Boeing Completes First Flight of Second KC-767 Tanker for Japan

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 29, 2007 — A Boeing [NYSE: BA] aircrew completed the first flight of the second KC-767 for Japan Nov. 18 following an extensive modification that transformed it from a commercial airplane to a military tanker.

The new tanker lifted off from McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kan., adjacent to the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Wichita facility, and logged a two-hour and 41 minute flight before returning safely. It will be one of two KC-767s delivered to Japan in the first quarter of 2008.

“Completing our modification and first flight for Japan #2 is significant because we now have three international KC-767 tankers in flight at the same time,” said Cliff Hall, director, Boeing International Tanker Programs. “This additional asset helps us reduce risk in our schedule and provides a clear path to meet our delivery commitments for 2008.”

In addition to the first flight milestone, Boeing recently flight tested a newly designed pylon that attaches the Wing Air Refueling Pod (WARP) to each Italian KC-767 tanker wing. The company also completed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification testing for the KC-767 mission control system.

In the months ahead, Boeing will transfer fuel to a receiver aircraft using the Italian KC-767 WARP and centerline Hose Drum Unit (HDU) refueling systems, accomplish night refueling on the Japan tanker using the fifth-generation boom with upgraded software and complete any remaining FAA certifications.

Since the beginning of 2007, the company has demonstrated its advanced refueling technology by transferring fuel through its boom to multiple receiver aircraft, and extending and retracting refueling hoses from the WARP and HDU.

Boeing has built nearly 2,000 tankers in its history and is under contract to build four KC-767s for Japan. Boeing also is building four KC-767s for Italy with delivery of the first two tankers in the second quarter of 2008. To date, Boeing has logged more than 320 flights accumulating more than 900 flight hours on the KC-767.

In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is offering the KC-767 Advanced Tanker for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X Tanker competition.

Source: Boeing

Hawaiian Airlines choose Airbus A350 XWB and A330 aircraft for long-haul fleet

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., Hawaii’s largest airline, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for six Airbus A350 XWB-800s and six A330-200s, selecting Airbus aircraft for the first time in their history.

Hawaiian Airlines will begin receiving the new A330-200s starting in 2012 while A350 deliveries will begin in 2017. Both will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines.
The aircraft will be deployed within the airline’s Pacific network, which currently extends from Hawaii to nine cities in the Western United States and three cities in the South Pacific. The extended range and capacity of the aircraft allows for growth in the future. 

President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Mark Dunkerley, said this order is a progressive decision for the airline. “These aircraft will help build on our success and enable us to provide our passengers with extraordinary travel comfort. We are committed to investing in the most modern technology and operationally-efficient aircraft, and Airbus meets our needs with the A330-200 and A350-800.“

“We are very pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has chosen both the Airbus A330 and A350 to enhance their long-haul fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer-Customers. “These aircraft will allow our new customer, Hawaiian Airlines, to respond efficiently to the increasing demand for travel to its business and holiday destinations, and expand to new ones in the future.”

Source: Airbus

AgustaWestland Awarded €660 Million (£470 Million) SKIOS Phase II Contract

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Phase II of the Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) contract has now been launched following the signing of the contract by AgustaWestland and the UK Ministry of Defence on 29th November 2007. SKIOS Phase II introduces payment by the flying hour arrangements, emulating the successful IMOS contract for the UK MoD’s fleet of Merlin helicopters signed in early 2006. SKIOS Phase II also includes an aircraft availability output responsibility for UK military SAR aircraft that provide around the clock SAR cover for the UK and Falkland Islands. The value of the contract for the first five years is € 660 million (£470 million), with the potential of rising to €1.12 Billion (£800 Million) over 10 years. The contract is expected to run for the remaining service life of the Sea King fleet.

Under the contract the UK MoD will transfer responsibility to AgustaWestland for Sea King Depth Maintenance located at DARA Fleetlands and the Second Line Workshops activities located at RNAS Yeovilton. AgustaWestland will also be responsible for providing 1st Line Maintenance Services for the SAR Sea Kings at eight bases comprising Wattisham Airfield, RAF Lossiemouth, DST Leconfield, RMB Chivenor, RAF Boulmer, RAF Valley, HMS Gannet and Mount Pleasant Airfield, Falkland Islands. Transfer of responsibility for the above activities will take place over the next six months as part of the SKIOS Phase II transition plan. AgustaWestland will continue to provide technical and spares support services introduced under Phase I of SKIOS. Graham Cole, Managing Director – Business at AgustaWestland said “SKIOS Phase II is another example of Strategic Partnering between AgustaWestland and the UK Ministry of Defence delivering a contract that will bring significant benefits to the front line squadrons and at the same time significant cost savings. The success of the SKIOS Phase I and the IMOS programme show that AgustaWestland is leading the field in delivering through life support services to the Ministry of Defence.”

Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said “The contract represents another deliverable of the Helicopter plans set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, strengthens the partnered relationship with industry, and maintains aircraft availability levels but with reduced through life costs. Overall it provides better value for money for the taxpayer.” The UK MoD’s fleet of Sea King helicopters totals almost 100 aircraft comprising the Royal Air Force’s Mk.3 and Mk.3A SAR aircraft and the Royal Navy’s Mk.4 and Mk.6CR amphibious support aircraft, Mk.5 SAR aircraft and Mk.7 Maritime Surveillance and Control aircraft. The SKIOS Phase II contract will sustain at least 270 jobs at the SAR bases and create 40 new posts with AgustaWestland throughout the UK. AgustaWestland has also partnered with a number of key aerospace and defence companies to deliver SKIOS Phase II including VT Aerospace, Serco, Thales UK and SELEX S&AS.

Source: Agusta Westland

Lockheed Martin-built Trident II D5 Missile Achieves Record 120 Successful Test Launches in a Row

D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile Launched in Navy Test in the Pacific

SILVERDALE, Wash., November 29th, 2007 — The U.S. Navy conducted a successful test launch today of a Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT).  The Navy launched the unarmed missile from the submerged submarine USS HENRY M JACKSON (SSBN 730) in the Pacific Ocean. 

The Trident II D5 missile now has achieved 120 consecutive successful test launches since 1989 – a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. 

“What does it take to succeed in 120 tests in nearly two decades?  It takes the well-known vision of our Navy Strategic Systems Programs customer, who focuses on partnership and mission success,” said Tory Bruno, vice president and general manager of Strategic Missile Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Navy’s Trident Missile prime contractor.  “It also takes the discipline of the Navy crews responsible for D5 operation and the talent of the Lockheed Martin personnel who designed, produced and support this missile.”

The missile launch was part of the Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) to certify USS HENRY M JACKSON for deployment, following a shipyard overhaul period and conversion from Trident I C4 to Trident II D5 configuration. 

The Navy performs tests to assure the safety, reliability, readiness and performance of the Trident II D5 Strategic Weapon System, as required by the Department of Defense’s National Command Authority and conducted under the testing guidelines of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  For the tests, operational missiles are converted into inert configurations using test missile kits produced by Lockheed Martin that contain range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.

First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard 12 Trident II Ohio-class submarines and four British Trident II Vanguard-class submarines.  The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles. 

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor and program manager for the U.S. Navy’s Trident Missile.  Lockheed Martin Space Systems employees, principally in California, Georgia, Florida, Washington and Utah, support the design, development, production, test and operation of the Trident strategic weapon system.  Lockheed Martin Space Systems has been the Navy’s prime strategic missile contractor since the inception of the program more than 50 years ago. 

The test also involved the Lockheed Martin-built Navigation Subsystem that continuously and covertly provides the highly-accurate and reliable navigation data required to support today’s stringent Trident Weapon System performance requirements. An Electrostatically Supported Gyro Navigator and a Navigation Sonar System together provide the initial navigation inputs to the Fire Control Subsystem in support of the Weapon System missile launch.  Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors Undersea Systems business unit, Mitchel Field, N.Y., has been the Navy’s prime contractor for the Navigation Subsystem aboard FBM submarines since 1955. 

Altogether, nearly 3,000 employees throughout the Lockheed Martin corporation support the Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program. 

Source: Lockheed

Bombardier Global 5000 Sets New Transatlantic Speed Record

Fastest time ever recorded for a civil flight between Berlin and Washington, DC

The high-speed Global 5000 jet set a new speed record on
October 21, flying 3,652 nautical miles (6,765 km) non-stop from Berlin to Washington in just eight hours, 17 minutes.

The Global 5000 business jet departed Berlin’s Schönefeld Airport (EDDB) with a three-person crew and a payload equivalent to 12 passengers – a fuel surplus of 1,200 pounds (544 kg) above reserves and seven passengers. National Aeronautic Association (NAA) representative Kristan R. Maynard was on board the fully sanctioned flight, as well a representative from Rolls-Royce Deutschland and Bombardier employees.

The aircraft cruised at Mach 0.85 (907 km/hr) or higher throughout the flight, experienced headwinds of up to 70 knots (129 km/h) and landed at Washington Dulles International (KIAD) with fuel reserves in excess of NBAA IFR requirements.

“The aircraft performed superbly on takeoff from Schönefeld Airport at 10:36 local time and climbed directly to 40,000 ft (12,200 m) then climbed to 43,000 ft (13,100 m) for the oceanic crossing,” stated captain Rod Lundy, chief pilot, Global aircraft, Bombardier Business Aircraft, and pilot-in-command on the flight. “This flight clearly demonstrates the Global 5000 jet’s superior speed, range and handling capabilities. We arrived in Washington at 12:53 local time, easily shaving 20-30 minutes from the length of time it would take to make the trip on a commercial aircraft.”

This fourth NAA-sanctioned world record performance for the Global 5000 jet represents the fastest time ever recorded for a civil flight between Berlin and Washington, DC. Two of the previous three records were route/distance-proving flights. On July 16, 2004, a Global 5000 aircraft flew 4,816 nautical miles (8,919 km) non-stop linking San Francisco-London in nine hours, 34 minutes, while on October 12, 2004, the same aircraft flew 4,597 nautical miles (8,513 km) non-stop against fierce headwinds linking Dublin-Las Vegas in nine hours, 55 minutes. Both previous records were performed at a speed of Mach 0.85 (562 mph; 904 km/h).

The third was a transatlantic speed record. On June 11, 2005, a Global 5000 jet flew 3,510 nautical miles (6,500 km) non-stop, linking Chicago-Paris in just seven hours, 15 minutes.

“Once again, the Global 5000 aircraft has demonstrated that it is the fastest transatlantic business jet on the market,” said Bob Horner, vice-president, international sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Its payload-range capabilities are simply outstanding, as is its superior short field performance. This aircraft also features the widest and most spacious super-large jet cabin paired with one of the most technologically advanced cabin electronic systems available today.”

The Global 5000 business jet is capable of executing transcontinental missions at speeds up to Mach 0.89 (950 km/hr)*. The benefit of the aircraft’s category-leading speed is most evident on non-stop intercontinental flights. Compared to other jets in its class, it trims up to a full hour from long distance routes such as Moscow-New York in nine hours, 29 minutes, Johannesburg-Geneva in 10 hours, Jeddah-Jakarta in nine hours, 53 minutes and Sao Paulo-Madrid in nine hours, 20 minutes*.

The aircraft is now available with the Global Vision flight deck. The new Pro Line Fusion avionics suite is paired with superior design aesthetics from world-renowned design consultancy firm Design Q, to create the ultimate flight control environment, providing Global aircraft pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and comfort.

On September 24, 2007, Lufthansa Technik AG announced it was selected by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) to act as prime contractor for the modernization of the medium-range fleet of the Ministry of Defense’s Special Mission Wing.
The BWB has begun negotiations with the Hamburg-based company, as the preferred supplier, with the aim of negotiating the contractual terms for the procurement, fitting out and technical support of two Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliners and four Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft.

Source: Bombardier

F-35 Team Delivers F-35 STOVL Propulsion System to Lockheed Martin

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 28, 2007 – Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first F-35 short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) propulsion system including the Rolls-Royce Lift System to Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas.  The propulsion system will support airframe and engine interface evaluations for the first STOVL flight test aircraft, scheduled for its initial flight in May 2008.  Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

“The on-time delivery of the first STOVL propulsion system is a significant milestone for the F135 program and is attributed to the partnership between Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Hamilton Sundstrand, Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office,” said Bill Gostic, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 engine program. “The team is completely focused on meeting our commitments to our customers, including first STOVL flight in 2008 and first production aircraft delivery in 2009.”

“The STOVL propulsion system for the F-35B is a uniquely capable system,” said Kevin McCarty, program director STOVL, Rolls-Royce.  “This is a key step on the road to flight qualification and we look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the capability of the system.”

Pratt & Whitney, the lead propulsion system provider, teamed with Rolls-Royce to develop the F135 STOVL to power the F-35 Lightning II.  The Pratt & Whitney/Rolls-Royce F135 STOVL propulsion system has accumulated over 1,700 STOVL hours and over 4,300 total run hours.  Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine has exceeded 8,500 system development and demonstration (SDD) ground test hours.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.  United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

Source: Pratt & Whitney

LOCKHEED MARTIN, VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT NORGE TEAM TO DEVELOP SAFER, MORE COST-EFFECTIVE SEA-BORNE CREW TRANSFER SYSTEM

BATLIMORE, MD, November 28th, 2007 — Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Norge AS announced today that they are teaming to provide a safer, more efficient and cost-effective, off-shore crew transfer system capable of operating in heavy sea conditions. 

By combining Lockheed Martin’s advanced hullform designs and VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Norge’s patented embarkation systems, off-shore platform operators will be able to quickly and safely transport their work crews in all kinds of weather.
 
The enhanced performance of Lockheed’s SLICE® vessel design and VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Norge’s newest generation of Selstair will be linked by an innovative new transfer system. Selstair features a collapsible staircase that can be lowered either to sea or above sea for transfer to vessel and safe, controlled and convenient access. The new transfer system will make it easier for platform workers, maintenance crews and others to safely move between the transport vessel and the off-shore platform in less time than current maritime methods and at less cost than helicopter transport.

“Lockheed Martin is an innovator in developing fast, stable hullforms, and VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Norge is a world leader in developing embarkation, evacuation and safety equipment for the maritime industry,” said Dan Schultz, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Maritime Security & Ship Systems line of business in Baltimore. “By coming together, our two companies will provide a solution that reduces the risk inherent in the transfer of personnel between a ship at sea and an off-shore platform.”

“Our success depends on a team effort, with shared values and common goals,” said Bjørn Tormod Akselsen, managing director of VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Norge. “Together we are committed to raising safety standards and determined to lead the way for a safer life at sea.”

Based in Bergen, Norway, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Norge has been a market leader in maritime safety, manufacturing and servicing life-saving equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, fishing vessels, yachts and the defense and fire-fighting industries since 1960.

Lockheed Martin’s business in Baltimore, MD is at the forefront of revolutionary ship design by inventing new technologies for military and commercial use that allow vessels to operate at high speeds with low motion in a seaway.

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.

Source: Lockheed

Eurocopter is Celebrating the Centenary of the Helicopter: 100 years of helicopters, 54 years of records for Eurocopter

The fledgling aviation industry drew its impetus from records that were continuously beaten by the very rapid progress in technology. Beating a record not only proved that one could go faster, higher and further, but, above all, that the technology behind this result had been mastered. The helicopter was no exception to the rule. As soon as engineers had come to grips with the basic rudiments of vertical flight, the race to achieve new performance records was launched.

In July 1953, the SE3120 Alouette 1, the forebear of an illustrious line, set a record for endurance: 1,252 kilometres without refuelling. This initial result signalled the return of the Europeans to the vertical flight race, a return that would be confirmed by the emergence of turbine-powered helicopters. SNCASE, which would later become the helicopter division of Aerospatiale, and then Eurocopter, garnered records with its successive generations of helicopters. The idea was never to set personal records, but to prove the quality of the equipment. Many records were broken and many were beaten or lost. Technical progress made some records obsolete, while others were forgotten. More than 30 years after they were made official, Eurocopter still holds some records today.

At the start of the 1970s, the Gazelle showed how the shrouded tail rotor could reduce drag and increase speeds on a light aircraft. Since 1971, the Gazelle has held the speed record for a 1000 kg to 1750 kg helicopter over a straight 3 km course at an average of 307 km/h, and over a 100 km closed circuit at 296 km/h.

The following year, a Lama set the record for the highest altitude reached by a helicopter: 12,442 meters. Jean Boulet, whose name is inextricably linked with the history of the helicopter, was at the controls. During his career, Jean Boulet set 17 world records and the record of 12,442 meters still stands today.

Another unbeaten record was set in 1980 by a Dauphin N, which took its passengers from Paris to London at a speed of 321 km/h. Eight years later, the Dauphin Grande Vitesse (High Speed Dauphin) set a speed record of 372 km/h along a straight course for all helicopter categories combined. Extensive aerodynamic research had gone into this aircraft, which was equipped with special fairings. The joy of setting another performance record was thus linked to the industrial purpose of improving understanding of how the helicopter operates at high speed and improving knowledge of aerodynamic modelling and drag reduction.

The Ecureuil B3 flown by Didier Delsalle has set the latest records to date, including the rate of climb records to 3000, 6000 and 9000 meters, before reaching the peak, in the literal sense of the term, with a landing and takeoff from the summit of Mount Everest. By definition, this exploit can never be beaten and brings one record to a successful conclusion. By landing on the top of the world with a series production aircraft, Eurocopter has closed a chapter: it is now agreed that the conventional helicopter, in its current form, has more or less reached its peak in every domain: speed, altitude, endurance, and lift capacity.

However, while the technology shows us its very high level of maturity, it also shows us its limits. A major leap forward in performance is now highly unlikely, as is another outright record that captures our imagination.
Unless we look at the sales figures, of course, which have been breaking record after record for the last few years, and clearly indicate the level of maturity and excellence of the Eurocopter range!

Source: EADS

Rockwell Collins-Cubic team announces successful flight tests of miniature Common Data Link prototype in smallest Tier 2 type platform

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa / SAN DIEGO (November 28, 2007) - The team of Rockwell Collins (NYSE:COL) and Cubic Defense Applications, Inc., a defense unit of Cubic Corporation (Amex: CUB), announced that their new Mini-Common Data Link (CDL) system has been successfully flight tested on a AAI-Aerosonde Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platform. This demonstration brings CDL capability to one of the smallest Naval Air Systems Command Tier 2 class platforms and follows successful flight tests on a King Air aircraft and Killer Bee UAS.

During the testing, which was witnessed by a representative of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), the Mini-CDL demonstrated bi-directional communications with the USMC’s new Team Portable – CDL (TP-CDL) terminal. The Mini-CDL prototype, which weighs less than 1.5 pounds, also demonstrated interoperability with the Department of Defense’s existing CDL Rev. F compliant systems. Additional lab testing validated interoperability with the 10.71B waveform.

“Our solution offers superior data link performance and flexibility for reduced cost, size and power consumption,” said Bruce King, vice president and general manager of Communication Systems for Rockwell Collins.

“The integration of this new cutting-edge technology into AAI’s Aerosonde will provide this small, expeditionary unmanned aircraft system with greater capabilities, increased interoperability and the ability to integrate more sophisticated sensors,” said Steve Reid, AAI’s vice president of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

“These tests are an important step in the development of the Mini-CDL system,” said Rick Lober, senior vice president and general manager of Cubic’s Communications and Electronics business unit. “The flight tests demonstrated the prototype’s interoperability type with CDL-compliant equipment, which will enable small UAVs to operate in a DoD-standard communications environment with larger unmanned and manned systems. This is an important capability for our U.S. Marine Tier 2 offering. A Request for Proposal is expected later this year.”

During the tests, the aircraft successfully transmitted high-bandwidth streaming video from an on-board video camera to the ground station below. The air terminal achieved data rates up to 10.7 Mbps, approximately three times the speed of a typical cable modem. The Mini-CDL is designed to operate at rates up to 45 Mbps and achieves interoperability with other vendors’ units through compliance with the current DoD CDL waveform specification.

Cubic Defense Applications (CDA), one of Cubic Corporation’s major segments, is a world leader in realistic combat training systems, mission support services and defense electronics. The corporation’s other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities.

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronics solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, McTurbine Inc., and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, logistical and engineering services, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities.

Source: Rockwell Collins

EDO Corporation Receives $54.4 Million Contract For F-22 Weapon-Release System

EDO Corporation announced that it has been awarded a $54.4 million contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for continued production of its LAU-142/A AMRAAM Vertical Ejection Launcher, or AVEL, for the F-22 Raptor. This latest order covers production lots 7, 8, and 9, plus spares and associated engineering. These production lots will bring the total number of F-22 aircraft to 191, all of which are equipped with the AVEL.

Source: Reuters.com

PZL Mielec Taking A Sustainable Approach to Manufacturing

 Environmental Initiatives Continue at Sikorsky Affiliate in Poland

MIELEC, Poland, – PZL Mielec, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s affiliate in Poland, has begun to reduce its environmental footprint as part of modernization efforts underway at the company. Sikorsky Aircraft, a world leader in the manufacture and service of helicopters including the UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter, is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). Since last March, it has reduced air emissions by 15 percent, removed more than 20 underground storage tanks to reduce the potential contamination of the company’s water resource and improved energy efficiency with new lighting windows and insulation to bring the facility up to higher ecological standards.

“Protection of the environment and employee safety are of the utmost importance,” said Robert Araujo, manager of Environment, Health & Safety for Sikorsky Aircraft. “We want to be sure that we create a business environment of transparency and eco-efficiency. The depletion of resources has far-reaching consequences, including the loss of economic viability and a significant social impact. Our Poland Team is focused on implementing this sustainable approach to manufacturing by applying new technologies and methods that will not only benefit PZL Mielec but will contribute to a cleaner global, more sustainable environment.”

PZL’s President Janusz Zakrecki said the company’s transformation to a sustainable approach depends on a comprehensive understanding of all the systems and processes, and providing visionary leadership, technological and product innovation, and organizational capabilities to accomplish this task. This has been gradual but simultaneous with implementing BLACK HAWK helicopter cabin production. “The improvements being made at PZL Mielec have put us on a path to become a world class facility,” Zakrecki said. “As SIKORSKY EUROPE™ begins to grow, PZL Mielec will be a proud participant in writing this new chapter of worldwide aviation history in Poland.”

Sikorsky Aircraft has identified the “green philosophy” as an important focus in the use of technology in manufacturing. Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino said: “As Sikorsky Aircraft prepares to begin production of the INTERNATIONAL BLACK HAWK™ helicopter at PZL Mielec in the future, we intend to continue to lead the European aviation industry in setting new standards for environmental stewardship.”

PZL Mielec recently began using an environmentally friendly zero-to-low-Volatile Organic Compound paint product for aircraft, marking a first for Europe. The product, known as Aerodur 5000, was tested on the M28 SKYTRUCK™ in a “lead the fleet” effort for the Polish Army. Sikorsky has used zero- Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and low-VOC material in the United States since 2000.

Source: Sikorsky

Rockwell Collins selected for Italian Air Force simulator upgrade

ORLANDO, Fla. (November 26, 2007) - Galileo Avionica, a Finmeccanica Company, has selected Rockwell Collins to provide its EPX™-5000 image generator and Environment Creation Tool (ECT) database to upgrade the Italian Air Force’s Tornado simulators.

Designed for the most demanding training requirements, the EPX™-5000 Image Generator balances commercial-off-the-shelf technology with Rockwell Collins’ Pixel Engine-1 rendering hardware to deliver high-performance, high-fidelity visual training environments.

The EPX™-5000 features outstanding image quality, enhanced rendering technology and industry-leading image quality that delivers improved pilot cues and object recognition. The ECT database development environment provides the customer with the ability to rapidly convert and generate regionally relevant databases for the EPX product line.

Source: Rockwell Collins

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