Airbus Military selects Lufthansa Technik for RAF tanker component support
September 30, 2010
After a thorough evaluation of candidate companies, Airbus Military has selected Lufthansa Technik (LHT) to undertake component support for the UK Royal Air Force´s new fleet of 14 A330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA). The ten-year contract will begin when the FSTA enters service with the RAF towards the end of next year.
Hamburg-headquartered LHT is one of the world´s premier maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)-providers and has a close relationship with Airbus as a long-standing member of the Airbus MRO Network. It has long and in-depth expertise in supporting the A330 fleet of Lufthansa.
Under the terms of the deal, LHT will be responsible for: establishing the initial component stock at the FSTA main operating base of RAF Brize Norton; reprovision of components, expendables and standard aircraft hardware; providing access to a component pool; component repair and overhaul; and transportation of components. It includes an option for FSTA aircraft to be painted by LHT.
Airbus Military Vice President Customer Services Richard Thompson said: “This contract is an important milestone in creating the highly robust MRO operation that we are putting into place to support FSTA in service.
“I am delighted to have the support of Lufthansa Technik which is a world-class provider of A330 maintenance over many years. This is a clear example of the type of market-leading support services that we will be providing to all customers of the A330 MRTT.”
Embraer’s Multinational KC-390 Tactical Air Transporter
September 25, 2010
The global competition in the 20-ton air transport segment
continues to intensify, with Embraer’s launch of its KC-390
program.
It will develop a jet powered transport that will compete with Lockheed
Martin’s C-130J,the larger Airbus A400M, Russia’s AN-12
and its Chinese copy YUN-8/9. Smaller aircraft like the
EADS-CASA C-295M and Alenia C-27J could also become
indirect competition.
Embraer seeks now to extend its efforts and markets by
crafting a jet-powered medium transport with cargo capacity
of about 25 tons, that can be refueled in the air, and can
provide refueling services to other aircraft by adding dedicated
pods.
The KC-390 has become a multinational effort.
The initial Brazilian contract calls for three development aircraft.
A 25-28 plane order is expected to follow, in order to replace
the Brazilian Air Force’s 21 C-130E/H and 2 KC-130H Hercules
planes.
Embraer’s schedule is an aggressive one. The KC-390’s initial
configuration is frozen, with the end of definition studies and
wind tunnel testing. Other foreign risk sharing partners would
likely ramp up their their own participation during the 12-month
follow-on Joint Definition Phase set to begin in 2011.
The first prototypes are expected in 2014.
Another emerging aspect of the program involves foreign partners.
Chile and Colombia have taken steps toward joining the program,
which would put the Brazilian military aviation industry at the
center of a Latin American network.
Until today, possible orders stands at 58, including Brazil 28,
Chile 6, Colombia 12, the Czech Republic 2, and Portugal 6.
On September 13th, The Brazilian and Czech Defense Ministers
signed an cooperation agreement for Aero Vodochody a.s. to
develop and build the KC-390.
The Czech Defense Ministry believes that they could end up
manufacturing the KC-390’s rear fuselage, doors, and wing
leading edges.
Argentina is also talking to Brazil. Brazils F-X-2 fighter
competition could also lead to European orders. France has
pledged to join the program and buy KC-390s if its Rafale fighter
wins. Sweden has promised to consider the KC-390 to replace
its recently-upgraded C-130s with the KC-390 if the JAS-39BR
wins.
The KC-390 will incorporate a modern, night vision compatible
avionics system, including two Head-Up displays(HUD), and
will use fly-by-wire technologies instead of all-mechanical
control system.
Key decisions will include the aircraft’s engines, which need
to be in the 27,000 thrust class. A number of commercial
aircraft engines from manufacturers like GE/Safran’s CFM,
Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls Royce could fit that requirement.
With the right engines thew Force Aerea Braziliera(FAB)
has confirmed that each aircraft will carry up to 80 troops, or
a 23.6 tonnes/26ton total cargo.
That surpasses initial expectations of 19 ton, and also places
it above competitors like Lockheed Martin’s C-130J.
In order to improve airdrop accuracy, the KC-390 will use
Computed Air Release (CARP) technology integrated with the
fly-by-wire system
Embraer and Colombia to Partner in KC-390 Program
September 7, 2010
Embraer and Colombia signed a Declaration of Intent
according to which Columbia will take part in the
development program and the production of the KC-390
military transport jet.
Colombia’s participation in the program will result in
setting up a factory for machined parts, in order to serve
the aviation market, as well as in the purchase of 12
KC-390 airplanes by the Colombian Air Force(FAC).
Colombia joins Chile, which also recently signed a
Declaration of Intent for the participation in the military
jet transport program.
All together, purchase intents of the Colombian, Chilean
and Brazilian air forces total 46 KC-390 aircraft, 28 of
which by the FAB, 12 by the FAC, and another six by
the Chilean Air Force.
Chile – Brazil in Joint Venture for Transport Aircraft
August 31, 2010
The defense ministers of Chile and Brazil signed a
Declaration of Intent for the participation of Chile
and Brazil in the development of the KC-390 military
transport aircraft which will be produced by Embraer.
The declaration also marks the beginning of negotiations
regarding the future acquisition of six KC-390 aircraft
for the Chilean Air Force(FACH).
During the Farnborough International Air Show, in July,
Embraer and the FAB announced the intent of the
Brazilian government to make an initial purchase of
28 KC-390 jets to renew the Air Force fleet.
Persuader Patrol Planes for Mexico’s Maritime
August 11, 2010
As Mexico’s military needs have escalated the
Mexican government is signing contracts on a
number of fronts, from full systems, to UAVs and
aerostats, to to medium helicopters.
More equipment is on the way, via Mexico’s own
purchases and the USA’s Merida initiative.
One of the most important acquisition programs is
EADS-CASA’s popular CN-235 MPA maritime
patrol aircraft which currently serves, among others,
with Spain and Columbia.
The Persuader is important to Mexico’s current
Cartel War.
The estimated cost for three aircraft is $60 million plus
spare and repair parts,support equipment, personnel
training as well as training equipment.
Further more, Mexico and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
signed lately a contract for three UH-60M aircraft for
the Mexican Navy and three auxiliary power units inlet
barrier filter kits for the UH-60M.
The contract value is $35,252,210 and the estimated delivery
date is the end of 2012.
Israel Rafalovich
Sikorsky Innovations Achieves First BLACK HAWK™ Helicopter Autonomous Formation Flight
July 21, 2010
FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW, London, England -– The first flight of the Sikorsky Autonomous Formation Flying (AFF) system was carried out on June 4 by Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
The demonstration used the Sikorsky AFF system implemented on the U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate’s (AFDD) JUH-60A RASCALTM aircraft, flying in formation with an unmodified EH-60L aircraft. The AFF Project is aimed to reduce a helicopter pilot’s workload by automating routine formation flight. The AFF system will allow a pilot to designate a lead aircraft and engage the system to maintain flight at a specified relative position.
“The AFF control system is the first in a series of demonstrations showcasing Sikorsky Aircraft’s competence in autonomy,” said Mark Miller, Vice President of Engineering. “This is the first in a series of planned technology demonstrations that highlight our capabilities in key areas to promote autonomous flight, including, sensing, control, and system integration.”
The AFF system demonstrated is completely passive, as it uses a single visual range camera and requires no modifications in the lead aircraft, thus placing no special requirements on the aircraft. It can be used to follow an unmodified BLACK HAWK helicopter or modified to follow another type of helicopter.
The AFF control system is another example of new capabilities enabled by fly-by-wire technology (FBW), and is another in a series of demonstrations that highlight the importance of FBW and the new capabilities it brings to the customer.
Airbus Military A400M development aircraft named Grizzly
July 21, 2010
Airbus Military is formally adopting the name Grizzly for its five-strong development fleet of
A400M airlifters.
The new name is not the product of an expensive marketing study, nor something devised by
a team of branding experts, nor the result of months of debate among the sales team.
Instead it is the affectionate nickname given to the aircraft by the close-knit group of flight
test pilots and engineers who first saw it safely into the air.
When the first aircraft was handed over to the flight-test team in Seville, Spain in November
2009, it was formally known as MSN1 in the time-honoured aviation tradition of referring to
the manufacturer´s serial number. But, working at the remotely located flight-test centre at
the western end of the lengthy Airbus Military flightline at Seville, the team quickly began
hunting for a handier nickname.
The Flight Test Team seized on the resemblance between the mighty airlifter´s hunched
appearance and the muscular shoulders of the grizzly bear, and soon afterwards the aircraft
was already being referred to inside flight-test as “the Grizzly”. By the time of the first flight on
11th December, the name had stuck sufficiently firmly that it was adopted as the aircraft´s
radio callsign – Grizzly One.
Furthermore, a little-known fact is that the first flight also carried a party of non-human
passengers – teddy bears to raise funds for the EADS-sponsored charity Aviation Without
Borders – a nice reminder of the Grizzly’s future role in civic and humanitarian missions.
The name rapidly spread throughout Airbus Military and beyond, and at the ILA Berlin
airshow in June 2010 an informal Grizzly One logo appeared on MSN1 when it made its first
public airshow appearance. Yesterday the company announced that it was adopting the
name Grizzly for the five development aircraft to be used during the flight-test programme.
In a ceremony at Farnborough, MSN1´s sister-ship MSN2 was formally named Grizzly by
two-times World Aerobatic Champion Catherine Maunoury of France.
Airbus Military Managing Director Domingo Ureña said: “Our Grizzly and the grizzly bear
share a rare combination of speed, strength, and agility, so it is no surprise that they also
bear a resemblance to each other. We are proud to associate the A400M with one of
nature´s great creatures.”
Bell Helicopter Has Begun Kiowa Warrior Cabin Conversion
July 19, 2010
FARNBOROUGH, England (July 19, 2010) – Work is underway at Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, on an Army contract for the conversion of an OH-58A cabin into a D-model cabin.
In April 2009, the Army exercised a contract option to have Bell Helicopter convert one OH-58A cabin into a new OH-58D cabin and also complete the non-recurring engineering effort required to establish a cabin build line. The creation of a cabin build line would enable the Army to acquire new OH-58D cabins from Bell to replace Kiowa Warrior aircraft whose cabins have been damaged beyond repair.
The first cabin conversion is scheduled for delivery to Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) next year. In May 2010, the Army issued a sole-source solicitation to Bell Helicopter for the conversion of additional OH-58 cabins. Up to 66 cabins could be required to support the Army’s objective to replace combat losses and damaged aircraft.
Bell is also supporting CCAD with crash damage repairs on OH-58D aircraft. One Kiowa Warrior cabin has already been repaired and delivered to the Army. Two additional cabins are undergoing repairs. As work on each cabin is completed, it is shipped to an AMCOM Aviation Field Maintenance Directorate site for installation of dynamic components.
Work also continues on the final lot of aircraft in the OH-58D Safety Enhancement Program (SEP). In March 2010, the Army awarded Bell a contract to modify the final 30 OH-58D aircraft scheduled to enter the Kiowa Warrior SEP program. The final aircraft are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. When Lot 13 is complete, a total of 371 Kiowa Warriors will have been modified to the SEP configuration.
To date, the U.S. Army’s fleet of Kiowa helicopters has accumulated more than 600,000 combat flight hours and approximately 2 million total flight hours. Despite unusually high usage rates and daily combat missions in a harsh operating environment, the OH-58D continues to maintain the highest OPTEMPO and highest readiness rate of any Army aircraft operating today.
Elisra Introduces New Capabilities with Advanced & Complete Self Protection Suite for Airborne Platforms
July 19, 2010
The company’s integrated system of systems suites are a proven success with a growing customer base worldwide
Farnborough, UK, July 19th, 2010…Elisra, an EW, intelligence, and communications stalwart unveils its new and advanced complete self protection suites for airborne platforms. Elisra’s solution constitutes a new capabilities threshold that boasts operational success with customers worldwide, underscoring an emerging approach to self protection. Militaries around the globe have been quick to recognize the improved capabilities offered by this Elisra suite as evidenced by the systems’ growing sales success and increasing user portfolio of airborne platforms (combat & transport aircraft and helicopters).
“With this new, advanced and complete self protection suite, Elisra has achieved a capabilities breakthrough,” says Elisra’s CEO, Itzhak Gat. He goes on to say, “Industry trends point to the need for a total and comprehensive interoperability of all self protection systems and technologies to function as one, seamless system. Elisra has harnessed the considerable knowhow of all its divisions to develop the definitive next-generation protection solution that offers complete integration of RF and EO (IR and Laser) passive and active technologies for any airborne platform.”
FIDAE will participate in Farnborough 2010
July 7, 2010
FIDAE will be participating in The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) in Hampshire, England. 19-25 July 2010. The main representatives of the largest aerospace, defence and security show in Latin America will visit Farnborough to make the official launching of the next version of FIDAE 2012, which will be preformed March 27th- April 1st, in Santiago de Chile.
The Chilean delegation is headed by the Commander in Chief of the Chilean Air Force (FACH), Ricardo Ortega Perrier and the recently appointed CEO of the fair, Jean Pierre Desgroux Ycaza.
The FIDAE team at Farnborough can be found in Hall 3, Stand D3.
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