FILLING IN THE GAP - HAVE SPACE SUIT - WILL TRAVEL CENTURY SERIES FIGHTERS REBORN BRITISH AIRWAYS - THE NEXT 100 YEARS - Royal ...
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December 2019
AEROSPACE
HAVE SPACE SUIT –
WILL TRAVEL
CENTURY SERIES
FIGHTERS REBORN
BRITISH AIRWAYS – THE
NEXT 100 YEARS
www.aerosociety.com
December 2019
Volume 46 Number 12
FILLING
IN THE GAP
OCEANIC ADS-B –
THE FIRST RESULTS
Royal Aeronautical Society
Volume 46 Number 12 Suddenly I see Multirole life
NATS
December 2019 How Aireon’s savers
space-based A pioneering
14 ADS-B B is
tracking aircraft 36 concept for multirole
humanitarian drones
flying across the in Africa.
Atlantic.
Contents
Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: The Editor, AEROSPACE, No.4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK publications@aerosociety.com
Comment Regulars
4 Radome 12 Transmission
The latest aviation and Your letters, emails, tweets
aeronautical intelligence, and social media feedback.
analysis and comment.
Airbus shows its stealth hand 10 Antenna
58 The Last Word
Keith Hayward on the
Howard Wheeldon reviews implications to the UK of
the prospects and future role the sale of Cobham to US
Only a decade previously, it might have seemed that Germany was falling investors.
of NATO.
behind in the stealth race. The UK, with experience in the Replica stealth
demonstrator of the late 1990s and a partner on F-35, was developing
its Taranis low-observable UCAV. Over in France, Dassault’s nEUROn
was forging a similar path in testing a stealth platform. In Germany the
only visible UCAV project at that time was the EADS Barracuda – which
Features
seemed by some to offer a lower stealth capability than its rivals. Today, 28
Pacific Spaceflight
much has changed. Expensive strike UCAVs have now evolved into the
need for cheaper ‘attritable’ loyal wingman or remote carriers that will act
18
British Airways
as force multipliers for crewed fighters. It is therefore no accident that
Germany (via AirbusDS) has chosen now to go public with a stealth project
(see p 4) which it has been quietly working on over the past decade. Much
like BAE Systems’ Replica, LOUT is a valuable showcase of German
national capabilities in this extremely sensitive and critical area for the British Airways – the next
Have spacesuit – will travel 100 years
Franco/German/Spanish FCAS. With potential tricky negotiations about As humans increasingly With new aircraft and
work, live and play in orbit
national workshare, Germany (and Airbus) have just turned over their cards – the emerging market for
revamped interiors, BA looks
with an extremely strong hand as to their true capabilities. ahead to its next centenary.
space suits.
22 A new era of training 32 Making money out
The upcoming January edition of AEROSPACE at Gatwick of air
Eagle-eyed readers may spot a few small changes in the next edition of CAE opens a new flight Analysing the economics of
simulation training centre in air taxi services.
AEROSPACE – updating the look and content of the magazine to keep it
Crawley.
fresh, relevant and exciting for this fast-changing world. I would like to pay
USAF
personal tribute to Howard Wheeldon, with his final ‘Antenna’ column in
24
Russian MoD
this month’s issue, for his incisive insight over the years. Look out for the
tweaks in the New Year!
Tim Robinson, Editor-in-Chief
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com Hypersonic weapons
38
come of age 21st Century Boyd’s
NEWS IN BRIEF The new high-speed arms
race.
Can the USAF develop
fighters faster?
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2020 AEROSPACE subscription
Tim Robinson Royal Aeronautical Society rates: Non-members, £180
+44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place Please send your order to:
41 Afterburner
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com London W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis, RAeS, No.4 Hamilton
+44 (0)20 7670 4300 Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK.
Deputy Editor
publications@aerosociety.com +44 (0)20 7670 4354
Bill Read
+44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com aerosubs@aerosociety.com
bill.read@aerosociety.com AEROSPACE is published by the Royal Any member not requiring a print 42 Message from our President
Aeronautical Society (RAeS). version of this magazine, please
Production Manager
contact: membership@aerosociety.com
43 M
essage from our Chief Executive
Wayne J Davis Chief Executive
Online
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS USA: Periodical postage paid at 44 Book Reviews
wayne.davis@aerosociety.com Advertising Champlain New York and additional
offices.
48 Library Additions
+44 (0)20 7670 4346
Publications Co-ordinator
Chris Male
partners@aerosociety.com Postmaster: Send address changes 50 100 years of transatlantic Additional features and content are
+44 (0)20 7670 4352 Unless specifically attributed, no
to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518, flying available to view online on
chris.male@aerosociety.com Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA. www.aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight
material in AEROSPACE shall be taken 52 Diary
Publications Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. ISSN 2052-451X Including:
Reproduction of material used in this
56 Elections Century of transatlantic flying, Secret LOUT
Annabel Hallam
+44 (0)20 7670 4361 publication is not permitted without the stealth demonstrator, Commercial Red Air in the
annabel.hallam@aerosociety.com written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. 21st Century, UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft
Printed by Buxton Press Limited, strategy, In the November issue of
Book Review Editor
Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire AEROSPACE, The new hypersonics arms
Brian Riddle
brian.riddle@aerosociety.com SK17 6AE, UK race, The economics of air taxis, New
Distributed by Royal Mail era of flight training at Gatwick.
Front cover: Air traffic across the North Atlantic. (NATS)
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Radome
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
Diamonds are forever
The 12m wingspan vehicle features a flat
diamond-shaped planform, with low RCS
intakes on the top surface. The diamond
UCAV with a cockpit shape was whittled down from around 11
configurations that included B-2-esquese
LOUT is unpiloted but features a notional flying wings.
cockpit canopy to test various
transparencies. Particular attention has been
made to make the canopy non-reflective to
radar waves. A key objective of LOUT has
been its modular approach to allow different
sub-components to be tested.
W
DEFENCE
LOUT of the Black
In early November, Airbus Defence and Space revealed a diamond-shaped classified stealth
demonstrator which the company has been developing for the past decade as a national
German R&D project. The LOUT (Low Observable UAV Testbed), seen here in an anechoic
test chamber in Manching, was designed as a holistic ground-based very low observable
demonstrator to investigate the latest in stealth technology − particularly against emerging
threats like low-frequency ‘counter-stealth’ radars. It is also optimised for low observability
in IR, visual and acoustic bandwidths − as well as investigating emissions control for
sensors and datalinks. Research from LOUT is expected to find its way into the
pan-European FCAS combat aircraft project, as well as flow back into Eurofighter upgrades.
4 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019
LOUT specifications
Wingspan 12m
Smooth operator Weight 4tonnes
Speed Subsonic
The demonstrator also features conformal
embedded antennas – again with the emphasis on
integrating these apertures closely into the outer
skin of the aircraft to ensure no edges that could
impact RCS. As well as conformal antennas and
reducing gaps between openings, LOUT also
includes surface wave attenuation and ‘further
coatings’ to treat locally significant effects –
stealth coatings which the company refused to
elaborate further on.
Shielded exhaust
The exhaust for the engine(s) exits through a
flat, wide nozzle on the top of the aircraft and is
shielded from the ground and sides. Airbus has
also paid special attention to lowering the IR
signature and cooling – noting how modern IR
systems make jet engine exhausts stand out.
Another technology that has been investigated
is engine thrust vectoring control.
Can you see me now?
The multi-disciplinary approach to LOUT
also extended to giving the vehicle (or
operators) self-awareness of its own
stealth signature.
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5
Radome
First news from DEFENCE
Dubai Air Show First RAF P-8 Poseidon handed over
Crown Copyright
Emirates has confirmed and increased a previous
commitment from 30 to 50 Airbus A350-900s
but removed 40 A330neos from its orginal order.
Additionally, Emirates said it was converting and
confirming an order for 40 787-10s to 30 787-9s.
It has also shaved 24 aircraft from its 777X order,
leaving it with 126 airframes still on order.
The UAE Air Force has announced plans to
purchase two additional Saab Globaleye AEW aircraft
and three additional Airbus A330MRTT tankers. It will
also acquire 24 locally-developed Calidus B-250 light
attack turboprops.
Kazakhstan low-cost carrier FlyArystan, a spin-off
of Air Astana, has signed a letter-of-intent (LoI) for 30 On 29 October, Boeing delivered the first P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft
Boeing 737 MAX 8s. to the RAF to begin crew training at US Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. Adapted
Air Arabia signed an order for 120 Airbus from the 737NG, nine P-8s are scheduled for delivery to the RAF by November 2021,
A320neo family aircraft. with the fleet to be based at RAF Lossiemouth.
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Bombardier sells off aerostructures Airlines extend 737 MAX
and MRO arm to Spirit grounding to March
US carriers Southwest MAXs on order and had
Airlines and American 34 delivered when the
Airlines have removed the aircraft was grounded,
grounded Boeing 737 had axed the MAX from its
MAX airliner from their schedules until February.
future flight schedules Meanwhile, Boeing
until at least the first week revealed that it was
Bombardier
of March 2020 − almost a ‘possible’ deliveries to
full year after the second customers could resume
Bombardier has announced the sale of its aerostructures business to Spirit of two fatal crashes this month, with the jet
AeroSystems for $500m. Spirit is to acquire Bombardier’s aerostructures activities and that killed 346 people. back in service in January,
aftermarket services operations in Belfast and Morocco, together with its aerostructures Previously, Southwest, pending approval by the
maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Dallas. which still has over 200 FAA.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Airbus A321XLRs. Of Viper fighters, as well as widebody, the 777X has
Eviation Aircraft has these, 15 A321s are new a squadron of Russian The world’s first air taxi been pushed back until
now completed the first orders and five converted Sukhoi Su-35s. Indonesia vertiport was unveiled on 21 early 2021. Emirates had
prototype of its Alice from a previous order already operates 33 October at Marina Bay in previously expected to
electric aircraft. With a for A321neos. The first F-16s, five Su-27s and 11 Singapore. A collaboration receive its first 777X in
range of up to 650miles, aircraft is to be delivered in Su-30MKs. between German air taxi mid 2020. The company
the nine-passenger aircraft 2023 while the deal also manufacturer Volocopter also revealed that it is to
was developed in two includes the provision of The UK Space Agency has and vertiport developer slow 787 production rate
years with the assistance two A320-family full flight confirmed £7m in funding Skyports, the VoloPort is from 14 a month to 12
of Dassault Systèmes’ simulators and training to develop Newquay intended as the first step in beginning in late 2020.
3DEXPERIENCE virtual services. Airport in Cornwall as a the establishment of an air
engineering platform. horizontal launch spaceport taxi service in Singapore. US regional airline
The Indonesian air force for Virgin Orbit. First operating group Trans State
Vietnamese low-cost has announced plans to launches using Virgin In its latest third quarter Holdings has cancelled
carrier Vietjet has acquire two squadrons Orbit's modified 747 and results, Boeing has an order for 50 88-seat
announced an order of US-built Lockheed LauncherOne are expected announced that the first Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90
for 20 extra long-range Martin F-16 Block 72 to commence in 2021. deliveries of its newest regional jets (formerly
6 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019
AEROSPACE SPACEFLIGHT
Rolls-Royce teams up for Rocket Lab aims for
hybrid-electric demonstrator Moon with Photon
New Zealand’s start- to medium, geostationary
up Rocket Lab has and lunar orbits with 30kg
announced that its of payload to the Moon.
Electron smallsat launcher Rocket Lab, which has
will now be able to offer launched its Electron
payload and satellite rocket nine times, says
Rolls-Royce
deliveries to the Moon that Photon has been
and beyond using a new optimised for deep-
Photon spacecraft. Photon, space missions, including
Rolls-Royce is to work on a hybrid electrically-powered flight demonstrator based on its an extended version of radiation-tolerant avionics
hybrid M250 propulsion system. The engine manufacturer is developing the demonstrator Electron’s final ‘kick stage’ and propulsion capable of
in partnership with German aviation engineering company APUS and the Brandenburg for low Earth orbit will give multiple restarts in orbit.
University of Technology (BTU) as part of a three-year project. The project will integrate the Rocket Lab the ability to Photon will be available for
M250 with a high energy density battery system, electric generators, power converters and launch extended range customers as early as the
an advanced power management and control system on an APUS i-5 aircraft. small satellite missions end of 2020.
DEFENCE AIR TRANSPORT
UK F-35Bs deploy on Bumper 300-aircraft IndiGo order
HMS Queen Elizabeth adds to A320neo backlog
For the first time, UK and operated from QEC’s
Lockheed Martin F-35Bs deck. The USMC is set
from 617, 17(R) and 207 to deploy a squadron of
Sqns have deployed on F-35Bs onto the QEC as
HMS Queen Elizabeth in part of the carrier air wing
Airbus
an exercise off the east when it sails on its first
coast of North America. The operational deployment in Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has ordered an additional 300 Airbus A320neos,
exercise, Westlant 19, is 2021. The milestone also A321neos and A321XLRs. IndiGo already operates 90 A320neos and seven A321neos
set to last four months with saw QEs sister ship, HMS with a further 190 A320neos and 143 A321neos already on order.
five weeks of air operations Prince of Wales, at sea After a spate of in-flight shutdowns, India’s civil aviation regulator DGCA has issued a
involving seven UK F-35Bs. simultaneously for the first directive requiring IndiGo and GoAir to replace the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines
US Marine Corp F-35Bs time, conducting sea trials on their A320neos with an upgraded version by the end of January 2020. IndiGo is
also joined the exercise off the coast of Scotland. reported to have already replaced 45% of its PW1100G engines.
known as the MRJ). KF-X completed a International Airport, to begin operations in
Mitsubishi is reported to critical design review in Switzerland's Pilatus has China. The aircraft was September next year.
be trying to interest the September. launched an upgraded airborne for one hour
operator in the smaller version of its single-engine and 37 minutes. As the Lockheed Martin has
76-seat M100 which Amazon billionaire Jeff PC-12 turboprop at this fifth test aircraft to join finalised a $34bn
will conform to scope Bezos has announced year's NBAA in Las Vegas. the fleet, Aircraft 105 will agreement with the US
regulations restricting Blue Origin’s partners The new PC-12 NGX concentrate on testing Government's F-35 Joint
feeder carriers from for its commercial Moon features an improved extreme temperatures Program Office for the
operating aircraft with over lander for NASA’s Artemis engine, avionics and a and environment control production of 478 F-35
76 seats. programme. Lockheed redesigned cabin with systems. Lightning IIs for a price
Martin will build the larger windows. of less than $80m per
Korea Aerospace ascent stage, while New South Korean carrier aircraft. The deal covers
Industries (KAI) has Northrop Grumman is set The fifth prototype of Air Premia is to lease five 291 F-35s for the US
begun assembling the to provide the transfer Comac’s C919 single Boeing 787-9s from Air armed forces, 127 for
first prototype of South stage. Meanwhile, Draper aisle airliner made its first Lease. The start-up airline, F-35 international partners
Korea’s indigenous will supply the navigation test flight on 24 October which has already leased and 60 foreign military
KF-X fighter. The and guidance. from Shanghai Pudong three other 787s, plans sales customers.
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Radome
DEFENCE GENERAL AVIATION
Airbus proposes Gulfstream reveals newest flagship
Typhoon EW variant G700
Airbus Defence and Space requirements for tactical
has unveiled a concept EW platforms. Airbus
for a dedicated electronic envisages the Typhoon
warfare (EW) version of ECR being a twin-seat
the Eurofighter Typhoon. aircraft, with jamming pods
The Typhoon ECR would and armed with the MBDA
take over the mission SPEAR EW munition.
of the Luftwaffe’s aging Meanwhile, Saab has Gulfstream has unveiled its newest bizjet – the ultra long-range, large cabin
Tornado ECR in EW and announced it has just flown G700. The $75m G700 is aimed at competing directly with Bombardier’s
SEAD (suppression of its new Electronic Attack Global 7500 bizjet and is based on a stretched G650ER. Final range is still
Gulfstream
enemy air defences) − as Jammer Pod (EAJP) on a unknown but is expected to be near 7,800-8,000nm. The aircraft is powered by
well as other emerging Gripen D test aircraft. Rolls-Royce Pearl turbofans with first deliveries scheduled for 2022.
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Leonardo has announced it is to invest as the main industrial partner into a Spanish-
US start-up, Skydweller, that is aiming to convert the piloted record-breaking Solar
Qantas trials ‘Project
Impulse 2 aircraft into an ultra-persistent UAV with unlimited range. The Skydweller
will be capable of carrying a payload of 800kg, with its first flight scheduled for 2021.
Sunrise’ long haul
Unlike competing HAPS (high-altitude psuedo satellites), such as the Airbus Zephyr Qantas has flown a test crew and no cargo.
and BAE Systems Phasa-35, the Skydweller will fly at medium altitudes.
flight for its proposed Project The trial saw optimised
Sunrise long-distance lighting and sleeping
non-stop commercial patterns to reduce jet-lag,
flights to Australia. The test as well as monitoring of
flight on 18 October was crew alertness and in-
conducted using a Boeing flight exercise classes for
787-9 Dreamliner flying for passengers. Qantas plans
19hours 16min from New to begin commercial long-
York’s JFK airport to Sydney distance flights connecting
Solar Impulse to return as in a 8,700nm flight. To
ensure that the aircraft had
Sydney with New York and
Sydney to London from
Leonardo-backed persistent UAV the necessary fuel, the 787 2022-23 using either Airbus
Leonardo
carried 49 passengers and A350s or Boeing 777Xs.
NEWS IN BRIEF
in emergency medical demonstrated at Mach an eventual 18 upgraded
An unmanned Cygnus services, tourism, aerial 5 conditions – cooling version of the Dassault On 11 November, SpaceX
spacecraft cargo ship construction and flight airflow temperatures of Atlantique 2 (ATL2) launched 60 of its Starlink
docked with the ISS on training. Delivery of the over 1,000°C in less than maritime patrol aircraft. mini-satellites using a
4 November after being new K-MAX is scheduled 1/20th second. Dassault Aviation and Falcon 9. The launch was
launched on an Antares for December. Thales are due to deliver also the fourth flight of this
rocket from Wallops Airline operator IAG is to an additional five upgraded Falcon 9 reusable booster
Island, Virginia, on 2 The UK’s Reaction acquire Spanish operator, ATL2s between 2020- and the first use of the
November. Engines’ has announced Air Europa, for €1bn. The 2023 while a further 11 rocket's refurbished nose
that its precooler airline will be controlled will be upgraded by SIAé fairings.
Kaman Aerospace has technology has passed by IAG’s existing Spanish aeronautical maintenance
won a new order from Heli a critical validation operator Iberia. The deal is centre. The modifications Bristol-based Vertical
Air-Swiss for its K-MAX ground test. The HTX expected to be completed include a new radar, Aerospace has announced
heavy-lift helicopter. Heli tests – at the company’s in the first half of 2020. acoustic subsystem it has conducted the first
Air-Swiss is part of Heli- facility in Colorado, and new navigation and flight of its Serpah three-
Austria which operates US – saw the SABRE The French Navy has taken tactical display subsystem person (one pilot, two
35 aircraft specialising precooler successfully delivery of the first two of consoles. passengers) eVTOL.
8 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019
DEFENCE SPACEFLIGHT
Tu-160s touch down in NASA and Virgin Galactic unveil
South Africa new space suits and flightsuit
NASA
Two Russian Air Force their base at Engels-2
Tupolev Tu-160M2 via the Caspian, Arabian
strategic bombers have Seas and Indian Ocean.
visited Africa for the very Supporting the visit of the
first time as guests of Tu-160s were an Antonov
the South African Air An124 transport and an
Force in a ‘military-military’ Ilyushin Il-62. The visit
co-operation event. The of the bombers came as
aircraft touched down Russian President Vladimir
at Waterkloof Air Force Putin hosted a Russia-
Base, South Africa, on 23 Africa summit in Sochi on
October, having flown from the Black Sea.
GENERAL AVIATION
The emergency
‘land-now’ button is here
Navigation and avionics by passengers in the
specialists Garmin has event of the pilot being
Virgin Galactic
announced that the Cirrus incapacitated. It selects the
Vison Jet and Piper M60 nearest suitable airport,
wlll be the launch aircraft plots a flight plan before
for its new emergency landing the aircraft safely Both NASA and Virgin Galactic have revealed new designs for space suits and flightsuits.
autoland as part of their and stopping the engine. For its Artemis Moon programme, NASA unveiled a new Lunar EVA suit (right) that improves
G3000 flightdecks − a While the G3000 suite will on the original Apollo suits with better flexibility and comfort, as well as a vehicle crew suit that
first for GA aircraft. The be the first application, the astronauts will wear on launch. Meanwhile, commercial sub-orbital operator Virgin Galactic
autoland capability is firm says it could also be revealed its flightsuit (left) for its space tourists, developed in conjunction with Under Armour.
designed to be triggered retrofitted. (See ‘Have space suit will travel’ p 18).
ON THE AEROSPACE
MOVE INFOGRAPHIC: How 70% of aerospace R&D also
Stan Deal is to replace spins off to benefit other sectors
Kevin McAllister as CEO
of Boeing Commercial
Airplanes.
From 1 January, Antonio
Carlos Garcia will be
Embraer’s new CFO and
Investor Relations Officer.
NASA has appointed
Aerospace Technology Initiative
Douglas Loverro as
its new Associate
Administrator for the
Human Exploration and
Operations Mission
Directorate.
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antenna: Global Outlook and
Analysis with
HOWARD WHEELDON
NATO looks to more
uncertain future with
confidence
I
t was the first Secretary General of NATO, Lord While NATO continues to face external threats,
Ismay who in 1952, using rather surprising few would have believed that it would today be faced
language at that time, had voiced a belief that with internal threats to its very existence as well. With
the Trans-Atlantic alliance was created to “keep the EU more determined than ever to further its own
the Soviet Union out, the Americans in and the version of collective defence through the Common
Germans down.” Security and Defence Policy, often without recourse
That NATO has achieved what it was established to NATO and, worse, with too many European NATO
for can hardly be in doubt and, as I write this last members unwilling to properly fund their own defence
‘Antenna’ piece, I would love to believe that 30 years let alone to fully meet wider obligations to the alliance,
from now, when NATO celebrates its first one hundred suffice to say that equally serious threats to the
years, scholars of 20th and 21st century history will alliance remain.
determine that NATO’s foremost success is that it has In a modern translation of the famous Ismay
ensured one hundred years of European peace and words, Stephen Walt of Harvard University said
that, as can surely be said today, it has remained the that NATO’s purpose is to “keep the Americans in
most successful military alliance in history. charge, the Europeans compliant and the Brussels
A strong NATO remains as vital to defending bureaucracy busy.” Across the pond in Europe, John
western interests, freedom and democracy today as it Hulsman of the HCSS (Hague Centre for Strategic
did on the day that the alliance was founded 70 years Studies) reinterpreted the words as needing to
ago in April 1949. NATO has always faced challenges “keep the West in, Russians out and the isolationists
of course and has been brilliant in demonstrating (especially in Europe) down.”
adaptability to meet ever changing demands. That NATO is facing a new set of challenges
Today NATO is facing up to a new set of dissimilar from those the alliance faced ten years ago
challenges that could not have been imagined even can hardly be argued. A disgruntled US President
ten years ago. The more protagonist views from a making ‘sometimes wild but understandable’ threats
more inward-looking US transatlantic partner, one based around the US taking such a huge burden of
whose President appears as determined as ever to financial responsibility not only for NATO itself but also
put US advantage first, can hardly be ignored and for collective European defence combined with the
then there are geopolitical issues, including what to unwillingness of some large European NATO member
do about Turkey, importantly NATO’s second largest states to increase spending on defence has not
military power and one that is proving to be less than surprisingly angered a more inward-looking America.
prepared to toe the alliance line. The comparison figures between what US and
Throwing Turkey out of NATO would present a gift European NATO members spend on defence speak
that Russia’s Vladimir Putin would very much welcome for themselves and they make very poor reading. In
and thus it is a least-preferred option. Then, just as the 2015 European members of NATO, including the UK,
major military threat to NATO back in 1949 was the spent a total $253bn on defence. That compared
Soviet Union, so it is today that the greatest security to the $618bn that the US spent on defence in the
threat to NATO is still that of a resurgent Russia. same year. Translated, it means that 26 out of the
The list of threats to NATO can probably be said then 28 non-North American members of NATO
to have never been greater than they are today. Cyber were, in, 2015, spending just 30% of what the US
security threats to the alliance have also become spent. No surprise then that the bottom line from a
more frequent, complex, destructive and, indeed, US standpoint is that Europe needs to spend more
coercive and the need for NATO to create a strategy on defence and that the US is no longer prepared to
for space, one that would allow the alliance to combat carry such a high financial burden of European-based
growing threats from China and Russia, will continue defence.
to occupy the highest level of priority for NATO While issues such as NATO strategy, the ability of
military chiefs. Much has been achieved but even the alliance to respond to crises fast enough and its
more still needs to be done. ability to adapt have all been cited as areas of concern
10 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019NATO
from an internal NATO perspective, I suspect that Meeting of NATO worked hard to stand in the way of the EU creating
creation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Ministers of Defence on a European defence force. The negative position
Policy (CSDP), together with that of the Permanent 24-25 October 2019 at is that the events of Brexit could be perceived as
NATO Headquarters in
Structured Cooperation (PESCO) mechanism could damaging Britain’s standing in the world and that it will
Brussels.
all potentially interfere with future NATO military take several years for a British government to rebuild
planning and conduct capability. How these will fit its fences. Even so, the UK remains the largest and
alongside NATO remains a big unknown and, while probably best equipped of Europe’s NATO members
none of the above are aimed at damaging EU-NATO and its military still punches above its weight on
co-operation, I suspect that creation of another large the global stage. Leaving the EU certainly does not
and potentially unwieldy layer in European defence mean the UK turning its back on Europe and I am
policy and practice could well have an impact on in no doubt that, through NATO and working closely
NATO efficiency. together with our EU allies, the underlying relationship
with the EU in respect of military alliance will not
A vital transatlantic bond change.
It is also reassuring that membership of the EU
NATO today is not just about 29 member states and NATO is largely overlapping and that, post Brexit,
being united in their commitment to the 1949 21 countries will remain members of both. Since the
Washington Treaty, the purposes and principles of 2016 NATO Warsaw Summit the alliance and the
the Charter of the United Nations and remaining as EU have been trying to work more closely together,
a vital transatlantic bond. It is equally about seeing even allowing that the EU has been fostering its own
NATO as an instrument that is always striving for A STRONG policies for future European-based defence.
peace, security and stability across the whole of the Longer-term issues that NATO may need to look
Euro-Atlantic area in defending freedom, security,
NATO REMAINS at include the alliance having no formal obligation to
common values, individual liberties and rules-based AS VITAL TO protect EU countries that are not members of the
order for which NATO has no equal. DEFENDING alliance – these include Austria, Finland, Ireland, Malta,
Concerns over EU policy on defence and how WESTERN and Sweden. Of these, Sweden has been reported to
these may translate to the strengthening of future co- be planning to introduce a new ‘total defence’ plan in
operation with NATO, the jury is also out on whether INTERESTS, order to defend itself against a military invasion.
Brexit will either damage or strengthen NATO. Brexit FREEDOM AND Clearly the threat to non-NATO member states,
will remain a sore point and one that no-one as yet DEMOCRACY particularly those in the Baltic region such as
knows what the final answer will be. The hope is that, Finland and Sweden, from a resurgent Russia is real.
TODAY AS IT
because the UK is the largest European contributor to NATO should, in my view, take a lead in accepting
NATO, the UK will enjoy ‘unequalled solidarity’ from all DID ON THE that threats to Baltic region allies are a NATO
members states of the EU that are also members of DAY THAT THE responsibility, just as much as they may well be an EU
NATO. ALLIANCE WAS responsibility as well.
Equally important is that a Britain no longer in In writing this last ‘Antenna’ view, can I thank all
the EU can use its power of diplomacy to rebuild the
FOUNDED 70 those that have written to me personally during the
fraught transatlantic relationship between the EU and YEARS AGO IN seven years that I have been producing these for the
NATO. Until now and refusing to join itself, Britain has APRIL 1949 Society’s AEROSPACE magazine.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com DECEMBER 2019
11Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE
f
Aerial taxis
Pilot training
Uber Elevate
The article on pilot training own selection procedures.
by David Learmount in Resources were saved,
the November edition of standards improved and
AEROSPACE I found of most important, individual
particular interest(1). In youngsters were not
1994 I wrote a short paper wasting large sums of
for the then Education money. To see that, after
Gary (Garo) Vermaak
& Training Committee 25 years, the problem still Anti aeromodellers?
[On Making money out
of the then Guild of Air RAF selection centre at exists in parts of the world
Jonathan Land [On of air(8)] Great article.
Pilots & Air Navigators Cranwell I was able to is horrifying. Although no
dealing with drones(5).] While UAM actually has
(now the Honourable start a scheme whereby longer active in the role of
Why are all legitimate aero been around since New
Company) on the subject an appropriate battery of pilot selection and training,
modellers being penalised York Airways’ first air
of preassessment and pilot aptitude tests was I do reflect on over 40
for an alleged issue with a taxi flight in 1953 (the
aptitude testing for available for budding years of involvement. The
drone operation? For many term air mobility was only
prospective pilots. I was commercial pilots. Some scheme at Cranwell is still
of us, aeromodelling was coined by the USAF in
most concerned at the training establishments operating, although at a
our introduction to a career the1960s and NASA only
quality of some pilots after of the time were far reduced level with around
in aviation. How can we added the word urban in
they had qualified, clearly from keen on the idea 25% of candidates found
introduce young people into the 2000s), a key point
having had considerable as they could see loss of to be unsuitable for pilot
the hobby when we’re being is that eVTOLs are only
difficulty with the course, revenue. Training hopeless training and many more
demonised by the media? a transition from turbine
and also with the fact cases was very lucrative. are marginal. A one-to-
engines to (distributed)
that so many set out on As time went by, the one debriefing enables
Flying VTOLs electric propulsion, just
the course in the first schools saw the wisdom the implications of an
like the transition from
place without any idea of aptitude testing and individual’s performance to
Esaú Lopez Fraga [On piston engines to jet
of their basic aptitude the culture changed with be discussed.
Creating a new world(6).] A engines in the late ’40s
and chances of success. the introduction by some
new world with the same and early ’50s, which
With the help of the establishments of their Clive Elton
PPL? No, I don’t believe it... creates opportunities for
new designs (or rehashing
i
1920’s multi-copters and
Don’t forget the X-59 1960’s tilt duct, rotor and
wing aircraft) and new
I’ve been surprised that, in use cases. These new
NASA
giving news on the Boom designs should be quieter
Supersonic XB-1 project(2), and be cheaper to operate
you’ve made no mention from an energy and
of the ‘Low Boom’ aircraft maintenance perspective.
programme. The first eVTOL aircraft also face
NASA X-59 QueSST is the same constraints as
close to flight, and Boeing Developing fighters helicopters and the same
has a ‘low boom’ prototype rules and regulations
almost completed. These Steve Higgins [On From developed over 72 years
projects are aimed at Sanger to Avangard(7).] of civilian helicopters
Mach 3. A recent article on Excellent article. Incredible should apply, with the
the X-59 was in Aviation to think that this concept exception of autorotation
Week 30 September – NASA/Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST demonstrator. was first thought of 70+ capability, which still
13 October 2019. The years ago! needs to be addressed for
programme is being designs without any glide
handled by Lockheed’s issue(3), on our local Kent article. It was one of the Light aircraft design ability. Infrastructure is a
Skunk Works and others Surrey Sussex service. most interesting articles major constraint, yet ‘Uber
but the flying is from I had no knowledge of I’ve seen in AEROSPACE Tim Watkins [On RAeS Elevate also envisions a
NASA Langley. Perhaps the detail, including the recently. The article on Light Aircraft Design future involving large-scale
someone from RAeS availability of more than the international United conference] I can highly fleets of UAMs operating
should arrange to go to one helicopter – three! Nor Nations emergency recommend this! There are between skyports which
Langley and prepare an had I knowledge of details service(4) was also some excellent and highly could handle up to 1,000
article for AEROSPACE? such as the GoodSAM fascinating and made a qualified speakers lined landings per hour’ – when
By the way, video streaming system. good companion article to up; if you have an interest realistically and safely, a
congratulations on ‘The My wife supports AAKSS that on AAKSS. in the electrification of two take-off and landing
airborne emergency but also was surprised aviation, this really is a key vertiport could handle 60
room’ in the October by the information in the Nigel Wood conference to attend. movements an hour.·
12 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019Solar-powered UAV
RAeS 2019 Greener by Design conference
@mhmiranusa [On
Airbus
@giakroeff What a
Leonardo investing in
shift towards zero net
Solar Impulse-derived
carbon conversation in
UAV] The problem with
the Greener by Design
solar-powered aircraft is
Conference today. Well
mostly low cruise speed (ie
organised.
wing loading) which comes
from low available power
and also its coupling with
Hybrid demonstrator @GuyG_Boffin Greener
wing area. Power-saving
by Design @AeroSociety
systems (batteries, fuel
#GBD19. Takeaway 1 –
Rolls-Royce
cells) low energy density is
for the first time everybody
another problem.
is talking seriously about
Concept image of Airbus E Fan-X hybrid-electric demonstrator. carbon removal from
Bird of Prey at RAeS the environment as an
@Light_Flight22 Great @MCarter_ Sustainable essential future technology.
to see the E-Fan X being aviation fuel use is Takeaway 2 – We still
@juanmab [On Rolls- lack universally trusted
profiled, an incredibly growing, aiming for 2%
Royce and German entities to measure and
important global jet fuel use by 2025.
partners team up police carbon emissions
@UKAeroInstitute-funded Is it enough?
for hybrid-electric reductions at all scales.
project.
demonstrator] OK, who With increasing use of
ended up mating a offsetting, this will become
@RAFEngineering RAF
Myasishchev M-55 and a increasingly needed.
@AskHelios Helios Engineering isn’t just about
Tu-95? Takeaway 3 – Carbon
Director, Nick Boud is air operations today. Really
@IAtheron [On Airbus offsets in aviation can
attending Greener by pleased to be
Bird of Prey on display only be a short/medium-
Design @AeroSociety @AeroSociety conference
@MichaelJPryce Electric at RAeS Careers in term solution until the
today. ‘A compelling on sustainable aviation.
Argosy-minor! Nice. Aerospace LIVE!] Why the rest of human activity is
agenda on how and if Tomorrow’s engineers may
contra rotating props? decarbonised, unless it is
aviation can not just still be in school but they
achieve a 50% net will be leading this field in paying for carbon capture
reduction in greenhouse 10/15 years. and storage.
@rovSirhc Need one!!! 4th and final takeaway –
Global workforce gas emissions by 2050 but
achieve net zero.’ Present carbon targets,
@asciiqwerty Great to Paris, CORSIA, etc, may
Stealth demonstrator be totally inadequate
hear from @piersforster
to protect our planet.
Airbus Defence
@The_AEF Setting out at #GBD19 this morning
the scale of the aviation on ten years of climate Increasingly a target
emissions challenge: by science in aerospace. Key of zero net emissions
2050, aviation will have take away – don’t mix CO2 by 2050 is looking like
used 20bn tonnes of fuel and non-CO2 impacts, look the only way to prevent
and emitted 65bn tonnes into effective RF metric massive global damage.
Hans Büthker, GKN CEO. @epelgrino [On of CO2 says and pay attention to time
Airbus Defence unveils @CranfieldUni Ian Poll at basis of analysis.
secret LOUT stealth #GBD19
@GKNAero: Yesterday, demonstrator(9)] Has
Hans Büthker, it demonstrated its
@GKNAero CEO, had the effectiveness in flight?
pleasure of updating the Powered with what engine? 1. AEROSPACE, November 2019, p 22, Delivering tomorrow’s pilot training
@AeroSociety (RAeS) 2. AEROSPACE, October 2019, p 32, Supersonic countdown
3. AEROSPACE, October 2019, p 14, The airbourne emergency room
about how our global
4. AEROSPACE, October 2019, p 18, Flying to the rescue
workforce continues @Al_Brock We were only 5. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/dealing-with-drones/
to drive #sustainability talking about the Horton 6. AEROSPACE, November 2019, p 26, Creating a new world
7. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/from-saenger-to-avangard-hypersonic-weapons-come-of-age/
and #innovation into the in the margins yesterday 8. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/making-money-out-of-air/
#aerospace industry. evening at our Cambridge 9. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/lout-of-the-black/
We appreciate all who RAeS lecture. Several
Online
attended, including Sir of us have seen it in the
Brian Burridge, RAeS CEO. museum at Dulles.
Additional features and content are available to view
online at http://media.aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com DECEMBER 2019 13AEROSPACE
Air traffic management
It has now been over eight months since NATS and NAV Canada introduced
Suddenly I see
Aireon’s space-based ADS-B service over the world’s busiest oceanic
airspace, the North Atlantic. DAVID LEARMOUNT reports on its progress.
NATS
It has now been over eight months since NATS and NAV Canada introduced
Aireon’s space-based ADS-B service over the world’s busiest oceanic
airspace, the North Atlantic. DAVID LEARMOUNT reports on its progress.
C
ommunications technology aboard a Surveillance systems on
new global constellation of 66 low-
Earth-orbit smart satellites – launched On 4 February this year US company Aireon,
during the last decade by Iridium responsible for setting up the satcom datalink relay
Communications has enabled Canada network on the Iridium constellation, was able to
and the UK to transform air traffic surveillance on announce that its space-based surveillance system
the North Atlantic. had been switched on. Aireon’s system, the company
Each satellite carries a device that relays aircraft claims, could now enable ATM surveillance ‘anywhere
position and performance data via datalinks to on earth’, because Iridium’s 66-satellite constellation
air traffic management (ATM) units, such as Nav covers the globe.
Canada’s Gander and NATS’ Prestwick Oceanic NATS has had a 10% share in Aireon since 2018.
Control Centres (OCC). Between them, the two NATS’ chief executive officer Martin Rolfe, says: “This
centres control the vast majority of North Atlantic is a transformational technology that will deliver the
air traffic. Aircraft-mounted ADS-B transmitters world’s first truly global air traffic control infrastructure,
transmit information every few seconds about making flying even safer and more efficient. The
each aircraft’s position, height and much more via North Atlantic is the busiest area of oceanic airspace
the satellites to the OCCs. This enables air traffic in the world and the gateway to Europe but its
control officers (ATCO) to track the aircraft as if in routes have now reached their limit of capacity with
real time, with a radar-like update rate of 3-8sec. existing technology, so we are delighted now to have
14 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019a safe way to meet the ever growing demand.” transmitted via ADS-C (ADS – Contract) every 10-
This technological response to the ATM capacity 14min using a FANS (future air navigation systems)
challenge is a world first. datalink. FANS has become a misnomer
NATS explains that live trials began – the system is no longer the future,
on 29 March, about two months after though it may remain the present for
the Aireon switch-on and says the early some time in other oceanic areas.
results are promising. The trial involves Under the FANS system aircraft were
Nav Canada overseeing the Gander carefully released into their pre-cleared,
Oceanic Flight Information Region THIS IS A one-way oceanic tracks at specific
(FIR) and the UK’s NATS on watch TRANSFOR- heights, time intervals, and speeds, so
over the Shanwick FIR. These are the MATIONAL they would maintain separation vertically
two contiguous sectors that carry very TECHNOLOGY and horizontally. Now, NATS explains,
nearly all the traffic flying both ways THAT WILL position updates are rapid and frequent:
between North America and Europe/ ‘The changes we’ve made to our ATM
Middle East.
DELIVER THE system have received a warm welcome
The early results are looking very WORLD’S FIRST from our controllers, while our new Aireon
positive, conferring safety validation for TRULY GLOBAL service has delivered 134m ADS-B
smaller traffic separations and a hugely AIR TRAFFIC reports since the end of March, all of
increased probability that aircraft will be CONTROL which arrived within the target update
able to be cleared to fly at their chosen rate of eight seconds, with most as low as
INFRA–
speed and best height. 2-3 seconds. The average time taken for
Until now, aircraft flying between STRUCTURE, these reports to reach a controller was
North American and Europe had MAKING FLYING just 0.19 seconds, well within our target
always been invisible to ATC once EVEN SAFER AND of two seconds or less.’
they were more than about 350km MORE EFFICIENT. The 14min position/performance
off the coast on either side, because update rate provided by the old FANS
at that distance from radar antennae Martin Rolfe system is an enhanced version of a well-
they had disappeared over the radar Chief Executive tried voice ATM methodology known as
horizon. ATCOs, however, still knew Officer, NATS procedural control and most of the world
approximately where each aircraft will continue to control oceanic air traffic
was because each aircraft reported procedurally for some years yet. In fact The Aireon
its position, height and a time estimate for the next only 30% of the Earth’s surface has radar coverage environment
reporting point every 14min or so. Once done by enabling aircraft surveillance for ATM purposes,
voice, this information has more recently been and ADS-B is increasingly also used to cover large
Aireon
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com DECEMBER 2019 15AEROSPACE
Air traffic management
wilderness areas in some countries like Australia efficiently cross the North Atlantic.” Of course, crews
but at present they have ground-based, not satellite, will continue to choose the most efficient routes to
data-link relay systems. minimise headwinds or take advantage of tailwinds
On 28 March, less than two months after Aireon’s but the NATS area will gradually become free-routing
switch-on, live ADS-B surveillance trials involving airspace.
Nav Canada and UK NATS began on the busy North Smith explains: “Being able to reduce separation
Atlantic (NAT) routes. The trials are endorsed by the standards and offer greater flexibility on routes,
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). speeds and levels means 62% of traffic now
doesn’t need to use the OTS at all, compared
Increased aircraft trafficking with 50% in 2015. That’s a trend we will now see
accelerate, as we continue to unlock all of the service
Comparing NATS’ traffic in the period 28 March improvements available to us through Aireon and our
and 31 August 2018 with the same this year, 4,400 deployment of our new standards. Over the coming
more flights were assigned their requested level years, we estimate that 90% of airspace users will be
and, by the end of the year, it is anticipated that 90% assigned their requested trajectories, something that
of flights will get what they ask for. Over that same will support the progressive reduction and eventual
period, explains NATS: ‘We were also able to assign removal of the OTS.”
3,419 more flights their (requested) route, while Resulting annual fuel savings on the North
around 43,000 flights – over one third Atlantic at this stage of the trial are
of all eastbound traffic – were eon expected to be 38,800 tonnes. As
Air
instructed to ‘Resume Normal experience with the system
Speed’ for a total duration increases, and if validation
of 2.2m minutes, or analyses continue to
37,000 flight hours. prove margins are safe,
Flying at ‘normal’ further improvements
speed allows crews may be gained.
to fly at the speed
that best suits Increased
them, enabling safety
flexibility to speed
up, slow down The possession
to meet their of radar-like Aireon’s space-
schedules, or surveillance
simply to fly at the capability improves
based ADS-B
most economical safety as well service.
speed instead of the as efficiency, and
totally fixed speed enables much more Left: Aireon
we’ve had to operate for precise monitoring, promises eventual
decades.’ recording and analysis of Global,
To give an idea of the size traffic behaviour, enabling
Pole-to-Pole
of the annual task, the number the identification of risk and of
of flights passing through the NATS- potential improvements in best practice. Coverage.
controlled Shanwick OCA in 2018 was just over Previously, if an aircraft began to deviate
500,000 flights. from its cleared track because clearance details
At present these flexible speed clearances – were misunderstood or entered incorrectly into the
known as OWAFS (operations without fixed assigned flight control panel (FCP), it could take up to 14mins
speed) – are still issued manually by ATCOs where before ATC got a position update revealing the error.
they see opportunities and where workload permits Another benefit of the new datalink is that it goes
but NATS says they will be automated by the first beyond providing aircraft position and speed, it can
quarter of 2020. ATCO-pilot communications are indicate the crew’s intention by detecting pilot input
normally by controller-pilot data-link communications to the FCP to change the aircraft’s flight level or
(CPDLC) exchanging keyboard-generated heading. So if, for example, the flight level selected
messages, although voice is available. is incorrect according to the aircraft’s clearance, the
NATS’ Head of Strategic Oceanic Engagement, ATCO will receive a warning before the error has
Andy Smith comments: “We’re seeing the beginning been actuated.
of the end of the organised track structure (OTS). The Controllers managing the Shanwick Oceanic
OTS was introduced decades ago, itself designed sector sit at a HMI (human/machine interface)
to add additional oceanic capacity with a series of display which, to the unpractised eye, looks identical
set routes designated each day, taking into account to those used by controllers working the Scottish
the location of the jet stream, to permit aircraft to domestic sectors in the same operations room at
16 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019NATS’ Prestwick Centre, except the latter are using just replaced, based on ADS-C relayed via FANS
secondary surveillance radar (SSR) input rather than datalinks, enabled by Inmarsat.
ADS-B reports. The FAA’s long-term intentions for ADS-B in
As Smith explains, the oceanic controllers are Oceanic areas are not yet defined. It does say,
assisted by automation and, therefore, do not have however: ‘The Reduced Oceanic Separation (ROS)
to monitor every aircraft return all the time, enabling – Advanced Surveillance Enhanced Procedural
them to monitor larger numbers than they used to Separation (ASEPS) program will re-examine
be able to handle safely. Clicking on any contact will current limitations to reducing oceanic separation
provide information on the 12 closest aircraft. The standards by evaluating improved surveillance
system provides automatic warning to the controller capabilities, including space-based ADS-B and
of any emerging medium-term conflicts and – if more enhanced ADS-C with a faster update rate than
than one conflict – they are prioritised. available today (a 3.2min update rate is planned)…
At work the oceanic controllers are quiet most of the program is working towards a financial
the time, occasionally checking a particular contact investment decision.’
that looks clear of traffic to see if it could be relieved When NATS, however, was reviewing enhanced
of any restrictions to its clearance. If it proves clear, ADS-C as an upgrade option it found that, while it
the controller taps into the datalink keyboard ‘resume provided the potential for smaller separations than
normal speed’, or passes the crew a level change the non-enhanced variant, safety improvement
clearance if it was being held down.
At present the live trial in Gander and Shanwick
Oceanic continues but all the signs are it is working
to specification or beyond. Back in February 2019
Aireon CEO Don Thoma was able to boast that:
“For the first time in history, we can surveil (sic) all
ADS-B-equipped aircraft anywhere on Earth.” Not all
the world’s ANSPs are ready for it yet, but those who
are ready – in addition to Nav Canada and NATS –
include the Irish Aviation Authority, Italy’s Enav and
Denmark’s Naviair.
Aireon begins tracking the world
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) is also working with Aireon. It is in the
early stages of trialling the provision – by Aireon
– of space-based surveillance over the whole
continent, with the ADS-B data relayed to Europe’s
ANSPs. Thoma describes Aireon’s core product
as “global surveillance as a service”. When and if
that is approved in Europe, it will be another first:
NATS
the provision of surveillance data to ANSPs by an
organisation that is a business, not an ANSP, nor the
military. was limited by the fact that an ADS-C report takes
Meanwhile, surveillance is not the same in the minutes to download, whereas ADS-B takes less
US’s oceanic areas of responsibility, even where they than a second. The FAA’s decision will probably be
border with Gander Oceanic. Although the Federal influenced by the simple fact of the lower traffic
Aviation Administration (FAA) is thoroughly familiar density in its oceanic airspace. On both the USA’s
with the use of ground-based ADS-B for surveillance, Atlantic and Pacific shores the airspace is indeed
it has not deployed it for oceanic areas. The FAA’s busy but much less so than the North Atlantic
Capital Investment Plan sets out the agency’s plans sectors that Nav Canada and the UK manage.
to deploy ground-network-based ADS-B surveillance NATS summarises the project: ‘The North Atlantic
gradually to replace SSR over land and in coastal is the busiest piece of oceanic airspace anywhere
areas beginning in 2020 and it already uses it in the world, acting as Europe and North America’s
extensively in the Gulf of Mexico for managing oil- transatlantic gateway. What we’ve developed here is
support helicopter operations. important not just for the airlines that use it but for
Bordering Gander Oceanic to its south is the the wider industry worldwide with our deployment of
New York Oceanic FIR. It does not have the same new standards and transformational new technology
capabilities for reduced separation that Nav Canada yielding safety, capacity and environmental
and NATS offer in their oceanic FIRs. They have a performance improvements that we’re sharing with
system similar to the one the latter two ANSPs have others.’
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com DECEMBER 2019 17SPACEFLIGHT
Space suit design
Have
Via author
space suit
– will
travel
As the second Space Age race moves towards placing professional,
citizen astronauts and space tourists in orbit, DR CAMERON M SMITH of
space suit start-up Pacific Spaceflight, considers the emerging requirements
and future commercial market for space suits.
A
s the second Space Age, characterised team of technicians down on Earth. We need the ‘farm Above: Heavy duty space
by reducing the cost of space access, pickup truck’ of space suits, so that going outside will suit concept for orbital
flourishes, more people will be going be as routine as taking a ramble down a country road. construction work.
to space. Each of them will require We are far from that now but the only way to get there
at least one space suit and at a price is to start. And we have started.
that encourages rather than discourages space
activity. Such cost reduction has been the focus of More space suits = better and
my research group, Pacific Spaceflight, since 2009. cheaper space suits
Recently, as thousands of people came to see and
touch some of our space suits at the Paris Air Show, Currently only a handful of companies make
I had a chance to think over the future of space suits space suits. The technologies of space suit design,
in general. And as I go forward in to the commercial fabrication, testing, delivery and training are highly
space industry, I have three main observations. exotic, specialised and treated like the secrets of
First, the number of space suits designed, built, rarefied guilds. This will all change as more space
tested, and routinely used will increase radically in suits are needed. The older companies will probably
the coming decades. This will result in a variety of continue to enjoy their decades-old relationships with
space suit fabrication companies, with competition federal space agencies but there will be demand
between them increasing space suit reliability and for many and varied space suits for the commercial
reducing cost. Second, as more activities are carried space industry. Note that for each person trained to SpaceX’s latest space suit.
out beyond Earth, a wide variety of space suit types will go to space and use a space suit, there will be the
be needed. Finally, it is clear that space suit usability need for at least one training space suit. To supply
and reliability will have to come on par with that of this emerging demand, space suit companies will
comparable technology which we all take for granted appear. It is unlikely that they will result from personnel
today, for example, cars and aircraft. The ultimate goal from the older companies splitting off to form new
of space settlement will not work out if, each time we companies, as those employees are more likely under
want to go outside, we have to plan it like a modern very strict non-compete contracts. Whatever the case,
ISS spacewalk, using sensitive, expensive, exotic these companies will supply large numbers of space
SpaceX
space suits, meticulous planning and live oversight by a suits. Just as natural selection favours the best-fit
18 AEROSPACE / DECEMBER 2019You can also read
