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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 0619.PDF
HEADLINES AIR TRANSPORT NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE SI A ready to join 7E7 launch party Airbus and Boeing visit Singapore to pitch widebody replacements for the airline's retired A310s and older 747-400s A competition to replace Singapore Airlines' (SIA) older Boeing 747- 400s and to supply a new mid-sized aircraft is reaching its final stages, and the carrier is widely expected to become a launch customer for the Boeing 7E7. Industry sources say both Airbus and Boeing representatives have been in Singapore in recent weeks presenting late-stage technical bids. SIA issued a request for proposals to the two manufacturers in February, seeking new aircraft to replace some of its older 747-400s as well Boeing and EADS are locked in a war of words about which replace ment tanker would have better served the US Air Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While Boeing argues that the smaller KC-767 is sized correctly for the air force needs, Airbus counters that the KC-330 provides nearly the same fuel offload using 20% fewer aircraft. The findings come from rival analyses compiled by each com pany and presented last week dur ing the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG) confer ence. EADS had declined to respond to a nearly one-month-old report by Boeing Phantom Works that directly compares the KC-767 as its phased-out Airbus A310-300s. (Flight International, 2-8 March). The exact number needed is unknown, although a bigger order is expected in the 200- to 250-seat category than in the larger category. Airbus is offering a mix of A340- 600s and a modified, lighter ver sion of the A330-200, say the sources. Boeing is believed to be offering a mix of 777-300ERs and 7E7s, although there are sugges tions it may also be offering 777- 200LRs in a bid to have SIA dispose of its ultra-long-range A340-500s. to the KC-330, but finally issued a point-by-point rebuttal. The dispute comes too late to influence recent decisions by Australia and the UK to select the KC-330, but opens a new chapter of discord between the competitors in the widening debate about the direction of the US Air Force tanker requirement. Analysing four unlisted airfields used by KC-135s during OIF, Boeing's study portrays the KC-767's smaller size as a statistical strength. For every six KC-330s that could be parked on the ramp, says Boeing, the air force could fit eight KC-767s. The smaller Boeing aircraft could be refuelled on the ground faster, and the KC-330's 60.3m (198ft) In the smaller category, SIA is widely expected to select the 7E7, which was recently launched with an order from Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) for 50 of the new type. SIA has long said the A330 is too heavy for its requirements, although Airbus will be promising deliveries of its proposed lighter - 200 variant well before the 7E7's service entry in 2008. In the larger category, the A340- 600 is seen as having an advantage as SIA already operates the A340- 500, although this fleet is small at wingspan makes it unable to turn on NATO-standard runways. In the air, the KC-767 would consume 19% less fuel, says Boeing. EADS dismissed all Boeing's points, citing an analysis of 11 stag ing airfields used by KC-135s during OIF operations. Only 26% of total ramp space was used on average throughout the conflict, rendering the parking concern irrelevant, says EADS, adding that the A330 can turn on NATO-standard runways. EADS's analysis also contends the KC-330 could offload "59.6 million lb [27.1 million kg] of fuel using 222 sorties", compared with an offload of "59.7 million lb from 278" KC-767 sorties. As for fuel con sumption, EADS says the "fuel dif- just four aircraft and one more on firm order. SIA operates around 50 777-200/200ER/300s, so a 777- 300ER order would not represent the introduction of an all-new type. SIA retired its remaining A310s and A340-300s last year, leaving it with a passenger fleet of 747-400s and 777s. It added A340-500s this year and has more 777s and 10 Airbus A380s on firm order. It needs mid-size aircraft as several years ago it ordered 777-200s to replace the A310s on regional routes, but the aircraft is too large for some services. ference cannot be 19%. Otherwise the A330-200 would not be as suc cessful on the commercial market." The tit-for-tat arguments became a running joke among other pre senters at the event - mainly at Boeing's expense. Christopher Reid, of the Defence Procurement Agency for the UK Ministry of Defence, joked that the Boeing analysis had him concerned that his office had selected the wrong competitor for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft. Royal Air Force Wing Commander Adrian Hayward, meanwhile, suggested, by Boeing's measure, that the Panavia Tornado GR4 is the world's best tanker, as it can turn 180° on NATO- standard runways in 6.1m (20ft). AIR TRANSPORT Assembly of A380 starts Airbus has begun final assem bly of the first A380 airframe - to be used as the static test article - in Toulouse. The A380 will be the first Airbus airliner to be assembled at a single station, where the fuselage sections, wing and tail are joined, before an aircraft is moved on its wheels to a posi tion for systems tests. DEFENCE STEPHEN TRIMBLE / JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA Boeing and EADS step up tanker argument 4 11-17 MAY 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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