Fokker Services announces the launch of a new Fokker Program

Fokker Services, a subsidiary of Stork Aerospace, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Fokker program, which carries the title “Fokker SMART choice program”. The SMART choice program is launched to support the Fokker fleet now that the economical situation is globally in a downturn. The aim of this program is to maximize the number of flight hours flown by the Fokker fleet.

 This new program coincides with the 90^th anniversary of the Fokker aircraft. On the 21^st of July 1919 Anthony Fokker laid the foundations of Fokker, the company.

 In 2003 the Fokker FUTURE program was launched as a results of the events, which occurred due to 9/11. This program was highly successful and resulted in the repositioning of all 164 Fokker 100 aircrafts, which were grounded as a result of these events. 

 At present there are 700 operational aircrafts across the world. The Fokker aircraft has earned a reputation for comfort, reliability and durability. Many consider the Fokker aircraft among the best mid-size aircraft ever built. Despite the long history of the Fokker aircraft, it still meets the requirements of the future. Operators are enthusiastic about their structural integrity, advanced technologies and operational reliability. Today, flying a Fokker makes economic sense.

Source: Stork Fokker

Saab opens office in India

Saab’s office in New Delhi was officially opened on January 27. The office will support Saab in its efforts to market products for defence and civil security in the Indian market.

The office in New Delhi was inaugurated by Anders Sjöberg, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, and Mats Warstedt, Group Senior Vice President, Marketing, at Saab.

Saab’s commitment to India is to provide our cutting edge technologies across air, land and sea, indigenised and optimised for the local environment.

Gripen, the most advanced fighter aircraft in its category, is also one of the contenders for the Indian Air Forces MMRCA program. Gripen is the world’s most technologically advanced multi-role fighter aircraft with futuristic warfare technologies.

“For Saab, India is a key market where the company is making long term commitments. We are offering our high tech portfolio to the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. We will be further enhancing our presence to ensure full support to our customers. Saab is actively looking for long-term cooperation with Indian Government and Private Industries”, said Jan Widerström, Vice President, Saab International.

Serial production of IDAS for India

Saab has also recently received two serial production orders for the Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) for the Indian Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv. The combined value of these orders from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is approximately USD 24 million.

These two production orders follow initial orders for development and prototype deliveries as well as the first series production order received in 2008 for the Indian Dhruv helicopter. IDAS is the world’s most comprehensive integrated Electronic Warfare suite for airborne platforms.

Focus on industrial co-operation

Saab’s is also endeavouring to reduce manufacturing and production costs by developing, designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art defence and civil security systems in India. To that end, India will become a key manufacturing hub for Saab in the near future and the company is in advanced discussions with a number of Indian companies in the public and private sector.

“The goal is to make use of the great knowledge and resource bank available in the country. We plan to offer a first class life cycle support, through our local partners and cut costs for our global market”, according to Jan Widerström.

Source: SAAB

U.S. Air Force Awards Northrop Grumman $276 Million Contract for Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft Sustainment

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 28, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract valued at $276 million for operations and maintenance support of the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

With eight Global Hawks (seven Block 10s and one Block 20) currently stationed at their main operating base at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., or deployed in-theatre, this sustainment contract calls for continued training and peacetime operations support for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. It will also provide operational assistance for two new forward operating locations at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.

“During that two-year period, all of the next-generation Block 20 Global Hawks will be fielded at all three operating locations and also continuing in support of the global war on terrorism (GWOT),” said George Guerra, Northrop Grumman vice president of high-altitude long-endurance systems. “We are delighted in the Air Force’s confidence in this truly dynamic and flexible intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system that has recently supported various domestic missions, from wildfires and hurricanes to coastal patrols and drug interdictions.”

All work under this contract, such as ongoing engineering, data and configuration management, global supply chain management, spares and repairs, technical data and field services as well as maintenance, will be managed and executed by the 560th Aircraft Sustainment Group at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Robins Air Force Base located in middle Georgia.

Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk teammates performing work under this contract include L-3 Communications, Salt Lake City, Utah (communication system); Raytheon Company, Waltham, Mass. (integrated sensor suite and ground station); and Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind. (engine).

Logging more than 21,000 combat hours thus far with 95 percent mission effectiveness, Global Hawk can fly up to 65,000 feet for more than 35 hours and see through any inclement weather, day or night. It provides military field commanders with persistent, high-resolution, near real-time imagery and other critical sensor data. The Block 20 configuration can carry 1,000 more pounds (up to 3,000 pounds) of internal payload and operate with two-and-a-half times the electrical power than the Block 10.

Global Hawks are currently flown in four locations across the globe: Beale Air Force Base, home of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and the RQ-4’s main operating base, in Northern California; Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California; Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland; and in support of the GWOT.

Source: Northrop Grumman

Harriers power up with new contract – Wednesday 28 January 2009

RAF and Royal Navy Harrier ‘jump-jets’ are set to benefit from a new £198m support contract signed with Rolls-Royce to support the aircraft’s Pegasus engine over the next ten years.

The Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine provides the Harrier with its unique Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing capability and the new contract will guarantee its availability to the front line, as well as providing all aspects of technical support.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

“Today’s £198m contract will ensure that the Harrier jump-jets continue to demonstrate their power and versatility in support of ground forces in Afghanistan or flying from our aircraft carriers. The Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine gives the Harrier its unique Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing capability.

“This contract follows in the footsteps of other fast-jet support contracts in offering improved availability of aircraft whenever and wherever they are needed.”

Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace will be managing the new contract from its site at Bristol, with some work being carried out at RAF Wittering and the main repair and overhaul being carried out at the Rolls-Royce site at Ansty in Leicestershire.

Defence Equipment and Support Harrier Project Team Leader, Group Captain Andy Ebdon, said:

“Awarding this contract to Rolls-Royce for complete through-life support of Pegasus is a very significant achievement. It not only assures affordable engine availability, but also incentivises both industry and the MOD to actively work together to improve efficiency. The end effect is better value for money and improved support performance for the front line.”

The aircraft is operated in the close air support role by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy under the umbrella of Joint Force Harrier.

Harrier GR9A aircraft, with upgraded Pegasus engines to deal better with extreme conditions, have been operating from Kandahar Airbase in Afghanistan for some time in support of NATO forces conducting operations against the Taliban.

In the UK Harriers are based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland and RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, as well as operating as required from Royal Navy aircraft carriers.

Source: RAF

Pratt & Whitney Wins US$283 Million Order for V2500 Engines from Lufthansa

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 27, 2009 – Lufthansa has selected International Aero Engines to power a new order for 20 firm Airbus A321s plus options with the V2500 SelectOne^TM  engine.  The contract is valued at more than $283 million to Pratt & Whitney, if all options are exercised.  Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, is a major participant in International Aero Engines (IAE).

Lufthansa has operated IAE engines for 15 years and currently operates 33 aircraft equipped with V2500 engines.

The V2500 is available in seven different thrust settings, from 22,000 to 33,000 lb., to power the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 family of aircraft as well as the Airbus Corporate Jetliner.  More than 5,500 V2500 engines are in service or on firm order. 

The V2500 SelectOne^TM  build standard delivers an additional one percent fuel burn advantage, along with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions.  It improves time on-wing by up to 20 percent and is compliant with the most stringent CAEP / 6 NOx standards.  It entered service on time in October 2008.

IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines.  More than 1,300 V2500-powered aircraft have been delivered and the worldwide fleet has accumulated over 40 million flying hours.

Pratt & Whitney has over 16,000 aircraft engines installed with hundreds of airlines around the world. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney is a leading partner in two joint venture companies that manufacture commercial aircraft engines: International Aero Engines and the Engine Alliance, whose GP7200 engine entered service last year on the new Airbus A380.

Source: Pratt & Whitney

Next-Generation Longbow UAS Data Link Has Successful First Powered Flight On Apache Block III

ORLANDO, FL, January 28th, 2009 — The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Northrop Grumman [NYSE: NOC], recently marked the successful first powered flight of the LONGBOW Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) aboard the AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter.

The LONGBOW UTA is a two-way, high-bandwidth data link for Apache aircrews that allows sensor and flight path control of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). UTA-equipped Apaches enable aircrews to exercise control of UAS at long ranges and receive real-time, high-definition streaming video on their multi-function displays. The UTA is fully integrated with the Apache Arrowhead Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor system to provide the highest quality day or night imagery to other air and ground platforms.

During testing, the LONGBOW UTA successfully acquired and tracked an Unmanned Little Bird aircraft in flight. The system allowed aircrews to receive and display video transmitted from the UAS. The LONGBOW UTA builds on the proven Apache Video from UAS for Interoperability Teaming – Level 2 (VUIT-2) technology. Apache VUIT-2, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a federated system that offers passive viewing of UAS video. VUIT-2 is currently deployed with U.S. forces in theater.

“This technology is on the leading edge of manned-unmanned teaming,” said Jerry Garman, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The net-centric battlefield demands that we continue to provide our Warfighters with unrivaled capabilities, and VUIT-2 and UTA are doing just that.”

The LONGBOW system, as currently configured by the U.S. Army, consists of either a fire control radar or a UTA, a fire-and-forget radar frequency HELLFIRE millimeter wave-guided missile, and an all-digital M299 launcher for the AH-64 Apache helicopter. The LONGBOW UTA will be fielded on the Apache Block III aircraft beginning in 2012.

Source: Lockheet Martin

Boeing Part of Development Team for US Air Force F-16 Training Program

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 28, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it will assist in the development of the U.S. Air Force F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC) program as part of a team led by L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link). The Aeronautical Systems Center’s Simulator Systems Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, awarded L-3 Link a $68.2 million contract for the program in December 2008.

“This program supports our growth strategy of capturing contracts for non-Boeing platforms, expands our F-16 business base to allow expansion to markets outside the United States, and supports our position as a leader in the Distributed Mission Operations [DMO] market,” said Mark McGraw, vice president of Training Systems & Services, a division of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Global Services & Support.

The multiyear contract includes options for the production, delivery and sustainment of up to 20 four-ship F-16 MTCs at Air Force installations in the United States, Europe and Pacific region. High-fidelity F-16 MTC simulators, which will accurately model all of the fighter aircraft’s weapon systems and ordnance, will be delivered in Block 40/42 and 50/52 configurations to support basic and advanced pilot mission training, tactics validation and mission rehearsal.

If the contract options are exercised, Training Systems & Services will provide F-16 MTC Synthetic Forces Entity Simulation, weapons simulation, instructor/operator stations and brief/debrief stations. L-3 Link will develop and deliver the F-16 simulation, crew stations and visual system, in addition to being responsible for overall system integration, program management and logistics support.

Each F-16 simulator will include a 360-degree visual system, robust synthetic environment, instructor/operator station and brief/debrief station. The simulators can be operated individually or linked together to provide four-ship training, both within the MTC and linked to the DMO network.

A leading provider of networking and integration solutions for training systems, Boeing Training Systems & Services has delivered and currently operates five Air Force F-15C MTCs and three F-15E MTCs around the world. Boeing also is integrating the F-22 Raptor Full Mission Trainer into the DMO training network.

Source: Boeing

EMBRAER DELIVERS FIRST EMBRAER 195 JET TO AIR DOLOMITI

Aircraft is part of the order for 30 E-Jets by Lufthansa for its regional subsidiaries

São José dos Campos, January 27, 2009

Embraer will deliver the first EMBRAER 195 jet, today, to Air Dolomiti, the Lufthansaowned Northern Italy regional carrier, during a ceremony held at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The deal with Lufthansa was announced in June 2007, covering 30 firm orders for the EMBRAER 190 jet, with the option to take any aircraft of the E-Jets family.

Air Dolomiti’s EMBRAER 195 is configured for 116 seats in a single-class layout, with a moveable partition. It will be used to link Air Dolomiti’s Italian network to Lufthansa’s Munich hub, in Germany.

“It’s an honor to deliver the first EMBRAER 195 jet to Air Dolomiti,” said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. “Air Dolomiti is a principal player in Lufthansa’s regional carrier family, and we are proud to see our E-Jets taking center stage in their fleet modernization program.”

The new aircraft will become part of the modern and efficient regional fleet Lufthansa has come to depend upon for both its European routes and the feeder flights to its long-haul network. The arrival of the EMBRAER 195 at Air Dolomiti coincides with phasing out older jets.

“We are delighted to receive our first of five EMBRAER 195s and eager to introduce it on our European network, offering a new and superior product to our customers,” said Michael Kraus, CEO of Air Dolomiti. “The EMBRAER 195 jet incorporates a number of advanced technologies. It is economically efficient and has an undeniably high level of comfort.”

The EMBRAER 195 is the biggest and newest of the four members of the EMBRAER 170/190 EJets family, and began commercial operation in September 2006. On December 31, 2008, the EJets family had logged 876 firm orders and 810 options, which are significant marks for a commercial aviation program in such a short time. With more than 500 aircraft delivered, the family of E-Jets had surpassed 2.2 million flight hours, carrying over 100 million passengers.

Source: Embraer

Eurocopter to build state of the art flagship Helicopter Service and Simulator Facility in Aberdeen

Eurocopter UK is to build a major new helicopter service centre at Kirkhill Commercial Park in Dyce, Aberdeen. The centre will bring the most up to date helicopter support technology to one of the busiest off shore oil and gas helicopter maintenance hubs in the world.

The facility, which will be designed and built for Eurocopter UK by Knight Property Group, will be ideally placed to offer state of the art logistical and technical support and flight simulator training for the UK’s main heliport for the offshore oil industry. Home to major offshore helicopter operators Bristow Helicopters, Bond Offshore and CHC, Aberdeen is already a maintenance centre for 59 Super Puma/ EC255 family helicopters which fly an average of 85,000 hours per year in offshore missions, representing some of the most intensive helicopter traffic in the world.

The Eurocopter centre will comprise a 10,000 sq ft logistics warehouse and 5,000 sq ft of offices as well as 5,360 sq ft of flight simulator accommodation, which will house Eurocopter’s first UK-based EC225 Flight Training Simulator. Work at the site will begin with ground breaking in April, and it is expected that the facility will be completed by December 2009. The centre will occupy the 1.2 acre site four at Knight Property Group’s Kirkhill Commercial Park

Markus Steinke, Managing Director of Eurocopter UK commented: “The new state of the art Eurocopter facility in Aberdeen reinforces Eurocopter’s commitment to investing in the UK, and to bringing the best technical and logistical support to where our customers need it most. The Eurocopter Puma/ Super Puma/ EC255 helicopter family has proved very popular in the UK, both supporting the UK offshore oil and gas industry and in military missions, as a key part of the Royal Air Force helicopter fleet. The new Aberdeen facility we are building is the latest of a growing range of high quality support services which we provide to our UK customers, both civil and military.

We aim to have a network of local operations close to our customers throughout the UK. With our already strong presence in England, Wales and Ireland, we are pleased to be now making a further commitment to Scotland.”

Bell Boeing Team Awarded Joint Performance Based Logistics Contract for V-22 Osprey Support

AMARILLO, TEXAS, Jan. 27, 2009 — The Bell Boeing Program Office has announced that it was awarded Phase I of a two-phase Joint Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract from Naval Air Systems Command in support of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command to support the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The contract award was announced by the U.S. Department of Defense on Thursday, Jan. 22. Phase I of the contract, valued at $581 million, provides integrated logistics support for the V-22 over a five-year period.

The first phase of the V-22 Joint PBL contract includes program management, site activation, maintenance planning and supportability analysis, technical data, in-service engineering and logistics, training and trainer support, support equipment, and dedicated and deployable squadron support. The second phase of the V-22 Joint PBL contract award, expected to be announced in mid-2010, will include supply chain management for the V-22, which encompasses the purchase, repair, stocking and delivery of spare and repair parts.

“The Joint PBL contract represents one more step in the growth and maturity of the V-22 program,” said Gene Cunningham, vice president of the Bell Boeing Program Office in Amarillo. “It responds to the service’s increasing utilization and deployment of the aircraft and enables the V-22 community to ensure that we meet the warfighter’s readiness requirements.”

“Boeing welcomes the opportunity to expand our support to our U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force customers through a Performance Based Logistics contract for the V-22 rotorcraft. We are proud to deliver optimized, bundled capabilities to the warfighter and maximize V-22 readiness,” said Jim O’Neill, vice president and general manager, Integrated Logistics, Boeing Global Services & Support.

The V-22 Joint PBL contract marks the first contract between Bell Boeing and the U.S. Department of Defense with both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force customers served by one contract. PBL contracts allow the customer to purchase performance instead of paying for individual parts or services.

The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft manufactured by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems (NYSE: BA) and Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company. Bell and Boeing are teamed in a Strategic Alliance Agreement for the design, production, and support of the V-22.

Source: Boeing

Boeing Sees Additional Industrial Participation Opportunities in Canada

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, Jan. 27, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] generates approximately US$1 billion in business annually in Canada, but significant opportunities remain for Canadian businesses, Boeing officials told nearly 50 Canadian aerospace and defense companies at the Boeing/Atlantic Industry Days Jan. 22-23 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the event gave Boeing the opportunity to learn more about the capabilities of the Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defense industry.

“We’ve worked together since 1919, so Boeing has long valued the breadth and depth of the Canadian aerospace industry,” said Mark Kronenberg, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems vice president for International Business Development. “With the modernization of CF-18 Hornet fighters, the purchase of four C-17 airlifters and planned acquisition of new medium-heavy lift helicopters, our relationship is set to bring new opportunities to the Atlantic region.”

Canada is home to Boeing’s third-largest international supplier base, including more than 200 suppliers in every region of the country. In the Atlantic region, Boeing already has awarded contracts worth US$46 million for high-value work, including software, wire harnesses, composites and other aero structures.

Through the Canadian government’s Industrial Benefits (IB) Policy, Boeing has committed to reinvest every dollar spent by Canada on the C-17 acquisition and in-service support, valued at US$1.5 billion, into the Canadian economy. Additionally, the IB program for Phase 2 of the CF-18 Fighter Avionics Modernization, valued at US$138 million, is on track for a May 2011 completion. On Jan. 21, Boeing announced the completion, one year ahead of schedule, of its IB program for Phase I of the CF-18 upgrade. That program provided US$398 million of work for Canadian industry, exceeding the company’s obligation by US$20 million.

Gwen Kopsie, director of International Industrial Participation and Alliances for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, said that as the Canadian Forces continue to modernize their defense systems, Boeing anticipates it will sign additional contracts to further expand its supplier base in the region.

“Boeing is an enduring partner to Canada, and we remain committed to developing opportunities that will result in long-term, high-value jobs for the Atlantic Region,” Kopsie said.

Source: Boeing

Elbit Systems Awarded Israeli Ministry of Defense Contract Valued at $40 Million to Supply Skylark® I LE Mini-UAV

Haifa, Israel, January 26, 2009

– Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) announced, further to its announcement dated December 16, 2008, that it was
awarded an approximately $40 million contract by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to supply the Skylark® I LE mini-UAVs for all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Ground Forces battalions, including training and logistics support.

The project is to be delivered over the next few years, subject to the IDF’s requirements and procurement process.
Elbit Systems’ Skylark® I LE was selected by the IDF following an extensive evaluation process, including operational ability to comply with the demanding requirements of the IDF, based on its extensive operational experience.

During its recent Operation “Cast Lead”, the IDF used its already operational Skylark® mini-UAV family, in gathering vital intelligence and enhancing collaboration and connectivity between the different operating forces.

Source: ELBIT

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