 December 10, 2008 | News for the aerospace industry |
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- Obama's F-22 decision seen as test of policy priorities
Early in his administration, President-elect Barack Obama will have to decide the fate of the F-22 fighter, a decision that will test his priorities in boosting jobs versus cutting spending. Obama's defense secretary, Robert Gates, believes the stealth fighter is a relic of the Cold War that drains resources from more relevant weapons systems. But supporters want to see production increased by one-third, arguing that thousands of jobs are at stake. "It's the first test of whether President Obama is going to go along with business as usual or instead will bring much needed change to the Pentagon," says Winslow Wheeler, an analyst at the Center for Defense Information. NYTimes.com
(12/9)      
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- Pentagon calls for rush delivery of armored vehicles
The growing threat of roadside bombs in Afghanistan's rocky terrain has spurred the Pentagon to fast-track a competition for up to 10,000 new MRAP-All Terrain Vehicles. The Army and Marine Corps hope to begin using the lightweight armored vehicles as early as next fall, meaning the winning contractor may have to set aside other projects to meet the deadline. Bids are due Jan. 12, with the winners receiving $1 million each to develop two test vehicles. Houston Chronicle/The Associated Press
(12/9)
- Army to update Raven UAVs with digital capabilities
The Army's fleet of Raven UAVs will be upgraded with digital data links, allowing more of the planes to share the same airspace. "When you can digitally compress video, you can smash it into a smaller bandwidth, so they can fly a lot more Ravens in the same area because there are more channels," said an official with AeroVironment, maker of the digital equipment. Some 200 Ravens will be upgraded and 50 new ones ordered using $300 million already allocated by Congress. Defense News
(12/9)
- Raytheon tests "missile in a box"
Raytheon Missile Systems says the second test flight of its Precision Attack Missile was a success. Using a Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System, the missile scored a direct hit on a stationary tank at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Lockheed Martin is Raytheon's partner in the "missile in a box" joint venture. Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)
(12/10)
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- Delta boss sees 2009 profit despite "unprecedented" revenue drop
At a meeting with investors Tuesday, Delta Air Lines President Ed Bastian predicted "an unprecedented level of decline in the amount of airline industry revenue" next year, but asserted that his carrier, at least, will be "solidly profitable in 2009." Thanks to fuel prices that have plunged below $44 a barrel, Bastian said Delta would save about $5 billion. To ensure profitability, the company plans to offer early retirements beginning next month, but no furloughs are currently planned, he said. TheStreet.com
(12/9), The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(12/10), CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires
(12/9)
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No aircraft orders on horizon, Delta says: Delta Air Lines executives said Tuesday they are still examining the 18 firm 787 orders inherited from Northwest Airlines and that cuts could be forthcoming. President Ed Bastian also said the company had no plans to immediately replace its fleet of inefficient MD-88 aircraft because the older planes offer a $3.5 billion ownership cost advantage, even after accounting for the $1.1 billion in fuel savings that would accrue with the purchase of new 737-800s. Aviation Daily
(12/10), FlightGlobal.com (U.K.)
(12/10)
- Canada, EU liberalize rules on foreign ownership, direct flights
Even as U.S. and EU negotiators continue to negotiate the next stage in open skies agreements, Canada announced Tuesday it would raise caps on foreign ownership and allow direct flights to and from any of the 27 EU nations. "I just think this is a great win for Canada -- more competition, more choice, more options," said Transport Minister John Baird. Though Canadian carriers generally applauded the liberalized rules, there were some concerns over plans to allow cabotage under later phases of the agreement. "In a cabotage scenario, you're likely to see the richer routes in Canada creamed off, and there's not going to be much service to smaller communities," said the interim president of the Air Transport Association of Canada. Financial Post (Canada)
(12/10), Bloomberg
(12/9), Google/The Associated Press
(12/9)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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- United sells access to airport express lanes
United Airlines has unveiled a new product, called Premier Line, that lets passengers use express lanes for check-in, security screening and boarding. Fliers who are not elite members of United's loyalty program will pay $25 each way for the expedited boarding program. Travel Weekly
(12/8)
| AIA News | | |
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Responding to the work force challenge
Alarmed over the critical need to develop the next generation of workers for America's aerospace industry, AIA's member companies have committed to an agenda to strengthen the work force of the future in a new report titled "Launch into Aerospace." The report identifies the goals and actions industry will take to address the work force challenge. AIA is developing a second work force report that will take a closer look at the issue and detail industry's actions and recommendations. Read the report.
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