AEROMAG ONLINE 2June 2021 by Aeromag

www.aeromag.in | June 2021

UAV all set to

dominate the skies

The Year of

Heron TP

IAI Signs US$200 Mn. UAS Services Contract with an Asian Country in association with Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries

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The Year of Heron TP

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Defence procurement: 15% slice for private industry

Russia unveils system to neutralize combat UAVs

Sunny Jerome Managing Editor Preethi M. Associate Editor David Barnabhas Design

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Boeing Forecasts Sufficient Capital for Aviation Finance

Dassault Launches Falcon 10X, the Most Advanced Business Jet

Embraer Sells a Praetor 600 to Aerodata for Flight Inspections

Defence procurement: 15% slice for private industry

73 7

The Year of Heron TP

he proliferation of drones in conflict areas highlight the role of large unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have in modern conflicts. The USA, China and Israel are currently the sole providers of large UAS, platforms that offer long mission endurance and missions versatility. One of the largest, most advanced systems is the Heron TP from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Equipped with the most advanced avionics, line of sight and satellite communications and multiple mission payloads, Heron TP climbs up to 45,000 ft, high above commercial air traffic routes, where it can operate on missions spanning over 30 hours, carrying more than 1,000 kg of payloads. The robust structural design features double boom, twin-tail design that are most suitable for such missions, offering better antennae separation, optimal coverage, and a stable platform necessary for precision signal measurements. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed at DefExpo 2020 a strategic collaboration MOU (memorandum of understanding) with a focus on UAVs with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Dynamatic Technologies Limited (DTL). The MOU will reflect existing capabilities developed by IAI over the years and promote the production of Indian UAVs, in line with the Indian Government’s “Make in India” and “self-reliance” policy. The strategic partnership with the Indian corporations will allow the implementation of optimal solutions for the needs of the Indian forces based on their specific technologies and needs.

New Mission Capabilities Heron TP is well configured to carry multiple payloads in a large internal payload bay, universal payload attachments and underwing hardpoints. Such payloads include electro-optical systems, SAR and maritime search radars, COMINT and ELINT systems and persistent surveillance systems designed for operation from standoff range. In addition to the payloads integrated into the aircraft Heron TP can also carry mission payloads in underwing pods. Such EO pods can deliver in real-time a 3D image of the ground scene, other sensors designed for persistent surveillance, provide continuous coverage of large areas, monitoring all movements over time, enabling analysts to follow objects of interests by specific parameters, such as vehicles type, shape and color, define life patterns and identify anomalies from such patterns.

A new capability supported by the Heron TP is maritime anti-submarine surveillance, integrating maritime surveillance radar, EO payload, magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) and sonobuoys that are dropped to the water and transmit sonar data to the aircraft. With this equipment the Heron can detect submarines underwater and track them at periscope depth. On such missions Herons are launched from land bases but can be controlled from ships at sea. At twice the speed of other drones, and long mission endurance, the TP can cover larger areas, deep at sea. Flying higher than other drones and using EO payloads covering extremely long range, Heron TP significantly enhances mission capabilities of maritime surveillance and ASW, in its ability to move quickly to new positions and recognize targets without descending to a lower altitude, or from stand-off range. A Good Year for Heron TP Operationally deployed with Israel’s Air Force (IAF) since 2010 Heron-TP performed countless missions extended farther and longer than any other manned or unmanned aerial combat system. “90 percent of our activity covers the northern theater, where we are required to provide persistent surveillance and real-time intelligence” 210th squadron leader, Lt. Colonel S. said, “Heron TP enables us to operate farther and extend our vision even longer”. In 2018 the IAF took delivery of additional Heron TPs that significantly increases the UAV fleet size and contribute to increase operational flight hours by 70%. Germany soon becomes the second operator of Heron TP, following the award of €1 Billion contract to Airbus in June 2018. The contract funds operational leasing of five Heron TP drones, for a period of nine-year. The project will have a two-year

set-up phase, followed by an operational phase lasting a further seven years. “This project will provide the Bundeswehr with an even more efficient system that will better protect soldiers in a wide range of threat situations as well as the at-risk civilian population,” Jana Rosenmann, Head of Unmanned Aerial Systems at Airbus said. HERON TP will also get military certification from the German Armed Forces aviation authority in accordance with STANAG 4671 allowing the system to be used around the world. A month after the German announcement the Indian government approved the procurement of Heron-TP platforms to augment the fleet of Heron Is operated by the Indian Air Force. Similar to the German configuration, these platforms will offer enhanced mission capabilities, addressing an urgent Indian requirement for unmanned weapon carrying platforms. The new Heron TP platform will further extend these capabilities of current Heron I, enable the Indian operators to fly missions higher, farther and with more versatile, heavier loads.

Defence procurement: 15% slice for private industry In a landmark decision, 15% of the capital procurement budget of India’s Ministry of Defence has been earmarked for direct procurement from private defence industry during 2021-22. According to Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary of India, the decision would boost the Defence Industry ecosystem, MSMEs and startups in the defence sector in India

n a major stimulus for Indian private industries engaged in the defence sector, the Ministry of Defence under the Government of India has approved earmarking a part of its capital procurement budget for private industry. Making the landmark announcement, Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary of India, said: “During financial year 2021-22, 15% of the capital procurement budget is targeted for direct procurement from Private Defence Industry.” Explaining the advantages of the decision, he said: “This is the first time such a target has been given. It will give assurance to private industry of certain quantum of orders, thereby providing a boost to the Defence Industry ecosystem, MSMEs

and startups in the defence sector in the country.” According to Ajay Kumar, “the big decision is aimed at promoting the Defence Industry ecosystem in India under the #Atma Nirbhar Bharat programme.” The earmarking of 15% of the capital procurement budget for private industry will be in addition to procurements made by Defence PSUs and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) from private defence industry as part of their needs, the Defence Secretary added. Earlier, in October 2020, India adopted a new regime for defence systems production and acquisition with focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This policy gave much stress to involving the private industries for achieving crucial production targets, including an annual turnover of Rs 1,75,000 crore and exports of Rs 35,000 crore in the aerospace and defence

sector by 2025. In 2018-19, India’s total defence production was Rs 80,558 crore and exports Rs 8,320 crore. The new initiatives are expected to make India depend less on imports to meet its defence requirements. At present, India is far from being self-reliant in this sector. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says even though India’s arms imports declined by 32% in the five-year period from 2015-19, as compared to 2010-14, the country remained the second-largest arms importer in the world. In exports, India ranks 23rd in the global market, having a mere 0.2% share. Not surprisingly, to achieve the targets set for 2025, India’s private sector would have to play an enhanced role along with the defence public sector undertakings and ordnance factories. The Government of India is already promoting the private sector under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Till now, most of these projects belonged to the category of ammunition, including rockets and bombs; and surveillance and tracking systems. However, as a majority of India’s defence imports are items built utilizing much advanced technologies such as fighter aircraft, helicopters, naval guns and antisubmarine missiles, the country is facing a huge challenge in reducing imports. Involving the private sector would be a solution to the issue. In fact, data shows that since 2016-17, there has been a gradual shift away from the public sector to the private sector in the country’s total defence production. The share of the private sector has risen from 19% in 2016-17 to 22% in 2018-19. In the same period, the share of the public sector has decreased from 75% to 72%. In India, defence production remained in the public sector for long. It was only in May 2001 that the defence sector was opened up to 100% for Indian private sector participation, with foreign direct investment (FDI) up to 26%, but both were subject to licensing. In 2016, FDI under automatic route was allowed up to 49%. For above 49%, a condition of access to modern technology was in place. In 2020, the government relaxed the FDI limit under the automatic route to 74%, but it also inserted a ‘national security’ clause, retaining the right to review any deal. The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2016 introduced several reforms that benefited the private sector, among which the Strategic Partnership Policy (SPP) was significant. This allowed Indian private sector companies to partner with foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to jointly manufacture fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and armoured vehicles. Meanwhile, the policy of 2020 introduced a new category termed ‘Buy (GlobalManufacture in India)’ to encourage foreign OEMs to setup ‘manufacturing or maintenance entities through its subsidiary in India.’ This policy encouraged the manufacture of the entire equipment rather than just components and spares. Earlier, in 2004, the Government of India had constituted a committee headed by Vijay Kelkar to recommend changes needed in defence acquisition procedures and in its report, released in 2005, the panel encouraged the involvement of the country’s best private firms in defence manufacturing.

Rajnath Singh Defence Minister

Dr Ajay Kumar Defence Secretary The earmarking of 15% of the Defence Ministry’s capital procurement budget for private industry is the latest initiative in this direction.

UAV all set to

dominate the skies Apart from performing multiple civilian tasks, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are turning a crucial component of the defence preparedness of all nations. India too has followed the trend and is engaged in efforts to develop UAVs suited for its needs. Meanwhile, there are also plans to acquire the most advanced UAVs for defence purposes from foreign manufacturers

nmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are considered the future of warfare and they have helped win wars in recent times. Moreover, they are utilized for a number of civilian purposes. A UAV, often referred to as a drone, is an aircraft operated without a human pilot on board. UAVs were originally used for military missions too ‘dull, dirty or dangerous’ for humans but are now finding

numerous civilian applications. Depending on their function, UAVs can be generally classified into six types: Combat; Reconnaissance; Target and decoy; Logistics; Civil and commercial, covering agriculture, aerial photography and data collection and Research and development. According to data in 2020, seventeen countries have armed UAVs, and more than 100 countries use UAVs in a military capacity. The global military UAV market is dominated by companies based in the United States and Israel. The top importers of military UAVs are the United Kingdom and India. Civilian UAVs In the civilian sector, UAVs have been used for aerial crop surveys, spraying pesticides and fertilizers in farms, aerial photography, search and rescue, inspection of power lines and pipelines, counting wildlife, delivering medical supplies to remote areas, reconnaissance activities, detection of wildlife hunting, environment monitoring, border patrol, convoy protection, forest fire detection and monitoring, surveillance, coordinating humanitarian aid, land surveying, fire and accident investigation,

Cargo, passenger UAVs According to aviation industry experts, large cargo and passengers UAVs would be developed over the coming 20 years. Shorthaul, low altitude freighters outside cities could be operational from 2025; long-haul cargo flights by the mid-2030s and passenger flights by 2040. Indian UAVs Along with several other countries, India has been developing UAVs over the last several decades. The following are among the major projects launched by the country:

landslide measurement, construction, archaeology and crowd monitoring. They are also used for illegal activities such as smuggling. The civilian UAV market is relatively new compared to the military one and is dominated by Chinese companies. The Chinese drone manufacturer DJI alone had 74% of civilian-market share in 2018. However, following increased scrutiny of its activities, the US Interior Department grounded its fleet of DJI drones in 2020. The global UAV market is expected to reach US Dollars 21.47 billion, with the Indian market touching the US Dollars 885.7 million mark in 2021.

DRDO Lakshya: It is a remotely-piloted highspeed target drone system developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). A variant Lakshya-1 is used to perform discreet aerial reconnaissance of battlefield and target acquisition. Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the first flight of Lakshya took place in 1985 and it was introduced in the armed forces in 2000. The primary users of the UAV are the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The advanced version of pilotless target aircraft (PTA) Lakshya-II was again successfully flight- tested in January 2012. In March 2017, Air Force version of Lakshya-2 was successfully test-flown and has been inducted into the defence services.

power engine. Later, it completed the satellite communication (SATCOM) mode trial and flew with long range electro-optical payload in August 2020.

DRDO Rustom: The Rustom is a UAV being developed by DRDO for the Indian Armed Forces. Rustom will replace or supplement the Israeli Heron UAVs in service with India. The first flight of Rustom-1 took place in November 2009. The aircraft has been named after the late Rustom Damania, a former professor of IISc, Bangalore. DRDO decided to name the UAV after him because it is derived from National Aerospace Laboratories' (NAL’s) light canard research aircraft (LCRA) developed under Rustom Damania's leadership in the 1980s. Rustom will be able to see the enemy territory up to a distance of 250 km and carry a variety of cameras and radar for surveillance. Rustom-H, built on a different design, is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, a twin engine system designed to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Rustom H will have a payload capacity of 350 kg. There will be three variants of the Rustom UAV. They are, Rustom-1, a tactical UAV with endurance of 12 hours; Rustom-H: Larger UAV with flight endurance of over 24 hours, higher range and service ceiling than Rustom-1 and TAPAS-BH-201 (Rustom-2): A UAV based on Rustom-H model. The Indian government has allowed the development of the Rustom MALE UAV project in association with a production agency cum development partner (PADP). Rustom 2 is designed to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance roles for the Indian Armed Forces. It is capable of carrying different combination of payloads including synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness systems. The UAV has an endurance of 24 hours and at present is capable of reaching altitude of 23,000 feet. Automatic take-off (ATO) flight was conducted in November 2020 and the range of operations touched 250 km. DRDO carried out a successful test flight of TAPAS-BH-201 in February 2018, at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) located in Chalakere, Chitradurga district of Karnataka. This was the first flight of the UAV in user configuration with higher

DRDO Netra: The Netra is a light-weight, autonomous UAV for surveillance and reconnaissance operations. It has been jointly developed by the Research and Development Establishment (R&DE) and IdeaForge, a Mumbai-based private firm. Its first flight took place in July 2010 and was introduced in service in January 2012. The primary users are Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF). The drone is designed to be used in hostage situations, border infiltration monitoring, law enforcement operations, search and rescue operations, disaster management and aerial photography. It can also be used in Naxal-affected districts, in border locations across India for surveillance, and for antiterrorist and counter-insurgency operations in dense forested areas, where it can use its camera payloads to track human activity. In July 2013, during the 136th Jagannath Rath Yatra, Ahmedabad became the first Indian city to use UAVs for crowd management. The operators include DRDO, BSF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), CRPF, Mumbai Police, Maharashtra Police, Gujarat Police and NDRF. IAI-HAL NRUAV: Also referred to as the Naval Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, it is a rotorcraft project being co-developed by Malat Solutions, a uni t of IAI of Israel, and HAL of India for the Indian Navy. The IAI-HAL NRUAV project consists of a Malat-made Helicopter Modification Suite (HeMoS) fitted on HAL's Chetan, an upgraded Chetak with Turbomeca TM 333 2M2 engines. The helicopter is planned to be used for unmanned operations and advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions from warship decks. The project was initiated in late 2008 and as of March 2019, a full-scale prototype has been developed and unveiled, and is currently awaiting clearance for a preliminary design review. MARAAL: The MARAAL is a series of solar-powered UAVs developed by the aerospace department of IIT Kanpur. They are multipurpose UAVs, primarily focused on defence requirements. The first flight of the UAV took place in February 2016. MARAAL-1 is India's first solar-powered UAV. The project was sponsored by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the feasibility study of the

solar powered aircraft in Indian atmospheric conditions. The researchers soon developed another solar powered UAV - MARAAL-2 - having improved capabilities. It has completed several successful test flights. MARAAL-2 is a medium altitude, long range (up to 200 km), fully autonomous and mission-programmable UAV. Drones from foreign suppliers Along with developing UAVs indigenously, India is engaged in efforts to acquire them from manufacturers abroad. For instance, a US Dollars 3 billion deal for the purchase of 30 armed drones manufactured by US company General Atomics is in the pipeline. The beneficiaries of the transaction would be India’s Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian armed forces already utilize Israel’s Heron Surveillance drones and the Harop loitering munition but only for surveillance purposes. The Indian Air Force also uses IAI Searcher of Israeli design. General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper, also called Predator drone, can detect targets using its inbuilt sensors and radars. It has an endurance of more than 27 hours and carries payloads up to nearly 1,700 kg with a range of 6,000 nautical miles and a flying capacity of up to 50,000 feet. It can carry deadly hell fire missiles and laserguided bombs, making it a potent weapon. The Predator B armed drones have been used by the US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. These high altitude long endurance (HALE) drones would be critical for the Indian military for operations in higher reaches of Kashmir, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Meanwhile, modeled on US project Skyborg, HAL has started work on a UAV project that will allow teaming up of unmanned aircraft with fighter jets with human pilots.

AR & DB: DRDO Driven Aeronautics Development Towards Atmanirbhar Bharat

he two wars in the sixties made our country to adopt a shift in the approach that was required for orienting itself towards self-sufficiency specially in the field of aeronautics.. This was due to the fact that the country was loosing the knowledge base after successfully developing indigenous fighter HF24 Marut.The knowledge base was important for design and development of indigenous fighter aircrafts, missiles, helicopters and regional transport aircraft; and thereby reducing FE outflow and building up necessary technology base in the country. To achieve this, the Aeronautics Research & Development Board (ARDB) was formed in 1971 on the recommendation of Committee on Aeronautics chaired by former Cabinet Minister in Charge of Defence, C Subramaniam. The purpose of AR&DB was to lay a roadmap for the development of aeronautics in the country and to advance the cause of self-reliance in aeronautical technologies and systems. The journey of AR&DB began with constitution of core panels. The Aerodynamic, Structures, Materials and Processes Panel in 1971; Propulsion Panel, Systems Panel in 1972 and over the years as the new technologies developed many specialist panels were constituted as per the requirements. Human Engineering Panel (HEP) in the year 1979, with the objective of advancing Human Engineering activities mainly in relation to the aircraft design and flight safety. Operational Problems Panel(1979) had addressed itself to all the problems related to operation of civil and military aircraft, to improve reliability and maintainability of aircraft and systems supporting aviation. Aerospace Information Panel in 1986 to create facilities for collection, processing and dissemination of information. With a view to give boost to the development of aeronautical manpower and attract talent to aeronautical engineering, DRDO had constituted a Manpower Development Panel

under AR&DB in 1989. Through the different panels, AR&DB in seventies worked on seed projects for fighter aircraft, missiles, aero-engines, helicopters and cargo aircraft. Among the first few projects of AR&DB were “Orpheus 703R-2000K”, “Research on GTX-Engine components”, “Experimental study of instantaneous structure of turbulent flow”, “Design construction and commissioning of a cascade wind tunnel at IISc”, “Development of computer programme

for evaluation of aerodynamic characteristics of swept wing aircraft”, and “Development of Mrigasheer Sail Plane”. These projects were the need of that time and developed critical knowledge base in the aerospace research. There were also many First-Ever in the country projects executed and completed successfully by funding through AR&DB. Among them, the first one was; First Hypersonic Shock Tunnel in the country at IISc, Bengaluru in 1973. It was built by the efforts of Dr. NM Reddy, who had studied under Prof. Irvine Israel Glass and Prof. Satish Dhawan. Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri is the Chairman of the Board and members of high standing in aeronautics are drawn from academic, R&D and production agencies concerned with Aeronautics/missiles/space and also from the Ministry of Defence and Civil Aviation. Over the years, All the well-known Aeronautics scientists of the country have been associated with the board. Few examples are as follows. In 1971, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam who was then in SSTC, TERLS, Trivandrum was associated in AR&DB Panels and then became the Chairman of the AR&DB Committees and later while being SA to RM, he was also the Chairman of AR&DB. Dr Raja Ramanna, Prof. Roddam Narasimha, Dr. B.R.Somashekar, Prof. K.Rajaiah and Dr. Kota Harinarayana are among the first heroes of AR&DB. Among the major goals in the roadmap of AR&DB was design and development

of indigenous fighter aircraft. This dream has come true with Design, development and induction of the LCA Tejas aircraft. Also extracted from the Book – “Radiance in Indian skies: The Tejas saga”, written by Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar (Retd) & B R Srikanth – In a manner of speaking, the astounding journey of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme started through AR&DB. Prof Roddam Narasimha of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, conceived the idea of a supersonic Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). “I was with the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IISc, at that time, and I couldn’t meet even the normal expenses associated with my involvement in the project. I was at that time head of the group, making studies on LCA performance and configurations. I mentioned this to Dr Raja

Ramanna, then Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister. He sent Mr Vivek R Sinha, at that time the Secretary to ARDB, to discuss the problem with me. After Mr Sinha found out what my problems were, he agreed the simplest way the difficulties could be sorted out was to sponsor a project titled ‘LCA Studies’ with me as the Chief Investigator. A sum of Rs. One lakh was very promptly released for the purpose,” reminisced Prof Narasimha. And over the years many critical technologies developed through different panels of AR&DB and Centres of excellence such as First centre of excellence in Aerospace CFD at IISc in 1996, Centre of Excellence for Aerospace Systems Design & Engineering (CASDE) at IIT Bombay (1998-2013), AR&DB Centre of Excellence in Composites Structures Technology (ACECOST Phase I-III, 1999 – 2018) has led to the design and development of Tejas-our national pride of atamanirbharta. The other major aeronautical system with its seeding history from AR&DB is missiles. Missiles panel also was initiated in the formative years. AR&DB Missiles panel had promoted a large number of projects (86) in many institutions in the areas of missile aerodynamics, structures, control & guidance systems, specialized materials besides solid and liquid propulsion systems and propellants. These projects contributed significantly in our endeavour, to indigenously design and develop state-of-the-art missiles and systems. The panel led to the formation of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) . Other few noteworthy projects are Prevention of bird concentration near airports, which significantly reduced bird strike incidents and saved precious resources of IAF and civil aviation as well. Atmosphere studies and weather-forecast-modelling which resulted in the Indian Reference Atmosphere. Apart from setting up first hypersonic wind tunnel, AR&DB has supported establishment of many other Aeronautics Testing Facilities across the country. An important part of this effort has been oriented towards application to composite structures. A significant development of which has been a state-of-art computercontrolled autoclave facility developed at NAL; it is a breakthrough in the field of fabrication technology of composite components. A uni-directional prepreg machine has been successfully designed fabricated, tested and demonstrated at IIT Kanpur. Another major area of R&D effort has been fatigue and fracture mechanics of metallic structures which has finally resulted in the development of full scale fatigue test facility at NAL for fighter aircraft. This has been completely indigenously built facility which is unique in the country. Ground Vibration Testing and Analysis of aerospace Structures facility in NAL, Bangalore has been used to study the dynamic characteristics of aircraft before flight trials. Later in a series of projects, this facility has been enhanced to carryout on-line monitoring. The equipment has been successfully used on AEW-TDP aircraft, HANSA-2 and on the ALH. Besides this, the other facilities which were developed are Wind Tunnels. It is worthwhile to take stock of what the AR&DB has accomplished so far. The oneof-a-kind Gust Tunnel at IIT Kharagpur, the Rarefied Gas Dynamics Facility at

IIT Madras and the National Wind tunnel Facility at IIT Kanpur are used significantly for Aerodynamics research of aerospace vehicles. Realizing that there were technology gaps in critical areas of immediate and future relevance to the country, AR&DB has also instituted topdown, directed research initiatives in the form of National Programmes like -National Program on Micro Air Vehicles (NP-MICAV), - Gas Turbine Enabling Technologies (GATET) - AR&DB Centre of Excellence in Composite Structures Technology (ACECOST) - Special Interest Group on Micro Air Vehicles (SIGMA) - Gas Turbine and Materials and Processes (GTMAP) with well-defined time lines and deliverables, with a view to bridging a focused approach. Since its inception, AR&DB has sanctioned nearly 2000 grants-in-aid schemes through project to more than 200 institutes, hundreds of promotional activities & several other chartered activities to nurture available research talents and to develop facilities in IITs, Universities, higher technological institutes and other research centres in the country. Over the years, the catalytic role played by the Board has helped rapid growth of indigenous capabilities and today the state-of-art projects like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Small Turbo Fan Engine, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Unmanned flight vehicles, Missiles and Spacecraft projects have benefitted as a result. Aeronautics Research & Development Board (AR&DB) is into the 50th glorious year of its constitution. The year 2020-21 marks the golden jubilee year of AR&DB. As we celebrate, we also hope to conceive and start new initiatives to take AR&DB to the next level in accordance with requirements of times to come. The board with its foresight and opinions of a committee with experts from the aeronautical community, a vision document Aeroperspective 2040 has been prepared which lays the roadmap. The thrust areas for development of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have been identified for taking up with academia for research. The board also envisages to make a foray in to promoting research in the development of indigenous multirole transport/ passenger aircraft for armed forces and civil aviation as well. The board has witnessed a glorious past, consolidated its present and has plans in place for future to make our country Atmanirbhar in the challenging field of aeronautics.

HENSOLDT’s collision warning system for drones ready for take-off

HENSOLDT’s drone collision warning system ready for take-off, to be seen here the antenna of the radar demonstrator.

Flight tests to demonstrate basic system for autonomous flying

ensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is vigorously pushing ahead with the development of a collision warning system for civil and military drones. The radar sensor as the core element of a collision warning system was already successfully tested in flight as part of the ProSA-n (military) and KoKo2 (civil) study programmes, work on the software required for interaction with an autopilot is well advanced. As early as this summer, a demonstrator of the collision warning system is to prove in flight tests that the sensor performance and the software-supported avoidance logic correspond correctly with the autopilot. “We have progressed faster than expected with our ‘Detect & Avoid’ radar,” says Erwin Paulus, head of HENSOLDT’s radar division. “In the meantime, the complete functional chain from detection and classification to the initiation of avoidance manoeuvres is working so reliably that we are sure we will be able to demonstrate a basic system for autonomous flying in the summer.” Since the beginning of the year, HENSOLDT has also been involved in the EUDAAS (= European Detect and Avoid System) programme, in which several European companies are developing a concept for bringing large military medium altitude/long endurance (MALE) drones, such as the Eurodrone recently released by the German parliament, into European airspace.

HENSOLDT’s “detect-and-avoid” radar uses the latest Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, which allows multiple detection tasks to be performed simultaneously and enables very rapid target detection. The scalable radar can be used in large military drones as well as on board smaller civilian drones. HENSOLDT is one of the leading radar manufacturers in Europe. To produce the high-frequency components required for the AESA technology, the company operates one of the largest clean room production facilities in Europe at its Ulm site. Its radars and radar components are used on aircraft, satellites, ships and in ground systems. Among the platforms equipped with them are the Eurofighter fighter aircraft, the TanDEM-X satellites, the US Navy’s littoral combat ships and the frigates of the German Navy. In addition, HENSOLDT supplies air traffic control radars and transponders to air traffic control authorities and armed forces around the world.

Navigation and Traffic Management in UAV with the use of GNSS Technology

nmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are arguably the Aviation Industry’s one of the most exciting and promising developments. The expectations of UAS capabilities are boundless, but their safe implementation and integration to regulated airspace needs more supervision and support. UAV, UAS, RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) are all terms that are often used interchangeably. UAVs can be classified on different factors – by size, range, function etc. Based on size, UAVs are broadly classified as Small, Medium, and Large sized. Small UAVs (sUAV or Small UAS, sUAS) typically weigh less than 55 pounds (about 25 Kg) and fly below 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Such UAVs are typically used for precision agriculture, surveys and infrastructure inspections, sports photography, property surveillance, package delivery etc. Large and Mid-sized UAVs weigh much more than 55 pounds and can fly at altitudes as high as 30,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) in Class B/A airspace. Such larger UAVs are used for Search and Rescue, Reconnaissance, Border Patrol, Military uses etc.

applies to all other continents as well and could possibly tax the Airspaces much beyond the current service limits. This increased operational volume brings forth a need for an efficient traffic management system – called UTM (UAS Traffic Management). UTM provides the guidelines by which the FAA will support operations of UAS operating at low altitudes. UTM is a community-based, cooperative traffic management system, where the Operators and entities providing operation support services are responsible for the coordination, execution, and management of operations, with rules being established by FAA. UTM is complimentary to ATC services and ensures separation of UAVs by cooperative methods and shared situational awareness. The illustration below shows the UTM Operational Architecture with the different stakeholders and their functions.

Figure - 2: UTM Notional Architecture (Image courtesy: FAA) The concept of Remote ID (RID) is used for traffic surveillance and cooperative management. RID allows electronic identification of a UAV through use of a unique identifier that is broadcast. The broadcast includes the current location (provided by onboard GPS or GPS+INS equipment) and the timestamp. It also includes an emergency status indication.

Figure - 1: Classification of UAV (Image courtesy: FAA) Traffic Management of sUAS The integration of UAS operations into both controlled and uncontrolled airspace poses a variety of issues and challenges to overcome them. The volume of sUASs is expected to increase from 1.5 million in 2018 to about 3 million by 2023 according to a study conducted by the FAA in the USA. The same growth curve

Transmission of RID is possible by two methods: • Direct Broadcast (like ADS-B) – but short range, can use WiFi/Bluetooth signals. • Internet based Publishing into the USS Network (using 5G cellular network, satellite links) called ADS-IP. The FAA received significant feedback about the second option of using the internet-based publishing and so after careful consideration of the implantation challenges, the FAA decided to remove the option. The RID broadcast is important for the following reasons: • Provide shared situational awareness and identification of

• •

unauthorized UAVs. It lays the foundation for complex UAV Operations, over people and cars, and at night. Helps increase public trust by providing assurances that flying UAVs are legal and safe.

There are three methods for users to comply to the RID rule: • Standard Remote ID UAVs – UAVs that come with RID broadcast as standard equipment. • RID Broadcast Module – UAVs that are retro fitted with RID Broadcast modules; these UAVs can only fly within line of sight. • FAA Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA) – Special zones approved by the FAA when UAVs can be operated without RID.

Figure - 3: RID Rule Compliance (Image courtesy: FAA) The FAA’s Final rule on Remote ID can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2021/01/15/2020-28948/ remote-identification-of-unmanned-aircraft

awareness) and non-cooperative aircraft (those that are “silent” and all state data must be determined by sensors onboard the UAV). ACAS X (Airborne Collision Avoidance System – New Generation) is a FAA-funded R&D program that aims to create new approach to airborne collision avoidance. The program considers the recent advances in intruder detection and advisory logic/analyses that are not present in the current TCAS systems to formulate new guidelines for airborne collision avoidance. ACAS X is eventually meant to replace TCAS. ACAS aims to provide the below advantages compared to the TCAS model: • Removal of nuisance or unnecessary Alerts. • Include new Operational concepts like reduced separation requirements. • Extending Collision avoidance to other classes of aircraft. • Incorporating new surveillance sources into Collision Avoidance. ACAS X includes the following different variants: • ACAS Xa – ACAS for Commercial Aircraft (RTCA DO-385) • ACAS Xp – ACAS for General Aviation Aircraft that employ passive ADS-B tracking • ACAS Xo – ACAS used when ACAS Xa is not suitable. (RTCA DO-385) • ACAS Xu – ACAS for UAS (RTCA DO-386)

Traffic Management of medium/large UAVs Large and Medium UAVs can weigh more than 55 pounds (25 Kg) and can be as heavy as 15,000 pounds (7000 Kg). Triton, one of the largest high altitude long-endurance UAVs built, has a wingspan of 130 ft. and a length of about 48 ft.

Figure - 5: ACAS X Variants (Image courtesy: FAA)

Figure - 4: Triton UAV (Image courtesy: Wikipedia) Such UAVs that operate at high altitudes (4000 – 30000 feet) in Classes B-G Airspace require a transponder for surveillance and collision avoidance. For aircraft of such sizes flying in controlled airspace, 14 CFR, Part 91, requires an onboard pilot to perform “out-the-window” actions to mitigate collision risk and avoid other traffic. Since UAS do not have an onboard pilot to comply with these rules, an alternative is to be found to “see and avoid” traffic and obstacles. Such a system is called as a “Detect-and-Avoid” system. A DAA system enables the remote pilot (or the autopilot in the case of a pilotless UAV) to “see and avoid” all traffic using sensor and guidance technology. This includes both cooperative aircraft (those that carry equipment allowing shared situational

All ACAS X variants detect intruder conflicts and issue alerts/ guidance to resolve encounters. They all have a common design but have hardware, surveillance, and threat logic tailored for different user groups. The following paragraphs provide a brief insight into ACAS Xu. A Detect and Avoid (DAA) System is at the core of the ACAS Xu. The DAA System comprises of a Remain Well Clear (RWC) and Collision Avoidance (CA) functions. The RWC function detects, analyzes, and suggests maneuvers to avoid a potential conflict from escalating into a hazard. It suggests adjustments to the current flight path in order to do so. The CA function is an end stage method to prevent a mid-air collision as directed by the Collision Avoidance System (CAS), much like the Resolution Advisory of TCAS. When UAVs are remotely piloted, the remote pilot uses a DAA system and also coordinates with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) when RWC alerts are acted upon. When the remote pilot is not

in ATC contact, the pilot uses his discretion to maneuver based on the RWC suggestions. The RWC function provides alerting and guidance to ensure a UAS is DAA Well Clear (DWC) of neighboring traffic, while the CA function provides alerting and guidance to ensure that UAS operation does not pose a collision risk should other mitigations fail. RWC consists of Preventive, Corrective, and Warning Alerts with Suggestive Guidance, while CA consists of Warning Alerts with Directive Guidance. These defined functions are found in RTCA DO-365, Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for Detect and Avoid Systems. DO-365 does not provide algorithms for either the RWC or the CA functions but provides performance requirements for RWC and ensures it interoperates with the CA function. ACAS Xu, defined in RTCA DO-386, is a DAA solution that provides both RWC and CA functionality in compliance with RTCA DO-365B. Navigation in SUAVs SUAVs navigate in one of the following two ways: • they are piloted manually from a remote location (for short range flights) • they are pre-programmed to use the onboard GPS and navigate to reach a certain destination, following a set flight path with waypoints. SUAVs when remotely piloted, use the onboard GNSS sensor to transmit its 3-D location allowing the pilot to maneuver it. This operation is usually across a short range. The SUAVs have an onboard high-resolution camera that helps in mapping out obstacles and flight path to aid the remote pilot to maneuver the UAV. Obstacle avoidance is key to navigating a UAV without a direct line of sight. Visual-Inertial Sensor technology helps in mapping the surroundings near the UAV and helps in navigation. SUAVs that fly longer range, beyond line of sight use a preprogrammed flight path that allows it to navigate from one location to another. The flight path consists of the origin and the destination along with a series of waypoint in between. SUAVs can also be programmed to hold position and to “Return Home” from its current position. Such SUAVs use a built-in dedicated Flight Computer and a Flight Controller. The Flight Controller is used for stabilization and UAV response while the Flight Computer makes all the decisions to fly the programmed path.

Figure - 6: VI Sensor based mapping in SUAVs Navigation in Medium and Large UAVs Pilots of bigger UAVs operate remotely and use Satellite Network to track and pilot UAVs. The Pilots have to their aid,

many instruments that are present in the cockpit of a regular aircraft. From the time of takeoff till the line-of-sight visibility is present, the UAVs are piloted and tracked using a direct data link from the ground control station. When the UAV leaves the line-of-sight, the pilot in the ground control station switch to satellite links for tracking and navigating the UAV. The current position of the UAV is determined by the onboard GNSS equipment and is relayed to the Ground Control Station via the satellite link. The link payload also may include footage from Hi-resolution cameras located in the UAV. The pilots may use a navigator to pilot the UAV on the required flight path. In the event, the communication link is lost, the UAV is programmed to fly autonomously in circles, or return to the base, until the link connection is reestablished.

Figure - 7: A UAV Remote Pilot Role of GNSS in Traffic Management and Navigation of UAVs The onboard GNSS sensor on a UAV is at the core of the navigation and traffic management functions. Alternatives like Sensor fusion (GNSS + Inertial Sensors) allow for navigation in GPS denied locations. Hitherto such high-performance sensors were available only in MIL spec electronics. Irrespective of the size of a UAV, the GNSS sensor is very important in a UAV as its precise location output allows remote pilots to navigate the aircraft. Modern day GNSS sensors used onboard have new advancements like RTK (Real Time Kinematic), PPP (Precise Point Positioning) and PPK (Post Processed Kinematic) that provides very high accuracy positioning. Spoof Detection and AntiJamming techniques are becoming very popular. GNSS sensors available today support multiple satellite constellations and support multiple operating frequencies (MCMF). The ability of a GNSS receiver to handle multiple frequencies from multiple constellations in the calculation of position results in optimal ionospheric error resolution. Wideband signals in the new L5/E5a bands provide noise and multipath mitigation capabilities that are inherent. The new bands, combined with ability to resolve ionospheric errors using the multi frequency, help achieve significant improvements and positioning accuracy. There are several satellite constellations launched by different countries that are meant for Navigation purposes. Some of the major constellations are GPS (USA), Beidou (China), GLONASS (Russian), Galileo (European Union), IRNSS (Indian Regional

Navigational Satellite System) and QZSS (Japan). These constellations have Satellite Based Augmentation Systems to improve positions accuracy and reduce different errors – WAAS (USA), SNAS (China), SDCM (Russian), EGNOS (European Union), GAGAN (India) and MSAS (Japan). The use of multiple constellations results in a higher number of satellites in the view of the receiver. This brings the following benefits: • Reduced acquisition time • Improved Position and time accuracy • Reduced effects of obstructions like buildings • Improved Dilution of Precision (DOP) • Availability of different constellations to serve as a redundancy solution.

Figure - 8: Constellations supported (Source: GNSS User Technology Report, GSA) GNSS technology and how modern signals/ combinations can be used to meet UAS requirements Radio Navigation system such as GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and GLONASS has transformed the landscape of personal navigation over last two decades. This technology has become a core enabler to many services and any loss of the system leads to critical failures. Therefore, many countries treat this to be a strategic asset and have invested in setting up new navigation service for both commercial use and restricted use. All the possible signals that can be used in the L1 and L5 band are listed in the table below. Table 1 : Spectrum Allocation of GNSS signals in L1 and L5 Band

Constellation GPS SBAS GALILEO Beidou

L1 L5 L1 L5 E1 E5a

1575.42 1176.45 1575.42 1176.45 1575.42 1176.45

Frequency in MHz BandLower width +/-10.23 1565.19 +/-10.23 1166.22 +/-1.023 1574.397 +/-10.23 1166.22 +/-12.276 1563.14 +/-10.23 1166.22

B1C

1575.42

+/-16.368

1559.052

1591.788

B2A

1176.45

+/-10.23 +/-1 +/-2

1166.22 1599.995 1598.995

1186.68 1601.995 1602.995

1202.025

+/-10.23

1191.795

1212.255

1176.45

+/-12

1164.245

1188.45

Bands

GLONASS

CDMA

IRNSS

Centre

1600.995

Remarks Upper 1585.65 `1186.68 1576.443 1186.68 1587.69 1186.68

L1C/A L5I/Q C/A L5I/Q D/P D/P B1A-D B1A-P I/Q L1OC-D L1OC-P L3OC-D L3OC-P SPS

Each of these signals have their own signal processing challenges, and the expectation of future systems would be to use all these signals to compute a navigation solution. For using GNSS in certified airspace or equipment that needs to operate in CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) approved airspace one needs to comply to the performance specifications mandated by individual CAA. For example, FAA and EASA have TSO-C145/ ETSO-C145 mandating the performance requirements for GPS/ SBAS receivers. In case of multi constellation systems, standards are currently being developed and the specifications for GPS/ GALILEO/SBAS will be available in ED-259 very shortly. However, the standards for a truly multi constellation receivers (MCMF, multi-constellation multi-frequency) are yet to be drafted and is likely to take a few more years. These regulatory requirements are most likely going to be enforced on UAS that operate in beyond visual line of sight operations. Accord is already working on technologies that will allow processing of MCMF signals in its receivers. This will allow unprecedented options to choose from when using signals from multiple service providers. Accord is fully geared up to provide low power navigation solutions for UAS operations in both certified and non-certified UAS markets. The certified solutions from Accord is marketed through Accord Technology (https://aspennexnav.com/) in the US. Accord Group of Companies The Accord Group of Companies comprises of Accord Software and Systems Pvt. Ltd. and Accord Global Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd. The Accord Group has impressive accomplishments in technology development and Engineering, in the Navigation, Aerospace, Automotive and Digital Technology segments. Accord has also indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured highly reliable GPS/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and Navigation systems suitable for Aircraft platforms, Artilleries and Tanks, Armored vehicles, Handheld receivers, Precision-guided munitions, UAVs, and many other embedded platforms. Accord has developed a vertically integrated GPS/GNSS portfolio consisting of Semiconductor ICs, Modules and solutions that cater to a variety of applications like Avionics, Automotive, Industrial, IoT, Marine, Telecommunications. Visit the following URLs for more data on Accord’s GNSS Portfolio: Accord Software and Systems Pvt. Ltd. – Indian Defense Sector http://accord-soft.com/index.html Accord Global Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd. – Global Business https://www.accord-global.com/ Partner Website: Aspen Avionics/Accord Technology https://aspennexnav.com/about-us/

Russia unveils system to neutralize combat UAVs Russia’s Ministry of Defence has conducted a series of field exercises where the Igla manportable air defence system proved its effectiveness against attacks by combat UAVs

he Russian Ministry of Defense has conducted a series of field exercises, during which the Igla man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) was tested against combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in conjunction with the Buk medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. On April 10, the MoD reported, that the crews of the Buk-M2 and the Igla missile systems of the Central Military District during a training exercise in the Orenburg Region repelled more than 80 attacks of a simulated enemy. “According to the scenario of the tactical exercise, the simulated enemy launched multifaceted air strikes on the area of troop concentrations using drones and cruise missiles”, - said the Ministry. In early April, the Buk and Igla air defense systems were used together to cover during the exercises the military facilities in the Kursk Region from the attacks of the manned and unmanned aviation. The simulated targets were intercepted at altitudes between 5 km and 10 km.

This follows the latest Russian trend of integrating various assets into the multilayered air defense network – at the Aero India and IDEX 2021 defense shows, Russia officially unveiled the new integrated counter-UAV system, which can combines soft-kill and hardkill means - radio electronic warfare and missile systems as well as the radars. Igla-S provides close-in air defense. According to the Machine-Building Design Bureau company (KBM, a subsidiary of Rostec’s holding High-Precision Weapons), the developer of the Igla-S, the major features of the system include an increased weight of explosive

warhead (1.5-fold, compared to the Igla missile), introduction of a proximity fuze in addition to the existing impact fuze, improved missile accuracy, night-fire capability with a night sight, and a firing range increased from 5.2 km to 6.0 km. “Igla is capable of working under conditions of thermal interference and performs friend-or-foe identification. The latest variant, the Igla-S, has been improved to hit small targets, including cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles”, - said state corporation Rostec in the article dedicated to the anniversary of KBM, which was published on 15 April. In August 2020, Dmitry Shugaev, director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) covered the outlook of the Igla-S system in India.”I hope that in the near future an agreement will be signed on the production and supply of Igla-S in the interests of India, considering the fact that we won the competition unconditionally”, Shugaev said in an interview with news channel”.

AFI KLM E&M UNVEILS NEW MRO SERVICE FOR AIRBUS A220 Based on its Airline-MRO mindset, AFI KLM E&M developed and launched its A220 maintenance solutions, designed for the operators.

n 2019, the Air France-KLM Group announced an order for 60 Airbus A220s. With the first Air France A220 due to fly at the end of 2021, AFI KLM E&M has finalized its supply-chain and industrial development program, positioning itself as a major player in the maintenance of this new aircraft, and ready to support operators of this single-aisle aircraft worldwide.. AFI KLM E&M, a complete range of component support Owing to its in-depth expertise in the latest generation of aircraft, AFI KLM E&M has already designed and is able to market a complete nose-to-tail components support for A220 operators. AFI KLM E&M is building dedicated in-house capabilities, in particular by investing in sufficient inventories to guarantee rapid access to spare parts, but also by adapting its engineering skills to provide the best possible operational service. With pool access, 24/7 AOG support, parts availability and a wide range of additional services such as Initial Provisioning and Entry Into Service support, Main Base Kit implementation, line maintenance solutions and aerostructures capabilities, AFI KLM E&M's offer is adapted to all A220 support needs. Additionally, EPCOR, the AFI KLM E&M subsidiary specialized in APUs and pneumatic components, announced in February 2021 the expansion of MRO services on APU GTCP131-9C equipping the A220, licensed by the OEM. AFI KLM E&M's offer is adapted to all A220 support needs. AFI KLM E&M has acquired credibility from its expertise and Adaptivenessâ, building long-term winwin partnerships and competitive agreements with OEMs to support the market. The nose-to-tail industrial solutions enable AFI KLM E&M to deliver unique quality of service to its customers. A reliable player backed by a global network Building on the skills developed for the components support of the Airbus family of aircraft, A320, A330, A380 and more recently the introduction of the A350, AFI KLM E&M has developed a full range of services, available worldwide. Thanks to its powerful network of logistics centers located at major airports on all continents, as well as components workshops close to its customers' operations, AFI KLM E&M is able to serve its customers wherever they operate. “Whether in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa or Oceania, we are opening

up new alternative routes for A220 operators by offering them competitive, reliable and proven solutions. Convinced of the AirlineMRO mindset of our solutions, several A220 operators have already shown great interest in joining the AFI KLM E&M components pool,” declared Benjamin Moreau, SVP AFI KLM E&M Components Product Connecting A220s to AFI KLM E&M know-how Like all connected aircraft operated or supported by AFI KLM E&M, the A220 benefits from the advantages of the predictive maintenance suite and "Big Data" services: PROGNOSâ. Firstly, PROGNOSâ for Inventory, which enables inventories to be sized as accurately as possible and deliver the best service level to airliners operations, but also PROGNOSâ for Aircraft, which anticipates on component repairs needs, thus avoiding operational constraints. Under license from Honeywell, EPCOR, the 100% AFI KLM E&M subsidiary specialized in APU support, is also able to monitor the GTCP131-9C fitted to the A220 thanks to PROGNOSâ for APU. Its expertise as an Airline-MRO and its long experience with the Airbus family of aircraft have enabled AFI KLM E&M to develop one of the most comprehensive and competitive component support offers on the market, making it a reference partner for A220 operators.

Redefining Air Travel I

t has been more than a year since the commercial aviation and airport industry faced a shutdown due to the global pandemic. Yet, with an eye on recovery, the industry has come together to create a safer, healthier, and more efficient travel experience by leveraging the latest technologies and tools, and in doing so, is not only looking to make a recovery but to evolve into a stronger, more resilient industry. With all stakeholders, including airports, airlines, key suppliers, governments, and regulators working collaboratively and taking bold steps together, we can accelerate economic recovery for the industry and restart the global economy. A critical step on the path to recovery is creating a contactless passenger journey by leveraging new and emerging technologies. These solutions can mitigate current challenges and revolutionize the way we travel. The pandemic has encouraged the airport industry to rethink the entire passenger journey and consider how technology can limit touchpoints. We can implement health check certifications before entering an airport, and biometric verifications at every stage of the journey, from check-in and bag drop to security and the boarding gate. Contactless kiosks and bag drops eliminate the need to touch airport equipment and wayfinding technology can help passengers navigate congested areas and find concessions or health checkpoints. Underpinning the contactless passenger infrastructure is a need for a secure, cloud environment to enable and verify credentials and data, as well as support new industry initiatives such as the IATA Travel Pass and other forms of health certificates. To that end, we believe the connected aviation eco-system and the role of analytics will play an important part in the new passenger journey. From our perspective, three main pillars will support the foundation of the contactless passenger infrastructure: 1. The physical pillar, including on-board avionics, back office equipment and

Rakan Khaled Vice President, Airport Systems Collins Aerospace

workstations are required to bring each plane into the network and create a connected environment. 2. The data pillar - Because the use of data is at the core of all decision-making to create meaningful action with measurable impact. Examples include passenger and health information, passenger processing data and flight information. 3. Finally, the application pillar, where industry stakeholders use collaborative approaches to foster aerospace recovery. Some collaborations include airport check-in applications, Mobile phone passenger apps, analytics, and business information applications. We are encouraged to see that many airports are already creating new environments where passengers can be contactless, congestion-less, and able to get to their flights as quickly as possible. Several technologies are now available that will have a positive impact on passenger confidence. The first is the expanded use of self-service kiosks for boarding passes and bags, where one has the ability to have that process be entirely contactless by using their mobile phone. Another is biometrics, which enables a passenger’s face to be his or her primary travel identification token. We believe that the simple and effective contactless passenger journey will encourage passengers to return to flying. Though the road to recovery is long, we are on the right course and need to focus on getting to our destination together.

Armed Forces playing stellar role in war against COVID-19 Considering the spike in COVID-19 cases, India’s Armed Forces are setting up hospitals, airlifting oxygen tankers and other supplies and making the services of its medical personnel available to civilian patients

ith the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic stretching the limits of the health infrastructure and personnel in many parts of the country, the Armed Forces have stepped in to minimize the damage. As part of their initiatives in this regard, the Army, Navy and the Air Force are creating medical facilities in large numbers and also making military medical

infrastructure and services of its personnel available to civilians. Moreover, considering the urgent need for oxygen supplies, Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed its aircraft to transport the life-saving gas. Similarly, several large hospitals have been set up by the Armed Forces at various locations in the country for treating COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat to discuss the situation. During the meeting, the CDS informed the Prime Minister

that all medical personnel from the Armed Forces, who have retired or taken premature retirement in the last two years, are being recalled to work in COVID-19 facilities. Similarly, all medical officers on staff appointments at Command HQ, Corps HQ, Division HQ and similar HQ of Navy and IAF are being employed at hospitals. Nursing personnel are also being assigned in large numbers. Considering the oxygen shortage, the cylinders available with the Armed Forces in various establishments are being released for hospitals. Apart from oxygen, the IAF is engaged in transporting other essential items also. The IAF has deployed its C-17 Globemaster-III and IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft to transport empty oxygen containers or tankers from their place of use to oxygen plants and filling stations. The defence forces are also airlifting high capacity tankers from places abroad such as Singapore and the UAE. In another initiative, DRDO, along with the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), has set up the 500-bed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) COVID hospital in New Delhi, while another facility with 900 beds has been inaugurated at Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, work is underway on a 450-bed hospital in Lucknow and a 750-bed facility in Varanasi. The AFMS is also importing 23 portable oxygen generation plants from Germany.

Coordination with states Based on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s instructions, the Armed Forces are in touch with state governments to provide assistance, while defence PSUs, ordnance factories and DRDO are providing oxygen cylinders and extra beds to civil authorities. Military hospitals around the country are also enhancing their facilities. All the hospitals run by the 63 Cantonment Boards have been asked to accommodate Cantonment residents and those who seek treatment. Rajnath Singh has also sanctioned delegation of emergency financial powers to AFMS, with a limit of Rs 5 crore for Lt-Generals, Rs 3 crore to Major Generals and Rs 2 crore to Brigadiers, to combat the disease. Extension to short-service commissioned military doctors till December 31 is another move. DRDO’s efforts DRDO has rebuilt a facility near Terminal 1, New Delhi with 500 beds, while the ESIC Hospital in Patna, which was converted to a COVID hospital, has 500 beds. Moreover, the On-Board Oxygen Generation Technology developed for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has been given to the industry. Yet another initiative of DRDO is supplying the SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation)-based supplemental oxygen delivery system created for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas for COVID patients as their conditions are similar.

EMDLS Passes US Army Testing

ommtact Ltd. - a leading provider of advanced wireless communications solutions for manned and unmanned platforms on the ground, in the air or at sea - announces that its EMDLS datalink radio units have recently undergone harsh testing cycles administered for the US Army as per known MIL810 and MIL-461 standards. The EMDLS datalink radios, are designed and developed sp1ecifically for small-

mid platforms such as drones and V-TOLs of sorts. The EMDLS BAT is IP67 certified and exceled in performance under temperature tests of -40°C up to +65°C, withstand hard gusting rain and rough vibrations, and resist penetration and damage from blowing sand and dust. Commtact’s datalink systems are manufactured in strict compliance with all applicable standards and regulatory requirements and are built for continuance use under severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, salt storms and 100% humidity. “Attentive as ever to the needs of the forces in the field, our transceivers provide reliable continuous secure data link under any weather condition” says Ariel Kandel, Commtact’s CEO. “We believe that this successful testing will leverage our cooperation with the US Army”.

3 more Rafale Jets landed in India

hree Rafale fighter jets landed at the Ambala airbase on Thursday, taking the total number of Rafales in the Indian Air Force (IAF) inventory to 23. Three aircraft were to take off from MerignacBordeaux airbase in France on May 20. The IAF is all set to resurrect the 101 “Falcons of Chamb” squadron at Hashimara in West Bengal. It is expected that the full deliveries of 36 Rafale aircraft will be completed before April 2022 as announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament. India ordered 36 warplanes from France in 2016 for ₹59,000 crore under a government-to-government deal.

DRDO develops Single Crystal Blades for Helicopter Engine Application

RDO has developed single crystal blades technology and has supplied 60 number of these blades to HAL as part of their indigenous helicopter development program for helicopter engine application. This is part of a program taken up by Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) a premium laboratory of DRDO to develop 5 sets (300 Numbers) of single crystal high pressure turbine (HPT) blades using a nickel-based super alloy. The supply of remaining 4 sets will be completed in due course. Helicopters used in strategic and defence applications need compact and powerful aero-engines for their reliable operation at extreme conditions. To achieve this, state-of-the-art Single Crystal Blades having complex shape and geometry, manufactured out of Nickel based superalloys capable of withstanding high temperatures of operation are used. Very few countries in the world such as USA, UK, France, Russia, have the capability to design and manufacture such Single Crystal (SX) components. DMRL undertook this task based on its expertise gained during the development of such a technology for a aero-engine project earlier. Complete vacuum investment casting process to realize the blades, including die design, wax pattering, ceramic moulding, actual casting of components non-destructive evaluation (NDE), heat treatment and dimensional measurement, has been established at DMRL. Special ceramic composition had to be formulated for making strong ceramic moulds which can withstand metallostatic pressure of liquid CMSX-4 alloy at 1500°C and above during casting operation. The challenge of maintaining the required temperature gradient has also been overcome by optimizing the casting parameters. A multi-step vacuum solutionising heat treatment schedule

for complex CMSX-4 superalloy to achieve the required microstructure and mechanical properties has also been established. Further, a stringent non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methodology for the blades along with the technique for determining their crystallographic orientations has been developed. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, HAL and industry involved in the development of critical technology. Secretary DD R&D and chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated and appreciated the efforts involved in indigenous development of this vital technology.

ALH Mk III Helicopter of Indian Navy fitted with Medical ICU

ALH MK III AIRCRAFT OF INDIAN NAVY FITTED WITH MEDICAL ICU

Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has been installed onboard ALH Mk III from INAS 323 at INS Hansa by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). With ALH Mk III, an all-weather aircraft, being equipped with MICU, the Indian Navy can now undertake medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions. The MICU has two sets of Defibrillators, Multipara Monitors, Ventilator, Oxygen Support as well as Infusion and Syringe Pumps. It also has a suction system to clear secretions in the mouth or airway of the patient. The system can be operated on aircraft power supply and also has a battery back up of four hours. The equipment can be installed in two-three hours to convert the aircraft into an air ambulance. This is the first of eight MICU sets to be delivered by HAL to Indian Navy.

FL Technics introduces Material Management and Logistics course

L Technics, a provider of aircraft MRO services and a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, announces an addition of a new training course to its Virtual training portfolio as Part-147 Training Organisation. Since the newly developed FL Technics Logistics Solutions business line requires enhanced knowledge and expertise from the industry specialists, FL Technics Training team has introduced a new Open Class training option for those interested in the subject. The Material Management and Logistics training course comes in a format of a Virtual classroom and is aimed at providing attendees with thorough knowledge on the requirements and processes associated with material management and logistics in civil aviation. With travel restrictions and recommendations for social distancing in place, this is an excellent opportunity to get into the subject or to develop current experience in it, without even leaving home. The training course is conducted by Andrej Volodko, Head of Administration and Business Intelligence Unit at FL Technics. The trainer has over 10 years of

MC-21-300 wing panel, made of composite materials, delivered to Irkut

he MC-21-300 wing panel, made of Russian composite materials, was delivered to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut Corporation (part of UAC, Rostec State Corporation). The wing panel will be installed on the MC-21-300 aircraft intended for delivery to the first customer. Earlier, this aircraft was equipped with a center section, also made of domestic composites. Wing panel 17,5 m long was delivered from Ulyanovsk to Irkutsk by road. Specialists of Irkut Corporation and AeroComposite have developed special

teaching experience and more than 15 years of professional experience in the industry. Andrej has an abundance of active hands-on knowledge in the processes related to logistics and material management and is an expert with a wealth of practical experience to bring to the classroom. “We are excited to make this course publicly available and accessible for individual learners interested in the topic. The course provides a solid theoretical and practical background, supported by the expertise of a renowned industry expert, bringing his handson experience to the course. The insider’s know-how, as well as the convenient remote training format, make this course particularly attractive for participants,” commented Diana Lisovskaja, Acting Head of Customer support and Application units at FL Technics. The Material Management and Logistics training course is based on EC Regulations No 1321/2014 and No 748/2012; IOSA Standards Manual; IATA Guidance Material and Best Practices for Inventory Management; ATA Spec 300; CAP 562 – Leaflet D-40. Registration is open to anyone via 147training.com, with the next group scheduled for June 14, 2021.

equipment with a system of fasteners and sensors to prevent structural damage during transportation. Leading Russian chemists and technologists, including experts and academics from Moscow State University and Rosatom, participate in development and production of domestic composite. The technology used to produce large-scale wing box panels based on infusion technology was developed by AeroComposite and patented in Russia. Design experience and many tests of composite units carried out within the MC-21 program allowed Irkut Corporation to start building production aircraft. The use of strong and lightweight composite materials resulted in the development high aspect ratio wing and improving the aircraft aerodynamic performance and at the same time increasing the fuselage diameter. The wide passenger compartment provides greater comfort for the crew and passengers, reduces airport turnaround time of the aircraft due to accelerated boarding and disembarkation.

DroneShield Releases Next Generation Optical AI Software

roneShield Ltd announced the release of DroneOptIDTM 2.0, the second generation version of its optical Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning based software. The original DroneOptIDTM system, developed in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) under a Defence Innovation Network grant from the Australian Government, has paved the way into a sophisticated AI-based software engine to detect, classify and track small, rapidly moving UAS, as well as their payloads. The updates include a substantial overall enhancement of the engine, effectiveness in a wider range of environments including night-time via thermal sensors, improved detection and classification of UAS payloads and cutting-edge technology estimating the target distance and altitude from the sensor. The update is provided as part of the overall the DroneSentry-C2TM commandand-control ecosystem. The software processes imagery from a number of third-

party camera hardware partners, including TRAKKA cameras, as part of the on-vehicle TIPS-C solution. DroneShield utilises its proprietary techniques in signal processing and Machine Learning/ AI to do near-real time detection and identification of unmanned robotic systems, with DroneOptIDTM being the optical sensor stream of work in parallel with RFAI cutting edge software engine in the radiofrequency sensing space. The software is designed to run on all DroneSentryTM platforms incorporating a camera sensor. Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, commented, “DroneOptIDTM carries our cutting-edge AI capabilities in the optical/thermal space, along with out RFAI global leadership in the AI processing of the radiofrequency spectrum. In addition to enabling a variety of cameras substantially enhanced capabilities of target tracking via a layer of software, it also opens the door to a variety of sophisticated target tracking applications on battlefield, cluttered urban and other complex environments, for a variety of threats, which is of interest to our existing and prospective Government and military customer base.”

CAE USA awarded US$135 million contract for USSOCOM Mission Command System

AE announced that CAE USA has been awarded a contract valued at more than US$135 million, including options, by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to lead integration efforts for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Global Situational Awareness initiative. USSOCOM has exercised the first option of the contract valued at more than US$19 million. Last year, CAE USA was among several companies awarded an initial prototype contract to demonstrate the capability of leveraging a digital ecosystem to fuse data from a variety of sources to deliver a common operational picture (COP). Following further evaluation, USSOCOM selected CAE USA to lead the integration and architecture development efforts under a program called Mission Command

System/Common Operational Picture (MCS/ COP). “We are pleased to be selected by the U.S. Special Operations Command to lead the Mission Command System Common Operational Picture development and integration efforts,” said Ray Duquette, President and General Manager, CAE USA. SOCOM’s Mission Command System will incorporate new solutions developed by CAE that integrate mission operations in a single synthetic environment. “The USSOCOM Mission Command System program and our integrated digital ecosystem solution are directly related to CAE’s strategy to leverage our world-class modeling and simulation expertise beyond training to adjacent markets such as mission and operations support,” said Daniel Gelston, Group President, Defense & Security, CAE.

IAI completes trial of BARAK ER 150 km range Missile

aving completed a successful series of trials of the BARAK Air and Missile Defense System, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled documentation of the challenging trials, which tested the system’s capabilities in a range of scenarios and threats, including the interception of an assaulting ballistic target by the BARAK ER (Extended Range) interceptor. The BARAK ER Air Defense System, developed by IAI, combines the capability to intercept airborne threats at an extended range of 150 kilometers and ballistic targets. The ER interceptor is part of IAI’s BARAK Air Defense System’s family, capable of various ranges. The extended range capability is made possible in part by adjusting the interceptor and MMR radar capabilities to a 150 km range, and can be fitted for both naval and land platforms. The BARAK ER interceptor tested in the trial series was taken directly from the company’s production line. The BARAK ER revolutionizes air defense with unprecedented flexibility, both in real-time full net-centric combat management as well as with unique smart launchers. The launchers are capable of independently launching and managing any mix of interceptors without a dedicated command post on site. The sophisticated battle management system optimizes the interceptors to match threats in real time. Thanks to these features, an operator can create unique responses to a mix of interceptors across different threats, as well as phase their procurement gradually according to budget constraints. Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO, said, “The BARAK Air Defense System is a

modern yet mature, operationally proven system that maximizes the capabilities required to meet threats today, in particular, against ballistic targets. The system has both naval and land versions. Both versions share building blocks, relying on the air defense know-how developed at IAI over the past decades. IAI produces all of the system’s elements inhouse, including: radars, launchers, missiles, and the command and control center. Only select companies in the world possess such comprehensive capabilities. The extensive firing trials to which the system was subjected under difficult land and sea conditions is the best proof of the system’s capabilities. The modular approach, and the smart launchers, fit customer demand for utmost flexibility on the battlefield and in procurement given budget constraints. As such, BARAK provides an optimal solution for the present and future battlefield.” IAI’s BARAK is one of the world’s most advanced defense systems. Operationally proven, it is used by several armies worldwide, including the Israeli Navy, India’s air-force, army and navy, and additional customers. BARAK provides wide-area protection against a range of air, sea and ground threats, including ballistic, ground-to-ground, and cruise missiles, UAVs, and helicopters. BARAK consists of several systems representing the forefront of technology, including: interceptors for a variety of ranges and advanced homing seekers, digital MMR radar or MFSTAR radar for naval platforms, command and control system, and unified launchers for different ranges. These systems are complemented by breakthrough communication and connectivity capabilities, providing the user with optimal force activation using several batteries or ships for the multidimensional battlefield.

Boeing extends mandatory retirement age for CEO Dave Calhoun

he Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced that its Board of Directors has extended the company's age-65 standard retirement to age 70 for President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David L. Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun, 64, has served as Boeing's President and CEO since Jan. 13, 2020. "Under Dave's strong leadership, Boeing has effectively navigated one of the most challenging and complex periods in its long history," said Boeing Chairman Larry Kellner. "His dedication to renewing the company's commitment to safety, quality and transparency has been critical in building regulator and customer confidence as Boeing returns the 737 MAX to service. And, in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the global pandemic, he has taken proactive actions to ensure Boeing remains strongly positioned for the recovery in the aviation industry. Given the substantial progress Boeing has made under Dave's leadership, as well as the continuity necessary to thrive in our long-cycle industry, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders to allow the Board and Dave the flexibility for him to continue in his role beyond the company's standard retirement age." While the Board's action extends the mandatory retirement age for Mr. Calhoun to April 1, 2028, there is no fixed term associated with his employment.

Aeromag Special Issue for DSEI 14 - 17 SEPTEMBER 2021 EXCEL - LONDON For Details, Please contact : info@aeromag.in / marketing@aeromag.in Tel : + 91 80 43747492, Cell : + 91 94490 61925

CDS General Bipin Rawat operationalises Joint Logistics Node in Mumbai

hief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat operationalised and dedicated to the Services, the 3rd Joint Logistics Node (JLN) in Mumbai through video conferencing from New Delhi on April 2021. All future wars will be conducted by Tri-Service in an integrated manner and to enable the Armed Forces to conduct successful operations, it is essential that they should be provided with sound logistics support during all stages of the war. Keeping these in mind, These JLNs will provide integrated logistics cover to the Armed Forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation clothing, spares and also engineering support in an effort to synergise their operational efforts. Speaking on the occasion, General Bipin Rawat said, “Establishment and operationalisation of JLNs is a very important first step in the direction of logistics integration of our three Services. Acceptance of each other's limitations and learning from each other's strengths and best practices is essential to help improve the functioning and efficacy of these nodes.” This initiative would accrue advantages in terms of saving of manpower, economise utilisation of resources, besides financial savings. The CDS also complimented the 'Tri-Yodhas' on this occasion who put in their heart and soul to make this node operational and said, “I call upon everyone to continue to strive for excellence in our endeavour to become a fully integrated, modern and selfsufficient future-ready force.” Successful functioning of these three JLNs would prove to be important stepping stones for opening of more JLNs in different parts of the country. The JLN would enhance joint inter-operability between the Services and go a long way in improving the logistics processes of the Armed Forces in accordance with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s directions to enhance the jointness among the three Services. This important milestone is a harbinger of further strengthening of integrated logistics in the Armed Forces and will enable them to operate in all areas and across all spectrum of warfare seamlessly. The CDS also emphasised on the need to work towards greater logistics

integration with national logistics, which has been provided renewed impetus in the recent past by saying it would help the Armed Forces to take benefit from the infrastructural and logistics improvements taking place at the national level. “Through this, we will bring to bear the actual 'Whole of the Nation' effort on our adversaries, he added. He also urged the Services to put-in concerted efforts to achieve cost cutting as well as modernisation. The Joint Operations Division (JOD) under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (Hq IDS) actively pursued and enabled establishment of the JLNs as the first concrete step towards logistics integration of the TriService. Government Sanction Letter for establishment of JLNs in Mumbai, Guwahati and Port Blair was signed on October 12, 2020. The JLNs in Guwahati and Tri-Services, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Port Blair were operationalised on January 01, 2021. Presence of senior officers from the three Services during the inauguration of JLN which was conducted virtually reflected the true essence of Tri-Service integration. The Standing Operating Procedure of the JLN was also e-released by General Bipin Rawat on the occasion.

Lufthansa Technik and Airbus offer "Temporary Cargo Cabin"

ufthansa Technik and Airbus team up to offer customers a reversible Cargoin-Cabin solution to satisfy urgent demand quickly and easily. The solution for the Airbus A330 family comprises the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) as well as material kits to modify the passenger aircraft for temporary cargo transport. Cargo capacity is thus increased by up to 15t of additional payloaddepending on aircraft configuration. Finnair is the first airline to modify an Airbus A330-300 to carry commercial, non-dangerous goods in the main pax deck. Due to the slow air traffic recovery belly capacity is still low and not likely to return until 2024 to pre-Covid level. Additionally, the exemptions granted by the authorities in the beginning of the pandemic to reuse passenger cabins to transport medical supplies expired. Together with Airbus, Lufthansa Technik now responds with the “Temporary Cargo Cabin”, an STC which allows to modify a passenger cabin into a cargo hold. “We join forces with Airbus in times of crisis to deliver the best solution for aircraft operators. We mutually benefit from each other’s expertise in many respects and thus create a blueprint for possible future co-operations’’, says Soeren Stark, Chief Operations Officer & Accountable Manager at Lufthansa Technik. Daniel Wenninger, Airbus’ VP Airframe Services,”The cooperation with Lufthansa Technik enables the smooth implementation of this temporary cargo solution. The A330’s best in class operational economics and versatile cabin makes it the perfect aircraft for cargo missions in the current context. With such a new solution, we keep on supporting our Airbus customers.” Frontrunner Finnair Finnair is the launch customer for the “Temporary Cargo Cabin”: The operator modified an Airbus A330 at its home base in Helsinki lately, the approval process for the STC is underway. The simple embodiment can be carried out at any Part 145 provider worldwide. “With this EASA Approved STC solution we are able to continue our successful cargo operations even during ramp-up. The solution is technically simple and does not require massive investments like traditional cargo conversions”, adds Juha Ojala, Vice President of Finnair Technical Operations Comprehensive technical solution to fulfill EASA requirements Typically, the embodiment of the “Temporary Cargo Cabin” includes removal of seats and monuments depending on the

individual layout and customer needs. This also comprises, e.g., that seat-to-seat IFE harnessing has to be de-installed or water supply interfaces have to be plugged temporarily. The solution foresees to install standard TSO (Technical Standard Order) approved pallets with special brackets on the seat tracks in the center column of the aircraft and create additional positions in the lateral areas ensuring an optimal use of the A330 cabin. The bulk cargo will be secured with standard TSO approved nets. As part of the material kit, Lufthansa Technik provides a cabin kit and firefighting equipment to be in line with cabin safety requirements of EASA .

Boeing Forecasts Sufficient Capital for Aviation Finance

oeing [NYSE: BA] projects global and diversified funding will continue to flow into the aircraft financing sector as the aviation sector navigates the global pandemic and vaccine deployment continues to accelerate. “Financiers and investors understand the industry’s resilience and the long-term fundamentals that make aircraft a valuable asset class,” said Tim Myers, president of Boeing Capital Corporation. “Despite the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 on the global aerospace industry, there generally continues to be liquidity in the market for our customers, and we expect it to further improve as travel begins to rebound.” The 2021 Current Aircraft Finance Market Outlook (CAFMO), the first published since 2019, reflects Boeing’s near-term view of market dynamics and assesses financing sources for new commercial airplane deliveries. Due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, the 2021 CAFMO excludes its customary one- and fiveyear industry financing projections. “Industry fundamentals continue to show varying degrees of strength in different markets depending on the regional trends of the global pandemic,” Myers said. “We expect that capital will continue to be routed into the sector by established players and as new entrants seek opportunities during the industry’s recovery.” The 2021 CAFMO reports the aircraft financing environment ended 2020 with enough liquidity to finance deliveries, but with stresses particularly in the bank debt and tax equity markets. The 2021 CAFMO, an introductory video and regional financing data is available at www.boeing.com/CAFMO. Select highlights include the following: - At the industry level, commercial aircraft delivery funding volume totaled $59 billion, a 40% decrease from 2019 levels. - The top sources of Boeing delivery financing were cash, bank debt and capital markets, and 100% of Boeing deliveries were financed by third parties. - Aircraft lessors executed a significant volume of sale-leaseback transactions, and the industry-wide leased fleet climbed to 46%. - Capital markets for aviation volumes were 70% higher than 2019.

- Commercial banks shored up the aviation industry’s need for liquidity early in the pandemic, but long-term bank debt became one of the less utilized forms of financing. - Institutional investors and funds continued to seek aviation exposure, stepping up as some financiers paused and sector credit spreads widened. - Export credit agencies remain a small but important funding source during the pandemic. - Credit-enhanced financing saw further progress as a complementary funding source, totaling to 4% of the financing mix for Boeing deliveries. The Boeing 2020 Commercial Market Outlook, a separate annual 20-year forecast addressing the market for commercial airplanes and services, projects passenger traffic growth at an average rate of 4% per year. The global commercial fleet is expected to reach 48,400 by 2039, up from 25,900 airplanes today. Caution Concerning Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this document may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates” and

Boeing’s analysis of the current aircraft financing environment. (Boeing image)

similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future plans, business prospects, financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forwardlooking statements are based on expectations and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when made, but that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements, including the COVID-19 pandemic and related industry impacts; the 737 MAX, including the timing and conditions of 737 MAX regulatory approvals, lower-than-planned production rates and/or delivery rates, and increased considerations to customers and suppliers; economic conditions in the United States and globally; general market and industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers; reliance on our commercial customers, our U.S.

government customers and our suppliers; the overall health of our aircraft production system, as well as the other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in The Boeing Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth. Boeing Capital Corporation is a global provider of financing solutions. A wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, Boeing Capital offers asset-backed lending and leasing, concentrating on assets that are critical to the core operations of Boeing customers. Boeing Capital’s primary mission is to support the other Boeing business units by ensuring customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing products.

Elbit Systems U.S. Subsidiary Completes the Acquisition of Sparton Corporation

lbit Systems Ltd. announced, further to the Company’s announcement of December 23, 2020, that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC (“Elbit Systems of America”), completed the acquisition of Sparton Corporation (“Sparton”) from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for a purchase price of $380 million. The closing follows receipt of all the required approvals, including receipt of U.S. Government and regulatory approvals. Headquartered in De Leon Springs, Florida, U.S., Sparton is a premier developer, producer and supplier of systems supporting Undersea Warfare for the U.S. Navy and allied military forces. Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems President & CEO, commented: “The growing importance of the maritime arena and the market position and technological strength of Sparton make this acquisition significant to our long-term growth strategy, with a particular focus on the U.S. We believe that the completion of this acquisition will be beneficial for both Elbit Systems’ and Sparton’s employees and customers.” Elit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in

the areas of aerospace, land, and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions.

GMR announces launch of Hyderabad AeroCity

nfrastructure major, GMR Group announced the launch of GMR AeroCity in Hyderabad as part of its vision to provide world-class infrastructure in India. GMR AeroCity Hyderabad is unfolding a landmark urban form that is competitive, attractive, and sustainable. Developed as an urban landscape with an International airport at its core, it brings speed, agility and connectivity as unique business propositions. GMR AeroCity Hyderabad offers a gateway airport with growing air connectivity, passenger traffic and best in class logistics hub with smart technologies in place. Spread across 1500 acres, GMR AeroCity Hyderabad is envisaged to be an integrated mixed-use development, which includes key ports and establishments, viz. Business Park, Retail Park, Aerospace and Industrial Park, Logistics Park, Hospitality etc. It also provides complete living and working experience, with support infrastructure including schools, healthcare, rental accommodation, leisure & entertainment. Identifying the gap in quality leisure, retail, fun and entertainment avenues, GMR Group is conceptualising a Lifestyle destination retail project “GMR Interchange” to enable LIVE/WORK/PLAY at the campus. Various entertainment avenues under proposal include a Cinema and a Family Entertainment Centre to be part of the Interchange project. A Hospitality district is also being planned to cater to the multitude of demands coming from various users of AeroCity. GMR Business Park housed in the AeroCity offers varied office real-estate solutions like ready to move-in Grade-A offices and Built-to-Suit Campuses. It offers best in class infrastructural support for the prospective and existing businesses viz. redundancies built in Telecom, Power & IT infrastructure for 24/7 operations; dedicated power link-up with the state grid for reliable power supply, round the clock three-tier security system comprising RAXA, State police and CISF, express connectivity with the city; pollution free and well-planned ecosystem. A Notified Area Committee (NAC) - which is a one-stop clearance window for all building plan approvals – also contributes towards ease of doing business. It focuses on sustainable development using Green Technologies and new generation Smart digital infrastructure along with quality physical infrastructure. Spanning around 1 Million sq.ft of leasable area, spread over four Towers (being developed in phases, with Tower 1 fully occupied and Tower 2 ready for occupancy), GMR AeroCity Hyderabad has been seamlessly designed for the future business corridor. The Business Park is an ideal choice for DR, BCP sites, Grade A offices, Network Planning offices, Sales Office, R&D etc.

The facilities such as food court/gymnasium/ retail bank branch/proposed health centre and an airport public plaza will ensure that employees have all social amenities within their office campus making it a highly enriching work environment for the employees. Well connected with an eight-lane expressway and an elevated corridor with the primary and secondary business districts of Hyderabad, GMR Business Park is strategically located with unparalleled local and global connectivity. In addition, the Airport is currently connected by more than 150 buses round the clock, and soon will be connected via an express Metro system to the city. “Hyderabad AeroCity is creating a paradigm shift in the way of doing business in India. It offers connected, smart and sustainable workspaces with optimum leasing depths to maximize workspace design efficiency. Being part of Airport ecosystem, which has won many accolades over the years from national & international bodies for its service and infrastructure superiority and consistency, Hyderabad AeroCity also provides unparalleled ease of doing business to its trusted partners, who love to focus on their core business, leaving behind issues of infra, facilities, security etc. Decentralized developments like the Hyderabad AeroCity is a perfect example of a thoroughly master planned development to efficiently handle the teething issues and enable the city users to experience a safe & rewarding Work & Living environment,” said Aman Kapoor, CEO, GMR Airport Land Development (ALD).

DPSUs & OFB extending support to fight Covid-19

efence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) are extending all possible assistance to the civil administration / state governments in the fight against the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the country. In this hour of crisis, they are catering to the civilian population from their existing services in coordination with the state governments, as directed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in recently held review meetings. A 180-bed COVID care centre, with ICU, oxygen and ventilator support, set up by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is functional in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The DPSU has also prepared a 250-bed facility in Bengaluru and handed over to municipal authorities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). A 70-bed facility in Koraput, Odisha and a 40-bed hospital in Nasik, Maharashtra are also operational. Work has also been undertaken by HAL to set up a 250-bed COVID

care facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It is expected to be operational in the first week of May. Further, HAL is planning to provide more ventilators and oxygen points at Bangalore and Lucknow. The OFB is providing COVID care services, including oxygen beds, at their facilities in 25 places in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha and Uttarakhand. It has earmarked nearly 60 per cent of its existing strength for COVID-19 care. Precisely, 813 beds out of total strength of 1,405 are now reserved for COVID patients. These facilities are in Pune, Ambernath, Nagpur, Bhandara, Chanda, Varangaon and Bhusawal in Maharashtra and at Ishapore and Kolkata in West Bengal. Other places where OFB is providing its facilities for COVID care are Kanpur (2), Shahjahanpur (1) and Muradnagar (1) in Uttar Pradesh; Jabalpur (3), Itarsi (1) and Katni (1) in Madhya Pradesh; Avadi (1), Aruvankadu (1) and Tiruchirappalli (1) in Tamil Nadu; Medak (1) in Telangana; Dehradun (1) in Uttarakhand and Badmal (1) in Odisha. Several DPSUs such as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), BEML Limited, HAL, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited and MIDHANI, have also fast-tracked procurement of oxygen plants to deliver to local government hospitals in different states under CSR.

GRSE HANDS OVER 2 AMBULANCES TO RAMKRISHNA MISSION, BELUR

arden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), a Mini Ratna Category 1 Defence PSU and a leading warship building company of India, operating under administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, continuing on its CSR mission, donated 02 ambulances to Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math during these challenging times. The keys of the ambulances were presented by Cmde P R Hari, Director (Personnel) to Swami Bodhasarananda Ji Maharaj, the Assistant General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission on 19th May in Belur Math. Other senior officials of GRSE were also present to grace the occasion. GRSE has continued in its efforts to stand with the people of India in battling Covid-19 from the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Contributing to the PM CARES Fund and West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund, the Shipyard handed over relief materials for the underprivileged population of Metiabruz, Kolkata and localities surrounding the Shipyard’s premises & also to Kolkata Police

personnel to enable them to perform their duty unhindered during the nationwide lockdown in 2020. To support the Nation’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19, GRSE has recently signed MoU with two medical institutions in Kolkata, the Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute, Thakurpukur and Bharat Sevashram Sangha Hospital, Joka, for providing support to these hospitals to set up two Medical Oxygen Plants. The Shipyard thus, continues to thus fulfill its responsibility as a corporate entity dedicated to the cause of underprivileged section of the population and the society at large.

Elettronica will equip U212 NFS Submarines with its EW Suite

lettronica announces the signature of a supply contract with Fincantieri for the Electronic Warfare Suite of the new submarines of the Italian Navy, in the framework of the U212 NFS Programme managed by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement). The contract includes the provision of two suites for the first batch of platforms and two additional systems as an option for future batches. Elettronica is already a supplier of the Electronic Warfare equipment in the framework of FREMM and PPA Programmes managed by OCCAR and aims to extend the cooperation to EU co-funded projects. Current conflicts are dominated by the ones reaching in advance the electronic supremacy of the battlefield. No mission can be successfully accomplished without prior knowledge of the electronic Order of Battle. The Electromagnetic Spectrum Operation (EMSO) is then a key enabler for many diversified operations. In the Underwater Domain, EMS Management and Superiority support the submarine’s capability to operate without influencing the scenario directly. The typical mission profile of a stealth platform like a submarine could not be performed without implementing effective Self-Protection capabilities needed to enhance the survivability in very high-risk areas. Both in times of crisis and in peace-keeping operations, the specific role of Surveillance and Reconnaissance requires also SIGINT activities (COMINT, ELINT) The Electronic Warfare Suite designed for the Italian Navy U212 NFS Submarines represents the most technologically advanced and innovative answer to those needs in the underwater domain. Actually, through a very high level of functional integration the Suite is capable to perform self-protection, surveillance and intelligence tasks granting excellent performances on the whole electromagnetic spectrum, from communication to radar bands. It integrates the experience gained by Elettronica both in the specific submarine area products and in naval programs as the latest “Legge Navale” of the Italian Navy, combining then maturity with innovation. The Suite has an integrated RESM/CESM antenna - resulting of more than two years of studies and simulations - that represents the most advanced and performing product of its kind in the market, also for its compact sizes and

stealthness capabilities. Two further antennas are also part of the system, the first with surveillance and detection tasks in the radar band, the later as warning antenna. Furthermore, the U212 NFS EW Suite contracted by the Italian Navy implements enabling technologies granting a very high level of digitalization allowing great performances also in a very dense and complex electromagnetic environment, where most of the EW Suites in the market would be quickly saturated. It relies on a Softwaredefined architecture, strongly reducing the HW component for a significant improvement of the operational availability, while granting easier maintenance and faster updates. “We are very proud to equip the Italian Navy U212 NFS Submarines, a high profile and performance asset encompassing the excellences of the National Industry for the benefit of the Italian Navy and its operational readiness. We are proud to enrich the versatility of this platform through an Electronic Warfare Suite representing the ideal combination of experience, maturity and innovation, thus offering high performances on the entire communications and radar bands, while ensuring excellent self-protection capabilities and wide Intelligence information gathering”, said Domitilla Benigni, COO & CEO of Elettronica.

Indian Navy Deploys Oxygen Express to Island Territories

s part of the nation's fight against COVID 19, Indian Navy ships under Headquarters, Southern Naval Command at Kochi are progressing with the mission of OXYGEN EXPRESS in order to render support to the local administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL). On 25th April, INS Sharda, based at Kochi, undertook transfer of essential medical supplies to the capital of UTL, Kavaratti. The stores consisted of 35 Oxygen cylinders, Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) kits, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE), masks and other items to fight the COVID 19 pandemic. The disembarkation of stores was coordinated by personnel from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The ship then continued with her mission to the island of Minicoy for disembarkation of Oxygen cylinders and medical supplies. Additionally, 41 empty Oxygen cylinders from the islands have been embarked onboard Indian Navy hired vessel, Meghna. The vessel is now headed to Kochi for refilling of the empty cylinders and will head back to UTL with filled cylinders soon to ensure that the Oxygen Express continues unabated. The operations are being progressed under the supervision of the Naval Officer-in-Charge at Lakshadweep in coordination with the UTL Administration. To assist the civil administration in fighting COVID 19 at the island of Kadmat, a Naval contingent comprising one doctor, two Medical Assistants and one additional sailor reached Kadmat on 25th morning. The personnel have been deputed from SNC, Kochi as well as from INS Dweeprakshak, Kavaratti. HQSNC has also reserved ten beds including ICU facilities for patients from Lakshadweep at INHS Sanjivani, Kochi to cater for shortages in beds at the islands.

Also, Naval Air Station INS Garuda has also been placed on alert to extend Naval airfield facilities for UTL helicopters ferrying patients. Air Evacuation Pods developed indigenously by the Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi to airlift COVID-19 patients from the Islands as well as from elsewhere are also being made ready for emergency requirements.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Orders 15 Boeing 737 MAX Jets Lessor's 737-8 portfolio grows to 37 airplanes New order follows DAE's successful 737-8 agreement with American Airlines

oeing and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) announced the aircraft lessor is growing its 737 MAX portfolio with an order for 15 737-8 jets. DAE had been investing in the 737 MAX by buying jets from existing customers and leasing them back to the carriers. The new order is DAE's first direct 737 MAX purchase from Boeing as it modernizes its portfolio for better economic and environmental performance. The order will appear on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website once finalized. Firoz Tarapore, Chief Executive Officer of DAE, said: "We are delighted to deepen our already strong relationship with Boeing. Including this order, we own and manage 162 Boeing aircraft. An increasing number of global aviation regulators are returning the MAX to the skies. We are confident in the success of these aircraft as domestic and regional air travel are seeing strong signs of recovery." The new purchase is DAE's second investment in the 737 MAX in the past year. In the third quarter of 2020, the lessor signed an agreement with American Airlines to purchase and lease back 18 new 737-8 airplanes. Since the agreement, the lessor has delivered 17 of the jets to the U.S. carrier. DAE previously completed a similar purchase-leaseback deal with Brazilian carrier GOL for five 737-8s. "DAE has been instrumental in helping its customers realize the operating economics and environmental performance of the 737-8. We are delighted that they have come back to add more 737 aircraft to its growth plan as it positions itself for the recovery in commercial passenger traffic," said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "We are honored by DAE's trust in the 737 family and we look forward to partnering with them to serve the fleet requirements of airlines around the world." The 737-8 is a member of the 737 MAX family which is designed to offer more fuel efficiency, reliability and flexibility in the single-aisle market. The airplane can fly 3,550 nautical miles – about 600 miles farther than its predecessor – allowing airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers. Compared to the airplanes it replaces, the 737-8 also delivers superior efficiency, using 16% less

fuel and significantly reducing CO2 emissions and operating costs. Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries, leveraging the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd. is a global aviation services company headquartered in Dubai. DAE serves over 170 airline customers in over 65 countries from its seven office locations in Dubai, Dublin, Amman, Singapore, Miami, New York and Seattle. DAE's award-winning Aircraft Leasing division has an owned, managed, committed and mandated to manage fleet of approximately 425 Airbus, ATR and Boeing aircraft with a fleet value exceeding US$16 billion. DAE's Engineering division serves customers in Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia from its state-of-the-art facility accommodating up to 15 wide and narrow body aircraft. It is authorized to work on 13 aircraft types and has regulatory approval from over 25 regulators globally.

Honeywell technology to monitor assets with satellite-based tracking • Multi-purpose satellite terminal transmits location and additional messaging for vehicles, vessels and cargo containers through the Inmarsat satellite network • Product conceptualized and developed by Honeywell engineers in Bengaluru, India

oneywell announced the release of its next-generation portable satellite terminal to track, monitor and control high-value assets in virtually any environment anywhere in the world, using the Inmarsat network. This product was conceptualized and developed by Honeywell engineers in Bengaluru. The versatile Honeywell SAT-IDP portable satellite terminal helps businesses operating in remote or disaster-affected areas manage and track their fleet and assets through satellite tracking. Once an asset has been equipped with a SAT-IDP terminal and deployed in the field, the terminal can be programmed to send and receive customized data from internal and external sensors including temperature, humidity, vibration and shock. “With high-value assets moving throughout the world, our portable nextgeneration satellite terminal gives shippers, fleet companies and their customers valuable data to help make sure their goods will make it to their destination safely,” said Kenneth Deville, general manager of Honeywell’s Global Tracking business. “The terminal’s new features provide greater insights into the quality of shipped goods, location of critical assets and the status and control of remote industrial systems.” Ajeya Motaganahalli, Chief Technology Officer, Safety and Productivity Solutions, Honeywell Technology Solutions, said, “The SAT-IDP also introduces several new features including multiple input/output ports for third-party digital support, and Bluetooth connectivity to enable wireless terminal management for local scripting and configuration in addition to wireless sensors and messaging applications. The SAT-IDP features a compact design allowing inconspicuous deployments with several options for tailored installation.” The terminal operates globally on the highly reliable L-band satellite network from Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, using the IsatData Pro (IDP) service. IDP is often used where no other communications networks exist, but also complements other networks such as 4G as a reliable fallback for mission-critical data. Inmarsat owns and operates the world’s most diverse global portfolio of mobile telecommunications satellite networks. Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy

and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government, Aviation and Enterprise satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high-quality partner to its customers across the globe. “Inmarsat is pleased to support Honeywell and its customers with an evolution path for existing applications and an opportunity to further innovate in the digital transformation of remote industries,” said Mike Carter, president of Enterprise at Inmarsat. “Inmarsat and Honeywell partner on various initiatives and share a common mission to improve safety, sustainability and efficiency for our customers.” For existing Honeywell customers using previous SAT-series terminals, the rugged, high reliability SAT-IDP offers a drop-in upgrade path from legacy satellite IoT services to IDP, which will extend application lifecycle and customer investments by ten years or more. Honeywell and Inmarsat have worked together for nearly two decades to deliver solutions for several industries, including personal tracking, global GPS and aerospace. Honeywell’s SAT-IDP satellite terminal is built and based on a legacy of field-proven, highly reliable and cost-effective tracking solutions for a wide range of applications. For more information about Honeywell’s global tracking solutions, visit https://hwll.co/assettracking.

The MiGs to surprise with new pilotage in 2021

n 6 May, the aerobatic display team of the Russian Air Force, Swifts (Strizhi in Russian), one of the most famous military aerobatic groups, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Swifts is the only aerobatics demonstrator in the world that flies on the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets presenting one of the most known showpieces of Russian aviation. In 2021, for the first time Swifts will showcase the new group aerobatics maneuvers on MiG-29 jets with nine crews in the air at once. The Russian Ministry of Defence, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Swifts, said that in 2004, the set of demonstrations included a joint flight of the aerobatic teams Swifts and Russian Knights consisting of nine aircraft (5 Su-27 and 4 MiG-29) in the rhombus formation with the implementation of a full set of aerobatics. “This became a world record in the history of aviation. This is called the Cuban diamond…The flight program is constantly being improved. In 2021, the Swifts aerobatic team radically updated its program and for the first time will demonstrate group aerobatics with a large number of reforms in the air with nine crews", said the MoD statement. The process of establishing the group began in the mid-80s, when Fulcrums were just being mastered by the Soviet Air Force. The team's official birthday is May 6, 1991 but the real international premiere came in 1992, when 6 MiG-29s enthralled the foreign spectators at the celebration dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the

Normandie-Niemen squadron. Subsequently the Swifts performed in Malaysia, Belgium, Thailand, Hungary, Holland, Bulgaria, USA, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic and The United Arab Emirates. According to the Swifts, a total of about 1500 MiG-29 have been manufactured, with over half of them having fielded by the USSR/Russia and the rest delivered to the foreign countries, including India. "MiG-29 is a soldier plane, reliable as Kalashnikov rifle. Just fill her up and get her airborne and she will fulfill any task", said Mikhail Belyaev, Chief-Pilot of the MiG Corporation. The latest model in MiG-29 family is the MiG35 marketed as a multirole aviation complex. The MiG-35 was officially demonstrated at Aero India 2019 to the then Minister of Defence of India, Nirmala Sitharaman. Russia has underlined the MiG-35's ability to refuel other aircraft in the air, its anti-ship capabilities as well as its open architecture, which allows using other countries' avionics and weapons. MiGs in India India has been using the MiG-21 Fishbed

fighter jets since early 1960-s. Afterwards, MiG-25, MiG-27 and MiG-29 jets were procured. The mass serial production of MiG-21 and MiG-27 (designated Bahadur in India) can be considered a significant step in forming the backbone of the Indian military aerospace industry. Despite criticism, the MiG-21 was praised many times by the Indian Air Force (IAF). "In life, you offered this pilot a seat more coveted than that of a king’s; in death, you took an air-warrior to his glorious Valhalla", said the former Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis, who led the IAF during Kargil War in 1999, while talking about the feelings of the MiG-21 pilots . The Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne in the foreword, which he wrote for the commemorative book to mark 50 years of the MiG-21s with the IAF, written

by Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar (Retd.) and Pushpindar Singh, in 2013 said “In its long operational service, along with kudos it also attracted a fair share of criticism and avoidable media scrutiny….with its sleek frontal profile, fast acceleration and a high degree of flexibility in terms of role employment for both air-to-air and air-to- ground missions — it remains the mainstay of the IAF’s combat fleet for a long time.” The MiG-29 jets are fielded by both the IAF and the Indian Navy. The joint Russian-Indian programme to modernize the IAF's MiG-29s transforms them into the MiG-29UPG. As the media reported earlier, the post-modernization MiG-29s enable integration of Russian and foreign origin weapons, can track aerial targets in a wide range of flight speeds and altitudes, can perform “hidden” (without the use of radar) attacks on targets. The service life of MiG-29 also increased. In 2020, the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria flew the MiG-21 Bison during his visit to a frontline airbase in Western Air Command.

Croatia selects Rafale C

Croatia has selected the Rafale for its Air Force, following an international call for tenders as part of its Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.

roatia has selected the Rafale for its Air Force, following an international call for tenders as part of its Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. The contract between the French and Croatian authorities will cover the acquisition of 12 Rafale previously in service with the French Air Force, as well as fleet support and training. Dassault Aviation and its partners are delighted with the choice of Croatia as a first-time user of a “Dassault aircraft” and the fifth Rafale export customer, and thank the Croatian authorities for their confidence. They commend the work done by the “France” team in the frame of the call for tenders and actively support the French authorities in finalizing the signature of this contract. This latest success in a competition between European and U.S. aircraft confirms the technological and operational superiority of the Rafale, latest-generation, combat proven, multirole fighter. It also reinforces the Rafale’s position in the European Air Forces, making an active contribution to European defense sovereignty.

ATR to Optimise Asia Pacific Repairs with Skyways Technics

eading turboprop manufacturer ATR is strengthening its partnership with Skyways Technics’ Malaysian branch, to further support aftermarket needs in the Asia Pacific region. The synergy will offer support and facilitate the management of sensitive structural component repairs such as Leading-Edge repairs, Flight Controls and Flaps. This deeper relationship will offer operators a repair solution at a more attractive price, with greater technical support. Benjamin Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Skyways Technics A/S commented: “We are proud to partner with ATR, whose leadership of the regional aviation market shows both the quality and importance of their aircraft. With

the industry facing its worst ever crisis, now it is vital to offer airlines innovative and creative solutions to keep their aircraft and passengers flying. Partnerships such as this one will play an important role in supporting the recovery of operators, who are continuing to supply essential connectivity to the communities that they serve throughout the Asia Pacific region.” David Brigante, SVP Programmes and Customer Support at ATR remarked: “As a manufacturer we are always looking for opportunities to improve our offer to our airlines and customers. This partnership allows us to consolidate and improve our GMA offer. Operators can benefit from the best of both worlds; a specialised repair partner and the manufacturer’s expertise. Skyways Technics’ strong local presence in Asia Pacific also guarantees our operators in the region the best quality Leading Edge, Flap, and Flight Control repairs, managed in a timely and cost-effective manner.”

Collins unveils new Venue Cabin Management System

ollins Aerospace’s VenueTM Cabin Management System (CMS) had “a little work done” and is looking better than ever. A new and improved Venue graphical user interface (GUI) is now available for aftermarket installations of the system. The upgraded GUI simplifies cabin controls and has the same look on the cabin’s touch panels and the system’s mobile device app. It offers a more intuitive experience with more icons, less text, and fewer touches to accomplish most tasks. “Venue has always been known for its unmatched user capabilities...This new enhancement, along with our already world-class Venue™ offering, will provide the most well-rounded CMS upgrade in the market.” Steve Adolphs, senior director, Aftermarket & Cabin Programs for Business & Regional Avionics : “Venue has always been known for its unmatched user capabilities. With this user interface update, the system is now able to match the look and feel of rapidly evolving consumer technology which is what we know our customers want,” said Steve Adolphs, senior director of Aftermarket & Cabin Programs for Business & Regional Avionics at Collins Aerospace. “This new enhancement, along with our already world-class Venue™ offering, will provide the most well-rounded CMS upgrade in the market.” With more than 1,500 aircraft installations, Collins’ Venue CMS is the most

fielded system of its kind. Collins has created a three-tiered pricing model to provide more flexibility for customers. The upgraded GUI is available from authorized Collins Aerospace dealers. Collins plans to roll the new GUI to VIP cabin installations later this year along with making it available as an upgrade for in-service Venue aircraft.

Gulf Air Offers COVID-19 Travel Insurance to all Passengers

n a move to offer peace of mind to its passengers and elevate the customer’s experience, Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announces complimentary COVID-19 travel insurance coverage to all ticket holders which will include health and quarantine expenses in the unexpected circumstances of being diagnosed with or contracting COVID-19 during passengers’ journeys. All tickets booked, including redemption tickets, on Gulf Air flights for travel starting from 10 May until 10 November 2021 are automatically covered with COVID-19 insurance at no extra cost. Some restrictions may apply and passengers can visit gulfair.com for more information. All passengers, according to the newly announced insurance policy and in the unfortunate event of being diagnosed with COVID-19 while traveling abroad, will be covered for repatriation assistance, medical and hospital costs abroad as well as quarantine accommodation costs. Coverage is applicable on Gulf Air operated flights with Gulf Air ticket numbers that are purchased through the airline’s website, the call centre, Gulf Air’s sales offices or travel agents. Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “As the current global situation continues, travel needs to be simplified and enhanced with tools to make the passenger’s journey worry-free. The COVID-19 insurance coverage will provide a better experience to everyone flying with us within the

next 6 months, just in time to plan their summer holiday. This will ensure passengers regardless of destination or class of travel can travel with more confidence and avoid any unwanted hassle in case of COVID-19 related emergency abroad”. Gulf Air currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Dhaka, Colombo, the Maldives and several destinations in India and Pakistan. Being one of the few airlines that never stopped flying in 2020, Gulf Air has continuously worked closely with government authorities across its network to resume operations as demand for travel grows. Gulf Air boasts a flexible and agile network by immediately adapting to government guidelines and civil aviation directives and has been responsive to numerous rule changes and updates.

Gulfstream appoints Vicki Britt as Senior VP – Innovation, Flight

ulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the appointment of Vicki Britt as senior vice president, Innovation, Engineering and Flight. Colin Miller, who previously held the role, recently announced his retirement after eight years of service to Gulfstream. Britt serves as a member of Gulfstream’s leadership team and reports to Gulfstream President Mark Burns. In her new role, Britt is responsible for research and development; new aircraft program initiation; engineering and product development; flight, lab and structural test; and worldwide Gulfstream flight operations. “During her tenure at Gulfstream, Vicki has been an invaluable technical leader, team leader and mentor,” said Burns. “Her breadth of experience over an impressive range of aerospace engineering has prepared her well to lead Gulfstream’s innovation strategy and implementation.”

Embraer Sells a Praetor 600 to Aerodata for Flight Inspections

mbraer has signed a contract with Aerodata AG, from Germany, to sell a Praetor 600 to be converted into a Flight Inspection Aircraft, to fulfill the full range of flight inspection missions. The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to Aerodata in 2022 when they will begin to install the systems and equipment required to execute the intended missions. The state-of-the-art Praetor 600 aircraft fully complies with the high-level requirements of the end-user and is prepared for the installation of Aerodata’s most modern flight inspection system AeroFIS®. After the modification, the aircraft will be delivered and operated by the Ministry

of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul Regional Office of Aviation, Flight Inspection Center in South Korea, which has conducted an international public tender for this acquisition and will be the end-user of the solution. This is the first time Embraer is selling an aircraft for this kind of mission outside of Brazil, opening new market opportunities for Embraer’s innovative solutions using current products. The contract with Aerodata also includes training for both pilots and mechanics and an initial support package for the final end-user. The aircraft will be equipped with state-of-theart equipment, such as head-up displays (HUD), high-end communication systems, paperless operation capability, and additional customized interior features. The fully configured Praetor 600 Flight Inspection Aircraft will be a state-of-the-art platform able to perform a wide array of flight inspection tasks in the modes of site survey, surveillance, commissioning inspection, periodic inspection, any special inspection, procedure validation, and ADS-B airborne checks.

The Secretary (Defence Production), Raj Kumar releasing an e-book, ‘BDL – A journey towards Atmanirbharta’, through video conferencing, BDL Cmde Siddharth Mishra also seen.

The Secretary (Defence Production), Raj Kumar launching a BEML brochure on “Atmanirbhar Bharat-Product Visualization”, via video conferencing, BEML MV Rajasekhar also seen.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, Senior Officials of the Ministry of Defence and Indian Air Force at the Air Force Commanders’ Conference, in New Delhi on April 15, 2021.

Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engines Now Power More than 1,000 Aircraft

ratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation recently celebrated delivery of the 1,000th aircraft powered by GTF engines. GTF engines power three aircraft families in service today: Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220 and Embraer E-Jets E2. Powering 54 airlines around the world, GTF engines have saved more than 490 million gallons (1.8 billion liters) of fuel and avoided over 4.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions, while accumulating more than 8.9 million engine flight hours of experience. Thanks in part to the engine’s fuel efficiency, these three aircraft families have experienced some of the highest utilization during the pandemic and early recovery period. Paired with world-class dispatch reliability, the GTF is enabling operators to expand their route networks more sustainably. It is the engine of choice for more than 80 customers who have placed orders and commitments for over 10,000 engines. To service the growing fleet, Pratt & Whitney has established a global network of the world’s leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. “GTF-powered aircraft have introduced the world to a new era of more sustainable aviation with dramatic reductions in emissions and noise,” said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer and senior vice president at Pratt & Whitney. “Together with the engine’s unmatched fuel efficiency, world-class reliability, and comprehensive service offerings, we are delivering competitive solutions for our customers. That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate this milestone with Sichuan – and with all our valued operators around the world.” In India, GTF engines have saved more than 130 million gallons (490 million liters) of fuel, avoided over 1.3 million tonnes of carbon emissions, and gained

more than 2.5 million hours of experience. In 2020, GTF engines powering the A320neo family achieved a world-class engine dispatch reliability rate of 99.98% worldwide. Pratt & Whitney also announced in 2020 that Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) would provide maintenance services in support of GTF operators in India and the surrounding region. With offices, field representatives, training centers and maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in 18 cities throughout India, Pratt & Whitney is committed to the success of Indian aviation. “Pratt & Whitney invested $10 billion U.S. dollars (₹75,000 crores) and twenty years to develop the revolutionary geared architecture of the GTF engine,” said Ashmita Sethi, president and country head for India at Pratt & Whitney. “This award-winning design has changed the game in commercial aviation and is the kind of innovation that will continue to deliver economic value to airlines and passengers, while also dramatically reducing our environmental footprint.” Since entering service in early 2016, the GTF engine family has delivered on its promised ability to reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions by up to 20 percent, and to dramatically reduce regulated emissions and noise footprint. With the GTF’s long runway for future growth, Pratt & Whitney is just getting started. Pratt & Whitney, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide.

Leonardo & CAE team up to support Flight Training School in Rome and Montreal

eonardo and CAE announced a joint venture called Leonardo CAE Advanced Jet Training Srl to support the operations of the International Flight Training School (“IFTS”) in Italy. The joint venture will provide training support services, including full maintenance and operation of the M-346 aircraft and its ground-based training system, as well as operation of IFTS base facilities. The IFTS, a unique partnership between the Italian Air Force (ItAF) and Leonardo, has been created to deliver a comprehensive lead-in to fighter training to the Italian Air Force and foreign customers. The IFTS advanced training program, based on the Phase IV of the Italian Air Force syllabus, can rely on the M-346 ground-based training system, including the advanced full-mission simulator jointly developed by Leonardo and CAE. The IFTS is currently located at 61st Wing - Galatina (Apulia Region - South Italy) Italian Air Force Base and will be relocate, starting from 2022, to Decimomannu Italian Air Force Base (Sardinia Region – South Italy) where a groundbreaking ceremony was held in December 2020 to formally begin construction on a modern flight training campus. “Our commitment to deliver to the IFTS customers a best-in-class training capability is further demonstrated by the choice of CAE as our IFTS partner. The joint venture represents the ideal framework to further leverage our successful collaboration on the M-346 ground-based training system, while ensuring us the agility and flexibility to meet challenging and tailored customer requirements,”

said Leonardo Aircraft Division Managing Director, Marco Zoff. “Leonardo, CAE and the Italian Air Force’s world-renowned excellence will guarantee advanced top level training for the modern air forces at reduced cost in order to satisfy a growing demand in advanced flight training.” The industrial partnership between Leonardo and CAE in the form of the joint venture will manage and conduct the day-to-day operations of the IFTS. The IFTS will operate a fleet of 22 M-346 advanced jet trainers, an aircraft that features a range of embedded training capabilities enabling extensive live, virtual and constructive training. Training will be delivered by a cadre of activeduty Italian Air Force and highly experienced international former military instructor pilots. “CAE and Leonardo have a longstanding industrial relationship and we are pleased to invest jointly with Leonardo and the Italian Air Force in this groundbreaking public-private partnership to operate the International Flight Training School,” said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Vice President and General Manager, Defence & Security International, CAE. “The partnership between Leonardo and CAE will support the M-346 Integrated Training System, which is a pivotal element of a modern and innovative Lead-In to Fighter Training (LIFT) program for next generation pilots.”

, X 0 1 n o c t l e a J F s s s e e h n c i n s u u a B L d t e l c u n a a s v s d Da ost A M e th Very-high-speed, ultra-long-range Falcon will come with innovative safety features derived from latest fighter technology

aint-Cloud, France, May 6, 2021 Dassault Aviation announced an all-new Falcon jet that will deliver a level of comfort, versatility, and technology unmatched by any purposebuilt business jet. Featuring a range of 7,500 nautical miles, the Falcon 10X will fly nonstop from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Sydney, Hong Kong to New York or Paris to Santiago. Top speed will be Mach 0.925. “Today we are introducing a new

benchmark in business aviation,” said Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “The Falcon 10X will offer an unrivalled passenger experience over both shortand long duration flights, along with breakthrough safety features from Dassault’s frontline fighter technology. We have optimized every aspect of the aircraft with the passenger in mind and established a new level of capability for ultra-long-range aircraft.” The Falcon 10X will enter service at the end of 2025.

Taking cabin modularity to unprecedented heights The 10X will have the biggest and most comfortable cabin on the market and offer greater modularity than any other aircraft in its class, with a selection of multiple interior configurations. The 10X is large enough to accommodate four cabin zones of equal length but owners can configure their cabin to create a truly customized interior, including for example, an expanded dining/ conference area, a dedicated entertainment area with a largescreen monitor, a private stateroom with a queen-size bed or an enlarged master suite with a private stand-up shower. “The 10X will be more than just another big step forward in business aviation. It will be absolutely the best business jet available in the ultra-long-range category, and will remain so for a long time,” said Trappier. The 10X will have a cabin cross section larger than some regional jets. Its cabin will be 6-feet, 8-inches (2.03 m) tall and 9 feet, 1 inch wide (2.77 m). That will make it almost 8 inches (20 cm) wider and 2 inches (5 cm) taller than the widest and tallest purpose-built business jet flying today. Pressurization will also be the best on the market, with

passengers experiencing a 3,000-foot cabin pressure altitude while flying at 41,000 feet. A next-generation filtration system will provide 100-percent pure air. The aircraft will be at least as quiet as the Falcon 8X, currently the quietest business jet in service.

New structures, new materials, ultra-efficient power The 10X will feature an entirely new fuselage with extra-large windows—nearly 50 percent larger than those on the Falcon 8X. Thirty-eight windows will line the fuselage making for the brightest cabin in business aviation.

The high-speed wing will be made of carbon fiber composites for maximum strength, reduced weight and minimum drag. Tailored for speed and efficiency, the very-high aspect ratio wing will be equipped with advanced, retractable high-lift devices offering superior maneuverability at low approach speeds.

The twin-engine aircraft will be powered by business aviation’s most advanced and efficient engine, the in-development Rolls Royce Pearl® 10X. The 10X is the latest, largest and most powerful version of the Pearl series, delivering more than 18,000 pounds of thrust. A major advance in flight deck technology The Falcon 10X’s flight deck will set a new standard in intuitive design, with touch screens throughout the cockpit. A next-generation Digital Flight Control System, derived directly from Dassault’s latest military technology, will provide an unprecedented level of flying precision and protection, including a revolutionary, new single-button recovery mode. A single smart throttle will serve as the primary power control, connecting both engines to the Digital Flight Control System which will automatically manage the power of each engine as needed in different flight scenarios. Thanks to Dassault’s breakthrough Falcon Eye® combined vision system—the first to offer both enhanced and synthetic

vision capabilities—combined with dual HUDs able to serve as primary flight displays, the 10X will be capable of operating in essentially zero ceiling/visibility conditions. “We have set the bar for our new Falcon incredibly high,” said Trappier. “But I can confidently say that we have put this aircraft at the top of the market.” DASSAULT AVIATION: Dassault Aviation is a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 90 countries across five continents. It produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcons. The company employs a workforce of over 12,400 and has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities around the globe. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,500 Falcon jets have been delivered. Dassault offers a range of six business jets from the twin-engine 3,350 nm large-cabin Falcon 2000S to its flagship, the tri-engine 6,450 nm ultra-long range Falcon 8X and the new ultra-widebody cabin Falcon 6X.

Falcon 10X

he new benchmark in business aviation, Falcon 10X combines Dassault fighter DNA and new technologies with the largest, most capable and customizable cabin in business aviation. Dassault Aviation began with a clean sheet to create the Falcon 10X, the largest and most capable purpose-built business jet. Its cabin is the largest in business aviation with a new level of flexibility in creating a customized interior environment. New, high-speed aerodynamics yield a maximum range capability of 7,500 nm (13,890 km) and a top speed of Mach 0.925. Dassault’s Digital Flight Control System on the 10X includes safety features new to business aviation, providing protection from inadvertent upsets and other hazards – features that stem directly from the company’s military aircraft. THE LARGEST, MOST FLEXIBLE CABIN IN BUSINESS AVIATION A modular cabin design that lets owners, essentially “move the walls” and create their own customized spaces. The sheer dimensions of its cabin and the flexibility of interior configurations distinguish the 10X from other ultra-long-range jets. With a cabin volume of 2,780 cubic feet (79 cubic meters), the 10X offers the largest cabin interior of any purpose-built business jet. It is almost 8 inches (20 cm) wider than its competitors. • Cabin height: 6 ft, 8 in (2.03 m) • Max width: 9 ft, 1 in (2.77 m) • Cabin length: 53 ft, 10 in (16.4 m) More room, more cabin layouts: The 10X has an ingeniously flexible cabin design, allowing new layout possibilities. Starting with a baseline four-zone platform, the aircraft’s interior design concept centers around an entirely new level of modularity so that the cabin can easily be configured for a wide range of mission capabilities and customer needs. The baseline arrangement separates the interior into four equal sections of 8 feet, 10 inches (2.7 m) with four windows a side each. However, cabin sections can be easily reconfigured into compartments of different lengths and number of windows. Hence, an aft stateroom suite could be 15 feet, 6 inches (4.7 m) long and include seven windows, plus a large lavatory with shower. The 10X stateroom can be equipped with a full-size queen bed— unique in business aviation. A three-window small compartment could serve as a section for private conversations or as a media center for presentations or the viewing of videos and streaming news on a large screen. A dining/conference area can have four or more windows a side. When dining at a four-place table, passengers nearest the windows can use the space between

seats to step out without inconveniencing the aisle passenger. In many ways, it is easier to move around the cabin and to do so without disturbing others. The advantages of more space: The increased cross section and cabin volume convey a number of advantages, some obvious and some subtle. Ample headroom extends toward the sides of the cabin making it easier to pass people in the aisle and stand up straight even well off the cabin centerline. Seats no longer need to be tucked into side ledges to create sufficient aisle width. A forward lavatory has more space in all dimensions, making it more suitable for passengers, as well as crew. Every galley compartment has more storage volume. Healthy cabin features: Cabin pressurization will be the best in the industry with the lowest cabin altitude—a 3,000-foot pressure altitude in the cabin while flying at 41,000 feet. A nextgeneration filtration system that eliminates ozone and potential pollutants (volatile organic compounds) will provide 100 percent pure air. Humidity can be maintained at a level that makes long hours aloft more comfortable and healthful. Temperature control will be provided in each of the cabin’s four zones with air entering at the top and the bottom of the cabin for an even temperature throughout. The lowest sound levels: Dassault’s current flagship, the Falcon 8X has the lowest interior sound levels of any business jet, the equivalent of a typical suburban living room. The 10X, using Dassault’s advanced noise reduction technologies, will be at least this quiet despite the increased cruise speed. New, larger windows: The 10X’s windows are almost 50 percent larger than those on the 8X. Thirtyeight windows line the fuselage for the most window area and brightest cabin in business aviation. Always in touch with advanced connectivity. The 10X cabin comes with a high-speed connectivity system solution ensuring seamless in-flight communications and high-speed access to the Internet. Connectivity service options include a Kaband network for fast and more consistent data speed. The cabin will also come equipped with the latest in-flight entertainment and communications network technology designed to distribute crisp, high-definition audio and video content throughout. Passengers will have total command of cabin functions in an easy-touse mobile app or through cabin touch screens and hard switches.

Rolls-Royce Pearl Family Continues to Grow

olls-Royce has officially unveiled the Pearl® 10X, the third and most powerful member of its market-leading Pearl engine family for the business aviation market. The engine has been optimised to exclusively power Dassault’s brand-new flagship aircraft, the Falcon 10X, which was revealed during a digital ceremony at Le Bourget airport in Paris. With more than 3,600 business jets powered by Rolls-Royce engines in service,

we are the world’s leading engine supplier in this market. Our Pearl 10X is the newest member of the state-of-the-art Pearl engine family and the first Rolls-Royce engine ever to power a business jet of the famous French airframer. Dassault’s selection of the Pearl 10X for its new top of range product is another testament to our position as the engine manufacturer of choice in business aviation. The Pearl 10X features the Advance2 engine core, the most efficient core available across the business aviation sector, and combines it with a high-performance low-pressure system, resulting in a superior thrust of more than 18,000lb. Compared to Rolls-Royce’s last generation of business aviation engines the Pearl 10X offers a 5% higher efficiency, while delivering outstanding low noise and emissions performance. The result is an engine that offers a market-leading combination of power and efficiency. This combination will enable customers and operators to have premium airport accessibility and fly ultra-long-range connections whilst also being able to travel nearly as fast as the speed of sound. It brings together innovative technologies derived from the Rolls-Royce Advance2

demonstrator programme and proven Pearl family features to deliver world-class environmental performance. This includes a highly efficient blisked fan; a high pressure compressor with a market-leading pressure ratio and six blisked stages; an ultra-low emissions combustor; a two-stage shroud less high pressure turbine as well as an enhanced four-stage low pressure turbine that is one of the most efficient and compact in the industry. This suite of technologies is all housed together within a brand new, ultra-slimline nacelle from Spirit AeroSystems. The engine is being developed at the RollsRoyce Centre of Excellence for Business Aviation Engines in Dahlewitz, Germany, and is currently undergoing a comprehensive test programme, which includes the capability to operate on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels. One of the new key features of the Pearl

10X will be 3D-printed combustor tiles, manufactured by an advanced Additive Layer Manufacturing process. This pioneering technology, which supports the exceptional environmental performance of the engine, has been developed and extensively tested as part of our Advance2 programme. Chris Cholerton, President Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “This is a very special day for Rolls-Royce and the dedicated Pearl team, who have been passionately working behind the 2 scenes to make this programme a reality. We are extremely proud that Dassault has chosen us to power their flagship Falcon 10X, and I would like to congratulate the Dassault family as well as the Falcon team on this special occasion. Today marks the start of a successful partnership and, with our pioneering Pearl 10X engine and leading customer service, I look forward to supporting Dassault as they continue to impress their customers in the ultra-long-range corporate jet market.” Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation, said: “The Pearl 10X is perfectly matched to our performance requirements for our new, ultra-long-range jet and proved itself to be the best solution also for reliability and efficiency. New technologies within its core and its digital controls make it the benchmark for powerplant technology in this business aviation segment. Moreover, Rolls-Royce’s track record for product support ensures an outstanding customer service experience.” Dr Dirk Geisinger, Director Business Aviation and Chairman Rolls-Royce Deutschland, added: Excellent customer support is a key focus for Dassault and Rolls-Royce – both of us have been ranked number one in our own categories for consecutive years in AIN’s Product Support Surveys. As the leading engine manufacturer in Business Aviation, our customers can trust in us to deliver outstanding levels of in-service support. Designed for outstanding reliability, the Pearl family is supported by RollsRoyce CorporateCare® Enhanced, the most comprehensive service programme

in business aviation. CorporateCare Enhanced offers substantial financial and operational benefits to customers, increasing asset value and liquidity, mitigating maintenance cost risk and protecting against the unforeseen costs of unscheduled events anywhere in the world. Increased aircraft availability, reduced management burden, full risk transfer, direct priority access to the Rolls-Royce services infrastructure and remote site assistance are further customer benefits. The Pearl engine family is part of the RollsRoyce Intelligent Engine vision of a future where product and service become indistinguishable thanks to advancements in digital capability. As well as a new-generation Engine Health Monitoring System that introduces advanced vibration detection, the family benefits from the incorporation of advanced remote engine diagnostics. It is also enabled for bi-directional communications, allowing for easy remote reconfiguration of engine-monitoring features from the ground. Cloud-based analytics, smart algorithms and Artificial Intelligence continue to play an increasing role in delivering exceptional levels of availability and greater peace of mind for our customers.

flydubai adds Sharm El Sheikh to its network Dubai-based flydubai to operate three weekly flights to the popular Egyptian city from 15 June

lydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has announced the launch of flights to Sharm El Sheikh. The carrier will operate three weekly flights to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) from 15 June. The route will become flydubai’s second destination in Egypt alongside Alexandria Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE). The launch of flights to the popular resort city follows the launch of several holiday destinations brings the number of seasonal routes served by flydubai to seven destinations including Bodrum and Trabzon in Turkey, Batumi in Georgia, Mykonos and Santorini in Greece and Tivat in Montenegro. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “As more countries gradually lift restrictions on international travel, we are excited to grow our network and give passengers more options to travel this summer. Sharm El Sheikh has been a popular holiday destination for many years and we expect to see strong demand for travel from the UAE and GCC.” flydubai will restart its operations to Batumi in Georgia and Tivat in Montenegro from 25 June and both destinations offer UAE residents visa on arrival. Flights to Bodrum and Trabzon in Turkey will start from 04 and 24 June respectively with flights Mykonos and Santorini starting on 18 June. The carrier plans to start flights to Naples in Italy and Salzburg in Austria from July onwards. Commenting on the announcement, Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai said: “With demand for travel returning we can see from the enquiries that we are receiving that our customers are keen to travel again and are starting to make their travel plans. Sharm El Sheikh is another exciting destination for our passengers to visit for their summer holidays.” flydubai offers convenient and reliable travel services. Passengers will have the option to experience Business Class enjoying space and privacy in the cabin, a comfortable spacious seat, inflight entertainment with the latest films and TV shows available to watch and a range of dining options. Passengers will also benefit from

a priority check-in service at Terminal 2, Dubai International. Passengers travelling in Economy Class will enjoy a Recaro designed seat offering optimal levels of space and comfort in the air during their flight. flydubai continues to roll-out WiFi across its fleet enabling passengers to stay connected during their flight and can browse the web, send emails, use social networks and get the latest news. Passengers are able to choose between bundled (Flex/Value) or unbundled (Lite) fares depending on their travel needs. flydubai’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises crew and passenger contact and offers passengers confidence to travel at every step of their journey. Passengers who book a flight through flydubai.com will receive complimentary global cover for COVID-19 related costs to offer greater peace of mind when travelling. Passengers are required to make sure that they are up to date with the regulations from the IATA Travel Centre and the IATA destination tracker for their whole journey, and follow the guidance issued by the authorities and the airline. Passengers can also visit the COVID-19 information hub on flydubai.com for more information. Flight details Flights from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 15 June. Return Business Class fares from DXB to SSH start from AED 2,500 and return Economy Class fares start from AED 1,300. Flights are available to book on flydubai.com, the official flydubai App, the Contact Centre in Dubai on (+971) 600 54 44 45, the flydubai travel shops or through travel partners. In addition, passengers have the option to choose full packages from holidays by flydubai.

Lufthansa Board extends Executive Board mandate of Soeren Stark

t its meeting on April 22nd, the Supervisory Board of Lufthansa Technik AG early appointed Soeren Stark as Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Accountable Manager of Lufthansa Technik for further five years until 31 December, 2026. Soeren Stark has been a member of the Executive Board since January 2019. He is responsible for Technical Operations, Logistics and IT. As the "accountable manager" within the meaning of EASA Part 145, Soeren Stark is the point of contact for the aviation authorities on all matters relating to the maintenance and manufacturing operations of Lufthansa Technik AG. Soeren Stark has held various positions within Lufthansa Group since 2001. From 2016 until 2018, he was responsible for Operations at Lufthansa Cargo as a member of the Executive Board. With some 35 subsidiaries and affiliates, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Certified internationally as a maintenance, production and design organization, the company has a workforce of more than 22,000 employees. Lufthansa Technik's portfolio covers the entire range of services for commercial and VIP/special mission aircraft, engines, components and landing gear in the areas of digital fleet support, maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, completion and conversion as well as the manufacture of innovative cabin products.

FIDAE 2022 Space Summit

he foremost and oldest Aerospace and Defence exhibition of Latin America, FIDAE is already working on its twentieth-second edition, in 2022. A meeting was held to coordinate the most important conference of the national exhibition: the FIDAE 2022 Space Summit. The second edition of the “Space Summit”, to take place in FIDAE, will represent a meeting point for the organizations involved in the national space system of the country. This Summit will offer a place to discuss and analyze the different planned stages for the next years with the incorporation of new satellites, the construction of a national space center, which considers among other capabilities, the implementation of a laboratory, a mission control center, and satellite ground

stations. The meeting held online, was led by the Space Affairs Deputy Director of the Chilean Air Force, Colonel Luis Saez, FIDAE CEO, Francisco Ramirez, and several other institutions connected to the space field participated. The International Air and Space Fair will take place from April 5th to 10th, 2022, at the northern side of the Arturo Merino Benítez international airport in Santiago, Chile.

BEML rolls out Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment

EML Limited, one of the leading public sectors under Ministry of Defence, has rolled out the first prototype of Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment Mk-II, built on BEML TATRA 6x6, an ‘Atmanirbhar’ product, developed through TOT from R&D E Engineers, DRDO. The virtual roll out was performed in the presence of M V Rajasekar, CMD, BEML and V. V. Parliker, Director, R&D (Engrs), DRDO. Also present were Kiran Jadhav, CMD Accurate Group, other partners from Dynalog (India) Ltd, ElectroPneumatics & Hydraulics (I) Pvt Ltd and Adroit System Pvt Ltd and BEML team headed by AK Srivastav, Director, Defence. BEML signed LAToT during the ‘Bandhan’ event in presence of Defence Minister during DEFEXPO 2020 and is executing the project by partnering with number of MSMEs. Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment MK-II developed by R&DE (Engineers) would greatly benefit Indian army to mark/fence minefields. The MK II is designed for marking the mine fields at faster rate, semi-automatically with minimal human intervention.

The equipment is capable of marking/fencing at a minimum rate of 1.2 km/hr with inter-picket spacing of 15 m. The system has capability to place the pickets at 10 – 35 meters spacing in the step of 5 m. The picket can be driven to a maximum depth of 450 mm by this system. MMME Mk-II system is designed to operate in plains of Punjab, as well as semi-desert & desert of Rajasthan, in all weather conditions. The system can store 500 numbers of pickets and polypropylene rope of 15 km in length. The main sub systems which are to be integrated on to the vehicle are Carrier vehicle, Mechanical sub system, Pneumatic sub system, Electrical sub system and Electronic sub system with selected sub-vendors. Sourcing of subsystem from industries established during development phase is being followed by BEML. The superstructure is being built by sub-vendors and supplying to Accurate Group for integration onto BEML HMV. M.V. Rajashekar, CMD, BEML said, ”We are proud to be a partner with this project in our quest to achieve ‘Atmanirbhrata’. The equipment will greatly benefit the Indian Army during operations. I am sure that this project would be the harbinger for many more projects to come.” BEML is expected to receive the orders of more than 55 systems from MoD after the successful trial evaluation.

INS Rajput Decommissioned

he first destroyer of the Indian Navy - INS Rajput was decommissioned on 21st of May. INS Rajput, the lead ship of the Kashin-class destroyers built by the erstwhile USSR was commissioned on 04 May 1980 and has rendered yeoman service to the Indian Navy for over 41 years. INS Rajput was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. INS Rajput was constructed in the 61 Communards Shipyard in Nikolaev (presently Ukraine) under her original Russian name ‘Nadezhny’ meaning ‘Hope’. The keel of the ship was laid on 11 Sep 1976 and she was launched on 17 Sep 1977. The ship was commissioned as INS Rajput on 04 May 1980 at Poti, Georgia by His Excellency Shri IK Gujral, the Ambassador of India to USSR with Capt Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani as her first Commanding Officer. Over her four decades of glorious service to the nation, the ship has the distinction of serving in both Western and Eastern Fleets. With the motto “Raj Karega Rajput” firmly etched in their minds and indomitable spirit, the gallant crew of INS Rajput have remained ever vigilant and always ‘on call’

to protect the maritime interest and sovereignty of the nation. The ship has participated in several operations aimed at keeping the nation secure. Some of these include Operation Aman off Sri Lanka to assist IPKF, Operation Pawan for patrolling duties off the coast of Sri Lanka, Operation Cactus to resolve hostage situation off the Maldives, and Operation Crowsnest off Lakshadweep. In addition, the ship participated in numerous bilateral and multi-national exercises. The ship was also the first Indian Naval Ship to be affiliated with an Indian Army regiment – the Rajput Regiment.

Rostec supplied the first Ansat helicopter and a medical version of Mi-17-1V

azan Helicopters of Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) supplied the first Ansat helicopter and multipurpose Mi-17-1V to the Republic of Turkmenistan. Both helicopters will be used in the new International Burn Center to provide medevac for the injured and seriously ill patients. A contract for supplying Ansat and Mi-17-1V helicopters was signed between Kazan Helicopters and Turkmenistan Airlines on March 31, 2020. In accordance with the contract, both helicopters are supplied to Turkmenistan in a versatile version with medical modules and medical equipment, and there are additional anti-burn sets. The rotorcraft is equipped with air conditioning systems. Mi-17-1V has additional fuel tanks to provide for longer flights. The helicopter also has SLG-300 hoist system, a landing and search light and external sling which can carry large cargo up to 4 tonnes. "Supplying the first Ansat helicopter to Turkmenistan is an important milestone in the development of Kazan Helicopters' export potential. We hope that high performance of Ansat will be appreciated, and this supply will be the start of our future cooperation. Ansat and Mi-8/17 helicopters have proved their efficiency during sanitary operations in Russia. We are happy to share expertise with our colleagues from Turkmenistan and supply the most modern equipment to them," stated Managing Director of Kazan Helicopters Alexey Belykh. Under the contract with Turkmenistan Airlines, Kazan Helicopters' Training Center has trained 30 pilots engineers and technical specialists of an operator. The program comprises theory and practice, including training using the new Ansat simulator. The trainees successfully completed training and got certificates. Kazan Helicopters has cooperated with Turkmenistan for many years. In 2009-

2015 the country received 11 helicopters made by Kazan Helicopters. Ansat is a light multipurpose twin-engine helicopter serial production of which is deployed at Kazan Helicopters. Its design allows converting it into a cargo version or into a passenger rotorcraft that can lift up to seven people. Ansat is certified for use in the temperatures ranging between -45°С and +50°С, and in high mountains. In 2019, the Federal Air Transport Agency certified an increase in the airworthiness of Ansat's fuselage to 16,000 flying hours. In 2020 Russian aviation authorities certified Ansat for installation of an emergency floatation system, a complex for transporting newborn babies, and isolation units for transporting patients with coronavirus disease. Multipurpose Mi-8/17 helicopters are characterized by unique performance and operation. The design and equipment of Mi8/17 helicopters allow operating them with autonomous deployment on sites which have no special equipment, and in almost any climate, which is proved by many years of operating these rotorcraft on various continents.

Collins Aerospace delivers avionics for X-59 research aircraft

hen Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business, was selected by Lockheed Martin to provide avionics for NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft, the avionics supplier had a unique challenge to overcome — helping the aircraft’s pilot to safely fly and land, in all weather conditions, without any forward-looking windows. Collins Aerospace rose to the challenge, recently delivering a tailor-made Large Format Display system that will play a key role in the mission of the X-59. “The X-59 is expected to create a noise about as loud as a car door closing instead of a sonic boom when it breaks the sound barrier,” explains Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager for Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace. “This aircraft has the ability to shape the future of supersonic travel and our avionics are helping make this revolutionary aircraft a reality. We’re excited as we count down the days until we see it fly.” In order to achieve supersonic speeds with a low-boom signature or a sonic thump, the X-59 design incorporates a long and slender airframe which prominently features an approximately 30-foot-long nose. This shape prevents the aircraft from having a forward-looking window. NASA’s eXternal Vision System will allow X-59 pilots to safely navigate the skies by using a 4K monitor to display images from two cameras outside the aircraft combined with terrain data from an advanced computing system. By jointly developing software applications side-byside with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and NASA, Collins Aerospace was able to provide an optimized avionics solution that includes the company’s award-winning

touchscreen primary flight displays with tailored multi-function windows, head-up display (HUD) symbology, synthetic vision, ARC-210 communication radios, and a suite of navigation and surveillance equipment. In addition, Collins Aerospace was able to leverage its multispectral enhanced vision system (EVS-3600) to enable pilots to land in nearly all weather conditions using advanced visual sensors and multiple wavelength, infrared technology. The X-59 is expected to take its first flight in 2022. After initial check out and acoustic validation flights to prove the aircraft performs as designed, the X-59 will fly over select communities across the United States and collect data on the acceptability of the sonic thump generated by the aircraft. The data will be given to regulators to establish an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard and address current regulations banning commercial supersonic travel over land.

Collins breaks ground on $18M Ram Air Turbine wind tunnel facility

ollins Aerospace, part of the Raytheon Technologies broke ground on a new wind tunnel that will help streamline the testing process for its Ram Air Turbine product line at the company’s Electric Power Systems center of excellence in Rockford, Illinois. Designed to serve as the small but mighty heart of an aircraft’s emergency power system, Collins’ Ram Air Turbine deploys from the wing or fuselage when a plane loses power in flight. By rotating its small turbine, the system extracts sufficient power from the airstream to allow the pilot to control and land the aircraft safely. With fully automated, state-of-the-art technology and greater quality controls,

the new wind tunnel will streamline the Ram Air Turbine testing process, while also improving employee safety. To simulate the environment of an in-flight power loss, the tunnel will use a powerful fan to create a windspeed of up to 170 knots. The new wind tunnel will have the ability to test Ram Air Turbines of all sizes for business, regional, single aisle, widebody and military platforms. “By helping pilots land planes safely after losing power in flight, Collins’ Ram Air Turbines have saved more than 2,000 lives to date,” said Stan Kottke, vice president, Electric Power Systems for Collins Aerospace. “It’s a critical product and one that we’ll now be able to produce faster for our customers and more safely for our employees once our new wind tunnel becomes operational around summer 2022. At the same time, this $18 million investment represents our continued commitment to investing in our Rockford facility and maintaining its world-class capabilities for the long term.”

Major General (Res.) Nitsan Alon Joins Smart Shooter Board as Director

MART SHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms, announces that Major General (Res.) Nitsan Alon, who served as Head of Central Command at the IDF and as the IDF Operations Directorate, Joins Smart Shooter Board of Directors. Major General (Res.) Nitsan Alon served as commander of the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal), Head of Central Command, and IDF Operations Directorate. He holds a B.A. in physics and B.Sc in material engineering from the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa. Michal Mor, SMART SHOOTER CEO: "We are pleased to announce that Major General (Res.) Nitsan Alon joins Smart Shooter board of directors. His rich experience is an asset, and we are confident that his contribution to the company will be significant. Smart Shooter is constantly growing and expanding, and alongside winning several significant projects in various countries worldwide, we continue to implement the SMASH Fire Control Solutions in the IDF. " Major General (Res.) Nitsan Alon: "I am honored to join Smart Shooter board of directors, and to be part of a cutting-end defense-tech company that is ultimately revolutionizing the world of small arms and optics by enabling it to be smart and precise. I am impressed by the company's unique SMASH technology, which ensures that each round finds its target, thus keeping friendly forces safe and reducing collateral damage." Established in 2011 by CEO Michal Mor and CTO Avshalom Ehrlich, SMART SHOOTER's headquarters are based in Yagur, Israel, and its American subsidiary, Smart shooter Inc., is in Virginia. Smart Shooter also has an

office in Düsseldorf, Germany. SMART SHOOTER's SMASH technology enhances mission effectiveness through the ability to accurately engage and eliminate ground, aerial, static, or moving targets during both day and night operations. It is a very intuitive and easy-to-use solution that can be integrated into any type of assault rifle. Bringing precision-missile targeting algorithms and advanced electro-optical processing capabilities into standard infantry, SMASH can be deployed as a stand-alone solution, and can also be integrated with other external systems and sensors.

Collins delivers the 600th Thrust Vector Actuation System for missile system

he all electric, high-performance, Thrust Vector Actuation System (TVA) has a 100% success rate of live fire tests intercepts. Foundation for next-generation missiles Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX), continued to set the foundation for the next-generation missile with the delivery of the 600th TVA for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. The all electric TVA has successfully guided 100 percent of the live fire intercepts completed so far for THAAD and demonstrates the capabilities needed for future missile systems. For more than 40 years, Collins Aerospace has leveraged its experience in designing and manufacturing high-performing and precise missile actuation, a necessity in difficult environments. “The TVA plays a substantial role in the flight power and steering direction of the missile – these are critical elements to current and future systems, especially as we see environments becoming more complex to navigate,” states Kevin Raftery, vice president and general manager of ISR and Space Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “Our extensive experience in missile actuation is a key differentiator for current and future platforms.” Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corporation is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the extensive capabilities, comprehensive

portfolio and broad expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With 195,000 employees and four industryleading businesses Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hypersonics, and quantum physics. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

IndiGo reconfirms trust in AFI KLM E&M for its Airbus A320 Fleet

he Airline-MRO AFI KLM E&M and India‘s leading airline operator IndiGo have signed an agreement to extend their component support contract covering over 350 aircraft. The range of services to be delivered by AFI KLM E&M includes component repairs, dedicated pool access, provision of a Main Base Kit (MBK) at the hub of IndiGo‘s airline operations in Delhi, as well as logistics support. Extending a long-standing partnership By signing this long-term contract, the two companies are extending and strengthening a business relationship that began with the creation of IndiGo in 2006 and has been growing significantly over the past years, driven by the strong fleet growth; and network expansion of IndiGo. While initially AFI KLM E&M provided component support for IndiGo’s A320 fleet, the partners also added the ATR fleet to the partnership in 2017. In 2019, the Indian carrier, holding over 50% of India‘s domestic market, placed an order for 300 A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft to support its ambitious growth plans. Based on this strong foundation, AFI KLM E&M has continued to develop and optimise its support organisation in order to provide the most efficient and adaptive MRO solutions, including the development of local repair capabilities through its local MRO joint venture Max MRO Services (MMS) as well as the establishment of a local support organisation dedicated to support IndiGo’s fleet operations. “We are delighted to continue our cooperation with a world leader in aircraft maintenance services. The high standard of support already provided by AFI KLM E&M over many years, together with their unique expertise on the A320 product both as an airline and MRO, convinced us to continue placing our trust in them” says Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, President and Chief Operating Officer of IndiGo. Géry Mortreux, EVP Air France Industries, highlighted “the excellent quality of our relations with IndiGo. We are proud to continue to support the development of this hugely successful airline in one of the fastest growing aviation markets

in the world. Together with my team, we will always strive to provide the best support possible and to keep exploring ways to further optimize our services.” A major player on the Indian MRO market and in the Asia Pacific region With more of 60,000 components repaired per year and 2800 aircraft maintained, AFI KLM E&M is a leading player on the aircraft component market and has established a strong presence in Asia Pacific, and in particular for the support of new generation aircraft including the A320neo. To support airline customers throughout the region, AFI KLM E&M has built a comprehensive MRO support infrastructure consisting of repair shops, logistic centers, and customer support teams. Located in Mumbai, Max MRO Services is a leader in the component MRO business for customers operating commercial aircraft fleets in India and the neighboring regions. “We are very pleased with IndiGo’s decision to extend our long-term partnership. The extension marks another milestone in our strategy to strengthen our leadership position in the A320neo market segment and to further develop our regional MRO foot-print in the Asia Pacific region”, adds Dominik WienerSilva, AFI KLM E&M VP Sales Asia Pacific.

Ansat Helicopter frovm Rostec can lift up to 1,000 Kg on an External Sling

ussian Helicopters holding company of Rostec State Corporation equips Ansat helicopter with an external sling to lift oversized cargo weighing up to 1,000 kg or carry a helicopter bucket for firefighting operations. This is already the fifth option available for configuring the helicopter for specific tasks. During tests at the Kazan Helicopters facility, the helicopter climbed to an altitude of 3.7 km with 600 kg of external cargo. It reached a speed of 180 km/h with this setup. The maximum takeoff weight of Ansat using an external sling has been increased from 3,600 to 3,800 kg. "Ansat is a versatile helicopter with diverse customization options. The helicopter provides five transformation options depending on the task at hand. In addition to the passenger modification, it can also be equipped with a medical module.

There are also modifications equipped with special hoisting mechanisms with a winch for rescue operations, lifting cargo on board. The use of external sling will expand the range of helicopter applications, including the possibility to use Ansat for firefighting operations. In the near future, we also expect to increase the helicopter's flight range by 160 km, up to 565 km," said the Rostec spokesman. Kazan Helicopters has earlier received approval from the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) to install an onboard winch on Ansat. The new option significantly expands the helicopter's functionality, allowing it to safely lift and lower people and cargo weighing up to 272 kg. The winch increases the efficiency of the helicopter in search and rescue operations and allows to carry out loading and unloading operations while hovering. Ansat is a light multipurpose twin-engine helicopter. Its serial production is deployed at Kazan Helicopters. According to the helicopter certificate, its design allows quickly converting it into a cargo version or into a passenger configuration that can transport up to seven people. In May 2015, the modification of the helicopter with a medical module was certified. Ansat is certified for use in the temperatures ranging between -45°C and +50°C, and in high mountains.

Goa Airport Runway will be closed for Modernisation

s part of ongoing modernisation of infrastructure at Dabolim International Airport , being undertaken by INS Hansa at Goa, the Runway will remain closed for all traffic from 2200 hrs to 0630 hrs (next day) daily till 08 September 2021. The modernisation work is being executed by 'TATA Power SED’ and will be carried out during night hours to have minimal impact on civil aircraft operations.

Malaysia Airlines and AFI KLM E&M to reinforce their partnership

FI KLM E&M and Malaysia Airlines have signed an extension to their existing contract for the carrier’s Boeing 737 fleet. Under this long-term contract, AFI KLM E&M provides tailored component solutions including MBK, pool, repair and logistics. Combining expertise with a local presence The component support solutions provided to Malaysia Airlines are carried out through the Component Services Program (CSP) which is jointly operated by AFI KLM E&M and Boeing. The services include component repair and access

to AFI KLM E&M’s local and main spare parts pools, located in Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam respectively. The high quality of the CSP, which combines expertise of an Airline-MRO and the aircraft manufacturer, as well as the component availability solutions deployed in proximity to Malaysia Airlines’ facilities, have so far given full satisfaction to the airline. “The support implemented by AFI KLM E&M for our fleet of 737-800s stands out both for its service quality and responsiveness to fulfilling our needs for specific component services and support to ensure operational continuity, so it was a logical decision to extend our cooperation,” declared Malaysia Airlines Group Chief Operations Officer Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi. KLM E&M EVP, Ton Dortmans added: “We are delighted to see that Malaysia Airlines has maintained and even extended its trust in AFI KLM E&M services. This testifies to the quality of our services and emphasizes our ability to provide solutions backed by a global logistics network built around local facilities on our clients’ doorsteps.”

Kalashnikov Group conducts successful “Vihr`” missile tests.

alashnikov Group in cooperation with JSC “KBP”, National Helicopter Center Mil&Kamov and the Russian Air Force successfully completed test launches of “Vihr`” guided missiles. 22 missile launches were made with Ka-52 Alligator helicopter. Kalashnikov enhanced the missile’s accuracy in a short-range launch and its flight stability. All improvements were made without changing the missile`s tactical and technical characteristics. The tests conducted proved that development re-works initiated and independently conducted by Kalashnikov are successful. Prior to that Vihr`s ability to engage a target at an increased distance of up to 10 kilometers was assessed which also exceeds the missile`s basic tactical and technical characteristics.

The Main Characteristics of the guided missile “Vihr`” Characteristic

Performance

Missile`s speed, m/ s

610

Range, m

800-10 000

Flight altitude, m

10-4000

Homogeneous reactive armor thickness the tandem cumulative warhead can penetrate, meters

0,75

DSEI 2021 to run as Live Event from 14-17 September

The biennial defence and security event, DSEI, will proceed as planned in September 2021 with a new digital offering running alongside the much-anticipated live exhibition.

efence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) has confirmed it will take place as originally scheduled from 14-17 September at ExCeL London. The decision to proceed follows close consultation and discussion with the UK Government and industry stakeholders. After a lengthy global shutdown of the exhibition sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, feedback from across the defence and security industry has shown a strong appetite to come back together in person at DSEI – an event that provides a critical and unmissable forum for many thousands of companies. A range of new online opportunities to complement the live event will be introduced. ‘DSEI Connect’ is a digital platform that will bring participants from around the world together with those attending the event in London to create a flexible and accessible “hybrid” format. The new digital offering gives registered participants a secure and regulated platform to build relationships, share knowledge and develop business. DSEI’s connection portal, MeetMe, enables users to view recommended contacts through its supply chain listings, identify networking opportunities and arrange secure online or in-person meetings at the event. DSEI Connect will feature an exclusive series of live and on-demand presentations from eminent international guests, including keynote speeches from military figureheads outlining pressing equipment requirements and opportunities, in addition to podcasts and exclusive interviews with senior government officials discussing key policies and strategies.

DSEI Event Director, Grant Burgham explains: “The DSEI team has been in constant communication with our customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to run a live event reflects their feedback. We’ve taken into account the increasing confidence in the improving public health situation and we’ll continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we deliver a safe and valuable event for our customers.” “DSEI has been shown to accelerate the trajectory of businesses that attend. The last year has encouraged us to think more imaginatively about our long-term offering to the defence and security sector and analyse what makes DSEI so important for the industry. As such DSEI will now provide a wider range of opportunities for those who don’t normally - or this time cannot - attend in-person, and we are pleased to take this opportunity to introduce DSEI Connect to the market”. DSEI visitor registration will open on 7 June.

Eve announces Halo as launch Partner for 200 eVTOL aircraft

ve Urban Air Mobility Solutions, Inc. (Eve) and Halo announced a partnership focused on developing Urban Air Mobility (UAM) products and services in the United States and the United Kingdom. This partnership includes an order for 200 of Eve’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Deliveries are expected to start in 2026. This order represents one of the largest in the UAM industry and secures Halo as the launch partner for Eve in both the U.S. and the U.K. markets. Under the terms of this agreement, Halo, a leading premium helicopter travel provider in the U.S. and U.K. and the first global vertical lift provider, will work with Eve to develop a new eVTOL operation in both countries. Eve is an independent company formed by Embraer S.A. to accelerate the UAM ecosystem around the world. “We believe Eve has designed an aircraft that is well-prepared for not only initial certification but also has a proven track record of production,” said Kenneth C. Ricci, Principal of Directional Aviation, investment fund of which Halo is part of. “The outstanding lineage of aircraft design, certification and production that Embraer brings to this aircraft positions Eve with significant advantages in the competitive landscape. And our background as operators has taught us that product support is absolutely vital to the overall success of new programs. The relationship between Embraer and Eve will create one of the most successful global product support infrastructures in the industry. Finally, the work that Eve and Embraer have completed around their traffic management system is just one more example of how uniquely positioned Eve is to help us deliver on our vision.” “This partnership is an important step for Eve to assume its position as a global leader in the UAM industry. We are ready to build the future of mobility with our partners in an extremely collaborative way. Halo is aligned with our mission to create comprehensive Urban Air Mobility solutions and this order marks an

important milestone for Eve in key markets. We are confident that this mutually beneficial relationship will have a positive impact for many future users and enable both companies to grow their businesses exponentially,” said Andre Stein, President & CEO of Eve Urban Air Mobility. This collaboration, the first international eVTOL operator partnership of its kind, will benefit from the work that Eve has already invested in the U.K. market as the leader of a consortium that is solving the regulatory and operational issues to bring eVTOL operations to London. In collaboration with the UK Civil Aviation Authority´s “innovation sandbox” program, Eve and Halo’s partnership will be one of the first operators to build upon this exciting work and continue to develop London as a viable and attractive market for UAM operations. Beyond the initial order and collaboration to develop a new eVTOL operation, Eve and Halo will also partner on the continued development of Eve’s Urban Air Traffic Management system as well as the fleet operations and services product offerings that Eve offers as an ecosystem integrator for UAM operations. The strength of Halo’s international operations, together with Eve’s UAM portfolio, will be an important demonstration of how such partnerships can increase accessibility and affordability as these two companies work to safely scale UAM operations around the world. Benefitting from a startup mindset and backed by Embraer’s more than 50-year history of aircraft manufacturing and certification expertise, Eve unveils a unique value proposition by positioning itself as an ecosystem partner by offering a suite of products and services. Eve’s human-centered, eVTOL design represents a simple and intuitive design that continues to reach development milestones, including the first flight of the engineering simulator in July 2020 and proof of concept in October 2020. In addition to the aircraft program, Eve is harnessing the expertise of both Embraer and Atech, a subsidiary of the Embraer Group, in providing globally recognized air traffic management software to create the solutions that will help safely scale the UAM industry going forward.

Inmarsat appoints two senior leaders to advance UAV connectivity offering New executives will focus on creating product roadmap and reinforcing Inmarsat’s position as leading connectivity provider for fast-growing commercial drone market.

nmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications, has expanded its fast-growing division dedicated to connectivity for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, with the addition of two new senior executives. The appointment of Jon Holmes as Senior Director of UAV Technology and Mark ter Hove as Senior Manager of European Market Development will drive forward Inmarsat’s plan to be the leading connectivity partner in this burgeoning sector. The number of UAVs flying in airspace is expected to increase tenfold from 1.1 million to 10 million by 2027[1], with a far-reaching impact in various aspects of business and society, from emergency services, disaster relief and surveillance, to cargo delivery, inspection and urban transport. Jon Holmes will be responsible for creating Inmarsat’s roadmap for UAV products and services, working with customers, partners and internal stakeholders. Jon has more than 30 years of experience in aeronautical satellite communications, most recently serving as Senior Director of Engineering and Programme Management at Cobham Aerospace Communications, where he led a 150-strong team to develop aeronautical satellite communication terminal products. Prior to this, Jon spent 16 years in a variety of engineering roles at Honeywell Aerospace, where he led the development of terminal products designed to operate with Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite network. Mark ter Hove will be responsible for evaluating customer and market opportunities in Europe to reinforce Inmarsat as the leading provider of connectivity products and services in the fast-growing field of UAV BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations. He has over 25 years of aviation experience, including 12 years leading operations at British Airways franchise partners GB Airways and Astraeus Airlines,

before serving as airline network manager at London’s Gatwick Airport. In his most recent role as Director of Global Air Transport at Cobham Aerospace Communications, Mark developed a global go-to-market strategy for the company’s portfolio of satcom solutions, helping airlines, air navigation service providers and airports become more integrated through communications technology. John Broughton, Inmarsat’s Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations and Safety, said: “We entered the commercial UAV market in 2020, leveraging our capabilities in both aviation safety and network operations. Since then, the team has grown from strength to strength – even winning a coveted award in the ATM Magazine Awards 2020 for our pop-up unmanned traffic management solution with Altitude Angel. Jon and Mark share a wealth of experience in aviation connectivity and are perfectly positioned to take our growing UAV business to the next level. With Jon’s technical expertise and Mark’s strategic prowess, we’re in a strong position to unlock the true potential of the commercial UAV market.” Inmarsat’s global satellite networks have been successfully providing Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services to the global aviation industry for decades. By extending safe control of the skies to include unmanned aircraft, Inmarsat’s satellite connectivity is a catalyst for the safe and rapid growth of the commercial UAV market. Inmarsat is working to combine infrastructure and technology with expertise to support the regulatory advancements needed to integrate UAVs into commercial airspace. These advancements will make BVLOS services a reality, allowing one pilot to operate multiple UAVs remotely at scale and UAVs to operate in mixed-use airspace.nd Aeromag

Honeywell to Provide World’s Samallest Satcom System to Australian Drone Market Honeywell’s Small UAV SATCOM will allow Carbonix unmanned aerial vehicles to fly beyond-line-of-sight and for longer periods of time

oneywell has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Carbonix, a leading Australian drone manufacturer, to provide its smallest and lightest satellite communications solution for their longrange fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Powered by Inmarsat’s global satellite communications network, the Honeywell Small UAV SATCOM system enables beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) command and control, real-time video streaming, and communication for defense and civilian missions. The MOU agreement marks a significant milestone for Honeywell as Carbonix is the first customer in the Asia-Pacific region to leverage Honeywell’s expertise and knowledge transfer in satcom solutions for UAVs. “Our vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing drones are in the air for up to 10 hours, allowing for efficient, accurate and reliable large-scale data capture. Honeywell is an industry leader in providing satcom solutions and we are thrilled to establish this working relationship with them,” said Stephen Pearce, CEO, Carbonix. “Installing Honeywell’s Small UAV SATCOM solution provides our customers with the ability to capture high-quality data during long-endurance flights over remote locations.” Traditionally, satellite communications systems have been available only for larger aircraft due to the size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements. Now, with a customizable design that’s 30% lighter than competing systems, Honeywell’s Small UAV SATCOM system can be installed in different locations on the vehicle to accommodate a wider range of platforms while ensuring safety of flight and avoiding unnecessary bulk. “We are honored for the opportunity to work with Carbonix to enhance their platform capabilities in providing long-range UAV solutions to their customers with our highest-performing, reliable and secure satellite communications solution for UAVs,” said Tim Van Luven, vice president, Defense Aftermarket Sales, Honeywell Aerospace Asia Pacific. “Our Small UAV SATCOM system is only one kilogram (2.2 pounds) and was designed specifically to bring some of the connectivity

capabilities enjoyed by larger aircraft to smaller UAVs in the air, at sea or on land. This SWaP design combined with the comprehensive highspeed broadband coverage worldwide will provide the necessary capabilities for both fixedwing and rotary-wing UAVs to fly longer, safer and connected, even when they fly beyond line of sight.” The seamless connectivity delivered through Inmarsat’s satellite network enables BVLOS capabilities that allow unmanned aircraft to be operated remotely at scale, beyond the pilot’s field of view. This technology can be used for a variety of applications, including long-range UAV inspections of linear infrastructure, where it is estimated to double or triple daily inspection capacity. The combination of the Honeywell Small UAV SATCOM system and Inmarsat’s satellite connectivity can keep vehicles connected even in remote areas or over water where other ground-based communications systems, such as 4G, are not available. Honeywell’s suite of satellite communications systems can provide operators, passengers and crew with reliable, consistent connectivity throughout the world. They serve a range of needs, including onboard connectivity for command and control and data, as well as fleet tracking and aircraft management.

India & Kuwait to explore Defence Cooperation

Sibi George, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, meeting His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Jaber AlAli Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, State of Kuwait.

ndian Ambassador to Kuwait, Sibi George has called-on His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali AlSabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, State of Kuwait. They have discussed bilateral ties, ways of enhancement of bilateral cooperation in Defence & Security, diaspora matters and other matters of mutual interest, according to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

VICE ADMIRAL SANDEEP NAITHANI, AVSM, VSM, ASSUMES CHARGE AS THE CHIEF OF MATERIEL

ice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, AVSM, VSM, has assumed charge as the Chief of Materiel, of the Indian Navy on 01 June 2021. A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. He was commissioned into the Electrical Branch of the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1985. The Admiral is a Post Graduate in Radar and Communication Engineering from IIT Delhi and a distinguished alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and the National Defence College (NDC). The Admiral has held various challenging appointments during his illustrious naval career spanning over three and a half decades. The officer has served on board the Aircraft Carrier Viraat in various capacities. He has tenanted important appointments in Naval Dockyards at Mumbai and Visakhapatnam and in the Staff, Personnel and Materiel Branches of Naval Headquarters. The Admiral has also commanded the premier electrical training establishment of the Navy, INS Valsura. As a Flag Officer, the Admiral has served as the Assistant Chief of Materiel (Modernisation) in Naval Headquarters, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), HQ WNC, Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Mumbai, Director General Naval Project at Mumbai, Programme Director, HQ ATVP, and as Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition in Naval Headquarters. In recognition of his distinguished services, the Admiral has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Model.As a Principal Staff Officer and the Senior most Technical Officer in the Indian Navy, the Admiral would be in charge of all aspects related to maintenance management

and life-cycle product support of all Engineering, Electrical, Electronics, Weapons, Sensors and IT related equipment and systems for ships and submarines, issues related to indigenisation of naval equipment and creation of major marine and technical infrastructure. The Admiral relieves Vice Admiral SR Sarma, PVSM, AVSM, VSM who superannuated on 31 May 2021.

IAI Signs US$200 Mn. UAS Services Contract with an Asian Country

srael Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently signed a US$ 200 million contract to provide unmanned aerial systems (UAS) services to a country in Asia, relating to IAI’s Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This is the fourth major UAS transaction that IAI has announced this year. The Heron family leads IAI’s range of UAVs. The various Heron models are used regularly for operational missions by over 20 customers worldwide. Controlled remotely from sea frigates or the seashore, the Heron supports ground and maritime missions against submarines and coastal guards. It transmits information while at sea, including between all the weapon systems participating in a mission. The Heron UAS may be fitted with LOS or SATCOM communication, and features “long runner” operational flexibility with automated remote takeoff, landing, and control with no need for deploying a control post near the runway. IAI President and CEO, Boaz Levy, said, “The deal is a testament to our customers’ strong satisfaction with the Heron UAVs, including their operational and technical

performance. Our customers repeatedly choose the Heron for its broad range of intelligence collection missions in different ground and weather settings.” IAI’s UAS know-how and experience have been accumulated over nearly 50 years, representing two million aggregate flight hours and over 50 customers worldwide. This expertise is in addition to IAI’s service as a center for national and global technological know-how in the areas of air defense, radar systems, satellites, remotely piloted vehicles, assault missiles, aviation, and cyber.

Homage to Pushpinder Singh Chopra, Renowned Journalist and Aviation Historian

Intech Additive Solutions bags orders worth USD 2M

ournalist, author and historian of Indian military and civil aviation Mr. Pushpinder Singh Chopra left the mortal world for his heavenly abode at the age of 77 in New Delhi on May 3, 2021. He had been an active aerospace personality in the Indian aerospace sector in multiple forms for over four decades with many lifetime distinguished achievements. He was a Member of AEROMAG Editorial Advisory Board. Pushpinder Singh Chopra wrote extensively about the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Aviation, and aeronautical industry. He started his career with the Tata Group and later headed Daimler Benz Aerospace in India and Dornier India. He passionately followed indigenous design/development/production programs of many of the aerospace projects in India including the Trainers, Light Transport Aircraft, Advance Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft and provided positive and inspiring comments and advice. He had associated with several international aerospace OEMs and Indian organizations like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, National Aerospace Laboratories and Aeronautical Development Agency as well as Defense Research and Development Organization. He actively associated with the Aeronautical Society of India and the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI). He was the President of The Society for Aerospace Studies (SAS), a ‘think-tank’ based in New Delhi, and was part of various projects related to Indian aerospace sector. He had presided over numerous seminars that focused on aerospace and aviation industry as well as Indian Armed Forces. HAL and Aeronautical industry will remember him for his several illustrated books. A jewel among them is 'Diamonds in the Sky' (2001), a first comprehensive history of HAL from December 1940 to August 2001. He coordinated the world Centenary celebration of Aeronautics in 2003 at New Delhi during which another great book authored by him "History of Aviation in India" was released. He is the co-founder of the Delhi Forum for Strategic Studies. He played a decisive role in its creation with the aim of fostering strategic consciousness amongst Indian citizens while promoting research into national and international issues which affect India’s security, economic resurgence and internal harmony. He was the founder editor of Vayu Aerospace and Defence Review, a bi-monthly aviation and defence magazine based in New Delhi. He was a patriot, charming personality with humility, humor and laughter. We on behalf of SIATI and Aeromag Asia, salute Mr. Pushpinder Singh Chopra and pray for everlasting peace of his divine soul.

ntech Additive Solutions Pvt Ltd.(Intech), the Indian OEM successful in developing and supplying 3D metal printers based on laser powder bed fusion technology (LPBF) for industrial manufacturing, has announced that it has bagged multiple orders in the last quarter of the FY ending 31st March,21 worth USD 2M for its 'Made in India' Metal AM systems. Intech's multiple orders worth USD 2M includes the sale of a combined total of six Metal AM Systems, iFusion SF1, and iFusion LF1, configured with Pre-build software AMBuilder to five organisations, viz. Indo-MIM, a leading global supplier of Metal Injection Molding components catering to Aerospace, Medical, and Oil & Gas industries, Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) - for applications in Energy and Energy infrastructure, Poeir Jets- an Indian OEM for Heavy-lift Drones and two more renowned organisations in India whose names will be announced soon. We have focused on a steady and sustainable growth path despite the challenges of COVID and enforced lockdowns. It is exciting to see that our home grown iFusion series Metal AM systems, AM software suite AMBuilder and AMOptoMet has been well accepted and garnering increasing acclaim day by day as a better alternative to extremely expensive imported AM systems "said Sridhar Balaram, CEO of Intech. "Intech aspires to stay true to the principles of 'Make in India' and the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan,' advocating self-reliance through India's additive manufacturing industry's technological transformation. It also aims to be a global solution provider for Metal AM Systems and AM Software, contributing to the growth of a sustainable ecosystem for AM systems in India to compete globally and ensure AM manufactured end-user functional components for domestic and export markets." added Sridhar Balaram. Intech is amongst a few manufacturers globally to integrate its metal printers with its build processing software - AMBuilder and an additional software tool AMOptoMet for parameter optimization addressing the needs of industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, General Engineering, Tool & Die and Medical Market segments in India and abroad. Combining the two software packages with Intech's printers provides users with an end-to-end metal AM solution along with local after-sales services.

HELD UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH EL-SISI THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT, THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMED FORCES

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