New agreement continues long-standing relationship with San Francisco International Airport
Latest contract highlights Bombardier’s position as industry-leading services provider for automated transit systems
Mobility technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today that it has signed a new contract with the City and County of San Francisco to provide ten years of operations and maintenance services for the BOMBARDIER INNOVIA APM 100 automated people mover (APM) system at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The contract is valued at $220 million US (193 million euro) and includes an option for an additional five years.
“With this new contract, we will continue to provide San Francisco International Airport with the operations and maintenance services as well as the INNOVIA APM vehicles and signalling technology that bring safe and reliable service to the over seven million passengers who ride the AirTrain system every year,” said Elliot G. (Lee) Sander, President, Americas Division, Bombardier Transportation. “We look forward to supporting the airport as it extends and modernizes the AirTrain system to meet its future mobility requirements.”
Bombardier delivered the airport’s transit system, known as SFO AirTrain, and has been providing operations and maintenance services since it opened in 2003. The AirTrain fleet of 38 INNOVIA APM 100 vehicles serves nine stations along six miles of elevated guideway and connects the airport’s terminals, parking garages, rental car center, and a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. Under a contract awarded in 2016, Bombardier is providing three additional INNOVIA APM 100 vehicles, a 2,000-foot guideway extension, a new station, and a signalling upgrade.
Bombardier has nearly 50 years of experience in designing, building, operating and maintaining automated transit systems for airports and cities in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Nine of the ten busiest airports in the United States, including SFO, have chosen Bombardier for their automated transit systems.
SFO AirTrain was the world’s first automated transit system to feature the state-of-the-art BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 650 communications-based train control technology. Among other features, this technology allows a high degree of operating flexibility to accommodate peak passenger demands.
Major fleet upgrade with nine modern turboprops providing increased seat capacity, lowest operating costs and best environmental performance
Toulouse, 26 June, 2019 – TAROM, the Romanian national air carrier, will introduce nine new ATR 72-600 aircraft, the market-leading product of the world’s number one regional aircraft manufacturer, into its fleet. The ATR 72-600 will be leased from NAC, the world’s number one regional aircraft lessor. Deliveries will commence in October 2019 through to 2020.
TAROM has been very successful in its domestic market operations by using ATRs to allow it to compete with low cost carriers. This upgrade will ensure that the airline is equipped with the latest generation of turboprops burning 40% less fuel and emitting 40% less CO2 than regional jets.
New ATRs will offer TAROM an additional 330,000 seats every year at the same operating cost as its previous seat level, improving short haul connectivity in Romania and supporting the development of local and more isolated communities. This will provide TAROM with the possibility to further expand and consolidate their position in the market.
TAROM Chief Executive Officer Madalina Mezei said: “We have selected ATR after a comprehensive review of competing aircraft, with the ATR 72-600’s demonstrating they are the best aircraft to meet our ambitious targets regarding efficiency, modern technology and environmental responsibility. With this aircraft, we will be able to develop new routes and increase frequency and seat availability, whilst introducing the highest levels of comfort and the latest technology into our domestic network.”
“We are very proud to welcome TAROM as our newest customer,” said Martin Møller, Chairman of Nordic Aviation Capital “we are confident that the ATR 72-600 aircraft will ensure efficiency in their network for many years to come. We thank TAROM for the confidence they have placed in NAC, and we look forward to building and strengthening our relationship with them in the future.”
Stefano Bortoli, Chief Executive Officer of ATR commented: “TAROM is among Europe’s most experienced ATR operators. We are proud to see this long-time customer renew its partnership with the ATR 72-600, the regional aircraft with the best environmental credentials. TAROM made its selection after a vigorous evaluation and in selecting the ATR 72-600 they chose more efficiency, more flexibility and more capacity, for long-term benefits.”
TAROM and ATR have been working together for 20 years. The Romanian national airline operates a fleet of 25 aircraft, including seven ATR 42-500’s and two ATR 72-500’s which are now to be traded in for the announced nine 72-600’s.
About TAROM: The Romanian National Air Transport Company TAROM has been established in 1954 and grew at the same time as Romanian aviation. TAROM’s activity is subordinated to the authority of the Ministry of Transports. TAROM is member of the Alliance SkyTeam starting from June 2010, member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) starting from 1993.
PARIS, June 19 (Reuters) – Israel-based Elbit Systems on Wednesday said it would keep an eye out for possible acquisitions if the proposed merger of U.S. aerospace companies Raytheon Co and United Technologies Corp triggers certain divestments.
“We could have several opportunities coming from that kind of merger,” Ran Kril, executive vice president for International Marketing & Business Development, told Reuters at the Paris Airshow.
Kril said Elbit was committed to expanding in the United States, and would keep a close eye on any possible divestments ordered by U.S. authorities reviewing the proposed merger.
He said Elbit expected to wrap up the purchase of the night vision business of Harris Corp in the autumn. Antitrust authorities had ordered the sale of that business as a condition for approving Harris’s merger with L3 Technologies.
“We’ve decided to grow in America and after the Harris acquisition, we will always find opportunities to expand our portfolio and our presence in the U.S.,” Kril said.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, editing by Deepa Babington)
Bombardier unveils new innovative light rail vehicle safety system at UITP 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden.
COMPAS provides enhanced safety for passengers and drivers, helping to prevent derailing
Innovative overspeed protection system co-developed with Austrian Institute of Technology
Today, mobility solution provider Bombardier Transportation presented its new and innovative safety system for urban light rail vehicles at the UITP Global Public Transportation Summit in Stockholm. Called COMPAS (Collision and Overspeed Monitoring and Prevention Assistance System), the technology was developed in cooperation with Bombardier Transportation’s research partner the Austrian Institute of Technology & Mission Embedded and enhances safety for tram passengers and drivers.
Christian Diewald, Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation in Austria, said, “We have completed the development phase of COMPAS and will shortly start the operational evaluation in two existing vehicle fleets. I am especially happy that we are testing this safety innovation in the new vehicles for our customer Wiener Linien in Austria, but also with our customer in Blackpool, UK.”
COMPAS is the transportation industry’s only system that combines two of the most requested driver assistance functions, a vision-based overspeed prevention and an automated obstacle detection assistance system. It’s designed to ensure the driver always maintains full control over the vehicle by using digital track data and visual odometry to prevent the vehicle from exceeding its pre-defined speed limits, thus enhancing safety for those in and around the vehicle.
The new system is expected to be granted commercial service authorization by mid-2020, with additional functions, such as increased vehicle autonomy enabling automated operation in depots, planned to for future integration.
COMPAS builds upon Bombardier’s proven Obstacle Detection Assistance System (ODAS ), a cutting-edge safety innovation already proven in passenger in service since being introduced in Frankfurt, Germany in 2017. Overall, the ODAS system has been selected by five light rail vehicle operators.
The first A330neo of the Americas has been delivered to Azul Linhas Aéreas on lease from Avolon, becoming the first airline from the Americas to fly the A330-900. The aircraft is the first of 15 A330neo ordered by Avolon.
The A330neo, Airbus’ new generation A330 aircraft, will be used by the airline to expand its international route network between Brazil and Europe and the United States. Fitted with a three-class cabin layout accommodating 34 business class, 96 economy Xtra, and 168 economy class seats, the A330neo offers passengers greater comfort along with the newest and the most advanced in-flight experience while the airline will benefit from the aircraft’s unrivalled operating economics.
“We are very proud to be the first A330neo operator in the Americas. This new aircraft will play a key role in the expansion of our international markets supporting our strategy of having a modern and fuel-efficient fleet”, celebrates John Rodgerson, Azul’s CEO.
“With its many new features and an Airspace cabin, the A330neo can only add to Azul’s many travel awards said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “Innovation packed, superior passenger comfort and 25% fuel efficiency all rolled in to one – that’s the A330neo.”
The A330neo is the true new-generation aircraft building on the most popular wide body A330’s features and leveraging on A350 XWB technology. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330neo provides an unprecedented level of efficiency – with 25% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation competitors. Equipped with the Airbus Airspace cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger experience with more personal space and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity.
Founded in 2008, Azul is a Brazilian carrier that serves 108 destinations across South America, the United States and Portugal.
Airbus has sold 1,200 aircraft, has a backlog of nearly 600 and nearly 700 in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, representing a 56 percent market share of the in-service fleet. Since 1994, Airbus has secured nearly 70 percent of net orders in the region.
PARIS (Reuters) – Airbus on Thursday declined to say whether it was interested in buying Bombardier’s Belfast plant after the Canadian firm put it up for sale, but described the Northern Ireland facility as a “key supplier”.
An Airbus spokesman noted the plant makes wings for the A220, formerly known as the CSeries, which Airbus bought from Bombardier last year, and some engine casings for the Airbus A320 family.
Industry sources say the plant uses new technology for carbon fibre wings that could interest Airbus for a future A320 replacement and other long-term projects.
Bombardier’s sale of its Belfast wing and structure-making operation, the largest high-tech manufacturer in Northern Ireland, has stunned workers. They have called on the British government to retain jobs, with the plant employing 3,600 people.
(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Matthias Blamont)
São Paulo, Brazil, April 18, 2019 – Embraer announces that the company’s new Praetor 600 super-midsize business jet was granted its Type Certificate by Brazil’s Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC—Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil), having been announced in October 2018 at NBAA-BACE and becoming the only super-midsize business jet to be certified since 2014.
The Praetor 600 is the best performing super-midsize jet ever developed, surpassing all its main design goals and becoming capable of flying beyond 4,000 nautical miles in long-range cruise speed or beyond 3,700 nautical miles at Mach .80 from runways shorter than 4,500ft, complemented by an outstanding payload capability.
“Our engineering and program teams have outperformed again by passionately designing, developing and certifying the class-leading Praetor 600 business jet, exceeding specifications and expectations, and ahead of schedule,” said Paulo César Souza e Silva, Embraer CEO. “This advanced aircraft reflects not only our journey of innovation, it is also a preview of the future of this great company.”
“The most disruptive and technologically advanced super-midsize business jet has arrived. The Praetor 600 will fascinate our customers with the highest performance, technology and comfort in its class and raise the customer experience to an unprecedented level,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “I want to thank and congratulate the Embraer family for bringing to market an aircraft that will create true value for customers and shareholders alike.”
The Praetor 600 is now the farthest-flying super-midsize jet, able to make nonstop flights between London and New York, São Paulo and Miami, Dubai and London. With four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves, the Praetor 600 has an intercontinental range of 4,018 nautical miles (7,441 km). Take Off Field Length for such a mission is only 4,436 ft (1,352 m). At M0.80, range is 3,719 nm (6,887 km) with four passengers and NBBA IFR Reserves.
The
Praetor 600 is the first super-midsize jet with full fly-by-wire
technology, which powers the Active Turbulence Reduction that not only
makes every flight the smoothest but also the most efficient possible.
The Embraer DNA Design interior eloquently explores every dimension of the only super-midsize to feature a six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, stone flooring and a vacuum service lavatory, all in the same certified aircraft. The class-exclusive Active Turbulence Reduction and 5,800-foot cabin altitude, complemented by a whisper silent cabin, have set the highest standards in customer experience in the super-midsize category. In addition to the full-service galley and a wardrobe, eight fully reclining club seats may be berthed into four beds, and the baggage space is the largest in the class.
Advanced technology throughout the cabin is also a trait of the Embraer DNA Design, beginning with the industry-exclusive Upper Tech Panel that displays flight information and offers cabin management features also available on personal devices through Honeywell Ovation Select. High-capacity, ultra high-speed connectivity for all aboard is available through Viasat’s Ka-band, with speeds of up to 16Mbps and unlimited streaming, another industry-exclusive in super-midsize jets.
The Praetor 600 features Collins Aerospace’s newest edition of the acclaimed Pro Line Fusion flight deck. Capabilities such as the industry-first vertical weather display, air-traffic-control-like situational awareness with ADSB-IN, predictive wind shear radar capability, as well as Embraer Enhanced Vision System (E2VS) with a Head-up Display (HUD) and an Enhanced Video System (EVS), an Inertial Reference System (IRS) and a Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) are some of the highlights on the Praetor 600 flight deck.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 21, 2019 – The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 DEFIANT™ helicopter achieved first flight today at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach, Fla., site. This revolutionary aircraft, developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company [NYSE: LMT], and Boeing [NYSE: BA], will help inform the next generation of military helicopters as part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program.
“The design and development of DEFIANT has revealed the capability
advancement that is truly possible for Future Vertical Lift,” said David
Koopersmith, vice president and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift.
“Clearly, the performance, speed and agility of DEFIANT will be a game
changer on the battlefield and we look forward to demonstrating for the
U.S. Army the tremendous capabilities of this aircraft.”
With its two coaxial main rotors and a rear mounted pusher propulsor,
DEFIANT is unlike production rotorcraft available today. It represents a
leap forward in technology to achieve the U.S. government’s desire for
vast increases in speed and range while improving maneuverability and
survivability in a cost-effective way. DEFIANT aircraft’s use of X2™
Technology will allow the Army to penetrate from strategic standoff and
exploit gaps created in complex Anti-Access Area Denial systems against
near-peer adversaries.
“DEFIANT is designed to fly at nearly twice the speed and has twice
the range of conventional helicopters while retaining the very best, if
not better, low-speed and hover performance of conventional
helicopters,” said Dan Spoor, vice president, Sikorsky Future Vertical
Lift. “This design provides for exceptional performance in the objective
area, where potential enemy activity places a premium on
maneuverability, survivability and flexibility. We are thrilled with the
results of today’s flight and look forward to an exciting flight test
program.”
The helicopter is participating in the Army’s Joint Multi-Role-Medium
Technology Demonstrator program. Data from DEFIANT will help the Army
develop requirements for new utility helicopters expected to enter
service in the early 2030s. This flight marks a key milestone for the
Sikorsky-Boeing team and is the culmination of significant design,
simulation and test activity to further demonstrate the capability of
the X2 Technology.
X2 Technology is scalable to a variety of military missions such as
attack and assault, long-range transportation, infiltration and
resupply. DEFIANT is the third X2® aircraft in less than 10 years.
About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
HAIFA, Israel, April 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT) (ESLT) (“Elbit
Systems”) announced today that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of
America, LLC (“Elbit Systems of America”), has signed a definitive
agreement with Harris Corporation (HRS) (“Harris”) for the acquisition of Harris’ Night Vision business (“Harris Night Vision”) for a purchase price of $350 million.
The transaction is conditioned on completion of Harris’ proposed merger with L3 Technologies, Inc. (LLL), as well as customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia,
Harris Night Vision is a premier developer, producer and supplier of
night vision technology for the U.S. and allied military and security
forces and for the federal homeland security market.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems President & CEO, commented:
“The market position and technological strength of Harris Night Vision
make this acquisition significant to our long-term growth strategy, with
a particular focus on the U.S. Elbit Systems of America has a proven
track record of providing high performance solutions and support
services to the U.S. defense and homeland security markets. We believe
that the completion of this acquisition will be beneficial both for
Elbit Systems and for Harris Night Vision’s employees and customers.”
About Harris Corporation
Harris
Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’
toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that
connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial
customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion
in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business
segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems and Space and
Intelligence Systems. Learn more at harris.com.
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land, and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios and cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.
Lisbon-based TAP Air Portugal has taken delivery of its first of twelve A321LRs on order, becoming the first airline to operate a combined A330neo and A321LR fleet. The A321LR is the world’s most flexible and capable large single-aisle aircraft. Powered by CFM engines, TAP’s A321LR is configured with 171 seats (16 full flat Business, 48 Eco Premium and 107 Ecomomy seats).
The combination of the A321LR and the A330neo within a single fleet provides operators a powerful lever to cover the needs of the medium- to long-haul market. With both newest-generation single-aisle (20% fuel burn reduction) and widebody aircraft (25% fuel burn reduction), airlines benefit from an unrivalled commonality for operations while passengers experience a higher and harmonised comfort standards.
“The A321LR is critical for TAP’s expansion plans. With its superior range we can comfortably explore markets in North America, South America and Africa from Portugal, and it’ll fit in seamlessly with our A330neos,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, TAP Air Portugal. “In North America it allows us to explore markets on the East Coast, such as New York, Boston, Montreal or Washington. In Brazil the A321LR can open new markets in the Northeast and complement existing services to cities like Recife, Natal, Fortaleza or Salvador,” he added. “The aircraft are equipped with the latest-generation full flat business class and high comfort economy seats, a full suite of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and connectivity, as well as free messaging services”.
TAP’s A321LR will be operated on the Lisbon-Tel Aviv route at its entry into service.
“We applaud TAP Air Portugal for becoming the first airline to leverage the benefits of the A321LR and the A330neo in a common fleet. The A321LR and A330neo working in tandem have the middle market segment nicely covered. The ‘Airbus NEO Midsize Aircraft’ – let’s call them the ‘A-NMA’s,’ are a winning, seamless combination – unprecedented capacity and transatlantic range with single aisle cost with the A321LR, and unbeatable unit costs and flexibility for true long haul with the A330neo. Both with the most contemporary technology and cabin comfort in their class,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.
TAP currently operates an Airbus fleet of 75 aircraft comprising five A330neo, 13 A330ceo,4 A340s, and 45 A320 Family aircraft. The single-aisle fleet includes 21 A319ceo, 20 A320ceo, four A321ceo, two A320neo and six A321neo.
The A321LR is a member of the A320neo Family, with over 6,500 orders by more than 100 customers. It delivers 30% fuel savings and nearly 50% reduction in noise footprint compared to previous-generation competitor aircraft. With a range of up to 4,000nm (7,400km) the A321LR is the unrivalled long-range route opener, featuring true transatlantic capability and premium wide-body comfort in a single aisle aircraft cabin.
The A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft building on the A330’s success and leveraging A350 XWB technology. It incorporates the highly-efficient new-generation engines, new wings and new sharklets derived from A350 XWB technology.
