platform in the equatorial Pacific. The rocket was carrying a commercial communications NSS-8 satellite built by Boeing and intended for Netherlands-based SES New Skies. The cost of the rocket and the satellite were not disclosed.

Qantas Airways Continues To Build Bombardier Q400 Aircraft Fleet With An Order For Two More Aircraft

Toronto, January 30, 2007

Q400 Turboprop Program Records Order For 200^th Aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Australia’s Qantas Airways has placed a firm order for two 72-seat Bombardier Q400 high-speed turboprop airliners on behalf of its QantasLink regional airline. The transaction represents the conversion of two options taken when Qantas ordered seven Q400 aircraft in January, 2005. Those seven aircraft have been delivered.

The value of the contract announced today based on Q400 aircraft list prices is approximately $53 million US.

“The Bombardier Q400 aircraft is meeting our expectations for speed, productivity, low operating costs and quiet and comfortable interior, and passenger response to the aircraft has been positive,” said Narendra Kumar, Qantas Group General Manager Regional Airlines.

“Qantas is the ninth operator to place a follow-on order for the Bombardier Q400, a sure sign that the airplane is doing the job it was designed to do,” said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “There is simply no other regional aircraft quite like it.”

QantasLink currently operates 38 Bombardier turboprops – seven Q400, 16 Q300, five Q200 and 10 Dash 8 Series 100 aircraft.

Bombardier has now recorded orders for 200 Q400 airliners. As of October 31, 2006

131 Q400 aircraft have been delivered to operators in Africa, Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East.

Czech Republic takes delivery of first Airbus ACJ

The Czech Republic has taken delivery of the first of the two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) that it has ordered, becoming a new Airbus operator and highlighting the aircraft’s appeal to governments throughout the world.

Airbus’ ACJ is already the preferred choice of the Azerbaijan, Brazilian, French, Italian, Omani, Qatari, Thai, UAE, Venezuelan and other governments, all of which recognise its ability to carry larger delegations than traditional top-of-the-line corporate jets.

With seating for almost 100 passengers, plus a VIP kit that can be fitted at short notice, the Czech Repulic ACJs will have a dual role – transporting troops in day-to-day operations and serving as a VIP transport when needed. The Czech ACJ is powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

“The Airbus ACJ Family’s versatility means that the Czech government is effectively getting two aircraft in one which, together with its modern fuel-efficient design, is an enormously effective solution to its transport needs,” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer customers John Leahy.

Airbus’ Corporate Jetliner Family, which comprises the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige, is increasingly the preferred choice at the top end of the market, where they have won the most sales in each of the last three years – including almost two-thirds of the business in 2006. Total Airbus ACJ Family sales stand at around 80 aircraft.

The Airbus ACJ Family benefits from the widest, most spacious and most comfortable cabin of any business jet. And with a cabin that offers almost twice the diameter and three times the volume of traditional business jets, it delivers unmatched value and opportunities, as the Czech Republic recognises.

The only all-new designs in their class, Airbus corporate jetliners deliver more through a host of benefits – such as an advanced fuel-saving aerodynamic design that includes wingtip fences, extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre, cost-saving cockpit commonality, modern fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance – benefits that are also shared by Airbus airliners in service today.

Boeing C-17 GSP Program Increases U.S. Air Force Readiness Rates

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 30, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] aviation technicians prepare a U.S. Air Force C-17 as part of the Globemaster Sustainment Partnership (GSP) program at the Boeing Support Systems facility in San Antonio, Texas. In 2006, the program resulted in a fleet-wide mission capable rate of 85.4 percent, a 2.2 percent increase over 2005 readiness figures.

 

 

LOCKHEED MARTIN READIES FOR ORION CREW EXPLORATION VEHICLE AT NASA’S KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL,January 30, 2007

In another milestone marking steady progress on the Orion crew exploration vehicle program, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team accepted responsibility today for the Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Kennedy Space Center. Lockheed Martin will use the historic facility to process Orion, America’s next-generation human spacecraft.

The transition announcement was made in a ceremony held today at Kennedy Space Center’s O&C Building originally used for the Apollo program. Lockheed Martin was selected by NASA last August to design and build Orion, a key element of NASA’s Constellation Program that will succeed the Space Shuttle as NASA’s primary vehicle for human space exploration by 2014.

 

Signaling the start of one the most significant spacecraft development efforts since the Space Shuttle, Orion is an advanced capsule design utilizing state-of-the-art technology that will be capable of transporting up to six crew members to and from the International Space Station and up to four crew members to the Moon and eventually to Mars. Final assembly, checkout and acceptance testing of Orion for both the Crew Module and Service Module will be performed in the O&C Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“This is another significant step forward for the Orion program as we take this massive, historic building that served our nation’s space program so well during the Apollo years and completely modernize it for an entirely new generation of human space exploration vehicles,” said Cleon Lacefield, Vice President and Orion Program Manager, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “This is an exciting day for the entire team and we look forward to getting the O&C ready to support NASA’s Orion missions for decades to come.”

Modifications to the O&C Building will be needed to prepare it for the Orion program. Lockheed Martin will begin those modifications in April 2007 and will be completed in November 2008. Changes will include retrofitting of the existing Altitude Chamber to create a Thermal Vacuum Chamber for combined environment testing of Orion. Utilities such as power, nitrogen, housekeeping vacuum, compressed air and imagery cameras will be installed to support nine new Orion specific workstations. Included in outfitting those new workstations will be three new modular clean areas to provide a 100,000 class clean room environment, as well as creation and outfitting of a Refurbishment Area to support post-flight processing of the crew module for re-use. In addition, a dedicated Lockheed Martin Intranet (LMI) will be installed to perform secured data/information transmission.

Lockheed Martin chose the O&C Building for Orion’s final assembly and integration because proximity with the launch operations will provide much greater efficiency in the flow of testing and operations leading to launch on the Ares I launch vehicle. The synergies gained by utilizing KSC for assembly and integration will provide NASA with greater operational flexibility during the final integration of Orion with Ares I.

Additionally, the State of Florida provided incentives and financial assistance valued at $45.5 million for the Orion program to cover training, transportation infrastructure, facility improvements and equipment. $35 million is going toward upgrading and modernizing the O&C facility. $10.5 million is going toward workforce development and training for a new generation of skilled employees in Florida who will continue to be engaged in NASA’s next generation space program for decades to come.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

Hubble camera stops working

A Hubble Space Telescope camera used frequently by astronauts has stopped working because of a power problem. Astronauts can still use other instruments on the telescope, a program manager says. The camera was installed in 2002 and produced the Ultra Deep Field View, a detailed portrait of the visible universe.

Royal Air Force of Oman orders two Airbus A320 Corporate Jets

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has signed a contract for two A320s from the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family, becoming another new government customer for the company’s increasingly popular corporate jets.

Airbus’ ACJ Family has already been chosen by the Azerbaijan, Brazilian, Czech, French, Italian, Qatari, Thai, UAE, Venezuelan and other governments, all of which recognise its ability to carry larger delegations than traditional top-of-the-line corporate jets.

With extensive passenger seating, plus a kit to convert part of the cabin at short notice, RAFO’s A320s will have a dual role – carrying troops in day-to-day operations as well as transporting senior defence officials on an ad hoc basis.

RAFO’s A320s will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500s.

“The Royal Air Force of Oman’s selection of the Airbus ACJ Family builds on the success that it is already achieving with governments around the world,” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer customers John Leahy. “It also highlights the popularity and versatility of the A320 Family – from which the ACJ range is derived – which has won more than 5,000 orders and been chosen by some 240 customers and operators.”

Airbus ACJs are increasingly the preferred corporate jet choice at the top end of the market, where they have won the most sales in each of the last three years – including almost two-thirds of the business in 2006. Total Airbus ACJ Family sales stand at around 80 aircraft.

Airbus’ Corporate Jetliner Family comprises the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige, all of which share the widest, most spacious and most comfortable cabin of any business jet. The cabins of these aircraft are almost twice the diameter and three times the volume of traditional business jets, delivering unmatched value and opportunities to governments, companies and individuals.

The only all-new designs in their class, Airbus corporate jetliners deliver more value to customers – such as an advanced fuel-saving aerodynamic design that includes wingtip fences, extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre, cost-saving cockpit commonality, modern fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance – benefits that are also shared by Airbus airliners in service today.

Airbus wins two new customers for VIP A340s

Airbus has won two new customers for VIP versions of its ultra long-haul A340s – one for an A340-500 and one for an A340-300 – highlighting their strong appeal to the business aviation market. The deals build on a customer-base of 40 or so VIP and government versions of Airbus widebodies already in service.

The Airbus A340-500 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, and the A340-300 by CFM International CFM56-5s.

“With its huge cabin, ultra long-range, and the four-engined freedom to take the remotest routings in its stride, the Airbus A340 is today’s ultimate long-haul VIP transport,” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy. “With a VIP Airbus A340-500, you can literally fly non stop to the world.”

Airbus offers the largest and most modern range of corporate jets, from the entry-level A318 Elite, through the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), A320 Prestige and A330/A340 Prestige, all the way up to an A380 Flying Palace.

The market for VIP widebodies has been increasingly active in recent years, with Airbus booking its first firm order for a VIP A340-600 in 2005, plus a VIP A330-200 for an undisclosed customer, in 2006.

Widebody VIP aircraft offer customers both a larger cabin and more range, allowing larger groups to fly even further nonstop in greater comfort and style.

And for customers that select a four-engined A340 or A380, there are added benefits. These include the ability to continue to their destination after an engine failure, better take-off performance in hot and high conditions, and the freedom to overfly remote areas free from extended range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) limitations.

The VIP A330-200, A340-300, A340-500 and A340-600 build on the strong success that the A330/A340 Family has already achieved in the airliner marketplace, where they are the first in their class to pass 1,000 firm orders and have some 100 customers and operators to their credit.

Their modern design features many innovations that deliver more value to customers. These include fuel-saving advanced aerodynamics, extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre composites, a modern common cockpit and fly-by-wire controls, and reliable systems supported by centralised maintenance.

Corporate jet customers are backed by Airbus’ worldwide network of technical support, training and spares centres, as well as approved service centres.

Next Page »