SP's Aviation July 2013 by SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd

Our legacy shapes the future.

Icons for this generation and the next. From the very first Staggerwing to the newest-generation King Airs, the aircraft from Beechcraft have always represented the industry’s best. Rooted in a legacy that set the standards for quality, performance and craftsmanship—today’s Beechcraft continues to forge ahead, inspired by their iconic lineage and resolute in the mission to build an even stronger company. Visit us at Beechcraft.com. For more info, please contact: Asia-Pacific +65.6423.0321, U.S. and the Americas +1.316.676.0800, EMEA +44(0) 1244.523.803

table of contents

vol 16 ISSUE 7 • July • 2013

Cover Photo: IAF’s Mi-26 helicopter on relief and rescue operations in flood affected areas of Uttarakhand

reliable and sturdy: alh TOO WAS ONE OF THE KEY CONTRIBUTORS DURING OPeration RAHAT

Photograph by: IAF

SP’s Exclusives 012-27: What the Indian Forces 10 2 Need Over 15 Years

Military 13 Fighters

MMRCA: The Balancing Act

Civil 18 Business Aviation Comfort at its Best

22 25 26 40

Regional Aviation Give them Hope

Airlines Operations Spirits High

Airbus A350 XWB Striking & Quiet

Technology

New & Emerging

Show Report 28 Paris Air Show Raining & Shining

– Safran: Indian Market has Enormous Potential

– Boeing: Strong and Productive Show

– Raytheon: An Excellent Show

www.spsaviation.net

– ATK: Highly Engineered Products

– Gulfstream: G650 Established a New Market Segment

– EADS: The Rain Brought us Some Very Good Luck

– MBDA Unveils Concept Visions Projects

– AgustaWestland: New Generation Helicopters

– ATR: Best Ever Show

regular Departments 4 A Word from Editor-in-Chief 5 NewsWithViews IndiGo may Face an Exodus of Commanders to AirAsia

In Focus

Forum

Hall of Fame

45 46 48

Focus India NewsDigest LastWord

The New Battle Zone

Time for Cyber Command

page 15

Lead Story

salute the brave hearts Operation Rahat proved once again that air power is the ultimate saviour. The media brought to every home the images of selfless devotion to duty of the proud air warriors. For the men and women in uniform, the nation comes first always and every time.

Robert H. Goddard

Beyond FDI

NEXT ISSUE Green Business Aviation

ISSUE 7 • 2013

table of contents 18

Comfort at its Best

Publisher And Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal senior Editor Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey Assistant Group editor R. Chandrakanth Editorial adviser Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra Senior Technical Group Editor Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand Assistant editor Sucheta Das Mohapatra

Contributors India Group Captain (Retd) A.K. Sachdev Group Captain (Retd) Joseph Noronha

Spirits High

Europe Alan Peaford USA & Canada LeRoy Cook Chairman & Managing Director Jayant Baranwal Planning & Business Development Executive Vice President: Rohit Goel ADMIN & COORDINATION Bharti Sharma

Show Report: Paris Air Show 2013

design Holistic Directions: Jayant Baranwal Creative Director: Anoop Kamath Designers: Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht Research Assistant: Graphics Survi Massey

DIRECTOR SALES & MARKETING Neetu Dhulia SALES & MARKETING General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh SP’s websites Sr Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma © SP Guide Publications, 2013 Subscription/ Circulation Annual Inland: Rs 1200 • Foreign: US$ 320 E-mail: subscribe@spguidepublications.com subscribe@spsaviation.net LETTER TO EDITOR editor@spsaviation.net expert@spsaviation.net FOR Advertising details, contact: neetu@spguidepublications.com rajeev.chugh@spguidepublications.com SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD A-133 Arjun Nagar, (Opposite Defence Colony) New Delhi 110 003, India. Tel: +91 (11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 E-mail: info@spguidepublications.com Representative Office BENGALURU, INDIA 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar Bengaluru 560043, India. Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 MOSCOW, RUSSIA LAGUK Co., Ltd., (Yuri Laskin) Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762 Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260

Owned, published and printed by Jayant Baranwal, printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd and published at A-133, Arjun Nagar (Opposite Defence Colony), New Delhi 110 003, India. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishers.

www.spguidepublications.com 2

ISSUE 7 • 2013

www.spsaviation.net

MAx SPEEd: MACH 0.88 MAx RANGE: 4,350 NM MAx ALTITUdE: 45,000 FT Large-Cabin | Long-Range

GULFSTREAM: ICONIC

xCELLENCE

By combining a high-cruise speed, intercontinental range, 99.8% dispatch reliability and a worldwide product support network, the Gulfstream G450® has been the overwhelming choice of discriminating travelers for nearly a decade. Not surprising, since its success is defined by the Gulfstream name – the icon of business aviation excellence.

INdIA:

+91 98 182 95755

– ROHIT KAPUR rohit.kapur@arrowaircraft.com

Gulfstream Authorized Sales Representative

TOLL FREE 1800 103 2003

INTL:

+65 6256 8301

– JASON AKOvENKO jason.akovenko@gulfstream.com

Regional vice President, Asia / Pacific

Range shown is based on NBAA IFR theoretical range at Mach 0.80 with eight passengers. Actual range will be affected by ATC routing, operating speed, weather, outfitting options and other factors.

GULFSTREAMG450.com

A word from editor-in-chief The Indian Air Force once again rose to the occasion to meet the challenge, deploying its transport and helicopter fleets to provide relief and rescue in flood affected areas of Uttarakhand. Men and women of the IAF toiled relentlessly in the face of persistent adverse weather and limitations of inadequate infrastructure.

The major event on the global aviation scene in the recent past was the golden jubilee of the international air show at Paris held in June this year. Although there was an increase in the number of participants, as compared to the previous edition of the air show, there was a marginal drop in the number of trade and public visitors, perhaps attributable to some extent to the rainy weather prevailing. The inclement weather, however, did not subdue the optimism in the industry that appeared quite determined to battle the adversities it has been facing in the last few years. A particularly notable feature of the air show was the presence at Le Bourget of new players in the global aviation industry such as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Limited and Irkut from Russia. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries an in-depth and comprehensive report by R. Chandrakanth. Closer home, excessive rain in June this year culminated in one of the most devastating natural calamities in the country wherein the state of Uttarakhand lay devastated with thousands of pilgrims and local residents stranded in inaccessible mountainous terrain. The Indian Air Force (IAF) once again rose to the occasion to meet the challenge, deploying its transport and helicopter fleets to provide relief and rescue. Men and women of the IAF toiled relentlessly in the face of persistent adverse weather and limitations of inadequate infrastructure. Tragically, a brand new Mi-17 V5, with five crew and 15 members of the rescue team onboard, was lost apparently on account of bad weather. Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne set a fine example leading from the front in the best traditions of the glorious Indian Air Force. Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra has covered in this issue the endeavour of the Indian Air Force named as ‘Operation Rahat’. We at SP’s convey our sincere salutations to IAF. A new battle zone that the Indian armed forces will have to contend with in the future is cyberspace as cyber warfare will perhaps be the biggest threat to national security in the years to come. Given the gravity of this emerging threat, the establishment of a tri-service Cyber Command is under active consideration by the government. The various aspects of this new threat dimension and its implications have been examined in the regular columns of In Focus and Forum. The civil aviation industry in the country is bracing up for the entry of AirAsia. In a press conference held in Delhi recently,

ISSUE 7 • 2013

AirAsia Chief Tony Fernandes stated that “the aviation market in the country was favourable and that it was the perfect time to enter”. He hoped to commence operations of AirAsia India by October this year and appeared all set to capture the Indian market. The newly appointed CEO Mittu Chandilya appeared determined to “revolutionise the industry in India and create a completely new market”. The press conference has been covered in a report in this issue. The government seems to have finally settled the issue of enhancing the limit of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence industry from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. However, the new provisions related to FDI beyond 26 per cent do not appear to be investor-friendly and hence foreign investors may not be overtly anxious to invest in India. While indigenisation of the Indian defence industry is the ultimate goal, the private sector will need substantial infusion of FDI to grow and acquire the capability to meet the requirements of the armed forces. More on this issue in Last Word by Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey. All these apart from regular features in this issue. Welcome aboard and happy landings!

Jayant Baranwal Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

www.spsaviation.net

News

with views NEWS:

IndiGo may face an exodus of Commanders to AirAsia IndiGo Airlines may lose a good chunk of its commanders to AirAsia India as around 100 of its pilots have applied for jobs with the proposed carrier. Besides a hefty package that AirAsia India is offering, there are other reasons such as better working conditions that is attracting IndiGo pilots to AirAsia India. IndiGo currently has around 1,000 pilots to operate its

fleet of 66 Airbus planes. Out of these, nearly 60 per cent of them are commanders. AirAsia in collaboration with Tata Sons and Telestra TradePlace of Arun Bhatia, plans to launch a budget airline by the end of the year with its headquarters in Chennai. AirAsia is expected to bring in competitive pricing in the domestic aviation market with its “nano” airfares.

Photograph: Sp guide pubns

VIEWS: It is somewhat strange that an exodus of commanders from IndiGo Airlines should take place soon after the privately owned low-cost carrier, India’s largest airline by market share, was conferred the award of “Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia and India” at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show in June 2013. Incidentally, this was the fourth year in a row that IndiGo Airlines has been honoured in this fashion. At first sight, it appears that commanders from IndiGo are gravitating towards AirAsia India drawn by the lure of higher salaries coupled with reportedly better working conditions. But what is also surprising is that AirAsia India is not looking to employ commanders from Kingfisher Airlines who are also experienced on Airbus family of airliners and currently unemployed. These pilots are available in fairly large numbers and would possibly be prepared to work for lower salaries. Whatever be the real reason behind AirAsia India sourcing commanders from IndiGo, one unintended consequence would be that the sudden departure of 100-odd commanders would for some time, destabilise operations of IndiGo Airlines as AirAsia India would select and induct the best of the lot of commanders from IndiGo. This would automatically be to the advantage of AirAsia India as IndiGo Airlines is expected to be the major competitor at least in the domestic segment of the market. It is generally acknowledged that the airline industry in India has considerable potential for growth given the huge segments of the population in Tier-II, III and IV cities where despite proclamations from the top echelons of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, air connectivity at present is highly limited primarily on account of paucity of infrastructure by way of airfields. But the airline industry in India as elsewhere in the world, is also highly vulnerable to upheavals in the economy. Here in India, the industry is also constantly battered by unfriendly regulatory framework as also high input costs such as exorbitant airport charges, unreasonably high taxes, continuous downslide in the value of the Indian rupee against the US dollar and the perpetually rising cost of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The deleterious effect of all these factors combined is aggravated further by fierce competition that is often inclined to drive fares downwards to sometimes ridicu-

www.spsaviation.net

lously low levels. Under these operating conditions, airlines in the private sector, both low-cost and legacy carriers, find it difficult to maintain bottom lines and remain afloat with profitability which is a far cry. Business models of private carriers have generally been floundering in the hostile operating environment particularly over the last 10 years leading to mergers and acquisitions as also in a number of private airlines closing down. Despite the backing of a huge financial empire and the enormous financial clout of the UB Group, even Kingfisher Airlines could not survive. As it stands, AirAsia India is planning to commence operations sometime end of the year initially with a fleet of three aircraft growing to 36 aircraft by 2018. To begin with, AirAsia India will be connecting to destinations in the southern region of India as also Madurai with Kuala Lumpur. Although AirAsia is confident of replicating its successful low-cost model in India, the airline will be faced with new challenges here. Unlike in Malaysia where AirAsia has monopoly in the low-cost segment, in India it will face competition from a number of legacy and budget carriers. AirAsia’s international operations into India so far is not reported to be eminently successful as the fare structure offered by the airline in Malaysia where fuel and other input costs as compared to India are much lower, has not been sustainable in India. While the airline may enter the Indian domestic market with fares at rock-bottom, it can only serve as a promotional exercise lasting perhaps not more than a few days. Another development of concern for AirAsia India is a communication to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by Subramaniam Swamy, President, Janata Party, stating that the clearance accorded by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to AirAsia to set up an airline in India is “not legally valid” and that he perceives this as “an attempt to destroy the domestic airlines, creating a systemic risk for financial institutions and loss to public exchequer”. Describing the proposal as fraudulent, he urged the Prime Minister to revoke the deal failing which he would resort to a public interest litigation (PIL). For AirAsia India, there is considerable turbulence in the skies ahead! SP —By Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Cyberspace

inFocus

THE NEW BATTLE ZONE Since the world is still at the ‘waking up’ stage to cyber threats, there are no clearly defined laws. Collateral damage may actually be the intention in this type of warfare. Also there needs to be clear delineation between the military and civilian cyber defence.

One of the subjects discussed between the US President Barack Obama and the Chinese President Xi Jingping during his visit to the US this June was cyber security. China’s recent cyber targets in USA included aerospace programmes, space shuttle design, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance (C4ISR) data, nuclear weapon and cruise missile designs. Coming up north of Washington, at Fort Meade, Maryland, is a facility to house the $358 million (`2,148 crore) headquarters of the US Cyber Command. They are expected to add 4,000 cyber warriors, quadrupling its size by 2015. The primary task will be to detect and defend against external computer/network penetration by China, North Korea and Iran. Charter of the first Commander, General Keith Alexander, is to defend American military networks and attack other countries’ systems. He would ultimately require 30,000 cyber soldiers. The government and private networks protection such as attacks on electricity grid, banking, telecom networks and industrial espionage will be the responsibility of homeland security. World under Cyber Attack

Cyber warfare includes a host of activities that can be summed up as hacking computer networks for espionage and sabotage. The US has declared this as a greater threat than Al Qaeda. Defence from a cyber attack today is no less important than from a hard-kill weapon. The European Union has set up European Network and Information Security Agency. United Kingdom has a cyber security operations centre. China has a 50,000 specialist force engaged in cyber warfare operating from a Shanghai facility and has clear mandate to win future cyber wars. Other countries actively preparing for the ‘Silent Wars’ are Russia, Israel and North Korea. Iran claims to have the world’s second largest cyber army. Israel faces over 1,00,000 cyber attacks a day. Recent reports of India being among the top five countries compromised by the US surveillance resulted in the formation of the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) whose primary job will be to carry out a real-time assessment of cyber security threats and provide actionable reports. According to data compiled by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, more than 1,000 government websites storing critical and sensitive data

ISSUE 7 • 2013

concerning national security have been hacked in the last three years. Early this year, suspected Chinese hackers reportedly breached the computers of India’s top military organisation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), one of the biggest security breaches in the country’s history. The Prime Minister’s Office has reportedly given in-principle approval for spending `1,000 crore over the next four years to build capabilities against cyber attacks and it awaits cabinet approval. Indian Cyber Command

The Indian armed forces have been demanding a tri-service unified Cyber Command for some time. Defence Minister A.K. Antony announced, mid-June, that India will soon form a Cyber Command. Its mission would be to defend military computer networks and launch cyber-counter-attacks. Command-and-control systems at military headquarters, air defence networks and weapon system computers will be the primary targets. The objective would be to ensure freedom of network operations to own forces and denying the same to the adversary. The Command would shape up by putting together existing cyberspace resources, creating synergy and integrating assets of the three services. Like other tri-service commands, they will report to the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Since the world is still at the ‘waking up’ stage to cyber threats, there are no clearly defined laws. Collateral damage may actually be the intention in this type of warfare. After considerable debate, as has evolved in the United States, the military handles its own networks and takes cyber-offensive/defensive actions. Protection of Indian civil networks could be the responsibility of NCCC. Cyber Command could be called to support NCCC in case of cyber disaster. Such coordination could be at the level of the National Security Advisor. Building up of credible cyber attack capability should also act as a deterrence. Former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S.K. Sareen says, “The line between war and peace has been erased. Cyberspace is now a 24x7 war.” Now is the time to act. Who will declare when the nation is under attack? Who will authorise offensive action? How will the action be graded? When will Cyber Command be in place? For answers, turn to Forum. SP —By Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra

www.spsaviation.net

Boeing recently delivered to India the first P-8I long-range multi-mission maritime aircraft, on-schedule and on-budget. This new aircraft provides advanced capability to help safeguard the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waters and borders for decades to come. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to salute the Indian Navy on this important milestone â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a testament to our enduring partnership with India.

Cyberspace

Forum

TIME FOR CYBER COMMAND As Indian armed forces get more networked, the threat is also increasing exponentially. The challenge therefore is to remain ahead of rogue nations. Militaries across the world are exploring ways to achieve superiority in cyberspace by investing time, resources and money like never before.

“Cyber warfare is the biggest threat to national security which will render even the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) insignificant as a security threat,” said former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at a military function at Hyderabad recently. “Cross-border cyber crimes not only blurred physical and national borders but also could lead to actual war,” he added. Former US Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta says, “We’re not talking simply about a website going down for a couple of hours, a cyber attack perpetrated by nation states or violent extremist groups could be as destructive as the terrorist attack of 9/11. Such a destructive cyber terrorist attack could paralyse the nation,” he claimed. The US intelligence community’s annual review 2013 of world threats states that cyber attacks and cyber espionage presented a greater threat to the US national security than Al Qaeda. China is being branded the Cyber Espionage Capital of the World. British Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to “robustly” fight efforts by other countries to steal state secrets. German Chancellor Angela Merkel literally admonished President Barack Obama during his recent visit to Germany for the US state-sponsored cyber espionage. Nitin Desai, a former Internet advisor to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and now Chairman, IDSA Cyber Security Task Force, says, “Preserving functionality is going to be the real challenge for cyber security and cyber defence. It cannot be done by using defence forces in the traditional way, but has to be done in partnership with affected civil agencies. How do we make that kind of partnership functionally effective? This is going to be a major challenge.” The US has set up an Independent Cyber Command, the UK has its GCHQ, China has a large presence and is already active. Dr Gulshan Rai, Director General, Computer Emergency

Cyber warfare is the biggest threat to national security which will render even the ICBM insignificant as a security threat

A cyber attack perpetrated by nation states or violent extremist groups could be as destructive as the terrorist attack of 9/11

— Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former president of India

— Leon E. Panetta, Former US defense secretary

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Research Team (CERT), says, “Half a million modems in our country are compromised.” We buy technology from various sources but by carefully monitoring the procedural aspect, we can reduce the breaches by 30-35 per cent. Another issue is how to improve the physical security of the cyber assets. One way is through mock drills and the response is improving gradually. Lt General (Retd) Aditya Singh, former GOC-in-C Southern Command and former member National Security Advisory Board, says, “War has taken a new frame in the 21st century. Are we safer today than the previous century which saw two World Wars and the nuclear stockpiles? Terror attacks on the World Trade Center, Parliament of India, Mumbai, and now the massive cyber threat. Trillions of emails are exchanged daily. Facebook has 900 million users and there are 200 million tweets every day. By 2015, there will be twice the number of devises connected to Internet than there are people and that the usage of Internet is forecast to go up by nine times in India. Therefore, you have a cause to worry and there is a need to build a proper national response.” “We are in a cyber-war with unclear boundaries and dearth of governing laws. The governments, Internet, companies and citizens are grappling with how best to limit risks,” says US cybersecurity expert Timothy H. Edgar. “What constitutes use of force in cyberspace and what targets are allowed under international law? While suspected nuclear facilities can be inspected, how does one examine everyone’s computer in a given country to ensure covert hacking isn’t under way?” he questions. Espionage and attack have put cyberspace in military domain, even though potentially at risk are power grids, water systems, financial institutions and many other civil functions. John E. Savage, who once worked at the US State Department, says, “The $10 trillion are transferred

While suspected nuclear facilities can be inspected, how does one examine everyone’s computer in a given country to ensure covert hacking isn’t under way?

‘Preserving functionality is going to be the real challenge for cyber security and cyber defence. It has to be done in partnership with affected civil agencies.’

— Timothy H. Edgar, US cyber security expert

— Nitin Desai, Chairman, IDSA cyber security task force

www.spsaviation.net

Forum

Cyberspace daily via undersea cables and any compromise could halt the entire economy.” The defence for a break-in is a good lock, a sentry, and criminal laws to punish the offender. Internet is a free-way with no highway patrolling and hence the problem.

Addition of a cyberbranch in each service to conduct servicespecific tactical offensive/defensive operations, secure networks and advice on policy formulation is the need of the hour

Major Cyber Operations The US military and China have been dominating cyber operations. Operation ‘Flame’ in 2007, a piece of malware beset thousands of computers in the Middle East, particularly Iran. Modules that could be remotely reprogrammed, that were capable of a variety of covert operations including infect computers, collect computer screenshots, log keystrokes or just record Skype conversations. Flame often disguised itself as a ‘Windows Update’. In 2010, a worm named, Stuxnet, described as “one of the most resilient and sophisticated piece of malware ever”, most likely originated from the United States or Israel, is credited with the destruction of uranium-enrichment centrifuges at Iran’s nuclear facility. Since the beginning of Israeli military offensive in Gaza in December 2012, Israel claims to have faced 44 million cyber-attacks on their government websites. China has not confined its cyber espionage to the US. This February, both the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and German steelmaker, ThyssenKrupp, were allegedly attacked by Chinese hackers who, it was reported, made off in May 2012 with floor plans of the Australian intelligence agency’s new building in Canberra. The recent revelation by Edward Snowden, the whistleblower for the “PRISM” data mining operation of the US global cyber espionage activities against China and India and also some of its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners, has shaken the world out of slumber and deprived the West of the moral high-ground. On December 4, 2010, Pakistan Cyber Army hacked the website of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Defence contractors are eager to get into this cyber war. Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Cassidian (EADS), Thales, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics are all scouting for “computer network exploitation specialists”. The US dominates the global cyber security market and is likely to spend $93.5 billion (`5,61,000 crore) between 2013 and 2023 (56 per cent of the global market). The Asia-Pacific region will be the second with 14 per cent share in 2023. Options for India Who does not know of the Indian naval war room leak case? Former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S.K. Sareen feels that “with increased networking, large volume of operational data and plans in soft form, the risks have increased exponentially. The operations rooms need to be made cyber secure. Foolproof backups including hard copies are required. Not a pin should leave the secure zone. Strict data handling, storage and classification policies need to be enforced with exemplary punishment.” Vijay Latha Reddy, Deputy National Security Advisor, says, “We have what most countries don’t have which is human resource. Secondly, we are secure because we are not so extensively connected. We therefore have an opportunity to leapfrog. Trouble is that it is a moving target and it is going to keep moving.” In 2007, Pakistan spent $3 million (`18 crore) on establishing a centre for cyber crime. Pakistan Interior Ministry said Pakistan urgently needs a centralised, aggressive and proactive command for cyber and information warfare.

We need to remember that armed forces are trained to fight a kinetic war and value skills such as physical strength, marksmanship, and to lead combat units under fire. The soldier will initially display reluctance as he did to electronic warfare. Addition of a cyber-branch in each service to conduct service-specific tactical offensive/defensive operations, secure networks and advice on policy formulation is the need of the hour. Cyber Command should conduct strategic operations on a global scale.

Tri-Services Cyber Command In the four-year tenure as head of the US Cyber Command, General Alexander has overseen a massive expansion in its capabilities. It has been allocated huge resources while other intelligence agencies are seeing their budgets relentlessly squeezed. Cyber work is cloaked in the highest secrecy, but the fingerprints are visible across the world. Cyber is becoming so critical to the mission that Academic Dean Andrew Phillips of the US Naval Academy puts it on par with the Navy’s four other fighting domains: land, sea, air and space. Thirty-six midshipmen will major in cyber operations later this year, the first time the US Naval Academy is offering the option. China has 1,200 research labs downloading tetrabytes of defence information. The Chinese as part of the preparation of battlefield have hardened their networks. A National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) report entitled ‘Securing Our Cyber Frontiers’ released in April 2012 by P. Chidambaram, the then Home Minister, recommends establishment of a Cyber Command within the defence forces. The Hindu reported that India, the information technology superpower, has cyber security workforce comprising a mere 556 experts deployed in various government agencies. Compare this to China with 1.25 lakh experts, the US has 91,080 and Russia has 7,300 as mentioned in a note reportedly prepared by the National Security Council Secretariat. The government has decided to recruit 4,446 experts to be deployed in different departments. The armed forces will get a majority of the experts (1,887), followed by the National Technical Research Organisation (695) and others. A government-private sector plan being overseen by National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon began in October 2012 and intends to beef up India’s cyber security capabilities. One of the hardest issues in cyber counterintelligence is the problem of “attribution” and to trace attackers so as to plan the counter-attack. Cyber war is manpower intensive and a low-cost exercise for which India needs to prepare. Need for the cyber command has been acknowledged by the Defence Minister and the National Security Agency. Initially it can follow the strategic forces command structure and command and control. If 26/11 attacks could produce 20 million jobs in the security sector, there will be a tremendous need for cyber sleuths. Uniformed personnel will have to rub shoulders with cyber geeks. As Indian armed forces get more networked, the threat is also increasing exponentially. The challenge therefore is to remain ahead of rogue nations. Militaries across the world are exploring ways to achieve superiority in cyberspace by investing time, resources and money like never before. Given the gravity of the escalating threat, the need to establish the Cyber Command is urgent. Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, has been spearheading this exercise. SP

—By Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra

ISSUE 7 • 2013

SP’S EXCLUSIVEs Long-term plan

2012-27: What the Indian forces need over 15 years

Photograph: Dassault Aviation

 By SP’s Special Correspondent The Technology Perspective & Capability Roadmap 2013 The Integrated Defence Staff has released an updated Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2013, the second in two years, that covers the expansive wish list of technologies and capabilities that the armed forces intend to acquire either indigenously or from abroad in the course of the next 15 years. It is, in effect, the unclassified version of the longterm integrated perspective plan (LTIPP) that seeks to synergise requirements and capabilities between the three services and the Indian Coast Guard in a manner that lends to jointmanship, efficiency, lethality and economy of resources. The document lays down its intended purpose thus induction of new weapon systems is cost and time intensive. Building complex platforms like ships, submarines, tanks and fighter jets has a long lead time which is constantly challenged by the race to keep up with the relentless march of technology. It is therefore imperative that the long-term requirement of capability be identified and understood for appropriate technology to be developed indigenously. The TPCR intends to provide the industry an overview of the direction in which the armed forces intend to head in terms of capability over the next 15 years, which in turn would drive the technology in the development process. It is, in effect, a reference guide of interest to industry, developers, solution providers and vendors both in India and abroad. “Our defence forces require timely and cost-effective acquisition of defence equipment to enable them to meet any challenge to country’s security. If they have to effectively meet these challenges, we must adopt a holistic approach towards defence acquisition right from the planning to final disposal of the weapon system without compromising on transparency, fairness and

ISSUE 7 • 2013

probity at any level,” writes Defence Minister A.K. Antony in the preamble to the exhaustive new document released recently by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). In the words of the MoD, this is a document attempting to create awareness in industry of the capability and technology requirement of the armed forces, and will be regularly updated as and when plans are revised and would therefore attempt to provide the latest inputs on the Technology Perspective and Capability Requirement of the armed forces over a 15-year period. Interestingly, the MoD stresses that it hopes that this would address the industry’s concern about a level playing field. “On the part of industry, it is expected that this document will encourage them to put forth firm proposals for participating in the self-reliance process in terms of research and development (R&D), production and product support commitments. It is also envisaged that the industry would be proactive and in future suggest options to the armed forces vis-à-vis their capabilities and available technologies. Taking a cue from the information disseminated through this document, the industry may undertake capability and capacity building so as to cut down on time period for the acquisition cycle,” it offers. The document also lays marked emphasis on the need to indigenise and make Indian products for the armed forces the norm. It indicates that the Indian armed forces have identified technologies required to be inducted in development of future capability. The Defence Procurement Procedure has articulated the means of obtaining these either through the ‘Buy (Indian)’, Buy (Global), ‘Buy and Make’, ‘Make’ or the newly introduced ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ categories. The country has had to perforce resort to ‘Buy (Global)’ option in the past due to a host of reasons, which has been an expensive proposition. Over-reliance

www.spsaviation.net

Extending the reach

More than a manufacturer - A partner. Supporting demanding offshore operations, AgustaWestland delivers unrivalled cost-effective solutions in partnership with the Oil and Gas industry.

LEADING THE FUTURE agustawestland.com

SP’S EXCLUSIVE long-term plan

Photograph: MiG

on imported hardware has the potential to compromise on the country’s defence preparedness in times of crisis, through imposition of various technology denial regimes by the supplier. Self-reliance is, without a doubt, the spirit of the document. IAF’s 15-year warfare capability roadmap In Operation Rahat, the flood relief mission in Uttarakhand, the IAF got the opportunity to put one of its new acquisitions, the C-130J Super Hercules, to the test. In the coming years, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be the most visible face of modernisation, as its assets are deployed across the gamut of nation building and humanitarian relief operations. The medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) may be the most visible aspect of this effort, but it is by no means alone, as the TPCR shows: Upgradation of combat aircraft is a continuous process to maintain the fleet’s operational relevance. The newer multi-role combat aircraft will replace the present fleet in future. Future combat fleet will therefore be a mix of upgraded aircraft and high technology modern combat aircraft with swing role capability. There is a need to enhance heavy-lift capability of the Indian armed forces. Further, newer generation medium-lift aircraft are required to bolster the transport capability and fill the void between LTA and HETAC. The IAF, Army and Navy will need to build and sustain helicopter fleet to cater to the requirements of strategic and effect-based operations. VTOL hybrid aircraft will add flexibility and range while reducing response time. The envisaged roadmap as far as aviation is concerned will take into account the following: capability to undertake day and night operations in all-weather conditions, modernisation and upgradation of all fleets to meet the challenges of advancement in technology, stand-off weapon capability during day and night, force multipliers like FRA, airborne warning and control system (AWACS), surface surveillance and carrier-launched airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, more attack helicopters to enhance required capability in this area, upgrade existing helicopters and induct more helicopters in medium- and high-lift category (the Uttarakhand operations have emphasised this even further), air defence assets in terms of radars and SAGW to address multilevel, multi-mode threats and to operate in networked environment. Also, multi-spectrum IEW capability, including space-based capability and operational infrastructure for analysis of data and real-time transmission, space-based assets for command control communication computers intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (C4ISR), communication of all types, navigation, meteorology and capability to defend own assets. One of the most important aspects will be stealth technology and its applications in crucial programmes under development, including a fighter aircraft and an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). “There would be a need to keep the entire area of interest under constant surveillance. In the maritime theatre, the primary area would be the focal point of the sealine of communication (SLOCS), approaches to the Indian Ocean, the entire Indian Ocean region (IOR), Offshore Development Areas (ODAs) and island territories. The increased risk of asymmetric threat and coastal security scenario would necessitate persistent coastal surveillance. The requirements would be met through a surveillance matrix comprising of long-/medium-

ISSUE 7 • 2013

range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR and MRMR) aircraft, amphibious aircraft and UAVs,” says the document. As the Vikramaditya/Gorshkov carrier enters its phase of sea trials, the indigenous aircraft carrier programme and ongoing induction of advanced fighters to operate from these carriers, fighter aircraft would graduate to discharging multifarious roles. These would include fleet integral air defence, maritime strike, strike against shore targets at extended ranges, escort and buddy refuelling missions. Submarines would remain one of the dominating threats to a ship at sea. Hence, early detection at extended ranges, ability to continually monitor movement and take effective hostile action would be a constant prerequisite for naval aviation. This would be achieved through LRMR aircraft at extended ranges, MRMR aircraft at closer ranges/along the coasts and integral helicopters operating from warships. Troop carrying helicopters operating from both ships and ashore would be required to augment aviation assets in order to effectively undertake special operations in difficult terrains, ODAs, island territories, counter asymmetric threat and combat piracy in the IOR. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was recently in Japan, signed an agreement with the country agreeing to explore ways for India to acquire the Shinmaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft. Aircraft such as these would form a key element towards undertaking coastal/inter-island ferry for personnel and cargo, supply of critical spares to ships and submarines at sea, search and rescue (SAR) missions and visual/ radar surveillance of coastal areas and island territories, casualty evacuation at sea, rapid response missions towards induction/ withdrawal of special forces and humanitarian assistance. In Uttarakhand, the IAF was able to deploy a single Mi-26, perhaps the only one serviceable from a handful left. The MoD will shortly conclude a contract for 15 CH-47F Chinooks from Boeing. Heavy-lift helicopters would significantly bolster the capability to land troops and equipment both on land and offshore. They would come in very handy for road building in mountainous terrain, says the TPCR document. The envisaged aircraft inductions would be supported by modern integral armament with weapon technologies facilitating faster response and enabling precision strikes to meet emerging threats. Development of full motion with six degrees of freedom simulators for all existing and future air platforms and development of rear cockpit trainers for mission training of observers. Both simulators should be linkable for full crew training in mission roles. Towards capitalising on the unique capabilities of UAVs in terms of persistent surveillance, an increased role is envisaged to be played through induction of high-/medium-altitude long endurance UAVs and ship-based vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The following capabilities will be imperative: development of land- and ship-launched UAVs of mini and tactical categories, development of unmanned combat vehicles for use from land, ship and submarine, development of land and ship-launched/ recovered UAVs and UCAVs with integrated radar/IR/laser/video surveillance systems, ESM and ECM and networking capabilities, and data linking of these UAVs with other units in a net-centric data domain for real-time data transfer across multiple pathways. SP

www.spsaviation.net

Military

Fighters

MUCH NEEDED: RAFALE - A FRONT VIEW (FINAL CONTENDER FOR IAF'S MMRCA PROGRAMME). THE TIMELY EXECUTION OF THE DEAL WILL HELP AIR FORCE ACHIEVE ITS currently authorised combat squadron strength of 39½ before 2020

MMRCA: THE Balancing Act

Photograph: Dassault Aviation

With two not-so-friendly nuclear neighbours, the IAF requires advanced fighters, sophisticated support platforms and smart long-range weapons. The second article of this five-part series on MMRCA affirms once again that if the fighter deal is signed without further delay, it will help IAF achieve its currently authorised combat squadron strength of 39½ before 2020.

Air power today is the dominant force that has changed the basic nature of warfare. The success of air power in conflicts in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan had put a stamp of primacy. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have undertaken a massive modernisation programme. With two not-so-friendly nuclear neighbours, the Indian Air Force (IAF) requires advanced fighters, sophisticated support platforms and smart long-range weapons, to cater to a possible two-front war. The IAF has also been trying to convince the Indian leadership that there was a need to eventually increase combat squadrons from hitherto targeted 39½ to between 50 and 55 squadrons. All this would require significant funding over the next two decades and the defence budget increased to at least three per cent of GDP. The procurement process would also have to be speeded up. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian aircraft industry too would have to get their act right. As the IAF unfolds its acquisition plans, it is also relevant to understand the plans and aspirations of the PLAAF and the PAF. People’s Liberation Army Air Force The second largest Air Force, PLAAF, commanded by General Ma Xiaotian, has 3,30,000 active personnel and over 2,500

By Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra

aircraft. Supported by a booming economy and flush with funds, the PLAAF has been under aggressive modernisation. The older aircraft are quickly being phased out and replaced by fourth-generation fighters. Besides, fifth-generation fighters are already under flight testing. Induction of fourth-generation aircraft began in the 1990s with acquisition of Su-27s and induction of domestic J-10 and the FC-1 combat aircraft. Large numbers of Su-30MKKs, upgraded Su-30MK2s, J-11s, Il-76s, and IL-78 tankers have been added. Small numbers of futuristic stealth aircraft J-20 are already flying and the J-31 is under development. The Y-9 (IL-76 Variant) and Y-20 heavy transport aircraft will eventually form the modern transport fleet. The Z-15 and Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters and WZ-10 attack helicopters will be part of the rotary-wing fleet. Entire India is well covered by the Chinese surface-to-surface missile arsenal. With seven Chinese airbases at Kashgar, Hotan, Gongar, Pangta, Linchi, Hoping and Gar Gunsa in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and many more in Chengdu Military Region, east of Myanmar, the air threat to India is significant. In numerical terms, the PLAAF is set to become the largest tactical fighter force in the world and will soon be the second best in technology too. This combined with 450 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Navy and the soon to be inducted state-of-the art

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Military Fighters quickly lest the IAF is left too far behind the PLAAF and the PAF bridges the gap. This would mean fast-tracked acquisitions. The multi-role Su-30MKI is the mainstay with 272 ccurrently targeted. Jaguars, MiG-29s and Mirage 2000s are under Pakistan Air Force The 65,000-strong PAF led by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique upgradation. The MiG-21s (Bison) can be extended for five more Butt has nearly 900 aircraft, 400 of which are combat aircraft years with reducing numbers. MiG-27s will become difficult to including F-16s C/D, JF-17s, Mirage-III/V and the F-7P. The PAF sustain beyond 2017. Jaguars could fly till 2022. The light comhas medium-size transport and helicopter fleets with C-130 and bat aircraft (LCA) Tejas would now join the fighter fleet only Mi-17s as the workhorses. The IL-78 aerial tankers were in- in late 2014. The Indo-Russian joint project for fifth-generation ducted in 2009. The PAF has significant electronic warfare (EW) fighter aircraft (FGFA) can fructify not earlier than 2018. The capability which includes Falcon DA-20, Saab 2000 Erieye and delay in the availability of the LCA Tejas and the long selecChinese Shaanxi AEW&C aircraft. It is also actively pursuing an tion/induction process for imported aircraft has resulted in ambitious missile and nuclear weapons programme. The PAF stretching the old fleets of MiG-21s and 27s as also a signifihas enjoyed support from the United States for years. China, cant gap has developed in the fighter fleet. Conscious of this, it the all-weather friend, has also supported build up of the PAF in was decided to induct 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft the recent years. Pakistan has fought four wars with India and (MMRCA). After a gruelling process, the French Dassault Rafale continues to export terrorism across the border. Even though was announced the winner. If all were to go on track, the IAF of eventually defeated, the PAF gave the IAF a tough fight. The 2020 should consist of up to 15 squadrons of Su-30MKI, three Pakistani military exercises immense influence on the foreign squadrons each of the upgraded Mirage 2000 and MiG-29s, policy of the nation and has a stake in not resolving differences six squadrons of upgraded Jaguar strike aircraft, six squadwith India. Internal polls have shown that there continues to be rons the of Rafale MMRCA, seven squadrons of Tejas LCA and high degree of animosity against India. The threat from across two squadrons of fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). This India’s western border continues to be significant. The joint would add up to 42 squadrons. Delay in LCA Mk II however may work between China and Pakistan in many fields and rhetori- reduce the projected number of squadrons. As the IAF’s long list of acquisitions cal statements by their leaders indicate such as Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, adthat chances of facing a two-front war by ditional Lockheed Martin Super Hercules India are significant. The PAF has mainC-130Js, Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavytained a high state of operational readilift, Boeing AH-64D Apache attack heliness and has been participating in air The IAF has also been trying copter and the various other force mulexercises with other countries. Trigger to convince the Indian tipliers unfolds, crucial to the numbers of incidents in India, like the attack on the leadership that there fighter squadrons is the early finalisation Parliament and in Mumbai was followed of the MMRCA deal. To dominate the Indiby the PAF deployed in full strength at all was a need to eventually an Ocean region, India needs long-range operational locations. increase combat fighters such as the Rafale which have experience of across Mediterranean, longTime to Build Numbers squadrons from hitherto range missions in Libya and Mali. InducIndia, with a land frontier of 15,200 km targeted 39½ to between tion of the active electronically scanned and a coastline of 7,500 km, happens to 50 and 55 squadrons array (AESA) radar in the subcontinent be very close to the centre of the most will be a game changer. The Rafale will war-prone region of the world. It has bring a bouquet of very lethal weapons. serious border disputes with the two It will enhance India’s military power and nuclear neighbours. While Pakistan has kept India’s military embroiled, China wants to restrict India’s the response capability by many folds. The potential of technolsphere of influence in South Asia. The IAF, the world’s fourth ogy transfer and offsets will give a boost to indigenous capability largest air force, is down to 34 squadrons and it is reportedly for design and manufacture of combat jets. When Jaguars start the bottom of the numbers curve. The PAF has plans to increase phasing out, the IAF may choose to exercise option clause for 63 from the existing 22 to its target of 28 squadrons. Currently, the additional Rafales if they have proven their capabilities. India’s national objective to emerge as an eminent power IAF: PAF ratio of 1.54:1 is a far cry from the once 3:1 dominance. The force ratio edge of the IAF over PAF is thus at an all in Asia by 2020 is highly achievable if we get our act right as time low. Former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S.P. a nation. In fact, India has everything that any great nation reTyagi had stated in a seminar in 2007 that “the redrawn stra- quires—manpower, knowledge, natural resources, a functiontegic boundaries of resurgent India could extend from the Gulf ing democracy and large sized apolitical armed forces. The IAF to the Strait of Malacca and from the Central Asian Republics is currently undergoing historical changes, transforming from to the Indian Ocean. The enlarged strategic dimension neces- a subcontinental force, to one with a continental reach. With sitates not only a radical change in strategic thinking but also rapid modernisation by 2020, all fighter aircraft of PLAAF will accentuates the role of aerospace power in the new security be of fourth-generation plus. The IAF can achieve its currently arena”. The IAF which was a tactical air force till a decade ago, authorised combat squadron strength of 39½ before 2020 if the has gradually developed a strategic reach and is in a position to MMRCA deal is signed without further delay. The MMRCA inaspire to dominate the skies over the Indian Ocean. This dream duction combined with reaching the authorised strength is the can be fulfilled by 2020 if its acquisition plans go through. The basic requirement for the IAF to be able to take on the PLAAF. number of squadrons must also go up to a figure of 50 plus if The number of squadrons must increase to cater to two fronts. a two-front war has to be catered to. The IAF will require ad- The IAF and the nation are keeping the fingers crossed. SP vanced new generation fighters, sophisticated defence systems and force multipliers. The need is also to build up force levels (To be continued) ircraft carriers, makes a powerful enemy across India’s northa ern border for the IAF to contend with.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

www.spsaviation.net

Military

OPERATION RAHAT

Nation comes first: Armed personnel offloading relief material from an Mi-26 helicopter

Salute the Brave hearts Photograph: iAF

Operation Rahat proved once again that air power is the ultimate saviour. The media brought to every home the images of selfless devotion to duty of the proud air warriors. For the men and women in uniform, the nation comes first always and every time. By Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Military OPERATION RAHAT

J Photograph: PIB

June is among the hottest months in North India. It is also vacation time and traditionally, families head to the hills to take a holiday. Uttarakhand, a hill state in the Himalayas, also known as the ‘Land of Gods’, is a popular destination. Two of India’s most holy rivers, Ganges and Yamuna, originate from the state. Among the upper reaches of the Himalayas are also two famous Hindu shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, and the Sikh shrine Hemkunt Sahib Gurudwara. These are located at altitudes of 3,600 to 4,200 metres. The state is 93 per cent mountainous and has 63 per cent forest cover. Of the 28,508 km of roads, only 1,328 km are national highways and 1,543 km are state highways. With insignificant rail network, the connectivity in the state is far from modern. The population of 11 million plays host to nearly similar number of tourists. The state’s fragile ecology and poor infrastructure are overwhelmed with these numbers. The state has only two airports one each at Dehradun and Pantnagar, both in the plains. The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have built some helipads over the years. Private helicopter operators run helicopter services to the shrines during the tourist season. There is paucity of aviation and logistics support infrastructure in the state that necessitate improvisation of helipads to cater to contingencies. Air Power in Action June 14-16 this year was witness to one of the heaviest downpours resulting in widespread landslides and flash floods, suddenly inundating large parts of the state and causing death and destruction on a massive scale. About 1,00,000 tourists were stranded in areas that were rendered inaccessible and thousands more were swept away in this unprecedented fury of nature, described as the ‘Himalayan Tsunami’. The state Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya said: “At least 5,000 people may have been killed.”

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Selfless devotion: ‘We are grieving but will finish the job. We owe it to the lives of our people we have lost, that we sustain the mission and complete it successfully’ —AIR CHIEF MARSHAL BROWNE

As always, the Indian armed forces were the first to get into action. Defence Minister A.K. Antony went into a huddle with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for immediate disaster relief operations. With bridges and roads washed away, the air had to be the dominant medium for all rescue operations. The air operation was code named ‘Operation Rahat’. Action began on June 17 when the weather first began to clear up. The Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J of the IAF with electro-optical and infrared cameras mounted on its chin, which allow all-weather penetration, were used to reconnaissance the area to assess the extent of damage and clear air operations. Emergency helipads were created at Rambada near Kedarnath and at Gaurikund to land the larger Mi-17 helicopter. The existing helipad at Sahasradhara near Badrinath was activated. Helipads at Guptakashi and Gauchar were already operational. The IAF launched the ‘biggest heli-lift’ ever. The 45 aircraft of the IAF pressed into service included a mix of fixed- and rotarywing platforms. Transport aircraft deployed included the C-130J Super Hercules, the medium-lift An-32 and Dorniers. The rotarywing fleet included the heavy-lift Mi-26, medium-lift Mi-17 1V and V5, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and the Cheetah. By June 30, the IAF had flown over 2,137 sorties, dropped or landed 3,36,930 kg of relief material and equipment as also air-lifted about 15,000 stranded pilgrims. Also extricated were the 14 members of the Spanish mountaineering team stuck at a height of 6,000 metres. “Our helicopter rotors will not stop churning till we get each one

www.spsaviation.net

Photograph: IAF

Military OPERATION RAHAT

of you out; do not lose hope and just hang on there,” said Air Chief Marshal Browne, who is at the helm of a highly professional air force. “Exercise Live Wire, the biggest ever air force exercise in India conducted recently, greatly helped us train and hone our skills in many areas including disaster management,” he said. One of the first pilots to reach the shrine at Kedarnath was Wing Commander S.M. Yunus, Commanding Officer of Sarsawabased 152 Helicopter Unit. His statement: “In the Air Force we are taught only one religion—to be an Indian,” endeared him to the entire nation. Commenting on the operations in the upper reaches of the state, Air Commodore Rajesh Issar, an ace helicopter pilot, overseeing operations at Jolly Grant Airfield at Dehradun, said, “The magnitude of the operation is staggering.” Each aircraft undertakes six to seven flights per day totalling to around 300 helicopter sorties every day. When a rescued passenger thanked the pilot Squadron Leader Manoj Gautam with folded hands in gratitude, he humbly said, “We are doing our duty, and the credit must go to all the armed forces and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).” Wing Commander Gerard Galway, a key coordinating officer, said, “I have never seen anything like this. It is a global scale operation and we are here for the long haul.” Ten helicopters of the Indian Army and a few from the civil domain were also engaged in the rescue effort. Troops of the Indian Army and the ITBP were deployed in fairly large numbers and given the difficult and inhospitable terrain, saving lives was the first priority. The aged, the injured and children were evacuated on priority basis. “Weather continues to hamper operations. I have been sitting in the cockpit since morning for the weather to clear up,” said retired Wing Commander R.S. Brar, operating a civil helicopter. The heavy-lift Mi-26 helicopter airlifted heavy equipment of the BRO to facilitate road repair and reconstruction. The AN-32 aircraft airlifted bridging equipment. Paramedics

last resort: A Mi-17 helicopter on the relief and rescue mission at Uttarakhand

and engineers were also dropped in inaccessible areas to support ground-based rescue operations. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) helped locate survivors. Food packets and medicines were air-dropped for the stranded. Teams of doctors were airlifted to each region. Despite inclement weather, the C-130J aircraft landed at Dharasu on a specially activated semi-prepared runway only 1,300 feet long. On landing, the aircraft defuelled 8,000 litres of fuel into an empty bowser (tanker containing fuel) which was airlifted earlier from Sarsawa by a Mi-26 helicopter. With availability of additional fuel, rescue operations picked up pace. In subsequent trips, the C-130J Super Hercules brought medical teams and ferried out the sick. Salute to the Air Warriors After reviewing the situation with the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Service Chiefs, Defence Minister A.K. Antony made it clear that no stone would be left unturned in the rescue work. “Our efforts will continue till the last survivor is rescued and brought to safety.” On June 25, one Mi-17 V5 helicopter of the IAF while returning from a rescue mission crashed north of Gaurikund. The 20 persons onboard including five crew members, sustained fatal injuries. “We are grieving but will finish the job. We owe it to the lives of our people we have lost, that we sustain the mission and complete it successfully,” said the Air Chief during his visit to the accident site. Operation Rahat proved once again that air power is the final saviour. The media brought to every home the images of selfless devotion to duty of the proud air warriors. For the men and women in uniform, the nation comes first always and every time. One wishes that this spirit prevailed in each and every Indian. SP

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Civil

Business Aviation Spacious & Luxurious: The Falcon 2000S interiors

Comfort at its best The further you fly and the more you work, comfort becomes a necessity. And hence original equipment manufacturers are set on an infinite goal of creating a corporate jet which delivers comfort, space, freedom of movement, excellent take-off and landing capability and a lot more.

Photograph: Dassault Aviation

By Sucheta das mohapatra

Home is where the heart is. Corporate houses have long understood this and to get the best from their employees are trying to elevate their mood and increase their efficiency by using colours, textures, lighting that gives them the warmth, comfort and contentment of being at their ultimate destination. And when it comes to a corporate head choosing a business jet for his travel needs, he looks for an environ that is an extension of the luxury he enjoys at home, but of course not compromising on higher speed, smoother ride, advanced safety, utmost fuel efficiency and low noise level. The further you fly and the more you work, comfort becomes a necessity. And hence original equipment manufactur-

ISSUE 7 • 2013

ers (OEMs) are set on an infinite goal of crafting a corporate jet which delivers comfort, space and freedom of movement. Seats are being redesigned so that passengers do not slip forward when they stretch out, while the carpets can be seen with new designs, and mirrors in the rest room can be tilted for the comfort of every passenger, tall or short. Showers, advanced lighting system and a lot more; business jets today offer more comfort, capacity and capability. Custom Made Aesthetics A right mix of intelligent functionality and stylish design, coordinated colours and use of materials that fit the scheme—corpo-

www.spsaviation.net

Civil Business Aviation

Photograph: gulfstream

Longer & wider: The gulfstream 650 can be configuered Both for business conference as well as relaxation

rate jet owners are looking at a cabin which would be a workspace as well as a space for relaxation. Hence manufacturers are offering pleasing and aesthetic solutions that are designed keeping the customer’s overall comfort in mind—soothing to the eyes, body and mind. Apart from LED lighting, care is also taken that the cabin has ample natural lighting provided by extra-large windows. The Gulfstream 650 has a longer, wider and taller cabin than any other in its class and has 16 large panoramic windows. And the OEM is offering 12 select floor plans to configure the G650 to meet the customer’s requirements. The cabins can be configured both for business conference as well for relaxation. Likewise, the interiors of Cessna Citation CJ2 promises a blend of unique palette of rich leathers, finely tailored fabrics and polished wood veneers. Slimline refreshment centre, handcrafted furnishings and advanced soundproofing, further add to the merits. The Falcon 7X has ergonomically adjustable seats, fulllength wardrobe, stand-up bathroom, full-size galley, advanced pressurisation system with temperature control and large windows for dazzling outside views. Big or small, all business jets today promise superb interiors. While the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)-3, showcased for the first time at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Switzerland in May this year, has interiors that are finished in a bright, high-gloss sycamore wood with handcrafted

work integrated in the entrance panel. The new tiny Beechcraft King Air has unsurpassed interior styling with its revolutionary cabin design having provision for reconfiguration of seats for more passengers or allowing more space for VIPs. If the BBJ-3 features a large main lounge, a dining room, a bedroom suite with a queen-sized bed and bathroom with a shower, the seats in the King Air feature waterfall headrests and can be enhanced with optional aft ottomans and seat warmers. Technology and Safety Excellent take-off and landing capability, higher speed and a greater range are a must for customers, but so is safety. Hence manufacturers are also giving increasing importance on installation of sophisticated next-generation technology to improve situational awareness for the pilot and enhance safety. Enhanced vision system (EVS), head-up display (HUD), synthetic vision-primary flight display (SV-PFD) and a lot more. Business jets today meet all the safety needs of the passengers and crew, as also are designed keeping the aerodynamics factor in mind. The Gulfstream 650’s Planeview II cockpit is equipped with a triplex flight management system, automatic emergency descent mode, 3D weather radar, advanced flight controls, etc. The Falcon 7X digital flight control system helps in more precise handling and reduces workload, thus improving safety. This fly-by-wire system also delivers a quieter, smoother ride, by calming unrest.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Photograph: cessna

Civil Business Aviation AV and USB hookups; iPod Dassault has recently or iPhone dock and much received approval from more. both the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European AviaSize Matters tion Safety Agreement If you are a group of six or for EASy II on the Falcon less flying for three hours 7X. This latest version of or less, a light jet aircraft is EASy includes a host of the best for you. Similarly, new features designed to heavy jets are best suited increase safety and situfor larger groups and for ational awareness while intercontinental travel and taking advantage of nextmidsize jets are for groups generation technologies of up to eight, flying up to within the air traffic five hours per flight segmanagement system. ment. The Airbus CorpoAnd for passengers rate Jet (ACJ) family looking for more comfort, Comfortable & Spacious: now comes with more capacity and capability, Interiors of Cessna Citation Cj2 features bringing in effimanufacturers like Airbus ciency and cost savings. are offering VIP versions These features include streamlined, aerodynamically efficient of the wide-body aircraft (Airbus ACJ330, ACJ340, ACJ350 and designs, pilot-pleasing common cockpits, fly-by-wire controls ACJ380) for company executives, high net-worth individuals as that save weight and maintenance as well as introduction of well as government leaders. greater protection, weight-saving materials such as carbon fiAirbus has a wide array of jets in varying sizes allowing bre apart from time and cost-saving centralised maintenance. customers to select the comfort they want. The ACJ318, ACJ319, ACJ320 and ACJ321 are derived from the A320 airliner family and hence designed to fly many times a day. The jets feature Office and Entertainment in the Sky The best Internet connectivity gives a competitive edge and robust airframes that have excellent reliability and the cabins hence use of higher specification equipment now makes up of the jets are approximately twice as wide as traditional high50 per cent of all new installations on business jets. Like in of- end business jets. Boeing also has a range of VIP versions of its 787, 777, 767 fices, cars and homes, newer communications tools are now very much part of a business jet, wherein the traveller onboard and 747-8 models, along with the Boeing Business Jets that are can conduct meetings and finalise deals in a comfortable, quiet delivered with no exterior paint or interiors. The interiors are and totally secure environment. Manufacturers are offering Wi- done later at a completion centre crafted according to the cusFi, iPod/iPhone connections, Blu-Ray players connected to 42-, tomer’s private or business needs. After the finishing work, the 46-, 24-inch monitors, and 37-inch monitors placed throughout business jet is re-delivered to the customer. the cabin. Be it Bombardier Global 6000, Embraer Legacy 650 or Maintenance and Overhaul Cessna Citation, thanks to the onboard Wi-Fi, passengers can While business jet owners are looking at options that can make easily catch up with friends and family by voice, text and e-mail their travel easier in busier times, aircraft manufacturers are also or even watch their favourite movie in 3D on their TV monitors. leaving no stone unturned in not only upgrading their systems Quality sound system, cabin noise reduction and cabin connec- with the latest technology, but are also providing customers with tivity are also being increasingly paid attention. technical advice, training and spare parts across the world. Field The Cessna Citation ‘New Sovereign’ has the ‘Clarity’ cabin service, spares distribution centres, component service centres, management system that helps passengers manage their cabin training centres, Boeing provides worldwide support to its customenvironment and stay connected throughout their flight. Similarly, ers and so does Airbus and many other corporate jet manufacDassault’s Falcon 7X flight cabin management system also places turers. Airbus Corporate Jet Centre (ACJC) has recently received control and convenience totally in the hands of the passengers. Part 145 maintenance organisation approval from the Russian The Embraer Legacy 650 with its Honeywell Ovation Se- State Centre of Aviation Flight Safety, substantiating its leadership lect cabin management system, provides full HD video system, in Eastern Europe as a completion and maintenance, repair and high definition media input and two-zone surround system, two overhaul centre. iPod/iPhone docking stations, two Blu-Ray players, XM Radio, full HD LCD, up to 32 inches, individual monitors and JetMap Home Away from Home high-resolution 3D moving map. Biz jets are today a home away from home, where you can The new Rockwell Collins Venue high-definition cabin man- also conduct business at your best. Stephen Taylor, President agement system on the Beechcraft King of Boeing Business Jets, rightly states: Air 350i offers high-definition features “Our customer base comprises people including entertainment cabinet with who put a high premium on mobility. 15-inch swing-out LCD HD monitor, the They don’t want to be immobilised when right environment for corporate strategy they travel, but prefer to live as they do Business jets today offer meetings or relaxing with state-of-theon the ground, with access to an office, more comfort, capacity art lighting at each seat, new worktables, bedroom, shower, dining facilities, enterelectro-chromatic window darkeners, and capability tainment areas and more.” SP

ISSUE 7 • 2013

www.spsaviation.net

Sweet Have you heard the buzz? Our industrious engineers have cross-pollinated the fuel efficiency of wide-body engines with more than 630 million hours of high-cycle experience to produce the LEAP engine family. CFMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary reliability and low maintenance costs. Longer time on wing. The result is simply irresistible. Go to cfmaeroengines.com CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE.

Superior performance | Lower cost of ownership | Greater reliability

MORE TO BELIEVE IN

Civil

Regional Aviation ATR 72-600: great for regional operations from shorter runways

GIVE THEM HOPE Regional carriers in India can only hope to succeed if they get loads of encouragement. It begins with the recognition that regional airlines do a vital job that no one else wants to do, where the risks are large and the payoffs small.

Photograph: ATR

By Group Captain (Retd) Joseph Noronha

In April, another ill-starred regional airline bit the dust. Air Mantra was billed as India’s first new regional carrier after 2007 and launched operations last July with two 19seat Beechcraft 1900D turboprop aircraft connecting Amritsar and Chandigarh. Later Jammu was added to its itinerary and it even flirted with the idea of touching Kargil. But how long can any airline survive with passenger load factor (PLF) averaging 20 to 25 per cent and flight cancellation rates nearing 50 per cent? Although the management cited technical factors for the abrupt grounding, the main reason was low PLF. Mantra’s only regional predecessor, MDLR Airlines, operated from March 2007 till November 2009, before being forced to quit because it could no longer meet lease payments. MDLR was launched during a major growth spurt in Indian aviation, but then fuel prices

ISSUE 7 • 2013

began a relentless climb and the carrier was soon floundering in a sea of red ink. Most experts and decision-makers believe that the next boom in India’s aviation industry can only come from improved regional connectivity. They also agree on the need to speedily take aviation services to distant parts of the country. Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh says, “The growth in the civil aviation sector needs to be equitable and inclusive, providing connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III cities as also to remote and difficult areas of the country.” Then why do regional airlines find the going so depressing? According to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), although the government is obviously keen to encourage regional connectivity, viability remains a key challenge. “There is clearly

www.spsaviation.net

Civil regional aviation Bombardier Q400 Next Gen: part of recent entries with spice jet

Photograph: Bombardier

a fundamental issue with the viability of regional operations due to the cost structure, airport infrastructure limitations and the overall policy framework.” Governmental Gaffes Passengers will fly only if the price is right. Air Mantra for instance, netted just 100 travellers last October and 300 in November. The reason was high ticket prices. Passengers were unwilling to pay `3,000 for a flight from Chandigarh to Amritsar when they could conveniently make the trip by surface at a fraction of the cost. Why is flying so expensive? Many politicians and bureaucrats can scarcely hide their belief that air travel is a luxury. They view aviation as a sector to be milked for revenue because “the rich can afford to pay”. However, while that may be true for the metros, it hardly applies to the smaller cities and towns that dot the country. Travellers from remote areas also need to get around quickly especially in an emergency and surface transportation facilities may not be adequate. Many who have recently joined the middle class cannot afford high fares. Yet, the cost of domestic air travel is bumped up by stiff taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and a slew of other charges. Indeed, for India’s carriers, foreign operations are much more attractive than domestic flights, because fuel can be obtained from abroad perhaps at 20-40 per cent cheaper. Since fuel accounts for about 45 per cent of the operating cost of an airline, the savings overseas can only be substantial. In the domestic market too, the airlines overwhelmingly prefer the lucrative inter-metro routes rather than the smaller destinations. Most carriers are noticeably reluctant to fly to remote locations because they know they will have to contend with low yields and will find it extremely difficult to cover their costs. At present, 36 per cent of domestic capacity is devoted to

connecting just the six largest cities to each other. And affordable regional air connectivity seems a distant dream. In a classic bureaucratic response, the government tries to compel carriers to touch more destinations via the ham-handed Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG). According to the RDG, all scheduled operators are required to deploy specific percentages of their trunk route capacity onto routes that link remote and smaller cities and towns. Most of these, to put it mildly, are not commercially viable. In addition, many do not have runways long enough for narrow-body jets like the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737. Air India and Jet Airways can use smaller ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop planes, but how can carriers with all-jet fleets like IndiGo and GoAir rationally meet the RDG? Before adding 15 Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft to its fleet in 2011, SpiceJet too had only Boeing 737s which can access just about 40 airports in the country. Airlines therefore prefer to fly bigger aircraft to commercially viable destinations such as Guwahati and Dibrugarh, leaving other remote areas unconnected. “This system is clearly not working,” confesses the Director General of Civil Aviation, Arun Mishra. He adds that flights to smaller cities and towns will always be non-profitable and will need financial support. A better way to stimulate regional expansion would be to construct enough low-cost airports and encourage small, lowcost, no-frills regional airlines operating small aircraft. Regional airports are rightly seen as growth drivers for Indian aviation. In fact, 80 such airports at small towns and cities have already been identified where connectivity needs to be provided. In 40 of these, it is possible for airlines to operate immediately because the facilities are adequate. For the remaining airports, a suitable low-cost model must be introduced, coupled with a viable model for regional airline operations, so as to attract adequate investor interest.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Civil regional aviation

Photograph: Embraer

Embraer 170: one of the fastest solution for regional connectivity

A Level Playing Field? When the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) issued its regional aviation policy in August 2007, it aimed to encourage small regional airlines to connect Tier-II and Tier-III destinations to the nearest metro, thus sparking a regional aviation revolution in India. It also offered several concessions to facilitate regional operations. However, the policy has been an abject failure because it ignores a crucial aspect. Thanks chiefly to the RDGs, the national carriers already occupy most of the routes that fledgling regional airlines might otherwise have chosen. National carriers operating smaller aircraft enjoy all concessions intended for regional airlines. In addition, they can fly anywhere in the country, while regional airlines are limited to their own region. Large carriers with an extensive network have an edge because passengers naturally prefer to fly the same airline seamlessly on different legs of the journey. Therefore, regional airlines cannot easily compete with national carriers and a level playing field for both is largely illusory. Instead, regional carriers need to enter into code-sharing agreements with the national carriers, so that they can fly in cooperation on different routes. Various measures are currently being mulled by the Ministry to give a boost to regional aviation. These range from outright subsidies for regional airlines to a seat credit system to replace the RDGs. One proposal is to allow scheduled regional airlines to induct aircraft with less than 19 seats for deployment on regional routes. However, this is against the global trend of replacing small aircraft with larger ones in order to bring seatmile costs under control. According to CAPA, “Offering high fares on old, small aircraft is not going to stimulate the market. And if subsidies are going to be used to bring down fares, who is going to monitor these small operators to ensure that public funds are being used correctly? An oversight committee will be

ISSUE 7 • 2013

required to manage the process adding yet another layer of bureaucracy and costs.” The MoCA appears to have discarded an earlier plan to levy a cess on passengers flying on metro routes to support an Essential Air Services Fund (EASF), meant to promote regional air connectivity. It now proposes to foot the bill through budgetary resources, besides route-specific support from state governments and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The government-funded EASF would provide financial support to airlines for operations on unviable routes, at least to begin with. According to initial estimates, an annual provision of `250-300 crore would suffice to support connectivity to 40 regional Tier-II and Tier-III airports in the first phase. In a noteworthy break from its fondness for milking the airline industry, the government is reportedly also planning to make around 90 small airports in the country concessional, in addition to providing subsidy to carriers flying on those routes. The AAI would have to waive navigation, landing and parking charges, which account for about 10 per cent of airline costs, for all Tier-II and Tier-III and some other non-metro airports. Airlines would also enjoy a flat four per cent sales tax on fuel, as against an average of 25 to 35 per cent in some states. State governments would need to share the construction costs of airport infrastructure at these locations and would be requested to offer other concessions, especially lowering tax on ATF to four per cent or below. The question is, will it happen? Regional carriers in India can only hope to succeed if they get loads of encouragement. It begins with the recognition that regional airlines do a vital job that no one else wants to do, where the risks are large and the payoffs small. They can only be viable if they operate under a regional aviation policy that unambiguously offers them sufficient financial stimulus and other support. SP

www.spsaviation.net

Civil

Airlines OPERATIONS

strong foundation: airasia in partnership with tatas is set to create waves in indian aviation by introducing innovatively low air fares for travellers; seen here are ratan tata, tony fernandes and Mittu Chandilya with civil aviation minister ajit singh

Spirits high AirAsia Chief Tony Fernandes is all set to capture the Indian market and says the aviation market in the country is now favourable and it is the perfect time to enter

Photograph: Sp guide pubns

In a little more than a decade of existence, the Malaysian low-cost AirAsia has become the ‘airline of choice’ for the common people. The budget carrier is now set to capture the Indian market and is hopeful that AirAsia India operations will begin as early as October this year. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on July 3, the airlines group chief Tony Fernandes said that “India is fantastically located and can be a major international hub.” He stated that ‘low-cost’ has and will always remain AirAsia’s USP. “I want to bring air ticket to a price where the drivers who drive me in India, can afford to fly.” The AirAsia chief believes that the market in India is now favourable and it’s the perfect time to enter. “Silly capital has gone out. Eight years ago, I said, I will never come to India as there are crazy guys in this business who had too much money to throw away. They have lost all their money now.” The young and vibrant Mittu Chandilya, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AirAsia India, seemed even more buoyant than his boss. Stating that he is bullish about India and that there is a huge opportunity in the country, he affirms that AirAsia India is a fantastic proposition. “My goal is to make AirAsia India bigger than AirAsia. My aim is to revolutionise completely and create an entirely new market. I am a competitor and will work hard.” AirAsia India, a joint venture of Air-Asia, Tata Sons and Telestra TradePlace with a 49:30:21 holding, will bring India much closer to the South East Asian countries. Recruitment process has already begun and the clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has been received. The airline is now hopeful that it will also get no objection certificate (NOC) very soon. Fernandes seemed extremely satisfied meeting the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on July 2. During his visits, he was accompanied by AirAsia adviser Ratan Tata and AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya as well. “The Ministers here are smart,” he says, and adds that the team is explaining to the Min-

isters what is required and how it will have a multiplier effect. Fernandes focus now is South India and the airlines will start operations with its head office in the old terminal at Chennai airport and gradually expand to Cochin, Bengaluru and other areas. “The potential of India was always there in my eyes. But the market was not conducive and so I stayed back. There is much scope now although lot of change needs to be done structurally,” he said, in response to a query by Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Aviation, on the prospects of the Indian aviation market. The AirAsia boss does not grumble about the Indian officialdom either and says that Indian bureaucracy is great. “I have dealt with many governments and I find Indian bureaucrats knowledgeable.” Cost management is a key to his heart states the AirAsia boss and remarks that Indian revenue management is too primitive. “If you cannot make an airline work in a 1.2 billion population then something is wrong,” he feels. Fernandes says that India has lost many years because of vested interests. “Too many people have vested interests and do not think of what India needs. The government should just think of what is good for India. Airlines should focus on opportunity.” Unhappy with the Indian Government’s policy of allowing carriers to operate international flights only after five years of domestic operations, he says, “There are some bizarre rules.” Recounting the failed relationship of AirAsia with Japan’s All Nippon’s Airways (ANA), Fernandes states that the partnership was disastrous. But he says Ratan Tata is fantastic. “We have a fantastic chemistry.” He says that while he has experience in aviation, Ratan Tata has experience of doing business in India and is highly revered in the country. “The partnership with Tata is sacred and so is with Arun Bhatia,” declares Fernandes. Though the outspoken AirAsia chief admits that there is no guarantee of success, he quickly adds, “You will see me for many years to come.” Welcome aboard! SP — By Sucheta Das Mohapatra

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Civil

Airbus A350 XWB spectacular takeoff: A350 XWB during its first test flight

Striking & Quiet The wide-body jetliner A350 XWB astonished visitors at the Paris Air Show with a show-stopping flying display in the skies above the Le Bourget Airport

Photographs: Airbus

By Sucheta Das Mohapatra

“It was fantastic, impressive and quiet,” proclaimed Airbus, after the first test flight of its Airbus A350 XWB. And a week later, the Airbus communiqué was proved right. The long-awaited wide-body aircraft on its third test-flight astonished visitors at the Paris Air Show 2013 with a show-stopping performance in the skies above the Le Bourget Airport on the fifth day of the show. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the aircraft flew quietly along the air show runway before clearing the area and entering the cloud. And the thrilled air show visitors could hardly hear any noise from the aircraft. With the first test-flight of the A350 XWB on June 14, Airbus had begun a 2,500-hour test and certification campaign with a fleet of five development aircraft. But speculations were rife whether the Airbus A350 XWB will at all make an appearance at the 50th Paris Air Show. On June 21, President Francois Hollande flew from the Villacoublay Air Force Base in the first Airbus A400M airlifter manufactured for the French Air Force. Soon after on the same day, the A350 XWB flew north from the Toulouse headquarters of Airbus in southwestern France to

ISSUE 7 • 2013

where the large crowd gathered to witness the fly-by of the new highly-efficient wide-body jetliner. The aircraft manufacturer correctly said: “Airbus had saved the best for the last.” The Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy had after the A350 XWB’s takeoff for its first test-flight, said, “I knew it was going to be impressive, but I was blown away. Did you hear how quiet it was? Did you hear what you didn’t hear? We’re going to set new standards. Not just for comfort, not just for performance, but for environmental friendliness. People living around airports won’t even know we’re taking off.” During the first testflight, the aircraft was accompanied by a chase plane to observe and film manoeuvres of the aircraft. Its progress was monitored by experts on the ground in real-time via a telemetry link. The aircraft was one among the five A350s that will be used in the test programme paving the way for the new A350-900 version to enter service with Qatar Airways in the second half of 2014. Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Bregier had earlier informed that the A350 XWB, integrated with the latest available technologies, is now entering the final stage of its development.

www.spsaviation.net

Civil Airbus a350 XWB “It is ready to head towards certification and entry into service in the second half of next year.” Airbus had 613 orders from 33 customers across the world for the A350 XWB and at the Paris Air Show, the original equipment manufacturer declared many more firm orders. The Air France-KLM Group finalised an order for 25 A350-900s with options for 25 more A350 family aircraft. The deliveries are likely to start in the beginning of 2017. Both the group’s operating airlines, Air France and KLM, will deploy the aircraft in their respective liveries. “The A350 XWB fits very well with our needs for the long-haul network,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO, Air France-KLM Group. “When this aircraft enters service for us, we will have an up to date, fuel-saving, comfortable, modernised plane for our long-haul services.” Singapore Airlines (SIA) increased its orders for the A350 XWB with an additional 30 A350-900s, plus options for a further 20 aircraft. Under the agreement, Singapore Airlines will be able to select either the baseline A350-900 or the larger A350-1000 when exercising the options. This is the third order from Singapore Airlines for the A350 XWB. The deal sees the carrier’s total firm orders for the all-new aircraft increase to 70, plus 20 options. Singapore Airlines will operate the A350 XWB on both long haul and regional services. Likewise, SriLankan Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for four A350-900s.

weight of 308 tonnes, will enable operators to fly the A350-1000 about 400 nm further with a full load of 350 passengers or to carry approximately 4.5 tonnes of extra payload for a given range. Tony Wood, President, Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said, “We look forward to supporting the A350 XWB to a successful entry into service and beyond. Our own employees are very proud to have delivered a global engine programme that has achieved new levels of efficiency.” At the Paris Air show, Air France-KLM Group signed an MoU with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines to power 25 Airbus A350s. With more than 1,300 already sold, the Trent XWB, specifically designed for the A350 XWB, is the fastest selling among the six Rolls-Royce Trent family of engine. The Trent XWB version that will power the A350-800 and A350-900 variants was awarded its “ticket to fly” in February with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. A higher thrust version of the Trent XWB is under development for the A350-1000. The Trent XWB engine is lighter, capable, efficient and assures lowest carbon emissions of any wide-body aircraft. Besides reduced CO2 emissions, there would be major reductions also in nitrogen oxide (NOx), smoke, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons. Smartly designed, the Trent XWB’s latest technology will also minimise life-cycle operating cost of the aircraft and increase durability and performance.

Fuel Efficiency The A350 XWB uses 25 per cent less fuel than any other aircraft in its category, providing an equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions too. Airbus has incorporated the latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies in the A350 XWB. Along with all this are the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines that increase its efficiency further. According to the company, over 70 per cent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials, combining 53 per cent of composite structures with titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. The aircraft’s all-new carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) fuselage helps towards lower fuel consumption as well as easier maintenance. The NOx emissions will be up to 40 per cent lower than CAEP/6 requirements and exterior noise levels will be up to 16dB lower than the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Chapter IV regulations. Likewise, the fuselage with new, wide cross section made of more than 50 per cent of composite materials will lead to lower operating costs.

Comfortable and Spacious The A350 XWB’s wide fuselage cross-section has been designed for an optimum travel experience in all classes of service. Passengers will have more headroom, wider panoramic windows and larger overhead storage space. With a cross-section of 220 inches from armrest to armrest, the jetliner’s cabin provides the widest seats in its category, being five inches larger than its nearest competitor. The A350 XWB cabin design, with its smooth curves, flowing lines, innovative lighting and its wide windows will help create a pleasant and soothing atmosphere. For better passenger comfort, the A350 XWB has been designed to provide low cabin altitude (6,000ft) advanced air filtering and efficient air and temperature management. Further, the cabin crew will have a rest area in the A350 XWB’s rear fuselage that accommodates six to eight bunks. It has a full-height standing area providing a comfortable zone that allows the crew to prepare and dress more easily.

Designed for Varied Use The A350 XWB has been designed not only for very long-haul missions but also for regional operations. To reduce costs on short-range missions, it combines reduced operating weight options. The A350 XWB cabin also provides the flexibility to adapt to different markets. Its wide cross section can accommodate seven regional business class and up to 10 economy class seats. Moreover, the A350 XWB also offers operators easier re-configuration solutions. This provides market-matching flexibility, for example, there would be options for swapping some rows of business class seats for more rows of economy class seats. Recent media reports hinted that the aircraft manufacturer would develop an A350 XWB freighter too, offering around 90 tonnes of cargo capacity. However, later the company clarified that there are The A350 XWB uses 25 per no immediate proposals for a freight-only variation of the successful passenger aircent less fuel than any craft and the manufacturer is now conother aircraft in its centrating on timely delivery of the pascategory senger version. SP

The A350 Family The A350 XWB twin-engine jetliner family has a range of newgeneration aircraft designed keeping in mind the demand for different sizes, ranges, passenger comfort etc. The Airbus 350 XWB family will have three versions, the A350-800, -900 and -1000. In a typical three-class configuration, the A350-800 will accommodate 270 passengers, while the A350-900 and the A350-1000 will seat 314 and 350 passengers, respectively. All A350 XWB family members can be configured for higher density layouts of up to 440 seats. Powerful Engines Responding to the market’s call for additional payload and range, the A350-1000 will be equipped with more powerful Trent XWB engines which will deliver up to 97,000 lb of thrust on takeoff, making it the most powerful engine ever developed for Airbus aircraft. The extra thrust together with an increased aircraft takeoff

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Show Report Paris Air Show

Raining & Shining

Scintillating displays: An aerial view of aircraft showcased during the Paris air Show 2013

All in all, despite the inclement weather, Paris Air Show continues to be a marquee event not to be missed for technology development, business opportunities and for a true flavour of the aviation industry

Photograph: verrier Sunlight Image

By R. Chandrakanth

Rains during the biennial Paris Air Show are quite normal, but this time the umbrellas were out too often and rain gear was kind of de rigueur. The tricky weather played truant, affecting hospitality in chalets and movement outside the stalls. However, the quirky weather did not affect business as a determined industry is keen on getting out of rough weather, prevalent for quite some time now, ‘come rain or shine’.Looking at the rains differently was John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, who averred: “The rain brought us some very good luck.” Did it rain orders for Airbus? No, but on its home turf, Airbus put up a good show, announcing key wins across its entire product line for an impressive 466 new sales and commitments. I recollect how in 2011, Airbus was laughing all the way to the bank, having set a new record for any commercial aircraft manufacturer at any air show ever by winning business to the tune of $72.2 billion (`4,33,200 crore) for a total of 730 aircraft. Golden sheen missing While Airbus and some other companies may have had it good,

ISSUE 7 • 2013

the 50th edition of the Paris Air Show held from June 17-23, lacked the golden sheen of a golden jubilee year. Though the number of exhibitors was up marginally by 4.8 per cent (2,215 exhibitors) from 2011, there was decline of eight per cent in trade visitors and 13.5 per cent in general public. Exhibitor-wise the numbers were encouraging. “This 50th International Paris Air Show was a great success with a record number of exhibitors, confirmed orders for more than $150 billion (`9,00,000 crore) and the Airbus A350 XWB fly-past with the President of the French Republic attending, just a few days after its maiden flight,” stated Emeric d’Arcimoles, Chairman of the show. Military presence toned down The Paris Air Show, which is known for presenting both military and civilian aircraft, was in a mixed mood, the military segment coming under the weather, so to say. Conspicuous by their absence were military aircraft from the United States, the biggest producer and user of military aircraft. The US Government has put on hold all promotional campaigns at any show, including marquee events such as this one, due to budgetary consider-

www.spsaviation.net

Show Report Paris Air Show Jean-Paul Herteman, Chairman and CEO of Safran, and Tim Mahoney, President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace, presented the electric green taxiing system, an innovative electrical system allowing aircraft to taxi without using the engines.

Photographs: Airbus, Safran

ations and it became a talking point how the US presence or absence impacts business. With the US military aircraft skipping the show, it was for the Russians and French to prop up the event with their latest planes, helicopters and drones. Also this year, the notable themes were electric and hybrid-electric planes, as well as carbon-graphite construction—improvements aimed at creating light, strong, sustainable planes in the face of high fuel prices. The Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter which took to the French skies for the first time indeed caught everybody’s attention. The fighter aircraft showcased its prowess doing various manoeuvres, including the famous Pugachev Cobra. Irkut Corporation’s Yak 130 military training aircraft was part of the flying display. Also part of the flying display was Dassault Aviation’s Rafale which India is in the process of buying for its requirement of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft. At the show, Dassault and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) reviewed the progress of their ongoing projects, including the Rafale which the latter is expected to build in the coming years. Russia, like the US and European companies, is keen on wooing the international buyer and not just from the Middle East and Asia (India having been one of its major buyers for long). With several developed nations slashing their defence budget, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are scouting for new and emerging markets. Unmanned in the reckoning Markets aside, on the technology development side, unmanned aircraft are coming under the arc lights. Le Bourget gave a peek into unmanned aircraft development. Foremost was the Piaggio Aero HammerHead which has been transformed from a business jet into a drone, with surveillance equipment and remote flying systems. Piaggio Aero’s Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi said the HammerHead is an ‘insight into what an advanced unmanned aerial system of the future will look like”. Piaggio intends to get approvals of the same for use by 2014. Elsewhere at the venue, Iomax’s ArchAngel, a border patrol aircraft designed to provide ‘airborne surveillance for intelligence and security’, was showcased. The aircraft was originally

designed as an agricultural crop-duster, thus reflecting how the industry is reinventing itself due to economic pressures. Airbus, Boeing rivalry continues The French and the American companies continued to outdo each other. John Leahy said at the show press conference that over the last five years, the A350 has been selling 2:1 versus the Boeing 787 family and that the A330 was outselling the 787 by 3:1, including the newly launched 787-10 variant. In the narrow-body market, he said, Airbus was holding about 60 per cent of the market versus Boeing 737 Max. Airbus’ newest family member—the A350 XWB which did a fly-past—expanded its already-substantial success with new sales/commitments for 69 aircraft, consisting of 59 A350-900 versions and 10 A350-1000s. Dreamliner in Air India livery dazzles Boeing has its way of grabbing attention. While daily, in Air India livery, Boeing 787 Dreamliner flew to dazzle the spectators, Boeing launched the 787-10 Dreamliner, said to be the most efficient jetliner in history. This is the third member of the 787 family and has commitments for 102 airplanes from five customers across Europe, Asia and North America provide a strong foundation to support development and production of the newest Dreamliner. Customer launch commitments for the 787-10 include Air Lease Corporation with 30 airplanes; GE Capital Aviation Services with 10; International Airlines Group/British Airways with 12, subject to shareholder approval; Singapore Airlines with 30 and United Airlines with 20 airplanes. Boeings orders for Next Gen 737s, 737 MAXs, 787s, 777s and 747-8s totalled 442 aircraft valued at over $66 billion (`3,96,000 crore). Ryanair finalised a firm order for 175 Next Generation 737-800 airplanes valued at $15.6 billion (`93,600 crore) at list prices. Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Ryanair, said: “These 175 new airplanes will enable us to lower costs and airfares even further. They provide Ryanair with the additional capacity to exploit substantial growth opportunities that now exist, as many of Europe’s flag and regional airlines are restructuring and are reducing their short-haul operations.” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said, “The 787-10 is 25 per cent more efficient than air-

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Show Report Paris Air Show

planes of its size today and more than 10 per cent better than anything being offered by the competition for the future.”

stars at the show: Sukhoi Su-35 and dassault rafale on flying display

Duopoly likely to be challenged The duopoly is going to change in the years to come as we notice the emergence of other players such as China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC), Irkut from Russia, and Canada’s Bombardier, all of whom had substantial presence at Le Bourget. COMAC’s second attendance at the show included models of C919 aircraft and ARJ21 aircraft. Regional jets soar In the regional jet market, Embraer had a good outing. The Brazilian airframer launched its second-generation E-Jet, the E2, and secured a firm order from US-based SkyWest Inc. for 100 E-175-E2 aircraft plus 100 purchase rights in a deal valued at $9.4 billion (`56,400 crore). In all, Embraer received 212 firm and conditional offers. Another regional which had it big was ATR. “For ATR, this Le Bourget is a record year. I don’t remember any Le Bourget where in June we’ve been able to announce 173 orders [and options]. It’s an indication that our presence in the market continues to grow,” ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato said. Nordic Aviation Capital orders 36 firm and 55 option ATR turboprops.

Photographs: Thales

Sukhoi Superjet 100 delivery agreement Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and Ilyushin Finance Co (IFC) signed the Heads of Agreement (HoA) for delivery of 20 Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft. The agreement envisages the financing by IFC of leasing of 15 Sukhoi Superjet 100 in basic modification SSJ100/95B for the South East Asia and the Middle East customers. Also Superjet International announced the delivery of its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft to the Mexican airline Interjet. With an order for 20 aircraft plus 10 options, Interjet is the first Western customer to take delivery of the SSJ100. The aircraft was presented for the first time at Le Bourget with its exclusive interior designed by Pininfarina in a 93-seats (34’ pitch) configuration. Gulfstream returns to Paris After a hiatus of six years, Gulfstream came back to Paris with two flagship business jets—the G650 and G280. Gulfstream has an order backlog of $15 billion (`90,000 crore) and knows how important it is to be present at air shows. The Gulfstream G650 demonstration aircraft landed at

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Le Bourget airport in Paris with three new city-pair records: Savannah to Paris; Nice, France to Sao Paulo; and Las Vegas to Madrid, Spain. The most significant record was a 3,899 nautical mile sprint between Savannah and Paris that broke a record held for 25 years by the Gulfstream GIV.

Efficient green technologies Honeywell and Safran announced that they are extending their collaboration on the development of the new electric green taxiing system (EGTS) to include Air France. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the show will enable Air France to analyse the potential technical, operational and financial benefits of the EGTS. In turn, Air France will provide valuable assistance to Safran and Honeywell in refining estimated savings of the system and quantifying other operational benefits. Thanks to these substantial fuel savings, a single aisle aircraft equipped with the EGTS system also reduces NOx emissions by approximately 50 per cent and carbon emissions by approximately 75 per cent during taxiing manoeuvres. An Airbus airliner flew from southern France to Le Bourget with one fuel tank partially filled with farnesane, a biofuel made from sugarcane, as the industry experiments with green technology. The sugarcane fuel was developed by Amyris, a US company owned by the French oil major Total, and could be in the market starting next year. TE Connectivity previewed an emerging technology at the show, giving industry professionals a first look at advanced load sensors (still in development) that will serve as part of a proactive warning system for aircraft structure and ancillary systems. Structural health monitoring is an emerging technology for the aerospace industry, driving the need for appropriate sensor systems. Aero engine manufacturers were also upbeat, booking orders and service contracts worth some $24 billion (`1,44,000 crore). GE Aviation said it gained more than $11 billion (`66,000 crore) of deals for engines and services while CFM International, a GE/ Safran partnership, won more than $15 billion (`90,000 crore) in orders, including an $8.6-billion (`51,600 crore) deal with low-cost carrier AirAsia. Pratt & Whitney, meanwhile, bagged orders of over 1,000 engines. All in all, despite the inclement weather, Paris Air Show continues to be a marquee event not to be missed for technology development, business opportunities and for a true flavour of the aviation industry. SP

www.spsaviation.net

Show Report Paris Air Show

Indian market has enormous potential Safran (François Planaud, Executive VP, Commercial Engines), speaking to SP’s Aviation, said that the show is more about celebrating deals than starting new negotiations SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? Safran: It was a really successful air show that allowed us to share and strengthen our excellent relationships with our customers and partners even more.

Photograph: Safran

SP’s: What all success stories you concluded at the show and if you may like to share those with us? Safran: During these four trade days, CFM International, the 50/50 joint venture we own with GE, has announced orders for a total of 660 new engines (468 LEAP & 192 CFM56), in addition to LEAP and CFM56 services agreements, at a combined value of $15 billion (`60,000 crore) at list price. Till date, our 2013 orders stand at 1,654 CFM engines including installed, military and spare engines. These orders are reinforcing the hopeful perspectives we have for the upcoming LEAP engine. During this air show, we’ve had the opportunity to celebrate remarkable contracts such as the AirAsia order that chose CFM to motorise its 100 Airbus A320 with CFM56-B and LEAP-1A (aircraft deal announced last December). This order shows how trustworthy AirAsia has been considering CFM for years now. We announced the creation with Sagem of SFCO2 (a combination of specific fuel consumption and carbon dioxide), a new service to reduce airlines’ operating costs. By joining our areas of expertise, our two Safran companies will help customers enhance the operational efficiency of their aircraft, and therefore reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and maintenance costs. SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? Safran: We take to heart to never being stopped by the weather! The Paris Air Show is more about celebrating deals than starting the negotiations. The show is the outcome of long-term work we do with our clients, so that we can meet their needs and requests best. Nevertheless we had many fruitful meetings despite the rain.

Safran engine on display at paris air show

SP’s: Can you tell us about the specific innovations introduced by your company at the show? Safran: During the Paris Air Show, we had the opportunity to present our major technological innovations. Our new LEAP engine, the benchmark power plant for the next-generation singleaisle commercial jets—developed through CFM International (our 50/50 joint company with GE)—comprehends brand-new manufacturing process such as a fan blade made of a new-generation organic composite material. This Snecma (Safran) proprietary technology has been under development for several years and will dramatically reduce engine weight while providing a more durable blade. The carbon fibres are woven in a 3D pattern, making it much stronger than current composites. The blade is then made using the resin transfer molding (RTM) process, which offers significant weight savings versus a metal blade. 3D woven RTM blades were chosen for the LEAP engine family because of their many advantages: performance, strength, lightness, reduced maintenance. In fact, this light-weight structure is proving to be incredibly durable and virtually maintenance free, thanks to the extensive testing we performed. Using the same production concepts and techniques as those developed for the LEAP fan blade, we showed on the Safran booth a prototype of the fan blade of an open rotor type engine. This blade is about 1.4 metres long and weighing 15 kg. The central spar and skin are made of carbon composites using the 3D woven resin transfer molding (RTM) process. This prototype blade currently undergoes a series of tests to validate its design. Finally, we exhibited a compressor guide vanes for the silver crest biz jet engine, made of Inconel 718 using an additive manufacturing process (also known as 3D printing). Additive manufacturing builds up a part layer by layer, by melting a metallic powder using a numericallycontrolled laser beam. The use of this new “eco-design” type production process offers a number of advantages: 50 per cent reduction in the guide vane production cycle; 30 per cent decrease in material re-

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Show Report Paris Air Show quirements compared with casting; financial savings because the part is produced very close to its final dimensions; and any remaining raw material (powder) is recycled. It also offers decisive advantages in terms of the material’s robustness and performance. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for the potential users? Safran: The LEAP engine underpins the introduction of new commercial airplanes offering improved performance, cost-savings and durability. Combining the best technologies from GE and Snecma, the LEAP engine consumes less fuel, while being more reliable, quieter, more environmentally friendly and easier to maintain. In concrete terms, this means: – 15 per cent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than current engines. – 50 per cent margin in NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions versus the CAEP/6 standard. – Maintenance costs comparable to those for the CFM56. – Noise footprint in compliance with the upcoming Chapter 14 standard. The Snecma Silvercrest will also bring a great transformation for the business jet market as it deliver best-in-class performance and reliability, on the same standards as commercial aviation. It draws on Snecma’s long-standing expertise in commercial and military aircraft engines. The Silvercrest will also offer the same level of aggressive environmental objectives; – 15 per cent fuel consumption and 15 per cent CO2 improvement. – 40-50 per cent NOx margin vs. the ICAO’s CAEP/6 standard. – Up to 20 EPNdB less than Stage IV or noise footprint reduction by 50 per cent. The Silvercrest also benefits from the real time engine monitoring. Based upon what Snecma already provides for more than 5,000 commercial aircraft engines, this system uses specific advanced algorithms and includes additional features

that are tailor-made for business aviation. It checks the engine performance and behaviour during flight: data is continuously sent and analysed in real time. The engineering support centre on ground performs data processing. Information, analysis and maintenance recommendations are then sent by Snecma Support Engineers back to the operator. Depending on the circumstances, Snecma is able to send a mobile repair team and dispatch the needed parts even before the end of the flight. For the operator, this means “peace of mind” through the enhanced dispatch reliability and aircraft availability. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why? Safran: Currently, India is one of the markets looking the most promising for Snecma’s segments. The Indian market also offers enormous potential for commercial jets. Aircraft manufacturers expect the country’s fleet of single-aisle commercial jets to double by 2030. Snecma is well placed to meet this growing demand, with over 400 CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM, already powering Indian aircraft. Major airlines such as Jet Airways and Air India or Indian Airlines are to be counted as CFM’s long-term customers. Moreover, Snecma has demonstrated its long-term commitment to India by opening a new CFM maintenance training centre close to Hyderabad airport in March 2010 and by setting up production and service facilities dedicated to the Indian market, while forging strong local partnerships. For example, in 2005, Bengaluru-based Snecma HAL Aerospace Pvt. Ltd, a 50/50 joint venture between Snecma and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd began manufacturing high-tech components for the CFM56. Snecma also believes that there is a great market potential in India for its new business jet engine, the Silvercrest. Already chosen by Cessna for its new Citation Longitude, the Silvercrest is a high-performance and reliable engine linked to a compendium of services as close as possible to the Indian business aviation customers’ needs. SP

Strong and productive Show In an interview with SP’s Aviation, Boeing (Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President of AsiaPacific and India Sales for Commercial Airplanes) talks about the company’s plans and relationships with customers and partners around the world. SP’s: What success stories you concluded at the show and can you please share them with us?

Photograph: Boeing

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? Boeing: Boeing enjoyed a strong and productive Paris Air Show, launching its newest model, the 787-10 Dreamliner, announcing important commercial airplane orders and strengthening alliances

Newest model: Boeing dreamliner 787-10

Show Report Paris Air Show Boeing: The launch of the 787-10 based on 102 commitments from five customers was the highlight of the show. SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? Boeing: Our 787 in Air India livery flew everyday and we announced some 442 orders and commitments during the week. In that respect the weather did not interrupt any of our important activities at the show. SP’s: Can you indicate which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? Boeing: The 787 as represented at the show by Air India and Qatar Airways is a game changer for airlines and their customers. The airplane is super efficient, using 20 per cent less fuel on a per passenger basis than today’s airplane. This comes from innovative advances in four technologies—engines, aerodynamics, materials and systems. Improved efficiency translates into lower fuel and maintenance costs to the airline and reduced environmental emissions. For passengers, a lower altitude pressurisation, LED

lighting, a dramatically lit entry way, bigger bins and larger windows with unique electrochromic shades makes for a more spacious cabin and enhanced travel experience. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for potential users? Boeing: With the addition of the 787-10 to the Dreamliner family, the aircraft will be the most-efficient jetliner in history. Its operating economics are unmatched and it has all the incredible passenger-pleasing features that set the 787 family apart as truly special. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why? Boeing: Our latest Commercial Market Outlook forecasts a longterm demand for 35,280 new airplanes, valued at $4.8 trillion (`2,88,00,000 crore). Of this, the Asia-Pacific market will account for the largest number, approximately 12,820 aircraft over the next 20 years. SP

an excellent show Raytheon (William Blair, President, Raytheon Asia), in conversation with SP’s Aviation stated that the company had success across the board during the air show SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? Raytheon: Raytheon had an excellent show this year. We always find the big international shows highly productive for us as a company. The opportunity to meet a wide range of important international customers ensures that there is great value in taking the time to attend from the CEO on down. We understand the value and importance of being present internationally especially as we do business in more than 80 countries with 26 per cent of the company’s business generated in the global marketplace. This is a higher percentage than any other US defence firm and we continue to grow that number. Key areas of focus for us at the show included critical upgrade capabilities our customers need, missile defence, airborne sensors and weapons, maritime and border security while showcasing some new and innovative technology capabilities that have applicability to our domestic and international customer base. SP’s: What all success stories you have concluded at the show and if you could share with us? Raytheon: I think as a company we had success across the board. With international markets being such a key part of our business, we had a number of news announcements that got a lot of attention at the show and in our key markets. One to highlight in particular is the good news of the recent Indian

and the US Army Yudh Abhyas joint exercise where the Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Javelin system demonstrated flawless performance. In recent years, Indian and the US gunners have fired a total of 16 Javelin missiles with 16 direct hits in multiple Yudh Abhyas joint exercises. Javelin is the world’s only shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget missile system that is combat proven and capable of defeating any armoured vehicle and we are proud to be able to provide this system internationally. We also showcased our portfolio of missile defence solutions including Patriot and Standard Missile-3. Raytheon is a world leader in missile defence solutions. Additionally, besides the news announced at the show, Raytheon continues to be a world leader in air warfare systems and we have proposed several weapon systems to the IAF for consideration on multiple platforms. Our munitions control unit (MCU) on the Jaguar allows for integration of different weapon systems, which we have proposed to the IAF. On the ISR front, the recently inducted Boeing P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft utilises Raytheon’s AN/APY-10 multi-mission surface search radar with a range of 200-400 km and also the MK-54 torpedo for anti-submarine warfare missions. SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show?

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Show Report Paris Air Show Raytheon: Fortunately, the weather did not disrupt our ability to meet and engage with customers and partners. While the weather proved a little challenging for the flying display, our schedule was fully booked during the week with a busy slate of customer and media engagements. SP’s: Can you indicate on which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? Raytheon: We had a number of technological innovations that we were showcasing this year including one that has relevance to domestic and international customers. The initial capability unveiled at Farnborough last year was called “Aviation Warrior” and provides pilots with full situational awareness when separated from the cockpit. At Paris this year, we took the capability to the next level by introducing the joint tactical air controller (JTAC). The evolution of the technology now provides a disembarked pilot with enhanced situational awareness and remote targeting in any environment. This is a wearable situational awareness system in a fully immersive environment allowing users to call in an F-16 airstrike just as a forward-deployed dismounted soldier would. SP’s: Which part of the world looks most promising market at this point of time and why? Raytheon: Raytheon is engaged across a wide range of business opportunities globally. We believe both the Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets are growing rapidly with customers seeking capabilities that map directly into core Raytheon technology strengths. Our Indian and broader Asia-Pacific customers face a myriad of challenges in this region, largely driven by the reality of managing lengthy ocean borders and the need to more effectively se-

cure these borders as well as the critical maritime trade routes. Over 60,000 vessels transit the Straits of Malacca every year with much of the cargo aimed at meeting critical energy needs of the Asia-Pacific countries. Our customers here are very focused on these specific challenges. Traditional land border disputes have now moved to the maritime environment and each country is now much more focused on their respective economic exclusion zones and gaining full maritime domain awareness, which is a Raytheon “sweet spot”. All countries in India and South East Asia are looking to grow and expand their maritime surveillance capabilities as well protecting their critical infrastructure. Additionally, air traffic management is a key area for both India, Asia-Pacific and globally. With air traffic forecast to double by 2030 and air cargo to triple, we’re seeing an increased focus on the need to modernise the world’s airspace to safely accommodate the growth. Two-thirds of the world’s 30 busiest airports (by aircraft movements) have or are scheduled to use Raytheon systems. This includes our AutoTrac III systems in India (Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai), the AutoTrac systems used by Tata Power for the Indian Air Force modernisation programme MAFI, as well as the AutoTrac III systems in Dubai and Hong Kong. The Indian GPS-aided geosynchronous augmented navigation (GAGAN) system, which will provide satellite-based navigation for civil aviation over Indian airspace and adjoining areas in South and East Asia, is progressing on schedule. This is a true partnership between Raytheon and the Government of India. Raytheon is building the ground stations for the GAGAN system, and the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Airports Authority of India are providing the space segment, additional ground equipment, as well as participating in the integration and operation of the system. SP

highly engineered products Speaking to SP’s Aviation, ATK (Amanda Covington, Vice President, ATK Corporate Communications), elaborated on the company’s performance at Le Bourget

Photograph: ATK

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? ATK: Over the years, the Paris Air Show has become one of the industry’s most prestigious events, and we were pleased to be a part of it yet again. ATK had another successful show. We were able to showcase our highly engineered products to international customers, which is an important market for our industry. SP’s: What success stories you concluded at the show and can you please share them with us? ATK: ATK highlighted its growing capabilities in several business areas, including commercial and military aerospace structures manufacturing and in the satellite and launch vehicle markets, with products for the Airbus A350 and A400M aircraft, RollsRoyce TrentXWB 84K and 97K engines, the Vivisat satellite life extension programme and multiple launch vehicle programmes. We also showcased our advanced anti-radiation guided missile (AARGM) and demonstrated our Special Mission aircraft capabilities, with a specific focus on the MC-27J multi-mission aircraft. SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? ATK: We were not affected by the weather.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Special Focus: MC-27J multi-mission aircraft

www.spsaviation.net

Show Report Paris Air Show SP’s: Can you indicate which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? ATK: ATK announced the award of a contract valued at more than $50 million (`300 crore) from Rolls-Royce plc, United Kingdom, to produce aft fan composite cases for the new Trent XWB-97 engine. The contract has the potential to grow to more than $200 million (`1,200 crore). This Rolls-Royce engine is the sole engine now available to power the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft variant. We also recently announced that ATK and Alenia Aermacchi successfully completed the first phase of ground and flight tests of Alenia’s MC-27J multi-mission aircraft. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for potential users?

ATK: We offer a diverse range of highly engineered products in the aerospace, defence and commercial sectors. We are the world’s largest producer of military ammunition and a top producer of solid rocket propulsion systems. We are a leader in precision and strike weapons, missile warning solutions and tactical rocket propulsion. We have leading brands in hunting, shooting sports law enforcement ammunition and accessories. ATK is committed to delivering affordable innovation to customers. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why? ATK: Currently, ATK’s international sales are about 10 per cent of our business. We’re looking to expand our global reach in various markets, including the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), India, Asia-Pacific and South America. SP

G650 established a new market segment Gulfstream Aerospace (Steve Cass, Vice President, Communications) in an interview with SP’s Aviation, spoke about the company’s latest innovation SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? Gulfstream: The Paris Air Show was a very successful event for Gulfstream. We hosted numerous customers from around the world including North America, Africa and Asia. Both the quantity and quality of the customers were excellent.

Flying Faster: Gulfstream G650

SP’s: What all success stories you would have concluded at the show and if you may like to share with us? Gulfstream: One success story was the arrival of the G650 to the air show. We departed Savannah, Georgia, in the US and flew non-stop at Mach 0.9 arriving into Paris Le Bourget in seven hours and twelve minutes. This broke the existing 25-yearold GIV record by more than an hour. SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? Gulfstream: Luckily, the bad weather did not last for an extended period of time. Once the weather cleared, customer traffic quickly returned to normal levels.

Photograph: Gulfstream

SP’s: Can you indicate on which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? Gulfstream: Gulfstream had our two newest aircraft on display at the show, the G280 and G650. This was the first appearance of these aircraft at the Paris Air Show. Both aircraft were certified and entered service in 2012. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring in the market once available for potential users? Gulfstream: Both the G280 and the G650 are extremely innovative aircraft. Our new G280 aircraft provides best-in-class performance, efficiency, technology and cabin comfort. With a range of 3,600 nm (6,667 km), it is the only super midsize air-

craft that can reliably fly from London to New York against the winds. In fact, the G280 set a world city-pair speed record in 2012 with a non-stop flight from Paris to New York in seven hours and forty minutes. It is also the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class and has very low emission levels. The G650 has established a new market segment for the industry. The G650 has the largest cabin, the most advanced safety features, and can fly farther and faster than any other purpose-built business jet. Carrying eight passengers, the G650 can fly 7,000 nm (12,964 km) at Mach 0.85 and 6,000 nm (11,112 km) at Mach 0.9. This enables the G650 to fly from Paris to Beijing or Paris to Los Angeles at 9/10ths the speed of sound. The G650 also has the most comfortable cabin with the largest windows in the industry, the lowest cabin altitude and extremely quiet cabin sound levels. SP

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Show Report Paris Air Show

the Rain brought us some very good luck The European major airframer, Airbus, invariably dominates the Paris Air Show. In this edition too, it did notch up massive orders. In an interview with SP’s Aviation, EADS outlined the success story of Airbus at Le Bourget. SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? EADS: The show was clearly a resounding success. According to Airbus’ COO for Customers, John Leahy, it was one of the best Paris Air Shows of all time. Our commercial aircraft division, Airbus, led the show announcing key wins across its entire product line for an impressive 466 new sales and commitments. SP’s: What all success stories you concluded at the show and can you please share them with us? EADS: With the number of orders and commitments worth $68.7 billion (`4,12,200 crore) Airbus has secured is certainly remarkable. So was the sight of the first British Airways A380 and an impressive display from the new A400M airlifter.

Photograph: Airbus

SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? EADS: Yes! It certainly made things challenging, but weather proved no bar to doing business. Again, to quote Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer John Leahy: “The rain brought us some very good luck.” SP’s: Can you indicate which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? EADS: From commercial and military aircraft to telecommunications satellites, the EADS Group presented a wide array of innovative products and technologies. Under the theme ‘Delivering Innovation’, EADS and its divisions —Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter—showcased their market leading products and new innovations that will help shape the future of the aerospace industry. EADS Innovation Works, the Group’s corporate research and technology network, presented a number of initiatives in the field of electrical and hybrid propulsion during the show. Included is a fully-electric general aviation training aircraft. These “E-aircraft” projects clearly demonstrate EADS’

commitment to develop technologies that further reduce aircraft carbon dioxide emissions. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for potential users? EADS: It has to be the fly over by the new A350 XWB on the Friday. The A350 XWB is the world’s most modern and efficient aircraft family offering a 25 per cent step change in fuel efficiency compared to aluminium long-range competitors. It is already being dubbed ‘the hushliner’ by journalists as it is so quiet. It is a real game-changer in the market. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why? EADS: We see a number of key strategic markets in the world which are of particular significance for EADS. India is certainly one of them. SP

On Flying display: British airways A380

ISSUE 7 • 2013

www.spsaviation.net

Show Report Paris Air Show

MBDA unveils Concept Visions projects MBDA unveiled the CVS302 Hoplite that is designed to supply an indirect precision attack capability for land and naval artillery. Excerpts of an interview with SP’s Aviation: SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? MBDA: The Paris Air Show 2013 was a successful one for MBDA with many high level delegations from around the world visiting our stand. We are of course leading a number of important cooperative programmes in Europe. So the show gave us the opportunity to discuss progress with those countries involved. MBDA is active in providing customers around the world with the latest in air, land and sea-guided weapons, so we also had a lot to show to the many overseas delegations that visited as well. SP’s: What success stories were you able to conclude at the show and could you please share with us? MBDA: Unlike Boeing and Airbus we do not announce major orders during such shows. Success for us is measured in the level of the delegations that visit our stand and the level of interest they show in our range of products. As you know, MBDA is the only company in the sector capable of meeting the guided weapon needs of all three armed forces, land, air and sea. With modularity becoming increasingly important, we were able to show that MBDA with missiles such as Mistral, Aster, Brimstone and Exocet, can offer highly relevant solutions across a range of platforms. Paris is of course an air show first and foremost, so we were also successful in showing how well we are positioned with the world’s leading air combat platforms such as the Rafale, Eurofighter and JSF F-35.

Photograph: MBDA

SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? MBDA: The air show has always been associated with quirky weather. This year was certainly no exception. Business was not disrupted as such but of course hospitality in our chalet was affected when the inclement weather meant that the terrace could not be used by our guests. SP’s: Can you indicate which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? MBDA: Every year MBDA introduces a highly innovative Concept Visions project which considers the kind of guided weapon requirements that might be in place in 25 years’ time. This year we highlighted a new precision artillery solution called Hoplite. This solution envisages a total reshaping of the future battlefield with a weapon system featuring two missile variants capable of being launched from ships or land-based launchers and of striking a range of targets. Significantly, Hoplite will be able to operate in complex scenarios where the air space might be cluttered and where the intended target is close to non-military assets or personnel. We also showed the Dual Mode Brimstone missile which as a result of its exceptionally successful deployment by the UK’s RAF in Libya and Afghanistan is of interest to many of our air force customers. In addition, during a press conference we explained how the millimetric wave radar version of this missile is being promoted as Brimstone Sea Spear, a solution for

For complex scenario: MBDA’s CVS 302 Hoplite

installation on vessels of varying sizes to defeat the emerging fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) threat with recent tests showing how effective it is in firing a salvo of missiles with just one button push. With both the British and French Governments having expressed their desire to cooperate where possible to meet common defence needs, the FASGW/ANL model on the MBDA stand was a highlight. With its range of features including imaging infrared guidance and associated data-linking, allowing the operator to positively identify the target and maintain manin-the-loop control during the mission, this new 110-kg antiship weapon will provide an exceptional operational capability especially in the demanding complex littoral environment. In around 2015, this weapon should be entering service on the UK’s Wildcat and the French Panther naval helicopters. However, FASGW/ANL is suitable for a range of helicopters and so there was international interest as well during the show. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for potential users? MBDA: As a technology leader, MBDA would consider that most of its products feature innovative capability solutions. If

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Show Report Paris Air Show one looks for a single product that is way ahead in terms of its performance against comparable missiles either currently available or planned, then Meteor would have to be singled out. With its ‘no escape zone’ several times greater than that of any other beyond visual range missile (BVRAAM), Meteor will give the pilot an unbeatable advantage even if he is up against an aircraft with a superior performance to his own. With its throttleable ramjet propulsion system, Meteor is able to ensure that it has maximum speed and hence agility right through to the end game at the furthest extent of its range. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why? MBDA: India remains one of our most important markets. We have a long history with the country and we are looking to de-

velop partnerships at an ever deeper level throughout its defence industry sector, both public and private. In fact Asia as a region is recognised as a major growth sector in terms of future defence spending. We have a global customer base and currently there are quite a few countries that are looking to upgrade the operational capabilities of their ships or aircraft, or acquire new platforms altogether. This is of course where our opportunities lie as MBDA weapons are in many cases able to offer capabilities unmatched by our competitors. Here we can mention Meteor for unbeatable BVRAAM, advanced short-range air-to-air missile (ASRAAM) and MICA for a wide range of air-to-air combat roles, Taurus and Storm Shadow/SCALP for high precision long-range strike as well as a range of surface-to-air weapon systems that prove our technology mastery in this very important domain. SP

new generation helicopters AgustaWestland is a total capability provider in the vertical lift market. In an interview with SP’s Aviation, the company shared details on its performance at the show. SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? AgustaWestland: For AgustaWestland, Paris Air Show 2013 has been a great event confirming the positive trend experienced in years attending primary, world-class exhibitions and events. AgustaWestland announced contracts valued at approximately 335 million euro for about 50 helicopters with orders placed by customers worldwide. Regarding market opportunities across Asia, contracts for commercial helicopters in India, Republic of Korea and a distributorship agreement in China are worthy of mention.

Photograph: AgustaWestland

SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? AgustaWestland: Not at all. SP’s: Can you indicate which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? AgustaWestland: We attended the Paris Air Show with a strong focus on the following subjects: • For the first time the innovative AgustaWestland family of new generation helicopters was showcased in the static area. All the three models, the AW189 the AW169 and AW139, were successfully part of important orders. • For the first time the innovative all-electric tilt-rotor Project Zero was showcased by AgustaWestland, gaining an incredible success of public and media alike. • AgustaWestland provided an insight of its customer support and training capabilities in order to demonstrate its commitment to our present and future customers. SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring in the market, once available for potential users? AgustaWestland: AgustaWestland has been putting in the market two new helicopters, the AW189 and AW169. The former is already setting a new standard in the long-range market and the latter is the first brand-new light intermediate cat-

ISSUE 7 • 2013

New Project: Agustawestland’s project zero all-electric tilt-rotor

egory helicopter in decades. Together with the AW139, they are both part of AgustaWestland family, a concept introduced for the first time ever in the helicopter market. These helicopters possess the same high-performance flight characteristics and safety features while sharing the same common cockpit concept and design philosophy. This approach facilitates synergies for operators of more than one of these models in areas such as training, maintenance and support, resetting the rules in effective fleet management. This outstanding concept has quickly found global market success among several major operators and various contracts have been announced at the Paris Air Show 2013 confirming this positive trend. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why? AgustaWestland: Fast growing economies are showing a

www.spsaviation.net

Show Report Paris Air Show significant range of opportunities AgustaWestland is ready to exploit, offering its products, locally supporting customers and partnering with local players. Depending on specific market requirements, a number of applications are being targeted such as offshore, VIP/corporate, the wide range of public utility roles (law enforcement, EMS/SAR) and government. In many cases our dual-use product approach offers

cost-effective solutions for parapublic and military requirements. AgustaWestland is actively participating in a number of joint ventures and collaborative programmes in all the continents. Russia, China, India and Brazil, all show huge potential and AgustaWestland has a well-established presence in all of these countries. Additionally, the Middle East proves extremely important. SP

Best ever Show ATR recorded its best show at the 50th edition of the Paris Air Show. Speaking to SP’s Aviation, ATR officials gave out details about the company’s performance. at the show. SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year? ATR: This has been the best Paris Air Show ever for ATR aircraft (173 sales, including 83 firm orders). The success seen during the air show sets a new record for ATR’s order book, which now comprises over 270 firm aircraft orders for an estimated $6.5 billion (`39,000 crore). The current order book also ensures ATR’s production until the end of 2016, and company recognition in the medium term. During the show, ATR announced orders from markets which have proved among the most promising in recent years: the aircraft leasing companies and Latin America.

On Display: ATR 72-600

SP’s: What success stories you concluded at the show and can you please share them with us? ATR: Definitely, the huge order with the lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) for 90 aircraft. The European turboprop manufacturer ATR and the Danish leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital signed a historic agreement for the sale of 90 ATR 600s, including 35 firm orders (30 ATR 72-600s and five ATR 42-600s). The contract, including options, amounts to over $2.1 billion (`12,600 crore) NAC, which has signed several orders for new ATRs over the past three years, already has the largest fleet of ATRs in the world with over hundred aircraft. With the progressive arrival of the 30 additional ATR 72-600s and five ATR 42-600s into its fleet, NAC’s ATR portfolio will exceed 150 aircraft by 2016. SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show? ATR: No, we manage also these kind of situations and we support our customers.

Photograph: Dassault Aviation

SP’s: Can you indicate on which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show? ATR: Well, definitely it was the confirmation of the interest in ATR from lessors and airlines in South America (Passaredo, Avianca). SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for potential users? ATR: The ATR 72-600 has become the most successful regional aircraft in terms of sales in recent years. SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why?

ATR: ATR is still achieving great success in countries in South East Asia and Latin America, and increasingly with leasing firms. SP

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Civil

Technology

E-Fan: a technology demonstrator of a fully electrically-powered, all-composite general aviation training aircraft

New & Emerging

Photographs: EADS

In the quest for more environment-friendly aircraft, original equipment manufacturers are exploring a number of possibilities which include a small electric airplane and a hybrid helicopter propulsion system

By Sucheta Das Mohapatra

Energy efficiency, lower carbon dioxide emissions, smooth operation and better acceleration; the aviation industry is researching hard on making the sky cleaner and greener in the years to come. Newer environment-friendly technologies are emerging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use of renewable sources of energy. While aircraft manufacturers are making serious efforts to increase fuel efficiency in existing airplanes with greener engines, experimentation on solar, biofuel and electric aircraft are going hand in hand. The EADS Innovation Works, the research and technology wing of EADS, along with several industry partners such as Aero Composites Saintonge (ACS), Siemens, Roll-Royce, Diamond Aircraft etc is testing a range of electric propulsion systems for aircraft of future generations.. In the quest for more environment-friendly aircraft, the company is exploring a number of possibilities which include a small electric airplane and a

ISSUE 7 • 2013

hybrid helicopter propulsion system. The EADS ‘E-aircraft’ projects include the electric general aviation training aircraft in cooperation with Aero Composites Saintonge (ACS), called E-Fan and the Diamond Aircraft DA36 E-Star 2, the updated hybrid electric motor glider developed along with Diamond Aircraft and Siemens. The company in collaboration with Rolls-Royce is also working on a smarter future distributed propulsion system concept. The development of innovative propulsion system concepts for future air vehicle applications is part of EADS’ effort to achieve the aviation industry’s environmental protection goals stated in the European Commission’s ‘Flightpath 2050’ report. The declaration sets the target of reducing aircraft CO2 emissions by 75 per cent, along with reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 90 per cent and noise levels by 65 percent, compared to standards set in the year 2000.

www.spsaviation.net

Civil Technology

E-Thrust: an electrical distributed propulsion system concept for lower fuel consumption, fewer emissions and less noise

E-Fan Designer Didier Esteyne is an engineer and pilot who worked with EADS on the first electric aerobatic plane and the smallest manned aircraft in the world with four electric engines, Cri-Cri, unveiled at the Paris Air Show 2011. The two decided to team up again on E-Fan. Two years later, at this year’s air show at Paris, the teams at EADS IW and Esteyne’s Royan-based Aero Composites Saintonge (ACS) unveiled the E-Fan, a fully-electric general aviation training aircraft. Co-funded by the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC, the French civil aviation authority), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), the French Government (Fonds FRED), the Région Aquitaine and the Départment Charente-Maritime of France, the two-seat E-Fan is a result of intensive development work undertaken in only eight months. The design process of the aircraft began in late 2011 and the final go-ahead for the technology demonstrator was given only in October 2012. “The introduction of the E-Fan electric aircraft represents another strategic step forward in EADS’ aviation research. We are committed to exploring leadingedge technologies that will yield future benefits for our civil and defence products,” says Jean Botti, the Chief Technical Officer, EADS. E-Fan features two electrical engines driving shrouded propellers. The total static engine thrust is about 1.5 kN, with the energy being provided by two battery packs located in the wings. The length of the aircraft is 6.7 meters with a wingspan of 9.5 metres. It is the first electric aircraft featuring ducted fans to reduce noise and increased safety. Its main landing gear allows electrical taxiing on the ground without the main engines and in addition provides acceleration during take-off up to a speed of 60 kmph. To guarantee simple handling of the electrically-powered engines and systems, the E-Fan is equipped with an E-FADEC energy management system.

While EADS Innovation Works has developed the electrical and propulsion system, ACS has built the all-composite structure, the mechanical systems and has conducted the aerodynamic studies. The French innovation institutes CRITT Matériaux Poitou-Charentes (CRITT MPC) and ISAE-ENSMA, as well as the company C3 Technologies have been responsible for the construction and production of the wings. Astrium and Eurocopter have helped in testing the battery packs while the livery has been designed by Airbus. EADS claims that the aircraft has zero carbon dioxide emissions in flight and should bring a significant reduction in noise around airfields. The two-seat E-Fan is suited for short missions such as basic pilot training, glider towing and aerobatics and has a flight endurance of one hour. E-Thrust The E-Thrust concept study is part of EADS ongoing hybrid and electrical propulsion system research. Airbus and EADS Innovation Works, along with Rolls-Royce and Siemens are developing a hybrid/electrical distributed propulsion system, as an intermediate but necessary step towards fully-electric propulsion for airliners. With Cranfield University as a partner, the Distributed Electrical Aerospace Propulsion (DEAP) project is co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), United Kingdom. The DEAP project researches key innovative technologies that will enable improved fuel economy and reduced gas and noise emissions for future aircraft designs by incorporating a distributed propulsion (DP) system architecture. Rolls-Royce will develop an optimum electrical system propulsion plant, taking into consideration speed range, maximum speed, number of fan motors, efficiency etc, while EADS Innovation Works will design the electrical system and work with Airbus to optimise the integration of the propulsion system in the airframe.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Civil Technology Tropospheric airship: a concept study of an observation airship for arctic operations

The hybrid DP architecture offers the possibility of improv- all-weather operations. Its missions will be environmental and ing overall efficiency by allowing the separate optimisation of wildlife monitoring, natural resources management, observathe thermal efficiency of the gas power unit (producing electri- tion and security applications, along with the surveillance of cal power) and the propulsive efficiency of the fans (producing shifting ice patterns and related tracking of ships in the inthrust). The hybrid concept makes it possible to downsize the gas creasing number of open-water routes that are created by the power unit and optimise it for cruise. The additional power re- warming climate. The airship is tailored for tropospheric flight quired for take-off will be provided by the electric energy storage. up to altitudes of 7,000 metres, with an all-terrain capability The distributed fan propulsion system provides thrust for the allowing its deployment from established base locations as well aircraft, replacing conventional turbofan engines. The large fan as unprepared sites without ground support infrastructure. The Tropospheric Airship which can be deployed on exdiameter and weight of conventional turbofans limits does not enable advanced aerodynamic efficiency, hence the research- tended surveillance, detection and reporting missions would ers are experimenting with a number of electrically-driven fans provide a low-cost new-generation resource that is silent in operation and generates little or no that are integrated into the airframe, emissions while offering significantly allowing for a more aerodynamic overlonger endurance than patrol aircraft or all design. During descent, the energyunmanned aerial vehicles. The airship’s efficient distributed fans are turned by size will enable it to carry a range of the airstream and like wind turbines, The Tropospheric Airship mission payloads. generate electrical energy which can be which can be deployed on The Tropospheric Airship is based stored. “The idea of distributed propulextended surveillance, on an imaginative catamaran-type desion offers the possibility to better optisign combining aerostatic lift with helimise individual components such as the detection and reporting um gas in a rigid airframe and additiongas power unit, which produces only missions would provide a al lift from its wings. The variation of electrical power, and the electrically the gas volume required for flight up to driven fans, which produce thrust. This low-cost new-generation 5,000 metres is considerably less than optimises the overall propulsion system resource that is silent in the variation needed for 7,000 metres, integration,” said Sébastien Remy, Head operation and generates resulting in a smaller overall hull volof EADS Innovation Works. ume and the possibility to incorporate little or no emissions while an innovative buoyancy control system. Tropospheric Airship offering significantly The Airship has an overall length of 90 EADS Innovation Works is researchmetres, width of 60 metres and a height ing on an innovative hybrid airship longer endurance than of eight metres. Its novel twin-hull dethat is envisioned for use in multi-role patrol aircraft or sign creates a more streamlined profile missions in Arctic regions, providing unmanned aerial vehicles. than single-body dirigibles reducing a long-endurance platform capable of

ISSUE 7 • 2013

www.spsaviation.net

Civil Technology DA36 E-star 2: a joint project between EADS, Siemens and Diamond Aircraft. It is a modified hybrid electric motor glider

times greater than that of a typical industrial electric motor. The power electronics and gearbox are integrated into the electric motor and included in the weight stated. For take-off and climb, additional energy is drawn from a battery which is recharged during cruise. EADS and Siemens recently signed a long-term research partnership with Diamond Aircraft. The partnership aims at introduction of hybrid drive systems for both helicopters and large airplanes, while the airworthiness certification of fullelectric and hybrid aircraft in the general aviation category is to be achieved within the next three to five years. The memorandum of understanding between the three companies confirms the collaboration on the project which has existed since 2011. “Only with innovation we can solve the conundrum of rising fuel costs, rising passenger demand and rising enviDA36 E-Star 2 At the Paris Air Show, Siemens, EADS and Diamond Aircraft ronmental regulations. This makes the research partnership between EADS and Siemens so imshowcased the next-generation DA36 Eportant,” said Peter Löscher, CEO of Star with a serial hybrid-electric drive. Siemens AG. “Innovations used in this This drive concept enables quiet electric hybrid plane will be instrumental in take-off and a considerable reduction in making transportation more sustainboth fuel consumption and emissions of EADS and Siemens able in the long run, whether in the air, up to 25 per cent. partnership aims at on land or at sea.” The propeller of the motor glider is introduction of hybrid “The serial electric propulsion alelectrically driven by a hybrid system, lows us to design airplanes with totally consisting of an integrated drive sysdrive systems for different characteristics than today. tem from Siemens and a generator that both helicopters and Vertical take-off and high-speed cruise is powered by a small Austro Engine can be realised in a much more effiWankel rotary engine. The DA36 E-Star large airplanes, while cient way. The DA36 E-Star 2 was the 2’s drive system provides an output of the airworthiness next step to prove this technology and 80 kW during take-off and a continuthrough its positive results to continue certification is to be ous output of 65 kW. The electric mofurther developments,” informed Diator weighs only 13 kg and at five kW/kg, achieved within the next mond Aircraft owner Christian Dries its specific continuous output is twice three to five years during the Paris Air Show. SP that of the first prototype and about five aerodynamic drag. The low height, in particular, facilitates hangarage for maintenance, systems integration or storage, thereby eliminating the need for hangars with the extremely high internal clearance required for conventional single-hull airships. Designed primarily for unmanned missions, the airship is to have an uninterrupted endurance of up to 40 days and the speed will be between 60 kmph and 150 kmph, with this range applicable throughout the airship’s flight envelope. With additional lift being created in forward flight by the fore and aft wings, an altitude of 7,000 metres can be reached. In its secondary role as a cargo transport, the airship can carry one tonne of weight at an altitude of 7,000 metres and seven tonnes at 1,000 metres as external sling loads.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

hall of fame On July 17, 1969, a day after Apollo 11 commenced its historic mission to the Moon, the New York Times published a brief correction and apology. It acknowledged that it had made a grave error half a century earlier stating that rockets could not work in space. “Further investigation and experimentation have confirmed the 17th century findings of Isaac Newton and it is now definitely established that a rocket can function in vacuum as well. The Times regrets the error.” The original 1920 Times editorial had claimed that Robert H. Goddard, now recognised as the father of modern rocketry, didn’t even have an elementary knowledge of physics. The apology came too late for Goddard who died in 1945. Although his groundbreaking experiments with rocket propulsion were the foundation on which the exploration of space was built, they attracted much ridicule from press and public alike during his lifetime. Born October 5, 1882, in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, Robert Hutchings Goddard was fortunate to have a father who encouraged his scientific temper. At a young age, he was provided with a telescope, microscope and subscription to Scientific American. Robert was fascinated with flight and began to experiment with kites and balloons. The results of his investigations were meticulously recorded in diaries and personal journals, a habit that served him well in life. He may also be reckoned amongst the youth who were inspired to dream of space travel by The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells’ science fiction epic. He received his PhD in 1911, and embarked on a career as a physics professor at Princeton University, where he was very well loved. However, two years later, he contracted tuberculosis and had to give up lecturing. The saving grace was that this gave him more time for research. In 1914, Goddard was granted two patents, one described a multi-stage rocket while the other represented a rocket fuelled with gasoline and liquid nitrous oxide. These were the first of his 214 patents. In 1919, the Smithsonian Institution published Goddard’s trailblasing treatise, A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes. It is considered one of the classic texts of 20th century rocket

science. Apart from his mathematical theories of rocket flight and reports of his experiments with solid-fuel rockets, it contained the promise of exploring the earth’s atmosphere and beyond. In 1921, Goddard began experimenting with the mathematical and practical aspects of using liquid oxygen and liquidfuelled rockets to reach high altitudes. A

Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945) A few prescient persons however recognised his potential and followed it keenly, most notably the Germans. Wernher von Braun, one of the most important specialists in the field of rocketry and jet propulsion the world has seen, took Goddard’s plans from various journals and incorporated them into building the dreaded V-2 rockets that frequently hit targets in Europe.

rocket which he ground-tested in November 1923 had a cylindrical combustion chamber and used impinging jets to mix and atomise liquid oxygen and gasoline. It proved for the first time that a rocket will work in a vacuum. The world’s first liquid-fuelled rocket, designed and built by Goddard, was successfully launched on March 16, 1926. The device worked

ISSUE 7 • 2013

initially, but plunged back to earth after reaching 41 feet, averaging about 100 kilometres per hour, all within 2.5 seconds. Unfortunately, no photographic evidence of the feat exists. Yet, this launch is now considered as significant to the history of space travel as that of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk in 1903 is considered to travel by air. In 1929, Goddard was also the first to launch a scientific payload in a rocket flight. In all, Goddard and his assistants launched no less than 34 rockets between 1926 and 1941. The altitudes and speeds they achieved may not have been impressive by modern standards, but many of the principles and procedures they employed are relevant even today. Goddard successfully used threeaxis control, gyroscopes and steerable thrust to control rocket flight. He developed high-speed pumps suitable for rocket fuels. In 1937, he was the first to launch a rocket with a motor pivoted on gimbals. Despite his immensely important work, Goddard and his rockets were ignored by the American public and the scientific establishment. After one of his launches in 1929, a local newspaper mockingly declared: “Moon rocket misses target by 238,799½ miles.” Goddard responded to the illinformed criticism, saying, “Every vision is a joke until the first man accomplishes it; once realised, it becomes commonplace.” A few prescient persons however recognised his potential and followed it keenly, most notably the Germans. Wernher von Braun, one of the most important specialists in the field of rocketry and jet propulsion the world has seen, took Goddard’s plans from various journals and incorporated them into building the dreaded V-2 rockets that frequently hit targets in Europe towards the end of the World War II. About 20 years later, Freiherr von Braun said about Goddard’s work, “His rockets may have been rather crude by present-day standards, but they blazed the trail and incorporated many features used in our most modern rockets and space vehicles.” Robert Goddard died at the age of 62 on August 10, 1945, in Baltimore, Maryland. SP —Group Captain (Retd) Joseph Noronha, Goa

www.spsaviation.net

focus india / SP’S SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT India and China discuss joint exercise India and China are in the process of finalising the modalities of their first military joint exercise since 2008 during the ongoing visit of Defence Minister A.K. Antony to Beijing. Both sides have decided to hold a joint exercise in China in October 2013. Both sides have also agreed that the navies and air forces of both countries will also undertake enhanced professional exchanges. In discussions with his counterpart General Chang Wanquan in Beijing, Antony also brought up a new border cooperation agreement designed specifically to avoid the sort of tensions that sprung up following the incursion by Chinese troops into Indian territory earlier this year. MAV Research Tunnel being established With a slew of micro air vehicle (MAV) development programmes under way at the Aeronautical Development Establishment, National Aerospace Laboratory, academic institutions and private industry, a new advanced research tunnel is being established in Bengaluru to speed up testing and development work. The Indian Army and paramilitary forces have stated requirements for MAVs for operations. The MAV Aerodynamics Research Tunnel is being sponsored by the Aeronautical Development Research Board and Defence Research and Development Organisation, and will meet all special requirements of MAV studies. Indian firm to build parts for Chinook Indian firm Dynamatic Technologies Ltd has been awarded a first supplier contract in the country to manufacture the aft pylon and cargo ramp assemblies for Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook, a platform that the IAF will also be ordering shortly. “This contract is another demonstration of our commitment to partnering with India’s aerospace industry to bring the best local talent and technologies to Boeing and in turn to our customers,” said Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar. “This order gives us the opportunity to be involved in Boeing’s global supply chain at a whole new level,” said Udayant Malhoutra, CEO and Managing Director, Dynamatic Technologies Limited. National Civil Aircraft nears pull-back India’s ambitious national civil aircraft is making steady strides forward. Top sources say that the government will shortly provide sanction for a special purpose vehicle to carry the project forward on a corporate basis. As reported by SP’s Aviation in February this year, a team from the

www.spsaviation.net

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) had made a presentation to the Planning Commission, after which it had been decided that HAL would be lead integrator on the programme, along with the NAL. Astra missile to be fired With successful captive trials completed in April and a fully reconfigured missile now ready for the next phase of development testing, India’s indigenous beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Astra, is set for its debut firing from an aircraft by the end of this year. As first reported in SP’s Aviation in March this year, 2013 has been christened ‘Astra Year’ by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in light of expectations that the Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile will finally see a flight test firing from an IAF aircraft. BMD to work against 5,000-km range missiles India’s ballistic missile defence system, a multi-layered missile system that is capable of intercepting enemy ballistic missiles up to ranges of 2,000 km, is now steeped in two things: operationalising the existing PAD/AAD interceptor configuration for deployment in the near term, and adding a capability to intercept ballistic missiles of 5,000+ km in range. The existing exo- and endo-atmospheric interceptors have been demonstrated with direct hits during multiple tests. AMCA to be developed in 12-15 years While the DRDO puts its full weight behind priority delivery of the LCA Tejas to the Indian Air Force (IAF), its new Chief Dr Avinash Chander has made an ambitious claim: that the stealth fifth-generation advanced medium-combat aircraft (AMCA) will be delivered in 12-15 years. The AMCA, while not a formally sanctioned project yet, is still on the drawing board in the conceptual phase and will receive formal funding only once deliveries begin of the FOC LCA Tejas Mk.1. Agni-IV and V to be inducted in two years In a first for India’s strategic deterrent programme, the DRDO will be working hard to test, operationalise and induct the Agni-IV and Agni-V in to service within the next 24 months. Never before have two missiles with a combined range in excess of 10,000 km been slated for entry into service together with the country’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC). The SFC’s land-based deterrent currently includes the Agni-I, II and III, accounting for ranges between 750 km and 3,500 km. With the entry of the

Agni-IV and V, India will have missiles with ranges out to 7,000 km, covering the country’s deterrence needs from a land perspective for the first time. Mi-17 proves itself in Uttarakhand The performance of the Mi-17 in both variants, the 1V and V5, has been exemplary in rescue and relief operations in flood affected state. The workhorse helicopter has proved to be rugged and dependable in inclement weather situations that have suddenly caught pilots unaware. The navigation system on the new V5s has also proved to be extremely useful. The chopper has delivered high availability rates and generated an impressive number of sorties in the small flying windows available to pilots. The over 20 Mi-17s deployed in the state for airlifting operations have established their reputation as no-nonsense machines for humanitarian operations. The IAF is contemplating more Mi-17 V5s, as the numbers currently in service are still not quite adequate. HAL, Sagem to cooperate Bolstering existing cooperation with the Safran group, which includes several areas, HAL has entered into contract with Safran group company Sagem to set up manufacturing and depot level maintenance facilities for automatic flight control system (AFCS) line replaceable units (LRUs) including sensors at HAL, Hyderabad towards in-house manufacture and depot level maintenance of AFCS and LRUs for the ALH Dhruv and HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer programmes. 140 hours till LCA achieves IOC-2 By September, the LCA Tejas will achieve initial operational clearance 2 (IOC-2) and begin moving towards production, according to DRDO Chief Avinash Chander. Revealing that approximately 140 hours of test-flying remained to sort out the residual test-points, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has been asked to stick to a September deadline for IOC-2 and speedily move towards final operational clearance 14 months later. HAL & Dassault set aside differences After a brief period of turbulence over the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), in which both HAL and Dassault almost publicly expressed grievances over the stipulations in the request for proposal and the manner in which technology transfer would take place contractually. • For complete versions log on to: www.spsaviation.net & www.spsmai.com

ISSUE 7 • 2013

News Digest MILITARY QuickRoundUp

Asia Pacific Antony’s China visit

Airbus

Doric Lease Corporation has signed an MoU with Airbus for the purchase of 20 A380s on June 17. The agreement was signed by Mark Lapidus, CEO of Doric Lease Corp, and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland has announced a further contract win with Lease Corporation International for three AW169, five AW139 and two AW189 helicopters. They will be used for offshore transport, search and rescue, aeromedical transport and other missions.

ATR

European manufacturer of turboprop aircraft ATR and the leasing firm HGI Aircraft Division, Air division of HGI Capital Group, have signed a contract for the sale of 20 ATR 72-600s on June 19.

Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter have announced updates to the Bell 525 Relentless programme on June 17 which reveal improved speed, range and payload capabilities, as well as a higher maximum gross weight and optimised flight performance.

Boeing

Boeing subcontractor, Air France Industries has begun upgrading the electrical, mechanical and structural systems and mission hardware of the first of the four French E-3F airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The $354 million mid-life upgrade which is the largest ever for French AWACS.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony paid an official visit to China from July 4-7. He held talks with his counterpart General Chang Wanquan and also called on Premier Li Keqiang and State Councillor Yang Jiechi. The two Defence Ministers held talks in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and had an extensive exchange of views on a wide range of defence and security issues. They reaffirmed that defence exchanges were an important facet of the IndiaChina strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. Noting that peace and tranquillity on the border was an important guarantor for the growth and development of bilateral cooperation, the Ministers emphasised the importance of enhancing mutual trust and understanding between the two militaries.

Commander US Pacific Command calls on Air Chief Marshal Browne

Bombardier

Bombardier Aerospace has announced on June 19 that Lagos-based Arik Air has signed a firm contract to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. Based on the list price of the CRJ1000 NextGen and Q400 NextGen aircraft, the contract is valued at approximately $297 million.

CAE

CAE has announced that it has won approximately Canadian$100 million (about $95.43) worth of military contracts from customers in more than 15 countries which include full flight simulator, CAE Medallion-6000 image generator, etc.

Cassidian

Cassidian has announced that it is launching a research programme to develop future unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technologies. The project, called “Sagitta”, will conduct basic research into future UAS. With Sagitta, Cassidian, the European leader in the UAS, is opting for an approach known as “open innovation”.

at the Hindon Airbase on June 18, 2013, and was received by Air Marshal S. Sukumar, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. It will also be based at Hindon. The training of the crew was being conducted by the US Air Force and this aircraft was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 11, 2013, at Long Beach, California. The aircraft will enhance the operational potential of the IAF with its payload carriage and performance capability, and would augment the strategic reach of India during disaster relief.

Civil Aviation Asia Pacific HAL and Dassault Aviation confident in partnership India

On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, HAL Chairman Dr R.K. Tyagi and Dassault Aviation Chairman Eric Trappier and their respective Senior Executives met to review the progress in ongoing projects. HAL has manufactured over 3,658 aircraft/helicopters, 4,178 engines, upgraded 272 aircraft and overhauled over 9,643 aircraft and 29,775 engines. In the past 60 years, Dassault Aviation has delivered more than 7,500 civil and military aircraft to 83 countries logging some 28 million flight hours till date. Within the frame of a step-by-step approach initiated several years ago, its know-how in the field of systems technologies and airborne vectors allow the company to propose the best cost-efficient solutions to the users.

Show Calendar

Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, Commander, US Pacific Command, called on Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Air Staff on June 25 and discussed issues such as regional security and South China Sea, besides a review of growing US-India Security and defence relationship. Admiral Locklear is visiting India for participating in the fourth India-US Strategic Dialogue.

IAF’s First C-17 lands in India

The first of the 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, ordered from the US, landed

ISSUE 7 • 2013

23–25 July International Civil Air Medical Transportation Conference Centara Grand, Central World, Bangkok, Thailand www.airmedicalasia.com 29 July–4 August EAA AIR VENTURE Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA www.airventure.org 14–16 August LABACE Sao Paulo, Brazil www.abag.org.br/labace2013/eng/ labace2013.htm

www.spsaviation.net

News Digest appointments

Thales Raytheon Systems Philippe Duhamel is now the Chief Executive Officer of Thales Raytheon Systems.

Safran

General William Kurtz has been named Military Advisor to Jean-Paul Herteman, Chairman and CEO of Safran; Franck Saudo is the Executive Vice President, Operator Customers at Turbomeca; and David Quancard is Director of the Space Engines Division.

Saab

Saab’s Board of Directors have appointed Lennart Sindahl as Senior Executive Vice President and Magnus Örnberg as Executive Vice President of the company.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman has appointed Nimish Doshi as Vice President, Business Management and Chief Financial Officer for the company’s Technical Services sector. Ian Irving has been appointed as Chief Executive for Australia.

Roxel

Jacques Desclaux has been named Chief Executive Officer of Roxel.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin has appointed Paul Lemmo as Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Business Development and a Corporate Officer.

Eurocopter

Matthieu Louvot has been appointed Head of Support and Services, Eurocopter.

SPACE Europe Arianespace launch VS05: Soyuz ST-B–O3b

Arianespace has successfully carried out the fifth Soyuz launch from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), orbiting the first four satellites in the O3b constellation for the operator O3b Networks Limited on June

www.spsaviation.net

QuickRoundUp

Airbus

Xavier Tardy has been appointed new Chief Financial Officer of Airbus Military, succeeding Christian Pechmann, who was appointed Chief Financial and Commercial Officer of Eurofighter GmbH.

CFM

TUI Travel PLC and CFM International have announced on June 17 the leisure travel group’s proposed commitment to Boeing to purchase 60 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft with 120 LEAP-1B installed engines. The order to CFM is valued at $1.56 billion at list price. The transaction is pending TUI Travel shareholder approval.

Eurocopter

The Eurocopter Canada Board of Directors has appointed Romain Trapp as the new Eurocopter Canada President and CEO.

Embraer

CAE has appointed Nick Leontidis as Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services.

Embraer S.A. and SkyWest Inc. (SkyWest) have signed a firm order for 100 E175-E2 aircraft, with another 100 purchase rights, bringing the total potential of the order to 200 aircraft. The announcement was made on June 17 at a press conference. If all the orders are exercised, the contract has an estimated value, at list price of $9.36 billion.

Beechcraft

Eurocopter

CAE

Nepal’s Shree Airlines has placed an order for eight helicopters from Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family, comprising five AS350 B3e and three EC130 T2, for use in search and rescue, aerial work, disaster relief missions and heli-tourism.

Beechcraft Corporation has appointed Kingsley Okoli as Regional Sales Director for Beechcraft products in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dave Rosenberg has been appointed Vice President of Strategic Planning and Programs and Don Alvord as Vice President of Human Resources.

Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force’s latest acquisition C-17 GlobemasterIII made its maiden flight to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on June 30, 2013. Climbing an altitude of 28,000 feet with an unrefuelled range of 2,400 nautical miles (4,445 km), the aircraft landed at Port Blair to induct the rotational Infantry Battalion into the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins has announced several leadership changes within Commercial Systems (CS) and International & Service Solutions (I&SS): Scott Gunnufson has been appointed Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Support for CS; Thierry Tosi has been appointed Vice President and General Manager, Service Solutions business unit in I&SS; and Alan Prowse has been appointed Vice President and Managing Director for the Americas.

General Atomics

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has been awarded a $2,82,89,068 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for implementation of the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program Phase I to manage the structural integrity of the MQ-9 fleet throughout the aircraft life cycle. Work will be completed by September 25, 2016.

ISRO

25. The Soyuz at CSG programme carries on the long-standing collaboration between Europe and Russia on space programmes. With these three launchers now fully operational, Arianespace is the only launch services company capable of launching all type payloads into all orbits like telecommunications satellites, science and earth observation satellites, constellations, cargo missions to the International Space Station, etc. •

ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C22, has successfully launched IRNSS-1A, the first satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), on July 2, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This is the 23rd consecutive successful mission of PSLV. The ‘XL’ configuration of PSLV was used for the mission.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been awarded an additional $2,13,90,000 firm-fixed-price, undefinitised contract award for supplying 95 Sniper advanced targeting pods (ATPs), compact multiband data link, 70 infrared search and track (IRST) systems, 75 IRST pylons and spares to the Royal Saudi Air Force as part of FMS.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

Last word

Illustration: Vimlesh Yadav

beyond FDI The debate on lifting the cap of 26 per cent on foreign cent, the Ministry of Finance constituted a Parliamentary Condirect investment (FDI) in the Indian defence industry appears sultative Committee to explore the possibility of speedy infuto have ended, at least for the time being. As per the latest sion of funds into the Indian economy through spurring forpronouncements by the government, FDI cap in the defence eign investment. As a first step, the Parliamentary Consultative sector will remain at 26 per cent and proposals beyond that Committee proposed raising the cap on FDI across a number will be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Security on of sectors of the Indian economy including the Indian defence industry for which it recommended enhancement of FDI from case to case basis. Today, India is perhaps the world’s largest purchaser of the existing 26 to 49 per cent. The Ministry of Defence, however, defence hardware, 70 per cent of which is procured from for- has been opposed to the proposal on account of the appreheneign sources leading to heavy outflow of foreign exchange. Since sion that enhancement of the limit of FDI to 49 per cent could independence, the Indian armed forces have had no option but lead to the possibility of the nation’s strategic interests being to depend on foreign suppliers as the indigenous defence indus- compromised even if the foreign investor did not have total try in the public sector which despite the massive investments control over the Indian company. Assurance by the Ministry of by the government, has just not been able to deliver even after Finance that “the government could retain the right to impose internal security conditions including surveillance systems or six decades of existence. The defence sector is undoubtedly capital-intensive and is controlling production and deployment of defence personnel”, vulnerable to rapid technological obsolescence. Hence this sec- did not mitigate the apprehensions of the Ministry of Defence. The new provisions related to FDI in the Indian defence tor not only requires heavy investment, but easy access to the latest technologies. With a view to strengthen and bring about industry appears to have been formulated to reconcile the difa qualitative change in the indigenous defence industry, some fering perceptions and to subdue the conflict between the difyears ago, the government approved FDI into this segment ferent ministries of the government. However, for the foreign of the economy. At the outset, the limit of FDI in the Indian investor, there appears to be no substantial change in the situadefence sector was pegged at 26 per cent under the belief that tion as limit of FDI in the defence sector through the automatic this would serve as a catalyst for its growth. However, con- route, remains unaltered at 26 per cent. The proviso regarding trary to expectations, foreign investors have apparently not proposals beyond 26 per cent to be considered by the Cabinet found this level of FDI lucrative enough. This is evident from Committee on Security on case to case basis limited to high techthe fact that over the last 10 years, FDI in the Indian defence nology only is hardly inspiring. Given the tardy and convoluted manufacturing sector has been a paltry $4 million (`24 crore). decision-making process of the government, foreign investors are unlikely to be enthused At the limit of FDI pegged at by the latest changes in the 26 per cent, leading global regulations governing FDI in aerospace majors and origithe Indian defence industry nal equipment manufacturbeyond 26 per cent. ers (OEMs) have not been In the final analysis, it inclined to transfer highmust be understood that end, advanced or futuristic unbridled enhancement of proprietary technologies to FDI in the defence sector to the Indian defence industry 49 per cent will be the key as the former have neither to enabling the private seccontrol over the joint venture tor to grow quickly and play company in India nor any a much more vibrant and say in how the technology significant role in the Indian is utilised or exploited. The defence industry. It is only net result is that the indigthrough the development of a enous defence industry has strong indigenous manufaccontinued to languish and turing capability, induction of stagnate at a low level, both the cutting-edge technologies in respect of technology and and backing of a powerful manufacturing capability. domestic economy that the The nation’s aspirations to It is only through the development of a strong nation can hope to be a credtransform the Indian defence ible military power and then industry to achieve a respectindigenous manufacturing capability, induction aspire to be the superpower. able level of self-reliance, has of cutting-edge technologies and backing of a The nation cannot hope to remained a distant dream. powerful domestic economy that the nation can achieve these lofty ideals But of late there has and objectives on borrowed thankfully been some forhope to be a credible military power and then feathers. SP ward movement in this area. aspire to be the superpower. The nation cannot Driven by concerns over rishope to achieve these lofty ideals and objectives ing current account deficit —By Air Marshal (Retd) which is nudging five per B.K. Pandey on borrowed feathers.

ISSUE 7 • 2013

www.spsaviation.net

EmbraerCommercialAviation.com

Continuous improvement. Continued. The newly enhanced E175. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the result of our commitment to continuous improvement of our E-Jets family. This ongoing optimization of an already successful platform is our way of ensuring best-in-class performance gets even better. Lower fuel burn, longer service intervals, lower noise levels, upgraded avionics, and an even more refined cabin combine to keep us well ahead of any competitor â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which means the E175 history of success is a story to be continued.

950+ E-JETS. 65 AIRLINES. 47 COUNTRIES.