Lufthansa Technik AG formally has handed over the second Airbus A319 CJ to the Bundeswehr (German armed forces). Two aircraft of this type had been ordered for the Special Air Mission Wing of the German Ministry of Defence (BMVg). Like the first A319 CJ, which was handed over in March, the second aircraft has also been fitted with a VIP cabin. The completion has been realised in seven months.

August Wilhelm Henningsen, Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik, said: “The delivery of the second Airbus A319 CJ to the German Air Force marks the successful finalisation of the first part of the program to upgrade the medium- and long-haul fleets of the BMVg’s Special Air Mission Wing. We are looking forward to continue our long-lasting cooperation with the German Air Force. The following step comes now with the delivery of the two Airbus A340s within the next 12 months.”

Lufthansa Technik is due to deliver two Airbus A340-300s that will form the Special Air Mission Wing’s new long-haul fleet towards the end of 2010 and in the summer of 2011 respectively.

The Airbus A319 CJ aircraft cabin is divided into a number of zones: a VIP area with twelve seats and a delegation area in which, depending on the configuration, between 22 and 32 people can sit and also travel long distances in comfort thanks to a generous seat pitch. The entire aircraft is designed to meet the needs of the disabled. nice®, the digital cabin management and entertainment system developed by Lufthansa Technik, has also been installed.

A number of additional measures were implemented by Airbus and Lufthansa Technik to meet specific requirements on the part of the BMVg’s Special Air Mission Wing and the Luftwaffe. Thus, for example, the aircraft has been equipped with four auxiliary tanks that enable it to fly non-stop from Berlin to Beijing or Washington. For medevac operations, in which the aircraft might be required to transport wounded or sick passengers, the delegation area can be converted to a flying intensive care unit, complete with extra oxygen and a separate power supply. A secure communication and information system, comprising telephony, fax and Internet/e-mail connection, has also been installed. The special oxygen system enables the aircraft to be used on routes with special requirements, e.g. the Himalaya route.

Lufthansa Technik has also been engaged to support the operations of the new medium- and long-haul fleets. The scope of services will cover maintenance management, servicing of the aircraft, engines and equipment, spares provisioning and the supply and updating of aeronautical and technical documentation. These services include also four Global 5000 aircraft which will be delivered to the Special Air Mission Wing by Bombardier at the end of 2011.

Source: Lufthansa Technik