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Aviation History
2000
2000 - 0530.PDF
ASIAN fife AEROSPACE 2000 South Korea begins missile project study SOUTH KOREA has launched a project-definition study for a medium-range surface-to-air mis sile system which it intends to develop indigenously as part of die country's modernisation of its air- defence network. The study, known as K-MSAM, is a follow-on programme to the K-SAM Pegasus (or Shunma) short-range air-defence system, entering production after a con tract award last December to K-SAM partners Daewoo, Luck)' Goldstar Precision, Samsung and Thomson-CSF of France. South Korea plans to replace its Hawk air-defence batteries by around 2008. Thomson-CSF, which owns 50% of Samsung Electronics and supplies the sur veillance radar and fire control system for the K-SAM, is parti cipating in the concept definition phase for K-MSAM. According to Bertram! Wiart, weapon-systems project manager for Thomson-CSF Airsys, the French company is proposing sys tems being built for the Franco- Italian SAMP/T ground-based medium-range air-defence system. The French may face competi tion from US and Russian missile builders. Lockheed Martin's PAC- 3 Patriot development, a Raytheon ground-based AMRAAM system, and a Russian S-300 variant could be contenders. • NEWS IN BRIEF • LIDO ENTERS ASIA Lido is setting up an aeronau tical services centre in Singapore and has signed an eight-year contract to supply its Operation Centre flight planning system to Singapore Airlines. • ST AVIATION ST Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Singapore Tech nologies Aerospace, has signed an agreement with Boeing to perform passenger- to-freighter conversions on MD-11 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 tri-jets. Airbus stands by timetable for A3XX commercial launch AIRBUS INDUSTRIF is sticking to its claim that it will be able to generate enough airline interest in the A3XX to achieve a commercial launch by mid-year, despite sceptical comments by some key potential customers and a pessimistic forecast from the US consultancy, the Teal Group. The consortium plans to begin delivering the 550-seat A3XX-100 to operators in late 2005, but Teal's latest 10-year airliner deliveries forecast predicts that the market will not demand such an aircraft until 2009, when six will be required. The US consultants believe that deliveries of the A3 XX could proceed at the rate of three aircraft a month in subsequent years. Airbus vice-president for A3XX market development, Philippe Jarry, rejects the findings, saying some airlines will begin replacing 747-400s in 2005 and that fragmen tation will fail to ease demand on the most heavily travelled routes. "The 747-400 fleet displace ment process will start in 2005, when the oldest aircraft are 15-16 years old," saysjarry. "You have air lines who have a policy of replacing their aircraft early, so we believe Airbus still hopes to get tbeASXX in service by 2005 2005 is in line with market require ments," he adds. Recent statements by airlines such as Lufthansa that they are unlikely to commit to the aircraft this year are due at least in part to a reluctance to publicise future fleet plans, Jarry believes. He concedes, meanwhile, that airlines have shown "zero" interest in the proposed 480-seat A3XX shrink, designated the -50R. lie believes this variant could evenm- ally find a niche in ultra-long range markets. Airbus hopes to launch the A3XX-100 and -100F freighter simultaneously by the end of this year, although the cargo version is not due to enter service until 2007. While some airlines are playing down dieir interest, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is strongly indicat ing that it wants to be among the launch carriers for the A3XX, say industry sources. 11 [urel-Dubois has signed a framework agreement with Airbus to take up to a 2% risk-sharing stake in the A3XX. The French company hopes to win aerostruc- tures and engine nacelle systems work on the aircraft. J Alliance outlines GP7200 plan THE GENERAL Electric/ Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance joint venture has outlined a development schedule for the proposed GP7200 powerplant. Engine Alliance and Rolls- Royce have begun talks with potential A3XX launch customers as the two rival engine suppliers position to be the lead certification engine on the planned new ultra- large capacity aircraft. "Clearly, die Alliance and R-R are going to have to adjust their schedules to see who gets there- first," says Engine Alliance presi dent Llovd Thompson. Based on a planned A3XXlaunch by the end of the year and entry into service in October 2005, Alliance is planning to confirm the GP7200 engine configuration and begin detailed design by mid-2001. This would initiate a 30-month develop ment programme, leading to the start of engine flight testing in early 2003 and culminating in US certifi cation in die final quarter. Engine Alliance plans initially for two versions of the GP7200, rated at 67,0001b thrust (298kN) for the baseline A3XX-100 and 75,0001b thrust for the heavier -100F and stretched -200. The engine would have a 2.8m (1 lOin) fan diameter, an 8:1 bypass ratio, and bare weight of 5,860k"; (12,9001b). The joint venture is also propos ing a 68,000-74,000lb-thrust GP7100 derivative engine to power the Boeing 747-400X and -400X stretch. Boeing has yet to finalise a development schedule for the aircraft but, using GE and P& W engineering and test facili ties, the Alliance claims it can sup port simultaneous programmes. The GP7100 will have a smaller 2.6m tan diameter, a lower 7:1 bypass ratio and 5,130kg bare weight. Alliance says development costs are projected to amount to $600 million. • 16 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 29 February - 6 March 2000
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