All news – Page 6644
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Sextant aims for US presence
Stewart Penney/BORDEAUX French avionics manufacturer Sextant is keen to buy a US-based avionics company as part of a three-pronged strategy to increase its military business. The plan could see it bidding against the UK's Smith Industries, which is also on the acquisition trail. Sextant military aircraft avionics president Jean-Loïc ...
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Lockheed Martin improves tactical strike systems
A unitary-warhead version of the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) could be delivered within three months, according to Lockheed Martin. The company is also developing modifications to the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)which would turn the rocket artillery system into a smart weapon. The delivery promise follows a ...
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USAF gets funding to begin work on Galaxy re-engining
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC The US Air Force has secured $18 million in long lead funding to begin work on re-engining the Lockheed Martin C-5A/B Galaxy, as the Air Mobility Command (AMC) prepares to conclude a critical study of its future heavylift transport options. Congress has approved initial funding in ...
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Composite Falcon
Dassault is introducing carbonfibre horizontal stabilisers on its Falcon 900 and 2000 series, to reduce parts count and weight. The new units, to be phased in for deliveries from late next year or early 2001, will feature a cast titanium centre box and composite spars and skins. Source: Flight International
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Fractional ownership scheme expands in Mexico
Mexico's first business jet fractional ownership programme is slowly expanding after its first year. The MexJet 2000 programme, operated by AeroLineas Ejecutivas (ALE), will add a fifth Raytheon Beechjet 400A in December and has two more aircraft due for delivery next year. Six Raytheon Premier Is are planned for ...
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First came the mega-deal: now comes the mega-challenge
Chris Jasper/LONDON As the dust settles on the Franco-German accord that will ultimately lead to the formation of the new European Aeronautics, Defense and Space Company (EADS), one thing is becoming clear: the landscape of the aerospace industry worldwide has changed for ever. Beyond that realisation, however, some initial impressions ...
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Private road beckons for Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc is on course for partial privatisation next year. The government, which holds a 94% stake, plans to sell 25% of the airline and to increase its capital by 15%. The move could see 40% of the flag carrier become available to private investors. Maroc's senior vice-president ...
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Schreiner Group snaps up Air Holland
Dutch aviation company Schreiner Group has agreed to buy Amsterdam-based charter carrier Air Holland. The airline operates two Boeing 737-300s and four 757-200s. It is attractive because of its slot holdings at crowded Schiphol Airport, although the Schreiner deal should allow it to continue operations. Meanwhile, French regional ...
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Dassault considers options following creation of EADS
Julian Moxon/PARISDassault Aviation says its future within the new European Aeronautics, Defense and Space Company (EADS) will be decided "when our shareholders are ready". DaimlerChrysler Aerospace's (Dasa's) merger with one of its two major shareholders, Aerospatiale Matra, creates conditions in which it could reassert its independence, Dassault says. Following the ...
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Alliance blames Congo problems for loss
Rwandan carrier Alliance Express has posted a $4 million operating loss for its first trading year, ended 31 March, with the result blamed on its failure to open routes to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because of the conflict there. The airline, formed in February last year, is ...
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Boeing technique leaves trailing vortices behind
Andrew Doyle/BRUSSELS Boeing aerodynamicists believe they have discovered a revolutionary technique for tackling aircraft wake vortices and hope to begin flight testing the system "as soon as possible". Details of the design remain secret because Boeing does not expect to be formally granted a patent until next month, ...
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FedEx MD-11 in Subic Bay overrun
A FedEx Boeing MD-11 freighter was destroyed in a landing accident at Subic Bay freeport, Philippines, on 17 October. The tri-jet overran the airport's 2,745m (9,000ft) runway 07 and fell into the sea, sinking quickly. Injuries to the two pilots, the only occupants, are reportedly minor. The aircraft (N581FE), inbound ...
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Polish LOT goes to highest bidder
SAirGroup has won the battle to take a large minority stake in state owned Polish flag-carrier LOT, dealing a blow to rival bidders British Airways and Lufthansa. SAir is to buy 37.6% of LOT, partially filling the void in eastern Europe caused by the departure of Austrian Airlines from the ...
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US Army seeks new Huey upgrade
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC The US Army is again studying a series of industry suggestions for sustaining its remaining fleet of Bell UH-1 Huey utility helicopters. The service is doing so against the backdrop of a fundamental shift in military planning and uncertain future funding. According to the ...
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Greece to buy PGMs and more Chinooks
The Greek armed forces have concluded a deal to buy more Boeing CH-47D Chinooks and are close to finalising a deal for US-supplied AGM-142 Have Nap stand-off missiles. According to industry sources, the Clinton Administration will shortly notify the US Congress of its intention to sell an undisclosed number ...
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Ukraine hands over bombers to Russia
The Russian air force has begun acceptance testing of eight Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack and three Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers from Ukraine. The bombers were left in Ukraine when the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991 and are being handed to Russia following an inter-governmental agreement. Russia will deduct ...
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Kosovo air campaign shows up US and NATO disparities
Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC US secretary of State for Defense William Cohen says the Kosovo air campaign highlighted disparities between US military forces and those of NATO allies, including precision strike capabilities. Cohen's assessment is contained in an initial Kosovo after-action report from the Department of Defense containing early lessons from ...
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Israel firms could arm Brazilian helicopters
Israeli companies Elbit and Rafael are proposing to upgrade Brazilian army transport helicopters to an armed configuration. The plan, under which transport helicopters will be equipped as anti-tank machines, was discussed earlier this month during a visit to Israel by a Brazilian delegation that included the army chief of ...
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TUAV shoot-out marred by crash
The US Army's fly-off involving four tactical unmanned air vehicles (TUAV) suffered its first casualty when an AAI Shadow 200 was destroyed in a crash on 11October near Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The Shadow 200 began its system capability demonstration (SCD) on 4 October and had completed two check flights ...
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Jaguar autopilot
India has selected Sextant to provide digital autopilots for its Sepecat Jaguar upgrade programme. Sextant will integrate the autopilot with Hindustan Aeronautics - which licence builds the Jaguar - and the air force. Sextant will supply 40 units, with the Indian air force taking options to equip the rest of ...