Second advanced C-130 Hercules is successfully delivered to Royal Netherlands Air Force

On the 15th July 2010, G-781 (the second of two C-130s being upgraded) was delivered from Marshall Aerospace back to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

G-781 first flew at Cambridge on the 29th April, and during its flight test programme, over 12 flights were performed as part of the test and evaluation phase. The first of the two aircraft, G-988, was delivered in January 2010, and both aircraft have made an incredible journey to reach their current condition.

Through Derco Aerospace, the RNLAF selected two aircraft which were previously owned by the US Navy and they last flew in 1991. With technical support from Marshall Aerospace, Derco Aerospace dismantled the two aircraft and was responsible for their transportation from Tucson, Arizona, to the port of Houston followed by a sea journey terminating at Tilbury docks. 4781 and 4988 arrived separately on site at Marshall Aerospace, Cambridge, in April 2006, and have since been re-registered (as Dutch aircraft) as G781 and G988.

Both aircraft were restored up to C-130H standard and have undergone an extensive cockpit upgrade which has seen the replacement of virtually all analogue displays with the latest in digital technology (the “glass cockpit”), to ease pilot workload, increase situational awareness and comply with the latest civil airspace regulations. Also, many cabin safety enhancements have been integrated to meet the civil certification requirements.

Marshall Aerospace will now be embodying the Avionics Upgrade package on the RNLAF’s existing fleet – G273 and G275 – to bring them all up to a similar standard.

Martin Broadhurst, Chief Executive of Marshall Aerospace, commented: “We are extremely proud of the engineering achievements of this programme, which will provide the Royal Netherlands Air Force with two bespoke C-130 Hercules. This total recovery and upgrade for the RNLAF has been one of the most extensive and complex ever undertaken by the company.”

Source: Marshall Aerospace

The Netherlands – GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2010 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress July 26 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to The Netherlands of 603 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs1 (SDB1) and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $44 million.

The Government of the Netherlands has requested a possible sale of 603 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs1 (SDB1), containers, flight test integration, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $44 million.

This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by improving the military capabilities of The Netherlands and enhancing standardization and interoperability with U.S. forces. The sale of this equipment and support will improve The Netherlands’ ability to destroy protected, high-value targets such as command and control nodes and weapons storage facilities. This will be the first sale of this weapon to The Netherlands.

This sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be The Boeing Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

This program will involve multiple trips to The Netherlands by U.S. Government and contractor representatives for one to two week intervals for approximately three years.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA

Open days Royal Netherlands Airforce Live on the internet.

Coming weekend Friday 18, and Saturday 19th of June the Royal Netherlands air force opens her doors for the public with a spectacular air show.

The 97 years old air force gives the tax-payer a look into her kitchen every year in June, and this year viewers from all over the world can follow the air show by a live Internet stream. Last year in

2009 the air force started with the live stream of the open days, and some 10,000 viewers from all over the world took the change to see the international guests and the Dutch air force perform their shows.

For everyone interested the URL is: http://www.defensie.nl/luchtmacht/luchtmachtdagen.

Source: Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Boeing Team Helps Royal Netherlands Air Force Achieve Aviation Milestone

Boeing Apache helicopter becomes the 1st rotorcraft to fly on sustainable bio-kerosene

GILZE-RIJEN AIRBASE, Netherlands, June 16, 2010 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) today made aviation history when a Boeing AH-64D Apache became the first rotorcraft in the world to fly using a blend of sustainable bio-kerosene and standard aviation jet fuel.

The 20-minute flight, conducted at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, home of the RNLAF’s combat rotorcraft squadrons, was witnessed by dozens of industry observers and defense journalists.

The sustainable biofuel used in the flight was produced using algae-based biomass and used cooking oil, and processed by UOP, LLC, a Honeywell company, into a Bio-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK), which has been used in previous commercial biofuel flights. In a series of preflight tests, the 50/50 bio-kerosene and traditional jet fuel blend met or exceeded the JP-8 fuel specifications for the Apache. No engine or airframe modifications were made prior to flight.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Boeing, Honeywell, and the engine manufacturer GE Aviation in our efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuel solutions,” said Al Winn, vice president of Apache Programs for Boeing, who attended the demonstration. “Both Boeing’s commercial and military customers are pursuing alternatives to fossil fuels, sharing a vision that was demonstrated flawlessly by our Apache customer today.”

“Today is an important milestone for the more intensive usage of sustainable bio-kerosene in aviation,” said Eimert van Middelkoop, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands.

The RNLAF biofuel flight test program encompasses seven flights that will highlight the technical feasibility of flying rotorcraft using renewable fuels that do not reduce the availability of food crops or water. The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, which authorized the flight test program, has publicly stated its commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint of military aircraft.

“This program also will help stimulate market development for aviation biofuel within the Netherlands that can help improve the environmental performance of commercial and military aviation,” said Jan Närlinge, president of Boeing Northern Europe.

Boeing is engaged in sustainable biofuel research around the world and supported the Apache flight and the RNLAF through preflight planning, testing and technical consultation based on a strong body of biofuel experience. The company supplied technical support to a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines biofuel flight aboard a Boeing 747 in November 2009, and also to the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet biofuel flight on Earth Day this year. Boeing also supported four previous biofuel flights using varying fixed-wing commercial aircraft and engine types.

Extensive laboratory testing by fuel processors, feedstock providers and engine manufacturers has further shown that aviation biofuels meet or exceed the high performance and quality standards specified for military and commercial jet fuels.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Marcel van Leeuwen

Axe the Tax – Airlines Protest EUR 1 billion German Cash Grab

Berlin – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reacted sharply to the announcement made by the German government of a EUR 1 billion annual burden on aviation with a new departure tax in Germany. The tax is branded as an environmental initiative.

“This is the worst kind of short-sighted policy irresponsibility. It’s a cash-grab by a cash-strapped government. Painting it green adds insult to injury. There will be no environmental benefit from the economic damage caused,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. His remarks were made in front of industry leaders gathered in Berlin as the 66th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit drew to a close.

Bisignani highlighted three major concerns with the German proposal. “The proposal should be axed. It is the wrong measure at the wrong time; and it ignores the lessons learned from the failure of a similar tax in the Netherlands,” said Bisignani.

The wrong measure: “Climate change is a global issue. The solution requires a global approach, not uncoordinated regional taxes. What will this do for the environment? Absolutely nothing. If the Chancellor is serious about aviation and climate change, the focus should be on finding a globally coordinated solution at the International Civil Aviation Organization in advance of the climate talks in Cancun,” said Bisignani.

The wrong time: “Airlines have an important role in driving economic growth, particularly as we struggle to recover from the recession. This is not the time to burden the aviation industry with more taxes. European GDP growth is expected to be 0.9% this year—the lowest among the world’s major regions. Operating in this environment, Europe’s airlines will be the only region in the red with losses of $2.8 billion. This tax is a body blow to the weak economy and a fragile industry. And it is a kick in the teeth to travelers at a time when they can least afford it,” said Bisignani.

Lessons unlearned: “Even as a cash-grab, the proposed tax makes no sense. The Dutch government tried to raise EUR 300 million with a similar tax. It cost the Dutch economy EUR 1.2 billion in lost business. It also failed as an environmental measure, sending travelers across the border to start their journey from more tax-sensible regimes. The Dutch had the good sense to repeal their tax. Why repeat past mistakes?” questioned Bisignani.

Source: IATA

Northrop Grumman to Enhance Air Traffic Communications Across the Netherlands

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) Europe-based air traffic management subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) for the nationwide upgrade and renewal of the air traffic control communications infrastructure serving ATC centres and civil airports in the Netherlands.

The digital end-to-end voice communication system will consist of Northrop Grumman’s GAREX 220 switching systems and PAE T6 air-ground radios at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Rotterdam the Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, and Maastricht Aachen Airport and their associated radio ground stations. When complete, the programme will provide fully-integrated air traffic control voice communications across the Netherlands.

“The Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems solution was chosen as the result of an international tendering procedure,” said Paul Riemens, chief executive officer of Air Traffic Control the Netherlands. “We are pleased to be able to continue our nearly 40-year cooperation and are confident that LVNL will get a world-class air traffic control communication system that will support the safety of flights in Dutch airspace for decades to come.”

“For more than half a century, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems has been at the forefront of designing and delivering the most innovative and reliable civilian and military air traffic management systems available,” said Eldar Hauge, managing director for Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems in Norway. “We are extremely proud of this award, which we see as a demonstration of our understanding of the challenges of air traffic control operations in congested airspace and busy airports.”

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, based in Oslo and Horten, Norway, and in Peterborough, UK supplies air traffic management systems for air-space operations worldwide.

In continental Europe Northrop Grumman operates from locations in France, Germany, Italy and Norway, providing navigation, air traffic control and postal automation systems. In the UK, Northrop Grumman has a strong presence with a heritage spanning nearly 100 years. The company operates from a number of locations across the UK and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, unmanned ground vehicle systems, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development, aircraft whole life support and airport security solutions.

Source and picture: Northrop

The Royal Netherlands Navy Takes Delivery Of Its First NH90 NFH

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce on behalf of NH Industries the delivery of the first NH90 NFH helicopter to the Royal Netherlands Navy during an official ceremony held today at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy. The Royal Netherlands Navy has ordered a total of 20 NH90 NFH aircraft. Today’s event marks the first delivery of a naval NH90 NFH variant to a customer.

The Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian and Belgian navies have ordered a total of 111 NH90 NFH naval helicopters which will give operators a dramatic improvement in operational capability and mission effectiveness, thanks to the outstanding technology incorporated in to the NH90. The NH90 NFH variant is primarily designed for autonomous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) missions. The comprehensive mission equipment packages allow a wide range of additional missions to be performed including Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime patrol, vertical replenishment, troop transport, medical evacuation and amphibious support roles. The helicopter is designed for day and night operations in adverse weather conditions from the decks of ships. Due to its weight and dimensions, the deck-lock system, the deck traversing system and the automatic blade and tail folding system, it can operate from small frigates even in high sea states.

Source: Agusta Westland

Netherlands and Nigerian Airports get bodyscans

The Netherlands and Nigeria will begin using body scanners on airline passengers following the attempted terrorist attack on a U.S.-bound flight on Christmas Day, authorities in both nations said Wednesday.

The millimeter-wave body scanners will be in place at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in about three weeks and will be used on all passengers traveling to the United States, Dutch Interior Minister Guusje ter Horst told a news conference at The Hague.

“We’ve escaped a very serious attack with serious consequences, but unfortunately in this world there are individuals who do not shy away from attacks on innocent people,” she said.

Nigeria did not say when it would begin the new scans. “In combating the new threat of terrorism as unfolded recently, Nigeria will be upgrading its security screening system to 3D Total Body Imaging Scanner,” the country’s airport authority said in a statement. It gave no further details.

Source: Ministerie van Binnenlands Zaken

First Dutch NH90 Frigate Helicopter offered to accept

The first Dutch NH90 is in Italy offered to accept a so-called team defense. Together with specialists from the Project Office under review team the NH90 helicopter in the coming months on an extensive inspection and several tests. This will assess whether the helicopter meets the agreed requirements.

 ”The first unit is now offered for acceptance, we are hard at work now dot the I’s.” project leader leaves Colonel Jan Verhulst.

The Ready for Acceptance, to offer is called, of Dutch first NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) Took place in Italy with producer Augusta Westland. Lieutenant of the first class Schultz, took over as head of underwriting team in receiving the helicopter supplier NHIndustries. 

Temporary Configuration

The first NH90 (the NNLN03) is a temporary, called Meaningful Operational Capable (MOC), Configuration offered. This means that not all contractual specifications of the final version meets, but already can be used for such education, training and coastguard duties.

 After acceptance, the helicopter also to Navy Air Station De Kooy in Den Helder flown, the Defense Helicopter Command which starts with the first courses and training in-house.

Boeing, Netherlands’ World Class Aviation Academy to Provide Military Aviation Training

WOENSDRECHT, Netherlands, Nov. 11, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and World Class Aviation Academy (WCAA) of the Netherlands today announced that they have signed a teaming agreement to provide customers in the region with military maintenance training on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

Boeing and the WCAA will develop courses that meet the educational needs of the aviation industry in the Netherlands and of the ROC West-Brabant, a regional training center under the Dutch Ministry of Education. These courses will train aircraft maintainers annually at a new WCAA maintenance training facility located at Aviolanda in Hoogerheide in the Province of Noord-Brabant. Renovation of the facility is expected to be finished during the second quarter of 2010.

Initially, the team will aim to provide helicopter and fixed-wing maintenance training to the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The WCAA will acquire a CH-47 Chinook airframe that Boeing will convert into a maintenance training device. The team intends to expand the training curriculum to include AH-64 Apache and non-Boeing platforms as well.

“Together with the WCAA and ROC West-Brabant, we’re establishing a capability that addresses our customers’ growing needs to have enough certified technicians available to keep their aircraft operationally safe and ready,” said Steve Winkler, Boeing International Support Systems director of International Alliances.

Boeing’s full range of training solutions includes mission planning systems; aircrew and maintenance training devices; training centers; and training services including instructors, courseware and logistics support.

“Boeing has a long history in training, and we are proud to have them on board as our partner,” said World Class Aviation Academy Director Peter Huis in’t Veld. “With their involvement, we are able to improve the quality of our basic and type maintenance training. The presence of fully qualified, trained human capital in our region is very attractive for all aerospace industry.”

ROC West-Brabant Steering Board Chairman Rob Franken said the agreement is an example of an innovative public-private partnership between industry, educational institutions and the government: “As the first public institution in Europe to receive European Aviation Safety Agency part 147 certification, we can provide our students with the opportunity to have global careers in aircraft maintenance.”

“During these challenging economic times, it is important to invest in innovation, research, well-trained labor and cooperation between entrepreneurs, education and government bodies,” said Lily Jacobs, Province of Noord-Brabant Regional Minister of Economy. “We are very happy that Boeing and the World Class Aviation Academy have chosen this location. This form of cooperation leads to innovation that can immediately be put into practice — doing business in Brabant will deliver a multiplier effect.”

New C-130 Hercules for Royal Netherlands Air Force completes Successful First Flight

New C-130 Hercules for Royal Netherlands Air Force completes Successful First Flight

Marshall Aerospace is pleased to announce the successful test flight of G988, the first of two C-130s being upgraded for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). The flight took place from Marshall’s airport at Cambridge, where the upgrade work was conducted, and lasted 2 hours during which G988 covered 400 nautical miles.

Both aircraft (G988 and G781 – which is scheduled for its test flight later in the year) are needed by the RNLAF to meet its increased operational requirements. Previously owned by the US Navy, these aircraft last flew in 1991 and had been modified to the EC-130Q standard for Maritime Electronic Warfare operations.

G988 has undergone an extensive cockpit upgrade which has seen the replacement of virtually all analogue displays with the latest in digital technology (the “glass cockpit”), to ease pilot workload, increase situational awareness and comply with the latest civil airspace regulations. Also, many cabin safety enhancements have been made to meet the civil certification requirements.

Martin Broadhurst, Chief Executive of Marshall Aerospace, comments: “We are extremely proud of the engineering achievements of this programme, which will provide the Royal Netherlands Air Force with two bespoke C-130 Hercules. Our relationship with the C-130 dates back to the mid-60s and as a recognised Engineering Authority we have undertaken hundreds of design and modification programmes. This total recovery and upgrade for the RNLAF has been one of the most extensive and complex ever undertaken by the company.”

Further test flights are scheduled for the coming weeks, during which the RNLAF will carry out their training on the aircraft.

Source: Marshall Aerospace

Photo Report of Dutch Air Force AirShow 2009

On Volkel Air Force Base in the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Air Force organized their 2009 Air Show.

We were there, following our report on zap16.com.

Next Page »