GENERAL DYNAMICS AND ELBIT FORM UAV VENTURE
Unmanned systems: General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products and Elbit Systems of America have formed a 50-50 joint venture based at Fort Mill, South Carolina, named UAS Dynamics to develop unmanned airsystems for the US Department of Defense and other US government customers. Systems offered will be based on Elbit's Hermes and Skylark systems.
MTU SELLS US DISK MAKER
Propulsion: EDAC Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of tools, fixtures, jet engine components, composite moulds and spindles, is to buy the manufacturing unit assets of MTU Aero Engines North America, located in Newington, Connecticut. AENA will be renamed EDAC Aero and remain a supplier to MTU of rotating components, including disks for the IAE V2500 engine programme. EDAC acquired the assets of MTU AENA's component repair unit in 2007.
MOTOR MAKER TO MOVE INTO CIVIL MARKET
Acquisition: Electrical motion systems supplier Bental Industries is moving into the civil market following its acquisition by TAT Technologies. The two Israeli companies will jointly market auxiliary power units integrated with air conditioning units as complete civil aviation solutions. To date, Bental motors and servo actuators have been used in unmanned airvehicles and jet engines.
AGUSTAWESTLAND OPENS NEW PORTUGAL OFFICE
Rotorcraft: Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland unit has opened a regional business headquarters in Lisbon. AgustaWestland managing director Graham Cole says AgustaWestland sees "significant future business opportunities" in Portugal. Over 20 commercial and military helicopters have been ordered and are in service in Portugal, including AW101, Lynx, AW139, AW109 Power and Grand models, while 10 NH90 helicopter are also on order for the armed forces.
ILFC LINESUP 787 CUSTOMERS
Leasing: ILFC, the aircraft leasing business owned bytroubled insurance giant AIG, has signed leases for 31 of the 74 Boeing 787s it has on order for delivery from July 2012. ILFC has contracted with Airbus and Boeing to buy 150 new aircraft for delivery through 2019 with an estimated purchase price of $15.7 billion, 30 of which are scheduled to be delivered during the restof 2009. ILFC took delivery of 18 new aircraft during the first quarter of 2009. At 31 March, ILFC owned 972 aircraft in its leased fleet.
SWISSCARGOTOIMPLEMENTSHORT-TIMEWORKING
Labour: Swiss International Air Lines' freight subsidiary Swiss WorldCargo expects to put up to 100 employees on short-time working from 1 June in response to a "spectacular fall" in business during the first quarter. The carrier says the measure is necessary to prevent "major" job cuts. Swiss parent Lufthansa has already introduced short-time working at its Lufthansa Cargo division.
BRAZIL MAY SUBSIDISE REGIONAL CARRIERS
Airlines: Brazil may move to subsidise flights to medium-sized cities in the country's interior. President Luis Inacio Lula de Silva, speaking at the World Tourism Forum in Florianopolis, said previous governments had "neglected regional aviation". He gave no details or timeframe for any eventual regional aviation aid package but said: "We must find a balance between the airlines' right to make a profit, and the citizens' rights to be able to travel."
Source: Flight International
