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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 1697.PDF
PARIS SHOW REPORT at TRAINING Green light close for first A380 device CAE is confident of receiving the go-ahead to develop the first Airbus A380 simulator within the next few weeks, with a full level-D training aid due to be in service by the third quarter of next year The Canadian training provider is also set to expand its global bases, with Emirates-CAE Flight Training to double its simu lator fleet by the end of the year. The Dubai centre is to add a Hawker 800/800XP simulator to its Airbus A320 family, A330/ A340 and Next Generation Boeing 737 machines and has ordered Gulfstream IV and V sim ulators. Emirates-CAE Flight Training has signed a contract to provide training to Lebanon's Middle East Airlines, Royal Jet and Arabasco. DEFENCE USN looks for ELINT help from Army as cuts bite Replacement for EP-3C Aries III hits funding problems, prompting collaboration calls Faced with a sizeable budget short fall and struggling to fund develop ment of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA), the US Navy is eyeing collaboration with the US Army's Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) programme to find a replacement for its Lockheed Martin EP-3E Aries III electronic intelligence (ELINT) platforms. A recent meeting of the USN's senior naval leadership has directed planners to look at joining ACS as one possible alternative to developing a separate surveillance intelligence variant of the proposed MMA. Two teams, led by Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, are competing for ACS, proposing the Gulfstream G550 and Embraer EMB-145 respectively. The navy's P-3 fleet has been heavily used in littoral and overland operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other options under consideration include a further life extension of the current EP-3C or acquiring a "light" version of the US Air Force's Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint system The USN remains determined to push ahead with plans to acquire 150 maritime patrol versions of MMA to replace the P-3C, despite a mounting shortfall in procurement funding that will reach nearly $8 billion by 2009. The USN has bud geted around $2.5 billion for devel opment and, depending on the system selected, production costs could total $24 billion, fuelling industry speculation the pro gramme will either be curtailed or delayed. Boeing is studying a new-build version of the 737-800 for MMA and Lockheed Martin a range of dif ferent P-3 options ranging from new-build Orion 21s to "focused production" equipping the current fleet with new wings and fuselage. New Zealand has re-winged its P- 3Ks, while Canada and South Korea are considering similar upgrades of their CP-140s and P-3Bs. AIR TRANSPORT Boeing downbeat on demand BOEING MARKET OUTLOO 24,280 aircraft worth $1,900 billion 15,000 Boeing's latest market forecast contin ues to rubbish Airbus's predictions for ultra- large aircraft sales. The new 20- year market outlook from the US manufacturer puts demand for 500- plus seaters at just 320 aircraft, compared with the 1,140 predicted by Airbus in its most recent forecast. "When you fly, do you want to go direct to your destination or connect?" says Boeing's vice-president marketing Randy Baseler. The US manufacturer believes airlines will strive to meet pas senger demand for direct flights, and that the trend of declining average air craft size will continue. Baseler believes "there are a few routes where a 500-seater is required", but demand will not exceed 320 aircraft through to 2022. Twenty-year demand in the 400- to 500- seat category is put at 340 aircraft, which Baseler says is "the replacement market for the 747- 400 passenger fleet". This is expected to begin in earnest from the end of the decade when the oldest -400s will be 20 years old, he adds. A further 240 new large freighters with a payload greater than 65,000kg (143,0001b) will be delivered, says Baseler. Overall forecast is up by 300, at 24,300 aircraft. The whole market is valued at $1,900 billion in 2002 US dollars. Long-term annual world gross domestic product growth is expected to average 3.2%, says Baseler Airbus has not released its 2003 forecast, but its most recent outlook (2001-20) puts total demand at 16,000 passenger aircraft and freighters, worth $1,500 billion (in 2002 dollars), excluding aircraft with fewer than 100 seats. 310,000 5,000 EH Smaller regional jets ED Single aisle • Twin aisle FLIGHT S3 747 and larger ™?Sn?n MTR upgrade anticipates Spanish Tiger order MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce (MTR) is developing an uprated version of the MTR390 turbine ahead of an expected order from Spain for around 20 Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters. The consortium has produced the first 20 standard engines for launch customers France and Germany and is close to launching trials on a more powerful version. Turbomeca vice-president of aero engines Francois Courtot says there is potential for power growth of around 24%, which is required by the Spanish ministry of defence. MTR expects to receive an order "within weeks" and start develop ment of the growth version, which will require a new compressor with higher airflow and pressure ratio. Eurocopter is offering to Spain the Tiger HAP combat support heli copter export version that is based largely on the Australian variant, says chief executive Fabrice Bregier. The Spanish ministry of defence requested improved performance in hot temperatures and at high altitudes, and the uprated engine addresses these requirements, says Bregier. Maximum take-off weight will increase from 6,100kg (13,4201b) to 6,600kg. "The work is now complete, we've made the best offer we can, the operational requirements have been confirmed and there are no budgetary constraints, so we expect a decision very soon," says Bregier. The 24-helicopter deal will lead to Eurocopter Espana becoming a full "third pillar" of the Franco- German company, responsible for final assembly and completion of Spanish, and around 43 French, helicopters in Madrid. EADS Casa owns 40% of Eurocopter Spain. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 24-30 JUNE 2003 31
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