Eurocopter firma un acuerdo destinado a equipar los helicópteros militares NH90 TTH alemanes para misiones avanzadas de evacuación sanitaria con cuidados intensivos

Eurocopter y el Ministerio Federal de Defensa alemán han firmado hoy un contrato para 

equipar doce helicópteros de transporte táctico NH90 (TTH) para cambio rápido y 

cuidados intensivos en operaciones de evacuación aérea avanzada.    

El acuerdo, firmado en el Salón Aeronáutico de Paris, cubre la entrega de un equipamiento de evacuación sanitaria avanzada (Forward Air MedEvac Kits, FwdAirMedEvac) que permite  la transformación de los helicópteros militares polivalentes NH90 como respuesta de Eurocopter a la iniciativa del Ministerio de Defensa alemán para lograr capacidad de evacuación sanitaria protegida en situaciones de combate.   

 

La configuración FwdAirMedEvac del NH90 capacita a las fuerzas armadas para llevar a cabo misiones de evacuación en helicóptero sobre cualquier terreno, de día o de noche, y bajo cualesquiera condiciones meteorológicas o de vuelo visual, sea cual sea la amenaza existente en el teatro de operaciones. Alemania podrá poner en práctica la nueva capacidad FwdAirMedEvac a partir de julio de 2012.   

   

En la firma del contrato en el salón aeronáutico de París estuvieron presentes Ralf Barnscheidt, vicepresidente de Clientes Gubernamentales de Eurocopter, Klaus Przemeck, vicepresidente del grupo Eurocopter, NAHEMA TTH del programa NH90, y Helmut Richter, de la Oficina Federal de Tecnologías de Defensa y Adquisiciones (BWB, siglas en alemán), en representación del Gobierno alemán.    

 

"Eurocopter ha desarrollado un equipamiento de evacuación aérea sanitaria avanzada a la 

medida de las futuras necesidades de las fuerzas armadas alemanas", dijo Barnscheidt. 

"Complementa las capacidades polivalentes del NH90 y, en una época de presupuestos 

limitados, ofrece una solución económica completa y eficiente para llevar a cabo misiones de evacuación complicadas".     

  

En la configuración FwdAirMedEvac, los helicópteros NH90 pueden estar equipados con dos puestos de cuidades intensivos para el tratamiento de heridos y con asientos para el personal sanitario. El paquete de misión es adecuado para instalarlo en el NH90 TTH en sólo 30 minutos. 

El equipamiento médico, tal como un desfibrilador, un ventilador de transporte y un monitor de control, permite el tratamiento de heridos y víctimas traumatizadas a bordo del aparato. El diseño de la zona de trabajo satisface los requisitos del Servicio Médico del Ejército alemán.     

En una misión característica de evacuación sanitaria podrían participar dos helicópteros: uno para la evacuación de soldados o de personal civil heridos, el segundo para protección armada de la misión.

Los sistemas elegidos para la configuración aseguran la rápida disponibilidad del helicóptero, ya que son compatibles con el programa actual del NH90. Para abreviar el procedimiento de autorización se ha adelantado una parte del trabajo de desarrollo previsto en un principio para la configuración operacional final (Final Operational Configuration, FOC) del NH90. Algunos de los sistemas ya existentes, como el de contramedidas electrónicas, la pantalla en casco para vuelos nocturnos a baja cota, y las comunicaciones protegidas de voz se adaptarán a los nuevos requisitos de misión.    

El NH90 es el mayor programa de helicóptero militar jamás puesto en marcha en Europa. El helicóptero bimotor de peso medio está equipado con la más moderna tecnología y se entrega en dos versiones: como helicóptero de transporte táctico (TTH) y como helicóptero de fragata OTAN (NFH). Las fuerzas armadas alemanas han cursado un pedido total de 122 NH90 en la variante TTH. De ellos, 80 son para las unidades de aviadores del Ejército y 42 para la Fuerza Aérea.   

Como la aeronave de ala rotatoria más moderna de su clase, el NH90 ofrece un alto grado de integración en torno a un sistema central de aviónica de doble bus, una cabina de mando completamente digital con pantallas multifuncionales, así como mandos de vuelo eléctricos (flyby-wire), además de un piloto automático de cuatro ejes.    

La gestión del programa NH90 está a cargo de NHIndustries, un consorcio integrado por 

AgustaWestland (32%), Eurocopter (62,5%) y Fokker Aerostructures (5,5%). El total de pedidos en firme de las versiones del NH90 asciende a 529 unidades, que se destinan a 19 fuerzas armadas de 14 países diferentes: Alemania, Australia, Bélgica, España, Finlandia, Francia, Grecia, Italia, Noruega, Nueva Zelanda, Omán, Países Bajos, Portugal y Suecia.   

Read more...

Finnish NH90 helicopters demonstrate their operational capabilities: More than 150 soldiers are airlifted over a 320 km. distance in five hours

The multi-role NH90 helicopter's ability to support large troop movements over long 

distances were demonstrated during the Finnish Defense Forces' main field exercise this 

month, in which 157 soldiers were transported 320 kilometers during two operational 

rotations. 

For this exercise, the Finnish NH90 Utti Jaeger Regiment's Helicopter Battalion was given a mission to relocate 157 conscripts of the Guard Jaeger Regiment from the Helsinki area to Kauhava. 

Eight NH90 TTHs (tactical transport helicopters) – along with an additional helicopter in reserve – were assigned to realize this ambitious mission, which was accomplished in five hours during two rotations.  The operation involved a total of 40 flight hours with an 80 percent availability, and it by far outperformed the Finnish Defense Forces' expectations. Two hot refueling were conducted during the operation, with four helicopters being refueled at same time during servicing lasting only nine minutes.  

"The NH90 TTH is technologically very advanced, very fast and very agile compared to any 

tactical transport helicopter in the world," said Lieutenant Colonel Ari Pellinen, Commanding Officer of the Helicopter Battalion. "For the pilot, it is a real pleasure to fly – like a highperformance sports car with 16 seats in the back."  

The success of this massive troop airlift exercise demonstrated the competences of the Finnish Defense Forces' pilots, mechanics and technicians with respect to planning, execution and maintenance of the NH90.  In addition, it was the result of a strong cooperation between all actors who have contributed to supporting each phase of this military exercise – which was named "Pyörremyrsky" (the Finnish word for "whirlwind") and performed on June 8. 

"The support of Eurocopter for this exercise was critically important as increased flow of spare parts, and Patria Helicopters Utti has been of great assistance in reducing the workload of the Battalion's technical personnel," Lt. Col. Pellinen added.  "During the exercise, the maintenance actions were carried out by Battalion's own technical personnel.  Eurocopter's On-Site-Support (OSS) in Utti has constantly been important  in providing complementary instructions and enhancing the communications between Eurocopter and the end user."  

To date, the Utti Jaeger Regiment's Helicopter Battalion has received 10 NH90 TTHs out of the 20 ordered by Finland from the NHIndustries consortium.  "The achievement of this tremendous troop transportation by the Finnish Defense Forces marks an important milestone in the NH90's successful fielding," stated Wolfgang Schoder, the Executive Vice President for Programs at Eurocopter

The NH90 is a 9-10 metric ton-class helicopter designed to modernize and boost the capability of tactical transport and anti-submarine combat fleets. It is a fly-by-wire, all-composite aircraft with the highest crashworthiness standards. Equipped with a large cabin, a rear ramp, weather radar and forward looking infrared sensor, the NH90 is capable of carrying two pilots, two loadmasters and 18 combat troops over ranges of up to 900 km. at maximum speeds of 300 km./hr. 

Firm orders for all NH90 versions have reached 529 aircraft from 14 countries worldwide. The NH90 is the biggest military helicopter program ever launched in Europe, and also is the most complex – with 23 different variants being produced. NH90 production progressing well, with six assembly lines now operational in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland and Australia. To date, 74 NH90s have been delivered to customers. The NH90 program is managed by NHIndustries, a consortium owned by AgustaWestland (32 percent), Eurocopter (62.5 percent), and Fokker Aerostructures (5.5 percent). 

Read more...

Boeing Names KC-46 Tanker Suppliers

ST. LOUIS, June 22, 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced the supplier team that will provide key components for the U.S. Air Force's KC-46 Tanker. The Air Force selected Boeing on Feb. 24 to replace 179 Eisenhower-era KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft.

"Delivering 18 combat-ready tankers to the U.S. Air Force in 78 months is our priority as a company, and it will take a talented, committed supplier team to help get that done," said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing KC-46 vice president and program manager. "We're fortunate to have a strong defense industry team of domain experts working side-by-side to provide a new generation of aerial refueling."

The KC-46 Tanker team will include more than 800 suppliers in more than 40 states and support approximately 50,000 total U.S. jobs. Major suppliers include:

• Cobham (Davenport, Iowa): Refueling systems, including wing aerial refueling pods and centerline drogue system
• DRS Laurel Technologies Inc. (Johnstown, Pa.): Aerial Refueling Operator Station (AROS)
• Eaton Aerospace: Electromechanical and cargo door actuation systems (Grand Rapids, Mich.); hydraulic and fuel distribution subcomponents (Jackson, Mich.)
• GE Aviation Systems (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Clearwater, Fla.): Mission control system
• Goodrich: Interiors (Colorado); landing gear (Ontario, Canada)
• Honeywell: Auxiliary power unit (Phoenix); cabin pressure control system (Tucson, Ariz.), air data inertial navigation (Coon Rapids, Minn.); lighting (Urbana, Ohio)
• Moog Inc.: Electro-hydraulic servo valves, actuators, stabilize trim controls, leading edge slat actuator, inboard/outboard leading edge rotary actuators, autopilot actuators, elevator feel system (East Aurora, N.Y.; Wolverhampton, UK); refueling boom actuators (Torrance, Calif.)
• Northrop Grumman (Rolling Meadows, Ill.): Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)
• Parker Aerospace (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Utah): Refueling components including the receptacle door actuator, aerial refueling interface control system, and wing refueling pod hydraulic power packs; primary flight controls and fuel equipment; pneumatic, fluid conveyance, and hydraulic equipment
• Pratt & Whitney (Middletown, Conn.): Engines
• Raytheon Company (El Segundo, Calif.): Digital radar warning receiver and digital anti-jam receiver GPS
• Rockwell Collins (Cedar Rapids, Iowa): Integrated display system featuring 15.1-inch diagonal crystal displays built on proven technology from the commercial 787; tactical situational awareness system; remote vision system 3-D and 2-D technology for the boom operator; communications, navigation, surveillance, networking and flight control systems
• Spirit: Forward fuselage section; strut; nacelle components to include inlet, fan cowl and core cowl; fixed fan duct (Wichita, Kan.); fixed leading edge (Prestwick, Scotland)
• Triumph Group Inc.: Horizontal stabilizer and aft body section, including pressure bulkhead; wing center section, doors, nacelles and other components including cowl doors, seal depressor panels, acoustic panels and aft wheel well bulkhead
• Woodward Inc. (Skokie, Ill.): Several elements of the aerial refueling boom, including the sensor system, control unit, and telescopic and flight control sticks.

Based on the proven Boeing 767-200ER commercial aircraft, the KC-46 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines and will be flown by three aircrew members (pilot, co-pilot, boom operator) with additional permanent seating for 12 aircrew.

The KC-46 has a maximum fuel capacity of 212,000 pounds and is equipped with a flush-mounted, air-to-air refueling receptacle that is capable of onloading fuel at 1,200 gallons per minute.

Boom operators will control the refueling systems from the crew compartment via the AROS and a series of cameras mounted on the tanker’s fuselage that provide a 185-degree field of view, as well as a camera on the boom that captures 3-D video. This advanced system allows the boom operator to refuel all fixed-wing receiver aircraft, anytime, on every mission, to include simultaneous multi-point refueling from the wing air refueling pods. The KC-46 refueling systems include a digital fly-by-wire boom capable of offloading 1,200 gallons of fuel per minute, as well as a permanent centerline drogue system and removable wing air refueling pods that can each offload 400 gallons of fuel per minute.

Featuring a maximum takeoff weight of 415,000 pounds, the tanker will carry 18 463L cargo pallets (the same number of pallets as the Air Force’s Boeing C-17 airlifter) and is capable of transporting 58 passengers normally and up to 114 passengers during contingency operations. This multi-mission tanker aircraft also will provide urgent aeromedical evacuation by transporting 58 medical patients (24 litters/34 ambulatory).
Boeing will build the KC-46 Tanker using a low-risk approach to manufacturing by a trained and experienced workforce at existing facilities in Everett, Wash., and Wichita.

Read more...

More than one million new pilots and technicians needed over next 20 years

Boeing Challenges Industry to Meet Unprecedented Demand for Aviation Personnel

E BOURGET, France, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today called upon the aviation industry to invest, evolve and adapt to support the expected exponential growth in demand for qualified aviation personnel as the company released its 2011 Pilot and Technician Outlook at the Paris Air Show.
The Boeing outlook indicates that by 2030 the aviation industry will require:

• 460,000 new commercial airline pilots
• 650,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians

"Clearly, the sheer size of this vital pipeline is staggering," said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. "To meet the demand for capable, well-trained people, Boeing and the aviation industry need to move with the speed of technology to provide the tools, training and work environment that tech-savvy pilots and technicians will expect from us."

Boeing projects that airlines will need an average of 23,000 new commercial jet pilots and 32,500 new technicians per year to maintain and fly an expanded world fleet expected to grow to nearly 40,000 airplanes over the next 20 years, as well as replace the coming wave of retirements.

The largest demand for pilots and technicians will be in the Asia Pacific region, with an expected need for 182,300 pilots and 247,400 technicians. China alone will need 72,700 pilots and 108,300 technicians.

Projected demand in other regions:

• North America – 82,800 pilots and 134,800 technicians
• Europe – 92,500 pilots and 129,600 technicians
• Africa – 14,300 pilots and 19,200 technicians
• Middle East – 36,600 pilots and 53,000 technicians
• Latin America – 41,200 pilots and 52,500 technicians
• Russia and CIS – 9,900 pilots and 13,500 technicians

"We are adapting our technologies, devices and training methods to attract new people to the industry. That means new-tech solutions, including online and mobile computing that is engaging, realistic, portable and accessible to meet the learning styles of today's and future generations," Carbary said. "We want to ensure that our trainers, those creating and delivering the courseware, are equipped with the knowledge, digital tools and cross-cultural and cross-generational skills to match the rapidly-changing needs of tomorrow's aviation workforce."

Carbary pointed out that meeting the demands of the future also means working with industry to transform the air traffic management system as well as pioneering digital delivery of essential navigation and in-flight data so that pilots and airlines are connected with real-time information – allowing them to optimize flights and overall operations and maximize the capacity of the global system.

Boeing Flight Services, a business unit of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, is aligned with the customer's flight operations function and offers integrated products and services to drive optimized performance, efficiency and safety, ranging from advanced training to improved airspace efficiency and infrastructure, airline operations, flight planning, navigation and scheduling – offerings that are crucial for airplane deliveries and market expansion.

Read more...

Boeing to Lead Trade Mission to Morocco

Boeing suppliers meet with Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association in October
LE BOURGET, France, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced it will conduct a trade summit in Casablanca later this year in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Industry, Trade and New Technologies.

The October 12th trade mission will introduce Boeing suppliers to Moroccan companies and encourage strong partnerships with the country through the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association.

"We have a long and productive relationship with Morocco, dating back to 1969 when Royal Air Maroc first purchased a Boeing 727," said Stan Deal, vice president and general manager of Supplier Management for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for airplanes. The Moroccan government has made a strong commitment to developing its aerospace industry, both in infrastructure and workforce training, that will support that growth. We feel that Boeing and our suppliers can benefit from an expansion of the aerospace industry there."

Boeing is already a shareholder in MATIS, a Moroccan company specializing in aerospace wiring and harness products that will celebrate its 10th anniversary of operation later this year. Boeing has also developed strong relationships with many of the 100 other aerospace-related companies in Morocco.
"Morocco has identified the aerospace industry as a key sector for investment as part of its global industrial strategy," said Ahmed R. Chami, Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies.

"We believe that partnerships, like the one we have with Boeing, demonstrate that we have developed an attractive aerospace value proposition that includes specific incentives in infrastructure, training and taxes, among others. We are excited to grow our partnership with Boeing to include more of Boeing's suppliers who, we are certain, will find a welcoming environment for investment in Morocco," said Chami.

With its location linking Europe and Africa, Morocco has made key investments in its aerospace industry over the past five years, guided by the National Pact for Industrial Emergence, initiated in 2009 by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and New Technologies. Earlier this year His Majesty, the King Mohamed VI, announced the formation of the Moroccan Aerospace Institute (IMA) and the Industrial Platform of Nouasseur (midParc).
IMA is an innovative and successful partnership between the public and the private sectors, represented by the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association. The main fields of study are composites, assembly, metalworking, control, electrical systems and wiring.

midParc, the Industrial Platform of Nouasseur, is a state-of-the-art 125-hectare offshore industrial zone near Casablanca Airport and adjacent to IMA. It can host up to four hundred companies specialized in the aerospace, defense, security, medical and high-tech industries.

PR

Read more...

European Commission, Airbus, airlines & biofuel producers in aviation biofuel accord

Pan sector initiative targets two million tonnes of aviation biofuel by 2020

Blagnac, 22 June 2011

The European Commission, Airbus, leading European airlines and European biofuel producers, have launched an exciting new industry wide initiative to try and speed up the commercialisation of aviation biofuels in Europe.

The inititive labelled “Biofuel Flightpath” is a roadmap with clear milestones which targets an annual production of two million tonnes of sustainably produced biofuel for aviation by 2020. The biofuel will be produced in Europe from European sourced feedstock material and has the backing of The European Commissioner, Günther Oettinger, Airbus CEO Tom Enders, major European airlines, and a number of advanced biofuel producers.

The “Biofuel Flightpath” commits members to support and promote the production, storage and distribution of sustainably produced drop-in biofuels for use in aviation and to reach two million tonnes production and consumption by 2020. It also targets establishing appropriate financial mechanisms to support the construction of industrial “first of a kind” advanced biofuel production plants.

"This is a unique opportunity to create the first industrial venture ever introducing sustainable biofuels for commercially competitive operations. The Commission therefore fully supports all efforts in this direction and will actively contribute to their success. They are fully in line with our European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.", said Mr Günter H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy.

“Airbus supports the speeding up of the commercialisation of sustainable biofuels for use in aviation. Our catalyst role is to bring together stakeholders such as advanced biofuel producers, airlines and lawmakers in value chains, in order to achieve this common goal more quickly. Only by working together can we meet our ambitious target to make air transportation truly sustainable,” said Tom Enders.

"The suitability of biofuels for aviation has been proven, opening an outstanding opportunity to drastically reduce air transport’s carbon footprint. Deployment of sustainable biofuels will only be possible through a shared vision and common objectives from producers, end users and policy makers. With this ambitious ‘Biofuel Flightpath’, Europe is giving the right signal for the emergence of a European supply chain." Pierre Henri Gourgeon , CEO Air France-KLM.

"Aviation biofuels are today technically possible and our biofuels sector is ready to help meet the Flightpath targets towards its commercialisation. Together with airlines and public stakeholders, we will create viable and cost competitive business cases for the production and utilisation of sustainably produced aviation biofuels". said Marcell Ulrichs, CEO of CHOREN Industries. " We are committed to enabling the global aviation community to reduce its carbon footprint and its dependence on crude.

More specifically the Biofuel Flightpath aims to:


Facilitate the development of standards for drop-in biofuels and for their certification
Work together with the full supply chain to further develop worldwide accepted sustainability certification.
Facilitate dedicated aviation biofuel production at a reasonable cost by agreeing to tangible biofuel supply and purchase commitments.
Promote appropriate legislative measures to ensure the market uptake of paraffinic biofuels by the aviation sector.
Accelerate research and innovation into advanced biofuel technologies, including algae.
Establish financing structures to facilitate sustainable biofuel projects.
Publicly promote the benefits of replacing kerosene by sustainable biofuels;
The Biofuel Flightpath and a supporting technical document can be found at:
DG ENER site: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/technology/initiatives/biofuels_flight_path_en.htm

Read more...

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company has got one order for 12 SSJ100 for PT Sky Aviation

June 21st, 2011, Le Bourget (France) - At Le Bourget Airshow Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and Indonesian regional carrier PT Sky Aviation signed the Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the delivery of 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100/95B aircraft. The order is valued at 379.2 million USD at list prices. The document was signed by Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk, President of JSC «Sukhoi Civil Aircraft» and Krisman Tarigan, President Director Sky Aviation.

Under the document signed, deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2012.

«Indonesia is a country with stable economic growth. Its geographic and demographic situation contributes to the fast development of air transportation in the region. Such conditions are extremely favorable for the entry into market of the new airlines successfully developing upcoming rout network. And PT Sky Aviation is among them. I strongly believe that Sky Aviation’s experience in flying SSJ100, will contribute to the expansion of our penetration to the South East Asia market», - stated Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 (RRJ-95) is a 100 seat regional jet designed, developed and built by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), in partnership with Alenia Aeronautica. On May 19th 2008 SSJ100 successfully accomplished its first flight. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 cruises at a Maximum Operating Speed of Mach 0.81 and 40.000 feet. It takes off from a 1.731 meters runway in the basic range and 2.052 meters in the long range. The operating range for the basic version is 3.048 km and 4.578 km for the long range version. In February 2011, the SSJ100 obtained the Type Certificate by the Russian Certification Authority IAC AR. The EASA certification is expected to follow in 2011. On April 19th 2011 first production SSJ100 was delivered to Armavia airlines (Armenia).

Read more...

The SSJ100 enlarges the family with the new Sukhoi Business Jet (SBJ) version

June 21st, 2011, Le Bourget (France) - Sukhoi Civil Aircraft and Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, have the pleasure to announce the new Business Jet version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet (SBJ).

The announcement was made during the Le Bourget International Airshow by the President of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and General Director of Sukhoi Holding Mr. Mikhail Pogosyan, and the Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aeronautica and Responsible for Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics sector, Mr. Giuseppe Giordo.

The development of the new SBJ version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) falls within the responsibilities of SuperJet International, the joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica and Sukhoi Holding.

Based on the SSJ100/95 platform, the SBJ will be available in three different configurations: the VIP, the Corporate and the Government.

The VIP Version of the SSJ100 combines outstanding comfort due to its spacious interiors and a superb performance in terms of cost savings.

Several comfort zones are easily tailored in order to satisfy the Customers’ specific needs, including the office, the bedroom and the bathroom areas.

The additional fuel tanks in the cargo hold will provide the aircraft with a range of almost 4,300 nm more than double the SSJ100’s standard range of 1,645 nm, enabling passengers to fly non stop, for example from Paris to New York.

"Today we are launching the VIP version of SSJ100 aircraft, which is the first development of the aircraft platform. The SSJ100 aircraft that is currently in operation with two airlines, brings together unsurpassed comfort and economic efficiency which is a perfect combination for the future success of the aircraft as a VIP version in the segment of large business jets" said Mikhail Pogosyan, the President of the United Aircraft Corporation and General Director of Sukhoi Holding.

“We are very proud to announce the new the Business configuration of the SSJ100. We decided to launch this new model in the frame of an enlargement of the new generation SSJ100 family. The SBJ is a modern and competitive aircraft based on innovative technologies. Our aim is to meet Customers needs with tailored solutions. With the aircraft in operation, I am confident it will be much easier for us to prove the SSJ100 quality and efficiency to a wide range of customers” stated Mr. Giuseppe Giordo, Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aeronautica and Responsible for Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics sector.

The Certification of the new SBJ is scheduled for the beginning of 2014 with the first deliveries accordingly.

The launch of the new business version comes just two months after the EIS. The first SSJ100 entered into revenue services with Armavia on April 21, 2011. The aircraft was put into operation in an extremely short period of time, two days after the official delivery to the launch customer on April, 19 2011.

On June, 16 the SSJ100 entered into commercial operation with the Russian airline Aeroflot from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

During the first two months of operation the SSJ100 totalized 119 flights and more than 268 hours. Owing to its economic efficiency and operational capabilities, the aircraft confirmed to be suitable both to regional and to short-haul routes.

About Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company

The Company’s shareholders are the Sukhoi Holding owing 75% - 1 share and the Italian Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, holding 25% + 1 share since April 7, 2009. Sukhoi Civil Aircraft was founded in 2000 to develop new regional aircraft projects. Headquartered in Moscow, the Company enjoys several production branches seated in the cities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Novosibirsk and Voronezh. Today the company employs over 2,000 people.

About Alenia Aeronautica

Finmeccanica’s aeronautical sector is led by Alenia Aeronautica and includes the wholly owned companies Alenia Aermacchi and Alenia North America, together with its participation in jvs and consortia like ATR, SuperJet International, Eurofighter and GMAS.

Finmeccanica’s aeronautical sector has a role of primary importance in the world’s civil and defence aeronautical industry, counts a total workforce of ca. 12,600 people and operates in the design, development, production and integrated support of commercial and military aircraft, trainers, unmanned aerial vehicles and aerostructures. In 2010 it reported revenues of € 2.8 billions, orders of € 2.5 billions and a backlog of € 8.6 billions.

Sukhoi Superjet 100

Designed, developed and built by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), in partnership with Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a 100 seat regional jet. A further 115-120 seat variant is under study. The SSJ100 is the most advanced and environmentally friendly new generation regional jet.

The first SSJ100 was rolled out from SCAC’s final assembly shop at Komsomolsk-on Amur on September 26th 2007. First flight was successfully accomplished on May 19th 2008.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 cruises at a Maximum Operating Speed of Mach 0.81 and 40.000 feet. It takes off from a 1.731 meters runway in the basic range and 2.052 meters in the long range. The operating range for the basic version is 3.048 km and 4.578 km for the long range version.

The certification campaign was accomplished with four prototypes for flight testing and two prototypes for static and fatigue trials. The tests show that the aircraft meets all certification requirements.

In February 2011, the SSJ100 obtained the Type Certificate by the Russian Certification Authority IAC AR. The aircraft entered into revenue services with Armavia on April 21, 2011. The EASA Certification is expected to follow in 2011.

Read more...