Aviation News, Boeing, Airbus

The ground testing verified the compatibility of the radar with other aircraft systems while operating and scanning through 360 degrees. The initial flight test aboard Wedgetail aircraft No. 1 collected data used to calibrate the radar for the effects of both the aircraft and the ground environment. Flight testing of the radar, integrated with the airborne mission system aboard Wedgetail aircraft No. 2, is scheduled to begin later this year. This follows several years of extensive standalone ground testing by Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems Division in Baltimore, Md. Australia has purchased six 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft. Delivery of the first two aircraft is scheduled in 2006.

The resulting net gain of 1,770 planes brings the total worldwide fleet to 3,530 airplanes. “The overall forecast is slightly higher than last year’s forecast, with about 100 more airplanes entering the fleet than we projected previously,” said Jim Edgar, regional director of cargo marketing in Asia. The report said the share of wide-body, freighters is expected to increase to 64% of the fleet, compared to 47% currently. About 60% of the freighters that will be added to the fleet will be wide-body airplanes, officials said. “We continue to note that the strongest growth will be associated with Asia,” said Tom Hoang, Boeing regional director of cargo marketing in the Americas and China. “China, in particular, is an area where the air cargo industry, while still young, is poised for high growth rates–in the range of 10% per year.”