Aerospace & Defense

Labor Costs Unrelated to Decision to Build Version of Dreamliner in South Carolina, Boeing Says

August 4, 2014

Boeing will build the biggest version of its 787 Dreamliner family exclusively in South Carolina at a nonunion plant it built five years ago. It's part of an effort to lower labor costs, but the company said organized labor had nothing to do with its decision.

Chemical Production in U.S. on the Rise

August 1, 2014

Industry Today

According to the American Chemistry Council, following an upwardly revised 0.5 percent gain in May, the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index continued to expand, rising by 0.3 percent in June. Chemical output was higher in all regions.

What Lessons Were Learned from Air Force's Failed $1Bn ERP Implementation?

July 29, 2014

TEC

The United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has issued its official report on the Air Force's failed enterprise resource planning system implementation. The Air Force Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS) was supposed to be a "transformational" logistics program that would make the U.S. Air Force more efficient and effective. The goal of the program was to replace hundreds of legacy systems, some dating back to the 1970s. But, after nearly a decade of work by the system integrator, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), and more than $1.1bn spent, the ECSS program was terminated in December 2012.

For Defense Industry, the Good News Is That Slack Times May Be Coming to End

July 23, 2014

The Economist

Arms-makers are going through a lean period. Some big contracts, such as ones to make bombers, trainer aircraft and drones, are still up for grabs in America, the world’s biggest spender. But it and other rich-world governments, struggling to curb their deficits, are trying ever harder to get the most bang for the fewest bucks.

USAF Solicits Competitive Bids on National Security Satellite Program

July 21, 2014

Los Angeles Times

For the first time in a decade, the Air Force has opened up a rocket competition to launch the U.S. government's most sophisticated national security satellites. The Air Force released a request for proposal on Tuesday to companies that want to compete for a national security mission set to blast off in 2016.

Despite Defense Cutbacks, Business Drone Manufacturer Looks for Business in U.S. Airspace to Soar

July 15, 2014

Los Angeles Times

Boosted by an increase in sales, Monrovia,Calif.-based drone maker AeroVironment Inc. exceeded analyst estimates and reported $8.1m in fiscal fourth-quarter profit, a turnaround from the same period a year earlier.

MTU Aero Engines Awards Parts Delivery Contract to TNT Express

July 11, 2014

TNT

TNT Express has been awarded a contract for the provision of international and domestic delivery services to Germany's leading engine manufacturer, MTU Aero Engines.

Air Cargo Is Moving, Just Not as Much in Air Cargo Freighters as Formerly

July 9, 2014

Businessweek

For the world's biggest maker of air freighters, the most formidable competition is coming from the bellies of its own passenger planes.

TNT Express to Move Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services' Mission-critical Parts in Germany

June 30, 2014

TNT Express

Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services has awarded TNT Express the transportation contact to ship mission-critical aviation parts within Germany. As part of the deal, TNT Express collects the parts from Bombardier's warehouse in Groß-Gerau between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. and delivers them to LBAS aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics in Berlin Schoenefeld Airport the next morning before 6 a.m.

MRO Provider Uses RFID to Manage Aircraft Parts It Services

June 25, 2014

RFID Journal

While Airbus and other aircraft manufacturers have been taking a leading role in deploying radio frequency identification for the management of airplane parts, one aviation company has leveraged Airbus' knowledge to create its own solution. Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) - a third-party provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services - has deployed an RFID system at its facility to manage work-in-progress for the parts it services for its customers, which include Airbus and other aircraft manufacturers. The system has helped ADAT reduce turnaround times, and has provided information that the firm can employ to further improve efficiency.