Sikorsky Selects Aurora for S-97 RAIDER

Manassas, VA, April 4, 2011 – Aurora Flight Sciences announced that it has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to design and build prototype airframes as part of the S-97 RAIDER™ program.

Aurora's design and manufacturing role will take place over the next several years. Applying Sikorsky structural design methodologies, Aurora engineers will design the airframe to meet challenging weight, strength, and stiffness criteria. The airframe will be manufactured and assembled at Aurora's Columbus, Mississippi facility.

"We are pleased to join Sikorsky's team to develop the S-97 RAIDER prototype," said John Langford, Aurora's President and CEO. "Our demonstrated success in rapid prototyping and our experience in transitioning prototype programs into production were key factors in Sikorsky's decision to select Aurora for this high priority development program."

The S-97 RAIDER program is based on Sikorsky Aircraft's development of the next-generation X2 Technology™ rotary wing demonstrator aircraft, which features twin coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a pusher propeller. The National Aeronautic Association recently selected the Sikorsky Aircraft's X2 Demonstrator Team as the recipient of the 2010 Collier Trophy. In addition to flying at nearly twice the speed of a conventional helicopter, the S-97 RAIDER prototype aircraft will incorporate other key performance parameters critical to combat operations — increased maneuverability, greater endurance, reduced acoustic noise signature, and the ability to operate at high altitudes.

About Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora Flight Sciences designs and builds robotic aircraft and other advanced aerospace vehicles for scientific and military applications. Aurora is headquartered in Manassas, VA and operates production plants in Bridgeport, WV and Columbus, MS and a Research and Development Center in Cambridge, MA. To view recent press releases and more about Aurora please visit our website at www.aurora.aero.

"S-97 RAIDER" is a trademark of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.


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Lockheed Martin F-35 Flight Test Program Shows Progress In First Quarter

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 4th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II test jets made considerable flight test progress during the first quarter of 2011, conducting 199 test flights versus a plan of 142 flights. Additionally, the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant logged six times more vertical landings in the first quarter than in all of 2010. The test program remained ahead of plan despite the grounding of various test fleet aircraft for 4-15 days during the period as officials investigated the cause of a dual generator/starter failure during a flight on March 9.

The following totals and highlights provide a snapshot of flight test activity in the first quarter:

   * Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL: F-35A) aircraft conducted 82 flights against the plan of 62.
   * STOVL (F-35B) aircraft conducted 101 flights against a plan of 62.
   * Carrier variant aircraft accomplished 16 flights of 18 planned.
   * Two production-model aircraft, AF-6 and AF-7, flew for the first time in preparation for delivery to the U.S. Air Force this year. AF-6 and AF-7 flew seven times in the first quarter.
   *  The STOVL variant performed 61 vertical landings (compared with 10 vertical landings in all of 2010). BF-1 performed the first touch-and-go maneuver in VL mode this quarter.
   * From the start of flight testing in December 2006 through March 31, 2011, F-35s have flown 753 times, including production-model flights.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

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Air Arabia selects Sharklets for its new A320 fleet

Airbus' new large wingtip devices to enhance performance of Air Arabia's A320s
6 April 2011 Press Release

Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has selected Sharklets for 28 out of 44 A320 aircraft ordered by the airline. Deliveries of these Sharklet-equipped Airbus aircraft will begin from the second quarter of 2013.

Delivery of Air Arabia's order of 44 Airbus A320s (34 placed in 2007 and 10 in 2008) has already started in the last quarter of 2010 and will make the carrier one of the region's largest A320 operators with one of the most modern single-aisle fleets.

"Air Arabia is on the path of a reasonable expansion, in-line with the company's vision to become one of the world's leading airlines in terms of eco-efficiency, profit margin, innovation, and operational excellence. This new order will further contribute to the airline's operational efficiency when we take delivery of the first Sharklet-equipped A320s in 2013," said Adel Ali, Board Member and Group CEO of Air Arabia.

"We are delighted that Air Arabia has taken the opportunity to maximise the capability and efficiency of its future A320 fleet by equipping them with our fuel-saving Sharklets," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "The popular A320 Family already has the best reliability, highest revenue-generation and the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft in its class, and with the new Sharklets, customers like Air Arabia will benefit even more," he adds.

Sharklets were launched for development in 2009. These new wingtip devices are around 2.5 metres tall and further enhance the efficiency of the popular A320 Family by replacing the aircraft's current wingtip fence. Offered as an option on new-build aircraft from the end of 2012, the devices reduce fuel burn particularly over longer sectors. As well as increasing payload-range and improving take-off performance, Sharklets result in around 3.5 percent reduced fuel burn over longer sectors, corresponding to an annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft.

Air Arabia already operates a large fleet of new and leased A320s. From its main hubs, Sharjah in the UAE, Casablanca in Morocco, Alexandria in Egypt, the carrier serves a network of more than 65 international routes across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Nearly 7,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 4,600 delivered to more than 320 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world's best-selling commercial jetliner ever.

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Dos muertos en un accidente aéreo en Medina Sidonia

Ayer por la tarde se localizaron los restos de un accidente de un autogiro ultraligero en un lugar escarpado del término municipal de Medina Sidonia (Cádiz).

El ultraligero habría perdido el control, estrellandose contra el suelo. Su identidad se desconoce, ya que no pertenece a la flota del aeródromo "AerSidonia", que opera en la zona.

Dentro de los restos se han encontrado dos cadáveres completamente calcinados, lo que dificulta las labores de identificación.

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Boeing to Feature Latest Innovations at National Space Symposium

Approach and Landing Test Vehicle, CST-100 mock-up among products on display

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 4, 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will spotlight its satellites, human spaceflight activities and network-enhanced technologies at the Space Foundation's 27th National Space Symposium. This year's event takes place April 11-14 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

"The National Space Symposium gives Boeing the opportunity to showcase our strengths in developing and delivering innovative space and satellite capabilities," said Roger Krone, president of the Network and Space Systems business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

"Our business is focused on bringing NASA, the Department of Defense and our commercial partners new, cost-effective capabilities for their spaceflight and satellite communication missions."

The Boeing exhibit, at Booth #200, will showcase the company's support for military and commercial satellite operations and the International Space Station, as well as its development of space exploration vehicles and unmanned capabilities. The centerpiece of this year's exhibit is a 3-D, interactive satellite demonstration in which users can explore Boeing's modeling and simulation capabilities in different satellite environments.
This year Boeing will debut its first outdoor display of innovative space equipment. The Approach and Landing Test Vehicle, which preceded the United States' first unmanned vehicle to return from space and land on its own, the X-37B, will be on display in front of the Boeing Exhibit Center North. In addition, a mock-up of Boeing's Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft and a pressurized structure of the crew module will be on display in the new Boeing Exhibit Center Showroom, located east of the Boeing Exhibit Center South.

Boeing also will participate in the symposium speaking agenda. Krone will be a panelist in the Industrial Base Mega Session on April 12 at 2:20 p.m. He will share his perspective on the economic and efficiency challenges facing space and defense industry partners and offer ideas on how to implement solutions. Also on April 12, Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space Exploration, will join other former space shuttle commanders in the Shuttle Commanders Forum at 4 p.m.

Boeing's online press kit at www.boeing.com/bds/mediakit/2011/space11/ contains program backgrounders, biographies and a link to high-resolution photos. The site will be updated throughout the show.
Note: All briefing times are local to Colorado Springs (Mountain time). Reporters interested in the news briefings are asked to confirm their attendance in advance with the contacts listed below no later than Thursday, April 7.
A toll-free number will be provided for reporters who are unable to participate in person.
WEDNESDAY, April 13 -- Space Foundation Media Center, The Broadmoor Hotel
10 a.m.: Commercial Crew Development
John Elbon, vice president and program manager of Boeing Space Exploration's Commercial Crew Programs, provides an update on Boeing's solution for a commercial crew capsule to transport people between Earth and the International Space Station and Bigelow Aerospace's space station.
11:15 a.m.: Boeing Satellites
Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, and Jim Simpson, vice president of S&IS Business Development, discuss hosted payloads and priority satellite programs.
1:45 p.m.: Advanced Network and Space Systems
Todd Citron, director of Advanced Space and Intelligence Systems, part of Boeing Phantom Works' Advanced Network and Space Systems, discusses nanosatellite technology.


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Boeing Delivers 2 F-15K Slam Eagles to the Republic of Korea

DAEGU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea, April 5, 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it delivered F-15K 47 and F-15K 48 to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) at Daegu Air Base on March 15. The two F-15K Slam Eagles departed St. Louis on March 8 and made stops in Palmdale, Calif., Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.

"Boeing continues to work closely with its ROKAF customers to ensure we deliver quality aircraft on schedule and on budget," said Roger Besancenez, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. "We are committed to providing the ROKAF with the most capable combat-ready multirole aircraft in the world."

Six of the new F-15K Slam Eagles are scheduled to participate in an advanced aerial combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in early 2012.

Boeing delivered the first six of 21 F-15Ks it is producing under the Next Fighter II contract in 2010. The remaining 13 aircraft will be delivered through April 2012.

The F-15K is an advanced variant of the combat-proven F-15E. Equipped with the latest technological upgrades, it is extremely capable, survivable and maintainable. The aircraft's service life is planned through 2040, with technology insertions and upgrades throughout its life cycle. Boeing completed delivery of 40 Next Fighter I fighter aircraft to the ROKAF in October 2008.

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