Lockheed Martin Losing F-16 Servicing Work to BAE

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Lockheed Martin, the maker of F-16 fighter jets are losing some parts of the $3 Billion servicing work to BAE.

Last year, BAE won over Lockheed to refurbish the 130 units of F-16 owned by South Korea. It was the first the Pentagon’s biggest contractor lost such bid. BAE is looking at possibilities of taking on more F-16 repair and upgrade work to boost its international sales. “We’re looking at potentially where to take this next,” David Herr, president of BAE’s support solutions business said. “It’s a big opportunity for us.” Aside from South Korea, BAE had also talked with other nation the possibility of other F-16 work.

According to defense analyst Kevin Brancato; due to the military budget cuts, defense companies are now shifting their focus on servicing and improvement contracts. This means that Lockheed have to defend its turf from its rivals that may soon include Boeing. Lockheed Martin are busy with the development of the controversial F-35, the most expensive Pentagon’s development program in history.

Ellen Buhr, a company spokesperson said that Boeing is interested in international F-16 upgrades. Boeing had experienced working with the F-16 through its work on converting the jet planes into drones used for military target practice.

In total, there 2,271 units of F-16 owned by other nations.

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News Source: www.bloomberg.com

American Airlines Receives First Boeing 777 Delivery

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American Airlines was the first to order and take delivery of the Boeing 777-300ER. The aircraft is expected to be the cornerstone of the American Airlines international flights by giving a unique flying experience to the passengers

“This aircraft will deliver a new level of comfort, connectivity and convenience for our customers,” Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer of American Airlines said. “We are especially pleased to be among the first in the industry to offer a combination of fully lie-flat seats with all-aisle access, international Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art in-seat entertainment.”

The first commercial flight of the American Airlines 777-300ER is scheduled on January 31st from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Sau Paulo, Brazil. It will also fly to London Heatrow Airport from Dallas-Fort Wort as well as from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The Boeing 777-300ER features lie-flat seats in the first and business class sections. These sections also have a walk-up bar stocked with food and drinks, the first for any U.S. airline.

The airplane also offers a wide range of entertainment selections with hundreds of movies, TV programs, and music. Each passenger seat in the aircraft has its own 110-volt AC power outlets and USB jacks for charging personal devices.

The innovative design of the cabin gives a more spacious vibe by using dramatic archway, ceiling treatment, and mood lighting.

American Airlines ordered 14 units of the Boeing 777-300ER and the remaining units will be delivered through 2013.

The first delivery of the Boeing 777-300 is part of the American Airlines renewal plan with the goal of having the youngest fleet among popular airlines within the next five years.

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News Source: www.tulsaworld.com

Major Manufacturers Withdrew from Air Force Helicopter Bid

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Five big defenses contractors have pulled out from the latest attempt of the U.S. Air Force to replace the its aging fleet of rescue helicopter HH-60 Pave Hawk. Only Sikorsky Aircraft remain as the contender for $6.84 billion contract.

Questions are now raised on whether the contest can proceed as planned as Northrop Grumman Corp, which was teamed with Italy’s Finmeccanica SpA; Boeing Co; Textron’s Bell Helicopter unit; and the U.S. unit of Europe’s EADS withdrew from the competition to build 112 units of search and rescue helicopters for the Air Force.

According to industry insiders, the bidding rules were so narrowly framed that most aircraft in the competition except the one by Sikorsky are effectively excluded. The contest did not offer additional merits to to aircraft that have extra capabilities and exceeds the parameters of contest. Sikorsky Aircraft still plans to offer a variant of its popular Black Hawk helicopter. The HH-60 Pave Hawk was built by Sikorsky Aircraft.

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News Source: www.reuters.com

Boeing Will Support Army’s CH-47 Fleet

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The U.S. Army awarded the $185 million performance-based logistics contract to Boeing. The PBL contract is for supporting the U.S. Army’s fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

Boeing have previously worked with the Army’s Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command on improving the tooling used to produce and repair Chinook rotor blades. The production, overhaul, and distribution are covered on the PBL program.

According to Peri Widener, “PBLs are outcome-focused sustainment contracts that guarantee enhanced performance and improved costs. We work with our customer to reduce costs through longer-term agreements, purchasing only the parts needed and investing in techniques that extend the life of key components.” Peri Widener is the Rotorcraft Support vice-president for Boeing.

The PBL agreement will reduce the customer costs while allowing Boeing to improve the products and process of manufacturing helicopter parts.

The Chinook PBL contract with Boeing will run for five years. Boeing has existing similar contracts with the military for other aircraft such as V-22 Osprey and AH-64 Apache helicopter.

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News source: www.upi.com

 

U.S. Navy Orders More P-8 Poseidon from Boeing

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The aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. wins a $1.9 billion contract from the U.S. Defense Department. The contract is for building 11 more units of P-8 maritime surveillance planes for the Navy.

About 75% of the work on the P-8A Poseidon will be done in Seattle, Washington. According to the Boeing spokesperson Chick Ramey, this will be the third batch of the Poseidon that the Navy orders bringing the total number of units to 24, out of the total 114 units that the Navy plans to buy. Boeing had delivered three P-8 Poseidon to the U.S. Navy and will deliver another two units by the end of the year.

The Navy have already started testing and evaluating the aircraft, using three test flight planes provided by Boeing. The P-8 Posedion is planned to be operational by next year.

Boeing is also building eight units of the P-8 Poseidon for the Indian government.

P-8 Poseidon is a multi-mission maritime aircraft. It is intended to conduct anti-submarine warfare and engage in an electronic intelligence role.

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News source: www.reuters.com

U.S. Army Apache Helicopters Reach Flight Milestone

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The fleet of the AH-64 Apache helicopters of the U.S. Army has surpassed 3.5 million flight hours. Boeing and Apache suppliers all over the world are commending the impressive milestone.

The milestone is a proof of the endurance and reliability of the helicopter model. Apaches had been in service since 1984 and it had flown combat missions in Afganistan, involved in exercises in South Korea and trained alongside the new AH-64D Apache Block III.

“Achieving and surpassing 3.5 million flight hours is a very significant milestone for the Apache, and I am incredibly proud of the soldiers who fly and maintain this helicopter,” said Col. Jeff Hager, Apache project manager for the Army. “I am also pleased for the opportunity to work with dedicated and diligent men and women in government service and industry who design, build and continue to modernize an aircraft that delivers proven capabilities and cutting-edge technologies.”

Boeing is the manufacturer of the Apache helicopters in its Mesa facility. It had scheduled the first units of the helicopter two months advanced in 1983 and since then Apche have fulfilled the demands of battlefield commanders and soldiers effectively.

The newest variation of the Apache helicopter, AH-64D Apache Block III, has composite main rotor blades, a composite stabilator, 701D engines with an enhanced digital electronic control unit, and an improved drive system that enhances the rotorcraft’s performance.

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News source: www.avionics-intelligence.com

Boeing Gets Green Light for Advanced Rotocraft Flight Control System Testing Phase II

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The U.S. Army awarded an $18 million contract to Boeing for the second phase testing of its advanced rotocraft flight control system. The testing is for the continued development of a technology that will improve helicopter’s manoeuvrability and performance. The program is known as Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS.) Testing will be done in helicopter models like AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook.

The advanced rotocraft flight control system is a joint development project between Boeing and Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate. It aims to reduce aircrew workload and overall operating cost. I will adapt the flight controls to the helicopter’s flight condition, environment, and even pilot intent.

In Phase II of the AMVS, the test will demonstrate the design’s portability as well as how it can enhance the flight performance of the helicopter during attack and cargo missions. The test will encompass more than 100 hours of flight time.

“Phase II also allows us to continue H-6 flight control test bed prototyping activities to expand AVMS’ capabilities,” said Steve Glusman, director, Boeing Advanced Mobility. “AVMS will be a key capability in future Boeing aircraft such as Future Vertical Lift rotorcraft.”

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News source: www.menafn.com

100th CH-47 Helicopter Ready for Service

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The Boeing Helicopter Modification Center in Millville, New Jersey reached a milestone as the 100th CH-47 helicopter, also known as Chinooks, to enter the work line is now all set to enter military service with the U.S. Army.

Boeing held a public event at its municipal airport to celebrate the milestone. The facility only opened in February 2010 and employs fifty people.

The CH-47 helicopter, a twin-rotor cargo and troop transport is in demand all over the world. But the helicopter models from Millville are only exclucively used for the U.S. Army. The event highlighted the partnership of Boeing and the U.S. Army.

U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo spoke at the event and emphasized the role of the facility in the war effort.

“But what this is all about is protecting our nation. What this is all about is fulfilling our promise to those heroes who put on the United States military uniform and put their lives in harm’s way to defend this country, and our promise to give them the very best equipment that we can, so that they can keep out nation safe,” said LoBiondo

The center is finishes one unit of CH-47 every 16 days, less than the 20 days projection of the U.S. Army.

The star of the event, helicopter numbered 09-08797 was displayed outside the hangar for the public to see.

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News source: www.courierpostonline.com

Royal Air Force Grounds Surveillance Airplanes

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The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the fleet of RAF surveillance planes has been suspended due to a fault discovered in one of the aircraft.

As a precautionary measure, seven of Britian’s Boeing Sentry E3D are temporarily pulled out of service. The fault was discovered after a routine inspection.

The fleet of Sentry E3D are based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. They provide early warning and fighter control systems.

The MoD is confident it will not affect operations as other aircraft are available.

A statement from MoD said: “A routine inspection on an E3D aircraft at RAF Waddington has revealed a technical issue with one of the in-service aircraft. Routine E3D operations have been temporarily suspended pending further engineering investigation. There is no loss of operational capability.”

Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond rode one of Sentry E3D as the RAF prepare for the security cover for the London Olympics.

The surveillance aircraft was also used in operations in Libya.

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News source: www.bbc.com.uk

Boeing 737 Ready to Compete with Airbus

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The Boeing Company is on the last stages of making over their 737 aircraft model. It aims to compete with their European competitor Airbus on aircraft fuel-efficiency amidst the soaring fuel prices.

The aviation company revealed several design choices that can lower weight and wind resistance for its upcoming 737 MAX. It had fixed on an 8-inch nose gear extension to make way for a larger engine fan.

The biggest airplane manufacturers are upgrading their airplane models with bigger engines to improve fuel-savings.

“My feeling about it is what they’re saying is plausible. And I’ll just wait until we see the results,” said Hans Weber, president of technology management consultancy Tecop International.

For 40 years, Boeing 737 has been the most-sold aircraft model. It is a major part of airline fleets world-wide. Boeing juggles engineering considerations, market opportunities and costs in upgrading it into the 737 MAX.

Boeing’s main rival, Airbus is also developing Airbus A320neo that will feature updated engines and offers fuel savings of up to 15 percent than the current A320 Airbus model.

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News source: www.reuters.com

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