VFW-Fokker
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Fokker and Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | Acquired by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) |
| Successor | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) |
| Headquarters | Bremen , Germany |
Area served | Europe |
| Products | VFW 614 aircraft, Spacelab modules |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
VFW-Fokker GmbH was established in 1969 as a collaboration between Fokker and Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW), subsequently taking control of the ERNO project.
The Entwicklungsring Nord (Northern Development Circle), known as ERNO, originated in 1961 as a partnership among Bremen-based Weserflug, Focke-Wulf, and Hamburger Flugzeugbau. Its mission was to develop rocket components and engage in space-related ventures.
VFW-Fokker 614
See main article: VFW-Fokker 614
Initial efforts in 1961 focused on a compact jet-powered transport aircraft, initially designated Erno-61-4. After Weserflug and Focke Wulf merged into Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) in 1964, the project was renamed VFW 614. The design evolved into a short takeoff and landing (STOL) jet accommodating 40–44 passengers, featuring engines mounted above the wings to facilitate operations from unprepared airstrips. Development accelerated in 1966 with financial backing from the German government. The first prototype was initiated in August 1968, coinciding with the formation of a joint cross-border holding company between VFW and the Dutch firm Fokker.
The maiden flight occurred on July 14, 1971, but the prototype was lost in a crash the following February. Two additional prototypes conducted flights during 1972. Certification was achieved sequentially from German authorities in 1974, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1975, and the French DGA in 1976. Manufacturing responsibilities were shared among Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) in Germany, VFW-Fokker in the Netherlands, and Belgian firms SABCA and Fairey. The aircraft’s first commercial operator was Cimber Air, commencing service in November 1975.
The partnership between VFW and Fokker adversely impacted the VFW 614, as Fokker prioritized sales of its competing models—the F27 and F28.Template:Fix/category[citation needed] Additionally, government subsidies were redirected toward the Airbus initiative, leading to the termination of VFW-614 production. Production concluded on August 19, 1977, with the completion of the nineteenth unit, including prototypes.
Only a limited number of VFW 614s remained operational after production ceased. The Koln/Bonn Flugbereitschaft der Luftwaffe continued to operate these aircraft until their retirement in 1998. The final airworthy VFW 614 served as a research platform until its retirement in 2012.
Additional projects
Collaborating with Republic Aviation, VFW-Fokker worked on developing the D-24 Alliance, a variable-sweep wing VTOL aircraft under the AVS ("Advanced Vertical Strike") program.[1][2]
In June 1974, the European Space Agency (ESA) appointed a consortium led by ERNO-VFW Fokker (Zentralgesellschaft VFW-Fokker GmbH) to manufacture pressurized modules for Spacelab. Under contract to ERNO-VFW Fokker, British Aerospace produced five unpressurized U-shaped pallet sections measuring approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) each.
West Germany contributed approximately 53.3% of Spacelab’s funding and fulfilled about 52.6% of all associated contracts. ERNO VFW Fokker won the prime contractor role for Spacelab over MBB. In 1981, MBB acquired VFW Fokker. The ERNO facility located in Bremen remained central to Spacelab’s design efforts, production oversight, component testing, and assembly processes. Today, this site operates as part of EADS Astrium Space Transportation.
References
- ↑ https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1967/1967%20-%200918.PDF Template:Fix/category[dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles needing additional references from January 2021
- Articles with invalid date parameter in template
- All articles needing additional references
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Defunct aircraft manufacturers of Germany
- Former joint ventures
- Fokker