INDIA PLANS MIRAGE UPGRADE
FIGHTERS India was expected to approve a $2.2 billion contract to upgrade 51 Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters during a state visit to New Delhi by French president Nicolas Sarkozy in late January. To be led by Dassault and Thales and covering avionics, electronic warfare system and engine enhancements, the work is hoped to extend operations of the aircraft by 20 years, and will bring them to the French air force's Mirage 2000-9 standard. The first two aircraft will enter upgrade in France later this year, with the rest to be modified in India in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics. Sarkozy was also expected to press New Delhi to select Eurocopter's AS550 Fennec to meet its stalled army requirement for 197 light utility helicopters. A fresh request for proposals is expected soon, with the Bell 407 also on offer.
KUWAIT NATIONAL AIRLINES PICKS COOPER
START-UP Kuwait National Airlines has named former British Airways and SITA executive George Cooper as its chief executive, while preparing to launch services next year. The start-up, which aims to address the full-service market in the Gulf, is in talks for up to nine Airbus A320s, and has already agreed leases on three of the type. Cooper is a former pilot who served with BA for about 25 years in various roles.
ISRAEL'S TECSAR ENTERS ORBIT
SATELLITE Tecsar, Israel's most advanced spy satellite, was launched into orbit by an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 21 January, carrying an Elta Systems synthetic aperture radar payload. Prime contractor Israel Aerospace Industries says the satellite is functioning properly, but in-orbit tests will continue for several weeks and first images are scheduled for receipt 14 days after launch. Tecsar joins Israel's four other current operational spy satellites - two each from the Eros and Ofeq series.
AIRBUS SELECTS WILLIS FOR CHINESE LINE
INSURANCE Airbus has selected insurance firm Willis Group Holdings as broker for its new Chinese final assembly line for the A320. The Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Line Company is expected to deliver its first aircraft in 2009. Willis's Chinese division will take responsibility for public and employer liability, personal accident and various other areas.
BELL TO END JETRANGER PRODUCTION
HELICOPTERS Bell Helicopter is to stop producing its long-running 206B JetRanger as it phases out older models to devote production capacity to newer and higher-selling commercial helicopters. Production of the 206B3 light turbine single, 210 medium single, 427 light twin and 430 intermediate twin will end by 2010, allowing Bell's Canadian commercial helicopter plant to increase its output of 407 light singles, new 429 light twins and 412 medium twins.
IFE SYSTEMS 'A MUST' ON HELICOPTERS
ELECTRONICS In-flight entertainment systems on helicopters are "emerging as a requirement", according to Thales. Vice-president general manager helicopter solutions Phil Naybour says a major helicopter manufacturer has approached the electronics specialist with corporate and military proposals centred on communications, datalinking, satcoms and briefing facilities rather than amusement. See P7
SCALED MAY FACE COURT OVER FATAL BLAST
EXPLOSION Scaled Composites could still face a criminal or civil prosecution over the 26 July 2007 explosion that killed three of its employees while testing systems for Virgin Galactic. The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined the company $25,870 and referred the case to the Kern County district attorney. Scaled has until 8 February to pay the fines or appeal. See P8
BOEING STARTS 777 FREIGHTER ASSEMBLY
PRODUCTION Boeing begin assembly of the first 777 Freighter this week. The airframer says assembly of the first wing spars starts on 29 January. Delivery of the first 777F to launch customer Air France is due at the end of this year.
Source: Flight International
