Aerospace Diary

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 29, 2012 Defense Minister AK Antony has asked Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to realign its business processes for strategic alliances and joint ventures and   step up R&D efforts to remain globally competitive.  Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee Antony said HAL should partner with design laboratories like DRDO and CSIR for the development of indigenous aircraft, engines and systems. It should adopt best practices followed by the global leaders in the field of project management, quality control systems, vendor deployment and supply chain management. HAL has a turnover of over Rs.13,000 crores and is set for a quantum jump with the planned acquisition and production of Light Combat Aircraft, Light Utility Helicopter, Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft, Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, Multirole Transport Aircraft, Basic Trainer Aircraft in its assembly lines in the coming  years, says HAL. Keepi...

http://www.france24.com/en/20120228-india--france-rafale-dassault-aerospace-defence-investment

Neelam Mathews Feb 29, 2012 It’s that time of the month again. Aerospace Diary learns pilots of ailing Kingfisher Airlines have threatened not to come to work from tomorrow March 1, if the backlog of their 3-month salary is not cleared. We also hear the airline is caught again with dues yet to be paid to IATA. This follows a recent default when Kingfisher had come close to being blacklisted by IATA for non payment. Bad luck seems to come in 3 or 4s for the airline. An official told Aerospace Diary lessors are demanding the return of two AOGs, not under proper care. It is not clear if they are A330s or A320s. If the former, it could be likely the carrier’s operations to London and Hong Kong could be hit badly. Already, Kingfisher counters are manned with a skeleton staff taking care of a handful of passengers. Is the media to blame for this as Vijay Mallya’s recent note to his employees claim, one wonders.

Feb 29, 2012 Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Eckehardt Keip as managing director of Northrop Grumman Holding GmbH, which includes operating entities Northrop Grumman L.E.F. GmbH and Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH. Keip has been managing director of Northrop Grumman LITEF in Freiburg for nearly eight years and in his new, expanded role, he will be responsible for leading all areas of the company's Navigation Systems Division operations throughout Germany. "This strategic new appointment will unite and centralize all of our operations in Germany under Eckehardt Keip's leadership," said Liz Iversen, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division. "We continue to develop, refine and integrate key technologies to create cutting-edge products for our customers and opportunities for continued growth in the company's operations." Northrop Grumman L.E.F. and Northrop Grumman LITEF are the company's ...

São Paulo, Brazil,  February 28, 2012 Embraer Statement: Embraer regrets today’s announcement by the US Air Force, to set aside the contract award related to the Afghanistan Light Air Support program (LAS). Along with its US partner, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Embraer participated in the LAS selection process providing, on time and without exceptions, all the required documentation.  The decision in favor of the Super Tucano, announced on December 30, 2011 by the U.S. Air Force, was a choice for the best product with proven performance in action and all the necessary capabilities to meet client demands. Embraer remains committed to offer the best solution to the US Air Force and will await further clarification on the subject to decide next steps, in consultation with its partner, SNC.

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 28, 2012 The shipyard Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) has received the first Indian made equipment for the Scorpene submarines programme (P75). MDL has congratulated this successful industrial performance during the recently held Government to Government (G2G) meeting between India and France. MDL is producing six SSK Scorpene submarines (P75) under transfer of technology (ToT) from DCNS. Simultaneously, DCNS India, DCNS Group’s subsidiary in India, is working at the selection and qualification of Indian companies as partners for local production of the Scorpenes’ equipment. In June 2011, DCNS India signed a contract with Flash Forge India Pvt. Ltd. under the Scorpene submarines programme (P75). “We are providing our Indian partners with know-how and technical assistance to manufacture equipments which will be installed onboard the Scorpenes. Together with MDL, we are qualifying the suitable companies which are meeting the rigorous specifications nee...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 27, 2012 Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, has announced that Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company, has signed a new 10-year agreement to extend the use of Siemens PLM Software technology at both Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Defense Space and Security.    “Boeing and Siemens PLM Software have enjoyed a long working relationship, and we are pleased to extend our contract to take advantage of new innovations to enhance our global capabilities,” said Nancy Bailey, Boeing vice president of IT Product Systems. “We are partnering with Siemens PLM Software to enhance Boeing's PLM capabilities. The openness of the Siemens PLM Software will continue to support, and help us improve, the solutions we use throughout Boeing, creating additional business value for our company.”  “We are proud of our pr...

Credit- Suzanne Rab Partner King & Spalding  Specifically, the “ Competition Commission of India (Procedure in regard to the transaction of business relating to combinations) Amendment Regulations, 2012 ”, makes several significant changes to the Combination Regulations which were issued on 11 May 2011. Key points include: · An exemption for acquisitions of less than 25% of equity shares or voting rights in the ordinary course of business or for investment purposes, without an acquisition of control; · An exemption for buy-back of shares or subscription of rights issues of shares, not leading to an acquisition of control; · A limited exemption for certain intra-group mergers and amalgamations involving subsidiaries wholly owned by the same group; · A significant uplift in filing fees – the Form 1 fee is increased from INR 50,000 to INR 1,000,000 and for Form 2 (long form) the fee is increased from INR 1,000,000 to INR 4,000,000; · Various changes to filing requireme...

Press Release Feb 27, 2012  The Indian Army is all set to begin a major exercise in Rajasthan named 'Ex Shoor Veer' commencing from March to May 2012 in which all formations and units of Jaipur based South Western Army Command will participate to validate its war-fighting doctrines in a joint service environment. The exercise will be based on the integrated theatre battle concept and will involve the elite Corps Strike one in the lead and will be joined by the Chetak Corps.   Joint Service synergy will be enhanced by active participation of IAF in this exercise.   With over 20,000 troops participating in the exercise, this will be one of the largest military manoeuvre conducted so far.   The exercise aimed at rapid mobilization involves several mechanized operations towards offensive operations, Battlefield transparency and operational plans based on real time situational awareness will be enhanced using intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (...

Neelam Mathews Feb 27, 2012 Invision Air, “India’s first entry level business jet service using a fleet of light jets from Embraer,” was launched today. Vinit Phatak, Founder and Managing Director said “We feel this is the right time to launch our service as our target market has no real pan-India operator with a fleet of business jets. Our plan of six bases in India with two aircraft in each base will create many cost and logistical advantages which we shall pass on to our customers.” Jayant Nadkarni, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, added that “Our new generation jets have extremely fuel efficient engines and an ease of maintainability that allows for low cost of operations and a long product lifecycle. Their advanced avionics and safety equipment facilitates increased pilot awareness providing a high level of safety for our passengers.”      

Neelam Mathews Feb 27, 2012 CNBC reports that Vijay Mallya, chairman of  Kingfisher Airlines told his employees that 'paid media' is responsible for the downfall of his company. Really? Was paid media also responsible for the spike in his five star airline business we were then so justifiably proud of  five years ago when it launched? There is an immaturity in thinking here, one senses. Perhaps people would respect him more if he came downright and said the company messed up in its business model. And that isn’t rocket science. Besides, any company in a new business can make mistakes. Look at life around us. Don’t see too many owners saying the media was paid to do that. I find it an affront that Vijay Mallya and his advisors can be so blatant in their accusations without proof. Think we need an apology from him.

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 25, 2012 A prototype of the UAV developed by a student team of Delhi Technological University with financial resources and engineering mentoring support from Lockheed Martin was displayed at the ICAUV 2012 conference in Bengaluru. The students also showed a video of their first flight test in January. The student team from DTU was selected by LMC due to their winning a US-based competition to design a small UAV, beating teams from universities such as MIT and Stanford. The LM Corporate Engineering and Technology organization is funding a sponsored research program with this winning team to develop a design for the next generation of UAV’s tailored for operations in large urban environments. Test flight of the prototype UAV is scheduled for end February 2012. This will be reviewed by Lockheed Martin executives. The announcement of this joint research was made by Dr. Ray O Johnson (senior vice president and chief technology officer, Lockheed Martin) in ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 25, 2012 Jet Airways and Jetstar, the largest low cost carrier in the Asia Pacific, have announced an interline agreement that will offer guests new travel options between India and Jetstar destinations across much of the Asia Pacific. Through this partnership, Jet Airways customers will now be able to book a single combined ticket on Jetstar,Jetsar Asia or Jetstar Pacific flights as part of a single integrated transaction and travel itinerary sold on a Jet Airways E-ticket, says a CAPA release. Customers may purchase combined Jetstar and Jet Airways travel via travel agents, online, or through Jet Airways’ reservations call centre. For passengers travelling under the new agreement, Jetstar will accommodate the Jet Airways baggage allowance. For passengers connecting international to international flights, bags will be through-tagged. Complimentary onboard offerings such as meals and comfort packs will be provided on connecting Jetstar long haul ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 24, 2012 Representatives of Non –EU Members of International Civil Aviation Organisation Meet in Moscow -STATEMENT The representatives from Armenia, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Chili, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria, Paraguay, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda and United States of America of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) met in Moscow on February 21 and 22, 2012 and reaffirmed the importance of the role of the ICAO in addressing international civil aviation emissions, including pursuant to the request from the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The countries gathered in Moscow reiterated the importance of Kyoto Protocol to its Parties as well as importance of Chicago Convention and the need to ensure full compliance with its provisions. Ch. Ajit Singh, the Minister of...

Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2011-12, the latest in a series of Indo-US military exercises between mechanized forces, is scheduled to be conducted in northern Rajasthan in March 2012.   It is designed to improve bilateral cooperation between both armies and enhance their ability to operate side by side at the tactical level, within the framework of UN peacekeeping operations. This exercise will see troops of US 25 th Infantry Division, US Army Pacific, Hawaii train with India troops of South Western Command in well designed setting for peace support operations.   The participants will engage in a number of defined operational missions that include security of lines of communication, intelligence based peace enforcement operations and extrication / rescue operations, says a statement.

Neelam Mathews Feb 24, 2012 MIRAGE 2000   AIRCRAFT CRASH Allahabad: February 24, 2012 One Mirage 2000 aircraft of IAF crashed 50 kms North East of Gwalior, in the Ravines of Bhind Dist on Feb 24, 2012 at about 1210 hrs.  The pilots, Air Marshal Anil Chopra and Wing Commander Ram Kumar who got airborne from Gwalior airbase for routine flying sortie, ejected safely.  There is no reported damage to civil property or life.  A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the cause of the accident.

Neelam Mathews Feb 24, 2012 The discussion held yesterday (Feb 23) on ratifying the Offsets policy remained “inconclusive,” Aerospace Diary learns. A meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council chaired by Defense Minister A.K. Antony looked at proposals to amend the offsets policy, part of the DPP 2011. The industry was hoping certain issues would be cleared including transfer of technology as offsets; multipliers and offsets in commercial shipbuilding. With a central implementing body required, the DAC was to look at   the Defense Offset Facilitation Agency (DOFA) as the empowering body for offsets.

Neelam Mathews Singapore Air Show   Breaking free from the shackles of legacy technology to embrace the benefits of high-speed, high-capacity computing power, Malaysia Airlines, became the first carrier last year to introduce a successful pilot of IT provider, SITAs Desktop-as-a-Service, the air transport community cloud computing services. Having completed a number of projects, it is now moving forward to the next phase of going online to use cloud as part of its mainstream operations, says Damian. J. Hickey, Regional Vice President, Sales & Relationship management, South Asia & India to AIN.   SITAs Command Center in Singapore launched in October last year includes a Cloud processing Center to support its airline clients looking at moving their operations to Cloud. The company says it is in discussions with many large Asian carriers with announcements to de made on their decision to adopt Cloud Computing this year. In view of the restructuring of MAS (it ma...

NEW DELHI -- U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Jim Miller and Indian Defense Secretary Mr. Shashi Kant Sharma co-chaired the 12th annual U.S.-India Defense Policy Group (DPG) dialogue on February 21st at the Ministry of Defense in New Delhi. Dr. Miller discussed with his DPG counterpart the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the growing defense relationship which includes defense trade, military-to-military training and exercises, and technical cooperation.  In addition to the DPG meeting, Dr. Miller met with Minister of Defense A.K. Antony and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Nirmal Verma, where discussions focused on bilateral defense iffgssues.  Dr. Miller also held meetings with Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai addressing a range of regional and global issues. In the words of Dr. Miller:  “The U.S.-Indian relationship is built on a strong foundation of common interests ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 23, 2012 Israel ’s Sky Sapience, an expert in autonomous hovering machine technology, launched its HoverMast, tethered hovering platform specially designed for small vehicles. The HoverMast will be displayed at the upcoming AUVSI conference and exhibition in Tel-Aviv.   The HoverMast is due to enter full scale production in Q3 2012. The HoverMast responds to the need for quick, mobile intelligence gathering.  At the click of a button, the system autonomously deploys, rising to heights of up to 50 meters within 10-15 seconds. Secured by a cable, serving as a power supply and wideband data link, the highly stabilized HoverMast combines advanced flight algorithms and innovative materials to provide the highest payload-to-size ratio available today. Weighing only 10 kg, the platform is capable of hosting 9 kg payloads, such as electro-optic sensors, laser designators, radar, and sophisticated COMINT and ELINT systems. Its data link enables the ...

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, (Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist ) questions if the government should support Kingfisher There seems to be scandalous affair in efforts of bailing out Kingfisher Airlines through public-sector banks or working out a compromise-formula with Income Tax authorities. If private companies are bailed out in this fashion, then the system may open a new whole panorama of scams and scandals. If Kingfisher Airlines would have been in profit, would it siphon such profits to government-functionaries from which the airlines is expecting bail-out package? Kingfisher group as a whole is minting money through its other ventures like whisky etc. Its owner has huge properties throughout the country. Why the owner does not sell these properties and shifts to a small apartment like a commoner before anticipating any bail-out package from public-authorities? He should divert funds from his money-minting ventures to his airlines to overcome the financial crisis. Even...

Neelam Mathews Feb 21, 2012 A team of nine including representatives from ICAO and Ministry of Civil Aviation is presently preparing a blueprint on Business and General Aviation in India to cover helicopters, seaplanes and fixed wing operations. The report, once ready in April, will incorporate a future strategy for the sector taking into account its present infrastructural and regulatory constraints, an official told Aerospace Diary at the third IBAE held today. This is expected to be incorporated in the new Civil Aviation policy that has presently only two pages dedicated to the lucrative but oft ignored sector. CAPA Chief South Asia Kapil Kaul was vociferous that a joint secretary level official in the ministry of civil aviation be made the point guard for general and business aviation. “We have a good secretary wanting to make changes,” said Kaul. He added the DGCA required a organization structure to oversee interests of non- scheduled operators, "as does AAI at ED le...

Neelam Mathews Feb 20, 2012 Kingfisher Airlines must either take its readers (Read Media) to have very short memories or they must think we are fools (more likely the latter!).   Yesterday we got a statement that said bird strikes were the cause of the disruption- 18 planes of 66 were flying. (The birds must be attracted to their counterpart, Kingfisher- a lot to keep banging into them in the air! ) Today (being a holiday) the press release attributed the “prime reason” for the chaos to “the sudden attachment of our bank accounts by the IT department.”   “We are in dialogue with the tax authorities to agree a payment plan and get the bank accounts unfrozen at the earliest,” says the release. So when did this freezing of bank accounts actually take place? Recently? A while ago? What was the airline doing? And was DGCA informed? If not, why not? If it was, what action was taken? Is the DGCA running short on staff? If it is, how is growth being managed? Where does safety figur...

Another Press Statement- Mumbai, February 20, 2012—Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. would like to reiterate and clarify as follows: 1.      The prime reason for the current disruption in our flight schedules is the sudden attachment of our bank accounts by the IT department. This has severely affected our ability to make operational payments leading to the present curtailment. The revised schedule has been updated in the system. 2.      We are in dialogue with the tax authorities to agree a payment plan and get the bank accounts unfrozen at the earliest. We are appealing to them to see reason that inconvenience to the travelling public is not in anybody's interests. 3.      Employee salaries can be paid and the grounded aircraft can be recovered quicker once the bank accounts are unfrozen and the schedule restored on priority. 4.      About 15% of our flights operating consistently for the past 3 mont...