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June 2021
AEROSPACE
INTEGRATED REVIEW
VACCINE AIR LOGISTICS
FLYING ON MARS
www.aerosociety.com
June 2021
Volume 48 Number 6
RIGHT HERE,
RIGHT NOW?
HOW AVIATION COULD SLASH ITS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TOMORROW
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Volume 48 Number 6
June 2021
EDITORIAL Contents
Grabbing the low-hanging Regulars
fruit 4 Radome
The latest aviation and
aeronautical intelligence,
12 Transmission
Your letters, emails, tweets
and social media feedback.
Faced with the immense challenge that is climate change and the seemingly analysis and comment.
impossible goal of halting or slowing it, it is no wonder that some people throw 58 The Last Word
11 Pushing the Envelope Keith Hayward questions
their hands up in despair that ‘nothing we can do can make a difference’. Rob Coppinger examines the rationale behind the ATI’s
For aviation, this challenge is particularly acute – as there are signs now that the challenge of flight safety recent suspension of new
aviation and air travel are rebounding after Covid-19. In the US, airlines are certification for passenger- projects relating to zero-
carrying eVTOLS. carbon targets.
recalling furloughed pilots while, in the UK, foreign holidays have returned to a
limited number of destinations. Meanwhile, Airbus is reported to be planning to
ramp up single aisle production rates while more than 90 new airlines are set to Features
launch this year. This is not to say that the crisis is over but it does indicate that 28
MoD
the environment and sustainability will again move centre stage as aviation’s
number one challenge. However, while electric commuter aircraft, eVTOL point- 14
to-point travel and hydrogen-powered airliners could still be some way off, this
Urban Air Port
issue shows that there is ‘low-hanging fruit’ that could have a massive impact
by rerouting a fraction of airliners to avoid creating the most damaging and
persistent type of contrails in the evening and night-time. Intriguingly, a report The UK’s defence and The future is vertical
by Past President John Green from the RAeS Climate impact of non-CO2 security posture on the
Recent UK developments
conference (p 24) also raises the possibility that airliners deliberately creating move
in urban air mobility and
An analysis of the UK’s 2021 their effect on transforming
contrails in the morning could counterintuitively have the opposite effect and Integrated Review of Security, aerospace supply chains.
help cool the planet by reflecting sunlight into space. This large-scale ‘solar Defence, Development and
geoengineering’ though, has social and political ramifications – and therefore Foreign Policy.
30 Briefing better – three
requires further debate and research. However, with time ticking on, and growth years on
in air transport seemingly set to return to its usual expansion, there may be 20 Reshaping the Middle Developing a new approach
East aviation landscape to flight crew arrival and
no time to lose in fast-tracking contrail reduction as a quick and easy win for departure briefings.
Could the Abraham Accords
sustainable aviation. reshape Middle East air
NASA
travel?
Tim Robinson FRAeS, Editor-in-Chief
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com @RAeSTimR
24 34
Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: publications@aerosociety.com
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2021 AEROSPACE subscription
Flying over Mars
Tim Robinson FRAeS Royal Aeronautical Society rates: Non-members, £190
+44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place To place your order, contact:
NASA has successfully flown
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com London W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis the first-ever helicopter on
Deputy Editor
+44 (0)20 7670 4300 +44 (0)20 7670 4354 Mars.
publications@aerosociety.com aerosubs@aerosociety.com Easy does it for greener
Bill Read FRAeS
+44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com skies 38 Getting the vaccines
Any member not requiring a print
bill.read@aerosociety.com AEROSPACE is published by the Royal version of this magazine should Report on the RAeS out: from 747 to drone
Aeronautical Society (RAeS). contact: membership@aerosociety.com conference on mitigating the How air transport is flying
Production Manager
Wayne J Davis FRAeS Chief Executive USA: Periodical postage paid at climate impact of non-CO2 Covid-19 vaccines around the
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS Champlain New York and additional gases. world to point of use.
wayne.davis@aerosociety.com Advertising offices.
Publications Executive
Chris Male FRAeS
+44 (0)20 7670 4346
partners@aerosociety.com
Postmaster: Send address changes
to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518, Afterburner
+44 (0)20 7670 4352 Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA.
Unless specifically attributed, no 44 Message from our President
chris.male@aerosociety.com material in AEROSPACE shall be taken ISSN 2052-451X
Production Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. 45 M
essage from our Chief Executive
Annabel Hallam Reproduction of material used in this 46 Book Reviews
+44 (0)20 7670 4361 publication is not permitted without the
annabel.hallam@aerosociety.com written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. 49 Library Additions
Book Review Editors Printed by Buxton Press Limited, 51 New guide to UK archives
Tony Pilmer and Katrina Sudell Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire
book.reviews@aerosociety.com SK17 6AE, UK 52 Obituaries
54 RAeS Diary & New Member Spotlight
Distributed by Royal Mail
56 Elections
Additional content is available to view online at: aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight
Read AEROSPACE and the Insight blog on your
Including: UK spacepower conference preview, Mitigating the impact of non CO2 gases on the
environment, Flying a helicopter over Mars, New Member Spotlight, Controlling satellites from the UK,
smartphone or tablet with the AEROSPACE app
Online Supersonic and hypersonic passenger flights. APP available from iTunes and Google Play
Front cover: Flickr/James Havard
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2021 13
Blueprint
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
Low-level piloting
Flight safety while skimming over
the water would be provided by a
multiple-redundant, state-of-the-art
navigation and control system.
Bigger plans
While Regent aims to
fly a quarter scale 15ft
wingspan demonstrator
by the end of the year,
it has its sights on
bigger WIG vehicles
beyond a ten-seat
aircraft, with renderings
(left) of a proposed 50-
seat Seaglider.
Regent
4 AEROSPACE
Specifications
Cruise speed 180mph
Range 180nm
Passengers 10
Efficient electric
Regent says that, by utilising
ground effect, the Seaglider will
have double the range of other
electric aircraft, as well as being six
times faster than ferries.
Existing dock infrastructure
Regent sees the Seaglider using existing docks and
harbours, using its hydrofoils to taxi at lower speeds before
accelerating in open water.
AEROSPACE
Meet the e-WIG
US start-up Regent has revealed its design for a ten-seat all-electric wing-in-ground (WIG)
effect vehicle, aimed at high-speed coastal passenger travel. The Seaglider would use
distributed electric propulsion and hydrofoils to accelerate to over 45mph, before taking off
to fly at low level within a wingspan of the water’s surface to utilise ground effect. Aiming
for half the operating costs of traditional aircraft, the company has already taken $465m in
provisional orders from existing seaplane and ferry operators.
JUNE 2021 5
Radome
COVID-19
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Industry to lose almost UK opens holiday flights to limited
$48bn in 2021, says IATA destinations
Gatwick Airport
Airline industry group IATA an improvement on the
has deepened its forecast estimated $126.5bn net
2021 losses for global industry losses suffered
airlines as the global by the aviation industry
pandemic continues in 2020. IATA’s Director
to slow recovery in air General Willie Walsh
travel. IATA now says said that: “Losses will
that the world’s airlines be reduced from 2020
are estimated to lose but the pain of the crisis
$47.7bn in total through increases,” adding that
2021, worse than the government restrictions On 17 May, the UK relaxed Covid-19 travel restrictions for leisure passengers,
$38bn that it originally will continue to dampen allowing quarantine-free travel to 12 ‘green’ destinations, including Israel, Iceland
predicted in November strong underlying and Portugal. The loosening of travel rules saw flights from the UK to Portugal jump
2020. However, this is demand. from around 10-15 a day during lockdown to 78 on the first day.
AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE
EU grants more money to Alitalia No flights to Australia
until 2022?
Alitalia
The government of Australia Zealand. The airline has now
has hinted that international pushed back the resumption
travel may not fully resume of international flights until
until 2022 due to fresh late December.
uncertainties related to Meanwhile, in response
the spread of Covid-19. to the outbreak of
The government had been an Indian variant of
expected to start easing Covid-19 sweeping the
travel restrictions later this subcontinent, the UAE
year with Qantas planning joined other countries,
to resume international including Singapore
Ailing Italian flag carrier Alitalia has been granted an additional €12.8m ($15.5m) in flights at the end of October and Taiwan in banning
state aid from the European Commission. Alitalia has now received four rounds of to travel ‘bubbles’, such passengers arriving from
support from the EU since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. as Singapore and New India.
NEWS IN BRIEF
parachute. The NTSB is Usually held in April, it had
On 12 May, a Fairchild now investigating. The US Department of ESA has launched ‘Project been postponed until July
Metroliner from Key Defense has said that Moonlight’ a 17-month before being cancelled.
Lime Air landed safely Low-cost airline Ryanair Iraq’s military fleet of Su- study into satellite The organisers are now
at Centennial Airport, has partnered with Trinity 25 ground-attack aircraft navigation and connectivity planning for the show to
Colorado, after suffering College Dublin to launch and CH-4 UAVs are for lunar missions under return in April 2022.
a mid-air collision with a the Ryanair Sustainable currently grounded due ‘Project Moonlight’
Cirrus light aircraft that Aviation Centre. Supported to a lack of spare parts. with two consortia - a With the end of A380
removed a large part of the by a €1.5m donation from Meanwhile, Lockheed Telespazio-led team that production, Airbus has
upper rear fuselage. The the airline, the centre will Martin is to relocate its includes Inmarsat and a announced that it will
single pilot successfully investigate sustainable civilian maintenance staff SSTL-led team. convert the superjumbo
landed the Metroliner. fuels, zero-carbon aviation from Balad Air Base, FAL in Toulouse to
Meanwhile, two people and noise mapping – with north of Baghdad where The 2021 AERO GA produce the A320neo/
on board the Cirrus also the airline aiming for they support the Iraqi trade show held in A321neo single-aisle
escaped without injury after 12.5% of its flights to use AF F-16 fleet, due to the Friedrichshafen has been models. The new line is
deploying the aircraft’s sustainable aviation fuel deteriorating security cancelled due to Covid-19 aimed to be operational by
ballistic emergency (SAF) by 2030. situation in the country. travel restrictions in Europe. the end of 2022.
6 AEROSPACE
GENERAL AVIATION AEROSPACE
Bye Aerospace
747 water bomber up for Bye Aerospace reveals electric
sale King Air rival
The Boeing 747 were demanding that further
SuperTanker, the world’s changes be made to the
largest firefighting aircraft delivery system to avoid
has ceased operations, with retardant ‘trailing off’ into
its current US-based owners, areas outside the drop zone,
investor group Tanker 944, that have been outstanding
now reportedly looking to since 2009. It is unclear
sell the aircraft. The giant whether the disposal of this
water bomber aircraft was aircraft would see this 747
recently upgraded with a acquired to continue in its
new digital drop system able firefighting role, or whether US start-up Bye Aerospace has announced a new twin all-electric project, the eFlyer
to deliver 17,500 gallons of new owners would convert 800. The eight-seat aircraft, which has a 280kt cruise speed and 500nm range, is
fire retardant. However, US it back into a standard 747- designed to compete with King Air class turboprops, by offering operators one-fifth of
aerial firefighting regulators 400 freighter. the operating costs of comparable aircraft.
DEFENCE SPACEFLIGHT
IDF
More space tourists to fly in
next 12 months
Israel strikes NASA has signed a
mission order with US
including the Inspiration
4 mission, set to fly in
Gaza as Hamas company Axiom Space a Crew Dragon with
fires rockets to allow four civilians
to visit the ISS for ten
a domed window in
September. Meanwhile,
days in 2022. Axiom’s Russia is also to fly
AX-1 mission plans to space tourists aboard
transport four people its Soyuz with two
to the ISS aboard a missions in October
Israeli forces have conducted air and missile strikes against Hamas leadership, SpaceX Crew Dragon and December carrying
infrastructure and command facilities in response to an ongoing barrrage of rockets being capsule. The private Japanese ‘Dear Moon’
launched from the Gaza strip. The conflict erupted on 10 May, with Israeli Iron Dome ISS mission joins other fashion entrepreneur and
missiles intercepting some 90% of over 3,150 rockets launched from Gaza over the first space tourism missions a Russian actress and
week of violence. As AEROSPACE goes to press in mid-May, over 200 Palestinians have planned for next year, film director.
reported to have been died, as well as 12 people killed in Israel.
Defence on 4 May, with The company has four of a flight navigation
Brazilian airframer deliveries from 2024. test flights left to perform procedures trainer (FNPT) American Airlines has
Embraer has announced it before it can commence II, allowing hours accrued announced that it is
has secured an order for As AEROSPACE goes to commercial operations with to go towards a PPL. recalling all its furloughed
30 new E-195-E2s to an press, Virgin Galactic has space tourists. The device pairs a high- and laid-off pilots as
undisclosed customer. announced that it could resolution VR headset, domestic air travel in the
The deal is valued at miss its goal of flying a The European Union with haptic controls and a US picks up strongly after
$2.2bn at current list SpaceShipTwo test flight Aviation Safety Agency 6DoF motion platform. the Covid-19 vaccine
prices. this May after technical (EASA) has certificated rollout. As well as its
issues were identified the first ever virtual Some 106 Boeing 737 existing pilots, American
Egypt has ordered an with the WhiteKnightTwo reality (VR) simulation MAX airliners are being says it will also hire up
additional 30 Dassault mothership. The company device for flight training. returned to commercial to 900 extra pilots by the
Rafale fighters to says options are ‘currently The approval, for VRM service after the US FAA end of the year. Delta Air
supplement 24 already in being evaluated’ after an Switzerland for its approved the company’s Lines also recalled all
service. The new $4.6bn unexpected maintenance Robinson R22 virtual fix of an issue with the 1,713 of its furloughed
order was announced by issue with the VMS Eve reality training device, is aircraft’s electrical power pilots to deal with rising
the Egyptian Ministry of carrier aircraft surfaced. certificated to the level systems on 12 May. demand.
JUNE 2021 7
Radome
AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE
Airbus Helicopters
London City starts Pilot a helicopter using
remote ATC tower ops a tablet
London City Airport (LCY) introduction follows
has begun air traffic intensive testing and live
control operations using trials while there was
a 50m-high remote tower reduced traffic during
controlled 115km away by lockdown. The virtual
the NATS ATC centre in tower at Swanwick
Swanwick, Hampshire. features a 360°view on
The new Saab digital 14HD giant screens, fed
tower began operations by 16 video cameras on
on 30 April, making the tower. Additionally, Airbus Helicopters has revealed that it has started a new rotary-wing research project,
London City the first other data can be overlaid Vertex, focusing on autonomous systems using its H130 FlightLab demonstrator. Vertex
major international airport over the video, such as uses stabilised cameras, LIDAR and AI image recognition to allow for automatic take-off,
to have ATC controlled aircraft callsigns, altitude navigation and landing, as well as low-level obstacle avoidance – with the helicopter
on a remote basis. The and speed. being ‘flown’ using a tablet device.
SPACEFLIGHT DEFENCE
CNSA/PES
China USAF looks to future
lands on without F-22 fleet
Mars US Air Force Chief of
Staff General Charles
Generation Air Dominance
(NGAD) platform may be
Brown has said that the included as a fifth aircraft.
USAF plans to reduce its Commentators noted that
fighter fleet from seven the plans did not include
platform types down to the 186-strong Lockheed
four. The four types are the Martin F-22 Raptor fleet,
Lockheed Martin F-35A although the USAF has
Lightning II, the Boeing said that it did not have
F-15EX Eagle II and the plans to retire it ‘in the near
On 14 May, Chinese state media announced that the country had successfully landed its Lockheed Martin F-16 – term’. The final F-22 was
Tianwen-1 lander and rover onto the surface of Mars – becoming only the second country with rewinged A-10Cs delivered in 2012 with
after the US to safely land a spacecraft on the planet. Launched in July 2020, the mission seeing their life extended to the average age being 12
comprises a spacecraft, which is now orbiting Mars, a lander and the Zhurong Mars rover. the 2030s. The new Next- years.
NEWS IN BRIEF
the Indian Ocean, just support US Marine Corps loss of ¥390bn ($3.6bn) (BAP) mission. F-35s from
General Atomics has west of the Maldives. in Afghanistan. in the 12 months up to the Italian Air Force are
announced it has China had drawn 31 March. Revenues for to operate from Ämari Air
conducted the first trial international criticism for On 17 May the UK CAA the same period fell by Base in Estonia, together
of anti-submarine warfare the uncontrolled re-entry and European Union 65.3% to ¥481bn. JAL with Spanish Air Force
capabilities with its MQ- nature of the 18t first Aviation Safety Agency also announced plans Eurofighters from Šiauliai
9B SeaGuardian UAV, stage of the rocket. (EASA) agreed Technical to take over control of Air Base in Lithuania and
with a drone dropping Implementation Spring Airlines Japan, Turkish Air Force F-16s
full-size sonobouys. US helicopter Procedures (TIP) which the Japanese division of from Malbork Air Base in
manufacturer Kaman Air sets out measures for Chinese low-cost Spring Poland.
The main segment from Vehicles has flown the first the continued design, Airlines, increasing its
the Long March-5b prototype of an uncrewed certification and stake from 5% to 51%. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx
rocket used to launch K-MAX Titan helicopter production of aerospace asteroid probe has now
the first module of aimed at the commercial parts moving between The first Lockheed Martin fired its engines to head
China’s space station heavy-lift market. The the UK and EU. F-35A Lightning II Joint back to Earth with a
in April fell back to K-MAX has already been Strike Fighters have been precious cargo of 60g of
Earth in an uncontrolled flown and operated in Japan Airlines (JAL) deployed to assist with material collected from the
re-entry on 9 May in autonomous mode to announced an operating NATO’s Baltic Air Policing near-Earth asteroid Bennu.
8 AEROSPACE
GENERAL AVIATION DEFENCE
Dassault unveils Falcon 10X Brazil to study ‘Loyal
Wingmen’ UCAVs
Dassault Aviation
Embraer has announced be a low-observable, jet-
that it is partnering with powered UCAV, with the
the Brazilian Air Force Brazilian AF commander,
to jointly study the Lieutenant-Brigadier
development of advanced Carlos de Almeida
UAVs with a memorandum Baptista Jr, saying: “In
of understanding (MoU) modern war, it is essential
signed on 23 April. to use unmanned aerial
Dassault Aviation has unveiled its latest Falcon business jet under development – the Though a press release platforms, operating
Falcon 10X. The large-cabin, long-range aircraft will have a range of 7,500nm and does not mention a alone or in conjunction
features cabin windows almost 50% larger than the Falcon 8X. Powered by two Rolls- ‘Loyal Wingman’ drone, with conventional aircraft.
Royce Pearl 10X engines, the Falcon’s flight deck will feature high levels of automation an image rendering Such technology makes it
with a single thrust lever and the potential for one pilot to convert their seat into a lie-flat released by Embraer possible to reduce costs
bed. Entry into service is set for the end of 2025. shows what appears to and risks.”
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
ZeroAvia hydrogen Freighter boost for Boeing
demonstrator crashes
Boeing
ZeroAvia has reported from the Bedfordshire
that its hydrogen fuel-cell- Fire and Rescue Service
powered Piper M based show one wing detached
research aircraft made from the aircraft. In a
an ‘off-airport landing’ in statement, ZeroAvia said
a field close to Cranfield the crash showed ‘the
airport on 29 April. The structural integrity of
aircraft is said to have ZeroAvia systems was
landed on its wheels but maintained throughout
was then damaged due the incident sequence
to uneven ground. Two and there were no Azerbaijan cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines has ordered five Boeing 777 freighters
people onboard safely unintended hydrogen or – the first order for the 777F from a Central Asian customer. Silk Way currently operates
exited from the aircraft. electrical releases and no five 747-8Fs and seven 747-400Fs, with the new 777F freighters to be delivered
However, drone images fire; after the landing.’ between 2023-27.
A capsule containing the and fly an unpiloted solar- to cut unprofitable routes,
sample is set to parachute powered UAV, able to fly limit fleet expansion to ON THE MOVE
back to the Utah desert in stratospheric research under 30 aircraft and to aviation or aerospace
September 2023. missions. The HAP (high outsource catering and Global aviation logistics technology’.
altitude platform) alpha engineering activities. company Menzies Aviation
Wisk Aero is to supply will fly at an altitude of has appointed Morven Former Boeing VP
eVTOL platforms for Blade 20km, and will carry a The UK’s Merlin-based McCrindle to the new Commercial Aircraft
Urban Air Mobility. Blade 5kg payload. The aircraft Crowsnest AEW position of Executive Vice Marketing Randy Tinseth
will charter up to 30 of is scheduled to make its helicopter, currently President – Fuels. and former easyJet senior
Wisk’s Cora autonomous first test flight at the end deployed on the aircraft executive Tony Anderson
eVTOLs to use in a short of 2022. carrier HMS Queen Dick Rutan is to be have joined the advisory
range air taxi network in Elizabeth, is now only presented the Howard board of Faradair.
the Northeast and West Pakistan International expected to serve until Hughes Memorial Award
Coast regions of the US. Airlines (PIA) is to reduce 2029. The MoD is now by The Aero Club of Francisco Javier Sánchez
its current 14,000 seeking novel solutions for Southern California which Segura has been named
German aerospace employees by 50% as a successor to Crowsnest is given to ‘exceptional Executive Vice President
research agency DLR has part of a restructuring through the Defence and leaders who have Engineering for Airbus
announced it will develop plan. The operator is also Security Accelerator. advanced the fields of Defence and Space.
JUNE 2021 9
By the Numbers
Understanding the world of Aerospace through data
Taiwan – the balance of power
Statista
Statista
10 AEROSPACEPushing the Envelope
Exploring advances on the leading edge of aerospace
Robert Coppinger
eVTOLs – the certification
challenge
N
ovel forms of transport might be eVTOL – in 2017. Despite those flights taking
expected to have novel forms of place, along with much promotion, by August 2020
certification and supporting technical the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority had only
standards but, despite all the publicity signed a memorandum of understanding for AAV co-
surrounding electric vertical take- operation with Dubai Air Navigation Services. EHang’s
off and landing (eVTOL) rotorcraft, there remain December 2020 CAAC certification application is
questions about how they are to be approved. For not even for that 184 model but for its EH216 AAV
many years the eVTOL air taxi industry has promoted which, like the 184, is a two-passenger rotorcraft.
itself as providing rapid, clean transit across the skies
of highly congested cities. German eVTOL company The valley of death
Volocopter built its prototype in 2011. Chinese
electric air taxi maker EHang has been publicly The time needed to take a technology which is at
developing its rotorcraft for more than six years. Taxi a low level of development and advance it to the
operator Uber has publicised its eVTOL aspirations point where it could become a commercial product
since 2017, before selling its air taxi arm to Joby is known as the ‘valley of death’. However, this term,
Aviation. which covers a multitude of industries, does not
encompass the certification that public transport
Elusive certification requires. Subsequently, many aviation projects do not
ultimately take off. With novel technology there is an
By 2019, however, certification rules still eluded the added difficulty to this prolonged valley of torture:
aviation authorities. “There are no specific certification changing requirements.
requirements for eVTOLs,” Cranfield University’s The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
transport system blog stated in its 20 September changed its rules three times during an Arizona State
2019 entry. Two months earlier, a remotely-controlled University drone project, according to comments
eVTOL scale demonstrator crashed in a field of crops made by the university’s Electrical Engineering
700m from its designated operating area after taking Professor, Daniel Bliss, to his university’s news
off from Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex. website in September last year. What may help
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch eVTOL taxis is certification authorities agreeing
(AAIB) found that the 95kg demonstrator, an Alauda mutual standards. The European Union and China
Airspeeder Mk II, was ‘not designed, built or tested to have signed a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement
any recognisable standards’. Almost two years later (BASA) that came into force on 1 September 2020.
and standards are coming into closer view. In May The BASA will lead to a reciprocal validation of type
2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency certificates. Volocopter now has a Chinese partner, THE US AIR
(EASA) published its ‘special condition’ for VTOL carmaker Geely, and would like to see the introduction ACCIDENT
aircraft and what the organisation calls the ‘means of its services in China soon after achieving EASA
INVESTIGATION
of compliance’: how the special condition is met certification, Volocopter’s Chief Risk and Certification
by a design. In early April 2021, EASA launched a Officer, Oliver Reinhardt said. In December last
BRANCH FOUND
consultation for its ‘special conditions’ for electric and year, the FAA accepted Volocopter’s application for THAT THE 95KG
hybrid propulsion. concurrent EASA type certificate validation. DEMONSTRATOR,
Meanwhile, on 16 April 2021, the Civil Aviation Like China, Volocopter wants to start serving AN ALAUDA
Administration of China (CAAC) announced that it the US market soon after EASA certification. While AIRSPEEDER
had established a type certification team for eVTOLs. Volocopter has not given dates for Chinese and MK II, WAS ‘NOT
On the same day, EHang announced that it had US operations, it has publicly committed to starting
submitted its certification application in December commercial services in Singapore this year. However,
DESIGNED,
2020. However, EHang, a prolific promoter of its certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of BUILT OR
passenger ‘autonomous aerial vehicle’ (AAV), had Singapore is planned to be concurrent with the firm’s TESTED TO ANY
been performing demonstration flights in Dubai progress with EASA’s special conditions which only RECOGNISABLE
using its 184 model – a two-person, autonomous became known last year. STANDARDS’
JUNE 2021 11Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE @aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com
i
Career development Flight of the Gloster E28/39
Daniel Kieran [On RAeS
Vimeo
webinar for Early Career
Professionals(1)] I look forward
to attending. The RAeS has
made a huge difference in
my professional development
since last year.
Educating webinars
Mental wellbeing
Hemant Joshi [On Simplifying NOTAMS
Brian Teske [On RAeS Sharpening the claws of the
Wildcat webinar] Despite @BlueOwlSpt [On Simplying
Mental Wellbeing and Human
being a member of such a NOTAMs] As a GA pilot, A still from the video of the first
Performance conference] @WhittleStatue [On 80
remarkable Society, getting make the provider liable flight of the Gloster E28/39
Excellent line-up of speakers! years since the first flight of
something for free such as for accurately classifying on 15 May 1941.
the Gloster E28/39] And
these webinars feels like the NOTAM and the pilot
Embry-Riddle courses here’s an extract from ‘Whittle
nowadays getting education for his search (by FL and @BeaverWestminst
– The Jet Pioneer’ which
Vidyasagar Kotha [On is not a problem but making location). Reduce the info Witnessed by #Winkle quite by
shows the first flight and
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical use of such education through about war overseas for pilots chance.
includes Frank Whittle and
University course preview practical means of working as flying nowhere nearby. For
Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown describing
webinar] Thanks for sharing an employee is hard. I hope diversions, ATC to advise @LeeDavidGreenw1 Just
the first flight(2). Pity the UK
– you are constantly striving one day that everyone should compliance needs. two years before he was
has ignored this important
to enhance the knowledge of be appreciated for their level of anniversary. beaten by Heinkel.
members and non-members. education and skills regardless
Great service. of their prior work experience. Learning about Fresson
New claws for
Leonardo
From the RAeS photo archives @lornabjack [On RAeS
Highland Branch lecture on
the Wildcat
RAeS/NAL
Capt Ernest Fresson] Thanks
@AeroSociety and
@FressonTrust for a
fascinating webinar tonight
on Capt Ernest Fresson
who brought aviation to the
Highlands & Islands.
Next-gen navigation
@Luc_Wetzel [On US
Army mulls SpaceX Starlink @Leonardo_UK [On RAeS @WRC_Broder_aero
constellation to provide next- Lecture on Sharpening Sadly, I was unable to make
gen navigation] Atomic clocks the claws of the Wildcat] it yesterday with pre-planned
are not needed for fused #Leonardo Senior Test meetings booked, although
low-Earth orbit GNSS. Mutual Pilot, Lee Evans, provided having sat through a previous
synchronisation can provide insight into the complexity presentation by Lee, I know it
high precision time distribution of designing, testing and would have been very good.
in spatially extended systems. certifying the new ‘claws’ for
the #AW159 Wildcat.
@Richard60399761
Green travel locations Thoroughly enjoyed it. The
@AviatorAdam What an question is, will it be available
@someother1 [On UK amazing webinar from to watch again? My son had
Miles M3 Falcon, G-ACTM, is refuelled at Mildenhall prior to government reveals ‘green list’ @Leonardo_UK. While extra maths lesson but is keen
the MacRobertson England to Australia race which started travel destinations] This green some of it was beyond my to see it. I see it was recorded.
on 20 October 1934. The race was won by de Havilland list is like a s~~~ festival line- understanding, it was well
DH88 Comet Grosvenor House in a flight of 71 hours. up – a couple of old school presented.
G-ACTM completed the race arriving in Melbourne on 20 big acts, then a load of ‘who?’
November.
12 AEROSPACE@MattCosby Nice to see
Space Special
@goonhillyorg featured a few New RAeS Council member
times as well!
@ShePilots [On New
Council member Rachna
Sharma Reiter] So pleased
@ConnectionsJr Great to announce that I have been
cover on this month’s elected on the council! Thank
@AeroSociety magazine with you @AeroSociety for the
some really great articles on opportunity! Very excited to
the UK space industry. be part of such a prestigious
organisation.
@pjmcadam @AeroSociety
Great space read in this @jabba116 Well done and
month’s AEROSPACE welcome aboard. Rachna Sharma Reiter has joined the RAeS Council.
@ShahidaBarick [On May magazine! Fascinating stuff
AEROSPACE spaceflight going on!
@Stemettes Congratulations @sophielharker @hoang_laura
special] The entire May
from #TeamStemette Congratulations Rachna, so Congratulations!!!! So excited
issue of AEROSPACE is
New Fellow #WomenInSTEM pleased for you! You’re gonna to be working with you!
dedicated to all things space
#WomenInAviation be great!
in the UK. Will be great for
@GElefteriu [On new
such publications to interview
Fellow] Honoured to have
new primes coming onto
been elected a Fellow of the
the UK scene with their own
Wikipedia /Anthony Noble
Royal Aeronautical Society, Greener flying Is there still a market for the Optica?
innovative capabilities.
the oldest such institution
in the world and the only @Lukafoto [On Could
professional body dedicated smarter flying to reduce
@InmarsatGlobal Check contrails lead to big gains in
to the aerospace community.
out who’s who in the world of tackling climate change?(4)]
Look forward to supporting.
#UK #space and #satellites How much reflectivity versus
in @AeroSociety’s ‘Taking greenhouse effect?
Control’ article(3) – leading with
Inmarsat!
@JeffGazzard Presumably
as contrails and other
Fanless fluidic propulsion non-CO2 impacts because Edgley Optica in flight.
aviation’s climate impacts
Jetoptera
to be 3 x CO2 alone, the
@WooksAmesbury [On @GuyG_Boffin It’s a
price of these environmental
the Edgley Optica] Speed and fascinating aeroplane. With
externalities should be 3 x the
visibility without the spinning a personal hat on, I was
current market price per tonne
disks of death? Got to be honoured to fly the aeroplane
of CO2? The fact that 2/3rds
careful – my son works on as a test pilot that inspired me
of ERF will remain with H2
helicopters. age 16. With a university hat
should focus minds too!
on, we had several student
projects going on how
@SaveOldSarum I still potentially to modernise the
@steveliddle558
think there is a market for the aircraft. Sadly, the world has
Jetoptera concept demonstrator. Fascinating! Even a small
Optica. However, I feel in some moved on now.
increase in CO2 emissions
way that a small portion of that
@ClockworkVK [On @grundbin After the though will incur penalties
market has been overtaken by
Jetoptera reveals fan-less invention of the turbofan ($ and perception) for airlines
UAV/drones. There’s still a gap
fluidic propulsion system] and the unducted fan, finally – some reward for reducing
between drones to helicopters
So, essentially a Dyson fan. the logical combination: the ERF as opposed to being
in terms of an aerial platform in
Looks cool but probably a unfanned duct! ‘carbon-neutral’ is required.
the civil market, I think.
maintenance nightmare and
doesn’t scale to larger sizes.
1. watch?v=KMGSACZ6xb0
2. vimeo.com/548809910
3. AEROSPACE, May 2021, p 44, Taking control
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2021 13DEFENCE
UK Integrated Review analysis
MoD/Crown Copyright
The UK’s defence and security
posture on the move
Royal Aeronautical Society CEO, Sir BRIAN BURRIDGE FRAeS, with input from RAeS
Specialist Groups, considers the implications of the UK’s recent Integrated Defence
and Security Review and associated strategy papers.
T
he scene was set for the Integrated ● Asymmetric hard power – to target adversaries in
Review of Security, Defence, new ways
Development and Foreign Policy (IR) ● Freedom of access and manoeuvre
with last year’s publication of The
Integrated Operating Concept. This slim Successive defence reviews since the end of
volume heralded that transformational change was the Cold War have asserted the need for the UK to
afoot in the UK’s defence and security posture. It maintain ‘full spectrum’ capability. The nature of that
recognised that we are living in an era of constant spectrum has changed over time. However, most
competition within which the character of warfare have aspired to that aim but few of the subsequent
was evolving rapidly. Two deductions about the implementation plans have succeeded in doing
concept followed: it represents the most significant so mainly because of inadequate finance. Recent
change in UK military thought in several generations international events have seen that spectrum
and that it would lead to a fundamental change to enlarge at both ends. This is at the heart of the
the way in which the military instrument of national challenge for the IR and its more detailed sister
power would be formulated and employed. Its papers, the Defence Command Paper (DCP) and
key message was one of integration across the the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS).
domains of national power. In parallel, the Science Topically, given that we are in the year of COP26,
and Technology Strategy identified the five capability concluding this suite of policy was the publication
challenges for the subsequent IR to address and of the MoD’s plan entitled Climate Change and
perhaps by which to judge its validity and that of its Sustainability Strategic Approach.
companion documents:
Meeting the capability challenges
● Pervasive, full spectrum, multi-domain Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) At the highest and most lethal end of capability,
it came as a surprise to most that the nuclear
● Multi-domain Command & Control,
warhead cap is to be enlarged from the currently
Communications and Computers (C4)
planned 180 to 260 weapons. At the other end of
● Secure and sustain advantage in the sub- the spectrum, the ‘grey zone’ is now seen as a reality
threshold – the grey zone with sub-threshold interventions that are difficult to
14 AEROSPACEattribute and hard to deter. Such threats range from be regarded as a strategic national resource. It
the dissemination of fake news to the ‘badgeless’ was in August 2019 that the prime minister set
application of low-level military violence: disruption, out his vision of the UK’s future as a science
disinformation and deception are achieved through superpower. With Covid and Brexit trade dominating
a wider variety of instruments. In response to these headlines since then, this is the first opportunity to
complex challenges, the term military capability put some detail around this lofty aspiration. There
takes on a new breadth. However, in this suite of is certainly the recognition in the IR that the UK
documents, the reality of full-spectrum capability retains a world-class S&T ecosystem ranging from
also rightly includes the space and cyber domains. university research departments through to the
In short, the nature of the battlespace itself is laboratories of the major companies with a plethora
changing rapidly. of SMEs and start-ups in between. However, this
This shift requires the faster adoption of novel ecosystem has to be nurtured through programmes
technology and greater agility in procurement in and funding. The latter remains a concern across
the search for highly flexible solutions that can the research community given the pressures on
be fielded quickly and applied across a range of public expenditure but the DCP confirms a figure
scenarios within a defensible legal framework. of £6.6bn over four years for defence R&D. New
In particular, the robustness of the rules-based entities such as the Advanced Research and
international order is a decisive factor in maintaining Invention Agency (ARIA) and the Defence Centre
global connectivity and, for example, providing for Artificial Intelligence are welcome but we will
international access for aviation and in harmonising need to be sure that our aspirations do not outstrip
standards and certification for aerospace. It also the capacity of the national pool of skilled experts
has a huge part to play in aviation’s ability to meet and that we do not allow individual stovepipes to
the climate change challenge. However, as staff develop.
colleges around the world drum into their students, From an industrial perspective, government
planning is not the same as fighting. So, the acid stability of intent to pull through technology
tests for this review are: is there sufficient strategic represents a key incentive to invest. As ever, global
focus on what our defence posture is aimed at businesses have choices over where and how
achieving? is there the stability of intent over they invest but national involvement in capability
delivery? is it affordable? and are there enough demonstrators acts as a magnet. The DCP is light
suitably qualified people within the defence on detail in this area and thus leaves unexplored
enterprise to deliver this degree of change? Without the inherent advantages, such as risk reduction,
rehearsing the detail of the resulting inventory, this the attraction of international partners, technology
examination blends the three documents and takes trade-off and building momentum to cross the valley
an overall view through the air power and aerospace of death. For potential collaborative programmes,
lens. such demonstrators position the UK to gain high-
value, IP-generating workshare. Clearly Tempest
The approach to technology and LANCA, its loyal wingman, are following this
route but there is much in the broader range of
First, it is a great relief to see government focus data-driven autonomous systems that needs to
Drones in the form of
on the science and technology ecosystem (S&T) follow the same path. In aerospace development
the RAF’s LANCA ‘Loyal
Wingman’ project and AI and how this will impact research and development involving disruptive technologies, 2040 is not that
are set to receive a focus in (R&D). These aspects represent the foundations far away, so the seedcorn needs to be created
future planning. of a defence industrial base that can realistically now. In particular, the future generation of rotary MoD/Crown Copyright
JUNE 2021 15DEFENCE
UK Integrated Review analysis
platforms would benefit from the exploration of a tracking currently offered by Copernicus. Defence
range of technology investigations to allow clearer does need to capitalise on the integration of air and
customer capability definition. In all of this, the DCP space to provide faster situational understanding
does recognise the complexity of the testing and and decision-making. So, there will be a need
evaluation (T&E) challenge inherent in advanced for high-end capability in terms of space domain
systems. It recognises the inevitable future reliance awareness and in high-definition precision imaging A RATHER
both on advanced synthetic environments at the in potentially critical zones and robust capability to BLAND
system and platform level where T&E serials resist cyber and jamming attacks.
can be repeated rapidly to build up evidence and As a part-owner of OneWeb and with its
STATEMENT
confidence to the levels necessary for certification. nascent launch capability, the UK is well placed to [...] ABOUT
This also calls for constant access to the right leverage its commercial space infrastructure to the GROWING THE
industrial teams with the right expertise around the broadening requirements for space security and LIGHTNING
top table in order to speed decision-making. space-based communications. Defence will wish
to capitalise on the significantly increased capacity
II FLEET
Capability – Space that low-Earth orbiting satellites will provide for BEYOND THE
increased beyond line-of-sight data transfer rates 48 AIRCRAFT
It is refreshing – but perhaps overdue – to see the at a reduced cost, enabling greater voice and data ALREADY
exploitation of space getting serious consideration. connectivity across and between the air, maritime
Given the rapidly maturing commercial applications and land domains. A national strategy of this nature ORDERED
for space capability and data, the IR flags the might also serve to generate an enterprise approach RATHER LEFT
need for a single strategy that embraces both civil to the provision of space skills across the economy THE QUESTION
and military aspects: publication is deemed to be somewhat akin to the nuclear sector. Space careers
imminent. Space is also becoming an increasingly are attractive to the coming generation, so the
ON THE TABLE
contested domain where denial has broader announced creation of a Space Academy is a
implications stretching well beyond traditional valuable initiative.
defence. Confirmation of the funding for the
Skynet programme and the creation of a space Capability – Combat Air
command and control structure is a good start, as
is the development of a much-needed indigenous There was much anticipation among commentators
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over the resolution of the debate around Lightning
(ISR) satellite constellation. The creation of II numbers and the continuance of the Tempest
a comprehensive space strategy will have to programme. In the event, a rather bland statement
answer the hard questions about what sovereign on the former about growing the Lightning II fleet On 13 May, the RAF
capabilities are really required for defence. In today’s beyond the 48 aircraft already ordered rather left announced it would
economic environment there is no room for national the question on the table. Given the November uplift become the first
vanity, so we cannot allow a stove-piped approach. of £16bn in MoD funding and lack of a subsequent international customer
Rather, there are opportunities to fill emerging gaps, announcement, it seems unlikely the previous for the Block II Chinook
helicopter, with a £1.4bn
such as the space and ground-based infrastructure through-life assumption of 138 aircraft will be
deal to acquire 14 of the
required of a satellite-based navigation system realised by some margin. Also, it was something of longer range versions.
to replace Galileo and future maritime movement a stretch to assert that the nature of the partnership Deliveries will start in 2026.
MoD/Crown Copyright
16 AEROSPACEon the F-35B endows a degree of operational in contested battlespace. This requirement will
independence to the extent that significant aspects, see the need to integrate advanced technologies,
such as systems integration and manufacture of including secure communications, GPS-denied
critical components, remain in the UK. The former navigation, integrated ISR sensors, data processing
only applies to weapons at best and the latter and dissemination, electronic warfare and threat
confers little noble work to the UK. While the detection systems, and precision weapons. These
operational value of the aircraft is a vital component are all comparable to the features of the next-
of Carrier Strike, it does not offer a spiral generation fixed-wing aircraft. The DCP is broadly
development route to the key future technologies or silent on the nature of this challenge but does
methods that would place the UK at the forefront. confirm investment in a new medium-lift helicopter
As for the UK’s Future Combat Air System in the mid-2020s as a Puma replacement.
(FCAS), confirmation of £2bn of funding for Team Given that the DSIS announced that competitive
Tempest over the coming four years was welcome. procurement is no longer the default strategy, the
The programme is a lifeline in preserving the UK’s MoD would be wise to recognise the significance of
indigenous end-to-end capability in fast-jet combat the on-shore end-to-end design, develop and deliver
design, development and delivery. It also provides capability within the UK’s strategic industrial base.
the laboratory in which novel sixth-generation Future helicopters will no longer be a commodity:
technology and advanced manufacturing can be rather, the technologies and industrial techniques
evaluated. Characteristics, such as an augmented involved call for the same approach as that applied
reality cockpit and the ability to handle a city’s worth to Tempest. As a result, there will be a need to take
of data in a second plus the application of digital a strategic partnering approach with the UK’s only
twinning and model-based engineering, have the onshore helicopter OEM, Leonardo Helicopters
potential to generate much unique intellectual in Yeovil. As such, this should also be adopted for
property among the international, industrial and the Puma replacement to allow the programme to
academic partners. It is also the platform around help retain vital skills across the UK supply base,
which to develop the systems of systems approach bridging the gap before the development of a next-
embracing swarming drones, loyal wingmen generation platform commences.
and directed energy weapons, all of which are
appropriate to the battlespace envisaged in the IR. Capability – ISR
Clearly, much has been learned about spiral
development from the Typhoon programme, Operations since the end of the Cold War and our
despite the constraints often inherent in assumptions about operations in the grey zone point
collaborative programmes. Project Centurion, to one conclusion: ISR capability will always be at a
which was completed in mid-2019, provided the premium. However, budgetary constraints invariably
aircraft with Brimstone and Storm Shadow air- apply. As the DCP points out, there are just nine
to-surface weapons and the air-to-air Meteor P-8 maritime patrol aircraft in the programme,
RAAF
beyond visual-range missile. Subsequently, a new reflecting more the affordability following the
mission data-handling system has been added. cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 than the true
The DCP has now restated the importance of the operational requirement. In addition, the initial E-7A The IR revealed that the
electronically scanned Radar 2 programme and AWACS order was for five aircraft and has been RAF’s E-7A Wedgetail
added SPEAR Cap 3 (in common with Lightning II) reduced to three with a two-year capability gap. AEW&C (seen here in
as a reprogrammable, longer-range alternative to Meanwhile, a proposed fleet of 20 Protector UAS RAAF service) buy had
Brimstone. In addition to the retirement of the early has become 16. The DCP contains three implicit been cut from five to three
aircraft.
Tranche 1 Typhoons, the future organisation was hints about additional considerations that might,
confirmed at seven squadrons. together or separately, address some of these
gaps. First, the development of an indigenous ISR
Capability – Rotary satellite constellation is seen as a priority. Secondly,
there could be autonomous anti-submarine warfare
Much of the success of Typhoon and Tempest technologies waiting to be deployed and it is
(so far) has been the reliance on strategic certainly the case that pervasive, full-spectrum ISR
partnering between the MoD and industry. This is at the top of the priority list in the 2020 Defence
is also particularly true in the case of helicopters Science and Technology Strategy. Thirdly, technology
where Wildcat and Merlin production, capability has moved on from the case when only dedicated
sustainment and support programmes are ISR assets were relevant. Fast jet aircraft, such as
exemplars of the approach in optimising both Typhoon and Lightning II, contribute to the ISR mix,
availability and through-life cost. However, the as do fully digital Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.
convergence between fixed-wing and rotary combat Indeed, every sensor on a suitably equipped
aircraft goes further. The next-generation rotary- platform or even an individual soldier can contribute
wing platforms, both manned and unmanned, will to the ISR picture. However, such capabilities are
need to enable high-end warfighting operations being held back by lack of data capacity and by poor
JUNE 2021 17DEFENCE
UK Integrated Review analysis
To make all this work successfully, the MoD
MoD/Crown Copyright
will need to signal clearly its stability of intent to
procure platforms and systems in sufficient volume
to incentivise industry to invest their shareholders’
funds in bringing suitable products to market
or developing and de-risking technologies for
insertion into major development programmes.
The key audience is both the domestic and
the export market. Highly bespoke, gold-plated
solutions do not readily fit this requirement. Also,
in global terms, the UK has to compete for inward
investment and measure up against the tax breaks
that are on offer elsewhere. Finally, while positive,
all this represents a significant culture change
on both sides of the fence, a hurdle over which
previous industrial strategies have stumbled. In
imagery and video connectivity within and between The IR also saw deep cuts addition, for the MoD there will be pressure to
the services. This shortfall presumably sits behind to the RAF’s air transport find the required number of suitably qualified and
the priority listed in the Science and Technology fleet with the entire experienced individuals to operate at this interface
Lockheed Martin C-130J
Strategy. Concerns that the ISR ‘collect and fleet of 14 aircraft to be
at a time when such talent is nationally in short
disseminate’ requirements could adversely affect retired in 2023. supply.
primary roles could be addressed by increasing
levels of automation whereby ISR information (such Setting the stage for exporting
as electromagnetic emissions) can be collected as
a background task. Automatic dissemination to the Meeting the objectives of the Defence and Security
wider force would follow after AI validation. Industrial Strategy, as well as delivering on the
prosperity agenda, places a heavy premium on
Industrial strategy Team UK’s performance in the export market. As
the previous industrial strategies have pointed out,
The DSIS makes several strides in changing the the UK armed forces are held in high international
rather doctrinaire defence industrial strategies of esteem for their performance on operations and as
the past. Of particular note is the recognition that discerning customers for their equipment and how
the UK needs a sustainable defence industrial base it is supported.
for reasons of national security and to maximise the Defence exports represent more than just
economic potential of what is admitted as ‘one of the a transaction: rather they often represent the
most successful and innovative sectors of the British bedrock of strategic security relationships where
economy’. The replacement of ‘global competition by the provision of UK training and doctrine is seen
default with a more flexible and nuanced approach’ as a positive enhancement. The MoD’s new posture
starts to lay the foundations of a true Team UK recognises this and cites the capacity required
approach. Revisions of commercial terms and in the Military Flying Training System (MFTS).
conditions in areas such as unlimited liability and IP Exports also allow industry to retain critical skills
management are welcome, as is the recognition of THE MOD and capabilities once production for the UK has
social value (and thus the positive impact on local WOULD BE finished. So, the development of standardised
GDP) as a factor in procurement decisions. Early government-to-government commercial
and more systematic consideration of international WISE TO mechanisms is to be welcomed. These should also
collaboration is also a valuable step forward, as is RECOGNISE THE include services, including training, operational
the recognition of the importance of government-to- SIGNIFICANCE assistance and quality assurance but without
government agreements. It also replaces the 2021 adding to the unrealistic costs or unattractive
Technology White Paper definitions of sovereignty
OF THE terms and conditions.
around Operational Advantage and Freedom of ONSHORE END- There are additional complexities as technology
Action with more pragmatic concepts of Strategic TO-END DESIGN, moves up a gear. An approach of ‘international by
Imperatives and Operational Independence. Many DEVELOP design’ becomes problematic in an environment
in the industry will sigh with relief at the news that involving, say, AI and autonomy where there is
a review to simplify the Single Source Contract
AND DELIVER not an internationally recognised approach to
Regulations is in train. Finally, the strategy places CAPABILITY regulation or indeed to export. This challenge
considerable emphasis on a relationship with WITHIN THE should be addressed now if the UK is not to be
industry based on strategic partnering which aims to UK’S STRATEGIC left behind in the competitive global marketplace
unlock mutual benefit to improve value to UK society which, in the case of defence, has implications
and underpin long-term economic prosperity. Taken INDUSTRIAL beyond economics and potentially undermines the
together, this is all very positive. BASE UK’s international influence.
18 AEROSPACEYou can also read
