Boeing Transfers 1st C-17 to Indian Air Force

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 11, 2013 -- The Indian Air Force (IAF) flew its first Boeing [NYSE: BA] C-17 Globemaster III to India today, becoming the newest operator of the leading airlifter.

"The C-17 will equip the Indian Air Force with amongst the world's most advanced humanitarian and strategic capabilities," said Air Vice Marshal SRK Nair, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Transport and Helicopters). "We have looked forward to this day when our Indian Air Force flies the first C-17 to its new home in India."

Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014. This first aircraft was transferred today after completion of a flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, Calif., that began following the Jan. 22 delivery.

"Congratulations to the Indian Air Force on this milestone as India joins the worldwide community of C-17 operators," said Tommy Dunehew, Boeing vice president of Business Development for Mobility, Surveillance and Engagement. "Nations turn to the C-17 for the capability to perform a wide range of operations, from peacekeeping and disaster relief to troop movements from semi-prepared airfields. This aircraft will provide the Indian Air Force with the versatility to augment airlift capability."

Boeing has now delivered 254 C-17s, including 222 to the U.S. Air Force and a total of 32 C-17s to Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

Boeing will support the IAF C-17 fleet through the Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP) Performance-Based Logistics contract. The GISP "virtual fleet" arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale.

Read more...

Boeing Receives US Army Contract for Up to 215 Chinook Helicopters

5-year contract will save more than $800 million

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., June 11, 2013 – In an agreement that will save the U.S. government more than $800 million, the Army and Boeing [NYSE:BA] have signed a $4 billion multi-year contract for 177 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, with the Army holding options that could increase its total buy to 215 aircraft.

Deliveries from the agreement, which is a cost-effective alternative to annually contracting for the aircraft, begin in 2015.

“This multi-year contract provides unprecedented savings for the U.S. Army and American taxpayers,” said Col. Robert Barrie, U.S. Army project manager for Cargo Helicopters. “But the most important benefit is the continued support these aircraft will provide to soldiers in the field and civilians in distress.”

The tandem-rotor Chinook is the backbone of combat, logistics and humanitarian operations for the U.S. Army and 18 other operators around the world. This order would eventually bring the Army’s CH-47F total procurement close to its target of 464 aircraft, including 24 to replace peacetime attrition aircraft. The Army’s current inventory stands at 241 F-model aircraft.

There are 15 Army active duty and National Guard units operating the CH-47F, and a 16th is currently being equipped. CH-47F units have logged more than 86,000 combat hours in Afghanistan, maintaining an operational readiness rate of over 80 percent while conducting air assault, transport, and medical evacuation and support missions.

“The Army is benefiting not only from the efficiencies of a multi-year contract but also from the production efficiency gains Boeing and our suppliers have made,” said Chuck Dabundo, vice president, Boeing Cargo Helicopter Programs. “That includes the $130 million investment we made to modernize the Chinook factory. This contract will enable Boeing and our partners and suppliers in 45 states to bring stability to the workforce and to invest in production tooling, processes and other capital improvements.”

Read more...

Boeing Forecasts Demand for More Than 35,000 New Airplanes

• - 20-year Current Market Outlook projects a $4.8 trillion market
  
• - Increased demand for single-aisle airplanes driving the forecast
  
• - Airlines focused on more efficient airplanes
  

PARIS, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) projects a demand for more than 35,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years, valued at $4.8 trillion. The company released its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO) today in Paris, forecasting the world fleet to double over the next two decades. Both passenger traffic and cargo traffic are expected to grow 5 percent annually.

"This forecast gives us confidence as we increase our production rates and invest in new products like the 777X and 787-10X," said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Airlines are demanding more efficiency and that is exactly what we'll be giving them."

The single-aisle market, served by Boeing's Next-Generation 737 and the future 737 MAX, is the main driver of the forecast and continues to show strength. 24,670 new airplanes will be needed in this segment due to the growth of low-cost carriers and airlines from emerging markets.  

Widebodies, such as Boeing's 747-8, 777 and 787 Dreamliner, also make up a large part of the forecast. 8,590 new airplanes will be needed in this segment, fueled in part by airlines replacing their older fleet with new, more fuel-efficient airplanes.

New Airplane Deliveries: 2013-2032
Airplane type	Seats	Total deliveries	Dollar value
Regional jets	90 and below	2,020	$80B
Single-aisle	90 – 230	24,670	$2,290B
Small wide-body	200 – 300	4,530	$1,100B
Medium wide-body	300 – 400	3,300	$1,090B
Large wide-body	400 and above	760	$280B

The market for new airplanes will continue to become more geographically balanced over the next two decades. Asia-Pacific, including China, will lead the way in total airplane deliveries.

New Airplane Deliveries: 2013-2032
Region	Airplane deliveries
Asia-Pacific	12,820
Europe	7,460
North America	7,250
Latin America	2,900
Middle East	2,610
C.I.S.	1,170
Africa	1,070
World Total	35,280

After facing high and volatile fuel prices and a highly competitive environment, airlines have been forced to change the way they manage their business.

"Our customers are focused on growing their networks, managing their capacity and investing in new fleets," said Tinseth. "These trends will shape market demand for airplanes that have high efficiency, low operating costs, environmentally progressive technologies and a great passenger experience. We believe Boeing's current and future products are perfectly aligned to meet those needs."

About the Boeing Current Market Outlook
Since the beginning of the jet age, Boeing has produced a long-term market outlook which was first shared publicly in the early 1960s. The CMO is the longest running complete worldwide jet forecast and is regarded as the most respected and comprehensive analysis of the aviation industry.

The report and a feature, which provides an interactive database of forecast numbers, can be found atwww.boeing.com/cmo.

Read more...

Boeing, South Africa to Research & Develop Titanium Powder for Manufacturing

Research supports South African industry, could expand titanium supply for aerospace

PRETORIA, South Africa, June 11, 2013 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced today that they will conduct joint research on ways to incorporate titanium powder into industrial manufacturing processes. This mutually beneficial research collaboration supports South Africa's long-term economic development and could expand the supply of titanium for many industries, including aerospace.

South Africa, which has the world's second-largest reserves of titanium ore, has developed and patented technology to convert titanium ore to titanium powder. On June 7, CSIR launched a titanium pilot plant to further advance titanium powder technology.  Aligned with that objective, Boeing and CSIR signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on processes that could bring titanium powder-based products to commercial markets on an industrial scale and improve the efficiency of titanium manufacturing.

Dr. William Lyons, Boeing Research & Technology director of Global Technology, said Boeing's research with CSIR will advance the science of a promising technology. "This research is important to the aviation industry because it will enable us to use titanium powder for manufacturing in ways that reduce energy consumption and waste," Lyons said.

Dr. Willie du Preez, director of the South African Titanium Centre of Competence, hosted by CSIR, said the collaboration with Boeing will bring value to South Africa. "Boeing's competencies and experience regarding the applications of titanium in aerospace will hugely benefit CSIR's drive towards commercialization of titanium technologies" said Du Preez.

J. Miguel Santos, Boeing International vice president for Africa, said the company is pleased to broaden its relationships in South Africa. "Our research and development agreement with CSIR adds a new dimension to Boeing engagement in South Africa," Santos said. "We are collaborating to advance South Africa's development in the aviation industry, which will increase the competitiveness of Boeing products."

Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T) will oversee the company's research activity in South Africa. As Boeing's advanced research and development organization, BR&T is focused on developing future aerospace solutions and improving the cycle time, cost, quality and performance of current aerospace systems. BR&T conducts its own research and works with partners around the world to find technologies that are innovative and affordable.

Boeing and South Africa have a relationship focused on development of South Africa's aviation industry. Boeing customer relationships include South African Airways and its LCC subsidiary Mango Airline and Comair/Kulula. Boeing's South African suppliers include Aerosud (PTY) Ltd., and the company has a partnership with 43 Air School, a National Airways Corporation subsidiary to provide pilot training.

Read more...

Airbus confirms timing for A350 XWB First Flight (14/06/2013 10am Local Time)

Airbus confirms that the A350 XWB first flight is planned for this Friday, 14th June, based on current visibility of the programme and the flight test status. Weather conditions permitting, the A350 XWB "MSN1" will take off from Toulouse-Blagnac airport at around 10:00 am local time.

The A350 XWB flight test teams are now carrying out the last checks on the A350 XWB "MSN1" before they give their final green light for the first flight to take place this Friday. Recent pre-first flight tests successfully carried out include the first power up of the fuel efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines on MSN1, which took place on June 2nd.

The A350 XWB is the all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. The new family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Scheduled for entry-into-service in second half of 2014, the A350 XWB has already won 613 firm orders from 33 customers worldwide.

press release

Read more...