Flight International articles from November 2003

Flight International archives from November 2003

training; The pilot-supply danger.(helicopter pilots)
November 4, 2003... Big North Sea operators such as Bristow Helicopters - at a time when it appeared that the industry was going to expand rapidly - sponsored ab initio helicopter training for Sikorsky S-61 first officers. Now few, including Bristow, sponsor...

general aviation and uavs; Banking on kitplanes; brendan sobie / singapore.(South Korea to expand aerospace industry)
November 4, 2003... South Korea has identified general aviation aircraft and unmanned air vehicles as potential expansion avenues for its growing aerospace industry. Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is test flying a four-seat kitplane, developing...

Aircraft development Guy Norris / Seattle; Revamp delays 7E7 engine choice; Timing of programme makes powerplant providers "a bit nervous" as structure of short-range derivative is redefined.
November 11, 2003... The Boeing 7E7 programme has suffered its first major slippage with the selection of an engine being delayed by around six months to mid-2004. This follows Boeing's decision to fundamentally redefine the short- range (SR) derivative with a much...

Low-cost carriers; Aero Lloyd take-over finalised.
November 11, 2003... Airline entrepreneur Niki Lauda is returning to the industry by taking over the Austrian subsidiary of insolvent German charter carrier Aero Lloyd, which he plans to turn into a low-cost airline. Aero Lloyd has not revealed how much Lauda...

Takeover Christina Mackenzie / Paris; Seven buys Air Littoral.
November 11, 2003... Italian investment fund Seven Group, owner of AzzurraAir, is to take over Air Littoral and invest c15 million ($17 million) in the insolvent French carrier. Seven will continue to develop Mediterranean routes and aims to cut costs by 20% by...

production Guy Norris / Palm Springs; AvCraft eyes Europe for 328 wing.
November 11, 2003... AvCraft, which hopes to restart manufacture of the former Fairchild Dornier 328JET, is negotiating with an unidentified eastern European aerospace company to make wings for the future production line after talks with Texas-based M7 collapsed....

manufacturing; A380 port wing set for wiring after five months of assembly.(Airbus UK)
November 11, 2003... Two production staff look on as the port wing for the first Airbus A380 is removed from its jig at Broughton, UK, after a five-month assembly. The 30,000kg (66,000lb) structure measures 45m (148ft) long, 11m wide and almost 3m deep at the root....

aircraft acquisitions Max Kingsley-Jones / London & Leithen Francis
November 11, 2003... Analysts say it is too early to predict whether the increased interest in secondhand Boeing 747-400s from airlines in Asia and Europe suggests a long-term upturn in the fortunes for the 400-seat widebody. Cathay Pacific plans to acquire up...

procurement Nicholas Ionides and Leithen Francis / Singapore; China set to place large Boeing order; Purchase announcement for up to 30 737s expected to coincide with December visit to USA by country's premier.
November 11, 2003... China is preparing to place a major aircraft order with Boeing in a politically timed move aimed at reducing its trade deficit with the USA and easing tensions over currency values. The country's senior leaders have been indicating to their...

restructuring HILKA BIRNS / CAPE TOWN ; Comair replaces BA, Kulula.com brand fleets with used aircraft.
November 11, 2003... South African domestic airline Comair is renewing its fleet which operates under the British Airways and Kulula.com brands with younger secondhand aircraft. The airline has acquired through finance leases three Boeing 737-300s from Qantas...

supersonic services; Details emerge of failed Concorde rescue bid.
November 11, 2003... Air France and British Airways considered a last-minute plan for an joint international supersonic service, possibly involving British Airways' Oneworld alliance partner American Airlines, it has been revealed. The late option, evaluated...

strategy; DBA plans fundraising.
November 11, 2003... German short-haul carrier DBA is making plans for a fundraising effort in early 2005 to coincide with an ambitious fleet expansion which could see the airline double its fleet. DBA, which until earlier this year was a subsidiary of British...

Airport expansion; Heathrow congestion charge could clean air and pay for runway.
November 11, 2003... New European Union limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx)pollution may not block expansion of London Heathrow, says airport operator BAA. The "economic and social case"for building another runway at Heathrow is far stronger than the case for expanding...

Strategy Igor Salinger / Sombor; JAT Airways to set up regional airline under Inter Air Link.
November 11, 2003... Serbian flag carrier JAT Airways is to establish a new regional airline next year which will operate five ATR 72s under the Inter Air Link brand. The new company will be ready to launch services in time for the 2004 summer timetable at the end...

ATM ; Airservices studies ADS-B responses.
November 11, 2003... Airservices Australia has started evaluating responses to its nationwide automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) ground station tender after the deadline for bids passed last week. The service provider plans to select a ground...

orders Guy Norris / Palm Springs & Brian Dunn / Montreal; Embraer is defiant after Swiss again postpones; Manufacturer leaves forecasts unchanged after airline pushes back 170/190 deliveries.
November 11, 2003... Embraer has left its delivery forecast unchanged for next year despite last week's request by Swiss International Air Lines to postpone delivery of the 170s and 195s it has on order, as the Brazilian manufacturer chases Air Canada's regional...

simulators; US Airways in trainer deal.(includes multiple articles)
November 11, 2003... USAirways is to order two regional jet full-flight simulators from CAE, pending final agreement on financing. A Bombardier CRJ200 simulator will be delivered in the second quarter of next year, followed in August by anEmbraer 170 machine. Both...

air traffic management David Kaminski-Morrow / London; FAA hails West Atlantic trial a success; Scheme could be extended after lateral offset procedure cuts risk of collision in high-density area off US East Coast.
November 11, 2003... Organisers of a trial to cut mid-air collision risks by encouraging airlines to fly a lateral offset procedure in West Atlantic oceanic airspace are hailing the test as a success - despite a lack of data to quantify the results. US Federal...

dispute; Row sparks airspace ban.
November 11, 2003... Canada and Russia have banned each other's commercial aircraft from flying in their respective airspace in a row believed to be based on competition issues. After Russia refused to allow Air Canada to fly in Russian airspace for its new...

PRIVATE TRAVEL Kate Sarsfield / London; Air Luxor clubs cater for European luxury market; Tailor-made hunting and skiing trips will meet demand for exclusive lifestyle packages.
November 11, 2003... Air Luxor Corporate Jets has launched two travel clubs tailored to Europe's hunting and skiing markets. The move is aimed at exploiting the growing demand for exclusive luxury lifestyle packages using business jet transport. In September,...

AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT Guy Norris / palm springs; Avocet confident of air-taxi launch; Company claims to have full backing of IAI, but financing of project is still being looked at by Israeli manufacturer.
November 11, 2003... Avocet Aircraft says it is confident of getting the ProJet "air-taxi" microjet into the air for the first time in late 2005 and claims to have the full backing of key partner Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). The Israeli manufacturer,...

RESTRUCTURING ; Bristow looks for new niche.
November 11, 2003... Bristow Helicopters is pushing ahead with a further round of restructuring as demand for helicopters to support the UK offshore oil industry continues to diminish. Bristow chief executive Keith Chanter says: "The reduction of oil...

fractional ownership; Flight Options joins the jet card set.
November 11, 2003... Flight Options has introduced a pre-paid, block charter-based jet card for its fractional-ownership customers, but has no immediate plans to offer it externally. Called Access 25, the scheme is targeted at owners who have a short-term...

in brief.(includes multiple articles )
November 11, 2003... KING AIR ENGINES Blackhawk Modifications has won approval for the installation of 750shp (560kW) Pratt &Whitney Canada PT6A-135 turboprops on all 90-series Beechcraft King Airs, as well as the Cessna Conquest 425. MERCURY sells up ...

purchase; Bombardier concludes military unit sale to L-3.
November 11, 2003... Bombardier has appointed an executive responsible for improving efficiency and completed the $87.5 million sale of its Military AviationServices (MAS) unit to L-3 Communications and its Canadian subsidiarySpar Aerospace. The military unit...

Acquisition Rainer Uphoff / Madrid; Gamesa woos ICSA after ITP blow; Spanish aerospace unit looks for expansion with carbonfibre components manufacturer after earlier merger failure.
November 11, 2003... Spain's Gamesa Aeronautica is going it alone following the collapse of the Alerion merger project with engine manufacturer ITP in January. The Vitoria-based aerospace unit of Spanish carbonfibre structures specialist Gamesa bought the...

stock; Thai share offer launched at last.
November 11, 2003... Government ownership in Thai Airways International is due to be reduced to 70% from 93% by the end of this month as part of a long-delayed share offering. Thai last week launched a domestic and international roadshow for its share offering...

in brief.(includes multiple articles)(Airdynamics)(Transtech Control)(Western Design Howden)
November 11, 2003... meggitt moves Meggitt of the UK has bought two US aerospace component manufacturers for $45 million in cash, potentially boosting sales by $49 million and strengthening its presence in the USmilitary market. The companies are Western...

people.(aircraft industry)
November 11, 2003... Boeing has made three senior appointments. James Jamieson, senior vice-president (VP) of airplane programmes for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, will become chief technology officer. He will be replaced by Michael Cave, senior VPof commercial...

EASy COCKPITs; work progresses.
November 11, 2003... Dassault Aviation says it expects to receive European and US certification for its Falcon 900EX EASy cockpit by 14 November, in advance of delivery of the first EASy cockpit-equipped aircraft on 17 November. Certification had been delayed by...

Missiles; Arrow 2 aims for Scud C/D.
November 11, 2003... The Israeli Arrow 2 anti-tactical ballistic missile will be tested against Scud C and D missiles in mid-2004. The tests will be performed at the US Navy's range at Point Mugu, California. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and the Israeli air...

contract; Lockheed Martin to expand C-130J training.
November 11, 2003... Lockheed Martin is to provide C-130J training systems and services in a contract tied to the multi-year procurement of 60 aircraft for the USAir Force and Marine Corps. The deal, potentially worth up to $287 million, covers eight extra...

contracts.
November 11, 2003... n L-3 Integrated Systems has received USSpecial Operations Command contracts totalling $63.2 million to repair and refurbish 33 A/MH-6M Little Bird helicopters and provide bare base sets to support special-operations missions. CAE USA is to...

UAVS stephen Trimble / Fort Worth, Texas; Bell plans full-scale Eagle Eye by late next year.
November 11, 2003... Bell aims to manufacture and fly the first full-scale HV-911 Eagle Eye within a year, building on a 7/8-scale version of the tiltrotor unmanned air vehicle. The internally funded effort is expected to give Bell a 4.63m (15.2ft) wingspan...

cover story Andrew Doyle / Nordholz airbase, Germany; Global Hawk passes German test; Unmanned air vehicle completes six flights and impresses Berlin, which needs Atlantic SIGINT replacement by 2010.
November 11, 2003... EADSand Northrop Grumman have completed a six-flight demonstration in Germany of a USAir Force RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle equipped with the European company's electronic intelligence (ELINT) payload. The sorties, operated from...

Surveillance Peter La Franchi / Busan; IAI lifts lid on Gulfstream Phalcon AEW&C details ; Israeli manufacturer goes head-to-head with Boeing "Wedgetail" in South Korean contest.(Israel Aircraft Industries)
November 11, 2003... Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) has unveiled details of its Gulfstream G550-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, now on order for the Israeli air force, with a large-scale model on display for the first time at the Korea...

Modification; Israel studies Cobra tails.(Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters tailrotor shaft to be replaced)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... The Israeli air force may replace the tailrotor shaft on its Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters with that from the Bell 212 to avoid tail disintegrations caused by fuselage resonance. The idea follows the fatal crash of an Israeli air force Cobra...

Safety Brian Dunn / Montreal; Canadian Sea Kings get restricted clearance to fly; After 72h grounding, investigation continues into why two helicopters lost power.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... Canada's problem-plagued fleet of Sikorsky CH-124A Sea Kings has been cleared to resume flying under certain restrictions after being grounded for 72h, as investigations continue into why two of the 28 helicopters recently lost power in flight...

Upgrade; Israel updates its SeaScans.(command and control systems upgrade)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... An upgrade of Israeli air force SeaScan maritime patrol aircraft is set to begin after the navy defines its operational requirements. The SeaScan is a version of the Israel Aircraft Industries' Westwind 1124 executive jet, configured for...

Operations Vladimir Karnozov / Moscow; Tu-160 returns to skies after probe.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... The Russian air force has resumed flights of its Tupolev Tu-160 swing-wing supersonic strategic bombers following completion of the investigation into a crash near the village of Sovyetskaya, 40km (25 miles) off Engels air force base in central...

in brief.(Oto Melara S.p.A. Marte air-to-surface missile testing)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... MARTE tests Italy has carried out a test on an improved version of the Oto Melara-developed Marte air-to-surface missile. The test, which was carried out at the Salto di Quirra test range in Sardinia, used a Marte Mk2 prototype equipped...

helicopters Peter La Franchi / Adelaide; Australian Aerospace promises to boost economy if it wins Air 9000.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... EADS subsidiary Australian Aerospace says it will direct work packages worth around A$60 million ($42 million) into the Australian economy and create 300 jobs in the near term if it wins the Australian Department of Defence's Project Air 9000...

fighters Michael Phelan / Paris and Istres; Dassault accelerates Rafale F2 testing ; Development work gathers pace at Istres as manufacturer prepares to fulfil French defence procurement needs.
November 11, 2003... Dassault is speeding up Rafale test and development work at Istres, France, as it prepares to deliver the first F2 standard fighters next year. The Rafale F2 adds air-to-ground capability to the F1's air-to-air mission, and includes a...

DubaI to; all that.
November 11, 2003... This year's Dubai air show will see a return of exhibitors that deserted the event suddenly two years ago after 11 September. Will the region's resurgent prosperity and ambitions translate to orders? Murdo Morrison / London In summer...

digital dreams.
November 11, 2003... Aircraft design and production has always been a labour-intensive activity. But this is changing as the power of information technology is brought to bear GRAHAMWARWICK / WASHINGTONDC While the first 75 years of aviation saw successive...

service; included.
November 11, 2003... The emphasis in the military flight simulation business is moving from the simple supply of equipment to include packages that come with extras such as training GRAHAMWARWICK / WASHINGTONDC Stakes seem to be increasing in the military...

LAUNCH; Diamond responds to schools with Star change.(Diamond Aircraft Industries installs fixed pitch propeller on Diamond Star FP)
November 11, 2003... Diamond Aircraft has installed a fixed-pitch propeller on its four-seat, low-wing Diamond Star in response to requests from flight schools. The aircraft, dubbed Diamond Star FP, has lower purchase and operating costs. The Diamond Star FP is...

Support emma kelly / perth; Australia moves to make homebuilt aircraft safer; Fatal crash prompts sports flying association to reinforce advice for kitplane owners.(Sports Aircraft Association of Australia offers safety techniques for homebuilt aircraft)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... The Sports Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) is introducing what it believes is the most extensive safety programme available for homebuilt aircraft. The programme comes in the wake of the fatal crash of a modified Lancair IV-T last year...

powerplants kate sarsfield / london; Centurion diesel engine approved.(Thielert Aircraft Engines )
November 11, 2003... Germany's Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) has received US Federal Aviation Administration approval for its 135hp (100kW) Centurion 1.7 diesel engine. The full-authority digital engine control-equipped Centurion 1.7 is priced at $19,900,...

Defence Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; US senators urge warfare review; After shootdown of CH-47 in Iraq, defence secretary comes under pressure to re-evaluate anti-missile systems.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... The first US aircraft shootdown due to an enemy missile in Iraq has sparked calls for a review of the adequacy of the US Department of Defense's electronic warfare stocks. The US Army is revisiting the schedule for deploying a next-generation...

Business Kieran Daly / London; BAE Systems plans to sell Spanish flight school.
November 11, 2003... BAE Systems is to sell its Jerez, Spain-based flight school to "an in-house management team". Details of the deal have not been revealed, but it is due to be completed within three weeks. Managing director of BAE Customer Solutions &...

Korea Air Show Brendan Sobie / Busan; More KMH delays as cash concerns surface.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... South Korea's government has ordered a re-evaluation of the Korean Multirole Helicopter (KMH) programme, which is likely to result in a massive downsizing of the recently launched $12 billion project. Industry sources say budget constraints...

korea air show; South Korea could become first FMS customer for JSF.(South Korea to purchas Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... South Korea is looking at becoming the first foreign military sales (FMS) customer of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), with deliveries as early as 2012. Lockheed Martin will this week brief South Korea's air force and...

Defence Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; Congress to approve tanker deal following Pentagon cost decision.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... A compromise deal to lease 20 then buy 80 Boeing 767-200 tankers is expected to be approved after the US Department of Defense accepted a less costly plan that slows the delivery pace. Congress is moving to approve the deal as part of the...

Defence Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; Northrop Grumman readies for market swoop with Global Hawk.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... Northrop Grumman is planning to push the RQ-4A Global Hawk into several untapped markets in 2004, namely urban operations, border security and weather monitoring. In addition, flight tests using a BAE Systems hyperband communications...

air transport; Virgin Blue goes international.(Tony Banks appointment)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... Virgin's Australian low-cost carrier Virgin Blue will launch international operations on 29 January under the Pacific Blue brand, with services across the Tasman Sea between Christchurch and Brisbane using Boeing 737-800s....

Business Aviation; New Vantage boss rethinks powerplant.(Matt Eller )(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... The new owner of the Vantage light business jet programme may switch from a single- to a twin-engined design. Matt Eller, who last month acquired the intellectual property of former Vantage owner VisionAire for $441,000, is evaluating a...

Air Transport Max Kingsley-Jones / New York; Airbus and Boeing chase Virgin orders ; Group plans purchases for low-fare and long-haul services.
November 11, 2003... The Virgin Group is in the final throes of two key aircraft purchases involving its long-haul division Virgin Atlantic and its planned US domestic airline, which could result in orders and options for nearly 30 aircraft. Both deals, potentially...

Briefing.
November 11, 2003... Austrian goes head-to-head with SkyEurope EXPANSION Austrian Airlines is to launch daily services from Bratislava, Slovakia, to Brussels, Paris and London from next May using a Boeing 737, as part of its expansion strategy into central...

Air Transport Justin Wastnage / Brussels; EC expects to get its own ICAO seat; Commission reveals focus policy areas for next year.
November 11, 2003... The European Commission plans to apply to join the International Civil Aviation Organisation next month as part of its takeover of full aviation negotiating rights on behalf of all European Union countries. The Commission has also unveiled a...

strategy Murdo Morrison / London; Hertrich talks up defence ; EADS co-chief executive says aerospace giant has banished cultural differences and set itself a realistic growth strategy.
November 11, 2003... Compared with its US rivals such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman - with their single chief executives running streamlined organisations and answerable to public shareholders - EADS remains, three years after its birth, an enigma...

Utility helicopters; Kazan raises hopes for Ansat sale.
November 11, 2003... South Korea is negotiating with Kazan Helicopters for the purchase of three Ansat twin-turbine utility helicopters. Kazan project manager Alexander Petrov says a contract should be signed by year-end and the helicopters will be delivered in...

regional centre; Boeing and KAL team to set up military aircraft support centre.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... Boeing and Korean Air (KAL) Aerospace have partnered to create a regional support centre for Boeing-manufactured military aircraft at Gimhae airport in Busan, South Korea. The centre will immediately stock parts for AH-64 and CH-47...

Unmanned air vehicles; Eagle Eye upgrade plan.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... Bell Helicopter and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) are in talks to co-develop an upgraded variant of the TR-911 Eagle Eye tiltrotor unmanned air vehicle. KARI, a government agency, has selected a tiltrotor as the preferred...

Show Report; peter la franchi and; brendan sobie report.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... The Korea Air Show took place between 4 and 9 November and attracted 183 exhibitors from 20 countries, up from the numbers at the 2001 show. But trade visitor attendance was down from 30,000 in 2001 to an estimated 20,000 in 2003, with only...

in brief.
November 11, 2003... space plans South Korea plans to launch its first pico-satellite next year as a sub-payload aboard a Russian booster and aims to launch its first nano-satellite in 2008. The satellite is being jointly developed by Hankuk Aviation...

Reconnaissance; South Korea opens first of two F-16 pod contests; Long-range photography tender to be released next year, targeting requirement to follow.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... South Korea is to release a tender in first quarter 2004 for reconnaissance pods to equip 20 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighters. The competition is expected to be baselined on a high-end, long-range oblique photography (LOROP) capability. Options...

Letters.
November 11, 2003... Safety must come first Capt Dolan of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) appears to have overlooked the fact that training courses - whether on a commercial basis or not - provided by reputable, licensed...

Safety; Long hours and fatigue.
November 11, 2003... One aspect of flight safety that does not receive much publicity, but which is now being recognised as an important factor in the drive to prevent accidents, is the link between working conditions and human fatigue. Long or very late working...

Navigation; China to have; $232m stake in Galileo programme.
November 11, 2003... China has confirmed its $232 million investment in the $3.7 billion European Galileo global navigation satellite system, while India has expressed interest in taking a $345 million stake in the programme. Galileo is scheduled to be...

in orbit.(United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
November 11, 2003... n NASA has ordered four launches from Orbital Sciences, scheduled for 2006-8. Pegasus boosters will air-launch the Space Technology 8 and Small Explorer 10 satellites, while the ground-launched Taurus will carry the Glory and Orbiting Carbon...

Safety Graham Warwick / Washington DC; Escape vehicle passes stability test.
November 11, 2003... Lockheed Martin has conducted high-speed windtunnel testing of its pad abort demonstration (PAD) vehicle, which is intended to test crew escape systems for NASA's planned Orbital Space Plane (OSP). Tests proved the vehicle is stable under the...

boosters Tim Furniss / London; Countries agree to Soyuz launches from Kourou; France to pay half of new pad construction cost, although Baikonur will stay in use.
November 11, 2003... The Russian, French and European space agencies were due to sign an agreement as Flight International closed for press last week allowing the use of Kourou in French Guiana for launching Russian Soyuz boosters. While France has agreed to...

Lasers; SHEDS throws light on directed-energy weapons.(super-high efficiency diode source)
November 11, 2003... More efficient directed-energy weapons are among potential applications of high-power solid-state lasers to be developed under the USDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency's super-high efficiency diode source (SHEDS) programme. Alfalight has...

Composites; Airbus tests optical fibres.
November 11, 2003... Airbus has installed fibreoptic Bragg grating sensors in a strain measurement device on its A340-600 testbed in an evaluation of structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques for composite aircraft parts. The sensors measure strain in...

research Michael Phelan / Sheffield; Stealth coatings show promise ; Semi-active coverings could make aircraft invisible to radar.
November 11, 2003... Semi-active stealth coatings on aircraft could make them invisible to radar or even project phantom aircraft velocities and positions, say researchers at the University of Sheffield's department of electronic and electrical engineering in the...

Parts identification; Boeing, FedEx weigh up 'smart' labels.
November 11, 2003... Boeing and FedEx Express are performing a 90-day in-service evaluation of the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) "smart labels" on major parts of a recently converted Boeing MD-10 freighter. Similar to a barcode, RFID is an...

Apollo redux.
November 11, 2003... President Bush looks set to announce a US return to the moon. But with poor public support and escalating costs in Iraq it is a long-term prospect Two unrelated events last week, several thousand kilometres apart, have underlined the...

VERTICAL STRIKE.
November 11, 2003... In the second part of our analysis of Chinese army aviation, we look at guiding concepts, tactics and operations, and new programmes and upgrades Luke Colton / Washington DC Chinese military thinking is to fight and win a "limited war...

Upgrade Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; C-130J operators define joint needs.
November 11, 2003... Lockheed Martin C-130J operators in four countries have teamed up to define requirements for a Block 6.0 upgrade that focuses on enhancing survivability, network communications, logistics and all-weather flying. Lockheed Martin says the...

Roger's Total Aviation Bookshelf; Breaking Free - The Aerial Photography of Judson P Brohmer; Thin Air Publishing at www.ThinAirPublishing.com or call +1 888 275 1202.
November 11, 2003... This stunning collection of aerial photographs serves as a lasting tribute to Judson Brohmer, who was killed during an F-16 photo chase mission for the US Air Force in July 2001. Brohmer, who was fortunate enough to be based at Edwards as an...

Procurement; First T-50 batch receives go-ahead; Formal contract should be awarded by end of November, with first production model due for delivery in late 2005.
November 11, 2003... South Korea has authorised the purchase of the first 25 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)/Lockheed Martin T-50 advanced trainers. The ministry of national defence and air force last week approved the start of initial production. T-50...

Aircraft development Guy Norris / Seattle; Revamp delays 7E7 engine choice; Timing of programme makes powerplant providers "a bit nervous" as structure of short-range derivative is redefined.
November 11, 2003... The Boeing 7E7 programme has suffered its first major slippage with the selection of an engine being delayed by around six months to mid-2004. This follows Boeing's decision to fundamentally redefine the short- range (SR) derivative with a much...

aircraft specification Guy Norris / Los Angeles; Boeing studies standardised 7E7s for airline alliance group purchases.
November 18, 2003... Boeing is proposing the concept of standard configured 7E7s for group purchases by airline alliance members, much as it did with its 717 bid for the ongoing Star Alliance 100-seater competition. Revealing the initiative at the 7E7 programme...