Atlantic Airways Orders CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A319
June 15, 2009
LE BOURGET, France — June 15, 2008 — Atlantic Airways, the national airline of the Faroe Islands, has selected the CFM56-5B engine to power the Airbus A319 the airline ordered in 2008. Atlantic Airways placed a firm order with CFM on the first day of the 2009 Le Bourget Air Show. The airline is scheduled to take delivery in 2011.
Atlantic Airways, which was established in 1987, plans to operate its new aircraft on regular flights between Faroe Islands and Denmark, as well as other European countries. The engines will be the advanced CFM56-5B Tech Insertion configuration.
“We chose the CFM56-5B as we believe this product provides us the best overall solution when you take into account reliability, performance economics and environment,” said Mr. Magni Arge, president and CEO of Atlantic Airways.
“We are very pleased to welcome Atlantic Airways as a new CFM customers especially in current economic environment,” said Claude Poulain, vice president of sales for CFM International. “Our commitment is to provide the high quality product and world-class support that Atlantic Airways is counting on.”
Tech Insertion engines will bring significant operational benefits for Atlantic Airways. Over the engine’s life cycle, CFM56 Tech Insertion will provide the airline better specific fuel consumption, which translates to better fuel burn and, as a result, lower CO2 emissions. The engine also meets the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection standards (CAEP /6) that took effect in early 2008.
Tech Insertion will also result in longer time on wing through an equivalent 15 – 20° C additional exhaust gas temperature margin; between 5 and 15 percent lower maintenance costs (depending on the thrust rating) through enhanced durability. These benefits are achieved through improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high- and low-pressure turbines.
CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company.
From left to right, Claude Poulain, vice president sales, CFM International; center, Magni Arge, president and CEO, Atlantic Airways; right, Jean Massot, executive vice president, sales and marketing, CFM International.
Qatar Airways buys 24 Airbus A320 Family aircraft
June 15, 2009
Adds flexibility to fleet
Doha-based national carrier, Qatar Airways, has signed a firm contract for 24 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. The agreement includes the firming up of a contract for four A321 aircraft announced at the Farnborough Air show in July 2008.
Qatar Airways currently operates 19 A320 Family aircraft, the Middle East’s largest fleet. The new aircraft configured with a two-class cabin will be deployed to enhance and expand services on regional, Eastern European and south west Asia services.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “The additional Airbus A320s and A321s give Qatar Airways a firm footing in the rapid development and expansion of our regional network. Qatar Airways is determined to grow with the world’s best aircraft at the heart of a modern and fuel efficient fleet, and this A320 Family order will ensure that our narrow-body fleet is the youngest and best equipped in the region.”
In addition to 19 A320 Family aircraft, Qatar’s current in-service fleet includes four A340-600s and the region’s largest fleet of 29 A330s.
“Qatar Airways’s partnership with Airbus dates back to the early 1990’s, and we take great pride that it is stronger today than ever before. Qatar already operates a modern fleet of eco-efficient Airbus’ and we are delighted that with the equally efficient A320, Airbus is forming the backbone of Qatar’s modern fleet,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.
Qatar Airways is one of the world’s leading airlines, with a fleet that includes A320s, A300Fs, A330s and A340 aircraft including the ACJ corporate jet. Qatar Airways is also a customer for the 21st Century flagship, the A380 and is the largest customer for the A350 XWB.
The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. Over 6,300 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and almost 3,900 delivered to more than 300 customers and operators worldwide, making it the worlds best selling commercial jetliner ever.
With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system.
OEM Defence Services now fully operational
June 15, 2009
Paris Air Show, 15 June 2009 – OEM Defence Services is pleased to announce that the
company is now fully operational – one year after the agreement was signed by Diehl
Aerospace, Liebherr-Aerospace, Safran, Thales and Zodiac Aerospace.
OEM Defence Services, which was formally registered in France in October 2008, represents
an alliance of major European equipment manufacturers that provides integrated industrial
support solutions to meet the specific needs of national armed forces.
The OEM Defence Services offer is mainly based on an “Equipment Availability” model that
facilitates successful aircraft operations for end-users. This offer provides a consistent,
enduring and comprehensive cost effective Equipment Availability service aimed at optimal
aircraft fleet availability, which may be outsourced to a prime provider. This concept is
shifting logistic support risks to the equipment service supplier.
Backed by an efficient industrial base of shareholders and associated partners, OEM
Defence Services proposes a cooperative model that synergistically provides serviceoriented
activities. It covers on-site customer air base tasks, and management of the
complete supply chain, including transport and the management of stock and spares. This
organization brings further added value to customers through management of obsolescence
and risks that prevent accumulated risks and provide mitigation at each appropriate level.
While OEM Defence Services was initially designed to provide innovative support contracts
for a wide range of equipment and systems onboard the NH90 and Tiger helicopters and the
A400M military transport aircraft, the service offer and equipment availability commitment it
proposes matches Contractor Logistic Support requirements needed for other fleets in
service.
OEM Defence Services is an open structure, which can be joined by other OEMs and
partners aiming to provide support solutions for enhanced equipment availability. The service
offer has been marketed and promoted to state organizations in various European countries
and to the aircraft manufacturers. It has been well received in the context of military budget
constraints that are leading to new approaches in logistic support.
The contractual mode offered by OEM Defence Services drastically simplifies processes
from a customer point of view as it has made it possible to manage one contract that covers
a full range of equipment.
Bombardier Aerospace Releases Annual Market Forecasts
June 15, 2009
– 10-year Business Aircraft Market Forecast predicts 11,500 deliveries from 2009 to 2018, representing market-wide revenues of $256 billion US
– 20-year Commercial Aircraft Market Forecast from 2009 to 2028 predicts 12,400 deliveries in 20- to 149-seat market, worth approximately $589 billion US
PARIS, FRANCE–(Marketwire – June 15, 2009) – Today, Bombardier Aerospace released its annual market forecasts for the business and commercial aircraft markets.
“The financial turbulence being felt around the globe has placed a significant focus on the challenges facing the aviation industry, particularly within the business jet sector. The sharp downturn in global economies in late 2008 precipitated a sharp decline in demand that affected aircraft manufacturers, suppliers and operators. With demand for air travel closely linked to economic growth, we anticipate continued volatility in the aerospace industry in the near term. However, despite the current recession, the market fundamentals are strong in the long term. As the world begins to emerge from this economic crisis, demand should gradually return and future prospects remain solid,” said Mairead Lavery, Vice-President, Strategy and Business Development, Bombardier Aerospace.
Business Aircraft Market Forecast
In the 10-year period from 2009 to 2018, the Bombardier Business Aircraft Market Forecast predicts that business jet manufacturers will deliver a total of 11,500 aircraft(i) with revenues of approximately $256 billion US(ii) for the industry.
While in the short term the industry faces such important challenges as high pre-owned inventories, negative public perceptions and a difficult economic climate, Bombardier remains confident that there is a strong potential for the business aircraft industry over the next 10 years. The anticipated return of global economic growth is expected to result in a strong recovery in the demand for business jets.
The worldwide business jet fleet included approximately 13,600 aircraft at the end of 2008. It is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.8 per cent over the forecast period to some 23,800 units after aircraft retirements.
The fundamentals of the business jet industry are solid and are expected to remain positive in the long term. Consequently, Bombardier will maintain its focus on strengthening its market leadership position by continuing to invest in its current and future products. With continued growth expected in the medium to long term, the market needs new, innovative aircraft that provide operators with optimized solutions designed to meet their business objectives. An example of Bombardier’s ability to constantly pursue innovation and technical advancement is the all new, composite Learjet 85 business jet, scheduled to enter into service in 2013.
Commercial Aircraft Market Forecast
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Market Forecast has demand for 20- to 149-seat commercial aircraft at 12,400 new aircraft deliveries in the 20-year period from 2009 to 2028. Despite a slight adjustment in demand from last year’s forecast, the long term fundamentals within the industry remain positive. The forecasted demand is valued at approximately $589 billion US(ii).
Continued downward yield pressure, projected fuel price increases and environmental concerns will reinforce operators’ requirement for modern aircraft with low operating costs. As a result, we anticipate a trend towards the right-sizing of more fuel-efficient aircraft types and a significant number of retirements. Sixty per cent, or 6,900 units, of the current 20- to 149-seat market are expected to be retired over the period of the forecast.
The forecast reflects the shift in demand to the upper end of regional and lower end of the mainline market:
– In the 20- to 59-seat aircraft segment: the forecast predicts deliveries of 300 aircraft;
– In the 60- to 99-seat aircraft segment: deliveries are predicted to reach 5,800 aircraft;
– In the 100- to 149-seat aircraft segment: the forecast predicts deliveries for 6,300 aircraft.
A world leader in the design and production of aircraft with 149 seats and less, Bombardier’s commercial aircraft portfolio of products is optimized for the market segments they serve. In service in 12 out of the world’s 20 largest airlines, their subsidiaries or affiliated companies(iii), Bombardier’s comprehensive portfolio of regional jets and turboprop aircraft include the CRJ700/CRJ900/CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets and Q400 NextGen turboprops. These aircraft meet a wide spectrum of customers needs and are the backbone of many of the world’s airlines.
In March 2009, Bombardier announced firm purchase agreements from two customers for its CSeries aircraft program which was launched in July 2008. Set to redefine the 100- to 149- seat category, this new, game-changing family of commercial aircraft will offer operational flexibility, lower operating costs and passenger comfort to mainline carriers, and will be the most environmentally sensitive family of aircraft in its market segment(iiii).
Creating a sustainable future for aviation
The aviation industry has also focused its attention on the important issue of creating sustainable transportation solutions. For its part, Bombardier is being proactive to address environmental concerns. Bombardier’s priority is to design the most fuel-efficient aircraft with the lowest noise and emissions in their category, reducing their environmental footprint and meeting its customers’ requirements. In addition, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Bombardier Aerospace was the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to offer business aircraft customers a fully managed carbon-offset program.
EAGLE CREEK AVIATION LAUNCHES AVIDYNE RETROFIT PROGRAM WITH DELIVERY OF ENTEGRA RELEASE 9-EQUIPPED CIRRUS SR22
June 11, 2009
Eagle Creek’s retrofit installation of the Entegra Release 9 system provides existing Cirrus owners with the easiest-to-use IFR flight deck system available.
Lincoln, MA, June 11, 2009–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated flight deck and safety systems for general aviation aircraft announced today that Eagle Creek Aviation Services, Inc. of Indianapolis has completed and delivered its first customer retrofit of the new Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck (IFD) system in a Cirrus SR22 aircraft.
“We are really excited to be working with Avidyne on the Entegra Release 9 retrofit program,” said Matt Hagans, Eagle Creek’s CEO. “Release 9 is an incredibly capable new flight deck system and our customers will be delighted with its ease of use, just as we were impressed with its ease of installation.”
“Eagle Creek is recognized around the world for their expertise in full-panel retrofits, and they were on board with us very early in the process to be one of our premier Entegra Release 9 installation facilities,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “The Entegra Release 9 retrofit program has been very well received by our customers and dealers alike, and Eagle Creek has proven to be a great Avidyne partner for servicing the Cirrus community at large with their Release 9 retrofits.”
“As a long-time Cirrus owner, I have been a big fan of Avidyne’s renowned ease of use, so the decision to upgrade to Entegra Release 9 , with its amazingly powerful yet simple-to-operate FMS900w, was an easy one for me,” said Bill Frank, Cirrus N787WF owner. “When I learned that Eagle Creek was already approved as an R9 installation center, it made my decision even easier.”
Entegra Release 9 is currently certified as a retrofit upgrade for existing Entegra-equipped Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. Avidyne has developed a full schedule of “Entegra Release 9 Across America” Fly-Ins and Demonstration Seminars that are currently underway so that interested parties can experience the system in a city near them. As part of this schedule, Avidyne will be exhibiting and hosting Entegra Release 9 flight demos at the upcoming Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association Annual Migration (M7) in Duluth, MN on June 25-28, 2009.
For a complete schedule, go to: http://www.avidyne.com/products/release-9/demo-schedule.asp
Pricing & Availability
The retail price of the Entegra Release 9 retrofit for Cirrus SR20 & SR22 is $72,800 which includes dual XGA displays, FMS keyboard, dual GPS/FMS receivers, dual 16-watt VHF COMM radios, and MLB700 XM/SIRIUS Broadcast datalink receiver.
Avidyne is now accepting Entegra Release 9 orders for mid-July deliveries for domestically-owned Cirrus aircraft and also for N-registered Cirrus aircraft in international markets. Contact Avidyne to locate an Avidyne-approved Entegra Release 9 installation center near you.
Avidyne has also launched their “Avidyne Live” forum, which captures customer’s pilot reports (pireps), pictures, and feature stories at www.avidynelive.com.
About Eagle Creek Aviation Services, Inc. (www.eagle-creek.com)
Eagle Creek Aviation offers aircraft owners and operators a complete line of services including maintenance, avionics, interior refurbishment, and parts support as well as aircraft sales and brokerage services. The company also provides executive aircraft management through its First Wing division, and operates a full-service fixed based operation (FBO) at EYE in Indianapolis and one at Naples, FL (APF) as Naples Jet Center.
GE and NASA To Begin Wind-Tunnel Testing This Summer of Open Rotor Jet Engine Systems
June 11, 2009
EVENDALE, Ohio – June 11, 2009 – Following several months refurbishing
a special NASA test rig, GE Aviation and NASA this summer will begin a
wind-tunnel test program to evaluate counterrotating fan-blade systems
for “open rotor” jet engine designs.
The testing will be conducted throughout 2009 and early 2010 at wind
tunnel facilities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
This is not a full engine test, but a component rig test to evaluate
subscale fan systems using GE’s and NASA’s advanced computational
tools and data acquisition systems.
In the 1980s, GE successfully ground-tested and flew an open-rotor jet
engine that demonstrated fuel savings of more than 30 percent compared
with similar-sized, jet engines with conventional, ducted front fan
systems. Since then, GE has dramatically advanced its computational
aero-acoustic analysis tools to better understand and improve
open-rotor systems.
“The tests mark a new journey for GE and NASA in the world of open
rotor technology,” said David Joyce, president of GE Aviation. “These
tests will help to tell us how confident we are in meeting the
technical challenges of an open-rotor architecture. It’s a journey
driven by a need to sharply reduce fuel consumption in future
aircraft.”
GE and the Fundamental Aeronautics Program of NASA’s Aeronautics
Research Mission Directorate in Washington are jointly funding the
program. Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France, GE’s longtime 50/50 partner
in CFM International, a highly successful joint company, will
participate with fan blade designs.
For the NASA tests, GE will run two rows of counterrotating fan
blades, with 12 blades in the front row and 10 blades in the back row.
The composite fan blades are 1/5 subscale in size. They will be
tested in simulated flight conditions in Glenn’s low-speed wind tunnel
to simulate low-altitude aircraft speeds for acoustic evaluation, and
also in Glenn’s high-speed wind tunnel to simulate high-altitude
cruise conditions in order to evaluate blade efficiency and
performance.
Engine noise is a prime challenge in operating open-rotor engines in a
commercial aviation environment.
NASA’s test rig, now refurbished and modernized, was actually used in
the 1980s when NASA and GE first tested scale-model, counterrotating
fan systems that led to the development of the open rotor GE36 engine.
***
The first wind-tunnel tests this summer will essentially reenact those
1980s tests. GE and NASA will first run blades of the same design
that led to the original GE36 jet engine. This will establish
critically important baseline data for GE for flight test correlation
because the GE36 in the 1980s flew on Boeing 727 and MD-80 aircraft.
As new and more exotic fan blade designs are run in the wind tunnel,
GE and NASA will be able to assess comprehensive aero and acoustic
design space in order to better understand how these designs will
perform in an actual operating environment.
In total, GE and NASA will run six different sets of blades in the
NASA wind tunnels, including five sets of modern blade designs. GE
designed and fabricated the scale-model blades at its Cincinnati
facility using technical input provided by the GE Corporate Research
Center in New York.
Open-rotor jet engine designs are among the longer-term technologies
being evaluated for LEAP-X, CFM International’s (GE/Snecma) technology
program focusing on future advances for next-generation CFM56 engines.
EADS North America Selects Supplier Team to Outfit UH-72A Lakota for Security and Support Missions
June 11, 2009
ARLINGTON, VA and GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–(Marketwire – June 11, 2009) – EADS North America and its subsidiary, American Eurocopter, have selected the industry team that will provide components and sub-systems for the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter Security and Support (S&S) mission equipment package (MEP).
The UH-72A in the S&S configuration will provide Army National Guard units the flexibility to respond to a wide variety of Homeland Security, Homeland Defense and civil law enforcement support missions. The mission equipment package consists of an electro-optical infrared sensor, data communications suite, moving map display, cabin and cockpit screens, a digital video recorder and a searchlight.
Companies selected to provide key components and sub-systems for the S&S mission equipment package are:
-- LCX Systems; Sarasota, Fla. -- Sierra Nevada Corporation; Sparks, Nev. -- Ranger Rotorcraft Group; Fort Worth, Texas -- MARK IV Luminator; Plano, Texas -- L-3 Communications; New York, N.Y.
The Army plans to equip 200 National Guard Lakota’s with the S&S mission equipment package.
“This is a significant step for the Lakota industry team as we continue to meet the evolving operational requirements of the UH-72A and our Army customer,” said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., EADS North America chairman and CEO. “The addition of these five experienced aerospace companies further strengthens our proven industry team that is delivering helicopters to the Army on schedule and on budget.”
To date, 128 Lakotas have been ordered by the Army, with the military service planning to acquire a total of 345 UH-72As through 2016. In addition, five Light Utility Helicopters have been ordered by the U.S. Navy for pilot training at the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Md. Currently EADS North America has delivered 69 UH-72A Lakotas, all on or ahead of schedule.
The UH-72A is based on Eurocopter’s proven EC145 multi-role helicopter. As part of EADS North America’s expansion of its U.S. industrial presence, a new, purpose-built Lakota production facility operated by American Eurocopter in Columbus, Miss. has become the focal point of the corporation’s LUH production and configuration efforts.
Additionally, American Eurocopter has expanded its pilot and maintainer training capabilities and systems engineering staff in Grand Prairie, Texas to meet the growing needs of the Army and its LUH program. These two facilities generate high-value jobs in the United States, and the Columbus facility has met its goal of creating new job opportunities in the region, with total employment planned to surpass 250 as the UH-72A program reaches its full production and final assembly capability.
The UH-72A Lakota fleet has an operational availability rate higher than 90 percent, underscoring the readiness of these rotary-wing aircraft to perform their varied assignments. The Lakota fleet is supported through a combination of performance-based logistics using full contractor logistics support (CLS) and a hybrid CLS concept with the Army National Guard aircraft.
UH-72As are used in operations across the country that include MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) and evacuation missions, general and multi-role support missions, VIP transport and paradrop operations. Lakotas also participated in disaster relief and coordination missions for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in the southern U.S. last September.
Current basing and operating locations for the UH-72A fleet include the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.; Fort Eustis and Fort Belvoir, Va.; Fort Polk and Pineville, La.; Fort Irwin, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Morrisville, N.C.; Tupelo, Miss.; Burlington, Vt.; Austin, Texas; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and this month, the Arkansas National Guard.
Lakotas carry six passengers and a crew of two pilots in the standard configuration, while two litters and seats for two support personnel are available in the MEDEVAC configuration. The UH-72A also has been certified by the U.S. Army for the free-fall deployment of paratroopers, using the rotary-wing aircraft’s large side-fuselage sliding doors. S&S-configured Lakotas will be employed in Army National Guard Reconnaissance and Interdiction detachment (RAID) missions.
In addition to their U.S. Army basing in the continental United States, overseas deployments of UH-72As are anticipated in Europe and Japan. The Lakota’s phase-in enables aging National Guard OH-58 and UH-1 rotary-wing aircraft to be retired, while Lakota deliveries to the active component of the Army free up UH-60 Black Hawks for assignment to warfighting missions.
FAA Installs Runway Safety Warning System at LAX
June 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire – June 11, 2009) – Technology that alerts pilots to potential runway safety hazards is now operating at Los Angeles International Airport thanks to a partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration and the City of Los Angeles.
The system, called Runway Status Lights, uses a series of red lights embedded in the pavement to warn pilots if it’s unsafe to enter or cross a runway, or to take off. Los Angeles World Airports paid for the $7 million system; the FAA installed the system and will maintain it.
“Runway Status Lights are a critical safety enhancement for LAX,” said Wes Timmons, the FAA’s director of runway safety. “This system has proved that it is highly effective in preventing potentially dangerous runway incidents from occurring.”
LAX is the third U.S. airport to get Runway Status Lights following several years of successful tests at Dallas-Fort Worth and San Diego. It’s the first airport to have the lights installed on multiple runways.
“With the installation of Runway Status Lights, LAX has established itself ahead of the curve when it comes to passenger safety,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “Through partnership with the FAA, Los Angeles will continue to ensure the utmost safety on the LAX airfield.”
Runway Status Lights are connected to LAX’s ground radar system. The lights turn red if the ground radar detects a potential conflict between two aircraft or an aircraft and a vehicle. They’re installed on eight LAX taxiways and one runway.
Clearance to cross or enter a runway must be given by air traffic control. When the lights go off, the pilot or vehicle driver must verify the clearance before proceeding.
Runway Status Lights are the latest safety enhancement at LAX. The FAA also recently installed the most technologically advanced ground radar system, known as Airport Surface Detection Equipment-X, or ASDE-X, in the air traffic control tower. ASDE-X collects data from more sources than LAX’s previous ground radar system, and provides air traffic controllers with color map displays showing the location of all aircraft and vehicles on the runways and taxiways.
Lockheed Martin Selected as Associate Prime to Support A-10 Modernization and Sustainment
June 11, 2009
OWEGO, N.Y., June 11 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will continue to modernize and sustain the A-10 close air support fighter jet as one of the associate prime contractors selected today by the U.S. Air Force.
As an associate prime, Lockheed Martin expects to perform on individual task orders during the next 10-year phase of A-10 aircraft modernization and sustainment — designated Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support (TLPS). The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity TLPS contract will allow the U.S. Air Force to authorize up to $1.6 billion of aircraft support activity during an initial four-year order period followed by three two-year optional contract periods.
The U.S. Air Force also has awarded Lockheed Martin its first TLPS task order — to provide one year’s systems engineering, program and configuration management expertise to the A-10 Systems Program Office at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT.
“The Lockheed Martin-led A-10 industry team brings the knowledge and experience of our 12-year relationship with the U.S. Air Force during which we’ve worked together to successfully transform the A-10 from an analog aircraft to its new digital A-10C configuration, while supporting the overall sustainment of the weapon system,” said Roger Il Grande, A-10 program director at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. “For the TLPS phase, our team remains committed to keeping the A-10C highly integrated with the latest avionics capabilities, ensuring the platform’s long-term sustainment, readiness and relevance to the warfighter.”
TLPS is a follow-on to the A-10 Prime Contract competitively awarded to Lockheed Martin in 1997. Much of the work to upgrade the aircraft to A-10C configuration with modern avionics, situational awareness and precision weapons capabilities was performed under a modification contract called Precision Engagement.
Lockheed Martin will remain under contract to complete efforts that are underway including work to provide Precision Engagement modification kits through 2011. Consisting of new mission systems and cockpit, each kit provides all the pieces and parts for Air Force personnel at Hill AFB to efficiently convert each A-10A to an A-10C. To date, the Air Force has converted more than 200 of the 356 aircraft fleet. The A-10C was declared combat ready in August, 2007.
The Lockheed Martin A-10 industry team includes Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio TX; and Northrop Grumman, St. Augustine, FL. Lockheed Martin continues to operate the first-ever A-10 Systems Integration Lab at its Systems Integration – Owego facility. The lab is used by engineers and pilots to test software and hardware upgrades for operational validity before flight, and to reduce development risk and cost.
In 2007, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego and the Air Force were co-recipients of a Top 5 DoD Program Award from the National Defense Industrial Association and the Department of Defense for A-10 systems engineering and program management excellence.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
President Obama’s Solution to Iran Requires Missile Defense
June 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, June 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Riki Ellison, Chairman and Founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org today advised on the need for missile defense in the Middle East as it relates to President Obama’s outreach to the Middle East. He was also firm in the resolve to have the U.S. Homeland defended. His comments are as follows:
“President Barack Obama in his historic address to the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt last Thursday, June 4, 2009 focused on reaching out to cooperate and form partnerships to address the four most prominent issues facing our shared cultures – terrorism, Israel, Iran and democracy. I would like to highlight and expand upon his third point which is his concern over Iran’s persistent efforts to attain nuclear weapons and become a nuclear power.”
“President Obama said this in his speech: ‘It’s about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.'”
“In this instance, missile defense will play a vital role in the solutions that our two cultures will work together to develop in order to resolve this dilemma. There are three possible policies that we must consider with Iran: 1) Acceptance of Iran being a nuclear power; or 2) Military action and 3) Diplomacy to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear.”
“There are consequences with each of these processes and their effects would involve the requirement to field and deploy effective missile defense systems for the national security of the United States homeland and throughout the Middle Eastern region and Europe as well as Russia.”
“Diplomacy, the third option, requires a stable environment and cooperation between many countries and cultures, as the Sunni countries of the Middle East and Israel will be tempted to use military force or become nuclear in response to failed diplomatic efforts.”
“Deployed missile defense systems can produce a stable environment necessary for diplomatic efforts which will require a steady hand against increased rhetoric, belligerent behavior and military testing of missiles and nuclear technology. The case for missile defense has been made, proven and continues to be proven to allow U.S. and international diplomacy to continue with North Korea without military intervention or nuclear proliferation. Japan and South Korea have restrained their actions due to their confidence of U.S. deterrence and belief in the current missile defense assets in place to protect them.”
“This real life case study would have merit with the neighboring countries of Iran and those in the Middle East. The missile defense systems cannot just be based in the local region, but rather stem from the fundamental core belief that the U.S. homeland must be defended to allow the U.S. the credibility to assure defense of its allies and friends. This would entail the deployment of long range, medium range and short range missile defenses in the United States, the critical regions throughout the world and in Europe.”
“It is of amazement or of political gamesmanship that the United States Secretary of Defense is attempting to convince the U.S. Congress that a reduction of 32 percent of long range missiles to defend the United States homeland is necessary, even though the threat has increased, the diplomatic need has increased and the U.S. assurance of our allies has increased. Moreover, the American taxpayer has paid for the majority of the system that the U.S. Department of Defense stated was necessary to defend the U.S. homeland from both Iran and North Korea. It would be hard to believe that the American people who support missile defense at close to 90% would accept a significant reduction in protection of their homeland that is being sold today to the U.S. Congress by the Department of Defense.”
Ellison closed his comments saying “Think about it.”
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