LOCATIONS
LAND
17 Apr 12. The inauguration ceremony at Eurocopter Japan’s brand new facility at Kobe Airport marks a new milestone for Eurocopter in a country that has been one of its most successful markets in Asia. With the support of the Japanese government and local authorities, Eurocopter Japan will augment its support and services capacity to enhance helicopter safety, cost-efficiency as well as mission capabilities, and contribute to the country’s aviation industry development.
16 Apr 12. CAE and the Ministry of Finance of Brunei Darussalam (MOFB) announced that they have signed a shareholders agreement under which a joint venture company, owned 60 percent by CAE and 40 percent by the Brunei Ministry of Finance, will be established to develop and operate the CAE Brunei Multi-Purpose Training Centre (MPTC) in Brunei Darussalam.
The CAE Brunei MPTC also announced it has signed long-term training services contracts valued at approximately C$170 for CAE. The training services will be provided on the following platforms:
— Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopter;
— Pilatus PC-7; and
— Sikorsky S-92 helicopter.
The CAE Brunei Multi Purpose Training Centre is an example of Brunei leveraging on its strengths to diversify and grow new knowledge-based industries, while creating high-quality jobs for the Bruneians. The Government of Brunei is looking forward to working very closely with CAE and other stakeholders in the development of a world-class training facility in Brunei Darussalam. The CAE Brunei MPTC to be located in Rimba near the Brunei International Airport, will be constructed initially with five simulator bays along with supporting classrooms and additional infrastructure. The facility is expected to be completed by spring 2014 when S-92 and PC-7 training is scheduled to begin.
20 Apr 12. Northrop Grumman Corporation is donating $375,000 to create a science center and teaching lab at the Space Foundation’s Colorado Springs world headquarters. To be known as the Northrop Grumman Science Center, the facility will include a Science on a Sphere™ laboratory and a teaching facility that will be used for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs for teachers and students and for community education outreach efforts.
The Northrop Grumman Science Center is the first major component of the Space Foundation’s visitors center, which is under development at 4425 Arrowswest Drive in Colorado Springs. Construction will begin immediately and the new center is expected to open as early as this fall.
19 Apr 12. Bell Helicopter has opened a new office in New Delhi for all of its operations in India. Bell Helicopter has had a presence in India for nearly 20 years, opening a liaison office in 1995. There are currently more than 100 Bell aircraft operating throughout India. Currently, there are two Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facilities in the region. Deccan Aviation, located in Bangalore, and Air Works, located in Mumbai. Bell Helicopter also has full-time Customer Service representation.
MARITIME
16 Apr 12. The UK will not reconfigure its aircraft carriers so that French fighter jets can land on them, senior government officials have told their French counterparts. The move, confirmed by parliamentary officials, makes it increasingly unlikely David Cameron, the prime minister, will avoid an awkward U-turn in announcing the UK will buy the Stovl B variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the version of the aircraft that can land on British carriers without the catapult and trap needed by French planes. In the 2010 strategic defence and security review, Mr Cameron announced the Ministry of Defence would convert the carriers and buy the longer-range F-35 C variant of the strike fighter. At the time he roundly criticised the previous Labour government for choosing the Stovl B variant. Allowing France and the UK to share the expensive task of maintaining uninterrupted carrier