First Centre Wing box delivered for A400M final assembly

The first centre wing box, the ’structural heart’ of the A400M military transport aircraft, has been delivered from the Airbus Nantes site in France to Seville in Spain, where it arrived yesterday, Wednesday 28th March. Deliveries of major structural sections for the first A400M military transport aircraft to the final assembly line in Seville, Spain, started at the end of 2006.

An advanced composite structure, the centre wing box connects to the outer wing sections as well as being the component that connects the wings to the fuselage. In addition, the centre wing box is one of the fuel tanks of the A400M aircraft.

This particular part of the aircraft structure is capable of absorbing forces of over 200 tonnes which can be encountered during different phases of flight. In addition, significant weight savings have been achieved through 50 per cent of the centre wing box being produced from carbon fibre composite components.

Four centre wing box structures are currently in production in the dedicated facility at the Airbus plant in Nantes, France.

Charles Paterson, Head of the A400M Wing Team said: “This is a huge milestone for the programme. The Centre Wing box team has done a first class job producing this component complete and on time”.

Firm orders for A400M now stand at 192 aircraft (180 aircraft in the original order for seven European NATO nations through OCCAR i.e. 60 for Germany; 50 for France; 27 for Spain; 25 for the UK; ten for Turkey; seven for Belgium and one for Luxembourg; plus 12 aircraft ordered by two further customers, i.e. eight aircraft for South Africa and four for Malaysia).

AgustaWestland and the UK MoD Sign an Agreement to Modify Six Ex Danish EH101 Helicopters and to Build Six Replacement Aircraft for Denmark

AgustaWestland and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have today signed an agreement to modify six EH101 Merlin helicopters the MoD are buying from Denmark, to provide additional helicopter support for the UK armed forces. The agreement also includes the purchase of six new build EH101 Merlin helicopters that will be delivered by the MoD to the Royal Danish Air Force to replace the original aircraft. The six ex Royal Danish Air Force EH101 Merlin Joint Supporters, which will be known as EH101 Merlin HC Mk3As in RAF service, will be delivered to AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility where they will be modified to MoD requirements. The aircraft were delivered to the Royal Danish Air Force in the last 12 months and will enter service with the Royal Air Force later this year after modification. The aircraft will be also equipped with BERP IV technology main rotor blades which will provide further improved performance. The Merlin Mk.3As will be the first helicopters to be equipped with these new technology blades, developed under a jointly funded AgustaWestland and UK MoD research and development rotor technology programme.

Giuseppe Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland, after the announcement said “We are delighted that the UK MoD have chosen the EH101 option as a means of meeting its requirement for additional transport helicopters. The EH101 has, during two years of operations in Iraq, demonstrated its excellent capabilities and these additional aircraft will provide the UK armed forces with an important additional capability”. Alan Johnston, Managing Director, AgustaWestland went on to say “AgustaWestland is delighted to be awarded this contract. As committed partners of the UK Ministry of Defence, we work alongside the British government to support them in fulfilling their operational requirements. The Strategic Partnering Agreement, signed by AgustaWestland and the MoD last June, has been of significant benefit in allowing both sides to proceed quickly to finalise this agreement, ensuring the armed forces get the equipment they require as soon as possible. The additional capacity that these aircraft and the blade technology – developed in conjunction with the MoD – will bring our armed forces is of great pride to our company.”

The six new build aircraft will be built at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility for the UK MoD who will then deliver the aircraft to the Royal Danish Air Force to replace the original aircraft. The first of these new build aircraft will be delivered to Denmark 24 months after the contract signature. AgustaWestland will also supply an initial support package for the Merlin HC Mk3A aircraft including spares, training and technical publications. The aircraft which will then be integrated into the Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) programme. Orders for 152 EH101 have been placed to date by customers around the world including the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Italian Navy, Portuguese Air Force, Canadian Forces, Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Royal Danish Air Force and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.

FAA to issue regulations for private spacecraft owners soon

The FAA in the next few weeks will issue regulations for the “experimental permits” that private spacecraft owners will need to test their rockets. The permits are intended to accelerate research on spacecraft and specifically apply to reusable suborbital rockets.

Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner Changing How Passengers Travel Around the World

SEATTLE, March 29, 2007 — The world’s longest-range commercial jetliner, the Boeing [NYSE: BA] 777-200LR Worldliner (Longer Range), marks its first year in revenue service this month. With several airlines scheduled to take delivery of new Worldliners this year, the newest 777 to enter service is set to change how passengers travel by offering airlines more flexibility to serve the nonstop routes that passengers demand.Pakistan International Airlines was the first customer to put the 777-200LR into service, taking delivery of the first two airplanes built. Other airlines taking delivery of new 777-200LRs this year include Air India, Emirates and Air Canada.“The Boeing 777-200LR supports our business plan to grow Emirates’ route structure to include new nonstop flights to destinations worldwide, including the West Coast of the United States and South America,” said Emirates Chairman H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. “The 777-200LR will complement our existing fleet of 777 jetliners, soon to be the world’s largest, and offer our passengers the exceptional level of service and comfort they’ve come to expect from Emirates.”One of the routes Emirates plans to open with a 777-200LR is a nonstop flight between Sao Paulo and Dubai, making it the first time an airline has offered nonstop service between the Middle East and South America. Air India plans to open a new nonstop route between Mumbai and New York. To date, the 777-200LR has won 40 orders from seven customers.“The 777-200LR is changing the way airlines fly passengers around the world by opening more direct, nonstop routes that fly passengers directly to where they want to go,” said Lars Andersen, vice president-program manger, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.The 777-200LR is capable of flying up to 9,450 nautical miles (17,500 km), enabling the airplane to connect virtually any two cities around the world nonstop, carrying 301 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. Also, the 777-200LR can carry a full cargo load on routes where other airplanes are payload limited. This gives airlines the capability to carry the same number of passengers farther, and with additional revenue-generating cargo.In its first year in service, the 777-200LR amassed a 99.7 percent average schedule reliability rate and is in line with 777’s best-in-class schedule reliability. The 777-200LR is equipped with the GE90-110B1L, a re-rated version of the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine – the GE90-115B.“The GE90-110B1L engine has performed exceptionally well on the Boeing 777-200LR airplane,” said Tom Wygle, general manager of the GE90 program at GE Aviation. “Based on the proven technologies of the GE90 engine family, the engine has demonstrated an outstanding reliability record, fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership.”The 777 family of airplanes is the market leader in the 300 to 400-seat segment, capturing more than 65 percent of that market. To date, 48 customers have placed 918 orders for the efficient, reliable and passenger-pleasing 777 jetliner. Boeing continues to enhance the 777 family with the recent introduction of two new longer-range models and a freighter version currently in development.

Future Combat Systems Team Selects Centralized Controller Provider

ST. LOUIS, March 29, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partner Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI], acting as the Lead Systems Integrator for the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, today announced the selection of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, as provider of the FCS Centralized Controller device. The Centralized Controller is a single, hand-held device that will allow soldiers to command and control FCS Class I unmanned aerial vehicles and their sensor payloads; unmanned ground vehicles and their sensor and weapon payloads; unattended ground sensors; manned ground vehicle functions; and enable superior situational awareness, training, logistics and medical functions. “The Centralized Controller is a key component of our FCS capability, and we are pleased that Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control will be leading the effort on this new Tier I contract,” said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing vice president-general manager, Combat Systems, and Future Combat Systems program manager. “The controller will consolidate what traditionally would be numerous disparate controllers into a single controller, which will simplify logistics and empower the soldier while reducing his load. Overall, it will allow a Centralized Controller-equipped soldier to remotely control one or more of the nearly 750 systems within each brigade at any particular time.” Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control was selected as the Centralized Controller provider based on technical merit, schedule integration, management approach, past performance and cost after a best-value evaluation process by the Lead Systems Integrator team and its government partners. The potential value of the Centralized Controller contract, which will be finalized shortly and will run through 2014, is in excess of $35 million.

Boeing, Travel Service Agree to 787 Dreamliner Order

SEATTLE, March 28, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSA: BA] today announced that Travel Service, a Prague-based charter carrier, ordered one Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and holds purchase rights for one more. The airline is increasing its efficiency in the long-haul charter market by offering direct flights to holiday destinations. The order is valued at $153 million at list prices.Travel Service already operates an all-Boeing fleet of 10 737s, including eight Next-Generation 737-800s. In 2006 Travel Service placed an order for two Next-Generation 737-900ERs, Boeing’s newest addition to the 737 family. The company offers charter flights to more than 233 airports on four continents, as well as low-cost scheduled service to major European destinations through its Smart Wings brand. The airline celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.“The purchase of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner allows us to offer passengers what they want: point-to-point, nonstop flights to their favorite destinations in a state-of-the-art cabin environment,” said Roman Vik, chairman of Travel Service. “As a 737 operator, we have first-hand experience of Boeing’s superior products, their reliability and efficiency. In analyzing the 787, we concluded that the Dreamliner will bring us those same, outstanding attributes.”The 787 will use 20 percent less fuel than today’s airplanes of comparable size, and provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity. Its long range allows carriers to bypass inconvenient connections at crowded hub airports.“With the 787 Dreamliner, Travel Service can optimize the efficiency of its long-haul operations and offer a superior product to its customers,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This order signifies a new direction in our relationship with Travel Service, an all-Boeing operator in the Czech Republic. It further demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of the 787 to serve a variety of markets and business models.”Since launch in April 2004, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has logged orders from 39 customers for 491 airplanes, making it the most successful launch of a commercial airplane in Boeing’s history. Rollout and first flight of the 787 are scheduled for later this year, followed by entry into service in 2008.

Boeing, Avianca Airlines Announce Order for 10 787 Dreamliners

SEATTLE, March 28, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Avianca Airlines, Colombia’s flagship air carrier, today announced the airline has ordered 10 787s, making it the first South American carrier to order the 787 and marking the largest 787 order to date for Latin America.

The order, worth approximately $1.5 billion at list prices, was previously credited to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site. Today’s order also includes purchase rights for an additional 10 787s.

Avianca made the announcement at an event attended by German Efromovich, President of the Synergy group which owns Avianca, Avianca President Fabio Villegas and some 400 dignitaries including Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon, United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Milton Drucker, regional country representatives and Avianca and Boeing employees.

“This order reaffirms the enduring relationship Boeing has maintained with this historic airline for 70 years,” said John Wojick, vice president, Sales, Latin America and the Caribbean — Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “With the 787, Avianca will be able to provide its passengers with the very best in long-range air travel including larger windows, higher cabin humidity, more space and a lower cabin altitude.”

“Today’s purchase ratifies our commitment to transform Avianca into the leading airline in Latin America,” Efromovich said. “We will be the first to offer passengers in our market the most advanced technology guaranteeing more comfortable and pleasurable flights.”

Avianca is Colombia’s largest airline and the second oldest commercial airline in the world.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for entry into service in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience and operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner. Thirty-nine airlines have logged 491 orders worth more than $75 billion at current list prices since the 787 launch in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.

Bell Helicopter Delivers a 206B3 to the

– Bell Helicopter, a Textron (TXT) Inc. company, announced the recent delivery of a model 206B3 Jet Ranger to the Dallas Police Department. The new state-of-the-art helicopter is equipped with the latest in flight displays and moving map displays for enhanced safety of flight around the city and reduced response times.

Lieutenant Anthony Williams, commander of the Dallas Police helicopter unit, accepted the new helicopter for the department and was quoted as saying, “This Bell 206 will not only allow us to continue to protect and to serve the citizens of Dallas from the air, it affirms a great partnership over the last several decades with Bell Helicopter.”

David Cruz, Homeland Security Sales Manager for Bell Helicopter stated, “We are proud to continue our long term relationship with the Dallas Police Department and provide the department with the aircraft they have determined will meet their mission requirements now and in the future.”

The Bell 206B3 is the first of three new Bell Helicopters for the department with two more aircraft to follow into service. Bell Helicopter was selected after a competitive bid process by the Dallas Police Department.

Boeing Delivering Two Next-Generation 737-700s To Arik Air

SEATTLE, March 28, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] welcomes Arik Air as the newest African airline to order, and soon operate, the Next-Generation 737. Since its inception in April 2006, Arik Air has demonstrated a commitment to fleet modernization and has taken a leading role in the overall improvement of Nigeria’s commercial aviation industry.

Boeing will deliver the two 737-700s at a ceremony to be held in Seattle next month. The airline intends to utilize the new airplanes on domestic and international routes from its home base in Lagos, Nigeria. The airline currently operates two 737-300s, seven regional jets and two turboprops.

Boeing and American Airlines to Accelerate Delivery of 737-800s

SEATTLE, March 28, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and American Airlines today announced that the Dallas-based carrier will accelerate delivery of 737-800 aircraft into its fleet. Following the events of 9/11, Boeing agreed to delay delivery of 737-800s into the 2013-2016 time frame. That agreement provided American with the ability to move those deliveries forward when market conditions warranted such a move.

Today’s announcement does not affect Boeing production rates. The 737-800s are already included on the Boeing order website.

Boeing Announces Industry Team for Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Production

ST. LOUIS, March 28, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] will lead a team of suppliers in pursuit of a contract for production of the upper stage for the Ares I crew launch vehicle, NASA’s first new human-rated launch vehicle since the space shuttle.

Ares I, which will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle to low Earth orbit, is an essential element of the nation’s space exploration program that will return astronauts to the moon no later than 2020.

Boeing suppliers include:

·         Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX]

·         Moog Inc. [NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B]

·         Northrop Grumman Corporation [NYSE: NOC]

·         Orion Propulsion Inc.

·         SUMMA Technology Inc.

·         Chickasaw Nation Industries

·         United Space Alliance

·         United Launch Alliance

Each supplier brings specific capabilities tailored to NASA’s stated Ares I upper stage needs. This team provides world class technical expertise, proven performance in their Ares I roles and an innovative, low-cost small business orientation. Located predominantly in Huntsville, Ala., and New Orleans, La., Boeing’s team will focus on providing responsive support to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center customer. Leveraging decades of experience in advanced aerospace design, manufacturing and assembly as well as common procurement systems and procedures, the Boeing-led team will provide NASA a full breadth of capabilities for the Ares I crew launch vehicle. “We will bring innovative manufacturing approaches and the best elements of Boeing and our teammates to bear on this critical NASA Constellation Program element,” said Jim Chilton, Boeing’s vice president of Exploration Launch Systems. “Our lean practices, proven in commercial airplanes and defense programs, will help us provide a low cost, safe and reliable upper stage. “Our team is composed of industry leaders with experience in their Ares I upper stage roles. We don’t want to add risk to NASA’s program,” Chilton added. “Our team was built around NASA’s requirements.” Boeing’s Ares I team will provide the following services —

       SUMMA Technology Inc., a small disadvantaged business located in Huntsville, Ala., will produce the large barrel panels for the upper stage. The company has been a Boeing supplier for many years and is well versed on lean practices through its role in the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems aircraft supply chain.

       Hamilton Sundstrand (HS) will work closely with Moog to produce the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) subsystem that steers the upper stage as well as key propulsion components and upper stage subassemblies. NASA recently selected Hamilton Sundstrand for the advanced technology contract related to the TVC turbine pump assembly. Besides its extensive heritage in human rated flight experience, HS is a Boeing partner in lean manufacturing practices for power and environmental control systems on commercial airplanes.

       Moog Inc. will provide critical components for the Main Propulsion System and Reaction Control System propulsion systems and will work with Hamilton Sundstrand on the TVC subsystem. Moog already has been selected by NASA for advanced technology development work related to hydraulic actuators and controllers. Besides its extensive heritage in human rated flight experience, Moog is a Boeing partner in lean manufacturing practices for primary flight control systems on commercial airplanes.

        Northrop Grumman, with more than 30 years of experience in the design, production engineering and manufacturing of aerospace composites, will produce the Ares I upper stage composite interstage.

        Orion Propulsion Inc., a growing small, woman-owned aerospace company located in Huntsville, Ala., will supply reaction control system thruster test equipment, tooling and test support services. Orion also will provide design, fabrication and testing expertise.

        Chickasaw Nation Industries, a tribally-owned small business, will provide logistics support for the upper stage and will be responsible for some of the day-to-day operations, such as inventory control.

       United Launch Alliance will provide its rocket production expertise as well as experience with the development, operation and production of five-meter cryogenic launch systems based on the current Delta IV system. Delta IV is the state-of-the-art for cryogenic rockets in production today.

       United Space Alliance (USA) will be responsible for design for operations and supportability, leveraging more than 10 years of space shuttle operations experience and lessons learned. United Space Alliance will support the logistics support infrastructure, vehicle and ground systems integration, operation and test, maintenance and training systems at Kennedy Space Center. USA also will support mission operations, test, and training at Johnson Space Center. NASA is expected to award the Ares I upper stage production contract in late August.

Islas Airways Orders 6 ATR 72-500s

(Santa Cruz de Tenerife, March 27, 2007) — ATR and Canary Islands-based Islas Airways announced today the signature of a contract for 6 new ATR 72-500s for a total value of around US $ 110 million. For the first time the airline is adding new “-500 series” ATR aircraft to its fleet, currently composed of 1 ATR 42-300 and 4 ATR 72-200s. The deal has been inked in the Canary Islands by Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO, and Miguel Concepcion Caceres, Islas Airways CEO.

These six aircraft, configured with 70 seats, will be equipped with the new “Elegance Cabin”, Light Emitting Diode (LED) and with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools. The airline will take delivery of two aircraft in 2007, two in 2008 and two in 2009.

Islas Airways has decided to renew its fleet with new generation ATRs in order to benefit from the many advantages of these aircraft and provide better capacity and frequency in the main routes within the islands of the archipelago.

Filippo Bagnato, stated: “We are happy to receive this new proof of confidence from an airline that operates exclusively ATR aircraft. Thus, we reinforce our strong presence in the Canary Islands with state-of-the-art aircraft, whose performance, high standards of comfort and lowest operational costs are so recognised and appreciated.”

Miguel Concepcion Caceres declared: “We are very satisfied with the operation of ATR aircraft. For years, ATR has proven itself to be perfectly adapted to the interisland operations in the Canary Islands. Today’s signature will allow us to open new routes and increase some frequencies. Thanks to these new generation aircraft we will be able to offer to our clients the highest standards of comfort and environmental care.”

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