Volvo Aero and General Electric have signed a memorandum of understanding
covering joint development and production of the F414M engine for
the EADS Mako supersonic trainer and light fighter. The MoU opens
the way for detailed discussions on Volvo's workshare, which could
be as high as 30 % if Mako enters production. Volvo Aero already
manufactures some fan and compressor components for the F414, which
is in production for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter.
The Volvo RM12 on the JAS 39 Gripen is based on GE's F404 engine,
the ancestor of the F414.
Northrop Grumman is offering advanced design, simulation and layout
tools that accelerate the design flow of advanced integrated circuits.
Marketed by Velocium Products, the tool-set specifically applies
to millimeter-wave and high data rate, time domain, low noise and
power applications. The tools support 'front-to-back' MMIC simulation
and layout design solutions for 0.15um GaAs, and 0.1um pHEMT and
1um HBT processes used for high performance digital, RF and mixed
signal products.
U.S. Aerospace Industry Hits a New Low
After a number of compounding effects, the U.S. aerospace industry
has hit a new record low for the first time in 50 years. Since the
end of the Cold War, industry employment has fallen by nearly half-
642,000 workers. Since 9/11 alone, the industry lost 106,000 workers-a
13% fall. John W Douglass, AIA president and CEO, has called for
an interagency task force to draw up a national plan to ensure long-term
investments in education in math and science to encourage a stronger
future in the aerospace industry. The not-so-well-being of the industry
is a result of the crisis in commercial aviation, mergers and acquisitions,
and the terrorist attacks of September 11.
RUAG Upgrades Thailand's Do 228 Patrollers
Three Dornier Do 228-212s of the Royal Thai Naval Air Division
have been upgraded by RUAG Aerospace Services to undertake an enhanced
maritime patrol role. The three turboprop twins have been fitted
with a Telephonics RDR-1500B sea search radar in a ventral housing,
along with a new mission computer and RUAG's own radar operator
console in the main cabin. Up front, the cockpit has been equipped
with a Honeywell flight management system and air data computers,
which are all linked to the new mission systems. With their new
multifunction search and surveillance systems, the Dorniers can
conduct fishery patrol, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and purely military
missions. RUAG Aerospace Services is particularly pleased by the
way in which the Thai contract was fulfilled within a tight timescale
and limited budget.
Dassault Falcon Builds New U.S. Flight Ops Facility
Dassault Falcon Jet is building a new flight operations facility
in Teterboro, New Jersey, across from the company's headquarters
facility. The expansion will provide a 32,200-square-foot facility
to house the Falcon demonstration fleet. About 22,500 square feet.
will be occupied by the hangar itself, allowing it to hold up to
six Falcon aircraft, including Falcon 7Xs. The construction project
follows on the heels of the start of construction of a new 46,000-square-foot
facility in Little Rock, Arkansas late last year.
Korea's T-50 Scores A Century
The T-50 Golden Eagle advanced supersonic trainer has reached the
100-flight milestone in its test program. The T-50 is being developed
by Korea's KAI in co-operation with Lockheed Martin and made its
landmark 100th flight on April 28. Two prototypes are now flying
in a program that entered full-scale development in 1997 and will
continue to production deliveries in 2005. On the Golden Eagle's
special day in April the two development aircraft flew three times
and one of them reached Mach 1.2 for the first time. The T-50 is
intended to serve as a lead-in trainer to next-generation combat
aircraft and also to qualify as a light attack aircraft in a single-seat
variant.
Smiths EFDR Will HUM Aboard SH-60K Seahawk
Fifty new Japanese Maritime Defense Force SH-60K Seahawk helicopters,
to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will be fitted with
Smiths Enhanced Flight Data Recorders that will feature a Health
Usage and Monitoring System (HUMS), marking the first time such
technology has been used in Japan. Built under license by Japan's
Kanto Aircraft Instrument, the EFDR boxes will feature an integral
cockpit voice recorder, a multi-channel FDR, a digital data acquisition
unit, rotor track and balance recording, vibration monitoring, engine
integrity monitoring and aircraft usage recording. Smiths originally
developed HUMS technology for use on UK military and civil helicopters.
Smiths Group Consolidates Detection Business Units
Starting August 1, Smiths Detection and Smiths Heimann, both previously
part of Smiths Aerospace, will be consolidated as Smiths Detection
under the direction of Smiths Group. John Langston, who had run
Smiths Sealing Solutions business, has been tapped to lead the Detection
unit. Einar Lindh, who now runs Smiths Industrial division, now
also will assume management of Smiths Sealing Solutions business.
IMI and American Ammunition Team for Law Enforcement Supplies
Israel Military Industries (IMI) and American Ammunition have announced
a teaming agreement to participate in a tender for the supply of
small arms ammunition to federal and law enforcement agencies in
the USA. The companies will tender to supply 5.56 mm small arms
ammunition to the U.S. State Department and the Law Enforcement
Authorities Training Center. The estimated worth of the two contracts
is $6 million over a three-year period.
