Boeing reports the Global Positioning System's payload has completed Space Segment III system design review with the U.S. Air Force. The upgraded system allows USAF to upgrade fielded satellites quickly and more cheaply.
The MDA plans to spend $10 million next year to kick off studies of a Space-Based Interceptor Testbed, but the agency's chief insists that doesn't mean the U.S. is starting an interceptor program. MDA has budgeted about $300 million over the next six years to study technologies and concepts for possible future space-based missile defenses, says MDA Director Obering.
Qantas has agreed to buy 30% of Vietnamese carrier Pacific Airlines, which will support the expansion of the Australian airline's budget operation, Jetstar, presumably as a franchisee. Pacific currently serves mainly domestic routes.
Aurora Flight Sciences captured a $47-million contract from USAF to develop a demonstrator for its Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft program. Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility won a $49-million contract for the same project. The Air Force Research Laboratory effort involves two phases: design and then actual manufacture of the design. First flight will follow.
U.S. Missile Defense Agency controllers are preparing a pair of rocket-plume characterization tests later this year now that an Orbital Sciences Minotaur I solid-fuel rocket has orbited the Near-Field Infrared Experiment (Nfire). The Apr. 24 Minotaur I launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (Mars) on Wallops Island, Va., placed the 494-kg. (1,086-lb.) spacecraft in its target orbit of 250 X 450 km. (155 X 279 mi.) inclined 48.2 deg. to the Equator. The satellite separated after a 9-min. ride. Ultimately the spacecraft will be placed in a 495-km.
Mercury Computer Systems Inc. of Chelmsford, Mass., has developed a synthetic vision system and a Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag that can display high-definition graphics. The ruggedized systems also have built-in, attitude reference systems including GPS Wide Area Augmentation System capability.
Last summer's London bomb plot pushed aviation back to the top of potential Al Qaeda targets, says the head of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. Asst. FBI Director Joseph Billy, Jr., says Al Qaeda's attack plans continue to focus on aviation, although the FBI and other U.S. intelligence officials are also concerned about mass transit, large public gatherings and special events. "These are continuing to be the areas that we have to be cognizant of," Billy tells a public safety/counterterrorism conference in Quebec.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Harold D. Starling, 2nd, has been nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as commander of the Naval Network Warfare Command, Norfolk, Va. He has been commander of the Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, also in Norfolk.
Finmeccanica intends to raise €1 billion, a 10% increase over its current capital base, to clear the way for expansion of the business, including mergers and acquisitions. Shareholders are expected to back the board's plan when they meet late next month. The board will be able to raise the money--whether through a new share issue or bonds--and determine how the cash will be used. They expect it to be spent by June 2009.
Former Australian astronaut Paul Scully-Power has been named chairman of San Francisco-based SensorConnect Inc. He also is chairman of Prime Solutions Pacific and was chief technology officer of the Tenix Group of Australia.
David A. Fulghum (Washington, Tokyo and Honolulu), Douglas Barrie (London)
China will increasingly develop soft- and hard-kill capabilities for space and cyberspace to offset the weaknesses of its military forces, say U.S. planners. Military space is of growing importance to China as it deploys its own satellite navigation system and develops guided weapons capable of using this system. Beijing is also looking at the ability to deny potential opponents assured access to their space systems in a conflict.
Lockheed Martin will get another $385 million from its development contract for NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), reflecting a two-year delay in the company's original targeted delivery date for the vehicle to synchronize it with its Ares I launcher and other Constellation program hardware. The modification brings the value of the development portion of the contract to $4.3 billion from $3.9 billion, and extends it through 2013.
The International Air Transport Assn., in an effort to improve on the safest aviation year on record, is seeking a 25% reduction in the world accident rate in 2008. IATA's 2006 Safety Report deemed last year the safest ever for global aviation--one accident per 1.5 million flights of Western-built jet aircraft, or a hull loss rate of 0.65 per 1 million departures. The new goal: to drive it down to 0.49 per 1 million departures.
Launch customer Lion Air of Indonesia is set to take delivery this month of the first Boeing 737-900ER following the aircraft's completion of FAA type certification.
The U.S. Army is expecting to again slip its announcement of a winning contractor for the Joint Cargo Aircraft program. The service previously said it would name a winner in May, though an announcement is now set for June; the announcement date has slipped repeatedly since last year. Industry officials suggest it is likely due to ongoing discussions between the Army and Air Force regarding roles and missions for operating the small supply transport.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Arianespace have agreed to jointly market launch services in a bid to bring more launcher capacity to bear in a tight commercial market.
Airbus expects to have further boosted aircraft production rates by year-end and could be ready to adjust both near-term and longer-range A380 plans as it gains experience building the aircraft under renewed processes.
Stanley R. Zax has been appointed to the board of directors of the New York-based Sequa Corp. He is chairman/president/CEO of the Zenith National Insurance Corp.
The private equity bid for Qantas Airways looks increasingly unlikely to succeed, with acceptances of the offer actually falling as some institutional shareholders choose to hang on to their stock. Since the bidders, including Texas Pacific, are no longer demanding 100% acceptance, many investors seem to want to remain shareholders to enjoy high private-equity profits without having to pay the usual management fees. The offer closes May 4.
Japan Airlines will boost service frequencies to China beginning in late May. Services between Tokyo Narita and Beijing will rise to 19 from 14 a week, with extra flights scheduled between Narita and Guangzhou and Nagoya and Tianjin.
FlightSafety International and Cessna Aircraft Co. have teamed to develop and implement a Mustang training program based on a pilot's proficiency level. Insurance companies have been "very receptive and supportive" of the 10-day program, says Mike Dudek, director of training at FlightSafety International's customer training facility in Wichita, Kan. FSI is Cessna's official training institution for the Mustang.
Harry L. Gregory has become director of the Aerospace/Defense Clearinghouse and a lecturer at the Universitry of Tennessee in Knoxville. He was senior vice president/general manager of aftermarket services for Rockwell Collins.
The British Defense Ministry is to retire its last Jaguar aircraft squadron almost six months earlier than previously planned. The type will be withdrawn from service Apr. 30, rather than in October.
