Boeing's Partnership In Malaysia To Have Substantial Spin-Offs In Transforming Aerospace Sector

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Boeing's continuing partnership with Malaysia will have substantial spin-offs in the transformation of the domestic economy, particularly in the aerospace sector, if the government opts for the Super Hornet, as the choice for its multi-role combat aircraft.

                                         Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet

Among other things, benefits would come via increased industrial participation and transfer of specialised aerospace technology from Boeing itself and its other partners, Michael K. Gibbons, the Vice-President of F/A-18 & EA Programs for Boeing Military Aircraft, told Bernama in an interview.

Boeing has a strong presence jointly with Malaysian firms producing composite materials for aircraft parts.

Gibbons also said there would be economic benefits in areas such as employment opportunities, increased aerospace-related projects, as well as training of local aerospace and defence personnel.

This includes training Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots to fly the Super Hornets, which he said would be an easy transition, given their long experience in flying the current Hornets.

"It is fortunate that Malaysia has the kind of industry that we find easy to partner with," he added.

Defence companies and transparency ranking 2012

Transparency International has released its ranking of corporate transparency of defense ... and no doubt some managers will read it carefully.

The non-governmental organization that fights against corruption in its report in 2012 that nearly two thirds of companies surveyed Defence are not transparent enough.

Thus, only ten of them are near the top categories, while 60 others fall into the latter two.

"Nearly half of them - 60 129 - provide very little evidence of the existence of systems to prevent corruption and the fact that they instill strong ethical values, which is their notes E and F " , the report says.

2/3 thirds of Defence companies are not transparent enough (Photo: Transparency International)

BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and Thales fall into category B. Boeing, EADS, General Dynamics Corporation, L3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Rolls Royce and Textron are classified in category C.

CAE and Navistar fall into category D. Dassault Aviation and Ultra Electronics can be found in the category E,

Boeing to Establish Avionics Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center in Korea

Affordable MRO services to focus on avionics components for F-15Ks
Boeing has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean province of Gyeongsangbuk-do and the city of Yeongcheon to establish an avionics Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in the region that will service avionics components for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) fleet of F-15K Slam Eagles.

"Boeing continues to improve its services by bringing them closer to our customers, reducing turnaround time and costs for mission-essential components," said Joe Song, vice president of International Business Development - Asia-Pacific for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "Over the past half century of working in partnership with the Republic of Korea, Boeing has come to know Korea's strong infrastructure and the excellent knowledge and talent base of its people and industry. We can tap into that as we expand our presence locally and grow our operations while supporting Korea's development objectives."

The facility, which will be located in the Yeongcheon Industry District of Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone, will support the area's Aero Techno Valley vision of a high-tech aerospace industry corridor and expanded in-country avionics capabilities. The location is close to Daegu Air Force Base and ideally suited for the Slam Eagle work as part of Boeing's Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) program.

Boeing Winged Joint Direct Attack Munition Completes 1st Round of Tests

A winged version of the Boeing [NYSE: BA] Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that will triple the weapon's glide range to more than 40 miles is a step closer to production after completing wind tunnel tests at a U.S. facility in June.
Developed in partnership with the Commonwealth of Australia, the 500-pound JDAM Extended Range (JDAM-ER) features a modular add-on wing kit that will unfold in flight. The kit can also be coupled with other modular enhancements, such as laser sensors. The wings were first integrated with the Boeing JDAM during the Commonwealth's Capability and Technology Demonstration program, which successfully completed flight tests in 2008.
Boeing will produce and integrate the JDAM-ER wing kits for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under a contract awarded in 2011. The kits will be built in Australia, with initial deliveries expected to begin in early 2015.
"Boeing and our Australian partners have worked closely together to employ affordable technology and the leanest manufacturing processes to cost-effectively enhance JDAM’s capabilities," said Debbie Rub, Boeing vice president and general manager for Missiles and Unmanned Airborne Systems. "The JDAM-ER effectively meets the needs of the Commonwealth by providing a greater stand-off capability and making it safer for pilots to prosecute their missions on today’s ever-changing battlefields."

Boeing Demonstrates Autonomous Ship-based Capability of Unmanned Little Bird Rotorcraft

The Boeing Unmanned Little Bird H-6U successfully performed 14 autonomous takeoffs and landings from a ship during flight tests in July, a significant milestone for a medium-size vertical-takeoff-and-landing unmanned airborne system (UAS).
For the tests, conducted from a private ship off the coast of Florida, Boeing integrated a commercial-off-the-shelf takeoff-and-landing system with Unmanned Little Bird's automated flight control system. Two safety pilots were aboard the optionally piloted aircraft to maintain situational awareness and to be able to take control of the aircraft, though that was not required. The aircraft accumulated 20 flight hours with 100 percent availability.
"Unmanned Little Bird performed flawlessly, proving not only its reliability as a mature platform but its adaptability for various missions and continued innovation," said Debbie Rub, Boeing vice president and general manager of Missiles and Unmanned Airborne Systems. "By successfully demonstrating this maritime capability, we are able to provide warfighters with a critical unmanned solution to meet their missions."
Introduced in 2004, Unmanned Little Bird is a variant of the highly successful MD-500 series helicopters,

Boeing, Super Hornet Suppliers Present Prospects for Brazilian Industry at Porto Alegre and São José dos Campos Conferences

SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and a dozen of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet suppliers highlighted opportunities available to Brazilian industry at conferences on July 31 in Porto Alegre and Aug. 1 in São José dos Campos.

A wide-ranging industrial participation program is part of Boeing's Super Hornet offering in Brazil’s F-X2 fighter competition.

"The participation of so many Super Hornet team members in these conferences and the opportunities presented demonstrate the commitment of Boeing and its suppliers to work with Brazilian industry in ways that draw on the strengths of local companies and provide a foundation for long-term growth," said Susan Colegrove, regional director of International Strategic Partnerships for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

The prospects presented include:

• Raytheon has identified local manufacture and support opportunities for components in its Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared pod and the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar avionics systems.
• Northrop Grumman plans to work with Brazilian aerospace companies on advanced composites activities including production of composite material, composite fabrication tools, assembly tooling and the manufacture of advanced composites parts and major assembly components.