http://www.eurofighter.com/news/latestnews.asp
Eurofighter Announce Inauguration of the ASTA Joint Integration
Facility (ASTA JIF) 15 April 2003
(Hallbergmoos 15 April, 2003) Eurofighter GmbH today announced
the formal inauguration of the Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids
Joint Integration Facility (ASTA JIF) in Manching, Germany. The
ASTA JIF has been set up as a purpose built facility for the ASTA
Integrated Programme Team (IPT) responsible for the integration of
ASTA. The facility will also be established as the National Support
Centre for the German Air Force.
Inauguration of the ASTA JIF is a further milestone in the path to
Type Acceptance and Entry to Service for the Eurofighter Typhoon
Weapon System. From the outset Eurofighter Typhoon has incorporated
a unique and innovative system of training and support that will
revolutionise collaboration between industry and operators in the
support of complex weapon systems.
Commenting on the event Filippo Bagnato, CEO Eurofighter GmbH
stated: We have made significant investment in resources and
facilities to support the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System. We are
now realizing the potential of this investment based on a close
partnership between industry and operators that will set a
benchmark for future operation and support.
Based at the EADS Manching, Germany, the ASTA IPT is responsible
for the management, design, integration, testing, demonstration,
production, installation, and commissioning of ASTA. ASTA IPT will
also be responsible for In Service Support Design for ASTA while
decentralized development is performed at the ASTA Partner
Companies (APC).
The initial goal of ASTA IPT is focussed on the integration and
test of two ASTA Device types including their associated
ancillaries.
The ASTA Joint Team consists of one Eurofighter Joint Team Leader
and five Joint Team Members representing each of the respective
ASTA Partner Companies (APC), Alenia Aeronautica, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS
Deutschland, EADS CASA, and Eurofighter Simulation System Company
(ESS).
Based on national partners the four nation APCs represent the core
for the European military aircraft industry. ESS, a partnership of
STN ATLAS, Indra, CAE GmbH, Meteor and Thales, represents the
simulator industry.
The ASTA Joint Team is responsible for the overall management of
the entire ASTA Programme and holds System Design Responsibility
(SDR) for ASTA.
The ASTA Joint Team Leaders are supported by a four nation
Integrated Programme Team of 100 people located at ASTA JIF in
Manching. The IPT provides coordination of the programme and
execute core operational activities. The IPT reflects a range of
project management and engineering disciplines: Project Management,
Quality Assurance, Engineering, Production and Installation,
Liaison Management, Integrated Logistic Support and Operational
Factors.