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Lockheed Receives Additional C-130 Order
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Oct. 19, 2004)
 
 
 MARIETTA, Ga. --- Lockheed Martin has signed a contract with the Royal Danish Air Force for an additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The new contract is the exercise of an option available under Denmark’s original order for three C-130Js, placed in December 2000. The first three aircraft were delivered to Denmark earlier this year.  
 
“Denmark has rapidly become a highly proficient C-130J operator and this further order shows this customer’s satisfaction with the aircraft,” said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for the C-130J program. “The face of modern conflict is changing all over the world, and the C-130J brings a transformation to air mobility that meets that challenge. The C-130J’s outstanding performance and reliability have been rapidly exploited by the Royal Danish Air Force as part of the expanding fleet of operational C-130Js around the world.”  
 
The Danish aircraft, which are the long-fuselage version of the C-130J, feature a strengthened cargo ramp and improved airdrop system that allows crews to make airdrops at 250 knots to avoid anti-aircraft fire in hostile areas; the Enhanced Cargo Handling System for rapidly converting the aircraft from hauling rolling stock to palletized cargo; and Denmark-specific items, including a tailored electronic warfare suite.  
 
The Royal Danish Air Force conducts air transport operations for the Danish Defense Forces and other international operations. A number of Danish units have been designated for service with NATO’s reaction forces in connection with international military operations.  
 
More than 2,260 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to 60 countries since the program began. A total of 67 countries, counting those that bought used aircraft, now fly the Hercules. The C-130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.  
 
As of Lockheed Martin’s 2nd quarter earnings report, a total of 180 C-130Js are on order and 115 have been delivered. In the U.S., Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers, and the Coast Guard is now introducing the HC-130J into service. International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force. The capabilities and performance of the C-130J in supporting light, fast and lethal combat operations make it a true transformational asset.  
 
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PerkinElmer Selected as Lockheed Martin Supplier for Joint Common Missile Program
 
 
(Source: PerkinElmer; issued Oct. 19, 2004)
 
 
 BOSTON --- PerkinElmer, Inc. today announced its selection by Lockheed Martin to provide two critical subsystems for the Joint Common Missile (JCM). The initial contract is for development and prototype work through mid-2005.  
 
PerkinElmer’s Optoelectronics unit will design and manufacture the firing modules for the electronic safe and arm device (ESAD) fuze system, as well as the power supply for the next-generation precision-strike air-to-ground missile system.  
 
Over the life of the program, production contracts for these two subsystems could be in excess of $100 million to meet domestic requirements. Foreign military sales are also expected to be significant; the United Kingdom has already expressed interest in potential co-production of the new missile system.  
 
The Joint Common Missile provides extended-range fire-and-forget capability and robust performance against countermeasures to minimize exposure of pilots to the dangers of enemy fire. The multi-purpose missile will be fired from a variety of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and possibly from ground vehicles as part of the Future Combat Systems program.  
 
The U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps are expected to purchase up to 54,000 JCM rounds to replace the Hellfire, Longbow and Maverick missiles currently in their arsenal.  
 
JCM’s multi-service, multi-mission requirements place significant demands on the design of the fuze and missile power systems. The missile’s warhead and associated multi-target, time-delay programmable fuze provide both a shaped-charge capability to defeat armored targets and a blast fragmentation capability for use against lightly armored or soft targets. The warhead design and the single fuze allow the pilot to select either of the two different detonation modes just prior to missile launch.  
 
“The performance of the PerkinElmer ESAD, a derivative of its successful design used in the Javelin missile, contributed to our selection as the JCM prime contractor,” said Rick Edwards, director of Tactical Missiles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The fuze was subjected to air gun firings of test missiles against brick-over-block structures, as well as howitzer shots that blasted it through concrete walls, and it performed flawlessly.”  
 
“We selected PerkinElmer to provide the power supply for this program because they demonstrated a unique capability to provide a very lightweight, efficient power supply at an affordable price,” said Steven Barnoske, Lockheed Martin JCM program manager.  
 
“PerkinElmer is uniquely qualified to deliver world-class solutions that meet or exceed the demanding needs of our military-aerospace partners,” said John Murphy, president, PerkinElmer Optoelectronics. “From design to deployment, customers such as Lockheed Martin rely upon our optoelectronics solutions and expertise to support their rigorous performance requirements. We are proud of this proven track record of success in supporting the creation of a new generation of smart weaponry.”  
 
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Lockheed Receives $87M to Provide Upgrade Kits for Jordan’s F-16s
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Oct. 21, 2004)
 
 
 FORT WORTH, Texas --- Lockheed Martin recently received a contract valued at $87 million to support upgrades to 17 F-16A/Bs transferred to the Royal Jordanian Air Force.  
 
The main upgrade is the F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU), essentially the same as being performed on 400 F-16s operated by the five European Participating Air Forces (EPAF). This modification consists of enhancements to the cockpit, avionics, sensors and weapons. These upgrades also improve system reliability and supportability. In addition, future software upgrades will be available through the common M-series F-16 software upgrade program being implemented by the U.S. Air Force and the EPAF.  
 
“This will be a low-risk, cost-effective modification for Jordan’s F-16s,” said David T. Wesolka, Lockheed Martin’s director of F-16 Sustainment Product Group. “No development is required, and they will be upgrading their jets to the same state-of-the-art capability as the five EPAF partners are implementing currently. Plus, they will benefit from the advantages of interoperability with other users of modern F-16s and be able to share in future software updates in a very cost-effective manner.”  
 
The 17 aircraft to be modified are USAF Block 15 F-16A/Bs with the Air Defense Fighter modification provided to Jordan under the Peace Falcon II Foreign Military Sales program. Some were flown to Jordan in 2003 and the rest are in storage in the United States. These aircraft are in addition to the 16 F-16A/Bs received by Jordan in 1997-98 in the Peace Falcon I program.  
 
The upgrade package also includes Falcon UP and Falcon STAR structural upgrades. The structural upgrades will extend the service life to 8,000 flight hours under demanding usage criteria. With typical flight rates, these aircraft could remain in service for another 20 years.  
 
The letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) for this Foreign Military Sales upgrade program was signed in January of this year and long-lead effort began in February. Modification kits will be delivered from the spring of 2006 through the spring of 2008. All aircraft will be modified between mid- 2006 and mid-2009. A brief flight test program will be conducted in late summer 2006.  
 
The contract was awarded Sept. 30. It covers kits, installation instructions, training, and normal spares and support after the aircraft have been modified. The kit components will be produced in the United States and Europe. The aircraft modifications will be performed at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities in Ankara, Turkey, and at a base to be named in Jordan.  
 
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Eurofighter Production in Full Swing at EADS: 100th Fuselage Centre Section Now in Equipment Assembly
 
 
(Source: EADS Military Aircraft; issued Oct. 23, 2004)
 
 
 MUNICH / MANCHING, Germany --- The 100th fuselage centre section for a Eurofighter production aircraft is currently undergoing equipment assembly at the Manching plant of EADS Military Aircraft.  
 
This ‘celebration’ main assembly is destined for the seventh Spanish single-seater fighter (SS007). The fuselage centre sections form the German production workshare in the four-nation Eurofighter production alliance, in which EADS in Germany and Spain, the Italian Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica and the British BAE Systems are working together.  
 
At Manching, within the scope of the "core programme" for the Luftwaffe and the air forces of the UK, Italy and Spain alone, a total of 620 fuselage centre sections will be equipped "ready for flyaway", after which they will be delivered to the respective national final assembly lines at Manching, Getafe near Madrid, Turin and Warton.  
 
In the production of the fuselage centre section, the Augsburg plant of EADS Military Aircraft has been entrusted with the main responsibility for manufacturing major components and assemblies, such as frames and the forward fuselage sections as well as the entire structure assembly. Augsburg assembles not only the Eurofighter sections produced at its own site but also the components that, since August this year, have been manufactured by ASL Lemwerder located near Bremen. EADS holds a majority stake in ASL Lemwerder since the beginning of 2004.  
 
The fuselage centre section is one of the technologically most demanding Eurofighter main assemblies. For the most part it consists of carbon composite materials, which are complicated to handle in the production process. The fuselage centre section has to absorb immense and varied forces, which act upon the nose landing gear, engine air intakes, the wing roots and the cannon. In addition, it serves as the integral central fuel tank.  
 
In the Military Aircraft Business Unit, which is an integrated part of the EADS Defence and Security Systems Division (DS), are concentrated all the EADS capabilities in the areas of high-performance combat aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), manned mission aircraft and training aircraft and the ground support equipment for these systems.  
 
With revenues of approx. EUR 5.2 billion in 2003 and roughly 24,000 employees across nine nations, DS forms the defence pole within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services.  
 
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, the Group generated revenues of EUR 30 billion and employed a workforce of more than 109,000.  
 
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Aermacchi: First Flight of the SF-260 in a New Version for the Italian Air Force
 
 
(Source: Aermacchi; issued Oct. 25, 2004)
 
 
 VENEGONO, Italy --- The SF-260, Aermacchi's (a Finmeccanica Group Company) primary trainer, has performed its first flight, in the new "EA" version specifically designed for the Italian Air Force.  
 
The maiden flight has lasted over 70 minutes and has allowed functional checks of the engine, flight controls and airborne systems of the aircraft, which is the first of thirty units covered by the contract that Aermacchi and the Italian Air Force signed early this year. Deliveries will start in early 2005, after the "type certification", and will be completed in summer 2006.  
 
The new EA configuration features a new avionics suite, improved cockpit ergonomics and improved maintainability.  
 
The electro-avionics equipment includes new radio-navigation and communication systems.  
 
The radio-navigation system consists of VOR/ILS, ADF, DME, GPS, ADI and HSI, arranged on both instrument panels in the usual “T” layout. They extend the possibility of assisted navigation and allow fully instrumented landings, improving the safety of flight and the effectiveness of training in navigation and aerobatic maneuvers.  
 
Radio communication systems that include two VHF/AM and an UHF/AM transceivers and an interphone system are provided with state-of-the-art components that ensure optimized communications between ground control and pilots.  
 
A new canopy design provides a more spacious cockpit compared with the previous aircraft configuration in service with the Italian Air Force. Instruments and control panels fitted with integrated lights allow easier reading. Cockpit ventilation has also been improved thanks to newly designed outlets and a new air conditioning system.  
 
Easy access to the battery compartment through a panel on the aircraft fuselage side and several other changes will facilitate maintenance operations.  
 
As Carlo Logli, Senior Vice President Aermacchi stated: "The Aermacchi SF-260 is the most successful Italian aircraft on the international market, being sold in over 880 units to 27 Air Forces. The flight of the SF-260EA, about two weeks after the official presentation of the advanced trainer M-346, confirms the commitment of Aermacchi to offer a complete range of trainers always able to respond to the ever-changing requirements of the market."  
 
The SF-260 is the world’s most successful modern pilot screener and primary trainer.  
 
The SF-260 is a fully aerobatic, two seat side-by-side propeller-driven trainer, with an additional third seat to expand its flexibility in non-aerobatic missions.  
 
Its flight characteristics and performance levels allow it to screen student pilot candidates while also effectively covering the entire primary training phase. The worldwide SF-260 fleet has accumulated over 1,800,000 flight hours.  
 
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First Single-Seater Eurofighter Takes Off in Manching
 
 
(Source: EADS Military Aircraft; issued Oct. 26, 2004)
 
 
 MUNICH, Germany --- The first single-seater production Eurofighter destined for operational service has completed its first flight at EADS Military Aircraft in Manching. The aircraft was aloft for 65 minutes.  
 
EADS test pilot Heinz-Dieter Spölgen, who flew the aircraft on its first flight, expressed his extreme satisfaction upon touchdown: "That was a really successful first flight! I was able to fly the test profile, taking the aircraft through its prescribed production flight acceptance test steps point for point in an exemplary manner. From the test pilot's point of view, the flight with the GS002 was rather in the category of a routine or functional check flight. Everything went off well and I enjoyed it very much!"  
 
The maiden flight of the Eurofighter designated GS002 – GS standing for German Single-seater – on the afternoon of 22.10.2004, marked the first flight of a single-seater production aircraft that will be assigned to flight operations. In contrast to the development aircraft or the so-called Instrumented Series Production Aircraft (ISPA), this aircraft is not equipped with test instrumentation. It is the first single-seater to be brought into operational service by an air force of the four partner nations, namely Germany's Luftwaffe, who will shortly be receiving the aircraft.  
 
Up to now, eight twin-seaters have been delivered to the Luftwaffe. They are being deployed both for training and also for operational testing at Fighter Wing "S" 73 at Laage. Twin-seater Eurofighters are also operational with the air forces of the other Eurofighter partner nations. Since deliveries commenced, all the partner air forces together have logged up more than 1,700 flight hours on twin-seater Eurofighters.  
 
With the maiden flight of the GS002, an important step has been taken towards delivering single-seater aircraft from the first production batch. Currently, all 148 of these Tranche 1 aircraft are at various stages of completion within the four partner nations.  
 
The Eurofighter partner companies have fulfilled the prerequisites for continuation of the Eurofighter project and are confident that the production contract for Tranche 2 will be signed before the year is out. In all, the order book currently stands at 638 aircraft, which are destined for the Eurofighter partner nations Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy and also the export nation Austria. In addition, negotiations are being conducted with Greece on procurement of Eurofighter. Further prospects are seen in Singapore, where Eurofighter has been downselected for the country's Next Fighter Replacement programme.  
 
In the Military Aircraft Business Unit, which is an integrated part of the EADS Defence and Security Systems Division (DS), are concentrated all the EADS capabilities in the areas of high-performance combat aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), manned mission aircraft and training aircraft and the ground support equipment for these systems.  
 
With revenues of approx. 5.2 billion euros in 2003 and roughly 24,000 employees across nine nations, DS forms the defence pole within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services.  
 
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, the Group generated revenues of 30 billion euros and employed a workforce of more than 109,000.  
 
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Life Time of Su-30MKI Power Plant Al-31FP Has Been Certified  
 
 
(Source: Irkut; issued Oct. 26, 2004)
 
 
 Within the frames of the contract for delivery of the Su-30MKI aircraft to the Indian Air Force, bench tests of the AL-31FP engine with thrust vector control (TVC) have been successfully completed in  
 
The tests of the engine had been carried out in parallel, at the bench of its designer – “NPO “Saturn” in Moscow, and the series production plant – JSC “UMPO” in the city of Ufa. The results of the tests confirmed 1000 hours mean time to overhaul and 2000 hours assigned life that were declared in the contract. Besides, the tests confirmed the mean time to overhaul making out 500 hours of the controlled jet nozzle.  
 
The “Certificate of the AL-31FP life-time” was signed on October 6, 2004, by the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Central Aviation Engines Institute (CIAM), “NPO “Saturn”, UMPO, SUKHOI Corporation and IRKUT Corporation.  
 
All the works to certify the AL-31FP life-time were conducted upon order and at the expense of Irkut Corporation. Costs of AL-31FP research and development (R&D) were around 20% of the total Su-30MKI contract R&D costs.  
 
Irkut Corporation President Alexey Fedorov stated that “engine life-time has always been one of the most critical factors to define customer’s choice. I’m glad that the tests have been accomplished successfully and we managed to implement parameters that were declared. Test program was very long and complicated, and I would like to thank for excellent work all who participated in its realization”.  
 
The AL-31FP is the only engine with TVC under series production in the world. TVC improves safety of flight in all modes, prevents spin and enables the Su-30MKI aircraft to operate in the super maneuverability mode, thus ensuring a critical advantage in close-in air-to-air combat. The AL-31FP thrust amounts to 12500 kgf, the engine is controlled by means of an electronic regulating system. In terms of its lifetime parameters, the engine complies with the international standards of fighter power plants and has no equivalent in Russia.  
 
Mastering of the AL-31FP license production has started at the facilities of the Indian HAL Corporation. Its maintenance and repair will be carried out in a service center being established in India jointly by Russia and India.  
 
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ITT Industries Wins $40 Million U.S. Air Force Contract to Supply Night Vision Goggles
 
 
(Source: ITT Industries; dated Oct. 18, released Oct. 27, 2004)
 
 
 WHITE PLAINS, NY --- ITT Industries, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a $40 million firm fixed price contract to provide AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles for use by U.S. Air Force fixed and rotary wing crews. These include pilots, co-pilots and other crewmembers aboard H-60 helicopters, KC-135 and KC-10 tankers, as well as C-17 and C-130 transport aircraft. The work will be performed by ITT_s Night Vision Division and is scheduled to be complete by July 2007.  
 
“The U.S. Air Force has been using our product for years, and we welcome this latest contract win,” said ITT Industries’ Night Vision Vice President and Director of Business Development Larry Curfiss. “As the industry leader in high-performance night vision technology, we value our strong relationship with the U.S. Air Force and are committed to helping these men and women perform their critical missions.”  
 
ITT Industries Night Vision, based in Roanoke, Va., is the world’s leading developer, producer and supplier of Generation 3 image intensifier technology for U.S. and allied military forces as well as federal, state and local law enforcement.  
 
ITT Industries, Inc. is a $6 billion global multi-industry company based in White Plains, NY.  
 
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Danish Multi-Role EH101 Named Merlin Joint Supporter
 
 
(Source: Agusta Westland; issued Oct. 27, 2004)
 
 
 The Danish Multi-Role AgustaWestland EH101 helicopter was officially named Merlin Joint Supporter by Major General Klaus Axelsen of Air Materiel Command, Denmark, at a ceremony held yesterday at Agusta Westland’s Yeovil factory.  
 
Alan Johnston, Managing Director of Westland Helicopters, [said] “A tremendous amount of work has been undertaken throughout AgustaWestland, working closely with the Danish Air Materiel Command to prepare for the initial delivery at the end of this year. We look forward to Denmark joining the growing number of EH101 operators around the world who on a daily basis are benefiting from this helicopter’s excellent operational capabilities.”  
 
Major General Axelsen speaking at the naming ceremony said “I look forward to the delivery of the first Merlin Joint Supporter, a helicopter that is going to serve, not only the Danish Air Force, but also the Army and Navy for many years to come. It is going to provide the Air Force with the necessary capacity to continue its development towards an Expeditionary Air Force.”  
 
He went on to say the Merlin Joint Supporter with its high airspeed, modern sensor package and ability to fly in icing conditions will add a new dimension to the Tactical Troop Transport and Search and Rescue capabilities of the Danish armed forces.  
 
Denmark selected the EH101 for its Search and Rescue and Tactical Troop Transport requirements in September 2001 after an extensive assessment of both the EH101 and the Sikorsky S-92.  
 
Fourteen aircraft were ordered in multi-role configuration and the first EH101 for Denmark performed its maiden flight on 12th December 2003. Deliveries of the Merlin Joint Supporter will continue through 2005.  
 
 
AgustaWestland is one of the largest helicopter companies in the world. The company offers an unrivaled range of helicopters to satisfy the requirements of civil and military customers. AgustaWestland has its primary operations in Cascina Costa, Italy, and Yeovil, United Kingdom. AgustaWestland has two subsidiaries in the USA: AgustaWestland Inc located in Arlington, Virginia and Agusta Aerospace Corporation located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where helicopters are assembled and customized for the US market.  
 
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Lockheed Martin Delivers First Super Hercules Built Under Multi-Year Acquisition Contract  
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Nov. 2, 2004)
 
 
 MARIETTA, Ga. --- Lockheed Martin has delivered the first KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft ordered under a joint United States Air Force/U.S. Marine Corps multi-year acquisition program. The KC-130J for the Marine Corps was formally accepted by Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hough, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps. The aircraft will be delivered to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) at the Cherry Point, North Carolina, Marine Corps Air Station.  
 
“A weapon system bought under a multi-year program is a weapon system that is of little risk. This means the price has been finalized and therefore you can buy a lot of them ... people have a lot of trust, faith and confidence in this not only because it works, but because it’s going to work for many, many years to come. The C-130 is without a doubt the world’s best transport,” said General Hough, during ceremonies at Lockheed Martin.  
 
“The reason we’re still building this airplane, and improving upon it, is because there’s no airplane that can do what it does and nothing has been invented that can do it better, especially in the business we are in today where we’re in a war on terror,” Hough said. “It’s a credit to everybody that works here and to this leadership to build this airplane for this country. It’s a national asset.”  
 
In 2002, the Department of Defense entered into a $4.3 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for a multiyear program to buy 60 Super Hercules aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps. The contract includes 40 C-130J airlifters for the Air Force and 20 KC-130J tankers for the Marine Corps to be delivered between 2004 and 2009. There is currently a requirement for 51 KC- 130Js, of which 33 have been ordered and 14 delivered.  
 
The KC-130J is the tanker variant of the C-130J. Using only wing and external tanks, the KC-130J has a 57,500-pound (8,455 U.S. gallons) fuel offload capability while performing a 500 nm radius mission, compared with 38,000 pounds (5,588 U.S. gallons) for the current, and nearly 40-year-old, KC-130F fleet. The aircraft’s propulsion system offers a key enhancement for rapid ground refueling, including a function that feathers the props while the turbines continue to run and pump fuel. This eliminates prop blast behind the aircraft so ground forces can operate in relative calm. The KC-130J can offload up to 600 gallons of fuel per minute -- nearly four times the current offload rate.  
 
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the C-130. More than 2,270 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to 60 countries since the program began. Today, 67 countries, counting those that bought used aircraft, fly the Hercules. The C-130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.  
 
A total of 180 C-130Js have been ordered, with 118 delivered to date. In the United States, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard has introduced the HC-130J into service. International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force. The capabilities and performance of the C-130J in supporting light, fast and lethal combat operations make it a true transformational asset.  
 
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.  
 
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Mach 10 Free Flight of Hypersonic X-43A Delayed
 
 
(Source: NASA; issued Nov. 3, 2004)
 
 
 EDWARDS, Calif.--- Due to weather and scheduling concerns, the third flight of NASA’s X-43A hypersonic research aircraft has been rescheduled for no earlier than Monday, Nov. 15, 2004.  
 
If availability of the U.S. Navy test range off the Southern California coast or weather conditions preclude conducting the mission, Nov. 16 is the backup date for the flight. The flight is scheduled at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif.  
 
The mission is intended to flight-validate the operation of the X-43A’s supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engine at an airspeed of almost Mach 10, about 6,800 mph. Technicians are preparing the research vehicle and its rocket booster for mating to the B-52B launch aircraft. Project engineers are completing control room training for the mission.  
 
The final X-43A mission is also expected to be the last research mission for NASA’s venerable B-52B “mothership” heavy launch aircraft. It is due for retirement after almost 50 years of service.  
A pre-flight news media briefing at Dryden is rescheduled for the week of Nov. 8-12.  
 
The exact date will be announced to coincide with the X-43A mission.  
 
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Lockheed Delivers Airborne Laser Flight Turret Assembly
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Nov. 3, 2004)
 
 
 SUNNYVALE, Calif. --- Lockheed Martin today announced it has delivered the Airborne Laser (ABL) Flight Turret Assembly (FTA) to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for integration into the aircraft. This event follows Lockheed Martin’s delivery of its ABL Beam Transfer Assembly and Multi-Beam Illuminator earlier in the year.  
 
ABL will be the world’s first megawatt-class laser weapon system integrated on a specially configured Boeing 747-400F aircraft to autonomously detect, track and destroy hostile ballistic missiles. Lockheed Martin is responsible for the system that will accurately point, focus and fire the laser to provide sufficient energy to destroy the missile while it is still in the highly vulnerable boost phase of flight. The ABL program is managed by the Missile Defense Agency and is executed by the U.S. Air Force from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M.  
 
“Integration and delivery of the FTA -- the third major element of our Beam Control/Fire Control segment of ABL marks a major milestone for both the program and our team,” said Paul Shattuck, ABL technical director for Lockheed Martin Space Systems. “Our extensive testing has validated the ability to point the turret with the agility and speed required to track and negate targets.”  
 
The FTA comprises the flight turret ball, containing a 1.5-meter telescope beam director and the conformal window, and its lightweight composite roll shell structure that covers and protects the optics when they are not in use. It is the FTA that distinguishes the ABL aircraft from any other Boeing 747. It is the distinctive “nose” of the aircraft from which the high-energy laser will be “fired” at threat missiles.  
 
The flight turret ball arrived for integration at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in early May from subcontractor L3-Brashear, Pittsburgh, Pa. The turret activity in Sunnyvale focused on testing of the outer gimbal controls using a surrogate turret configuration and regression testing of the flight ball. The testing using the surrogate configuration (surrogate ball and flight roll shell) verified that the gimbal -- or rotational -- system functions properly and reduced risk prior to integration of the flight ball, which took place in June. Following integration of the flight ball, the flight turret was subjected to a thorough set of performance tests prior to shipment to Edwards.  
 
The end-to-end ground tests and staggered deliveries of ABL Beam Control/Fire Control (BC/FC) components to Edwards Air Force Base throughout the spring and summer of 2004 -- and their sequential integration onto the aircraft -- have been carefully planned to achieve the objective of a flight test of the ABL aircraft by the end of the year, with the complete BC/FC element as an integral part of the system.  
 
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, working closely with the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency, are developing ABL. Boeing is responsible for developing the ABL battle management system, integrating the weapon system, and supplying the modified 747-400 freighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin is developing the Beam Control/Fire Control system. Northrop Grumman is providing the complete chemical oxygen iodine high-energy laser system.  
 
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures, and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.  
 
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corporation employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.  
 
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Lockheed Flight Tests Sniper XR Downlink Capability
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Nov. 3, 2004)
 
 
 ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lockheed Martin’s Sniper XR/PANTERA advanced targeting pod (ATP) data downlink capability was successfully flight tested on a Norwegian mid-life upgrade F-16 aircraft at Bodo Air Force Base in Bodo, Norway. This event marked the first flight for the Sniper XR-based downlink capability.  
 
A production PANTERA pod was modified in-country by Royal Norwegian Air Force personnel in less than one hour to provide the downlink capability. The data downlink demonstration included both a ground-based safety-of-flight electromagnetic compatibility test and two flying missions. The downlink performed flawlessly and was shown to have no adverse affects on other aircraft systems.  
 
Representatives from both the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) and the Norwegian Army witnessed the demonstration and were impressed with the success of this first-time event. The downlink system transmitted a real-time PANTERA video stream to a downlink ground station from the F-16 aircraft at tactically significant ranges. It was “absolutely phenomenal,” stated Lou Karbiener, PANTERA Norway program manager. “The system exceeded even our most optimistic operational expectations.”  
 
The Sniper XR/PANTERA downlink supports the armed forces move towards a net-centric battlespace, allowing ground forces to view the battlefield from the airborne vantage point by providing wireless, scrambled, real-time streaming video (infrared and day TV) from the aircraft to ground forces. Linking targeting sensor imagery to ground forces significantly enhances their situational awareness, allows for greater precision and shortens timelines in coordinating air and ground operations.  
 
The Sniper XR/PANTERA downlink is compatible with currently fielded, man- portable ground receiver stations (Rover III) and features a long-range line- of-sight transmission radius. User-defined pod symbology, including aircraft display indications and Global Positioning System (GPS) information, are contained in the video transmission. Additionally, this downlink allows for simultaneous video transmission from multiple downlink-equipped aircraft operating in the same airspace.  
 
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.  
 
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[JLRC]

Boeing selects Stork Aerospace for the Wiring Systems of the 737 AEW&C programme
 
 
(Source: Stork Aerospace; issued Nov. 4, 2004)
 
 
 Stork Aerospace has reached agreement with The Boeing Company about the supply of design assistance and wiring systems for the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) programme. The package includes all complex interconnections for the AEW&C mission systems.  
 
The Boeing 737 AEW&C system is the new world standard in AEW&C because of its superior aircraft performance and supportability based on the experience gained with the commercial 737 family. The 737 is integrated with combat-proven systems, which will provide survivable crisis/battle management and superior early warning, command and control capabilities. The aircraft is equipped with a 360-degree surveillance radar for continuous coverage of air and sea targets.  
 
Fokker Elmo, part of Stork Aerospace, was able a number of years ago not only to meet but even to exceed Boeing's expectations with the delivery of the first series for the 737 AEW&C 'Wedgetail' for the Royal Australian Air Force.  
 
This performance by the Stork company was the basis of Boeing's decision to include Fokker Elmo on the entire 737 AEW&C product line. Under the new agreement Fokker Elmo will start preparations this month for the next series of the 737 AEW&C 'Peace Eagle' for the Turkish Air Force.  
 
Deliveries are scheduled to start at the beginning of March 2005, continuing to the end of 2007. The 'Peace Eagle' programme represents a value for Fokker Elmo of several million euro over this period.  
 
Jan Lagasse, president of the Stork company Fokker Elmo, stated: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to further extend our relationship with The Boeing Company, following the mutually successful partnership on a previous AWACS contract a few years ago".  
 
Fokker Elmo (with locations in the Netherlands, the USA and China) specialises in electrical systems for the commercial and military aircraft industry. The company is part of the Stork Aerospace group. The group achieved a turnover of EUR 478 million in 2003 with 3,000 employees out of the total Stork turnover of EUR 1.94 billion.  
 
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[JLRC]

Elbit Systems with Avioane Craiova Will Supply Eight IAR-99 Lead-in Trainer Aircraft to Romanian AF
 
 
(Source: Elbit Systems; issued Nov. 10, 2004)
 
 
 HAIFA --- Elbit Systems, in cooperation with the Romanian aircraft manufacturer Avioane Craiova, was recently awarded a $43 million contract from the Romanian Defense Ministry to supply eight IAR-99 lead-in trainer aircraft. The project will be executed in cooperation with Romanian industries over a period of three and a half years.  
 
As part of the contract, Elbit Systems will supply an advanced avionics package which will contribute to significant savings in pilot training costs. Elbit Systems will also supply ACTS, an Advanced Combat Training System, which will aid pilot training and the transition to upgraded MiG-21 aircraft and other future fighters.  
 
This contract follows Elbit Systems’ upgrade project of four IAR-99 aircraft which was announced in 2001. The first program has since been completed and the aircraft are currently used by the Romanian Air Force.  
 
Elbit Systems has been operating in Romania for the past 10 years and has conducted joint ventures with the country’s leading defense industries in domestic and international projects wards, achieving an offset value through investment in and export from Romania of high-tech products.  
 
Joseph Ackerman, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, said that supplying the advanced avionics and training packages to Romania’s Air Force flight training school strengthens the company’s cooperation with the Romanian Ministry of Defense, Air Force and military industries. He added it is yet another step in Elbit Systems’ strategy to expand its upgrade operations in Israel and around the world.  
 
The upgraded IAR-99s, developed by Elbit Systems and Avioane Craiova, have already recorded 1,300 flight hours and performed at the Farnborough and Paris air shows.  
 
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world, in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), advanced electro-optic and space technologies. The Company focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense and homeland security applications.  
 
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