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Meeting the demand for skilled personnel As the UAE builds its high-tech industries, the demand for skilled personnel increases. Two academic institutions are highlighting their efforts to not only produce highly employable skilled engineers and technicians, but also help in driving new technologies. The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has more than 15,000 students and is a research-intensive institution that undertakes a range of research and development projects. Being highlighted at IDEX are a 3D tele-operated robot that can be controlled remotely by an operator wearing a smart suit, and Smart Autonomous Transportation Systems. Also on show are a system in which drones co-operate with ground vehicles to respond to disaster situations, and a GeoDrone that can be used for asset inspection and site survey. Also present at IDEX is ADVETI (Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute), which has a range of technical schools and technology/scientific institutes throughout the Emirates. n
BY DAVID DONALD Speaking to the IDEX Show Daily just prior to IDEX, Saab said the GlobalEye multi-sensor airborne early warning/multirole surveillance programme is “on schedule” in the build-up to its entry into service with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The UAE became the launch customer for the GlobalEye just over three years ago, announcing an initial deal for two of the aircraft at the Dubai air show in November 2015. A third was subsequently added during IDEX in February 2017. Also known as the SRSS (SwingRole Surveillance System), the GlobalEye is an adaptation of the Bombardier Global 6000 longrange business jet to the multisurveillance role. The chief sensor is a Saab Erieye ER airborne early warning (AEW) radar mounted in a ‘ski-box’ fairing above the aircraft’s spine. Additional sensors reportedly include a FLIR Systems Star Safire 380HD electro-optic turret beneath the forward fuselage, and a Leonardo Seaspray 7500E AESA radar in a large belly radome. Having been rolled out in February 2018, the first aircraft performed its maiden postmodification flight on 14 March at Saab’s Linköping plant, where
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GlobalEye on
the three airframes have been converted from ‘green’ Global 6000 airframes. The extensive nature of the modifications – encompassing structural and significant aerodynamic changes, as well as an expanded and re-routed cabling network – has dictated a major flight test campaign to clear the GlobalEye for service. Soon after its initial flights from Linköping, which had proved basic aircraft system functions and aerodynamics, the no. 1 GlobalEye – operating under the Swedish civil registration SE-RMY – was deployed to Granada in Andalucia
for an exhaustive flight test campaign. The move to southern Spain was driven by the region’s excellent weather and the need to fly regularly to meet the contracted schedule. SE-RMY has subsequently been put through rigorous system and aerodynamic testing, flying numerous test points with varying speeds, altitudes and loads. The primary aim of the trials is to validate predicted calculations made using computers and wind tunnel trials. The GlobalEye is fitted with its own instrumentation and recording equipment so that
