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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 2903.PDF
HEADLINES DEFENCE STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC Pentagon delays E-10A programme USAF project stalls as leaders put spotlight on budget Approval for the system develop ment and demonstration (SDD) phase of the US Air Force's next wide area surveillance aircraft fleet has been delayed by 12 months until June 2005, as top Department of Defense leaders intensify scrutiny of the $5.3 billion programme. Earlier this year, USAF officials described the Northrop Grumman E-10A Multi-sensor Command and Control Aircraft (MC2A), which ini tially is planned to replace the E-8 JSTARS surveillance fleet, as the ser vice's second-highest acquisition priority, trailing only the USAF's Lockheed Martin F/A-22 pro gramme. But in recent weeks the five-air craft E-10A fleet has emerged as an early target of Pentagon budget planners formulating the fiscal 2005 budget proposal. Michael Wynne, head of defence acquisition, signed off on the E-10A delay on 4 December, but also directed the USAF to begin developing the aircraft's critical sensor - the Northrop Grum man/Raytheon Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) ground surveil lance system. The delay of the E-10A deals a second major blow to Boeing's ambition to deploy the 767 as a military platform in the USA. The USAF's KC-767 tanker deal is on hold while the military's inspector general investigates allegations of misconduct. The air force has already ordered the first 767-400ER to serve as the E-10A programme's flying testbed, but orders for the four additional aircraft could now be delayed until the start of the SDD phase. Aside from this setback, the E-lOA's pre-development schedule is continuing on course. Rival teams led by Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are refining final bids for the aircraft's $400 mil lion battle management command and control (BMC2) suite. The USAF will select a winner by April. The go-ahead for MP-RTIP allows the air force to continue developing the E-lOA's primary sensor and to begin fielding a smaller version of the sensor for the RQ-4B Global Hawk, says Northrop Grumman MP-RTIP pro gramme director Dave Mazur. Despite clear reservations about the E-lOA's mission, Wynne expressed strong support for the MP-RTIP concept of a platform- independent ground moving target indicator. AIR TRANSPORT Air Canada picks jet suppliers Bombardier and Embraer are to supply Air Canada's regional jets, following the airline's signing of memoranda of understanding to split a 90-aircraft order between the two manufacturers. The deal is the first Star Alliance regional order under the alliance's joint evaluation strategy. Under the agreement the carrier will take 15 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200s and 30 74-seat CRJ700 Series 705s from September, and will have options on a further 45 aircraft from the Canadian manufacturer. The Embraer order consists of 45 93-seat Embraer 190s to be delivered from November 2005, with 45 options. A decision on an additional 15 aircraft is yet to be made. The regional types will be used on Air Canada's North American network. The CRJ200s will be configured in a single-class layout, while the 705s and 190s will have a two-class layout. The purchase commitments are subject to financing and other terms, includ ing the restructuring of the bankruptcy-protected airline under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. GE Capital Aviation Services has agreed in princi ple to provide up to $950 million to finance up to 43 aircraft. Briefing FedEx MD-IO burns at Memphis ACCIDENT A FedEx Boeing MD-10 was seriously damaged after veering off the runway and catching fire on landing at the cargo carrier's Memphis hub. The National Transportation Safety Board says the aircraft's right main gear collapsed on landing at 12:30 on 18 December. The aircraft was en route from Oakland, California. All seven crew survived. Ryanair loses Strasbourg appeal COMPETITION The Nancy appeal court has confirmed an earlier decision that Ryanair has been illegally benefiting from state aid at Strasbourg airport, but chief executive Michael O'Leary says he will still fight the case. The carrier switched its Strasbourg services to Baden Baden airport 40km (25 miles) away during the legal challenge by Air France subsidiary Brit Air. The decision has larger implications for Ryanair; 20% of its traffic comes from state-owned airports where the airline has long-term discounted service deals. JSF still overweight after fourth review PROGRAMMES Lockheed Martin has confirmed to Flight International that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter continues to exceed its weight target after a fourth bottom-up review of the structural design. The technical data is still being analysed, but the early results "showed we did not achieve the objectives we expected of the structural weight of the airplane at this point in the programme", says Lockheed Martin. Programme officials are studying alternatives to weight reduction measures, such as boosting in-flight performance and production schedules. Prague to sign Gripen deal LEASING The Czech cabinet on 17 December backed the recommendation of a government commission to lease 14 Saab/BAE Systems Gripen multirole fighters from 2005, after concerted US opposition failed to block the deal (Flight International, 9-15 December). The Czech government expects to complete contract negotiations on the potential 10- year deal with Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration by 28 February. The aircraft will be delivered between April and August 2005, several months before NATO ally Hungary receives its first of 14 leased Gripens. Brazil accepts first Super Tucano DELIVERY Embraer delivered the first A/AT-29 ALX Super Tucano light attack/trainer turboprop to the Brazilian air force at Gaviao Peixoto, northern Sao Paulo state on 18 December. The air force has ordered 76 aircraft, with options on a further 23 as part of a modernisation deal. Forty- nine single seaters will be used for daytime policing of the Amazon, 20 two- seaters will provide night time cover and a further 30 two-seaters will be used for training. ATR closes major deal ORDERS Czech flag carrier CSA Czech Airlines has ordered seven new ATR 42-500s. Including retirements from its fleet of four ATR 72-200s, three ATR 42-300s and two ATR 42^100s, CSA will operate 12 ATRs by the end of 2005. Three -500s will arrive between March and July 2004, and four in 2005. Flight International directory call MAINTENANCE Entries are closing for free inclusion in the latest Flight International 2004 Maintenance Directory - The Americas. This will include maintenance providers for aircraft weighing over 5,700kg [12,5001b] directly, or through subsidiary or associate companies (whether operating autonomously or under a parent company name). The directory does not cover companies that only provide avionics and spare parts overhaul, or parts maintenance and services. If you have not replied, or you have not received an entry form, please contact Fabrice Tacoun at Air Transport Intelligence. Tel: +44 20 8652 3847; fax +44 20 8652 3898 or email: fabrice.tacoun@rati.com www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 23 DECEMBER 2003 - 5 JANUARY 2004 5
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