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The Engine Alliance GP7200 turbofan engine is in the middle of a weight-reduction program that may further help sales. The General Electric-Pratt & Whitney joint venture says the engine has lost 150 pounds since entry into service two years ago. Page 9
• America’s Avenger UAV could be UK’s Scavenger As flight testing of General Atomics Predator C Avenger progresses, observers see it as a key contender for the UK’s MALE UAV, if the UK does not pursue a European solution. Page 12
• Zephyr shows real staying power As you read this, Qinetiq’s remarkable solar-powered UAV could be still airborne somewhere over Arizona, having launched on July 2. When it finally comes back down to earth, it will have annihilated all previous records. Page 16
• Diamond Aircraft polishes future plans While it is flying a DA42 here that’s running on algae-based biofuel, Diamond is planning to develop an aerobatic, two-seat military jet trainer of the D-Jet that will have ejection seats and cost under $3 million. Page 17
• Halving helo fuel burn EADS is slashing helicopter fuel burn with a new diesel-electric engine. Page 20
by Chris Pocock The Royal Air Force (RAF) will emerge from the current UK Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) with only two types of airlifter, two types of fighter and two types of helicopter. That much was confirmed here Tuesday when Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), spoke to journalists after delivering a presentation on Combat ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance). A few hours earlier, British defense secretary Dr. Liam Fox told his Farnborough audience, “The current defense program is entirely unaffordable.” These comments are bound to generate a fresh round of chalet chatter on the last trade day of this year’s Farnborough show. Will the government dare to cancel the A400M airlifter in favor of the RAF retaining both the C-130J and the C-17? If not, when exactly will the C130Js be retired? The two fighters must surely be the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in the long term. But will the Harriers be chopped immediately, and what about the Tornado GR.4 force? The helicopter choice is already made: the RAF’s Merlins will be transferred to the Royal Navy, leaving the service with Chinooks and upgraded Pumas. “We cannot afford the luxury of multiple supply chains and the associated training and infrastructure costs,” said Fox. “With only two types, we’ll save money upfront and ongoing, while preserving capabilities,” said ACM Dalton. Fox echoed the sober conclusion of a report into defense procurement that was commissioned by the last British government. “There’s no doubt that there has been a culture of mutual over-optimism on costs, timing and perform-
Airbus Military’s A400M will fly home from Farnborough, having impressed show-goers with its performance, but it still needs to convince cash-strapped governments like Britain’s that it is a must-have item in the future defense inventory.
MARK WAGNER
• Slimmer engine woos A380 customers
UK defense cuts will be deep but smart
Continued on page 21
Mubadala targets tier one and a new bizjet for 2018 by Julian Moxon Mubadala Aerospace is positioning itself as a tier-one supplier of large composite structures to Airbus or Boeing for future single-aisle aircraft as part of its continuing drive to become a top player in the global aerospace industry. “We’re looking at a stake of up to 20 percent in the composites content of any new aircraft,” executive director, aerospace unit, Homaid Al Shemmari, said yesterday. Al Shemmari has also revealed the company intends to
build a “business jet-sized aircraft,” with a 2018 target date. “We will design, manufacture and support this aircraft,” he told AIN. The move follows Mubadala’s purchase of a 35percent stake in Piaggio in 2006. The Italian manufacturer is a specialist in composites and will, said Al Shemmari, be a major contributor to the design of the new aircraft. The moves are all part of Mubadala’s drive to create a “high technology, knowledge-in-
tensive” aerospace gineering and Mainteindustry for Abu nance. In 2009 the comDhabi, reflecting the pany increased its stake government’s desire in SR Technics from 40 for the country to percent to 70 percent. It cement its industrial already has a major future by diversifyMRO operation in the ing into high-value Middle East–Abu Dhabi industries through Aircraft Technologies. partnerships with inAl Shemmari confirms ternational aerothe company is looking Mubadala exec director space companies. for other MRO partnerHomaid Al Shemmari At Farnborough, ships in the U.S. and Mubadala signed deals with Asia. “The USA is a must and Goodrich, Honeywell and Siko- we have to be involved in Southrsky, further expanding its main- east Asia as well, but we have not tenance, repair and overhaul decided which should be first.” (MRO) presence. Al Shemmari Mubadala Aerospace will said Mubadala intends to be- complete the first phase of concome “the world’s third biggest struction of its new Strata comMRO company” by 2020, after posites manufacturing facility at Lufthansa Technik and KLM EnContinued on page 21 MARK WAGNER
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It’s greener in more ways than one. The Airbus A380 has earned its reputation as the world’s greenest long-haul jet. But it’s been earning hard dollars at the same time. The moment it entered service, its sheer popularity, combined with the lowest cost per passenger of any large aircraft, has meant more profit, much quicker. Giving its operators a competitive edge in tough times. Simply by introducing A380s on long-haul routes, operators can save millions of dollars a year in cash operating costs, while creating thousands of extra seats. The most exciting plane in the sky is also a proven, working aircraft, making real money, day after day.
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The MRJ cabin mockup, seen here at Mitsubishi’s booth, highlights its width and height advantage over competitors.
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Mitsubishi closes in on new batch of MRJ sales by Julian Moxon Mitsubishi Aircraft remains bullish about the prospects for its new MRJ regional jet despite failing to add to its order book so far here at the Farnborough air show. In June, All Nippon Airways finally signed firm orders for fifteen 92-seat MRJ90s with options for 10 more, but the letter of intent with U.S. airline group Trans States Holdings for 50 firm aircraft plus 50 options has yet to be converted into a firm order, but could be close to conclusion. Nevertheless, the manufacturer said it hopes to sell up to 1,000 aircraft into a market that Mitsubishi Aircraft president Hideo Egawa puts at between 3,000 and 4,000
regional jets over the next 20 years. The MRJ90 program is now “on time” said Egawa, with the all-important critical design review set for the end of summer, leading to design freeze and beginning of manufacture of the first components later in the year. First fight is due in mid-2012 with entry into service in 2014 after an 18-month flight test program involving five aircraft This follows the six-month delay to the program revealed in October 2009, when the Trans States letter of intent was announced. The timescale for the smaller 78-seat MRJ70 is for EIS around a year after the MRJ90, although a Mitsubishi executive
Garuda makes its A330 order a perfect 10
chairman Ahmad Al Zabin. Typically, the model accommodates about 40 more seats than the smaller -800 variant. A350 orders exceed 530 from over 33 customers. Germania holding company SAT has converted its recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering five CFM56-powered A319s into a firm contract, thus becoming a new Airbus operator as it begins to replace its current fleet. The A319s will be laid out in a high-density, 150-seat configuration. Berlin-based Germania’s business encom-
Indonesian national airline Garuda has ordered six long-range A330-200s for delivery from 2012’s fourth quarter. The twinjets will join six A330-300s and four recently delivered leased A330-200s. Configured in a two-class layout for services to Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, the new aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and are nominally valued at $1.1 billion. Airbus has taken firm orders for more than 1,000 A330s, of which more than 700 have been delivered to 80-plus operators. Also yesterday, Kuwait-based Aviation Lease and Finance Co. (ALAFCO), which specializes in Sharia-based commercial aircraft leasing, has upgraded its 2007 order for 12 A350-800 XWBs to the larger A350-900 variant. The -900 will be the first of the A350 family to enter service when the new widebody enters service in about three years. “The A350-900 is best suited to meet [future customer] needs,” said ALAFCO
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – R. Randall Padfield EDITOR – INTERNATIONAL SHOW EDITIONS – Charles Alcock PRESSROOM MANAGING EDITOR – Günter Endres PRODUCTION DIRECTOR – Mary E. Mahoney THE EDITORIAL TEAM Jeff Apter Paul Lowe David Donald Nigel Moll Thierry Dubois Julian Moxon Curt Epstein Chris Pocock Bernard Fitzsimons Gregory Polek Richard Gardener Stephen Pope Ian Goold Ian Sheppard Kirby J. Harrison Chad Trautvetter David Lombardo Paolo Valpolini THE PRODUCTION TEAM Mona L. Brown Jane Campbell Joseph W. Darlington John Manfredo Lysbeth McAleer Annmarie Yannaco PHOTOGRAPHERS David McIntosh Mark Wagner PRESS ROOM ADMINISTRATOR – Lysbeth McAleer GROUP PUBLISHER – John F. McCarthy Jr. PUBLISHER – Anthony T. Romano ADVERTISING SALES – NORTH AMERICA John F. McCarthy, Jr. – Southeast Melissa Murphy – Midwest (785) 856-5111 Nancy O’Brien – West (530) 241-3534 Anthony T. Romano – East/International Victoria Tod – Great Lakes/UK ADVERTISING SALES – INTERNATIONAL – Daniel Solnica – Paris PRODUCTION/MANUFACTURING MANAGER – Tom Hurley PRODUCTION ASSISTANT – Susan Amisson CIRCULATION MANAGER – Philip Scarano III GROUP BRAND MANAGER – Jennifer Leach English CIRCUATION STAFF – Victoria Tod ADVERTISING/SALES SECRETARY STAFF Patty Hayes; Cindy Nesline
Mitsubishi Aircraft president Hideo Egawa.
passes aircraft charter, leasing and seat sales, with a route network serving more than 30 international destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year. Thai Airways International has signed an MoU for seven A330-300s, together worth a nominal $1.48 billion if the deal is converted to an order (as Airbus expects will happen within the next couple of months. “The aircraft would be delivered from late 2011 to join TAI’s 20 other A330-300s serving points across the Asia-Pacific region.
4aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
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F-22 SHOWS OFF ITS BOMB BAY The opportunity to view the weapons bay of the F-22 Raptor comes about one-third into its flying display. The main bay can hold six AIM120E AMRAAMs or two 6BU-32 JDAM bombs plus two AMRAAMs. Single AIM-9s occupy the side bays.
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hinted this “may slip” if no orders come through. Even further away, the proposed MRJ100 has no timescale at all, admitted Egawa. “I cannot today say when we will develop this aircraft,” he said. Mitsubishi’s hopes of attracting customers are based largely on the attributes of what it calls the “game changing” Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan powering all versions of the aircraft, which brings a claimed 52-percent reduction in takeoff noise compared to the Embraer EMB190. Mitsubishi also campaigns the 20-percent lower emissions of the engine. Inside the passenger cabin, overhead bin capacity has been increased to accommodate larger roller bags, providing the “largest overhead bins in its class.” Full-scale static testing of the all-composite empennage was completed recently and the engineering flight simulator developed. Formal evaluation by the U.S. and European certification authorities has begun in preparation for planned certification at the end of 2012.
Farnborough Airshow News is a publication of The Convention News Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: (201) 444-5075. Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News Co., Inc. also publishes Aviation International News, AINalerts, AIN Defense Perspective, AIN Air Transport Perspective, AINmx Reports, Business Jet Traveler, EBACE Convention News, HAI Convention News, MEBA Convention News, NBAA Convention News, Dubai Airshow News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore Airshow News. Printed in London by Wyndeham Heron, Ltd. Computer Services: Aztec Event Services, Ltd.
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Raytheon eyes upgrades for ASTOR, plus exports cent of the system’s tasking over Afghanistan has been for MTI. The wide-area search capability of the ASTOR has frequently been used to identify areas of interest that are then “cued” for a closer look to a UAV carrying an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, such as the UK’s own Hermes 450s or Reapers. One OLGS has been deployed to the theater, and is co-located with British Army’s Hermes 450 ground station. One of the urgent upgrades now under way could be an enhancement to the synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) processor to enable detection of small, buried objects. This would help with the counter-IED (improvised explosive device) effort in Afghanistan. However, the officers said that ASTOR is already involved in this effort through intelligent analysis of movements. In recent months, RSL officials have briefed many other potential upgrades to the ASTOR, some of them through hardware changes, and others through more sophisticated processing that uses segmentation algorithms. The company has also suggested adding a communications-intelligence (COMINT) sensor to the Sentinel, such as Qinetiq’s Tigershark. Looking further ahead, the technology to enable SAR and MTI processing from a single pulse is becoming available.
MALAYSIAN AIRCRAFT LEASING FIRM OPTS FOR 50 IRKUT MC-21 NARROWBODIES Aircraft leasing company Crecom Burj Resources of Malaysia signed a firm order for 50 Irkut MC-21 airliners yesterday here in Farnborough. The deal is split evenly between 150-seat MC-21 200s and 181-seat MC-21300s, with deliveries slated to start in 2016. Celebrating the deal were (l-r) Alexey Fedorov, president of Irkut parent company United Aircraft Corp.; Oleg Demchenko, Irkut president; Khairil Anuar Rahman, Crecom Burj
MARK WAGNER
deputy chairman; and Azizul Kamar A. Rahman of Crescom Burj.
6aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
Above, UK-based Raytheon Systems is using five modified Bombardier Global Express twinjets, designated the Sentinel R.1, as a platform for the UK ASTOR system. Raytheon has also supplied two operational level ground stations and eight transportable ground stations, below, for the program.
DAVID MCINTOSH
Raytheon Systems Ltd. (RSL) is working on urgent operational upgrades to the UK ASTOR (Advanced STand-Off Radar) system and eyeing potential export customers. The British offshoot of Raytheon is now the design authority for what was a transatlantic development. RSL is believed to have made a firm proposal for an ASTOR-type system to an export prospect, which has been reported elsewhere to be India. The UK bought five airborne platforms for the ASTOR system. They are designated Sentinel R.1 and are based on the Bombardier Global Express business jet. Raytheon also supplied two operational level ground stations (OLGS), which are large but transportable, and eight fully mobile transportable ground stations (TGS). A TGS has been set up outside Hall 4 here. Two British military officers yesterday described how the system has proved invaluable over Afghanistan in identifying and tracking insurgents. The moving-target indicator (MTI) has allowed imagery and intelligence analysts to discern unusual “patterns of life” that would indicate suspicious activity. When an enemy vehicle is identified, the MTI recording can be played back to determine the originating point of its journey. Although the ASTOR also features an excellent synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping capability, some 95 per-
DAVID MCINTOSH
by Chris Pocock
Bahrain and FIL to team again HH Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee for Bahrain International Airshow and Ian Godden, Chairman of ADS and Farnborough International Ltd. (FIL), signed an agreement yesterday to formalize their partnership to jointly organize the Bahrain International Airshow 2012 (BIAS), which will run from January 19 to 21. “The Kingdom of Bahrain is proud to be extending its partnership with Farnborough International following the success of this year’s inaugural airshow,” Sheikh Abdulla said. “The 2012 Bahrain International Air-
show will continue to deliver a personalized event focused on the industry itself, free of traditional flying and demonstration limitations due to the airshow’s unique location and bespoke facilities.” At the same time, Gulf Air was signed up as official carrier and a memorandum of understanding was concluded with Bahrain Airport Services as ground-handling provider. An agreement was also inked in with Quaynote Communications of the UK to host a conference in Bahrain in January 2011 entitled: “The Future of Business Jets in the Middle East.”
HH Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, chairman of the Bahrain International Airshow organizing committee, and Ian Godden, chairman of Farnborough International, re-upped their partnership to jointly organize the 2012 Bahrain airshow.
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Talarion hangs in hall, as well as in the balance by Chris Pocock Suspended above the EADS stand in Hall 4 is a full-scale model of the company’s proposed Talarion surveillance drone. It is dear to the heart of Dr. Stefan
Zoller, the chief executive officer of EADS Defence and Security, who persuaded France, Germany and Spain to fund a feasibility study. But now the jet-powered
UAV may be left hanging, as European government research and defense budgets are slashed. France, Germany, Italy and the UK all have requirements for medium- and/or high-altitude, long-endurance (MALE or HALE) surveillance UAV systems. To meet urgent operational needs, France and Germany are operating Israel Aerospace Industries Herons that have been taken into Europeandesigned tasking, exploitation and dissemination systems. Italy and the UK have opted for American Predators and Reapers, which come complete with a U.S.-designed (and controlled) communications infrastructure. As unmanned aerial systems (UAS) become ever more capable and acceptable, this is a highly unsatisfactory state of affairs, from the perspective of the European aerospace industry. This
DAVID McINTOSH
The EADS jet-powered Talarion surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle could become a casualty of budget cuts in Europe, despite the aircraft’s ability to perform 20 different types of missions.
means that the Talarion proposal, as well as the BAE Mantis in the UK and the Alenia Sky-Y in Italy, have taken on considerable relevance. The latter two have flown in prototype form. There has been considerable maneuvering and intrigue among the players in this field recently (see Farnborough Airshow News, July 19, page 37, concerning the Mantis). But now Germany revealed a draft set of defense cuts last week, with no money available for the Talarion. The UK’s recently defined Scavenger MALE requirement may last only until the current defense review is completed in the fall. And even the French defence minister has talked of buying the Predator system. Dr. Zoller is clearly a frustrated man. “Talarion is a key project,” he told journalists in London last Saturday. “It’s the only serious new-generation jet of this type. It can perform 20 different missions, civilian and military. It will have a next-generation e-scan radar, and be able to fly without restrictions
in controlled airspace. Europe has to decide whether it wants to sustain its military aircraft and unmanned systems development. But I doubt whether any single European country can finance this alone,” he added. Desperate to get the program launched, Zoller said that EADS might “pre-finance” the development. He countered suggestions that the Talarion is a very expensive solution. “We offered 15 systems, including 45 aircraft, for ?2.9 billion. Approximately half of that sum is for development, the other half for procurement,” he said. Zoller believes that a surveillance drone like Talarion should be a much greater priority for European air forces than unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). “They could still be 20 years away,” he said. EADS has promised to deliver in 2015. Now we know why he has suppressed nearly all mention of the Barracuda UCAV demonstrator, which EADS has also been working on.
Integrator UAV vies for U.S. Navy contract by David Donald
MARK WAGNER
Since Boeing bought Insitu in 2008 the two companies have been growing the success of Insitu’s Scan Eagle UAV, while developing the Integrator vehicle to add to Boeing’s increasingly formidable unmanned product range. This larger type is one of several vying for the U.S. Navy’s STUAS requirement, which is seen as a replacement for the Scan Eagles currently operated by Insitu under service contracts. First flying in 2007, Integrator uses the same 12-g bungee launch and 6-g Skyhook recovery system as the Scan Eagle, and
shares a common ground architecture to make it fully interoperable. It still offers a 20-plus hour endurance capability, but carries a much heavier payload. For a 24-hour mission, up to 25 pounds can be taken aloft, but if endurance is reduced to eight hours, then payload can be increased to 50 pounds. In operational terms, Integrator allows the carriage of both electro-optical and infrared sensors, while the Scan Eagle is restricted to one or the other. Payloads can be accommodated by four means: a nose bay that can mount a turret; an
internal bay measuring 40- by 10by 5-inches; up to four external hardpoints; or wingtip bays. In the Scan Eagle the wingtip bays are typically used to mount antennas Boeing Insitu’s Integrator is competing for the U.S. Navy’s small for the AIS ship identification sys- tactical unmanned air system program. A contract decision is currently stalled, but may now be handed down this summer. tem. Integrator’s main fuselage bay is rapidly reconfigurable and can be segmented to carry multiple sensors. As operating at around 14,000 hours per well as electro-optical/infrared sensors, both month and has amassed 335,000 hours. Scan Eagle and Integrator have been tested The vehicle is mostly operated by Insitu with the imSAR NanoSAR imaging radar. under service contracts and it is deployed At the moment, the Scan Eagle fleet is in many theaters to provide “ISTAR by the hour.” Operational areas include Afghanistan, where Australia, Canada and Poland employ the type to provide support for deployed forces, in addition to its widespread use by U.S. forces. Another critical area where Scan Eagle has “starred” is off the Horn of Africa, where it has been one of the main weapons in the fight against piracy. Scan Eagle has many uses in both civil and military fields. Currently Insitu is negotiating to operate the Scan Eagle on behalf of BP as part of the oil spill cleanup effort in the Gulf of Mexico. As in many cases, gaining the necessary airspace clearance is one of the main challenges. However, as one of the most experienced UAV operators in the world, Insitu is working closely with the FAA on such issues. Last month the two announced a two-year CRADA (cooperative researchPHANTOM RAY WILL GO WEST ATOP NASA’S 747 and-development agreement), under Always expect the unusual from an advanced development shop. The Boeing Phantom Works has decided to use the NASA Boeing 747 which Insitu has supplied two Scan Space Shuttle carrier to move the Phantom Ray UCAV from the factory in St. Louis, Missouri, to the NASA Dryden Research Center at Edwards Eagles, complete with ground equipment, AFB in California for flight tests. This will be the first time that anything other than a Space Shuttle has been carried atop the 747. for the U.S. Federal Aviation AdministraAccording to Phantom Works chief Darryl Davis, a Boeing engineer suggested using the Shuttle carrier because it does not require distion to operate in the Atlantic City area in mantling of the carefully constructed, stealthy UCAV, thereby making this the most cost-effective solution. order to study the operation of UAVs in The Boeing team developed an attachment to connect the Phantom Ray to the structure that normally carries the much larger Space Shuttle. controlled airspace.
8aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
GP7200 reduces weight to woo A380 customers by Thierry Dubois The Engine Alliance GP7200 engine is in the middle of a weight-reduction program that may further help sales as the General Electric-Pratt & Whitney joint venture is engaged in at least three campaigns: with Qatar Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The engine maker (Hall 4 Stand A10) expects 19 Airbus A380s to be in service flying its turbofans by the end of the year. According to Engine Alliance president Mary Ellen Jones, the GP7200 has lost 150 pounds since entry into service two years ago. “We were a bit above spec,” she said. An additional 50 pounds are
to be saved on engines delivered at some point next year, which will be about 100 pounds better than specified, thanks to a new turbine exhaust case. The new component is being evaluated on an engine being used for endurance trials. To “keep ahead of any issue,” Engine Alliance engineers have conducted this maturation program in an MTU test cell, where a GP7200 has already logged 3,000 cycles at 77,000 pounds of thrust. Analytic teardown is in progress. Fuel burn has been improved, too, Jones reported. In April, Airbus revised the A380 performance
Qantas signs for 7 Q400s Qantas has placed a firm order with Bombardier for seven Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners in a deal valued at $218 million based on list prices for the airplanes. The order adds to the 21 Q400s operated by QantasLink. The first new aircraft are due for delivery in the first half of 2011. Bombardier has booked firm orders for 385 Q400 NextGen aircraft including the Qantas order. The Canadian manufacturer has delivered 300 to date. In its latest aircraft market forecast released yesterday, Bombardier predicted a market for 12,800 airliners in the 20- to 149-seat category worth $612 billion in the next 20 years. The manufacturer’s business jet forecast was equally
bullish, forecasting demand for 26,000 business aircraft worth $661 billion in the same period. Bombardier’s business jet market forecast includes aircraft in segments Bombardier competes (light jet to large cabin). The forecast foretells a shift in demand to larger regional airliners, predicting there will be 200 new aircraft sold in the 20- to 59-seat market, 5,900 in the 60- to 99-seat segment and 6,700 in the 100- to 149-seat segment. A key driver of growth, said Bombardier, will be the Chinese market, which is expected to become the world’s third largest for regional airliner sales behind the U.S. and Europe by 2029.
handbook to reflect 0.5-percent lower specific fuel consumption. “We are thus 1.5-percent better than our [Rolls-Royce Trent 900] competitor,” she said. So far, fleet statistics look good, with zero in-flight shut downs in more than 200,000 flight hours. Dispatch reliability stood at 99.9 percent as of June 30. The GP7200 is in service on 14 A380s today, a number that slated to grow to 19 by December 15 on Emirates airplanes and four operated by Air France. Jones commented that Kingfisher Airlines and Qatar Airways have not yet chosen the engines for their ordered A380s. She also said Vietnam Airlines is interested in the aircraft, and she hinted that her company’s salesmen are talking to some U.S. operators who may be interested as well. The Engine Alliance claims to have a 59-percent share in A380 ordered engines. On Monday, Emirates ordered GP7200 engines for the additional 32 A380s it ordered last month. The deal includes a “fleet management agreement” for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the engines. It is valued at $4.8 billion. Jones said the Engine Alliance recommends that its customers order 10 to 12 percent of spares. Emirates is said to be “in that neighborhood.” The ratio of 548 engine orders for 128 aircraft indicates, however, that the average customer tends to stay below the advised percentage. The GP7200’s fan can be replaced separately from the rest of the engine, which allows an operator to make the most of its spare inventory, a company official pointed out.
NO STONE LEFT UNTURNED IN JARA’S BATTLE FOR SALES
MARK WAGNER
Business leadership specialist Jara has taken inspiration from the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Fighter Command operation for its Farnborough airshow campaign to make contact with as many sales prospects as possible this week. Its team is logging the success its sales squadrons are having in making contact with decision makers and signing people up to receive its newsletter. As of the middle of yesterday, Jara was achieving about a 55-percent hit rate in meeting its goals–someway short of its goal of a 70-percent hit rate. It had made contact with 150 of the 400 managers it has targeted this week, with 30 of the 100 newsletter sign-ups achieved. Jara (Hall 3 Stand B10) is using its own “structured leadership” techniques to take corrective action as it battles to notch up the desired number of hits. “We’re now making sure that contacting sorties and review meetings start on time. We’ve produced better maps of the halls with target stands clearly identified and we’ve condensed the script we use,” explained managing director Jamil Rashid. “So far these actions have already improved our hit rate from 35 percent to 55 percent.”
NEWS CLIPS Royal Air Maroc Picks Snecma for CFM56-7 Mx Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has chosen Snecma to maintain the CFM56-7B engines that power its Boeing 737s. The by-the-hour contract covers 36 aircraft, 26 of which RAM already operates, and runs until December 2018. Snecma Morocco Engine Services, a Snecma-RAM joint venture in Casablanca, will supply the service. Separately, China’s Spring Airlines has selected the CFM56-5B engine to power four new Airbus A320 aircraft. At list price, the contract is valued at $70 million.
Aero Sekur To Be Part of Future’s Day Flexible structure specialist Aero Sekur (Hall 4 Stand B8) will host an “international futures for young engineers” program tomorrow and at the weekend. A multinational team of postgraduate students will provide first-hand advice on engineering careers, the company said. Presentations are scheduled to run hourly from 10 a.m. tomorrow, which is the show’s Future’s Day. Aero Sekur is also displaying its new helicopters survival system. Made of a pair of external airbags, the system is designed to attenuate shock in crash landings, and also can be used as a flotation device. Designed for both civil and military applications, the Aero Sekur survival system is due to be available in 2012.
Qatar Taps SR Technics for Airbus Cabin Makeovers Qatar Airways is enlisting SR Technics to modify the cabin layouts of three of the airline’s Airbus A321s and two A319s. The cabin modifications include installation of new seating layouts, inflight entertainment systems and a global communication suite that will allow passenger use of personal mobile phones in flight. SR Technics plans to complete the work in Zurich, Switzerland, by the end of this year. Separately, Thomson Airways signed a fiveyear, $100 million component contract covering nine Boeings.
Software Upgrade Enhances Global Express Cabins Rockwell Collins announced the release of a software upgrade for the cabin management systems in the Bombardier Global Express XRS and Global 5000 that includes dozens of enhancements to the look and feel of the system. The software adds an icon-based menu co-developed by Teague, a U.S. industrial design firm, with additions including “At a Glance” and “Favorites.” New aircraft are now being delivered with the V7 software upgrade and operators of in-service Globals can receive it free of charge starting this fall, according to Bombardier.
Eaton Has Shanghai Connection for C919 Work Eaton Corp. and Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co. (SAMC), a subsidiary of Chinese manufacturer Comac, are forming a 49:51 joint venture to supply fuel and hydraulic “conveyance systems” for the C919 narrowbody airliner. Based on the production of 2,500 aircraft and including after-sales, potential business on the C919 is estimated at $1.8 billion. The joint venture’s products will also be offered for other aircraft. Eaton has received a letter of intent from Comac and Shanghai Aviation Electric (SAE) to supply the C919’s cockpit panel assemblies and dimming controls system. Eaton and SAE have signed a “strategic cooperation agreement” to jointly develop and manufacture the components. The program is valued at a total $425 million.
Sikorsky Inks Services Deal with Jordanian Air Force Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced it has made a support agreement with the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) for its fleet of 13 S-70A Black Hawk transport/utility helicopters. The one-year contract, estimated at $8 million and renewable every year, allows the RJAF to order parts and services at preset terms and includes volume discounts and prompt-payment incentives. Separately, Sikorsky Aerospace Services subsidiary Derco, whose core activity is spare parts, is teaming up with test equipment specialist Testek. Under the agreement, the two companies will offer customers in-house repair and testing capabilities, which includes tooling, training, engineering, program management and parts.
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NEWS CLIPS ITT Has Traffic Data for Commercial Customers ITT Corp. has announced the commercial availability of real-time air traffic surveillance and tracking data, marking the first-ever sale of data collected through the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) network being deployed by ITT as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen initiative. The ITT data will provide the most accurate situationalawareness information available in the U.S. National Airspace System and can be used to optimize the business operations of customers, such as airlines, airport operators and companies providing services tied to aviation activities. As part of the ADS-B contract, ITT has developed an open, scalable and secure system architecture that fuses real-time nationwide data from multiple FAA-trusted surveillance sources, including the ADS-B network, the existing terminal and en route air traffic control radars and the output from the Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X), a runway safety system that is being deployed at the 35 busiest U.S. airports.
Hamilton Sundstrand Wins New APU Contracts Hamilton Sundstrand announced three contracts for its auxiliary power units (APUs) here at the show on Tuesday. Qatar Airways has picked the Hamilton Sundstrand APS3200 APU for its 24 new Airbus A320s, and Rockwell Collins has selected the T-62T-48LC-1 APU for installation in the prototype U.S. Navy E-6B Tacamo, as part of the Block 1A ECP program, for operational evaluation. Finally, the U.S. Army aviation and missile command (Amcom) has awarded Hamilton Sundstrand (Hall 3 Stand B25e) a five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for follow-on T-62-T-40-1 APUs. This contract is to support the production of Sikorsky Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. The APUs will be supplied to Sikorsky’s production line as government-furnished equipment. The Amcom contract specifies an estimated quantity of 482 APUs over its duration, with a maximum of 1,000.
New UK government slams tanker waste by Chris Pocock Last week, Vince Cable, the business secretary in the new British government, heavily criticized the supply of 14 A330MRTTs to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a private finance initiative (PFI). He told The Sunday Times that the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) is “a massively expensive and unnecessary commitment.” The £10.5 billion ($16 billion) deal was concluded by the previous Labour government and has already been criticized by the UK official watchdog agency, the National Audit Office (NAO). The first two aircraft are already under conversion by Airbus Military in Madrid. In a report released last March, the NAO said it was “unable to conclude that the Ministry of
Defence has achieved value for money” from the FSTA deal. The MoD concluded what was the UK’s largest-ever PFI to acquire new tankers for the RAF to avoid the capital cost of replacing the entire fleet of ageing VC-10s and Tristars. Instead, AirTanker, a consortium comprising Cobham, EADS UK, Rolls-Royce, Thales UK and the VT Group (now owned by Babcock), is supplying a “refueling service.” AirTanker will routinely provide nine A330MRTTs to the RAF, with five more to be available for contingencies. In the meantime, Airtanker can lease these five aircraft to commercial airlines in a passenger configuration. The agreed annual minimum usage is 9,000 flying hours. The contract also includes a new hangar plus simulator at RAF Brize Norton,
THERE’S PROBABLY AN APP FOR THAT... Smartphone applications have become so ubiquitous that even some military handbooks are available as apps. For the iPhone, such apps inlcude the 2010 U.S. Military Handbook, U.S. Army Ranger Handbook and a British Military Fitness guide. And if you’re looking to keep up with the latest defense and aerospace news, be sure to download our free AINonline iPhone app.
New Skyeye 350 Can Survey Oil Spills Aerial Surveillance Systems Inc. (ASSI) has joined forces with German sensor specialist Optimare to launch an airborne oil-spill monitoring system based on ASSI’s SkyEye 350 surveillance aircraft, which in turn, is based on the King Air 350 platform. Optimare provides the surveillance equipment in the form of its Medusa system. It integrates the company’s oil-spill sensors, plus others such as the Flir Systems Star Safire HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), into a package that provides spill detection and analysis. It has applications in the spotting of illegal discharge and, of course, in coordinating the response to major spills.
DAVID MCINTOSH
Sesar Family Grows with 13 New Partners Sesar Joint Undertaking (SJU) this week endorsed 13 associate partners to contribute to the SESAR, the Single European Sky ATM Research Program, whose purpose is to create an evolution in air traffic management by bringing together the concerns and requirements of public and private stakeholders in the air traffic system. Of the 13 selected associates, seven are providers of air navigation services, five are industry partners and one is an airport operator. The 13 are: Nav Portugal, Avtech Sweden, Boeing, LVNL consortium, Skyguide, ONDA (Moroccan airports authority), Belgocontrol, Lockheed Martin UK, PANSA (Polish Air Navigation Services Agency), NATS Services, SEA Aeroporti di Milano, Thales Australia and Thales Raytheon Systems. Agreements between the sponsoring members and their respective associate partners are expected to be finalized during the last quarter of this year.
plus training, flight operations and the services of 14 sponsored reserve pilots (the RAF will provide the balance of the flight crew). But the NAO report revealed that the average cost of the contracted baseline service is approximately $585 million per annum, of which no less than $465 million is for financing, capital cost and profit. Personnel and fuel costs will add a further $90 million. Over the 27 years of the contract, this amounts to £12.3 billion ($18.5 billion), not £10.5 billion. The RAF must pay for the military reconfiguring of the five “spare” aircraft and the breaking of their leases to third parties. Moreover, the original requirement “did not envisage the aircraft flying directly into high-threat environments such as Afghanistan,” and that modifications to enable this are likely to cost “several hundred million pounds.” They include flight deck armor and fuel-tank inerting. Airtanker confirmed to AIN that the aircraft are being supplied with a basic DASS (Defensive Aids Subsystem).
Saab gap analysis study key to future military tech by David Donald A plan for the industrial and technological base of future European military aerospace moved forward with the signing of a contract for a one-year study to be conducted by Sweden’s Saab group. Alexander Weis, chief executive of the European Defence Agency, and Mats Palmberg, vice president and head of business development and marketing for Saab Aeronautics, signed the agreement, valued at approximately $512,000, here at the Farnborough show. Saab has been commissioned
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to map out Europe’s current military aerospace and industrial landscape, and identify gaps where research-and-development projects should be initiated to provide the necessary technology needed for the continent’s Future Air System (FAS). Under the FAS4Europe contract, Saab is to report back to the European Defence Agency in October 2011. Although the Swedish manufacturer leads the project, most of Europe’s major aerospace players are involved as subcontractors.
The full name of the study is, “The future of the European military aerospace Defence Technological Industrial Base (DTIB)– MilAerospace 2035+”. FAS4Europe is intended to identify key areas for technological investment so the DTIB can completely meet Europe’s requirements within the 2035 timeframe. The EDA is also mindful of Europe’s place in the global marketplace and, according to Weis, “The ultimate goal [of FAS4Europe and subsequent pilot programs] is to maintain, or establish, a worldwide competitive European aerospace industry.” While the FAS4Europe will study the industry across the DTIB, two areas that have been singled out for special attention are helicopters and UAVs.
MISSILE DEMOS STRIKE SUCCESS
GRIPEN
A South African Air Force JAS 39D Gripen has undertaken the first launch of an A-Darter missile, performed at the Overberg Test Range in South Africa. The A-Darter is being codeveloped by South Africa’s Denel Dynamics and Brazil. It is intended to provide South Africa’s Gripen force with an advanced short-range weapon, and is slated to equip Brazil’s FX-2 fighter when it is selected. South Africa has acquired the IRIS-T in the interim.
SILENT EAGLE
Boeing’s F-15E1 demonstrator for the F-15SE Silent Eagle undertook the first missile firing from the aircraft’s conformal weapons bay (CWB) on July 14. The weapon was an inert AIM-120 AMRAAM. The CWB was flown for the first time only on July 8, at Boeing’s St. Louis facility. The missile launch took place over the Pacific Ocean, with the F-15E1 flying from Naval Air Weapons Station Point Mugu in California.
Morocco tempts with lower costs by Thierry Dubois Ahmed Reda Chami, Morocco’s minister of industry, trade and new technologies, said here in Farnborough that a European company with 10,000 employees, ranging from clerical workers to senior directors, would save approximately $363 million per year by moving its operation to his country. He pointed out the benefits of establishing factories there, including lower labor costs and the proximity to European markets. Chami’s figures take into account labor, taxes and transportation, which is expected to be expensive because of the distance to major aerospace hubs. Morocco imposes no corporate tax in free zones during the first five years of a company’s operations; after that, the rate is 8.75 percent, he said. Local laws guarantee total intellectual property warranty, and, Chami said, for technical training, the country is creating a specialized aeronautical institute with support from the French UIMM metal industry lobbying group. Standard & Poors upgraded Morocco to “investment” in March, he added. Morocco is close to Europe– just nine miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, which enables just-in-time deliveries to European countries. The cultural proximity is also strong, Chami said, with “laws and business practices being similar.” He also noted that Tangier’s port is poised to become the largest in the Mediterranean. Today, 90 companies–70 percent no more than five years old–are actively involved in aeronautics in Morocco, which translates into 7,000 jobs. Total revenues amounted to $777 million last year. Chami said estimated development potential for the aeronautical sector in Morocco is $518 million in annual sales and 15,000 new jobs by 2015.
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www.ainonline.com • July 22, 2010 • Farnborough Airshow Newsaa11
NEWS CLIPS Rockwell Collins IFE Offered for 737 Boeing Sky Rockwell Collins announced that its dPaves in-flight entertainment system will be offered as an option for the 737 Boeing Sky interior, a futuristic-looking cabin concept featuring curving lines, larger window reveals and soft blue cove lighting in the cabin ceiling. The dPaves entertainment system for the Sky 737 features retractable 12-inch HD touch screens and USB content loading. The core of the Rockwell Collins system is its 160-gigabyte high-def media server, which can store hours of movies, audio and pre-recorded passenger briefings.
UK Firm Supplies C919, Superjet Cabin Trainers EDM of the UK (Hall 1 Stand D11) is manufacturing training equipment for new Chinese and Russian aircraft. The company is creating a partial cabin section of China’s Comac C919 singleaisle airliner and a cabin emergency evacuation trainer for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet. Comac’s requirement is a “significant design and construction challenge for EDM, which must provide the finished article for November’s Zhuhai airshow in China. The C919 engineering mockup is to include a flight deck, cockpit displays, cabin seating and in-flight entertainment system, among other features. Sukhoi requires the cabin emergency-evacuation trainer for a new Superjet International training center in Italy. The equipment, currently undergoing acceptance at EDM’s Manchester plant, replicates a Superjet 100 cabin section specified by Sukhoi for joint flight- and cabin-crew transition training.
Avenger could be UK’s scavenger UAS by David Donald General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) is progressing well with the test program for the prototype Predator C Avenger, a turbofan-powered unmanned air vehicle (UAV), while two more are under construction. The type is arousing significant interest, not least here in the UK, where it is a contender for
reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and to conduct strikes. The design embodies low-observable features and can operate at up to 50,000 feet for 20 hours. Maximum speed is in excess of 400 ktas. Typical sensors are an EO/IR (electro-optical, infrared imaging) turret and GA-ASI’s Lynx SAR/GMTI (synthetic
Bristol Turns Back the Clock For a century, Bristol has been one of the centers of the British aviation industry, and today its manufacturing facilities play a major part in many state-of-the-art programs, such as the Airbus family, Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter. To help celebrate the city’s aviation centenary, a team of young engineers and fitters from Airbus, GKN and Rolls-Royce has created an immaculate replica of the Bristol Fighter, the region’s first truly successful airframe/engine combination. The team drew on both original drawings and the 3-D modeling techniques to recreate the aircraft and its Rolls-Royce Falcon engine, and also employed both traditional sheet metalwork and the latest additive layer technology in its construction.
Partnership Establishes Gulf Spares Center Supply-chain specialist Aerospace Partners International has joined with civil and military spare-parts provider Transworld Aviation to establish a distribution center in the Persian Gulf region to serve Africa, India and the Middle East. Based in Dubai’s Jebel Ali free zone, the API-Transworld facility will stock aircraft parts and related materials, including consumables, expendables and rotable components available for exchange. Component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services also will be available, and the partnership will have access to other MRO provision from API parent company First Aviation Services. The Jebel Ali site is expected to see development of MRO capacity.
The sole prototype Predator C Avenger is currently undergoing flight testing at General Atomic Aeronautical Systems’ Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California. Two more Avengers are slated to join the test fleet by year-end.
the Scavenger UAS requirement. The Avenger first flew in April 2009 to embark on a comprehensive test program that is currently operating at the rate of two or three flights per week, although this could be increased if range availability allows. The initial tests were conducted from GAASI’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California, but transferred in May to nearby Naval Air Station China Lake, which offers a larger restricted airspace for increased envelope expansion. Flight trials have revealed excellent reliability, with just one sortie canceled due to technical reasons. The trials have also validated GA-ASI’s aerodynamic modeling, while demonstrating a fuel burn for the Predator C that is 10 percent lower than expected. New test processes have reduced the number of flights needed to ensure that the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B turbofan engine meets requirements. In demonstrations of rapid-response launches, the Avenger has gone from hangar to flight in as little as 30 minutes. The Avenger is intended for covert, long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and
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aperture radar and ground moving target indicator) radar. Internal carriage is provided for a variety of weapons, including the 2,000-pound JDAM (joint direct attack munition). GA-ASI plans to fly the second Avenger later this year, and a third thereafter. These machines are slightly larger than the prototype, and will have an increased 6,000-pound payload capability. The Avenger draws on the systems developed for the Predator A and Predator B/Reaper, and uses the same continually improving ground control stations. This could be a factor in the
UK’s Scavenger program, which is seeking a MALE (medium-altitude long-endurance) UAV to provide ISR as part of the overarching Solomon requirement. The UK is already operating the Reaper in Afghanistan and has long experience with the Predator A. The Avenger is seen as a key candidate for this requirement if the UK opts not to pursue a European solution that could be based on the BAE Systems Mantis. Griffin Eye
Meanwhile, GA-ASI has combined several products of its ISR business into a new airborne system known as Griffin Eye. This comprises an EO/IR turret, GA-ASI’s Lynx SAR/GMTI radar and the company’s Claw mission-control system, as well as datalinks and communications. The system employs the Lynx to give widearea surveillance, cross-cueing the EO/IR sensor for closer target examination. Griffin Eye is compatible with a range of manned platforms, including surveillance stalwarts King Air 200/350, PC-12 Citation and Twin Otter. Separately, GA-ASI has received $195.5 million in funding from the U.S. Army toward an estimated $399 million contract to provide supplemental hardware and low-rate initial production of its Sky Warrior unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in support of the army’s extended range/multipurpose UAS program. Full funding is expected later this summer and will provide for 34 Sky Warrior aircraft, 16 onesystem ground control stations made by AAI Corp., airborne and ground tactical control data link equipment produced by L-3 Communications West and other items, such as automatic landing systems, spares and ground support equipment. The company is scheduled to deliver two aircraft a month beginning this December and continuing through the end of 2012.
China’s Sichuan Air adds to Rolls-Royce TotalCare plan Customer acceptance of the Rolls-Royce TotalCare enginesupport service has been further recognized by another agreement signed with Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines, based in Chengdu, with hubs in Chongqing and Kunming. This latest, 12-year contract is valued at $65 million and covers support for the Trent 700 engines,
which power the airline’s three Airbus A330 widebody aircraft, deliveries of which commenced in February. The AE3007 engines in Sichuan Airlines’ Embraer ERJ145 regional jet fleet have been supported by TotalCare since 2000. Nine Chinese airlines have chosen the TotalCare long-term support service.
International partners drive JSF recovery Buoyed by last week’s endorsement of the F-35 from Canada, Lockheed Martin vice president Tom Burbage, delivered a business-as-usual update on the Joint Strike Fighter program here in Farnborough this week. There was some talk of the alleged mounting costs, but much more about the flight-test program and international partnerships. Burbage revealed that construction had begun in Italy of the final assembly and check out (FACO) facility, after the recent confirmation. Lockheed Martin is in partnership with Alenia and others on the FACO. Burbage said the Italians would not operate a moving line, unlike the main F-35 production set-up at Fort Worth, where $1 billion has been invested in tooling. The line will move at 51 inches per hour once the full production rate has been achieved. All the international partners are still “on track,” Burbage claimed. But the Dutch are having second
thoughts about joining the operational test and evaluation (OT&E) phase, he admitted. Norway has actually increased its planned buy from 48 to 56, and Turkey might buy more than the 100 currently slated. The Australian government has confirmed its first 14, and will seek approval for 59 more next year. But yes, the UK is having a defense review, he acknowledged, and that is bound to reduce the current planned buy of 138. Canada’s total has dropped by 15 to 65 upon confirmation last week. Incidentally, none of these airplanes is under contract yet. The fourth low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract for 32 F-35s is still being negotiated; it contains a third OT&E aircraft for the UK and maybe the second for the Netherlands. No other international buys are scheduled until LRIP 6 in fiscal year 2012. Is the program making up for the delays in flight test? “All of the SDD [system design and develop-
MARK WAGNER
by Chris Pocock
Lockheed Martin said that the Joint Strike Fighter program is making up for lost time. So far, test flying is 10 percent ahead of the schedule to perform 394 flights this year. However, the program still lags behind its original schedule.
ment] aircraft are now on the flight line,” Burbage reported. Two aircraft are now flying with Block 0.5 mission software. Both types of air-to-air refueling have been demonstrated (boom plus probeand-drogue). The first flight of the F-35C went very smoothly, indicating a high degree of maturity, according to Burbage. “Right now, we’re 10 percent ahead of our schedule to do 394 test flights this year,” he added. But, after a successful first vertical landing last March, first STOVL aircraft BF-1 did not fly for four months. Static testing of the F-35A and F-35B versions is complete. Burbage showed video of the F35C static test article undergoing drop tests to simulate heavy carrier landings. It will now go into
the rig for static testing. AIN asked for Lockheed Martin’s reaction to the comments in the latest F-35 program report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which raised alarm bells about through-life costs (TLCs). The GAO said that service officials are concerned about escalating TLCs, and that the cost per flying hour of the F-35A is projected to be higher than that of the F-16s it will replace. Surprisingly, Burbage was unaware of the GAO comments, but he noted that TLC estimates can vary widely, depending on
the assumptions about inflation, years of service and so on. “We have a comprehensive annual review of support costs with all our customers. They have more information at this stage than any previous program has provided. Moreover, legacy programs do not collect their costs to the same extent that we do,” he said. “We’ve always said support costs will be 20 percent below legacy aircraft, and we’re still on track for that. But we need to firm up these estimates. Many decisions on support still have to be made by the various countries.”
Aerospace deals return as financial freeze thaws
DAVID MCINTOSH
by Charles Alcock
Joining GKN v-p of supply chain management Rob Soen (left) are recipients of the company’s supplier awards: Magellan Aerospace UK commercial and business development director Haydn Martin; Doncaster Bramah general manager Damon Harvie; All Metal Services managing director David Potts; Onamac president Mike Thornburn; and High-Tech Engineering managing director Steve Tickner.
GKN hands out 2010 supplier awards Aerostructures specialist GKN Aerospace presented its 2010 supplier awards to five companies yesterday: All Metal Services, Onamac Industries, High-Tech Engineering, Magellan Aerospace and Doncaster Bramah. • All Metal Services’ award was in the regional supplier-Europe category, for supplying aluminum cut plate and extrusions. • Onamac Industries won the regional supplier-North America award for its aluminum and steel parts. • High-Tech Engineering recieved the SC21 Supplier of the Year award for its machined components, as part of GKN’s involvement in ADS UK’s 21st Cen-
tury Supply Chain Initiative (SC21). • Magellan Aerospace was given the environmental achievement award for its part in investigating solvent-free paints and investing in a new anodic treatment, notably for an Indian facility. • Doncaster Bramah was the winner of the innovation and lean supplier award, for its precision components and assemblies. GKN suppliers won’t have time to rest on their laurels, though, as the company has announced the launch of a new initiative to deploy lean principles with supply chain partners starting this fourth quarter. –T.D.
The big financial freeze that has gripped much of the aerospace industry since around the time of the last Farnborough airshow in 2008 is starting to thaw. And, as a consequence, deal making is back in fashion. This was the headline assessment of the state of the sector from Michael Richter, managing director of the aerospace and defense group of financial advisor and asset manager Lazard on the eve of this week’s show. What has changed lately, Richter told AIN, is that visibility and certainty have started to reemerge as factors giving companies and investors the confidence to start making longer term moves. “In the past six to eight weeks, there have been several billion-dollar transactions in the market or coming to the market,” he said, predicting that as many as 15 to 20 of such deals could come to fruition in the coming weeks. Private equity interests are once again active in the market, he explained, and, in some cases, investors who want to avoid liability to new U.S. capital gains tax rates are driving asset sales. “The market has transitioned from an uncertain outlook to one where there is greater visibility,” he said, pointing out that net airliner orders have been positive since the last Paris Air Show in June 2009,
with a slower than anticipated rate of cancellations. More recently, airlines have started to show improved profitability. Richter said that, along with many in the industry, he has been pleasantly surprised by the pace and scale of the recovery. “But the problem was real and serious and we are still not out of the woods,” he warned, noting that while the significant layoffs made by companies have now stalled, the rate of rehiring has been slow. “This time last year, most analysts on Wall Street were predicting that it was impossible for Boeing and Airbus to maintain their production rates owing to the alarming cancellation and deferral rates,” Lazard explained. “Most suppliers were adjusting business models to accommodate the possibility of a production slow down. However, the unprecedented order backlogs, increased orders from international customers and conservative operating stance adopted by the airlines in recent years, which includes cash reserve buildups and reduced costs, continues to preserve this backlog.” Lazard’s aerospace and defense group consists of 20 bankers around the world. It continues to be very active, having advised on more than 10 transactions during the past 12 months, including several strategically significant deals.
www.ainonline.com • July 22, 2010 • Farnborough Airshow Newsaa13
Georgia on the minds of many aero firms by Stephen Pope Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is making his first visit to a Farnborough airshow as part of his state’s official delegation here. The mission: bring home high-paying jobs by enticing aerospace companies to do more business in the state. “Georgia has a very favorable tax and regulatory environment that is attractive to all types of businesses,” Perdue said. He has already met with leaders from some of the biggest names in aviation to discuss opportunities for bringing projects to the state, which ranks as the ninth largest by population in the U.S. They’ll be in good company if they decide to accept the governor’s offer. Georgia is home to 500 aerospace companies that employ 80,000 people in the state and were responsible for creating $3 billion in U.S. exports last year. Delta Air Lines, Gulfstream Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman are some of the state’s best known aerospace companies. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama this year announced a goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015. States, are the national sales force for that federal initiative, Purdue said, and governors are the top salesmen. “We’ve had a good week here so far and I think we’ll be able to make some announcements about
our progress soon,” he predicted. Farnborough is the third major airshow at which Georgia has had a presence, the others being last year’s Paris Airshow and the Dubai Airshow in 2008. Georgia is exhibiting in the U.S. International Pavilion (Hall 2 Stand B8) and has a chalet (A28) here as well. Georgia’s Farnborough presence is part of a broader strategy to bring high-tech sector jobs to the state, which has participated in conferences and exhibitions related to the logistics, transportation, telecom and computer-gaming industries. After Farnborough, Perdue and his team will travel to Stockholm to attend a bio-energy show. Spending a week at an airshow, however, suits the governor just fine. “I’ve been a pilot since 1968, so I love it.” Perdue owns a Bellanca Viking and earned his helicopter pilot’s license two years ago, training in a Bell 407.
NEWS NOTE Rockwell Collins has joined the AIRE (Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions) “Green Connections” project led by Sweden’s air navigation service provider. The U.S. avionics maker will provide data connectivity for exchange of real-time trajectory and time information from participating aircraft. The goal of the project is to demonstrate technology and processes that can be used to reduce fuel use and engine emissions by minimizing distance traveled and holds. AIRE Green Connections is a 10-month trial that will start later this year on flights between Stockholm and Gothenburg airports. The project consortium also includes Swedavia, SAS and GE Aviation.
Airlines set for RJ growth to optimize their capacity by Ian Goold World airlines will require 6,875 commercial jets of 30- to 120-seat capacity in the coming 20 years, according to Embraer. Its latest market forecast, published this week, says such aircraft serve low- and medium-density markets and are an essential component of commercial aviation. Just over a half–51 percent, or 3,495 units–will support current growth, with the balance–49 percent, or 3,380 units–needed to replace ageing equipment. Some 2,895 jets are predicted for delivery during the 2010 to 2019 period, and the remaining 3,980 units between 2020 and 2029. The Brazilian manufacturer forecasts that the 30- to 120-seat commercial-jet
fleet will grow from last year’s 4,285 machines to 7,780 in 2029, by which time 21 percent of current aircraft (905 jets) will remain in operation. Embraer believes demand for 50-seat regional jets (RJs) has matured, while leaving some opportunities for replacement over the next 20 years. They will continue to feed European and U.S. hubs and provide service to smaller communities. Fifty-seat RJs will support regional-aviation development in areas such as Africa, Mexico, Russia/CIS, and South America. Aircraft offering 60 to 120 seats will continue to improve overall industry efficiency, suggests Embraer. “These will help to reduce excess capacity by ‘rightsizing’ fleets of larger narrowbody jets. [Such machines] are replacing old equipment, developing new markets, and allowing airlines to grow gradually with smaller seat increments.”
Commercial-jet delivery forecast by region: 2010-29 Region
Deliveries
Share
North America
2,400
35 percent
Europe
1,510
22 percent
China
950
14 percent
Latin America
575
8 percent
Commercial-jet delivery forecast by capacity: 2010-29
Asia Pacific
575
8 percent
Seats
Russia & CIS
405
6 percent
30-60
50
425
475
Middle East
240
4 percent
61-90
1,140
1,375
2,515
220 6,875
3 percent 100 percent
91-120
1,705
2,180
3,885
30-120
2,895
3,980
6,875
Africa Total
Source: Embraer
2010-19
2020-29
2010-29
Source: Embraer
DAVID McINTOSH
Sikorsky,ADAT in MRO venture
WORLD’S TOP MILITARY BRASS DESCEND ON FARNBOROUGH Many senior civil VIP and high-level military delegations are here at Farnborough 2010 to buy hardware or, at the very least, add to their wish lists. A strong presence of UK Ministry of Defence and Royal Air Force visitors are here at the airshow, in addition to official overseas military delegations from 36 countries.
14aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) and Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced the launch of a joint venture to provide military maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to the UAE Armed Forces and other military operators, particularly in the wider Middle East and Africa regions. Known as AMMROC (Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center), the joint venture will combine the strength and expertise of the two partners and provide an aggregate investment of $800 million. During the initial phase of operation, AMMROC will share existing ADAT facilities and support staff until the completion of the new complex at Al Ain International Airport in Abu Dhabi. Officials expect AMMROC to create more than 1,000 new jobs in the UAE during the first five years, focused on the development of UAE nationals. ADAT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Co., the strategic investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the aftermarket business of parent Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
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Qinetiq’s solar Zephyr shows real staying power by David Donald There is a high chance that, as you read this, Qinetiq’s remarkable solar-powered UAV–the Zephyr–is still airborne somewhere over Arizona, having launched from the Yuma Proving Ground on July 9, almost two weeks ago. Three days before the Farnborough show opened, Zephyr had already doubled its previous unofficial endurance record and completely smashed the official UAV record set in
2001. On the Sunday before the show opened, the Zephyr surpassed the nine-day record for an unrefueled powered aircraft set by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager in the Voyager nonstop roundthe-world flight in 1986. Currently, the official UAV endurance record is held by the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, with a flight of 30 hours 24 minutes. The Zephyr handsomely beat that with a
2008 flight of 82 hours 37 minutes, but officials from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale were not there to verify the feat. This time, the FAI is on hand to ratify the record when the Zephyr is returned safely to earth. At the time of writing that event was planned for tomorrow, by which time the vehicle will have spent a fortnight aloft. For its latest flight, the Zephyr design has been extensively mod-
ified and enlarged. Weighing in at just over 110 pounds thanks to a carbon-fiber frame, the vehicle has a 74-foot wingspan, 13 feet longer than the previous Zephyr incarnation. This allows more of the advanced Sion Power lithiumsulfur batteries to be carried to keep the Zephyr aloft at night. They are charged by the amorphous silicon solar arrays that cover the wing, which also powers the aircraft during daylight
hours. The Zephyr also has a new power management system and a T-tail that reduces drag. Despite its size, the aircraft is launched by hand, although it requires several people to support it across its span during the process. With this flight, the Qinetiq team has made the first convincing demonstration of what might be termed an “eternal” aircraft. The ability to loiter for weeks or even months at a time is a goal being pursued for a number of military and civilian applications, including communications relay, earth observation and persistent surveillance.
The Qinetiq team launched the new-look Zephyr from Yuma, Arizona, at around 6:40 a.m. Mountain Time on July 9. Over a week later the aircraft was still aloft, and planning to stay that way for a few days more.
Bell balancing civil, military business by R. Randall Padfield Bell Helicopter Textron’s strategy is to balance its military and commercial businesses while focusing on the needs of its customers, according to John Garrison, president and CEO. Customer needs include maintaining Bell’s reputation for product support, improving helicopter safety and focusing research and development on product upgrades and new developments, all with the customer in mind. Here in Farnborough, Garrison, who will complete his first year in the top position at Bell Helicopter in August, said Bell saw “more cancellations than orders” in 2009, but that “2010 has begun with more orders than cancellations.” He expects to see the commercial market remain weak through 2011 and begin to grow again in 2012. Meanwhile, Bell’s military product lines, especially the V-22 and H-1, will continue to ramp up over the next few years, countering the weakness on the commercial side.
One commercial cancellation came at the beginning of this year from a helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico, which canceled a seven-ship order for Bell 407 singles and 429 twins. “It happened right after the oil spill in the Gulf,” Garrison said, “so it was more related to the economy than the spill, which just served to confirm the decision.” So far, there have been no order cancellations due to the oil spill. However, a greater concern for Gulf of Mexico operations, he said, is the continued ban on offshore drilling in the U.S. “Right now operators are flying every day, helping clean up the oil, but if the moratorium is still in place when that is over, they’ll have to find work elsewhere.” Long term, this could affect sales of helicopters, including Bells, which now account for 42 percent of all helicopters in the oil and gas sector, according to Garrison. On a more positive note, Bell delivered the 1,000th production Bell 407 to longtime customer
Shin-Nihon Helicopter Corp. this year, on June 15, Garrison said. Certification of the Bell 429 last July was one 2009 highlight for Bell, but conversion of the letters of intent (LOIs) for the model to purchase agreements has been difficult. To date, only 22 of 300 LOIs are now firm and just one 429 has been delivered, to launch customer Mercy One Hospital (Air Methods operates the aircraft). The good news, said Garrison, is that Mercy One has now agreed to buy a second 429. Of the long-running Bell 609 civil tiltrotor program, Garrison said Bell and partner AgustaWestland continue to look “for the best way to bring the aircraft to the market,” which would, he said, involve both companies. Two 609 prototypes continue to fly–one in Texas and one in Italy–as they have been doing since the second prototype made its first flight in Italy in 2007. The 609 in Texas first flew in 2003. The two have accumulated more than 500 hours, but Garrison would not suggest a certification date, which is moot until the two companies can determine how best to proceed with the program. The Bell/Boeing V-22 military tiltrotor is doing better. The U.S. Marines are now operating 115 V-22s and eight ground trainers. No sales of the V-22
16aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
have yet been made outside the U.S, but even if there were, no delivery slots are available until about the 2014 to 2015 timeframe, Garrison explained. Bell and Boeing have entered a derivative of the V-22 into the competition for the next U.S. presidential helicopter (VXX). Bell was part of the Lockheed Martin/ AgustaWestland AW101 (VH-71) team in the previous competition, which the team won, only to have the contract canceled last year due to cost overruns. In the new VXX competition, Lockheed Martin is partnering with Sikorsky; AgustaWestland has teamed with Boeing; and Boeing is also offering a version of its CH-47. So Boeing has three bets in this new game. Separately in Farnborough,
Bell announced that it is partnering with BLR Aerospace of Everett, Washington, to incorporate BLR’s FastFin strakes on the Bell 412HP medium twin. The dual strakes, mounted on the left side of the tail boom, provide for greater tail-rotor effectiveness by reducing the negative effect of rotorwash from the main rotor while in a hover. This improves hover performance. Also, Bell is working with Esterline CMC Electronics in the development of a new GPS sensor that will replace the existing high-cost Doppler or inertial sensors used in automated approach-to-hover and hover-hold systems. The product could be available for installation on the Bell 412HP within a year, and for other models after that.
NEWS NOTE UK aerospace, defense and security trade organization ADS hopes to foster increased cooperation with its counterpart in Russia under an agreement completed at Farnborough International this week. It signed a memorandum of understanding with the Union of Aviation Industry that could see companies in the respective aircraft supply chains increasingly working together in advanced-aircraft production and design. “Russia is re-investing in civil aerospace alongside its renowned military aircraft capability,” said ADS chairman Ian Godden. “With the innovative Sukhoi Superjet 100 flying and the much-anticipated United Aircraft MC21 soon to be revealed, it is clear that Russia is seeking to establish itself as a centre of aviation excellence. It makes sense for British and Russian companies to cooperate more.”
Diamond plans to build a followon to the DA42 that has fly-bywire controls and two 270-hp diesel engines.
Reversal of fortune at Textron’s aero units
Diamond polishes future plans By Stephen Pope of diesel engine maker Thielert dealt the Austrian company a setback just as the financial turmoil in the U.S. was starting. In 2007 Diamond created a new company, Austro Engines, to develop diesel powerplants to replace the Thielert engine. The first result of that effort is the AE300, a four-cylinder turbo diesel based on a Mercedes-Benz design and certified by European and U.S. authorities in 2009. Dries said Austro Engines is now working on a 270 hp V6 engine due to be certified by the middle of next year and will soon start development of a V8 turbo diesel. With the engine setback solved, Diamond is turning its attention to the military surveillance and UAV markets. Diamond now offers the DA42 MPP (mutlipurpose platform) designed for carrying cameras and other sensors. Diamond is also considering an “OPA” version of the DA42, which stands for “optional pilot aircraft.” This version would essentially be a UAV that can be modified in about four hours to permit a pilot to fly it through controlled airspace. So far Diamond has completed about 400 hours of flight testing of the UAV Twin Star in Israel with no incidents or accidents, although it should be pointed out that all of the takeoffs and land-
ings so far have been controlled remotely by humans. Fully autonomous flights are scheduled to start soon. In an effort to take advantage of technology under development for the UAV program, Diamond is studying what Dries called the Future Small Aircraft Program, a follow on to the DA42 with twin 270-hp diesel engines and fly-bywire flight controls with automatic envelope protection. Dries termed the safety benefit of such automation as a “digital parachute”–a subtle swipe at competitor Cirrus in the U.S., which sells airplanes equipped with full-aircraft parachutes. Diamond has also announced or partnered on several “green” aviation initiatives, including flying a DA42 here at Farnborough that is powered entirely by algae-based biofuel. Dries praised the alternative energy source for being 100-percent carbon neutral, containing no sulfur and producing more energy than an equivalent amount of kerosene-based jet-A. He said about 42,000 square miles (a little larger than the area of Austria) would be needed to grow enough algae to satisfy all of aviation’s current fuel needs. That may sound like a lot of space, “But if you spread this over 2,000 locations around the world it would be quite attainable,” he said.
Cabin humidifiers getting warm reception by OEMs
also offered as an option on the forthcoming A350. The Zonal Drying system has also been selected as basic equipment for the new 787 Dreamliner, with Boeing also offering the Cair system as an option on the flight deck and the crew rest compartments. Two contracts won in the last few weeks include one from UK low-fare airline Jet2.com for 13 Zonal Drying systems for installations on its Boeing 737-300s, and one from AMAC Aerospace of Switzerland for installation of a Cair system in a VIP B777-200 aircraft. –G.G.E.
Diamond Aircraft founder and CEO Christian Dries yesterday revealed plans to develop a fully aerobatic, tandem two-seat military trainer version of the D-Jet that he said will have ejection seats and sell for less than $3 million. Engineers will start on a prototype immediately after the D-Jet’s certification, now expected to occur by the end of the year. Dries said Diamond has held discussions with ejection seat maker Martin-Baker about the project and estimated it would take about a year to produce the prototype. The D-Jet is a four-place, single-engine personal jet with a fuselage made from carbon fiber. Diamond has been flight testing the airplane since 2006 as it prepares to sell the very light jet for around $2 million a copy. Dries said Diamond is also considering developing a military unmanned version of the D-Jet for high-altitude surveillance. The company has been flight testing a UAV version of its DA42 dieselpowered twin in Israel with partner Aeronautics Defense Systems. Diamond has sought to insulate itself from the economic downturn by turning to the military and air transport markets as sales of light general aviation airplanes waned. “We were hit twice during the downturn,” Dries noted, explaining that the collapse
Swedish company CTT Systems has been providing its Cair aircraft humidification system to completion centers of large VIP aircraft for several years, but it has now taken a leap into the major leagues. For the first time, the Cair system has been installed by an aircraft manufacturer, with Airbus leading the way in the first-class cabins on Lufthansa’s new A380 double-decker.
The European manufacturer also offers the humidifiers for the crew rest compartments as an option. The system is based on evaporate cooling technology and increases cabin humidity to 20 to 25 percent relative humidity, for greater comfort. The Lufthansa cabins also include CTT’s Zonal Drying system to counter condensation problems, and both systems are
Textron issued its second quarter report for 2010 yesterday and news from its aviation segments was mixed. At Cessna Aircraft, revenues decreased $236 million in the second quarter, primarily reflecting lower new-aircraft deliveries, including 43 Citations, compared with 84 for the same period in 2009. Of the 43 deliveries, 20 were Citation Mustangs. Segment profit at Cessna decreased $45 million, “due to lower volume and a reduction in deposit forfeiture income, partially offset by lower used aircraft write-downs, inventory reserves and selling and administrative expenses.” According to Textron president and CEO Scott Donnelly, Cessna experienced “a number of cancellations, including a large Mustang cancellation from a European operator.” Gross orders, he said, increased from the first quarter, mostly in the light to midsize aircraft segment. However, the 2010 Mustang delivery forecast has been reduced to about 70 units, resulting in a production adjustment. With respect to light and midsize jets, he said that Cessna continues to evalu-
ate how the economic recovery will affect demand. And he expressed hope for passage of the bonus-depreciation bill in the U.S., and stabilization of the European credit market, both of which would contribute to an improved environment for business jet orders. He concluded that 2010 will be a “trough year” for Citation deliveries. According to the report, Bell Helicopter had a good quarter, driven primarily by military deliveries of the V-22 and H-1. The books show Bell revenues increased $153 million in the second quarter, with segment profit up $36 million. On the commercial side, Bell delivered 21 commercial helicopters in the second quarter, up from 15 in the first quarter 2010. Donnelly said “good progress” is being made on the Bell 429 light twin program. And he noted that Bell expects to deliver 75 Bell 429s by the end of 2011. The total backlog value at Bell increased by $200 million from the end of the first quarter to total $7.1 billion. “The overall outlook and beyond at Bell,” concluded the report, “is very good.”
HOW THE CIA TRIED TO SPY ON CHINA FROM THE AIR AIN defense editor Chris Pocock will be signing copies of his new book here at Farnborough today and tomorrow. Pocock is best known for his histories of the U-2 Dragon Lady, and his latest work is another story of spyplanes in the Cold War. The Black Bats tells how the CIA went into partnership with nationalist China to fly B-17 and B-26 bombers and P-2 Neptune patrol planes from Taiwan over the mainland. But communist China’s airdefense system adapted to the challenge. Ten of the aircraft were lost and more than 100 aircrew were killed in this epic yet hardly known struggle, Pocock said. The story has never been told before in English, although Pocock’s collaborator, Clarence Fu, has published an account in Chinese. The book is on sale at the stand of The Aviation Bookshop, which is situated behind the main static aircraft display in Car Park 4. Pocock will be there on both Thursday and Friday from noon until 1 p.m.
MARK WAGNER
DAVID MCINTOSH
By Kirby J. Harrison
www.ainonline.com • July 22, 2010 • Farnborough Airshow Newsaa17
NEWS CLIPS Michelin Inks 425-Aircraft Tire Deal Tire manufacturer Michelin has signed two 10-year contracts with Air France and KLM to provide tires for “around 425 aircraft.” The aircraft, covered on a pay-by-the-landing basis, include 145 Airbus A320s, 66 Boeing 737s, 34 Boeing 777-300ERs and three Airbus A380s, among others.
L-3 Link on a Mission for the U.S. Air Force The Aeronautical Systems Center’s Training Systems Product Group at Wright Patterson U.S. Air Force Base has awarded L-3 Link Simulation & Training a $21 million contract option to build a third F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC) suite. This latest contract option brings the total contract value on the program to $132.8 million. Under the program, the U.S. Air Force could order as many as 20 F-16 MTCs for delivery to installations in the U.S., Europe and Pacific regions. The L-3 Link MTC suite includes four high-definition simulators, which are integrated with its HD World simulation product line, combining high-definition databases, image-generation systems, physics-based processing technology and visual displays. The MTC simulators will accurately model all of the fighter aircraft’s weapon systems and ordnance. L-3 Link has also received a $10.3 million contract from the USAF to provide its new simulated joint helmet-mounted cueing system and advanced helmet-mounted display on training devices that support the service’s F-16 aircrew training device program.
Air Works Adds A320 MRO Approval The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have awarded India’s leading third-party MRO specialist, Air Works Engineering Pvt. Ltd., certification to maintain the Airbus A320 aircraft family. The certification covers major airframe maintenance on A319s, A320s and A321s powered by IAE and CFM engines. This new certification comes within a year of Air Works having acquired EASA approval for the ATR 42/72-500 and Boeing 737 Classic and Next Generation aircraft. Air Works’ commercial MRO in Hosur has one hangar capable of housing two ATR 72 regional jets or one narrowbody jet. The company plans to invest $40 million on an additional hangar– expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2011–a dedicated paint operation and future engine/component MRO activities.
Rolls-Royce Joins FAA’s Environmental Program Rolls-Royce has received $16 million from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for its participation in the continuous lower energy, emissions and noise technologies program. The engine manufacturer will perform tests focused on reducing fuel burn and evaluating alternative aviation fuels. FAA has set a 2015 goal of a 33-percent cut in fuel burn against current technology. Moreover, the agency wants advances in sustainable alternative aviation fuels. In the quest for less fuel burn, Rolls-Royce will build on its own environmentally friendly engine program. It will work on “large gains” in cycle efficiency through reductions in turbine cooling airflow, the company said. Design and manufacture will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, and testing in Bristol, UK. In parallel, Rolls-Royce will describe the properties of alternative fuels using ASTM procedures. It will employ an AE3007 engine and, with the support of Cessna, a Citation X, which is powered by two AE3007s. Rolls-Royce aims to assess fuel suitability, environmental sustainability and industrial and commercial viability.
PPG To Supply Cockpit Windows for MRJ PPG Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply cockpit windows for the Mitsubishi MRJ regional jet. The heated glass windshield and side flight-deck windows will be among the largest in commercial aviation, PPG says. They will feature three plies of Herculite II for strength and lightness and will be designed to withstand the impact of a four-pound bird at 340 knots.
Carrier-borne UCAS nears first flight by David Donald Northrop Grumman rolled out the X-47B UCAS-D (unmanned combat air system-demonstrator) in December 2008 and since then has been busy preparing the first of two vehicles for its maiden flight, expected shortly. Low- and highspeed trials have been completed at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where the second X-47B is in final assembly. The first vehicle has been moved to Edwards Air Force Base for high-speed taxi and rejected takeoff trials, in preparation for its first flight. The X-47B has been funded by the U.S. Navy to demonstrate the feasibility of a carrier-capable unmanned combat air vehicle. Quite apart from the unmanned element, the type’s low-observable configuration also presents something of a challenge, especially in terms of approach control, as the X-47 will be the Navy’s first tailless carrier aircraft since the days of the Vought Cutlass and Douglas Skyray. Flight control software has been tested in manned surrogate aircraft, such as the F/A-18 Hornet, including hands-off recoveries, launches and patterns around the carrier. Two Navy carriers have already had the X-47B’s mission management system installed so that they are ready for sea trials. Other than that, the X-47B is entirely compatible with existing carrier
systems and infrastructure. “The ship sees it just as it would a manned platform,” said Gene Fraser, vice president and general manager of NG Aerospace’s Advanced Programs and Technology Division. As a demonstrator for carrier compatibility, the X-47B does not carry any mission-specific sensors
A full-scale mockup of the X-47B reveals the type’s configuration, which features outer wing panels that fold inward so the air vehicle can fit carrier deck lifts. The first X-47B is now at Edwards preparing to fly.
and systems, although integration work has been performed on manned testbeds. The first X-47B vehicle will undertake its initial flight test campaign from Edwards AFB, after which it will transfer to the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River, Maryland, to undertake carrier compatibility trials. It is due to arrive at NAWCAD next spring, where it will operate from the center’s shore-based simu-
Boeing 777-200LRs for Qatar, Air Austral French operator Air Austral and Gulf carrier Qatar Airways are among several airlines revealed this week as previously unidentified Boeing customers. Both have announced earlier orders for two 777-200LRs, each deal speculatively valued at $501 million. Based on the South Indian Ocean island of Reunion, Air Austral flies two 777-300ERs, three Model 200ERs and two singleaisle 737s. “The [9,395-nm-range] 777-200LR is the only widebody airplane that can fly nonstop to Paris with a full payload from our short runway on the island of Mayotte,” said Air Austral chairman Gerard Etheve. In addition to the two new 777s (to be delivered in mid-2011 and 2012), Air Austral is to receive two 737-800s at the end of 2010 and a third leased 777300ER early next year. Doha-based Qatar Airways
18aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
lated carrier deck. Trials at NAWCAD will be conducted in a similar fashion to those of any manned aircraft, including steam ingestion and barrier engagement trials at Lakehurst, New Jersey. A key part of the shore trials are so-called “off-nominal” approaches to the deck, with the aircraft deliberately approaching in
already flies 19 Model 777s: six -200LRs (serving Houston, Melbourne and Säo Paulo/Buenos Aires), 11 Series 300ERs and two 777F cargo variants (both delivered in the past two months). Apart from the two announced here on Wednesday, the airline has ordered a further eight 777s and holds options on three more. “The 777 has become the cornerstone of our fleet,” said chief executive Akbar Al Baker. “The 777F is performing as promised and as we expected, meeting operating-economics targets, and on its way to helping us ‘grow’ our [air cargo] business.” Qatar Airways also has negotiated an earlier delivery, beginning in the fourth quarter of next year, of its Boeing 787s, which it needs to support its goal of serving 120 destinations by 2013. –I.G.
varying attitudes and at different speeds and directions. This, in itself, raises some interesting issues. “The airplane just doesn’t do off-nominal,” explained Fraser. “We have to program it specially to fly these approaches, otherwise it will just fly a perfect glideslope every time.” Beyond UCAS-D
The X-47B demonstrator is the first step toward a carrierborne UCAV. Next comes UCLASS (unmanned carrier launched airborne surveillance and strike). In March, the deputy chief of naval operations (DCNO) issued a request for information dominance, which has drawn responses from a number of companies, including Boeing with a Phantom Ray-based proposal and General Atomics with the Sea Avenger. Northrop Grumman has, of course, responded with a proposal drawing on its X-47 technology and expertise. The UCLASS RFI covers the provision of four to six vehicles with multi-sensor and weapons capability, and an 11- to 14-hour endurance. They would enter service around 2018 and provide a limited operational capability. More importantly, they will form a stepping stone to a full system design and development program for a carrier-capable UCAS. A Navy response to the UCLASS proposals might come late this year, leading to an RFP.
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EADS: diesel-electric hybrid helicopter to halve fuel burn by Thierry Dubois
by David Donald Raytheon’s two latest air-to-air missile programs are progressing hand-in-hand through the final stages of developmental test (DT), and should enter operational test (OT) around the end of the year. Both AIM9X Block 2 and the AIM-120D AMRAAM will then undergo a further 12-18 months of OT, before full fielding. In support of final DT activities, Raytheon expects to fire two more AIM-9X Block 2s and one AIM-120D before the end of 2010. Current Lot 10 manufacture of the AIM-9X brings to an end production of the Block 1 version. The $128 million contract covers 175 of these missiles, including some for foreign military sales customers Australia, Korea and Singapore. Lot 10 also includes a first batch of 81 captive air training missile (CATM) rounds for the Block 2 weapon. This development introduces a number of improvements, including a one-way datalink that gives it a lock-on after launch capability. The provision of CATM rounds will allow new tactics to be forged in line with the Block 2’s expanded capabilities, including the greater use of helmet-cueing and “over the shoulder” high off-boresight shots. From Lot 11 all AIM-9Xs will be Block 2 weapons. It will be some time before numbers for next year’s procurement are finalized, and FMS customers have until around October to place their orders for 2011 production. AIM-9X development continues, and Raytheon is studying larger motors to give longer range. The missile is also being
evaluated for surface-launched use, and has been demonstrated in the emergency air-toground role, with several successful tests having been undertaken against vehicles and surface vessels. AMRAAM developments
This year Raytheon completed production of the AIM-120C-5 version, and has moved completely to the AIM-120C-7. Development work is focused on the AIM120D, which has a number of features that increase range and improve its effectiveness. The company is reluctant to discuss them in detail, but notes that the AIM120D has a two-way datalink and embedded GPS, and uses the same motor as the C-7. The trajectory of the missile has been optimized to help provide a significant range increase. For its future missile needs the U.S. has launched the JDRADM (joint dual-role air dominance missile) program for a weapon that performs both air-to-air and air-toground missions. Several concepts are being proposed, but in order to arm the F-22 and F-35 they must adhere to the AMRAAM’s current form factor and weight limits. Development funding is expected in FY12 for an IOC of around 2024. In the meantime, AMRAAM will continue to be developed, an important forum for this being annual software upgrade meetings with the Air Force. Among the possible areas for development is the provision of a robust electronic attack function.
Cosworth debuts little engines Making its world debut at Farnborough International is a range of ultra-compact and lightweight diesel engines being developed by Cosworth (Hall 4 Stand B9) and aimed at the market for unmanned systems. On show here are the three brake-horsepower (bhp) single-cylinder Unicorn I and 13-bhp, twin-cylinder Unicorn II twocycle, compression-ignition designs that Cosworth has “optimized for the challenge of long-endurance applications.” The manufacturer believes the 7.7pound Unicorn I is the “lightest true compression-ignition diesel engine avail-
able anywhere.” Flight trials have demonstrated an endurance of more than 200 hours. Its larger, 16.3-pound Unicorn II stablemate is the culmination of development for the U.S. Navy ultra-endurance unmanned air vehicle system program. Engine development is claimed already to have delivered results to high-profile defense customers, with the company now working to extend the product range. According to Cosworth, the challenge is to balance the competing ideals of fuel economy, power density and mass “aggressively defined in key military specifications.
20aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
reduces fuel consumption. Other fuel savings can be found in the aerodynamics and systems. For example, mechanical linkages are replace with electrical connections, which allows the main rotor and its electrical drive to be tilted forward during cruise flight. The tailrotor has no mechanical linkage to the main rotor or its power source, and thus can be turned off at higher speeds, when the rudder provides enough yaw control. Weight is a challenge, however. “For the engines, we aim at a power density of two kilowatts per kilogram. Right now we are at 1.6,” Jänker said. With a direct electric drive the main gearbox could be eliminated, resulting in a weight savings. In addition, the tail rotor’s electric drive would eliminate the tail rotor drive shaft. As well, battery technology is expected to improve in the future, yielding lighter electric power storage.
MARK WAGNER
Raytheon advances AIMs
MARK WAGNER
The AIM-9X, a radical overhaul of the old Sidewinder with thrust vectoring and an infrared seeker, has become the standard U.S. short-range missile.
EADS has come to the Farnborough show with a mockup of a hybrid helicopter concept, which it says promises up to 50percent savings in fuel. The firm’s EADS Innovation Works has based its concept on a combination of diesel engines, generators, batteries and electric motors. According to Peter Jänker, research team leader for electric power and responsible for the project, the technology required may be mature in five to 10 years. The development is part of EADS’ eCO2avia effort for greener aircraft. Jänker’s team, with input from Eurocopter, has worked on a three-ton-class (6,600-pound) helicopter. The work is based on the principle that diesel engines drive electrical generators that charge batteries, and the batteries power electric motors that drive the main and tail rotors. Researchers anticipate that in the future, diesel engines will burn 30 percent less fuel than today’s turboshafts. The opposedpiston, opposed-cylinder diesel engines are supplied by U.S.-based EcoMotors. The two-stroke engines eliminate the need for valves and the associated drive train, which makes the engines lighter and less complex, Jänker told AIN. The engines also operate at a slower rotational speed, which
In EADS’ hybrid helicopter concept, the rotors are driven electrically. Power comes from batteries, which are charged by generators driven by diesel engines.
COME JOIN OUR GRIPEN CLUB! Sweden’s Gripen NG is locked in combat with other fighters, not in the air but in the two biggest current opportunities to sell combat aircraft. Brazil and India are the battlegrounds for the world’s fighter salesmen, and success in either could eventually net the winner orders for 100 or more jets. Yesterday at Farnborough delegations from both countries visited the NG demonstrator in the static park, where Swedish air force chief General Anders Silwer (left) entertained the Indian Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Pallum Raju (center) and the Brazilian air forces chief General Juniti Saito (right).
NEWS CLIPS More 737s boost American’s fleet renewal American Airlines has continued its fleet renewal with the conversion of options held on 35 Boeing 737-800s that will replace McDonnell Douglas MD-80s during 2011-12. Boeing claims the 737-800’s seat-mile costs are 35-percent lower than those of the mature design. The order for 35 adds to an earlier one that saw 84 B737s begin joining the fleet last year. American expects to have 195 examples of the 737-800 by the end of 2012. “The [type] provides additional amenities for our customers while helping to reduce operating and fuel costs and our impact on the environment,” said American’s chief commercial officer Virasb Vahidi.
MARK WAGNER
PowerJet Signs Support Agreement with Kartika
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN In just three days time, the Farnborough 2010 will be only a passing memory, just like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner seen here leaving the airshow on Tuesday afternoon to get back to the final stages of its certification program.
Mubadala targets tier-one role Continued from page 1
Al Ain, its burgeoning aerospace cluster in Abu Dhabi, by the end of this year. Expansion over the next few years will provide more than 646,000 sq ft of production space–almost triple the initial area. Contracts worth $2 billion have already been signed with EADS, Airbus and Alenia Aeronautica, with which the company has formed composites manufacturing partnerships. Al Shemmari declined to be specific about how Piaggio will be involved in the new business jet
UK defense cuts will be deep but smart Continued from page 1
ance,” he said. The new Defence Secretary called for “better value for money to the British taxpayer” from defense procurement. But he offered a “deal” to the UK defense industry. “We will reform our acquisition processes, including a ten-year planning horizon agreed with the Treasury, audited every year,” he promised. Fox confirmed that a new Defence Industrial Strategy would be published after the SDSR. He also promised a renewed government commitment to support defense exports, including a more efficient licensing system. A pledge to ensure that exportability is a criteria when devising the requirements for UK defense equipment, plus “innovative
and whether it will carry the name of the Italian company. “These are decisions we have not made,” he said. Reports have indicated that Piaggio is working on a new aircraft called the P1XX, but it is clear that Mubadala is behind the funding of the program and will provide major subassemblies, even if final assembly takes place at Piaggio’s Genoa factory in Italy, where the P-180 Avanti twin pusher prop is built. Within 10 years the Al Ain aerospace complex will employ 10,000 people, said Al Shemmari, 50 percent of whom will be Abu Dhabi nationals. “We want to create high-value jobs for UAE nationals,” he said.
The deal with Goodrich creates a joint venture operation at Al Ain to establish the region’s first dedicated landing gear maintenance facility. The new company will support Boeing and Airbus aircraft and there are plans to expand into the military sector. The Honeywell agreement grants special rights to Mubadala and SR Technics as authorized service providers for Honeywell components on existing aircraft and the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 when they enter service. The joint venture with Sikorsky finalizes a deal signed at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi in 2009 establishing a military MRO center at Al Ain.
training and exercise support.” ACM Dalton spoke for 30 minutes on UK ISTAR capabilities without once mentioning the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft, which has also been employed for overland surveillance. The service last year retired the old Nimrod MR.2 fleet without waiting for the new MRA.4 version to enter service. So had the RAF offered up the MRA.4 fleet for sacrifice in the SDSR, as some rumors suggest? The CAS denied this. A similar capability gap will arise next year when the RAF’s small fleet of Nimrod R.1 SIGINT aircraft are withdrawn. To replace them, the RAF plans to acquire three new RC-135 Rivet Joint conversions from L-3 Communications. The plan has been controversial, with some arguing that the U.S. would exercise ultimate control over how these aircraft are used or modified. Moreover, the
first RC-135 won’t enter service until 2014. Could this plan be scrapped or cut back? ACM Dalton said that this is “a critical national requirement. I have no sovereignty concerns. We will have the capability to add our own urgent operational requirements to the aircraft,” he added. L-3 Communications told AIN that the letter of offer and acceptance for the River Joints had been signed last March, and that a series of contracts were being progressively concluded. So the debate continues, and the rumors multiply. We suggest that for the meantime, you sit back and enjoy the show. Especially the Red Arrows. You may never see them again.
Engine maker PowerJet has signed a customer support agreement with Kartika Airlines for the SaM146 engines fitted on the 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100s it plans to field from 2012. The deal covers the engines, their equipment and nacelles.
Parker Selects TTTech for C Series Fly-by-Wire Parker Aerospace has chosen TTTech’s integrated communications architecture for the actuation function of the fly-by-wire system that will fly in the Bombardier C Series regional airliner and Embraer Legacy 450 and 500 midsize business jets. The TTTech architecture uses time-triggered protocol, an open industry standard with higher bandwidth than standard CAN-bus technology. TTP is used by some automakers for the throttle-by-wire systems in cars. Bombardier has named Parker the exclusive supplier of fly-by-wire flight control systems for all new Bombardier jets to use the technology.
Pearl Orders 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100s SuperJet International has signed an agreement with leasing company Pearl Aircraft Corp. for the sale of 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100s, plus 15 options. The announcement was made here in Farnborough by Allessandro Franzoni, CEO of SuperJet International, and Jan Soderberg, CEO of Pearl Aircraft Corp., a Bermuda-based aircraft leasing company. At list prices, the deal is worth in excess of $900 million. Pearl Aircraft is building a $2 billion portfolio of narrow- and widebody aircraft, which it expects to complete by 2012.
Republic Buys $1 Billion Worth of E-Jets Republic Airlines, the largest operator of Embraer E-Jets in the world, has signed a letter of intent for 24 Embraer 190 jets. The total value of the agreement, at list price, is $960 million. The airline will start taking delivery of the new E-190 jets in mid-2011, but has the flexibility through conversion rights to the larger 116-seat E-195. Republic Airlines is one of six airlines owned by Republic Airways Holdings, operating in the colors of American Connection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines and US Airways Express. The six carriers operate a total of 223 Embraer jets.
Okay OKs 10 More Boeing 737-800s Private Chinese operator Okay Airways has been confirmed here as a previously unidentified customer for 10 Boeing 737-800s nominally worth $800 million. Chairman Wang Shusheng said the carrier would operate eleven 737s by year-end. Its current eightunit 737 fleet includes three Series 800s and a converted 737-300 freighter. The Beijing-headquartered carrier bases its aircraft at Tianjin Binhai International Airport. Later this year, Okay expects to lease four 737-800s and plans to expand by leasing five 737-800s in each of the next three years, before the new deliveries begin in 2014. Four months ago, Wang’s Tianjin Datian group reportedly paid almost $30 million for 71.4 percent of Beijing Okay Traffic and Energy Investment, the fiveyear-old airline’s parent company. Holding orders covering 2,000-plus aircraft, Boeing has announced that 737 production will increase to 35 per month in 2012. Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Jim Albaugh said earlier week that he believes there is sufficient demand to raise manufacturing rates further.
www.ainonline.com • July 22, 2010 • Farnborough Airshow Newsaa21
Sikorsky simulates X2 capability by Thierry Dubois Sikorsky has announced it will use an X2 Technology light tactical helicopter (LTH) simulator to show its customers the capabilities of its flying X2 technology demonstrator. One of those customers could be the U.S. Army, which would use it as an armed aerial scout. The most visible features of the fly-by-wire X2 are its dual, counter-rotating main rotor and a ducted aft propulsor. Sikorsky introduced the X2 Technology demonstrator in 2005 and the compound helicopter made its first flight in August 2008. Since then, the program has been progressing deliberately through flight testing with the goal of achieving an expected top speed of 250 knots speed later this year. The Sikorsky Innovations team of engineers, who are in charge of the simulator, say it will provide potential customers with a “tangible experience” of X2 technology for military and other missions. As development of the simulator progresses, it should
integrate manned-unmanned teaming and optional pilot capabilities. “The X2 LTH simulator will demonstrate the military application of the capabilities that we are proving out with our X2 Technology demonstrator,” said Teresa Carleton, vice president, mission systems integration. “With the simulator, we can fly a light tactical helicopter variation of the X2 Technology demonstrator through various mission scenarios and demonstrate the advantages of speed, high agility, low acoustic signature and low vibrations. It will be a tremendous, mobile tool that we can bring to potential customers to give them a ‘hands on’ sense of the flight and mission advantages we are bringing to the aviation landscape.” The armed aerial scout program is aimed at replacing aging Bell OH-58 Kiowas. Eurocopter, EADS North America and Lockheed Martin are pitching the AAS-72X, a derivative of the UH-72A Lakota, which is based on the Eurocopter EC 145.
Sikorsky To Fly Electric Helo This Year Sikorsky is to unveil an electrically powered S-300C two-seater later this month at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, before it flies later this year. The Sikorsky Innovations team calls its demonstrator the Firefly. U.S. Hybrid is providing the 200-hp electric motor and its digital controller. Gaia is supplying lithium-ion batteries. Eagle Aviation Technologies, already a Sikorsky partner on the X2 highspeed rotorcraft demonstrator, Sikorsky has replaced the Lycoming has assembled the Firefly. piston engine of an S-300C with an electric motor powered by lithium-ion Switching from the usual batteries to create the “Firefly.” The Lycoming piston engine (of similar company plans to fly the electric power) is expected to increase helicopter later this year. propulsion efficiency fourfold. Moreover, fewer moving parts should spell reduced complexity. However, energy storage remains a challenge, and payload and endurance are expected to be very limited. Sikorsky Innovations’ engineers expect rapidly –T.D. maturing technology will to help these numbers grow.
Like all French aerospace firms, Dassault has felt the sharp effects of the currency exchange imbalance between the euro and the dollar. However, deliveries of its Falcon business jets have pretty much remained steady during the economic downturn.
French aerospace awaits 2011 recovery by Jeff Apter For French aerospace industry association GIFAS the crisis year of 2009 was a “year of resilience” and 2010 is “a year of transition,” with air traffic increasing again powered by low-cost companies and the emerging nations. GIFAS chairman Jean-Paul Herteman said he is “confident that 2011 could be a year of recovery for our industry, but it will not come sooner.” According to GIFAS, air traffic is increasing, the emerging nations are growing and manufacturing is rising gradually. The association also hopes that France’s national “Great Loan” stimulus plan will help pilot schemes to ensure the industry’s future (see box). But despite a
recently improved dollar/euro parity, the exchange rate has weighed heavily on GIFAS members and is “still the main threat” to the French aerospace industry. Herteman, who is also CEO of an aerospace equipment supplier Safran, told AIN that the French aerospace industry is the country’s main exporter, producing a ?14 billion surplus last year. “Every year GIFAS companies devote 15 percent of their revenue to research and development,” he said. “This heavy investment and our requirements for high performance have positive consequences on other sectors of the economy and influence the whole country through transfer of technology and job creation.”
While 2009’s economic crisis did not spare our industry, he said the decline was limited to an estimated 2.2 percent drop in revenue to ?35.8 billion from the record set in 2008. In a difficult economic environment the French aerospace industry maintained its market share with exports accounting for 80 percent of consolidated revenues. Despite a 23-percent drop, ?37.3 billion, orders last year again remained higher than annual revenue. Strong progress in the space sector and also in defense and security electronics compensated for the fall in civil aerospace orders. The order book still represents the equivalent of four years’ activity for the profession.
22aaFarnborough Airshow News • July 22, 2010 • www.ainonline.com
In 2009 the French aerospace industry directly employed 157,000 people. While 38,000 employees were hired since 2006, 7,000 of them were taken on last year, thus limiting aerospace job losses to 2 percent. This, said Herteman, was due largely to many projects needing high-level skills in medium- and long-term programs. Recruitment is expected to be about the same this year followed by a slow ramp-up in 2011. “Our companies are not necessarily delocalizing work but supporting new developments outside the country that keep the top engineers and designers in France,” he said. The industry’s vertical organization limited industrial failures and the defense budget has had a stabilizing effect. According to the GIFAS chairman, the main threat to the industry in France and in Europe is still the euro/dollar exchange rate. “We are not happy with the process of attack on the euro,” he said. “Historically the average rate over the very long term is around ?1.20 to ?1. This is not a weak rate and at the moment the present level is not bad news for our industry. But the rate between 2007 and 2009 was $1.41 to ?1 and the euro/dollar level over the last few years remains of concern to all.” According to Herteman, every 10 cents that the euro rises above this “balanced” rate
means an average 2 percent loss in operating profit on revenue, and for some even more. “Over the last three years this makes more than ?4 billion in lost earnings, or the equivalent of two years’ self-financed research and development or 7,000 jobs a year not created in France,” he concluded, calling for political intervention to regulate exchange rates.
French Government’s ‘Great Loan’ To Stimulate Innovation The French government has established a ?35 billion “Great Loan” stimulus plan for the governance and financing of innovation projects that for some years have suffered from a lack of finance resulting in a loss of competitiveness for the French economy. One major feature of the initiative involves skills training across all industries. About ?2 billion will go to the aerospace industry. Although it will take small- and mediumsized companies on board, it is not dedicated to them. The aim is to develop future medium- and long-term technologies. About ?1.5 billion will go to support future aircraft and helicopters and especially to reduce fuel burn and emissions. The space sector will receive about ?500 million, including for Ariane 6 and satellite projects. The package is subject to public approval and GIFAS is working to submit final proposals for projects on lower fuel burn and the environment to be submitted this –J.A. autumn.
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-35 F LIGHTNING II The F-35 Lightning II has done what no other fighter has ever done. With its historic landing, it became the first-ever, supersonic, stealth fighter with short takeoff/vertical landing capabilities. All three versions of the F-35 Lightning II are now flying – and poised to deliver next-generation fighter capabilities to the United States and its allies for decades to come.