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schuetzen wrote:
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (schuetzen)
>
> On Wed, 24 Mar 1999 13:31:40 -0500 (EST), [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> KOSOVO ALERT!
>
> Keep up to date on the unfolding crisis in Kosovo by visiting www.janes.com
>
> ****************************************
> DEFENCE
> Website: http://defence.janes.com
>
> ****************************************
> _____________________________
> Jane's Defence Weekly
> Read more with images at:=20
> http://jdw.janes.com=20
> Vol 31 No 12 24 March 1999
> _____________________________
>
> Super Hornet reaches new heights in latest design trials=20
> After sea trials of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet over the past two weeks, US
> Navy (USN) and industry officials say the aircraft is in a class of its
> own. Tests held by an Integrated Test Team =AD comprising USN, Boeing, and
> General Electric officials =AD gauged the aircraft's performance in various
> carrier landings and take-offs.
>
> Turkey, France sign secret deal for missiles=20
> Turkey and France secretly signed a $450 million deal involving the supply
> of 10,000 Aerospatiale Eryx 600m-range anti-tank missiles to the Turkish
> armed forces in the middle of last year, despite public claims by Ankara
> that it had frozen all arms talks with Paris because of anger over a vote
> in the French parliament, Jane's Defence Weekly has learned.
>
> Russia and China worried over US plans for NMD system=20
> Russian and Chinese leaders last week expressed "serious concern" over a US
> proposal to fund a national missile defence system, saying the development
> of such technology would threaten the global balance of power.
>
> USA planning warhead to hit CB weapons
> The US Department of Defense seeking to fill a critical shortfall in its
> arsenal, has announced plans to develop and demonstrate a warhead capable
> of destroying chemical and biological agents and their storage faciliti
-> SNETNEWS Mailing List
schuetzen wrote:
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (schuetzen)
>
> On Wed, 24 Mar 1999 13:31:40 -0500 (EST), [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> KOSOVO ALERT!
>
> Keep up to date on the unfolding crisis in Kosovo by visiting www.janes.com
>
> ****************************************
> DEFENCE
> Website: http://defence.janes.com
>
> ****************************************
> _____________________________
> Jane's Defence Weekly
> Read more with images at:=20
> http://jdw.janes.com=20
> Vol 31 No 12 24 March 1999
> _____________________________
>
> Super Hornet reaches new heights in latest design trials=20
> After sea trials of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet over the past two weeks, US
> Navy (USN) and industry officials say the aircraft is in a class of its
> own. Tests held by an Integrated Test Team =AD comprising USN, Boeing, and
> General Electric officials =AD gauged the aircraft's performance in various
> carrier landings and take-offs.
>
> Turkey, France sign secret deal for missiles=20
> Turkey and France secretly signed a $450 million deal involving the supply
> of 10,000 Aerospatiale Eryx 600m-range anti-tank missiles to the Turkish
> armed forces in the middle of last year, despite public claims by Ankara
> that it had frozen all arms talks with Paris because of anger over a vote
> in the French parliament, Jane's Defence Weekly has learned.
>
> Russia and China worried over US plans for NMD system=20
> Russian and Chinese leaders last week expressed "serious concern" over a US
> proposal to fund a national missile defence system, saying the development
> of such technology would threaten the global balance of power.
>
> USA planning warhead to hit CB weapons
> The US Department of Defense seeking to fill a critical shortfall in its
> arsenal, has announced plans to develop and demonstrate a warhead capable
> of destroying chemical and biological agents and their storage facilities
> without contaminating surrounding areas
>
> Canada takes wheeled AFV route
> The Canadian Army is to rationalise its fleet of 1,700 light armoured
> fighting vehicles (AFVs) over the next five years, shifting the balance
> away from tracked to wheeled AFVs.
>
> Turkey receives four new bids to supply helicopter contract=20
> Turkey's Ministry of Defence has received bids from three US and one
> Russian company for its twice cancelled project to procure eight heavy-lift
> helicopters for around $150 million.
>
> Slovakia to cut armed forces in bid to join NATO
> Slovakia is considering reducing its armed forces in an effort to prepare
> for the next round of NATO expansion.
>
> Bangladesh army tightens up on officer training
> The Bangladesh Army is strengthening its officer training programme under
> an initiative launched by Lt Gen Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, who has been
> chief of army staff since December 1997.
>
> Khamenei's military role revealed
> The recently-appointed Chief of the Joint Staff of the Iranian Army, Brig
> Gen Mustafa Turabipur, has revealed the dominant role Supreme Leader
> Ayatollah Khamenei plays in the command structure of the Iranian armed
> forces, as opposed to the reformist President Khatami.
>
> Briefing: US Navy Review
> As the Navy League of the United States prepares to start the 1999 Sea, Air
> and Space Systems and Technology Exhibition in Washington DC, the US Navy
> finds itself in troubled waters reports Jane's Defence Weekly.
>
> *********************************************
>
> GEOPOLITICAL
> Website: http://geopolitical.janes.com
>
> *********************************************
>
> _________________
>
> FOREIGN REPORT
> Issue 2537
> March 25th 1999
> _________________
>
> The crunch in Kosovo A test for the western alliance
> AS FOREIGN REPORT went to press, the seemingly irreversible build-up
> towards NATO air strikes on Serbia because of the crisis in Kosovo went on
> unabated and many questions remained unanswered. Among them: would
> President Slobodan Milosevic give way and agree to the American terms for a
> settlement of the crisis? Or would he stand firm and let the western allies
> bomb Serbia? And what would happen if NATO air strikes did not achieve
> their objective? It seemed to be a high-risk venture for the alliance.
> FOREIGN REPORT considers what was risked - and the worst-case scenario.
> <1.5 pages in length>
>
> Watch Macedonia=20
> UNNOTICED as the eyes of the world have focused on Kosovo is the dramatic
> build-up of weapons in neighbouring Macedonia. In addition to the 20,000
> NATO troops stationed in the country, ready for some eventual intervention
> in Kosovo, Bulgaria has agreed to supply 150 main battle tanks and 150
> artillery pieces to the Macedonian army. What are they for?
>
> Netanyahu's secret plan=20
> FOREIGN REPORT can reveal the secret plan of Israel's prime minister,
> Benjamin Netanyahu, to win the general election on May 17th.
>
> Probe of aerospace merger
> WE PREDICT that the European Commission's regulators, who are meant to
> ensure the existence of free-market competition in the European Union, will
> take a controversial decision shortly.
>
> In fragile Latin America=20
> FOR some time, FOREIGN REPORT has been bullish about Latin America. And
> rightly so. In the 1980s Latin Americans replaced their military bosses
> with freely elected civilians and switched from protectionism and
> intervention by the state to the free market. They are now reaping the
> benefits: a decade of steady, non-inflationary, self-sustaining economic
> growth and free elections. There have been crises as well - notably in
> Mexico and Brazil. It is now time for a sober re-assessment.
>
> After the Anwar trial
> WITH the prosecution and defence lawyers set to begin their closing
> arguments, one of Malaysia's longest running and most bizarre trials, that
> of the former deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is expected
> to come to a close within the next week or so. It may, however, take much
> longer. We explain why. <1.5 pages in length>
>
> Syria turns to Europe
> IN A MOVE which until recently would have been unthinkable, a Syrian
> colonel has just enrolled at the Royal College of Defence Studies in
> London's Belgrave Square. Britain is meeting over half his expenses.
> Equally unthinkable would have been the presence of Royal Navy warships in
> Syrian ports. But last July a British frigate and support vessel paid a
> courtesy visit to the northern port of Latakia. It was the first such visit
> for 48 years. It is too early to speak of a military co-operation
> programme. Syria's weapons are still Russian. But something is happening in
> Damascus. <1 page in length>
>
> *****************************************
> TRANSPORT
> Website: http://transport.janes.com
>
> *****************************************
> __________________
>
> Jane's World Airlines=20
> 22 March 1999
> __________________
>
> PERSONNEL CHANGE AT AIR TRAN
> AirTran, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings Inc has announced that Jeff
> MacKinney, Senior Vice President Marketing and Planning will leave the
> company at the end of March 1999. AirTran operates throughout the eastern
> United States and mid-west and is the second largest airline serving
> Atlanta. It currently has on order 50 Boeing 717-200 aircraft with options
> for a further 50. Deliveries are scheduled to commence mid-1999.
>
> REFIONAL CARRIER ORDERS NEW AIRCRAFT
> Alitalia Express, the regional carrier of Alitalia Group, will operate the
> three ATR 72-500 aircraft ordered by Alitalia the Italian flag carrier.
> Deliveries are due to start in July through 1999. State investment group,
> IRI owns the controlling 53 per cent majority of Alitalia whilst employees
> own a further 20 per cent of the equity.
>
> CONTINENTAL EXPRESS TO BUILD NEW REGIONAL JET MAINTENANCE FACILITY
> The regional airline subsidiary of Continental Airlines has selected
> Knoxville as its location for a new regional jet maintenance facility. The
> facilities' hangar will have the capability to accommodate four regional
> jets, supporting office and shop space and will undertake overnight
> maintenance of the airline's fleet of ERJ 145 and 135 regional jets.
> Continental Express is also to launch a non-stop service between Knoxville
> and Houston in July 1999 with plans to service Cleveland and Newark by the
> end of the year.
>
> FINNAIR SIGNS AIRCRAFT FINANCING FACILITY
> The airline has signed a US$250 million financing facility with a syndicate
> of 13 European banks for long-term finance of deliveries of new Airbus A320
> aircraft. The syndicate which includes specialists in aircraft financing
> will provide Finnair with long-term funding for its fleet renewal project.
> The Finnair Group is a quoted company with 59.81 per cent held by the
> government of Finland, 19.2 per cent by other Finnish interests and
> approximately 21 per cent by foreign share holders.
>
> KITTY HAWK ACQUIRES REMAINING 40 PER CENT INTEREST IN AMERICAN
> INTERNATIONAL CARGO
> The global air freight carrier based in Texas, in the US, reached a
> settlement with Pacific Aviation Logistics (PAL) on 19 March 1999. Kitty
> Hawk has acquired PAL's 40 per cent interest in American International
> Cargo (AIC) in which it already held a 60 per cent interest. This will make
> AIC a wholly owned division of Kitty Hawk.
>
> RYANAIR TAKES DELIVERY OF BOEING 737-800
> Based in Dublin, Ireland, the international scheduled and charter carrier
> has taken delivery of the first Boeing 737-800 aircraft from an order of 25
> placed 12 months ago. The airline currently operates a fleet of 21
> 737-200s and operates to 33 destinations with further routes to be
> announced from London in the summer.
>
> SPANAIR TO EXPAND FLEET
> Spanair, the scheduled and charter passenger and cargo carrier from Palma
> de Mallorca, Spain, has agreed to lease 15 new Airbus A319/320/321 family
> aircraft from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The first
> delivery is scheduled for November 2000 through to 2002 with lease terms of
> ten years each.
>
> BAA Wins Contract to Manage Mauritius Gateway By Chris Yates
> BAA plc, the UK-based airport operator, has announced that it has signed a
> strategic alliance with Airports of Mauritius (AML) to manage Mauritius Sir
> Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and operate its duty free
> shops. This is the first contract that BAA has jointly negotiated with both
> its international and duty free divisions, and complements the World Duty
> Free (WDF) Inflight contract already in existence with Air Mauritius.
>
> The management contract is for five years with an option for renewal for an
> additional five year period. BAA will receive a performance-related
> management fee and has seconded an experienced airport director from
> Glasgow Airport, George Conabeer, to the position of Chief Executive of
> AML. Mr Conabeer will be responsible for the airport's operations,
> including terminal management, airfield operations and overseeing the
> redevelopment of the airport.
>
> World Duty Free plc (WDF) - BAA's global duty and tax free retail business
> - takes on the management of the airport's duty free shops on behalf of the
> current concessionaire, Mauritius Shopping Paradise (MSP). WDF will invest
> =A31.25 million over two years in the redevelopment of the airport's retail
> facilities and down-town shops. The retail contract is also for a five year
> period with an option for renewal for an additional five year period. Peter
> Moffatt has been seconded from WDF as Chief Executive WDF Mauritius.
>
> "This is particularly significant as our first contract won jointly for
> airport management, retail management and direct retailing in the
> international arena. I am determined we will bring world class standing to
> Mauritius Airport, creating a model for future joint retail and airport
> management contracts for BAA." said Sir John Egan, Chief Executive, BAA plc.
>
> The Jane's Special Report Airport & Aviation Expansion - Africa & Middle
> East reveals that Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
> handled around 1.5 million passengers and 42,000 tons of cargo in 1997.
> Although an Indian Ocean island, Mauritius is more closely aligned with the
> African continent than the Indian Sub Continent.
>
> Aircraft fuelling information
>
> ASIG Contracts and agreements Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG)
> has recently announced a new fuelling contract with Delta Air Lines at
> Ronald Reagan-Washington National Airport, USA. In addition, Shell UK Ltd
> has awarded ASIG a five-year contract to manage aircraft fuelling
> operations at Aberdeen, Birmingham, London-Heathrow, -Luton and Manchester
> Airports.
>
> ASIG-Europe has also announced the formation of a joint venture with
> Oiltanking, a subsidiary of Marquard and Bahls AG of Hamburg, Germany. The
> new Skytanking partnership will seek to develop new fuelling operations in
> Europe, Asia and South America. With the partnership, Oiltanking enters the
> aviation industry and ASIG is able to accelerate its international growth
> in airport fuelling operations.
>
> Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG), is an independent ground
> handling and aircraft fuelling company and operates at 41 locations in
> North America and Europe.
>
> Further information on the future market for aviation fuelling ramp
> equipment and detailed information on airport fuelling capacities can be
> found in the recently published Jane's Special Report 'Global Aviation
> Fuelling - Facilities, Equipment & Markets'. Further details may be
> obtained by contacting Jane's Sales Departments.
>
> ____________________________
>
> Jane's Urban Transport Systems
> 22 March 1999
> ____________________________
>
> Ikusi develops new video interphone terminal
> Ikusi's Facility Management Unit has developed a new video interphone
> system, VIK-10, which started operating in the Catalonian region of Spain
> in 1998. It is a hands-free system which involves locating information
> posts next to ticket machines in stations, offering information and
> emergency help.
>
> Motorists would shun trains and buses even fares halved
> The UK 1999 Lex Report on Motoring says that 75 per cent of motorists who
> travel to work in their cars would still not use public transport even if
> fares were halved. Even if the frequency were improved 67 per cent said
> that they would still not use it. But in the report is the revelation that
> 43 per cent would use their cars less if public transport was improved. The
> report reveals a lack of knowledge and problems with accessing information
> about public transport, adding that this is of growing importance because
> of whole generations that have never used public transport. Doubling petrol
> prices would force 50 per cent of motorists to use their car less, 13 per
> cent of employees would change their jobs if employers charged them =A35 per
> day for parking. A road tax of =A3500 a year would, according to the report
> still make no difference to 41 per cent of motorists though 39 per cent
> said that they would give up owning a car.
>
> Bombardier to provide automated rapid transit for Greece
> Bombardier Transportation is a member of the consortium that has signed a
> concession contract with the Greek Ministry for Environment, Physical
> Planning and Public Works to provide and operate an automated rapid transit
> system for Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. Bombardier will
> supply key elements of the rapid transit system including 36 light rail
> vehicles. Under the terms of the contract, which is based on the
> "Build-Operate-Transfer" (BOT) approach, the concession company is
> responsible for the turnkey design and construction of the underground
> automated rapid transit system, known as Thessaloniki Line 1, as well as
> for its operation for a period of 20 years.
>
> Bombardier Transportation to establish its Centre for Advanced Transit
> Systems in Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Bombardier Transportation has elected
> to establish its Centre for Advanced Transit Systems, in Burnaby, in
> Greater Vancouver, BC. The preferred site is adjacent to the British
> Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd maintenance facility. The transaction
> was expected to be completed by the end of January.
>
> Volvo tests new fuel
> Volvo Trucks and Volvo buses have together developed a new engine running
> on the alternative fuel DME or DiMethylEther. The new engine has been
> installed in a bus for evaluation.
>
> Biodiesel could soon be more widely used
> Biodiesel could see an increase in its use in the next few months and years
> thanks to pressure from the British Association of Biofuels and Oils.
> BABFO, whose membership includes engineers, fuel companies and farmers, is
> calling for a lower tax on biodiesel, which is mainly derived from
> vegetable oils. It carries as much tax as fossil diesel and therefore is
> rarely used in the UK. Biodiesel has been used in mainland Europe and USA
> for some years.
>
> Vossloh AG acquires Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik
> Vossloh AG has acquired Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik GmbH (SFT) in Kiel
> and Moers. SFT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens
> Schienenfahrzeugtechnik Gruppe GmbH & Co KG which consolidates the
> mechanical engineering activities of Siemens Transportation Group. SFT
> manufactures diesel-hydraulic locomotives.
>
> Half of Scania's Swedish city buses run on ethanol
> Around half of the Scania city buses sold in Sweden today are
> ethanol-driven, according to Scania which reports that many cities in
> Sweden have noted that ethanol technology gives large environmental
> benefits in urban areas. The use of ethanol as a motor fuel does not need
> extensive modifications of the vehicles. The combustion technology is the
> same as with diesel fuel. Ethanol can also be handled in the same manner as
> diesel in distribution, when filling up, as well as during service and
> maintenance. In total Scania has sold around 400 ethanol-powered buses to
> Swedish public transport companies since 1990, of which 50 in 1998 alone.
>
> Continued success for Scania in Spain
> Scania reports that in 1998 truck and bus sales in the Spanish market broke
> records. The new year has also begun very well, it says. "In January, we
> have clearly higher order bookings for both trucks and buses compared to
> last year," Jose Badia, Managing Director of Scania Hispania, told a press
> conference in Madrid on Friday.
>
> The first fully-accessible Dennis Dart SLF to enter service in Spain
> The first fully-accessible UK-built Dennis Dart SLF to enter service in
> Spain is now running with ACCSA in Castellon, near Valencia. ACCSA's Dart
> has an air-conditioned dual-door body by Hispano, and the centre doorway
> incorporates a power-operated ramp to provide access for wheelchair users.
> Amber warning lights above the doors flash to warn pedestrians and
> passengers when the ramp is in use. The ACCSA Dart is 9.85 m long and 2.4 m
> wide.
>
> ALSTOM awarded contract for Millennium Transit Project at Greenwich
> ALSTOM Guided Bus Systems, part of the Local Contracting Sector of ALSTOM,
> has been awarded the contract for the provision, integration and
> commissioning of the guidance system for the London Transport Millennium
> Transit project at Greenwich.
>
> ALSTOM will equip 10 single-deck DAF SB220 buses with a system which uses a
> magnetic signal to steer the buses along a dedicated two-lane busway. The
> route will serve the Millennium Experience Exhibition at the Dome, from a
> connection with the normal road network, via the Millennium Village. The
> buses can operate both on and off the guideway.
>
> Construction of the special l.3 km busway was due to begin in March and
> represents the first definitive operation in public revenue service and is
> a development of the ALSTOM technology used for the special vehicles in the
> service tunnel of the Channel Tunnel. Trials on a full-sized bus in
> Newcastle, UK two years ago very successfully demonstrated the use of wire
> guidance for public service vehicles.
>
> By using automatic steering, the vehicles will be able to align accurately
> by the platforms at stops with a gap of less than 40 millimetres. This
> provides true level boarding, benefiting all passengers but especially
> those with impaired mobility. On the sections of route between the stops,
> the guidance system will enable buses to follow a precise path, thus
> enhancing ride quality and safety. The guidance system uses two wires
> buried under the road surface carrying a precision low-power electric
> signal. This sets up a magnetic field pattern that the bus follows with
> great accuracy. The magnetic field pattern is analysed by antennae under
> the front of the bus to measure the exact deviation from the intended
> course. An on-board computer then calculates the correction to the steering
> and adjusts this 100 times per second, by means of a hydraulic power system.
>
> Dennis and Alexander team up to join the North American market
> Mayflower Subsidiaries Dennis and Alexander have teamed up to join the
> North American market, when a new joint venture with DaimlerChrysler gets
> under way in March. Mayflower has signed a letter of intent with
> Freightliner Corporation of USA which will enable UK-designed vehicles to
> be built in the USA.
>
> Initially low-floor lightweight buses in the form of the Alexander
> ALX200-bodied Denis Dart will be supplied in kit form from the UK, before
> local manufacture at Thomas Built Buses of High Point North Carolina
> commences. Mayflower and Freightliner will finance tooling and working
> capital requirements jointly, with the first buses expected to be delivered
> in October.
>
> Freightliner is the market leader in the US heavy truck market but also
> produces rugged bus chassis for school bus and speciality use. Its
> subsidiary Thomas builds for the school bus market producing both chassis
> and semi-integral vehicles, but also supplies a rear-engined city bus and
> rugged buses for developing countries. Thomas has an extensive distribution
> network throughout North and South America, and manufacturing subsidiaries
> in Ontario Canada and Apodaca, Mexico. It will contribute marketing
> distribution and after-sales support to the joint venture which is expected
> to manufacture some 500 low-floor buses a year.
>
> Mayflower holds an interest in US manufacturer Metrotrans of Griffin
> Georgia, although at present only minibuses and mid-size coaches are=
> produced.
>
> All change at Alexander
> The Falkirk plant of UK bus bodybuilder Walter Alexander has now switched
> its double-deck production to the low-floor ALX400 model, following the
> delivery of the last of the conventional two-step R-type bodies to
> Stagecoach East London - which has also taken delivery of the first ALX400s
> to be built on Dennis Trident chassis. The last R-type was a dual-door
> model on a long-wheelbase Volvo Olympian chassis. And the first Stagecoach
> ALX400s are also dual-door buses on the new Dennis chassis - the first
> Tridents in revenue-earning service. The ALX400s have the staircase located
> over the front offside wheelarch, releasing extra space for seating in the
> step-free area at the front of the bus. Stagecoach East London has 98
> ALX4OOs on order.
>
> 25 per cent reduction in the number of accidents to infrastructure staff at
> GTRM claimed since privatisation
> There has been a 25 per cent reduction in the number of accidents to
> infrastructure staff at GTRM since privatisation, according to the railway
> maintenance specialist. Andy Savage, GTRM's safety, environment and quality
> director, said, "The new railway companies created during privatisation,
> being smaller and more flexible than British Rail, are able to introduce
> new initiatives more rapidly.
>
> Next Newsbriefs 31 March 1999
>
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