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Russian Tu-204 Aircraft Becoming Competitive in Worldwide Market

The Russian Tu-204 airplane is becoming competitive in the worldwide marketplace both in its technical characteristics as in costs. Ibrahim Kamel -chairman of the board of directors of the international company Sirocco Aerospace - expressed such an opinion in an interview with an RIA Novosti correspondent. The company is taking part in the upgrade program for the Tu-204 and in its preparation for international certification.

In Kamel`s opinion, the Tu-204 is in no way worse than the new Boeings. ``The excellent economy of use of the airplane is combined with a system of technical support of a worldwide level and at the same time the price of the Tu-204 is 30 - 40 percent less than the cost of a similar type of Western produced airplane,`` he noted.

Kamel also expressed the opinion that using the example of the Tupolev concern, Russian aircraft manufacturing can make significant successes in export trade. In particular, he emphasized that the first four Tu-204-120 airplanes /three passenger and one freight/ already are being used by the Egyptian airline, Air Cairo. The passenger airplanes are being used also by the leading Egyptian carrier, Egypt Air, for regular domestic and international trips. As Kamel' noted, the punctuality of the departures of the airplanes on time in the first 2 years of use was 99.5 percent, which corresponds with the highest international standards.

He also reported that the Chinese airlines China Southwest and China Northwest intend to obtain five Tu-204-120F cargo airplanes.

Source: 13.03.02, RIA Novosti

Translated by Roy Cochrun /http://www.toad.net/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/royfc/today/acft_news.html/

AVIA RU Network

Construction of AL-55 Engine to Be Discussed Next Week

There will be a large meeting next week at the A. Lyulka Scientific and Production Center, structurally included in OAO NPO Saturn, on the question of the of further measures regarding the building of the new AL-55 aircraft engine which is intended for light training and combat trainer airplanes, an informed source at the A. Lyulka NPTs reported. According to him, at the present time development of the working design and engineering documentation for the new aircraft engine is being concluded. The engine is being created for use on an airplane of the Yak-130 type.

In the opinion of specialists, the cost of the scientific, research and experimental design work will be several tens of millions of dollars, with the price of a serial engine at more than one million dollars.

Source: 13.03.02, Finmarket Agency

Translated by Roy Cochrun /http://www.toad.net/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/royfc/today/acft_news.html/

AVIA RU Network

Raytheon delivers Multi-Spectral Targeting System for Predator

8 March 2002

Raytheon's Air Combat & Strike Systems Predator Rapid Reaction Team has delivered three fully integrated Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (MTS) for the Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to US Air Force Special Operations only 90 days after being placed on contract. A typical development and delivery cycle on a first system of this type can take 12 to 16 months.

The Predator, an unmanned surveillance aircraft operated by the Air Force in the war in Afghanistan, carries devices such as the MTS to gather intelligence remotely without risking human life. Incorporating sophisticated electronics, the MTS sensor gives the Predator a greater capability by providing real time imagery selectable between Infrared (IR) and Day TV and the ability to laser designate the enemy for attack.

The 90-day start-to-finish challenge from the Air Force received government "Special Priority Assistance (SPA)." The SPA gave the programme preference over all other programmes, which improved material availability.

"Not only are we the market leader in this technology, we also met some unusually fast turnaround requirements for our customer," said Jack O. Pearson, Air Combat & Strike Systems vice president and general manager.

MTS contracts are valued at more than $80 million.


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