Aviation & Marine USA ~ Home Page

Front Page

Australia

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
CPA 052/08 Sunday, 9 March 2008

AIR FORCE’S C-17 FLEET COMPLETE – ON TIME, ON BUDGET

The fourth Boeing C-17A Globemaster III has been delivered to the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF), completing Australia’s fleet.

The aircraft touched down at RAAF Amberley near Ipswich last night, and
will be operated by No. 36 Squadron.

“Australia’s four C-17s have been delivered on time and on budget.
This success highlights the excellent cooperation between the Royal
Australian Air Force, Defence Materiel Organisation, the Boeing Company
and US Air Force,” Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd said.

“The first Globemaster entered RAAF service in December 2006, and
these aircraft have already made a positive impact in supporting
Australian Defence Force operations.”

Globemasters have supported Operation Catalyst (Iraq), Operation PNG
Assist, Operation Astute (Timor-Leste), Exercise Red Flag 2007, Exercise
Bersama Shield 2007 and Exercise Talisman Saber 2007.

Air Force accepted the fourth aircraft in January this year at the
Boeing facility at Long Beach California. The aircraft has since been
fitted with aircraft self protection equipment.

No. 36 Squadron achieved an Initial Operational Capability with the
C-17A in September 2007, and is working towards more complex roles
including the airdrop of personnel and cargo and high dependency aero-medical
evacuation. Full Operational Capability is scheduled for end of 2011,
with the completion of in-country training systems and permanent
facilities for No. 36 Squadron at RAAF Amberley.

The C-17 project also includes significant upgrades to Air Movements
facilities at RAAF Bases Darwin, Townsville, Edinburgh and Pearce to
support C-17A operations.

The Globemaster carries up to four times the payload of the RAAF’s
other combat airlift workhorse, the C-130 Hercules. It can carry more
than 70 tonnes of cargo; for example, up to three Black Hawk or Sea Hawk
helicopters, or a Chinook helicopter, or five Australian Light Armoured
Vehicles.

Front Page

Boeing: Uncertainty About Process Remains After Air Force Tanker Debrief

ST. LOUIS, March 07, 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force has completed a debriefing for The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] during which acquisition officials sought to explain why they selected a team of Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) for a contract to replace aerial refueling tankers.

The debriefing on Friday came one week after the Air Force's surprising announcement that it had chosen the Northrop-EADS team over the Boeing KC-767 tanker offering.

"We spent several hours with Air Force leaders, listening and probing, all in an effort to better understand the reasoning behind their decisions," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president and program manager of the KC-767 tanker. "While we are grateful for the timely debriefing, we left the room with significant concerns about the process in several areas, including program requirements related to capabilities, cost and risk; evaluation of the bids and the ultimate decision.

"What is clear now is that reports claiming that the Airbus offering won by a wide margin could not be more inaccurate," said McGraw.

Boeing officials said that they will take the next few days to evaluate the data presented and will give serious consideration to filing a protest.

"Our plan now is to work through the weekend to come to a decision on our course of action early next week," said McGraw. "It will be a very rigorous and deliberative process to ensure we're balancing the needs of the warfighter with our desire to be treated fairly. For decades Boeing has been recognized as a defense company that never takes lightly protests of our customers' decisions."

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

###

Front Page

Oberstar Says FAA Lax in Safety Checks

Probe finds safety issues at Southwest Airlines, possibly others

March 7, 2008

An investigation by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has turned up lapses in the Federal Aviation Administration’s enforcement of Federal aircraft inspection requirements.

Video of News Conference

At a Capitol Hill news conference today, Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (Minn.), announced plans for a hearing April 3 to examine the matter. Oberstar’s prepared opening statement follows:

Statement of the Honorable James L. Oberstar, Chairman
FAA Safety Investigation News Conference
March 7, 2008

I called this news conference to brief you on an investigation conducted by this Committee into allegations that Southwest Airlines, with FAA complicity, allowed at least 117 of its aircraft to fly with passengers in violation of Federal Aviation Regulations. 47 were overdue required fuselage inspections, and 70 were overdue a mandatory inspection of critical rudder control systems.

The Committee had originally scheduled a hearing on this matter for next week, but circumstances unrelated to the investigation have forced us to postpone it until April 3. Nonetheless, given the amount of news media attention to this issue and the FAA’s recent announcement of actions pending against Southwest, I felt it appropriate to appear before you today.

What our investigation found is the most serious lapse in safety I have been aware of at the FAA in the past 23 years. Thank goodness we are talking about it BEFORE an accident, which is as it should be, NOT AFTER a tragedy.

Some will say, “What is the big deal? No crash happened and those aircraft were probably OK,” but that is an irresponsible argument. It would be consistent with a “tombstone mentality” I have been fighting in FAA and other agencies my entire career.

The fundamental reason our air transportation industry is so safe today is that we have, historically, been OBSESSIVE about compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations.

By definition, any aircraft that does not comply with Federal Aviation Regulations is not safe to fly. I have no sympathy for arguments to the contrary, because that is exactly why the system is safe and the only way it will remain safe.

I fear that complacency may have set in at the highest levels of FAA management, reflecting a pendulum swing away from vigorous enforcement of compliance, toward a carrier-favorable, cozy relationship.

Meanwhile, more and more airline maintenance is being outsourced with less FAA and airline involvement, much of it at foreign repair stations.

We fully agree that it is impossible for FAA to hire enough inspectors to oversee every single, minute aspect of regulatory compliance given the size of the US airline industry, thus we believe “partnership programs” with the airlines are a good thing, IF they are conducted under strict guidelines.

FAA has about 3000 inspectors overseeing airline compliance, and I doubt even 50,000 would be enough to inspect every plane flying—this is a complicated and highly technical business.

Our investigation uncovered a pattern of regulatory abuse and widespread regulatory lapses, that allowed 117 aircraft to be operated in commercial service despite being OUT OF COMPLIANCE with Airworthiness Directives and other mandatory inspections...so that Southwest could conveniently schedule them for inspection without disrupting their commercial schedule.

We have reason to believe there may have been more since there is strong evidence of systemic flaws in Southwest Airworthiness Directive management systems. A required Airworthiness Directive Safety Attributes Inspection at Southwest, due in 2004, was not conducted until 2007, three years overdue.

These overflight violations occurred after Southwest’s self-disclosure with full knowledge of the FAA supervisor for maintenance at Southwest.

The Southwest disclosure claimed that the violations ceased upon the date of disclosure, and by Federal law these aircraft should have been grounded until they were in compliance, but they continued to fly, with full knowledge of the FAA supervisor.

47 B-737 aircraft continued in service without a fuselage crack check required every 4,500 cycles after the aircraft reaches 35,000 cycles. The check is required because an Aloha Airlines jet lost an 18-foot section of its upper fuselage due to metal fatigue in 1988.

The 47 aircraft conducted 1,451 flights, carrying an estimated 200,000 passengers.

These were just the flights that occurred after Southwest disclosed them, but they were actually out of compliance for nearly 30 months and according to FAA’s civil penalty letter sent to Southwest yesterday, they actually flew nearly 60,000 flights out of compliance.

The other 70 aircraft that did not receive rudder inspections were out of compliance for at least a year, and they also continued to fly past the Southwest disclosure—the number of flights is unknown, and they were not addressed in the FAA’s civil penalty announced yesterday. We fully expect that FAA will address these violations in a separate enforcement action, and our investigation is continuing.

The FAA’s civil penalty was announced only a few days before and clearly in response to our investigation and scheduled hearing.

For nearly three years prior to disclosure of the violations, FAA inspectors who cooperated with our investigation had been warning FAA management that Southwest had an inconsistent and unreliable system for monitoring compliance with Airworthiness Directives. Both whistleblowers and FAA’s own internal investigation provided compelling evidence that earlier attempts to initiate strong enforcement actions were repeatedly vetoed by the FAA maintenance supervisor.

The whistleblowers elevated their concerns to higher levels of FAA management, but the warnings were ignored.

Committee investigators interviewed FAA aviation safety inspectors overseeing other airlines, who said that they found it difficult to take enforcement action against the airline because the FAA management was “too close to airline management—It would be the end of my career” to expose these problems.

FAA needs to clean house, from the top down, and take corrective action. It needs to hire more inspectors, and give them a safety mission.

Congress should enact legislation to establish a long “post-service” cooling off period for FAA inspectors before they are allowed to go to work for the airlines.

We also believe FAA should take a serious look at routinely rotating inspectors between airline oversight offices as at least a partial countermeasure to a “cozy relationship” developing between the regulators and the regulated.

However, FAA senior management MUST also develop a better way to monitor local airline oversight offices, to avoid another major lapse in compliance such as these at Southwest.

We are concerned this is not just an isolated incident at one airline, and we have heard concerns expressed about similar situations at other airlines, although we do not have direct evidence of incidents this serious at present. However, our investigation will continue.

This shocking lapse at Southwest should send chills through the airline industry and the regulatory offices at FAA.

Again, I thank heaven that we are talking about this BEFORE an accident and NOT AFTER.

I will be happy to take your questions.

###

Front Page

Chairman James L. Oberstar's House Floor Statement (03/06/08) on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution

March 7, 2008

"I am extremely pleased that the fiscal year (FY) 2009 Budget Resolution, approved by the Committee on the Budget, recognizes the critical importance of meeting our nation's infrastructure investment needs, even while achieving a balanced budget by 2012. The Budget Resolution vigorously rejects the short-sighted policies of the President's budget, which cuts virtually every infrastructure investment program within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, including highways, public transit, airports, Amtrak, wastewater treatment, and water resources development.

In contrast to the harmful cuts proposed by the administration, the resolution fully funds highway, transit, and highway safety programs at the levels originally authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The resolution rejects both the negative $1 billion adjustment for Revenue Aligned Budget Authority, and the administration's proposal to cut highway and transit funding by an additional $1 billion below the authorized levels, which would be detrimental to short-term economic stimulus efforts, as well as long-term economic growth.

For the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), the resolution rejects the $765 million cut proposed by the administration, and instead provides the full amounts authorized in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 2881), as approved by the House last year. Specifically, the proposed budget provides $3.9 billion for AIP in FY 2009, increasing to $4.1 billion by FY 2011. This funding will allow the AIP program to keep pace with inflationary cost increases, and begin to address the investment gap in airport safety and capacity needs.

For Amtrak, the resolution rejects the $525 million cut proposed by the administration, which would essentially shut-down our national passenger rail system, and instead increases funding to meet the costs of Amtrak's new labor agreement, pursuant to Presidential Emergency Board 242.

For environmental infrastructure, the resolution rejects the administration's proposed cut to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, the primary Federal program for funding wastewater infrastructure projects throughout the nation. A year ago, the President requested $687.5 million in capitalization grants for CWSRFs for FY 2008. At that time, it was the lowest level requested by any administration since the creation of the program. For FY 2009, the administration requests a pitiful $555 million, a 20 percent cut from last year’s appropriation of $689 million. The administration's proposal puts at risk the water quality gains achieved in recent decades, and the resolution correctly rejects this cut.

Finally, the resolution rejects the administration's proposal to cut funding for the Army Corps of Engineers by $845 million in FY 2009, and instead provides increased funding to begin to address the growing backlog of water resources development projects, including those authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure firmly believes that infrastructure investment is fundamental to stimulating and sustaining long-term economic growth. Therefore, I am pleased that the budget resolution includes an Infrastructure Investment Reserve Fund, which will accommodate legislation to "Rebuild America" in FY 2009.

I look forward to working with Chairman Spratt on continued improvements to our nation's infrastructure, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution."

###

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems Celebrates 90th Year With Launch of NORMARC 6512 DVOR

LONDON - March 7, 2008 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced that its European subsidiary, Park Air Systems, has launched the NORMARC 6512 Doppler VHF omni-directional rangefinder (DVOR) into its air traffic control ground-to-air navigation product portfolio.

Designed with ultimate flight safety at the forefront, the newly developed NORMARC 6512 DVOR ground station has been produced in close cooperation with Toshiba. This collaboration is based on Toshiba's 50 years experience in DVOR manufacturing and Northrop Grumman Park Air's corresponding experience as an international provider of navigational aids.

"The introduction of the NORMARC 6512 DVOR into our product range will further strengthen our reputation as a leading player in the global market for navigational aids," said Cato Engebretsen, navigation director Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems. "2008 also marks NORMARC's 90th year, which is a great achievement and one we are proud to celebrate with the introduction of the NORMARC 6512 DVOR."

Ensuring the equipment is accurate and user-friendly, the NORMARC 6512 DVOR features a colour touch panel for local control and extensive built-in test equipment technology for fault isolation. The equipment also utilises the latest digital design for increased stability and accuracy of operations and performs to the highest standards under automatic continuous monitor integrity testing. The NORMARC 6512 DVOR can be provided as a stand-alone product or as a turnkey system encompassing civil works, installation services, commissioning, training programmes and after-sales support.

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, based in Peterborough, UK and Oslo and Horten, Norway, supplies communication, navigation and surveillance systems for air-space operations worldwide.

In Europe, Northrop Grumman operates from locations in France, Germany, Italy and Norway, providing navigation, air traffic control and postal automation systems. In the UK, Northrop Grumman operates from primary locations in London, Fareham, Chester, Coventry, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defence and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems Showcases Key Air Traffic Control Capabilities At ATC Global 2008

LONDON, March 7, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced that its European subsidiary, Park Air Systems, will be showcasing its latest air traffic control systems products and capabilities at the forthcoming ATC Global 2008 exhibition and conference in Amsterdam.

On display will be the full complement of ground-to-air equipment from across the company's communication, navigation and surveillance products. Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems will be exhibiting at Stand H600 in Hall 11.

The capabilities of the PAE T6 and PAE M7 VHF/UHF multimode digital radio working together with the GAREX 220 voice communication control system to create a digital end-to-end communications system will be demonstrated.

The company's NORMARC navigational equipment capabilities will be highlighted with the NORMARC 7000 instrument landing system, NORMARC 7710 navigation analyser and the new NORMARC 6512 VHF DVOR.

The surveillance equipment on display will include the NOVA 9000 air traffic control system.

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, based in Peterborough, UK and Oslo and Horten, Norway, supplies communication, navigation and surveillance systems for air-space operations worldwide.

In Europe, Northrop Grumman operates from locations in France, Germany, Italy and Norway, providing navigation, air traffic control and postal automation systems. In the UK, Northrop Grumman operates from primary locations in London, Fareham, Chester, Coventry, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defence and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

March 07, 2008 04:00 PM Eastern

BRS Reports FY07 Earnings Results

Company files Form 10-KSB and restatements of 2nd and 3rd quarters for FY07

SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc. (Pink Sheets: BRSI), a manufacturer of whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems, announced today its earnings results for Fiscal Year 2007 which ended September 30th, 2007. On March 7, BRS filed its Form 10-KSB for FY07 and its restated Form 10-QSBs for the quarters ended March 30, 2007 and June 30, 2007.

BRS announced a total of $9,402,351 in sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This total represents an increase of 2.3% over the $9,191,729 in sales reported for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The Company reported net loss of ($1,681,177) for the year ended September 30, 2007 compared to a net income of $27,377 for the year ended September 30, 2006.

BRS also restated its previously filed 10-QSB for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of FY2007. As a result of errors in financial statements relating to the valuation of inventories and accounting methods utilized for its Mexican subsidiary, the Company restated the financial statements to correct accounting methods and related issues.

The Company historically fully absorbed the operational costs for its Mexico manufacturing facility into inventory as cost of goods sold. Upon review, and in connection with the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, it was determined that these costs were not directly accounted to the production and processing of goods sold, and therefore were not included as cost of goods sold.

Commenting on the results, Larry E. Williams, Chief Executive Officer said, "While we are disappointed with the overall loss for FY 2007, we clearly understand the need for BRS to invest now for future years. The vast majority of the loss is directly attributable to our increased investment in product diversification and expanding operations to address current and potential business gains.”

Gross margin as a percentage of revenues was 16.0% for FY2007 compared to 36.2% for FY2006. The largest factors contributing to the reduction in gross margin were: (1) a product price reduction to Cirrus associated with increased purchase quantities; (2) investment in new product lines such as Head Lites to meet our diversification strategy; and (3) delays and limitations of the accounting system associated with the internal accounting of the Mexico operations and related allocation of production overhead. Mr. Williams further commented, “Diversification is a key part of our out-year growth strategy which means we must invest today in new products and processes. To achieve this goal, we hired production staff which ultimately had an impact to the cost of goods sold due to production facility inefficiencies, particularly the down time associated with training and prototyping which created excess non-productive labor. We also saw a sharp rise in production overhead due to the delays in the closing of the ATF acquisition.”

A number of factors contributed to BRS’s late filing of its Form 10-KSB and restatement of its two previous Form 10-QSBs with the primary factors being related to the costing of inventory and the associated monitoring of inventory controls connected with operations in Mexico. As a result, the Company performed additional analyses and other procedures with both internal and external resources

During the year, BRS expanded parachute production in Mexico to include manufacturing for CIMSA, a Barcelona-based parachute manufacturer which has also invested in BRS. BRS General Manager David Blanchard commented, “We now have three primary production lines in Mexico: BRS parachutes and components, CIMSA parachutes, and our newly acquired Advanced Tactical Fabrication line. We have expensed all costs in our Mexican production facility that would include inefficiencies and additional costs inherent in changing a production site.”

Blanchard continued, “We have reduced our personnel in Mexico since we are continually evaluating the required workforce levels as they relate to revenue generation. We specifically eliminated a higher portion of non-production employees in order to reduce overhead. We are closely monitoring all costs to operate the Mexico facility using timely and accurate variance analysis. We are also reviewing all product offerings with the goal of standardizing our products as much as possible. This will allow us to re-examine our pricing and margins for all BRS, ATF and Mexico products. We will continue our strong focus on identifying cost savings and reductions on an ongoing basis.”

Chief Financial Officer Carl Langr said, “We believe this investment enhances our ability to achieve consistent growth in revenue and a return to profitability. We are building on the market acceptance of whole airplane emergency recovery parachutes as we grow. With the addition of ATF, we expect to see significant growth in sales as we build market demand. Labor and operating expenses are the focus moving forward to assure profitability."

Highlighted Results of Operations for the Fiscal Year 2007:

~ G&A expenses remained stable at 27.9% of sales in FY07

~ R&D investment increased to 5.9% of sales in FY07

Williams added, “The Company has realized for some time that growing the basic infrastructure in Mexico would take significant capital investment at the outset with little payback in the short term. In fact, Fiscal Year 2007 saw what we believe are unprecedented opportunities for the Mexico operation which had only minimal impact to fiscal 2007 revenues. In order to take advantage of new customers and processes, BRS invested heavily in both capital equipment and personnel to meet these opportunities. The payback for these investments is only now becoming apparent through increased orders and improving efficiencies.”

In particular, the Company has set its goals going forward on several new programs which were only just beginning to form as FY08 began. VP of Sales & Marketing, Gary Moore, commented, “These programs, over the next few months to a year and a half, will continue to grow and develop into substantial new product lines. In addition, the recent establishment of our newest facility in Pinebluff, North Carolina will provide a great opportunity for BRS Fabrication to gain Department of Defense-related market share.”

About Ballistic Recovery Systems and Advanced Tactical Fabrication

Based in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, BRS designs, manufactures, and distributes whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems for general aviation and recreational aircraft. ATF (or Advanced Tactical Fabrication), a joint venture of BRS and Head Lites Corp (HLC), is a leader in the safety apparel and “cut & sew” industry. Ballistic Recovery Systems is a publicly traded company (BRSI.PK). Since 1981, BRS has delivered more than 28,000 parachute systems to aircraft owners worldwide, including over 3,500 systems on FAA-certificated aircraft such as the Cirrus Design SR20 and SR22 manufactured in Duluth, Minnesota. To date, BRS parachute recovery systems have been credited with saving the lives of 211 pilots and passengers

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “believes,” “intends,” and other similar words or phrases. These statements are only predictions, and are based on current information and expectations. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including market fluctuations, pricing, procurement, manufacturing efficiencies, operating risks, and other risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. For more information, review the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and BRS undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Front Page

March 07, 2008 01:30 PM

NxAERO Extends Services through Acquisition of Additional Aircraft

New TBM 850 Will Provide Clients with Additional Chartering Services

BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charter aircraft service, NxAERO, is now offering flights on its recently purchased TBM 850 aircraft. The new plane has a faster cruising speed and climbing rate, reaching 31,000 feet in as little as 20 minutes and is one of the most fuel-efficient models on the market.

NxAERO will continue flights on their other aircraft, a TBM 700. With the addition of another plane, the charter service will provide more clients with reliable and efficient flights throughout the Eastern North America.

“A supplementary aircraft will provide a better service to our existing and future clients,” said Steve Castle, founder of NxAERO. “The TBM 850 will get more people where they need to go in less time without the hassle of commercial flying. We are unique in that we provide customers with the transportation they need using the most fuel-efficient models in the skies. You could say we are doing a service not only to our clients, but to the environment as well.”

Both the TBM 850 and the TBM 700 seat six people and are the fastest single-engine production aircrafts in the world.

Based at Beverly Municipal Airport (KBVY), 15 miles north of Boston, NxAERO specializes in providing safe, cost effective, hassle-free regional transportation solutions. NxAERO has built relationships with trusted, reliable FAA certified air charter operators in the northeastern United States to provide customers with a selection of aircraft to best meet their needs.

For more information about NxAERO or for chartering services and fees, please call 978-921-5050 or log on to www.nxaero.com

Front Page

Amsoil Is A Sponsor of The World's Fastest Motorsport ~ Air Racing

March 07, 2008 10:05 AM Eastern Time

AMSOIL Teams Up with Injen to Produce Co-Branded Diesel Intake Systems

SUPERIOR, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AMSOIL INC. of Superior, Wisc. has announced the launch of a new line of co-branded Injen/AMSOIL Power-Flow series Diesel Air Intake Systems featuring the innovative patent pending Variable Induction Technology, Diesel Power-Box and a dry media Ea nano-fiber technology air filter from AMSOIL.

The Injen/AMSOIL Power-Flow Diesel Intake kits will initially be available for the 2005-07 Chevy/GMC 6.6L Duramax, 2003-07 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500, 5.9L Cummins, and 2003-2007 Ford PowerStroke F250, F350, F450.

Key benefits of this super efficient intake technology include the following.

~ V.I. Technology regulates airflow into the air chamber for quiet operation allowing for added airflow and power on demand.
~ AMSOIL Ea nanofiber technology is 99.53% efficient. The 360° accordion style AMSOIL Ea filter element provides 500% more surface area. AMSOIL Ea filters are cleanable with a Shop-Vac.
~ Stainless steel pre-filter deflects larger on or off road debris, preventing premature build up of dirt.
~ A highly polished or wrinkled black cast aluminum air intake tube and Diesel Power-Box adds a “custom” look to any engine bay
~ Glass filled nylon/polypropylene composite mix does not distort under extreme temperatures
~ Power-Box suppresses unwanted sound while controlling airflow.
~ Tapered Plenum reduces turbo lag

About Injen:

Injen manufactures premium intake systems featuring tig-welded ports and brackets, stainless steel clamps and T6 aluminum aerospace alloy. Injen intakes are dyno-tuned for peak performance.

About AMSOIL

AMSOIL has been the recognized leader in synthetic lubrication since 1972. For more information about AMSOIL synthetic lubricants and performance products contact your nearest AMSOIL distributor, visit www.amsoil.com or call AMSOIL at (715) 392-7101 or 1-800-777-8491. AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Building, Superior, WI 54880.

Front Page

March 07, 2008 08:21 AM Eastern Time

Pemco World Air Services Expands its Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Operations to Tampa, Florida

DOTHAN, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pemco World Air Services, Inc. (“Pemco”) today announced that it will be expanding its aircraft maintenance and repair operations to Tampa, Florida at the Tampa International Airport. Pemco will begin hiring immediately, and anticipates the facility will eventually support approximately 400 jobs.

The Tampa Airport Authority today approved a 15-year lease with Pemco of the 5-bay, 150,000 square feet maintenance hangar formerly used by US Airways. Pemco will take occupancy of the hangar on April 1st and plans on servicing its first aircraft at the Tampa facility as early as July 2008.

Wake Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pemco stated, “The Tampa expansion is an outstanding opportunity for Pemco. The former US Airways facility is a great addition to our maintenance, repair and cargo conversion service currently being offered in Dothan, not only because of the excellent facility at the Tampa Airport but also because of the outstanding labor pool which we believe this community provides. Our headquarters will remain in Dothan, but we look forward to a long-term partnership with Tampa.”

About Pemco World Air Services, Inc.

Pemco World Air Services, Inc. is a 50-year old aircraft maintenance organization based in Dothan, Alabama. Pemco specializes in heavy maintenance checks for leading domestic and foreign airlines and is among the world’s most prominent providers of aircraft cargo conversion modification. Pemco is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies.

Front Page

March 06, 2008 01:05 PM Eastern Time \

Textron Named FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Aerospace & Defense Company in 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) announced today that it has been ranked number one on FORTUNE magazine’s list of America’s Most Admired Companies in the Aerospace & Defense category, up six spots from its number seven ranking last year. This is Textron’s fifteenth consecutive year to be ranked in the list of FORTUNE’s Most Admired Companies.

“Textron is honored to be recognized as number one among such worthy peers in FORTUNE’s Most Admired Aerospace & Defense category,” said Textron Chairman, President and CEO Lewis B. Campbell. “Earning this type of recognition is a tribute, first and foremost, to the talented people across Textron, whose dedication, commitment and desire to perform for their customers and for their business is nothing short of passionate.”

FORTUNE and its research partner, the Hay Group, surveyed executives, directors and members of the financial community to rate companies from within their own industries based on specific criteria to develop the rankings. The magazine uses a rigorous assessment to determine a company’s overall reputation. A total of 622 companies in 65 industries were surveyed. Textron ranked first in five of the eight key attributes of reputation, which include innovation (3), people management (1), use of corporate assets (1), social responsibility (1), quality of management(1), financial soundness (2), long-term investment (1) and quality of products and services (3).

The Most Admired Companies list is featured in the March 17 issue of FORTUNE magazine, available on newsstands March 10 and currently available online at Fortune.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com

Front Page

March 06, 2008 11:00 AM Eastern Time

Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study 2007 Now Available

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84947 ) has announced the addition of Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study 2007 to their offering.

Features of This New Report

The dynamics of the carbon fiber industry extends beyond routine macro-economic elements of supply and demand. It is the relationship between buyer's needs and seller's capabilities as well as the macroeconomic forces at work that affect the market. It is how well and how efficiently the sellers meet the needs of the buyers that determine long-term success.

In our newest competitive research study on the world's leading carbon fiber producers, “Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study 2007”, we thoroughly profile the following seven companies with detailed competitive assessments of the following organizations:

- Cytec Industries

- Hexcel Corporation

- Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.

- SGL Group – The Carbon Company

- Toray Industries

- Toho-Tenax (Teijin Limited)

- Zoltek Companies

The detailed analysis of each company offers a critical view into key strategic areas, including:

- Carbon fiber producer target markets

- Key differentiators, strengths, competitors

- Product line overview, positioning, and mapping

- Market position in global carbon fiber business

- Revenue breakdown by market segments and regions

- Global manufacturing operations

- Current and forecasted production capacities

- Innovation and market leadership

- Marketing, sales, and organizational capabilities

- Management commitment and track record

- Financial strength

This report answers following key questions:

- What are the market shares of carbon fiber suppliers in aerospace, industrial and sporting goods market?

- Who are the market leaders in various regions and what are their market shares?

- Which companies are more aligned with market opportunities and which companies have more ability to gain market share?

- What are the key differentiators for 7 major carbon fiber suppliers?

- Which company has the widest product range and how the product mapping looks among various players.

- Which companies will gain market share and who will lose market shares.

Collected from a series of primary vendor interviews and secondary sources, the author also provides its own scorecard for determining which of these companies is better aligned with future market opportunities and which has the ability to gain additional market share.

Using its proprietary research methodology, the author developed a comparative analysis named the Leadership Quadrant which identifies leaders and challengers in the carbon fiber industry.

Leadership closely examined and rated each carbon fiber maker on two primary criteria as shown below:

1. Alignment with market opportunity

2. Ability to gain market share

Who Can Benefit From This Report?

This in-depth research study is designed and intended for use by manufacturers, material suppliers, parts fabricators, OEMs, investors, executives and consultants focused on the composites industry, and specifically the carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced products markets. The data and analysis found in this report can be utilized for a variety of functional business reasons, including:

Business Development

Strategic Planning

Business Presentations

Determination of Market Size and Trends

Competitive Analysis

Personnel and Staff Development

Budgeting Investment decisions

Investment decisions

- Cytec Industries

- Hexcel Corporation

- Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.

- SGL Group – The Carbon Company

- Toho-Tenax (Teijin Limited)

- Toray Industries

- Zoltek Companies

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84947

Front Page

March 07, 2008 01:29 PM Eastern Time

US Airways Customers Affected by Ohio Valley and Northeast Winter Weather May Change Itineraries without Penalty

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--US Airways (NYSE:LCC) is relaxing certain fees for customers who may have to change travel plans as a result of winter weather in the Ohio Valley and Northeastern United States.

The airline is offering the following revised policies, which apply to all customers flying through March 8 on any US Airways or US Airways codeshare flight to or from the following locations:

Little Rock, Ark.; Memphis, Tenn.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn; Indianapolis; Lexington, Ky.; Louisville, Ky; Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Akron, Ohio; Cleveland; Detroit; Pittsburgh; Erie, Pa.; Du Bois, Pa.; Franklin, Pa.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Elmira, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Rochester, N.Y.; Binghamton, N.Y.; Syracuse, N.Y.; Burlington, Vt.; Presque Isle, Maine; Ottawa; Toronto; and Montreal.

Customers are strongly encouraged to check flight status at www.usairways.com or by calling 800-428-4322 before arriving at the airport and to allow plenty of driving time to the airport.

If US Airways service continues to operate to the affected destinations, you can make certain changes without incurring the standard change fee, advance reservation or ticketing requirements:

You can move your entire itinerary up to seven days before or after the scheduled origination date.

You can apply the full value of your wholly unused tickets toward the purchase of a ticket to an alternate destination, although travel must originate within seven days of the scheduled origination date.

Customers traveling on certain tickets – such as some available from third-party ticket discounters, including but not limited to discount travel websites – may not have all elements of the policy available to them. Tickets issued by US Airways for travel on airlines other than US Airways, US Airways Shuttle or US Airways Express will follow the rules of the airline operating the flight(s).

Itinerary changes are subject to availability, and in certain cases, an additional collection fee. Customers will be able to stand by for alternate flights without incurring the standby fee if a satisfactory alternate itinerary cannot be confirmed. Additional information regarding these amended ticketing policies can be found online at www.usairways.com or by calling 800-428-4322. (LCCG)

-Fly With US-

Front Page

March 07, 2008 05:10 AM Eastern Time

The SAS Group Traffic Figures February 2008

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

SAS Group's (STO:SAS) February traffic figures

~ SAS Group's traffic increased by 14.4% during February and seat capacity was up by 13.5% vs 2007.
~ SAS Group carried 2.4 million passengers in February, up 11.3% vs 2007.
~ Total load factor was up 0.5 p.u. to 66.8%.
~ Growth is positively affected by the leap year by 4-4,5 p.u..
~ Group market trends and yield development SAS Group carried 2.4 million passengers in February that was up 11.3% vs 2007. The growth was strongest in airBaltic and on intercontinental routes. Total capacity was up 13.5% due to leap year, planned expansion and larger wet leased aircraft. Traffic was up by 14.4% positively affected by the leap year. Underlying the growth was robust during February.

Yield for Scandinavian Airlines in January was down 2%. The combination in January of lower yield and higher oil prices is negative for the earnings. For February 2008 the change in yield is expected to be approximately 3-6% lower than February 2007. This in combination with the record high fuel prices will affect earnings. The SAS Group's strategy is to offset the record high fuel prices. This is the ambition, but SAS will come short of this in the 1st Quarter due to the recent rapid increase in oil prices

The market is still characterized by good demand and passenger growth. There are still uncertainties regarding the strength of future growth as well as the competitive situation. The negative impact from the Q400 situation is estimated to be around MSEK 400 for the first quarter 2008.

Intercontinental traffic increased 15.7% in February and the load factor was up 6.0 p.u. SAS Group European traffic increased by 16.1%, but the load factor was down 1 p.u.

airBaltic's traffic increased by 48.6%. Widerøe's traffic increased 8.9% and Blue1's traffic was down 4.6%.Homepage: www.sasgroup.net

This information was brought to you by Cision http://newsroom.cision.com

Front Page

Boeing Delivers 2nd KC-767 Tanker to Japan

ST. LOUIS, March 05, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Monday delivered the second Japan KC-767 Tanker to the Itochu Corp. for Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), two weeks after delivering the first refueling aircraft to the Japanese military.

"We are thrilled to have followed our first delivery on Feb. 19 with this second KC-767 Tanker delivery on schedule," said George Hildebrand, Boeing KC-767 Japan program manager. "This second tanker will add significantly to Japan's military refueling capabilities."

The KC-767 made the 13-hour non-stop flight to Gifu, Japan, near Nagoya, from Wichita, Kan., near Boeing's tanker modification center. Itochu will deliver the KC-767 Tanker to the Japan Ministry of Defense following in-country acceptance processes.

Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, providing flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker. It features Boeing's advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II) system. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the remaining two refueling aircraft in 2009 and 2010.

Boeing also is building four tankers for Italy with delivery of the first aircraft planned in 2008. Since the 1930s, Boeing has built and delivered more than 2,000 tankers that feature the world's most advanced aerial refueling method with the highest fuel transfer rate available.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

###

Front Page

March 06, 2008 08:27 AM Eastern Time

Spirit Airlines Announces New Service Between Fort Lauderdale and Cartagena, Colombia

$18 Introductory Fares(A) Available at www.spiritair.com

MIRAMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spirit Airlines today announced that starting May 8, 2008, it will begin new service uniting its Fort Lauderdale home with Cartagena, Colombia, marking the first ultra low cost airline to service the important tourist destination of Colombia.

The daily flights between the two cities will be operated by Airbus A319 aircraft – currently the youngest fleet operating in Latin America and the Caribbean – with a capacity of 144 passengers.

The city of Cartagena, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1984, offers the beautiful beaches of the Islands of the Rosario and San Bernardo del Viento, as well as a full range of cultural, historical and social activities. In addition to being a preferred tourist destination renowned for its water sports, nightlife and other activities, Cartagena has also become a popular destination for congresses, fairs and conventions for the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Discussing Spirit Airlines’ new service to Cartagena, Oscar Rueda García, Vice Minister of Tourism of Colombia, said: “the arrival of Spirit marks a new stage in the history of Colombia’s tourism, initiates flying to Cartagena, and we hope that very soon will cover other tourist destinations in the country. It is important to accompany this operation with a promotional campaign so that the occupancy of the flights is mainly citizens of the United States coming to Colombia.”

“We are extremely pleased to be able to liberate Cartagena from high fares, as we have already done in other cities of the region, by offering a new ultra low cost alternative for Colombia,” said Spirit’s Chief Marketing Officer Barry Biffle. “This new destination in the Caribbean will be offered to more than 81 million North Americans by way of our connecting network from 13 cities in the United States.”

Spirit is launching the new service to Cartagena with fares as low as $18 each way with introductory fares(A) valid through March 7, 2008, available at www.spiritair.com.

Introductory Fares(A):

Fort Lauderdale-Cartagena $18.00 Valid for travel May 8, 13, 15, 20
and 28, 2008.

Cartagena-Fort Lauderdale $18.00 Valid for travel May 14, 21, 22,
27 and 29, 2008.

Fort Lauderdale-Cartagena
(connections+) $88.00 Valid for travel: May 8 - 18, 2008 (daily)
May 19 - June 18, 2008 (Tues. & Wed. only)
Sept. 4 - Oct. 31, 2008 (Tues. & Wed. only)

Cartagena-Fort Lauderdale
(connections+) $88.00 Valid for travel: May 8 - 18, 2008 (daily)
May 19 - June 18, 2008 (Tues. & Wed. only)
Sept. 4 - Oct. 31, 2008 (Tues. & Wed. only)

†Connections to and from: Atlanta, Atlantic City, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Myrtle Beach, New York, Orlando, San Juan, Tampa and Washington, DC.

Schedule for Spirit’s Fort Lauderdale-Cartagena service effective May 8, 2008:

Depart Arrive Flight # Stops Frequency
From
Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena
10:40 am 12:25 pm 131 0 Daily
From
Cartagena to Fort Lauderdale
1:15 pm 5:10 pm 132 0 Daily

About Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines, Inc. ( www.spiritair.com ) is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and Caribbean. Its all-Airbus fleet, the youngest in the Americas, flies more than 200 daily flights to 37 destinations. The company is based in Miramar, Florida, and employs 2,300 professionals.

(A) $18 fares must be booked on spiritair.com by 11:59 PM ET on March 7, 2008 for travel on the dates as specified by individual market and by market direction. $88 fares must be booked on spiritair.com by 11:59PM ET on March 10, 2008 and are valid for travel daily between May 8, 2008 and May 18, 2008 and for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between May 19, 2008 and June 18, 2008 and for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between September 4, 2008 and October 31, 2008. A 21 day advance purchase is required on these fares.

Service to and from Cartagena, Colombia commences on May 8, 2008. All fares are for coach class travel unless otherwise indicated and reflect the www.spiritair.com discount. Fares are each way based on roundtrip purchase, and roundtrip travel is required, but these fares may be combined with other valid and applicable Spirit Airlines fares on other days of the week. Not all markets are operated on a daily basis -- please check spiritair.com for details. All fares listed on spiritair.com are per customer for each way of travel and include the base fare plus a federal excise tax and any fuel surcharge.

Fares do not include: (a) a segment tax of $3.40 per U.S. domestic flight segment (a flight segment is defined as one takeoff and landing) of a passenger’s itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local airport charges; or (c) a September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. International itineraries do not include governmental taxes and fees (including U.S. government excise tax) of up to $125 per round trip. Additionally, if sold in, or travel originates in a country outside of the U.S., additional taxes may apply (up to 22% of the fare value per country). Fares are capacity controlled and subject to availability, and will be highly restricted around certain holiday periods. Previously purchased tickets may not be exchanged for these new sale fares. Certain restrictions apply. For best results, please book early.

Front Page

March 06, 2008 10:54 AM Eastern Time

Orlando Sanford “Sprouts” New Nonstop Flights to Brussels, Belgium

SANFORD, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) and Belgian airline, Jetairfly announced today nonstop, low-fare seasonal scheduled service beginning June 22, 2008 to Brussels Airport (BRU) in Belgium. This marks the first ever scheduled service between Orlando Sanford and Belgium. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is the political and economic heart of Europe. Located in the historical center of Europe, Brussels is within two hours of other major European cities such as Paris, London and Amsterdam. Jetairfly is part of the World of TUI whose brand Thomsonfly has operated charters from the United Kingdom into Orlando Sanford for several years.

Service will operate weekly on Sundays through November 2, 2008 using a 262-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft configured with 63 Comfort Service and 199 Economy seats. Service is scheduled to leave Brussels at 11:00 a.m. and arrive at Orlando Sanford at 3:10 p.m. Flights will depart Orlando Sanford at 4:40 p.m. and arrive in Brussels at 7:40 a.m. the next day (flight times are local). Reservations can be made online at www.Jetairfly.com or through your local travel agent.

Elie Bruyninckx, president of Jetairfly commented, “Jetairfly now offers more than 70 destinations from and to Brussels. We do not only aim for a traffic of Belgians travelling to see Orlando’s attractions. The attractive launching prices will also tempt many Americans, eager to discover the capital of Europe.”

Larry Dale, President of the Sanford Airport Authority, commented, “The addition of Brussels, Belgium represents a significant milestone in OSIA’s continued growth as a commercial airport and we are pleased and excited to offer this newest destination to the Central Florida community.”

Larry Gouldthorpe, President of TBI US Operations at Orlando Sanford added, “Increasing our number of nonstop destinations throughout Europe is a continual goal for us. We are optimistic the announcement of this Brussels service marks the beginning of a trend as we diversify toward serving additional points in continental Europe in the very near future.”

Orlando Sanford International Airport offers visitors and Central Floridians alike, the “Best of Both Worlds,” located midway between Orlando’s World Class attractions and the World’s Most Famous Beach - Daytona Beach, both are only 45 minutes away. Airlines and their passengers enjoy a stress-free environment, convenient parking, new terminal facilities, short walking distances, and attractive pricing. For more information about SFB, visit the airport’s website at www.OrlandoSanfordAirport.com

Front Page

March 06, 2008 09:10 AM Eastern Time

AeroVironment Puma Small UAS Achieves Record Flight of Over Nine Hours Using Fuel Cell Battery Hybrid System

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems, today announced that it has flown its Puma small unmanned aircraft for over nine hours, powered by an onboard fuel cell battery hybrid energy storage system. This broke the previous announced Puma flight record of over seven hours. A two-camera payload system provided a live, streaming video feed from the Puma, the largest of AV’s portfolio of small unmanned aircraft systems that also includes Raven and Wasp. The nine-hour flight duration more than triples the duration of Puma’s standard battery-only operation.

This successful demonstration marked a milestone in AV’s Phase II small business innovation research (SBIR) contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the development of advanced energy storage and propulsion technologies for unmanned aircraft. AV developed the battery pack, power electronics and controls portion of the hybrid energy storage system, which used Protonex Technology Corporation’s (LSE:PTX) Pulse™ UAV fuel cell system. Progress on this unique technology development program advanced swiftly from kickoff in January 2007, to achieve a five-hour flight in May 2007, a seven-hour flight in July 2007, and the recent nine-hour flight.

“We are delighted with the performance of AV’s fuel cell hybrid-powered Puma,” said 1st Lt. Don Erickson of the Air Force Research Laboratory. “The joint AFRL, AV and Protonex team has done an outstanding job expanding the flight envelope of Puma through this research program. The successful extended duration capability demonstrated through this program has the potential to expand the utility of hand-launched UAS to address a variety of missions performed by operational units around the world.”

“Our military customers rely upon our small UAS daily for real-time reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition,” said John Grabowsky, AV executive vice president and general manager of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. “This demonstration of long-duration flight from a hand-launched UAS highlights AV’s capabilities in developing and integrating efficient electric energy technologies. We believe that increasing endurance has the potential to extend the utility and concept of operations of our entire portfolio of unmanned aircraft into applications that require longer flight times.”

Each of AV’s production small UAS can be transported and set up with a minimal logistical footprint, launched and operated by one person, and is powered by a replaceable and rechargeable battery pack. Wasp, Raven and Puma wirelessly transmit live, streaming video and other information generated by their electro-optical or infrared sensor payloads, enabling their operators to view and capture images on a hand-held ground control unit. Their high degree of portability and flexibility enables these systems to provide tactical units with critical information when and where they need it, facilitating faster, safer movement through urban and rural environments. To date, AV has delivered more than 8,000 small unmanned aircraft.

About Puma

With a wingspan of 8.5 feet and weight of 12.5 pounds, Puma is a lightweight, hand-launched UAS that provides aerial observation at line-of-sight ranges up to 10 kilometers. Operating from the same ground control system used for Raven and Wasp, Puma incorporates avionics that enable autonomous flight and precise GPS navigation. Its adaptable design allows for custom payloads to be added in lieu of the air vehicle's standard configuration of color and IR cameras.

Puma is easy to deploy, easy to use, and allows the operator to view both stationary and moving targets easily, providing real-time intelligence with persistent low-altitude reconnaissance.

About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)

Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. The company's small UAS are used extensively by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and increasingly by allied military services to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. AV’s PosiCharge® fast charge systems eliminate battery changing for electric industrial vehicles in factories, airports, and distribution centers. More information about AV is available at www.avinc.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; changes in the regulatory environment; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Front Page

March 06, 2008 12:24 PM Eastern Time

Greening a Space Shuttle Runway

Fly Ash from APS Coal Plant Reused for Concrete at Edwards Air Force Base

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A former Space Shuttle runway is getting a “green” makeover. Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) is providing 12,000 tons of fly ash to repair a deteriorating concrete runway that has seen some of the world’s most famous pilots and astronauts.

Edwards Air Force Base, located 110 miles northeast of Los Angeles, is home to the Air Force Flight Test Center and has been the site of numerous Space Shuttle landings. However, after more than 50 years of record-breaking use, the runway is starting to deteriorate. A new 15,000-foot main runway is being built with concrete made with fly ash sold from Four Corners to Salt River Materials Group, APS’ longstanding fly ash marketing partner. Construction began on the runway in January and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Four Corners, APS’ largest coal-fired generating station, has been in the business of selling fly ash as a component of concrete manufacturing for more than a decade.

“At APS, we are always looking for new opportunities to work with our partners to help the environment and increase safety,” said David Saliba, Plant Manager at Four Corners. “The properties that fly ash lends to concrete make it perfectly suited for the wear and tear of a heavy-use desert runway. We’re proud that Four Corners is playing a part in helping reconstruct this historic landing strip.”

Fly ash is a by-product of burning coal. When used in concrete manufacturing, fly ash is truly a “green” building material because it replaces a portion of the portland cement, and the resulting emissions associated with its production. Fly ash has the consistency of fine powder. Due to the shape, size and chemical composition, it imparts a number of benefits to concrete such as reduced water demand, improved durability and increased strength.

Salt River Materials Group (SRMG) buys, processes, and markets approximately 600,000 tons of fly ash per year from APS. Not just used in concrete, fly ash is also used in other applications like soil and base stabilization. For example, the stretch of U.S. Highway 550 between Bloomfield and Albuquerque, N.M., also was constructed using fly ash.

Through its 22-year partnership with APS, SRMG has become the leading provider of fly ash throughout Arizona and the Southwestern United States.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electric utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE: PNW).

Front Page

Boeing Completes 50-Percent Design Release for the 747-8 Freighter

EVERETT, Wash., March 06, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has completed 50 percent of the design releases for the new 747-8 Freighter. The program has released the 747-8 Freighter's detailed designs to Boeing factories and its suppliers in order to begin building parts, assemblies and tools for the new cargo airplane.

"This design milestone is a tribute to efforts of the 747-8 team, our customers and suppliers," said Ross R. Bogue, vice president and general manager, 747 program and Everett site. "We are now focused on completing the remaining design work and delivering a 747-8 Freighter that increases the 747 family's leadership in the growing cargo market."

The 747-8 Freighter, which launched in November 2005, is scheduled to start delivering in late 2009 to launch customers Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.

The airplane will be longer than the 747-400 Freighter by 18.3 ft (5.6 m) and enjoy a maximum structural payload capability of 154 tons (140 metric tonnes) with a range of more than 4,420 nmi (8,185 km). It will offer 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor, allowing the airplane to accommodate four more main-deck pallets and three more lower-hold pallets. Powered by GEnx engines, the 747-8 Freighter will be 17 percent more fuel efficient than the 747-400 Freighter and 30 percent quieter.

"The 747-8 Freighter builds upon the 747-400 Freighter's legendary efficiency," said Bogue. "It will provide nearly equivalent trip costs and 16 percent lower ton-mile costs than its predecessor. The 747-8 Freighter will deliver the lowest ton-mile costs of any freighter, giving cargo operators unmatched profit potential."

In addition to the airplane's efficiencies, the 747-8 Freighter will complement the new 777 Freighter with the ability to transfer cargo directly between the two airplanes. The main-deck cargo doors on both airplanes are sized to accommodate 10-foot-high (three-meter) pallets for easy interlining.

The efficiencies offered by the 747-8 Freighter are evident in the strong market demand for the airplane. To date, Boeing has secured 78 orders for the new, efficient 747-8 Freighter from 10 leading cargo operators.

###

Front Page

Boeing to Host Small-Business Supplier Forum for NASA Work

ST. LOUIS, March 06, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will host a small-business supplier forum March 19 to attract the best of industry as the company prepares to compete for NASA's Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC).

"We want to offer NASA the best value and lowest cost," said Peggy Thomas, Boeing FDOC program manager and director of avionics and software for the International Space Station. "We are especially interested in those suppliers who are currently supporting NASA's missions operations. This forum creates an opportunity to speak with representatives of small businesses that have innovative and cost-effective solutions and want to do business with Boeing."

The FDOC is administered by NASA's Johnson Space Center. It includes development, sustaining engineering, operations and maintenance of the training, flight planning, reconfiguration and control-center facilities for human spaceflight programs. The contract also includes developing and maintaining the software applications used in these facilities.

Boeing has three objectives for the supplier forum:

Help NASA's Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) achieve its strategic vision, including life-cycle cost reductions through small-business utilization to the greatest extent practical.
Encourage small-business participation to help NASA MOD achieve its supplier diversity goals and financial objectives.
Tap into small businesses' unique strategies for innovation in a competitive marketplace.
To reduce costs, FDOC consolidates a portion of NASA's Space Program Operations and Mission Support Operations contracts. NASA is scheduled to select a contractor in November, with work starting in January 2009. The four-year contract will have two one-year options that could extend the agreement to 2014.

Boeing has teamed on the FDOC contract bid with United Space Alliance (USA), which is also assisting with the small-supplier forum. USA is currently supporting NASA on the Space Program Operations Contract and is a world leader in space operations, with extensive experience in virtually all aspects of the field. Headquartered in Houston and employing 10,000 people in Texas, Florida and Alabama, USA is applying its broad range of capabilities to NASA's Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation programs as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and international space industry sectors.

Interested businesses can sign up for the small-business supplier forum at the following Web site: http://www.boeing.com/events/fdoc/. Registration will end at noon Central time, March 14, 2008. The event will be held at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake, 3000 NASA Parkway, Houston.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

###

Front Page

Boeing Competing for U.S. Air Force F2AST Aircraft Sustainment Contract

ST. LOUIS, March 06, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today submitted a proposal to participate as a prime contractor in the projected $5.4 billion Future Flexible Acquisition and Sustainment Tool (F2AST) competition to support all U.S. Air Force-operated weapons systems, including Special Operations Forces systems.

Boeing's offering draws on the expertise of 10 Boeing divisions and 28 large and small suppliers. Under the terms of the Request for Proposal, small-business participation must constitute at least 13 percent of the contract's value.

The new contract will include development, modifications, depot maintenance, spare parts and repairs on dozens of Air Force platforms, support systems, subsystems and components. Programs covered by the contract include Special Operations Forces C-130s, B-52 sustainment and avionics systems. It combines the existing Flexible Acquisition and Sustainment Tool (FAST) and Integrated Weapons System Support Program (IWSSP). Boeing is the only company in the competition with both FAST and IWSSP contracts.

"Our team in Fort Walton Beach and elsewhere in The Boeing Company understands the unique requirements of Special Operations Forces," said Ken Hill, director of Boeing Special Operations Forces Programs in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

The Air Force will select up to 10 prime contractors to compete for orders over the 10-year life of the F2AST contract. Only contractors selected in this competition will be eligible to compete for future orders. F2AST has a $5.4 billion ceiling, with $3.4 billion allocated to traditional FAST tasks and $2 billion allocated to Air Force Special Operations Command tasks.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

###

Front Page

Boeing Requests Immediate KC-X Tanker Briefing

ST. LOUIS, March 04, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today made public a request for an immediate debriefing from U.S. Air Force officials on the KC-X tanker competition.

As of today, the company has yet to receive a briefing on why it was not selected for the KC-X program, a decision the Air Force announced February 29. The Air Force has indicated that the briefing would occur on or after March 12, a delay the company says is inconsistent with well-established procurement practices.

"A delay of this length in the formal debriefing is unusual," said Mark McGraw, vice president - 767 tanker programs. "Consistent with past practice and recent experience, we would expect this briefing to occur within days, not weeks, of the selection announcement. Given that we are already seeing press reports containing detailed competitive information, we feel that our request is more than fair and reasonable."

Boeing viewed the tanker competition as a priority and an opportunity to give the Air Force the best tanker to meet its requirements. The company based its proposal on the stated criteria in the Air Force's Request For Proposal (RFP), the formal document that defined the requirements for the air tanker system.

"We bid aggressively with specific focus on providing operational tanker capability at low risk and the lowest total life cycle cost," said McGraw. "For instance, based on values disclosed in the Air Force press conference and press release, the Boeing bid, comprising development and all production airplane costs, would appear to be less than the competitor. In addition, because of the lower fuel burn of the 767, we can only assume our offering was more cost effective from a life cycle standpoint.

"Initial reports have also indicated that we were judged the higher risk offering. Boeing is a single, integrated company with its assets, people and technology under its own management control -- with 75 years of unmatched experience building tankers. Northrop and EADS are two companies that will be working together for the first time on a tanker, on an airplane they've never built before, under multiple management structures, across cultural, language and geographic divides. We do not understand how Boeing could be determined the higher risk offering.

"Initial reports also indicate there may well have been factors beyond those stated in the RFP, or weighted differently than we understood they would be, used to make the decision. It's important for us to understand how the Air Force reached their conclusion. The questions we are asking, as well as others being raised about this decision, can best be answered with a timely debrief indicating how our proposal was graded against the stated requirements of the RFP," said McGraw.

###

Front Page

Boeing Among Industry Teams Selected to Design New DARPA Space System

ST. LOUIS, March 04, 2008 -- A team led by Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to demonstrate initial technologies for a new spacecraft system architecture concept.

A $12,891,049 cost-plus-fixed-fee, 12-month Phase 1 contract was awarded to Boeing Advanced Systems to research, design, develop and test DARPA's Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft United by Information Exchange (System F6) space technology and demonstration program.

The DARPA System F6 is based on a concept whereby a group of spacecraft operate together wirelessly as a single unit to enable flexible data sharing and distributed processing that will allow cooperative communications among the spacecraft. This concept of multiple spacecraft operating together to perform a mission similar to that of a single larger spacecraft is known as "fractionation."

"We believe the fractionation spacecraft concept proposed by our team can be a game-changer that could provide the high degree of flexibility needed for responsive space missions," said Bob Friend, director for Boeing Operationally Responsive Space.

The objective of the DARPA System F6 is to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of a satellite architecture wherein the functionality of a single spacecraft is replaced by a cluster of wirelessly interconnected spacecraft that could perform a wider variety of tasks than single systems. Along with potential increases in flexibility, this technology also may reduce overall program costs.

The team led by Boeing Advanced Network and Space Systems, Huntington Beach, Calif., includes L-3 Communications Interstate Electronics, Anaheim, Calif.; Millennium Space Systems, Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Octant Technologies, San Jose, Calif.; and Science Applications International Corp., Torrance, Calif.

Expected for completion by Feb. 20, 2009, Phase 1 will culminate in an F6 Preliminary Design Review that evaluates each industry team's concept.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide. ###

Front Page

Boeing Delivers 700th 777

EVERETT, Wash., March 03, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Friday delivered its 700th Boeing 777 airplane, a 777-300ER (Extended Range), to International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) and its customer, Cathay Pacific Airways. The 777 Program reached this milestone after 12 years in service -- faster than any other twin-aisle airplane program in commercial aviation history. ILFC has ordered 79 Boeing 777s since 1992 and the airplane delivered today is its 74th, which makes ILFC the world's largest 777 customer.

Cathay Pacific now operates 24 777s, with 23 more 777-300ERs scheduled to be delivered. The airplane delivered Friday will join the airline's fleet of six 777-300ERs, 12 777-300s, five 777-200s and 24 747-400s in passenger service.

The airline also currently operates six 747-400 Freighters, six 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) and seven 747-200 Freighters, with six 747-400ER Freighters and 10 of Boeing's new 747-8 Freighters on order.

Dragonair, Cathay Pacific's sister airline, operates another eight 747 Freighters -- a 747-200F, three 747-300SFs (Special Freighters) and four 747-400BCFs.

The 777 family of airplanes is the market leader in the 300-to-400-seat segment. Since the first 777 went into service in June 1995, Boeing has continually grown the 777 family to include five passenger models and a freighter version. To date, Boeing has orders for 1,060 777 jetliners, with 55 customers around the world that own or operate the efficient and passenger-pleasing twin-aisle airplane.

###

Front Page

Airbus President & CEO Tom Enders: Mobile, Alabama will produce the world's most capable aerial tankers and freighter aircraft

7 March 2008

Watch the video with Tom Enders, who discusses the U.S. Air Force's KC-45 Tanker selection.

Airbus and the American city of Mobile, Alabama will form a strong team to build the U.S. Air Force's KC-45 aerial tanker, which along with A330-200F civilian freighter aircraft, are to be assembled at Airbus' first major industrial facility in the United States.

This was the message of Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders, who addressed Airbus employees, plus local, state and federal officials, at events today marking the U.S. Air Force selection of Northrop Grumman's KC-45 as its next-generation military tanker.

The KC-45 is based on Airbus' twin-engine A330 jetliner, which will be specially outfitted by Northrop Grumman for its role as an "airborne petrol station" capable of refuelling military aircraft in flight. In making the selection, the U.S. Air Force said it plans to acquire up to 179 tanker aircraft from the Northrop Grumman-led industrial team that includes Airbus parent company EADS as its principal partner.

"Together we will produce and deliver the most capable tanker in the world - right here in Mobile," Enders said. "And together, we also will build and deliver freighter aircraft to customers in all corners of the globe."

Assembly of both KC-45 Tankers and A330 Freighters will take place at a new facility to be created adjacent to Airbus' existing Engineering Centre at Mobile's Brookley Field. Once the KC-45s are complete, flight-qualified aircraft will be provided to Northrop Grumman, which will outfit the mission equipment and deliver completed tankers to the U.S. Air Force.

"Now the real work begins to make dreams a reality," Enders said. "To that end, I reaffirm the commitment of EADS and Airbus - an unshakable commitment to our prime contractor, to South Alabama and to the men and women of the United States Air Force."

Front Page

U.S. Air Force chooses Northrop-Grumman A330-based tanker KC-45A for its new aerial refuelling aircraft

5 March 2008

A multi-year competition has led to the selection of Northrop-Grumman's KC-45A tanker, an A330-based aerial tanker for the U.S. Air Force's new in-flight refueling aircraft. This military platform will be built at a new final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, which also will be responsible for assembling the Airbus A330-200 Freighter.

The selection of the KC-45A as the next-generation U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft marks a major breakthrough for EADS and Airbus, as the aircraft is based on the A330-200. Through the partnership with Northrop Grumman, it will significantly increase EADS' and Airbus' market and industrial presence in America.

Under terms of the contract announced in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Air Force will acquire up to 179 KC-45A tankers for approximately $35 billion, replacing KC-135 aircraft that have performed the country's vital military air-to-air refuelling missions for more than 40 years. The Air Force ultimately plans to replace its entire fleet of more than 490 KC-135s.

The A330-based tanker solution was proposed in an industrial teaming led by U.S. prime contractor Northrop Grumman, which includes Airbus parent company EADS as the principal partner. Its selection culminated a multi-year U.S. Air Force competition that used a "best value" determination based on five factors: mission capability, past performance, cost/price and an integrated fleet air refuelling assessment.

As part of the industrial team's proposal, KC-45As will be built at a new final facility in the southern U.S. city of Mobile, Alabama, which also will be responsible for the assembly of Airbus' increasingly popular A330-200 Freighter aircraft. Mobile already is home to one of two Airbus engineering centres in the United States, and the new final assembly facility will represent a major expansion of the company's North American industrial footprint.

The KC-45A will be employed for the air-to-air refuelling of military aircraft, using an extendable fly-by-wire centreline boom and two digital underwing pods with deployable hoses. Benefitting from the A330's excellent range and payload capabilities, the KC-45A will be a true multi-role aircraft - capable of carrying passengers and cargo on U.S. Air Force airlift and support flights, as well as performing special mission duties.

Airbus already has completed the first SDD (system design and development) aircraft for the KC-45A programme, which made its maiden flight last September at Toulouse, France. The no. 2 SDD aircraft currently is in the build-up process at Toulouse, having entered Station 40 of the A330 final assembly line in February for the mating of its wing and centre fuselage. This advance production of A330-200s for eventual use by the U.S. Air Force was part of the industrial team's approach to ensure a low-risk solution in the tanker competition.

America's KC-45A selection marks the fourth consecutive win for A330-based aerial refuelling aircraft in international competitions. A330 MRTTs (Multi-Role Tanker Transports) have already been ordered by Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and the aircraft also was selected as the United Kingdom's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft. The no. 1 A330-MRTT for Australia has completed its initial phase of flight testing as the aircraft is readied for its future delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force.

Front Page

March 7, 2008

J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-5241
j.d.harrington@nasa.gov

Robert Naeye/Rob Gutro
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-4453/4044

Lisa De Nike
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
443-287-9960
Lde@jhu.edu

Kitta MacPherson
Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
609-258-5729
kittamac@princeton.edu

Rebecca Johnson
University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory
512-475-6763
rjohnson@astro.as.utexas.edu

RELEASE: 08-079

WMAP REVEALS NEUTRINOS, END OF DARK AGES, FIRST SECOND OF UNIVERSE

WASHINGTON - NASA released this week five years of data collected by
the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) that refines our
understanding of the universe and its development. It is a treasure
trove of information, including at least three major findings:

New evidence that a sea of cosmic neutrinos permeates the universe
Clear evidence the first stars took more than a half-billion years to
create a cosmic fog
Tight new constraints on the burst of expansion in the universe's
first trillionth of a second

"We are living in an extraordinary time," said Gary Hinshaw of NASA's
Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "Ours is the first
generation in human history to make such detailed and far-reaching
measurements of our universe."

WMAP measures a remnant of the early universe - its oldest light. The
conditions of the early times are imprinted on this light. It is the
result of what happened earlier, and a backlight for the later
development of the universe. This light lost energy as the universe
expanded over 13.7 billion years, so WMAP now sees the light as
microwaves. By making accurate measurements of microwave patterns,
WMAP has answered many longstanding questions about the universe's
age, composition and development.

The universe is awash in a sea of cosmic neutrinos. These almost
weightless sub-atomic particles zip around at nearly the speed of
light. Millions of cosmic neutrinos pass through you every second.

"A block of lead the size of our entire solar system wouldn't even
come close to stopping a cosmic neutrino," said science team member
Eiichiro Komatsu of the University of Texas at Austin.

WMAP has found evidence for this so-called "cosmic neutrino
background" from the early universe. Neutrinos made up a much larger
part of the early universe than they do today.

Microwave light seen by WMAP from when the universe was only 380,000
years old, shows that, at the time, neutrinos made up 10% of the
universe, atoms 12%, dark matter 63%, photons 15%, and dark energy
was negligible. In contrast, estimates from WMAP data show the
current universe consists of 4.6% percent atoms, 23% dark matter, 72%
dark energy and less than 1 percent neutrinos.

Cosmic neutrinos existed in such huge numbers they affected the
universe's early development. That, in turn, influenced the
microwaves that WMAP observes. WMAP data suggest, with greater than
99.5% confidence, the existence of the cosmic neutrino background -
the first time this evidence has been gleaned from the cosmic
microwaves.

Much of what WMAP reveals about the universe is because of the
patterns in its sky maps. The patterns arise from sound waves in the
early universe. As with the sound from a plucked guitar string, there
is a primary note and a series of harmonics, or overtones. The third
overtone, now clearly captured by WMAP, helps to provide the evidence
for the neutrinos.

The hot and dense young universe was a nuclear reactor that produced
helium. Theories based on the amount of helium seen today predict a
sea of neutrinos should have been present when helium was made. The
new WMAP data agree with that prediction, along with precise
measurements of neutrino properties made by Earth-bound particle
colliders.

Another breakthrough derived from WMAP data is clear evidence the
first stars took more than a half-billion years to create a cosmic
fog. The data provide crucial new insights into the end of the "dark
ages," when the first generation of stars began to shine. The glow
from these stars created a thin fog of electrons in the surrounding
gas that scatters microwaves, in much the same way fog scatters the
beams from a car's headlights.

"We now have evidence that the creation of this fog was a drawn-out
process, starting when the universe was about 400 million years old
and lasting for half a billion years," said WMAP team member Joanna
Dunkley of the University of Oxford in the U.K. and Princeton
University in Princeton, N.J. "These measurements are currently
possible only with WMAP."

A third major finding arising from the new WMAP data places tight
constraints on the astonishing burst of growth in the first
trillionth of a second of the universe, called "inflation", when
ripples in the very fabric of space may have been created. Some
versions of the inflation theory now are eliminated. Others have
picked up new support.

"The new WMAP data rule out many mainstream ideas that seek to
describe the growth burst in the early universe," said WMAP principal
investigator, Charles Bennett, of The Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore, Md. "It is astonishing that bold predictions of events in
the first moments of the universe now can be confronted with solid
measurements."

The five-year WMAP data were released this week, and results were
issued in a set of seven scientific papers submitted to the
Astrophysical Journal. For further information, see

http://wmap.gsfc.nasa.gov

Prior to the release of the new five-year data, WMAP already had made
a pair of landmark finds. In 2003, the probe's determination that
there is a large percentage of dark energy in the universe erased
remaining doubts about dark energy's very existence. That same year,
WMAP also pinpointed the 13.7 billion year age of the universe.

Additional WMAP science team institutions are: the Canadian Institute
for Theoretical Astrophysics, Columbia University, University of
British Columbia, ADNET Systems, University of Chicago, Brown
University, and UCLA.

For related images to this story, please visit on the Web:

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/wmap_five.html

Front Page

Street-View Image-Gathering Banned on Military Installations

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2008 – A new Defense Department policy prohibits the commercial gathering of detailed street-view imagery on U.S. military bases and installations.
U.S. Northern Command issued the policy message Feb. 28 after detailed images of Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, appeared on the Google Map Web site, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross, a NORTHCOM spokesman.

Google Corp. representatives had entered the post with permission and taken the images with roof-mounted recording equipment, according to the policy message.

Google Earth’s Street View Web site revealed 360-degree detailed imagery of the post, including headquarters locations, access and control points, barriers, facilities and communal areas, Ross said. “This poses a serious operational risk to our force-protection effort,” Ross said.

Google reportedly has removed the images from the Web site, he said.

Concerned that such imagery could be used to inflict harm on U.S. personnel or facilities, NORTHCOM put out guidance for all military installations banning all commercial image-collecting as soon as it became aware of the Fort Sam Houston incident, Ross said. That guidance is being forwarded throughout the Defense Department by the services and defense agencies.

In addition to banning any future commercial image collection, the guidance also requires anyone aware of a similar incident to report it immediately to installation officials.

The Fort Sam Houston incident isn’t isolated, Ross said. Similar filming incidents have occurred at two nonsecured former bases closed due to Base Realignment and Closure Commission efforts. One, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., was closed as part of the 1991 round of BRAC closures, but still houses the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Indianapolis, as well as U.S. Army Reserve and Indiana National Guard units. Another, the former Treasure Island Naval Base, in San Francisco, was turned over to local government control in 1996, but is still owned by the Navy.

Equally disturbing, Ross said, is filming known to have occurred at military housing areas outside the secured areas of Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and the U.S. Naval Training Center San Diego. Ross said he doesn’t know whether that imagery ever was posted on the Internet.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Responds to Inaccurate Comments Concerning the U.S. Air Force KC-45A Award Decision

LOS ANGELES - March 5, 2008 - When the process to replace America's aging fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers began in 2005, the U.S. Air Force made clear that it wanted a full and fair competition. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) entered the competition with the understanding that if its proposal provided the best value to the warfighter and the American taxpayer, it could win the contract.

Since the Air Force's decision to award Northrop Grumman the KC-45A contract was announced, numerous erroneous comments have been repeated in the media and in Congress. In response, the company wants to make the following points clear:

Industrial Base

* The Northrop Grumman KC-45A tanker program will create a new
aerospace manufacturing corridor in the southeastern United States.
* The KC-45A program helps return competitiveness to the U.S.
aerospace industry.

Jobs

* The Northrop Grumman KC-45A tanker program does not transfer any
jobs from the United States to France or any other foreign country.
* The KC-45A tanker will support more than 25,000 jobs in the United
States.
* The KC-45A U.S. supplier base will include 230 companies in 49
states.
* Assembly and militarization of the KC-45A tanker will take place in
Mobile, Ala., resulting in the creation of approximately 2,000 direct
jobs in the United States.

Acquisition Process

* The KC-45A competition underwent the most rigorous, transparent
acquisition process in U.S. Department of Defense history.
* Throughout the process, both competitors in the KC-45A acquisition
hailed the Air Force for conducting a fair and open competition.

Foreign Content

* All modern jetliners are built from a global supplier base and the
two entrants in the KC-45A competition are no exception. The Boeing
tanker includes parts manufactured in Japan, United Kingdom, Canada
and Italy. The Northrop Grumman tanker includes parts built in the
United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and France.
* The Northrop Grumman KC-45A will include approximately 60 percent
U.S. content. It is America's tanker.

Foreign Suppliers to U.S. Military Programs

* There are numerous examples of transatlantic cooperation on vital
U.S. military programs. Foreign suppliers currently play essential
roles in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the VH-71 Presidential
Helicopter. In fact, on the C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft program,
Boeing is responsible for producing the Alenia Aeronautica (Italy)
aircraft in Jacksonville, Fla.
* No sensitive military technology will be exported to Europe. For
the KC-45A program, a commercial A330 jetliner will be assembled by
American workers in EADS's facility in Mobile. The aircraft will
then undergo military conversion in an adjacent Northrop Grumman
facility. All of the KC-45A's critical military technology will be
added by an American company, Northrop Grumman, in America, in
Mobile Ala.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Delivers Payload Module Ahead of Schedule for Second Advanced EHF Military Communications Satellite

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., March 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today delivered the payload module for the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military communications satellite ahead of schedule to the Sunnyvale, Calif., facilities of Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), prime contractor for the Advanced EHF program. Delivery of this second payload module follows one year after the first payload module delivery, which was also delivered ahead of schedule.

During the next few months, Lockheed Martin will begin integrating the payload module with its A2100 satellite bus and other space vehicle components, followed by environmental and acceptance testing of the fully integrated space vehicle in preparation for launch in 2009.

One AEHF Satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar constellation currently on-orbit. Individual user data rates will be five times improved. The higher data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communication such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. In addition to it critical tactical mission, AEHF will also provide the critical survivable, protected, and endurable communications to National Command Authority including Presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict.

The payload module consists of the complete set of processing, routing and control hardware and software that perform the satellite's communications function, including critical features to protect the communications against interception or jamming threats.

"Northrop Grumman has built our expertise in developing protected military satellite communications systems through decades of experience evolving these unique capabilities," said Alexis Livanos, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of the company's Space Technology sector. "The consistent early delivery of Advanced EHF payloads is a testament to the experience of our team and the effectiveness of our processes in developing these very complex communication systems."

Northrop Grumman is following a timely "stepped" schedule whereby the major payload components are delivered to Lockheed Martin as they are needed for integration and test, enhancing efficiency during assembly. The second payload's antenna wings, for example, will be delivered later this year. Integration of the third payload module is also underway and on schedule for delivery next year.

"Early delivery of this sophisticated payload is another example of our team's commitment to operational excellence and timely execution of this critical protected satellite communications system," said Leonard F. Kwiatkowski, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of Global Communications Systems. "We look forward to our continued positive momentum and achieving mission success for our customer."

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide three Advanced EHF satellites and the Mission Control System to its customer, the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The program is in the early stages of adding a fourth spacecraft to the planned constellation.

Technologies and products developed for Advanced EHF are directly applicable to other military satellite communications programs, such as the Transformational Satellite Communications System and Enhanced Polar System, providing a substantial reduction in risk and cost to those programs.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company, whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Selected for First Phase of DARPA F6 Next-Generation Wireless Satellite Network

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., March 5, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded the first phase of a four phase advanced research contract to design and build a cluster of wirelessly interconnected free flying spacecraft.

Awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Phase 1 of the Future, Flexible, Fast, Fractionated, Free-Flying, Spacecraft united by Information Exchange (F6) program is a 12-month study of ways to break up a typical monolithic satellite into distributed modules. In Phase 1, Northrop Grumman will develop a satellite-to-satellite wireless network, a distributed command and control system, and network protocols.

Rather than being assembled onto a monolithic bus satellite, components of the F6 are distributed onto separate spacecraft modules. By the end of the first phase, Northrop Grumman will demonstrate essential networking and communications capabilities, will present a preliminary design and will prove the business case for this strategy. An actual flight demonstration composed of multiple satellites will be developed in subsequent phases.

The functionality of a traditional satellite will be reconstituted by a cluster of wirelessly interconnected spacecraft modules that fly in approximately the same orbit while flying freely in space. In this distributed virtual satellite system, each "fractionated" module contributes a unique capability such as command and data handling, guidance and navigation, and payload functions. At the same time, virtual and distributed satellite components do not interfere with each other, do not have to be developed on the same schedule and can be replaced more cost effectively.

"We are pleased to be selected to work on such an exciting program that lays the foundation for the next generation of space systems," said Lisa Hill, Northrop Grumman F6 program manager. "The fractionated approach ushers in a new paradigm of architecting space systems, providing significant value to our existing customers and enabling new missions and capabilities. Additionally, the F6 concept offers a level of flexibility and robustness unprecedented in space."

The System F6 concept is enabled by five technology pillars: autonomous self-forming networks, wireless communications and power, cluster operations, and distributed computing. The combination of these elements represents a next generation space satellite structural design. Each module is an addressable element in a network where resources are shared and distributed. This concept benefits all space systems and end users in a way similar to how both personal computers and internet connectivity provided extraordinary benefits in information technology.

Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector is leading a diverse team that will develop and integrate key technologies for the F6 program. This team is composed of Swales Aerospace, a division of Alliant Techsystems Inc.; NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory; L3Comm; BAE Systems; Payload Systems, a division of Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Cornell University.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

U.S. Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman to Provide the New KC-45A Aerial Refueling Tanker

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 29, 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to provide the KC-45A aerial refueling tanker for the KC-135 tanker replacement program. The Air Force's KC-45A is based on the highly-successful A330 commercial airframe, produced by EADS.

"We are excited to partner with the Air Force for their number one acquisition priority, the KC-45A Tanker," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "Northrop Grumman's vast expertise in aerospace design, development and systems integration will ensure our nation's warfighters receive the most capable and versatile tanker ever built. The Northrop Grumman KC-45A tanker will be a game changer."

The initial KC-45A contract provides four System Design and Development aircraft and is valued at $1.5 billion. The first KC-45A airframe completed its first flight on Sept. 25, 2007 and will now begin military conversion to the tanker configuration. The KC-45A's Aerial Refueling Boom System is currently in flight test and has successfully performed numerous in-flight contacts with receiver aircraft.

"Clearly the U.S. Air Force conducted a thorough and transparent competition in choosing their new tanker, which resulted in selection of the aircraft that best meets their current and future requirements," said Gary Ervin, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "By selecting the most capable and modern aircraft, the Air Force has embraced a system that provides a best-value solution to our armed forces and our nation."

The KC-45A Tanker aircraft will be assembled at new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Mobile, Ala., and will employ 25,000 workers at 230 U.S. companies. The KC-45A's refueling systems will be built at new facilities in Bridgeport, W.Va., and delivered to the KC-45A Production Center for aircraft integration.

The KC-45A will be built by a world-class industrial team led by Northrop Grumman, and includes primary subcontractor EADS North America and General Electric Aviation, Sargent Fletcher, Honeywell, Parker, AAR Cargo Systems, Telephonics and Knight Aerospace.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Applications Still Being Accepted for Statewide Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholars Program

$10,000 Scholarships to be Awarded to One Student From Each of Maryland's 23 Counties and Baltimore City

LINTHICUM, Md., March 5, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Applications are still being accepted through March 31 for the sixth annual Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Engineering Scholars competition, which will provide a total of $240,000 in college scholarships across Maryland this year to promising high-school seniors interested in studying engineering.

"Northrop Grumman is pleased to once again sponsor this unique scholarship program aimed at encouraging some of the state's best and brightest students with an interest in math and science to pursue engineering-related careers," said James F. Pitts, corporate vice president and president of the company's Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector and himself an electrical engineer.

Individual scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded by Northrop Grumman this spring to a qualified graduating high school senior in each of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore city. Candidates must plan to attend an accredited college or university as a full-time student in an approved engineering program. The funds may be used for tuition, books, lodging and meals.

A committee of Northrop Grumman employees will select the Engineering Scholars winners. Each applicant must be a resident of Maryland and a graduating senior in the spring of 2008 from a public or accredited private high school in the state. Applicants for the scholarship program must also meet minimum SAT and GPA requirements. The application deadline is March 31, 2008.

Informational brochures describing the scholarship program have been sent to all high schools within the state. However, to apply for the Engineering Scholars program, students must download and complete the application available on the Internet at: http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/engscholars/

One of the state's largest private employers, Northrop Grumman is a significant financial and in-kind contributor to educational outreach programs aimed at encouraging young people to consider engineering and science-related career fields. The Linthicum-based Electronic Systems sector sponsors the Discover "E" program in Maryland, a grassroots effort by volunteer employees at the company to excite student interest in engineering, math and science. Northrop Grumman is also a major corporate sponsor of the Maryland Teacher of the Year competition.

With approximately 9,000 employees in Maryland, Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense and commercial electronics and systems including airborne radar, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, airspace management systems, communications systems, space sensors, marine and naval systems and government systems.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Appoints Joseph K. Dodd to Vice President, Business Development and Marketing, Intelligence Group

MCLEAN, Va., March 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today the appointment of Joseph K. Dodd to vice president of business development and marketing for the Information Technology (IT) sector's Intelligence group (TASC).

In this role, Dodd will oversee business development, capture, proposal, strategy, and marketing efforts for Northrop Grumman IT's Intelligence group (TASC). In addition to his responsibilities to grow the business, he will focus on engaging and growing new company partnerships.

"Joe's hard work has led numerous growth initiatives," said Wood Parker, president of Northrop Grumman IT's Intelligence group (TASC). "He will use his significant leadership experience to help extend our success with existing customers in the defense and intelligence communities and help shape future new program opportunities."

Dodd has more than 25 years of experience in defense, intelligence, aerospace and international markets. Most recently, he was director of business development and marketing for the IT sector's Intelligence group. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Dodd served as vice president of Federal Alliances for Space Imaging LLC and senior vice president for worldwide sales for Orbital Imaging Corporation, where he was the principal interface with many defense and intelligence agencies.

He earned a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master's degree in satellite remote sensing from Pennsylvania State University.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman Wins $239 Million Air Force Weather Agency Contract

RESTON, Va. -- March 3, 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency Systems Engineering, Management and Sustainment (SEMS) II contract to increase effectiveness, reliability, and performance, while reducing total cost of ownership for a variety of classified and unclassified Air Force weather systems.

The $239 million cost-plus-award-fee contract includes a one-year base and four option years.

SEMS II systems deliver accurate, relevant, and timely space and terrestrial environmental information anywhere in the world, enabling commanders at all levels to anticipate battlespace conditions and improving critical decision making. The program supports the Air Force Weather Agency's mission to maximize air, space, cyberspace, and land power by enabling decision makers to exploit relevant environmental information across the full spectrum of warfare. As part of the SEMS II contract, Northrop Grumman provides systems engineering, development, and sustainment; continuous help desk and operations control services; information assurance; and integrated logistics.

"The SEMS II program provides systems support for the Air Force Weather Agency, the largest supplier of weather data for military users worldwide in support of frontline combat operations, mission planning, and routine flight operations," said Brian Balm, Northrop Grumman's SEMS II program manager. "Northrop Grumman has partnered with the Air Force Weather Agency on the SEMS program since its inception in 2002 and is honored to continue supporting the Air Force Weather Agency's goal of providing ever more timely, accurate and reliable atmospheric information to the warfighter."

Several systems fall under the SEMS umbrella, including the Global Theater Weather Analysis and Prediction System and the Joint Air Force and Army Weather Information System, which provide timely atmospheric data to warfighters making critical operational decisions; the Space Weather Analysis and Forecast System, which delivers space weather forecasts for global Defense Department space operations; and the Cloud Depiction and Forecast System II, used for mission planning, current operations, and post strike analysis.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Northrop Grumman to Begin Construction On Second Cummings Research Park Facility

RESTON, Va. and HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 3, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) intends to begin construction later this year on the second of four buildings that will comprise its $80 million Cummings Research Park campus, continuing to consolidate operations in the region, increasing efficiency and positioning the company for additional growth in the region.

"This second building will be used to further consolidate business units around the area, including the headquarters for the Kinetic Energy Interceptors program, which is moving to Huntsville, and position us to expand our business base here," said Dan Montgomery, Northrop Grumman's vice president and corporate lead executive for the Huntsville region. "By consolidating our existing operations, we become more efficient, more flexible and better able to serve our customers, which makes us more competitive and positions us for continued growth."

"The company will begin looking for a developer and hopes to break ground by October and to occupy the second building about a year later," Montgomery said.

The new building is expected to provide approximately 100,000 square feet of laboratory and office space for the company.

Northrop Grumman cut the ribbon in April 2007 on its current four-story, 110,000 square-feet Cummings Research Park headquarters building. The existing building houses approximately 400 employees.

Northrop Grumman employs approximately 1,200 people in the Huntsville area, and about 1,500 in Alabama. Employees support a number of military customers in the region, including U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Army Aviation and Missile Command; Army Program Executive Office for Aviation; Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space; U.S. Missile Defense Agency; National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Defense Intelligence Agency.

Northrop Grumman's major programs in Huntsville include Kinetic Energy Interceptors; Hellfire Missile; Ground-based Midcourse Defense Fire Control and Launch Control Equipment software; Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control; Command Post Platform; Longbow Missile; and Viper Strike munition.

In addition, the company established a premier Missile Defense Engineering and Analysis Center and the Huntsville System and Mechanical Engineering Center of Excellence. The company is also competing for the U.S. Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense-Battle Command System program, which could create more jobs in the Huntsville area.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Two Northrop Grumman Employees Receive Asian American Engineer of the Year Awards

LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Two Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) employees, Clayton K.S. Kau and Aaron K. Oki, received awards for their contributions in science, engineering, and their communities at the 2008 Asian American Engineer of the Year (AAEOY) awards in Richardson, Texas on March 1.

Kau is the vice president and general manager of Space and Defense Products Division, and Oki is a technical fellow and deputy director of microelectronics. Both work at the company's Space Technology sector.

"Both Clayton and Aaron are deserving of this great award," said Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. "The company is honored and proud to have such distinguished and accomplished employees. Both have made major contributions to the company's stature as a technology and industry leader."

Kau is responsible for all design and manufacturing activities and processes within the company's Space Technology sector. He is also responsible for all microelectronics process development and fabrication. Previously, he was the vice president and program manager of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) program. Advanced EHF is the nation's next-generation, military strategic and tactical relay system, which will deliver survivable protected communications to U.S. forces and selected allies worldwide.

Kau earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in electrical engineering and his engineer's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Oki leads a 300-member team in the development and production of advanced compound semiconductor technologies. He was named a fellow by the IEEE Board of Directors for his work on compound semiconductor technologies and has also been recognized by the company's Chairman's/President's Award for Innovation in gallium arsenide and indium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor technologies.

He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Hawaii and a master's degree in electrical engineering from University of California, Berkeley.

The AAEOY awards are presented by the Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA to Asian American professionals in academia, public service and corporate entities for their personal achievements and significant contributions to their associated institution, communities and nation.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Front Page

Aviation Photographers Visit Vought

Tour Stop Takes in Vintage Vought Heritage Aircraft

DALLAS, FEB. 29, 2008 – Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. today hosted more than 100 of the world’s premier aviation photographers during a tour that included an F4U Corsair, the V-173 “Flying Pancake” and other vintage aircraft from Vought’s heritage companies.

The Vought visit was part of a field trip organized by the International Society for Aviation Photography (ISAP), whose annual convention is being held Feb. 28-March 1 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“This is a perfect opportunity for us to show-off our world-class restorations,” said Hank Merbler, president of the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation. “I can’t think of a better group to view and help commemorate the aircraft restoration work of our volunteers.”

ISAP members viewed five Vought heritage aircraft during the tour:

~ VE-7 Bluebird, a full-scale replica of Chance Vought’s first production aircraft (no originals exist). The history-making VE-7 was the first airplane to take off from the Navy’s first aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Langley

~ V-173 “Flying Pancake,” a short-takeoff experimental airplane on loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for restoration

~ F4U Corsair, the famous gull-wing World War II fighter

~ F6U Pirate, Chance Vought Aircraft’s first jet-propelled airplane

~ F-8 Crusader, the Navy’s first operational single-engine supersonic fighter

The VE-7 is complete while the other aircraft are in various stages of restoration. The Bluebird replica was built from scratch by Vought retirees. Producing this biplane involved engineering new blueprints, fabricating wooden parts, gluing assemblies and covering with fabric.

“It is an honor for ISAP to be invited to Vought and to have access to these unique and historically significant flying machines, “ said Jay Miller, chair of this unique photographers’ group. “Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of photographing some extraordinary hardware, but this is a first in terms of the V-173, the VE-7 replica, and the F6U.

“We have in our group what are arguably the most accomplished aviation photographers in the world today. Some of these shooters have more time in the air in high-performance military aircraft than many of the pilots flying them. Vought’s a legacy aircraft manufacturer, and we’re hoping our visit today will, in some small way, help perpetuate a truly great and memorable company,” said Miller.

With the Retiree Club as its base, Vought retirees began the celebration of Vought heritage with the creation of a Web site, an Archive, and an Aircraft Restoration Group.

The Web site ( http://www.vought.com/heritage/ ) continues to grow with more than 1,000 pages of information and 1,500 photographs.

The Archive has developed into a major repository of Vought heritage documents, photos, video tapes, motion picture film and microfilm. Archive volunteers provide research support for historians, universities, authors, filmmakers and video documentary producers.

The Aircraft Restoration Group has restored to museum-quality a number of other Vought-produced artifacts, including an A7B Corsair II, RF8G Photo Crusader, and the Regulus II Cruise Missile -- now on display at the Frontiers of Flight museum at Dallas Love Field.

While Vought Aircraft Industries provides hangar and office space, the materials and services required for restorations must come from donations. For this reason, the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation was established in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

About Vought

Although Vought Aircraft Industries is a relatively new company that incorporated in May 2000, it benefits from an industry legacy going back to the first producers of military aircraft in the United States. The company’s name extends to the entity founded by aviation pioneer, Chance Milton Vought.

Aviator and engineer Chance Milton Vought established his own firm on Long Island, N.Y., in a former shoe factory. Taught to fly in 1910 by pioneer aviator Max T. Lillie in a Wright B pusher-type biplane, Vought served as an instructor but went on to become an aeronautical engineer for the Wright-Martin company. In 1917, with Birdseye B. Lewis, Vought organized the Lewis & Vought Corporation. That same year his first design, the VE-7, was built and proved to be one of the most popular and widely used two-seater advanced training aircraft of the era.

Among the more than 15,000 aircraft produced by Chance Vought’s legacy companies, other notable ones include the 0S2U Kingfisher, an amphibian scout/observation aircraft; the F4U Corsair, which achieved an 11 to 1 kill ratio against enemy aircraft in World War II; the F7U Cutlass, the Navy’s first supersonic and first swept-wing fighter; and the F-8 Crusader jet, which set a national speed record in 1956 by flying over 1,000 mph. Noteworthy is the fact that Vought heritage aircraft have continuously served in world military service for 90 years.

Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. ( www.voughtaircraft.com ) is one of the world's largest independent suppliers of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, the company designs and manufactures major airframe structures such as wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles and other components for prime manufacturers of aircraft. Vought has annual sales of approximately $1.6 billion and about 6,500 employees in nine U.S. locations.

About ISAP

Since the organization’s first symposium in 2001, ISAP has grown to more than 500 members representing over 20 countries. The ISAP’s mission is to provide a major international forum for the art and science of aviation photography; to provide a means for the exchange of aviation photography ideas, technique, philosophy, and equipment; and perhaps most importantly, to provide a mechanism for communication, education, and friendship among those who have a professional stake in, interest in, or simple love for aviation photography.

Front Page

February 29, 2008 05:28 PM Eastern Time

Air New Zealand's Pink Flight Takes Passengers to New Heights

Airline Makes Flying Fun Again

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Air New Zealand’s Pink Flight of Fabulosity left its ‘pink’ mark in the sky and airline industry as it departed from San Francisco on a Boeing 777 on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The first ever North American gay-themed flight flew to Sydney, Australia in celebration of the 2008 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Kathy Griffin, Emmy-award winning comedian, unleashed her D-List diva and served up laughs as the official hostess of the chartered flight.

Pink Flight passengers started their journey the moment they entered the San Francisco International airport, where they were greeted by “Welcome Divas Pink Flight” and “Sydney Mardi Gras – Bring Your Sass to the Party” signage. Passengers checked-in for the flight at a boa wrapped kiosk, backlit in pink. After passing through security, passengers made their grand entrance to the Pre-Party at Terminal G walking the ‘Pink’ carpet. As they posed for the "pink paparazzi,” they were interviewed by the infamous drag queen Buckwheat.

“Air New Zealand isn’t an ordinary airline,” said Jodi Williams, Air New Zealand's director of marketing - the Americas. “With us, our passengers’ vacation starts as soon as they come on board. We make travel fun and relaxing for our guests, ensuring that their vacation experience begins long before they arrive to their final destination.”

The Pre-Party was held in Terminal G. Decorated from floor to ceiling in pink décor the celebration included dancing, drag queen performances with multiple costume changes, pink cocktails such as the Kiwi-Cotton Candy Cocktail, pink-themed appetizers and an appearance by hostess Kathy Griffin. Griffin mingled with passengers before scanning their tickets to board the plane. The plane donned a 70-foot pink boa and 13-inch pink feathers strategically placed as eyelashes.

“As soon as we heard about this flight, we knew we had to sign up,” said two Palm Springs, Calif. passengers. “In fact, we were the first ones to purchase our tickets!”

Air New Zealand’s flight crew wore pink boas, pink hats and gave a choreographed cabaret performance at the Pre-Party. “The crew was fantastic,” said a passenger from New York. “I’ve never seen an airline do something like this before!”

During the 14-hour-flight, the Bravo Network taped footage for their hit-show, “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.” Griffin performed stand up routines and answered passengers’ questions throughout the flight. After the scheduled rest period named “Beauty Sleep,” Griffin served passengers breakfast during the “Party-Party Wake-Up.” The wake-up party featured more dancing, singing and sheer madness.

Williams said the airlines’ Pink Flight reflects the country’s diversity-embracing nature and acceptance of all lifestyles.

“Air New Zealand’s Pink Flight mimics the casual elegance and quirkiness of New Zealand’s culture,” adds Williams. “We are always exploring new and creative ways to appeal to all of our target audiences and this event is part of that initiative.”

New Zealand has a long history of liberal social reform and is widely recognized as a friendly vacation destination for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. New Zealand voted the world’s first transgender person into a national office when Georgina Beyer was elected to Parliament in 1999. Same-sex civil unions are recognized as a legal institution in New Zealand since 2004.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than any other airline, including non-stop flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and starting November 2, Vancouver to New Zealand, as well as Los Angeles non-stop to the Cook Islands and Samoa. Other popular destinations include Australia, China, Japan and Tonga. In addition to flying non-stop Los Angeles-London, Air New Zealand's newest route, between London and Hong Kong, now allows customers to fly round-the-world on one airline.

Consistently rated among the world's best international airlines, Air New Zealand's most recent accolades include recognition by the Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards, the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards and Business Traveler Magazine. United Mileage Plus, US Airways Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan members earn and redeem mileage on select flights. Flight and vacation essentials can be booked on AirNewZealand.com. Flight and vacation bookings can also be made by calling 1-800-262-1234 in the USA and 1-800-663-5494 in Canada.

1 Alabama AL	2 Alaska AK	3 Arizona AZ Copper State News Service	4 Arkansas AR
5 California CA Golden State News Service	6 Colorado CO Centennial State News Service	7 Connecticut CT	8 Delaware DE
9 Florida FL	10 Georgia GA	11 Hawaii HI Aloha State News Service	12 Idaho ID
13 Illinois	14 Indiana IN	15 Iowa IA	16 Kansas KS
17 Kentucky KY	18 Louisiana LA	19 Maine ME	20 Maryland MD
21 Massachusetts MA	22 Michigan MI	23 Minnesota MN	24 Mississippi MS
25 Missouri MO	26 Montana MT	27 Nebraska NE	28 Nevada NV Silver State News Service
29 New Hampshire NH	30 New Jersey NJ	31 New Mexico NM Enchantment State News Service	32 New York NY
33 North Carolina NC	34 North Dakota ND	35 Ohio OH	36 Oklahoma OK Will Rogers State News Service
37 Oregon OR	38 Pennsylvania PA	39 Rhode Island RI	40 South Carolina SC
41 South Dakota SD	42 Tennessee TN Smoky Mountain State News Service	43 Texas TX Lone Star State News Service	44 Utah UT Topaz State News Service
45 Vermont VT	46 Virginia VA	47 Washington WA	48 West Virginia WV
49 Wisconsin WI	50 Wyoming WY

"This court finds particularly disturbing the number of instances of harassing conduct, the nature of the conduct, and the testimonials of fear of consequences that, when viewed in the light most favorable to the EEOC, could prove a pattern-or-practice of discrimination."

"Besides all of the allegations of harassment against the managers, Scolari's owners are accused of harassment, possibly imputing their conduct to Scolari, the entity."

"The owners' clear disregard for the policies that they put in place is, if proven, remarkable."

"This court finds striking that all but one claimant has left her employment with Scolari."

~~~~~~~~~~

~ U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra of the District of Hawaii, rejecting a Motion by Scolari's Markets to dismiss an EEOC Lawsuit brought on behalf of 17 "young women and girls" for Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Though others had filed in California, the case now involves only the incidents in Nevada.

~~~~~~~~~~

Editor's Note:

We've given our readers here at Aviation & Marine USA a little taste of the criminal scandals currently underway at the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), Reno Air Racing Foundation (RARF), the Airport Authority of Washoe County (AAWC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), among others.

A Staff decision has been made and we will be discontinuing that coverage here, due to the large volume of Industry News needing our attention. We will move the coverage to and post URLs for our State News Services (Current News Events and Archives) and the Water Works Case Scandal website (Under Reconstruction...), the latter of which is an archive for evidence, documentation, photos and old news, to help those familiar with these stories refresh their memories, and to update the new arrivals has to what has occurred since the start of these scandals in the 2002 time frame, with the actual history going back to the 1990s and the roots of the AAWC land fraud going back over thirty years.

In a related development, we will be reassigning our Air Show and Event news to World Warbird Report.Com and Air Racing News will be re-direted to The Home Pylon Group, unless the news involves a technological development in the Air Racing "Industry," to stay within the theme of Industry News here at Aviation and Marine USA...

...and yes Virginia, there is an Air Racing "Industry" that this publication will be spending more time reporting on.

Therefore, new work begins tonight on Aviation & Marine USA.Com (Stories) and Aviation & Marine USA.Net (Galleries) and the websites that follow with a new focus and direction, resulting from Staff discussion designed to improve the flow of work, reading, navigation and News stories.

ILIPS Group International is making these changes in regards to our need to simultaneously meet our responsibility to the Public's First Amendment Right to a Free Press, not to mention, the Public's First Amendment Right to Know, the cause that develops and results as the logical purpose of a Free Press.

Here are the sites to be looking for when the changes occur, beginning tonight:

Water Works Case Scandal News Reports:

Silver State News Service

Golden State News Service

Topaz State News Service

Smokey Mountain State News Service

Lone Star State News Service

Copper State News Service

Aloha State News Service

Will Rogers State News Service

Water Works Case Scandal

Aviation & Maritime News

Aviation and Marine USA.Com You Are Here)

Aviation & Marine USA.Net

Air Racing News ~ The Home Pylon Group

The Home Pylon.Com
(Stories ~ Team News & Directories)

The Home Pylon Group.Net
(Galleries)

The Home Pylon Group.Org
(Hard Copy Magazine & Other Developments)

The Pylon King.Com
(Fictional Novel & Screenplay ~ Online Development)

The Pylon Kings.Com
(Community ~ The People of Air Racing)

Warbird, Air Show & Event News

World Warbird Report

	A&M USA Photo News
	Air Racing Extravaganza
	Air Racing News 2008
	Headline News
	Humor in Aerospace
	NBAA 2007Headline News
	News Alerts 2008
	The Mustang Collection
	The Pages
	The Vestibule

Afghanistan	Albania	Algeria	Andorra
Angola	Anguilla	Antigua and Barbuda	Argentina
Armenia	Australia	Austria	Azerbaijan

Bahamas	Bahrain	Bangladesh	Barbados
Belarus	Belgium	Belize	Benin
Bhutan	Bolivia	Bosnia-Herzegovina	Botswana
Brazil	Brunei	Bulgaria	Burkina Faso
Burma	Burundi

Cambodiac	Cameroon	Canada	Cape Verde
Central African Republic	Chad	Chile	China
Colombia	Comoros	Congo	Congo Dem. Republic
Costa Rica	Croatia	Cuba	Cyprus
Czech Republic

Ecuador	Egypt	El Salvador	Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea	Estonia	Ethiopia

Gabon	Gambia	Georgia	Germany
Ghana	Greece	Grenada	Guatemala
Guinea	Guinea-Bissau	Guyana

Iceland	India	Indonesia	Iran
Iraq	Ireland	Israel	Italy
Ivory Coast

Kazakhstan	Kenya	Kiribati	Korea
Kuwait	Kyrgyzstan

Laos	Latvia	Lebanon	Lesotho
Liberia	Libya	Liechtenstein	Lithuania
Luxembourg

Macedonia	Madagascar	Malawi	Malaysia
Maldives	Mali	Malta	Marshall
Mauritania	Mauritius	Mexico	Micronesia
Moldova	Monaco	Mongolia	Morocco
Mozambique

Namibia	Nauru	Nepal	Netherlands
New Zealand	Nicaragua	Niger	Nigeria
North Korea	Norway

Pakistan	Palau	Panama	Papua-New Guinea
Paraguay	Peru	Philippines	Poland
Portugal

San Marino	Sao Tomé and Principe	Saudi Arabia	Senegal
Seychelles	Sierra Leone	Singapore	Slovakia
Slovenia	Solomon Islands	Somalia	South Africa
South Korea	Spain	Sri Lanka	St.Kitts e Nevis
St.Lucia	St.Vincent e Grenadine	Sudan	Suriname
Swaziland	Sweden	Switzerland	Syria

Taiwan	Tajikistan	Tanzania	Thailand
Togo	Tonga	Trinidad and Tobago	Tunisia
Turkey	Turkmenistan	Tuvalu

Ukraine	Uganda	United Arab Emirates	United Kingdom
Uruguay	United States of America (USA)	Uzbekistan

IATA	ICAO	IMO	United Nations
World Economic Forum	NATO	SEATO	Project Hope
C.A.R.E.	International Space Station (ISS)	Red Cross	American Red Cross
Red Crecent	Greenpeace

Venus	The Moon	Mercury	Venus
Earth	Mars	Jupiter	Saturn
Uranus	Neptune	Pluto

Airbus	Air Racing & Motorsports	Arianespace	Aviation Nation
Boeing	Cessna	China Southern Airways	C.R. Smith Museum, Ft. Worth, TX
Curtiss Wright	Dallas Ft. Worth Regional Airport	Delta Air Lines	Diamond Aircraft
EADS	Embraer	Euro Atlantic Airways	Eurocopter
Experimental Aircraft Association	EAA Air Venture 2007	Ethics	Featured Stories (You Are Here...)
Federation Aeronautique Internationale	Flying Boats & Amphibian News	Flying Wing News (TBA)	FedEx
FBI	General Dynamics	Gulfstream Aerospace	Historical Sections
IAE	IATA	LAN Chilean Airlines	Lockheed Martin
Maritime Directory	Millenium Master	NASA / JPL / SOFIA	NAA
NTSB	Northrop Grumman	NASA Earth Observatory	NATO/OTAN
Orbital Sciences Corporation	One World Alliance	Pakistani International Airlines	Pegasus Aviation Finance
PPG ~ PRC DeSoto	Pratt & Whitney	QANTAS	Raytheon
Rolls Royce	SAAB	Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation	Singapore Airlines
Space Tourism	Spitfire Aircraft Company	Starfighters	Sukhoi Superjet 100
TAM Brasilian Airlines	Thai International Airways	Textron	United States Air Force
United States Army	United States Coast Guard	United States Department of Defense	United States Marine Corp
United States Navy	UPS	United Technologies	Utilicraft
Virgin Galactic	Vought Aerospace	White House Press Office	World Economic Forum

101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagles, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky ~ Home Page 231	Index 231
Edwards AFB, California ~ Home Page 232	Index 232
Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada ~ Home Page 233	Index 233
Fallon NAS, Fallon, Nevada ~ Home Page 234	Index 234
Hill AFB, Utah ~ Home Page 235	Index 235
MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California ~ Home Page 236	Index 236
Alameda Naval Yard, Oakland, California ~ Home Page 237	Index 237
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii ~ Home Page 238	Index 238
Luke AFB, Arizona ~ Home Page 239	Index 239
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico ~ Home Page 240	Index 240