TAKING CONTROL - IONIC FLIGHT ARIANE 6 - EUROPE'S ANSWER TO SPACEX? CONTESTING THE GREY ZONES - Royal Aeronautical Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
June 2019
AEROSPACE
IONIC FLIGHT
ARIANE 6 - EUROPE’S
ANSWER TO SPACEX?
CONTESTING THE
GREY ZONES
www.aerosociety.com
June 2019
Volume 46 Number 6
TAKING
CONTROL
GUILLAUME FAURY
CHARTS AIRBUS’ NEW
FLIGHTPATH
Royal Aeronautical SocietyVolume 46 Number 6 Aviation’s new Race across the
RAeS/NAL
Airbus
June 2019 Golden Age Atlantic
New Airbus CEO How the press
14 Guilluame Faury
considers the future
role of the UK in the
32 reported on the first
record-breaking
flights across the
European aviation Atlantic in 1919.
industry.
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 feedback.
analysis and comment.
Has the aerospace ‘skills shortage’ 10 Antenna
62 The Last Word
Keith Hayward on the
turned fatal? Howard Wheeldon current commercial
comments on the challenges facing Rolls-
cancellation of the MoD Royce.
ASDOT programme.
Greed, cost-cutting, haste, lack of FAA oversight and a disconnect between
engineers and managers have all been fingered as possible contributors to
the crisis that Boeing now finds itself in with the 737 MAX in the aftermath Features
of two fatal crashes. All these may have some truth in them in varying
degrees but what if the underlying cause was a symptom of unrelenting
18 30
Ariane Group Holding
aging demographics in the West that has seen older generations of
aerospace engineers retire – without their knowledge, experience and
British Airways
integrity being fully replaced by fresh talent? The aging population and its
possible implications for STEM skills has raised concerns for a while now,
but makes for a worrying thought experiment. Would a previous generation
of Boeing engineers have: 1. Spotted the design flaws in MCAS and 2. Countdown for Ariane 6 Flight to aftermarket
Firmly stood their ground until it was fixed? It is difficult to say but if the What are the chances for profits
suspicion the answer is ‘yes’ to either question, then this problem may be Europe’s new Ariane 6 The growing market for
rocket in the new space airline aftercare services.
far bigger than corporate culture at Boeing Commercial Airplanes and race?
has implications beyond the US and even the aerospace sector itself. 36 Electricity in the air
Aviation, in particular, is a highly regulated industry that is unforgiving of 22 Contesting the ‘Grey MIT flies a demonstrator
Zones’ powered only by ionic wind.
errors or mistakes. If the 737 MAX is a potential harbinger of the future ‘Sub-threshold’ conflict and
and the deadly implications of lost skills and decades of experience, then air power on the agenda. 40 AERO Friedrichshafen
the ‘engineering skills shortage’ is no mere abstract employment issue for A report on the AERO
Friedrichshafen GA show.
careers experts to worry about. Instead it may be that it is already here and
26
John Walton
has already claimed its first victims. Passing on this hard-earned knowledge
and experience to the next generation is now urgent. 44
Tim Robinson, Editor-in-Chief
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com
Crystallising the
passenger experience Last call for Paris
NEWS IN BRIEF Report on the 2019 Aircraft
Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
Preview of the 2019 Paris
Air Show at Le Bourget.
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office Printed by Buxton Press Limited,
Tim Robinson Royal Aeronautical Society Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire
+44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place SK17 6AE, UK
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com London W1J 7BQ, UK
45 Afterburner
Distributed by Royal Mail
Deputy Editor +44 (0)20 7670 4300
publications@aerosociety.com 2019 AEROSPACE subscription
Bill Read rates: Non-members, £170
+44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com
bill.read@aerosociety.com AEROSPACE is published by the Royal Please send your order to:
Aeronautical Society (RAeS). Wayne J Davis, RAeS, No.4 Hamilton 46 Message from our President
Production Manager Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK.
Wayne J Davis Chief Executive +44 (0)20 7670 4354
47 M
essage from our
Online
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS aerosubs@aerosociety.com Chief Executive
wayne.davis@aerosociety.com Advertising Any member not requiring a print 44 Book Reviews
Publications Co-ordinator Bharat Davé version of this magazine, please
Chris Male +44 (0)20 7670 4346 contact: membership@aerosociety.com 52 Library Additions Additional features and content are
+44 (0)20 7670 4352
chris.male@aerosociety.com
partners@aerosociety.com USA: Periodical postage paid at 50 Weybridge Branch lecture available to view online on www.media.
Unless specifically attributed, no Champlain New York and additional aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight
Publications Executive offices. 56 Diary
Annabel Hallam material in AEROSPACE shall be taken Including:
+44 (0)20 7670 4361 to represent the opinion of the RAeS. Postmaster: Send address changes 57 RAeS at Avalon 2019 Behind the scenes at Flying Legends, Back
annabel.hallam@aerosociety.com Reproduction of material used in this to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518, to (flight) school, Seaplane operations in the
Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA. 58 Preston Branch lecture
publication is not permitted without the Maldives, In the May issue of AEROSPACE, Orbex
Book Review Editor
Brian Riddle written consent of the Editor-in-Chief.
ISSN 2052-451X
59 Corporate Partners opens UK rocket factory, AERO Freidrichshafen
show report, Brain-powered drone racing,
60 Elections US-EU WTO subsidies dispute, The
great transatlantic race.
Front cover: CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury. (Airbus)
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019 13Radome
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
Solar power
Power for the electric pumps will be supplied
by a rechargeable battery which can be
topped up by an array of solar cells fitted to
the upper surfaces of the wings and tail.
AEROSPACE
Phoenix rising
A team of UK experts has successfully flown the first ever large-scale aircraft powered
University of Highlands and Islands
by variable-buoyancy propulsion. The Phoenix uses the concept of variable-buoyancy
propulsion already used for underwater remotely-operated-vehicles but which has not
previously been used successfully for the propulsion of a large-scale aircraft. The vehicle
is designed to repeatedly transition from being lighter-than-air to being heavier-than-
air, so that thrust is generated to propel the craft forward. The team behind the Phoenix
project includes representatives from academia and industry led by Andrew Rae, Professor
of Engineering at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Applications for a variable-
buoyancy vehicle could include high-altitude psuedo satellite (HAPS) missions, such as
persistent surveillance, communications or science missions.
4 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019Endurance
Because the Phoenix relies on solar
power for both propulsion and altitude, it
can remain aloft for long periods of time,
making it ideal for use as a pseudo-satellite
platform..
Dimensions
Envelope – 120m3 of helium
Length – 15m
Wingspan – 10.5m
Pump action
The fuselage contains 120m3 of helium, providing sufficient
buoyancy to enable the vehicle to ascend like a balloon. Fitted
within the fuselage is a 6m3 airbag which can be filled or emptied
using electric pumps. When the airbag is full, the vehicle will be
heavier than air and will fly like a conventional aircraft. When the
bag is empty, the vehicle will be lighter than air and will fly like
an airship. Pumps located at the mouth of this airbag can inhale
and compress air from outside and thereby add weight (without
altering the displacement) sufficient to overcome the buoyancy. This
transition to heavier-than-air flight allows the aircraft to descend like
a conventional aeroplane. The expulsion of the compressed air will
propel the vehicle forward.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019
5Radome
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Heathrow legal
Boeing completes 737 MAX challenges rejected
software update The High Court in brought by local councils,
London has rejected the Mayor of London,
five claims challenging and environmental
the UK government’s groups based on climate
policy on the need for change, air quality,
new airport capacity in surface access and
southeast England and noise. The fifth claim was
its support for expansion for an alternative runway
at Heathrow Airport. capacity scheme at
Four of the claims were Heathrow.
GENERAL AVIATION
German manufacturer Lilium’s eVTOL made its first flight
on 4 May. Comprised of a cabin module suspended
As AEROSPACE goes to press, Boeing reports that it has completed work on beneath parallel asymmetrical tilt-rotor wings fitted
upgrading the software on the manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system with 36 electric jet engines, the unpiloted Lilium Jet
(MCAS) on the 737 MAX which is alleged to have been a contributory factor in two fatal took off vertically, hovered and then landed in a brief
crashes of 737 MAXs operated by Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. Boeing reported that untethered one minute hop at Oberpfaffenhofen. Lilium
the aircraft manufacturer is in negotiations with the US Federal Aviation Administration aims to get the aircraft certificated for piloted operations
(FAA) to schedule its first certification test flight and has also completed simulator with a maximum speed of 300km/h carrying up to five
testing and engineering test flights for the currently grounded 737 MAX. passengers.
Boeing is also working with US pilot unions on a proposed computer-based pilot
Lilium
training session as part of work to return the 737 MAX to service. The training session,
which can be completed on a laptop or tablet computer in around 15mins, reviews the
737 MAX’s speed trim system and the MCAS.
Meanwhile, representatives of both Boeing and the FAA were questioned by the US
House Transportation Committee panel concerning the FAA’s certification of the MAX.
The FAA’s acting chief Dan Elwell admitted that pilots should have known more about
the MCAS. Ewell also said that the FAA has set up a Technical Advisory Board (TAB)
to examine Boeing’s MCAS software update and a Joint Authorities Technical Review
(JATR) panel comprised of representatives of international civil aviation authorities to
36-engine VTOL air taxi
study the 737 MAX’s flight control system. The JATR panel will meet on 23 May to
discuss the FAA’s move toward resumption of 737 MAX commercial flights in the US.
flies
NEWS IN BRIEF
scrapped, only 12 years
A Boeing 737-800 Three people were killed Boeing has won a $14.3bn Airbus has announced it after entering service. The
operated by Miami Air on 14 April when a Summit contract to upgrade has conducted the first aircraft had been leased
International chartered Air Let L-410 on a flight USAF B-1 and B-52 flight of its latest corporate by SIA but the lessor
slid into the St Johns river to Kathmandu struck a bombers. The B-1/B-52 jet, the ACJ319neo. had failed to find another
after coming off the end Manang Air stationary Flexible Acquisition and The bizjet took to the skies airline willing to operate
of the runway at the Naval helicopter while departing Sustainment contract is on 24 April for flight of them. The aircraft are
Air Station military base from Tenzing Hillary Airport due to be completed in nearly two hours from the being dismantled at Tarbes
in Jacksonville, Florida at Lukla near Mount 2029. manufacturer's facility at Lourdes Airport near the
during a thunderstorm. Everest. The L-410 pilot Hamburg. The ACJ219neo Spanish border.
The aircraft, carrying 143 was killed, together with The first uncrewed flight is based on the re-engined
passengers and crew, was two police officers standing of the Boeing CST-100 A319neo but with extra India’s financially troubled
on a military charter flight near the helicopter. Four space capsule is scheduled fuel tanks to give it Jet Airways suspended
carrying personnel and passengers and a flight for August, followed by intercontinental range. all flights on 17 April after
civilians from Guantanamo attendant on board the the first manned flight in failing to attract additional
Bay in Cuba. There were L-410 were injured but November carrying three Two ex-Singapore Airlines funding to keep operating.
no fatalities. survived. astronauts. Airbus A380s are being The airline had earlier
6 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019DEFENCE AEROSPACE
Superjet 100 crashes in
Russian MoD
Moscow
A total of 41 people were and bounced back into
killed on 5 May when an the air which caused
Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet it to catch fire. A total
100 made an emergency of 33 passengers and
crash landing at Moscow four crew were able to
Sheremetyevo airport. The evacuate from the front of
aircraft was 30mins into the aircraft but there were
a flight from the airport to reports that the evacuation
Russia to expand Murmansk when it turned was delayed by some
stealth fighter fleet
back after suffering from passengers retrieving their
electrical problems and luggage before exiting. An
On a visit to a military aerospace centre on 15 May, Russian President Vladimir losing communications initial analysis of the flight
Putin revealed that the country is set to increase its acquisition of Sukhoi Su-57 fifth following an electrical data recorder revealed
generation stealth fighters from the current 16 to 76 by 2028, to enable three full failure at 8,900ft. The the jet was 1.6t over its
regiments to be equipped. At the same time, Sukhoi will be expected to reduce costs on aircraft made a hard maximum landing weight
the fighter by 20%. landing at Sheremetyevo when it crashed.
AIR TRANSPORT SPACEFLIGHT
Indonesia’s Garuda to Bezos reveals Moon lander
trial UAV cargo ops Amazon chief Jeff Bezos has unveiled
the Blue Moon lunar lander currently
Indonesian airline Garuda powered, fixed-wing being developed by his space company,
Indonesia is planning to BKZ-005 MALE UAVs, Blue Origin, for the past three years.
begin unmanned cargo which can carry up to 1.2t The robotic lander would be able to land
operations, using a of cargo. Tests of UAV air 6.5t of supplies on the Moon − with
Chinese-built UAV capable freight operations are set davits to lower rovers and equipment
of carrying over one ton to begin later this year, to the surface to support a sustained
of freight. The carrier has with the airline aiming to prescence. A larger version would carry
entered an agreement with eventually operate up to astronauts to the surface, with Bezos
Blue Origin
Beihang UAS Technology 100 UAVs to deliver cargo aiming to meet NASA’s goal of humans
to trial three of its piston- across Indonesia. back on the Moon by 2024.
cancelled all international flight from Saint-Dizier air reported to be suffering successfully flown a 60% Authority, California Public
flights after it had to base, was blasted through a fuel leak and releasing scale demonstrator of its Employees’ Retirement
ground most of its aircraft the canopy and away from debris fragments. TriFan 600 VTOL bizjet System, National Pension
fleet. the fighter before the seat at an airfield in northern Service of Korea and
deployed its parachute. A Challenger 601 business California. Australia’s Future Fund.
France is reported to It is not yet determined jet crashed in Mexico
have grounded some of whether the incident was killing 13 passengers and The French Vinci group The US Air Force
its Rafale fighters for caused by human error or crew. The aircraft was on has formally completed a has conducted a
safety checks following mechanical malfunction. a charter flight from Las £2.9bn deal announced demonstration in which
an incident in March in Vegas to Monterrey when in December to acquire Raytheon's Multi-spectral
which a civilian passenger The Intelsat 29e it came down in a remote a 50.01% controlling Targeting System
aboard a French Air Force communications satellite region near Ocampo on interest in Gatwick combined with its high
Rafale was injured when is drifting in geostationary 5 May. The cause of the Airport. The remaining power microwave and
his ejection seat activated orbit after ‘experiencing accident is not yet known. 49.99% is owned by mobile high energy HEL
during the flight. The damage’ on 7 April. Built Global Infrastructure system were used to
64-year-old passenger, by Boeing and launched XTI Aircraft has Partners (GIP), comprising detect, identify, track and
who was on an observation in 2016, the satellite is announced that it has Abu Dhabi Investment engage a drone swarm.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019 7Radome
SPACEFLIGHT GENERAL AVIATION
Crew Dragon capsule
Daks over Normandy
Mass Dakota flypast for D-Day
explodes in ground test anniversary
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has observed a large cloud
suffered a major setback of smoke from the test
in its crewed capsule stand. SpaceX intially
programme when its described the incident
Crew Dragon spacecraft as an ‘anomaly’ but
exploded on 20 April in later confirmed that the
Cape Canaveral, Florida ‘vehicle was destroyed’.
during a ground test of An investigation into the
its launch abort engines. cause of the incident Plans are underway to fly up to 18 vintage Douglas DC-3/C-47 Dakotas from the
No one was injured in is now underway. Until US across the Atlantic in May to join up with 17 other European-based Dakotas for
the ground test of the the accident, SpaceX a 75th anniversary of D-Day fly-past over Normandy. The US-based aircraft are to fly
SuperDraco engines had been aiming to fly a from Oxford in Connecticut to Duxford in the UK via Goose Bay in Newfoundland,
but a leaked video crewed test flight of the Greenland, Iceland and Prestwick. The 35 aircraft will be based at Duxford from
showed a large explosion Crew Dragon to the ISS 2-5 June and then stage a formation flight on 5 June where they will drop 250
and eyewitnesses as early as July. paratroopers over France before going to Caen in Normandy from 5-9 June.
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Bombardier to sell United unveils new livery
Bombardier
off Belfast plant
United Airlines
Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier is putting its Belfast and Morocco
aerostructures plants up for sale as part of a reorganisation of its business. The
remainder of Bombardier’s aerospace activities will be consolidated in a new division US carrier, United Airlines, Continental Airlines-
called Bombardier Aviation. Bombardier currently employs around 3,600 people has revealed its new blue- era gold from the paint
across several locations in Northern Ireland which supply parts and assemblies to both themed livery, as part of a scheme for a white, grey
Bombardier and other aerospace companies, including Airbus. It is hoped that, once branding revamp. and blue livery. The new
two divisions have been sold, they will both continue to produce parts for Bombardier The new livery, which scheme will be rolled out
aircraft. The effect of the sale on workers’ jobs in Bombardier in Northern Ireland is not was unveiled on a Boeing over the fleet over the next
yet known until potential purchasers have been identified. 737-800, drops the few years.
NEWS IN BRIEF
in early May after two Navy. Separately, the order is the largest yet
Rocket Lab’s Electron Embraer’s new re-engined days of negotiations with company has also been placed for electric aircraft.
rocket launched on 5 May and upgraded E195-E2 airline management over reported to have secured
from New Zealand. The regional jet has received new salary increases. a deal from Egypt for 20 Marshall Aerospace
privately-developed rocket type certification from the SAS announced that of its AW149 multimission and Defence Group has
was carrying three small US FAA, European EASA negotiations with the helicopters. announced it will be
US military payloads. and the Brazilian regulatory Swedish SPF, Norwegian relocating from its base
authority ANA. The first NSF/NF and SNF, and A SpaceX cargo at Cambridge Airport
Helicopter pilots working E195-E2 is scheduled to Danish DPF unions had spacecraft docked with from 2030. It has named
for CHC Scotia on North enter service in the second agreed to new three-year the ISS on 6 May carrying Cranfield, Duxford and
Sea flights are to go on half of this year with collective bargaining 2,500kg of supplies and Wyton as its preferred
strike. Based at Aberdeen, Brazilian operator, Azul agreements. scientific equipment. options for new facilities.
Humberside, Norwich Linhas Aereas Brasileiras.
and Sumburgh, the pilots In a $423m deal Poland The OSM Aviation Academy Emirates has removed 40
are considering taking Striking pilots working has ordered four Leonardo in Norway has ordered 60 Boeing 787-10 orders,
industrial action between for Scandinavian carrier, AW101s in the ASW and eFlyer2 electric aircraft from its future fleet plan in
21 May to 5 November. SAS, returned to work SAR role for the Polish From Bye Aerospace. The its annual report.
8 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019DEFENCE AIR TRANSPORT
Dornier Seawings
Enter the Orca US issues overflight
warnings
The US has ordered already prohibited US
the suspension of all airlines from flying below
commercial flights 26,000ft over Venezuelan
between the US and airspace as a precaution
Venezuela due to security against MANPADS.
concerns after the Meanwhile, the US
country’s recent political FAA has also warned
unrest. The order from international airlines of
the US Transportation increased risks of flying
Chinese-owned Dornier Seawings is launching a new seaplane concept customised Department will apply over the Persian Gulf due
for defence and security missions. Called the Orca, the aircraft is based on the to all US and overseas to ‘miscommunication
manufacturer’s Seastar design and will be equipped with search and surveillance air carriers operating or misidentification’ as
cameras and radar systems, medivac stretchers and self-protection suites. The first between the two US and Iranian tensions
Orcas may be ready to enter service by 2022. countries. The FAA has continue to deepen.
GENERAL AVIATION SPACEFLIGHT
Glider to measure NASA asks US Government for
cosmic rays $1.6bn to fund return to Moon
NASA has requested an additional $1.6bn for the fiscal year 2020 following President
Trump’s call for the Agency to return humans to the Moon by 2024. The budget
amendment is in addition to an earlier $21bn budget request to fund the development
of human lunar landing systems, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion
spacecraft, lunar exploration technology and robotic lunar exploration. The budget
amendment for NASA would be used to fund deep space exploration, science and
technology.
UAVOS
Stratodynamics and of a Slovak Academy
UAVOS have announced
a joint project to launch a
of Sciences research
project to study cosmic
AEROSPACE
Hidron unmanned glider
from a weather balloon
rays entering the Earth’s
atmosphere. The mission
INFOGRAPHIC: BAE Systems’ MAGMA
at 82,000ft. The glider is planned to take place ‘flapless’ UAV
will then descend slowly in August or September
Flap-free flight
collecting data as part this year.
In a first for aviation, an aircraft has
flown using supersonically blown air
to control its movement in flight.
ON THE J Michael Luttig has
MAGMA is an unmanned
air vehicle (UAV) designed
MOVE been appointed to the
newly-created position
and built in collaboration
with The University of
Manchester to demonstrate
novel control technologies. Wing Circulation Control
The new UK Secretary of Counselor and Senior Engine bleed air is blown at
supersonic speed through narrow
slots in the wing trailing edge.
of Defence is Penny Advisor to Boeing
Morduant MP. She Chairman, President and Curved surface
replaces Gavin Williamson CEO Dennis Muilenburg. Jet deflection
in pitch axis
MP who was sacked on
1 May over alleged leaks Former NASA executive Fluidic Thrust Vectoring
about China’s Huawei. Robert Lightfoot is to High velocity exhaust jet deflected by small, distributed
air jets in the exhaust nozzle to vector it up and down.
become the new VP
Adaptable Airframe
Maria Della Posta is to be Strategy and Business Removing the need for complex moving
BAE Systems
surfaces with a simpler ‘blown air’ solution,
the new President of Pratt Development for engineers could create future aircraft that are
lighter, cheaper and better performing.
& Whitney Canada. Lockheed Martin Space. Fully attached flow
(no blowing, max. nose down
thrust vectoring)
Partially attached flow
(partial blowing, neutral
thrust vectoring)
Fully detached flow (max.
blowing, max. “nose up”
thrust vectoring)
Copyright © 2019 BAE Systems. All rights reserved
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019 9antenna: Global Outlook and
Analysis with
HOWARD WHEELDON
ASDOT –
Shot down in flames
N
ot surprisingly, the announcement So why has ASDOT been cancelled?
from the MoD in late March, that it
had decided to scrap the Air Support At this stage all that the MoD has officially said is
to Defence Operational Training that “we received a number of industry proposals
(ASDOT) programme, came as a huge in response to the ASDOT invitation to negotiation.
A REASON FOR disappointment to the three bidding partnerships We will now re-assess the parameters for the
that put so much work in over the previous three programme.”
CANCELLATION years to attempt to provide the UK military with a Interpreted, that probably means that, although
IS THAT, GIVEN next generation of combat air training. all three of the different bidding partnership
THE HUGE ASDOT did not necessarily fail at the last hurdle, proposals most likely met the parameters laid
it was more likely shot down in flames by the MoD down by the MoD in 2016, there was an increasing
ONGOING
on the basis that to provide what was needed was, realisation that they were far too limited in scale
SUCCESS OF in effect, considered unaffordable. and, if these were to be properly enhanced to meet
THE EXISTING First announced by the MoD in 2016, the the full requirement, the cost of ASDOT would be
COMBAT AIR ASDOT programme was designed to provide way ahead of what the MoD had budgeted.
combat air support services for the RAF, Royal Navy, Another interpretation and one that I also
TRAINING Army and Joint Forces Command. The initial start favour as a reason for cancellation, is that, given
SYSTEM RUN BY date value placed on the programme was £700m the huge ongoing success of the existing combat
COBHAM, THE but the MoD also envisaged a surge requirement air training system run by Cobham, the MoD
MOD REALISED in around 2027 and that this would add a further realised that it has been getting excellent value for
£500m to the programme. All-in-all, the value of money.
THAT IT HAS ASDOT was placed at around £1.25bn. Another factor which I understand caused
BEEN GETTING Interestingly, ASDOT had, until its abrupt a degree of concern in the MoD was the age
EXCELLENT cancellation, been regarded as one of the key of some of the aircraft that some bidders were
future programme requirements on the MoD list. proposing to use and which, in one case, were
VALUE FOR
It has taken a lot of time, effort and cost for the possibly older than the existing Hawk T1s used by
MONEY various partnership members who, with their various the MoD within the existing Cobham-run system.
specialisms, juggled and organised themselves Whatever the reason, I would not expect
into teams in order to be able to compete on this ASDOT to come back in anything like its present
fascinating programme. form and even when and if it does, rather a lot
The abrupt and rather dismissive cancellation more water will have gone under the bridge.
of ASDOT has caused a degree of anger and, not That is not to suggest that the MoD believes
least with regard to the costs already incurred by that combat air training should no longer be
bidders. Those that ultimately submitted bids to the treated as a priority requirement but it is to
MoD included Cobham, partnered with QinetiQ, suggest that they do now recognise the need to
Draken International – the latter being the only radically rethink the programme to ensure that
commercial air adversary provider to USAF – and what will eventually be required is also affordable.
3DSL. While I am sure that industry will rise to whatever
Leonardo was bidding through the aptly named new challenge in respect of combat jet training
‘RED Aces’ partnership that included Inzpire and that the MoD resets, I caution that much trust has
a Canadian company known as Top Aces while been lost in the manner in which ASDOT has been
Babcock International teamed with Elbit Systems. A cancelled.
fourth group that had included Thales and Textron It is absolutely right that affordability should
pulled out of the ASDOT competition last year. remain a crucial aspect for all MoD programmes
Subsequently, QinetiQ has acquired 80% of Inzpire. but it is a pity that on ASDOT the MoD did not see
While a further delay to the ASDOT programme the light early enough. As to the future, I suspect
would not have surprised, what, in effect, was a that the MoD will now seek to extend the Cobham-
cancellation, came out of the blue. run system for a few more years if they can.
10 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019Cobham
However, while stop-gap extension measures are electronic warfare and other diverse elements that
not exactly new to defence, they come at a cost. are already in ships, in the air and on the ground
No existing system or capability, however good it to be fit for purpose in the event of enemy attack.
Cobham was
may appear, can be allowed to stand still and to Phase Two would move the process further by
extend the existing arrangement there will need partnered including training facilities that had been left on a
to be further investment. Failure to invest in E-3D with Draken wish list.
Sentry capability over the past 20 years is an International for For the first phase of ASDOT, the MoD
abject lesson of what occurs if you fail to invest. requested that competing contractor partnerships
Meanwhile, Cobham’s fleet of Falcon aircraft
ASDOT. With bid to provide live flying assets to meet a
has already gone through one life extension Cobham’s existing combination of synthetic and actual flying of the
process and, while a second is certainly not out of EW aggressor air-to-air combat training role for military pilots.
the question, it will need to be properly thought out contract with the This would include air-to-surface, joint terminal
and funded. attack controller/forward air controller (airborne),
From a Royal Navy and Royal Air Force MoD set to expire electronic warfare and air traffic control training.
perspective, continuing to make use of the by the end of this The equipment capability would also be required to
venerable Hawk T1 aircraft based at RNAS year, there are support ground-based air defence and aerospace
Yeovilton and RAF Leeming would appear to be battle management and live gunnery scenarios.
concerns that
less of a problem, although even here it needs to Designed to replace an existing Cobham-
be recognised by the MoD that extending the life there could be a run combat jet training system and combining
of capability requires adequate funding. UK ‘training gap’ a modified fleet of Cobham-owned Falcon
While nothing is impossible, extending the caused by the aircraft together with RAF and Royal Navy Hawk
life of any capability does have limits. The ever T1s – the latter playing the combat air role, the
increasing cost of obsolescence inevitably pushes
cancellation of Cobham-run system continues to provide a highly
the overall cost of maintenance, repair and ASDOT. specialised support system in respect of UK
overhaul higher. Most likely in my view though is operational readiness training, making use also of
that, in the short to medium term, Hawk T1 aircraft accurate synthetic-based replication of potential
would share the combat aircraft role with Tranche peer threats in a live environment. The Cobham-
1 Typhoon aircraft. operated training system combines technical
expertise with world-class electronic warfare (EW)
A programme as was systems working in close support with the RAF’s
Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington.
The ASDOT programme envisaged an initial Ultimately, when a new and more appropriate
arrangement covering ten years with potential for solution is proposed which will reshape the ASDOT
that to be extended by another five years to 15 proposal with an affordable programme, I am in
years in all. little doubt that it will also be a contractor-owned
Phase One of the programme was to contain and contractor-operated (COCO) scheme and one
everything that was considered by the MoD as enabled to train pilots across all sections of the
being vital to ensure that Royal Navy and RAF UK military. That is the right way to go but, while
pilots are able to undertake sustainable combat air time is of the essence as we move into a new era
warfare training within a system using contractor of carrier-borne strike capability, we must ensure
operated ‘aggressor’ aircraft. Combat air activity that we get it right and that it is both affordable
was to be combined with a variety of ground-based and sustainable.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019
11Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE
development (CPD) will
737 MAX and MCAS RAF pilot training
be just as important as the
The tragic Boeing 737 Sophy Gardner’s article on original PfCO training if
MAX accident situation has the crisis facing UK Military we are to keep operators’
many dimensions. As an Flying Training(1) was one skills sharp and prevent
ex test pilot and later as a the best and most incisive bad habits from inevitably
regulator on the Board of pieces I have read in a long developing. In every
the CAA, I am at a complete time. The MoD isn’t going to sphere of manned aviation
loss to understand how sort this out anytime soon, and unmanned military
Boeing thought it was so I have a suggestion from aviation, recurrent training
acceptable to connect outside the box. Forget the and assessment ensure
anything as powerful as the graduate entry scheme that skills are developed
MCAS elevator system to with its high debts and and safety procedures
be controlled by a single happened within Boeing first accident trying to justify admissions to Cranwell aged reinforced. As professional
angle-of-attack (AOA), we may never know but I what they did emphasises 22+. Instead, recruit keen drone operators, if we are to
sensor, not a particularly find it hard to believe that their complete misjudgement direct-entry 18-year olds enhance our credibility within
reliable device by modern Boeing’s Flight Test Center of risk and safety who could take meaningful the wider aviation community
standards. As a firm’s test didn’t object. As a result of requirements and in my view distance-learning degrees and ensure excellent safety
pilot we would never have these two accidents, the FAA could only have been due during the longueurs of standards, then we too
concurred with the design procedures for delegating to commercial pressure. It ‘holding’. The result will be should undertake CPD
despite any objections our certification requirements is such a terrible shame not graduate aircrew arriving on covering both theory and
employer might have had to firms will surely change, only for the relatives of the their first squadron around practical flying skills on a
and equally I am absolutely as will the automatic bereaved but for the high age 25 with fewer debts, recurrent basis.
sure the UK’s regulator at acceptance by other national safety standards of world rather than five years later
the time, the Air Registration regulation agencies of FAA aviation. with minimal enthusiasm left Marcus Johnson
Board, would have refused to certification. With regard to in the tank. CEng MRAeS
certificate the system. What Boeing’s statement after the Tony Blackman FRAeS Director, Kittyhawk Drones
Andrew Brookes
FRAeS RAF (Ret’d)
Model aircraft flying and drone pilot registration Civilian passengers
Recurrent training for in military fighters
The Department for largest recreational aviation
BMFA
Transport and the Civil activity in the UK. Models drone operators?
The recent BBC programme
Aviation Authority are taking have been a tool in the The article on how on the Tornado could have
regulatory action against development of aviation from HALO Drones is raising been an interesting insight
the drone threat to safety the earliest days, and still standards in training for into its operational profile.
and security by requiring are. Many of the pioneers drone operators(2) was very BBC journalist Jonathon
registration of drone pilots. began their careers as model interesting. As a director Beale flew in the rear seat
Enter ‘John’. John is 11 years flyers. The RAeS has hosted of a fellow drone training with the idea to discuss
of age. When he grows many lectures and events company – Kittyhawk the many attributes of the
up he wants to be a pilot. regarding models and their Drones – it is reassuring aircraft during the flight.
He is learning to fly model technological development. to read about fellow All he managed to do was
aeroplanes. He has found an This type of clumsy regulation organisations promoting mention when the aircraft
In May the BMFA held a
instructor and is training to is very disappointing and a positive, professional was designed etc, and be
series of Flightfests at local
meet the requirements of the flying fields to raise the profile
has a discouraging effect on image for our young, rapidly sick. This farcical episode
‘A’ Certificate of the British of model aircraft flying with the bright young people we expanding industry. In was as pointless as it
Model Flying Association’s the public and to encourage need. Terrorists, and most particular, the importance was dangerous, taking a
Achievement Scheme. new members to join. The casual drone users, will not of Airmanship and how passenger in the rear seat
An ‘A’ certificate means main event was held at the register at all. The RAeS is students are encouraged to of the Tornado knowing
he can control the model BMFA’s national centre at the only multidisciplinary become stakeholders in the full well that he had a
safely, without danger or Buckminster. society dedicated, among application of this technology history of air sickness was
inconvenience to the public, other things, to promote the will be very powerful factors putting the safety of those
understands the ‘drone code’, a threat that he cannot be highest possible standards in developing the safe and involved at risk. The practice
knows the BMFA safety allowed to register until he is in all aerospace disciplines responsible commercial of flying non-aircrew
code, is insured and follows 18. The regulations, brought and to play a leading role drone operators of the passengers should be
best practice. The DfT is so about by irresponsible in influencing opinion on future. However, one key seriously addressed by all
concerned that it has laid drone flyers, affect 35,000 aerospace matters. Model aspect absent from the air force authorities. The
down a set of proposed members of the BMFA flying in the UK needs your article was a consideration recent Rafale incident is an
rules which will require John alone, currently paid up and support. of ongoing training and example of what can
to register with the CAA insured model pilots. These
assessment. While it is happen when it goes wrong.
every year. John would like people are not the threat. Alan Simmons not currently mandatory,
to comply but he is such Model flying is perhaps the FRAeS continuous professional Paul Adams
12 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019f
AAR Corp. who have been
willingly sponsoring our Cool BAE Systems’ MAGMA on One Show
Aero initiative for several @ASobester [On
BBC
years. We very much hope to BAE Systems MAGMA
bring Cool Aeronautics back demonstrator appears on
to the Canadian people in BBC The One Show] Applied
the near future!! aerodynamics hasn’t been this
mainstream since someone
Electric seaplanes mentioned sycamore seeds
on Gardeners’ Question Time
Cool Aeronautics in
Andy McKee [On in 1987.
Canada Flight training school
Seaplane paradise(3)] Surely @William_Leech Is this
they are ripe to go electric a descendent of Cranfield
as per the Vancouver @AviationLed [On time University’s DEMON UAV
@MichaelJPryce First ref
seaplane taxi service is for an international flight project? I remember that
to CC I saw in BAe was an
doing? Also, with small training school trade body was doing flapless wind-
ASTOVL paper published in
electric motors in the floats, blogl(4)] ATPL pilots are a tunnel tests about a decade
1987. The idea was to use
there would be no need for small subset of the total ago. I think it was meant
fan air blown over deflected
the expense of operating a pilot community (military, to deliver better control
flap instead of RCS with
We would like to say a twin, as water manoeuvering commercial and general performance at high angles-
HP air. The criticism was if
massive thank you to could be greatly enhanced. aviation), hence it’s largely of-attack, as well as the
there is a problem you want
RAeS Canada YPN rep, been left up to the airlines stealth bonus.
to knock it out with a punch,
Valeriya Mordvinova and to develop their own training
not wrestle it to the ground.
i
her team for bringing the academies in line with ICAO
Cool Aeronautics program training guidelines.
Emergency evacuation Lilian Bland lecture
to Canada for the very
first time! Last Thursday, @Brads550 [On RAeS
the Canada Aviation and @APPG_GA An interesting Evacuation Paper and Superjet
Space Museum in Ottawa idea from @AeroSociety crashl(8)] That’s a great report,
welcomed over 80 children on creating an international thanks! Do you know if the
from two local schools for a trade body for flying schools, recommendation on remote
fun-filled day of everything and one that deserves locking of overhead bins has
#aerospace. The children serious thought. been given consideration by
International training
received interactive any authorities?
talks from companies, David Carroll [On
including Porter Airlines, Back to (flight) school(4)] Mike Savage podcast
NAV CANADA and the With the ever-increasing @bsdchapman Nope. Lilian Bland was an Anglo-
Transportation Safety globalisation of the pilot @ReviewVayu [On Mike Where else are passengers Irish journalist and aviation
Board of Canada. The employment market, it is Savage interview podcast(7] to store spare lithium pioneer who designed, built
children were also treated logical to develop such We love Mike! Our dear batteries, food, drink, baby and flew the Mayfly biplane
to a variety of hands- an international flight friend for decades!! supplies? Now, should those in 1910.
on #STEM workshops, training trade organisation. @AeroSociety bins have remote locks on
including designing paper Standardisation of pilot them? Maybe. Really interesting to hear
planes and receiving a training methods and about Lilian Bland at the
demonstration on the standards will increase @hitchin1066 One of @AeroSociety lecture by
workings of an ejector job opportunities for pilots, the first people I met in the @dda951 I’ve heard the Prof Mark Price of
seat! With several months as well as increase the aerospace industry and we MC-21 locks the overhead @QUBelfast last evening
of planning and endless worldwide pool of available have been friends ever since. bins at touchdown (or First female to design, build
phone calls back and forth pilots with a known training A great raconteur, gentleman perhaps before) and they and fly their own aircraft in
from Canada, together background and skill set. and consumer of Walking unlock when the airplane 1910. @WomenInAviation
we were able to pull off a Johnnies! successfully slows for a stop. http://www.lilianbland.ie/
magnificent event to inspire 737 MAX 1. AEROSPACE, May 2019, p 28, Holding pattern
the #nextgeneration. Once 2. AEROSPACE, April 2019, p 14, School of drones
again we would like to thank Tyron Seneviratne On 3. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/seaplane-paradise/
4. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/back-to-flight-school/
everybody who made this 737 MAX – What next?(5)] 5. AEROSPACE, May 2019, p 14, 737 MAX – what next?
event possible, including Great insight into 737 MAX. 6. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/down-a-well-trodden-path-another-wto-subsidies-war/
all the volunteers, the staff 7. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/audio-an-interview-with-mike-savage-on-selling-with-handley-page-bac/
8. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/emergency-evacuation-time-for-a-rethink/
at Canada Aviation and US-EU trade dispute
Space Museum and all the
speakers and contributors.
Last of all, a big thank you
Clayton P Henderson
[On US-EU WTO subsidies
Online
Additional features and content are available to view
to our programme sponsors. war(6)] Frighteningly true!
online at http://media.aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes
Find us on LinkedIn f facebook.com/raes
Find us on Facebook. www.aerosociety.com
www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019 13AEROSPACE
Aircraft
Airbus
Aviation’s new
Golden Age
Speaking at the RAeS Annual Dinner on 16 May, the new CEO of Airbus,
GUILLAUME FAURY, FRAeS spoke about the origins of Airbus, future
technology, Brexit and the role of the UK in the European aviation industry.
I
t’s a great honour for me to become a Fellow of A year of centenaries
the Royal Aeronautical Society and to address
your dinner. I say that as someone who is first Before I go any further, I must also wish a very
and foremost an aeronautical engineer and happy birthday to everyone at British Airways on
whose passion for aviation dates back to my their centenary year. This year also happens to
childhood. I grew up in Le Havre on the Normandy be a significant one for Airbus – in fact, our 50th
coast. My fascination with aviation began when I anniversary is this very month. Back in 1969, the
accompanied a harbour pilot on his helicopter flights European aerospace sector was struggling. The
above the port there. illustrious names of British, French and German
I’d like to thank the Society for everything you aerospace engineering weren’t just competing with
do, especially encouraging today’s young people with their rivals across the Atlantic – they were competing
their own dreams of a career in aviation. With your with each other. Consequently, the American brands
support, many Airbus employees fulfil their ambition of commanded more than 80% of the market for
becoming chartered engineers. The Royal Aeronautical commercial aircraft. To revive Europe’s fortunes,
Society is also helping to improve the gender balance ministers from France and Germany signed an
in our industry by backing the excellent charter for agreement on 29 May 1969 to build the first Airbus
Women in Aviation and Aerospace. The charter was aircraft in a partnership of European nations. After
only launched last year but more than 100 aerospace an initial phase, the UK was to join the Airbus family
businesses here have now signed up to it. around a decade later.
14 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019more than 1,000 apprentices in the UK over the last
Airbus
decade. So, 50 years after Airbus’s foundation, we
remain a partnership of European nations, with the UK
very much at our core.
Brexit, technology and the
environment
But here in May of 2019 European aerospace is at a
turning point. The relationship between the UK and
Europe is clouded by deep uncertainty. Aerospace is
being transformed by the same wave of technological
innovation that is disrupting the entire industrial sector
and commercial aviation faces scepticism about
its environmental performance. This evening, I will
suggest a way forward for the European and British
aerospace sector.
First, we must capitalise on the technological
revolution that is underway. Second, we should lead
the way towards a more sustainable aerospace sector.
Revolution in technology
First, over the next decade, there will be innovation
on a scale to match anything in the history of aviation.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus’ International business We will see advances in electrification, artificial
new CEO, was guest of intelligence, advanced connectivity, digital technology
honour at the 2019 Royal Our first aircraft was the A300, the first ever twin- and quantum computing. These technologies will
Aeronautical Society
aisle, twin-engine jetliner. We have since grown into transform how aircraft are developed, manufactured,
Annual Banquet.
a global aerospace champion. We produce half the powered, serviced, flown and maintained.
world’s large aircraft and have successful businesses New business models will emerge as these
in defence, space and helicopters. Our factories now innovations combine in exciting ways. We’ll also see
extend well beyond Europe to the USA and countries new competitors. Look at China’s success in drone
across the world but we remain proud of our roots in technology or at how the giants of Silicon Valley are
Europe. breaking into aerospace.
And those roots are deep in the UK. Many of It’s already being called aviation’s ‘new golden age’
you will know that we develop and manufacture the and it calls for an ambitious response from Europe.
wings for all our aircraft here. Less well known is At Airbus, we’re upgrading our industrial system with
that Airbus is the UK’s largest space business and robotics and digital technology. Our goal is to improve
Below left: Europe’s next the Royal Air Force’s second biggest supplier. We’re the quality and efficiency of our entire manufacturing
mission to Mars - the also the country’s largest supplier of helicopters and system.
ExoMars Rover Rosalind were delighted to strengthen our partnership with the Looking further ahead, we want to use new 3D
Franklin, is being tested at
National Police Air Service in March. technology to design our next generation of aircraft at
the company;s Stevenage
site in the UK. Airbus employs around 15,000 highly-skilled the same time as the factories that will produce them
Below right: An Airbus
people in the UK and supports more than 100,000 – uniting all parts of our production system in one
BelugaXL. jobs through our supply chain here. We’ve also trained seamless whole. Our customers will benefit from more
Airbus
Airbus
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019 15AEROSPACE
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury
efficient aircraft and significantly shorter production global path towards achieving our targets, thanks to
lead-times. the great work of ICAO. Yet we should acknowledge
Our products are evolving quickly too. Our new that many people want to see commercial aviation
A321 Long Range provides the longest range of any commit to more ambitious targets. We should also
single-aisle jetliner in the world. The aircraft is opening acknowledge that some industries are progressing
up transatlantic routes for the airlines that were comparatively quickly in addressing their emissions.
previously impossible. In fact, commercial aviation’s growth means that its
greenhouse gas emissions are still rising and our
Digital services sector’s share of worldwide emissions will increase
from today’s 2%. The bottom line is that improving our
We’re also expanding Airbus’s services business. industry’s environmental performance will be critical to
Digital technology is unlocking a wealth of new data retaining public confidence
about aircraft design, production and operations. So what’s the best way ahead? In the near-term,
Skywise is our new cloud-based platform that collects the industry should support the implementation of the
data about all aspects of our customers’ aircraft. By CORSIA offsetting scheme. This is the competitive
the end of 2018, more than 50 airlines had signed level playing field we use to invest. First, at Airbus,
up, linking some 4,500 aircraft to the platform. Many we will continue to raise the fuel efficiency of our
airlines have already used this data to drive significant aircraft. Lightweight carbon-fibre materials and new Clockwise from main
image: The Airbus
improvements in their maintenance and operational engine technology can deliver impressive results.
E-Fan X is a flight
reliability. They include Easyjet, our partner in the The latest aircraft, such as the A350, provide a demonstrator which will be
platform from the beginning. 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to a significant step forward in
It doesn’t end there. The platform will soon many older jetliners. They’re much quieter too. This hybrid-electric propulsion
begin collecting data about different aspects of matters if commercial aviation is to retain public for commercial aircraft.
the passenger experience inside the cabin. These acceptance, especially here in London. At Airbus, we Airbus’ A340 laminar-flow
innovations can be a blueprint for a competitive have a research partnership with the University of ‘BLADE’ test demonstrator
European aerospace sector over the next decade and Southampton whose goal is to reduce aircraft noise to aircraft (A340-300
MSN001) on its successful
beyond. a minimum
maiden flight for the
EU-sponsored Clean
Tackling the environmental challenge Cleaner emissions Sky ‘Blade’ project. This
demonstrator brings
Another challenge will be to develop a more But let’s face reality: over the longer-term, only a new a 50% reduction of wing
sustainable aviation industry. Our industry’s generation of cleaner technology will satisfy society’s friction and up to 5% lower
CO2 emission.
environmental performance will face tougher scrutiny expectations. In European aerospace, we should aim
than ever before. We’ve already signed up to some high. Our ambition can only be to develop the first low- The Airbus’ Skywise digital
data platform.
testing targets, such as halving CO2 emissions by emissions airliner. Such a plane could be a single-aisle
Airbus’ air taxi CityAirbus
2050 on their 2005 levels. The good news is that, powered by hybrid-electric engines which might be
made its first unpiloted
with the carbon offsetting and reduction scheme ready to fly in the 2030s. To bring this dream to reality, flight on 3 May in
for international aviation (CORSIA), we now have a we must act now because many years of innovation Donauwörth, Germany.
Airbus
Airbus
Airbus
Airbus
16 AEROSPACE / JUNE 2019Airbus
Airbus
Airbus
Guillaume Faury with UK PM Theresa May, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and French President, Emmanuel Macron.
lie ahead. After all, I’m talking about bringing batteries A disorderly departure from the EU would undermine
to a level of maturity sufficient to power an airliner and that reputation.
satisfy the regulatory authorities that they are safe. Looking beyond Brexit, it’s imperative that the
This would surely be one of the greatest UK remains at the heart of European aerospace’s
accomplishments in aviation history. At Airbus, we’re major initiatives. Some of the signs are positive. For
accelerating our efforts to make it happen. In 2017, WE ARE example, the UK will remain part of the European
we entered into a partnership with Rolls-Royce, STRONGER Space Agency. That is encouraging for a country that
Siemens and Cranfield University to build the E-Fan X, is at the forefront of space research through projects
a hybrid-electric demonstrator. The E-Fan X should be
TOGETHER – AS like the ExoMars Rover and Zephyr. The Mars Rover,
ready to fly in 2021 and is receiving funding from the A PARTNERSHIP being built by Airbus in Stevenage, is due to land
UK Aerospace Technology Institute. OF AEROSPACE on Mars in 2020. The Zephyr is a solar-powered
We’re also pursuing innovations in so-called NATIONS unmanned aircraft that can stay airborne for months
‘urban air mobility’: autonomous flying taxis, powered at an altitude of 70,000ft. And it is the first aircraft
by electric engines and drone technology. These of its kind able to fly in the stratosphere. The Zephyr
projects should yield valuable lessons on the path to offers outstanding defence and civil capabilities, and
developing the first hybrid-electric single-aisle aircraft. will transform our ability to monitor the changing
natural landscape and disasters like oil spills.
The future for the UK
One future fighter or two?
How can the UK maintain a leading role in this new
era? The country must continue to foster its reputation In other areas the UK’s path ahead is less certain.
as a centre of innovation. In recent years, excellent Look at Europe’s next generation of fighters, the
work has been done by industry and government. Here aircraft that will replace Eurofighter sometime after
I’d like to single out the ‘growth partnerships’ for the civil 2040. Currently, two separate projects are planned.
and defence sectors. They set out a vision for the future There’s the Future Combat Air System Programme,
of British aerospace and a roadmap for developing the FCAS, that has been agreed between France and
the skills and technology to realise that vision. Germany. Then there are the plans underway here in
It’s an approach that’s delivering results. Last the UK for a different aircraft, the Tempest.
year, the Government announced a ‘sector deal’ for The two projects are similar. Each will feature
aerospace that provides funding to improve supply Beyond Typhoon innovations in artificial intelligence, autonomous
chain productivity and to establish the UK as a leader and Rafale; will flight and connectivity and each might take two
in cleaner technology. This work must continue. Europe come decades or so to develop. Is it really the right way for
But there’s a bigger story here. If we’ve learned us in Europe to develop two next generation fighters
anything about European aerospace during Airbus’
together for its and systems separately but in the same time frame?
history, it’s that we are stronger together – as a next generation Can we really afford it?
partnership of nations. It’s often been said that such future fighter? There are times when anniversaries come at
an approach shouldn’t work but it does work. It works symbolic moments. Airbus’ 50th anniversary is one
because we can move parts, people and technology of those moments, a moment where aerospace is
freely within the borders of the European Union. embarking on an era of profound change. I’m confident
Airbus
So, the role the UK plays in the future will partly be that the European aerospace sector can prosper
determined by policymakers this year. in this new era. Our strongest chance of success is
The risk of a no-deal Brexit may have receded to proceed as we have done for decades: as a true
but it remains. Over many decades, the UK has won partnership of nations beyond borders – with the UK
a reputation as an attractive location for investment. at the core.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook.com www.aerosociety.com JUNE 2019 17You can also read