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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 0559.PDF
HEADLINES DEFENCE PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC European firms hit hurdle in MM A bid Northrop Grumman to focus on maritime version of UAV Northrop Grumman has declined to team up as prime contractor with either BAE Systems or EADS to compete for the US Navy's Multi- mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA). Instead, it will focus on develop ing a maritime version of the RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV). This effectively leaves both European companies without a viable major US partner to bid for the planned Lockheed Martin P-3C/EP-3C replacement. Lockheed Martin's last-minute decision to back away from a pro posed deal to support the Airbus A320 has left EADS searching for an alternative US partner. Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems' decision not to compete for the manned element of MMA leaves few options. BAE has also failed to secure a local backer for its pro posed Nimrod MRA4 offering but, unlike EADS, it can compete as a prime contractor. "Our interest is in a marinised Global Hawk for the navy mission as an adjunct to the P-3 and even tual MMA," says Dave Stafford, Northrop Grumman vice president business strategy and advanced developments. "We think it is in the best inter ests of the company and navy for us to be an honest broker in pro moting a distributed architecture and have elected not to team with anyone on a manned aircraft." With Boeing promoting an MMA solution based on its 737-800 and Lockheed Martin opting to stick solely with an improved P-3, the only potential partner for either BAE or EADS is L-3. The company has not completed its purchase of Raytheon's Greenville-based Airborne Integration Systems and some observers question whether it has the clout to compete as an MMA prime contractor. EADS sources do not rule out Lockheed Martin reversing its posi tion if, after the release of the request for proposals (RFP), a turbo- fan-powered platform emerges as the USN's preferred solution. The company says: "We haven't seen the proposal on MMA and we want to examine that. Our response is likely to centre on the P-3, but we would like to review our options." The USr4 plans to release the delayed RFP soon. Northrop Grum man is urging the navy to put in place contract agreements to allow it to share UAV integration data with other MMA prime contractors. BUSINESS Northrop Grumman makes offer for TRW Northrop Grumman launched a $5.9 billion unsolicited bid for TRW as Flight International went to press. The bid comes just three months after it completed the $2.1 billion take-over of nuclear warship builder Newport News. TRW had sales of $16.4 billion last year, $10 billion coming from the automotive business which the company was already considering selling and which Northrop Grum man would spin off. Northrop Grumman says the acquisition of TRW would streng then its space business, add a com munications capability and en hance its information technology business. The transaction, which the company hopes to complete by the third quarter, if it is accepted, would boost Northrop Grumman's 2003 sales to $26-27 billion, vault ing it above Lockheed Martin to become the second largest aero space/defence firm behind Boeing. Briefing Oneworld partners to strengthen their ties ALLIANCE Oneworld alliance member carriers are to strengthen their co-operation after the demise of American Airlines' and British Airways' transatlantic deal. The alliance, which includes Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Lan Chile and Qantas, plans shortly to announce new joint initiatives. Recently, a number of new codeshares have been implemented, while American has signed a 10-year joint purchasing deal with Qantas. Boeing cuts more jobs SPACE Boeing Space and Communications is cutting 11 % of its workforce, around 1,150 jobs, at its Southern California operations as part of a restructuring of its satellite activities to counter weak demand. The cuts come after parent Boeing announced 30,000 job losses last year, more than half of which have now been made. The cuts will hit Boeing Satellite Systems and Boeing Electronic Dynamic Devices, bought from Hughes Space and Communications in 2000. Giraudy to head Bombardier regional division APPOINTMENT John Giraudy has been named president of Bombardier's regional aircraft division. He replaces Steven Ridolfi, who becomes vice-president of strategic planning for the Bombardier Aerospace group. Giraudy, formerly senior vice-president marketing and sales, will take responsibility for the CRJ and Dash 8 turboprop range. SMA chosen to maintain Rafale fighter SUPPORT The French defence ministry has selected the aeronautical maintenance service (SMA) run by the DGA, France's military procurement agency, to maintain the Dassault Rafale fighter. Maintenance management will be through SIMMAD (Flight International, 19-25 February). Rafales will be maintained at the SMA's Clermont Ferrand site, specialising in combat and transport aircraft. The Snecma M88 engines will be maintained at SMA's Bordeaux site, specialising in engine repair. A third SMA site at Cuers Pierrefeu specialises in maritime patrol aircraft and helicopter maintenance. Vought teams with Boeing on Sonic Cruiser AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT Vought Aircraft Industries is the latest firm to partner Boeing on the Sonic Cruiser, after similar deals with Alenia of Italy and Japan Aircraft Industries. Vought, which has supplied components for Boeing commercial aircraft since 1968, will provide advanced materials technology expertise to the Sonic Cruiser Technology Development team. Ansett subsidiaries could be united and sold ADMINISTRATION Hazelton Airlines and Kendell Airlines could be merged and sold off as a single entity under a plan being discussed by the administrators of the two former Ansett regional subsidiaries. Both airlines ceased operations when Ansett collapsed last September, but were back in the air within 10 days, aided by temporary government subsidies which have since lapsed. Both have considerably rationalised their operations. Hazelton assets include maintenance facilities, Sydney landing slots and airport infrastructure, and a fleet of eight Saab 340Bs. Kendell has 12 Bombardier CRJs and maintenance facilities in Melbourne and Wagga. Boeing steps in with Midway help ETOPS Boeing is offering to provide funds, equipment and personnel to keep Midway Island's airport open for extended range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) across the Pacific. The airport is set to close to large aircraft on 24 February following the US Federal Aviation Administration's withdrawal of its operating certificate due to airport operator Midway Phoenix pulling out next month. The closure will force most ETOPS flights to fly longer routes to stay within the 120min or 180min diversion times of alternate runways. Midway Phoenix has told Boeing - manufacturer of the twin-engined 777 - it needs $250,000 per month to run the airport. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 26 FEBRUARY - 4 MARCH 2002 7
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