Transportation Industry

Aerospace & Defense News - Technology

AirGuide Business, Sept 8, 2008

Sep 8, 2008

AeroMobile

AeroMobile, the in-flight cellphone system operator, will be celebrating six months of commercial service at this year's World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) Conference and Exhibition in Long Beach, California. Following the successful launch of the world's first authorised calls on a commercial airline in March this year, AeroMobile this also hits a century this week with the activation of services with its 100th roaming telecom partner. The pioneering provider is also in advanced talks with four leading airlines to add to its existing customer base which comprises Emirates, Qantas Airways, V Australia, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. AeroMobile is the only service provider in this sector to have advanced beyond the trial stage and now have by far the most experience in operating in-flight mobile services for airlines and their passengers. However, the most satisfying news of the last six months operations with Emirates has been the overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. There has been so much misinformation about the potential impact in-flight calls would have on fellow passengers.

Sep 8, 2008

Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems has received a contract worth around $25 million to supply an undisclosed nation "in the Americas" with its Hermes 450 and Skylark 1 unmanned air vehicle systems. Sources indicate that the recipient will be Mexico. Announcing the sale on 1 September, Elbit said deliveries will be completed within a year. The 450kg (990lb) Hermes 450 is a tactical UAV capable of supplying real-time intelligence data to ground forces. The 6.1m (20ft)-long air vehicle has a wingspan of 10.5m and a maximum endurance of over 20h. The UAV is already in service in several nations, including Israel and Singapore, and forms the basis of the UK's future Thales/Elbit-sourced Watchkeeper system. In July Elbit won a $20 million contract to supply systems to an undisclosed new European buyer. Sep 4, 2008

Qinetiq

Qinetiq has unveiled plans to transition a slightly larger version of the Zephyr high-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicle into operational service for the US or UK militaries within two years. To support the transition plans, the rapid prototyping specialist is in the process of selecting an industry partner to manage production of a "modestly" scaled-up operational aircraft, says Paul Davey, a Qinetiq business development director. Meanwhile, the scaled-up aircraft with a slightly larger wingspan will be prepared for a round of flight tests starting in the second quarter next year, with the goal to demonstrate a week-long flight between 50,000ft (15,250m) and 60,000ft. Sep 3, 2008

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