Tag: national (Page 3 of 18)

Rex Group member to take delivery of 9th De Havilland Dash 8-400NG

August 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

National Jet Express (NJE), a member of the Rex Group, will shortly take delivery of another De Havilland Dash 8-400NG ‘Next Generation’, fitted with 82 seats.

This will be the ninth Dash 8-400NG to join the NJE fleet and the second to be deployed to support and grow NJE’s long term contract with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) after starting operations for the mining giant on 1 July, 2023.

It will enter service in October and operate additional flights to the mining community of Moranbah in the Bowen Basin, 1000 kilometres north of Brisbane.

NJE is also in the advanced stages of negotiation for two further contracts in the mining and construction industries, which are expected to see Dash 8-400NG services expand across other areas of Queensland.

Lockheed Martin wins $765M deal for missile shield over Australia

August 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Canberra, Australia, August 29, 2023 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) welcomed today’s announcement by the Department of Defense on being selected as the strategic partner to steward AIR6500 Phase 1 (AIR6500-1).

AIR6500-1 will provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) that will form the ground-breaking architecture at the core of the ADF’s future Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability. This first-of-its-kind system will provide greater situational awareness and defence against increasingly advanced air and missile threats, as well as give the ADF increased levels of interoperability with the United States and allied partners.

Since 2015, Lockheed Martin Australia has been highly dedicated to supporting ADF’s vision to transform into a fully integrated and IAMD capable force through AIR6500-1.

Lockheed Martin Australia has advanced a sovereign AIR6500-1 system solution that has been built from the ground up in Australia by Australians to safeguard Australia’s national security. To-date, Lockheed Martin Australia has:

Validated more than 130 Australian small to medium enterprises as potential partners.
Awarded contracts to more than 10 leading-edge companies such as Leidos Australia, Consunet, Consilium, C4I, Silentium, Penten, Lucid Consulting Engineering, and engaged with prime contractors, Raytheon and Boeing, during the risk reduction phase to develop an agile, integrated AIR6500 solution.
Committed AUD$74M to establish the nation’s future IAMD ecosystem to accelerate collaboration between academia, industry, Defence, and allied partners on IAMD capabilities. The IAMD ecosystem is expected to create more than 400 direct and 1,000 indirect local jobs.
Invested over AUD$100M into AIR6500.
Grown its sovereign workforce to over 200 Australian staff now dedicated to AIR6500.
Invested over AUD$10M to upgrade its Endeavour Centre to engage, explore, test, design and problem solve together with the ADF and industry through innovation, war gaming, exercises and more.

Air New Zealand signs for two ATR 72-600’s plush options

August 25, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France August 25, 2023 – National flag carrier Air New Zealand (OTC: ANZLY) and world’s number one regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, today announced the signature of a firm order for two brand new ATR 72-600 plus options for two more. Deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Air New Zealand will then operate the fourth largest ATR fleet worldwide.

These additional aircraft will support the airline’s growth, further strengthening its network across New Zealand. The lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, these brand new ATR’s will be equipped with PW127XT engines, delivering an additional 3% fuel burn reduction compared to previous engine version, enabling a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to similar-size regional jets.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320’s to ATR’s and Q300’s. Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the U.S., and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand’s and the world’s most complex challenges.

U.S. Army awards Airbus contract for helicopter modernization

August 21, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Arlington, Virginia – The U.S. Army awarded Airbus (OTC: EADSY) a $27.8 million contract to upgrade the Army National Guard Security & Support Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP).

Upgrades to the MEP expand the UH-72A Lakota’s capabilities to conduct day and night operations by providing an advanced moving map, enhanced digital interfaces, new monitors, an airborne mission management system and other system improvements.

MEP equipped UH-72As are specifically designed to execute National Guard operations across a range of missions including domestic operations, counter-drug and border security.

The Army contract will retrofit up to 50 Security & Support Battalion aircraft deployed throughout the United States. There are currently 107 in the fleet.

These aircraft will be modified at Airbus’ Columbus, Mississippi helicopter production facility, where more than 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota, based on the H145, have been delivered to the US Army since 2006.

The contract will be managed by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense. Operating under a Special Security Agreement, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. offers world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor, and fixed wing solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements.

Dassault Aviation announces second tranche of 18 Rafale’s for Indonesia enters order backlog

August 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Saint-Cloud, France, August 10, 2023 – Dassault Aviation (AM.PA) announces, as part of the contract signed by Indonesia on February 2022 for the acquisition of 42 Rafale, the second tranche of 18 Rafale came into force today. This follows the entry into force in September 2022 of the first tranche of 6 Rafale, bringing the total number of aircraft on order to 24.

The acquisition of the latest-generation Rafale for the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (Indonesian National Army Air Force) includes a complete “turnkey” solution as well as a substantial industrial return for the Indonesian aeronautical sector. Educational projects will also be launched as part of the technical training of aeronautical know-how.

The “omnirole” Rafale is a unique asset that will ensure Indonesia’s sovereignty and operational independence and reinforce its role as a major regional power.

Texas Central and Amtrak Seek to Explore High-Speed Rail Service Opportunities

August 9, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Washington, D.C. – Texas Central Partners (“Texas Central”) and Amtrak are seeking opportunities to advance planning and analysis work associated with the proposed Dallas-Houston 205-mph high-speed rail project to further determine its viability. Amtrak has cooperated with Texas Central on various initiatives since 2016 and the two entities are currently evaluating a potential partnership to further study and potentially advance the project.

The proposed approximately 240-mile route would offer a total travel time of less than 90 minutes between two of the top five major U.S. metropolitan areas and would complement future, new and improved corridor and long-distance service in the southern region.

Texas Central and Amtrak have submitted applications to several federal programs in connection with further study and design work for the potential Dallas to Houston segment, including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety and Improvements (CRISI) grant program, the Corridor Identification and Development program, and the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP-National) grant program.

Amtrak has worked with Texas Central since 2016 when it entered into agreements to provide through-ticketing using the Amtrak reservation system and other support services for the planned high-speed rail line.

In addition to current Amtrak service in Texas and planned station improvements, Amtrak submitted grant applications for daily Sunset Limited service and the extension of the Crescentfrom Mississippi through Louisiana and Texas. Amtrak supports Kansas DOT’s Heartland FlyerExtension Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) application that will connect Wichita and communities across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to the Amtrak network. Amtrak also supports Texas DOT’s applications for the Texas Triangle (Dallas – Fort Worth – Houston – San Antonio) routes.

South African Airways Deepens footprint in the USA and Canada

August 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Johannesburg, August 6, 2023 – South African Airways (SAA) is expanding its reach into North America through the appointment of a General Sales Agent (GSA) for the region. The appointed agent, Discover the World (DTW) will sell passenger space on behalf of South Africa’s national flag carrier.

This partnership is expected to see the airline grow revenue across North America by raising awareness with more trade and corporate partners.

SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. John Lamola said the move is part of the airline’s long-term growth strategy that is yielding fruit. Prof. Lamola says activating the partnership with DTW in North America is another strong sign that the airline is regaining its international stature.

Voyager Space and Airbus Announce Joint Venture to Build and Operate Starlab

August 2, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

DENVER – 02 August, 2023 – Voyager Space, a global leader in space exploration, and Airbus (OTC: EADSY) Defence and Space, the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, today announced an agreement paving the way for a transatlantic joint venture to develop, build, and operate Starlab, a commercial space station planned to succeed the International Space Station. The US-led joint venture will bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration.

Voyager was awarded a $160 million Space Act Agreement (SAA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December 2021 via Nanoracks, part of Voyager’s exploration segment. Part of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, this SAA sets the foundation to create Starlab, a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve NASA and a global customer base of space agencies and researchers.

The program’s mission is to maintain continued human presence and American leadership in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Today’s announcement builds on an agreement made public in January 2023, where Voyager selected Airbus to provide technical design support and expertise for Starlab.

In addition to the US entity, Starlab will have a European joint venture subsidiary to directly serve the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member state space agencies.

Fiji Airways’ begins flights to Canberra Australia

July 23, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

July 21, 2023 – Australia’s Capital, Canberra has become the newest destination to join Fiji Airways’ comprehensive network of direct international destinations with the inaugural flight departing Nadi this morning. The National Airline now offers twice weekly flights, marking an exciting development for both countries, strengthening tourism, trade, people-to-people connections, government relations, and cargo transportation.

Company Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Andre Viljoen says with its world-renowned hospitality and award-winning service, Fiji Airways is set to deliver an Exceptional Fijian Experience to guests flying between these two vibrant destinations.

The direct flight offers a seamless transport link for the exchange of goods and services, enabling businesses to expand their markets and explore new trade opportunities. This will strengthen trade flows, benefitting businesses engaged in import and export activities, and further promoting economic collaboration.

RTX Collins Aerospace opens $14 million manufacturing expansion in West Des Moines, Iowa

July 22, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

West Des Moines, Iowa, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ – Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, today celebrated the opening of a $14 million expansion of its additive manufacturing center in West Des Moines, Iowa. The 9,000-square-foot addition provides space for the site to house several new state-of-the-art 3D metal printers. The first printer installed has eight times the build volume of the facility’s existing printers, significantly increasing the center’s additive manufacturing capabilities.

The West Des Moines facility is a world leader in the design and production of engine components for commercial and military aircraft. The new printers will allow the site to explore additive production of these components, building on the multiple land-based turbine components it already has in production. Additionally, the facility is one of only eight in the U.S. to receive the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) certification for Additive Manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing is a critical focus area for Collins and the business maintains a global network of additive production centers in Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina and Singapore, along with an additive research center in Connecticut.

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