SuperJet International and Hungarian national carrier Malev signed a Letter of Intent for the purchase of thirty Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft. The L.o.I. has been [signed] today at the Paris Air Show, by Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of Malév Hungarian Airlines and Alessandro Franzoni, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International.
The agreement has a potential value of up to 1 Billion US$ (around 710 Million Euro). Malév is planning to buy Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ100/95) in the 98 seats configuration. The first aircraft will join Malev fleet starting from 2011 with the delivery of six aircraft per year. “The new Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft characteristics to fly both regional and medium-haul routes, is perfectly matching Malév’s network” said Martin Gauss, CEO of Malev. “In its revised, long-term fleet restructuring programme Malév forecasts that the airline will register growth in the next decade and it will require more aircraft than at present”. “This announcement is of particular value since it is made during the first international appearance in flight of the SSJ100 at le Bourget” said Alessandro Franzoni, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International. “The execution of this Agreement with a primary and valuable European airline like Malev demonstrates the interest and the confidence that Customers are showing for the SSJ100. Once in operation, airlines will appreciate the great value granted by the SSJ100 in terms of performance, fuel consumption and environmental impact. Moreover, this achievement confirms the value of SuperJet International’ strategy, focused on Customers “super care”, from contract negotiation to continuous after sale support”.
(US Navy photo) As of January 2009, the 12 MV-22s (Marine Corps variant of the V-22) in Iraq successfully completed all missions assigned in a low threat-theater of operations—using their enhanced speed and range to engage in general support missions and deliver personnel and internal cargo faster and farther than the legacy helicopters being replaced. Noted challenges to operational effectiveness raise questions about whether the MV-22 is best suited to accomplish the full repertoire of missions of the helicopters it is intended to replace. Additionally, suitability challenges, such as unreliable component parts and supply chain weaknesses, led to low aircraft availability rates. MV-22 operational tests and training exercises identified challenges with the system’s ability to operate in other environments. Maneuvering limits and challenges in detecting threats may affect air crew ability to execute correct evasive actions. The aircraft’s large size and inventory of repair parts created obstacles to shipboard operations. Identified challenges could limit the ability to conduct worldwide operations in some environments and at high altitudes similar to what might be expected in Afghanistan. Efforts are underway to address these deficiencies, but some are inherent in the V-22’s design. V-22 costs have risen sharply above initial projections—1986 estimates (stated in fiscal year 2009 dollars) that the program would build nearly 1000 aircraft in 10 years at $37.7 million each have shifted to fewer than 500 aircraft at $93.4 million each—a procurement unit cost increase of 148 percent. Research, development, testing, and evaluation costs increased over 200 percent. To complete the procurement, the program plans to request approximately $25 billion (in then-year dollars) for aircraft procurement. As for operations and support costs (O&S), the Marine Corps’ V-22’s cost per flight hour today is over $11,000—more than double the targeted estimate. Recommendations for Executive Action -- Recommendation: Given the difference between the now demonstrated and previously expected operational capabilities and costs of the V-22, the Secretary of Defense should re-examine the V-22 by requiring a new alternatives analysis to redefine and revalidate the proper mix of aircraft to achieve the Marine Corps' current and future medium-lift needs, possibly to include other services' operational uses. Such an analysis should weigh V-22 capabilities and costs against the capabilities and costs of other existing helicopters and aircraft, upgrades to existing helicopters and aircraft, and potential future acquisitions, such as the upgrade to the CH-53 currently under development. This analysis should be conducted within the context of anticipated future budgetary constraints, and the services should then adjust total V-22 procurement and annual production and acquisition plans accordingly. --Recommendation: Given the unresolved operational effectiveness and suitability issues and increasing costs associated with the V-22 system, the Secretary of Defense should require the Marine Corps to develop a prioritized strategy to improve system suitability (including identifying why measures such as component reliability and aircraft availability are low), reduce operational costs, and align future budget requests accordingly. Click .jpg)
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said in an e-mailed statement it had attacked the Billie/Krakama pipeline in Rivers state in the Niger Delta.
Following are details on which oil firms have been affected by the unrest and what they have said about production:
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