TURKEY SET TO GO IT ALONE WITH 2010 LAUNCH
After failing to buy an intelligence satellite from Israel or France, Turkey is preparing to build its own, "Gokturk", with Italian assistance for launch in 2012. Turkey awarded Israel Aerospace Industries a satellite contract in 2001, but on protest shifted the deal to France's Alcatel before Turkish anger at France's subsequent declaration that the Ottomans' mass killing of Armenians 85 years ago was genocide led to cancellation. However, sources point to a French launcher as the most likely lift vehicle, with Russia, China or even Iran as outside contenders.
MYSTERY AEW CUSTOMER BUYS SAAB 2000
Saab has won a SKr4.5 billion ($670 million) contract to supply an undisclosed nation with one Erieye surveillance radar-equipped Saab 2000 airborne early warning and control system aircraft. Pakistan was previously the only buyer for the AEW-configured modified regional turboprop.
THAI FIGHTERS TO GET FURTHER UPGRADE
Thailand plans to fund a roughly $700 million mid-life upgrade for 18 of its air force's Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighters. The work will introduce Northrop Grumman's APG-68(V)9 radar, plus new electronic warfare and countermeasures equipment.
NACELLE AIMS TO KEEP THE NOISE DOWN
Safran subsidiary Aircelle hopes a nacelle demonstrator it has completed will reduce noise and enhance aircraft efficiency. The project, allied to CFM International's Leap-X bid to replace the popular CFM56 engines family, incorporates all-composite laminar-flow air inlet, special acoustic treatment on interior surfaces, and components produced through thermoplastic forming.
LIBYAN TO ADD CRJ900S
Libyan Airlines is to acquire three additional Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen regional jets and has gained options to take a further three. The new aircraft will join three CRJ900s and two CRJ900 NextGen aircraft already in Libyan's fleet.
SELEX CAPTURES EUROFIGHTER RADAR DEAL
Selex Galileo has won a £200 million ($317 million) contract from BAE Systems to supply 88 mechanically scanned Captor radars for Tranche 3A examples of the Eurofighter Typhoon for Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Deliveries are due to start in 2012, with the contract to safeguard production until an active electronically scanned array antenna becomes available from 2015.
AERCAP WINS OVER TERMINATED 757 SALE
A London High Court judge has ordered Lithuanian leasing company Avia Asset Management to forfeit its deposit and pay AerCap $7.25 million in damages for failing to buy a pair of Boeing 757-200s. AerCap had agreed to sell the jets to Avia for $15.4 million each, but was not paid and so did not deliver them.
IXE CONFIRMS INTEREST IN MEXICANA
Mexican financial services group IXE has emerged as a potential new investor in bankrupt and grounded Oneworld carrier Mexicana. IXE says it is envisages operating a "unified" Airbus A320 fleet in its core market and slashing flights to Europe and southern South America.
Source: Flight International
