Andrzej Jeziorski/MUNICH
THE GERMAN parliamentary budget committee has conditionally voted to continue funding the Grob Strato 2C high-altitude research aircraft, rejecting research and technology minister Jurgen Ruttgers recommendation that the programme be scrapped and DM72 million ($50 million) of Government funding be returned (Flight International, 24-30 January).
The 31 January decision represents a new lease of life for the programme, although the possibility that manufacturer Burkhart Grob will have to repay part of the funding remains. How much the Government will demand is unclear, but Grob will get DM47 million of fresh money to bring the current proof-of-concept aircraft up to mission standards with preliminary type certification.
Grob must now come up with a new contract to be agreed with the German Aerospace Research Establishment. Talks will begin immediately.
The new contract must meet certain conditions laid down by the technology ministry. These include price guarantees, monitoring of technical and administrative procedures by a third party, firm time scales and milestones, and staggering further funding according to proven performance.
Grob has also had to accept Government demands for a return of funds. Future income from technology developed for the programme will have to be set against development funds paid by the Government.
Grob will re-employ 60 Strato 2C workers who had been made redundant. In all, Grob gave notice to 131 staff at the end of 1995 because of uncertainty over the Strato's future.
Source: Flight International
